August 2015 Farming Monthly National

Farming

MONTHLY National

August 2015

Inside this issue...

On Topic

Don’t play the blowfly lottery |

Feature

Glamping Show 2015 |

Animal Health | NADIS Foot Rot Bulletin

News

Arable

Black-grass, soil health & more |

| Don’t become a farming fatality statistic

Renewables | AD & Biogas focus

Also Inside: Slurry | Livestock | Machinery | Tyres | Farm Security | News | ATV | Motors

Contents

25

58

August 2015

10 16

FMN

Features

FMN

Regulars

10 14 18 20 24 33 44 46

Feature

06 12 39 49 54 58

News

Glamping Show 2015

Animal Health Foot Rot, simple ventilation for health..

Livestock Beef industry sees 1% growth

Buildings RIDBA warns farmers on Health & Safety

Arable Soil health, black-grass, pests...

Slurry Storage, mixing, application..

Education

Catch up on the news that matters

On Topic Don’t play the blowfly lottery

Renewables Focus on Biogas

Machinery Latetst news

ATV Suzuki, Honda, Polaris news

Motors Latest motors news plus two pick-ups reviewed

NEXT MONTH

Education & skills news

Dairy focus

Groundcare Echo powertools, Kubota mower We welcome feedback and encourage readers to air their views. Have an opinion on a story or something you want to get off your chest? Write to us at the address below or email letters@farmingmonthly.com Whilst every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, the opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. The Editor also reserves the right to alter or edit material as necessary and no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracies. Full copyright applies. All rights reserved 2015.

Andrew Poulton EDITOR

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| News

Don’t become a farming fatality statistic The Farmers’ Union of Wales – one of 13 organisations part of the On-Farm Health & Safety Charter for Wales – joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and St John Cymru Wales to get the health and safety message across to farmers, at the second day of the Royal Welsh Show. griculture represents about 1.4 percent of the workforce across the UK but astonishingly accounts for up to 20 percent of all reported work-related fatalities in Great Britain. And even though we still have one of the lowest rates of workplace deaths in Europe, one death is still one too many and we don’t want to see our farmers become a farming fatality statistic,” said FUW education and training committee chairman Alun Edwards

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“First aid training will give farming families the skills they need to cope with potentially life threatening situations” Joining the FUW at its pavilion was HSE's head of agriculture, Rick Brunt, who said: "The work of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership is a vital component in helping the farming industry improve its poor safety record.

“The risks on farms are all wellknown and readily managed, but all too often farmers and farm workers put themselves in situations where one slip can have life changing or even fatal consequences.

“We are pleased to support the partnership, and the member organisations, in their activities to raise awareness of these issues."

Throughout the day visitors to the pavilion were able to chat with St John Cymru Wales Cadet of the Year 2015, 16-year-old Rhiannon Bartlett, who shares the organisation’s vision of there being a ‘First Aider on Every Street’ in the future.

“We as an organisation recognise the dangers associated with the industries and communities in which we work.

Agriculture is a major industry in Wales and St John understand the dangers involved and the fact that it is statistically the most dangerous work place in the UK,” said Miss Bartlett.

Rhiannon is a farmer’s daughter living on a hill farm in

06 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Machen where she is part of the third generation working the land and looking after the livestock there. This makes her ideally placed to take a leading role in publicising in the First Aid for Farmers campaign.

“I am passionate about improving the safety for farmers as they work and am looking to raise first aid awareness of famers and in particular young farmers. First

Rhiannon Bartlett

aid training will give farming families the skills they need to cope with potentially life threatening situations,” added Miss Bartlett.

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| News

Agricised® brings welcome savings in fencing costs Setting new standards in long life fencing M&M Timber’s highly acclaimed Agricised fencing posts have now become first choice for economy conscious land owners and the farming community throughout the UK. osting much the same as the industry standard treated posts to purchase and install, the Agricised products have at least three times the average lifespan.

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Here is a new generation fencing breakthrough that carries a genuine 15 year warranty at little more than the cost of standard fencing posts.

M&M Timber has doubled production of its Agricised product over the past 12 months as more and more customers recognise the real savings to be made in replacement materials and labour costs over a 15 year period.

Typically, this could mean a saving of up to £4,500 on a 500 metres stock fencing installation. And that’s no idle boast; Agricised fencing posts are guaranteed for a full 15 years, with a written warranty and an online customer

registration scheme for absolute peace of mind.

A specialist in timber manufacturing and treatments for over 30 years, and a respected authority on agricultural fencing, M&M Timber was amongst the first to introduce the process of introducing uniform machined incisions of the post’s most vulnerable ground contact area, for greater penetration of pressurised preservative to meet BS8417 ground contact zone requirements. Following further investment in manufacturing plant, the company’s Agricised timbers are now prepared using EXCALIBUR incising technology, allowing even deeper and more consistent penetration of wood preservative into this important ‘zone of confidence’.

World renowned TANALITH E wood preservative in now used exclusively in all M&M Timber’s treatment processes, a tried and tested copper based wood preservative with high performance credentials, particularly for ground contact timbers.

Here, at last then, is a new generation fencing breakthrough that carries a genuine 15 year warranty at little more than the cost of standard fencing posts. A top performance option no less, without the inherent high cost penalties that have hitherto forced land owners to settle for lower grade or inferior fencing installations.

Other recent developments

include the launch of the 'Prestige' range of scalloped post and half round rail fencing. A superb quality fencing option that looks good in any application and has become the top choice for high end perimeter fencing and commercial applications throughout the UK. For more information please contact M&M Timber on 01299 832 611 or see the website at www.mmtimber.co.uk.

Investment in farmland boosts values The average value of investment farmland rose by 14% over the last 12 mths and 228% over the last 10 yrs, according to Knight Frank’s new Farmland Investment Index. his was a markedly stronger performance than other major asset classes, including prime residential property in central London (+135%) and the FTSE 100 (+28%).

The new index tracks the value of large blocks of arable farmland across England, typically upwards of 1,000 acres, which because of their scale are of interest to investors.

The relative scarcity of this investment-grade land means its performance has even outstripped the overall farmland market which has risen on average by 10% over the last 12 months and 198% over the last 10 years to hit a record high of £8,265/acre, according to Knight Frank’s Farmland Index.

Demand from farmland investors is strong with values now standing at an average of £12.500/acre. However, over the

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past three months values have remained unchanged indicating that prices might be starting to level out.

Tom Raynham, Head of Knight Frank’s Agricultural Investment team, comments: “The demand for agricultural investments has risen beyond the market’s expectations and is attracting private, institutional and corporate investors alike.

“The institutional investor has come back with greater resolve in the last 12 months following the sale of the CO-OP Farms portfolio and now has a greater understanding that although values might fluctuate, the underlying asset is never depleted if managed properly.

More land is coming to the market and greater portfolios are being put together, further developing the farming industry and safeguarding the invaluable investment that is helping to support food production in UK.”

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 07

| News

“Strong Productivity Plan for rural businesses, but broadband plans fall short” The Government’s Productivity Plan sets out important actions to boost rural growth, long-term investment and diversification of farm businesses but falls short of what is needed on rural broadband, says the CLA. he organisation, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, welcomes recognition that specific plans are needed for productivity within the rural economy.

CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price said: “Too often Government can see the countryside as a beauty spot alone rather than also as a place where people live and work. This is a strong plan that recognises the rural economy’s important contribution to the national economy and sets out specific plans for boosting rural productivity. We look forward to working with Government to ensure delivery on the ground.

“The commitment to unblocking the planning system is good news for rural communities and businesses, but the plans for delivery of broadband fall short of what is needed.”

On adoption of local plans: Mr Price said: “In areas where no local plan for development has been adopted, it is all too easy for planning authorities to block the projects needed for rural businesses to invest and grow, and needed for people to live near their workplaces. Government has today sent out a very clear message that this will no longer be tolerated.

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“Local plans should act as the mechanism for delivering the right development in the right places, which is essential for a strong rural economy and for thriving countryside communities. They should also help prevent less strategically planned windfall applications and reduce delivery by costly appeal. With around half of England’s planning authorities failing to adopt a local plan to date, this obstruction has become a stranglehold on rural areas across the country. We have been calling for Government to take action and we are very pleased to see the reforms which allow Ministers to force local authorities to issue plans to a defined and enforceable timescale.”

On review of the threshold for agricultural buildings to convert to residential: Mr Price said: “Delivery of rural housing has been woeful. The review of the threshold for agricultural buildings to convert to residential must be significant if it is to really make a difference. The inclusion of this review in the Productivity Plan highlights that Government is prepared to circumvent obstructive planning authorities to support appropriate delivery of rural homes.”

On the extension of Right to Buy to Housing Association tenants Mr Price said: “We remain concerned about the extension of Right to Buy to Housing

08 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Association tenants, which will turn the already challenging situation into a catastrophe for delivery of affordable housing in the countryside. Across the countryside there are landowners that want to provide land for affordable housing, they understand that this means selling it at less than market value for this purpose. They will not do this if they know the homes will eventually be sold off into the open market and not kept for those in most need within their communities. It is therefore vital Ministers put in place a specific exemption from the policy for homes in rural communities, for continued existence of an affordable rental sector in rural areas.”

On delivery of rural broadband and mobile coverage: Mr Price said: “Too many people living and working in the countryside still suffer from poor or non-existent broadband connection. It is a missed opportunity that this plan does not

set out a specific Universal Service Obligation of at least 10 megabits per second on network providers for all rural homes and businesses, including the last 5%. This is the only way to give rural communities and businesses the confidence that the discrimination they face will end.

“We agree that the code governing access to land for mobile and broadband equipment (the electronic communications code) should be reformed. We will work with Government to ensure that this is done quickly. It is vital that the code strikes a fair and workable balance to ensure that we get more infrastructure in our rural areas, but not in a way that imposes disproportionate costs and burdens on farmers and other landowners.”

The Productivity Plan can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/up loads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/443897/Productivity_Plan_ print.pdf

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| News

Managing Disallowance Risk Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Rural Payments Agency accounts 2014-15 Since 2005, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has incurred a total of £642 million in financial penalties relating to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in England, according to a report ‘Managing Disallowance Risk’ published recently by the National Audit Office. hese penalties are imposed by the European Commission when it believes member states have not complied with its requirements to control and administer payments properly under the CAP. The UK has incurred ‘disallowance penalties’ of £2.70 for every £100 of CAP funds paid out to the UK from the European Commission since 2005. Over the period this represents the sixth highest figure in Europe out of 28 member states. The countries with higher rates of penalties are Greece, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria and Cyprus.

The main causes of ‘disallowance penalties’ in the UK under the previous CAP scheme (which ran from 2005 to 2014), were late payment to farmers, poor mapping data used to verify applications, and shortcomings in cross-compliance controls.

Issues with the quality and completeness of data in the Rural Land Register are a key contributor to the disallowance penalties. The Department is considering a range of remedies that are likely to require an investment of between £25 million and £45 million. If it can successfully tackle all sources of mapping related disallowance, the

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Department believes it could avoid future penalties in England of between £215 million and £370 million by 2021.

As well as dealing with historic issues, the Department and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are making significant changes in response to the new 2015-20 CAP scheme.

The current 2015-20 CAP scheme is more complex than the one it replaces, despite efforts to achieve simplification. The Department estimates that the reformed CAP will be 15% more expensive to deliver than the old scheme. The Department and the RPA expect increased disallowance in the early years of the new scheme because of the added complexity and the European Commission’s introduction of more stringent controls.

The Department and the RPA also consider there is a risk that the Commission will disagree with the Department’s interpretation of the reformed regulations. Amongst the NAO’s recommendations is that the Department work proactively with the Commission to address the risks of ambiguity or disagreement over how the regulations are implemented.

As part of its reform agenda, the Department has launched the CAP Delivery Programme, to deliver a

new IT system for processing grant claims and payments in England. The programme is behind schedule and the Department has had to make changes to the system. In March 2015, because of technical problems, the Department and RPA decided to suspend the system which enabled famers to submit their personal details and land data online, and reverted to a partially paper-based system to ensure registrations could be submitted on time. This increases the risk of errors, and will delay savings that had been anticipated from not having to input data manually. Future levels of disallowance are highly dependent on the final design of the system and the extent of any further delays in implementation.

At the same time as publishing his report on managing disallowance risk, the head of the NAO, Comptroller and Auditor General Amyas Morse, has also published his reports on the Defra and RPA accounts for 2014-15.

RPA is the main delivery body for CAP in England but the payments and related disallowance penalties are recorded in the Defra accounts. The C&AG has qualified his opinion on the Defra financial statements on the ground that the value of the financial penalties confirmed in 2014-15, £90 million,

was both material in relation to total departmental expenditure and irregular. The C&AG had not qualified his audit opinion on regularity for 2012-13 and 2013-14 because he judged that the penalties confirmed in-year were not material. However, before that, the C&AG had for several years qualified his audit opinion on regularity - again, as a result of material financial penalties incurred by the Department.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: “Progress has been made by Defra over the last year in its approach to managing the financial penalties imposed by the European Commission.

Nevertheless, the problems giving rise to financial penalties are persisting and there are additional risks arising from the more complex CAP 2015-20 scheme.

“I am sorry that I have had to return to qualifying my opinion on regularity on the Department’s accounts, primarily owing to the fact that penalties for 2012 and 2013 have now been confirmed.”

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 09

| Feature

The Glamping Show 2015 Swan Events and Holiday Parks Management are looking forward to welcoming a wide range of exhibitors to the inaugural Glamping Show at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. From Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September anyone planning or considering launching a Glamping site will be able to find all they need in just one place to lay the foundations for a successful business. he Show is completely dedicated to Glamping; an event many in the industry feel is long overdue as Glamping is believed to be the fastest growing holiday sector worldwide, with huge potential, especially here in

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the UK where ‘staycations’ and short breaks are on the increase.

This feeling is evident in the amount of support the Show has received since it was announced at the beginning of 2015, including official supporters such as Visit England, the country’s national tourist board and a real powerhouse in global tourism and

Glamping guru, Kate Morel of Quality Unearthed, who has followed the progress of the Glamping phenomenon over the past few years and said: “For those considering starting their own Glamping sites, the Glamping Show is right on cue.

Glamping is not just a trend; it is a much needed unique experience that is here to stay.”

Exhibitors will be attending from all corners of the Glamping sector, not only from the UK but also from Europe and as far afield as South Africa, showcasing everything from Glamping venues, hot tubs and other accessories through ecotoilets and technology to all types of Glamping structures.

Exhibitor, Leander Hobbs, founder of Deepee, said: “The timing is just right for an exhibition dedicated to the Glamping industry. As a new supplier to this sector it is a perfect showcase for us to launch ourselves into the market and the show has delivered even before the doors have opened. We are delighted to see that the publicity the event is generating is already paying dividends; we have acquired some potential new business as a direct result of our association with the show. We are really looking forward to the event and capitalising on this current momentum.”

In addition to an amazing array of exhibitors there will be a comprehensive seminar programme being run over the three days of the Show, which will

provide new, and existing business owners, with a wealth of knowledge on how to launch, and run, a successful Glamping business. These seminars will cover everything from planning and funding, options and resources for fledgling business, the pitfalls and how to avoid them to how to engage social media successfully, the importance of good photography and how to find and train good staff plus everything in between.

“For those considering starting their own Glamping sites, the Glamping Show is right on cue” All the speakers are experts in their field within the Glamping industry and the business community at large, which amongst others will include Sarah Riley of Inspired Camping discussing the options available for setting up a Glamping Business, Tom Dixon of Canopy and Stars who will be discussing market trends and the unique potential for treehouses, Bella Given of Longlands in Devon on the secrets to a successful Glamping business and Alex Joll of Results Marketing who will look at effective use of social media. In addition to the comprehensive line up of industry professionals the organisers are excited to welcome renowned TV presenter and upcycler, Max McMurdo, who will be getting creative and helping visitors to realise their dream!

Make sure Stoneleigh is a Glamping destination in your diary this September; The Glamping Show, Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September.

For more information visit www.theglampingshow.com or follow the Show on twitter @theglampingshow

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| Feature

If you have the land Wigwam® is the brand!

Cash in on the UK”s glamping revolution. igwam Holidays are market leaders in the provision of all year round camping, in the UK s rapidly expanding glamping sector. With over 70 UK locations and 15 years track record Wigwam Holidays is a brand you can trust.

Whether you are an existing campsite a landowner or farmer considering diversification, the Wigwam Holidays Franchise is an ideal opportunity to boost income, providing comprehensive support in planning, marketing and launching your glamping business.

Wigwam Holidays started in 2000 creating their unique range of heated wooden Wigwams® – ecofriendly and affordable these high spec. and fully insulated wooden

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cabins provide the ultimate four season camping cabins. From the basic 3 berth Wee Brave to the luxurious ensuite Running Water Deluxe we have the cabin to suite all pockets and tastes.

The Wigwam Holidays team have a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding all aspects the Wigwam® product. Wigwam Holidays work WITH you to make the most of your business.

Our fully interactive website, www.wigwamholidays.com has over 500,000 ‘visits’ per year.

As a franchisee, you buy the right to develop the Wigwam brand in your area. Benefits include, marketing, physical and business planning, franchise finance website, literature design, training and perhaps most importantly access to the Wigwam Holidays network and team.

Meet the Wigwam team at two forthcoming events: The Glamping Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire (Sat Nav CV8 2LG): trade only Thursday 24th September; trade and public Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September, Stand 23.

The Farm Business Innovation Show (Sat Nav B40 1NT) Birmingham NEC, Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th November, Stand 420.

Don’t Take Our Word For It …

Patrick and Ann Mews of Crowtree Wigwams, Lincolnshire, are recent franchisee’s: “We are really excited to be associated with Wigwam Holidays after looking for a diversification project for our farming business.

They provide a recognised quality brand with a high standard of accommodation, ideally suited within a rural setting, we look forward to working with their team in developing the Wigwam brand in Lincolnshire.”

Free business advice at The Glamping Show The organisers have put together a full programme of seminars over the three days of the Show where visitors will have access to free expert advice on how to successfully launch a glamping business as well as how to develop and improve existing business. hese seminars will cover everything from planning and funding, options and resources for fledgling businesses, the pitfalls and how to avoid them to how to engage social media successfully, the importance of good photography and how to find and train staff, as well as much more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear from those people who have

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already taken the plunge, such as Anita Wadall of Agility Marketing, who was behind the marketing launch of the renowned Crealy Meadows Adventure Park in Devon and can provide first-hand experience on what to do and what not to do to ensure the success of a new glamping business.

The Show’s seminar speakers are all experts in their field within the glamping industry and business community at large.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 11

| On Topic

Don’t play the blowfly Authored by Dr Fiona Lovatt, Independent Sheep Veterinary Consultant and Senior Vice President of the Sheep Veterinary Society. lowfly strike is one of the most familiar and unpleasant issues affecting sheep in the UK and Ireland.

Research has shown that every year there will be cases on more than 75 per cent of sheep farms with every case causing pain and distress to the sheep, as well as a drain on the time and finances of farmers nationwide.

As an industry we now understand more about the factors which contribute to blowfly strike and the strategies that can help prevent its occurrence.

However, each year, many shepherds fail to benefit from that knowledge and suffer the emotional and economic consequences of failing to act until after the first cases of strike have occurred.

Two major factors determine the number of cases of blowfly strike on any one farm: the number of susceptible sheep and the number of flies in the environment. Control strategies involve decreasing the susceptibility of the sheep and reducing the number of flies by applying timely preventative measures.

UNPREDICTABILITY We are all well aware of the unpredictability of the UK weather, seen last year in a very warm spring compared to this year’s cooler, but still very unsettled weather. In terms of the weather, the occurrence of blowfly strike depends on both soil temperature and air humidity, as well as the presence of long, wet or dirty fleece.

The first strike cases will not have occurred as early this year as in 2014, but as the season progresses

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around half a million cases will still occur nationally.

Due to the unpredictability of the UK weather, getting the timing right for treatment of ewes and lambs against blowfly strike can be difficult. However, evidence consistently suggests that early application is the most cost effective way in reducing the numbers of both flies and susceptible sheep.

THE GAMBLE Waiting for the first case of blowfly strike before thinking about treatment is a dangerous gamble to take, and commonly farmers act too late. A struck sheep can be hard to spot, having separated itself from the main flock, and, at a high risk time of year, apparently clean sheep can be heavily infested with maggots within a day or so.

The results can be devastating. Each case of strike increases the risk to the rest of the flock by increasing the blowfly population in the area. And once struck, an animal can die quickly or suffer for a week or so before succumbing. Obviously, the death of even one sheep has financial consequences, but, even when an animal does not actually die, there is a dramatic effect on growth rate as well as damage to both hide and fleece causing further loss.

Of course there are additional costs associated with the time and labour required to catch and treat all affected sheep as well as the medicines needed for treatment and nursing.

The impact can be felt on an emotional level too. A severely struck sheep will be in significant distress, with foul and tender open wounds caused by the blowfly larvae quite literally eating their way through both skin and flesh.

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| On Topic

STOP PLAYING THE BLOWFLY LOTTERY The gamble of the blowfly lottery can be significantly reduced with a simple but effective fly control strategy discussed in partnership with a vet.

Every case of fly strike on a farm has a significant cost to both finances and welfare, but cases of fly strike do not have to be inevitable. With the right strategy and the right products in place at the right time of year, the risk of fly strike is dramatically reduced.

Blowfly strike is a disease which should always be controlled by taking appropriate preventative action and best practice can be based on a three-tier strategy: PREPARE Arm yourself with the facts on blowfly strike and put in place a fly control strategy before it is too late this blowfly season. As soon as possible, you should consult your vet or animal health advisor as to the most appropriate strategy for your farm.

The most cost-effective strategies involve treating both ewes and lambs early in the season. Once you see a case of strike you have already incurred significant costs and it is arguably too late. However, at least you can use this unfortunate case, to prompt immediate action to protect the rest of the flock for this year and to remind you to treat earlier next year.

PREDICT Don’t be fooled by a slower start to the fly season due to lower temperatures earlier this spring. Breech strike in lambs occurs irrespective of weather conditions, and the risk increases as their wool grows and the number of dirty backsides increase.

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Unsettled, wet weather in the early summer can give high humidity and warmth that will inevitably lead to strike.

And don’t take your eyes off the ball by the end of the summer. A warm wet autumn combined with longer fleece lengths can mean high strike risk in both ewes and lambs that were not given a long-lasting product earlier in the season.

PREVENT We know that the timely use of a preventative product will limit the build-up of flies as well as protect the sheep. In accordance with SCOPS guidelines, I would always recommend that wherever possible, a narrow-spectrum preventative product is used, and for the prevention of blowfly strike this means an insect growth regulator (IGR) is ideal. The active ingredient in these products halts maggot development in its early stages, preventing damage to the sheep and subsequent flystrike.

Although the synthetic pyrethroids are essential for use in the treatment of established cases of strike, they are less suitable for prevention due to their broad-spectrum nature as well as potential residue and efficacy issues if used in anything other than a recently shorn sheep.

There are enough factors affecting the success of sheep farming that are out of our control - such as the British weather and the price of lamb – don’t introduce another risk by gambling with the blowflies that we know we can control.

Waiting for the first case of blowfly strike before thinking about treatment is a dangerous gamble to take, and commonly farmers act too late

About Blowfly Strike Blowfly strike is one of the major external parasites affecting sheep in the UK. As soil temperatures rise above 9oC overwintered blowfly larvae will start to develop into adult blowflies. The flies are attracted by the odours of excessive sweating and decaying organic matter and will lay eggs in a sheep’s fleece allowing maggots to develop and feed on the animal’s flesh.

Whilst blowfly strike is likely to occur in warmer, humid weather, the blowfly season is starting earlier and lasting longer than before. If left unprotected, blowfly strike can happen very fast and animals can die within a matter of days.

Find out more about blowfly strike visit www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/blowfly or www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/fleecebind

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 13

| Animal Health

NADIS Health Bulletin: Foot Rot The prevalence (percentage of affected sheep on any day) is estimated to be 8-15 per cent in UK flocks. There is increasing evidence that a high prevalence of lameness (>2%) is indicative of failure to treat lame sheep appropriately (not quickly enough and using the wrong treatment). One flock study reported an annual loss of around £6 per lame sheep affected by foot rot.

Causes Foot rot is caused by the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus.

Clinical Signs Inflammation and superficial infection of the interdigital skin extends to under-run the sole and hoof horn of the inner hoof wall. Further separation and under-running of the hoof horn of the sole continues and may extend to the outer hoof wall. There is a characteristic smell of necrotic horn/exudate. The whole hoof capsule may be shed in severe cases. Chronic infection leads to grossly mis-shapen and overgrown hooves.

In chronic cases, the hoof walls and toes become overgrown and mis-shapen, trapping dirt and inflammatory exudate between the inflamed, granulating soft tissues of the sole and overgrown horn.

Diagnosis Diagnosis of foot rot is based upon the characteristic appearance of lesions.

Treatment The best current treatment for foot rot is an injection of long acting oxytetracycline injected intramuscularly at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg, together with removal of any debris from the interdigital space and use of an antibacterial spray. Affected sheep must be isolated with other sheep undergoing similar treatment.

• Removal of any debris from the interdigital space • Injection of long acting oxytetracycline • Oxytetracycline spray • No foot paring • Cull chronic cases that fail to cure after three treatments.

Paring the hoof horn to expose the lesion exposes the corium and delays healing.

Overzealous paring and exposure of the sensitive corium in combination with frequent formalin footbath treatments may result in the generation of toe fibromas.

• • • •

Foot paring in cases of foot rot: Causes pain Delays healing May cause toe granulomas

Foot paring may be undertaken when the sheep is no longer lame and the foot is grossly overgrown. The grossly overgrown horn should be trimmed with sharp foot shears after about one week when the foot rot lesion is much less inflamed

Prevention and control Foot trimming has no role in the treatment of foot rot.

Excessive trimming of the wall in this case causes most of the weight to be carried by sole which is not normal.

with under the infection foot rot with Early case ofinclude; vaccination cost, short spreading durationfrom the so that horn becomes separated horn tissue (booster vaccinations required every six not be trimmed. sole. This foot must

Foot trimming Foot trimming has no role in the treatment of foot rot nor should it be considered as a preventive method when planning control programmes.

Footbathing sheep before housing and after gathering, where facilities are excellent and the standing is hard can kill off bacteria on the surface of the foot and reduce transmission of infection.

Footbathing is most likely to be successful to prevent foot rot.

Trimming excess horn whilst leaving a weight bearing wall is best done once the sheep is no longer lame; trimming should not be viewed as part of the treatment for foot rot. If a chronically lame sheep does not respond to remedial treatment, it should be culled.

All purchased stock must be quarantined for one month and examined for foot rot before introduction into the main flock. Footbathing could be undertaken during this quarantine period as directed by the farmer’s veterinary surgeon.

Prevention • Closed flock • Quarantine all introduced sheep • Consider use of vaccine • Regular footbathing (but not as a treatment option).

Vaccination There are few reported flock trials of foot rot vaccines in the UK upon which to base informed opinion. It is recommended that all sheep are vaccinated thereby limiting future environmental contamination and challenge.

Subsequent doses should be administered according to prevailing conditions or in anticipation of climatic conditions which favour disease. Potential disadvantages associated

months orhas before theunder anticipated tissue of the sole. the horn challenge spread Infection period), and occasional exposed causing becomelocalised corium hassevere The reddened trimmed. not besite. reaction atfoot themust injection pain.This

Advanced case of foot rot with infection under-running the sole and extending up the inner hoof wall to the coronary band. This hoof horn must not be trimmed

A neglected case of foot rot with complete underrunning of the sole and an overgrown and mis-shapen outer hoof wall. Excess flaps of horn can be trimmed about one week after antibiotic treatment when the foot will be much less inflamed and painful

DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR VETERINARY HEALTH PLAN – CONSULT YOUR VET 14 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

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| Root Crops

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August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 15

| Animal Health

Animal health requires tailored solutions and trust in your supplier

By John Lack of Hydor Ltd here’s a popular misconception among livestock farmers that in order to keep animals healthy, they need to install rows of fans the length of the shed and control the ventilation through a highly expensive and complex control system.

In truth, more often than not, it’s just certain areas of buildings with stagnant air that simply need a ‘helping hand.’ For many farmers it’s a natural instinct to seek a sophisticated and expensive system, when in fact it’s just as effective to find a simpler and more affordable solution.

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Modern dairy farming demands more bespoke solutions based upon the many individual environments that are evident in different sheds The ethos between the farmer, who knows his livestock and sheds like the back of his hand, and the engineer who is designing the ventilation solution is key. The farmer identifies the problem, the engineer finds the solution.

For instance I will often ask the farmer questions such as, where are the cows bunching? Or, are the cows standing on their bedding panting or lying down?

Let’s look at the issues of livestock sheds.

Imagine the spokes of a wheel. One of these spokes represents the environment, feed, another is water, and then there is bedding and

breeding. To get the best out of the animals all these spokes have to work together throughout the animal’s entire life.

America is often cited as a good example of ventilation practice. However the UK environment does not match the climatic conditions of certain farming areas of America.

Many dairy farmers ask me about factored cooling and suggest they “need to get a misting system”. At present our climate doesn’t quite warrant it. You will not get the same temperature reductions. It’s an expensive system to install and when relative humidity is down to the levels to make it work, it’s only going to be effective for one or two weeks of the year. In short, it’s a large potential outlay with a long payback. Obviously the poultry industry is very different.

Modern dairy farming demands more bespoke solutions based upon the many individual environments that are evident in different sheds. Many issues need to be factored in to find a good solution such as:

farm location/orientation, topography, stocking density, natural air movement, use of skylights, and problems caused by the siting of robot milkers.

Solutions need to be designed to meet the specific needs of each farm. My advice to farmers is to find a supplier/engineer who you can trust and avoid being seduced by expensive and unnecessary systems which place added strain on ever tightening margins in the dairy industry.

Follow us for our latest news and comment: Twitter: https://twitter.com/HydorLtd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydor-ltd

Swine Flu changing, meeting is told Diagnosing swine influenza from clinical signs has become more difficult in recent years because the course of the disease has changed. his was the message given to experts from the UK, Denmark, France, Spain, Poland, The Netherlands and Germany who met in Woerlitz, Germany, at a meeting organised by IDT Biologika to discuss the role of swine flu in the European pig population.

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“Pigs play an important role in the epidemiology of influenza A viruses since they can act as a ‘mixing vessel’ Delegates were told that since the clinical course of the disease had changed accurate diagnosis was needed. Dr Silke Wacheck, of IDT’s animal health international technical service, reporting from the meeting, said that it was accepted that the disease could not be easily diagnosed by trusting the ‘clinical eye’ or ‘clinical experience’.

Infection of animals occurs all year round and multiple sub-types can be isolated on individual farms, so laboratory tests are crucial

16 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

for precise identification of the viruses. These include the HI (Haemagglutination Inhibition) and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.

Prof Markowska-Daniel from Poland pointed out that infected sows may show a reduction in reproductive performance, resulting in a “high economic impact” for the farmer.

“Pigs play an important role in the epidemiology of influenza A viruses since they

can act as a ‘mixing vessel’. Influenza viruses are prone to genetic variability and pigs are susceptible to pig, human and avian viruses,” said Dr Wacheck.

More information at: www.idt-biologika.de www.swine-influenza.com www.woerlitzertierkolleg.com

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| Livestock

Livestock Event pulls in the crowds The Livestock Event pulled in the crowds and offered a morale booster to farmers at The NEC, Birmingham on 8 and 9 July. espite the fact at least £800m has been wiped off dairy farming incomes in the last 12 months, there was a welcome buzz around the trade halls which was indicative of an event which is strongly supported and not only withstood, but proved it could actually go from strength to strength in the current difficult marketplace,” commented Nick Everington, chief executive of event organiser, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

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“For me it was especially encouraging to see the vast crowd of dairy farmers interested to hear the RABDF NMR Gold Cup results, the UK’s premier award. We have some great talent in our industry and we shouldn’t forget it.”

“The complimentary ticket offer, which was RABDF’s contribution to help dairy farmers during the industry’s extraordinarily challenging times, was an undoubted success. It provided a welcome break for farmers who often work in an isolated environment, it was good for morale and benefitted the industry in general,” he said “We also welcomed for the first time even more beef and sheep farmers, many of whom were unaware of

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the vast range of products and information available at the Livestock Event to help with their farming enterprises.

“Highlights included the busy new live calf rearing demonstrations offering practical advice on how to maximise youngstock potential, whilst the live robotic milking and feeding demonstration continued to stimulate interest from small dairy farms, short of family labour but keen to secure their future, as well as from large beef finisher units looking at alternative feeding methods.

“Livestock classes remained at the heart of the event and attracted a packed ringside throughout the judging, and visitors explored the latest technology, discussed new business and placed orders. They were also challenged and inspired by presentations in the speaker areas with the Farm Health Planning Seminars and Feed Science Forums particularly well attended over the two days.”

“For me it was especially encouraging to see the vast crowd of dairy farmers interested to hear the RABDF NMR Gold Cup results, the UK’s premier award. We have some great talent in our industry and we shouldn’t forget it.”

He added: “To 2016 and we look forward to building on this week’s success and providing an opportunity for an increasing number of farmers to get away from their farms to gain more technical knowledge and do business.” www.livestockevent.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Livestock

Beef industry gets ‘beefed up’ with 1% growth After tough first quarter of the year the beef industry is showing signs of improvement ccording to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel, in the year to 24th May, the value of the UK beef market grew by over 1% on the year earlier to reach £2.17 billion.

Since January this year the price for prime cattle has been falling, however Chris Mallon Chief Executive of the National Beef Association (NBA), believes that that signs of a silver lining are beginning to emerge.

“For the store cattle bought in January finished later in the Spring, it has been especially difficult for farmers to produce a positive return. the implication of this is that it has seriously dented finishers’ confidence.

Many of whom are now considering their options for next year, and asking themselves whether they will keep cattle for finishing next Spring.

Chris continues: “To maintain the supply of finished cattle processors need to consider their procurement practices and ensure that they work more closely with the finishers.”

The volatility seen in the last few years has many elements to it, a strong sterling and a weak euro, slight increase in supply and also subdued demand. What we are now seeing, however, is supply tightening and the demand for beef is remaining steady.

“Whilst much of the increase in value of the UK beef market could be attributed to higher retail prices rather than increased volumes, some beef cuts have performed well and experienced year-on-year growth,” says Chris, he continues, “frying/grilling cut sales, for instance, were up 4%, while purchases of roasting joints were up over 2% on the year.”

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Despite making some gains from pork, the latest data points to consumers switching away from beef in favour of chicken. In the 12 weeks ending 24th May sales were down more in volume terms than in value. There is an increase in the frequency of beef purchases by consumers; however they bought smaller quantities per trip. This was especially the case for the mince category.

On a positive note frying and grilling beef sales were still in growth and this was no doubt helped by the good spring weather. Volumes were up in spite of the small increase in average price.

These cuts have grown to be worth almost a third of the category in value terms, with strong development coming from the hard discounters.

Now that summer has arrived in earnest, and we are all enjoying the heat wave, retailers may look for opportunities to drive beef sales, with a range of BBQ inspired beef products, which may in turn grow this segment of the market further.

Volume sales of roasting joints were maintained compared to the year earlier, but a fall in expenditure in the latest 12 week period reflected lower average prices. The stable volume of purchases was largely a result of growth in purchases at the big four retailers, on the back of increased promotional activity, while roasting joint sales from the hard discounters fell by a third.

Chris said: “The lack of beef promotions by the retailers in the last 6 months has been of particular concern to us, and we have seen an almost concerted effort by retailers to hold back demand in the spring.

Chris Mallon

Chief Executive of the NBA

“Farmers are getting a very low percentage share of retail price, for most of the spring it was below 47% well below the historical average of 54%. Such a differential should have allowed price promotions on the shelf and increased demand, but this is not something that we saw happening.”

“For the store cattle bought in January finished later in the Spring, it has been especially difficult for farmers to produce a positive return” Store cattle prices have remained strong due to the lack of store cattle available, and this has put pressure on those trying to finish them and maintain profits. Though the finisher knows that bringing store cattle to the point of sale is costly, the main concern they face, is that the end deadweight price does not leave margins.

Chris concludes: “Since Late May Early June we are seeing that the UK price has started to move in a positive direction, and we have seen some sorely needed large corrections to the cattle price. The price increases are a factor of reduced cattle numbers and steady consumer demand.”

The English Guernsey Cattle Society National Show is coming to the Dairy Show Hoping to see around 100 cattle at the 2015 event. e are delighted to bring our National Show to the much respected Dairy Show,” says Breed Administrator Caroline Cox. ”We can hope to see around 100 cattle, with exhibitors coming from across the country to compete for some of the Society’s most prestigious awards.”

Alan Lyons Head of Shows adds: “The Dairy Show is delighted to host The Guernsey Society National Show, and showcase this wonderful dairy breed. The Show very much focuses on being a pure Dairy Show and bringing the industry together and having the National Show and the competitive classes is at the heart of the Show.”

It is thought that the Guernsey breed originated from cows from Normandy that were brought to the small group of islands in the

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18 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

English Channel now known as The Channel Islands, but there is no precise history. During the 20th century some of these cows were brought to the Mainland, the nucleus of the population, then and now, being concentrated in the South West. However there are isolated herds, some large, throughout the UK, and Guernsey cows are also found in most of the Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

There is also a significant population in the USA. The cows are renowned for their even temperament and longevity. Their milk is much prized in production because of its high levels of Butterfat and Protein and its rich, golden colour created by naturally occurring carotene.

In recent years it has also been found to contain high levels of A2 Beta Casein, which although not medically proven, is thought to be beneficial to health. Guernsey milk also

contains naturally occurring high levels of Omega 3.

Schedules for competitive classes are available from August 7 and can be obtained from the Entries Department.

For further information about the Show visit www.bathandwest.com

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Livestock

SRUC advises livestock farmers to check their silage analysis now Experts from Scotland’s Rural College are encouraging beef and sheep producers in Scotland and the North of England to get their silage analysed as soon as possible to give them maximum warning of potential problems they could face this winter. hilst early published analysis showed a slight improvement on last years feed value the figures often relate to fields cut during the sunny days of late April or May and generally on dairy farms in central/southern England. For many other parts of the country it has been a poor summer because of cold, rain and sometimes even drought.

According to well known SRUC livestock specialist Dr Basil Lowman, one of many things to have suffered is the quality of silage made for feeding next winter.

“For the vast majority of beef and sheep producers making silage in the conditions of June and July has been completely different,” he says. “The cool conditions reduce the grass growth, but not the date when seed heads emerge, resulting in low yields of quite stemmy material. For many, conditions then worsened still further, with increased and even excessive rainfall.”

Basil Lowman points to evidence showing the huge impact silage quality can have on the

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amount of winter feed needed, if animal performance is to be maintained.

“The poorer the quality of the silage the less cattle eat. This lower daily silage intake is further reduced by having to feed more barley if animal performance is to be maintained. In some cases concentrate requirements over a 180 day winter feeding period could be increased two or three fold compared with when good quality silage is available.”

SRUC believes that beef and sheep producers who get their silage analysed now give themselves time to plan and prepare for any problems they might face this winter.

“The poor summer will also be reflected in poorer animal performance,” Basil reminds them. “With lighter, leaner animals coming in at housing time there could be a double whammy on cereal and concentrate requirements this winter, just when grain prices are beginning to firm.”

There are options. Calculating now what extra levels of cereals might be needed will allow any home grown crops to be harvested specifically for animal feed. If necessary grain

2015 Alltech mycotoxin storage analysis: Mycotoxins a growing concern for European ruminants Mycotoxins are increasingly causing a negative impact on the farm in terms of higher costs and lower productivity. Due to continuous development of moulds in storage, corn silage is now trending at high risk for mycotoxin contamination which contributes to a higher risk for total mixed rations (TMR), according to Alltech’s recent mycotoxin storage analysis for 2015. Alltech has analysed more than 800 samples of European ruminant feed from September 2014 to July 2015. ycotoxicosis in ruminants is often the result of exposure to multiple toxins, due to pre‐harvest infestation of feed materials by Fusarium species as well as from postharvest contamination of stored materials. Due to multiple mycotoxins at lower levels, the damaging effects on ruminants may not always be evident by solely observing the animals.

“All mycotoxins are produced by moulds.

Moulds are highly influenced by weather conditions and environmental factors. Factors that affect mycotoxin production in fermented forages include plant stress prior to harvest, packing density, moisture, oxygen exposure and face management,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, a nutritionist with Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Team.

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Through Alltech’s Analytical Services Laboratory, the company’s 37+® mycotoxin analysis program evaluates the change in mycotoxin numbers and levels over time from harvest through storage. By analysing the number and levels of mycotoxins present, the program can provide a Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ) of the increase in risk from harvest to feed out.

The most prevalent mycotoxins found in corn silage include Type B Trichothecenes and Fusaric Acid. According to Dr. Hawkins, corn silage in Europe is more contaminated than grass silage and appears to be representing a greater risk; therefore it is a more problematic ingredient. However, this does not indicate that grass silage is risk-free.

In terms of risk for dairy and beef, both are at high risk due to presence of Type B Trichothecenes and Fusaric Acid.

could be harvested moist and then crimped, or even treated with urea, should conditions continue to be difficult at a harvest which is already some two weeks late in most parts of the country.

“Alternatively deals can be struck with arable neighbours to benefit both,” he suggests. “For example combining headlands early as moist grain for stock feed can be a major benefit to growers resulting in a more uniform sample from the rest of the field and significantly reducing drying costs.”

SRUC recommends farmers contact their local adviser or consultant about sampling their pit. This is best done six weeks after it has been filled to ensure the fermentation is complete and the silage is stable. Waiting until the pit is opened when stock come in reduces the options and could result in significantly higher feed costs as winter feed prices kick in.

However whatever farmers are doing around their silage pits this season SRUC urges caution. With lots of wet silage made pits are bulging and slippery and it is important to take a safety first approach.

REQ levels for dairy illustrate 60% high risk, 26% medium risk and almost 16% low risk.

The average REQ for beef cattle is at moderate to high risk level. More than 83% of the corn silage samples are at moderate to high risk for dairy cattle. Total mixed rations (TMR) samples illustrate more than 60% contain at least three mycotoxins. Type B Trichothecenes, Fusaric Acid and Penicillium show significant prominence and influence dry matter intake, rumen function, milk/ meat production, gut health, low immune response and growth rate, which can affect the life time performance of dairy and beef cattle. Onethird of TMR samples from European dairy and beef cattle are high at risk “The TMR monthly average shows a definite increase over time originating from a low risk to well above a high risk. This is prevalent from the samples coming from Europe. The trend since February 2015 has demonstrated a much higher REQ level to cow health and performance. As we feed further into these storage forages, it is not uncommon to see storage toxins, increase in mould growth and a loss of nutrition as the summer harvest approaches,” said Dr. Hawkins.

“We need to continue to monitor mycotoxin levels particularly as we enter these later stages of storage forages in grains,” Hawkins said. Feed ingredients and TMR’s need to be continually monitored, as well as, cow health and performance to ensure negative economic impact on farms.

The recorded video of the 2015 European Storage Mycotoxin Analysis webinar can be found on the Alltech dairy and beef knowledge hub.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Buildings

RIDBA warns farmers on health and safety Farmers need to be aware of new health and safety laws, says RIDBA. armers are being warned by RIDBA (the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association) that a change in construction regulations means they could be criminally liable for health and safety during building work on their land.

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“Although it is our members who interact directly with their clients we feel RIDBA has an obligation to ensure that farmers are aware of their new responsibilities” For under the new CDM (Construction Design and Management) Regulations, which came into force on April 6, they are now the ones responsible for being satisfied that the building

contractors they appoint will allocate adequate resources to health and safety.

They also have the responsibility as the client to ensure that a construction phase plan has been prepared before work starts on site and that the designers and contractors comply with it, and that adequate welfare facilities are available.

In addition, if there is more than one designer they should either nominate one to be the principal designer, contract with a third party to take on the role, or take on the role themselves. Likewise, if there is more than one contractor on site they should nominate one to be the principal contractor, contract with a third party to take on the role, or take on that role themselves.

Should a farmer client not appoint principal designers and contractors then the legal obligations normally transferred to

20 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

them reverts back to the farmer client but advice on appropriate contractors can be provided by RIDBA. These responsibilities apply throughout any building project, advises RIDBA which acts as a watchdog for its steel-frame building contractor members.

The organisation, which recently campaigned to help members achieve CE Marking accreditation - another legal requirement - also warns that under the new CDM Regulations, farmer clients must not set unrealistic building programmes that jeopardise safety.

The new CDM regulations place extra responsibilities on all parties involved in a building contract, and under these farmer clients could also be considered designers, which places even more responsibilities on them.

Serious breaches of health and safety legislation on a construction project could result in the work

having to be stopped by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority and additional work may be needed to rectify matters. In the most serious circumstances the client farmer may be prosecuted.

RIDBA national secretary Tony Hutchinson said: “Although it is our members who interact directly with their clients we feel RIDBA on stand tractor has anMGX-II obligation to also ensure that farmers are aware of their new responsibilities. We are also advising our members that they should notify their clients and prospective clients of this new development at the earliest opportunity.”

More information on farmers’ CDM responsibilities can be obtained from the HSE www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/ 2015/commercial-clients.htm or the RIDBA secretariat on 01449 676049, admin@ridba.org.uk or www.ridba.org.uk.

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| Buildings

Minshall Construction from farm to market As part of their “one contract, one contractor” service Minshall not only designs and builds bespoke farm buildings for milking parlours, cubicle houses, grain stores and general storage but is also growing in reputation in the areas of Agricultural Education, Livestock markets and Industrial projects where the value of their total build packages are a popular choice with clients wanting a single quality contractor to deliver a trouble free development. swestry livestock Auction is a prime example of this approach, where as part of a £45 million redevelopment Minshall was involved in both the design, fabrication, erection and civils work on the site. The full project involved demolition of part of the old market, refurbishment and new build including coordination of all the trades needed to deliver this complete works.

Comprising new offices, extensive vehicle parking, calf sales building, café and lorry wash all work had to be completed whilst ensuring day to day activities of the market were able to continue without disruptioncritical for what is one of the largest one day markets in the UK with its high volume turnover of local livestock.

The new infrastructure highlights how modern agricultural

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construction is meshing form and function to deliver buildings that not only perform but offer future proofing, sustainability and deliver a pleasant working environment delivering high levels of animal welfare.

Comprising new offices, extensive vehicle parking, calf sales building, café and lorry wash all work had to be completed whilst ensuring day to day activities of the market were able to continue without disruption Oswestry Livestock Auction truly is a facility worthy of its status as a hub of modern farming welfare both locally and indeed nationally. Email: brianfinch@minshallconstruction.com or visit www.minshallconstruction.com

August 2015 | Farming Monthly |21

| Buildings

Robotic milking systems can mean higher yields and lower costs Graham Heath Construction have constructed one of these revolutionary milking parlours for their client, Rod McBean. s most dairy farmers will say, running a dairy farm that is both practical and economical is essential in order to make a profit in the current climate. So how can you make your operation as efficient as possible? It’s as simple as this - automate it!

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“It improved our business operations because everything could be put under one roof”

Robotic milking systems and feeders have introduced a new style of farm management that not only cuts down on costs but results in a higher yield and means that the farmer has more time to spend with the herd. The milking systems allow cattle to be milked at their own pace and only when they are ready. This means they spend less time on their feet, resulting in a

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quieter and calmer environment.

The technology also allows for better monitoring of the cattle on an individual basis, so you can pick up on early signals and treat the cows as required before any symptoms progress. This results in a healthier herd and lower feed costs compared to a conventionally milked herd.

Graham Heath Construction had the pleasure of constructing one of these revolutionary milking parlours for their client Rod McBean, a dairy expert who was looking for a way to streamline his business and improve efficiency. Although the end result was not the first robotic milking shed, the single span building was the first of its kind as it could incorporate everything that was required in the milking process under one roof.

“It improved our business operations because everything could be put under one roof,” Rod explained. “It certainly made life easier on a day-to-day basis by streamlining production to reduce waste.”

If you want to find out more about

automating your farming operation then call Graham Heath Construction on 01270 781158 or visit www.gh-construction.co.uk.

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| Security

Rural crime falls as country people unite to fight thieves Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual today releases its annual rural crime data, based on claims received in 2014. he data reveals rural crime cost the UK economy £37.8 million in 2014, down from £44.5 million in 2013 – representing a 15% fall.

But despite an overall decline in the cost of rural crime in every UK region, several types of crime have continued to rise in parts of the UK, with quad bikes proving particularly attractive to thieves.

Meanwhile the cost of livestock theft nationally has remained stubbornly high with several regions

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recording increases. The data follows a spate of high-value livestock thefts across the country, and the rollout of a national livestock theft reduction scheme sponsored by NFU Mutual.

In a survey of NFU Mutual’s branch offices across the UK, 56% of respondents indicated that awareness of crime is rising in rural communities. The survey also reveals that rural communities are employing ever more sophisticated means of protecting themselves, including the installation of alarm and CCTV systems.

According to the survey, the most commonly targeted items over the last twelve months were fuel, tools and quad bikes. Essex and Kent are the UK’s worst affected counties in 2014 while in Scotland the cost of quad bike theft has increased by around 80%.

And despite an overall decline in rural crime, the survey reveals that many in rural communities feel that thieves are also becoming more sophisticated.

And further highlighting the changing nature of rural crime, 63% of those surveyed said that cybercrime is a growing problem for rural communities while NFU Mutual’s most recent claims data also shows thieves are taking advantage of new targets such as solar panels.

The survey also revealed that vehicle theft, burglary and livestock theft are the most prevalent crimes being experienced in Britain’s rural communities.

Commenting on the findings, Matthew Scott, Chief Claims Manager at NFU Mutual said; “That our figures show an overall decline in the cost of rural crime during the last 12 months is welcome news and reflects the huge efforts being made by communities and others to tackle this problem. Initiatives like the Lancashire Livestock Scheme and CESAR tracking for agricultural vehicles are having a real impact and making life increasingly difficult for rural criminals.

“That said, problem areas remain. Levels of livestock theft for example are stubbornly high and quad bikes continue to be targeted by criminals with several regions of the country recording significant increases in the cost of quad bike theft.

“So, while today’s survey contains some good news, it also highlights the need for rural communities to remain vigilant and put security at the forefront of their minds.”

To-date, NFU Mutual has

invested more than £600,000 funding police specialist units to coordinate activity on agricultural vehicle crime. This has helped reduce tractor theft by a third from a record £10 million in 2010 to £5.4 million in 2014.

The Mutual also sponsors the Lancashire Livestock Initiative, a scheme launched in 2014 to bring police and communities together to beat livestock thieves, and provide safe spaces for stolen livestock. The scheme is now being replicated in Yorkshire, Cumbria and other livestock rearing counties across the country.

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area visit www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime Top 10 items targeted by thieves in 2014 (2013 rankings in brackets) 1. Tools (Tools) 2. ATVs/Quad bikes (ATVs/Quad bikes) 3. Oil/Diesel (Oil/Diesel) 4. Machinery (Machinery) 5. Livestock (Garden equipment) 6. Garden equipment (Livestock) 7. Trailers (Tractors) 8. Equestrian transport and equipment (Trailers) 9. Bicycles (Vehicles) 10. Personal effects/tractors (Equestrian equipment) Cost of rural crime by country in ‘14 England £31.1m (£36.3m) Northern Ireland £2.4m (£3.9m) Scotland £1.8m (£1.9m) Wales £1.7m (£2m) Top 10 UK counties by estimated cost of rural crime in 2014 (last year’s figures in brackets) 1. Essex £2.4m (£2m) 2. Kent £2.2m (£1.8m) 3. Lincolnshire £1.8m (£2.2m) 4. Hampshire £1.7m (£970,000) 5. Cambridgeshire £1.7m (£2.4m) 6. Lancashire £1.4m (£1.7m) 7. Somerset £1.1m (£1.2m) 8. Suffolk £1.1m (£1.4m) 9. North Yorkshire £1m (£1.5m) 10. Gloucestershire £1m (£790,000)

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 23

| Arable

Contact your local dealer today:

C R Willcocks Heltor Business Park Old Newton Road Heathfield Devon TQ12 6RW www.crwillcocks.co.uk

Andrew Symons River Tamar Way Dobles Lane Industrial Estate Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HL 01409 254040 www.andrewsymons.co.uk

24 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Andrew Symons Borners Bridge Nr Pathfields Ind. Estate South Molton, Devon EX36 3LZ 01769 574455 http://www.andrewsymons.co.uk

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| Arable

Pioneering trials show the way in ‘stacking’ cultural black-grass controls Latest results from 15 years of detailed, replicated trials across 25 ha of challenging heavy land at Agrii’s specialist black-grass technology centre at Stow Longa near Huntingdon show even the most difficult infestations can be cost-effectively overcome. But only with sufficient determination, the right combination of cultural controls and enough flexibility to adapt the cropping system to the needs of individual fields and seasons. he days when a single post-em spray would deal with blackgrass are long gone,” insisted Agrii head of agronomy, Colin Lloyd who has presided over the trial work from the outset.

“The 95%-plus control levels needed to stop the weed increasing in the rotation can still be achieved from the can…. just. However, reliable control demands increasingly complex pre-em stacking, depends on sufficiently good seedbed and weather conditions for residual activity and can cost the best part of £200/ha!

“Our extensive research reveals there’s no simple ‘non-can’ solution to the problem either.

Even the best rotational ploughing, for instance, won’t deal with black-grass seeds well spread throughout the soil profile. Late autumn drilling can seriously damage heavy soils as well as limiting yields. Equally, a hefty weed seed bank may still remain after a spring crop or fallow.

“Just like chemistry, the solution has to be to stack the most appropriate cultural controls,” he stressed. “And in doing so we need be flexible enough to meet the needs of each field and season.”

Four years and 288 different establishment strategies on from the start of the pioneering heavy land rotation trials run over 6 ha at Stow Longa and the part cultivations have to play in the cultural control mix couldn’t be clearer.

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“Our 15 years of practical studies here at Stow Longa show there is a ‘beyond the can’ solution to even the most difficult, resistant black-grass” Side by side under exactly the same conditions and with precisely the same herbicide programme, different combinations of annual establishment strategy over the years have resulted in 2014 black-grass populations varying from 4 ears/m2 to 206 ears/m2 and breadwheat yields from 4.6 t/ha to 12.8 t/ha.

The highest yields and lowest black-grass seed returns on the site invariably come from cultivation sequences in which a plough had been used at some stage to bury the weed seed. Indeed the benefits of a single ploughing

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in the rotation can still be seen four years on in both yields and seed returns.

“You can’t simply plough your way out of trouble, though,” Colin Lloyd said. “Our work reveals that repeated ploughing over the years can be every bit as bad for black-grass control as repeated min-tilling or direct drilling.

“Having said that, it all depends on when you drill. The key factor we find in controlling high levels of resistant black-grass every season under every cultivation regime is delayed drilling. It’s vital to get as many weed seeds in the upper soil level germinated and despatched with glyphosate before drilling to take the pressure off the pre-em and post-em chemistry.

“To do this effectively what you need more than anything else is time. What’s more, if you give yourself this time our results suggest you can get turn a poor performance into something far more robust almost regardless of your cultivation strategy.

“Four years of ploughing in our wheat/OSR/wheat/wheat rotation with the last two wheats drilled in late September, for instance, gave us a 2014 wheat crop of just 6.6 t/ha and a blackgrass seed return of 151/m2. In complete contrast, we brought in 11.2 t/ha with a seed return of 9/m2 from exactly the same cultivation regime but with the last two wheat drillings delayed for just over a month.”

Deliberately delaying drilling on heavy land raises obvious concerns for many, Colin Lloyd is the first to acknowledge. Which is why he is adamant the approach needs to be accompanied by sufficient agronomic flexibility.

In particular, the flexibility to employ the most appropriate cultivation and drilling equipment for the season and the flexibility to switch to spring drilling should late sowing conditions prove difficult.

“In this context, our trials comparing spring Mulika with autumn Solstice drilling at Stow Longa have been very revealing,” he explained.

“Late-September sown Solstice averaged 4.8 t/ha with a black-grass population of 212 ears/m2 to deliver a margin over input costs of £389/ha in 2013 while delaying drilling to the beginning of November gave 7.76 t/ha with 18 ears/m2 and a margin of £903/ha.

Alongside it Mulika drilled in the first week of April averaged 6.5 t/ha with no black-grass ears

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for a margin of £729/ha.

“Earnings from spring Mulika may have been lower than from late-drilled Solstice, but in a season in which we couldn’t have got the Solstice into a half decent late seedbed the spring crop would certainly have paid handsome dividends. What’s more it gave no black-grass return compared to around 1800 seeds/m2 – a valuable bonus for future management.”

Current trials with cover crops ahead of both late autumn and spring sowing are providing valuable pointers for improving soil structure and drainage to give more leeway in drilling decision-making on the heavy Stow Longa ground too. While better drained soil should also help to discourage black-grass proliferation, in the short term the key challenge on the site has been to achieve the desired soil improvements without compromising immediate black-grass control.

The use of minimal disturbance tines for direct drilling wheat into the cover and two glyphosate applications – the first to eliminate the cover and the second to target black-grass beneath it – appear especially important here.

Also important in managing difficult blackgrass, the Agrii work shows is wheat variety choice. Annual trials with more than 20 varieties reveal the least competitive can lose nearly 30% of their yield when the herbicide regime is compromised for one reason or another while the most competitive lose little more than 10%.

This has led to the development of competitiveness scores for all varieties as an additional aid to black-grass management.

“Our 15 years of practical studies here at Stow Longa show there is a ‘beyond the can’ solution to even the most difficult, resistant black-grass,” concluded Colin Lloyd. “At the same time, though, they underline there is no single, simple solution.

“Instead, growers and their agronomists need to work together to adapt the various elements in the cultural toolbox to their own particular circumstances. And in many cases, they will need to make black-grass control an increasingly important driver of their variety choice, cultivation practice, drilling date and, indeed, whole rotation.”

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Mike Edwards Operation Pollinator monitoring

Wildflower attraction boosts pollinator numbers Farmers are making a huge contribution to increasing pollinator populations with new Operation Pollinator seed mixtures for field margins and pollinator habitats. he new areas established are already delivering a greater diversity of wildflower food sources, and supporting important pollinating insects.

With Pollinator Awareness Week events occurring across Europe this week (13-19 July 2015), leading independent entomologist, Mike Edwards, has identified significant increases in some of the key pollinator species in new wildflower areas on commercial farms.

“Against a backdrop of declining numbers of pollinating insects, we have seen encouraging results for some species, thanks largely to the efforts of farmers to establish wildflower habitats and the changes in cultivation techniques that help some ground nesting solitary bees,” advised Mr Edwards.

Monitoring of Operation Pollinator Annual Wildflower Mix habitats, has identified a number of valuable solitary bee species, including Andrena flavipes that is an important pollinator of oilseed rape, fruit and other crops.

The Operation Pollinator Annual Wildflower Mix offer established more than 400 hectares of new habitat over the past year.

Mr Edwards cited some of the flower species now included in the Annual Wildflower Mix as being especially important for solitary bees. Corn Camomile and Corn Marigold, for example, provide an early food resource and encourage bee populations, alongside OSR and the increased area of field beans this season.

“From the flavipes’ perspective, what is ideal are areas of annual wildflowers to support a first generation, and then perennial margins coming into flower and

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feeding a second generation that will give rise to early bee populations the following spring.”

Mr Edwards noted that field edges had seen a noticeable increase in nest sites, particularly in areas around the annual wildflower margins of the Syngenta Innovation Site in Hampshire, for example.

Further monitoring and scientific evaluation aims to quantify the real difference being made by farmers through ecological enhancement alongside productive field cropping.

Wildflower mix offer Farmers and growers can once again take advantage of the outstandingly successful Syngenta Operation Pollinator Annual Wildflower Seed pack offer this autumn. In partnership with the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) and seed suppliers, Kings, it is set to repeat the 400 hectares of farmland dedicated to pollen and nectar wildflowers.

Operation Pollinator trials and growers’ experience have shown annual wildflowers are relatively easy to establish alongside conventional cropped farmland, using the same techniques, timing and cultivation equipment as establishing winter oilseed rape crops.

“Annual wildflowers can play an incredibly important role in feeding pollinators, alongside other ecological features, including perennial pollen and nectar mixes, hedgerows and grass margins,” reported Syngenta Environmental Initiatives UK Manager, Belinda Bailey. “Farmers have been extremely successful in providing pollinator friendly habitats for food and overwinter nest sites - to the point where the populations of some bee species have been increasing in recent years.

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“This joint initiative with CFE and Kings fully supports our efforts to encourage even more farmers to get involved, and helping to create a more diverse range of habitats on farmland across the UK. It is an extremely powerful demonstration that productive commercial farming and positive ecological management can co-exist in the same field.”

Richard Barnes of Kings added: “The Operation Pollinator Annual Wildflower mix is based on sound ecological research of pollinator activity. It has been extensively trialed on farms as part of the Syngenta initiative to enhance growers’ oilseed rape yields. The

growers involved have found it relatively easy to establish and manage the margins, with extremely positive results in pollinator activity and crop performance.”

For more information on the Operation Pollinator seed offer and advice, please contact belinda.bailey@syngenta.com

Crop Update on black bean aphids, field bean diseases, pea diseases and pea moth “Black bean aphid colonies are present in many bean crops and aphid pressure has been high for a number of weeks. Where pods are still filling, aphicides should be applied when 10% plants are infested,” comments Becky Ward, PGRO principal technical officer. t is likely that beans in many parts of the UK will have had at least one application of pirimicarb for aphid control and there has been some difficulty obtaining pirimicarb. However, stocks should now be available.

The Rothamsted Insect Survey

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has recorded very high numbers of black bean aphids and pressure will remain high while weather is warm. To sign up for AHDB Aphid News go to http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk.”

She notes that rust is present in some field bean crops and can be become severe during hot dry summers when the night time temperatures can be low and

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Low pH will compromise yield & quality – plan your liming now!

The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for crop year 2014 demonstrates the continuation of the low levels of liming in both arable and grassland rotations, as shown in Table 1:

he 5 year averages show just 3.7% liming in grassland and 8.5% liming in arable rotations – this does not feel sustainable!

Furthermore, data collected via the PAAG 2014 survey from 197000 soil samples shows the pH distribution for both rotations, shown in Graph 1.

Routine pH testing is required to ensure consequential loss of yield and quality is avoided by maintaining soil pH at an appropriate level.

Ignoring soil pH and available calcium can prove to be a very costly mistake even in the short to medium term.

LimeX offers very fast acting, but lasting pH correction in arable and grassland rotations, and can be used in organic farming systems. Furthermore, the integral nutrient package within LimeX contributes to maintaining soil fertility. A ‘maintenance’ application of LimeX70 at 5/t ha will supply a minimum of: • 50kg P2O5 • 35kg MgO • 30kg SO3 -typically worth £60 per hectare.

LimeX is available to order now for summer 2015, or for backloading during the sugar beet processing season!

For more information on LimeX please contact 0870 2402314, or visit: limex.co.uk

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humidity high. Rust forms small brown pustules on the leaf surface. Later the pustules become larger and develop an orange-brown colour. Brown spores are released from the pustules and spread to new foliage. The effect on yield can be very severe, especially if the disease develops during the late flowering period. Where it occurs after pod fill, the effect on yield is far less significant.

Tebuconazole, cyproconazole, metconazole or azoxystrobin, applied as the second chocolate spot spray in field beans, will provide good protection against rust. Tebuconazole, metconazole or azoxystrobin will control rust in broad beans.

Turning to peas, powdery mildew may affect late maturing crops, and the disease may delay maturity. Cyproconazole + chlorothalonil will give useful control of powdery mildew at the second spray in combining peas.

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Table 1: BSFP survey data showing average national lime use by rotation.

Graph 1: 2014 PAAG data for soil pH

• Over 50% of grassland and 20% of arable land was below pH 6.0 • These levels will impact significantly on the utilisation of N, P and K and other nutrients • This will compromise crop vigour and yield

Sulphur (Microthiol Special) has an Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use for peas to control powdery mildew and can be used in vining peas.

Becky Ward notes that rust is present in some field bean crops “Pea moth thresholds have been reached in some regions, and first sprays applied. For accurate forecasts of spray dates in your regions go to www.pgro.org. Forecasts are posted on the pests, diseases and monitoring page on our website.

Second insecticides should be applied 10-14 days after the first.

Green pods are at risk and moth emergence has been late and sporadic in 2015. It is possible that late emerging moth larvae may continue to cause damage in pea crops,” she adds.

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Interpreting tests for soil health AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farmer David Blacker of Church Farm, near York, is looking at ways to improve his soil health in order to maintain robust yields and lower establishment costs. aving experimented with cover crops, he is now investigating whether soil tests can reveal what he needs to know about his soils. David hosted the York Monitor Farm’s open day on 8 July, where the group discussed both cover crops and the information from soil analyses, with expert input from Dr Liz Stockdale of Newcastle University.

The key message of all the discussions was that farmers should think carefully about what they are trying to achieve, before getting into cover crops or soil testing. Dr Stockdale also encouraged farmers to use their own knowledge about their soils, in conjunction with any technical results.

David Blacker, like many of the farmers at the open day, has been experimenting with cover crops. He said: “My motivation for looking at cover crops is long-term soil health; putting biomass into the soil and improving the soil structure.

“I started growing cover crops before spring beans because I didn’t want my land to be bare. I’ve tried four different mixes and I’m trying to understand what works for my soil types.”

At the meeting, Dr Stockdale took farmers through an array of soil analyses recently taken on David’s farm.

She said: “It’s very important to look at the whole picture. Put what you know from your own experience of your soils together with the numbers. In variable fields such as David’s, test results only make sense if you know where the soil sample came from, and you have to keep remembering this when you look at the test results.”

Harry Henderson, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Regional Manager, added: “You know how your

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own soils behave, so use the numbers to build on this experience and inform your decisionmaking. Make sure you combine the location of the soil sample and your knowledge of the field to interpret the test results into useful actions.”

The soil tests that farmers discussed during the open day included: • Texture classification • Soil organic matter • Microbial activity • Full biology analysis • Bulk density test Farmer Charles Consett from Thirsk said: “I came along today because this is an area of interest to me. I see soil fertility as something that’s very important but often overlooked.”

Soil type has a big impact on how test results are interpreted, making it vital that growers know where soil samples were taken and what the texture is.

“For example, with soil organic matter, 2% on sandy soils is better than 4% on clay. You can’t take the numbers out of their context,” said Dr Stockdale.

“What matters is that the organic matter is giving you the properties you need. Don’t get fixated on the number – you have to look at the soil organic matter along with the texture.”

On the microbial activity reports, which indicate CO2 respiration from a soil sample, with a greater amount of CO2 release indicating greater microbial activity, Dr Stockdale reminded growers that lab results can be different from how the soil actually behaves in the field.

David said: “I found the bulk density test useful, as it was something I could do myself. It got me out and looking closely at my soils.”

In the field, farmers examined the results of a soil infiltration test, with blue dye showing how water followed the routes of plant roots and

Soil pit on monitor farm

worm holes.

Dr Stockdale said: “Roots are not just pipes, but also straws which pull water through them. In March, we saw that areas of the farm that had had cover crops were easier to walk, due to better surface water infiltration, leading to a more friable soil surface.

“The blue dye in the water infiltration test shows how the water travels through your soil, where water clearly follows the root pathways and cracks.”

“Put what you know from your own experience of your soils together with the numbers” Amanda Bennett, AHDB Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager, said: “This meeting highlighted the importance of indicators for soil health, as well as increasing awareness on how to use and interpret soil tests on farm. Improving soil health and a better understanding of soil biology have also been identified as priority areas in our current Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy, so we will be looking to fund new work in this area in the near future."

David Blacker spoke to soil scientists earlier in the year at the Association of Applied Biologists Conference and recorded this interview: https://youtu.be/n8ngUsz7dGI The next Monitor Farm meeting is on 10 November 2015. To attend, email harry.henderson@ahdb.org.uk or call 07964 974465.

AHDB to sponsor Tillage-Live 2015 The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will be sponsoring this year’s Tillage-Live event which takes place on Wednesday 16th September 2015 at Croft Farms, Croft on Tees, North Yorkshire.

HDB is launching a ‘Best practice for drainage maintenance and renewal’ publication which will be available to pick up for the first time at Tillage Live.

The publication describes best management practice to maximise the drainage capacity of existing systems and optimise financial returns.

It covers the basic principles of drainage design and maintenance and provides guidance on soil management to maximise drainage benefits.

Senior ADAS UK consultant Kirk Hill will be on hand to discuss best practice for drainage maintenance and renewal.

“The popular Knowledge Trail will again provide visitors with access to valuable, indepth advice from industry experts on a whole variety of topics. As the largest cultivation demonstration in the UK, Tillage-Live gives

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progressive growers the opportunity to view the latest and most innovative cultivation and seedbed preparation equipment and drills at work on large scale plots, “said organiser Duncan Russell of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

All the latest event news is available on the website www.tillage-live.uk.com including

listings of all the working demonstrations and details of pre-booking (£7.50/car, compared to £10 on the day). For group rates contact FarmSmart Events.

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| Arable

CABBAGE STEM FLEA BEETLE Courtesy of Rothamsted

Achieving Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle control in Oilseed Rape Following the decision by the European Commission to implement a two year ban on the use of neonicotinoid seed dressings in oilseed rape from 1st December 2013, last autumn was the first opportunity to assess the impact of this decision on control of one of our major autumn oilseed rape pests, cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). Dr David Ellerton, Hutchinsons’ technical development director, summarises lessons learnt from surveys this season and suggests strategies to minimise the impact of the pest this coming autumn. he weather last autumn was very mild compared to the 30 year mean and September was particularly dry with an average of only around 10% of the mean monthly rainfall.

This meant that many oilseed rape crops struggled to grow due to moisture stress and this, combined with high levels of flea beetle due to warm temperatures, meant that the risk of pest damage to oilseed rape was very high in many parts of the UK. Insecticide Resistance Despite increased use of pyrethroids applied for control of flea beetles, these were in many cases largely ineffective due to either overwhelming numbers of flea beetles or KDR resistance which had been identified as widespread in adults and larvae tested the previous autumn and spring and confirmed in adults tested last autumn.

In some cases pymetrozine, applied mainly for peach potato aphid control may have had some effect. Eventually, in late September two further options became available – a label clearance for thiacloprid for use in the autumn and a 120 emergency clearance for acetamiprid.

However in most cases this came too late for applications to save already seriously damaged crops.

Initial estimates from an AHDB funded survey at the end of September estimated losses of 2.7% of the winter oilseed rape area in England and Scotland, equivalent to some 18,000 ha.

However there was a significant variation between regions with the East and South East most affected and counties such as Herts,

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Cambs, Beds and Hants reporting up to 40% crop loss. In fact many crops were destroyed even before reaching the accepted threshold of waiting until ‘Adults have eaten over 25% of leaf area at the cotyledon to two true leaf growth stage or when adults have eaten over 50% of the leaf area at the 3– 4 true leaf stage.’

Initial estimates from an AHDB funded survey at the end of September estimated losses of 2.7% of the winter oilseed rape area in England and Scotland, equivalent to some 18,000 ha.

AHDB also concluded that crops drilled early up to midAugust, established quickly before dry weather set in and were often able to grow away from the pest while late drilled crops at the end of September were also often less affected as beetle migration had fallen by this time and rain fell soon after drilling. Most affected were crops sown at the traditional time of late August/early September which went into dry seedbeds at peak beetle migration.

Impact Survey Hutchinsons’ staff carried out a survey amongst agronomists to gain a greater understanding of the impact of flea beetles this season. In total there were 97 agronomist respondents, covering an area representative of circa 15% of OSR grown in the UK from Cornwall to Fife in Scotland enabling a strong countrywide representation of the problem to be drawn.

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Kubota and UK Air Ambulances prepare to take off at Tillage Live Market leading machinery manufacturer’s national campaign to support life saving services coming to Tillage Live. ubota’s newly launched national campaign ‘Working Safely, Saving Lives’, which aims to raise £250,000 for 20 air ambulance charities across the UK whilst also promoting the importance of health and safety in the workplace, will be coming to Tillage Live on Wednesday 16 September The UK agricultural and construction sectors are two of the most dangerous and hazardous industries in terms of fatal accidents and serious injuries. For agricultural or construction workers for instance, who could

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have a life threatening accident, the critical service the Air Ambulance provides can be their only hope of survival.

The ‘Working Safely, Saving Lives’ campaign is specifically designed to raise crucial funds for the 20 UK air ambulances. It costs approximately £2,500 every time an air ambulance takes to the air, with its life saving rescue missions funded by the public’s generous donations.

How to donate To encourage people to donate and raise money, Kubota is giving away one of its Special Edition RTV-X900 utility vehicles in a prize draw, which will be showcased for visitors to see at Tillage Live along

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with a selection of Kubota’s market leading range of agricultural machinery.

The all terrain vehicle, featuring a special edition black finish and chrome alloys, offers exceptional performance and versatility for all year round working, whether this be on a farm, construction site or golf club.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, plus a host of other monthly prizes, simply visit www.worksafewithkubota.com or TEXT: ENTER to 65012.

Alternatively, visit our website or Facebook page to find out more.

Kubota will also be promoting the campaign to those who visit its

stand at all the shows it attends over the next 12 months, starting at the CLA Game Fair this month.

The UK agricultural and construction sectors are two of the most dangerous and hazardous industries in terms of fatal accidents and serious injuries Tickets for the prize draw are £5 each and people can enter as many times as they like for the chance to win the Special Edition RTV-X900 (worth over £16,000).

Terms and conditions apply.

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| Arable

Winter Barley kicks off New knapsack powder applicator saves time & effort Harvest Results The first set of harvest results from the AHDB Recommended List winter barley trials are based on four trials sited in Suffolk, Hampshire, Lincolnshire & Teesside. he yields of the control varieties from the four trials is 10.88 t/ha, which compares very favourably to the five-year average of 9.35 t/ha. Our highest yields have come from the Teesside site which averages 11.53 t/ha. So far, varieties are yielding in line with previous years.

So far, the six-row hybrid feed varieties continue to achieve the highest yields, with Volume at 107% of yield compared to control varieties and the two candidate varieties Bazooka (109%) and Belfry (107%) topping the yield table to date in 2015.

The six-row conventional variety KWS Meridian (104%) and Daxor (102%) are also performing well in 2015. KWS Meridian has also achieved the best untreated yield of current RL varieties. KWS Glacier currently achieves the

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highest two-row feed yield of current Recommended List varieties at 102%.

When it comes to brewing varieties, quality and market requirements take precedence over yield alone. In 2015, Talisman has achieved 96% and SY Venture 93%. Both varieties have full IBD approval for brewing.

A word of caution The 2015 yield values show the performance of varieties this season. When selecting varieties to grow for the coming season, the five-year average is a better indication of variety performance over a range of seasons. On the five-year average values, two-row feed varieties which have performed well include KWS Infinity, KWS Glacier and KWS Tower. All have a yield of 101% of the control varieties.

As more results come in, the results will be updated on the website cereals.ahdb.org.uk/results

A new knapsack dust applicator which is designed to reduce the time & effort required to apply powdered formulations on crops, in animal pens, or in any other similar situation where dusting is required has, been introduced by PROFESSIONAL SPRAYERS PEOPLE (part of the Spray People Group). he innovative dust applicator incorporates a fan which when activated, spins and effectively pushes the powder being applied down the application lance. The speed of the fan, and hence rate of application, can be controlled by the amount of ‘pumping’ by the operator as well as by 5 fan settings on the machine itself.

Integrated nylon sweepers in the hopper ensure that dosing is kept uniform regardless of how full the hopper is. These features mean that the knapsack can be quickly and easily calibrated for

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optimum dosing to eliminate waste whilst also saving time and money.

To applicator is designed for optimum versatility and is capable of applying a wide variety of powdered products including antired mite powders, while the large 8 litre capacity hopper means even large areas can be treated with minimal refills. Operator comfort is also extremely important and this is assured thanks to the knapsack’s ergonomic design.

Further details available from: Ivan Zytynski, Prosprayers Ltd. Email: ivan@prosprayers.co.uk visit www.prosprayers.co.uk or call Tel: +44 (0) 1273 400 092

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‘Managing Blackleg’ event big draw for Scottish growers AHDB Potatoes presented what proved to be a popular technical event recently, which saw 60 growers and industry members from near and far attending an informal programme of technical talks and workshops, hosted by grower Gordon Rhind, at his family farm in Forres.

Brechin-based seed grower himself, Alistair Melrose welcomed the grower gathering. Alistair set the scene by saying “Over the years, we have battled to control Blackleg with varying degrees of success. Undoubtedly, the weather has a major influence on the severity of the disease but as we cannot control this, we have to attempt to control the pathogen that causes the disease. To build our industry on repeat business both at home and abroad, good quality seed is essential.

Alistair continued “As the foundation of the whole process, it is vital that Pre-basic stocks are healthy. To that end, we are currently in the final year of a £300k research project into Blackleg co-funded by AHDB and Scottish Government. This project is focusing on Blackleg within the early seed generation, at PB level. We are fortunate today to have two of the main researchers involved in the project.”

Experts Gerry Saddler (SASA) and Ian Toth (James Hutton Institute), led the group through two linked Blackleg research projects they are undertaking on behalf of AHDB Potatoes and the Scottish Government with the earlygeneration seed industry. Their remit is to identify the sources of this damaging pathogen and what factors and changes in the industry are influencing the increase of blackleg occurrence.

Gerry, alongside Triona Davey (SASA), has been working on secondment with AHDB Potatoes looking at Blackleg management and he outlined work to date. Speaking to the growers, Gerry advised “Blackleg is a problem all over Northern Europe and it is by far the biggest reason for the downgrading and rejection of seed in this country. In Pre-Basic four crops (PB4), post-harvest surveys revealed that 100% of crops tested were infected with

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Pectobacterium atrosepticum, the Blackleg pathogen.

“We still don’t have all the answers and there is much ‘number-crunching’ still to do but what is becoming clear from our research is that there is no ‘silver bullet’ and the Blackleg problem needs to be tackled from several angles in conjunction.”

Ian Toth from the James Hutton Institute, involved in the research project, supported this approach. Ian stressed that we have to do something about Blackleg and although maybe we will never eliminate it, we need to look at how we can modify our practices as an industry to reduce incidences of this pathogen. Ian explained that the bacteria is very diverse and there are many routes for contaminants. For instance, by the 12-week stage, most of the infection is concentrated in the roots and tubers, so contaminated machinery might be playing a part in the spread.

Seed health needs to take all variables into account. Tactics such as separation of PB fields for years 1 and 2, isolation of PB fields from outside sources and diagnostic testing for contamination on the tuber surface and systemically are recommended. Ian went on to point out that it was important to ensure good drainage (high soil moisture levels have a negative effect) and to harvest your high-grade stocks as early as possible.

When asked by a grower if the project was “getting to the bottom of it”, Ian said that the research is proving valuable and that clues are emerging from the data as to what makes this organism so difficult to deal with. He agreed with Gerry’s points that it was clear that Blackleg needed to be tackled from several angles as problems can arise anywhere at any time so a multi-pronged approach will be most effective.

Host farmer, Gordon Rhind of Jas Rhind &

A pair of microbes may hold the key to superior feed crops Scientists have identified two microbes that build bigger and more resilient feed crops, potentially boosting farmers’ bottom lines by millions of dollars. he biotechnology research conducted at Flinders University in South Australia identified two strains of microbes that dramatically increase the ability of lucerne to fix atmospheric nitrogen, boosting the feed crop’s early growth and resilience, and ultimately its yield.

Research by medical biotechnology PhD student Hoang Xuyen Le drew on the hundreds of strains of endophytic actinobacteria, which grow naturally within legume roots. His research isolated and identified two strains of microbes that in laboratory and glasshouse trials were shown to promote growth in the shoots of the legume plants.

The research was supervised by Professor Chris Franco from Flinders and Ross Ballard from South Australian Research and

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Development Institute (SARDI). A patent has been lodged in relation to the two strains.

Nitrogen is absorbed by the plants through the formation of external nodules by symbiotic rhizobium bacteria that grow in the nodules.

Professor Franco said that following the inoculation of the lucerne seeds with spores of the actinobacteria, the nodules grew significantly larger, fixing greater amounts of nitrogen.

“Up to 50 or even 70 per cent more nitrogen was fixed,” Professor Franco said.

The effect was to substantially improve the establishment of the lucerne, increase its resilience in drought conditions and also boost its yield.

“We found that our two main strains gave us a crop yield increase of 40 to 50 per cent in the glasshouse, and we would look for at least a 20 per cent improvement in the field,” Professor

Co, has three open-fronted ‘drying wall’ systems on his farm, each with modifications to suit the surroundings. Stuart Wale of SRUC took growers on a store tour around these positive ventilation drying systems to demonstrate how an effective drying system can minimise contamination by Blackleg bacteria.

“Imagine you’re a Blackleg microbe – what you love best is moisture and heat” advised Stuart, “Get your tubers dry quickly – and ventilate them for up to 7 days - and Blackleg bacteria will die much more rapidly.

Immediately after harvest remove the field and respiration heat and you will prevent the moisture which develops from condensation.

This stops the Blackleg bacteria multiplying and surviving. It’s not enough to just throw air at your tubers as it won’t reach crucial parts of the tuber or the whole store – positive ventilation systems are the best.”

This event was developed with the host farmer by AHDB Potatoes’ Technical Executive, Claire Hodge who is also working on the Blackleg research project. Claire commented “This meeting clearly demonstrated that industry are keen to learn more about what research is underway to understand Blackleg and even more importantly, what they can do to minimise Blackleg in their seed crops. This issue is not just important for the seed growers but for the whole of our industry and work will continue to try to understand the causes.”

You can find out more about the AHDB Potatoes-funded work being done on Blackleg and other soft rot research at the forthcoming event, Potatoes in Practice on 13 August 2015 at the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm where AHDB Potatoes, SASA and the James Hutton Institute teams will be on hand to discuss this issue on their stands and field plots.

Franco said.

He said as much as 25 per cent of the higher levels of nitrogen persisted in the soil, improving the growing conditions for subsequent crops.

The Flinders biotechnologists will now expand their trials on lucerne in the field, and will also look for similar effects in other legume crops, including peas, chick peas and faba and soya beans.

Further research is required to understand the underlying mechanism of the bugs: while it is likely that their natural propensity to produce bioactive compounds is partly responsible for increasing the general robustness of the inoculated lucerne by reducing disease, they may also be encouraging the growth of rhizobium bacteria in the soil.

Professor Franco said that actinobacteria offer an environmentally friendly way of controlling disease, especially fungal root diseases such as Rhizoctonia, reducing the need for fossil-derived pesticides and fertiliser.

The potential to capture atmospheric nitrogen offers a major environmental benefit.

The legume seed crop, based in the South East of South Australia, is the basis of a national feed industry worth close to $100 million a year “This is very good news all round,” Professor Franco said.

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| Slurry

Whites Concrete provide storage solution for Northern Crop AD plant Based south east of York at the former RAF Melbourne, Northern Crop Driers has successfully utilised pre-cast panels from Whites Concrete to maximise silage storage for its AD plant. eading manufacturers of dried grass horse feeds that are virtually identical to fresh grass, Northern Crop Driers needed a clamp capable of storing 6,000 tonnes of silage in an old hangar at its Melrose Farm base. With a roof height limiting the manoeuvrability of machinery to compress the stored material, Whites Concrete were called upon to create a design that would use the space to full effect, keeping silage dry and clean whilst ensuring that load demands would meet the bulk density.

The safely stored maize, grass silage (plus some sugar beet), and slurry from sister company Melrose Pigs, provides feedstock for the 500kW AD plant.

Pam Dear from the familyowned and run business said: “Investing in an AD plant made perfect sense here because it brings everything together. With

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our pigs and grass drying business, we knew we could generate our own green electricity, but first we had to bring in a whole year’s worth of crop, so getting our storage facility right was crucial”.

Whites Concrete worked closely with Northern Crop Driers to initially provide two designs, including one with metalwork, but 4m concrete panels were ultimately chosen as the best solution.

Pam Dear added: “We were determined to utilise every inch of the hangar to give us 6,000 tonnes of storage, so Whites’ expertise in materials and load-bearing requirements was invaluable”.

Over a period of one month, 150No 4m high (1m wide) Whites Concrete panels were installed at the 750-acre Melrose Farm, where grass, home grown maize and supplies from neighbouring farms combine with the pig slurry to produce enough power for everything required on site, with excess sold on to the grid. L-

shape Groundwall panels from Whites Concrete were considered the most suitable option so as not to create any additional load bearing onto the existing structure of the old hangar. Ideal as pushwalls to resist machinery loads, extreme heights of storage and areas where heavy traffic will be working, Groundwall is hygienic, as well as far quicker and more economical than block or in-situ concrete.

Pam Dear continued: “Despite being a higher cost, the pre-cast concrete panels from Whites Concrete are actually much cheaper to install. We produce high quality horse feed from 100% natural, home grown grass, which takes up a good chunk of power to dry out, so in the not too distant future we also hope to harness the heat from our AD plant for that part of our business. Going into AD production has given us more stability. It is helping both of our businesses grow and shows that we are serious about

sustainability”.

The high quality of the digestate at Melrose Farm is also proving a winner, with its valuable nutrients producing healthier grasses. It has helped make a big reduction on bought-in fertiliser.

Following the success of the silage clamp, Northern Crop Driers has since extended the storage facility by an additional 4,000 tonnes, installing a further 90No 3m high pre-cast concrete panels from Whites Concrete to create 10,000 tonnes of silage space for the AD plant. These extra panels are from Whites Concrete’s Rockwall range, which achieves a finished concrete strength in excess of 60N for any above or below ground construction.

“Moving into AD is a very good fit with our business model”, concluded Pam Dear. “We produce 100% natural horse feeds and bedding, and now we generate our own on-site green power, with a payback of just five to six years”.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 33

| Slurry

First 36m SwingMax Dribble Bar over in the UK LDS “Liquid Digestate Solutions” working in conjunction with FGS Organics, have just taken delivery of the first Vogelsang 36m SwingMax dribble bar in the UK, and with Digestate being such a valuable commodity, investing in application equipment is a priority. ounted to a SGT 30 cu/M Tri-axle tanker, the 36m dribble bar can also be used to suite tramline widths of 32m, 28m and 24m, this made possible by Vogelsang`s unique CFC system, a rubber air balloon is fitted in every pipe that needs to be blocked off and using an air supply, a solenoid can be activated to inflate, or deflate the balloon as and when wanted.

The 36m has three ExaCut distributer fitted this allows even and accurate distribution along the 36m width, fully galvanized steel framed that’s been re designed to

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be as compact as possible for transport, the SGT system also includes a Vogelsang Lobe Pump “positive displacement” for fast and full filling, a Vogelsang RotaCut macerator to cope with any foreign bodies when filling the tank, and a Vogelsang Powerfill to increase filling times.

Farmers need to make sure that they have the right tools to carry out a whole host of tasks For more information please contact Sion Williams on 07817986561 or sion@vogelsang.co.uk

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| Slurry

Green bedding & digestate separators Greencrop, the official importer of the Sepcom range of slurry separators for farm and AD, offer the Visscher/Sepcom green bedding separator, manufactured by the Italian Wam Group and Visscher Holland. reen bedding has become of great interest in the UK after its popularity in the USA and Europe for some years. Our neighbours in Holland have been using green bedding for five years and have converted to the system both on mats and deep bedding (80% of all new cubicles in Holland have gone to deep bedding). Visscher have been involved from the beginning, and have developed an automatic separator system and have over 400 working units in Holland (both static and mobile). They also have over 80 in Germany, plus units in Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Lapland and the UK. The Visscher/Sepcom green bedding separator is designed to produce recycled bedding material from the separated slurry. The benefits of this system give cows better comfort in the cubicle, helps keep them cleaner and help to reduce mastitis levels in the heard, whilst also reducing bedding costs. The separator has a lower electrical demand than other machines as it is fitted with a 5.5kw motor.

Due to its larger screen area and auto adjusting head, its power requirement is reduced. The Visscher/Sepcom will produce bedding with a dry matter content of 33-37 per cent.

The unique polymer sectional auger as standard, which has proved itself on other Sepcom separators for its cleaning ability

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during use. As well as significant advantages in keeping the screens cleaner, it aids a higher degree of separation than a steel screw system.

The final part of the separation is by a Visscher screen mounted in the centre of the solid core, this allows the moisture from the inside of the solids out through the centre, thus not trying to squeeze all of the liquid to the outside. This works in conjunction with the Patented Visscher automatic press module head which adapts the counter–pressure to the medium`s consistency.

This allows the module to automatically apply optimum pressing force. The system will continuously adjust itself to the pre-set value and this has a very close relationship with the dry matter percentage and capacity.

The PLC controller can be adjusted to the dry matter content/mass balance desired for nutrients and dryness. Only about 70% of the daily produced slurry is needed for bedding, a simple turn of a dial on the panel decreases the amps, saving energy costs and produces a faster standard separation DM for spreading on to the land. This means you don’t have to climb up and adjust the separator outlet manually every time.

Pumps and agitators The consistency and homogeneity of the slurry helps ensure a good result. It is therefore important to choose the right agitation and pump in connection with the green bedding separator.

Greencrop can provide a range of electrical mixers for the reception pits, plus for the most efficient installation we would recommend the Visscher cutting mill and positive displacement pump system, having a capacity of about 5-20 m3 per hour and characterised by a constant flow of slurry, irrespective of its composition.

The rota is also hardened to cope with any small hard particles, which would harm a standard positive displacement pump.

Through the control panel the pump and auto-head work together to feed the correct amount of slurry at any one time, and if there becomes a blockage or lack of product, the system will automatically shut down.

Greencrop can also offer a full range of Sepcom separators for AD plants be it slurryfield crop or food, feed stocks. Horizontal or the unique vertical machines are in use on many UK Plants.

For further information on the Visscher/Sepcom green bedding separator or any other Greencrop products, please visit our website www.greencrop.co.uk. Alternatively, please contact Howard Chantry on 07881 787997 or email howard@greencrop.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 35

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Durable Bauer Magnum pumps for slurry and AD digestate application The ‘beating heart’ of many a contractor’s umbilical system for applying slurry and AD plant digestate to the land is a Bauer Magnum SX2000 centrifugal pump. owered by an auxiliary diesel engine or tractor pto, its role is to extract liquid from store and send it on its way across fields to distant field application sites – with a booster pump installed part way along the supply pipe if necessary.

Having a reliable pump with plenty of capacity is essential to get the best performance out of an umbilical system, which has the big attraction of relieving fields of heavy tankers and the soil compaction that can be caused with even the biggest and best flotation tyres fitted.

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For couplings, there is no better choice than Bauer HK, the original quick and secure connection system for rigid and flexible mobile pipes Reliability is another key asset and contractors often say they are comfortable operating Magnum SX pumps remotely because they have been so reliable over the years – they are tough, hard-wearing and need very little routine attention or adjustment.

The Magnum SX series pumps have a

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number of significant improvements over the SM series they replaced. Back vanes on the cast impeller keep the enlarged seal area free of debris and turbulence inside the impeller housing has been reduced by eliminating internal bolt heads.

Four cast iron legs on the spur gear housing make it easier to mount the complete assembly securely in the correct location, while the increased number of splines on the 32mm drive shaft provides a high input power rating.

There are three models – SX1000 tractormounted, SX2000 engine-driven and SX2600 electric motor-driven – all capable of handling up to 12% solids thanks to an effective chopping action. Auto pressure regulation and self-priming are optional.

The self-priming system includes a small pump with mechanical, hydraulic or electric drive, with a syphon on the suction side protecting the vacuum pump – any remaining liquid automatically drains into the suction stream as soon as the pump starts to deliver.

On the delivery side, a non-return valve is closed during priming and opens automatically when the pump gets going.

Such is the output potential of Bauer Magnum SX pumps that contractors upgrading to these units may need to invest in bigger

diameter hose to exploit the pumps’ performance potential in full, addition to their low-service reliability.

For couplings, there is no better choice than Bauer HK, the original quick and secure connection system for rigid and flexible mobile pipes.

Manufactured from hit-dipped galvanized steel, the original Bauer coupling has no loose parts and needs no tools, has up to 30deg articulation of coupling joint, so there is no need for perfect alignment.

There are seven sizes for hoses or pipes of 49mm to 194mm diameter, which Bauer also supplies, and they are suction and pressure proof at high pressures.

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| Slurry

Wide range of equipment on offer from Tramspread

RECK Typhoon Rigid mixer

Tramspread was established in 1986 and through the last 29 years one thing that we have noticed is livestock farmers are prepared to pay for quality. ramspread continues to be proud of its exceptional build quality in the manufacture of a wide range of umbilical equipment and slurry tanker applicators to meet the requirements of today’s livestock farmers and the growing market for applying digestate to land.

These days, farmers and contractors fully appreciate the manure value of slurries and digestate and require the right applicator whether it is working with a tanker or an umbilical system.

To be capable of applying with accuracy, Tramspread has the expertise and the equipment to realise this.

We offer the Agros slurry test kit, Krohne and Siemens flowmeters, Tramspread 6m, 12, and 24m dribble bar applicators and we also market Vogelsang dribble bars, which are all suitable for tanker and umbilical use, and can be fitted

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with flowmeters and monitoring systems via and ISO BUS terminal allowing application rate recording and mapping via GPS. Tramspread’s ISO BUS slurry monitoring is compatible with John Deere, Agco and CNH, plus Raven and Tocon. We also work with RDS. Tramspread take application traceability very seriously.

As a Bauer distributor, the company uses their SX1000 pump for all tractor drive applicators. For engine drive pump units we have two models with new or used engines on either a slow-tow single axle model or the newly designed high-speed twin axle contractor’s trailer. These both use the SX2000 pump with a Honda engine driving the priming system, a 900 litre fuel tank and mounted above this is a compressor, both are available either new or used. The trailer also has carrying capacity for two 1,000m Tramspread detachable hose reel spools. All pump variations can be fitted with flowmeters and the diesel engine pump units have the option of being remote controlled.

Tramspread has a full range of mounted and trailed hose reels, and the 1,000 capacity random wrap with twin hydraulic motor drive and detachable galvanised spool. We are main distributors for Gollmer and Hummel and SnapTite drag hose, Storz and Bauer couplings, Nock separators, Mix-It and the very extensive range of Reck slurry mixers, Agri-Tank concrete slurry stores plus Hexacover covers for open stores and lagoons. We also offer Albers Alligator Bag Tank slurry stores and these have proven to be very popular with anaerobic digesters as a closed storage system as these do not necessitate extra storage for rain water and there is no dilution of the nutrients. The Albers Alligator Winsystem is a portable, temporary storage system with capacity of 100 to 300 cubic metres and is ideal when moving digestate form the digester to field.

For further information call 01449 766133 visit www.tramspread.co.uk or email: sales@tramspread.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 37

| Slurry

Landia pumps and mixers go the distance at The Grosvenor Estate Pumps & mixers from Landia UK, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014, are helping Grosvenor Farms to efficiently and effectively process its slurry. art of the Grosvenor Estate that represents the assets owned by trusts on behalf of the Grosvenor family, headed by the sixth Duke of Westminster, Grosvenor Farms is a 6,000 acre farm that produces milk, cereals and potatoes.

Working in close conjunction with Midland Slurry Systems, who offer a turnkey operation for slurry treatment and pollution control, two Landia pumps and a mixer are in operation at the Estate’s Grange Farm in Churton near Chester. A 3.3m Longshaft Landia MPG pump (15.0kW 4”) and a high pressure Landia DG pump (3.0kW) combine with a Landia POP

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mixer (5.5kW 300rpm) to mix and reduce the density of thick cattle slurry from young stock so that it can be pumped to a gantry-mounted separator. Separated liquor is held and then either returned to the reception pit for further thinning or pumped several hundred metres to a storage lagoon.

David Craven, the health and safety representative and building maintenance manager of Grosvenor Farms, said: “We have no disruption with Landia’s pumps and mixers, which are certainly built to last. They are also very capable of handling the long distances that we need to pump our slurry”.

Family-run business Midland Slurry Systems, who have been working with the Grosvenor

Estate for over six years, have also teamed up with Landia at Chapel House Farm in Bruera near Chester. Here, a Landia pump is utilised to send used run-off water and wastewater from parlour washing to a reception pit several hundred metres away (via a pre-installed 4” irrigation main) to a 25 million gallon storage lagoon.

Contact Landia via email: info@landia.co.uk call +44 (0) 1948 661 200 or visit www.landia.co.uk Contact Midland Slurry Systems by email: giles@midlandslurrysystems.co.uk call +44 (0) 1608 684415 or visit www.midlandslurrysystems.co,uk

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| Renewables

Busy ADBA 2015 exhibition demonstrates UK bio energy market is set for further growth Lipp anaerobic digestion systems and tanks are now available direct from the manufacturer in the UK; supported by partner sales and marketing company DMA Europa. ccording to the Lipp team the ADBA show this year was extremely busy with plenty of good quality participants and substantial business development happening, mirroring other reports of strong growth in the UK AD market.

The team including Manuel Lipp, MD and Martin Grant, UK Manager for Lipp, were present throughout the show - meeting with key people from the industry to develop projects and facilitate technology transfer from Germany; where many AD challenges have previously been addressed and resolved with Lipp’s innovative technology.

Martin Grant commented ‘We have a huge resource of information on how to design and build AD plants in terms of low maintenance requirements, reduced build times and efficient AD processes. The German market is over 30 years old and Lipp was a key player from the outset, so the

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knowledge they have accumulated is unbeatable. We are in the unique position of being able to assist UK projects, whether in the concept stage or physically up and running, with this valuable expertise.’

Current operational challenges From our conversations at the exhibition, typical examples of challenges facing plant builders, owners and operators include concerns such as: Tank heating systems - internally piped heating systems are often vulnerable to accumulated caking as the feed material hardens around the pipes over time and breaks off, which reduces temperature transfer - increases energy demand to maintain the operating temperature, reduces mixing efficiency, and can damage pipes. Lipp’s Verinox tank material eliminates these issues, utilising smooth stainless steel inner walls with heating and insulation that isn’t exposed to the feed material maintaining efficient mixing and temperature control throughout the plant’s operational life. Any

necessary maintenance of heating pipes or heating distribution can easily be carried out externally, without interrupting gas production.

Managing in-feed impurities some UK AD tank designs utilise large external access hatches to facilitate grit removal, which require the system to be closed down for significant periods during emptying and risks internal damage. The experience in Germany is that including the right pre-treatment, to remove grit and contaminants provides a more efficient plant with less downtime and risk of internal damage to the tanks. If incidents of grit inclusion do occur, the coldrolled stainless-steel utilised in Lipp-Tanks is extremely resistant to any stones, glass or grit entering the tank.

Tank design and integrity choice of tank materials is critical to both economic plant construction and low maintenance.

Many of the current materials in operation in UK tanks, such as concrete panels or bolted steel

sections, with or without glass liners, are susceptible to material degradation, corrosion and fracture; with subsequent impact on plant downtime and often significant maintenance and repair cost. The composite stainless and galvanised steel (Verinox) walls in the Lipp system remove these issues and maintain excellent tank integrity throughout their operational life.

From the 2015 Exhibition we can see that the UK AD market shows great potential, something which the latest ADBA report also confirms. However, the potential off set to this is the ongoing funding challenge that may lie in future chancellor’s budgets. Therefore ensuring cost effectiveness, both during plant construction and operation, is critical to AD operators. Based on over 30 years of experience in the German market, Lipp’s AD system solutions offer the quick build times and operational efficiencies required for success in the UK AD market.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 39

| Renewables

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| Renewables

Co-operative approach for funding on-farm AD is a win-win for all Lower Park Farm Co-operative is offering a pioneering opportunity for individuals, businesses and organisations to purchase shares in the UK’s first community-based renewable energy project involving a dedicated on-farm Anaerobic Digestion (AD) biogas facility. ncorporated and registered on 20th February 2015 by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Society Act 2014, this cooperative structure puts communities back in touch with agriculture and sustainable energy for the benefit of all.

The selected 240kW Fre-energy AD system will process the slurry and manure from its 650 strong herd of Brown Swiss and Norwegian Red crossbreed dairy cattle to generate energy in the form of electricity and heat, for which the Co-operative will receive payments from the UK Government Renewable Energy Financial Incentive Scheme and from exporting electricity to the National Grid.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has estimated that, by 2020, some 1000 farm waste AD facilities could be operational across the

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UK. In addition, the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) claims that there is room in the market to build 2 AD facilities every week for the next 10 years.

By investing in Lower Park Farm Co-operative, not only will the vision of a greener future become a reality, but members will receive significant financial benefits. The projected income will generate a generous return of 8% fixed interest per annum for the members. This is much higher than can be achieved from a typical high street bank savings account. Plus it will benefit the local rural economy, create local jobs and fund low carbon energy production all of which benefits the local environment.

Owner of Lower Park Farm Richard Tomlinson explains “Our mission is to enable both the farm and the local and wider community benefit from renewable energy generation in a way that does not impact on the rural

landscape. AD does not rely on the wind blowing, the sun shining or the water flowing – AD utilises farm wastes and enables a significant reduction of the carbon footprint in the production of our food, with substantial benefit to our local environment and economy and to the health of our planet.”

The Tomlinsons are fully committed to the co-operative movement. All of the organic milk produced at Lower Park Farm is sold through Calon Wen – the Welsh Organic Milk Co-operative that Richard co-founded around fifteen years ago. Forming another co-operative to fund the building of the AD at Lower Park Farm makes perfect sense.

This co-operative model cuts out the city investors and banks, some of whom, by their own admission, do not have a policy on providing finance to fund on-farm AD. Lower Park Farm Co-operative was set up to establish a

sustainable, environmentally friendly and economically attractive alternative to manage our reliance on fossil fuel resources. This project has been under development for over 2 years. In order to bring it to investment readiness, expert advice and input has been provided by a wide number of industry and sector specialists.

Unlike the many community oriented energy projects which involve generating renewable energy and Share Investment Capital from schemes involving wind, hydro and solar technologies, Lower Park Farm Co-operative is the first to apply Anaerobic Digestion technology.

This pioneering scheme can be considered as a landmark project, providing a benchmark for future farmers and local communities to follow. For further information please visit www.lowerparkfarmcoop.co.uk or phone 01829 270604.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 41

| Renewables

HRS boosts fertiliser value for farmers HRS Heat Exchangers has won an order for its novel Digestate Concentration System (DCS) which will be installed at Cattlegate Farm in Enfield near London as part of a new multi-million pound anaerobic digester being developed by Willen Biogas. The system will reduce digestate (a nutrient rich bio-fertiliser) storage and application requirements by around 40 per cent, reducing capital investment accordingly. he plant at Cattlegate Farm will produce 1.5 MW of renewable electricity for the grid, enough to power around 1,750 homes saving approximately 21,000 tonnes of CO2e per year, equivalent to taking 9,500 cars off the road. An adjacent composting facility on the same site turns 25,000 tonnes of green waste from parks and gardens into compost each year.

Farming business D. Williams & Co., which owns Cattlegate Farm, and which grows arable crops and produces fresh herbs on more than 2,000 acres of land, expects to save over £90,000 a year in fertiliser costs by using the compost and digestate. They add that the HRS Digestate Concentration System is a key part of utilising the nutrient rich digestate effectively.

Not only does it reduce the volume of digestate produced while maintaining the nutrient concentration, but it also reuses as much heat as possible improving process efficiency of the entire AD plant.

Adrian Williams, Chairman of Willen Biogas and Partner in D. Williams & Co. comments: “As a business we have always looked into diverse operations that compliment agriculture and respect the environment as well as trying to achieve government targets. With the location of the farm close to the centre of one of the major population capitals of the world, we could see a huge potential for a food waste fed anaerobic digestion plant.

“We will be producing approximately 41,000 tonnes of liquid digestate each year which will be full of nutrients for the farm, but we want to minimise the amount of traffic going across the farm and the amount of storage needed. The DCS system from HRS will help us to have more efficient spreading windows for the farm making digestate handling a lot more manageable. We will have the same benefits of the nutrients with less volume of digestate, to apply to the land that we farm.

“We needed to remove some of the water to allow us to have more efficient spreading

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windows for the digestate. With less volume to handle it becomes much more manageable, but with the same nutrient benefits. Each tanker will have around 40 per cent more nutritional benefit.”

Application will be carried out by a self propelled tanker using either a 24m dribble bar or trailed injection shoe. It is expected that some will be applied to stubble post-harvest in the autumn after which the digestate will be cultivated into the soil, but it will also be possible to apply the majority of the annual digestate requirement to the crops in January to March while complying with the requirements of NVZ regulation.

The HRS DCS uses a multi-effect concentration process using forced recirculation to process the digestate. In this case, HRS will provide a three stage concentration system to take the liquid digestate, which has a low dry solid content, and increase the dry matter from around 4% to 9%. This reduces the overall volume of digestate produced, meaning that up to 60% less storage capacity is required and that it can be applied with fewer operations, while also ensuring that all the valuable crop nutrients are retained in a more concentrated form.

The HRS System works by superheating the digestate in a vacuum to facilitate concentration, coupled with HRS’s corrugated tube heat transfer technology which reduces fouling and reduces maintenance periods. By using a three effect concentrator, the low temperature steam which is evaporated can be reused, making the process highly energy efficient. The use of multiple concentration units means that the process can continue to run even if one of the concentrators needs to be taken offline for cleaning or maintenance.

Cleaning is also provided using an integrated cleaning system for Cleaning in Place (CIP) to maintain concentrator efficiency.

The water that is removed by the process is recovered and mixed with the feedstock for the anaerobic digestion process, increasing the

efficiency of the digester and reducing the amount of energy and water used by the plant.

Matt Hale, International Sales Manager for HRS commented: “We are delighted to have worked closely with Willen Biogas to aid the management of the digestate and improve the overall process efficiency. The solution we proposed will integrate fully with the rest of the plant and help to maximise output throughout the year, as it allows the plant to keep operating when part of the DCS needs maintenance and reuses hot water which would otherwise be wasted.

“Using quality digestate on the farm is an integral part of this project and this Digestate Concentration System has been specifically designed to reduce the volume of material to be stored and applied, while maintaining its value as an organic fertiliser. Not only will this deliver considerable financial savings each year to the farming business, but it will also help it to further reduce its carbon footprint as conventional fertiliser use will lessen.”

“As a business we have always looked into diverse operations that compliment agriculture and respect the environment as well as trying to achieve government targets”.

The project has been praised by Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor of London’s Senior Energy & Environment Adviser, who said: “This innovative facility is turning food and garden waste into two much needed resources energy and cheap fertiliser. This truly demonstrates that investment in London’s Cleantech Industries can deliver real savings, jobs and growth for London.”

Construction of the plant began last August and is expected to be completed in October 2015.

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| Renewables

Up to 7 million cu meters of green gas being supplied by Wyke Farms to national grid as part of their 100% Green Sustainability Initiative Wyke Farms, one of the UK’s largest independent cheese producers and milk processor, commissioned the second phase of its Bio Gas project last month, which sees it send up to 7 million cu meters of its upgraded biogas back to the UK grid adding to the annual supply of certified green gas. he plant started producing Biogas in December 2014 and production has steadily been increasing through the year. Wyke Farms’ gas upgrading will save up to 15 million kgs of CO² per year and will provide 70 million units of certified Green Gas per year (one unit = 1kWh), enough for the heating and cooking needs of over 4,000 homes.

"As people who work closely with the land, we can see firsthand effects of climate change and I believe that we have a responsibility for the sake of future generations to be part of a low carbon solution to energy. ” said Richard Clothier, Managing Director and 3rd generation family member at Wyke Farms “Increasingly the shoppers that buy our cheddar across the world see green and sustainable as part of our corporate responsibility and expect us to do our bit.”

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“There is no doubt that Wyke make the most environmentally friendly cheese in the UK and we are proud to have supported this project” Wyke Farms generates its biogas from its own on-site anaerobic (AD) plant, which converts 75,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste from its farm and neighbours per year, into energy. The wastes include farmyard manure, slurry, dairy washings and apple pomace amongst other things. Each unit of green gas injected into the grid displaces a unit of conventional fossil-fuel gas, where it is then available to be bought by any businesses or consumers.

Currently its biogas is used as energy to fuel the cheese dairy and saw the company become the UK’s first national cheddar brand to be 100% self-sufficient in its own green energy.

Molly Scott Cato – Green MEP for the area has visited the site said: “There are a host of innovative ways for generating sustainable energy in the South

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West. We don't need dangerous nuclear or dirty fossil fuels. The team at Wyke Farms are leading the way in showing that we can generate energy by utilizing natural assets that are found on many farms and businesses in the region. There is still too much organic waste going to landfill and far too many south-facing roofs without solar panels. Wyke Farms are showing how waste can be diverted away from landfill and how south facing roofs can be used to their maximum potential.”

Wyke Farms worked with CNG Services to manage the connection from AD to the gas grid. John Baldwin, managing director from CNG Services, which specialises in biomethane to grid connections, says: “This project shows a highly sustainable way to process waste from the dairy industry. Using the gas grid allows renewable methane to be delivered to homes and utilised with very high efficiency for domestic heating. There is no doubt that Wyke make the most environmentally friendly cheese in the UK and we are proud to have supported this project.”

The AD project is part of ‘100% Green’, Wyke Farms’ sustainability initiative, which has seen the company also invest in solar arrays, water recovery, electronic delivery, packaging waste reduction as well as sharing knowledge and encouraging its suppliers to work in more sustainable ways.

The Wyke Farms gas is joining the Wales & West Utilities network (WWU), Chief Executive, Graham Edwards said: “Linking biomethane from Wyke Farms to our gas network is a positive step forward for Wales & West Utilities.

The UK Government has set a target for the decarbonisation of heating, and in order to meet this we need to enable the injection of gas from renewable sources.”

Wyke Farms has been producing its award-winning cheddar for over a century and has grown to become one of the largest family-owned cheese makers in Britain selling over 13,000 tonnes annually.

Wyke Farms have 150 years of family farming experience. Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made

with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.

The Wyke Farms products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Sainsbury’s Tesco and Waitrose.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 43

| Education

Grandfather Rights for pesticide spraying coming to an end North Shropshire College’s (NSC) Walford Campus is ready to assist people affected by the end of the ‘Grandfather Rights’ exemption when using pesticides, there will be a number of qualifications available to those affected. he current exemption for people born before December 31st 1964 for using Plant Protective Products (PPP) authorised for professional use, will be coming to an end in November this year.

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‘NSC’s Walford Campus offers a wide selection of training and qualifications appropriate for all users of PPP’s, from professional contractors to Smallholder owners.’

The exemption, known as ‘Grandfather Rights’, will end with a change in the law on 26th November 2015. People who use PPP will have to have a Certificate of Competence from a recognised body, this includes use on crops, land, produce, materials and buildings which are owned, occupied or rented by them or their employer. After 26th November, it will be an offence to purchase PPP’s authorised for professional use unless they have ensured that the intended end user has a certificate.

City and Guilds Land Services have

developed a Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides for people who will lose their ‘Grandfather Rights’, and use pesticides on land they own or their employer owns. The qualification will take into account the fact that people working under ‘Grandfather Rights’ will have many years of experience, and should already have some form of training. In recognition of this, the qualification has been developed so it will cost less and be shorter in duration than the existing Level 2 Qualifications for PPP users.

If you don’t already have a certificate, you will need to get one by 26 November 2015 so that you can continue to use PPP’s as part of your job after that date. North Shropshire College’s (NSC) Rural Skills Coordinator, Chloe Bird, commented ‘NSC’s Walford Campus offers a wide selection of training and qualifications appropriate for all users of PPP’s, from professional contractors to Smallholder owners.’

For more information on PPP qualifications on offer or to book a course at NSC’s Walford Campus, please call Chloe Bird on 01939 262102 or email c.dodsworth@nsc.ac.uk. You can also visit www.nsc.ac.uk and download a part-time prospectus.

University teams up with drone experts International Unmanned Aerial Systems provider, PrecisionHawk, has teamed up with Harper Adams to deliver drone training in exchange for aerial imagery of the university’s campus. s part of a growing relationship established through the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Special Interest Group, PrecisionHawk visited Harper Adams to fly one of its Lancaster vehicles as part of a training and demonstration session for its users.

During this session, a range of photographs were taken of the campus, primarily a trials field used to assess to effect of farm traffic on crop yields and soil structure.

Research Assistant at Harper Adams, Jonathan Gill, who is also a qualified drone pilot, said: “Having PrecisionHawk host their training session on campus has proven a fantastic opportunity to obtain highquality aerial images of our research, which clearly show how the plots within the field have developed.

“This visual representation from the sky gives a completely different perspective on the field, and we are delighted to be developing this

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mutually beneficial relationship with fellow drone enthusiasts.”

PrecisionHawk prides itself in providing highly intelligent, userfriendly, UAS for remote sensing. Neil Gabriel, PrecisionHawk’s Training and Operations Manager for Europe, said: “At PrecisionHawk, we are very keen to work with leading establishments like Harper Adams University.

“Through these links, we are able to foster the development of new techniques such as sophisticated image processing algorithms which help to translate raw aerial imagery into actionable data, enabling the farmer or agronomist to create precision field prescriptions that are an essential component of delivering a successful precision farming system.”

Chris Harry Thomas, VP Agriculture and Head of European Operations at PrecisionHawk added: “PrecisionHawk are very pleased to be working with Harper Adams University on this training initiative and other projects."

44 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

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| Education

RABDF Farm Health Management Awards 2015 Honours to Plumpton College and University of Cambridge Vet School students. illiam Cranfield, an FD Agriculture student at Plumpton College and Paul Doran studying at the University of Cambridge Vet School have each received the RABDF Farm Health Management Award sponsored by Volac, an awareness raising initiative for younger members of the industry.

At a presentation at the Livestock Event, The NEC, Birmingham, William and Paul were each awarded a £500 cash prize.

A certificate was presented to the two other finalists short-listed for the award: Helen Parker a second year HND student at SRUC Aberdeen and Cheryl Burgar, a student at RDSVS, University of Edinburgh.

This annual competition was open to agriculture, livestock and veterinary students from any course year including postgraduate students. It required applicants to write a 1,500 word essay on proactive farm health management - a key element of the Defra/industry Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, and the

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benefits it brings to animal health and welfare and farm business profitability.

They were also asked to demonstrate an understanding of disease costs and its financial impact on business performance together with the impact of good nutrition, consider the environmental effects of disease and its likely impact on meat and milk quality, comment on the importance of collaboration between farm staff, vets and other advisors in formulating health management plans and consider the differences among the various livestock sectors and how one can learn from another.

The essays were judged by a panel featuring RABDF Council member and Gelli Aur College farm manager, John Owen; veterinary surgeon and former BCVA president, Andrew Praill, and John Sumner, dairy consultant and award chairman.

John Sumner commented: “Now in its eighth year the competition is well established. It was evident from the essays that the level of understanding of the meaning and consequences of

taking a proactive approach to health management continues to increase amongst both sets of students. William was a clear winner in the agricultural group with a well-researched and structured essay. It was however more difficult to separate the vet students as the standard was high, but Paul Doran topped the field by demonstrating good use of research and an impressive analytical approach.”

John Reynolds of award

sponsor, Volac said: “We are pleased to support agricultural and veterinary students in this award which brings a focus to the importance of taking an holistic approach to best practice in livestock management. We believe that their heightened awareness towards a proactive approach to farm health management covering all aspects, from housing and nutrition to financial impact, will be of huge benefit in their future careers.”

Writtle College launches new horticulture campaign Writtle College has teamed up with a number of national and international organisations to launch a new campaign which aims to raise awareness of careers within horticulture to a young audience. he infographic-style animation, which is the second video to be released as part of the “Writtle Futures” campaign, aims to make the subject area more appealing to a younger audience and communicate the diverse nature of the industry. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Lantra, British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIoH) and GROW have all given their backing to the campaign as the demand for new entrants within the horticulture industry continues to increase.

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“As long as a student has a passion and drive to make a difference, then the world of horticulture is open to them. There is a huge demand for people within the industry” Writtle College, which has been providing horticultural education for over 120 years and was awarded Taught-Degree Awarding Powers in March, has enjoyed success at this year’s Young Gardeners of the Year competition where their Further Education horticulture students achieved a ‘Gold’ award, as well as ‘Best in Show’ and ‘People’s Choice’ awards.

Craig Emery, Marketing Manager at Writtle

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College, said: “People are always surprised to see the range of careers available to students after they have completed a horticulture course.

A lot of the younger generation may view horticulture as purely gardening, but it is so much more than that.

“As long as a student has a passion and drive to make a difference, then the world of horticulture is open to them. There is a huge demand for people within the industry.

Hopefully this campaign will change a few perceptions and encourage more people to consider it as a career path after school or college. Students are able to join us at a variety of study levels too, from apprenticeships, short courses and college courses through to degrees and postgraduate programmes, so we are confident to find the right course based on your education and experience.”

Raoul Curtis Machin, Chair of GROW, is very positive about the campaign: “As Chair of GROW I am really delighted to be able to support and help promote horticulture as a career to young people using videos like this one. This video offers a great boost for our sector and I am sure will enable more young people to see what fantastic career opportunities are available in horticulture today.”

Wayne Grills, Chief Executive of BALI, added: “The landscape industry offers excellent careers for horticultural students, from landscape design and construction to

maintenance, and so BALI is delighted to support this video.”

Writtle College has already released the first instalment of the “Writtle Futures” campaign earlier in 2015 with the launch of an agriculture video. The overall aim of the campaign is to increase awareness and change perceptions of the land-based industries.

To view the video go to the Writtle College YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/writtlecollege and join in the campaign by using #WrittleFutures on social media.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 45

| Groundcare

A new handle on ECHO hedge cutters Landscapers, arborists and gardeners not only depend on their power tools to be reliable, they need them to be comfortable and easy to work with. All qualities we have come to expect from ECHO and the ECHO HCR-185ES hedge cutter is no exception. ou can see it’s built for the professional, with integral features that ensure you’ll get the maximum productivity. The powerful 0.57kW output and reliability of the ECHO 21.2cc two-stroke, Stage 2 compliant, low emission engine gets you quickly through the work.

Naturally you also get the ECHO Easy Start® system for effortless starting and there’s a throttle lock-out to prevent accidental throttle engagement.

Ease of use is a main consideration and the ECHO hedge cutter has a newly designed rear handle which locates the frame base higher than the blade. The five position rotating handle also increases manoeuvrability and comfort for the operator, allowing you to use the hedge

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cutter at different angles without having to twist the whole machine. A definite plus for ensuring the HCR-185ES runs smoothly across hedges with no bumping or snagging, making it the perfect tool for garden and ornamental hedges.

Using a hedge cutter over extended periods is tiring work and like all ECHO power tools the new machine has integrated, low vibration technology to help minimise fatigue. The speed and smoothness of cut will be high on your productivity list and the laser cut, precision ground, double reciprocating blades provide both while ensuring long lasting sharpness.

The 35mm blade pitch is ideal for tackling a variety of hedges from thorn, privet and hornbeam to beech and yew. The hedge cutter has an effective cutter length of 744mm with and there’s a half length blade guard to help

protect you from accidental contact with the blades.

The superior design of the exhaust system directs exhaust emissions away from you, while preventing scorching and discolouration of the hedge, and there’s a fully enclosed cover to protect you from touching the hot exhaust.

Other neat touches are the easy, tool-free access to the air filter, even when wearing gloves, and the vertical fuel filler neck for easier re-fuelling. Like all ECHO power tools, the HCR185ES hedge cutter is built to endure tough, professional work and comes with a two-year warranty in professional use. You can find out more from your ECHO dealer or visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 0800 597 7777 for more information.

Royal appointment for Kubota’s F3890 mower Kubota’s F3890 mower has been supplied to landscapers at the Royal Cornwall Show in order to keep the 95 acres of land in top condition during the many events that are taking place throughout the course of the year. he F3890 model is the most powerful out-front mower in Kubota’s range, incorporating a 37.3 horsepower engine and a hydrostatic transmission for excellent working speed and strength for tough mowing jobs. An Auto-Assist 4WD works to automatically control the drive load on wheels during sharp turns, helping to significantly reduce the level of wear and tear that often occurs on the turf after the showground has had a large capacity of visitors.

Superior user comfort and a powerful Kubota diesel engine offers a mower that delivers on performance and precision, whether that is on smooth or wet ground. The mower is assisted

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46 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

by a flail deck designed for cutting grass and brambles in overgrown areas, helping the Royal Cornwall Show landscaping team to tackle unkempt lawns at an efficient pace and tidy up areas that have been disturbed by heavy foot traffic.

Ben Luxton, Showground Manager, said: “The F3890 mower is a fantastic piece of machinery. It’s easy to operate and is ideal for mowing and strimming large areas of ground very quickly to help us keep up with our tight schedules.

“We have previously purchased a compact mower and collector from our local dealer Vincent Machinery and have always found Kubota models to be both adaptable and cost efficient. We will certainly be looking into

buying some more attachments to accompany the F3890 mower very soon to increase its versatility on a day-to-day basis.”

For more information on Kubota and its extensive range of solutions for the groundcare and agriculture sectors visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Buildings

Seddons (Plant and Engineers) Ltd Bolton, North West England T: 01204 854600 www.seddonplant.co.uk

World of Power Buxton, Derbyshire T: 01298 213145 www.worldofpower.co.uk

Blackwood Chainsaws Blackwood, Gwent T: 01495 226657 www.blackwoodchainsaws.co.uk

KO Machines Ltd Wolverhampton, West Midlands T: 01902 798771 www.komachines.co.uk

Charles H Hill Ltd Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire T: 01526 388281 www.charleshhill.co.uk

Cardiff Lawn and Garden Cardiff, West Glamorgan T: 02920 569 311 www.cardifflawnandgarden.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 47

| Tyres

Increasingly going global: The BKT website now speaks five languages The bkt-tires.com website, launched in its new version last January, is now available also in French, German, Spanish and Italian to cater for an increasingly international audience. efinitely strategic and important is this multilingual website update – perfectly in line with the company’s positioning and focus on an international public. It enhances the information potential facilitating speedy and smooth surfing.

By means of this upgrade, BKT confirms its proposition to present themselves as a global benchmark for professionals and operators in the agricultural, industrial and OTR sectors.

This is done not least by means of a globally extended online communication being at the same time always closer to costumers and distributors in 130 countries worldwide.

From now on, more and more people will be able to access all the pages of the BKT website in their native language. These include several contents - now available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian - ranging from corporate news to technical data sheets of the entire tire lineup as well as tips about correct Off-Highway tire handling, maintenance and mounting.

Actually, a global and user-oriented tool, which BKT makes available to their large audience consisting of customers, distributors and end users. All these will now be able to access through the website a direct effective

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48 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

and more instantaneous communication channel.

Last but not least, direct access to the corporate social networks - Facebook, Twitter,

Linkedin and YouTube – as well as the “Around BKT” Community with forum and blog is available. Visit Bkt-tires.com

Trelleborg took 2015 European Road Show for Tyres to Austria for its third stop

Trelleborg’s third stop on its 2015 European Road Show was held in Melk, Austria on August 2.

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he one-day event provided a Trelleborg field

demonstration designed to showcase the importance of selecting the optimal tyre inflation pressure for specific farming operations, as recommended using the Trelleborg Load Calculator. To do so, two Fendt 828 tractors, each fitted with a cultivator combination, Regent Tukan

MSG 500-2, and Trelleborg’s TM1000 High Power at different inflation pressures, competed over a 200 metre track.

Trelleborg demonstrated that using the right pressure farming professionals can save up to €1,419 when working 200 hectares, reducing operating time by as much as 17% and decreasing variable costs such as fuel and maintenance costs by more than 17%.

At the show, Trelleborg was

also the official partner of leading tractor manufacturer Fendt’s presentation of its new VarioGrip, a new integrated tyre pressure regulation system. As a result, visitors had the opportunity to test the new VarioGrip on Trelleborg TM1000 High Power tyres.

Trials demonstrated that the right pressure not only saves fuel, but also increases pulling power and therefore the area coverage as well.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Buildings

Pirtek Cambridge Tel: 01223 835222 Pirtek Derby Tel: 01332 205000 Pirtek Exeter Tel: 01392 430030 www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Pirtek Pirtek Pirtek Pirtek

Harlow Luton Penrith Preston

Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel:

01279 427300 01582 597050 01768 210055 01772 620111

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 49

| Buildings

Featured Dealers:

Ravenhill Hereford Herefordshire HR4 9QJ T: 01432 352333 www.ravenhill.co.uk

Sharnford Tractors Ltd Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5EH T: 01455 209300 www.manitou.co.uk

50 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Robert D. Webster Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 4RF T: 01262 420226 www.robertdwebster.co.uk The Burdens Group Ltd Sutterton Lincolnshire PE20 2ET T: 01205 460 466 www.burdensgroup.com

Farmstar Limited Marr, Doncaster DN5 7AU T: 01302 786786

Market Weighton,York YO43 3GA T: 01430 875900

Brigg, North Lincs DN2 8NF T: 01652 654944 www.farmstar.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

Wide product range for a wide market segment The new CLAAS ATOS, which is available in both 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder variants, includes a total of 6 models that range in power from 76 to 109 hp, and fits in between the ARION 400, AXOS, ELIOS and NEXOS model series. ith the new ATOS, CLAAS has revised and expanded its product range in the power sector below 140 hp. With a total of 10 different models and 51 variants ranging from 72 to 530 hp, CLAAS is now able to offer its sales partners and customers the largest range of tractors it has ever offered in its history.

The ATOS is characteristic on account of its simple and robust technology for day-to-day operations and, thanks to numerous equipment and expansion options, this makes it a versatile tractor for any type of use and customer. The tractor was introduced to the public for the first time at the 2014 Eima agricultural machinery trade fair held in Italy.

A "True CLAAS" The new ATOS follows the modern, yet functional, CLAAS design and thus fits seamlessly into the large CLAAS tractor family.

With its compact dimensions, the

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ATOS is extremely manoeuvrable and ideal for all kinds of farm work.

Large range of power options with four and three-cylinder engines The ATOS is powered by a Stage IIIb/Tier 4i-compliant engine.

The 300 series uses a 4 cylinder engine that has a 3.8 l displacement, whilst the 200 Series has a 3 cylinder engine, with a 2.9 l displacement. The engines feature a common rail injection system, turbocharger, charge air cooler and optional viscous fan. Exhaust after treatment is carried out by a diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.

The catalytic converter is integrated under the bonnet in a compact manner. High torque values of up to 436 Nm mean that the ATOS is extremely responsive to drive.

The fuel tank holds up to 145L and the standard equipment also includes an engine speed memory function, which simplifies handling for the driver, especially when

working with the power take-off.

Wide range of transmission options With three different variants, CLAAS offers a transmission to suit every customer. The range includes a standard manual transmission for basic applications, the TWINSHIFT transmission with two powershift speeds or the TRISHIFT transmission with three powershift speeds. All transmission variants are available with either a mechanical clutchless reverser or the electronic REVERSHIFT clutchless reverser.

Three power take-off options are also available for the ATOS with the following speeds: • 540 rpm • 540 and 540 ECO • 540/540 ECO, 1000 and 1000 ECO. An automatic power take-off system and a separate groundspeed power take-off for powering trailers are also available optionally.

New: SMART STOP A special feature of the ATOS is the new SMART STOP function for transmissions specified with an electronic clutchless reverser. This function is activated at the touch of a button on the dashboard and ensures that the ATOS stops when the brake is engaged without having to depress the clutch pedal. Stopping and moving off is carried out solely using the brake pedal. This relieves the stress on the driver significantly, particularly when working in the yard (front loader operations) or in the field (e.g. when making round bales).

The SMART STOP function shuts off automatically at higher speeds.

The ATOS is optionally equipped ex-factory with a fully

integrated 1.9t capacity front linkage. The front linkage console can be operated either with the mechanical PROPILOT control system or the hydraulic FLEXPILOT control system. The rear linkage can also be controlled mechanically or electronically. The ATOS 300 has a maximum lift capacity of 4.8 t at the rear, while the ATOS 200 can lift up to 3.6 t.

The standard hydraulic pump has an output of 55 l/min. The ECO option provides an increased hydraulic output of 60 l/min at a reduced engine speed of 1600 rpm – thus lowering fuel consumption. A total of four control units are available, whereby the fourth can be controlled electronically.

The ATOS is available with two front axle variants: with the standard front axle without allwheel drive or with a braked front axle and all-wheel drive. The maximum tyre size for the ATOS 300 is 38", and for the ATOS 200 the maximum size is 34".

The new ATOS is equipped with a comfortable four-pillar cab, which provides excellent all-round visibility of the working area.

Furthermore, all of the functions are clearly arranged within the cab. The doors open over a wide range, making it easy to enter and exit the cab. Thanks to the glass roof hatch, the driver always has a good view over the front loader and ensuring they can work safely and accurately at all times.

The first tractors of the ATOS model series were introduced to the market in January 2015.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 51

| Machinery

The 2015 Harvest Demonstration Tour has been confirmed at the following locations and times:

Coming to a dealer near you – New Holland’s UKwide Harvest Demo tour New Holland has announced the dates for its UK-wide Harvest Demonstration tour which will visit 18 locations between 27th July and 3rd September. he tour will showcase ‘innovation in action’ with the first public demonstrations of its new Dual Stream Header, which recently won a Gold medal for innovation at the 2015 IMMA Awards.

New Holland’s innovative Dual Stream Header offers increased harvesting capacity and reduced fuel consumption, with the system using a second bank of selfsharpening knives to reduce the quantity of straw going through the combine.

The CX Flagship combines are powered by engines that deliver exceptional performance characteristics for harvesting. High levels of grain handling efficiency and a grain tank capacity of up to 11,500 litres make CX combines a powerul harvest partner.

The CR range – featuring some of the world’s highest capacity combines – will also be in action at some of the tour locations. The range brings together a powerful efficient engine with advanced harvesting technology, including

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IntelliSteer® auto guidance to deliver even greater efficiency and Twin Rotor™ technology to ensure unsurpassed grain and straw quality.

Other New Holland combine models from the host dealers will be demonstrated at each location.

New Holland has a pedigree of harvesting innovation. This year it celebrates 40 years since it introduced its revolutionary Twin Rotor™ technology, which set a new standard for grain and straw quality. This pure rotary bloodline continues today in the latest generation of CR combines.

James Ashworth, New Holland’s Marketing Manager, says: “The UK-wide Harvest Demonstration Tour will be a great opportunity for people to view our combines in action and the new Dual Stream Header. This offers a fantastic opportunity for prospective customers to assess the potential of this machinery, with our combines working on-farm, and harvesting commercial crops.”

James continues: “This year’s tour is all about ‘innovation in action’. Every single one of our new combines has innovation at

52 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

P. & J. Evans & Son, Manor Farm, Dalscote, Towcester, Northants, NN12 8EU Mr M.S. Walker, Ercall Park, High Ercall, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6AU J.D. Sanders esq, Park Farm, Ombersley, Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 0EX N.E. Salmon, Hyde Hall, Main Road, Great Fransham, East Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2HR M. & F. Farms, Scotsman Lodge Farm, Stamford Road, Helpston Heath, Peterborough, PE6 7EL G. H. Emerson & Son, Slate House Farm, Hubberts Bridge, Boston, PE21 7NY Glebe Farm, Kneeton Road, East Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire, NG13 8LP

Tuesday 4th August

P. A. Turney Ltd

Thursday 6th August

Ravenhill Ltd

Saturday 8th August

Murley Agricultural Supplies

Wednesday 12th August

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd

Friday 14th August

G & J Peck Ltd

Sunday 16th August

The Burden Group Ltd

Tuesday 18th August

RES Tractors Ltd

Thursday 20th August

Platts Harris Ltd

Saturday 22nd August

Robert D. Webster Ltd

Monday 24th August

Malpas Tractors Ltd

Saturday 29th August

Russells Ltd

Milby Road, Boroughbridge York YO51 9BL

Monday 31st August

Lloyd Ltd

David Dungait, Dungait Farms, Hebron, Morpeth, NE61 3LA

Wednesday 2nd September

Thursday 3rd September

A1 near depot, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0LH

Lothian Tractors Ltd/Fife Tractors Ltd /Agricar Ltd/ Ravenhill Ltd Lothian Tractors Ltd/Fife Tractors Ltd/Agricar Ltd/Ravenhill Ltd

the heart of its design, whether it’s greater fuel efficiency, increased grain handling capacity, or more efficient cutting and straw management. New Holland pioneered twin rotating drum technology 40 years ago, and we’re proud that our harvesting innovation heritage continues with

J. H. Farming Ltd, Elmswell, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 3EL R E & S Baldwin, Landgate Farm, Landgate, Bryn, Wigan, WN4 0EJ

Dupplin Trust, Upper Cairnie Farm, Perth PH2 0PS Dupplin Trust, Upper Cairnie Farm, Perth PH2 0PS

the modern range of combines you see today.”

The Harvest Demonstration Tour follows the success of the 2014 tour and this year’s showcases more New Holland combines and visits more locations across the UK.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

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August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 53

| ATV

Updated Suzuki models now with free Datatag security Committed to understanding their customers’ needs and delivering the best rider experience, Suzuki ATV has further developed its popular KingQuad 500 and 750 models. long with other updates, both the KingQuad 500 and 750 models now come fitted with the Cesar ATV Security System – the number one theft deterrent powered by Datatag. As well as reducing the chance of downtime to users’ businesses in the event of a theft, the system also awards owners with reductions to insurance premiums.

The updated Suzuki KingQuad 750 power steering model moves to whole new levels of comfort and practicality, whilst retaining the ultimate reliability that is so crucial to all businesses. Riders also benefit from easy manoeuvring and less bump-steer thanks to the electric power steering, with a highly efficient fuel injection system saving owners money on fuel.

The updated KingQuad 500 is ideal for a wide range of tasks thanks to its powerful engine and smooth ride, regardless of the terrain. In order to tackle a range of environments and conditions with ease, the 500 features an innovative torque-sensing slip limiting differential with three

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modes: 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive or differential-locked 4-wheel drive. The power steering model is suited to long stretches in the seat or regular riding on bumpy terrain, while the standard model is a smart choice for those with less extreme demands, but equal needs for the rest of the model’s impressive features.

George Cheeseman, Sales & Marketing Manager, Suzuki ATV Division, says, “At Suzuki, we’re committed to building ATVs that will get you wherever the work takes you, whatever the weather and terrain – and these new models are testament to that.” He adds, “We know our customers want ATVs that are as hard working as they are and we’ve already received great feedback from those who are benefiting from the new features!”

Customers that buy a new Suzuki utility ATV will automatically qualify for an exclusive free workwear kit consisting of a set of Suzuki-branded overalls and a bodywarmer – perfect for wearing around the farm, estate or stables.

To arrange a test ride, find your local Dealer at www.suzukiatv.co.uk

54 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Honda headlines Young Farmers’ Vehicle Safety Initiative The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has received a huge boost to its farm safety initiative, thanks to a new partnership with Honda (UK), which was announced at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells. entral to Honda’s sponsorship of the NFYFC will be helping to promote All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety to the Federation’s 25,000 members.

Honda is the world’s leading ATV manufacturer and will become the Federations’ recognised expert in ATV safety. A key role for Honda within the partnership will be championing ATV safety with Young Farmers, by connecting local approved Honda dealers with Young Farmers’ Clubs across England and Wales.

Vehicle safety on the farm is a huge concern for the NFYFC. According to statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive, the largest number of worker deaths in agriculture is caused by moving vehicles, accounting for nearly a fifth of fatalities over the last five years.

The NFYFC’s partnership with Honda is part of its nationwide initiative to try to raise the awareness of farm safety to Young Farmers and encourage YFC members to change their attitudes.

NFYFC is keen to identify external organisations that can help deliver the farm safety message to YFC members. The objective is to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury accidents occurring to Young Farmers and their families. NFYFC

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would like to achieve this through the promotion of safety awareness, practical advice and training.

For further information about the NFYFC’s farm safety initiative, please visit www.nfyfc.org.uk/farmsafety.

The NFYFC’s partnership with Honda is part of its nationwide initiative to try to raise the awareness of farm safety to Young Farmers and encourage YFC members to change their attitudes.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Products for Honda (UK) said: “We are delighted to be supporting the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs with a key focus on highlighting ATV safety to its members throughout the UK. “Honda has always been committed to promoting safe and responsible handling of ATVs and we will work very closely with the NFYFC and its members to raise awareness of the importance of vehicle safety on the farm.

“It’s been great to meet some of the Young Farmers competing at the Royal Welsh Show today, and really interesting to discuss some of the ways in which we can help deliver the farm safety initiative.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| ATV

Fieldens preparing to help farmers take on slugs this autumn Following record sales of ATVs and slug pellet applicators during autumn 2014, Stowmarket, Suffolk-based Fieldens WTA Ltd, the country’s leading Honda ATV main dealer, is making sure it is ready to deal with high demand again this season. s well as the full range of marketleading new Honda ATVs, the company is also able to offer a superb selection of quality used machines, and Honda department sales manager, Keith Collins, says these offer a cost-effective solution for those purchasing an ATV for the first time, or for those buying a machine primarily for seasonal use applying pellets.

“Experience has shown that many users buy their first machines to satisfy a particular need, such as for applying slug pellets,” he explained.

“Their very low running costs, superb versatility and ability to provide transport solutions in the most difficult ground conditions means they quickly become indispensable throughout the year, but for those looking for the most efficient means of applying slug pellets, a used ATV with a state-ofthe-art Stocks slug pellet is the perfect solution.

“Our used ATVs are in high

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demand across the UK, such is our reputation for checking them over thoroughly and standing by them in the event of any problems, and we already have a selection of second-hand models serviced and ready for dispatch in anticipation of a high demand. We know that when slugs are a problem they need tackling as soon as possible, so we are making sure we can supply machines ready to put to work at very short notice,” he adds.

Fieldens’ current stock includes models with 2wd or 4wd, and with engine sizes from just 250cc, although the most popular models for slug pellet application are the TRX450 or newer TRX500, with 432 or 475cc respectively.

As a main dealer for the Stocks and Logic product ranges too, Fieldens has a selection of new slug pelleters to choose from, including models designed for ATVs or other machinery such as tractors, self-propelled sprayers, drills or on sets of rolls and prices start at just £800 + VAT (RRP £911 + VAT).

“A brand new TRX500 with selectable two or four wheel drive is available from £6,200 + VAT, said Keith, but for those who feel they cannot justify investing in a brand new model, we can offer used machines for considerably less. A similar specification used machine which was supplied new by us in 2012 and which will be fully serviced, checked and sold with a goodwill warranty is available for just £4,000 + VAT, and with a new Stocks 24m pelleter fitted and ready to put to work would cost just £4,975 + VAT. Used machines are always subject to availability, and wet autumns are when we tend to see highest demand. The price will depend on age, condition and

hours worked but, for slug pelleting, they are a very costeffective option. As always we will be more than happy to offer guidance to potential buyers as to the best solution for their needs “Experience has shown that many users buy their first machines to satisfy a particular need, such as for applying slug pellets” and with our many years’ experience of the products and our reputation as an agricultural specialist, we expect to be very busy.”

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 55

| ATV

New Forest Garden Machinery Totton, Southampton Hampshire SO40 3ND Tel: 023 8087 1764 www.nfgmltd.co.uk

Quad Bikes R Us Waldon House Farm Great Tottenham, Essex CM9 8PN Tel: 01621 893 227 www.quadbikesrus.com

DH Wadsworth & Sons (Malton Ltd) Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 6YB 01653 692244 or 07831 589916 www.wadsworthquads.co.uk

WJ Shields and Sons Hall Farm, Main St, York North Yorkshire YO30 1AA 01904 470263

Quad Extreme (E D Distribution) Otley Road, Baildon, Shipley West Yorkshire BD17 7HP 01274 714544 www.quadextreme.co.uk

Courtfield ATV Services 2A Cross Croft Industrial Estate Appleby Cumbria CA166HX www.courtfieldatvservices.co.uk

XP Bikes 17 Hareleeshill Road Larkhall ML9 2EX 01698 881 885 http://www.xpbikes.co.uk

D H Wadsworth & Sons Flockton, Wakefield West Yorkshire WF4 4AB 01924 840 319 www.wadsworthquads.co.uk

Off Highway Plant Solutions Tel: 01305 858 623 Mob: 07899 848 569 www.sphere24.com

56 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

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| ATV

Polaris on the beach “We have quite a charming beach to ourselves”, wrote Queen Victoria of the beach at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. he Italianate style house, originally built to provide the Queen and Prince Albert with a private home, is surrounded by grounds and parkland that were developed by the Prince himself.

Covering 354 acres it displays

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his liking for poplars and the Italian style of lining drives and walks with evergreens.

Today Osborne House, with its stunning gardens and views across the Solent, is in the care of English Heritage.

Needing a vehicle to take people and supplies to the Queen’s beach they recently took

delivery of a new Polaris Ranger Diesel Crew 1000 from local dealer C & O Tractors. Fitted with a full cab, the Polaris is used to ferry disabled and elderly people, as well as staff, food and drink supplies between the house and the new Pavilion Beach Ice-Cream Parlour and wedding venue.

“The Polaris was just what English Heritage were looking for,” says Lee Priddle of Wight ATV, “the power and economy of a diesel 4 x 4 and the ability to carry six people in comfort as well as stock for the cafe and weddings.”

The Polaris Crew is also used to tow a trailer with additional supplies and replaces a Polaris Ranger EV electric 4 x 4 that has been used for security patrol by

the beach ranger.

Nowadays you can indulge in an ice cream and tea on Queen Victoria’s private beach and, if you’re so inclined, you can take a paddle or dip in the sea, from the very place where the Queen regularly bathed and where her children learned to swim.

“The Polaris was just what English Heritage were looking for” More information from Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 or visit www.polaris-britain.com

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 57

| Motors

D-Max Blade is a cut above The New Isuzu D-Max Blade comes with power & luxury in one package. ot so long ago, the mere mention of a pick-up truck conjured images of dirty, abused load shifters, muddy in the front and rusty in the back.

Of course, things have moved on somewhat and now your trusty workhorse can also be your leisure vehicle, portraying a lifetyle choice that might bely your true vocation. Entry level models can still be quite basic affairs, but most manufacturers offer the choice of a more lavish experience. Just so with the Isuzu D-Max Blade..

In addition to the 18" Shadow alloys, leather interior, roof bars and an under-rail bedliner, the Blade also comes fitted with either a Black Mountain Top Roller Cover with Black Rear Style Bar or a Colour Coded Aeroklas Leisure Canopy. The front grill is suitably colour matched too and Isuzu have thrown in blackedout windows and chunky side-steps, making this a really good looking truck, in my opinion.

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There's no arguing with the price in comparison to other marques Inside too, the Blade has been given the luxury treatment (well, everything is relative) – the leather seats are well made, supportive and heated whilst rear seat passengers get plenty of room too – although seating position here is a little bit upright. Rear seats can be folded flat for extra load capacity or the bases can be lifted and tied back.

Around the cabin there are plenty of cubbyholes to secrete your personal effects – including two glove compartments. Switches and dials are of a decent enough quality and easily operated and read. The steering wheel has all the multi-functional goodies you'd expect but the Panasonic media system, though functional with satnav, bluetooth etc. might feel a little outdated and fiddly to some.

58 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

Offering additional features such as reversing camera on its ample screen, it's still very fuctional.

Anyone who has read any of my previous reviews will know that I have a thing about doorhandles and how often it's the things that you touch the most that can influence your opinion on quality. Here we have silver coloured plastic which, whilst sturdy enough, didn't provide the positive experience I was looking for...

Over all though, the D-Max Blade interior isn't a bad place to be.

Driving This is where all the luxury and styling fall away and you are reminded that this is basically a workhorse.

The 2.5l twin turbo diesel on paper, at least, provides 163PS and ample torque – though strangely, I didn't really notice that power – but then, I didn't have the opportunity to tow. Get going, and the D-Max certainly sounds like a truck too - with little in the way of cabin damping to reduce the cacophony and you'll be 'stirring' the gearbox as well with its longish throw – and longer ratios. Once up to speed, however, things die down a bit.

Clearly then, there are compromises to be made here and all that being said, the power plant does redeem itself in terms of economy where you'll expect to return around 32-34mpg (official figures suggest 38.7mpg combined and 192g/km CO2) – pretty good for a vehicle of this size and power – especially in contrast to some other contenders.

Then there's the 3.5t towing capacity and the potential to carry a one-tonne payload (a Euro pallet will fit nicely in here).

Talking of payload, I imagine the ride would be less 'choppy' over our somewhat neglected British roads if there was some load in the back – however the more sophisticated front suspension set-up provides a fairly comfortable ride up front. Steering is hydraulically assisted and feels a little heavy, delivering little in the

way of feedback – no surprise really for this type of vehicle. The rear load door has dampers fitted, providing a welcome 'soft opening' feature and no doubt providing much needed assistance to the stresses and strains on the hinges.

If you opt for the rear canopy you can pretty much forget using the rear view mirror for anything other than fixing your hair – this is a big beast – and with the windows tinted, you won't be seeing much. Side mirrors are of a decent size, of course.

Venturing off-road will prove simple enough in the D-Max. Its 4wd system benefits from a low range option though there's no locking rear differential here – so you might get a rear wheel spinning up on wet grass like I did on our sloping driveway. Break out the grass seed...

Engaged via a dial near the gear-shift, 4wd can be selected at up to 60mph – but low range will require you to stop and engage neutral first.

Good approach and departure angles (30 and 22 degrees respectively) and a ground clearance of 235mm put the D-Max up there with the best.

And there's no arguing with the price in comparison to other marques. For the sort of kit that the Blade comes with, you're looking at a decent saving here – and it's our suggestion that when comparing other vehicles, you should take this into account. Throw in a 5 year warranty (or 125,000 miles) and you could have a 'shopping list' topper in the Isuzu.

Andrew Poulton Editor

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| ATV

AUGUST MOTORS Wiltshire 01722 622 633 www.augustmotors-isuzu.co.uk

CROSS ROADS Warwickshire 01608 433 021 www.crossroads-isuzu.co.uk

LIFESTYLE EUROPE Kent 01892 629 140 www.lifestyleeurope-isuzu.co.uk

ARCHIE MOSS Leicestershire 01530 553 785 www.archiemoss-isuzu.co.uk

MAPLE GARAGE LTD East Yorkshire 01964 782 292 www.maplegarage-isuzu.co.uk

MARK WEATHERHEAD LTD Cambridgeshire 01954 574 562 www.markweatherhead-isuzu.co.uk

BOB GERARD LTD Leicestershire 01162 149 052 www.bobgerard-isuzu.co.uk

TROOPS Lincolnshire 01400 272 232 www.troops-isuzu.co.uk

RIVERSIDE EASTERN LTD North Yorkshire 01723 821 625 www.riversideeastern-isuzu.co.uk

BURRELLS MOTOR GROUP South Yorkshire 01302 515 763 www.burrellsmotorgroup-isuzu.co.uk

GARLAND MOTORS Hampshire 01252 884 026 www.garland-isuzu.co.uk

YORK VAN CENTRE North Yorkshire 01904 275 211 www.yorkvancentre-isuzu.co.uk

CORDWALLIS GROUP Oxfordshire 01865 565 991 www.cordwallisgroup-isuzu.co.uk

JEFFRIES OF BACTON Suffolk 01449 424 758 www.jeffriesofbacton-isuzu.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

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| Motors

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| Motors

Jeep sales continue to grow in Europe Jeep has announced another record performance. or the 18th consecutive month, the brand continues to grow in the European region with June being the best month ever with 8500 sales and a 176% increase compared with June 2014. June was the best sales month ever in some of the major European markets as well, with France up by 491%, Spain up 358% and Italy up 309%, compared with the same month of 2014.

At product level, with more than 5400 units sold, the Jeep Renegade has been significantly successful in the month of June, and is now permanently among the most sold vehicles in its segment in some of the major European countries, being in the top 5 ranking in Italy.

The Grand Cherokee performance was as well positive. In June, compared with the same month

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in 2014, the vehicle had an 18% increase in sales in the European region, reaching the top positions in its segment in key countries like Italy, Switzerland and Poland.

An important contribution came as well from the iconic Jeep Wrangler whose sales in June grew by almost 50%, compared with June 2014, with the UK being up 79%, Germany up 60% and Spain up 57%.

The results of the second quarter were as well the best ever for the brand with 23,000 unit sales for the European region and an increase of 161% versus Q2 last year. With a total of almost 15000 units, Renegade played a key role, being in the top 5 in its segment in the Italian market, while Grand Cherokee ranked in the top 5 in Italy, Switzerland and Poland in its segment.

In the first half 2015 versus the same period

last year, Jeep sales increased by 174% in Europe totalling 45000 units, with France being the best performing country (up 328% versus the same period the previous year), followed by Spain and Italy. Over the same period, a significant 168% increase on Cherokee sales was recorded with Switzerland being up 231%, Italy up 165% and Germany up 108%, while Grand Cherokee remained steadily in the first top 3 positions in its segment in Italy, Switzerland and Poland.

Nissan Navara lands high flying roles with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd The go-anywhere Nissan Navara has been drafted into service to provide specialist services at airports across the Scottish Highlands, Northern Isles and Western Isles. ighlands and Islands Airport Ltd has taken six of the durable and dependable pickups, adding them to 19 other Nissans on its 100-strong fleet that includes everything from city cars, boats and minibuses to a 32-tonne airside fire appliance.

One Navara has been kitted out as a specialist fire command vehicle – complete with blue light pack and ground to tower radio system – and is now in operation with highly trained firefighters at Inverness Airport.

Another two have been fitted with specialist bird scaring equipment, including high decibel external speakers, and are being used to minimise the dangers and disruption

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caused by huge colonies of native birds at Sumburgh and Stornoway airports.

The other three vehicles are being used as management company cars. All were supplied

by Nissan dealer Dicksons of Inverness.

Paul Rodden, Chief Engineer and fleet manager at Highlands and Islands Airports, said: “We went through a procurement procedure three years ago and Nissan came out on top. They were the only manufacturer that could supply vehicles that met our brief.

“Since then we’ve not been disappointed – the vehicles we’ve had have been up to any job and Nissan and Dicksons have been great at helping us maintain the fleet, much of which is scattered across remote areas where there are no dealerships.”

He added: “This time around we needed vehicles that could cope with very demanding roles – there’s such an issue with seabird colonies at Stornoway, for example, that the bird control vehicles can cover 2,000 miles a month without ever leaving the airport.

“The Navara was our first choice.”

With a 2.5 dCi engine with 190PS power output and 450Nm of torque or a 3.0 V6 dCi with 231PS power output and 550Nm of torque, the Nissan Navara has the muscle for any job.

It also offers a payload of up to 1250kg and a towing capacity of 3000kg, ensuring it can earn its keep as part of any fleet.

But despite its ruggedness and durability, the Navara – priced from £22,415 RRP – offers a car-like drive and features an array of creature comforts such as Bluetooth telephone integration, dual zone climate control and an optional satnav.

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 61

| Motors

The Amarok Trendline.

A lot more style for a lot less.

Only £269 a month* on Contract Hire.

^

The Amarok Trendline comes with all the rugged practicality you’d expect from an Amarok.

It also comes with a degree of style and luxury you might not expect. The interior is cosseted in comfort-providing carpet and upholstery with an armrest on the centre console. Chrome and silver detail adds its own sophisticated touch.

As for the exterior, it’s no less impressive. The upper front grille displays a similar chrome detail.

There are body-coloured door handles, body-coloured mirrors and extended wheel arches. With front fog lamps, the Amarok Trendline sits on 17-inch Aldo alloy wheels.

This offer is for business users only. For more information, why not call us today or drop by our showroom?

£269 m o r f e n i l k Trend o r a .^ m e r A i e H t Th c a r * On Cont . h t n o m a ^At the end of the agreement the vehicle and ownership rights will stay with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Finance. *Plus VAT and initial rental. Business users only. Based on a 36 month, 2015 from participating Van Centres. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Further charges may apply when vehicle is returned, subject to the contract fair wear and tear guidelines can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to assist with your purchase, who may pay us for introducing you to them. Terms and conditions apply. Freepost Volkswagen Commercial

62 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

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| Motors

Listers (Coventry) Van Centre

Listers Van Centre (Worcestershire)

347-367 Bedworth Road, Longford, Coventry, West Midlands.

Telephone: 0247 767 0747.

North Bank, Berry Hill Industrial Estate, Droitwich. Telephone: 01905 412269.

Find us on your sat-nav using CV6 6BN.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/listersworcestershire

Find us on your sat-nav using WR9 9AU.

Alan Day Van Centre Pinkham Way, North Circular Road, New Southgate, London.

Telephone: 0208 045 3483.

Find us on your sat-nav using N11 3UT. www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/alandaynewsouthgate

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/listerscoventry

JCT600 Van Centre (Hull)

JCT600 Van Centre (York)

JCT600 Van Centre (Sheffield)

Saxon Way, Priory Park West, Hessle, Hull, East Yorkshire.

Telephone: 01482 908620.

Centurion Park, Clifton Moor, York.

Telephone: 01904 848227.

Europa Close, Europa Link, Sheffield.

Telephone: 0114 404 0028.

Find us on your sat-nav using YO30 4WW.

Find us on your sat-nav using S9 1XS.

Find us on your sat-nav using HU13 9PB.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/JCT600York

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/jct600sheffield

Imperial Commercials Van Centre

Imperial Commercials Van Centre (Stoke)

Nottingham Van Centre

Ashbourne Road, Mackworth, Derby.

Telephone: 01332 902426.

Leek New Road, Cobridge, Stoke on Trent. Find us on your sat-nav using NG9 2JR. Telephone: 01782 943510. www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/nottingham

Find us on your sat-nav using DE22 4NB.

Find us on your sat-nav using ST6 2DE.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/imperial

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/stoke

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/JCT600Hull

Boulevard Industrial Estate, Beacon Road, Beeston, Nottingham. Telephone: 01158 990007.

Brian Currie Van Centre Summerson Road, Bleak Hall, Milton Keynes.

Telephone: 01908 990 190.

Find us on your sat-nav using MK6 1LE. www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/van-centres/brian-currie-van-centre

10,000 mile per annum [non-maintained] Contract Hire agreement. 6.0p (plus VAT) excess mileage charges apply. Offer available for vehicles ordered between 1st July and 30th September and mileage. VAT payable at a prevailing rate. Finance subject to status. Available to 18s and over. Subject to availability. Finance providers may pay us for introducing you to them. We Vehicle Finance.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 63

| Motors

Finance offers on Volkswagen Amarok prove the perfect pick-me-up Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering a number of competitive finance deals on its Amarok models, meaning there’s rarely been a better time to purchase one of the brand’s pick-ups. hether you’re a fleet looking to acquire your vehicles on contract hire or finance lease, or a private buyer purchasing on a Solutions personal contract plan, the latest finance offers which are available on all Amaroks registered before 30 September provide an affordable choice.

Business owners who are interested in Finance Lease or Contract Hire can purchase

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an Amarok Trendline 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS from £239 per month, while the same model is available on a Solutions personal contract plan from £219 per month (4.9% representative APR**).

The Amarok went on sale in the UK in 2011 and has proved a popular addition to the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range, thanks in large part to its quality, comfort and car-like driveability in combination with robust off-road capability. It is available with a choice

of two 2.0-litre engines with 140 PS or a BiTurbo version with 180 PS. All models have 4MOTION four-wheel drive. Three standard specification levels are offered – Startline, Trendline and Highline – as well as special editions such as the striking Ultimate model.

Full details of the finance packages and accompanying terms and conditions are available from www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk or by contacting your local Volkswagen Van Centre.

SsangYong sponsors international three-day eventer, Tom Crisp International three day eventer, Tom Crisp is to be sponsored by SsangYong, and will be driving a SsangYong Korando Sports 1 tonne pick-up to all the leading eventing venues this year. om has produced several successful horses and is a regular at major events including international fourstar competitions at Badminton, Burghley, Pau in France and Luhmühlen, in Germany.

An accomplished rider in all three eventing disciplines and excelling at cross country, he has enjoyed considerable success, finishing 11th at last year’s Burghley CCI**** on Cooly’s Luxury.

Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK commented, “We are delighted to be supporting Tom who will be presenting our vehicles to the

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eventing and wider equine community. The Korando Sports pick-up with its four wheel drive and 2.7 tonne towing capacity is perfect for pulling a two horse trailer, while its five seat double cab, large load area and 1 tonne payload make it ideal for anyone with a horse.”

Added Tom: “This is a great opportunity for us. I am delighted to have teamed-up with this great Korean brand and look forward to representing SsangYong as I travel to events around the UK and abroad. With the support of great sponsors and owners I am optimistic of achieving even more success in the future.”

Tom and his wife Sophie run Team Crisp Eventing from their

64 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

yard in Mayfield, East Sussex, where he also works as a retained firefighter.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

MTC Subaru Cambridgeshire 01733 822 943

Cross Roads Warwickshire 01608 433 163

Cambridge Subaru Cambridgeshire 01223 633 706

Proveeda Suffolk 01473 849 991

www.mtc-subaru.co.uk

www.crossroads-subaru.co.uk

www.cambridge-subaru.co.uk

www.proveeda-subaru.co.uk

Perkins Essex 01371 483 379

Unity Leicester Leicester 01162 149 060

Burrells Motor Group South Yorkshire 01302 515 767

Maidstone Subaru Kent 01622 528 968

www.perkins-subaru.co.uk

www.unityleicester-subaru.co.uk

www.burrellsmotorgroup-subaru.co.uk

www.maidstone-subaru.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 65

| Motors

Great value, Great drive, Great Wall Chinese manufacturer ups its game with 2015 Great Wall Steed pick-up. ho are Great Wall you ask? Great Wall are one of China's biggest car manufacturers and one of its first export models has aspirations to to take on the likes of Hilux, Navara, L200 et al.

The Steed is a four-door double-cab pick-up, and is sold in the UK by importers IM Group, the company behind Subaru, Isuzu imports to the UK and is probably the cheapest serious 4x4 available today.

Of course, to come in at this sort of price means compromises – but not as many as you might think. We tested the top of the range Steed SE (at a £2000 premium over the entry level S) and we were surprised at just what you get for the money.

Let's address the elephant in the room – and I know what you'll be thinking - a Chinese vehicle just can't be any good, can it? Well, the

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Steed has galvanised body panels, a fully rust-proofed chassis and benefits from a 6 year antiperforation warranty. The Steed also has a six-year/125,000 mile mechanical warranty – proving that Great Wall are serious about their reliability.

Now that's out of the way, what do you get for your money?

Too much to list here but includes such things as alloy wheels, heated leather seats, side steps, rear canopy, remote central locking and reversing sensors. An Alpine stereo fronts the media provision and you get the essential air conditioning as standard too plus a lot more besides.

On the road The Steed proves pretty decent to drive, the engine has been quietened down and delivers more than enough power to zip you around unladen. With a certified UK payload capacity of just over 1 tonne and a towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes, the Steed falls behind its rivals in the pulling department, but overall, it performs well enough.

The gearbox is very car-like (in contrast to the D-Max for instance) and proves fairly smooth in operation. Something to watch out for, however, is the ultra light steering which provides no feedback and proved nail-bitingly worry-some when first driven. It's something that you do get used to after a while though – but this is something that should be addressed in the future, I think.

Older models were criticised for

66 | Farming Monthly | August 2015

their heavy steering – perhaps this has been overly compensated for in the new models?

The Steed is perfectly at home on the road and exhibits less 'jiggle' than some other models tested, even though we’re still on ‘cart springs’ at the back. All in all, it’s quite a 'car-like' experience similar to the Korando Sports feel.

Visibility is good too, even out back.

Over rougher terrain, I'd imagine that the Steed is as good as any other pick-up tested. It sports a decent 4wd system with 2wd, 4wd low, 4wd high and performed admirably when taken for a muddy jaunt.

Interior Inside, you can see where the pennies have been pinched and you would be right in thinking that the plastics are of the hard, scratchy variety. That being said, it all seems well screwed together and there were no creaks or groans to speak of. The leather seats are a little hard (and clearly are not of the highest quality hide) but do provide a decent driving position and are comfortable enough. Whilst basic, switches and dials are all within reach and a surprise was the rear view mirror which provides an auto-dimming feature along with illuminated tyre pressure data – a nice touch. You do get a rather plasticy smell rather than the whiff of leather

when you climb in though.

The canopy looks the part and provides a locking handle for security. No load-gate dampers here though and the tailgate will drop like a stone if you’re not careful. Load bed is shorter than, say, a Ford Ranger but competes with other models like L200. A useful load liner is also present and correct.

In conclusion, it's fair to say that often, we find a friend in familiarity.

Why choose a practically unheard of make over the usual suspects?

And you'd be right to be sceptical.

But what the Great Wall Steed does provide is food for thought...and a compelling price tag.

You have to take the Steed in context - it makes no excuses for sitting at the budget end of the pick-up market, but in this case you do get more than you pay for.

If you can do without a massive towing capacity, a larger load-bed and a recognisable badge and you want plenty of standard kit in a vehicle that will meet most needs – then take a serious look at the Steed. It could save you plenty.

Starting at just £14,998 CVOTR (£16,998 for the SE model tested), all models come with a 2.0l turbo diesel power plant producing 141hp and delivering 32.8mpg (with 222g/km CO2).

Andrew Poulton Editor

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

Heneage Motor Co Lincolnshire Tel. 01472 729980

Garland Great Wall Hampshire Tel: 01252 367373

Olds Motor Group Somerset Tel: 01935 429700

Haven Motor Holdings Ltd Sussex Tel: 01403 891700

MTC Great Wall Cambridgeshire Tel: 01733 309782

www.heneagegrimsby.co.uk

www.winchestermotorgroup.co.uk

www.oldsgreatwall.co.uk

www.havenmotors.co.uk

www.mtcars.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

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| Motors

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| Motors

Likes Land Rover

Hunters Southampton

01497 842100, likes.hayonwye.landrover.co.uk

02380 215800 hunters.southampton.landrover.co.uk

Guy Salmon Knutsford

Lloyds Kelso

01565 632525 guysalmon.knutsford.landrover.co.uk

Guy Salmon Wakefield 01924 695658, guysalmon.wakefield.landrover.co.uk

01573 224345, lloyd.kelso.landrover.co.uk

Kentdale Kendal 01539 814444, kentdale.kendal.landrover.co.uk

Barretts Ashford

Lakeland Torver

02380 215800 01233 506070, barretts.ashford.landrover.co.uk

01539 441317, lakeland.torver.landrover.co.uk

Barretts Canterbury

Ribblesdale Land Rover

01227 475475, barretts.canterbury.landrover.co.uk

01729 822323, ribblesdale.settle.landrover.co.uk

Ripon Land Rover

Westover Land Rover Salisbury

01765 646464, ripon.landrover.co.uk

01722 414400, westover.salisbury.landrover.co.uk

Chipperfield Land Rover

Conwy Land Rover

01923 263030, chipperfield.landrover.co.uk

01492 580000, conwy.landrover.co.uk

Cambrian Aberystwyth

Stafford Land Rover

01970 624841, cambrian.aberystwyth.landrover.co.uk

01785 214140, stafford.landrover.co.uk

Hunters Norwich 01603 944836, hunters.norwich.landrover.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 69

| Motors

How the all-new Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 defines the next generation of pick-up trucks Pick-up trucks are fundamental to Mitsubishi Motors. In the UK our legacy extends through four model generations and 33 years. The Mitsubishi trophy room shows the current L200 Series 4 has won more awards than all of its rivals put together. Since its UK launch in 2006, the current L200 Series 4 has outsold all other pick-ups. ts forerunner L200 Series 3 was almost entirely responsible for the development of the vehicle segment. Globally, Mitsubishi has six decades of pick-up production, accounting for over 4.1 million vehicles sold.

The new L200 Series 5 inherits the DNA of its predecessors and further advances the pick-up concept. It is an entirely new vehicle from the ground up, with significant improvements in 330 areas. The result is the ultimate vehicle for commercial duty, combined with SUV-like refinement in quality and dynamic performance.

In all key areas the new L200 Series 5 is

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best-in-class.

The L200 Series 5 driving experience is a generation ahead of any other pick-up on the market. It is as competent climbing up a mountain or navigating a building site, as it is comfortable on a motorway or around city streets. The vehicle retains the marque’s reputation for ruggedness and durability, and continues to have the best 4WD system. It is the only pick-up that can be driven permanently in 2WD and 4WD on tarmac and off-road.

In brief, the new L200 Series 5 comes out top in all key areas: • Best in class fuel efficiency • Best in class performance

• • • • • • • •

Best in class emissions Best in class manoeuvrability Best in class carrying capacity Best in class 4WD ability SUV level driving refinement Stronger, leaner chassis and body New engine and transmissions Best in class aerodynamics The all-new L200 Series 5 will go on sale in September. Initially available in double cab, prices start from £19,749 for the 4Life, £20,749 for the Titan, £23,049 for the Warrior and £23,799 for the top of the range Barbarian.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

August 2015 | Farming Monthly | 71