Farming Monthly National December 2022

Businesses,banks,farmers,growersandcharitiescallfor ‘boldanddecisiveaction’tofutureproofourfoodsystem

WWF,togetherwith leadingbanks,food businesses, farminggroupsand civilsociety organisationshave cometogethertocallfor“bold anddecisiveaction”from Governmenttoraisethe ambitionoftheEnvironmental LandManagementSchemes (ELMS)forEngland.

Inanunprecedentedjointpublic statement,theorganisations fromacrossthefoodsystem havecalledforthe“ambition anddelivery”ofallpartsof ELMstoberaisedto supportfarmersseekingto protectandenhancenature, whilecontinuingtoproduce food.

Theschemeswillpay farmerstoadoptnature friendlyfarmingpractices whichlowertheuseof expensiveinputsand futureproofsourfood system,helpingEnglandcut greenhousegasemissions whichdriveclimatechange. However,theGovernmentmust ensurethatELMsisboth accessibletofarmersand deliversontheUK'sclimateand naturetargets.

Toachievethis,Deframust providesufficientbudgetforthe moreadvanced,targetedand collaborativeactionsinELMs, whilstalsoallowingfarmersto stacktheirincomeoptions.This inturnwillcatalyseprivate investmentwhichcanaddto,but notreplace,publicfunding. 70%ofEngland’slandisused foragriculture,meaningthatthe waywefarmandusethelandis vitalforbothreducingemissions andcapturingcarbon.

InadditiontheUKisoneofthe mostnature-depletedcountries intheworldwithmorethanone insevenofournativespecies

facingextinctionandmorethan 40%areindecline. Thestatement,whichhasbeen signedbymorethan50 organisationsincludingWWF, NatWestandNatureFriendly FarmingNetworkreads: “Nowisthetimeforbold, decisiveactionifweareto createaproductive,regenerative andresilientfoodsystemintothe future.

“Weareallreadytowork togethertomakethathappen, includingunleashingthe

margin.

Failingtodeliveronemissions reductionsinagricultureand landwillnotonlyaffecttheUK’s abilitytomeetitsnetzero targets,butalsolegal commitmentstorestorenature. Restoringpeatlandsandforests, andweavingnatureinto farmland,cancreateimportant habitatsforspecieslikecurlews, andstoremorewater,tohelp farmers,communities,and wildlifecopebetterwithextreme weatherlikethedroughtwehave seenthisyear.

TheELMschemescanbe thekeytodeliveringthisin England,butonlyifthereis astepchangeinambition, matchedbyfundingand greaterclarityforfarmers KateNorgrove,Executive DirectorofAdvocacyand CampaignsatWWF-UK, said:

potentialoftheprivatesectoras longasastrongandsecure policysignalfromgovernmentis inplace.

“TheUK’slegalnetzeroand biodiversitycommitments dependonthewaythatourland isusedtoproducefood.

“EnhancingtheELMschemesis thesinglelargestactof leadershipandsupportthat governmentcanprovidetothis sharedendeavouratthiscrucial time-nowisthetimetomove forwardwithoutdelay.”

Aspartofitswiderclimate pledge,theUKsettargetsto reduceitsGHGemissionsby 68%by2030increasingto78% by2035.However,itiswoefully behindonprogresswith theGovernment’sown statisticsshowingthattheUKis ontracktomissitslegally bindingtargetbyahuge

“Currently,theonlyaction we’reseeingonELMSis ongoingdelaysand tinkeringwithnames.Defra needtomoveonfromthe upheavalanddelaysof recentmonthsanddeliveron theirpromisetofarmerswiththe clarity,ambitionandcertainty theyneed.

“Weurgentlyneedworldleaders tocommittoashifttonaturefriendly,lowcarbonfarming.Not onlywillthishelpinourfightto restorenature,andtackle climatechange,butwillalso makethefarmingsectormore resilientandunderpinfood security.

“Asenvironmentministersmeet attheCOP15biodiversity summitinMontreal,theUK Governmentmustshowcaseto theworldhowwecanend subsidiesthatareharming naturebymakingELMSthe cornerstoneofaresilientfood system–theworldiswatching, andourfuturestabilitydepends onit.”

BasicPaymentSchemeannouncedfor2023and2024

Atotalbudgetof £238mwillbe availablefor directpayments tofarmersin 2023,thesamelevel providedoverthepast threeyears,theMinisterfor RuralAffairsLesleyGriffiths confirmedtoday.

TheMinisteralso confirmed,subjectto budgetavailability,the BasicPaymentScheme (BPS)willcontinuetobe providedatcurrentlevelsin 2024withaprovisional allocationof£238m.

TheMinistersaid: "The agriculturesectorisfacing manychallenges.Withthe immensechallengesof recordinflationandthe

detrimentalimpactsfrom tradedeals,withtheformer UKEnvironmentSecretary describingoneoftheseas "notverygood",Iknowthis isadifficulttime.

"TheUKGovernmenthas continuallyrefusedto reviewthefarmfunding methodologyandreplace, infull,thefundingWales wouldhavereceivedhad weremainedinthe EuropeanUnion.

"Lastyear,theChancellor announcedWaleswould receive£252.19millionfor agriculturalsupportin 2022/23toreplaceEU CommonAgriculturalPolicy funding,withWelshfarmers losingafurther£106 million,ontopofthe£137

millionoffundingthe Treasurydidnotprovide theyearbefore.

"Thecontinuedfailureof theUKGovernmentto adjustfundinglevelstodeal withrisingcosts exacerbatestheimpactof theireconomic mismanagementonWelsh farmers.

"Thechallengesthesector faceshighlightevenmore theimportanceof transitioningtoanew systemoffarmsupport whichisfairerandwhich willsupportourfarmersin thesustainableproduction offood.Thatisouraim withtheSustainable FarmingSchemewhichwill comeinfrom2025."

TineWeederPro–BlackGrassManagement

PFChavejustlaunchedtheAPV rangeofairseedersfortheircurrent cultivatorrangeincreasingthe versatilityoftheproduct.Withinthe portfolioisthenewProPVrangeor tineharrows.

ThetineharrowProVSadjustswithitsuniquetine springsystemtothesoilandprotectstheplant evenatthemostsensitivegrowingstages.The tinepressureremainsconstantatdifferenttine levelsduetoitsuniquetensioningsystem.Asa result,cropsplantedonridges,suchasthe potato,canbeharrowed.Thetinepressureis identicalontheridgecrown,ridgeflanksandin thefurrow.

Byadjustingthepressureofthetinesthis enlargestheworkingtimeslot,becausethetine pressurecanbereducedtothetine’snetweight andthusnobreaksforharrowingarerequiredat earlyplantestablishmentstages.Thehydraulic tinepressureadjustmentisavailableasstandard ontheAPVTinedWeederProandensures steplessadjustmentofthepressure

Thetinetensioningsystemisspring-loadedand pivotswithintheframe.Thebenefitofthisisthat thetinecanonlymovedownwardsandupwards andnottoleftorright.Thisleadstoaunique weedremovalexperience.

TheTinedWeederProVSadjustswithitsunique tinespringsystemtothesoilandprotectsthe culturedplantatthehighestlevel.Asaresult, cropsplantedonridges,suchasthepotato,can beharrowed.Thetinepressureremainsconstant atdifferenttinelevels.

Suitablefororganicandconventionalfarming.The requirementsofchemicalsolutionsisvastly reducedforalargevarietyofplants.WithpregerminationharrowingwiththeProVSthroughto weedinginestablishedcropstheabilitytocontrol weedsispossible.Withblackgrassincereals becomingaseriousissueformangrowersthePro VSwillimprovetheagronomyarsenalasblack grassisbecomingresistanttoconventional chemicals.ByusingtheProVSbeforecropis establisheditwillremoveearlygerminatingweeds thenfollowedbyanotherpassatthethreeleaf stage.Furtherpassesarepossibleandwill increasetheweedcontrolprogrammesuccess.

TheVS600withits800kgataworkingwidthof 6.2m,theTinedWeederProcanalreadybe operatedwithtractorsfrom50hpwhilethe VS1200,12meterrequiresonly100hp.AlltheVS ProweederscanbeinstalledwithAPVair seedersforaddedversatility.Fromfixedrate applicationtofullISOBUScontroltheseederswill monitorimplementworkingpositionandforward speed.Thereiseventheoptionfordualcontrolof twometeringunitsiffertiliserisrequiredatthe drillingstage.

Governmentprovidesboosttohorticulture industrywithcertaintyoverseasonalworkers

5,000visasforseasonalworkers willbeavailableforbusinesses nextyear,thegovernment confirmedtoday,providingaboost fortheUK’shorticultureindustry.

Theallocationwillallowbusinessestorecruit foreignworkerstocometotheUKforuptosix monthsthroughtheSeasonalWorkervisaroute –anupliftof15,000comparedtowhatwas availabletobusinessesatthestartof2022. Thisnumberwillbekeptunderreviewwiththe potentialtoincreasebyafurther10,000if necessary,andcontingentonsponsorsand growersimprovingandabidingbytoworker welfarestandards,includingensuringworkers areguaranteedaminimumnumberofpaid hourseachweek.

Thefirst4,000visaswillbemadeavailableto operatorsnextweektoensurethatdaffodil growershavethelabouravailablefortheir harvestatthestartoftheyear

Thechangeswillprovidecertaintyforfarmersin aboosttoBritishfoodproductionandhelpto tacklethelabourshortagesandrisinginput costswhichhavebeenaffectingcountriesall aroundtheworld.

Alongsideexpandingthenumberofvisas available,thegovernmentwillbeappointing newschemeoperatorstohelpwiththeefficient operationofthevisarouteandhelpsafeguard workerwelfare.Anewteamwillalsofocuson ensuringsponsorsareabidingby workers’rightsbyimprovingtrainingand processesforcomplianceinspectorsand creatingclearpoliciesandguidanceforrobust actionforschemeoperatorswhereworkersare atriskofexploitation.

FarmingMinisterMarkSpencersaid:

“Seasonallabourhaslongbeenpartofthe UK’sruraleconomy,andwhileitisrightthatwe offerlongtermsupporttoincreasetheuseof domesticlabour,wealsoneedtosupport businessesonthebackofwhathasbeena challengingyearforfoodproducers.

“That’swhywe’velistenedtotheUK’s horticulturesector,andtoday’sannouncement willprovideourgrowerswiththelabourthey needtobringintheharvestandcontinuetoput theirproduceonourtables.”

Morewidely,thegovernmentistakingactionto encourageallsectorstomakeemployment moreattractivetoUKdomesticworkers.To helpwiththeseefforts,Defraisworkingwith industryandDWPtoraiseawarenessofcareer opportunitieswithinthefoodanddrinksector amongUKworkers.

Thegovernmentisalsoworkingtoboost automationinthefoodsector,with£12.5 millionrecentlyannouncedtoboostthe developmentofautomationandrobotic technologiesonfarms,partofthewider£270 millionFarmingInnovationProgrammeto supportresearchanddevelopmentin agricultureandhorticulture.Defrawillalso respondshortlytotherecommendationsofa reviewofautomationinhorticulturewhichwas publishedearlierthisyear.

ALeadingchildren’scharityraisedupto£280,000 withthesupportofanaward-winningfarmestate

TheNSPCC’sGreat Chefs Dinnerincludedan auctionfeaturing anOrganicDee ValleyBronze Turkey–toserveeightpeopledonatedbyRhugEstate,based nearCorwen,NorthWales.

Thewinningbidcontributedto anincredibletotalofmorethan £279,000onthenight. Around450guestsattendedthe GuildhallinLondonforthe event,andRhugEstateowner LordNewboroughwasproud theywereabletoplaytheirpart. “RhugEstateisalwayspleased tosupportcharitiesboth nationallyandinourregion,”he said.

“Weareabsolutelythrilledforthe NSPCConraisingsuchahuge amountofmoney,I’msureitwill haveapositiveimpactfor childrenandfamiliesacrossthe UK.”

listeningearwhenevertheyneed it.

“Thiswillhelpprotectchildren today,andpreventabuse tomorrow,”sheadded. “Thankyou,onbehalfofallthe childrenthis moneywill helpusreach, forbeingpart ofourevent.”

oftheUK'sleadingproducersof high-qualitymeatsand wasappointedaRoyalWarrant ofAppointmentbythenowKing CharlesIIIforitscareofthe countrysideandhighanimal welfarestandards.

Dinersweretreatedtoadelicious four-coursemenucreatedby renownedchefsLornaMcNee, JudeKereama,Georgia SommerinandSpencerMetzger, starsoftheBBC’sGreatBritish MenuTVprogramme.

SpecialEventsExecutive CharlotteDixonthankedLord Newboroughandrevealedthe donationmeanschildrenhave accesstoahelplineanda

Meanwhile, RhugEstate continuesto sellitsprizewinning turkeys-a recipientofthe 1*GreatTaste Awardand voteda'best buy'inTheIndependent newspaper–asavianflusweeps acrossthecountry.

LordNewboroughencouraged peopletogettheirlast-minute ordersinandtoconsiderother optionssuchasbeef,lamb,and porkwhenpurchasingfestive produce.

RhugEstateisrecognisedasone

“Westillhaveturkeysandgeese availableandareheretosupport suppliersandcustomerswith whatevertheyneed,”hesaid. Turkeysarescheduledfor deliveryfromMonday(December 19)andifpre-orderedfor collectionwillincludeafree garnishpack.

Ifyouwouldlikeyourturkeyasa Crown,call01490413000, emailcontact@rhug.co.ukorvisit thewebsite:www.rhug.co.uk/ product/rhug-estate-organic-deevalley-bronze-turkey Formorenewsandinformation includingupcomingevents, visitwww.rhug.co.ukandfollow themonsocialmedia @rhugestate.

Visitwww.nspcc.org.ukforthe latestnewsandinformationfrom theNSPCC.

UKMinistersre-appointNicholas SaphirasChairoftheAgriculture andHorticultureDevelopmentBoard

TheGovernmenthasre-appointed NicholasSaphirasChairofthe AgricultureandHorticulture DevelopmentBoard(AHDB)forone year,witheffectfrom1April2023.

MrSaphir,whowasoriginallyappointedasAHDB Chairin2020,willremainintheroleuntiltheendof March2024.

ThisisaMinisterialappointment,madebythe SecretaryofStatefortheDepartmentfor Environment,FoodandRuralAffairs(Defra),which hasbeenapprovedbyMinistersintheScottish GovernmentandWelshGovernmentandNorthern IrelandExecutive.

definingtimeforUKagriculture.TheAHDBhasa vitalroletoplayinhelpingourlevypayersmeetthe challengesthatlieahead.Theorganisationhas beenthrougharadicalperiodofchangeincluding deliveringbettervalueandmoretargetedservices, whichlevypayershavehighlightedaspriorities.

"Therecentlaunchofthenewstrategiesforthe Beef&Lamb,CerealsandOilseeds,DairyandPork sectorsunderpinourcommitmenttolistenand deliver.Ilookforwardtobeingpartofthenextstage ofthejourneyinfacinguptothechallengesand helpinglevypayerstakeadvantageofthe opportunitiesthatlieahead."

AHDBChiefExecutive,TimRycroft,said:"Nicholas' agriculturalandcommercialexperiencehasbeen invaluableinhelpingmerestructureandre-focus AHDBtodeliverbettervalue.TheAHDBteamandI arelookingforwardtocontinuingworkingwithhim onthenextstageofthatjourney."

NicholasSaphirhasawidebackgroundin agricultureandhorticulture,havingbuiltandbeen engagedinrunningpubliccompaniesfarmingand processingfoodintheUK,Europe,SouthernAfrica andSouthAmerica.Healsohasalongand successfulrecordofchairingindustryand governmentbodiesinthefoodandfarmingsector, includingbeingthechairmanoftheCentralCouncil forAgriculturalandHorticulturalCooperation, founderchairmanofFoodfromBritain,presidentof theFreshProduceConsortiumandchairmanofthe AgriculturalForum.

ThisappointmentisgovernedbytheCabinet Office'sGovernanceCodeonPublicAppointments, andismadeonmerit.Inaccordancewiththe originalNolanrecommendations,thereisa requirementforappointees'politicalactivity(ifany declared)tobemadepublic.Aspartofthe appointmentprocesstheappointeedidnotdeclare anypoliticalactivity.

MrSaphirwillreceiveanon-pensionable remunerationof£55,000perannum,basedona minimumtimecommitmentof104daysperyear. Reasonabletravelexpensesarealsopaid.

AHDBChair,NicholasSaphir,said:"I'mdelighted toextendmytermasChairoftheAHDBatthis

NFUMutualCharitableTrust’sfundingduring2022 deliversmorethan£1,021,000togoodcauses

TheNFUMutualCharitableTrusthas announceditsdonationsfor2022 amounttomorethan£1,021,000.

Thefundingwillhelptodeliverarange ofinitiativesfor25goodcauses, includingruralpovertyrelief,helpingsmallfarming businessestothrive,educatingandmentoring youngpeople,andsupportingtheUK’sair ambulancenetwork. TheNFUMutualCharitableTrustisoneofthemain waysleadingruralinsurerNFUMutualprovides charitabledonations,anditsworkformspartofNFU Mutual’s£3.25mcharitablegivingpledgetosupport itsmembersandtheircommunitiesduring2022. TheorganisationsbenefittingfromtheTrust’s donationsduring2022are:

essentialservices.We’reveryproudtobe championingtheworkofthesegreatcauses throughtheNFUMutualCharitableTrust.” FareShare,theUK’sbiggestfoodredistribution charitywillbeusingtheirdonationof£100,000from theNFUMutualCharitableTrusttosupporttheir worktofightfoodpovertyandfoodwaste.

Thecharitycollectssurplusfoodfromfarmersand growers,manufacturers,wholesalersandretailers togetfoodontotheplatesofpeoplewhoneedit most,viacharitiesacrosstheUK.

LindsayBoswell,ChiefExecutiveOfficerof FareShare,explainedhowtheTrust’sdonationwill makeadifference:“FareShareisextremelygrateful forthesupportoftheNFUMutualCharitableTrust. Thedonationof£100,00willhelpustosourcethe equivalentof400,000mealsthroughthecostof livingcrisis.Withthousandsoffamiliescurrently facinganuncertainwinterthissupportcomesat suchacrucialtime.Itwillhelpstopfamiliesacross theUKfromhavingtochoosebetweenheatingand eatingandensurethatthousandsofvulnerable peoplewillnotgotobedonanemptystomach.”

ApplicationsfortheTrust’snextroundofdonations, tobeawardedinJune2023,arenowopen,andfull detailscanbefoundonNFUMutual’swebsite. NickTurner,GroupChiefExecutiveofNFUMutual, said:“Supportingourcommunitieshasalwaysbeen attheheartofourapproachatNFUMutual.We understandthesearechallengingtimes,andwe havebeendeterminedtosupportcharitiesand organisationsworkingincrediblyhardtodeliver

ResponsetoGovernment'sannouncementof newlegallybindingenvironmenttargets

TheSoilAssociation hascommentedon theGovernment's announcementofnew legallybinding environmenttargets16December: SoilAssociationPolicyAdvisorAlex Mackanesssaid:"Itisgoodtofinally seethepublicationofthe Government'sEnvironmentAct Targets,butthefactthey'vebeen publishedsolateisaworrying indicationoftheGovernment's commitmenttoreversingnature's decline.Weareparticularly concernedthatinsteadofraising ambitiontoendthedecimationofour riversbytacklingnutrientpollution fromagricultureandsewage,they havekickedthedeadlinetomeetkey watertargetsfurtherdowntheroad. Thedecisiontoreduceambitionfor treecoverfrom17.5%to16.5%is alsohighlyquestionableinthemidst ofthebiodiversityandclimatecrises.

Itisalsocriticalthattheyjoinup thesetargetswithourclimate ambitions,integratingnatureintonet zeropathways.

"TheSoilAssociationhasalready calledformoreambitionfromthe Governmentonthesetargetstogo furtherandfaster-particularly focusingontheneedtoputthe brakesonanyfurtherwildlifeloss. Centraltothischallengewillbe expandingnature-friendlyfarming whichoffersrealopportunitiesto redressthebalance.Organicfarms havebeenshowntohave50%more wildlifeonaverage–sowewould expecttoseesupportforthe expansionoforganicand agroecologicalmixedfarming practicestohelpmeetthesetargets whileproducinghealthyand sustainablefood.

"Itismassivelyfrustratingtoseethat theyhavecompromisedon

woodlandcovertargetsforEngland cuttingbackfromtheoriginally proposed17.5%.Wecallon Governmenttosparka'farmer-led treerevolution'byincentivising agroforesty–integratingmoretrees onarableandlivestocklandto achievethisleveloftreecover.We urgethemtoseizetheopportunityto gobeyondtheselametargetsby supportinga50%increase inwoodlandonfarmswithadiverse rangeofspecieswhichwillhelp deliverourclimateambitionsmore swiftly.Deframustalsoredressthe shamefulrecordonwaterpollution bytaskingindustryandagricultureto immediatelytackletheirharmful emissionsbeforeitistoolate.

"Welookforwardtofurtherdetailon howthesearegoingtobeachieved andthemechanismstheyproposeto supporttheirdelivery."

LAMMA SHOW RETURNS TO JANUARY DATES

10-11 January 2023 at the NEC, Birmingham

Elevenfarmershave beennamedasthe NFU’snewStudent& YoungFarmer Ambassadorsbeating stiffcompetitionfrom morethan70applicantsvyingforthe covetedposts.

Atatimewhenonfarminputcosts arespiralling,foodsupplychainsand foodsecurityarechallenged,and whilefinancialsupportforfarmingis undergoinghugestructuralchange, thenewambassadorswillplayavital rolerepresentingthevoiceofthe nextgenerationatacrucialtimein agriculture.

Welcomingthenewambassadorsfor 2023,NFUPresidentMinetteBatters said:“Arguably,therehasnever beenamoreimportanttimefor Britishfoodandfarming.

“Thepastthreeyearshaveshown whatafantasticopportunitywehave withourambassadorstotellour positivestory,fromproducinghigh qualityfood,toourcareforthe environmentandourcrucialwork towardsBritishagriculturebeingnet zeroby2040.

“Wehaveafantasticrangeof agriculturalrolesrepresentedbythis cohortwhichwillbringtogether inspiringvoicesfromacrossthe industry.Ican’twaittowork alongsidethisgroupoftalentedand passionatepeopletoseewhatwe willachieve.”

TheNFU’sStudent&Young FarmerAmbassadorsfor2023are:

•AmandaWatson,NorthEast–grewuponanuplandfarmand nowworksasaLivestock TechnicalSpecialist.

•CharlieCooper-Harding,NFU Cymru–worksasanareasales specialistforoneoftheUK’s leadingprovidersofagricultural suppliesandservices.

•DarcyJohnson,SouthWest–a HarperAdamsUniversitystudent whocomesfromafamilybeef andarablefarm.

•EmilyMarshall,NorthEast–an agriculturalsupplychain managerwhowasontheTesco FutureFarmerFoundation programme.

•EvieRogers,WestMidlands–studyingAgricultureandFarm BusinessatHarperAdams Universityandisonanet-zero

farmplacement.

•HamishEvans,SouthWest–a regenerativefarmerwitha vegetableboxdeliveryscheme thathasover200subscribers.

•HannahCuthbert,EastMidlands –hasfinishedaplacementyear infarmbusinessmanagement andisstudyingpoliticsat university,whereherdissertation willfocusonopportunitiesfor farmersunderELMs.

•LizTree,SouthEast–grewup inCroydon,SouthLondon,and isstudyingforaMastersof Researchinagricultural educationatHarperAdams University.

•LouisePenn,EastMidlands–fromamixedarablefarmwith sheepandcattle,andiscurrently workingasafarmconsultantand agronomist.

•RheaAuton,NorthEast–is trainingtobealandagentat HarperAdamsUniversityand playsanactiveroleinherYoung FarmersClub.

•ThomasMcVeigh,EastAnglia–anarablefarmertakingpartin theSFIpilotschemewho’s implementinganagroforestry project.

HELMAGinvestsinUniumBioscienceLtd

HELMAG(“HELM”)andUniumBioscience Ltd(“Unium”)expandtheirrecently announcedstrategicpartnershipwith HELMbecomingashareholderinUnium, effectiveasofnow.

Joiningforceswillfurthercombineskills,resourcesand pipelinedevelopmenttoacceleratebringingsustainable solutionstomarket.Theabilitytodevelopplant physiology,biologicalandnutrientsolutionsforfarmers andgrowersisakeystrategicdirectionandthis partnershipwillenrichUnium´sandHELMAG´sfuture portfolios.

Bothcompaniessharethesamecompanyvaluesin addressingfutureglobalfoodandfeedsupplybasedon modernsustainableproducts.Bothcompaniesare convincedthatbeingabletoofferascientificallyproven portfolioansweringspecificgrowerneedsinasystemic approachwillbethefutureofresourceefficientplant production.TheshareholdingofHELMAGwillunlock furthergrowthpotentialaswellintermsofmarketreach.

TheUniumproductswillbemarketedthroughthe establishedroutestomarketofbothcompanies.Unium andHELMwillworkcloselytobringfullyresearched productstomarket,basedongeographyorexpertise.

MichaelKuhlmann,ExecutiveVicePresidentCrop ProtectionatHELMoutlinestheimportanceof developinglong-termpartnershipsandaccessingnew technologies:“Wehavealwaysvaluedworkingwith innovativecompanies.Inthepastwemostlyfocusedon classicplantprotection.Nowisthetimetoinvestequally inalternativesolutions.”

JohnHaywoodofUniumisconvinced:“HELMisaperfect matchtogrowourfootprintofproductsintonewmarkets. Uniumtoolshaveaprovenperformancetohelpfarmers intheirefficiencyandgrowingcropstowardstheirfull geneticalyieldpotential.CombiningtoolswithHELMwill createsynergies,addressingfutureglobalsupplyneeds andwillbringvaluetothemarket,distributorsand farmers”.

NFUstressesimportanceoffoodandenergy securitytoPrimeMinister

ThePresidentofthe NFUhastodaymet withthePrime Ministertodiscussthe significantissues facingBritishfoodand farmingandtheimportanceofa governmentwhichprioritisesfood andenergysecurity.

ThemeetingcameaftertheNFU highlightedconcerns1thatmany farmbusinesseswerereducing productiontolimitlossesfrom soaringinflationandenergybills,and theriskthatposedtoBritain’shomegrownfoodsupply.

NFUPresidentMinetteBatters stressedtheimportanceofthePrime Ministerhonouringthecommitments hemadeduringtheleadership race2,especiallyhiscommitmentto establishafoodsecuritytarget, underpinnedbyastatutorydutyto monitordomesticfoodproduction, andtoholdaUK-wideannualfood securitysummitatNumber10.

Themeetingalsocoveredthe opportunitiesforBritishfoodand farming,particularlyinthefruitand vegetablesector,ifsupplychain issuescanberesolvedand productioncostsstabilised.

Commentingafterthemeeting,Mrs Batterssaid:“AstheformerDirector

GeneralofMI5saidrecently, home-grownfoodproduction isvitaltoournation’s securityandsuccess,and thatiswhatIreiteratedto thePrimeMinisteratour meetingtoday.Hewasvery receptiveandit’sclearthat heistakingfoodandenergy securityseriously.

"Britishfarmersandgrowershaveso muchtooffertothenation,providing highquality,affordable,climate friendlyfoodalongsideincreasingly importantrenewableenergyanda thrivingcountrysideforusallto enjoy.Butthepastyearhasbeena starkreminderofwhatwestandto loseifBritishfoodandfarmingis takenforgranted,andwhyitneeds tobeapoliticalpriority.

“Ongoingsupplychainissuesand soaringproductioncostshave causedashortageofeggs,while energypricesarethreateningnext year’scropoftomatoes,cucumbers andaubergines.Thatcouldjustbe thestart.Ifwecontinueasweare, thegovernment’sownambitionto growmoreofourownfood, especiallyfruitandvegetables,will fail,andfoodpriceinflationwill continuetosoaratatimewhen familiesneedaccesstoquality, affordablefoodmorethanever.

“ThePrimeMinistermadeitclear todaythathewantstoprovidean environmentforBritishfoodand farmingtothrive,andwhatfarmers andgrowersneedmorethan anythingiscertainty.Thismeans providingcontinuedsupporttofarm businessesthroughtheinflationand energycrisis,enablingfair contractualrelationshipsinthe supplychain,establishinganational foodsecuritytarget,andproviding clarityanddeliveringeffective policiessuchasthenew

EnvironmentalLandManagement schemes.Thesewouldhelpgive farmerstheconfidencetheyneedto continueproducingfantasticBritish foodforfamiliesupanddownthe country.

“IhopethismeetingandthePrime Minister’scommitmenttoensuring Britainhasathrivingfoodandsector willmarkaturningpointinhowour governmentvaluesandprioritises theproductionofhome-grownfood, anddemonstratesthisgovernment doesbackBritishfarming.”

Facinguncertainty,farmersdecisionsoninnovationand

Despiteeconomic disturbances,high croppricesaregiving farmersaroundthe worldcausefor cautiousoptimism, accordingtoasurveyof5,500 farmersfromninecountries,by leadingglobalconsultancy, McKinsey&Company.

Seventypercentoffarmersexpect profitstoremainstableorincrease–theresultofhighercropprices drivingprofitabilityinthenexttwo years.Consequently,farmersare beinginspiredtoinvestinnew productsthatarefocusedonyield increaseandcropprotection.

Despiteanuncertainfuturewith supplychainsimpactedby geopoliticalconflicts,farmersare facingthechangesheadon, innovatinginnewareasand adoptingnewstrategies.

McKinsey’sdatacapturestheglobal voiceonthestateofagriculture, sharingperspectivesonthefive themesthatareshapingfarming operationsandconsiderationsfor futureimprovementsbyfarmer facingorganizations:

1.Farmersarewillingtoinnovate, despitemacrouncertainty

•70percentoffarmersexpect profitstoremainstableor increase.Manyintendtotrynew productstocapturethecurrent highcroppriceopportunity.

•Differentchallengesare expectedtobefacedbyregions overthenexttwoyears,butthe commonriskacrossallisthe increasedpriceofinputs.

2.Usingmultiplechannelsfor salesisgainingstrength,with farmersincreasingtheiruseof digitalengagementandpurchases

•Thepreferencefordigitalvaries throughoutthepurchasing journeybutisincreasingin strengthattherepurchasestage. Approximately50percentof surveyedfarmersalreadymake

digitalpurchasesforatleastone product,withSouthAmerica standingoutasanearlyadopter ofdigitalchannels.

•Partsandequipment maintenanceservices,precision aghardware,andfarm managementsoftwarearethe topproductsthatfarmersexpect topurchaseonlineinthenext twoyears.

3.Growingtractionofdigital financingandpaymentsadopting newfinancialproductsand servicessuchasdigitalpayments

•Cashisstillthemainpayment methodfor60percentoffarmers globally,butdigitalpaymentis emergingasanimportanttrend.

•Chinahasparticularlyhigh adoptionofdigitalpayment,used by66percentofChinese farmers,comparedto30percent globally.

•Interestrates,loanamounts,and transactioncostsarethemain challengestosecurefarm financingacrossallregions, repaymentperiodsalsoraiseto thetopinEuropeandAsia

4.Innovationandadoptionoftech agriculturetechnologiesvary widelybyregion

•Westerncountriesareleadingag techadoption,withfarm managementsoftwarebeingthe toptechnologyfollowedby precisionagriculturehardware.

•Willingnesstoadoptinthenext2 yearsishighestinSouth Americawithexpectedgrowthin adoptionof8-9%across technologieswhileAsiahasthe lowestadoptionrates.

•Atleast20percentofglobal farmersareeitherusingor planningtousebiologicals:for pestcontrol,biostimulantsor biofertilizers.Butadoptiondiffers greatlyacrosscountries.

5.Sustainabilitypracticeadoption requiresamoreholisticapproach fromfarmersandsuppliers

•Despiteawarenessof sustainabilitypractices,global adoptionisstillbelow50percent.

•Participationincarbonprograms isalsoverylowduetoROInot highenoughforfarmers, complexityoftheprograms,and thelackofextendedoutreach, withonly5percentofgrowers currentlyinvolvedinsuch initiativesglobally.

VasanthGanesan,Partnerat McKinsey,said:

“McKinsey’sGlobalFarmerSurvey hascapturedviewsoneverything fromsustainablefarmingpracticesto perspectivesonfinancingandnew technologies.Farmer-facing companiesneedtobebythesideof thefarmerastheyseektonavigate theconsequencesofvolatileglobal marketsandsupplychaindifficulties. “Farmer-facingcompaniesshould considerwaystosupportthefarmer withadoptingholisticsustainable farmingpracticesandhelpthemwith therequiredfinancingandtoolsto scaleacrossallacres.Further, sustainabilityprogramsneedtobe dramaticallysimplifiedtoaccessfor farmsacrossregions,croptypesand sizes.Thesector’sfocuson sustainabilityiscurrentlybeing spearheadedbylargefarms,but supportisneededforsmallerfarms, too.

“Acrosstheworld,farmersare investinginnewproductsand innovations,butadoptionisnot universalacrossallregions. Productsandservicesshouldbe tailoredandpersonalizedfor growers,tostimulateuptakeand providefarmersaccesstoyielddrivingtechnologiesandgreater cost-efficiencies.Suppliersneedto positionthemselvesasinnovators andpartnerswhocanassistfarmers inmaximizingtheirvalueand growth.”

GreatBeerDebate:atoasttofarmerledresearchatOxfordconferences

Thechancetoraisea glasstofarmer-led researchisonofferas theGreatBeer Debatereturnstothe Oxfordfarming conferenceswithInnovative Farmers.

Apanelofhopgrowers,brewers, andamaltsterareinvitingdelegates fromOxfordFarmingConference (OFC)andOxfordRealFarming Conference(ORFC)tojointhemin discussingallthingsbeerasboth eventskickoff.

Therewillbethechancetosample beersasthepanelistslooktocover thechallengesbeingfacedbyBritish farmers,andhowsoiltypesandthe decisionsmadeonfarmimpactthe finishedproduct.

Thedebate,chairedbyBBCFarming Today'sAnnaHill,willalsoexplore findingsfromon-farmresearchtrials includingthefieldlabswith InnovativeFarmersthatpanelistsare takingpartin.

PanelistandgrowerAliCapper,of StocksFarmontheHerefordshire andWorcestershireborder,hasbeen takingpartinafieldlabinvestigating

thebenefitsofcovercropsforhops.

Shesaid:"Ireallywanttobringtolife howimportanttheBritishhopis–it bringssomuchflavourtoourbeer andourhopindustrypunchesvery muchaboveitsweightwitha fantasticnumberofdifferent varieties.Intheworldthereareabout 150commerciallyavailablehops, andwegrow34ofthemhere, despitetheUKhavingonly1%of worldwidehopgrowingland.That reallyshowsthelevelofpassionand innovationwehavehere.Butwe've beenthroughthreereallydifficult years.Covidhitushardwiththe closuresofpubs,andthe2022 seasonhasbeendifficultforall growers.I'mreallylookingforwardto talkingabouthowsupplychain decisionsimpactthedrink,andto bringingthathopgrowerlenstothe GreatBeerDebate."

JoiningAlionthepanelisStroud Brewery'sGregPilleyand agronomistandgrowerPeter Glendinningwhohavebothbeen involvedintrialingdifferenthop varietiestoseehowtheyperformin zeroinput,organicconditions.Peter hasalsobeeninvolvedinthefield labtestingtheuseofpredatorymites totacklespidermites.Theywillallbe

InnovativeFarmersManager

RebeccaSwinnsaid:"Weare excitedtobebackattheOxford conferenceswithourmuch-loved debatethatovertheyearshasseen delegatessharingtipsandinsights onwine,cheese,ciderandmuch more.

"SincewefoundedInnovative Farmersadecadeago,wehave beeninspiredbythepassion, expertise,andcreativityofBritish farmersasmomentumaround farmer-ledresearchhasgrown.

"Afteraverydifficultfewyears,we aredelightedtogetfarmerstogether tocelebrateeverythingtheycontinue toachieveinwhatpromisestobean energeticdebatethatbringsthe ethosoffarmer-ledresearchtolife."

Tobookaplaceatthedebate registeronEventbrite.

Tofindoutmoreaboutfarmer-led researchwithInnovativeFarmersor tojointhenetworkforfreevisitwww. innovativefarmers.org,wheretrial resultsaresharedopensource.

joinedbyRobinAppelfromhistoric maltstersWarminsterMaltings.

OF&Gcallforprecautionary principlesforGEinpoultrysector

OF&G(OrganicFarmers& Growers)hasurgedforcaution whenconsideringgeneediting technologyasapotential solutionforthecurrentAvian Influenza(AI)crisis.

ThecallfollowsresearchintobreedingfluresistantchickenspublishedbytheRoslin Institute,ImperialCollegeLondon,and PirbrightInstituteinSurrey,whichused gene-editingtechniquesinlab-growncells toremoveasectionofDNAresponsiblefor producingamoleculethatfluvirusesuseto replicatethemselves.

RogerKerr,chiefexecutiveofOF&G,says thatthepromotionofgeneeditingasa solutiontoAIisworryingdevelopment.

“Thepro-GElobbyisdanglingatoxiccarrot tothepoultrysector.Thepromiseof precisionbredorganismsissimplynota realityatpresent,”hesays.

“TherecentheadlinesinTheTimesand TheTelegraphreportingontheRoslin Instituteresearcharehugelyconcerning. TheypresentGEastheholygrailthatwill saveusfromallillswhenitcomestofood, farmingandhealth.Thatissimplynotthe case.”

OF&GhighlightshowtheRoslinInstitute’s findingsareinstarkcontrasttorecently publishedSwedishresearchwhichhas foundthatuseoftheCRISPR/Cas9,the techniqueusedingeneediting,causes unpredictablegenomicchanges.

“Thereishugelyconflictingevidenceasto theeffectivenessofso-calledprecision-bred organisms,”saysMrKerr.“Whenyoulook attheSwedishresearchfromKarolinska Institutet,itshowsthatinsteadofslowing downcancergrowththegeneediting processspedupthecellgrowth.This

technologyisnotactuallythatpreciseafter all.”

MrKerraddsthatgeneeditingwilltake manyyearstodevelopandfliesintheface ofconsumerinterests,whoremainstrongly resistanttotheintroductionofthisunproven technology.OF&Gthereforesupport alternativemeasurestoresolvetheissueof birdflu,suchasvaccination.

“Medicalscienceiscapableofproducing effectivevaccinesveryquickly–COVID-19 isproofofthis,”saysMrKerr.

“Inlightofhugefinanciallossessufferedby poultryproducers,aswellasthe confinementoffree-rangebirds–including organic–OF&Gbelievesthefocusmustbe onfindingareliablesolution.

“Vaccinationhasbeenaneffectivecontrol fornumerousendemicdiseasesovermany decades.Iwouldsuggestthatsuch interventionsalongwithgoodwelfare managementareamorelikelyroutetothe successfulcontrolofAI,andamuchsafer alternativethanspeculativedevelopmentof unprovengeneeditingtechniques.

“Legislationtopermitthecommercial applicationofgeneticengineeringintoUK foodproductionisclosetobeingenshrined instatute–theresponsibleapproachwould beforgovernmenttoensuresafeguardsto buildastrongethicalframework.Oncethe DNAofourfoodcropsandlivestockare alteredinthelaboratorywithCRISPR-Cas therewillbenoturningback,”MrKerr warns.

“Afundamentalruleofallsystemsisthat youcanneverjustchangeonething,and weneedtoimplementprecautionary principlesifwearetoadoptgeneediting–wecannotsimplyopenapotential pandora’sbox.”

ugarbeetgrowers wantingtoseethe latestinharvester innovationcannow takeadvantageof free,on-farm demonstrations.

GRIMMEUKiscurrentlytouringthe newREXORbeetharvesteraround thecountry,allowinggrowerstosee itoperatingalongsidetheircurrent harvester.

Thefreein-fielddemonstrationsare designedtogiveprospective

purchasersachancetoseehowthe newREXORhandlestheirunique conditions.

GRIMMElaunchedtwonewREXOR modelsatitsFarmDaysevent earlierintheyear-theREXOR6200 (30m3bunkercapacity)andthe REXOR6300(45m3bunkervolume) –withtheREXOR6200currently availablefordemonstrations.

Bothmodelsfeaturecompletely redesigneddiggingattachments, whichnowfeaturesevencleaning rollersratherthansixtoensurea morepowerfulandintensiveclean.

Thankstotheexternalframe, GRIMMEhasensuredthedriver alwayshasanunobstructedviewof therollertableandtheentire diggingunit.

BothnewREXORsofferOppel wheeldiggingunitswithfourbeet feelersratherthantwo,whichare alsousedasfeelerskids.The redesignedunitcanbeguided preciselyalongtherowandatthe optimumheight,improvingtheauto pilot'ssteeringbehaviourwhen cornering.Withthisnewconceptof heightguidance,theviewintothe diggingunitisvastlyimproved,as thereisnoneedforafeelerwheel shaftbetweenthechopperandthe Oppelwheel.

ThenewREXORisequippedwith theCCI1200ISOBUSoperator terminalandtheGRIMME SmartViewvideosystem,allowing thedrivertoeasilydisplayvideo imagesinreal-timeorslowmotionto checkthecurrentworkresult.Upto eightcameraimagescanbe displayedonthe12-inch touchscreenmonitor.

ThenewgenerationofREXORsis availablewithafive-yearguarantee forthefirsttime,complementedby flexiblerentalmodelsand competitivelypricedservice packages.

Nitrogenefficiencyincreased withseparatesulphurapplication

Growerschoosingtocut backonsecondary nutrientsinfavourof straightnitrogen(N) applicationsthis springshouldn’tforget thatdoingsocould meanthatsomeoftheexpensiveN isleftunusedbythecrop.

Asfertiliserpricesremainhigh,the increasedoutlaywillpromptsome growersintoscalingbackonsulphur andtracenutrientsinfavourof additionalkilosofstraightnitrogen. Whilethismayseemlikeafinancially bettermoveintheshortterm,itwill contributetonitrogenuseefficiency beingreducedandafallinsoil nutrition.

Ifnitrogencroprequirementshave alreadybeenpurchasedasastraight thenaddingextraexpenseonanN:S productdoesn’tmakesense,butas TomOates,nutritionagronomistat OriginFertilisers,explains,thereare waysaroundthisasPolysulphate canstillprovidethecropwithits

sulphurrequirement.

“Highfertiliserpricesaremaking growersquestionallpartsoftheir nutritionstrategy,andrightlyso. However,makingthesedecisions basedonfertiliserpricesalone doesn’taccountfortheindividual nutrientrequirementsofthesoiland crop.Sulphurisessentialforprotein formationandhasadirect relationshiptoimprovingcrop quality,anditsroleinnitrogenuse efficiency(NUE)can’tbe underestimated.”

Sulphurandnitrogen relationship

Theimportanceofsulphurin maintainingandincreasingnitrogen useefficiencyshouldbeof paramountimportance,asarecent winterwheattrialinYorkshirehas highlighted.Ittestedhowablendof CAN(calciumammoniumnitrate) withPolysulphatereplaceda straightnitrogensulphurcompound asthefirstdressing.The

Polysulphateaddedslow-release sulphur,alongwithpotash,calcium andmagnesium,withtheendresult returninganincreasedyieldby2.8% onthePolysulphatearea.

Otherkeyimprovementsincludedan increaseinNUEof3.5%,grain proteinroseby2.3%,witha2:1 returnoninvestmentbefore accountingfortheincreasedsoil nutrientbuild-up.

“Cropswithhighnitrogen requirementtendtohaveincreased demandforsulphurasithelpsplants usenitrogenmoreeffectively.For mostcerealsandgrass,farmers shouldbelookingtoapply12kgofN to1kgofStomaximisenitrogen uptakeandcropperformance,and 6kgofNto1kgofSforOSRand otherbrassicas,”addsMrOates.

Testingtodeterminerequirements

Polysulphateallowsgrowersto maintainsulphurlevelsinthesoil whilstnotinvestinginanyextra nitrogen.Sulphuriseasilytakenup bytheplant,but,duetoitsmobilityin thesoil,itispronetoleachingand thereforeminimalsulphurreserves areheldinthesoilfromyeartoyear, whichmakesregularapplications essential.

GrowersusingPolysulphate,as opposedtoammoniumsulphate,will alsobenefitfromaprolongedrelease pattern,whichmeansanapplication

inearlyspringcanprovidethecrop withitsentirerequirement,meaning growerswon’tneedtotop-uplaterin theseason,asMrOatesexplains.

“Thesulphurinstraightammonium sulphateisreleasedoverashort periodoftimesoisvulnerableto leachingifthereisheavyrainfall followingapplication.Polysulphate hasaslowreleaseover55days,so thereisamuchlowerleachingrisk, andmoresulphurislikelytobetaken upbythecrop.”

Thewaysulphurmoveswithinthe soildependsonyoursoiltype,which meansdifferentsoilswillhold sulphurindifferentways.“Sulphur’s negativechargepresentsissuesfor avarietyofsoils.Asitisverymobile itispronetoleachinginlight,sandy soilsandthenegativelycharged surfaceofclayparticlesmean sulphurcan’tbindtothesesoils,” saysMrOates.

Usingadetailedsoilanalysis,a FACTStrainedadvisorcanhighlight thenutrientsthataredeficientand abletobecorrectedthrough prescriptionnutrition.Soilandcrop datacanalsobeusedtoinfluence thesulphurrequirementsforthe upcomingseason.

Spottingasulphurdeficiency

Asthetrialhighlighted,Polysulphate hastheanalysis48%SO3,14%K20, 17%CaO,6%MgO,soalsosupplies

asmallamountofreadilyavailable potassium,magnesiumandcalcium togrowingcrops.“Thiswillbeuseful togrowerswhohaveprioritised straightnitrogenovertrace nutrients.”

Growersthathaven’tappliedsulphur directlytothecropsandhave spottedasulphurdeficiencyduring thegrowingperiod–suchasapale greenyellowingofyoungerleaves, orpaleoilseedrapeflowers–can identifysulphurconcentrationinthe plantbytissuetestingmid-season. Theseresultscanbecompared againstoptimumlevelstodetermine ifanapplicationisworthwhileto influencecrophealth.

“Applying100kg/haofPolysulphate wouldsupply48kgofsulphur(as SO3)tothegrowingcropoverthe courseoftheseason,whichis enoughformostcerealcrops accordingtoRB209.Average sulphurapplicationstendtobeatthe upperendofRB209 recommendationsorhigher,”adds MrOates.

Ensuringacropssulphur requirementsaremetthisyearwill meangrowersmayneedtoadjust theirfertiliserplansfromprevious seasons,butbyunderstanding wherethenutritionisrequired, growerscanoffercropsthebest chanceofreachingtheirpotential throughtargetednutrition.

AtlantisStarprovidesstepupin winterwheatweedcontrol

Arablefarmershavea newoptionforpostemergenceweed controlthisspring. AtlantisStar (mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron+ thiencarbazone)improvesgrassweedcontrolandhasawider spectrumofbroad-leafweeds comparedtootherpost-emergence herbicides.

Cranesbill,charlock, poppyandmayweeds arejustsomeofthe keybroad-leaves controlledbyAtlantis Star.

BayerCampaign ManagerTom Chillcottstressesthat thenewproductisnot aresistance-buster

Itisasuccessortothewell-known productsAtlantis(mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron)andPacificaPlus (mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron+ amidosulfuron).Anewactive, thiencarbazone,hasbeenaddedto makeathree-wayco-formulationthat offersbetterall-roundcontrol.

Trialresultsshowa5%improvement inblack-grassandItalianryegrass controlandasmuchasa10% increaseonbromescomparedtothe nextbestproduct;PacificaPlus.

butagainst susceptible populationsitisa valuablestep-up."510%additionalgrass weedcontroldoesn't soundhuge,butit meansfewerseeds maturingandreachingtheseedbank tobedealtwithnextyear.Everything afarmercandotoreduceseed returnhelpslong-termweedcontrol."

"Thesituationwithpost-emergence herbicidesiscomplicatedby

resistance,weknowtherearefields andfarmswithgrassweeds, particularlyblack-grasswherean ALSpost-emlikeAtlantisisnotright. Butresistancetestingandsales showtherearestillverymanyplaces wherefarmersareusingpost-emsto goodeffectandcould benefitfromAtlantis Star."

Itisapprovedforusein winterwheatbetween GS13–32from1 February.MrChillcott urgesuserstopayclose attentiontoapplication conditionsandtechnique asthesehaveahuge influenceonthesuccess ofapost-em.Active growth,sufficientdrying timeandusingafinemediumspraythatcan settleonthetargetare essentialforsuccess.

NewISOBUScompatiblecontrolforuptofour i-CONapplicatorsrunningsimultaneously

StocksAghave respondedtogrowing interestfrom customerswantingthe abilitytocontrol multipleapplications ofproductandseedin onepassbyextendingthe capabilitiesofitsIsobuscompatibleiCONcontrolsystem.

Uptofouri-CONapplicatorsfromthe StocksAgrange,includingtheTurbo Jet,FanJetPlus,FanJetMiniand RotorMeter,canbeconnected throughasingleterminalor,ideally, throughthetractor’sownscreen. Eachapplicator’si-CONcontrol automaticallymaintainsapre-set targetapplicationrateastheforward speedvaries,withon-the-move adjustmentoftherateappliedas required.

AnIsobus‘bridge’moduleconnects uptofourStock’sapplicatorsdirectly intothetractor’sIsobussocket. Connectingdirectlyintothetractor’s screensimplifiestheoperationand eliminatestherequirementsfor multiplecontrolboxesandGPS receivers,asthesystemcanalso relyonthetractor’sownGPSand taskcontrollerunit.Shouldthe tractor’sownscreennotbeavailable, anadditionalterminalcanbe supplied.

Commenting, TechnicalDirectorfor StocksAg,Tim Farrowsaid;“A growingnumberof customersarelooking forpreciselymetered, accurateapplication ofmorethanone productinasingle passaspartofthe cultivationprocess. Forexample,a combinationofOSR, fertiliserandslug pellets;orcovercrops drilledwithatleast twoseedingunits,to accountfordifferent seedsizes.This reducesthenumber ofpasses,savingon fuel,timeandlabour. Thenewmodule givesgreater versatilityand flexibilityandallows userstodeployupto fourStocks applicatorsatthe sametime.”

Typically,fora seedingoperation,the drillwouldusetwoof thefourchannels.Thisleavestwo availablechannelsforapairof supplementaryapplicators.Ona

stand-alonemachineuptofour Stocksi-CONapplicatorscanbe controlledviathebridgeunit.

AtrioofSyngentabarleyvarietiesadded tothenewAHDBRecommendedLists

Threenewbarley varietiesfrom Syngentahavebeen addedtothelatest AHDBRecommended Lists(RLs).

Newhybridbarley–SYNephin NewontheAHDBwinterbarleyRL for2023/24,SYNephinisahighperformancehybridwhichcombines highyieldwithexcellentspecific weightandoutstandingdisease resistance,explainsSarahHughes, SyngentaUKmarketingmanagerfor hybridbarley.

“Usefully,SYNephinhasthehighest resistancescoreagainstthekey disease,Rhynchosporium,onthis newRL,”saysMrsHughes,“andthis complimentsitshighuntreatedyield.

“Ahighuntreatedyieldistypically indicativeofavarietywithexcellent diseaseresistance.Withweather patternsbecomingincreasingly unpredictableandextreme,andthe effectsofthisondiseasepressures, flexibilitywhenitcomestoavariety’s diseasemanagementandfungicide spraytimingscanbeasignificant benefiton-farm.”

MrsHughessaysSYNephinreflects Syngenta’shybridbreedingexpertise –whichhasprovidedhighandstable yields,grassweedsuppression effects,andotherbenefits associatedwithhybrid

vigour.“Growers lookingtotryanew hybridbarley varietycanchoose SYNephinwith confidence,”Mrs Hughesadds.

Newspringbarley varieties–SY TennysonandSY Signet NewontheAHDB springbarleyRLfor 2023comethetwo newSyngenta springmalting barleyvarieties,SY TennysonandSY Signet.

“SYTennysonjoins theRLwiththe highestUKtreated (105.2%treated controls)yield figureforavariety withpotentialfor bothbrewingand maltdistilling,” pointsout Syngentaseeds portfoliomarketing manager,Kathryn Hamlen.“Thishighyieldisseen throughouttheregions,but particularlyintheNorthandtheEast oftheUKwhereithasgiven outstandingresults.

“SYTennysonhasagoodagronomic profile,withstiffstrawandahigh untreatedyield.Italsohaspotential forthetwomainmaltingmarketsin theUK–brewingandmaltdistilling–whichmakesitanexcitingprospect forgrowersandendusersalike.”

Meanwhile,SYSignetisahighyieldingspringmaltingbarleythatis undertestforbrewing,saysMrs Hamlen.“SYSignethasshownthe importantcharacteristicofyield consistencyoverthelastthreeyears, atimewhentheUKhasseenvaried weather.

“SYSignetalsohasastrongdisease resistanceprofileandoutstanding untreatedyield(95%treated controls).Thesefeatures,coupled withverygoodstrawandgrain characteristics,giveSYSigneta strongall-roundpackagefor protectingyieldandquality.”

BothSYTennysonandSYSignet willcontinuetothenextstageof industrytestingwiththehopeof beingfutureadditionstotheMBClist ofapprovedvarietiesforUKmalting markets,MrsHamlenadds.

NewMagnaDryerControlSystemfor2023

PICOhaveintroducedasmart controlsystemforthelatest automaticMagnadryermodels. Developedoverthelasttwo yearsandtestedonfarms acrossEuropeandintheUKduringthe 2022season,thesystemallowsoperators greaterconnectivityandremotecontrolof theirmachineoperations,viaamobile device.Theeasytoprogrammenewcontrol panelgivesgreaterflexibilityandclarity.

Theintuitivenewcontrolpanelfeatures:

•9.7”HMIinterface,user-friendlytouch screendisplay,designedtooperatein harshenvironments

•On-screencroprecipeselectionand management

•Customisemachineoperationtosuit individualinstallations

•Operatorbatchprogressreportsand machinealarmsviaSMSoremail messages

•Remoteconnectionviasmartphone/ tablet/officePCforrealtime monitoringdryeroperationand adjustmentofsettingsasrequired

•Workswithanymobilenetworkorwifi;4Goraboverecommendedforlive datatransfer

•Remotemonitoringandfault diagnosissupportfromOPICO/ manufacturerfortechnicalbackup.

Commenting,AngusSteven, OPICOAftersalesDirectorsaid, “Operation,aswellastechnical support,canbeactionedremotely -fromgeneralrunningtosoftware updates.Realtimeinformation cutsdowntimeandkeepsdrying operationsrunningsmoothly. Settingthedryeroffis straightforwardasitispreprogrammedforanumberof crops,althoughitcanalsobe easilyadjustedtoeachfarmer’s bespokerequirements.I’m delightedwiththisnewpanel.”

Whatfactorsaredrivinggrain markets?Grainmarketdaily

•UKfeedwheatfutures(May-23)closedyesterdayat£240.50/t,down£1.50/t. Whereas,new-cropfutures(Nov-23)gained£0.80/t,tocloseyesterdayat £227.80/t.

•UKfeedwheatcontractsfollowedPariswheatfuturesmovementyesterday,with newcropfindingalittlesupportfromstrongChicagowheatandmaizeprices.

•Parisrapeseedfutures(May-23)closedyesterdayat€565.00/t,down€3.25/t. RapeseedfuturesfollowedChicagosoyabeanandsoyamealfuturesdown yesterday.

•NearbyBrentcrudeoilfuturessettledat$81.21/barrelyesterday,down$1.49/ barrel.

•UKnaturalgasfuturesclosedyesterdayat337.13p/therm.Thisafternoon,itis tradingat310.5p/therm(13:00).

Whatfactorsare drivinggrain markets?

UKfeedwheat futures(May-23)continueto movewithglobalcontracts. Overthepastfewmonths,we havefeltoverallpressureon UKfeedwheatprices.Since thebeginningofNovember(01 Nov),UKfeedwheatfutures (May-23)havelost£48.75/t. New-cropfutures(Nov-23)fell £42.25/toverthesameperiod.

So,whathavebeenthekey factorsdrivingprices?

1.CompetitiveBlackSea supplies

RussianandUkrainianwheat continuestoflowandremains competitivetootherorigins. OnWednesdaynight,Algeria’s stategrainsagencyOAICis believedtohavebought between480-540Ktofmilling wheatinaninternational

tenderatanaveragecostof around$348-349/tcostand freight(Refinitiv).Originsare expectedbytraderstobe Bulgaria,Romania,Russia, andFrance.

USwheatpriceshave particularlyfeltpressurefrom competitiveBlackSea supplies,withslowdemand. NetUSexportsales(to08 Dec)fortotalwheatthis season(2022/23)lagthe previousyearby16%.

2.Southernhemisphere supplypictureisclearer

LargeAustraliancropsaredue thisseason.Lastweek,the AustralianBureauof AgriculturalandResources EconomicsandSciences (ABARES)releasedtheir Decembercropreport, showingthatdespitesome heavyrainfallandsubsequent floodingearlierinthe

season,thecountryis expectingabumperwheat cropof36.6Mt(up1%onthe year).Thisisduetogoodsoil moistureboostingtheoutlook.

Whereas,theArgentinian wheatcroplookspoor.This week,theRosarioGrain Exchangetrimmedbacktheir wheatcropforecastagainfor thisseason(2022/23).

Forecastshavebeenreduced 3%from11.8Mtto11.5Mt,due todroughtandlate-season frosts.Thoughthisisarguably factoredintothemarket. However,continued Argentiniandrynessimpacton theirmaizecropwillbe importantforfuturegrainprice direction.

3.Theongoingconcernof theimpactofaglobal recessionondemand

Economicperformancedata remainscrucialtounderstand

theimpactofaglobal recessionondemandfor cerealsandoilseedmarkets. Withareassuchashospitality keytowatch,duetohowmuch disposableincomeconsumers have,andtheconsequent impactonhumanand industrialuseofcereals (milling,brewing,maltingand distillingproducts). Furthermore,withlivestock marginssqueezedasfeedand energycostsrise,protein demandremainsimportant, andtheimpacttocereal usage.

Lookingtothisweekand goingforward

Thispastweekwehaveseen somesupportlevelscomein forglobalwheatpriceson bargainbuying,asprices

reachlows.UKfeedwheat futures(May-23)asat yesterday’sclose,weredown £1.50/tfromlastFriday’sclose (09Dec).Though,newcrop futureswereup£0.30/tover thesameperiod,showing marketstobemoving sideways.Itisimportantto remember,globalsupply remainstightfromprevious seasons.Thisisdueto extremeweathertrimming productioninmajorexporters andwithanactivewarin Ukraineongoing,whichwill lendsomesupportlevelsto prices.

Withthepictureforthis season’sglobalwheatsupply clearer,maizesupplywillbe importanttopricedirection. Demandtooforwheatand maizewillbekeytofuture

globalpricemovementthis seasonwithrecession concernsandChineseCOVID19policyunderacloseeye.

LookingtotheUK specifically,largewheat availabilityintheUKmay meanweneedtobeprice morecompetitivelytoglobal marketsgoingforwardtoshift stocks,somethingtoconsider. Withafurtherinterestraterise confirmedyesterdaybythe BankofEnglandtoo,by0.5 percentagepointstotakethe baserateto3.5%,interest earnedonmoneyinthebank aswellasloans,willbe somethingtoconsiderwhen decidingtostoreorsell.

HAITHGROUP'SSECONDQUEEN'SAWARDFORENTERPRISE

NewpackagingforNemathorinnematicidegranuleshasbeendesignedtomake handlingandusecleanerandmoreefficientduringthebusypotatoplantingseason.

henewGranupacfeatures ergonomicallymouldedhandles thatwillmakefillinghoppers mountedonpotatocultivationand bedformingequipmenteasierfor operators.Themorerobustdesignalso eliminatesstackingringsthatwerevulnerable todamageontheexistingNemathorinSurefills.

SyngentaCustomerTechnicalAdviser, CarolineLinsdell,highlightedgrowerswillstart toseetheGranupacintroducedonfarmduring the2023plantingseason,althoughsome NemathorinSurefillsmayalsobeinitially supplied.

“TheGranupacisfullycompatiblewiththe adaptorsfittedtovirtuallyallmachinesusing existingNemathorinSurefills,withno modificationrequired,”sheadvised.

“Thissignificantinvestmentinthenew packagingreinforcestheongoingcommitment toNemathorinavailabilityforgrowersoverthe comingyears,aswellasthelong-termsafe andresponsiblestewardshipoftheproduct,” reportedCaroline.

TheGranupachasbeenextremelywell receivedintrialsbygrowers,operatorsandthe Nemathorindistributionchain.

“Growerscommentedontheeaseofopening thenewGranupacusingaringpull,withno needforplierstocutcableties.Theycould alsoseetheflowoftheproductthroughthe

containerasitwasemptying, whichwasalsoapositivefor them.Itisafarmorerobust packforNemathorinfrorfuture seasons,”sheadded.

EachGranupachasbeen designedforuptosixseasons ofcollectionandrefilling,to minimisepackagingwasteand carbonfootprintforgrowers. Carolinehighlightedthatthe pack’sbasewillbeadifferent

coloureachyearthatwillenable packstoberotatedand replacedaccordinglyduringthe productmanufacturingprocess, butthatithasnoimplicationsfor useonfarm;thecolourofthe baserelatestotheshelflifeof theGranupacandnotthe productitself.

Nemathorinistheonly remaininggranularnematicide availabletotargetthecombined

potatosoilpestsofPCN, wirewormandfree-living nematodesresponsiblefor spraing.Formoreinformation

onNemathorinagronomyand theproduct’songoingbestuse stewardshipadvice,visitthe Syngentawebsite:https://www. syngenta.co.uk/crop-support/ potatoes/nemathorinstewardship-centre

Biox-Mistheonly100%naturalandsustainablesproutcontrolforpotatoes.

ovember2022sawthe 10thanniversaryof Biox-Mapprovalforuse intheUnitedKingdom asapotatosprout suppressant.Wewould liketothankallthose growers,packers,processors,endusers and,mostsignificantly,foggerswho havesupportedusonthejourney.The sproutcontrolpotentialofessentialoils hadbeenrecognisedfirstbytheIncasin Peruhomeofthepotato,andmore recentlyintheearly1960s,butittook painstakingresearchbyAlbertoSardo andtheteamatXedaInternational, firstlytoidentifythemosteffectiveofthe essentialoilsforthisparticularuse,and thentosupporttheworktogainEU approvalforspearmintoil(Biox-M)in 2009.

The2022potatoharvesthaspresented growersandstoremanagerswithsome additionalproblemswhenmanaging cropsinstore.Insuchcircumstances,it isevenmoreimportanttopayparticular attentiontodetailwhentreatingstored crops,sothatsproutsuppression

productsareusedtobestadvantage.

Followingthelong,hotanddrysummer, sproutinginthefieldinmanyvarieties forthefirsttime.Cropsshouldbedry andfullycuredbeforeanytreatment, eveniftheyarriveinstorehaving developedsproutsinthefield.Assoon asthecropisinstore,sproutingwillbe controlledbyBiox-M,butthereisno needtorushtotreatment.Itisessential thatthecropisdryandcuredbefore treatmenttoachievethemosteffective sproutcontrolandavoidotherrisksto thecrop.

Carefultemperaturemanagementin storepriortotreatmentisalsoessential toavoidunevendistributionoffogduring application,andtoavoidriskof condensation/coalescenceofBiox-Min store.Refrigerationandambientair exchangeshouldbeturnedoffbefore treatment(24hoursisrecommended)to ensureaneventemperaturethroughthe storeandcrop.Variabletemperature(s) incropduringtreatmentincreasesarisk ofpoorefficacy.Multiplestore temperaturereadingsshouldbe

•Isanaturallyoccurringproduct,in widespreaduseinthefood industry,

•Isapprovedforuseonorganic potatocrops

•HasnoharvestintervalorMRL,

•Doesnotleavepersistent residuesinthefabricofstores andboxesusedforstorage,

•Andisthereforesuitableforusein stores,whichmaysubsequently beusedforthestorageofother cropsorseedpotatoes,

•Iseffectiveathigherstorage temperatures,reducingtheriskof acrylamidedevelopmentwhen cropisprocessed,

•Sequesterscarbonduringgrowth, removing1tofCO2forevery 1,000tofpotatoestreated,

•Andshouldbeacomponentof thesustainabilityplanforevery farmandeverycustomer; effectivelycarbonneutral.

TECHNICALADVICE NOTE17ATTENTIONTO DETAILINADIFFICULT SEASON

•Efficacyofsproutcontrolproducts appliedtothecropinfieldpriorto harvestmayhavebeencompromisedby theveryhot,drysummer,conditionsnot normallywell-suitedtoinfield application.Therefore,sproutingmay havecommencedinthefieldbefore harvestorearlyinthestorageseason.

•Cropsshouldbedryandfullycured beforeanytreatment,eveniftheyarrive instorehavingdevelopedsproutsinthe field.Assoonasthecropisinstore, sproutingwillbecontrolledbyBiox-M, butthereisnoneedtorushtotreatment. Itisessentialthatthecropisdryand curedbeforetreatmenttoachievethe mosteffectivesproutcontrolandavoid otherriskstothecrop.

•Carefultemperaturemanagementin storepriortotreatmentisalsoessential toavoidunevendistributionoffogduring application,andtoavoidriskof condensation/coalescenceofBiox-Min store.

•Refrigerationandambientairexchange shouldbeturnedoffbeforetreatment(24 hoursisrecommended)toensurean eventemperaturethroughthestoreand crop.

•Variabletemperature(s)incropduring treatmentincreasesariskofpoor efficacy.

•Multiplestoretemperaturereadings shouldberecorded,whenthe refrigerationisturnedoffand immediatelypriortofoggingtoensurean

recorded,whentherefrigerationis turnedoffandimmediatelypriorto foggingtoensureanevenstore/crop temperature.

Anevendistributionoffogisimportantin achievinggoodefficacy.Speedof introductionoffogintostoreshouldnot beexcessive,sothatthefoghastimeto distributeevenlyinthestore.Fogshould beintroducedtostoreinlinewiththe ratesrecommendedintheBiox-M TechnicalHandbook.Visualconfirmation offogdistributionisrecommended–eitherin-storecamerasoraclear viewingpanelpermittingaviewofthe fogdistribution.Fansettingsshouldbe adjustedtoensureanevendistribution offog.Intermittentrunningoffansduring applicationmaybemoreeffectivethan continuousrunningtogiveaneven distributionoffog.

Storesshouldbeclosedfor48hours followingtreatment,andlongerforpartfilledstores.

Donotopendoorsfollowing treatment.

evenstore/croptemperature.

•Anevendistributionoffogisimportantin achievinggoodefficacy.

•Speedofintroductionoffogintostore shouldnotbeexcessive,sothatthefog hastimetodistributeevenlyinthestore. Fogshouldbeintroducedtostoreinline withtheratesrecommendedintheBioxMTechnicalHandbook: •100t–500t-15litres/hr •500t–1,000t-20-25litres/hr •1,000t–1,500t-25-30litres/hr •1,500t–2,000t-30-40litres/hr •Over2,000t-Upto60litres/hr Visualconfirmationoffogdistributionis recommended–eitherin-storecamerasora clearviewingpanelpermittingaviewofthefog distribution. Fansettingsshouldbeadjustedtoensurean evendistributionoffog.

Intermittentrunningoffansduringapplication maybemoreeffectivethancontinuousrunning togiveanevendistributionoffog.

•Storesshouldbeclosedfor48hours followingtreatment,andlongerforpartfilledstoresorstoresatriskoflessthan optimaldistributionoffog.Donotopen doorsfollowingtreatment.

HAITHTOSHOWCASEITSLATEST INNOVATIONSATPOTATOEXPO2023

TheUK'sleading vegetablehandling equipment manufacturerwillbe showcasingtwo washingandgrading innovationsatPotatoExponext month.

HaithGroup,whichhasbeen designingandsupplyinginnovative solutionsforfarmers,packersand foodmanufacturersforover75 years,willbelaunchingitsMobile WaterTreatmentSystemandPROSortmobileopticalgraderintothe UnitedStatesattheeventinAurora, Colorado,on4thand5thJanuary.

VisitorstoBooth519willbe introducedtoHaith'sMobileWater TreatmentSystem,whichcanbe usedon-farmorproductionfactories.

Haithhasinstallednumerouswater treatmentsystemsintheUKand

Europe,butcomplicatedplanning processesandtransportationcosts haveoftendeterredAmerican companies.

Haith'snewmodularsystem overcomesalloftheissuesfacing potentialoverseascustomers.The plantsplitsintomultipleunitsfor easytransportationbylowloaders withoutspecialpermits,anditcan beassembledinlessthantwodays usingforkliftsoracrane.

Onceconnectedtoawashsystem, thedirtywaterflowsintotheHaith MobileWaterTreatmentSystem, withascreenseparatinglarger organicmatterfromthewater.The effluentisthenpumpedtoalamella settlerwhichseparatesthesoilfrom thewater.Thesludgedropstothe bottomofthetank,fromwhereitis pumpedtoadewateringfilterpress ontheoppositesideoftheunit.The resultingsoilcakecanthenbe conveyedintoaskiporsoiltrailer. Treatedwaterisfedintoa storagetankforreturningto theprocessordischargeto sewer.

Thecompany'sjointproject withGRIMMEUK–the PRO-Sort,isthesecond innovationtofeatureon Haith'sbooth.

Themobileopticalsorter automatestheremovalof stone,clodandforeign debrisfrompotatoesand helpsgrowerscopewith labourshortages.Atthe heartofthemachineisa TOMRA3Aopticalsorter whichiscapableofhandling upto100tonnesperhour withhighlevelsofaccuracy.

TheTOMRA3Aemploys NearInfra-Redmultispectralsensorsforan unobstructedassessmentof everyobject'inflight', seamlesslyidentifying betweenpotatoesand foreignmaterial.Aswellas debris,the3A'scolour sensorscanalsodetect greenpotatoes,whichlike thedebris,areremovedat theendoftheconveyorbelt byintelligentfingerejectors.

AsthePROSortisamodularunit,it canbeusedinthefieldoronafarm andeasilyintegratedintoanewor existinggradingline.

Inadditiontothemobilesystems, Haithwillupdatepeopleon developmentsmadetoitsPro-Line modularfoodhandlingsolution.The Pro-LinecombinesallofHaith's class-leadingmachinesinan incrediblyeffectiveway.

Pro-LineinstallationsintheUKhave deliveredthesamethroughputlevels aslinesfeaturingtwiceasmany oldermachines.

"WeareveryexcitedaboutPotato Expo2023andarereallylooking forwardtointroducingourgrowing rangeofmobilewashing,grading andwatertreatmentsystemstothe UnitedStates,"saysRobHighfield, SalesManager,whowillbe representingHaithinColorado.

"WhenweexhibitedatInterpomin Europeattheendof2022,the solutionswereincrediblywell received.WithUSgrowersandfood producersfacingsimilarissuesto thoseinEurope,weexpectasimilar receptionatPotatoExpo2023!"

Establishedin1947IntheUK,Haith offersawiderangeofvegetable handlingsolutionsandworkswith themajorityofGreatBritain's leadingfreshproducesuppliers. Overthelastdecade,Haithhas replicatedthissuccessinNorth America,developingandinstalling highlyefficientsolutionsforseveral leadingpotatosuppliers.

FormoreinformationaboutHaith anditsrange,visitBooth519at PotatoExpoorwww.haith.co.uk

SPUDTASTICFUN:COOKINGUPFESTIVE FEASTSONCHRISTMASHAFPROGRAMME

THANKStopotato supplierBranstonand GoGroCIC (CommunityInterest Company)children attendingChristmas HolidayActivitiesandFood(HAF) sessionsacrossLincolnshirewillbe gettinghands-onandlearninghow tocookupsomefestivefeastswith potatoes.

Followingonfromthesuccessofthe ‘stretchyourspuds’cooking workshopsduringthesummerHAF programme,GoGroCIChascreated aselectionofspud-basedfestive recipesthathighlightthevalueand versatilityofthenation’sfavourite vegetable.FromPizzaPartyPotato Skinstouseupfestiveleftoverstoa sweetpotatoalternativetochurros, asetofrecipecardswillbegiven outtoall3,500childrenattending theprogramme.Andwiththe children’sparticipation,GoGrowill recreatesomeoftherecipesatten ofthesessionsintheweekbefore Christmas.

EamonnHunt,co-directorofGoGro CICsaid:“UnlikeSanta,Ican’tbe everywhereatoncethisChristmas, butIwanttopassonsomeessential cookingskillstoasmanypeopleas possible.TheHAFsessionsarean idealopportunitytoengagewithkids tohelpthemlearnmoreabout creatinghealthyandcost-effective foodforthewholefamily.”

“Therearesomanydifferentdishes youcancreatewithpotatoesand sweetpotatoesandthey’reareally economicalwaytogetsomeofthe keynutrientsyouneed.”

LincolnshireCountyCouncilis runningtheHAFprogrammeover theChristmasholidays,which supportschildrenintheregionwho areeligibleforfreeschoolmeals. Thecostoflivingcrisisisaffecting manyandtheschoolholidayscan beacauseforconcernforfamilies, withparentsforcedtolookatever morecost-effectivewaystokeep theirchildrenfedandentertained whilstathome.

CllrMrsPatriciaBradwellOBE, executivememberforchildren’s servicesatLincolnshireCounty Council,said:“We’reverygratefulto Branstonfortheirongoingsupportof theHAFprogramme.Aswellas providingthechildrenwithhealthy mealsandfunactivities,oneofour aimsistoraiseawarenessofthe importanceofhavingabalanced diet,andthecookeryworkshopsand recipecardsdonatedbyBranston willhelpusachievethat.HAF providersreallyvaluethisextra support,andI’msurefamilieswill too.”

Thegovernment-fundedHAF programmesupportsthousandsof childrenacrossthecounty,whoare invitedtoattendfunactivitysessions across122venuesinLincolnshire, includingsportscentres,community hallsandschools.

SimonTelfer,HRdirectorat Branston,said:“Gettinginvolved withthelocalcommunityis incrediblyimportantforus.Providing foodeducationfromayoungage

ensureschildrenareawareofhow theirfoodisgrownandthebest waystocookit.

Simonadded:“Itwasimportanttous thatweofferedthechildrensome skillsandeducationaspartofthe programme.We’repleasedtohave theinvolvementofEamonnandRob fromGoGrotobuildabuzzaround food.Theaimofthesessionsisto getkidspassionateaboutwhat

they’reeatingandshowingthemthat asimplespudcanbeturnedintoa tastyfestivefeast.”

TheHAFprogrammeisrunning Monday19December2022to Tuesday3January2023(excluding weekendsandbankholidays) throughouttheschoolholidaysinthe region.Itisaccessibletoanychild agedbetweenfiveand16yearsin receiptoffreeschoolmealsorother

benefitsrelatedtofreeschoolmeals suchasyoungcarersandrefugees. Youcanfindfurtherdetailsatwww. lincolnshire.gov.uk/school-pupilsupport/holiday-activities-foodprogramme.

FormoreinformationonBranston visitwww.branston.com.

TofindoutmoreaboutGoGroCIC visitwww.gogro.org.uk

MACHINELEARNINGHARVESTINSIGHTSTOOLTODEBUTINNORTHAMERICA

PRECISIONagriculturetechnology

HarvestEyeissettoshowcaseits machinelearningdriveninsights atnextmonth’sPotatoExpoin Colorado–NorthAmerica’s largestpotatoindustrytrade show.

Strategicallyaimingtogrowitspresenceinthe leadingpotatogrowingstates–HarvestEyewillbeoneofmore than170exhibitorsinattendance atPotatoExpoon4and5 JanuaryinAurora,Colorado.The tradeshowisorganisedbythe WorldPotatoCounciltobring togethergrowers,suppliersand industryexpertsfromacrossthe NorthAmericanarablefarming market.

HarvestEye’spatented technologyprovidestimely insightsonrootcropsastheyare lifted–presentinggrowerswith valuableinformationonthesize andcountoverwholefield,which isotherwiseabsentfrom conventionalsampling.

HarvestEyewillbeexhibitingat stand1102atPotatoExpoandits teamisavailableforbriefingsat theshow.

CharlieFlack,generalmanagerat HarvestEye,said:“PotatoExpo willbeHarvestEye’sfirstventure intoNorthAmericaandpresents afantasticopportunitytonetwork withbusinessesacrosspotato supplychains.Itwillenableusto betterunderstandmarkettrends andshowcasetheactionable insightsthatHarvestEyeplaces intothehandsofgrowers.

“HarvestEyehasenormous implicationsforgrowersseeking bettermonitoringtoolsforcrop variabilitytomaximiseyield.We recognisethatfarmersacrossthe continentoperateindifferent climatesandgrowdifferent varieties,soPotatoExpowill betterourunderstandingofthe varyingdemandsoftheNorth Americanmarket–enablingour teamtotailorHarvestEyetomeet growerspecifications.”

Fittingtoexistingharvesting equipment,HarvestEyeisalowcostmethodtoachievetargeted

agronomicperformanceofrootcrops,currently compatiblewithpotatoesandonions.Data collectedbytheproductisdeliveredtoan onlineportal.

HarvestEye’stimelyinsightsaimtoenhance planningalignmentofstockstocustomers, whichinturnhelpstoenhancesupplychain confidencebymeetingproduceexpectations,

MACHINELEARNINGHARVESTINSIGHTSTOOLTODEBUTINNORTHAMERICA

maximisingreturnsforallpartiesthroughreduced wastageandincreasedefficiency.

Charlieadded:“PotatoExpowillelevateHarvestEye’s visibilityintheNorthAmericanpotatogrowingmarket amongleadingprecisionagricultureandagri-tech innovationfirmsworkingtowardsamoreefficientand sustainablefutureoffarming.

“Wearecontinuingtogrowourinternationalpresence

FormoreinformationonHarvestEye,visithttps://www. harvesteye.com/

createdandmonitoredwhileworkingwith animalbehaviour.Thisallowslivestockto grazewithinsetperimeterswithnophysical fencing.

“WhenananimalstepsoveraNofence boundary,thecollarsemitanaudiocueto warnitoftheboundaryperimeter.Ifthe animaldoesnotturnarounduponhearing thepredictableaudiocuethecollarsissue anelectricpulse.Thecollarsalsotrack animallocationandaredevelopedwith solarpanelstoensurelong-lastingbattery lifethroughoutthegrazingseason,”says SynneFossBudal,GeneralManagerfor NofenceUK.“WithNofence,wetrainthe animalstolistenfortheirfenceboundary. So,wearestillrelyingontheanimal’s sensestostaywithinthegrazing parameter,butitishearingratherthan visual.”

Opportunitiesfordifferentlivestocksystems

Withmorethantwoyearsofexperiencein theUK,Nofencehasproventobesuitable forbothconservationandintensivegrazing systems.

“Thetechnologyhasprovedtoexcelina diversesetofapplications,”saysMsBudal.

“Ourtrialworkandcustomerexperience haveshownthatcattlecanbegrazedon intensiverotationalandstripsystemswhile successfullymaintainingtightcovers.”

Nofencehasalsobeenapopulartoolfor uplandproducerswantingtomaximiseland usageandbettermanagegrazingwithout investinginphysicalfencinginfrastructure.

“It’salsoagame-changerforfarmersand grazersintegratinglivestockintoarable systems,allowingforflexibilityingrazing managementwhilesignificantlyreducing labourandinfrastructurecostsassociated withsettingupagrazingsystemonarable land,”shesays.

TolearnabouttheopportunitiesNofence offerslivestockandarablesystems,visitthe NofencestandinHall7onStand7.946at LAMMA2023.FarmersusingNofencewill alsobeonstandtosharetheirexperiences withthetechnology.

TolearnmoreaboutNofence,visitnofence. co.uk

NationalAssociationofAgriculturalContractors(NAAC) andFendttohostContractorsLoungeatLAMMA2023

TheNAACContractors

Loungeisanew additiontoLAMMAin 2023,heldatthe NEC,Birmingham,on 10thand 11thJanuary.TheLoungewillbea dedicatedareaforcontractorsto relaxandnetwork,whileproviding specialistclinicsandopportunitiesto meetnewsuppliers.

ExpertsfromtheNAACwillshare thelatestadvice,assistanceand resourcestohelpcontractorsstay safeandlegal,aswellasguidance abouttransportationandinformation ontheirAssuranceStandardsfor Contractors.Theyhavealso partneredwithfinancialexpertsto createa'contractorcalculationstool' forwhichtherewillbeacostings demonstration.

JillHewitt,NAACCEOsays:"The NAACContractorsLoungewilloffer aplacetorelax,havesome refreshmentsandtakethe

opportunitytotalktoNAACstaffand experts.Inadditiontotheclinics, therewillbethechancetodiscuss industryissues,individualproblems

andexploresolutionstothese.We lookforwardtomeetingmanyofthe contractorsvisitingLAMMA.

Withthisin mind,wesee thetieupwith Fendt,the NAACandthe Contractors loungeat LAMMAgivinga clearsynergy betweenour organisations, helpingtoliftthe profileof everyone involved.

providing specialist servicesright throughto wholestubbleto stubble contracting operations.The Fendtbrandhas longbeena favouriteamong contractors, offering affordable solutionswith fixedcosts.

"Astheoldexpressiongoes'itis goodtotalk'.TheContractors Loungeofferscontractorsthe opportunitytonetworkandrelaxwith othersthatunderstandthe challengestheyface.Through conversationsandthespecialist clinicsonoffer,visitorswillbeable tosharethoughts,ideasand knowledgewitheachother,helping toraisethebarevenhigherinthe contractingsector."

FormoreinformationonLAMMA andtoregisterforyourFREEticket visitwww.lammashow.com

AllyoursiloneedsfulfilledbyPerryofOakley

hetheryouarelookingtopurchasenew silosorreplacementsiloaccessories

PerryofOakleycansupplyitall.

Perrysareknownfortheirbulk materialshandlinganddrying machinerybuttheyalsocansupplyafullrangeofsilos andsiloaccessories.

Theflatbottomsilorangehaveamodulardesignand aremanufacturedusinghigh-gradeS350andS450 steelgivingsuperiorstrength-to-weightcharacteristics protectedbygalvanisingtoZ600standardensuringa longservicelife.

Thehopperbottomsiloshavecapacitiesfrom35to 3,000tonnesbasedonwheatat750kg/m³withboth45 and60degreehoppersavailable.Diametersarefrom 3mto13m,withcustomdiametersavailabletosuit existingbasesifyou’rereplacinganend-of-lifesilo.

Perryscanalsooffergalvanisedsquarehopperbottom binswithamodulardesignthateasilyallowsthemto beextendedatalaterdatetoincreasethecapacityof thebinsasstoragedemandincreases.Theyare suppliedinaflatpackformatforboltedconstruction on-site.

ThePerryrangeofTotebinsaresuitableforboth indoorandoutdooruse(withtheadditionofalid),for binsupto1.2m wide.Forklift channelscanbe addedtoallow thebinsto becomemobile, makingthem idealforfilling mobiledriers.

ThePerryselfassemblysquare binsrangefrom 1.2mto4mand asplashback withbumpbaris alsoavailableas anoption.

Theyhavecapacitiesfrom30to20,000tonnesbased onwheatat750kg/m³andrangefrom3mdiameter (30tonnesstorage)to32mdiameter(20,000tonnes storage),withcustomdiametersavailabletosuit existingbaseswhenreplacinganend-of-lifesilo.

Ourflatbottomandhopperbottomsilosaresuppliedin aflatpackformatforboltedconstructionon-site.Outlet sizesare300mm,400mmor600mmdependingonthe application.Thebinslideoptionsaremanual, motorised,andelectro-pneumatictosuityourneeds.

Thefullrangeof siloaccessories includecatwalks, flushfloor (lateral)systems orfullfloor aerationsystems forflatbottom silosandin-cone aerationsystems forhoppersilos, silodischarge augersystems, agriculturalor commercial sweepaugers, andseveralsystemsformonitoringthestoredgrain.

WithPerrysprovidingthefullrangeofbulkmaterials handling,dryingandstorageyoucanpurchaseafully integratedplantorstand-alonemachinestomeetyour needs.

Todiscussyournextprojectoryourindividualmachine needspleasecontactPerryofOakleytodayon01404 890300oremailsales@perryofoakley.co.uk

Protectingmachineryforoveradecadeandnowwith0%finance

Ascrimeinrural areasand particularlyon farmsand smallholdings continuestorise, agriculturetrackingexperts, ATVTracispleasedtolauncha new0%APRfinanceoptionfor owners,makingsecuritymore affordableandaccessiblethan ever.

Launchedoveradecadeago, followingtheparentcompany’s experienceandproventrack recordinmotorcyclesecurity, ATVTracofferedadedicated securityproduct,enabling ownersoffarmmachineryto havealivelinktotheir machines24/7regardlessof location.

Bringingupdatedsecurity functionsincludingGPS,GPRS andRadioFrequency,ATVTrac addednewfunctions,including loneworkersecurity,battery

voltagealertsandservice reminderstoo,offeringamore thanjustasecurityfocussed product.

Aswellasdealerandcustomer interest,ATVTracisnow endorsedbymorethanten manufacturerswithdiscounts availableonInsurancefromthe NFUtoo.Morerecently,brands suchasPolarisandCFMOTO haveadoptedthesystemas standardfitmentonsomeof theirmodelstoo,withmany theftsthwartedduetoATVTrac since.

ATVTrac’skeyattributeisthe unit’sphysicalsizeandinternal battery,allowingforfitmentto virtuallyeverypieceoffarm machinery,fromATVstoUTVs, toTractors,LandRovers, 4x4s,trailersandchipperstoo. Andthankstoanonlineportal anddedicatediPhoneand Androidapps,ownerscan check24/7forlocationand

evenseemultipleassetson onescreen.

Aswellasprovensecurity features,ATVTracalsooffers usefuladditionalfunctionstoo, suchasthelogofusage(hours andmileage),theabilitytoset alertsforservicingor maintenanceandevenan emergencyalertshouldthe vehiclebeinvolvedinarolloverincident;agreatfunction forloneworkers.

Forjust£39amonth,ATVTrac canbeinstalled(including12 monthsofsubscription)on manytypesoffarming machinery,withfullsupport providedviathe24/7Secure OperatingCentreaswellas additionalsupportfrom Securitastoo.

Formoreinformationon ATVTracandpricing,please visitthefirm’sstandatLAMMA 2023orgoto www.atvtrac.co.uk

SkipLAMMA23at yourperil!Ithas potentiallynever beensoimportant forfarmerstotake advantageofthe availableexpertisetoensure theyhavetherightmachineryin placetomakeharvest2023run assmoothlyandasprofitablyas possible.

“Forthefirsttimeinthe UK,wewillbe demonstratingGrain Balanceanewpostharvestsoftware applicationwhichrunson anysmartphone. DevelopedbySkandia Elevator,GrainBalance’s GrainApp,allowsfarmers toeasilyandaccurately measure,inrealtime,the loadsofgrainarrivingon farmtogointostorage, thefieldinwhichitwas grownandtheyieldper hectare,”saidAndrew Head,salesdirector,BDC SystemsLtd.

“Atanytime,farmerswill nowbeabletoquickly andeasilyseetheamount ofgraintheyhave harvested.Nomore guessworkaroundwhat fieldyieldedwhat,orhowmuch grainisinstore,”addedHead. “Havingenteredinformation aroundthefieldstobeharvested intotheGrainBalance’sGrain Apppriortoharvest,once combiningstartsallthathasto bedonebeforetippinggrain,isto opentheappandinputthefield thegrainhascomefromand GrainBalancedoestherest.”

TheGrainAppisconnectedvia theInternettotheGrainBalance Scale,asensorkitwhichsitson theelevatortakinggraininto storage.Thesensorkitcollects dataaroundthegrainasit passesthroughtheelevator whichissenttoSkandia’sGrain Cloud,wheretheweightofthe grainiscalculatedandthen

presentedbacktothefarmervia thesoftwareapp.

LatestdevelopmentstoBDC System’sMoistureMonitoring System(MMS)willbeanother firstforBDCatLAMMA2023.

“Wehavenowengineeredour MMSsothatnotonlydoesit monitorthemoisturecontent (mc)ofthecropgoingintoand outofthedrier,itnow automaticallycontrolsthe dischargerateofthedriershould themcfallbeloworriseabove thepredefinedlevels,ensuring thatthecropisdischargedata constantmc.

“TheMMS’abilityto automaticallycontrolthedrier meansthatthedrier’senergyefficiencyisgreatlyimproved. Energyisnotwastedbyover dryingthecrop,”continuedHead. Withevermoreunpredictable harvestweathera5tSvegma continuousflowdrierwillformthe centrepieceoftheBDCstand. Farmerswillwanttomakesure theyaregearedupto successfullymanagewetgrain

and,asforlastyear’sharvest, havetheadditionalcapabilityto usetheirdriertocoolgrainif required.

WithSvegma’sprovenreputation foroutstandingqualityand efficiencyitsdriers(5ttoover 100tph)areusedextensivelyby farmers,farmingco-operatives, commercialplantoperatorsand maltsters.

BDCSystemswillalsobe showcasingSkandia Elevator’snext-generationHLineelevators.TheH-Linewill beofinteresttolargerfarm enterprises,commercialgrain storageoperatorsandmilling plantsrequiringhightonnage grainhandlingcapability.

Havinglistenedtoits customers,Skandia’sH-Line deliverselevatorsthatare easytomaintain,have optimisedflowresultinginless wearandteartoboththe machineryandgrain,plusthey cannowreachanoverall heightof70m.

Don’tmisstheopportunity totalkallthings‘grain handling’withtheBDCteam inHall8,Stand8.410.

AboutBDCSystems

BDCSystemsLtd,renownedfor itssuperiorcustomersupportand comprehensivetechnicalservice ability,offersanextensiverange ofgraindrying,cleaning,storage, handling,ventilation,millingand mixingequipment,togetherwith otherspecialisedsolutions.Inthe UK,thecompanyrepresentsa numberofworldleading manufacturersandsuppliers (incl:SkandiaElevator, Kongskilde,Svegma,Zanin,and BMSilo)providingoutstanding technology,quality,durabilityand valueformoney.

Formoreinfovisit: https://bdcsystems.comor call:+44(0)1672810851

henewHXseriesoftractorsfrom SouthKoreanmanufacturerKIOTI offersanewefficient,comfortableand costeffectiveoptionforfarmers lookingtobuyatractorinthe90to 140hpsector.

MakingitsdebutattheSIMAshowinParis,the KIOTIHXispoweredbyaKIOTI3.8l4-cylinder STAGEVturbochargedengine.Theseries consistsofthreemodels,theHX9010ratedto90 hp,theHX1001ratedto100hpandtheHX1201 ratedto115hp,allwithanautomaticondemand PTOboostof10hp.

Featuringacomfortableandluxuriouscab,with fullyadjustableairsuspensionseat,LCD dashboardandergonomiccontrols,theHXcab providestheoperatorwithapleasantworking environment.

Atwo-stagemechanicaltransmissionwitha4x4 powershiftarrangementprovides32forwardand reversegears,offeringamaximumspeedof40

km/hr.The‘E-shift’allowsgearchangesonthe movewithoutusingtheclutchpedal.

Withversatilityinmind,theHXfeaturesaCAT2 rearhitchwitha4.4teliftcapacity,tworeardouble actingservicesandarearPTOwith540,540ECO and1000rpmoptions,whichcanbeengaged

manuallyorviatheautomaticmodelinkedto therearlinkage.Operatorswishingto increasetheversatilityoftheirHXcandoso byfittinganoptionalfrontlinkageandPTO orafrontloader,operatedbyanintegrated four-waycontrollever.

PricesfortherangetoppingHX1201start from£71,750.

ThepopularK9Utilityvehicle(UTV)from Kiotiisnowavailablewithanoptionalfactory fitcabin.SpecificallydesignedfortheK9,the fullyenclosedcabinprovidescomplete protectionfromtheelements,whilsttheair conditionedcabinheatingensuresthe operatorandpassengerstravelincomfort.

Inaddition,thenewK9isalsoequippedwith anewCVTtransmissionwithahomologated roadspeedof50kphandspeedsensitive powersteering,bothbringinganewlevelof operatorcomfort.

Capableofcarryingtwopassengers,in additiontothedriverinthecabin,anda payloadof500kgonthelargerearplatform, theK9iswellsuitedtonumeroustasks aroundthefarm.

PricesforaK9UTVfittedwithafactory cabinstartfrom£29,750.

DOUBLEWINNER:Arable& FutureFarmingInnovation Awards

FarmDroidisafully autonomous, solar-powered robotcapableof precisiondrilling andweeding.ItusesultraaccurateGPStorecord exactlywhereitplaceseach seed.Then,onceswitched intoweedingmodeandfor everysubsequentpassithas noneedtoidentifywhat’sa weedandwhat’snot–it simplyknowswherethecrop wasplantedandworksaround eachplant,withhoesshares runningbetweeneachrow andbladesslicingoffanything betweeneachcropplant,in therow.

Within-rowandinter-row actioniteliminatesweedsboth betweentherowsand betweenthecropplants. Capableofworkingrighttoup within5mmofeachseedling betweentherowsand20mm intherow,theFarmDroid’s sharesmeanitdoesthe completejobsothereisno needforhand-rogueing problemweedslikefat-hen (savingc.£250/ha).

Thisapproachalsomeans thatunlikeothersimilar machines,itdoesn’tneedto employbanksofhighdefinitioncamerasand complexcomputerstoidentify andtargetweeds.Italso meansthemachinecanstart theweedingprocessbefore thecrophasemerged becausecamerarecognitionis notrequired.

Itssimplicityisjustoneofa numberoffeaturesthatsetthe machineapartfromanything elseonthemarket

TheFarmDroidconceptwas thebrainchildofJensand KristianWarming–two farmingbrothersfromcentral Denmark.Theybuiltthefirst prototypeswiththehelpof someroboticsspecialistsin theirfarmworkshopand launchedthemachinetothe worldatAgritechnica2019.

Initially,theFDwasdeveloped fororganicsugarbeetbutwas quicklyadaptedforawide varietyofothercropsincluding fodderbeet,onions,turnips, beetroot,OSR,parsley,

corianderandothersoft herbs.Thelistofcompatible cropsisbeingtested continuouslyinFarmDroid’s seedlabandsofartherobot canhandlemorethan30 differentcrops.

Weighingjust800kg, FarmDroidhasthelightest footprintpossible-goodfor soilhealthandthebottomline -headlandsaren’trundown withtheresultthatyieldsare maintainedacrosstheentire croppedarea.

And,beingsolar-powered, FarmDroidownersdon’thave anyfuelbillsforthemachine. Notonlydoesthishavea clearimpactonthebottomline withtoday’sincreasingly volatileenergymarkets,it’s alsoenvironmentallyfriendly. Inafuturewherefoodretailers areprogressivelylookingtobe perceivedas‘green’with carbonauditsbecomingmore andmorecommon,the FarmDroidcanhelpprovide onesteptowardsenergyselfsufficiency(andherbicide-free cropproduction).

seatthat’s40%thickerprovidingbetter supportandcomfort.There’sreduced noiseandvibration,abiggerfueltank andthechassisis10%lighterand30% strongercomparedtotheprevious model.Thenewsuspensionprovides 26%more-wheeltravelandincreased groundclearance,andatunedEPS ElectronicPowerSteeringSystem.

ThenextstepupinpowerintheATV rangeistheCFORCE625that’sbeen launchedthisyearfollowingyearsof

R&DwithanewindependentdualAarmsuspension,adjustablepower modesandaclassleadingturning circle.

WithregardtotheUTV’s,CFMOTOhas launchedthe2023modelsofboththe UFORCE600,aswellastheUFORCE 1000featuringprogressiveEPSfor lightweighthandling,4×4capabilityand agas-assistedcargobox.TheUFORCE 1000ourmostpowerfulV-Twinliquidcooledengineandcomesfullyloaded

asstandard,boastinga3-personbench seat,largecapacitytippingcargobeda brand-newDrivebyWireElectronic throttleforasmoothride.

We’vealsoseentheevolutionofthe U1000toprovidetheUFORCE1000 XL,featuringaredesignedcabfor6 seats,animprovedframe,suspension andbraking,plusanupdated dashboard,thisbeastpacks53kw (71hp)and74N.mtorque,a790kg TowingCapacity,660kgPayload Capacityand280mmminimumground clearance.Theonlythingthatisn’tbig abouttheUFORCE1000XListhe price.

ThereisanoptiontoupgradeallUTV’s tothefullcaboptionsfromDFKCabsto includecertifiedwindscreenglass, heatersandwipers.

AllATVandUTVmodelscomewith CanadianbuiltCVTechautomaticdrive systemandselectable2-and4-wheel drivewithdifflockandelectricfront winchforguaranteedconfidenceto powerthroughanyterrain.

Thenew2023CFMOTOrangeputs power,capabilityandversatilityinyour handstoforgeyourpath,whetheritis towardwork,fun,orthebalancein between.Forfurtherspecs,andtofind yournearestdealer,visitcfmoto.co.uk

Kentra,theYorkshire-based manufacturerofmixedflow cropdryers,hasintroducedtwo newmoisturemeasurementand recordingsystemsforgrowers, andanautomatedmoisture monitoringsystemidealforuse atthegrainintake,addingtoits exisitingrangeofcropmoisture management

Thehigh-accuracyproductscome fromCanadianmanufacturerDryer Master,whoselongestablished DM510controlsystemfully automatesthegraindryingprocess withminimalmanualintervention.

“ThenewDM100 isalowercost,less sophisticatedversionthat stillprovidesanelement ofcontroltorelievethe workloadofwhoeveris managingthedryer”

Grainmoistureismeasuredatthe dischargepointandadjustments tothedischargeratearemade automaticallywhenoperator-set

high,lowandtargetmoisturelevels foreachofthreedischargespeeds arehit.

UnlikethefullyautomaticDM510, theDM100requiresthespeedset pointsandmoisturetargetstobe adjustedperiodicallytomaintain optimumperformance.

ThenewMoistureMonitorPro recordsgrainmoistureand temperatureatthedischarge–with theoptiontoaddanintakesensor aswell–tohelpoperatorsachieve consistentresultsfromfullymanual control.

AswiththeDM510fully-automatic andDM100semi-automatic systems,valuesareshownon acolourdisplay,areaccessible remotelyusingamobilephone andcanbedownloadedtofarm computerrecords.

Thesefeaturesarealsocommonto LoadMonitor,asystemthatrecords theaveragemoistureofentirelorry ortrailerloadsofgrainattheintake.

“Thesensorisfittedin thegrainflowline–for exampleinaductwhere grainpassesfromthe intakepittoanelevator –andLoadMonitor automaticallystarts loggingassoonasthe sensordetectsgrain flowingacrossit”

“Thefinishedrecordincludesa consignmentidentifierandtime stamp,andcomparedwithsampling, usingLoadMonitormeansthere isnodelaytotippingincoming consignmentsandthemoisture readingwillbefullyrepresentativeof thebulk.”

KentraGrainSystemswasformed in1989todesignandmanufacturegraindryersthatmeetthe challengingrequirementsofBritishfarmers.

Today,therangeofmixedflow dryersproducedfromheavy-duty galvanisedsteelfeaturesaunique columndesignforeffectivedrying ofallfree-flowingcombinablecrops andcontrolsystems,axialflowfans anddesigned,developedandmanufacturedin-house.

Themodularconstructionofthe dryerallowsformaximumflexibility inmodelselection.

Soifyouneedathroughputof10 tonnesorinexcessof100tonnes perhourourrangeofdryersand user-friendlymanagementsoftware giveyoucomplete,realtimecontrol overyourharvest.

oxRobotics logistics solution acrossthe softfruitandvineyard industry. Theagricultural industryheavily dependsonseasonal labourfromEastern Europe.Asteady decreasecanbeseen, triggeringseveral solutionswith automationand robotics. Farmersnowmust searchanddependon labourfromcountries

furtherEast,increasingtheiralreadyhigh costs.

FoxRoboticshasfocusedondecreasing thedependenceonseasonalworkersby improvingandautomatinglogisticstasks thatotherroboticscompanieshave overlookedinthehorticultureindustry.Fox Roboticsiscurrentlyconcentratingon improvingtheefficiencyoftheUK'ssoft fruitfarmsandvineyards.

HugoRT(TM)isadurable,efficient, battery-poweredrobotdesignedtoreduce thereliabilityofseasonallabour.The outdoorlogisticsrobothelpsto automate,helpstoautomateseveralallyear-roundtasks,fromsupportingthe transportationofpickedproducetocarrying delicateseedlingsandsoilinnarrow polytunnels.Transportingpickedfruitduring theharvestseasonmakesup20%ofthe day-to-dayactivities.Automatingthese taskswillhelptoreduceoverallcostsand increasesproductivity.

Hall:18Standinformation:Hall18Stand 18.640

Openfieldboostscustomerservicewith majorinvestmentintransportfleet

Openfieldisinvestingheavily initstransportfleetand driverrecruitmentto improvegrainandinput deliveriesatatimewhen heavyhaulageisunderimmense pressure.

Overthepastyearthefarmerownedgrainmarketingandarable inputsco-operativehasgrownits HGVfleetrapidlyandisnow gearinguptoexpandfurther,by hiringandtrainingitsnext generationofdrivers.

OverthelastyearOpenfieldhas quietlygrownitsownfleetby around40%andnowplansto doubletheoriginalfleetsizeover thecomingmonths.Indoingso theco-opbelievesitwillfurther improvegraincollectionsand inputdeliveriestofarmer membersandgraindeliveriesto consumercustomerswhomanufacture someofthebestknowBritishfoodand drinkbrands.

Butfindingdriversisn’teasyand recently,theteamhasbeenlookingat

howtoexpanditsdriverworkforce,says headofHRGaynorHannen.“Wehave beenlookingatwaystoencourage moredriversintotheindustry.Itisan expensiveprocesstotakeanHGVtest andmosthauliersonlytakedriversonif theyalreadyhaveanHGVlicence.

Openfieldwilltaketraineedriversinto theprogrammefull-time,payingfor trainingandalldrivingrelatedtests.The startingsalaryis£21,000peryearwith animmediatestart,basedat ColsterworthinLincolnshire.

Thetrainingtakesabout16weeksto completeandattheendofit, subjecttopassingmedicaland drivingtests,thetraineewillbe promotedtoaqualifiedHGVC+E driverworkingatOpenfield.

Recruitingandtrainingmore driverswillcontinuetoboost Openfield’sreputationforservice, saysheadofoperationsSimon Briscoe.

Inresponse,wehavedevelopedour own‘FeettoFleet’Programme.This offerstheopportunityforanyonewitha cleandrivinglicence-andagreat attitudeandapproach-tojoinusand thentraintobecomeanHGVdriver.”

“Ourdriversareakeypointof contactandrepresentOpenfield’s brandeveryday.Excellentservice iscriticaltoussoflexibility, initiativeandacustomer-focused approacharekeytodeliveringour exactingstandardsofefficientand effectiveservice.Fulltrainingand supportwillbeprovidedtoeverydriver aroundthebulkhaulageoperationand inallotheraspectsofthejobrole.”

ClaydontohighlightitsnewEvolution rangeofmounteddrillsatLAMMA2023

laydon,theEuropean marketleaderindirect stripseedingtechnology withitsOpti-Till® System,willexhibitfour ofthecompany’slatestproductson Stand6.600inHall6atLAMMA 2023(NECBirmingham,10-11 January).

Thefocuswillbeonthenewrange ofEvolutionmounteddrills,allof whicharedesignedfordrillingdirect butcanalsobeusedafter consolidationinploughingandmintillscenarios.Themodelonshow, the3mSeedandFertiliserversion, willbeexhibitedalongsidea4m HybridT4traileddrill,a7.5mStraw Harrowanda4mTerraBladeinterrowhoe.

developedin2002isattheheartof everyClaydondrill,amajorbenefit beingitsabilitytocopewith extremesofweatherwhichare becomingincreasinglyfrequent.It deliversexceptionalversatilityinall climaticconditions,soiltypesand crops,yetmovessoilonlyinthe growingzone.Thefronttine removescompaction,aeratesthe soil,andcreatesdrainageinthe rootingzone,whiletheseedingtine depositsseedsinthesurfacetilth. Zonalcultivationmeansthatthe previousrootingandsoilstructure remainslargelyintact,allowing wormstothriveandsoilbiotalevels toimprove.

Withworkingwidthsof3m,4m, 4.5m,4.8m,5mand6m,the

doublereartoolbarandroadlights. Typicaldailyoutputsrangefrom 20haforthe3mEvolution,which requiresaminimumof150hp,to 40haforthe6mversion,which needsaminimumof300hp.

Thenewrangeincorporates additionalfeatureswhichimprove operationalfunctionality.Seed depthadjustmentiscontrolled hydraulically,improvedaccessto themeteringunitallowseasier calibration,whilefront-mounted discswhichareoperated hydraulicallyfromthetractorseat canbespecifiedasanoptional extra.

Otherfeaturesincludequick-fit knock-on/knock-offcoulteroptions forthestandardleadingtineandASharetolowdisturbancetwindisc andtineoptions.Multipleseedtool optionsallowawiderangeofcrops tobedrilledacrossdifferentsoil typesandsituations,whilethe quick-changefacilityallowsfast, easymodificationwhenrequired.A large,easilyaccessibletoolbox incorporatedintothestepframeis alsostandard.

OptionsincludeGPSvariableseed ratecapability,pre-emergence markerarms,frontdisctoolbar, stoneprotection,microfertiliser applicator,low-disturbancetwintine kit,slugpelleter,blockagesensors andalightandvisionkit.

Theninemodelsinthenew ClaydonEvolutionrangeof mounteddrillstakedirectstrip seedingtothenextlevel.Building onthecompany’sexperienceof morethantwodecadesinthis technology,theyincorporate enhancedoperationalfunctionality withthetriedandtestedfeatures whichhavemadeClaydonOptiTill®thecropestablishmentsystem ofchoiceforgrowerswhowantto reducecosts,increaseproductivity, andimprovesoilhealth.

Thetwo-tinetechnologywhich SuffolkarablefarmerJeffClaydon

Evolutionmodelsincorporate9,13, 15or19tinesrespectively.While mostfeaturea1910-litrehopper, the3mEvolution3MFand4m 4MRFmodelsincorporatea2700litretankwitha50:50splitbetween seedandfertiliser.Thelarger hopperincreasesproductivity,while secondandthirdhopperoptionsfor applyingmultipletypes,varieties andsizesofseedareavailableto furtherenhanceversatility.

AllClaydonEvolutionmodels featureahydraulicfan,Artemis meteringcontrol,tramliningfacility, fronttine/7"A-shareconfiguration,

Thestrengthanddesignofthe ClaydonEvolutionkeepsrunning coststoaminimum,whichtogether withreliableoperationandminimum downtimeenablesfuel-efficient farmingandminimalsoil disturbanceinallsowingscenarios, withoutcompromisingcrop establishmentoryields.Thedrill’s simple,robustdesignandgreat flexibilityallowsitsuseinthe autumnorspringtoestablishany cropthatcanbeairsown.

FurtherdetailsaboutClaydon productsareavailablefrom authoriseddealers–seedealer mapontheClaydonwebsite (claydondrill.com/dealersdistributors).

McHaleProGlideR310Non-ConditionerMower

Followingadirectrequest fromthemarket,McHale’s designteamhave combinedtheirspecialist knowledgetodevelopthis newrangeofnon-conditionermowers. TheMcHaleProGlideR310isfitted witha3mcutterbartoprovideacutting widthof3.1musinga7-discbed.

TheMcHaleProGlideR310utilises proventechnologyfromtheconditioner mowerrangeandbenefitsfroma numberofnovelfeatureswhichresultin bettergroundfollowingabilityand quickerreactiontimestochangesin groundconditions.

KieranHughes,UKSalesManagerfor McHale

“Ourconditionermowershave establishedthemselvesintheworld marketasapremiumproductoverthe lastnumberofyears,butsome customersarerequestingaplain,nonconditionermower,sofollowing customerfeedbackwearelaunching theProGlideR310onourstandatthe LammaShow.

Thisheavy-dutynon-conditionermower leavesaclean-cutcropandstubbleto producequalityforage.Ourteamof engineershavedesignedthemowerto providesuperiorfloatationoverrough groundusingthesame3DGround TrackingTechnologyasourconditioner mowers.Ifeelthesemowersoffera numberofuniquefeatureswhichwill deliverbettergroundfloatationability andacleanqualitycut.”

ThenewR310non-conditionermower isequippedwithanumberofcommon featuresasstandardsuchasunique patentedgroundfollowingtechnology, adjustablegroundpressurecontroland robustbeddesignwhichmakethese mowersasmartchoiceforfarmersand contractorsalike.

3DGroundTrackingTechnology

Similartotheconditionermowersfrom McHale,theProGlideR310utilisesthe same3DGroundTrackingTechnology toprovideexcellentgroundfollowing capabilitiestodeliversuperiorfloatation. The3-dimensionalgroundcontour trackingallowsthemowertoeasilymow onroughorundulatingterrainandstill deliveroptimalresults.

Mostrearmowershaveacentralpin whichonlyallowsthemowertomove leftandrightandnottoadjustto changesingroundconditions.The McHaleProGlideR310moweris differentinthatitisfittedwithapatented 3Dgroundtrackingsuspensionunit

whichdeliversbettercutting performancebyallowingthemowerto moveindependentofthetractorinthe followingmovements:

•Moveleftandright

•Moveforwardandback

•Letthecutterbarmovebackand upifitcollideswithanobstacle

The12°forward/backmovementofthe mowerensuresaprecisionfloatationof thecutterbarforacleancutinall groundconditionswhilethe17°left/right movementmeansthecutterbar smoothlyglidesoverhumpsand hollows.

frontedgeletsthefullyweldedcutter barglidesmoothlyovertheground.The slantedleadingedgeofthecutterbar allowsforcleanforageseparationand reducesgroundcontaminationeven whenworkinginlodgedcropsandwet conditions.

Largeheavyduty25mmspurgearstake thePTOpowerandtransferittothe discs.Eachindividualdiscisdrivenbya smallerspurgear.Thespurgearswhich drivetheindividualdiscsaremounted forwardonthecutterbarswhichdeliver maximumcuttingperformanceeven whenworkinginlodgedcrops.

Themowingdiscsarespecifically designedtomaximisecropflow.Each mowingdischasitsownindividual

Thefloatationofthecutterbaris achievedusingalargecompensating springtoprovideexcellentground following.Thiseasilyadjustedpressure systemdeliversasuperiorcutting performanceinaquickandsimple manner.

Ifthemowercomesincontactwithan immovableobject,themechanicalbreak backwillbetriggered.Thebreakback willswingthemachinebackwardsand overtheobstaclebeforethespringloadeddesignautomaticallyreturnsthe cuttingunittotheoriginalworking positionwhenclearoftheobstacle.

CutterBar

ThecutterbarontheProGlidenonconditionermowerispoweredbya heavy-duty,right-anglegearboxwhichis positionedbehindtheinnertophat.In comparisontousingdrivebelts,which canslipinheavycrop,thedirectdrive ensuresanevenandcontinuous distributionofpoweracrossthegearsin thecutterbar.

Thedesignoftheroundedlowprofile

protectivesafetymechanism,ifa collisionoccurs,themechanismwill shearinordertoprotectthedrive.

Thequick-changebladesareangledat 10°toensureacleanandevencut. Theyarealsofreetospin360°which makesthemself-cleaningandstops themfoulingonthekniveson neighbouringdiscs.Theknivesorbit withagenerousoverlap,whichensures acleancutandasmoothflowofcut materialisdischargedtotherearofthe machine.

Fortransportation,theR310mower foldsverticallytopositionthemselves behindthecentrepointofthetractorfor safetransport.Thistransportposition allowsforthemowerstodistributetheir weightevenlyacrosstherearofthe tractorforeaseoftransportontheroad whilealsoprovidingthedriverwitha clearviewoftherear-viewmirrors.

FormoreinformationontheMcHalePro GlideR310oranyMcHalemachine fromourproductrange,visitourstand atLAMMAinHall10,Stand310or contactyourlocalMcHale representative.

BritishLifestyle ByOliviaShave Q&Atime

She’sfeaturedon‘ThisFarmingLife’, becomeanestablishedauthor,changed theperceptionofwomeninfarming,and nowmarriedandamotherherself, startinganewlifewithherfamilyonthe stunningIsleofBute.JoinmeasIchat withEmmaGrayShepherdessandread howbothherselfandhusbandEwan,alongwith theirsonLenhavesuccessfullydiversifiedwith theirSheepdogschoolandbegantheprocessto converttoorganicfarmingallwhilstsettlinginto ArdrosFarm.

Question:

So,you’vechosentoconverttoorganicstatusand thissectorhasalong,proudhistoryofpioneering movement,thatdeliversprovenbenefitstosoil health,biodiversity,andclimatemitigation.Would youagreethatorganicisthebenchmarkforthe newregenerativeapproachandwithrisingliving costsandyourgeographicallocation,areyou confidentthatconsumerdemandwillbeachievable asorganicproduceissubstantiallymore expensive?

Answer:

Wechosetoconverttoorganicprimarilybecause wefeltwealreadywereaswe’veneverused fertilizers&pesticidesthatmuchandfeltitshould

berecognized.Theconversionpaymentinthe earlystagesofthefarmwasawelcomeboost.We thinkLambisoneofthemostorganicproductsout thereanyway,sowedidn’tfeelitwasabigshift movingtowardsaccreditation.Therewillalwaysbe peoplewhowanttobuythecheapestcuts,and thereisalwaysthosethatwantthebest.

Question:

Now,you’vebeendescribedasa‘Unique& Dynamicideathatistruly innovativeintheirchosenfield’ bytheBritishFarmingAwards uponwinningGoldforyour Sheepdogschool.Howdoes beingrecognizedforyour diversificationmakeyoufeel?

Answer:

Itwasamazingtoberecognized bytheBritishFarmingAwards. Wefeltprivilegedtobe nominatedandoverwhelmedto havewonintwocategorieswhat startedoutasanideaayear agohasblossomedintooneof themainbranchesofthefarms incomeofwhichwearevery proud.

Question:

Withallyoursuccessofbecominganauthor,being televisedon‘ThisFarmingLife’,howdoesitfeelto havethepublicinvestinyou,supportingyour amazingjourney?

Answer:

We’veneversoughtcelebritystatus,nordowefeel wehaveit,it’sjustnicetoberecognizedwithin agriculture.I’malsoincrediblyproudwhenyoung womenandgirlscomeuptomeandsaythat they’vebeeninspiredbymystory.It’sthegreatest partofwhatwe’vedone.

Question:

Whatadvicewouldyougivetoanyonethat’s consideringfollowinginyourfootsteps?

Answer:

Ithinkthere’smorewomeninagriculture,andwith morerolemodels.TheadviceIwouldgiveisto havefaithinyourselfandtrustyourowninstincts andbesureit’swhatyoureallywanttodoasit’s notforeveryonewithplentyofbumpsintheroad.

Answer:

I’vemadenosecretofthefactthatI foundadaptingtomotherhoodquite difficultintheearlystages.I’mvery luckythatEwanbearsmorethathisfair shareofparenting.What’snext?Good question!Weintendtogrowour Sheepdogschool,andwe’vetaken adviceonthis.Anditseemsthebest waytodothisistostartaYouTube channel.Sothatlaunchesthismonth. We’rekindofexcitedaboutitand terrified!

Question:

Christmasisfastapproaching,andLen isnowatthatmagicalage,sodoyou haveanytraditions?

Answer:

TobehonestlastChristmaswasthefirst Christmaswehadn’tspenttimeatmy mum&dad’s,wehadsomanycattlein bed&breakfastthatwejustcouldn’t leavesobythetimeallthejobsweredoneitwas already2o’clock!ButthisyearIthinkitwillbe moreofarelaxedaffairandLenisreallylooking forwardtoitwhichisinfectious!Hehasalistas longasyourarmofthingshewants,prettymuch everythinghewatchesonTVbutfornowIthinkit’s aBuzzLightyear.

Question:

Aninspirationalwomanyourselftomany,howdo youmanagemotherhoodwithfarmingandnow beingawifetoEwan?Andwhat’shappeningnext forthisformidableduo?

DORSETFARMERSLOOKING OUTFOREACHOTHER DURINGWINTERMONTHS

Thefarmingcommunityin Dorsetissettobenefit fromanewinitiativeto encouragepeopletobe ‘Lookouts’intheirlocal area,watchingforsignsthatothers maybeexperiencingdifficulties-and encouragingthemtotalk.

The‘DorsetLookouts’groupismade upofpeoplewholiveandworkinthe agriculturalindustryandunderstand thechallengesthatfarmingfacesover thecomingyears.

NationalcharityThe Farming Community Network(FCN)is workingwiththe groupandproviding trainingand support.FCNhasa widenetworkof volunteerslocated throughoutEngland andWales, includingagroupof volunteersinDorset.

NickViney,Dorset FCNvolunteerand Lookout coordinator, said:“Weknowthat earlyinterventionis soimportant–the soonerwerecognise thatwemayneed helpandstart talking,thebettertheoutcomes. Thereisstillstigmainfarmingabout mentalhealthandpeopleoftenadopt the‘toughasoldboots’approach.But recognisingweallneedhelpatsome pointandthatseekingsupportisa strength,notaweakness,isvery important.”

FarmerTrevorCliggfromPipplepen FarminDorsetispartofthe Lookoutsinitiative.Heexplainedthat whilstfarmingisawonderfuljob,the

industryisgoingthroughaperiodof changeandthatcanbechallenging, bothfromabusinessperspectiveand personally.

Trevorsaid:“Thereisastrong communityspiritinfarmingandwe needtolookoutforeachotherover thenextfewyearsasweadapttoaset ofnewrulesandpolicies.Knowing thesignsthatsomeonemightbe findingthingsdifficultandbeingable tostartaconversationandconnect thatpersonwithsupportwillbereally

agronomistsandvets.

Theinitiativeistimely,launching duringthewintermonthswhenthere canbeincreasedlonelinessand isolationinfarmingandfewersocial opportunities.

CharmainDascombe,FCN’sRegional SupportOfficerinDorset,explained howthecharitywillbeworkingwith thegroup:“Thisisverymucha farming-ledinitiative.FCNwill providetrainingtothegroupand ensurethat Lookoutsare closelyaligned withour Helplineand localvolunteers whocanprovide morespecialist supportif required.The Lookoutswill forman important‘firstresponder’role alongsideFCN volunteers.”

Lookoutswillbe activeatlocal eventsand showsinDorset through2023.

important.

“Depressionandanxietycanhappen toanyoneandthoseexperiencing poormentalhealthareoftenhidingin plainsight.Recognisingthesigns earlybeforeapersonreachescrisis pointiscrucial.”

Thegrouphasarangeofmembersof differentagesandexperiences, includingpeoplewhoarefarmingand somewhoworkwithbusinessesthat provideagri-services,suchas

Ifyouwould liketobecomea Lookoutinyour localcommunity,findoutmoreabout therole,orareconcernedabout someone,pleasecall03000111999 andmentionDorsetLookouts,or emailhelp@fcn.org.ukandyouwill beconnectedthroughtothegroup.

MoreinformationabouttheLookouts projectisavailableviatheFCN websitehere:https://fcn.org.uk/ lookouts/

FamousFarmingFacesUnitetoRaiseSpirits thisWinter.AgriculturalcharityRSABIadapts SilentNighttohelptackleruralloneliness

Ahostoffamousfarming faceshaveunitedto recordanadaptationof "SilentNight"toraise awarenessofthe potentialforlonelinessinthe Scottishagriculturalcommunity thiswinter.

Theadaptedversionofthecarol waspulledtogetherbyRSABI, thecharitywhichsupports peopleinScottishagriculture,as partofits#KeepTalking campaigntoencouragepeoplein Scottishfarmingtolookoutfor eachotherthiswinter.

Whilethestandardofthe singingvariesintherecording, themessageprevailsthatthe wintermonthscanbe particularlychallengingfor farmersandcroftersandavisit orakindwordortwocanmake ahugedifference.

Lyricssuchas"Sopickupthe phoneandmaksomeone'sday, It'snotheweathertobeout makin'hay"and"talkto someone–wecare"aresungby famousfacesincludingThe HoofGP,GraemeParker; Landwardpresenter,Cammy WilsonfromSheepGame; shepherdess,EmmaGrayfrom ThisFarmingLifeand comedianJimSmith.

Ahostofauctioneersfrom aroundthecountryalsosing theirheartsoutintherecording, includingJimCraig(James CraigLtd,Ayr),brothersScott andFraserChapmanandColin Slessor(ANM,Thainstone), GrahamLow(OrkneyMart)and FarquharMacrae(United Auctions,Huntly).

Othersappearinginthe recordinginclude;Graham Bruce,ManagingDirectorof Ringlinkandhisteam;Lucy Mitchell,ChairofScottish AssociationofYoungFarmers Clubs;JoyceCampbellandsome

oftheArmadaleFarmteam;and MartinKennedy,Presidentof NFUScotlandwithhisdaughter Katrina.

RSABItrusteesJimmyMcLean andDavidLeggat,andstaff

membersMaryAnneMcWilliam andCarolMcLarenalsotakepart intherecording,alongwith supportersChristineCuthbertson, LornaPatersonandKevin Gilbert.

Thelight-heartedvideowhichthe charityhopeswillraiseafew smiles,hasaseriousmessageatits coreasitaimstoraiseawareness ofpeopleofallagesinfarming communitieswhomaybemore vulnerabletolonelinessand isolationduringthewinter months,withlittledaylight, freezingtemperaturesandworries aboutcostoflivingandrising inputcosts.

ThesongispartofRSABI's

#KeepTalkingcampaignwhichis urgingpeopletolookoutforsigns thatsomeonemaybestruggling withtheirmentalhealthand,if theyspotanythingofconcern,to havetheconfidencetoreachout andencouragethemtogetsupport fromorganisationslikeRSABI.

Talkingaboutthevideo,RSABI ChiefExecutiveCarolMcLaren said:"We'vehadincredible supportfromfriendsand colleaguesinthefarming

communityandourthanksgoto everyonewhohelpedusrecordthe song.

"Thereisnodoubtthatthe standardofthesingingvaries throughtheversesbutthatispart ofwhatmakesitsospecial,and ourhopeisthatitnotonlyraisesa smilebutalsoremindspeopleto lookaroundthemtoseewho coulddowithsomesupport.

"Thewintermonthsare traditionallyatoughtimefor farmingfolk,withmudandcold tocontendwithveryoften workinglonghoursontheirown. Itcanbeeasytogetabitdown andwehopethatwatchingthe videowillinspirepeopletoreach outtosomeonetheyhaven't heardfrominawhile.Justa smallgesturecouldmakea massivedifferencetohow someoneisfeeling.

"RSABIoffersemotional, practicalandfinancialsupport.A free,confidentialsupportservice isavailable24/7,includingover ChristmasandNewYear.Please don'thesitatetogetintouchby callingFreephone08081234555, emailinghelpline@rsabi.org. ukorusingthewebchatservice onourwebsite."

TheSilentNightvideoisjust oneinaseriesofinitiativesby RSABIencouragingfarmersto #KeppTalkingandsupporting goodmentalhealthinpeopleof allagesinvolvedinfarmingand croftingthiswinter.RSABIis raisingawarenessofthe'Carolsat theMarts'eventsacrossScotland andistriallingaThrivemental wellbeingappinpartnership withtheScottishAssociationof YoungFarmers'Clubs(SAYFC).

Asthetemperatureplummets, thecharityisalsoreminding peopleaboutitsHelpforHeating grantsavailabletopeople strugglingwiththecostsof heatingtheirhomes.

ThefullRSABISilentNight videocanbeviewedbyclicking ontheimage.

ynameisLisaCorcoran,Iam 43-year-oldafirst-generation farmer,marriedtoAndywho worksfulltime,wehavetwo teenagedaughtersone studyingatuniversityandthe otheratcollege.Ihavealways hadaninterestinfarmingbuthadneverhadthe opportunitytoworkinitwhilstlivinginKentandwas workinginaroleinadultsocialwork.Wesadlyhad afamilybereavementin2016,itgaveusthe opportunitytore-evaluatewhatwewantedtodo, andwetooktheopportunitytorelocateover300

milestotheedgeoftheDurhamDalestooursmall farmwhichIrunmuchofthetimeonmyown althoughAndyhelpsattheweekendsandholidays.

Ihavealwayslovedpigsandprimarilythey weretheanimalsIwantedtokeeponourfarm. AfteralotofresearchandhelpfromtheOxford SandyandBlackPigFoundationCharity,I decidedtogowiththeOxfordSandyandBlack pigbreedtohelpconservethem,theyalso seemedaperfectfitforoursituation.Theyare docile,veryhardy,producebeautifulporkand bacon,andcharcuterieandraisingthemfor meathelpstosustaintheirnumbers.Ikeep4 ofthe17bloodlinesandamhopingtoadd anotherbloodlinetotheherdnextyear.

Ourpigsliveoutsideallyearround,althoughraising themoutdoorsisnotwithoutitschallenges,the mainonebeingtheweatherandthegroundcan becomeverymuddyintheWinter,Iputdownstraw inboggyareasandarecreatingraisedfeeding stations.TheOxfordSandyandBlackpigscope remarkablywell through,snow, wind,and torrentialrain.The pigpaddocksare setupsothatwe canrotatethepig pensallowing themtorestandI canthenreseed usingCotswold seedspigrooting mix.Andnextyear Iamgoingtobe addinganherbal leytotryandgetadeeperrootgrowth.Iuseelectric fencewhichallowsustorotateourlargerpaddocks andluckilythepigsrespectit.

AlongsidethepigsIalsokeepasmallflockof pedigreeColoured Ryelandsheep,I primarilykeep themfortheir fleece,somedo goformeattooas eitherhoggetor mutton.Coloured Ryeland'shave themostbeautiful fleecethatcomes inarangeof assortedcolours.I

havetaughtmyselftohandshearoverthelastfew yearsandenjoytheentireprocessofbeingableto sheartheneitherhandspinorturntherawfleece intorugsandcushions,whichgivesmearealsense ofpride.

Ihavealways wantedto workwith cattleand havebeen luckyenough tohavebeen giventhe brilliant opportunityto reliefmilk andcalfrear atAcorn OrganicDairy whohavea herdof500 dairyshorthorncows.Thefarmteamhavebeenso welcomingandsupportive.Thetraininghasbeen brilliant,andIloveeveryminuteofworkingthere.I donotevenmindtheearlymorningalarmcalls. WorkingatthedairyhasshownthateventuallyI wouldliketohavesomecattleofmyownbutfor nowIwillcontinuereliefworkingtogetmycowand calftime.

Toanyotherwomenconsideringmakingtheleapto

LowCarbonAgricultureShow

AttheLowCarbon AgricultureShow (7-8Februaryat NAECStoneleigh), farmerswhowant todiversifyinto renewableenergyhavean excellentopportunitytolookat whatequipmentwillbebest.

Notallpumpsaresuitablefor whatnotsurprisinglycanbe hard-to-managefeedstockssuch asmanureandwastefruitand vegetables.Paybackiscrucial too,sothepopulareventat Stoneleighisachancetolook first-handatwhichcompanies haveproventrack-recordsin farm-basedbiogasplants.

Onstandnumber306,familyownedBorgerhasseverallonglastingsolutionsforbiogas, includingaprovenrangeof pumpsforfeedingbiomassintoa biogasplant,plusaSeparator thatseparatessolidfromliquid partsindigestatesandliquid manure.

TomatoproducerGuy&Wright investedinaBorgerMulticrusherin2008toreduce feedstockparticlesizesdownto 8mmtoenhancethebiogas process.TheHertfordshire-

basedtomatobusinesshassince boughtasecondBorgerMulticrusher–andaBorger Separatorwhichhassuccessfully addressedaproblemoflosing capacityatthefarm’slagoon.

Staffordshire-basedBorgerhasbeenbusydeliveringawiderangeofpump andprocessingsolutionsforfamersdiversifyingintorenewableenergy

noperatorofa biogasplantwas lookingfora reliablepumpto transferahighly abrasivebiogas substratefromafermentertoa secondaryfermenter.The existingpumpsufferedfrom extremewearontherotor.Itwas essentialfortheoperatorofthe biogasplanttohaveapumponsitewithalongservicelife,low wearandeasymaintenancefor servicing.Duetothedesignof thepipelinesystem,thepump hadtobeabletocopewith pressureof-0.4bar.Since switchingtoaRotaryLobePump madebyBorger,therehave beennoissues.Designedwith Borger’sMaintenance-in-Place, lookingafterthepumpisnowso mucheasier;requiringonlybasic tools–andthespeedof theBorgerpumpiscontrolledby afrequencyconverter,

dependingonthenegative pressure.

Anotherfarm-basedAD/Biogas plantwasinthemarketforan effectiveseparator,asDavid Brown,Borger’sManaging Director,explained:

“Theplantoperatorhadnoticed thatthesolidscontentinthe fermenterandthesecondary fermenterwastoohigh,sohe neededastrongandefficient separatortoremovesolidsfrom thesubstrate”.

ThecustomeroptedforaBörger BioselectRC40, “Forthisfarm”addedDavid Brown,“theeasyhandlingand looseconsistencyofthesolids werekeyfactorsinthedecision. TheSeparatorisveryenergy efficient,andleakproof.TheDS (drysolids)contentcanbeeasily adjusted;manuallyor

automatically.Wealsosupplieda BorgerPL200RotaryLobe Pumptoconveythesubstrate fromthefermentertothe Bioselect.Weareveryproudof thisSeparatorrange.Ithas provedverypopularindeed-and withgoodreason”.

Acknowledgedforleadingthelow carbontechnologywaywhenitcomes totractors,ReesinkAgricultureis bringingtheindustry’sfirstall-electric tractorfromFarmtractotheLow CarbonAgricultureShow.Thiswillbe joinedbyBigToolRack’sUltimateRackforthe ultimateintractorcargospace.

Farmtrac’sFT25Giscriticallyacclaimedforbringing zeroemissions,minimalnoiseandvibration,high energyefficiency,andlowoperatingand maintenancecoststotheUK’sfarmingsector.

Ithasledthewaywiththegrowing industryfocusonmovingaway fromfossilfuelstoloworzero emissionproductssinceit launchedtwoyearsago andinthattimehas provenitselfasmore thancapableof equallingthe performanceofits diesel counterparts, somethingFully Charged’s presenterRobert Llewellynand farmerAdam Henson discoveredwhen theyreviewedit andputitthrough itspacesaround thefarmforBBC’s CountryfileandFully ChargedYouTube channel.

Itispoweredbya22kwh batterypack,hasaliftcapacityof 450kgandboastsworldclass componentsincludingtransmissionsdesigned andproducedbyCarraroandhydraulicsystems fromMITA,todeliverasuperiorperformance whateverthetask.

WhenthatiscoupledwiththeUltimateRackfrom BigToolRackmanyofthecommonfrustrationsofa lackofcargospaceonatractoraresolved. Providingorganised,securestorageforacompact orsub-compacttractororutilityvehicleinseconds, theUltimateRackisinanutshell,theSwissArmy Knifeoftoolcarryingattachments.

Itfeaturesalargecargoarea(withaloadcapacity

of272kgsandtailgatecapacityof113kgs)and providesspacetosecurelyattachtoolsoutofthe wayofthecargoarea.There’snoneedtobuya ballastboxseparately;thecounterweightoption whenmovingheavyloadswithaloadercanbe usedinstead.Atrailerhitchfeatureandtelescopic wheelsystemconverttherackintoaroll-away storagesystemtoneatlystoretoolsintheshed, andit’sjustaseasilyretrievedandattachedback ontothetractor.

There’sarangeofcustomisableadd-onsanditcan beusedall-year-round.Unliketow-behindtrailersor transportboxes,itcanbekeptoutoftheway andwon’tbecomeahindranceby takingupspaceorbeingtoo heavytomanoeuvre.

StevenHaynes,sales manageratReesink Agriculture,says: “Focusedon technologyand renewable energies,Low Carbon AgricultureShow welcomes forward-thinking agronomistsfrom alloverthe countrywithone goalinmind:to findlowcarbon solutionsto increasetheir business’s productivitywhile fightingclimatechange. TheFarmtracall-electric tractorwithitslithium-ion batteryisahugetickinthat box.”

TheFT25Gofferstheperfectcleanenergyoption forfarmers,landownersandindustryoperators lookingtoreducetheircarbonfootprintandwiththe additionoftheUltimateRackattachment productivityandefficiencyisonlyenhanced.”

RESacquirescuttingedgeanalyticscompany topoweritsdigitaltransformation

REShasacquired Anemo Analytics,an innovative Danish technologyandengineering companywhichoffers sophisticatedwindturbine analyticssolutions thatenableimproved monitoringandoptimisation ofassets.Anemo'scuttingedgetechnologywill supportREStofurther diversifythetypesof servicesandsolutions itoffersitsclients, complementingitsexisting in-housetechnicalteamand leadingdata-drivensoftware solutions.Buildingonthis withAnemosolutionsallows forevenmoresophisticated diagnostics,moreaccurate decision-makingprocesses, supportingmorepredictive maintenanceandresulting

inbetterAnnualEnergy Productionandreduced assetdowntime.

EduardoMedina,RES CEO,commented, "AnemoAnalytics'solutions fitperfectlywithourSupport Servicesofferingandwill significantlybenefit ourcustomers.Thereisa hugeopportunitytoimprove assetperformance throughanalytics, softandhard-techsolutions, especiallywhencombined withassetmanagementand O&Mteamspushing themselvestodelivermore forourclients.Welook forwardtowelcomingthe AnemoAnalyticsteamto theRESfamily."

MichaelJohansen,Anemo AnalyticsCEOadded, "Thereareclearsynergies withRES'scaleofambition

andpotentialtoenhance whatwe'redoing.Wehave anindustryleading solutionthatprovidesa uniqueabilitytomonitor windassetsandimprove theirperformance.Wehave grownsignificantlyoverthe lastsixyearsandlook forwardtocollaboratingwith RES'techexpertsaswe increaseandenhance theservicesweprovide."

Theacquisitionrepresents anotherimportantmilestone inRES'growthstrategy, followingtheacquisitionof BlueshoreinAustralia earlierthisyear.Completion ofthetransactionremains subjecttotheapprovalfrom theDanishBusiness Authority.

Crucialrenewableenergysector toseetaxesrisebyupto30%

peratorsofbothgas togridand electricalADplants arefacinghigher businessratesafter theUKgovernment changedthewayitcalculatesthe ratesassessmentswhichforms thebasisofratesbills.Analysis byHandelRatingConsultants–aleadingexpertspecialisingin thesectorsuggeststheincrease couldbeasmuchas30%per annumforgastogridplantsand atleast20%forelectrical combinedheatandpower(CHP) plants.

Manyoftheseplantsare operatedbyfarmers–already facingsteeprisesincostsand bruisedbyinconsistent governmentpolicies.Recentdata saystherearenow702 anaerobicdigestionsitesinthe UK,mostlylocatedonfarms.

TheGovernmentiscontinuingto supportgastogridplantsand hasambitioustargetstomore thandoublecapacityby2030.

Thetaxinquestion,business rates,issomethingalmostevery UKbusinesshastopaywiththe chargebeingbasedonan estimateoftheannualrental valueofthepremises.Thetax bringsinsome£26bntoHM Treasury,withtheValuation OfficeAgency(VOA),partofHM RevenueandCustoms,being responsibleforsettingrateable valuesandlocalcouncilsfor collectingthetax.Thereare morefactsatthebottomofthis

pressrelease.

Thechangestobusinessrates havecomeaboutfollowingthe Chancellor'sannouncementlast weekthattherevaluationof businessrateswillgoaheadas plannedfromApril2023.The newvalueswerepublished followingtheAutumnStatement.

TheriseintheratesbillsofAD operatorsmirrorstherisesfaced bymostotherrenewablepower generatorsincludingonshore

windandsolarandwilladdtens ofmillionsofpoundstothebills andrisksharmingmuchneeded investment.

ChrisHuhne,chairmanof theAnaerobicDigestionand Bioresources Association(ADBA)says:"This increaseinbusinessratesforAD isaddingyetmorestrainontoan industrythatisalreadyfacing risingsupplychainandfeedstock costs.Theprospectthatrates

couldincreasebyupto30%isa blowforthesectorwhen governmentshouldbesupporting home-grownproductionofgreen electricityandgas.ADproducts –biofertilisersandbioCO2as well–increaseenergysecurity andhelpmeetclimatetargets."

StNicholasCourtFarmsinKent runtwogas-to-gridADplants whicharefedonmaizeandrye silage.Theyhaveseentheir combinedRateableValue increasefrom£144,000in2017 to£810,000in2023.OwnerJim Pacesays:"Suchincreases hardlypaintapictureofa governmentwantingto encourageinvestmentin renewables.Itfeelsmuchmore thatwearebeingpenalisedfor showinganentrepreneurial

spirit."

"Itreallyisquitedepressingand worrying",hecontinues,"ata timewhenalloftheotherinputs neededacrossthefarmare goingthroughtherooftobehit witha400%increaseinproperty tax."

Farmersandoperatorshavethe righttoappealtotheValuation OfficeAgencyiftheythinktheir ratesassessmentistoohigh. Itrequiresexpertadviceand carefulnegotiationbutcanlead tosignificantlylowerbills.

ChrisHandel,managingdirector ofHandelRatingConsultants, comments:"Understandingthe operationalriskandchallenges ofoperatingADplantsiskeyto

challengingtheratingvaluations nowbeingset.Asaspecialistin therenewablesfield,we understandtheseoperational considerationsandhavealready embarkedonchallengestothe VOA'sapproachtotheir valuationsofADplants.If successful,thesechallengeswill supportthecaseforreductionsin thenewvaluationsofthese plantsfrom1April2023."

Anyonerequiringmore informationabouthigher businessratesorhowto challengetheValuationOffice AgencycanobtainitfromHandel RatingConsultantsdirectlyat info@handelrating.comortel: 07985813859

Pineneedlesofferkeyenergysolution

ArealChristmastree isthecentrepiece ofmany households'festive decorationsbut

apartfromfillingtheroomwitha woodyfragrance,pineneedles haveakeyroletoplayin addressingchallengesrelatingto energy.

Cellulosicpineneedles(CPNs) arethelargestsourceof renewablebiomassproduced worldwide.Theycanalsobe usedinarangeofbioproducts, especiallyforagri-foodenergy sectors.

However,areviewby researchersatScotland'sRural College(SRUC),inpartnership withscientistsatSriSai UniversityandSher-e-Kashmir UniversityofAgricultural SciencesandTechnologyof JammuinIndia,foundCPN wasteiscurrentlyunderutilised.

Theysaidtomaximisethe environmentalbenefitsofpine needles,itwasnecessaryto scaleuptherangeofprocesses forcreatingvalue-added products.

Thisincludesgasificationtoturn CPNsintobioenergy;pyrolysis–theuseofextremeheat–to createvariouscarbon-based waterpurificationmaterials;and saccharificationcombinedwith

fermentationtoproduce bioethanolyields.Inaddition, nanocelluloseextractedfrom CPNscanbeusedaspacking materials.

VijaiKumarGupta,Senior ChallengeResearchFellowat SRUC,said:"Cellulosicpine needlesaresubstantiallybetter thancoalintermsofthe economicbenefitsofbio-energy generationatdifferent CO2emissionreductions.

"CPNwastesareunderutilised, buttheyhaveremarkable potentialtoactasfeedstockfor generatingbio-basedproducts andbioenergy."

Co-authorProfessorVijayThakur added:"Tomaximisethe environmentalbenefits,itis criticaltoutilisethefull valorisationpotentialofCPNs, developingvariousbiobased producttypesforsustainable biorefineriesandthecircular economyconcepts."

Thereviewwaspublished byBioresourceTechnology.

SelectiveSolarEnergyCellsthatProduceGreenElectricity whileAllowingAgriculturalCultivationoftheGroundBelow

ThisinnovationwillreducethecostofenergyperkWhinIsraelby75%; CoveringhalfthegreenhousesinIsraelwiththesenewcellswillresultin greenelectricityproductionexceedingIsrael’snationaltargetfor2050

Afruitful interdisciplinary collaboration betweenProf.Haim Rabinowitchofthe HebrewUniversity’s RobertH.SmithFacultyof Agriculture,Foodand Environment,andProf.Lioz EtgaroffromtheInstituteof ChemistryattheHebrew Universityyieldedaprototypefor anewsolarcellwhoseefficiency hasbeentechnologicallyproven andwhoseperformancestands todramaticallychangetherules ofthegameregardingsolar energyandagricultural production.Thisinnovativesolar cellisdesignedtofullycover agriculturalareas(including greenhouses,orchards,and fields)andwaterbodieswhile simultaneouslygeneratinggreen electricityandagricultural production,withoutinterruptionof naturalhabitatsunderthePV panels,withoutusingupnatural resources,andwithoutharming theenvironment.

Thenewsolarcellsarebasedon perovskitecrystalsandare producedinarelatively straightforwardprocessusing cheapandavailablematerials.A chemicalsubstitutionmakesthe solarcellstransparenttothe mostefficientareaofthelight spectrumthatdrives photosynthesis,whileagreat partoftherestofthelightenergy istransformedintoelectricity. Prof.LiozEtgarexplains:“For years,ithasbeenobviousthat mostlightenergyinagricultural greenhousesiswasted,asplants useonlyafractionofthesunlight energy,whiletherestisradiated backintotheatmosphere.In greenhouses,itbecomesheat energy,thatgrowersneedtoget ridofduringmostmonthsofthe year.”Hecontinues:“Our solutionmaximizesthe productionofsolarelectricityon

agriculturallandbyupto300%.” Thenewcellsareexpectedto havemuchlowerproduction coststhansilicon-based photovoltaiccells,andwillalso significantlyimprovecultivation conditionsingreenhousesby reducingheat,lowering greenhousegasemissionsand evapotranspiration,savingwater, andprotectingcropsfrom weatherdamage,aswellas offeringpartialprotectionfrom pestsanddisease.

Allexistingtechnologiesforthe generationofgreenpoweron agriculturallandsdeploysiliconbasedphotovoltaiccells,which areeitherfullyopaqueoronly partiallytransparenttomostof thelightspectrumorlaidin alternativearrays,thusresulting inlowerefficiencyofpower generationandconcomitantly reducedagriculturalproduction. Prof.HaimRabinowitch:“This newdevelopment,whichcanbe installedoveranyagricultural landsandanybodiesofwater, willmakeitpossibletofully replacetheroofsofmost agriculturalgreenhouses,reduce heatlevelsand evapotranspirationinorchards andfields,andimpairmentof manyfresh-waterandcoastal marineecosystemsonwhich raftsorislandsofsolarcellsare installed.”

Calculationsbasedoncurrent dataindicatethattheuseof thesenewcellswillreducethe priceofenergyperkWhinIsrael by75%,whichwilllower agriculturalcostsandincrease agriculturalincomeand profitability.Thisisnothingless thanarevolution.Israelhasa totalofaround90,000dunams (9,000hectares)ofgreenhouses. Coveringthegreenhousesroofs ofhalfofthesewiththenewsolar cellswillprovideaquantityof greenelectricitythatenable Israeltoexceedits2050national

targetsforgreenelectricity productionandcarbonemission reduction.Togiveagreateridea oftheeconomicpotentialofthis development,theMediterranean basinaloneholdsaround2 milliondunams(200,000 hectares)ofgreenhouses. Astudypublishedin2018in GlobalFoodSecurityshowed thatthevalueofvegetable cultivationconstitutesaround 30%oftheoverallvalueofall cropscombined,measuredat around$1.85billion.Theprocess ofphotosynthesiswithwhichall cropsaregrownusesabout10% ofthetotalavailablelightenergy fromthesun.Thus,itwasonlya matteroftimebefore groundbreakingcreative researchwouldcomeupwitha farmoreefficientsolutionforthe combinedproductionofelectricity andagriculturalproduce,utilizing theremaining90%ofsolar energythatisnotusedin photosynthesis.

TheideadevelopedbyProf. RabinowitchandProf.Etgar,and theirresearchprogram,were assessedbytheIsraelInnovation Authority,whichprovideda generousresearchgrant.The provenresultsofthisresearch werepromotedbytheHebrew University’stechnology-transfer Yissumandformedthebasisfor partnershipwiththeRedSolar Flowerinitiative,ledbyDr.Shai DanzigerandIlanSharon.The successfulresearchprojectto developthesolarcells,along withtheYissum-RedSolar Flowerpartnership,wererecently recognizedwiththeawardoffirst placeintheEnergyTech Challenge,ledbytheDigital SolarEdgecompany,aspartof theClimateSolutionsPrize organizedbyStart-UpNation Central.

ShouldYouCarryOutAWinter InspectionOnYourSteelBuilding?

Whatisawinterinspection?

Awinterinspectionisaregular safetyinspectionthatshould becarriedoutonyoursteel buildingtoensurethatitissafetouse duringthewintermonths.Theinspection shouldincludeacheckoftheroof, windows,doors,andsealstomakesure thattheyareallingoodconditionand weather-tight.

Whyisitimportanttocarryouta winterinspection?

Carryingoutawinterinspectiononyour steelbuildingisimportantbecauseithelps toensurethatthebuildingissafetouse duringthewintermonths.Theinspection shouldincludeacheckoftheroof, windows,doors,andsealstomakesure thattheyareallingoodconditionand weather-tight.Bycarryingoutaregular winterinspection,youcanhelptoprevent anyproblemsfromoccurringandkeep yoursteelbuildingingoodcondition Whataresomeofthethingsthatare checkedduringawinterinspection?

Theroof

Inspectingtheroofisoneofthemost importantpartsofawinterinspection.The roofshouldbecheckedforsignsof damage,suchasleaksormissingtiles, andforanysignsoficeorsnowbuild-up. Ifthereisanydamageorsnow/icebuildup,itshouldbefixedimmediatelyto preventfurtherdamageandensurethe safetyofthebuilding.

Doorseals

Doorsealsareanimportantpartofa winterinspectionastheyhelptokeepthe buildingweather-tight.Ifthesealsare damagedorworn,theycanallowcoldair andmoisturetoenterthebuilding,which cancausedamagetothestructureand

insulation.Byinspectingthesealsand repairinganydamage,youcanhelpto keepyourbuildingsafeandwarmduring thewintermonths.

Theinsulationinwalls,ceilings,and

floors

Oneofthemostimportantpartsofa winterinspectionischeckingthe insulationinwalls,ceilings,andfloors.By inspectingtheinsulationandrepairingany damage,youcanhelptokeepyour buildingsafeandwarmduringthewinter months.

Whatshouldyoudoifyoufindany damageduringtheinspection?

Ifyoufindanydamageduringthe inspection,itisimportanttohaveit repairedassoonaspossible.Depending ontheseverityofthedamage,youmay needtohireaprofessionaltocarryoutthe repairs.However,ifthedamageis relativelyminor,youmaybeabletorepair ityourself.Eitherway,itisimportanttoget theproblemfixedassoonaspossibleto avoidanyfurtherdamagetoyourbuilding.

Howoftenshouldyouhavean inspectioncarriedoutonyoursteel building?

Itisgenerallyrecommendedthatyou haveaninspectioncarriedoutoncea year,preferablyintheautumnorspring. However,ifyouliveinanareawithahigh riskofsevereweather,itmaybe necessarytohavetheinspectioncarried outmorefrequently.

GetintouchwithBuildingsUKtodayfor moreinformationonoursteel-framed buildings. 01299488988 info@buildings-uk.com www.buildings-uk.com

ithdarknightsuponus,ruralareascan providerichpickingsforcriminals–sothe CLAisissuingsometoptipstohelp protecthomesandproperty.

Whilethecostofruralcrimedipped slightlyoverallduringthepandemic,indicationsreveal thatin2022thieveshavebeenmakingupforlosttime. Andwiththecostoflivingcrisisbitingandpricesof essentialfarmequipmentandfuelsoaring,crimecould rocketinthemonthsahead,sonowisthetimetoact.

Thecostofagriculturalvehicletheftclaimsstandsat morethan£9mayearintheUK,asorganisedcriminal gangstargetfarmyardsforhigh-valuetractors,GPS systemsandtrailers.QuadandATVtheftcost£2m,with incidentsusuallypeakinginthewintermonths.

TheCountryLandandBusinessAssociation(CLA) representsthousandsoffarmers,landownersandrural businesses.Theorganisationisinregularcontactwith policeforcestoensuretheproblemofruralcrimeisnot ignored.Weworkwithruraltaskforces,farmwatch schemesandtheNationalRuralCrimeNetwork,and encouragefarmers,landmanagersandlandownersto recordandreportsuspiciousvehiclesandactivityintheir area.

CLASouthEastworksacrossKent,Hampshire,Surrey, Sussex,Berkshire,Buckinghamshire,Oxfordshireand theIsleofWight.RegionalDirectorTimBamfordsaid: “Wemightbeapproachingtheseasonofgoodwill,but criminalswillthinknothingoftakingadvantageofthis timeofyear.

“Underreportingmakesruralcrimefigureslooklessofa problemandthisreducesthelikelihoodofpolice resourcesbeingfocusedontheissue,sowewouldurge anyvictimstoreporttheirexperiences,includingany suspiciousactivity,tothepolice.”

Herearesomeofourtips:

Homes:Donotleaveanykeysinsightofdoorsand windows(whichshouldbelocked).Itisnotuncommon forthievesto‘fish’forkeysthroughletterboxesorsmall openwindows.

Oiltheft:Basicsecuritymeasuressuchasmakingthe tankdifficulttoaccess,well-litandlockedcandiscourage thepotentialthief.

Onlinefraud:Watchoutforfraudsterstelephoningand posingasyourbankoranothertrustedorganisation.The messageisclear:nevergivepersonalorbankdetails overthephoneevenifyouthinkitisgenuine.

Poachingandwildlifecrime:Atthistimeofyear,food risestothetopofeveryone’swishlistandpoachersare noexception,somakesureitisdifficultforthemto accessyourland.Aswellasthedamagecausedto propertyandwildlife,anymeatorfishsoldoncouldbe unfitforhumanconsumption.Sobesurethatyouknow whereyourfoodcomesfrom.Donotchallengepoachers

yourselfbutcallthepolicevia999.

Businessburglary:Criminalsknowmanybusinesses closeovertheholidays,sodoublecheckalldoorsand windowsarelocked,setalarmsandmakesuresecurity lightsareworking.

Fly-tipping:OverthefestiveseasonallthatChristmas wrapping,treesandoldwhitegoodsandelectricalitems needtobedisposedof,butunfortunatelysomepeople donotwishtopayorsimplycannotbebotheredto disposeofsuchwasteresponsibly.Fly-tippingcanalso beonanindustrialscaleandcontaindangerousand hazardousitems,sopleasereportanyincidentstothe policeifinprogressoryourlocalauthority.

Ifyouseeanythingsuspicious,orareavictimofcrimeit isvitalyoureportitbycallingpoliceon101or999inan emergency.

FormoreinformationabouttheCLAanditswork, visithttps://www.cla.org.uk/in-your-area/south-east/and follow@CLASouthEastonTwitter.

WrittenbyMikeSims

CLASouthEastCommunicationsManager

Dronesarerapidlybecomingaweaponofchoicefor thievestargetingfarmmachineryandvehicles.The gatheringofintelligenceishappeningin'specificallytargeted'actionsbywell-organisedgangsandcriminals

Dronesarebeingpilotedoverfarmsand landbythievestoidentifypotential targets.Thisrelativelynewtechnology allowsthievestoexplorefarmsfromthe airwheretheywillbeusedtoidentify securityweakspots–theaerialfootageis allowingthievesto gainintelligence aboutfarm movements, buildings,entryand exitpoints,and securitysuchas CCTVcamerasandof courseequipmentand machinery–all withoutdetection.

Light-weightdrones donotrequirea licence-therefore, thepriceof unmannedaerial vehiclesisgetting lowerallthetimeand canbeaslittleasonly £50-£100.

QuadbikesandATVs areamongstthe biggesttargetforthievesowingtotheirportability,high valueandeasetosellworld-wide.Ownersofthese vehiclesarebeingencouragedtoincreasesecurity followingasignificantriseintheftsastheuseofdrones isrisingtoscopeoutfarmsandruralproperties. Eachyear,itisestimatedbetween800and1,100allterrainvehicles(ATVs)arestolenfromfarmsacrossthe UnitedKingdom-withcriminalstargetingrural communitiesbeforequicklysellingonstolenequipment andmachinery.

Atinypartcanmakeabigimpact–fuellingthe increaseintheftofATVs

Thisfigureissettoriseastheglobalshortageof componentsandmicrochipsisholdingupmanufacturing andacross-the-board–thisincludesATVsandQuad bikes.Beforethe supplychainissue,a farmercouldvisita localATVdealerand pickupareplacement vehiclewithease, sometimeswithina weekorsobutnow, there'sawaitinglist ofanythinguptoa year!

CESARCompact System

Identificationofstolen compactvehicles, suchasATVsand quadshasalready beenmadefareasier withCESAR.

Thisproven technologyisbeing utilisedbymost leadingmanufacturers,andmembersofthefarming communitycurrentlyretrofittheCESARCompact System,totheirnewandusedagriculturalvehicles.

TheCESARCompactSystemreducestheriskoftheftby enablingplantownerstoapplyapermanentidentification totheirassetsthroughacombinationofprovenDatatag technologiesincludingtamperevidentwarninglabels, RFIDtranspondersandDatadots®withforensicDNA solution.It'salsobackedbyDatatag'ssecure24/7 ContactCentre.

75thBritishCattleBreedingConference willcreatediscussion,debateandvision

The75thBritish CattleBreeding conferenceat TelfordHoteland GolfResort, Shropshire (Monday23rdtoWednesday 25thJanuary)willbringtogether expertknowledge,experience andopinionfromacrossthe industryintheUKandbeyond.

Withincreasingpressureson dairyandbeeffarmersthe openingsessionwillaskwhether itistimeforchange.Keynote speakerswillsharetheirinsight intothelatestchallengesand opportunities.

Openingthebeefday(Tuesday 24thJanuary)LucianneAllen, SalesandMarketingDirectorfor AubreyAllenwillexplorehowthe

NickEccles

industryisfaringinthewar againstmeat.JohnGilesof PromarInternationalwillthen shareinsightfromthesoftfruit industryandhowlessonslearned inthepast10to15yearscould benefitlivestockfarmers.

Thedairyday(Wednesday 25thJanuary)willopenwithDr JudithBryans,CEOofDairyUK whowillexploreUKandglobal consumers'consumptiontrends, consumersentimentand nutritionalneeds,andaddress someofthechallengesthatneed tobeovercomeifthe opportunitiesaretobe maximised.TimBrigstocke, PolicyDirectorforRABDF,will sharehispersonalreflectionson geneticprogressoverhis workinglifebutchallengethose workingintheindustrytobetter communicatewithfarmers.

Sustainablebreedingisabout morethannetzero–profitability, welfareandconsumerperception allneedtobeconsideredtoo. ThelineupofexpertspeakersArronNerbas,ProfGeoffSimm, TerencePye,BenNottage,

CatherinePickfordandProf RainerRoehe–willdiscussthe importanceofavoidingcarbon tunnelvisioninthesecond conferencesession.

Producingfunctionalcattlewhich performwellandthriveinour farmingsystemsisthefocusof thethirdsession.ProfPhil Garnsworthy,EricFontanillas,Dr LornaMacPherson,Gareth Mulligan,WietseDuursmaand PietervanGoorwilldiscuss fertilityandfeedefficiencyfor sustainableandprofitableherds.

Cross-breedingcanbeauseful strategytointroducehybrid vigourandboostsustainability andinsessionfourdelegateswill hearfromRichardPhelps,Aled Evans,JamesEvans,Rhys Davies,SeanChubbandTom Moorewhowillallexplorethe changesandgainstheyhave madeforasustainablebusiness.

Thefinalsessionofeachdaywill bededicatedtothebestofBritish breeding,withapanelsession consistingoffarmersfromacross theUKincludingJohnScott,

BridgetBorlase,PaulWilliams, NicholasEccles,ColinFerguson andAbiReader.

Workshopsduringthe conferencewillbededicatedto thebeefanddairysectors,with thebeefworkshopexploringthe sustainabilityofsucklerherds andthedairyworkshopcovering thepracticalapplicationof geneticsonfarm.

"Inour75thyear,wehave endeavouredtocreatea programmethathighlightsthe importanceofbreedingand geneticsincreatingasustainable Britishcattleindustryacrossall sectorscommercialandpedigree alike,"saidBCBCchairAmy Hughes.

Thefullprogrammeand registrationdetailsarenow availableonourwebsitewww. cattlebreeders.org.ukorcontact Heidiatheidi. bradbury@cattlebreeders.org. ukforfurtherinformation.

AbiReader

EnduraBolSheepgivesfarmersnew traceelementoptionsforflocks

Supplementingpregnanteweswithtraceelementsaheadofcritical foetaldevelopmentperiodisessentialforfutureflockperformance

Asewesreachthe criticalpre-lambing nutritionperiod, farmershaveanew optionfortrace element supplementationwithNettex’s launchofthenewEnduraBol Sheeprange.

EnduraBolbolustechnology features“singlepointerosion” thatensuresconsistentand

foetalgrowthtakesplacewhich putsahugenutritionaldemand ontheewe,”saysNiaWilliams, nutritionistandMarketing ManagerforNettex.“Aspregnant ewesheadintothiskeyperiod aheadoflambing,supplementing traceelementsisessentialto ensurefoetaldevelopmentand supportthefutureperformanceof boththelambandtheewe.”

Duringthispre-lambingstage, iodineisespecially essentialforthe foetustoproduce thyroidhormones whichcontributeto metabolicrate.Itis alsoessentialfor foetusdevelopment andlambsurvival. Whilebrassicasare apopularwinter grazingforage,they containcertain compoundsthat blockiodineuptake, making supplementation critical.

“Traceelementbolusingisideal foroptimisingsupplementation byprovidingaconsistentand steadyreleaseofthenutrientsto ensureallofthesheepare receivingtheirdailyrequirements foranextendedperiodoftime,” saysMrsWilliams.“Drenching requiresmultiplegatheringand handlingandprovidesalarge pulseofnutrientsthatwon’tbe abletobefullyabsorbed.Feed supplementationcanleadto varyingintakesforindividual sheepdependingonappetite, bullyingorcrowding.Weoften seeweakerorshysheepgetthe leastopportunity.However,a bolusensureseverysheepgets aconsistentamountoftrace elementsupplementation.”

UsingtheEnduraBolgun, bolusesareadministeredwith theMicrobullet,whichreduces theriskofcalcificationand ensurescontrollederosionofthe bolus.Oncethebolushas dissolvedoversixmonthswithin therumen,theMicrobulletwill begintobreakdown.

reliabledeliveryoffivetrace elementsandthreevitaminsfor uptosixmonthsforsheep weighingover40kg.Nutrients includehighlevelsof manganese,zinc,iodine,cobalt, seleniumandvitaminsA,D3and E.

TherangeincludesEnduraBol SheepandEnduraBolSheep+ Copper.EnduraBolSheep containsnocopperandis suitableforsensitivebreedsand highcopperareas.EnduraBol Sheep+Copperincludesthe sametraceelementandvitamin availabilityofEnduraBolSheep withabonusdailysupplyof 18mgofcopper.

“Inthefinaltwomonthsof pregnancy,75percentoflamb

“SeleniumandvitaminEarealso goingtohaveasignificant influenceonthedevelopment andhealthoflambs,”saysMrs Williams.“Supplementationwill helpensuremuscleandskeletal developmentandhelpprevent deficiencyrelatedissuessuchas abortions,stillbirthsand weaknessatbirth.”

Regardlessofthetimeofyear, allclassesofstockonforagebaseddietsrequire supplementationoftrace elementsandvitaminsdueto theirinclusionwithinforage varyingsignificantlydepending onsoiltype,weatherconditions, plantspeciesandfertiliser applications.

EnduraBolbolusesare engineeredwithawaxprotection capthatcoversthesinglepoint oferosiontoensureitdoesn’t startreleasinguntilitentersthe sheep.

Eachpackcontains40boluses and40Microbulletstoservice40 sheepweighingover40kg.

“ManufacturedintheUKand availableglobally,EnduraBol bolusesutilisepatented technologydevelopedand perfectedbyRumbolProducts Ltd,whichhasbeentriedand trustedbyfarmersforover30 years,”concludesMrsWilliams. “Thisisanexcitingtechnologyto nowbeavailabletosheep producers.”

EVERYLAMBWILLCOUNTNEXTYEAR

WithUKlambpricesexpectedtomirror thetrendofthelastcoupleofyears andremainfirminto2023duetolow domesticsupplyagainstsoliddemand withintheEU1,sheepindustry commentatorsbelieveitwillstill payfarmerstorearasmanyhealthylambsas possiblecomelambingtime.

“Thatalsomeanseffectivelyrearinghealthy orphanlambsandanytakenfromtripletand twin-bearingewestopreservebreeding sheepcondition,”saysDrJessicaCooke, R&DmanagerwithVolac.“However,farmers tellusthatwhentheypurchaseaewemilk replacerproducttodothis,theywanttobuy onevalidatedbyindependentfeedingtrial data.”

AccordingtothemostrecentVolacsurplus lambrearingsurvey(Dec2021),95%of sheepfarmerssaiditwasimportanttosee positiveindependentfeedingtrialdata highlightingtheperformanceofproprietary ewemilkreplacerproducts.

“Thisiswhyweinvestinfeedingtrials,”says DrCooke.“Indeed,ourmostrecent independentlambrearingstudies(spring 2021)confirmedthatbothsmallnumbersand largegroupsofsurpluslambscanbereared highlysuccessfullyonewemilkreplacer.”

Thetrialwork,conductedatHarperAdams University(HAU)andReaseheathCollege, highlightedthepotentialtoincreasethe numberoflambsrearedfromflockswitha highprolificacyrate.

“Whetheryouhavejustafewsurpluslambs eachspringorplentyneedingrearingsupportaway fromtheewe,thesetrialresultsconfirmedthe opportunitytomakeamarginfromthesevaluable newborns.Andwhilelambpricesremainstrong,it makessensetorearasmanyasyoucan.Indeed, whenwell-finishedlambshavebeencommanding morethan£100each–astheyhavedonefora largepartofthelasttwoyears–there’scertainly stillasignificantpaybackonaninvestmentingood qualityewemilkreplacer,”saysDrCooke.

AtHAU,20SuffolkMulecrossTexelsurpluslambs wererearedofftheeweonLamlacusingaVolac Ewe2thermostatically-controlledwarmmilkbucket.

“Afterearlylifecolostrumfeeding(50mlperkg birthweight),thelambswerefedonrestrictedwarm milkfrom24hoursofageuntiltrainedtofeed independentlyfromthefeeder,thenreceiving Lamlacadlibthereafter.Intakesandgrowthrates weregood,withlambsconsumingonaveragetwo litresperdayupuntilweaning,withameantotal

intakeof73.7litres.Onaverage,thelambs weighed16.9kgonabruptweaningat35daysof ageandachievedanaveragedailyliveweightgain uptoweaningof0.34kgperday.”

AtReaseheathCollege,59surplusthirdlambs (largestlambremoved;leavingabalancedpairon theewe)fromtriplet-bearingNorthCountrymules wererearedonacomputerisedVolacEcoFeeder machine.

“Here,thefarmreportedfantasticpre-weaning growthratesof0.353kgperdayonaverage,with thelambsfedLamlacachievingamean16.8kgat abruptweaningat35daysofage,”saysDrCooke.

Onbothunits,surpluslambswerealsogiven accesstofreshwater,creepfeedandforageadlib throughoutthetrialfeedingperiod.Lamlacwas mixedattherateof200gofpowderplus800ml watertogiveonelitreofmixedmilk.

Postweaning,alllambstransitionedontoaforagebaseddietalongwithlambsthathadreared naturallyontheirmothers.Alllambsgraded similarlyatslaughterwithnodiscernibledifference betweenthoserearedonewemilkreplaceroron theewe.

AneweasysolutiontotackleVitaminEcrisis

Aleadinganimalhealth businessishelping farmerstotacklethe "hidden"issueofa significantshortfallof VitaminEinUK cattle.

Agriminhavedevelopedanew solutionafterresearchfound75%of dairycowshaveashortfallof VitaminEatsomepointofthe productioncycle.

Theresearchfoundthatinaddition totheshortfallofVitaminE–which risestoasmuchas97%invery earlylactationdairycows-89%of UKgrazedgrassisdeficientin selenium.

gaintohittargetweightsquickerand helpingmeatqualityandredness.

CallumHarvey,technicalmanager atAgrimin,says:"Theseshortfallsin VitaminEandseleniumareabitofa hiddenproblembuttheyarehugely importanttocowhealth.Research hasshownthatcowsrarelygetupto therecommendedlevelsandthis meansboththecowandthecalf aren'tfulfillingtheirmaximum potential.

"Fordairyandsucklercowsan imbalancemeanssheisslowerto recoverandgetintomilkproduction andthecalfwon'tbegetting everythingitneedsfromthe colostrum,slowingitsdevelopment

Antioxidantsprotectcellsfrom oxidativestresswhichiskeyduring recoveryinperiodsofstresswhich canincludehotweather,changesin thedietandcalving.

Theantioxidantsinthebolus optimisetheimmunesystemin cattleandcolostrumquality, acceleratingcalfdevelopmentand reducingtheincidenceofscour. Theyalsooptimiseliveweightgain andmeatquality.

Callumadds:"Farmersface incrediblepressure,andthisbolus rangeisasimpleandeasysolution tomakingsureyougetthemostout ofyourcows.

"Itcantake100daysforcowsto restoreVitaminElevels followingpregnancy andthatmeansthey arenotfullyrecovered andoperatingattheir fullpotential."

Theboluscanbeused atanytimeofyearbut isdesignedforperiods ofstress,including transition,pre-calving, atcalvingorperiodsof heatstresstoo.

Halfofallantioxidant activitycomesfrom VitaminEandthe grapeextractinthe bolusmultipliesthe effectoftheVitaminE, ensuringthebolus deliverseverythingthe cowneeds.

Botharecrucialantioxidantsthatare criticalforcattlehealthinperiodsof stressandAgriminhavedeveloped anewslow-releasebolusrangethat helpscattlereachtheirfullpotential.

TheESeyBREEDERand ESeyFINISHERbolusesprovide dairycowsandbeefcattlewiththe recommendedlevelsofvitaminE andseleniumtheyneedinperiodsof stress,suchastransitionand calving.Theysupplytheanimal'sfull dailyrequirementofeachfor approximately60days.

Fordairycows,theESeyBREEDER bolusaidsinaquickerrecoveryafter calving,boostingmilkproduction, colostrumquality,andproductivity.

TheESeyFINISHERbolusoffers similarbenefitstofinishingbeef cattle,optimisingdailyliveweight

too.Infinishingcattleanimbalance canreducegrowthratesandso cattlewillbeslowertofinish.

"We'vedevelopedaneasysolution forfarmerstohelptheircattle performtotheoptimumlevel.By usingtheESeybolusrange,farmers canrestassuredthattheircattleare gettingtherecommendedlevelsof vitaminEandseleniumtheyneed."

TheESeyrangeisanewantioxidant bolusthatisdesignedtosupport cattleduringthetransitionperiod whenthecowisunderstressand whenvitaminElevelsfallatcalving. Itcontainsacombinationofvitamin E,seleniumandgrapeextractandis intendedforadultcattleongrassor forage-baseddietswithaliveweight over400kg.

Callumconcludes:"Thisnewbolus isthefirstinarangeofnewproducts weplantolaunchinthecoming months,andwearefocussedon threekeyelements–resource efficiency,animalwelfareandthe environment.

"Wewanttomakesurefarmersget themostoutoftheirlivestock,that animalsarehealthyandthatweare helpingthemtoprotectthe environmenttoo.We'redoingthatby developingarangeofstate-of-theartbolustechnologiesusingour world-classin-houseresearch expertise."

Tolearnmoreaboutthenew ESeyFINISHERand ESeyBREEDERbolus,visitthe Agriminwebsiteatagrimin.co.uk

Howtousecolostrumsupplementsatlambing

Lambsrequireadequateamountsofhigh qualitycolostrumforshortandlong-term health.Here’showtosupplementwhen qualityandquantityfallshorttokeep lambshealthy.

Forty-ninepercentoflambdeathsoccurwithinthefirst 48hoursoflife.AccordingtoEmilyHall,asheepfarmer andproductmanagerforNettex,thisislargelydueto inadequateamountsofmaternalcolostrumbeingfedand lambssufferingfromhypothermiaanddiseaseasa result–somethingthatcanbelargelypreventedwith correctcolostrummanagement.

“Thethick,creamy consistencyofcolostrumis fromitshighfatcontent. Thisprovideslambswitha richenergysourcewhich allowsthemtomaintain theirbodytemperatureand bodilyfunctions,”shesays.

Ataminimum,lambs require50ml/kgof bodyweightasafirstfeed. Within24hoursthey shouldreceive200ml/kg bodyweight.

“Thismeansyouraverage 5kglambwillrequire 1000mlofcolostrum–that isahighvolumeto consumeinashortperiod oftime,”saysMsHall.

Forlambsatriskof hypothermia,therateof colostrumneedstobe increasedsignificantly.

Dependingonarangeof managementandgenetic factors,someeweswill struggletoproducehighenoughvolumeofcolostrumto feedtheirlambs.Whilethisiscommonintriplets,astudy found30percentoftwinbearingewesand10percentof singlesdidnotproduceenoughcolostrum.

Howtousecolostrumsupplements

Asidefromprovidinglambswithahighlevelofenergy, anothermainbenefitofmaternalcolostrumisdelivering antibodiesfromtheewe’simmunesystemtothelambfor itsownimmuneresponse.Thisiscriticalforthelamb’s diseaseresistanceinthefirst6-8weeksoflifeasits immunesystembeginstodevelop.

Theantibodiesintheewe’smaternalcolostrumwillalso bedevelopedtofightagainstbacteriaanddisease pressuresfoundonthefarm.Becauseofthis,thebest practicewhencolostrumneedstobesupplementedisto feedewecolostrumharvestedoffofthefarm.

However,havinganabundanceofewematernal colostrumtoharvestisnotcommon,meaningthe majorityofcaseswillneedtobesupplementedwitha colostrumsupplement.

“Incaseswheretherearemultiplesbutthereisnot enoughewecolostrum,dividetheewematernal colostrumbetweenthelambssotheyallreceivesome antibodiesforpassivetransfer,”advisesMsHall.“Then topuptherestwithacolostrumsupplement.Ifalamb hasreceivedverylittleewematernalcolostrum,then supplementitwithahigherrateofcolostrumpowderof around50g.Ifithasreceivedsomeewecolostrum,this ratecanbepulledbackto25gofpowder.”

Choosingacolostrumsupplement

Whiletherearealargenumberofcolostrum supplementsonthemarket,farmerswillseeareturnon investmentwhenselectingone basedonquality.

Alambcolostrumsupplement needstomimicewecolostrumas muchaspossible,containing naturallyhighlevelsoffat,growth factors,hormones,vitaminsand mineralscriticaltolambsurvival.

CollectedfromScottishfarms specificallyforUKflocks,Nettex’s colostrumrangeisfullfatandfree fromTB,JohnesandEBL.

Forlambsthathavenotreceived anyewematernalcolostrumor requirehighenergy,MsHall recommendsNettexUltra

ConcentrateColostrum,a premiumcolostrumsupplement thatiseasytomixwithaddedewe milkandeggproteins.Lambsthat havereceivedsomeewe colostrumbutneedquantitytopupswouldbenefitfromNettex LambColostrum.

Howtofeed

Whenfeedingacolostrum supplement,alwaysfollowlabel instructionsforfeedrateandmethod.

Inajugthathasbeensterilised,mixrecommendedparts ofcolostrumpowderwithrecommendedpartsofwarm waterandwhiskuntilsmoothinconsistency.NettexUltra ConcentrateColostrumissmoothwithin30seconds. Watershouldbeclosetolambbodytemperatureof38.8 degrees.

Colostrumcanthenbefedwithabottleorstomachtube. Additionalcolostrumshouldbelimitedto100mlperfeed whenfeedingviaastomachtubetoavoiddistensionof thestomach.

Inspectlabelsforquality

Whenchoosingacolostrumsupplement,alwayslookat thelabelandchooseonebasedonquality.

“Thisisnotasupplementtoskimpon–itisamakeor breakintheshortandlong-termhealthofalamb,” concludesMsHall.

Fillingewenutrientgapspre-lambingboostscolostrumby 25percentandreducesneonatalmortalityby7.5percent

Providinga combinationfeed andmineral bucket supplementinthe finalsixweeksleadingupto lambingwillmakeasignificant impactonaflock’sshortand long-termhealthand performancebyfillingcritical nutrientgaps,showson-farm trialdataandmineralstudies.

Inindependenttrialworkby SAC,feedingLifelineLamb& Ewepre-lambingwasfoundto increasecolostrum immunoglobulinIgGcontent by25percentmorethana standardenergybucket.IgG contentisanimportant measureofcolostrumquality thatinferspassiveimmunityof antibodiesfromtheeweto newbornlambstofightoff bacterialandviralinfections. Furthermore,inafarmtrial, feedingLifelineLamb&Ewe withZinpro®Availa®Znwas foundtoreduceneonatal mortalityratesby7.5%.

AccordingtoDrAlisonBond, nutritionistforRumenco,this increaseinIgGwasinfluenced bybalancedenergy,protein, minerals,vitaminsandtrace elementsformulatedinthelick bucket.

“Inthelastsixweeksof pregnancy,over70percentof foetalgrowthoccurs.For context,alambweighing 4.5kgatbirthonlyweighs 800ginthe8weeksbefore beingborn.Ithasahuge amountofgrowthand developmenttodoinavery shortspaceoftimetogettoa lambreadyforbirth,”explains DrBond.“Thisputsalotof

stressontheeweandpulls largeamountsofnutrients fromherdietandtherefore increasesherrequirementsfor energyandprotein–doubling forthosecarryingtwins.”

Duringthistime,ewesare underalotofstressaslarge amountsofnutrientsfromtheir dietarepartitionedtorapid foetaldevelopmentand colostrumproduction–increasingtheirproteinand energyrequirementsand doublingthemwhencarrying twins.

Thishighenergydemand remainspostpartumas38 percentofmilkproduction occursduringthefirstfour weeksoflactation.

“LifelineLamb&Eweprovides eweswith13MJME/KgDMto fillthosehighenergy requirements.Italsocontains qualitysourcesofby-pass proteintoensureprotein makesitthroughtherumento supportcolostrumquality,milk yieldandudderdevelopment,” saysDrBond.“Abalanceof calciumhelpsprotectewes fromhypocalcemiaandthe inclusionofkeytrace elements,vitaminsand mineralssupportlamb development,eweandlamb immunityandlambvigour.”

InclusionofZinproAvailaZn supportseweandlambhealth andperformance

LifelineLamb&Ewenow includesZinproAvailaZn,a highlyavailable,organiczinc thatisproventosupportthe lifetimeperformanceofboth ewesandlambs.

“Comparedtotypicalinorganic tracemineralsourcesfoundin feedsupplements,Zinpro AvailaZnisfarmore metabolicallyavailable, leadingtogreaterabsorption inthesmallintestine–thereforeincreasing utilisation,”explainsDrBond. Whenfedtoewesinlate pregnancy,ZinproAvailaZn hasbeenshowntoincrease drymatterintake,early lactationmilkyieldsand improvemotheringability.It hasalsohadasignificant impactonhoofcondition,with ewesfedZinproAvailaZnfor 60daysoverthelambing periodtohavea43percent decreaseinfootlesions comparedtoewesnot supplemented.

ZinproAvailaZnalsohasa positiveimpactonfuturelamb performance.Alongwith reducingneonatalmortality ratesby7.5percent,the protectedzinccontributedto gutdevelopmentinlambs whichledtoincreaseddiet utilisationandincreased growthrates.

“Themoreresearchthatis done,themoreweare understandinghowsignificant ofanimpactewenutrition throughoutpregnancyhasnot onlyonherhealthandlongtermperformancebutthe lifetimehealthand performanceofherlambs,” concludesDrBond.“Providing aspecialisedpre-lambingfeed andmineralbucketlike LifelineLamb&Eweisa simplewaytosetaflockup forasuccessfullifetime.”

Newhighcapacitycompacttanker tobeondisplayatLAMMA

Hi-Spec Engineeringwill bebackat LAMMAin Januaryexhibiting arangeof products,includinganew additiontotheirpopularand wellprovenvacuumtanker range.

ThenewHi-SpecTS-Rtanker isavailableinarangeof capacitiesfrom2,000upto 4,000gallons.Thetanker bodyisfullysupportedandis carriedonacommercial tandem-axle,fittedwith 710/50-R26.5tyreswithsemirecessedmudguards.

Thecombinationofnarrower widthbutlowerrolling resistancetyrestokeepsoil compactiontoaminimumand thesemi-recessedmudguard designhasthebenefitthat

overallwidthandheightare reduced,makingtheTS-Ra morenimbletankerandideal forusewhereoperatingspace isrestricted.

Asstandard,theHi-SpecTS-

Risfittedwithasprung drawbarwithswivelhitchand thebarrelismadefrom6mm Britishsteelandincorporates internalbafflesandantiimplosionrings.Alsostandard isapowerfulJuroppumpand

theTS-Rcanbe specifiedwitha widerangeoffilling options.

Spreadingoptions fortheTS-R includetheHi-Spec TrailingShoe applicator,whichis availableinworking widthsof7.5,9.0 and10.5metres. Alternativelythere isthe7.5metre wideHi-Spec DribbleBar,which foldsdowntojust 2.55metresfor transport.

Inaddition,alsoondisplaywill beaHi-SpecSA-R(single axlerecessed)tanker. Capacitiesonthe6-modelSARmodelsarefrom1,350 gallonsupto3,000gallons.All SA-Rmodelsarefittedwith commercialbrakesandthe showmodelison750/60 R30.5Alliance181Dtyres. Thetankerbodyisbuiltfrom 6mmthickBritishsteel,is

fittedwithaJuropvacuum pumpandincorporates internalimplosionrings.The showmodelwillalsobefitted withaVogelsangBlackbird trailingshoeapplicator.

XCEL1250spreader

AlsoontheHi-Specstandwill betheHi-SpecXCEL1250 reardischargespreader.

Unlikeotherreardischarge spreaders,theXCEL1250is uniqueinthatitusesa combinationofashredding rotorfittedwith22heavyduty chainswith12mmHardoxflail heads.Thesearemounted undera4mmHardoxhood thatshredsallthematerialto anevenconsistencywhichis thenspreadbytwospreading

Fundinggrantsforfarmerstoinvestinslurrystores

1.TheSlurryInfrastructureGrantschemerepresents£13millioninfundingtoassistdairy, beefandpigfarmersinreachingsixmonthsofslurrystorageandimprovetheirbusiness

undingisbeingmadeavailableto farmersinEnglandtohelpthem overcomecurrentsignificantfinancial barrierstoinvestinginslurrystorage onfarm.

TheNFUsaidadequateslurrystorageisessential forfarmerstocontinueprotectingwatercourses andimprovewaterandairquality.

DefrahaslaunchedthefirstroundofitsSlurry InfrastructureGrantwith£13millionbeingmade available.Farmerswillbeabletoapplyforgrants ofbetween£25,000-£250,000towardsthecost ofbuilding,replacingorexpandingslurrystorage toachievesixmonthscapacity.

NFUDeputyPresidentTomBradshawsaid:“The farmingindustryhasalreadymadesignificant progress,witha75%reductioninserious pollutionincidentsyear-on-yearcomparedto 2000.Farmerswantandcandomoretocut pollutionlevelsandthisgrantwillgoalongway tosupportingthat.

“Thoughsomefarmershaveplans,equipment andinfrastructureinplacetomanagethe nutrientsintheirslurryandmanure,othersface significantfinancialbarrierstohavingsufficient slurrystorage.Thenewfundingbeingmade availablethroughtheSlurryInfrastructureGrant schemewillprovidefarmersinEnglandan opportunitytoinvestinslurrysystemsandboost theirstoragecapacitytosixmonths.Thiswillhelp driveimprovementsthatfurtherreducethe environmentalimpactofthosebusinesses, improveproductivityandreduceinputcosts.

“TheNFUhasbeenworkingcloselywithDefraon thedevelopmentoftheschemeandwillcontinue todosotoensureasmanyfarmersaspossible areabletoaccessthistypeoffundingsupport. It’svitalthatfuturefarmingschemesenable farmerstoinvestinnewtechnologyand infrastructuretotacklepotentialpollutionissues andcruciallyimprovewaterandairquality,as

partofprotectingtheenvironmentalongside producingsustainableclimate-friendlyfood.

“Iwouldencouragefarmerstolookatwhat’son offerwiththisscheme,considertherequirements fortheirfarm,andmaketheirapplicationsas quicklyaspossibleand,ifaccepted,give themselvesasmuchtimeaspossibletomakethe necessaryplanningandbuildingarrangements.”

Infrastructuregrantsupportsbaggingslurry

DEFRAhas announcedthefirst roundof‘slurry infrastructure grants’willbeopen forapplications fromDecember6th2022to January31st2023.The applicationwindowwillenable farmsneedingtoextendslurry storagetomeetthesixmonthstoragetarget andgainupto50% towardsnewstorage equipment.

Thegrantsareprimarily aimedatreducingthe impactofslurry emissionsand agriculture’scontribution toincreasing greenhousegas emissions.Advocated byDEFRAarebag tankswhichwillbe supportedbygrant fundingandoffera completesolutionto storing,agitatingand managingslurry.

SlurryspecialistTramspreadhas beeninstallingbagtanksfor20 yearsandhaswelcomed DEFRA’ssupportforthe technology.Tramspread’sJohn Tydemansays:

“Dependingonlocation,bag tankscanoftenbeinstalled

withoutplanningpermission.The tankssitlowtotheground,have capacitiesupto7500m³,feature integralstirrersandsuction/ deliverypipes.Weimportand installAlbersAlligatorbagtanks whichonlyneedgroundworks similartoashallowlagoonwith slopingsidesandbase.This designenablesthebagtankto beeasilyfilledandfullyemptied atanytime.”

Thegrantswillalsocoverthe installationofaboveground storagesuchassteeland stainlesssteeltanks.Theseoffer farms,withlessspacecloseto livestockhousing,theopportunity toincreaseslurrystorageandin somecasesincrementallyaddto

thesizeofthetank.

“Stallkamptankscanbe extendedusingadditional stainlesssteelrings.Amore cost-effectiveoptionisthe Agritank.Botharecoveredbythe slurryinfrastructuregrant. However,unlikeabagtank,both willrequireplanningpermission,” addsMrTydeman.

Toqualifyforfunding,allstorage tanksmusthaveanimpermeable coverwhichwilladdtothecost ofsteeltanksthatrequirea textileorfloatingcover.

“Textilecoverscanbecostly whereasafloatingsolution likeHexa-Coverwillbe considerablycheaper. Whilstfloatingtilecovers arenotcoveredbythe grants,itmaystillbea cheaperoptionforsome farms,”hesays.

Thegrantwillalsofund itemsnecessaryforthe basicfunctioningofnewor expandedslurrystores, suchasreceptionpits,slurry pumpsandagitators.Afixed contributiontowardsthe costofslurrystoragewillbe calculatedusingDEFRA’s standardcostingswhichsee £19.27perm³contributedfora bagtankwithlinerand£31.50 perm³forasteeltank.

nunmissabledateontractorand commercialenthusiasts’calendars forSaturday11thandSunday12thMarch, preparationsfor2023’shighlyanticipated SpringTractorWorldandClassic CommercialShowarealreadyroaringon.

Withdisplays, stands,shopping andbargains alreadysetto exceed2022’s spectacular returnshow, cannyexhibitors, attendees,and tradeandclub standsarebusy securingpitches, auctionlots,and earlybirdadmissionticketsforthebiggestandlongestestablishedshowofitskind.

BenefittingfromtheextensivefacilitiesatMalvern’s

ThreeCountiesShowground,muchoftheshowwillbe setcomfortablyindoorsacrossthreelargepermanent exhibitionhallspluslinkmarquee,showingoffthe

exhibitsandmerchandise,whatevertheweather!

TheteamatKelseyMedia(whoaresponsoringthe event)arealreadybusyallocatingpitchesforexhibitors cominginfromacrossthecountry,includingveteran, vintageandclassictractors,classiccommercials,lorries andtrucks,LandRovers,steamengines,stationary engines,model displays,horticultural andgardening equipment.

Amongstthemanyclub stands,feature presentationsinclude theFordsonNew PerformanceRange.In aspecialcelebration,FriendsofFergusonHeritageand theFergusonClubwillbemarking70yearsofMasseyHarris-Ferguson.

Forweekendexhibitsanddisplaybookingforms,make sureyouvisitthenewwww.tractorworldshow.comevent websitebeforetheclosingdate on19thFebruary.There’snoneedtopre-bookforthe returnofSunday’spopularClassicCommercialsDrive-In Day,simplyturnupwithyourclassiccommercialbefore 9.30amforfreeentry,andlotsofadmiringlooks!

EstablishedastheUK’slargestandliveliestgathering ofspecialisttradestands,partssuppliers,andmodel,gift andclothingretailers,with6metreindoortradeplots startingfrom£145andbeingsnappedupfast,please contactHelenMortonforalltradeenquireson07545 160353.

OrtakeadvantageofSaturday’sfamousvintageauction andBigSpringSale,hostedbyspecialistsH.JPughand Co.Withanexpected1500lots,including100tractors, bookinyouritemsatwww.hjpugh.comorcall01531 631122.

Theshowgroundboaststwoheatedrestaurants,coffee loungeandnumerouscateringstands,withamplefree parking,disabledandcoachfacilities,cashmachineand onsiteconveniencestore.

Whetheryou’relookingtoexhibit,sell,shop,clearout, stockup,orsimplyenjoyaspectacularweekend,don’t forgetyou’vejustamonthtosecureexhibitandtrade bookings,andlessthantwomonthstotakeadvantageof discountedonlineadvancedayvisit,weekendor campingtickets!

TheSpringTractorWorldandClassicCommercialShow isattheThreeCountiesshowground,Malvern,on Saturday11thandSunday12thMarch2023.Forall entries,tradebookings,discountedadvancetickets,and allinformation,goto:www.tractorworldshow.co.uk.

1

KUHNINVESTSINPARTSSALESPERSONNEL

UHNhaschosentoimproveits partssupportfunctionbyemploying twonewpartssalesspecialists. JamesFoxwillcoverthenorth, whilstSarahGovierwillmanagethe south.

JamesisnewtoKUHNwhilstSarahhasbeen withtheKUHNGroupforovertwentyyears, spendingsomeofhercareerhelpingcustomers worldwide.

“IhaveworkedforKUHNinFrance,Australia, andtheUK,whichhasgivenmetheopportunity tounderstandtheproductrangeinavarietyof farmingsystems.Partsareanimportantservice sectorforKUHN,especiallywiththeintroduction andsuccessoftheMyKUHNplatformthat enablescustomerstopriceandorderparts online,”sheexplains.

MyKUHNisanonlineplatformthatenables customerstosourceparts,accessusermanuals, readnewsandbenefitfromspecialofferssuchas financedeals.SiânPritchard,ManagingDirector ofKUHNUK,explains: “MyKUHNisastrongadditiontoKUHN’sservice andsupportofferingandwehaveseen

andthenorder genuineparts forClickand Collectattheir chosendealer.

“Having readily available, genuineparts thatcustomers canrelyonis crucialto KUHN’s support offeringand havingthe rightstaffto manageand coordinatethis isessentialto boththe businessand our customers. WhilstKUHN willalways strivetooffer newtechnologyforfarming,wearealsodedicated tohelpingfarmersmaintainexistingmachinesto achievethebestresults.”

SarahGovier

JamesFox

CASEIHOFFERSEXTRA-DENSEBALESWITH

aseIHhasexpandeditsrangeof largesquarebalerswiththe additionofanewmodelinthe 120cmx70cmsegment.TheLB 424XLDproduces260cmlong baleswhichareupto10%heavierthanthose fromtheexistingLB424XL–the'D'standing forDensity.Thelattermachineremainsinthe range.

"Thenewmodelwillappealtocustomerswho needextra-dense,well-shaped,consistentand durablelargesquarebalesformaximum

output,perfecthandling,lowertransportcosts andoptimumuseofstoragespace,"Michael Jankowski,CaseIHProductMarketing Manager,states.

ThedenserbalesaremainlythankstotheLB 424XLD'sreinforcedplungerwhichprovides 400kNofcompressionforce,a27%increase overtheLB424XL.Itsdesignincorporates strong,perpendicularV-shapedsupportbeams madefrom33%thicker8mmsteel,together withfoursectionalreinforcementplatesinstead oftwo.

Strong,versatiledesign

Hardwearingandversatileenoughtooperate inallcombinablecrops,theLB424XLDis equippedwithreinforcedbalerchamberside doorswhicharetwiceasstiffasthoseon theLB424XL.Thetopdoorandtopdoor densitybeamsarealsostrongerandmore rigid,whilethefrontandfloorsectionsofthe balechamberareconstructedofHardox®steel wearplateswhichareextremelyresistantto abrasionandverydurable.

Thedesignalsoincludestwolarger,140mmdiameterhydraulicdensitycylinderswhich exert113%moreforceonthesidedoors;they haveadeeperprofiletoimproverigidityand evenlydistributetheadditionalpressure.The largerhydrauliccylindersalsoincreasethe forceonthetopdoorsby25%,addingtwo additionaldensityleversprovidesmore compressionforcestoensureaneven compressionoftheformingbale.

LikeitsexistingLB424XLstablemate,with whichitsharesahighcommonalityofparts,the LB424XLDimprovesproductivitybyenabling autoadjustmentofthetractorsspeedbythe "FeedrateControl"optionifinstalled,aswellas

recordingbaleweight,volumeandmoisture datathroughCaseIH'sAFS

ConnectTMtechnology.Bothusetheunique extra-strongTwineProTMknotterwhich eliminatestwineoffcutsandsoavoidsfeed contamination.Theyalsohavemultiple featurestomakemaintenanceeasy,from automaticgreasing,centralisedlubrication, storagefor32twineballsanddirectaccessto maintenancepoints.

TheCaseIHrangeoflargesquarebalersnow comprisesfivemachines,includingtwo120cm x70cmmodels,thenewLB424XLDand existingLB424XLbothbeingavailablein PackerandRotorCutterversions.Theyfit neatlybetweenthe80cmx70cmLB324XL, whichisavailableonlyinPackerCutterform, the80cmx90cmLB334XL,whichcomesin Packer,PackerCutter,orRotorCutter versions,togetherwiththelargest120cmx 90cmLB434XLPackerandRotorCutter models.

TheLB424XLDisnowavailabletoorder.

GoodDesignAward2023.NewHollandwinswithStraddle TractorConceptandwithFPTIndustrialT4KTractor

NewHolland’s StraddleTractor ConceptandT4K Tractorarethe winnerGood DesignAwardin theIndustrial2022category.

TheGoodDesignAwardis presentedbytheChicago AthenaeumMuseumof ArchitectureandDesignand MetropolitanArtsPressLtd.and eachyearithonorsthemost innovativeandcutting-edge industrial,product,andgraphic designsproducedaroundthe world.Itistheoldestandthe mostprestigiousAwards Programorganizedworldwide.

TheemphasisoftheGOOD DESIGNprogramisonquality designofthehighestform, function,andaestheticsa standardbeyondordinary consumerproductsandgraphics.

TheChicagoAthenaeum's GOODDESIGN®program

forwardstheidealsofadesign processthatembodiesproduct excellenceandenduranceand strongpublicidentity.

Itisassignedbyajuryof distinguisheddesign professionalsandleading industryspecialistsandthe awardisassignedoncriteria establishedintheoriginal1950 programforthehighestaesthetic intermsofinnovativedesign, newtechnologies,form, materials,construction,concept, function,utility,andenergy efficiency,andsensitivitytothe environment.

NewHollandStraddleTractor Concept

TheStraddleTractorConcept wasrevealedatSITEVI(salon internationaldeséquipementset savoir-fairepourlesproductions vigne-vin,oliveetfruits-légumes) 2021andisaco-productionof NewHollandAgricultureand Pininfarina,theinternationally

recognizeddesignhouse.

Theconcepthasbeendeveloped inavideo,thathasbeen watchedthousandsoftimeson NewHollandAgriculture channelsfromusersalloverthe world:theideawasspecifically designedtomeetthe requirementsofthenarrow vineyards.

Thefuturisticdesigndeveloped byPininfarinacombinessafety, comfort,andtechnology:itis inspiredbytheshapeofaglass ofChampagne–tall,wideatthe topandtaperingdownatthe bottom–asahomageto premiumwinegrowersofregions suchasChampagne,Médocand Burgundy.

Thecabiscompletelymadeby glass,providingtheoperatorwith exceptionalvisibilityonthevines andallaroundanditisangledin thedirectionoftravel,adding dynamismtothedesign.

Theoverallexteriorlookofthe machinestandsoutforthe flowinganddynamicautomotiveinspiredlines.Theexposed frameconfersasportylook.

Theinteriorfeaturesalarge singledoorandrotatingseat, withuseofwoodcontributingto thecab’splush,luxuriousfeel, againremindingofwinebarrels.

InkeepingwithNewHolland Agriculturelongstandingand ever-growingcommitmenttoall aspectsofsustainableagriculture andthebrandCleanEnergy Leaderstrategy,theconcepthas beencreatedasreadyforthe electrictraction,forafutureof alternativeenergiesfuelled machines.

NewHollandandFPTIndustrial T4KMethanePowertractor

NewHollandandFPTIndustrial haveworkedtogethertocreate theTKMethanePowervineyard crawlertractor.Poweredbybiomethane,theythusfeaturea carbonfootprintofzero.The tractorhasbeendesignedwith careineverydetail,creatinga balanceofstyleandfunction togetherwithsustainability.

Thisismorethanaconcept,the tractorhasbeenworkinginthe LaRosacruNebbioloforBarolo grapecultivationareawithinthe Fontanafreddafarmin Serralungad’Alba(CN),where theengineswillhavethechance toprovetheirworthonhilly terrain.

Infact,thebio-methaneF28 enginethatpowerstheNew HollandTKMethanePower vineyardcrawlertractorprototype destinedfortheFontanafredda farmhasa75HPcapacitywitha maximumtorqueof330Nm.This meansthatitcanguarantee entirelysafeperformancedirectly comparablewiththatofthe dieselmodel,evenonthe steepesthillsandslipperyterrain thatcharacterizesthemost prestigiousvineyardsinthe Langhearea.

Conceivedasamulti-mission designandtobepoweredby diesel,andnaturalgasandwith ahybridsystem,theFPT IndustrialF28enginewas createdtobecompact, productive,andenvironmentally friendly.Infact,itiscapableof meetingallthepower,

performance,andlow environmentalimpact requirementsinapplicationslike orchardandvineyardtractors, wheresmallsize,andtherefore limitedbulk,areessential prerequisites.

CarloLambro,BrandPresident ofNewHollandAgriculturesays: “TheGoodDesignAwardisan institutionintermsofprestige andauthorityinthedesignsector anditissuchahonorand pleasuretoseeoureffortsin termsofgooddesigned recognizedbyapanelof importantexperts.ItalianDesign isfamousallovertheworldand weareproudtocontributewith outstandingindustrialdesign ideas.Wekeepinvestingour energiesincreatingsomething thatisnotonlyuseful, sustainable,andfunctionalbut alsobeautifultosee.Iwantto thankPininfarinadesignhouse, FPTIndustrialand Fontanafreddaforworkingwith usontheseprojectsanda specialmentiontoourinternal designteamsforthegreat creativejob.”

CASEIHDELIVERSVISIONFORFUTUREAUTONOMY ANDAUTOMATIONINAGRICULTURE

Sustainablesolutionshelpfarmersovercomechallengesinthe agricultureindustrythroughtechnology,autonomyandautomation

Aturningpointforag hasoccurred,as theworld population surpassed8billion. CaseIH,global leaderinagriculturalequipment, realizesitplaysavitalrolein increasingfarmers'productivity astheycontinuetofeedthe world.Withfeweracres, resourcesandworkersto accomplishit,thetaskiscritical. ThegrowingportfolioofCaseIH agtechnologysolutionsdeliver autonomyandautomationforthe fullfarmingcycle.

Atechnologyleader

On7and8December2022,at CNHIndustrialTechDaysin Phoenix,Arizona(USA),CaseIH debutedmilestoneinnovationsin adevelopingtechnology portfolio."CaseIHisandwill continuetocombinetheworld's bestandagronomicallysuperior ironwithindustry-leading, cutting-edgetechnologythat deliversonourbrandpromise— tomakefarmers'liveseasier, maketheiroperationsmore productiveandhelpthemthrive intheirmissiontofeedanever-

growingpopulation,"saidScott HarrisCaseIHglobalbrand president.

TheTechDays announcementsincludedtwo newautonomyandautomation solutions,andanewelectric tractorprototype:

•DriverlessTillageSolution— CaseIHisbuildingonits tractorandtillageplatforms withRavenAutonomy™to deliveranautonomoustillage solution.RavenAutonomy technologyfeaturesan advancedperceptionand sensingsystem.Additionally, thisdriverlesstillagesolution usesAFSSoil Command™tillage automationforultimate agronomicandmachine controloftheimplement.It providessite-specifictillage prescriptionstodeliverthe rightsoilmanagement practiceforeveryinchofsoil. Theresultisincreased productivitywithconsistent agronomicperformanceand richerdatainsights.

•DriverAssistHarvest

Solution—CaseIHis advancingproductivitywitha driverassistharvestsolution thatsynchronizescombine andtractorfunctionality. FeaturingRavenAutonomy technology,thisunionoftech allowsthefarmerto coordinatethepathand speedofthetractorduringan "unloadonthego"operation whileitkeepsthetractor perfectlyinsyncwiththe combinewhenunloading. Farmerbenefitsinclude more-efficientoperations, automatedprocessesto reducetheneedforskilled labor,lessfatigueandless spilledgrain.

•ElectricTractorPrototype —CNHIndustrialalso presentedanelectrictractor prototype,whichwillfeaturea CaseIHmodelatrelease. Thiszero-emissionsfarming solutionwithautonomous featuresisaresultofa collaborationwithelectrified aginnovator,Monarch Tractor.

Commercializationforthese solutionswillbeannouncedata

laterdate.

CaseIHhasastrong,recognized andawardedlegacyof innovationinAdvancedFarming Systems(AFS).Mostrecent developmentsincludethe Trident™5550applicatorwith RavenAutonomy,AFSHarvest Command™combine automation,AFSSoilCommand tillageautomation,AIM CommandFLEX™advanced spraytechnologyandBaler Automation.CaseIHhasandwill continuetodevelopsolutionsfor allfarmsegmentsandcrop productioncyclesworldwide.

Legacyofinnovation,futureof sustainability

"Theworldhasreachedaturning point,resultinginaclearneedfor farmersandtheindustryto increaseproductivity.CaseIHis respondingtothatneedwith technological,machineand methodprocessadvances throughoutthevaluechain," Harrissaid."We'llrespondby continuingtoadvanceour commitmenttosustainability.We believethesedevelopmentsare thefoundationofahealthier, sustainableandmore-productive

farmingecosystem."

TheCaseIHpipelineof innovationincludes:

•Continuingtoadvance precisionandagronomic technologies,helpingfarmers reducenutrientsandproduct applicationsaswellaswater usage—tosupportacleaner world.

•Advancingalternative propulsionsolutionsto enhancethesustainabilityof farming—throughaggressive developmentsin ElectrificationandcodevelopmentwithMonarch Tractor.

•Rapidlyinnovatingtomeet thelaborchallengesfarmers faceacrosstheglobe, deliveringfunctional automationandleadingtoa futureoffullautonomy.

•Expandingitsdigital technologysuitewith comprehensivedevelopment, suchasseamlesscloudenableddatatransferand consolidation,mobileapp andportaldevelopments,and

more.

Afocusonthefuture

CaseIHisbreakingnewground tosolvefarmers'real-world problems—increasing productivityandprofitabilityto unlocknewvalueintheir business.Thevisionistomake farmingmoreproductiveby providingsmartfarming equipmentandsolutionsthatcan takecareofanyoperationatthe farm.

"Weknowthechallengesour customersface,andweare developingsolutionsbasedon theirneeds:CaseIHisbuilding thefutureofagtechnology," Harrissaid."Wemustchallenge ourselves,challengeeachother andtakeonthechallenge togetherofrevolutionizing farming.Makenomistake,our callingtoinnovateandenhance productionhasneverbeen louderinour180-yearhistory, andwehaveneverbeenmore readytoanswerthatcall."

Formoreinformation,visitwww. cnhindustrial.com/en-US/NewsStories/2022-Tech-Day

Norfolkgrazierdependsonhisdog,andhisHondaATV

Lookingafter250of hisownewesas wellasvarious livestockforother farmersinthearea, MichaelBlackburn isbasedatRaveninghamin south-eastNorfolk,closetothe Suffolkborder.

movedontostubbleturnips grownwithinarablecrop rotationsfromearlyJanuary.Our systemworkswell.

“Muchofthelandisvulnerableto damagewhenit’swet,andItry hardtominimisetheimpactof myactivities.Usingatractoror 4x4pick-upon themarshes aswellas othergrass areaswould createdeep ruts,soIrely ontheHonda ATVwithits low-pressure tyres.Even afterfrequent travelinthe sameareait’s hardtosee whereithas been.”

arepartiallyfloodedonfoot,but theATVcopeseasily.Icanstill gettothefarcornersofthe grazingareatoensureno livestockhavebecome separated.Wehaveoverthree milesofdrainagechannels,and evenwhenconditionsareideal forwalking,usingtheHondaATV insteadallowsmetocomplete thechecksinunderhalfthe time.”

IdealHondaATV

TradingasMABlackburn, Michaelhasbeenagrazierfor22 years,andhisownflockofsheep feedonwetmarshlandduring autumnandspring,feedon stubbleturnipsbetweenJanuary andMarch,thenmoveonto grasslandtolambinApril.

ThesheeparemainlyNew ZealandTexels,butthereare alsosomeolderMules.Michael breedshisownreplacements, andtheflockisclosed.Lambs areborninApril,finished,and thensoldalongwithcullewesusuallythroughtheMelton MowbrayorColchestermarkets. Workwithlandowners

Michaelsaidthatagood relationshipwithlandownersis essential.“It’sallaboutworking together,”heexplained.“Someof themarshlandisgrazedbythe landowner’scattleduring summer,thenthecowsare movedinsidewhenconditions turnwetterintheautumn,and mysheeptakeover.Theykeep thegrasshealthybyensuringit isn’tovergrownbyother vegetationbeforetheyare

Animalwelfarepriority

Keepingoffthelandwhenitis wetisn’tanoption.“Animal welfareisalwaysthepriority,” stressedMichael.“Mysheepare outsideallyear,andIhavetobe certainthattherearenosickor injuredanimals,orotherhealth issues.Icanonlydothatby checkingtheentiregrazingarea everyday,andtheATVallows metodothatfarmorethoroughly thanIcouldonfoot.Ifany animalswithproblemsarefound, thenIcantreatthemquicklyor usetheATVandtrailertobring thembackto theyardto recover.”

Savingtime

Checking sheepusing theATVis muchquicker thandoingthe jobonfoot. “Whenthe waterlevelis high,it’svery difficulttoget toareaswhich

Michael’scurrentHondawas suppliednewinsummer2022, anditreplacedasimilarbut earliermodel.ThenewForeman TRX520FA6hasa518ccliquidcooledpetrolengineandahighly efficient,five-speedtransmission withmanualandautomatic operatingmodesplushighand lowspeedranges.Fully mechanicaldrivefromtheengine tothewheelsmeansthereareno beltsorchainstowearor maintain.Two-orfour-wheel driveisselectedusinga handlebar-mountedbutton,and thereisalockingfrontdifferential andelectricpowersteering. Loadsupto45kgcanbecarried ontheruggedfrontloadrack, andupto85kgcanbe transportedontherear.Larger loadsupto599kgcanbetowed onatrailer.

Themachine’smainrolesinclude dailylivestockchecks,towing trailers,spotsprayingusinga loadrack-mountedelectric

sprayerandmovinghurdles. BecauseMichael’ssheepflockis grazing-basedandoutsideall year-around,noadditionalfeed orbeddingisprovidedapartfrom mineralblocksandmolasses whicharedistributedusingthe ATV.Exceptionsincludewhen lambsarebeingfinished,then smallamountsofadditionalfeed aredeliveredtothefields usingtheHonda,andin periodsofsnowwhenhay balesaresupplied.

Versatiletool

TheHondaisusedformany tasks.“Aswellaslookingafter thelivestock,Iuseittoassist ownersofthegrazingland withmaintenance,”continued Michael.“Ialsoofferafencing service,andtheATVcarries materialsandequipmentto locationswhichwouldbe difficulttogettousingother typesofvehicle.

“IhaveaLogicContact weedwipertoo.Thisistrailed behindtheATVonapairof flotationwheels,anditapplies herbicidethrougharotating brushasthebristlescontact weedsprotrudingabovethe grass.Theapplicationis accurateandeffective,andit’s idealforweedcontrolin conservationareasincludingland withinEnvironmental StewardshipSchemes,where conventionalsprayapplications wouldn’tbesuitable.Havingthat sortofequipmentmeansthatI canofferlandownersadditional benefitstoworkingwithmeand

mylivestock.”

Askedwhether hehas considered usingasideby-sideUTV insteadofthe conventional ATV,Michael saidthathe triedoneand, althoughit travelled everywherehe neededitto withoutany problems,themorerestricted viewfromtheseatwasanissue. “SittingontheHondaForeman givesmeatotallyclearviewallaround,andifthereisananimal withaproblemthenIwillseeit,” heconfirmed.“TheUTVwas good,butIjustdidn’thavethe sameunobstructedviewasfrom theATV.”

Michael.“MypreviousHonda hadanadditionalelectricsocket topowerthesprayerandother equipment,andthedealerfitted anequivalentleadthathehadin stocktothenewmachine,then tooktheleadoffmyolderATV afterithadarrivedbackinhis yard,ratherthancomplicating thingsbyswappingmyleadover ondelivery.Itmadetheprocess easierandsavedtime.

“TheLingsdepotisjustafew milesfromme,soitmakessense tousethedealerforservicing andIhavealwaysbeenhappy withtheservice.

“Tome,theback-upisoneofthe mainbenefitsofbuyingaHonda. Thereisawell-establishedand reliabledealernetworkandI’m confidentthatboththesedealers willcontinuetrading.Iwon’t suddenlyfindthatImusttravel hundredsofmileswhenIneed anythinginfuture.’

Highretainedvalue

Maximisingtheretainedvalue isalsoimportanttoMichael.“I regardtheHondaasan investment.Itwasn’tcheap, butIlookafteritwellanddon’t expecttospendmuchon repairsandmaintenance. WhenIeventuallyretireand sellit,thenI’mconfidentthatit willstillbeworthalotof money.”

Pulloutquotes

“IlookaftermyHondaand expectittoholditsvaluewell,” –Norfolkgrazier,Michael Blackburn.

“Iwouldn’tdothisjobwithout mydogormyHondaATV,”–Norfolkgrazier,Michael Blackburn.

Goodlocaldealers

ThelatestHondawassupplied bySuffolk-baseddealer,MKM AgricultureLtd,andithasbeen servicedbyNorfolk-basedlocal dealer,Lings.“TheMKMteam wereverypleasantandefficient andlookedaftermewellwhenI wasbuyingtheATV,”said

“Animalwelfareisalwaysmy priority,andtheonlywayIcan checkthewholeareathoroughly andbecertaintherearenosick orinjuredanimalsisbyusingmy HondaATV,”–Norfolkgrazier, MichaelShepherd.

hetheritisworking onthefarmor transporting materialsacross constructionsites, havingtheright equipmentisessential.The KawasakiMulerangeofutility vehiclesdeliverstherugged, reliableandadaptableattributes thatwillhelpyoutakeonany terrain.

Designedtoworkhard,the rangeisledbytherobustMule ProMX.Poweredbyatorqueladen700ccCVTsingle-cylinder engine,theProMXoffers32.8 kW{45PS}/6,000rpm, guaranteeingafun-to-drive vehiclethatcaneasilyhailcargo forworkorweekendfun.The spaciouscargobedisableto carryupto700lbs,making choresorhaulinggearabreeze.

Measuring110”longand60” wide,withawheelbaseof79”, theMuleProMXistheperfect

mid-sizedvehicle,offering superbmanoeuvrabilityand mobilitythatensuresitcan negotiatethetightestoftrails.To maximisecomfort,theall-terrain vehiclefeaturesdoublewishbonesuspensionatthefront andrear,enablingtheKawasaki toeasilytraverseobstaclesand elevationswithminimumeffect onthechassis.

Ofcourse,theseworkhorsesare designedtobeusedthroughout theyearinallconditions.Thatis whytheProMXisequippedwith 25”tyreson12”rimes, guaranteeingfantasticoff-road tractionandgroundclearance. Strongandreliablefrontandrear discbrakesprovideeffective braking,especiallywhen combinedwiththeMule’sproven enginebraking.

Whileitsperformanceis unmatched,Kawasakihasalso focusedonmakingtheflagship Mulemodelasaccessibleand

user-friendlyaspossible. Comingequippedwithdoorsas standard,userswillbeprotected frommudandpuddles,whilea 5.3litrestoragebinunderneath thepassengerseatensuresthat thereisplentyofspaceto securelystoreallofyour belongings.

Brightdigitalinstrumentation ensuresyoucanalwayssee essentialinformationataglance andtheconsolealsocomes preppedforanaccessoryaudio system.Themulti-function displayisbuiltdirectlyintothe dashandfeaturesanarrayof insight,including:

indicator

Thecontouredbenchseat complementsthebodyand providesamplespaceand comfortfortwoadultsatatime. Kawasaki’shigh-gradeElectric PowerSteering(EPS)isspeedsensitive,providinguserswith lightsteeringatlowspeedsand tightenedsteeringathigher speeds.Itcanalsoworkto enhanceridercomfortbyacting asadampingsystem,reducing thebumpsandkickbacks createdasyougoalongbumpy terrain.Driversarealsoableto setthepositionofthesteering wheeltonotonlysuittheir

preferencebutalsotoliftitoutof thewaywhengettinginandout ofthevehicle.Anelectrically selectable2WD/4WDanddual modereardifferentialsystem ensuresquickandsimple changingtosuitthechanging terrain.

Sinceitslaunch,theKawasaki Mulerangehasestablisheditself asoneoftheleadersinutility vehicles,usedbyfarmworkers, gamekeepers,construction workersandeventworkers acrosstheglobe.More informationontherangecanbe foundatwww.kawasaki.co.uk

SEASHANTYGROUPANDLIVERYDOLEISUZULOOKTORAISE

MONEYFORRNLIWITHACHRISTMAS-INSPIREDSINGLE I

narecentattemptto fullyembracethe altruismoftheChristmas spirit,JoeChatting, SalesDirectoratIsuzu UKdealershipLivery Dole,hasspearheadedacharity incentiveinvolvingreleasinga newsinglefromhisseashanty bandtoraisemoneyforthe RoyalNationalLifeboat Institution(RNLI).

Theband,namedTheOutof Tunas,wasformedin2022by sixlocalmen,butnowcontains 14memberswithanagerange from20toover70yearsold.The Maidencombe-basedgrouphas releasedtheironlysingle,titled “ShantyChristmas”,onSpotify, AppleMusic,andAmazon,with theprimarygoalbeingtoraise moneyfortheRoyalNational LifeboatInstitution,acharityvery closetothebandasmostof themareregularseaswimmers allyearround.Followingthe bandastheysailhomefor Christmasandawayfromthe opensea,thesong’sshanty rhythmandamalgamationof nauticalandfestivelyricsprovide thelistenerwithaglimpseinto

thelifeofasailorduring Christmas,withtheheartwarming musicvideofurtherexhibitingthe good-naturedgroupasthey connectwithfamilyandfriends andevenhaveavisitfromSanta himself.

Sinceitsestablishmentin1824, theRoyalNationalLifeboat Institution(RNLI)hasproceeded toutiliselifeboatcrewsand lifeguardstosaveover143,900 lives.NotonlydoestheRNLI providea24-hourrescueservice thankstovolunteerlifeboat crews,buttherearealso seasonallifeguardswhowatch overparticularlybusybeaches. Inadditiontoprovidingarescue service,theRNLIalsointendsto influence,superviseandeducate people,withCommunitySafety teamsexplainingrisksand sharingsafetyknowledgewith anyonegoingouttoseaortothe coast.

LocatedinExeter,LiveryDole openeditsdoorsin1923andis oneofonlyafewindependently owneddealershipsleftinthe SouthWest.TakingontheIsuzu UKbrandin2021,thedealership

isprivilegedtobeabletooffera widerangeofvehicleservicesfor allmakesandmodels,including newandusedcarsales, aftersales,servicingandMOT work.

JoeChatting,SalesDirectorat LiveryDoleandsingerinThe OutofTunas,commented: “Initially,thisgroupwasawayfor usalltomeetuponceaweek andcheckinoneachother’s wellbeing.Aftermorethan doublinginmembersandgetting afewlocalgigs,itbecameclear thatwehadthepotentialtonot onlyhelpafantasticcausebut alsogeneratesomeChristmas cheerbyproducingthissingle. AnymoneymadefortheRNLIas aresultofthissongwillbea hugesuccessforusall.”

GrahamJoll,IsuzuUK’s RegionalSalesManagerforthe South,said:“It’swonderfultosee teammembersatour dealershipspushingsuch creativeandcharitable endeavours.It’ssuchan honourablecausethatneedsall thesupportitcanget.”

ISUZUUKANNOUNCEPARTNERSHIPWITHIRISH FOOTBALLASSOCIATIONINMULTI-YEARDEAL I

suzuUKhasreachedan agreementwiththeIrish FootballAssociationto becometheOfficial CommercialVehicle PartnertotheSamuel Gelston’sWhiskeyIrishCup.

The2022-23SamuelGelston’s WhiskeyIrishCupbeganonthe 13thofAugust,withthefifthrounddrawinthisseason'shotly contestedcompetitiontaking placeonthe6thofDecember. Thefinalofthe143rdeditionof thepremierknockoutcompetition inNorthernIrelandfootballwillbe heldnextMayattheNational FootballStadiumatWindsor Park.

Withthisnewpartnership,Isuzu UKisexpandingitsgoalto becomethedrivingforcebehind domesticfootballwitha partnershipalreadyinplacein England,withtheIsuzuFAVase andIsuzuFATrophy.

ThePick-upProfessionalsat Isuzudealershipsacross NorthernIrelandwillbegetting activelyinvolvedwiththeirlocal clubs,withsomehavingalready startedmakingpreparationsfor localsponsorshipdealsand promotionalmatchday activations.

TheIrishCupwasfirstcontested in1881andisthefourtholdest nationalcupcompetitioninthe world.CurrentholdersCrusaders defeatedBallymenaUnited2-1 afterextratimeinthefinalback inMaythankstogoalsfromJosh RobinsonandJohnnyMcMurray –andtheywillnodoubtbekeen toretainthetrophythisseason.

WilliamBrown,Managing Director,IsuzuUK,said:“Weare extremelydelightedtoannounce thisnewpartnershipwiththeIrish FootballAssociationandthe SamuelGelston’sWhiskeyIrish Cup.Theagreementfurther

demonstratesIsuzuUK’s commitmentandsupportfor footballatalllevelsintheUKand expandsourinvolvementin NorthernIrelandwhilealso complementingourexisting partnershipswithTheFootball AssociationinEnglandandthe WelshRugbyUnion.

Hecontinued“Wearelooking forwardtoactivelysupportingthe teamsinvolvedinthisyear’s competitionandcan'twaitforthe nextround.”

StephenBogle,HeadofSales andMarketingattheIrishFA, said:“We’redelightedto welcomeIsuzuUKasanofficial partnertotheSamuelGelston’s WhiskeyIrishCup.Welook forwardtoworkingwiththeIsuzu UKteamtosupporttheirplans forfootballacrossNorthern Irelandinthecomingyears.”

KIASCOOPSTHREEATANNUAL SCOTTISHCAROFTHEYEARAWARDS

Onceagain,Kia UKLimitedhas foundgreat successatthe annualScottish CaroftheYear (SCOTY)Awards,collectinga trinityofawardsfortheall-new SportageandEV6.

VotedforbytheAssociationof ScottishMotoringWriters (ASMW),theSCOTYAwards celebratethebestofthe automotiveindustryand recognisethestand-outmodels oftheyear.Kiahashad previoussuccessatthe awards,winningwithboth ProCeedandSportagein2019.

Theall-newSportagecollected theawardsfor‘FamilySUVof theYear’and‘BestFullHybrid’, impressingtheASMWasa standoutmodelintheheavily populatedSUVmarket.

ASMWPresidentJackMcKeown said:“ThefamilySUVsectoris hugelycrowdedbuttheKia Sportagemanagestostandout fromthepack.Dynamiclooks, plentyofspaceandagreat rangeofpowertrainoptionsare amongitsmanystrengths.”

batteryandpetrolpower–and runsinelectricmodeasurprising amountofthetime.”

Aswellastheall-newSportage, theEV6continuedtoaddtoits impressiveresuméofhonours, winningtheSCOTYawardfor ‘BestEVover£40,000’. McKeowncommented: “Stunninglooks,superb range,super-fast charging,outstanding practicalityand–inthe fastestversions–astonishingacceleration areamongthemany reasonstheKiaEV6was arunawaywinner.Kia’s flagshipelectriccarreally issomethingspecial.”

Launchedatthestartof2022, theall-newSportageisavailable witharangeofelectrified powertrainsandhasalready becomeKia’sbest-sellingmodel intheUKyear-to-date.

“TheattributesthatmadetheKia SportageourFamilySUVofthe YearhelpeditwinourFullHybrid award.TheSportage’sselfcharginghybridsystem seamlesslyswitchesbetween

AlreadyaEuropeanCar oftheYearwinner,EV6 continuestoimpressin theUKandfurther transformperceptionsof Kiaasahigh-technology, sustainablemobility provider.Witharangeof upto328-milesonasingle charge,theEV6hascemented itselfamongthemostimportant modelsforKiaUK,asthe brand’sfirstdedicatedelectric vehicle.

GOINGONTHECHARGEFORDRIVERS

MGMotorUKhas announcedan agreementwith bppulsewhich aimstobringMG EVandplug-in hybriddriversaffordableandhitechchargingsolutions.

AkiraKirton,CEOatbppulse UK,comments:

“Weareproudtobesupporting MG'selectricvehiclecustomers intheUKfortheirhomecharging needs,aswellasenablingtheir dealerstochargevehicles convenientlyattheirsites.

DriversofMGelectricvehicles alsohaveaccessto theUK'smostutilisedpublic chargingnetwork-bppulse-to chargeonthego,including3,000 rapidandultra-fastchargepoints intheUK.”

NewMGEVownerswillreceive

adiscountwhentheyorderabp pulsehomecharger.Appenabledbppulsehomecharge unitsenablecustomerstocharge reliablyandconvenientlyat home,withtheabilitytoprecisely schedulechargingtimestotake advantageofdynamicenergy tariffs.

Customerscanalsoreceivethe publicsign-upofferfor membershipoftheUK’smost utilisedpublicchargingnetwork, bppulse,enablingthemto benefitfromthelowestbppulse tariffsplusa1-monthfree subscription.Thatmeansdrivers canaccessover9,000public chargingpointswhenontheroad intheUK,including3,000rapid andultra-fastchargepoints.

MG’sUKdealershipnetworkwill becloselysupportedbybppulse withdiscountedratesandfinance solutionsavailabletofully-

electrifytheirforecourtswithbp pulsechargingtechnology,as wellasfreesitesurveysandindepthtrainingsothatMG retailerscanpassonexpert chargingknow-howtoowners.

GuyPigounakis,MGMotorUK CommercialDirector,adds: “We’rededicatedtoofferingMG customersexcellentvalue whereverandwheneverwecan, especiallywhenitcomesto purchasingandowninganEV. Thisagreementwithbppulse enablesustoofferourcustomers awiderangeofbenefitswhether they’reathome,ontheroador visitingtheirMGdealer.Thereis alsothesignificantadvantageof teamingupwithbppulsewho bringimmenseexpertiseand resourceswhenitcomesto effective,practicalandcosteffectivevehiclecharging.”

Nissane-4ORCEsystem:

Therevolutionofall-wheel-driveelectrifiedtechnology

Nissanbringsto Europethestateof-thearte4ORCE technology,anew anduniqueallwheel-drivesystemspecifically engineeredforelectricand electrifiedvehiclestooffer confidentandreassuring performanceinallconditions.

The"e"ine-4ORCEstandsfor Nissan's100%electricmotor drivesystem. "4ORCE"referstothe vehicle'sphysical powerandenergy, with"4"representing all-wheelcontrol.

Nissan’steamsof powertrainengineers combinedtheir comprehensive expertiseonthree coreelements:electric motormanagement, all-wheeldrive systemsandchassis controltechnologiesto developaninnovative technologywhich providesreassuranceand dynamicpoiseineveryday scenarios.

Toelaborateonthetechnical detailsofe-4ORCEpowertrain,

AdityaMoorthy,Product MarketingManager,forX-Trailat NissanAutomotiveEurope explainsmorehere.

e-4ORCE:apowerfuland smoothdrive

Theinnovativee-4ORCEallwheeldrivesystemwas conceivedforuseoneither Nissan’spureelectric powertrainsorwithitspioneering e-POWERsystem.Inboth cases,thedrivenwheelsare poweredpurelybyelectric motorsfedbythebattery.

InthecaseoftheX-Trail,the duale-motorsystemhasatotal

outputof157kW(213PS)with a150kW(204PS)frontmotor andarear100Kw (136PS)(motor.Thisgenerates livelyaccelerationfrom0-62mph in7seconds.Ithasa10,000 timesfasterreartorqueresponse thanamechanical4WDsystem.

TheAriyae-4ORCEhasatotal systemoutputof225kW (306PS).Thisgenerateslively accelerationfrom0-62mphin5.7 seconds.Bothvehiclesenjoy confidentandagile handlinginall conditions,enablinga powerfulyetsmooth drivingexperience.

e-4ORCE:Superior controlandintuitive handling

Thee-4ORCEsystem usesthebatteryto poweratwinmotor systemevenly distributedoneach axleforindependent wheelcontrol.With thee-4ORCEsystem on,driverseasily followtheintendedcorneringline withminimalsteeringcorrection, allowingthemtofeeltheEV powerandenjoytheelectrified handlingexperience.

Thee-4ORCEtechnology providescontinuousbalanced chassiscontrol,linetracing,and steeringprecision,toanticipate thedriver’sbehaviourand compensateforcommon responsessuchas understeering,keepingthecabin levelforamorepleasantin-car experience.

e-4ORCE:confidenceinall surfaceconditions

Withe-4ORCE,thetorqueis distributedtothefrontandrearto maximizetiregripaccordingto roadsurfaceconditionsandthe vehicle’ssituation,whilethe brakingisindividuallycontrolled foreachofthefourwheels.

Thankstothisprecisecontrolof thetwin-motorsystemandthe braketorque-vectoring capabilities,thevehiclemaintains

therightcoursewhethertheroad iswet,oily,slipperywithwet leavesorcoveredinsnow.The keytothevehicle’son-roadpoise isthebalanceddistributionof powerfromthetwinmotor system,whichcanbeadjustedin 1/10,000thofasecond, considerablyfasterthan traditionalmechanicalall-wheel drivesystems.

e-4ORCE:Pitchcontrolfora comfortablerideforall passengers

Anadditionalbenefitofe-4ORCE forallpassengersisthe comfortabledrivewithminimal bodylongitudinal“dive”under decelerationthankstostrong regenerativebraking.Pitchis suppressedbycontrolling regenerativebalancebetween thefrontandrearaxles.Andthe twinmotorsystemmeansa

greaterlevelofregenerative energycapturethanasingle motorsystem,optimizingthe vehicle’sefficiencyatevery opportunity.

“e-4ORCEisthelatestofmany forward-thinkingtechnologies developedbyNissanoverthe years.Wecan’twaitforour customerstoexperiencethis innovativesystemonmodelslike theAriyae-4ORCEandthenew NissanX-Trail.We’resureour customerswillenjoyanoticeable differenceintheirdriving experience”said,Cliodhna Lyons,VicePresidentProduct Planning,NissanAMIEO.

Thelaunchofe-4ORCEisa significantstepinNissan’s electrificationjourneytowardsa cleaner,safer,andmore inclusiveworld.

Crucialtotheprojectistheneed tomaintainperformanceand reliability,factorsthatarecritical incommercialvehicles,while alsoensuringanysolutioncanbe producedcost-effectively.

Theconsortiumalsocomprises thehighlyrespectedengineering consultancyRicardo,European ThermodynamicsLtd(ETL),and theinsuranceindustry’s automotiveresearchcentre, ThatchamResearch.

Scheduledtorunfortwoyears, theprojectwillseeprototype vehiclesbuiltatTMUK’s Burnastonsitein2023withsmall seriesproductiona consideration.Assuch,the projectrepresentsanexciting opportunitytosupportthe decarbonisationofthetransport sectorinwhatistraditionallya hard-to-electrifysegment.

DarrenDavies,D2HAdvanced Technologies’ChiefExecutive, said:“We’reincrediblyproudto havebeenselectedtoworkon thispioneeringprojectwith Toyota,andtohavethe opportunitytoworkwiththeother consortiumpartnerswhoall representthefinesttalent availablewithintheUK’s automotiveindustry.”

AdamEvans,D2H’sSenior Engineerontheproject,said: “TheUK’sfast-approaching2030 banonthesaleofnewpetroland diesel-poweredvehiclesincludes pickups,andthathas implicationsfortheoff-highway, construction,andutilitiessectors thatdependonthesereliable workhorses.Toyota’shydrogen

fuelcelltechnology,asprovenin theMirai,providesonepossible solutiontothechallengeof keepingtheseindustriesonthe moveinenvironmentswhere battery-electricpowertrainsoften proveimpractical.Our experienceofdeveloping technicalandengineering solutionstocomplexproblems thatarebothefficientand commerciallycost-effectivewill beputtogooduse.”

AdamEvans

DarrenDavies

ATSCOTTISHCAROFTHEYEARAWARDS

SsangYongMotor UKisdelightedto announcethat Musso,itsmultiawardwinning pick-uptruck,has receivedanotheraccolade“BestUtility/4x4”attheScottish CaroftheYear(SCOTY) awards.

Thejudgingpanelismadeupof Scotland’sleadingmotoring journalistsandexperts–representingavarietyofmajor print,onlineandradiooutlets. SCOTYjudges,allmembersof theAssociationofScottish MotoringWriters(ASMW),have beenrepeatedlyimpressedby theMusso’swinningcombination ofcapability,buildquality,space, refinement,comfort,excellent warrantyandvalueformoney.

ASMWpresident,Jack McKeown,said:“TheSsangYong Mussoisoneoftheleast expensivepick-upsinthemarket, yetoneofthemostimpressive. Incredibleoff-roadprowess,

excellenttowing,andcargo capacitiesmakeitareal workhorse.Takeitonalonger journeyanditshighlevelsof refinementwillsurpriseyou.”

Designedtocarrypassengersin comfortandtransportloads securely,theSUV-basedMusso combinesafive-seatcrew-cab bodystylewithaworkman-like loaddeckthatwilltakeafullsizedEuropallet,andsome.It alsocarriesapayloadofover1tonneandtowstrailersofupto 3.5tonnesconcurrentlytogive thehighesttotalloadcapacityin thesegment.Thiscombination ofutilitypick-upandSUVmeans Mussoofferstheperfectblendof functionality,practicality, performanceandcomforttothe driverandfamilyorworkmates.

KevinGriffin,managingdirector ofSsangYongMotorUK,said: “Winning‘BestUtility/4x4’atthe ScottishCaroftheYearawards isyetanotherachievement,and it’stestamenttohowfantastic Mussois.Mussoisanextremely

competentmulti-purposetruck withSsangYongvaluestoits core-comprehensively equipped,aclassleading7-year/ 150,000-milewarrantywrapped upinavalueformoneypackage. Mussocontinuestowinawards, whichspeaksvolumesaboutthe modernSsangYongproduct range.”

Inside,Mussoisexceptionally wellequippedcomparedwith otherpick-ups,andaswellas offeringexcellentshoulderand legroomfrontandrear,Nappa leatherseatscanbefoundonthe topoftherangemodelforadded luxuryandcomfort.DABradio andBluetoothconnectivity featureacrosstherange,while allbuttheentrylevelmodel featureastate-of-the-art infotainmentsystemwhich includesAppleCarPlayand AndroidAuto.

ThislatestawardforMussojoins honoursfromCarbuyer,4x4 Magazine,WhatCar?andDiesel CarMagazine.

DACIAJOGGERCREATESACARWOWMOMENT ASWEBSITESIMPLYSAYS‘BUYIT’

TheDaciaJogger hascreateda carwowmoment asthewell-known websiteand YouTubechannel hasawardedtheinnovative seven-seaterwithahighly coveted‘BuyIt’Award2023.

Ofthehundredsofcarsthat carwowhasreviewedonits YouTubechannelin2022,the Joggerisjustoneof16thathas beengiventhe‘BuyIt’sealof approval.

Theexclusiveawardisreserved solelyformodelsthatscorethe highestintheirtest-drivereviews andrepresentsapersonal recommendationfromMat Watson,carwow’sChiefContent Officer,regardingthecar’s qualities.

Onhisreasonsforawardingthe

Jogger,hesaid:“Daciahas alwaysbeenaboutvalue,and theJoggermakessurethere’sno bettervaluewayofcarrying sevenpeople.ThisblendofSUV, MPVandestatecarfeelsmore impressivethanitsbargainprice tagwouldsuggest,andthere’s nothingevenclosethatcan matchtheJogger’spracticality andspaciousness.”

Withover7.6millionsubscribers, carwowhasoneofthebiggest automotivechannelson YouTube.Sincebeingposted justsixmonthsago,thecarwow reviewoftheDaciaJoggerhas hadanimpressive1.6million views.

LukeBroad,DaciaBrand DirectorfortheUKsaid:“Once againtheJoggerhasbeen officiallyrecognisedasbeingina classofitsown,bothintermsof valueandwhatishastoofferfor

driversandfamilies.Incarwow awardingourlatestmodeloneof its‘BuyIt’Awards,its recommendationtocarbuyersto purchasetheDaciaJogger couldn’tbeanysimpleror stronger.”

TheDaciaJoggerisasevenseatfamilycaruniqueinitsown segment,combiningthe versatilityofasporttourerwith thecomfortandruggedstyleof anSUV.Availableinthreetrim levels–Essential,Expression, andExtremeSE–allversions aregenerouslyequippedwithair conditioning,cruisecontrol,and rearparkingsensorsas standard.Jogger’sversatilityis furtherenhancedwithremovable thirdrowseatsandthe availabilityofmodularroofbars andinnovativesmartphone connectivityoptions.TheDacia Joggerispricedfrom£16,645 OTR.

NewFordRangerModelLiftsLuxurytoNewLevels

FordProtoday revealedtheultrahighspecification RangerPlatinum pickup–raising luxurytoanew levelintheRanger family.

ThenewRanger Platinumjoinsthe excitingnext-generation line-upofEurope’sbestsellingpickupatthe pinnacleoftheon-road range.Exclusiveexterior detailingandfinishes enhancetheRanger’s alreadycharacterful design,matchedbya stylishandcontemporaryleathertrimmedcabin.

Ford’spowerful240PS3.0-litre V6turbodieselengineanda drivetrainspeciallyengineered forrefinementcombinetodeliver smooth,effortlessperformance forcruising,aswellas exceptionaltorqueforconfident loadcarryingandtowingupto 3,500kg.

“TheFordRangerhassetthe standardforperformance,

versatilityandcapabilityinthe pickupsegment,andnowit’s settingthestandardforluxury. ThestunningnewPlatinumwill suitcustomerswhoappreciate thelevelofcomfortand technologyfromhigh-endroad cars,butwhorelyonthe toughnessandall-round productivitythatconsistently makeRangerEurope’spickup salesleader,”saidHansSchep, generalmanager,FordPro, Europe.

OrderbooksforRangerPlatinum areopenfromtoday,withprices startingat£44,400,excluding VAT.Productionofthenew modelisscheduledtobeginin March2023,withthefirst

customerdeliveriesscheduled

FordPro’smostluxurious Rangeryet

RangerPlatinumis availableexclusivelyin five-seat,doublecab specification,and poweredbyFord’s3.0litreV6turbodiesel engine–alsofeaturedin luxurySUVsandtheF150pickupinNorth America–producing 240PSand600Nmof torque.Poweris deliveredthroughthe Ranger’snew electronicallycontrolledfull-time all-wheeldrivesystem,combined withFord’s10-speedautomatic transmissionwithadaptiveshift schedulingandmountsreengineeredtoreducenoiseand vibration.

Theresultisrefined,responsive performanceregardlessof conditions,andagenerous maximumbrakedtowingweight of3,500kg.Thevehiclealso offersthesameoutstandingloadcarryingabilityasallRanger

pickups,includingapayload exceedingonetonne.4

TheRangerPlatinumexterior buildsonthemuscularand functionalstylingoftheRanger pickupfamilywithadded sophistication.Thenewmodel sitsabovethehigh-series Wildtrak–whichaccountedfor 60percentofoutgoingRanger modelsalesinEurope.

Auniquegrilleandnewsilk chromefinishforRanger

leatherseats with10-way power adjustment, heatingand cooling functions,and stylishcontrast stitching. Open-grained darkmaple woodtextures continuethe opulent design,and sophisticated ambient interiorlighting helpscreatea calming atmosphere.

Thehigh-tech cockpitis definedby dual12-inch screens;afull digitalcluster replacesthetraditionalgauges aheadofthe driver, alongsidea portrait touchscreen controlling Ford’s powerful SYNC4A infotainment system.5 Ranger Platinumalso featuresan

Inadditiontothecomprehensive advanceddriverassistance systemsonRangerWildtrak,the Platinumseriesalsofeatures ActiveParkAssistwithParkOut Assist,8BlindSpotInformation SystemwithCross-TrafficAlert andTrailerCoverage,Lane ChangeWarning&Aid,anda 360-degreecameraasstandard equipment.

WidesteverrangeofRanger pickups

Platinum’sexteriorhighlights helpdeliverastrikingfirst impression,supportedbynew 20-inchmachined-facealloy wheelswithhigh-glossebony detailing.Furtherpremium touchesincludeasoft-close tailgate,privacyglassand signaturedaytimerunninglights withinthematrixLED headlamps.Standardroofrails addapurposefullookandextra practicality.

Inside,RangerPlatinumblendsa luxuriousleather-trimmedcabin withclevertechdesignedto makelifeeasier.Thedriverand frontpassengerbenefitfrom premiumperforatedandquilted

eight-speaker B&Oaudio system6and wireless device chargingas standard.7 Powerful connectivityis deliveredbya standard FordPass Connect modem,which enablesmultiplemodulestobe wirelesslyfuture-proofedviaFord Power-Upsoftwareupdatesthat canimprovethevehicleover time.

ThePlatinumseriestopsthe widesteverrangeofRanger pickupvariantsavailablefrom FordPro,andinadditiontothe high-performanceRaptorand Wildtrakmodelsthatarealready onsale,customerscannowalso ordertheruggedXLtrim,priced from£27,550excludingVATfor thesinglechassiscab,£28,275 excludingVATforthesinglecab variantand£29,800excluding VATforthedoublecab;andXLT, availableindoublecabonly, pricedfrom£31,150excluding

VAT.Theseiterationsfeaturenononsensespecificationstosuit commercialuserssuchasthose inconstruction,forestryandthe emergencyservices.

FIATPROFESSIONALE-DOBLOWINSBESTSMALL ELECTRICVANATDRIVINGELECTRICAWARDS2023

FiatProfessional’s NewE-Doblòhas beencrownedBest SmallElectricVan for2023atthe annual DrivingElectricaward.The accolademarksthefirstaward fortheelectricvansinceits launchinJune2022.

NewE-Doblòwaspraisedforits versatility,chargingcapabilities, andsafetydevicesfeatures,by DrivingElectric’spanelofexpert judges.

RichardIngram,Editor DrivingElectricsaid:“Fiate-Doblò isourBestSmallElectricVanfor 2023.Easytodrive,versatileand quicktocharge,itmakesthe switchtoelectricano-brainerfor somanybusinessowners.”

InrecognitionofE-Doblò’s versatility,theBestSmallElectric Vanisavailableintwolengths

andtwodifferentconfigurationsPanelandCrewCab.

TheshortwheelbasePanelvan hasacargovolumeof3.3m³and anexternallengthof4.4m,while thelongwheelbaseversionhasa cargovolumeof3.9m³witha lengthof4.75m.

Meanwhile,theCrewCab–only availablewithalongwheelbasepossessacargovolumeof3.5m³ andalengthof4.75m.

NewE-Doblòboastsa100kW electricmotoranda50kWh batterywhichallowsupto175 milesintheWLTPcycle.

Italsoofferschargingcapabilities upto100kW,whichallowsthe vantoreach80%chargeinjust 30minutes.

Thestand-outsafetyfeatureon E-DoblòistheMagicMirror, whichthankstotwocameras-

oneundertherightrear-view mirrorandtheotherabovethe reardoors-ensuresthedriver hasthreedifferentviewsto performthemostcomplicated manoeuvreinthesafestpossible fashion.

TheentirespaceoftheE-Doblò istailoredtodriverand passengerneedswithgreat attentiongiventoacoustic comfort,reducingtheaverage noiselevelinsidethecabin,to ensureamorepleasantdriving experience.

RichardChamberlain,Headof FiatProfessionalintheUK,said: “FollowingE-Doblòbeing recognisedasBestSmallElectric Vanatthisyear'sDrivingElectric Awards,wearedelightedthatthe FiatProfessionalvanrange continuestoimpressboth customersandindustryexperts.”

VAUXHALLCOMBOELECTRICNAMED‘BESTSMALL ELECTRICVAN’AT2023DrivingElectricAWARDS

TheVauxhallCombo Electrichasbeen named‘BestSmall ElectricVan’forthe secondyear runningatthe annualDrivingElectricAwards. TheComboElectricwonthe 2023awardalongsidesister modelsfromCitroën,Fiat,Toyota andPEUGEOT.

Featuringa50kWhbattery,the VauxhallComboElectrichasa rangeofupto175miles(WLTP) fromasinglechargeandis capableofsupporting100kW rapidcharging,meaningthata080%chargecanbecompletedin lessthan30minutes.The ComboElectricalsofeaturesan identical4.4m³loadcapacityto itspetrolanddieselcounterparts thankstocleverengineeringof thebattery–makingitidealfor fleetsandbusinesses.

RichardIngram,Editor, DrivingElectric,said:“The VauxhallComboElectric,along withitsPEUGEOT,Citroën,Fiat andToyotasiblings,isourBest SmallElectricVanfor2023.Easy todrive,versatileandquickto charge,itmakestheswitchto electricano-brainerforsomany businessowners.”

The2023DrivingElectricAwards recognisethebestelectricand hybridvehiclesavailabletodrive intheUK,judgedbyapanelof industryexpertswithextensive experiencebehindthewheelsof theUK’slatestelectricmodels.

Vauxhallisoneoffew manufacturersintheUKableto offerfleetsanelectricvanacross itsentiremodelline-up.The awardcomesafterthelatest SocietyofMotorManufacturer andTraders(SMMT)figures

confirmVauxhallremainsthe UK’sbest-sellingelectricLight CommercialVehicle(e-LCV) manufactureryear-to-date.

JamesTaylor,Managing Director,Vauxhall,said:“The Vauxhallelectricvanrange continuestoimpressboth industryexpertsandcustomers alike.Asmorebusinessesand fleetsembraceelectricvehicles, awardsliketheseareimportant inpointingcustomerstotheright vehicles,andhelpVauxhallfulfil itsaimofelectrifyingBritain’s businesses.”

ComboElectricisalsoavailable astheComboLifeElectricwith upto7seats,goodlooks,and plentyofpracticality.Witha rangeofupto175miles(WLTP), ComboLifeElectricoffers familiesandfleetsstylishzeroemissionspracticality.

UKGovernment’sAdvancedPropulsionCentre

backs£30millionHydrogenHGVprojectwith £15millioninvestmentintopioneersHVS

ero-emission, hydrogen-powered commercialvehicle innovator, HydrogenVehicle Systems(HVS), hastodayannounceda£15 million(US$17.8 million)grantfrom theUK Government’s AdvancedPropulsion Centre(APC)aspart ofawiderfunding packagetosupport zeroemission transport.

HVSwasawarded APCfunding followinga successfulentryinto itscompetitionfor developing automotive technologiesand growingcapabilitytowardsnet zero.TheGlasgow-based companyisleadinginnovationin hydrogenmobilityintheformof theUK’sfirstindigenous,cleansheet,hydrogenfuel-cellHGV (HeavyGoodsVehicle).

APC’sfunding,whichisaimedat supportingtheUK’slong-term capabilitiesbysecuringlong-term

R&Dinvestmentincollaborative, pre-productionresearchand development(R&D)projects,will support50%oftheproject’s approximate£30million (US$35.9m)totalcost.

combinationofthisexpertisewill expeditethedevelopmentofthe fullvehicle’sfuelcellandbattery hybridpowertrain,covering engineering,testingand development.

BothHVSandother fuelcellprojects fundedbytheAPC willcontributetothe ambitionto decarbonisethe automotivesectoras describedintheUK’s HydrogenStrategy.

Theproject,whichwillrun between1stSeptember2022, and30thJune2025,comprisesa consortiumledbyHVSand includesGrayson(Thermal Systems),FusionProcessing (vehiclevisionsystems)and PNDC(acommercialarmof StrathclydeUniversity specialisinginpower electronics).Thesupportand

IanConstance,Chief Executiveatthe APC,said: “Supportingvital researchand developmentinthe UK,nowmorethan ever,providesan opportunitytoinvest intransportdecarbonisationas wellasboostgrowthinthe automotivesector.

“Inthisperiodofmassive innovationanddisruption,there isanopportunityforpeopleto comethroughwithnewideas. Forthattowork,youhavetobe outinfront,keepveryfocused, buildagreatteam,andhave

goodsupport.Thatisall hereatHVS.Ithinkthis willbeanothergreatUK innovationand manufacturingsuccess storyweareproudtobe partof.”

“The£15millionoffunding announcedtodayfurthers world-leadinginnovationin net-zerotechnologyforthe automotivesectorand beyond.Thesefantastic projectsareall collaborativebydesign,led byhigh-profilecompanies withinnovativeSMEand academicpartners, representinggreatUK industry.”

AnnouncingtheAPC funding,Business SecretaryGrantShapps said:“Ourautomotive industryisaworld-leader, creatingjobswhetherin Essex,Somersetor Glasgow.Seizingthe potentialfromnew technologieswillbeakey partofitsfuturesuccess, whilealsomakingour roadscleaner,greenerand moreaffordable.

“Today’smulti-millionpoundboost–createdby Governmentworkinghandin-handwithindustry–will putthesefirmsinpole positiontopioneerthese innovations,stayingatthe cuttingedgeoftheglobal racefordecadestocome.”

HVSCEOJawad Khursheedsaid:“Our missiontodecarbonise heavy-dutytransportinthe UKhasreachedamajor milestonewiththehelpof theAPCgrant.TheUK Governmentperformed rigorousduediligencein selectingHVStoreceivethisgrant–acknowledging thatouradvancedtechnologyisakeyinnovation towardsachievingzero-emissiontargets.

“Wehavesuccessfullyproducedourfirstdriving fuelcelltechnologydemonstratorvehicleandare ontracktodelivertheUK’sfirst-to-markethydrogen fuelcell-poweredHGV.Wehaveexperiencedrapid

growthatHVSinaslittleas ayear,nowwiththis governmentsupportwewill boostinnovation,create thousandsofUK-based jobsinthesupplychain, andbuilduponourgoal towardscleanerHGVs.”

EarlierinNovember,HVS revealeditsgame-changing hydrogenpowertraininthe formofa5.5-tonne technologydemonstrator, previewingitsplanned40tonnezero-emissionHGV (HeavyGoodsVehicle), fulfillingthecompany’s objectiveofbeingthefirst indigenousUKdesigned anddevelopedhydrogenelectricHGVonthemarket.

Foundedin2017,in Glasgow,HVSfocuseson theground-updesignand developmentofzeroemissionhydrogenpoweredcommercial vehicles.Thecompany comprisesindustry specialists,withvast experienceinthe automotive,energy, hydrogentechnology, powerelectronics, sustainabilityand environmentalmanagement fields.

Withgovernmenttargetsto curtailsalesofallnon-zero emission3.5-26tHGVsset tocomeintoplayby2035 orearlierandallsalesof newnon-zeroemission HGVsby2040,HVSandits world-leadingtechnology hasthepotentialtoplaya crucialroleinenabling emissionsreductiontargets tobeachieved.

Thecompanyalsohasa definedroutetomarket.In additiontofundingfrom InnovateUK,ScottishEnterprise,Advanced PropulsionCentreandtheEnergyTechnology Partnership,HVS’strategicinvestmentpartneris theservicestationandgrocerycorporation,EG Group,offeringhydrogenrefuellinginfrastructure, fleetcustomerbaseandthepotentialforglobal scalability.

FeringPioneerenterssecondphaseof developmentasitclimbstowardsproduction

ABritishadventure vehiclestart-uphas enteredthesecond phaseofits development programtocreatea trulypioneeringelectrifiedpickup,designedtotakeonthe toughestofterrainswhile treadinglightlyontheplanet.

TheFeringPioneeristhe brainchildofex-Ferrariand McLarenengineerBenScottGeddes,whohasrepurposed supercarandracingtechnology tocreateanoff-roadvehicle whichiscompact,lightweightand unusuallyefficient.

Thecompanyhascompletedthe firstphaseofprototypetesting andhasnowsecuredfundingfor phasetwo.Obtainingfinanceis oftenthemostdifficultpartofany nichevehicleproduction,but investorshavebeenwonoverby thebusinessplanandimpressive capabilitiesofthePioneer prototypewhendemonstratedat testdays.

Thefundingwill allowtwo further prototypestobe built,whichwill bemadetothe specificationsof Fering’sfirst confirmed customers. These organisations, whichwillbe announcedata laterdate, intendtomake fulluseofthe Pioneer’soffgridandoff-roadcapabilitiesin trulychallengingenvironments.

Aftermonthsoftestingatthe famousMillbrookProving Ground,mainlyinthegruelling offroadandmilitarytestareas, thePioneerPrototype#1has proveditisexceptionally capable.BenScott-Geddessaid: “Drivingovertheobstacles showedtheverygoodnatural abilityofthePioneerinsevere off-roadconditions.Itwasableto

traverseallthephysicalstandard obstacleswetriedwithoutany issue,includingthoseintendedto challengemuchlargerand extrememilitaryvehicles.The off-roadcapabilityisexceptional, provingourdesignphilosophyof lowoverallweight,largediameter tyresandlongwheeltravelworks brilliantly.”

PioneerPrototype#1iscurrently beingstrippeddowntocheck, measure,andupgrade

components.Butitisfarfrom retiredandwillbebackout testingalongsideitsnewer siblingsshortly.

Despiteitsimposing appearance,the Pioneerisnolargerin anydirectionthana typicaldeliveryvanand isshorterthanaFord MondeoEstate.Italso weighsthesameasa familyhatchbackand lessthanhalfthe figuresforsome electricandhybrid 4x4s.

Powertotheaxlesis providedsolelybytwo electricmotorsunusualforanoff-road vehicle.Buttheyareperfectly suitedtothetask,providing instanttorque,controllability,and reliability.Theyprovideatotalof 800Nmoftorque;farmorethana comparablediesel4x4.

Abatteryprovidesazerolocal emission,electric-onlyrangeof around50miles.ThePioneer’s rangeextendergeneratoristhen availabletogiveabilitytokeep

goingtotheendofyour adventure.Thepowerpacksare designedtosurviveinextreme temperatures.

hikingbootsandmarinesails, makingitlightinweight,strong andeasytorepair.Italsohasfar betterinsulationproperties–for bothnoiseandheat–thantraditionalmetalor composite.

Customerswillbeabletospecify theirvehiclestobeconfigured withdifferentcombinationsof batterypackandrangeextender fueltocaterforlocalconditions andoperationalneeds.

ThePioneer’suniqueand distinctiveappearanceispartly duetotheuseoffabricformany ofthebodypanels.Thisspecial materialissimilartothatusedin

“Usingfabricinsteadof metalforthepanels wasalwaysgoingto requiresomeopenmindedassessment fromourcustomers, andI’mpleasedto reportthateveryone whohasseenitin actionhasbeen completelyconvinced,” saysScott-Geddes.“In fact,weareplanning onexpandingtheuse ofthefabrictoother partsofthevehicle,suchasthe innerwings,wherewearesureit willhaveexcellentnoise insulationpropertiesinaddition tosavingweightandcomplexity.”

ThenextstageofFering’s developmentwillseethePioneer goingintolowvolumeproduction inlate2023orearly2024, followedbylargerscalebatch productionin2025.