Farming Monthly National January 2024

INSIDE: It’s LAMMA time! - Pages 42 - 53

Farming MONTHLY National

January 2024

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CONTENTS J a n u a r y 2024

FEATURES

24 Arable

80 Livestock

96 Muck & Slurry

34 Grain

88 Sheep & Lambing

112 Tyres

36 British Lifestyle 38 Potatoes & Root Crops 42 LAMMA 2024

FM REGULARS National

54 Dairy Tech 58 Education &Training

6 News

104 Machinery

64 Mental Health

68 Energy

114 ATV

66 Women in Farming

76 Buildings

118 Motors

78 Farm Safety & Security

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Farming

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Farmland prospects strong for 2024 ational property consultancy Carter Jonas says the agricultural land market has had another positive year and does not expect it to falter in 2024. \ All types of agricultural land gained value in 2023, even in the face of high inflation and rising borrowing costs which have put downward pressure on many other property sectors.

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This illustrates the market’s relative resilience to economic fluctuations.

However, Head of Farm Agency, Andrew Chandler, said the market has not been completely unaffected.

“We have seen an uptick in debt-driven launches bringing more supply to the market in recent months, and growth in capital values has slowed,” Andrew said.

“Yet, the prominence of cash buyers means that land values are less exposed to

Farming

increasingly expensive debt than other property markets.

“Significantly, many landowners have sold land for development purposes over the past couple of years and need to ‘rollover’ the funds within a three-year timeframe to defer Capital Gains Tax. As a result of supply levels being historically low, many of these sellers have not yet found a new asset, resulting in a pool of ‘waiting cash’.

“Furthermore, evolving natural capital markets are bringing an increasing array of purchasers to the market.

With the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain expected in January 2024, the number of natural capital buyers will accelerate. It will also offer opportunities for landowners who wish to diversify their income streams.”

The agricultural sector will be paying close attention to the pledges made by

political parties in the leadup to the election.

Over the past year, Carter Jonas has been monitoring responses to changing support payments and concerns about food security, and this scrutiny is likely to intensify in the coming year. There has also been speculation surrounding the political parties looking to axe agricultural property relief for inheritance tax, although this change is now looking less likely.

“For agricultural land, we expect only a modest slowdown in the rate of growth in 2024 compared with 2023,” Andrew added.

“Pasture land values will benefit from natural capital gains, while arable supply may shrink as farmers assess profitability and take land out of production, exerting upward pressure on values.”

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LABOUR NOT DOING ENOUGH CPRE: Starmer right on TO TACKLE BOVINE TB climate and countryside

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esponding to the latest changes on Bovine TB testing from the Labour Government, Samuel Kurtz MS, Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, said:

“The re-introduction of pre-movement testing in Low TB Areas is an admittance by the Welsh Government that their TB eradication strategy has been failing.

“Bovine TB is a horrific disease, causing untold misery and anguish to Welsh farmers, livestock and wildlife. This tweaking around the edges while roughly 10,000 cattle a year are slaughtered shows a Welsh Government out of ideas when it comes to eradicating this disease.

“Labour politicians’ inability to see the scientific evidence from TB eradication strategies elsewhere in the UK is confining Welsh farmers to prolonged and unnecessary misery.”

PRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: "Keir Starmer is right to describe action on climate change as this country's 'single biggest opportunity'. Climate change is the single biggest threat to the countryside and is already impacting on our farmland and food security. Nobody is more aware of this than rural communities.

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"We are asking our countryside to work harder than ever, to restore nature, provide food, sustain rural communities, provide landscapes that inspire us, as well as tackle the climate emergency. The countryside can support all this, but the next government needs a spatial strategy to make sure changes in the countryside happen in the right place.

"Solar energy is a good example. Before our best farmland is used for solar panels, we need a rooftop solar revolution and make solar panels a requirement of planning permission for major refurbishment and new residential, commercial and industrial buildings."

Farming

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"Profits washed away in front of their eyes": farming specialist describes "heartbreaking" financial impact of floods he Head of Agriculture at one of the Midlands' largest accountancy and business advisers has set out the "unprecedented" impact of recent floods on farming livelihoods in parts of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

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Mark Chatterton, a director at Duncan & Toplis who leads the company's team of agriculture specialists, says this year's floods were the worst he's seen at any time in his 24year career, due to the scale and unfortunate timing.

Crucially, he explains that this year's flooding is especially costly because heavy rainfall began after winter crops had already been planted.

Mark Chatterton, Director and Head of Agriculture at Duncan & Toplis, said: "We thought 2019 was bad - the worst flooding for many, many years - but this truly is unprecedented.

"In 2019, the rains started in October, when many fields were undrilled so the damage was limited.

This time, the rain began after winter wheat and barley had been planted in October. As a result, the work and expense of cultivating, drilling and carrying out pre-emergent sprays has been wasted with seed being flooded and failing to germinate.

"Fields will now need to be drilled with a spring crop, but available seed is in very short supply: costs of £800/t rather than £300/t are being quoted for spring wheat and barley, for instance.

Some farmers may have their own seed that can be dressed, but most will not have this luxury because few farms grew spring varieties in 2023."

While some farms might remain waterlogged until April, Mark explains that they will also have to cover the cost of removing the extensive debris that will be left behind. Meanwhile, livestock will be subjected to additional stress meaning they may not be ready for spring markets.

From 1st November through to 5th January, central Nottinghamshire has seen more rain than anywhere else in the UK. In the last week, more than 100 flooded properties have been evacuated Farming

and there were more than 20 flood warnings in place along the Trent Valley last weekend. The River Trent itself reached record levels and neighbouring counties Leicestershire and Lincolnshire have also seen extensive flooding.

Each year, Duncan & Toplis surveys farms covering 20,000 acres across the East Midlands and the harvest following the floods of 2019 showed an 18% drop in net profits, largely because of the flooding. This year, Mark anticipates that profits will be much worse: "All of this means that the floods this year have been far more costly for farmers than in 2019 and farms will face further costs as a direct result for years to come, likely with a poor harvest this year and poor cash flow for 2025.

"Speaking to farming families that had made all the right decisions, working day in and day out to run a profitable business only to find their profits washed away in front of their eyes is truly heartbreaking.

"My advice is to create a new cash flow forecast, work out the impact that the situation will have for the next two years, and work out ways to reduce costs throughout this period. This might mean putting off capital investments in property or carrying out non-urgent repairs and farmers should also look to draw on their private capital.

Meanwhile, tax planning will be important because there will be large bills to pay on last year's more successful harvest.

"I'd urge farmers to seek out professional advice and support immediately."

Duncan & Toplis, which has offices in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, has a long history of supporting farmers, having been co-founded by a secretary of the Grantham brand of the National Farmers Union in 1925. The company has since supported farming clients through many generations of family ownership.

Today, Duncan & Toplis is one of the region's largest independent chartered accountants and business advisers, supporting more than 12,000 businesses and individuals.

For more information about Duncan & Toplis, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk

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NFU responds to latest changes in roll out of ELM scheme

esponding to Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay’s announcement of further changes to the Environment Land Management scheme (ELMs), NFU Vice President David Exwood said: “We welcome much of what has been announced today including changes to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2024, including increased payments and a raft of new options such as support for precision farming and uplands and moorlands. The new actions being made available under SFI will provide further clarity which is much needed by farming businesses in order to plan for the future.

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“Confirmation of plans to build on the Countryside Stewardship scheme (CS) with a developed and improved offer for 2024 is also welcome including further new and enhanced options for access and wildfire management.

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“However, we still have more questions than answers around the deliverability of these new options. It remains hugely frustrating that nearly six years on from the Health and Harmony consultation, which set farming in England on a path towards public goods for public payments, government is still a long way behind on its commitments.

“With a minimum of 50% reduction in direct payments due in 2024, the tapering of payments to 2027 continues to be very concerning. We urgently need business critical detail on how farmers and growers will smoothly transition from existing agreements to the new offer.

“We repeat our calls for Defra to undertake a midterm review – an urgent assessment is needed of the agricultural transition on food production and farm business viability. Currently, no such impact assessment exists and it is something we have said is an absolute must to ensure these new schemes are set up to succeed.

“It is imperative that SFI has sustainable food production at its core, with enough options that sit around productive farming. For this to happen, it is absolutely vital that there’s a better balance between policies that focus on enhancing food production as well as the environment.

“The NFU remains committed to working with Defra to improve ELMs for all farming sectors to ensure we get the uptake needed to deliver Defra’s own statutory environmental targets and to ensure a future agricultural sector which is resilient and thriving, with farmers doing what they do best; contributing to our national food security by producing sustainable, climate-friendly food alongside protecting and maintaining our environment.”

www.neilvessey.com sales@neilvessey.com

Farming

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NFU President's New Years Message

FU President Minette Batters said: As I write my final New Year's message as President of the NFU, it's impossible not to reflect upon the unprecedented challenges the farming community has faced over the past twelve months. Soaring production costs, global turmoil from the Ukraine war, extreme weather and significant delays to the future of farm payments have all put the resilience of British farmers at risk.

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Yet, amid these adversities, it's important not to overlook the incredible successes we've seen this year, from the unwavering support of the British public to crucial government policy wins.

A landmark achievement was the first ever Farm to Fork Summit held at Number 10 this summer – a culmination of over a year's worth of work and campaigning by the NFU. This event secured government commitments to support British farming and protect our domestic food security and concluded with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recognition that food security should be taken seriously by the government.

Two key causes for celebration this year are both the Precision Breeding Bill and Equipment Theft Bill receiving Royal Assent1, granting farmers greater access to precision breeding tools for their crops and livestock and the government greater powers against equipment theft. We campaigned hard on both issues and these bills are important steps forward to help farmers improve their climate-friendly food production and keep their businesses safer from criminals.

Over 27,000 members of the public rallied behind our campaign with Dr Luke Evans MP to get supermarkets to support British farmers and growers by adding a Buy British Button to their websites, culminating with Morrisons becoming the first supermarket to do so2. Additionally, our petition to ban sky lanterns received over 100,000 signatures and we continue to work with Defra to achieve a national ban in England as they have in Wales. After one of the wettest autumns on record resulting in acres of farmland and

winter crops under water, more than 1,750 people signed our letter urging political parties to address flooding issues.

It is heartening to see the public's recognition and appreciation for the vital work farmers do 365 days of the year to produce climate friendly food, care for livestock, and protect and enhance the environment we all know and love.

The British public clearly value our farmers and growers, with 82% being in favour of the government setting food security targets, while 84% think food production targets are either as important or more important than the environmental targets we have current legislation for3. I cannot thank the public enough for their support; it has been crucial during the turbulence of the past few years.

And when it comes to the public we have made great strides this year to reach out to the younger generation.

Our TikTok account has reached over 1.4 million people, educating and informing them about the important role farming plays for the nation. Who knew a video on asparagus production could be so successful? Our ground-breaking educational initiatives have reached schools nationwide, with more than 360,000 students across 5,000 schools participating in our Live Lessons where agriculture is used to teach valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) learning. Our Farmers for Schools ambassador programme, featured in the Lessons at 10 initiative by Akshata Murty, the Prime Minister's wife, has also seen more than 50 farmers visit primary and secondary schools across the country giving pupils front row access to those people producing their food.

Encouraging the younger generation and making agriculture relevant and interesting is such an important job.

Every single one of us is impacted by food and farming, and it's vital that all children, wherever they are in the country, get the opportunity to understand how their food is produced.

much to do. Despite the progress made, the government is still a long way behind on its commitments. As a matter of urgency, our national food security must now be embedded into the Sustainable Farming Initiative. With 50% of Basic Payment Scheme payments capped, the tapering of payments to 2027 is very concerning for farmers.

England is the only country in the G20 to be stepping back from a commitment to produce food and the disparity of payment rates between grassland and arable land must be addressed. Urgent action is needed if we are to get the uptake needed to deliver Defra's own legislated environmental ambitions. The NFU has always maintained that food production and delivering more for nature and the environment must be treated as two sides of the same coin.

We also continue to call for government to deliver on its priorities for growth in horticulture, through a well-resourced producer organisation scheme, as well as focusing on policies to drive productivity investment, supply chain fairness and access to skilled labour.

While it was brilliant to see Defra's commitment to building sustainable energy supplies with the recent announcement that horticulture businesses will have access to the Industrial Energy Transformation (IETF) Fund to help cut energy bills, we still seek clarity on support for other energy intensive sectors such as poultry.

Our ambitions are clear. Food security must be a top priority for any government and investing in our farming and growing sector is essential for productivity, job creation, and economic and environmental delivery. British farmers and growers provide the raw ingredients for the UK's largest manufacturing sector, British food and drink is worth more than £128 billion to the national economy.

This new year, let's build on the momentum of the public's unwavering support and forge a path towards a resilient and thriving British agricultural sector so we can continue what we do best – producing great British food.

All of this said, I am extremely mindful that, as we close 2023 and welcome in a new year, there is still Farming

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Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF) to plant 6km of new hedges this winter for nature and carbon capture

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ormally quiet at this time of year, Hope Showground in Derbyshire was recently a hive of activity as Peak District farmers collected over 31,000 hedge plants and 1,500 trees to plant on their farms this

in the Hope Valley and Bradfield.

Chloe Palmer, facilitator of the Hope Valley and Bradfield Farmers groups is delighted with the positive partnership working demonstrated by this project.

winter.

The project led by PEF will see members of the Hope Valley Farmers and Bradfield Farmers Groups establish over 6km of new hedgerow, creating valuable habitat corridors for wildlife, sequestering carbon and enhancing the landscape. This combined with 10km already planted and 8km planned for next year will make 24km in only four years.

Tom Noel, local farmer and chair of PEF says the project demonstrates that with the right support collaborative action for the environment by farmers can achieve nature recovery: "Our upland farms are a rare haven for several very rare species so by linking habitats with new hedgerows our members are committing their own time and effort to create wildlife corridors.

"As a farmer-led environmental cooperative we plan to plant more hedgerows each year as part of a broader conservation plan, thereby hopefully meeting and beating government targets on biodiversity, carbon, clean air and water. We will achieve this at the same time as welcoming over 13 million visitors to our farms each year and contributing to national food security and thriving village communities in the Peak District."

Plants donated by the Woodland Trust Mark Priestley, a Hope Valley Farmers member has been creating new hedges across his farm for several years now.

He said: "We have created over 700m of new hedgerow in the last two years with Hope Valley Farmers. Ours is a former dairy farm so there was limited wildlife habitat across it, but we are gradually putting it back for nature.

"The boundaries on the farm were mainly fences before so it is a great opportunity to plant hedges and create a network of wildlife corridors across the farm. We would not have been able to afford to do everything we have without this project."

She said: "Through our partnership with the Woodland Trust and the Peak District National Park's Farming in Protected Landscape programme, almost 10km of new hedgerow have been planted in the last two years.

"This achievement demonstrates the enthusiasm and commitment of farmers to create wildlife habitat and to enhance their land. Each year this project has grown in scale and we are already planning ahead for 2024 when we hope to plant another 8km of new hedges."

The PEF was launched in 2023 to help farmers access emerging natural capital markets, blending public and private sources of funding to replace the loss of Basic Payment Scheme subsidies and deliver nature recovery, carbon neutrality and clean river catchments.

GWCT chief exec Teresa Dent CBE convened the PEF steering group with support from the NFU. She also sits on the board of Natural Capital Advisory (NCA), which provides brokering, auditing and monitoring services for PEF. She said: "New cooperatives such as PEF are mobilising the farming sector to achieve nature recovery on the 72% of England which is farmed.

Though many nature reserves are wonderful places, it will not be possible to reverse wildlife decline on those alone, as they cover only 8%.

"By proving it is possible to combine profitable agriculture with thriving biodiversity on a grand scale, the environmental cooperative model can show that farmers are not the problem, but the essential solution to hitting the Government's environmental targets.

"As the first 2030 deadline for delivery fast approaches, it's more important than ever to seize the opportunity of investing in these groups."

Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF)

The hedge plants and trees were generously supplied by the Woodland Trust which has provided plants for the last five years to farmers Farming

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AHDB announce first Roots to Resilience module following success of sold out workshops armers, industry stakeholders, and the wider agricultural community are invited to join AHDB Beef & Lamb as they announce the first module of their "Roots to Resilience" programme following the success of their recent workshops.

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In October, AHDB's Beef & Lamb team unveiled its innovative systems-based Knowledge Exchange Programme, Roots to Resilience, challenging farmers to stop thinking in black and white and unlock their full potential.

This systems-based approach recognises that agriculture is not just about individual people, crops or livestock but involves a multitude of factors, relationships, and feedback loops that influence each other and the entire system.

Head of Engagement for Beef and Lamb,

Samantha Charlton said: "We were thrilled to receive such a positive response to the programme. Our workshop events sold out in just a few days and the feedback we received from the farmers that attended was everything we'd hoped for and more."

After attending the Roots to Resilience farmer workshop, James MacCartney said: "We as farmers become so used to thinking in a certain type of way. Roots to Resilience challenges the norm, and by stepping back and seeing the wider picture I've come away from the workshop with new ideas and approaches that I really think will benefit myself and my business moving forward.

"I've already got things in my head that I can take home and use to apply change tomorrow. I'd encourage everyone to get involved with the programme in any way they can."

Samantha continued: "The workshops equipped us at AHDB with greater insight into the topics that our levy payers want and need more help with, and were vital in forming the content that these 2024 modules will deliver. I'm excited to open up Roots to Resilience to all levy payers and to continue shining a light on the people within farming businesses."

The first of the upcoming Roots to Resilience modules will be 'Change the goal, change the system – balancing food production and the ecosystem', and AHDB will be holding launch events in Hampshire, North Yorkshire (In partnership with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society) and Cumbria on the 24, 25, 26 January respectively, free to attend for all levy payers.

The aim of the module is to get farmers thinking about what they're aiming for within their business, what's driving them and what's holding them back, asking 'What can you practically do on your farm that will improve ecosystem function, whilst maintaining your desired level of production?'. AHDB will then tap into the expertise and experience of 4 speakers to find the answers needed to take these businesses forward.

Backed by the extensive research experience of one of the event speakers, the world renown Jason Rowntree from Michigan State University, will showcase how ecological functioning and production can go hand in hand.

To read more about Roots to Resilience, sign up for the events and follow the progress of farmers already benefitting from the programme, please visit: https://ahdb.org.uk/roots-to-resilience/ or follow AHDB Beef & Lamb on social media.

Farming

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Roger Kerr, chief executive of OF&G responds to Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay’s address at the Oxford Farming Conference adly, today’s announcement by Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay at the Oxford Farming Conference falls short on credibility. While we wholeheartedly welcome support for British farmers, Government must make a real commitment to a consistent, thorough, and well-resourced system-wide strategy.

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“The ‘biggest upgrade’ to SFI payments feels like a band aid to patch up Defra’s £227m underspend.

Uptake of the environmental schemes has been staggeringly low, and this seems to be a last-ditch attempt to win over disillusioned farmers.

“As an organic certification body, we applaud greater transparency on food labelling to ensure consumers can make informed choices. However, Government has repeatedly undermined UK food producers. A series of international trade deals and a Genetic Technology Act that removes safeguards

for shoppers, all lessen any clear point of distinction for supposedly high farming standards and will make it harder for UK farmers to compete with much larger producer nations.

“Suggesting that a ‘buy British button’ will compensate for these strategic failures is quite frankly unbelievable, especially when it was only eight weeks ago that ex-minister Jacob Rees-Mogg was calling for more imported food to negate the need seasonal workers.

“Government’s scattergun approach leaves producers and shoppers confused and frustrated.

“At a time of serious climatic and economic extremes we need properly considered and progressive policies that support UK farming in delivering climate friendly, people positive food production.”

Meat and dairy offer '30% better value' than vegan and vegetarian alternatives

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egan and vegetarian alternatives cost consumers 30% more per calorie than dairy or meat equivalents, an 18-month study has revealed.

The informal study commissioned by Kite Consulting and AB Dairy compared two baskets of randomly selected vegan and vegetarian foods and brands, on a monthly basis, with their conventional "twins" from three supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsburys and ASDA – and ran from June 2022 to November 2023.

For example, meat-substitute mince was compared with beef mince, vegan sausages with pork sausages, vegan burgers with beef burgers, fish-free fish fingers with fish fingers, vegan cheese with cheddar, and oat or almond 'milk' with milk. Standard, premium, branded and supermarket own ranges were included in the study, with vegan and conventional products within the same categories being compared.

The kcalories /100g were recorded and the retail price of each product was used to calculate the cost per kcalorie.

Analysis showed that across all products, from Farming

all supermarkets, consumers paid an average of 42p per kcalorie for vegan alternatives, compared to 30p per kcalorie for conventional foods and brands.

"We hear a lot about plant-based diets, and how we should eat more of them," said John Allen at Kite Consulting, an AB Dairy Business.

"But despite the current cost of living crisis we don't hear comments on the nutritional quality of these products in relation to their cost.

"Our very simple but long-term study has shed light on this, and it clearly shows that when it comes to buying calories – which is effectively what we do when we buy food – meat and dairy products give consumers far more bang for their buck than vegan and dairy alternatives.

"We are confident that livestock agriculture has a key role to play in providing high quality nutrition, cost effectively and as the dairy and the livestock sectors continue on their Net Zero journeys, these will out-perform many other products on a carbon emissions basis too."

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Low cost agritech offering subtle yet productive changes to farms, say NFU Mutual experts

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"Our research shows farmers are increasingly leveraging digital solutions to optimise their operations, enhance productivity, save costs and ensure sustainable farming practises.

"But a large proportion of farmers are still hesitant investing in agritech due to a number of factors.

"Although it may sound daunting, the adoption of agritech doesn't need to be resource intensive or expensive.

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The website comes as the Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay urged farmers to uptake readily available technology at the Oxford Farming Conference on January 4.

Charlie Yorke, Farming Propositions Manager at NFU Mutual, said: "By their very nature, farmers are natural innovators, coming up with fresh ideas and methods year after year to improve their farm's efficiency.

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Yet experts at NFU Mutual say low cost accessible agritech, such as CCTV, immobilisers, weather sensors and RFID Eartags, can be a subtle adaption to a farming system which can make a huge difference to its productivity and efficiency.

To help farmers and rural businesses adopt agritech, NFU Mutual has set up a new hub with advice.

"There are plenty of low-cost innovations which could benefit your farm, making them safer, more secure and more efficient."

The new hub can be accessed at www. nfumutual.co.uk/agritech.

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Barriers could include financial, lack of knowledge about the technology or confidence to try something new. The perception that agritech is only suitable for larger commercial farms may be another blocker.

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However, investment in and uptake of farm technology continues to be cautious, with 62% of farmers still to consider it.

"While some large farms have invested in complex and large-scale agritech such as selfdriving vehicles, alternative fuels and data driven sensors, it is important to remember agritech can be implemented at any scale, large or small.

"Simpler technologies such as gate sensors, RFID Eartags or the integration of an online data system to assist with farm administration duties, are all forms of agritech.

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he latest survey from NFU Mutual* has found that, in 2023, nearly a fifth of farmers had invested or planned to invest in agritech, up from 13% the previous year.

Farming

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Royal Welsh Show to lose £1m if proposed changes to the school year come in

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he Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is strongly opposed to the proposal to amend the school term dates in Wales.

These changes would create serious financial harm to the Royal Welsh Show, which takes place during the first week of the school summer holidays.

Under new proposals by the Welsh Government, the summer break could be reduced by one week, meaning schools would be open during the Royal Welsh Show.

The show is a highlight for many families and young people across Wales. As one of our major cultural festivals, the school holidays should embrace events such as this as they are vitally important for our culture and the Welsh language.

Almost a quarter of a million people visit the Royal Welsh Show annually and it is considered to be the largest agricultural show of its kind in Europe. The economic impact of the event is in excess of £40 million and there is approximately £10 million visitor spend during the event itself.

While the RWAS is not against the principle of modifying the school year and understands the sentiment behind the proposals, it is asking the government to reconsider their proposed dates so that major events such as the Royal Welsh Show are always in the summer holidays.

Impact on school children and staff We are extremely concerned about the impact these changes will have, including taking away the ability for young people, families, teachers, and school staff to attend the show which represents a large proportion of our visitor profile.

Visitors and family attendance The audience for the Royal Welsh Show extends far beyond the agricultural sector itself and attracts a wide spectrum of visitors from both urban and rural communities. Over two-thirds of those who visit the Royal Welsh Show do not work in agriculture.

According to our visitor surveys, we know that 68% of visitors attend the show with their family. As a charity, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society represents members all over Wales and 70% of our members are part of family groups. These may not be able to attend the show in the future should the changes come into effect.

Family attendance at the Royal Welsh Show is of utmost importance to the Society and we offer a range of children's entertainment, competitions and activities, such as the sports arena, country pursuits area, and our new horticultural village. Not allowing families to attend the event would be a major blow to our values and ethos of the Society.

Impact on our culture and the Welsh language We are proud that the Royal Welsh Show is one of Wales's leading national events in celebrating our unique culture and language.

According to census data, 43% of workers in the agricultural industry speak Welsh, a percentage well above the average within the general population of 19%.

Therefore, there is a strong connection between the future of agriculture and the future of the language.

In addition, thousands of children compete at the Royal Welsh Show each year, in both young farmer competitions and young handler and junior classes. This proposed change would remove the opportunity for young people to compete at the show, and to learn and showcase their skills.

Events such as the Royal Welsh Show are fundamentally important to promoting the industry and bridging the divide between urban and rural communities. As a charity, we are actively engaging more with the public, creating a better awareness of the importance and wider value of Welsh agriculture. We are extremely concerned that these changes could harm the future success of the show, thus having a major longterm impact on our culture and the prosperity of the language.

Financial loss and major implications

Next steps

Preliminary calculations show that the changes would lead to a loss of income in excess of £1 million, from reduced gate sales, membership, and camping revenue.

The changes would also lead to reduced attendance, affecting the trade for our exhibitors and catering vendors, not to mention the wider economic impact on the several businesses who benefit from the event both regionally and nationally.

We are in dialogue with the Welsh Government's Minister for Education, Jeremy Miles MS, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns with the government in more detail.

Furthermore, the proposal would result in major practical implications. The Royal Welsh Show hires over 50 school buses for the park and ride facility each year. If schools remain open during the show week, these buses will not be available.

The Society also relies on almost 1,000 volunteers to stage the Royal Welsh Show each year, many of these are families and school teachers who would not be able to attend the show if these proposals come into effect.

Farming

Over the coming weeks, we will be collating evidence to support our objection to these proposals, and we will be submitting a robust response to the consultation document.

How you can help The Welsh Government is currently seeking responses to the consultation on the reform of the school year.

We urge all our members, volunteers, supporters, and stakeholders to submit a consultation response before 12th February 2024 via the Welsh Government website.

| News

Small change can make big impact: Farmers and self-employed urged to update pension contributions to combat inflation •

NFU Mutual research shows 77% of farmers have pensions – up from 66% four years ago

•

High inflation means contributions should be reassessed

•

What you could buy for £100 just five years ago would now cost nearly £125

armers and the self-employed are being urged to update their pension contributions following two years of high inflation to secure the financial future of their families.

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Many farmers use pensions as an alternative income stream in later life to reduce the impact of multiple generations taking income from the farm – and the number doing so is growing.

NFU Mutual research shows 77% of farmers now have pensions, up from 66% four years ago.

However, inflation is eroding the buying power of money.

According to the Bank of England's inflation calculator, goods and services costing £100 five years ago would cost nearly £125 today.

NFU Mutual, said: "It's crucial that farmers review their pension contributions during inflationary periods.

"Employees who sacrifice a percentage of their pay into a pension will automatically have their pension contributions increased with pay rises.

"But farmers and the selfemployed need to change their contributions manually by telling their pension provider or financial adviser.

"If you have always put a certain amount into a pension, consider increasing it by a small percentage in order to help combat the impact of inflation.

"It can be a positive step over the long-term, and outweigh the temporary effects of high inflation."

Ad hoc contributions

Farmers and the self-employed may not naturally increase their pension contributions, leaving them vulnerable to a shortfall in later life.

Research from NFU Mutual

shows that farmers are more likely to put money into a pension on an ad hoc basis, rather than with regular monthly contributions, with 72% of farmers saying they invest ad hoc.

Martin added: "Farm profits can be cyclical and sometimes irregular. Our research shows that farmers are more likely than others to make ad hoc payments into their pensions when it suits them instead of monthly contributions.

"While we know this approach will work for the finances of many farms, it's important those ad hoc payments aren't forgotten about or farmers could risk a financial shortfall in later life."

The good news is, with inflation predicted to continue falling this year, a small increase can have a positive long-term impact.

Martin Ansell, Pension Expert at Farming

| News

Horticulture growth under threat as concern over future continues with rising costs oaring cost of production over the past two years has meant that some of the UK’s leading horticulture businesses have shelved any plans for growth, putting the future of the UK’s fruit and vegetable industry at risk.

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Commissioned by the NFU, the new report by Promar International found that costs of production have increased by as much as 39% in the past two years. Key inputs including energy costs rising by 218%, fertiliser by 47% and labour costs by 24% are shown to be behind the hike. The crops impacted most by these increases include much of the UK’s favourite fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes, apples and lettuce.

The report also warned these production costs, along with the impacts of the ongoing global volatility, are seen as the ‘new normal’ and businesses aren’t expecting the situation to change any time soon.

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett said: “I am seriously concerned to hear from growers they are thinking about cutting production this coming season while they continue to face uncertainty with costs, uncertainty around a long-term plan for where their workforce will come from and increasingly challenging relationships within their supply chain.

“We are now facing the third year of unprecedented and highly volatile costs of production, coupled with ongoing uncertainty about the availability of permanent and seasonal workforce and supply chains that return little value back to growers.

“Growers are doing everything they can to make sure the supply of homegrown fruit and vegetables are on supermarket shelves, but as highlighted in the report, there is likely to be further consolidation in production and distribution. If pressures continue as they are, it will be unsustainable for some businesses.

“The UK horticulture industry strives to be the best Farming

in the world and has the positivity and drive to match this ambition. As we set out in our growth strategy1 in March last year, there are ten key building blocks which underpin the success of the sector. These include sustainable energy supplies, access to skilled labour, productivity investment, supply chain fairness and a range of other critical support necessary to create growth in the sector.

“While it is positive that the Government consultation into the horticulture supply chain has now opened, many businesses are continuing to face difficult customer relationships with prolonged contract negotiations, and contract planning cycles out of sync with production cycles, making it tough for growers to plan long-term for their businesses. This needs to change.

“To ensure we have a thriving UK horticulture sector, we need to see the Government back our fruit and vegetable growers with action and ambition as it set out in its own Food Strategy and match our ambition for growth. It is crazy to think that, at a time when we want people to eat more healthily, we are only 50% self-sufficient in vegetables and 15% self-sufficient in fruit.

“As a start, we need to give our British growers certainty by having a consistent plan for seasonal labour, including a five-year rolling Seasonal Workers Scheme, as well as sustainable returns and longer-term contracts with key customers, the retailers.”

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LAMMA experience for urban students with NFU Education and Agriconnect

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s part of a commitment to promote diversity and inclusivity in the agricultural industry, thirty students are to visit the LAMMA show1 this Thursday alongside NFU Education and the event organisers,

more involved in the countryside. Bringing these students around the LAMMA show is such a fantastic opportunity to open up our sector to the next generation, showcasing all the exciting innovation, technology and opportunities we have to offer.”

Agriconnect.

Thanks to the kind sponsorship of AGCO, Year 9 students from Birmingham and Coventry get to see cutting-edge agricultural machinery and technology from leading companies in the farming sector firsthand. They’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements in farming and explore the exciting opportunities within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers in the industry.

The students will then receive a guided tour around the show by NFU Farmers for Schools Ambassadors2, as well as taking part in hands-on practical tasks such as using ‘Locktronics’ electrical test rigs where the students will be able to learn how to connect them up and create power with AgCo, a growing workshop from G’s Fresh - one of Europe’s leading fresh produce companies - and an editorial and social media session with agricultural trade magazine Farmers Guardian.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “There are many students, especially from urban areas, who do not know anything about agriculture and who have never set foot on a farm before.

“It’s incredibly important to encourage young people and find ways to make farming fun and interesting so that as they grow they can become

Agriconnect Marketing Manager Sophie JacksonHolgate said: “We’re really excited to welcome NFU students to LAMMA and show them around the biggest machinery event in agriculture in the UK. The students will be experiencing some fantastic workshops to show them a snippet of what our industry provide as a career in the future. Securing future talent for the industry is really important and we’re trying to educate people from non-farming backgrounds on how much the industry has to offer.”

AGCO Ltd. Aftersales Training UK & Eire Manager Charlie Rollason said: “We at AGCO are proud to support the National Farmers’ Union, Agriconnect and Farmers Guardian and have provided a bursary for them to be able to engage some school children, from outside of the world of agriculture, in an attempt to spark their imagination and give them an insight into our industry at the infamous LAMMA show.

“Collectively our industry's talent pipeline is very poor, and we do not attract people in from outside the rural world. We need to capture the interest of youngsters and raise their awareness of the vast array of opportunities for careers in and around the world of agriculture & agricultural engineering.”

Farming

| News

Environmental land management in 2024: details of actions and payments

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EFRA published an update to the Agricultural Transition Plan on GOV.UK. It includes our progress, priorities and plans for the coming years.

In it, you'll find our overall approach to agricultural reform: that food production can, and must, go hand in hand with the environment. Additionally, that by supporting productivity, innovation and ensuring our schemes work with food production, we will reach our ambitious environmental targets and maintain food production.

We're pleased that farmers across the country continue to sign up to our schemes.

To get to where we want to be, we want to support even more farmers to get involved and encourage those already taking action to go even further.

encouraging and enabling more targeted and effective action.

In 2024, we are taking a significant step forward to achieve that. We are: •

• •

•

• We will achieve this by making environmental schemes and regulation more attractive, fair and workable. We also need ambition, which we will support by Farming

increasing payment rates by an average of 10% for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) agreements increasing the number of actions on offer in our environmental land management schemes with up to 50 new actions making schemes more flexible and easier to access, with a streamlined single application service for farmers to apply for SFI and CS Mid Tier paying a premium for high ambition actions or for delivering packages of actions that will achieve greater environmental benefits continuing to prioritise an ‘advise and prevent’ approach across schemes and regulation, which will make things fairer for all farmers participating in schemes.

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This, and other changes, will make it easier for our schemes to slot into farm businesses, providing more money for farmers deliver change and ensure we get the scale and ambition we need topositively impact the environment.

There is something for every farm regardless of where it is and the land is owned or rented. The Agricultural Transition Plan update is designed to provide greater certainty. A full list of actions can be found in its technical annex.

In this post, I’ll share a summary of the update. In the coming weeks, we will publish posts on the offer for farmers by sector.

reflects the reality of delivering these habitats and creates an incentive for farmers to create more.

Also, more actions will be available for shorter 3-year agreements, allowing greater flexibility. This will be of particular benefit to tenant farmers.

Elsewhere, we will introduce precision farming actions which use technology to target farming activities and reduce the use of costly pesticides or fertilisers.

Contracts for innovation We will award up to 5, multi-million-pound contracts, with an initial value of up to £15 million, to promote crop innovation.

The offer in 2024 Update to scheme payment rates We are updating scheme payment rates to reflect current market conditions, which for some actions like species rich grassland mean big increases.

Scheme rates will increase by 10% on average. If you have a live SFI or CS agreement, you don't need to do anything to benefit, we will automatically apply any uplifts to existing agreements where applicable.

50 new actions In summer, we will launch up to 50 new actions, which will allow you to access scheme funding for things like precision farming and agroforestry for the first time.

The new actions improve the offer for all farm types, but especially those on moorland and grassland.

We listened to feedback and introduced more ‘maintenance’ actions, alongside improving existing actions. These actions pay farmers who are already protecting the environment. For example, through maintaining grasslands, wetlands and scrub.

We made these changes so that farmers will get paid more for existing actions to maintain habitats, with the price of maintaining species rich grassland rising from £182 to £646 per hectare. This better

By offering payments which support agricultural technology, such as robotic mechanical weeding technology, in addition to launching more grants in 2024, we will help you to adopt new technology or practices so you can grow more, sell more and have more resilient businesses.

Single application service Not only will there be more choice, but the way you access the offer will improve. From summer, there will be a streamlined single application service for you to apply for SFI and CS Mid Tier actions. It will replace the separate application windows and processes.

This simpler, clearer, and faster service will enable you to select from the range of actions available on your land and combine compatible actions from SFI and CS on your land parcels more easily.

We will remove duplication between CS Mid-Tier and SFI actions, wherever possible. SFI agreement holders who entered into an agreement in 2023 will be able to either upgrade their existing agreement or apply for, and enter into, a separate 2024 agreement.

This change will make it easier for farmers to access our services but will have no reduction in ambition. It will allow us to combine the breadth of the CS offer with the simple and flexible administration of SFI.

Farming

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CS Higher Tier agreements are different on each farm, and are more complex requiring advice, support and in many cases formal consent. We will continue to operate a separate process for these agreements, but we will offer the agreements through a simpler, clearer and faster service.

Actions that are currently only available in CS Higher Tier will also be made available through our other offers. This means that, where appropriate, more farmers will be able access those ambitious elements, along with the accompanying advice and support for those, without having to have an entire bespoke Higher Tier agreement where that is not appropriate.

After 2025, we will start offering other schemes through this integrated service, including the England Woodland Creation Offer.

Premium payments We will introduce premium payment actions with the biggest environmental impact and also for combinations of actions that deliver benefits at scale.

Regulation approach: advise and prevent We are continuing to deliver a ‘advise and prevent’ approach across schemes and regulation, which will make things fairer for all farmers participating in schemes.

Meaning the many farmers who want to do the right things will get the support you need if things go wrong.

Farming

We will support farmers back into compliance with greater communication rather than immediate penalties and are firmly committed to safeguarding environmental standards and animal health through proportionate regulation and outcome-based incentives to drive change.

Significant improvements have already been made but are continuing to go further.

We are rebuilding the system with a tailored, risk-based approach to regulation that makes it easy to follow the rules.

Plan for the future With improved choice and payment rates, now is the time to apply for SFI. For more information visit our dedicated SFI site. It sets out the full offer.

To help you manage the transition and plan, you can get free advice from an independent provider.

In this post, I’ve just covered our environmental land management schemes.

The guidance for every scheme and grant on offer can be found on the Funding for farmers, growers and land managers page on GOV.UK. Premium payment rates will be introduced from 2024 for the 21 high priority actions listed below.

| News

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern agriculture, efficiency and productivity are paramount. Turkish company Harmak, partners of PFC have emerged as pioneers in the industry, introducing a game-changing technology – the Bale Accumulator. This innovative piece of equipment is transforming the way farmers handle and manage their baled crops, offering numerous positive benefits that significantly enhance farming operations.

At the heart of Harmak's success is their commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that address the challenges faced by today's farmers. The Bale Accumulator, has proven to be a game-changer for those involved in hay and straw production. One of its standout features is the remarkable ability to collect 112 bales in under 300 seconds, setting a new standard for speed and efficiency in the industry.

One of the primary advantages of the Harmak Bale Accumulator is its ability to streamline the baling process. Traditional methods often involve manual labour and multiple pieces of equipment to handle, transport, and stack bales. Harmak's solution simplifies this process by automating the accumulation and organization of bales, saving farmers valuable time and resources. This not only reduces labor costs but also minimizes the risk of human error, ensuring a more consistent and reliable output.

Farmers using Harmak's Bale Accumulator report significant time savings during harvesting. The rapid collection of 112 bales in under 300 seconds allows for a quicker turnover in the field, enabling farmers to cover more ground in less time. This increased efficiency is particularly crucial during the busy harvest season when weather conditions and time constraints can significantly impact crop quality. By expediting the baling process, Harmak's technology empowers farmers to make the most of their limited windows of opportunity.

Furthermore, the Bale Accumulator contributes to a more organised and manageable storage system. The automatic stacking of bales eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing the risk of damage and preserving the integrity of the crops. The neat and uniform arrangement of bales facilitates easy loading and transportation, making the entire logistics chain more seamless and cost-effective.

In addition to its operational benefits, the Bale Accumulator from Harmak promotes sustainability in agriculture. By optimizing the use of resources and minimizing waste, farmers can achieve a more environmentally friendly and economically viable operation. The technology's efficiency also plays a role in reducing fuel consumption, contributing to a lower carbon footprint for farming operations.

That fact is, Harmak's Bale Accumulator represents a significant leap forward in modern farming technology. Its ability to collect 112 bales in under 300 seconds is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and addressing the practical needs of today's farmers. With the positive impact on efficiency, time savings, organization, and sustainability, the Bale Accumulator is not just a piece of equipment; it is a transformative tool that elevates farming operations to new heights.

List price:

Special launch price

£65,000

£52,000

Farming

| Arable

Soil Association welcomes cash boost and new incentives for nature-friendly farming

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nvironment Secretary Steve Barclay has announced updates for the government's Sustainable Farming Incentives, including a 10% funding uplift, during a speech at the Oxford Farming Conference today (Thursday

4 January).

The Soil Association welcomes the cash boost and unveiling of new incentives for nature-friendly farming including agroforestry and rewetting peatlands.

Responding, Soil Association Chief Executive Helen Browning said: "As both a farmer and an environmentalist, my mind is buzzing with the potential opportunities that could open up for my farm following this announcement from Defra.

Many farmers are already working with nature and many more are keen to do so but have been waiting for reassurance from government.

"There is widespread agreement that we need a farmer-led tree revolution, so I am delighted to see vital funding coming through this year for agroforestry and wood pasture, alongside further support for farmers to create habitats.

"With further incentives for combining naturefriendly practices, we could finally be moving towards a resilient farming system where farmers produce good food in harmony with wildlife across all of their land, as agroecological and organic farmers already do. This is essential in the face of the escalating climate and nature crises – small tweaks to the status quo will not be enough.

"We want to see the budget for agroecological farming doubled, so today's funding uplift is an

important step forward for our farmers who are under huge pressures.

We hope this will lead to more investment in sustainable farming, alongside support for farmers to enact whole farm plans for nature and move away from harmful practices."

Next steps that the Soil Association is calling for: •

A good advice service for the Sustainable Farming Incentives to ensure high take up of the good options currently available for farmers.

•

A focus on outcomes – we want to see government monitoring to check these practices are working for wildlife, the environment and animal welfare.

•

Reliability of the delivery of outcomes on-farm to be facilitated through implementation of whole farm plans for working with nature, and recognition of whole farm systems.

•

Support and regulation to help farmers move away from practices that are harmful and drive pollution both in the UK and overseas, with reduction targets for artificial fertiliser, harmful pesticides, and imported feed.

Research into alternatives to peat as a growing medium and palidiculture – growing in rewetted peat – to build on the welcome new payments for rewetting peat.

Safe herbicide use in late drilled crops

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utumn storms disrupted wheat drilling so there may be some very late drilled wheat crops in the ground this January. Bayer has issued guidance on the rules for using herbicides in these crops.

"We've seen in other wet autumns that some farmers will drill in the middle of winter if conditions seem promising," says Bayer Campaign Manager Tom Chillcott. "The key date is 1 February. Any wheat variety drilled before this date is classed as a winter crop for which there are more herbicide options available than for spring crops but check Farming

labels carefully for the exact rules."

Mr Chillcott stresses that label rates often apply to winter wheat varieties drilled before 1 February only. Spring wheat varieties, even if they are drilled in January have a more limited range of chemistry available.

For Bayer products, Liberator & Proclus (aclonifen) is still permitted as a pre-em until the end of January. However, the Liberator (flufenacet + diflufenican) component can be applied at full rate (0.6l/ha) until 31st March or GS23 and products containing metribuzin can be used until GS25.

| Arable

Proceed

One Machine.

Many possibilities.

Proceed is a whole new category of seeding machinery. With an unmatched level of precision, it works with full capacity to fit every farmer’s needs. This one machine can increase the yield potential of a full range of crops, such as cereals, oilseed rape, sugar beet, peas, maize and more. Proceed simply offers more than any previous seeding machine, making farmers ready for a fast-changing future.

Wheat

Barley

Beans

Maize

Oats

OSR

Rye

Sugar beet

And many more Sunflower

No-till

Min-till

Strip-till

Full-till

Cover crop farming

Conservation Agriculture

Regenerative farming

Organic farming

Learn more at vaderstad.com Farming

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ugar beet growers wanting to see the latest in harvester innovation can now take advantage of free, on-farm demonstrations.

tonne bunker capacity) and the REXOR 6300(30tonne bunker capacity).

The free in-field demonstrations allow prospective purchasers to see how the new REXOR handles their unique conditions.

Both models are available with either Walking Share or Oppel Wheel digging units. GRIMME's new header is lighter and features a maintenancefree drive and maintenance-free scalper, which works much more agilely and quickly due to its lower weight. The re-designed header also gives operators an unobstructed view of the seven cleaning rollers, which replaced the previous six rollers to deliver a more powerful and efficient clean.

GRIMME launched two new REXOR models at its 2022 Farm Days event: the REXOR 6200 (20-

GRIMME UK's standard specification includes a COMBI Topper, choice of share and web pitch,

GRIMME UK has announced that it is repeating last year's REXOR4U demo tour, giving growers the opportunity to see how the Germanmade harvester performs alongside their harvester.

Farming

| Arable

standard roller table, three turbines, premium cab, ring elevator, SMART View, and the latest CCI 1200.

GRIMME UK's announcement of free in-field demonstrations complements its fixed price per acre promotion that was introduced at the start of 2024. Contractors can fix their costs for the next four years with a REXOR 6200 available at £120 per hectare, based on a minimum of 1,000 hectares per year, including servicing and replacement wearing metal.

"Last year's REXOR demonstrations were very popular and gave growers across the UK a chance to see the harvester working in their fields and

running alongside their current machinery," says Tom Howlet, Beet Specialist at GRIMME UK. "We think that in-field demonstrations are so much better than looking at a static machine at a show as people get to see the REXOR at work. We had a great deal of interest in the REXOR4U tour last year, and with the introduction of fixed pricing for the next four years, we think there'll be even more growers inviting us to their farms to put the REXOR through its paces."

Growers wanting to book a demonstration or request further information should contact Tom at GRIMME UK on 01205 822 300 or t.howlet@grimme.co.uk

Farming

| Arable

vadex Factor (tri-allate), the liquid formulation of the well-known herbicide Avadex Excel 15G (tri-allate), has gained a spring wheat label recommendation. This development provides farmers and agronomists with a valuable new tool for grass-weed control in spring wheat.

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With large areas of spring cereals expected after a wet autumn and winter, the label extension of Avadex Factor arrives just in time. This aligns Avadex Factor with Avadex Excel 15G, which has full label approval for wheat and barley in autumn and spring.

“The new label recommendation for Avadex Factor is particularly beneficial for growers who don't have access to a granule applicator,” says Hank King, UK and Ireland business manager for Gowan. “Wild oats, a key grass-weed target in spring-drilled cereals, are highly susceptible to tri-allate, but don’t forget that it will also do the excellent job on black-grass, ryegrass and bromes that we typically witness in winter crops.”

Another consideration when assessing options for wild oat control is herbicide resistance. Resistance to ACCase and ALS chemistry is known to be present in UK wild oat populations, but there is no known resistance to tri-allate, which also brings a different mode of action to herbicide programmes.

Farmers still intending to sow winter wheat varieties with a low vernalisation requirement, like Skyfall, should be mindful of the end of January cut-off for them to be classified as winter wheat according to pesticide labels, adds Hank.

“Most other pre-emergence herbicide options have a reduced rate for spring crops. However, the label rate of Avadex Excel 15G and Avadex Factor is the same for the autumn and spring. This gives farmers the flexibility to sow when the conditions are right and not have to worry about changing herbicide recommendations, potentially compromising control,” explains Hank.

In situations where spring crops are replacing failed autumn drillings this season, care is needed where triallate has been used, advises Hank. Where tri-allate has been applied in the preceding autumn, oats should not be planted within 12 months, but spring barley can be safely planted.

Growers considering more niche market spring crops are advised that Avadex Factor also has Extension of Authority for a Minor Use (EAMU) approvals in spring linseed, canary grass and corn gromwell (Ahiflower), while Avadex Excel 15G has EAMUs for spring linseed and canary grass.

Farming

| Arable

ean growers could boost the crops’ nitrogen fixation capability with Vixeran, a new endophytic bacteria from Syngenta that captures atmospheric N and converts it into a form that can be utilised by plants.

The technology has been proven in beans to kickstart the crops’ natural fertility cycle at an early stage.

Although beans are often referred to as ‘nitrogen fixers’, it is not the plants themselves that do anything, but the microscopic soil Rhizobium bacteria that they host on roots. The plants’ nodules are agglomerations of huge numbers of those bacteria built up over the season.

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Syngenta Technical Manager, Simon Jackson, highlights that where the natural Rhizobium bacteria can be supplemented at an early stage with the highly effective Vixeran endophytic bacteria, Azotobacter salinestris, the process can be more efficient and productive.

when the demand for nitrogen is at its highest, which means the plant will rob the required nitrogen from the leaves, sapping the plant of its photosynthetic yield building potential.

“The addition of Vixeran complements the plants’ nitrogen-need for structural growth, while also reducing the burden on the leaves to supply the nitrogen needed to fill the seeds in the pod. This allows the leaves to stay greener and continue photosynthesising for longer, that in turn increases yield,” he explains.

“Importantly the Vixeran bacteria is capable of converting the atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to its plant available form (NH3) in the leaves, roots and soil surrounding the plant. By going straight into the plant, the N is not leached or volatilised, which is highly efficient and avoids environmental losses from soil.”

By applying Vixeran during periods of active crop growth, trial results in 2023 have shown, on average, a 0.53 t/ha improvement in yield. Assessments on a Vixeran treated crop showed a 12% uplift in pod numbers, along with a corresponding 12% increase in seed weight in each of the pods.

Simon advises Vixeran should be applied in spring when beans are actively growing, at a rate of 50g per hectare after the six-leaf stage (GS16), through to the start of flowering. A single application is required to inoculate the crop with the beneficial endophyte.

The product is physically and biologically compatible with Elatus Era and Amistar where the application timing coincides with the crop’s fungicide strategy, along with many other crop protection products, fertilisers and biostimulants.

Vixeran works across a wide range of crops and includes recommendations for use on cereals, maize, potatoes, grassland and now beans.

At the PGRO Pulse Roadshows 2024, to be held in York, Bury St Edmunds and Peterborough during January, Simon will report: “we have seen some outstanding results with applications of Vixeran on beans. There is a clear yield benefit in trials from supplementing the crops’ natural processes.

“A bean plants’ nodules that contain the nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium will be formed on the roots three to five weeks after emergence and straight away start to fix nitrogen.

However, the nodules will gradually senesce and stop fixing nitrogen around the time of pod filling.”

Since pulse seeds are a great source protein, this is exactly Farming

| Arable

Crop spray could lead to mass resistance in new-generation antifungal treatments

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n agricultural fungicide approved in the US and currently under consideration by authorities worldwide could have a devastating effect on a new drug for one of world's deadliest infectious diseases, show University of Manchester scientists.

Their Wellcome Trust funded study, published in Nature Microbiology could spell disaster for patients with aspergillosis - a dangerous fungal disease responsible for the deaths of millions of people worldwide.

With few treatment options for patients, aspergillus has developed widespread drug resistance to one class of drugs, known as the azoles.

The resistance is caused by the use of fungicides in agriculture, known as DMIs, increasing the risk of mortality from aspergillosis from 40% to up to 80%.

However, F2G Ltd – a spin out company from The University of Manchester – invested more than £250 million over 20 years on a new antifungal drug called olorofim, which is in late-stage clinical trials and aims to be clinically deployed within the next few years.

The scientists argue that because olorofim works against azole resistant infections it could save many lives of affected patients.

However, a newly developed fungicide crop spray called ipflufenoquin has been approved for use in the USA, under the trade name Kinoprol, and could severely impact on the new drug because it has the same biological target and kills the fungi the same way as olorofim.

Exposure of Aspergillus in the environment to Kinoprol could make it resistant to olorofim, rendering the treatment ineffective before it can even be deployed in the clinic, say the scientists.

The research team exposed Aspergillus to ipflufenoquin in the lab and then assessed esistance to olorofim.

Genetic mutations that cause changes in the antifungals target gene provide resistance to ipflufenoquin but also provide resistance to olorofim.

Scientists have long known that environmental use of fungicides – which farmers need to keep their crops free of fungal infection – has the potential to drive resistance to other clinical antifungals.

Researchers also believe that composting of waste from farms is causing accumulation of fungicides in environments where Aspergillus likes to grow.

Wind currents, intensive farming, and transport of commercial composts can disperse the drug-resistant fungal spores further into the environment and end up in our gardens, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Most healthy people are unaffected by Aspergillus, but population groups including the elderly, cancer patients, and the immunosuppressed of all ages are at greater risk of serious illness which destroys the lungs.

Lead author Dr Norman van Rhijn, a Wellcome Trust Farming

research fellow at The University of Manchester said: "We are all very excited about olorofim but when we found out that regulatory approval was sought for ipflufenoquin and its mode of action was same as olorofim, we immediately felt alarmed.

"Making a novel fungicide for humans is very difficult and costs millions of pounds.

"But it is desperately needed, as the few classes of drugs for Aspergillus infection available at present don't give all of the seriously ill patients a viable treatment option.

"That is why olorofim is such an exciting prospect for patients and why we must lobby the regulatory authorities to implement a risk assessment strategy for the dual use of antifungals in agriculture and clinic."

"But indirect implications to human health are not taken into account during the approval process, which is why researchers, collaborators, and clinical teams are lobbying hard for the authorities to risk assess any new fungicide.

Corresponding author Prof Mike Bromley, who is a former employee of F2G Limited and co-lead of the Fungal AMR and One Health Network, said: "It is devastating that the efforts that so many have made in development of olorofim are being put at risk by the lack of appropriate legislation that would prevent the release of fungicides without consideration of the risks to driving drug resistance in human pathogens.

"We have made our views clear to the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA and hope they will reevaluate their approach to environmental release of fungicides.

Politicians in the House of Lords recently debated a question by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, which asked the Government what assessment they made of how the UK's current agricultural fungicide use will affect long-term food and biological security.

Baroness Bennett, a former leader of the Green Party, told the chamber: "Managing fungal crop disease has always been essential to our ability to feed the population, but we cannot afford a haphazard, piecemeal approach that will hurt our public health and our NHS. "We need integrated, "one health" considerations of the impact of the climate emergency and responsible fungicide legislation."

Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Walmsley also spoke in the debate, and highlighted the specific case of olorofim and ipflufenoquin as they called for more robust risk assessments in the licensing of new agricultural antifungals.

F2G carried out a single assay in the study that the researchers would otherwise have not been able to facilitate. However, the vast majority of the study was carried out independently.

| Arable

Univoq continues to shine in wheat fungicide performance trials

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ndependent trials by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) have shown that UnivoqTM fungicide from Corteva Agriscience continues to be one of the leading treatments against septoria and rusts.

The trials, which entered their 30th year, monitor the performance of different fungicides, both as straights and as coformulations, to help guide product choice for farmers and agronomists.

Containing the InatreqTM active molecule and the patented i-Q4 formulation, Univoq has a unique site of action, meaning there is no cross resistance to any other chemistry used on farms today.

key diseases and great yield returns.”

Designed to maximise differences between treatments, the AHDB trials take place at high-risk locations, using highly susceptive varieties and data is collected from a range of sites, seasons and leaf layers to show average performance.

Individual trial data is not published, but the AHDB report says that, as in previous years, Univoq consistently demonstrated a superior yield return to many other fungicides on the market.

“Univoq has consistently proven its ability to control key diseases, most notably septoria,” says Corteva’s Field Technical Manager Craig Chisholm.

“2023 was the third year on the trot where the across years yield summary has shown clear daylight between Univoq yields and those of the next closest competitor,” says Mr Chisholm. “This demonstrates just how reliable the performance of Univoq is across seasons with varying characteristics.”

“The 2023 AHDB fungicide trials back up what farmers have seen in the field for the past three seasons – Inatreq provides robust control against

Fungicides faced a tough septoria test in 2023 with a relatively wet March and cool April driving early disease.

Farming

| Arable

Discovery raises hopes of more temperature tolerant wheat

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ene-editing techniques have helped to identify a temperature tolerance factor that may protect wheat from the increasingly unpredictable challenges of climate change.

Researchers in the group of Professor Graham Moore at the John Innes Centre made the discovery during experiments looking at wheat fertility in plants exposed to either high or low temperatures.

Wheat fertility and therefore yield is highly influenced by temperature, particularly the initial stages of meiosis when chromosomes from parent cells cross over and pair to create seeds for the next generation.

Meiosis in wheat functions most efficiently at temperatures between 1723 degrees centigrade. It is known that developing wheat does not cope well Farming

with hot temperatures and can also fail during low summer temperatures.

Identifying genetic factors that help stabilise wheat fertility outside optimal temperatures is critical if we are to breed climate resilient crops of the future.

Previous research has indicated a major meiotic gene DMC1 as the likely candidate for preserving wheat meiosis during low and high temperatures.

Researchers at the John Innes Centre used geneediting techniques to delete DMC1 from a variety of Chinese Spring Wheat, then carried out a series of controlled experiments to observe the effects of different temperatures on meiosis in the mutated plants.

The experiments revealed that after approximately one week, the gene-edited mutant plants were significantly affected when grown at a temperature of 13 degrees, with 95% of plants showing a decrease in crossover number.

| Arable At the other end of the temperature scale, wheat plants grown at 30 degrees also showed a reduced number of crossovers, compared to control plants.

The results confirm the hypothesis that DMC1 is responsible for preservation of meiotic crossovers at low and, to a lesser degree, high temperatures.

Given that the reduction in crossovers has significant effects on grain yield, these results have important implications for wheat breeders in the face of climate change.

Professor Moore said: "Thanks to gene editing we have been able to isolate a key temperature tolerance gene in wheat. It provides cause for optimism in finding valuable new traits at a time when climate change is challenging the way we grow our major crops."

The next stage of this research is to look for variations of DMC1 which offer greater protection to wheat, and to investigate how dosage and expression levels of this gene in wheat may influence protection against wider variations in temperature.

Trials on temperature tolerance are taking place in Cordoba, Spain, where 30–40-degree centigrade temperatures are regular, posing a threat to wheat fertility and yield.

The study also highlights that DMC1 is a deeply conserved gene, controlling temperature tolerance in wheat and throughout the plant kingdom, including in other major crops.

Previous research, cited in this study, into a species of Japanese newt, also shows that fertility is compromised in temperatures below 13 degrees centigrade and that the temperature effect is related to DMC1 activity.

This research follows the earlier breakthrough by the Moore group at the John Innes Centre in identifying the wheat gene (ZIP4) responsible for correct chromosome pairing and preservation of wheat yield, but which also prevents the introduction of beneficial new traits from wheat wild relatives by suppressing chromosome exchange.

Using gene editing technology, the researchers have split the dual function of ZIP4 so that it maintains yields but enables wheat to be more easily crossed with wild relatives. This could contribute genetic diversity in elite varieties, including traits such as heat resilience and disease resistance.

Professor Moore added: "Climate change is likely to have a negative effect on meiosis and therefore on wheat fertility and ultimately crop yields, so screening of germplasm collections to identify heattolerant genotypes is a high priority for the future of crop improvement."

'DMC1 stabilizes crossovers at high and low temperatures during wheat meiosis' appears in Frontiers in Plant Science.

Farming

| Grain

Increased European interest in leading UK spring malting barley rain of leading UK spring malting barley variety, Laureate, historically largely only traded domestically, has seen increased interest in European malting markets, industry experts are reporting.

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And with a surge in UK spring barley plantings expected in 2024, after the wet autumn halted winter wheat drillings, export potential could be particularly handy this season, says Tracy Creasy, cereals asset manager for Europe North for the variety’s breeder, Syngenta.

“The UK was our first focus Farming

when developing Laureate,” says Mrs Creasy, “but over recent years European interest in Laureate has blossomed. We’re now at a point where, as well as full approval for brewing and malt distilling on the UK’s Malting Barley Committee (MBC) approved list, Laureate has approval in two major European malting barley systems: the Danish Preferred System and the Comité Bière Malt Orge (CBMO) in France.

“Three years ago Laureate wasn’t a dominant variety for export. Now, buyers are asking for it, after it gained

| Grain

these latter two approvals in 2018. If demand continues, it gives UK Laureate growers the potential of four end markets – UK malt distilling, UK brewing, feed, and potentially export to Europe.”

Although most Laureate in Europe is currently used for brewing, there is growing interest in whisky production on the Continent, says Mrs Creasy, with France one of the world’s biggest whisky consumers. As well as performing well for end users, another reason for increased European interest has been Laureate’s consistent on-farm performance, Mrs Creasy believes.

Jonathan Arnold, trading director for grain trading company, Robin Appel Ltd, agrees European approvals open up more potential for UK Laureate growers, and that the variety has become more requested.

Laureate exports have probably been assisted recently because more is being grown in the UK, he says, so there is a bigger pool to choose from. “We have more Laureate, especially in the south,” says Mr Arnold.

“Farmers who grow it have a foot in both camps – brewing and distilling.

“The UK generally exports about 250,000 tonnes of malting barley annually, maybe up to 400,000 tonnes in a good year. This compares with total UK malting barley purchases of about 1.9 million tonnes.”

Chris Colley, feed and malting barley trader with ADM Agriculture, suggests export offers potential opportunities for growers in the South of England in particular, because of easier access to ports.

Although not exclusively, he says the export market is increasingly leaning towards Laureate. Exports of malting barley are also tariff-free, he notes, and ADM has organised boats of Laureate

to Europe this winter.

“Laureate has been marketed for export for some time but is starting to win favour with some buyers,” reports Mr Colley. “We have customers who have been asking for Laureate specifically over other varieties. The export market is supply and demand driven. Laureate is still the leading spring barley variety grown on-farm in the UK, so when trading it for export it’s readily available.”

Farming

| British Lifestyle

Together, we can be the generation that ends global hunger ollowing her successful ‘For The Love Of’ cookbook series championing farming and fishing in the UK, awardwinning author Jenny Jefferies has compiled a brand new, visually stunning, and globally relevant book to celebrate and share the stories of farmers and fishermen from all over the world.

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Due to be released on the 12th of March 2024 by Meze Publishing, Islands in a Common Sea was created to raise awareness of the ingenuity, dedication, and sheer effort that goes into the production of food worldwide. Despite its global scale, the book is based on the author’s belief that there is more in the world that unites us than divides us, and the power of this unity in overcoming the challenges that currently face us all, from climate change to food security.

Stunning photography of land- and seascapes alongside captivating portraiture makes this large format hardback a beautiful coffee table book, while the firsthand stories of men and women from across the globe provide real depth and insight not often available to a UK audience. Each chapter has been written from the heart about the contributor’s farming or fishing livelihood, what they produce, their challenges and solutions, passions and dreams, along with recipes showcasing the food they grow or catch as well as the cuisine of their country.

From rural Bhutan to central Singapore, the wilds of Western Australia to paddy fields in Japan, and Argentine vineyards to Nigerian aquaculture, Islands in a Common Sea takes a deep dive into the everyday lives of 25 pioneering individuals who nurture their environment in the hopes of a regenerative, productive, and positive future.

I’ve been very fortunate to have seen this stunning new book, and immediately whilst turning the pages I felt it was like a warm hug to global farming. Being a farmer myself we already understand the dedication and hard work that goes into feeding people but obviously it’s always very much appreciated when someone else shares the passion too and reassures us somewhat that our efforts have been recognised.

After successfully highlighting and documenting the British social history of our agricultural, fishing and seafood industries Jenny felt that it was a natural progression to explore and celebrate farmers and fishermen from around the world.

Food means different things to different people. It can be celebratory, religious, communal, a Farming

| British Lifestyle

livelihood. Food can also mean poverty and death. I really want to not only celebrate our Farmers and fishermen around the world but also to highlight and raise money to help fight world hunger.

Jenny states, we are more connected and have a lot more in common with each other than not. A farmer’s and fisherman’s challenge and solution are very similar, if not the same, to a farmer’s and fisherman’s challenge and solution on the other side of the world. We are all affected by climate change, conflict, delicate local economies and politics. Stories can change us, and they can also change the world. If we share these stories from our food producers, i.e., the innovation, the passion, and the dedication, we can commit to continuing to deliver sustainable and regenerative skills, motives and practices to help reduce food waste, produce highly nutritious food, as well as looking after and nurturing our immediate environments.

Jenny’s main aim with “Islands In A Common Sea” is to help eradicate world hunger. In my humble opinion, this ought to be everybody’s top priority.

How, in the 21st century, is it possible that there are currently 864 million people in the world who don’t have enough food to eat and are malnourished? 8.4 million of these people are in this country, which is the equivalent to the entire population of London. There are now more children than ever before who are living in poverty.

Author Jenny Jefferies describes her new book as “a beautiful keepsake dedicated to the next generation of farmers and fishermen” and has collaborated with the United Nations World Food Programme to help make a difference in the shorter term too, with £2 from every copy sold to be donated to their award-winning ShareTheMeal campaign. Their app which enables people all over the world, wherever you are, to donate meals to those in need.

208,491,578 meals have been shared since it launched in 2015. Those donations will not only provide life-saving food in emergencies but also facilitate school feeding, nutrition support, cash transfers and resilience programmes all over the world to help eradicate world hunger.

Islands in a Common Sea is a 288-page paperback and retails at £35. Is now available to pre order from www.jennyjefferies.co.uk and from 21st March 2024 available at www.mezepublishing.co.uk as well as Waterstones and Amazon.

Instagram: @jennyjefferies @mezepublishing

Written by Olivia Shave Instagram: @ecoewe

Farming

| Potatoes | Potatoes & Root Crops

Attention to detail

Biox-M is the only 100% natural and sustainable sprout control for potatoes.

2023 Harvest – a nightmare for some he 2023 harvest has turned into something of a nightmare for some growers, with extreme rainfall events from mid-October and up to 25% of the crop still in the ground in some areas. Crops coming out of wet ground are likely to go into store with higher levels of moisture and (wet) soil than is ideal, and care should be taken to ensure that crops are fully dry

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before treating with Biox-M. Crops with significant wet soil attaching can be expected to take longer to dry than crops harvested in better conditions.

and made more challenging still if dormancy has broken in the field due to harvest delay, patience is even more important.

The advice to ensure that crops are dry and cured in store before treatment is very straight- forward. Crops which are not cured or are treated when moist, are more likely to suffer damage if treated too early. However, in challenging harvest situations, such as those facing growers in 2023,

Crops must be cured and dry before the initial treatment. A delay to allow crops to dry completely is unlikely to result in uncontrollable sprouting. A well-timed Biox-M treatment to a crop allowed to dry would be expected to deliver good control.

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Is a naturally occurring and truly sustainable product, in widespread use in the food industry,

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Is approved for use on organic potato crops,

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Has no harvest interval or MRL beyond the one-day mandatory withholding period after treatment,

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Has flexibility of timing of application,

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Results in minimal weight loss in store,

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Does not leave persistent residues in the fabric of stores and boxes used for storage,

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And is therefore suitable for use in stores, which may subsequently be used for the storage of other crops or seed potatoes,

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Is effective at higher storage temperatures, reducing the risk of acrylamide development when crop is processed,

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Sequesters carbon during growth, removing 1t of CO2 for every 1,000t of potatoes treated,

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And should be a component of the sustainability plan for every farm and every customer; effectively carbon neutral.

Farming

| Potatoes 10 Y

EA R

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Natural.

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100% Spearmint Oil sprout inhibitor for use on ware potatoes in store.

Peter Hall peter@junopp.com 07973 172 722

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MAPP 16021 www.junopp.com Farming

| Potatoes & Root Crops

GRIMME UK ANNOUNCES NEW T

he UK's leading farm machinery manufacturer has started the new year by launching several new money-saving promotions.

Conscious of the pressures affecting growers, GRIMME UK has announced three special offers.

First, the company is offering delayed payment terms on irrigation equipment, with growers able to buy now and pay later on new in-stock reels. The offer covers the Primus 630, 550 and 490 (metre) hoses priced at £41,350, £39,515 and £36,095 respectively. Payment for orders placed in January 2024 will not be due until January 2025, and all reels come with a two-year parts warranty and predelivery inspection as standard.

Flexible payment options have also been launched on GRIMME's carrot, parsnip and onion machines.

With immediate delivery available on GRIMME's KP 1700 and GT 170. ASA-LIFT CR 1510A, Onion Windrowers and toppers, buyers can take advantage of deferred payment or 0% finance.

Farming

Finally, GRIMME is offering a fixed price per acre on its REXOR range of sugar beet harvesters, allowing contractors to fix their costs for the next five years, including servicing and replacement wearing metal. The cost will be £120 per HA based on a REXOR 6200 covering a minimum of 1,000 HA per year.

"There's no doubt that 2023 was a really challenging year for British farming. Rapidly rising fertiliser prices, utility bills, a lack of labour, wage increases and some terrible weather made it a year to forget for many," says Nathan Hotchen, GRIMME UK's Sales Manager. "Hopefully, our three new year promotions will make things a bit easier for growers looking to purchase irrigation reels or harvesting machinery."

For more information about GRIMME UK's New Year deals or to take advantage of them, contact GRIMME UK by emailing sales@grimme.co.uk or calling 01205 822300

| Potatoes & Root Crops

W DEALS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Farming

| LAMMA

BOSS breakthrough at LAMMA

OSS ORV, the specialist vehicle distribution company, will show the Powerland Tachyon electric all-terrain vehicle for the first time at LAMMA. One of the fastest 4x4 electric ATVs in the world, the Tachyon offers all the benefits of conventional off-road utility vehicles while ensuring no damage to the environment. The manufacturer says they have the aim of inspiring more companies to fundamentally change the way they operate for a more sustainable future. The Tachyon is now the complete fully electric (Li-ion) road legal ATV with tractor homologation. Direct drive hub motors help the vehicle achieve up to 50hp and 210nm of torque at each wheel. Without a motor gearbox transmission, humming is eliminated and less heat is generated. In-wheel motor technology also eliminates the need for numerous mechanical components, resulting in savings on maintenance costs. The hub motors with their regenerative braking technology help extend battery range and act as a better hill descent control while riding.

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BOSS ORV is the sole UK distributor for the Tachyon. They will also be showing the Corvus OffRoad Vehicles’ Terrain side-by-side utility vehicles and the Faunamaster compact drill seeders at

Farming

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Bomford Hawk 7T

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Proportional Controls

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Power Slew

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Telescopic Oil Cooler

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4 Point Linkage Mouting

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Electric Rotor Reverse

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1.5m Pro Cut Head

LAMMA. The Corvus Terrain range comprises diesel, electric and petrol models sold and supported through the Corvus UK dealer network.

The Faunamaster are multifunctional and timesaving seed drills designed for use with an ATV, UTV or tractor. The drill, which comes from the Danish company Faunamaster ApS, sows seeds of virtually any size to a depth of up to 80mm. BOSS ORV will be displaying on stands 6.838 and 6.924 at LAMMA. For more information you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv. co.uk

Bomford Kestrel 5.7 Power Plus

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Bomford Kestrel 5.7 VFA

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Variable Forward Reach

Proportional Electric Controls Power Slew 1.2m Head

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Power Slew, Oil Cooler

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3 Point Linkage Mounted

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Electric Rotor Reverse

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1.2m Pro Trim Head

Oil Cooler, 3 Point Linkage Mounted

WIN A POLARIS POWERHOUSE ATV To enter, register for LAMMA show by midnight on Tuesday 16th January 2024 to be entered into the prize draw to win a Polaris Powerhouse ATV. Entrants must be aged over 17 years and hold a full UK driving licence.

BE PART OF THE ACTION!

LAMMAShow.com

Read the LAMMA ATV full terms & conditions at www.lammashow.com/polaris-atv-competition-terms-conditions

Farming

| LAMMA

Save Up To 35% On Your Grain Drying Costs

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saving of up to 35% on your operational drier running costs mounts up season after season and is very achievable when using a Perry of Oakley Savannah continuous flow grain drier combined with some key additional options.

The savings come from combining four key drier options which are Hot Air Recirculation, Insulation, Automatic Grain Moisture Monitoring and PLC drier control. Using these four options allows the drier to run at the optimal hot air temperature and speed to achieve the correct moisture content of the grain (no over-drying), while also recirculating the hot air which keeps your fuel costs down.

So how does it work?

The Hot Air Recirculation reduces your drier fuel consumption by up to 24%. The grain drier fuel savings come from the reduction in the amount of fuel the drier consumes to heat the air to dry the grain.

The cooling air, from the lower levels of the grain drier, which is unsaturated and of the highest temperature, is recirculated to the hot air side of the drier and remixed with the heated air.

Depending on the drier size, 25% to 30% of the warmest air in the drier is moved by the recirculation fan along transfer ducts to an additional plenum and mixed with the freshly heated ambient air.

The less air you have to heat, the more money you save.

Insulation of the hot and heated area of the drier also saves fuel due to minimising the temperature loss and therefore minimises the fuel required to achieve the necessary temperatures.

The Automatic Drier Moisture Monitoring utilises a Near Infra Red technology that only requires calibration once a year (that’s a game changer in itself!). The moisture measurement is coupled with a self-teaching algorithm which makes the necessary adjustments to the drier temperature, fan speed and the discharge speed of the drier. This prevents the quite large financial losses associated with over-drying Farming

grain such as decrease in weight, extra fuel usage, labour and electricity, for example. This means big savings and peace of mind can be achieved.

The system has been developed in-house at Perrys, including the writing of the algorithm so all the support you may need is in the UK. The Savannah range of grain driers come with a touch screen PLC Control interface as standard. This can be accessed remotely via Wi-Fi enabling the drier to be monitored and controlled from anywhere with mobile coverage. This will save you labour costs as you no longer need to have your drier staffed while it is running and also give you peace of mind while you spend your time on other activities.

The Perry Savannah Series Driers have a capacity range from 5tph upwards and with all of the options listed above there is a powerful argument to purchase a Savannah drier.

The actual savings you can achieve using these options will vary based on several factors including hot air and ambient air temperatures, crop type & moisture, drier model and fan speed and the general ambient conditions. Contact Perrys today to run your real-life data through our Drier Cost Savings Calculator to see how much you could save on (0)1404 890 300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk A British Manufacturer Perrys have been a key part of the British agricultural sector for over 75 years. Perry design & manufacturer their entire product range in the UK which means that all the support you need is rapidly available, including a large stock of spares.

Contact Perrys today for all your handling, storage & drier requirements on (0)1404 890 300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk, and receive a free, no obligation quotation.

Grain Drying, Handling & Storage

From Individual Machines & Bins to Full Grain Stores with Silos British Designed, Manufactured & Supported

Want To Save Up To 35% of Your Drier Running Costs?

Contact Us Today!

Visit us online at www.perryofoakley.co.uk

sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

+44 (0)1404 890300

The UK’s Most Experienced Manufacturer of Grain Farming Drying, Handling & Storage Equipment

| LAMMA

Tong set to showcase handling advancements alongside Verbruggen at LAMMA 2024 ong Engineering is set to exhibit once again at the UK’s largest farm machinery show LAMMA next week on 17th and 18th January 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. The vegetable handling equipment specialist will be on stand alongside Dutch palletising solutions manufacturer Verbruggen on stand 7.750 in Hall 7.

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Tong will be showcasing its latest range of handling solutions at the event, with a continued focus on overcoming post-harvest labour challenges with automated and efficient equipment.

The company’s best-selling in-field and on-farm machine, the FieldLoad PRO, continues to receive high demand for its unrivalled performance in cutting post-harvest loading times. The increasingly renowned machine from Tong receives and cleans crop at high capacities straight from trailers filled by the harvester, ensuring soil and debris is removed from crop in the field, whilst significantly reducing unnecessary transport of crop from field to farm.

The machine is fully configurable to meet exact requirements and is designed to be extremely versatile; it is suitable for multi-crop use, working effectively on potatoes, carrots and onions.

Customers can also choose any Tong cleaning unit as part of the machine, including the advanced EasyClean separator available with Auto-Touch HMI controls. The Tong high-speed PU coil cleaning system and star coil cleaning units are also available.

As UK distributor of Verbruggen palletising solutions, Tong now also works with customers Farming

throughout the UK to supply advanced end of line box and bag palletising systems alongside its highquality range of vegetable handling equipment from post-harvest to pack.

Manufactured to ensure quick, efficient and uniform stacking of bags, boxes and crates on pallets or sheets, Verbruggen palletisers offer precise product stacking capabilities at any speed, resulting in a palletiser for every throughput. With various automatic and semi-automatic options, a Verbruggen palletising system not only brings a significant reduction in labour costs and downtime, but also utilises loading space in the most efficient way. In addition to its comprehensive palletiser range, Verbruggen solutions also include wrapping machines, strapping machines and check weighers, all of which will be part of Tong’s offering as UK distributor.

As well as the latest equipment from Tong and Verbruggen, Tong will also be promoting its newlyacquired Swift Lift range of mobile elevators and conveyors, suitable for a wide range of crop as well as grain and aggregates.

The company will also be on hand to discuss the advancements in optical sorting and camera technologies which continue to reduce the reliance on the workforce to achieve efficient grading and sorting.

“Farmers and growers have seen an incredible range of challenges in 2023, not to mention the effect of the extreme weather on crop harvesting and handling. We look forward to welcoming farmers from all over the UK and overseas at LAMMA to discuss how the latest Tong equipment can overcome labour challenges whilst ensuring ultimate performance and throughput in all conditions. We welcome visitors to come and see us on our stand in Hall 7 where they can be sure of a warm welcome with light refreshments,” says Richard Knighton, Sales Manager at Tong Engineering.

For more information on Tong's latest range of handling equipment visit www.tongengineering. com.

| LAMMA

Next generation ATVs take centre stage at LAMMA LAMMA 2024 will mark the UK show debut of the new Can-Am Outlander 500 (HD5) and Can-Am Outlander 700 (HD7) models on stand 6.850, spearheading a selection of ATVs and SSVs from the 2024 Can-Am utility line-up hese new models have been designed and developed from the ground up by BRP’s engineers to provide an improved rider experience through increased performance, comfort, storage and versatility, so they handle the demands of utility users and the multitude of terrains they work across with ease.

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The new Can-Am Outlander BASE PRO HD5 T is a work-ready vehicle that provides the user with consistent performance with the help of its classleading power from the all-new Rotax engine, ground clearance, suspension travel, towing and rack capacity.

The new Can-Am Outlander PRO XU HD7 ABS puts out 50 horsepower and 41 ft-lb of torque, so travelling up the side of hills or towing and carrying cargo on the flat is now easier and more efficient.

To complement the ATVs on display will be CanAm’s SSV line-up, which includes the Can-Am Traxter HD7 and the Can-Am Traxter 6×6 DPS HD10.

The Can-Am Traxter HD7 provide users with consistent performance and has the ability to stay out in the field for longer with the help of its 40-litre fuel tank.

The Can-Am Traxter 6×6 DPS HD10 is a workhorse SSV that handles everything from hauling machinery to transporting workers and

equipment to job sites while providing owners with the comfort, power and performance that is expected from a Can-Am Traxter.

In addition to showcasing its ATVs and SSVs, CanAm will be hosting a responsible rider panel with the NFU, Yellow Wellies, NAAC and HSE at 11am on stand 6.850. The discussion will cover several topics ranging from training to educating users, no matter their age, on the importance of wearing the correct PPE when riding and what best practices can be implemented before, during and after an ATV has been used.

Rachael Turner, BRP commercial manager UK and Ireland, says, “This show is one that our team circles in the calendar because it brings together a wide-ranging audience under one roof, from students studying at college to smallholders, to large landowners. We are excited for the UK show debut of our new ATVs, the Can-Am Outlander 500 and Can-Am Outlander 700. These two models are the latest evolution of the Outlander line-up and have been designed from the ground up with the user in mind. Our team is looking forward to showcasing the models on display and explaining how their versatility makes them suitable for the job at hand. In addition, we are excited to be part of the panel with the NFU, Yellow Wellies, NAAC and HSE as it is a great platform from which to discuss the importance of responsible riding, ATV training and best practices when using an ATV with an engaged audience.”

Farming

| LAMMA

More machinery giants to showcase latest kit at LAMMA 2024

eading farm machinery brands JCB, Case IH, and Massey Ferguson have all confirmed a return to LAMMA in 2024, rejoining regular exhibitors Same DeutzFahr, Merlo, Krone, Valtra and Fendt at the UK’s largest farm machinery event at the NEC Birmingham on 17-18 January.

Many have also shared that their latest models will make their UK debut at the event, reinforcing LAMMA as the place to be to see the latest in machinery and agritech.

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Lindsay Haddon, advertising and sales promotion manager at Massey Ferguson, said: “There have been a high number of requests from both customers and dealers for Massey Ferguson to return to LAMMA and as we have some exciting new products to launch, including the UK premiere of our new flagship tractor, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

John Smith, JCB agriculture managing director, said: “We’ll be at LAMMA in 2024 with our best-ever range of agricultural machines for productive farming and contracting. It will be an effective showcase for our products, held at the right time of year in a comfortable environment, and we are looking forward to having face-to-face conversations with existing and potential customers as we present an exciting line-up of existing and new machines.”

Live theatre. Agreena’s Thomas Gent will unravel the enigma of carbon farming, with further insight from organisations such as Frontier Agriculture and LKAB Minerals. As before, CPD points will be available for members of BASIS, NRoSO and DairyPro. Another first for 2024 is Agriconnect TV, which will be broadcasting show highlights live on screens throughout the venue.

“We are delighted to see more big machinery brands returning to LAMMA,” said LAMMA event director Sarah Whittaker-Smith. “It strengthens LAMMA’s position as the premier machinery event for UK farmers, contractors and the wider industry. We will have more to share later this year, but 2024 is stacking up to be one of our best yet. We can’t wait to open the doors of the NEC once again to welcome new and returning visitors.”

Registration for free tickets is now available on the LAMMA website. Additional details will be released about LAMMA 2024 over the coming months. Those wanting to be the first to know updates about the show can sign up for the event newsletter here.

Regular exhibitors Fendt and Valtra echoed this, explaining why they come back to LAMMA year after year.

Sarah Howarth, marketing manager for Valtra UK & IE, said: “LAMMA 2023 was a great success for us and we are very much looking forward to exhibiting again in 2024. We will be showcasing our full line-up of products and smart farming solutions. The show will provide a great opportunity for customers to get up close and personal with the complete product portfolio and meet with key members of the Valtra team and dealer network.”

Ed Dennett of Fendt added: “We are looking forward to exhibiting once again in 2024. With product launches coming up, LAMMA represents a fantastic opportunity to show off our latest products, offering our customers greater efficiency and reliability, along with technology aimed at increasing farm profitability. We look forward to welcoming current and new customers to our stand in January.”

Lowlander® Manure Spreaders TwinVertical Auger HorizontalBeater & Spinning Disc

More to see and do at LAMMA 2024 Following its success last year, the Demo Zone is back and bigger than before, with Case IH, New Holland, JCB, Merlo, Krone, Valtra, Malone, and more, showing off their kit in action.

Learning and knowledge exchange will also take centre stage. Visitors will have the chance to hear from leading and innovative voices in the LAMMA Farming

| LAMMA

Latest innovative prod N

ew Holland will showcase an array of exciting new, innovative, and sustainable products at the UK’s leading farm machinery show, LAMMA 2024, taking place on January 17 and 18 at NEC in

Birmingham.

The company have not participated at LAMMA since 2020 so this will be the brand’s return to the trade show as well as the occasion to introduce several brand-new products to the UK market.

The main star on the stand will be New Holland’s new CR11 Combine Harvester, which will make its UK debut after been unveiled at the Agritechnica show in Germany. Unlike the model exposed in Hanover – a special golden edition to pay homage to the Agritechnica Innovation Gold Medal – the CR11 on display at LAMMA will feature the signature yellow colour, updated to a more modern version and the brand-new styling design of the brand’s combines.

Farming

Other new products to look out for include the New Holland T7.340 HD with PLM Intelligence, the new flagship model for the New Holland T7 tractor range which extends the maximum performance of the T7 Heavy Duty line to 340hp.

On the New Holland stand show-goers will find special QR Codes to access a broadcast WhatsApp channel where the brand will communicate dedicated deals and promotions that will be active during the show days. It will also display updates on special events, demonstrations and interviews with products specialists that will animate the New Holland stand.

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New Holland will be in Hall 17 on stand 400

| LAMMA

ducts at Lamma 2024

Farming

| LAMMA

Part of the farming landscape for over 40 years – Suzuki ATVs

uzuki has been an innovator in engineering since Michio Suzuki created the company in 1909. But it was the early 1980s that saw Suzuki launch into the ATV market, with the creation of the first ever fourwheel ATV in 1983, sparking a movement away from controversial three-wheelers and leading the way for the industry. Now, for over 40 years, Suzuki has remained part of the global farming landscape.

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suggested, this four-wheeler featured all-wheel drive. Plus, it offered a front differential lock so the QuadRunner AWD could get out of just about any situation.

With the introduction of a new manufacturing plant in Rome, Georgia, Suzuki revised some of its ATV models in 2002. The air-oil cooled 400cm3 model, in both 2WD and 4WD

Being the first ever production 4-wheel ATV on the market, the 1983 QuadRunner 125 started the industry we know now. With a friendly design that was easy to use, automatic clutch,

versions was named the Eiger (per the famous mountain in Bernese Alps) and the larger, liquid-cooled 500cm3 4WD model was dubbed the Vinson (per the large mountain in the

five forward speeds and reverse, it offered an outstanding cost to performance ratio.

4 years later in 1987, the QuadRunner AWD brought off-road capabilities never before available from an ATV. As its designation

Antarctic).

The KINGQUAD name returned to the Suzuki ATV line up with the 2005 KINGQUAD 700.

Along with its revived name, this new ATV brought a new liquid-cooled, four-stroke Farming

| LAMMA

steering). Each model accumulates the years of innovation and technology that made its predecessors so popular into a refined, modern package.

And until the 31st March 2024, every Suzuki ATV customer can benefit from a fantastic trade-in offer, with 10% off the RRP of a new KingQuad when trading in any brand of quad bike in part exchange.

For more information, T&Cs and to discover the range, visit: https://atv.suzuki.co.uk

engine, fed by a first and modern electronic fuel injection system.

For 2012, Suzuki added both a KINGQUAD 750AXi 4x4 and KINGQUAD 500AXi 4x4 model with standard electronic power steering.

A novel feature at the time, this system used a version of the proven technology featured on Suzuki’s cars and SUVs. Finally, launched in 2019, the latest generation of Suzuki’s ATV range currently comprises of three versatile models; the KingQuad 500 and 500XP as well as the KingQuad 750XP (XP denotes independent suspension and power

SUZUKI KINGQUAD

PART OF YOUR LANDSCAPE

From forest to field, a Suzuki ATV goes wherever you need it to. Over 40 years of experience powers every model, with all-day comfort, practical usability and proven technology as standard. Whatever your landscape, you can rely on the King of Quads.

To explore the range or find out more visit: atv.suzuki.co.uk

@SUZUKIATVSUK

Farming

| Dairy Tech

Win an ADF Milking system for your milking parlour at Dairy-Tech

DF Milking are launching an exciting competition in which they are giving away a brand new ADF automatic dipping and flushing system worth up to £30,000, plus consumables & servicing included for 1 year, to one lucky dairy farmer.

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Farmers can enter online now via the ADF website here adfmilking.com/ competition/. Alternatively you can visit the ADF Milking stand at DairyTech to complete a physical entry form and place into the ballet box.

The competition is live now and entries close shortly before 3:00pm on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

The winner will be announced exclusively at this year’s Dairy-Tech on the ADF Milking stand B56, Hall 2 at 3:00pm.

Automatic Dipping & Flushing The award-winning ADF Milking System automatically dips each teat Farming

directly within the liner, protecting the teat from harmful bacteria in the environment. Liners are then automatically sanitised between milkings to prevent cross contamination between cows.

The benefits of ADF

| Dairy Tech With the Automatic Dipping & Flushing system, farmers can support the health of their herd, save labour and vet costs and increase the efficiency of their dairy farm. Teats are protected instantly, resulting in a reduction of mastitis cases as well as improving somatic cell count and milk quality.

Improved cow longevity means more lactations per cow can be achieved, producing a significant increase in milk yield. Automation of the milking routine means that cows can be milked more quickly, saving labour time, increasing the productivity and efficiency of every farm.

The right milking system for every milking parlour With their new product range ADF Milking have made it easier to find the right Automatic Dipping and Flushing system for your dairy farm. Discover the ADF System to suit your parlour, your herd and your budget.

ADF Essential has been specifically designed for smaller milking parlours. You get all the automated instant dipping and flushing functionality that ADF is well-known for, but in a newly streamlined design.

ADF Professional is the market-leading automatic dipping & flushing system that is recognised by dairy farmers around the world. Teats are dipped and liners are flushed at the right time, every time. Designed to work 24/7.

ADF Ultimate is the premium flagship system with a full array of features. Utilising the latest InVent technology, ADF Ultimate offers a superior milking experience – bringing stress-free milking to you and your cows.

Intelligent venting The innovative milking technology from ADF, InVent, sets new standards in the milking parlour.

InVent is the only milking system on the market that regulates the vacuum level of each teat individually for each cow, minimising teat end damage and congestion. With this new technology dairy farmers can benefit from faster milk let-down, shorter milking times and calmer cows.

ADF Milking at Dairy-Tech See the ADF Milking technology at Dairy-Tech 2024. Visit their stand B56, Hall 2 to learn more about how ADF can save you time, money and bring stress-free milking to your dairy farm.

Farmers who are unable to attend the event can enter the competition by scanning the QR code below or visiting the ADF Milking website adfmilking.com/competition/ for a chance to win.

Farming

| Dairy Tech

Chance to Win a Year's Supply of SlurryBugs Proven to Cut Crust by Third

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airy farmers can win a free year's supply of the newly formulated SlurryBugs slurry inoculant worth up to £1,000, which has been found to reduce crust formation on slurry stores by almost a third.

Vistors to this year's Dairy-Tech event on 7 February can visit the EnviroSystems stand (E30) and fill out their details to be in with a chance of winning. Farmers not visiting the event can also apply by emailing the team at info@envirosystems. co.uk. The winners will be drawn on 28 February.

In exchange for a year's free supply of SlurryBugs and SlurryBugs Maintenance, entrants must provide data on the products throughout the year.

Spaces are limited and provide a great opportunity for farmers to be able to realise the value of using the specialist products for free.

SlurryBugs Maintenance ● 10-15% increase in each of the following nutrients in the treated slurry (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur). This is because organic materials are released into the slurry when the crust is broken down. New studies are currently in progress to look at this further.

Reducing crust formation is becoming more critical as the 2027 date for mandatory slurry store covers nears.

The company's Dr David Townsend explained: "Crust mitigation is directly linked to DEFRA's good agricultural practice guide, which recommends covering slurry and digestate stores to reduce ammonia emissions and to ensure farms have enough storage to be able to spread slurry only when crops will use the nutrients.

"Without farmers managing the crust, they will have no idea what is happening underneath the cover, and by the time a crust becomes noticeable, it might be too late to intervene.

SlurryBugs and SlurryBugs Maintenance have been redeveloped by bedding and inoculants specialists EnviroSystems following one of the most comprehensive and robust studies on slurry additives.

Their latest research has resulted in the production of an entirely new product thanks to the development and fine-tuning of specialist bacteria and fungi.

A two-year study, funded by Innovate UK and conducted in collaboration with Myerscough College, Preston, shortlisted almost 30 strains of bacteria and fungi and narrowed it down to a final five, which were tested under laboratory-controlled conditions.

These microorganisms were found to work most effectively on maximising the complex lignocellulosic biochemical pathways within slurry stores. The results showed: ● 29% reduction in Crust Formation by using SlurryBugs and 23% reduction when using Farming

"By using the SlurryBugs and SlurryBugs Maintenance, we can confidently offer farmers peace of mind that the crust formation will be minimised and slurry storage maximised.

"In addition, by improving the nutrient value of slurry by releasing trapped nitrogen, carbon, phosphate and potassium materials into the slurry, farmers have the potential to reduce the use of synthetic fertiliser," he said.

Farmers can find out more about these new innovative inoculants on stand E30 at Dairy-Tech on 7 February at Stoneleigh Park.

Visitors to Dairy-Tech can also speak with EnviroSystems' Managing Director, Liz Russell, who has dedicated her career to developing a portfolio of products to help farmers and has been at the forefront of slurry additive research.

| Dairy Tech

Dairy tech to host new products and innovations D

on’t miss the exciting new 2024 ATV and UTV model range from CFMOTO, available in the UK and Ireland, on display at Dairy Tech on the CFMOTO UK stand – E15.

The all-new UFORCE 600 and CFORCE 450/520 will be launched at the show. All new vehicles in the 2024 range are bursting with standard features including progressive EPS, lightweight handling, and 4×4 capability to power through your work day.

CFMOTO are Europe’s best selling ATV brand, and the reason why is crystal clear. The quality of the product for the price point is simply unbeatable.

CFMOTO has been building engines since 1997 and now the brand is now trusted in over 100 countries worldwide. Sustainability is prioritised and CFMOTO invests heavily in its research and development to stay ahead of the competition. The R&D team is always exploring new technologies and materials to improve the performance and reliability of CFMOTO products.

CFMOTO is at the forefront of innovation in the industry and providing our customers with the best

possible experience. The brand is trusted by farmers and land owners throughout the UK and Ireland and continues to grow.

CFMOTO UK looks forward to meeting Dairy Tech attendees at the show, plus we have some great giveaways that are worth visiting for too! Come and see us on stand E15 and chat with our friendly team. www.cfmoto.co.uk Stand E15.

Disease Indication smaXtec’s bolus-based health system has already achieved recognition for its unrivalled early detection

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ow smaXtec has launched another world first: Disease indication via artificial intelligence.

With TruAdvice, smaXtec is presenting another revolutionary technology in the field of disease prevention and higher herd health on dairy farms by harnessing the potential of data and artificial intelligence.

TruAdvice is a highly accurate probability measurement of mastitis with artificial intelligence.

Depending on the pathogen, we can correctly detect mastitis in the range of 90%.

In addition to the early detection enabled by smaXtec’s early alerts based on symptoms such as temperature increases, the new artificial intelligence TruAdvice informs you early AND names the disease probability to expedite early treatment event more. smaXtec’s artificial intelligence technology is based on precise and robust data measurements from INSIDE the cow which ensures best possible data quality. www.smaxtec.com STAND B198 Farming

| Education & Training

New study reveals soil health ben

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STUDY being conducted at the University of Leeds Farm is shedding light on the benefits of regenerative cultivation techniques.

The study compares soil health, crop production, greenhouse gas emissions, and profit of different farming systems across seven 12m x 40m plots.

Some of the plots were ploughed and power harrowed, while others underwent minimal cultivation using non-inversion, shallow cultivation.

Cover cropping, living mulches, manures, livestock integration, and herbal leys have also been utilised as part of the trial.

Data were collected by state-of-the-art soil stations created by Estonian ag-tech company Paul-Tech, which take real-time readings of nutrient availability, soil water levels and soil temperature at depths of 8cm and 20cm.

Each plot received three treatments of nitrogen throughout the trial, with nutrient and water availability measured at both depths after each application.

The stations revealed that the trial plots which had minimal cultivation held more nutrients and water around the root zone for longer than plots that had been ploughed.

As a result, the minimal cultivated plots recorded a significantly larger nutrient release after fertilisation and higher nutrient availability at the 8cm mark compared to the ploughed plots, and nutrients were held around the rootzone for longer.

By contrast, water quickly drained through the ploughed soil, leading to a significantly smaller nutrient release at fertilisation and considerably less nutrients available to the plants at 8cm.

Soil temperature was also impacted by the cultivation method with the ploughed soil experiencing much larger temperature changes over the course of the trial.

The ploughed soil froze when air temperatures dipped below zero, whereas those sown under a minimal cultivation system maintained a much more stable temperature throughout and did not freeze.

Commenting on the study findings, Paul-Tech Chief Executive Mikk Plakk, described them as ‘fascinating’.

The study is ongoing and will look at the impacts of other regenerative techniques on soil health over a longer period.

Farming

Mr Plakk said: “The data from our soil stations clearly shows soil nutrient availability and temperature differences between plots with different cultivation methods.

“For example, the soil in the conventional ploughed plot froze at root level and showed significant temperature differences while the minimal cultivated plots didn’t freeze and temperatures were relatively consistent in the root zone.

“Also, in the minimal cultivated plots, the soil was much more effective at holding water, which meant far more nutrients were available at 8cm than was the case in the ploughed plots.

“The findings have a significant bearing on how farmers should be treating soil. They strongly suggest cultivation methods have the potential to significantly improve soil and plant health while reducing the amount of inputs they need to apply.”

| Education & Training

nefits of regenerative agriculture Paul Tech’s soil station combines real-time proprietary sensor data with weather and satellite data to produce agronomic recommendations for farmers and growers, which are reported via an online dashboard.

This empowers them to make more informed decisions about crop inputs and irrigation, leading to better soil health, plant health, yield and cost savings.

The system is in place on commercial farming operations in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and is being launched in the UK this month.

“Getting access to real-time, high frequency data from the soil station was vital for this study and will be equally valuable for farmers,” Mr Plakk added “This level of insight would not be available without the ability to measure water and nutrient movement

throughout the soil, which our system has been specifically designed to do.

“As the study continues, we expect to discover further insights into how different cultivation techniques impact on soil health, the environment, and the farmer’s bottom line.”

The trial is being led by Dr Ruth Wade, Research Fellow at the University of Leeds.

Dr Wade said: “The results coming from this regenerative agriculture plot trial will provide important data on the impacts of different farming systems both on the environment but also for the farm business.”

Paul-Tech’s soil system will see its official UK launch at LAMMA on January 17 & 18 at Birmingham’s NEC.

Farming

| Education & Training

Applications open for acclaimed John Deere agricultural journalism training course udding agricultural journalists and communications professionals are being urged to apply for a place on a unique training course designed to help them take an important first step in their careers.

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The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ John Deere Training Course has been running for more than 30 years and has an extraordinary track record in helping journalists, public relations (PR) professionals and marketeers enter the industry.

Led by David Mascord, a renowned journalist and lecturer, and supported by a range of experienced guest speakers, successful applicants embark on the two-and-ahalf-day course before being placed at a publication or PR agency for work experience.

All participants then submit a piece of work to compete for the overall John Deere Training Award which carries with it a £250 first prize and a complimentary ticket to the presentation ceremony at the BGAJ Harvest Lunch in London on 10 October. The runner-up also attends the event and is awarded £100.

There is no upper age limit for applications, but one of the course’s stated aims is to support young people with a genuine desire to pursue careers in agricultural communications. Practical experience of farming is not required.

Chris Wiltshire, Tactical Marketing Manager at John Deere, said: “We feel it’s really important that new entrants into agricultural journalism and communications are supported and we are proud to have sponsored this course since 1991.

“Farming businesses rely on accurate information and communications professionals play a vital role in delivering that, especially during this period of transition that the sector is going through.”

The 2024 course will be held from 1-3 July with accommodation provided at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham and the course held at John Deere’s UK & Ireland headquarters nearby at Langar.

The cost of the training, hotel and sustenance is covered by John Deere’s sponsorship, with trainees responsible for their own travel expenses.

Alongside writing exercises, group work and a press conference scenario, participants get the opportunity to drive a John Deere tractor and enjoy a sociable evening meal with their fellow students.

Last year Harper Adams University graduate Marina Schjoett won the overall training award, with Tom Woolman – who now writes on a freelance basis for poultry magazines ¬– claiming the runnerup spot.

BGAJ Chair Johann Tasker said: “I took part in the course many years ago and it was a solid foundation for my career. It has been the spark to ignite the passion of many bright and talented individuals over the past 30 years so I would encourage anyone who wants to work in the farming media or communications to apply.”

Applications forms are available at www.gaj. org.uk or on request via email from johndeere@evecommunications.co.uk.

Applicants must be studying in or resident in Great Britain and need to apply by Thursday 28 March 2024.

Farming

| Education & Training

British Wool enhances young farmers exclusive training offer ritish Wool and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) have enjoyed a strong relationship and collaborated in many different areas over the years including the Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) training offer.

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This will be the sixth year British Wool and NFYFC have worked together and this year the training offer for young farmers has been extended. In previous years, British Wool offered young farmers an opportunity to attend a beginner shearing course if this was a first-time course. This year this exclusive offer has been extended to include all young farmers, regardless of level and how many courses they have previously attended. A young farmer can benefit from 50% off British Wool Shearing Courses for the duration of their membership. This offer includes participation in both machine and blade shearing courses. These courses will be over two days, covering all the essential aspects of achieving a successful shearing season including the use of shearing equipment and hands-on shearing practice to develop your technique.

The exclusive price YFC members will pay for this training offer is £100 plus £20 VAT – the normal cost for this course would be £200 plus £40 VAT. This offer is valid for YFC members registering before 31st March 2024.

Excellent fleece presentation is key in ensuring wool is presented correctly and to a high standard.

British Wool is extending its training offer for YFC members to participate in its wool handling course.

This one-day course will be delivered by a competitive wool handler at a discounted price of only £50 plus £10 VAT – the normal cost for this course is £60 plus £12 VAT. Richard Schofield, Shearing Manager at British Wool, said: “We are once again delighted to be working with NFYFC in extending our training offer to all young farmers. Supporting the training and development of the next generation of shearers is important to us at British Wool and we feel very proud in the quantity and quality of shearers and wool handlers we have her in the UK and We look forward to welcoming young farmers onto our courses once again this year and encourage any interested YFC member to contact the NFYFC before the 31st March closing date.”

NFYFC Chair Rosie Bennett said: “The British Wool discount is an amazing offer for members of Young Farmers’ Clubs. We are proud to be working with British Wool and helping to improve the shearing standards.

“It’s important to NFYFC to ensure everyone in our national final has a Blue Seal qualification and it’s even better news that anyone can take part in the training, regardless of their experience in the industry.”

To register your interest please contact: Margaret Bennett Tel: 02476 857216 margaret.bennett@nfyfc.org.uk Farming

| Education & Training

Barclays Eagle Labs and UK Government forms new partnership with Hartpury University’s Tech Box Park to boost agri-tech business artpury University's Tech Box Park has formed an exciting new partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, that will encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to elevate their business to new heights within the agricultural industry. The Barclays Eagle Labs initiative fosters business growth in UK start-ups and scale-ups.

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University, has already proven to be a valuable space for innovation, supporting over 30 business ventures. From enabling a social enterprise to create a test bed for trailing hemp derivatives in animal bedding, to showcasing the world’s most innovative anti-theft solution for agricultural machinery and testing 100% plant-based compostable packaging on hay bales – the Tech Box Park has provided a space for innovative thinking.

Catherine Briggs, Tech Box Park Manager said: “We’re excited to join forces with Barclays Eagle Labs to drive innovation and cultivate growth in the regional economy. Backed by the UK Government, Barclays Eagle Labs offers a unique support system that seamlessly integrates with our existing Tech Box Park offering more valuable opportunities for founders, entrepreneurs, and scale-ups in the region to test, trial and commercialise new products for the landbased sector.”

Through a unique collaboration, supported by the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, 20 businesses will gain free access to Hartpury Tech Box Park memberships (valued at £2,500). The six-month programme of support is expected to boost highpotential businesses across the region and develop Hartpury’s thriving agri-tech community.

Designed for SMEs with traction, ready to take their growth and scalability to the next level, the memberships will help founders and entrepreneurs turn their products or services into a commercial success for the agri-tech, food-tech, and greentech industries.

Tech Box Park membership benefits include testing and trialling at Hartpury’s commercial farm, one-onone coaching, mentoring and support from business experts and scale-up specialists, plus events dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation.

The Tech Box Park, an accelerator at Hartpury Farming

Amanda Allan, Director at Barclays Eagle Labs: “This is yet another exciting partnership for us here at Barclays Eagle Labs in our mission to support UK tech start-ups. Using the funding from the Digital Growth Grant from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology we think Hartpury University is an ideal partner for us. This match-funding will help them continue their proven track record in supporting local start-ups at The Tech Box Park.”

Saqib Bhatti, Minister for Tech and Digital Economy said: “Regional start-ups are a vital cog in boosting the UK economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country. This government is committed to supporting them throughout their infancy and scaleup journey. This partnership will ensure that even more businesses can access the invaluable support that the Hartpury Tech Box Park membership provides, helping them realise their enormous potential.”

Applications are open now, and close on 31 January 2024.

| Education & Training

New course to train future agricultural communicators

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cotland's Rural College (SRUC) is inviting feedback from people working in the agricultural industry and rural businesses on the value of developing a postgraduate course in agricultural communications.

The Masters in Agricultural Communications would be the first programme of its kind in the UK, covering everything from the marketing of products to communicating policy.

Offered via distance learning from 2025, it would also cover social media campaigns, data collection, digital skills, public speaking and journalism.

being relayed.

"We would like to hear from anyone in the agriculture industry, especially those on the business side of things who may be involved with marketing and promoting themselves."

The survey is anonymous, with feedback being used to determine the feasibility of the programme and its design and delivery.

To take part in the survey, please visit: https://sruc. onlinesurveys.ac.uk/srucag-communicationsmarket-research or scan the QR code below:

Craig Davidson, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Agriculture at SRUC, said: "The importance of agricultural communications cannot be understated.

"The agriculture industry has a remit to tell the story of where food comes from in order to influence government decision making and public knowledge of agricultural practice.

"There is also an increasing demand on keepers of the natural capital to be good stewards, and providing evidence of good practice will become more important.

"People communicating agricultural topics must have an understanding of the subject area to influence decisions being made and/or information Farming

| Mental Health

Farming

Farming can be tough.

RABI is always here for you

Call our free, confidential 24/7 helpline:

0800 1884444 Farming

arming and agriculture have been integral to Britain's history and economy. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the crucial role women play in these sectors. Women have always been involved in farming and agriculture, but their contributions have often been overlooked or undervalued. However, today more than ever, it is essential to recognise their contributions and address the existing gender disparities in these sectors.

The historical perspective of women's role in farming and agriculture in Britain is riddled with challenges. Women have faced numerous obstacles in accessing opportunities and recognition in the past.

However, the dynamics are changing, and more women are actively participating in these sectors. Societal changes, technological advancements, and policy reforms have contributed to this shift.

to finance, and limited representation are some of the challenges they face. Addressing these challenges is crucial for promoting further advancement and growth for women in these sectors.

The historical perspective of women's role in farming and agriculture in Britain is riddled with challenges. Women have faced numerous obstacles in accessing opportunities and recognition in the past.

However, the dynamics are changing, and more women are actively participating in these sectors. Societal changes, technological advancements, and policy reforms have contributed to this shift.

In the past, women's role in farming was often limited to domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for livestock. Women were not considered capable of handling the more technical aspects of farming, such as fields or operating Rebecca Wilson plowing machinery. They were also Women's contributions to the excluded from formal farming and agriculture sector are significant. They education and training programs that could have enhance productivity, diversify agricultural helped them develop their skills and knowledge. practices, and promote sustainable farming methods. Women also play a crucial role in However, things have changed significantly over environmental stewardship by contributing to the years. Today, women are increasingly involved sustainable land management, conservation in all aspects of farming and agriculture. They are practices, and climate change mitigation. involved in crop production, livestock management, horticulture, agroforestry, fisheries, and Empowering women in farming and agriculture is aquaculture. Women are also involved in research essential for achieving gender equality. Gender and development activities related to food security, diversity improves decision-making, innovation, and climate change adaptation, and rural development. resilience in the sector. Bridging the existing gender gap in farming and agriculture is crucial for One of the reasons for this shift is the changing promoting gender equality. Disparities in access to dynamics of rural communities. Rural areas are no resources, training, and leadership positions need longer isolated from urban centres but are to be addressed through initiatives and programs connected through various communication aimed at promoting gender equality. channels such as mobile phones and the internet.

This has enabled women to access information However, women in farming and agriculture face about new technologies, markets, and various challenges today. Work-life balance, access opportunities. It has also enabled them to connect Farming

with other women farmers and share their experiences.

Another reason for this shift is technological advancements. New technologies such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and digital tools have made farming more efficient and productive. These technologies require less physical labor and more technical skills. Women are well-suited to handle these technologies as they are often better at multitasking, attention to detail, and problem-solving.

Policy reforms have also played a significant role in promoting women's participation in farming and agriculture. The UK government has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in these sectors. For example, the Women's Farming Union (WFU) was established in 2015 to provide a platform for women farmers to network, share knowledge, and advocate for their rights. The WFU organises training programs on topics such as business management, marketing, and financial planning.

Women's contributions to the farming and agriculture sector are significant. They enhance productivity, diversify agricultural practices, and promote sustainable farming methods. Women also play a crucial role in environmental stewardship by contributing to sustainable land management, conservation practices, and climate change mitigation.

Women farmers are often involved in small-scale farming activities that are more sustainable than large-scale industrial farming practices. Small-scale farmers tend to use fewer inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides and rely more on organic methods such as composting and crop rotation. This reduces the environmental impact of farming activities and promotes biodiversity.

Women farmers are also involved in conservation activities such as soil conservation, water management, and forest protection. These activities help mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.

Empowering women in farming and agriculture is essential for achieving gender equality. Gender

diversity improves decision-making, innovation, and resilience in the sector. Bridging the existing gender gap in farming and agriculture is crucial for promoting gender equality. Disparities in access to resources, training, and leadership positions need to be addressed through initiatives and programs aimed at promoting gender equality.

There is evidence that gender diversity improves business performance in the agricultural sector.

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies with more diverse workforces perform better financially than those with less diversity. This is because diverse teams bring different perspectives to problem-solving and decisionmaking processes.

However, women in farming and agriculture face various challenges today. Work-life balance is a significant challenge for women farmers who often have to balance their work responsibilities with household chores and childcare duties. Access to finance is another challenge as women farmers often face discrimination when seeking loans or credit facilities from financial institutions.

Amy Wilkinson

Limited representation is another challenge faced by women farmers. Women are often underrepresented in leadership positions in agricultural organisations or government bodies that make decisions about agricultural policies or programs.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for promoting further advancement and growth for women in these sectors. Initiatives such as training programs on business management skills can help women farmers improve their financial literacy and access finance more easily. Policies that promote gender diversity in leadership positions can help address the issue of limited representation.

In conclusion, women's participation in farming and agriculture is crucial for sustainable development, economic growth, and gender equality.

Recognising their contributions and addressing the existing gender disparities is essential for creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for rural communities and the nation as a whole. By focusing on this topic, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

Farming

| Energy

Powerlift performance from Börger’s super strong mobile separator

örger’s BioSelect, which is designed for the easy and highly effective separation of slurry at farms and biogas/AD plants, is now available as a tailored mobile unit.

Suitable for a car or truck trailer, the new Powerlift Separator can be built (capacities between 25 m³/h and 150 m³/h), to suit a specific application(s).

The entire mobile set-up, including feed-pump, macerator, liquid-phase pump, control technology, as well as the Separator, is all designed and manufactured in one, compact unit by Börger.

which then shreds the fibres, depositing impurities into the debris collector.

Achieving Dry Solids (DS) content up to 38%, the Börger Separator is load-triggered, whilst the feed pump ensures that volumes do not exceed capacity. The high-density solids-discharge-pump determines the degree of thickness, so the user can (for example) thicken 4 per cent dissolved solids (DS) content liquid into 12 per cent DS, to make it suitable for a tanker. Likewise, liquid manure and fermentation residue can be thickened to 22 per cent DS, without making any mechanical adjustments to the machine.

The Powerlift can be extended hydraulically to a discharge height of more than 4.30m, so that even large dump trucks can be filled easily.

Borger UK

The Börger rotary lobe pump (benefitting from Maintenance-in-place) feeds the BioSelect, and at the same time sucks the medium to be separated through the macerator (a Börger Multi-Chopper),

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Farming

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| Energy

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Farming

15.06.2022 13:21:09

| Energy

orthern Ireland’s Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has made a significant breakthrough with its research into on-farm biogas production by introducing a new digester mixing system.

Dr Gary Lyons from the AgriEnvironment Branch at AFBI, said: “The original mixing system, installed when the plant was built, worked well for a number of years, but eventually a build-up of sludge in the bottom of the primary and secondary digestion tanks meant that we were getting poor digestate mixing. This impacted biogas production and the level of methane in the biogas. We decided that we needed to shut the system down, clear the sludge from the tanks, and retrofit a new mixing system on to the main digestion tank, which would not give us issues with sludge build-up in the future.”

‘A robust mixing system is critical’

At Hillsborough, one of seven AFBI sites that provide scientific research and services to government, non-governmental and commercial organisations, the retrofit of the AD plant’s main digester has improved biogas yields by 15-25%.

At what was the first biogas plant of its type in Northern Ireland, the cow slurry from the site’s 300-strong dairy herd is codigested with grass silage produced on the research farm, to produce biogas which is combusted in a CHP engine providing heat and electricity for the site.

The new mixing system ensured that fresh feedstock was being better mixed in the main digestion tank and was not discharged too early, as witnessed by higher discharge temperature than that observed from the old mixing system.

Farming

He added: “At AFBI, we understand that busy farmers have more than enough to do, without having to constantly repair and maintain their biogas plant, so we’ve been able to see first-hand that a robust mixing system is critical. One that doesn’t have any wear parts on the inside of the tank will prevent the big headache of downtime.

The new mixing system in question is a simple, but highly effective one. Externally-

mounted, a Chopper Pump (invented by Landia in 1950) with venturi nozzles. No working at height. No working in the gas zone. And no costly downtime for servicing.

“There’s more to it than that of course,” continued Gary.

The Landia GasMix provides the dual benefit of both hydraulic and biogas mixing in one system, which was appealing to the AFBI team.

We’re not a commercial plant, but our role is to explore all of the possible benefits for farmers.

This means not only maximising the amount of clean energy that can be produced, but how to achieve that with the minimum amount of energy that goes in.

‘More gas and also better quality gas’ “When we were just using slurry as a feedstock, the Landia mixers increased our output from 300 cubic metres of biogas per day of dry solids to typically 360, and as high as 400. I’m a sceptic by nature, but the results were there right in front of us with our readings; more gas and also better quality gas, with the Landia GasMix system working away without any problems, continuously reducing the particle size of the feedstock.

“Over time, only two of the 18 lines on the old mixing system hadn’t blocked. We knew we had to look for a lower maintenance alternative.”

Gary and his team’s search saw them consult with the first biogas plant of its type in the Republic

| Energy also looked hard at the Danish Biogas Association’s advice on the use of venturi nozzles for digester mixing at AD plants.

This led to us working with DPS (part of the EPS Group) of Bangor (who supply Landia equipment in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) to help with their knowledge and experience

of Ireland, where in County Limerick, impressive performance numbers were being reported at the site owned and operated by Greengas.

I spoke with David McDonnell at Greengas,” said Gary. “He told me that his plant was benefiting from having Landia mixers. I

GASMIX

Process benefits

Higher biogas production compared to traditional mixing.

“In this situation, throwing more power at the process isn’t the answer. We’ve also understood that dwell times are very important, which takes convincing for some, but through careful fine-tuning, we don’t have to run the Landia mixers flat out to optimise biogas yields; just in 10-minute cycles, so only 30 minutes each hour. We need to experiment more with dwell times to hit the sweet spot of minimal mixing for maximum plant performance.

“We have had no problems with digestate mixing whatsoever since installing the Landia digester mixing system. By

increasing the surface area of the feed with truly comprehensive mixing of the tank, the bacteria get to work much quicker. I do like the fact that the system incorporates biogas recirculation, and we do not appear to have solids settlement issues.

“As a scientific research centre, we’ve experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of AD, which should help farmers avoid the downside of those mixing systems that can only be retrieved by having to laboriously drain down the tank and then have to start the whole process from scratch. We won’t be doing that again.

“Following the increase in biogas production and methane content that we saw with mono-digestion of slurry as the feedstock, it will be very interesting in time to collate the data from the codigestion of slurry and grass silage.” www.landiaworld.com

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| Energy

Harnessing the Pow Achieving Net Zero Emissi n the face of an increasingly urgent climate crisis, the agricultural sector, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, faces the challenge of transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. Renewable energy presents a promising solution, offering a path towards net-zero emissions while simultaneously enhancing farm efficiency and profitability.

The Role of Renewable Energy in British Agriculture British agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to methane from livestock production and nitrous oxide from fertilizer application. While the sector has made significant strides in reducing emissions, further progress is crucial to meet the UK's ambitious climate goals.

Renewable energy offers a transformative solution, enabling farms to generate their own clean energy, reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to achieving net-zero emissions.

Renewable Energy Sources for British Farms A diverse range of renewable energy technologies can be harnessed to power British farms. Solar energy, with its abundant sunlight resources, has emerged as a leading option, with almost a third of UK farms already Farming

installing solar panels. Wind energy, particularly on-shore wind turbines, holds potential for larger-scale electricity generation, especially in suitable locations. Biomass energy, derived from organic waste materials such as crop residues and manure, can provide heat for livestock housing and other farm operations. Additionally, anaerobic digestion, the process of converting organic matter into biogas, offers a dual benefit of generating renewable energy while treating waste and producing valuable fertilizer.

Unlocking the Benefits of Renewable Energy Adopting renewable energy in British agriculture offers a plethora of benefits beyond environmental sustainability. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, farms can save money on energy costs, enhancing their financial resilience and competitiveness. Moreover, renewable energy can improve operational efficiency, as self-generated electricity eliminates the need for costly grid connections and can be tailored to specific farm needs. Furthermore, renewable energy projects can generate additional income streams for farmers through feed-in tariffs and energy sales.

Paving the Way for Net-Zero Agriculture To achieve net-zero emissions in British agriculture, a comprehensive approach is required that encompasses both technological advancements and policy

| Energy

wer of Renewables: ions in British Agriculture support. Technological innovations, such as smarter energy management systems and more efficient renewable energy technologies, need to be further developed and adopted. Additionally, targeted financial incentives and policy frameworks are essential to encourage farmers to invest in renewable energy projects and overcome potential barriers such as upfront costs and planning regulations.

Policy Recommendations for Accelerating Renewable Adoption Government policies can play a pivotal

role in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in British agriculture.

Here are some key recommendations: • Financial Incentives: Enhance financial support for renewable energy projects, including grants, tax breaks, and feed-in tariffs, to make them more attractive and accessible to farmers.

• Simplified Planning Regulations: Streamline planning processes and reduce bureaucracy to expedite the approval of renewable energy installations on farms.

• Knowledge Sharing and Training: Provide farmers with comprehensive information,

training, and support to enable them to effectively understand, implement, and maintain renewable energy systems.

• Research and Development: Invest in research and development to advance renewable energy technologies tailored to the specific needs of British farms, ensuring costeffectiveness and efficiency.

• Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration between government agencies, energy companies, agricultural organisations, and research institutions to promote knowledge exchange, best practices, and project development.

Renewable energy presents a transformative opportunity for British agriculture to achieve net-zero emissions while enhancing farm efficiency and profitability. By embracing renewable technologies, farmers can contribute to the UK's climate goals, become more energy independent, and strengthen the sustainability of their operations. Government policies, coupled with technological advancements, can accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in agriculture, paving the way for a more environmentally friendly and prosperous future for the sector.

Farming

| Energy

Over £2.8M pledged to support Scottish community projects thanks to newly constructed wind farm lmost £3M of funding generated through the newly constructed Kirk Hill Wind Farm in South Ayrshire, Scotland, has been pledged to support Scottish communities through the Ripple Energy Community Benefit Fund.

The £94,000 per annum, which is the equivalent to £5000/MW, will be generated through the sale of green energy produced at Kirk Hill Wind Farm. It is the second community-owned project by clean energy ownership platform Ripple Energy, and is expected to begin generating energy in early 2024. Funds will be available for distribution to local projects after the first anniversary of commissioning of the wind farm.

The funds will be awarded to the Dailly Community Development Trust and North Carrick Community Benefit Company. Part of this will be used to improve the Farming

| Energy

children's play area at the Loaning Play Park as well as improving the facilities at the Dailly Community Centre. It will also be used to provide grants to local groups and community projects in Maybole and the North Carrick villages.

Kirk Hill Wind Farm is communally-owned by 5,600 members from all across the UK, who have all joined a Ripple Energy managed co-operative to have low cost renewable energy power their homes, reducing their energy bills and carbon footprint.

the contribution this will make to Community projects in Dailly."

CEO of Ripple Energy, Sarah Merrick said: "Giving back to the community at all of our projects is incredibly important to us. We are a peoplepowered business, and through the green energy revolution, not only are we able to work towards a fossil-fuel free world, we are able to empower local communities and support a brighter, more sustainable future."

NCCBC Chair Mark Fletcher said: 'We are very pleased to sign the agreement for the Kirk Hill Wind Farm development, this additional income will allow us to do even more to improve North Carrick, and we aim to use this benefit funding with a particular focus on actioning the outcomes of our recent 'North Carrick Strategy for Youth.'

Dailly Community Development Trust said: "The Trust looks forward to working with Ripple Energy through the Kirk Hill Community Benefit Fund, and

*£2.8million is an assumption based on £94,000 per annum x 30 years of generation from Kirk Hill Wind Farm which, whilst a fair assumption, cannot be guaranteed.

Farming

| Buildings

THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSI t will come as no surprise to you that steel has become an increasingly popular choice for agricultural and industrial buildings.

It is more robust, more durable and cost-effective and has more safety benefits than almost any other building material.

Yet, when it comes to building with steel, there are some essential factors to take into consideration.

Designing For Building With Steel This might sound like an obvious first step; however, building with steel needs to be considered from the beginning of the design stage to ensure efficiency and functionality from the start. There are several different factors that you will need to take into account when

Farming

designing a steel building, including: •

The overall size of the building and how this will meet your needs.

•

The shape of the building, which can vary thanks to the versatility of steel.

•

The internal layout and how you intend to use the space.

•

The intended purpose of the building. If you’re building a warehouse for storage, you should also take into consideration any equipment which will need to be used to move items.

A custom design will help ensure increased productivity, safe working conditions and a fully optimised storage stape. In order to get the most

| Buildings

IDER WHEN BUILDING WITH STEEL out of your steel building. You will also need to ensure you’re working with an experienced steelbuilding provider who knows how to take your needs into consideration.

Choosing to work with a company, like Timmins Engineering, that offers a full turnkey solution is often the best solution to maximise the efficiency of your building. When building with steel, there are certain things you need to take into consideration right from the design and planning stage which are different from other building materials.

Insulation When Building With Steel.

When it comes to building with steel, one of the biggest concerns can be internal climate control.

As steel is a brilliant conductor of heat, this can mean that steel buildings do get rather warm in the summer months, and yet they can also be quite cold in the winter.

It’s important to really consider what you need your building to do for you. If you need a space to keep livestock, you’ll need to ensure plenty of ventilation, whereas if you’re looking to store grain you’ll need to keep it fully protected from the elements.

Fortunately, there is a vast range of materials to help with insulation including insulated cladding panels, foam insulation, mineral wool and even fibreglass. It can seem daunting picking a material especially as each one has a different U-Factor (ability to prevent heat loss) and Rvalue (its resistance to heat flow).

Choosing an effective insulation material doesn’t just ensure an ideal internal temperature, it can also help reduce noise levels which is crucial if you intend to operate machinery within the building.

Insulation can also help with humidity and moisture levels which is crucial when storing any consumables or other organic materials. Having effective insulation could help prevent mould growth and

spread within any steel building.

Foundations When Building With Steel.

It should come as no surprise that the foundations of any building are crucial for structural integrity and building longevity. When building with steel, it is important to consider many factors (such as your local building regulations, soil conditions and the weight of your building) when deciding on an appropriate foundation.

The most common material for a foundation is concrete as it is known for its strength and durability; however, in some circumstances, gravel can be used as an alternative solution.

There are two common types of foundations when building with steel, slab-on-grade and pier foundations.

Getting the foundations right can be very difficult as you will need to consider if you’ll need to include any additional drainage, reinforcements or specific adjustments based on your geographical location. This is why it’s always best to work with an experienced steel builder when choosing your foundations.

If you get the foundations right, you will be ensuring longevity and durability in your building right from the start.

Experts In Building With Steel.

There are many benefits to building with steel; however, you’ll only experience these benefits if you ensure you’re choosing the right manufacturer who provides high quality steel.

This is also true when it comes to choosing an architect and structural engineer for your steel buildings.

If you’re looking to start a new build with steel in the new year, get in touch with the expert team at Timmins Engineering & Construction Ltd to book a free consultation and see how our full turnkey solutions can help you. Thanks to our decades of experience, we are guaranteed to have the best possible solutions for your needs.

Our unrivalled experience allows us to offer a wide range of UKCA-approved steel products to all of our clients. You can browse and order any of our top rated steel products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week thanks to buy-a-beam.

Credit: Timmins Engineering & Construction Ltd www.timminsengineering.co.uk

Farming

| Farm Safety & Security

Ensuring a Safe and Thriving Agricultural Sector arming, with its diverse range of activities and often remote locations, presents a unique set of safety challenges. Despite advances in technology and management practices, the agricultural industry remains one of the most hazardous in the UK, with a higher rate of workrelated fatalities than most other sectors.

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•

Manual Handling Training: Training workers on proper lifting and handling techniques, using mechanical aids when appropriate, and regular breaks can help prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

•

Chemical Handling Procedures: Implementing strict chemical handling procedures, including training, personal protective equipment, and proper storage and disposal, is essential to prevent exposure.

•

Animal Handling Training: Providing training on animal behavior, handling techniques, and emergency procedures can minimize the risk of injuries and accidents involving livestock.

Understanding the Hazards of Farming Farms encompass a wide spectrum of operations, from livestock management to crop production, each with its own potential hazards.

Common risks include: •

Vehicles and Machinery: Tractors, loaders, harvesters, and other agricultural machinery pose a significant threat due to their size, power, and potential for rollovers.

•

Falls from Heights: Working on ladders, platforms, and silos increases the risk of falls, which can cause serious injuries, including head trauma.

•

Lifting and Handling: Manual handling of heavy objects, such as feed sacks, can strain muscles and joints, leading to musculoskeletal disorders.

•

•

Hazardous Substances: Agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers can cause health problems if not handled properly.

Animals: Livestock, particularly cattle, horses, and sheep, can cause injuries due to their size, strength, and unpredictable behavior.

Implementing Effective Health and Safety Measures To mitigate these risks and foster a safe and healthy work environment, farmers and farmworkers must prioritize health and safety practices. Key strategies include: •

Risk Assessment: Conducting regular risk assessments to identify and prioritize hazards is essential for developing targeted mitigation measures.

•

Safe Machinery Operation: Appropriate training and certification for operating machinery, regular maintenance, and implementing safety features like guards and rollover protection systems are crucial.

•

Fall Prevention: Providing suitable fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and guardrails, and ensuring proper ladder and platform usage is vital.

Farming

Role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a government agency responsible for protecting people's health and safety at work. It provides comprehensive guidance and resources for farmers and farmworkers, including: •

Farmwise: A detailed guide to health and safety in agriculture, covering a wide range of topics from machinery safety to animal handling.

•

Toolbox Talks: Short, informative videos and resources on specific health and safety hazards relevant to farming.

•

Consultation and Enforcement: The HSE offers consultation services to help businesses improve their health and safety practices and can take enforcement action against those who fail to comply with health and safety laws.

Promoting a Safety Culture Beyond technical measures, fostering a safety culture within the farming community is crucial.

This involves raising awareness of health and safety risks, encouraging open communication about accidents and near misses, and recognizing and rewarding safe working practices.

Farming is a vital sector for the UK economy, and ensuring the safety of those who work in it is essential for long-term sustainability. By prioritizing risk assessment, implementing effective safety measures, and promoting a safety culture, the agricultural industry can continue to produce food and contribute to the nation's economy while protecting the well-being of its workers.

| Farm Safety & Security

Think one step ahead to reduce farm security risks ith pressure on margins and continued volatility of input costs, twinned with shorter, darker days in mid-winter, the farming industry’s exposure to risk has never been higher, and farmers are being urged to take a proactive approach to farm security.

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“Consider the use of alarm systems as part of a series of defences to put off potential thefts or attacks,” she says.

With latest rural crime figures suggesting that farmers are now not only facing the threat of opportunists, but also organised criminals targeting high value goods and equipment, measures need to be implemented to reduce risks and limit opportunities, according to agriculture insurance specialists, Acres Insurance Brokers.

Machinery and technology

“Farm security is sometimes treated with a relaxed approach, but even if only adding a further layer of deterrent, simple measures can have a huge impact, particularly for putting off the opportunist criminal looking for a quick gain,” says director Georgie Spencer.

“As an industry, we are open to a wide range of risks and threats, but there are some simple precautions we can take to help reduce the risk of losses and theft.”

Of course, the best form of defence is to stop any unwanted visitors at the farm gate. An open and inviting driveway up to unsecured farm buildings, workshops and machinery is an open invite to the opportunist thief.

Where possible, Ms Spencer advises installing security gates, barrier gates or sliding gates, ideally with number plate recognition and recording. However, if the determined criminal does get past the farm gate, the insurance specialists are reminding the industry of a number of measures that can be implemented.

“Measures inside buildings, for example tamper alarms on diesel tanks, or lockable cabinets for high value tools, plus CCTV and security cameras are an additional security and deterrent.”

High value equipment and machinery have always been a target for criminals, and latest crime figures show this to be a trend that continues to rise. Alarms, immobilisers and trackers can all play their part in reducing that threat.

“There are simple management practices that should always be adopted. For example, remove GPS receivers from vehicles and machinery,” says Ms Spencer.

“An even more simple one – don’t leave vehicles and machinery such as trucks and gators unlocked or leave keys in the ignition. It is obvious I know, but we see examples far too frequently,” she adds.

Insurance implications While the implementation of new security features and additional precautions will involve some level of investment, it will certainly bring peace of mind. And while installing additional measures may not directly link to reduced insurance premiums, it will have a benefit, according to Acres Insurance Brokers.

“Insurers will look more favourably at a willingness to deter criminals, and if higher sums are insured, and suitable theft measures are in place, premiums are unlikely to rise,” says Ms Spencer.

for theft are made, the insurer will likely insist on security features being installed, so the farmer ends up with a higher premium anyway, and will still have to pay for the security measures,” she adds.

Although insurers may not give a direct discount straight away for implementation of security measures, they will help keep insurance premiums down in the long term.

“The less claims for theft you make, the more negotiating power we, as the broker, have with insurers, to keep premiums down. Nobody benefits from an insurance claim, and therefore avoiding them happening is in the interest of the farmer,” explains Ms Spencer.

Replacement costs With the continued appreciation of farm equipment and machinery values, alongside increased costs of repair, it is important to consider sums insured, with an eye on replacement costs.

If faced with the loss or damage of machinery, vehicles or equipment by intruders, unless policies have been reviewed and sufficient replacement sums insured, farmers can face significant downtime and potentially catastrophic losses. The same applies with livestock.

“Ensure all stock is insured for reinstatement, whether for breeding stock, or for finished or sale value, and always ensure fields, fences, pens and gates are secured to deter theft,” says Ms Spencer.

Credit: Acres Insurance Brokers www.acresinsurance.co.uk

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Farming

| Livestock

Mexican market opens doors for British pork offal B

ritish pork exporters are set to benefit from additional trade with Mexico with the market opening further to include offals with a potential estimated value of £18 million over the next five years.

The announcement represents another boost for the sector and has come two years after the Mexican market opened for

British pork for the first time.

Mexico is one of the biggest pork importers in the world.

Pork is the second most Farming

consumed meat in Mexico with consumption expected to grow over the next decade, resulting in an increase in both domestic production and imports.

Mexico consumes more pork than it is able to produce, with pork consumption increasing 4.7% per year from 2017 to 2022.

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB Director of International Trade Development, said: "This is fantastic news for our pork sector, expanding our market access reach in Mexico and growing further opportunities for our high-quality products and the standards of production we adhere to.

"It represents another success as the result of hard work by industry and government to secure further access for offals in a market where there is high demand for quality pork products.

This included a commercial inward mission last year where we hosted buyers from Mexico who met with farmers and processors and learned more about our high-quality meat production. This new approval

will see the market opened for a range of offal products ahead of a wider audit visit in the summer.

"AHDB's export development activity has been highlighted by our levy payers as an area of work they highly value. We are delighted to continue working collaboratively with industry and government to deliver tangible benefits for the sector."

Food and Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: "This agreement means that our world-class pork producers can now access another lucrative market for pork products not widely eaten here in the UK. "Our long-term commitment to open up new international markets means our pig farmers can profit from every part of their animals."

Minister for Trade Policy Greg Hands said: "This is great news and builds on the access we secured for British pork in Mexico two years ago. It will empower exporters to sell more of their top-notch produce to one of the globe's biggest pork importers.

"We continue full steam ahead to break down numerous barriers and create opportunities for British businesses around the world."

Further details about export opportunities for UK red meat and dairy in specific regions around the world can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports.

| Livestock

Bespoke Monitoring Support to Improve Herd Health Planning SD Animal Health UK Limited (a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK)) has launched a bespoke training service to help dairy farmers and their vets make better use of their SenseHub® Dairy herd monitoring systems and to improve herd health and reproduction planning.

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The second session, held within three months, will bring the farm vet into the loop, to enable them to be familiarised with the SenseHub system and to identify the key parameters and insights that will help them to address any specific challenges the herd may have.

Finally, a third session will set joint action goals which will focus on optimising the use of SenseHub to enable the herd’s

how the dairy herd is performing, but many farmers and vets are only using the system’s most basic features.

“The next logical step is therefore for us to empower farmers with additional resources so that they can get the best results from their investment in herd monitoring.

We also want to enable farm vets to confidently use the realtime data generated by

The new MSD Animal Health Insights service will provide bespoke training – delivered by an MSD Animal Health veterinary advisor – based on the individual needs of dairy herds and their managers.

“No two farming systems are the same, and no two dairy herds have identical requirements in terms of heat, health and wellbeing monitoring,” explains MSD Animal Health regional veterinary advisor, Dr Liz Cresswell MRCVS. “As such, and in order to enable farmers to get more from their investment in herd monitoring, we have launched a new service which will be tailored to each herd’s specific requirements.”

The new service is made up of three main phases: the first combines the initial onboarding session (held 7-14 days after a new SenseHub Dairy system has been installed to outline the basics of the monitoring system to the farmer and any relevant staff) with the identification of the farm’s key goals.

performance to continue to improve and open opportunities for future engagement.

“MSD Animal Health is at the forefront of bridging the gap between biopharmaceuticals and technological solutions to improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them,” Dr Cresswell adds. “The data collated and analysed by SenseHub can provide a wealth of useful insights into

SenseHub and focus on preventative herd health planning.”

MSD Animal Health Insights is available to new users of the SenseHub GO subscription package and SenseHub Premium plan.

For more information please visit: https://www.msd-animal-healthhub.co.uk/farmers/livestockmonitoring Farming

| Livestock

Award-winning Farming Enterprise Named Down to Earth 2024 Host

T

he UK's top regenerative agriculture event for livestock producers is back this summer at one of the country's leading farming establishments.

Award-winning Grosvenor Farms in Cheshire will host RABDF's Down to Earth on Wednesday, 3rd July. Down to Earth is now in its third year and is designed to offer something for everyone interested in profitable farming and transitioning towards more environmentally acceptable systems.

Grosvenor Farms has been chosen as the host due to its ability to demonstrate firsthand the intrinsic benefits of a wholefarm approach. They were the 2023 overall winner of the UK's premier dairy industry awards – the Cream Awards – where they

Farming

were recognised for reducing the carbon footprint of their activities, improving carbon sequestration and enhancing biodiversity.

Grosvenor Farms produces high-quality, nutritious milk and cereal grains, adopting sustainable practices that benefit animal welfare and enhance the environment. The farm consists of an arable and 2,600-cow dairy operation and is spread across 2,340 hectares, including 800 hectares of arable, 450 hectares of three-year grass leys on a multi-cut system and 350 hectares of maize.

Approximately 12% of the land is managed to support greater biodiversity and improve natural habitats.

Visitors will learn how Grosvenor Farm's whole farm approach has driven their strategy for the past decade, benefitting the

| Livestock

entire farming operation and the environment.

They will detail how they have increased their soil carbon to an average of 3% - almost double the UK average for cultivated soils and an indicator of its health and quality.

They will also outline how their integrated arable and dairy operations allow regular inputs of organic manure before and during the growing season — promoting healthy soil and providing a valuable source of plant nutrients. This is demonstrated in the farm's average soil organic matter on cultivated land at just over 5.25%, a good indicator of a resilient system.

They will explain how they use conservation tillage to grow crops sustainably and stop soil carbon from escaping into the atmosphere. Their fields are planted yearround to help protect soils from erosion and recover nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing.

By integrating farming systems, such as recycling manure into organic fertilisers to replenish soils, means more than 80% of their animal feed is grown without artificial fertilisers.

David Craven, Dairy and Infrastructure Manager at Grosvenor Farms, explained: "Our primary objective is to profitably produce safe and nutritious food while taking full account of the needs of our environmental, social and regulatory responsibilities.

"Investment in new technologies and renewable energy from solar panels on our sheds, recycling the sand which is used for bedding and using manures as organic fertilisers to grow our own feed, have already contributed to a reduction in our carbon footprint. It is no coincidence that having a profitable farming system also corresponds with us reducing our carbon footprint," he said.

As well as learning about Grosvenor Farm and having a farm tour, visitors to Down to Earth will also hear from industry experts on a range of topics, including biodiversity and animal health. There will also be practical machinery demos taking place throughout the day and a wide range of trade stands.

The event is unique as it is tailored specifically for livestock farmers and provides an arena where the whole industry can come together and address the opportunities, facts, and science surrounding regenerative farming principles and see them in action.

Show organiser RABDF's Managing Director Matt Knight said: "We are thrilled to be hosting Down to Earth at Grosvenor Farms this year. Their approach clearly demonstrates the benefits across the entire farming system that can be had by taking a 360 view. All farm elements are intrinsically linked; they can now demonstrate the benefit to their entire business and the environment.

"Due to the diverse nature of this operation, there are guaranteed to be light-bulb moments for all visitors, whether they are just starting on their regenerative journey or already some way down the route," he added.

More information on the event, including speakers and ticket sales, will be available in due course at projectdowntoearth.co.uk

Farming

| Livestock

Synetics replaces Mastergen and increases product range

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attle breeding company, Mastergen, has been transformed for 2024 into a new company with a new name and an increased and more diverse portfolio of genetics.

Now called Synetics UK, the new name reflects the joining of forces between Mastergen’s original German parent company, Masterrind, and the French genetics giant, Innoval/Evolution. Through their formation of the export arm, Synetics Export, these two major European co-operatives trade over eight million doses of semen across 80 different countries, now including through Synetics UK.

Synetics’ portfolio, including those suited to the increasingly popular extensive systems, while three breeds of goat are part of the package.

Alison Dunphy, managing director of Synetics UK, says: “The entry of the parent company into the domestic market has significantly upped the European genetics offering and diversity of bloodlines for UK producers.

“The formation of Synetics UK ensures UK farmers have access to genetics from the two major European breeding programmes,” she says. “The combined force of Masterrind, (the market leader in Germany), with Innoval/Evolution, (the biggest AI company in France), brings the services and bull portfolio to UK producers, from two major farmer co-operatives working with over 13 million cows.

“The research investment behind these organisations has led to the development of Europe’s most advanced genomic testing facility and its highest standards of semen quality.

“This investment has also allowed unique genetic traits to be developed, including paratuberculosis or Johne’s resistance, which we are already finding enormously popular within herds dealing with this disease,” she says.

This means that UK farmers now have access to the most diverse line-up of European sires ever available. This includes not only a strong line-up of Holsteins (including red and whites) but a total of 20 different breeds – both dairy and beef. Amongst these are familiar names such as Limousin, Charolais, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Normande and Salers alongside those which are less mainstream, such as Bazadaise, Gascon, Parthenaise, Abondance and Tarentaise.

Particular strengths are beef breeds specifically developed for use on dairy, most notably the INRA95 and Yperios Excellence, which are currently topping UK beef markets and are unique to Synetics’ breeding programmes.

Seven different dairy breeds are also part of Farming

Other features include polled bloodlines for every breed and a wide selection of bulls transmitting a high degree of digital dermatitis resistance.

Despite the uptick in the company’s genetic offering, Ms Dunphy says the values of the former company will remain enshrined in Synetics UK. “As a company, we have built our reputation on value for money, without the overhead of expensive reps on the road, and we will continue with this business model under the Synetics UK banner,” she says. “Our telephone support is readily available and is growing in popularity amongst the many commercial beef and dairy producers who are looking for cost-effectiveness, while continuing to enhance their herds’ genetics.”

| Livestock

Challenges facing store lambs to be tackled in free SAC Consulting webinar cotland's sheep farming community are invited to join a special webinar addressing issues that have faced the 2023 lamb crop - including high worm burdens, feed costs and extremely wet weather conditions - that have led many 2023-born lambs to underperform.

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SAC Consulting, part of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), will hold an online webinar on Thursday 18 January in response to the particularly problematic year many have had with growing and finishing lambs.

An annual series of Lamb Crop webinars is already planned for February, to look at the coming 2024 crop of lambs. However, the SAC Consulting team wanted to share and discuss information for producers who have faced these challenges in 2023, helping them to enhance efficiency and production before taking them to market over the coming weeks and months.

Kirsten Williams, Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant at SAC Consulting, says that the health and nutrition experts speaking at the webinar will offer assistance and guidance to producers, who have faced challenges throughout their growing year, in maximising the potential from the 2023 lambs.

"It's just been one of those years with numerous challenges," says Kirsten, who ranks an especially high parasite burden, the quality and price of feedstuffs following last year's challenging harvest, and the ongoing wet weather as key factors in many lambs struggling to thrive as they would usually.

"When it comes to parasites, a large part of the problem has been the weather pattern. The warm

and moist weather we have experienced in Scotland has provided ideal conditions for a continuous worm cycle. It has also contributed to the high number of cases of fly strike, which has set many lambs back in their growth."

Kirsten adds that producers looking to reduce input costs may have delayed introducing concentrate feed, or tried cheaper food sources which have resulted in nutritional requirements not being quite as balanced as they might have otherwise.

"Some farmers will have either planned to keep lambs later or purchased long keep lambs to finish for the Ramadan and Easter markets in late March or early April, which will be here before we know it.

Ensuring lambs are growing on for this requires really good health and nutrition, and we hope the experts we have speaking at this webinar will help farmers to put that into place."

Thursday's webinar, entitled Lamb Finishing, starts at 7.30pm. Speakers will include Fiona Crowden, SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer, and Lorna Shaw, SAC Consulting Ruminant Nutritionist.

It's free to join, but prior registration is necessary via: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ 15A_sy0qRtiHfWOyP07pQA After registration, a confirmation email will be sent containing further information.

A further three webinars will take place on February 8th, 15th and 22nd with the titles Increasing Flock Output, Reducing Flock Input (Grassland) and Reducing Flock Input (Labour).

Farming

| Livestock

There’s a future for palm oil in the dairy supply chain, but sustainable sourcing matters

If not palm, then what? Understanding the complex story of sustainable palm and the vital role it plays in supporting global conservation efforts, local economies and the dairy supply chain.

rom ice cream to livestock feed rations, palm oil is a common ingredient found throughout all stages of the dairy supply chain. Valued for its unique melting point, mixability and low odour, it has become one of the top global edible oils by consumption since the palm oil boom of the early 1990s, says Catherine Barton, Policy Lead on DeforestationFree Commodities and Regenerative Agriculture for Chester Zoo.

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“Palm is incredibly versatile and allows for manufacturing methods, product properties and extended shelf life that otherwise would not be possible if replaced with a different ingredient,” explains Ms Barton.

without disrupting rumen function as is the risk with liquid oil sources. Recent research has demonstrated contrasting nutritional effects of palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1), the two major fatty acids in palm oil, when supplemented to dairy rations.

“Palm-based fat supplements help to optimise rumen conditions for improved digestion and utilisation of the entire ration. They also boost milk production outputs, allowing farmers to improve feed efficiency of their herds,” explains Dr Kirkland. “While energy supply can be increased with non-rumen-protected vegetable oils or cereals, these ingredients can be incredibly disruptive to rumen function with consequences to animal health and productivity.”

The improved production efficiency achieved on dairy farms translates into a similar picture of why sustainability discussions around palm oil aren’t so black and white, says Ms Barton. Compared to other vegetable oil crops, the amount of oil produced on 1 hectare of land growing palm would require up to 8 hectares of land from a different vegetable oil crop such as soya or rapeseed oil.

“When looking at what makes one commodity more sustainable than another, it must be both economically and environmentally feasible. When grown sustainably, palm checks those boxes,” explains Ms Barton. “From an environmental point of view, we need less land to produce the greater volumes of oil that are required for global consumption. The high yield also hits business targets for increased efficiency.”

The creation of a sustainable palm industry Since the early 2000s, huge strides have been made through collaborative efforts by palm industry stakeholders and NGOs to implement stricter production policies and to invest in palm production efficiencies to reset the industry with improved environmental and human rights practices, says Ms Barton.

Sustainable palm production is essential to preventing many environmental and economic consequences that would come with “no-palm” policies in food production, says Catherine Barton, Policy Lead on Deforestation-Free Commodities and Regenerative Agriculture for Chester Zoo.

In on-farm dairy production this goes a step further, with palm oil fractions used in the manufacture of many types of rumen-protected fat supplements as highly energydense ingredients with unique fatty acid profiles. These supplements are targeted to improve various aspects of dairy production including milk yield, milk fat production and cow fertility, says Dr Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager and nutritionist for Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients (VWFI).

These rumen-protected feed fat supplements deliver an energy concentration around 2.5-times that of cereals Farming

Chester Zoo is one of several independent organisations collaborating on on-the-ground conservation efforts in Indonesia and Malaysia to safeguard wildlife populations and prevent deforestation while working with local communities to create sustainable palm production systems and improve working conditions.

“Growing sustainable palm requires taking an entire ecosystem approach, and the only way to achieve this is by working at a community level to drive cohesive practices,” explains Ms Barton.

Alongside this work, many major palm industry suppliers have implemented their own sustainability programmes and policies. These include Wilmar International, the world's largest palm oil trader, with the implementation of its No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation

| Livestock (NDPE) policy in 2013. Following an update in 2019, Wilmar’s NDPE policy is the staunchest of any commercial company in the world, says Gersen Sumardi, sustainability manager for Wilmar Europe. This includes the immediate suspension of any supplier involved in verified cases of deforestation, and a ‘suspend first’ approach.

“Along with operating its own plantations, more than 90% of Wilmar’s total supply comes from third-party suppliers, which consist of around 900 palm oil mills. To ensure NDPE compliance is being met, a multi-pronged approach is taken to identify any risks before working with a supplier and to continue monitoring them,” explains Mr Sumardi.

This starts with Wilmar proactively monitoring grower practices through satellite surveillance systems, which notify the company of any alerts related to deforestation.

To identify and assess any environmental and social risks, the company requires extensive reporting from suppliers. To allow for any on-the-ground reporting of malpractice, the company has also created a public and transparent grievance mechanism.

Since its ‘suspend first’ approach implementation in 2019, 12 supplier groups have been suspended due to deforestation. To re-enter Wilmar’s supply chain, Wilmar requires suppliers to meet certain criteria which include getting practices up to NDPE standards and rectifying any damage caused by malpractice.

maintaining RSPO membership and the top four reporting 100% RSPO-certified palm used within their own manufacturing. Furthermore, on a farm level, some retailers and milk buyers also require dairy farmers to only source palm-based feed fat supplements that have RSPO-certified sustainable credentials.

VWFI is a partnership company between animal nutrition company Volac International and Wilmar International. A global leader in feed fat research and product development, VWFI’s policy is to only use palm oil derivatives in products from sources that fulfil NDPE sustainability criteria or RSPO principles and criteria.

If not palm, then what?

Looking ahead to the future of sustainable food production, Ms Barton says so-called “no-palm” policies are not the answer. Instead, sustainable palm production needs to remain part of the food chain, with significant environmental and economic consequences if it does not.

“Growth in the palm industry to where it is now has already been established – trying to shut it down is only going to cause larger issues,” she says.

From an economic standpoint, palm is the backbone of local economies within Indonesia and Malaysia where 85% of the world's palm is grown. In Indonesia alone, the palm industry employs 4.5 million people, she says.

As the commercial leader for both production volume and NDPE policy, Wilmar’s strict policies have set the commercial standard for the majority of the supply chain, adding incentive to growers to implement best practices.

“This limits market opportunities for any offenders who refuse to implement best practices,” says Mr Sumardi.

“Wilmar’s reputation in the industry for NDPE requirements is highly respected, with the suspension in relationship with any supplier hurting their reputation throughout the supply chain.”

Food industry sustainability certifications While major commercial influencers in the industry have been active in palm production reform, third-party work has largely been led by the industry’s flagship independent certification programme, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, commonly referred to as RSPO. Founded in 2004, the RSPO takes a multi-stakeholder approach, working with environmental organisations, palm oil producers, processors, retailers and investors to provide fully-certified and traceable sustainable palm oil products. The RSPO also provides full transparency on members, with annual palm usage reports and sustainability targets published for individual members on its website.

Commitments to sourcing RSPO-certified palm within food production in the UK have been high, with nine out of the top 10 grocery retailers committing to sourcing 100% of palm oil for own-brand products as RSPOcertified (the only exception has been Iceland Foods, which has a ‘no-palm’ policy for own-brand products).

The majority of these retailers are working towards 100% RSPO certifications in palm used by suppliers.

Palm-based supplements in dairy rations improve milk yield, milk fat production and cow fertility, says Dr Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager and nutritionist for Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients.

“Going palm-free isn’t going to save wildlife or stop deforestation – it will only shift the problem elsewhere.

Markets will open up to buyers who don’t have sustainability or human rights standards, or plantations will shift to a different commodity crop that doesn’t have any regulations. The global edible oil demand would also need to be met by crops that take up significantly more land and natural resources than palm, creating other environmental issues,” concludes Ms Barton. “The palm oil industry has had so much pressure over the years that it has been in the best interests of commercial stakeholders to adhere to sustainability standards and work with third-party organisations to improve and certify best practices. As a result, palm has the best criteria for any sustainable commodity available. There is a lot of good work being done in the industry to ensure high standards are maintained into the future.”

Key players in the UK dairy industry are no exception, with the top five milk buyers and manufacturers Farming

| Sheep & Lambing

New Alligator bites into the price of mobile sheep handling

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SD Animal Health UK Limited (a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK)) has added an entry-level model to its range of Alligator Pro mobile sheep handling systems.

The new Alligator Pro SK (Starter Kit) has been specifically designed to provide the ideal solution for flock managers who are looking for an affordable entry point into mobile sheep handling, but whose business falls outside the criteria for grant eligibility.

“Recent Government-funded schemes such as the Farm Investment Fund, Farm Productiivity Grant, and Farming Equipment and Technology Fund have given farmers throughout the UK access to grants for equipment which can increase productivity and improve animal health and welfare,” explains Chris Byrne, Stock Management Solutions Manager for MSD Animal Health.

“Unfortunately, not every farm business is eligible for these grants, so we’ve introduced an entry-level Farming

| Sheep & Lambing

mobile sheep handling system which makes this essential piece of equipment more affordable to a wider range of farmers and self-employed shepherds.”

The Alligator Pro SK is VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) approved for towing on public highways and contains all the components needed to construct a mobile sheep handling system for up to 150-200 sheep.

The Alligator Pro SK includes the following items as standard: •

Galvanised steel trailer chassis with removable 13” wheels and galvanised mudguards

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Manual winch to lift the chassis onto and off its wheels

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10ft by 18inch three-way drafting race which includes two guillotine gates

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15 ‘Easy Grip’ aluminium hurdles (5ft) with rounded corners at the base to aid movement

across uneven ground, and vertical struts at the top for improved animal welfare •

3 support posts

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Front and rear road legal lighting boards

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All the necessary ropes and straps needed to operate the gates and secure the entire system onto the integrated trailer chassis.

The Alligator Pro SK retails at £6,999 and can be upgraded or extended with the full range of Alligator Pro accessories which includes forcing gates, wide or narrow dosing/treatment race, additional hurdles, electric winch, electronic weighing kit, footbath, shearing pen wall, forcing pen and anti-backing gate.

For more information, please visit https://shop. allflex.co.uk/ or speak to a member of the MSD Animal Health team on 01207 529000 or via email at allflexuk@msd.com

Farming

| Sheep & Lambing

NSA welcomes Sustainable Farming Incentive progress and 2024 offer T

he National Sheep Association (NSA) is welcoming the release of an update to Defra's Agricultural Transition Plan that aims to further promote food production in harmony with environmental protection and enhancement.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: "There is a lot of detail yet to digest, and even more to emerge but at first sight this is a welcome next step in England's Agricultural Transition – a seven year period that we are now halfway through. We would expect at this stage that the new offer becomes more meaningful and hopefully more attractive to farmers and from what we've seen so far this is a comprehensive and progressive offer made in the plan update. Although complex at first sight we are encouraged by the intention to have a single application process that brings together the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) actions. NSA is keen to see these schemes work for farmers on the basis that we believe sheep farming already delivers in many beneficial ways for the environment, and should be rewarded for this, and, with the right incentives there is a lot more that can be done to further improve our natural resources, wildlife habitats and nature, and our impact on the climate while also enhancing enterprise productivity.

"NSA welcomes the uplift in SFI and CS payment rates and also the expanded offers for grassland and moorland options and new agroforestry actions that can work alongside grazing animals."

The update announced to the Agricultural Transition Plan includes: •

An increase in payment rates by an average of 10% for SFI and CS agreements

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An increase in the number of actions on offer in Defra's environmental land management schemes with up to 50 new actions Farming

•

Making schemes more flexible and easier to access, with a streamlined single application service for farmers to apply for SFI and CS Mid Tier

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Payment of a premium for high ambition actions or for delivering packages of actions that will achieve greater environmental benefits

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Prioritising an 'advise and prevent' approach across schemes and regulation, which will make things fairer for all farmers participating in schemes.

Mr Stocker continues: "NSA has been given clarification that this 2024 offer will be the point where we will depart from eligibility being only for those that had registered for BPS, another point of progress that NSA fully welcomes even though we can expect a steady roll out to avoid early application problems. Furthermore, NSA has received confirmation that farm carbon footprinting will be included as a funded option – and linked with advice to progress any options identified. NSA is particularly pleased about this as we see carbon footprinting being increasingly demanded by supply chains and voluntary assurance schemes, but we know it carries a cost and benefits from independent professional input.

"NSA is continuing conversations with Defra to make the case that a new 'facilitation fund', to support collaborative and connected environmental actions, can be extended to the facilitation of animal health actions such as the control of sheep scab, connected to the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. This facilitation was found to be central to the success of the recent RDPE sheep scab programme 'For Flocks Sake'."

NSA now awaits more details as they emerge during the spring and look forward to the full 2024 offer opening later this year.

| Sheep & Lambing

Ewe lambs - and rearing them correctly - are the key to future flock health and profitability we lambs are central to profitable flock health, and sheep farmers should be thinking about them before they are even conceived and put them to the top of the flock hierarchy according to Consultant, Lorna Shaw.

Her advice is just one of the many recommendations in a new, free guide that SAC Consulting (part of SRUC, Scotland's Rural College) has launched today.

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Co-author Lorna Shaw says that the management of the replacement flock - eventually destined to take the place of older ewes - can get pushed to the back of busy farmers' 'to do' lists.

Lorna, who is a Ruminant Nutritionist wrote the easy-to-read guide with sheep and grassland specialist, Poppy Frater, after realising there was very little industry literature available on this important subject.

"Getting the breeding and care of replacement ewes right is vitally important for the future of the flock," explains Lorna. "It really is no exaggeration to say genetics can make a huge difference when it comes to securing both health and profitability."

Rearing the Future Flock: A Guide to Breeding Ewe Replacements is based on research, science and practical management and sets out the case for: •

Increasing the reproductive performance of the flock

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Reducing the labour and input requirement

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Improving the resilience of the flock and suitability to the farm conditions

"With so many jobs to do on a farm it's easy to push thinking about replacement breeding to the back of the long list of tasks," warns Lorna. "But the truth is, we should be thinking about ewe lambs before they are even conceived and throughout their breeding lives - to make sure any ewe lambs they have are of the quality and type that will improve the flock."

Sire selection has a huge part to play, with half of a breeding ewe's genetic makeup coming from its sire.

The booklet explains Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), which are a useful tool to determine the genetic potential of an individual compared to others of the same breed.

"If you are wanting to keep replacement ewes that will go on and produce lambs for the next five years it's important to choose a maternal sire," explains Lorna.

"These have traits such as mature weight, mothering instinct and milking ability. These are in contrast to terminal sire selection, which is all about the carcass yield of offspring."

The booklet contains handy tables to help decide which mature breeding ewes to cull and which ewe lambs to keep, along with a guide to target weight - and how this influences lamb birth and growth weights.

"Not only does weight drive sexual maturity and whether a pregnancy would be viable as a ewe lamb or not, hitting the target weights we list in the booklet will extend the ewe's entire lifetime performance," explains Lorna.

A whole section goes into details on the latest science on the management of first-time lambers, whether breeding as ewe lambs or as gimmers.

"All too often first-time lambers get put in with older ewes and they always end up at the bottom of the flock hierarchy," explains Lorna. "Any extra care they can be given will be paid back in the health and quality of the lambs, as well as in the ewe's future performance."

Nutrition, weaning, mastitis, worm burdens and vaccinations are also covered in the booklet, which is available to download via https://www.sruc.ac.uk/ business-services/sac-consulting/agriculturalproduction/cattle-sheep/ To request a hard copy please email livestock@sac. co.uk Farming

| Sheep & Lambing

Warning for sheep and cattle producers not to get caught out by 'later than normal' liver fluke challenge he strange weather patterns of 2023 have had a significant impact on the level and timing of the risk of liver fluke disease across the UK, says experts within the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups.

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As predicted, the dry cold spring, hot early summer and extremely wet July and August, followed by a mini heatwave in early September and heavy rain throughout the autumn and early winter, have all contributed to the disease picture.

Experts say this has pushed the fluke risk much later, with the first significant reports of losses due to liver fluke not shared until late November 2023.

Speaking on behalf of the two groups, Rudolf Reichel of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) says: "There was little evidence of liver fluke activity in the autumn, but towards the end of the year we started to get reports from abattoirs and private post mortem providers of acute fluke cases. This was mirrored by other laboratories across the country and, while overall numbers of cases are not high, this does represent a significant increase in recent weeks."

This is echoed by Dr John Graham-Brown, University of Liverpool and National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) contributor.

He says: "The NADIS liver fluke forecast mostly predicted low to medium risk in the normal development period, but the delayed threat this autumn means we are concerned some livestock farmers may get caught out, either because they treated too early or have had negative test results earlier in the autumn and think they are safe."

Dr Philip Skuce from the Moredun Research Institute also fears some farmers may have a false sense of security. He urges them to continue with testing in early 2024. He says: "Flukicides do not have any residual activity, which means there is no protection for treated livestock if they meet a challenge from fluke later in the season. The risks are so farm-specific this year that the only way to avoid potential losses is to keep testing."

"We have seen a steady increase in the number of people using the Elisa blood test this year," says Rebecca Mearns of the Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) and Biobest Laboratories. "Until quite recently, most samples were negative. But in common with post-mortem data and increases in liver condemnations in November and December, Farming

we are seeing more positive samples coming through. Do not rely on an early negative test. If you keep livestock, you need to keep testing throughout the season."

Diana Williams of the University of Liverpool says: "At this stage of the year (January/February), when we would expect adult flukes to be present in the livers of infected livestock, we can also use faecal testing methods. Dung samples can be tested for an antigen produced by the liver fluke (coproantigen) and of course the detection of fluke eggs is also a valuable tool. Ask your vet or adviser which test is most appropriate for your farm and never rely on a single negative test, particularly if you have had problems in the past."

Both SCOPS and COWS reiterate their note of caution to anyone thinking of trying to cut the cost of diagnostic tests by pooling samples.

Professor Williams explains: "The only test that can be used with pooled samples is the faecal egg count. This is because the sensitivity of a pooled test is much lower and may give a negative result even though one or more animals are positive. For faecal egg counts the whole pooled sample is processed, so the sensitivity remains comparable with testing individual samples. For blood tests and copro-antigen tests, individual samples should be tested."

Faecal egg counts are also likely to pick up infections with rumen fluke. Normally this is nothing to worry about and animals should not be routinely treated for adult rumen fluke. If animals are looking poor, losing weight or are dehydrated, speak to your vet about risks from immature rumen fluke (these will not be detected using a faecal egg count). There is more on rumen fluke on the SCOPS and COWS websites at www.scops.org.uk/ internal-parasites/liver-fluke/rumen-fluke and www. cattleparasites.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/09/liverfluke-310823.pdf respectively.

| Sheep & Lambing

Reduce plastic use and optimise flock performance with new LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe 14-inch blocks

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heep farmers have another nutrient delivery option to boost colostrum quality, milk production and flock health ahead of lambing.

Rumenco’s flagship LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe is now available in a 14-inch hard-pressed feed block, improving on-farm sustainability and giving sheep farmers more feeding options for boosting future flock performance in the weeks ahead of lambing.

According to Amy Wright, product manager for Rumenco, the 14-inch block allows sheep farmers to take advantage of weathering benefits from traditional block feeding while providing a more ergonomic shape for on-farm transport without the use of plastic containers.

“Part of Rumenco’s mission is to provide farmers with the tools to make sustainability improvements to their farms by way of optimising nutrition and making better use of available resources,” says Ms Wright. “The availability of LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe in feed blocks will not only cut down significantly on plastic usage but will support flocks for improved health, performance and longevity. It is also more efficient to produce compared to other supplement products, improving manufacturing sustainability.”

Performance benefits of LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe Years of independent research by academic bodies and farm trials have cemented LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe’s place on many sheep farms for its colostrum boosting properties.

In independent trial work by SAC, feeding LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe six weeks pre-lambing was found to increase colostrum immunoglobulin IgG content by 25 percent more than a standard energy supplement. IgG content is an important measure of colostrum quality

that infers passive immunity of antibodies from the ewe to newborn lambs to fight off bacterial and viral infections.

According to Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco, the increase in IgG levels can be attributed to the wellbalanced combination of nutrients in the pre-lambing supplement.

Providing ewes with 13MJ ME/Kg DM, LIFELINE Lamb & Ewe contains quality sources of bypass protein to ensure protein makes it through the rumen. Additionally, the incorporation of essential trace elements, vitamins, and minerals serves to bolster lamb development, enhance the immunity of both ewes and lambs, and promote the vitality and vigor of newborn lambs.

“This type of supplementation is especially important in the final six weeks of pregnancy through to the first four weeks of lactation,” says Dr Bond. “During this time, ewes are under a lot of stress as large amounts of nutrients from their diet are partitioned to rapid foetal development, colostrum production and eventually lactation – increasing their protein and energy requirements and doubling them when carrying twins.”

The recent inclusion of Zinpro® Availa® Zn in LIFELINE bucket formulations further boosts flock health and performance. A highly available, organic zinc, Zinpro Availa Zn is far more metabolically available, leading to greater absorption in the small intestine – therefore increasing utilisation, explains Dr Bond.

In farm trials feeding Zinpro Availa Zn, neonatal mortality rates were reduced by 7.5% and ewe foot lesions decreased by 43%. According to Dr Bond, these performance benefits further support farm sustainability.

“Farm sustainability is directly tied to optimising output and resource utilisation. This includes reducing production losses and treatment resources due to illness,” concludes Dr Bond. “Especially now with the ability to feed it in a block instead of a plastic bucket, LIFELINE Lamb and Ewe is the ideal pre-lambing supplement to help set flocks up for a sustainable and profitable lifetime.”

Farming

| Sheep & Lambing

Surplus lambs can thrive on cold milk

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urplus lambs reared on Lamlac milk replacer mixed and fed cold from about a week of age to weaning drink as much and perform as well as lambs reared on warm milk.

According to Dr Jessica Cooke from Volac Milk Replacers Limited, trial work conducted at Reaseheath College last spring highlights the opportunity to rear extra lambs on ad lib cold milk off ewes where boiler heating capability may be nonexistent or

compromised.

“After following recommended rearing practices during the first week of life, feeding lambs cold ad lib milk thereafter offers shepherds a simple, practical and highly cost-effective method of rearing any surplus offspring where or when warm water is not available. The ability to feed Lamlac cold can also be useful in situations when rearing lambs of different ages requires milk to be fed at a constant temperature,” Dr Cooke explained.

Designated surplus lambs from triplet-bearing ewes (largest lamb from each litter; leaving two equal sized lambs on the ewe) on the Reaseheath trial were left on the ewe to suckle colostrum for six to 10 hours. Ewe colostrum quality was tested at birth.

“Following this initial first colostrum feeding period, the trial lambs were removed and fed a second feed of ewe colostrum (own ewe or pooled) via a bottle and teat (or a tube) at a rate of 50ml/kg bodyweight.

“Lambs were then fed Lamlac via a bottle and teat every six hours for the first 24 hours. Lambs were then introduced to the training pen and fed warm milk ad lib (Lamlac at 25ºC) for seven days via a Volac Eco Feeder with white teats. On day nine, lambs were allocated to either the warm milk pen or the cold milk pen.”

Dr Cooke explained that the lambs able to access warm milk started off receiving it at 20ºC for a minimum of four days. After this training period the temperature of the mixed milk was dropped to 15ºC where it remained until weaning at 35 days.

“However, lambs in the cold milk pen only had ad lib access to milk at a much lower temperature.

Milk was mixed at 10ºC but its temperature Farming

increased to around 12-13ºC throughout the day.

The Lamlac mixing rate for both pens was 200g powder in 800ml water (making 1 litre of mixed milk). In addition, both groups of lambs had access to ad lib fresh water, a 17% crude protein creep feed and clean forage (straw).”

Both groups of lambs were weaned abruptly at 35 days of age, weighing a minimum of 10kg and eating at least 250g of creep a feed a day.

“When the results were analysed, it was clear that

| Sheep & Lambing lamb performance was similar across both treatments, although the lambs fed cold milk tended to be heavier from day 14 through to weaning, resulting in a slightly greater body weight at weaning (13.1kg v 12.4kg).”

Dr Cooke pointed out that this slightly greater body weight at weaning finding in the cold milk fed group was probably explained by the fact that these lambs were observed as being more active in eating creep feed.

“It was clear that feeding lambs cold milk from just over a week of age had no negative impact on their performance. In fact, lambs fed cold milk performed marginally better through to weaning – achieving a daily live weight gain of 0.27kg/day

compared with the 0.25kg/day delivered by the warm milk fed group of lambs. The advantage is thought to be due to the greater creep feed intake,” she concluded.

Commenting on the trial results, the Reaseheath College shepherd said that the lambs in the cold milk pen certainly seemed to be drinking as much milk.

“Warm water is available to us at no extra cost, so from a practical standpoint feeding milk at a higher temperature here isn’t a problem. But if boiler heating is not available for any reason, we’d certainly opt for cold milk feeding as the lambs appear to do just as well.”

Farming

| Muck & Slurry

FAN optimizes separation with its biggest separator PSS 8 ith the new press screw separator PSS 8, FAN, the technology leader in the field of separation technology, is expanding its portfolio and taking a further step towards sustainability.

The remarkable throughput of the new PSS 8 makes it predestined for larger farms, such as biogas production or dairy farming, but also for industrial applications. Thanks to the increased impact of a single machine, energy, space usage, costs and labour related to peripheral devices are saved and the ecological footprint is reduced.

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A solid-liquid separator stands for sustainability par excellence and is a pivotal equipment on modern farms. Separation opens up effective and lucrative options for further processing and reuse. The solid

material can be turned into compost or valuable bedding. The liquid phase can be spread on the field as fertiliser and ensures reliable growth of the plants in every vegetation phase.

Designed for continuous use on large farms With its impressive dimensions of 3.6 x 0.9 and a height of 1.3 m up to the inlet, the PSS 8 separator, developed for continuous operation on large farms, is an extremely robust machine. The proven FAN press screw concept has been retained while the components have been enlarged: The 2200 mm long and 350 kg heavy auger is additionally supported by a head bearing. With a diameter of 400mm, the sieve is also generously sized. The built-in auger is driven by a 30 kW electric motor running at 400V/50Hz. This ensures worldwide use for different applications.

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| Muck & Slurry

Excellent separation results and constant output With cattle manure with a dry matter content of 7 to 9%, the PSS 8 achieves a throughput of up to 65 m³ per hour for bedding and around 100m3 per hour in raw slurry separation.. The dryness of the solid obtained can be varied by the number and position of counterweights using a patented output regulator. The user can trust on constant output and a high-quality pressing result: the dry matter content, once set, remains unchanged throughout the entire period of use. Up to 40% dry matter content in the solids can be achieved consistently with the PSS 8. It is possible to use sieve baskets with five different gap widths from 0.25 to 1.00 mm.

Long service life, simple maintenance Like the entire FAN product range, the PSS 8 is also built from carefully selected materials. The screw features wear-resistant reinforcement, and

all parts that come into contact with the medium are made of stainless steel. This ensures an exceptionally long lifespan for the machine. Thanks to the floating sieve bearing and the associated continuous cleaning of the sieve by the screw, the PSS 8 remains almost wear-free even over long operating periods. A swivelling press head on the sieve housing makes maintenance easy.

For a green tomorrow With its large dimensions and increased throughput, a single PSS 8 can replace two or more smaller machines. Energy costs, space usage and labour in connection with operating the necessary peripheral equipment, such as pump stations, are all reduced. This saves time and money, decreases the environmental footprint and makes the PSS 8 an important ambassador for a green future.

Farming

| Muck & Slurry

DoubleFlow and NightShift: Vogelsang presents new equipment options for slurry spreading linkages t Agritechnica in November Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG presented the prototype of the “DoubleFlow” double runner for the first time. On a linkage with DoubleFlow option, the drain hose is divided into two outlets by a Y-piece. This halves the row spacing from 25 to 12.5 centimetres when spreading slurry. At the same time, farmers and contractors place the slurry in a narrower slurry belt. “We also rely on the flow-optimized PrecisionFlow spout typical of the BlackBird for the DoubleFlow runner. This ensures precise slurry positioning,” says Henning Ahlers, Sales Manager of Agricultural Technology Germany.

A

Robust and lightweight double runner Vogelsang uses a lightweight construction concept to keep the weight of the Y-flow distributor at the same level as the standard runner. Ahlers explains, “We are breaking new ground in the design of the runner and using a wear-resistant special plastic. Combined with a Hardox steel blade, the runner is light yet robust at the same time.” Users benefit from a long service life and low spare parts costs. This is because the steel blade can be replaced individually. The DoubleFlow option is easy to retrofit and will be available for the UniSpread and BlackBird trailing shoe linkage series from May 2024.

NightShift: Linkage lighting as a retrofit

option With the NightShift equipment option, Vogelsang is the first manufacturer of slurry technology to offer complete work lighting for all spreader linkages. “We are seeing an increasing trend for slurry to be spread late in the evening or at night in complete darkness,” says Vanja Cobec, Product Manager for Agricultural Technology.

Furthermore: “This is partly due to the strict requirements of the German Fertilizer Ordinance, but also to the rather wet springs, which shorten the time window for spreading slurry even further.”

The LED lights are attached to the pole frame at a distance of one meter and can be seen from any direction thanks to their transparent housing.

The main light output is emitted downwards, illuminating the working area of the boom. This well-established technology is resistant to highpressure cleaners and can also withstand the effects of the weather. The lighting can be combined with the new, digitalised EasyControl toggle switch control and dimmed to the appropriate light level. With NightShift, farmers and contractors are optimally equipped for driving at night in the ever-shorter spreading windows. The linkage lighting will be available in the second half of 2024 as a fully assembled version and also as a retrofit kit for selfinstallation.

For more information, visit: vogelsang.info

Farming

EFFECTIVE SPREADING SYSTEMS Flexible, reliable and easy to maintain: As a pioneer in agricultural technology, Vogelsang leads the way in environmental friendly spreading equipment.

The dribble bar systems combined with the ExaCut distributor give the highest application of liquid manure nutrients.

Dribble bars are available in working widths of 7.5m right up to 36m and are retrofit-friendly.

For more information visit www.vogelsang.info/en-uk/dribble-bar-systems

VOGELSANG – LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY

Contact us at: 01270 216 600 | sales.uk@vogelsang.info vogelsang.co.uk Farming

| Muck & Slurry

Harry West spread the word all the way to Japan H

arry West (Prees) Limited, the longestablished farm machinery producers, has sold its latest batch of dual muck spreaders and trailers to Japan.

A market-leading product in the UK, where Harry West (formed in 1966) designed the Dual Spreader for better efficiency and much improved health and safety in hilly conditions, this latest order for six spreaders comes at a time when there is also increasing demand closer to home for its range of trailers.

James Llewellyn, Office Sales Manager at Harry West, said: “For over a decade, we have built up a very healthy partnership

Farming

with Agri Direct Co. Ltd, who are the sole importers of our equipment into Japan. This significant new sale is very encouraging because it shows that there is no shortage of demand for our ‘blue’ machines,’ which continue to have a great reputation here and all over the world.”

He added: “Agri Direct looked previously at different suppliers, but have always stuck firmly with us.

With some decent enquires and orders also coming in from the home market, we are looking forward to 2024.”

The six Harry West dual muck spreaders (a product that has previously been awarded the Royal Agricultural Society of England GOLD Medal), will

soon be on their six-week voyage from Southampton to Tomakomani, just south of Sapporo on Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido.

Still owned by the same family, now in its fourth generation, Harry West (Prees) Limited has also sold its popular blue spreaders and trailers to Australia, the Caribbean and in Europe, as well as throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. www.harrywest.co.uk +44 (0) 01948 840 465 sales@harrywest.co.uk

| Muck & Slurry

Farming

| Muck & Slurry

J Riley celebrates 30th anniversary in 2024 J

Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd, the well-known UK importer of Vervaet machinery, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024.

Company founder Jeremy Riley was heavily involved with the establishment of six-row self-propelled sugar beet harvesters in Britain. In 1994 he setup J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd, where he was joined by Peter Smith and David Oakley, to import Vervaet harvesters from the Netherlands. The company was instrumental to the success of six-row tanker sugar beet harvesters in the UK, becoming known as ‘the six row specialists’.

The outstandingly-successful Vervaet 17tonner was the go-to machine for over 20 years. With its four-wheel chassis, centrally-

Farming

positioned tank and rear-mounted engine it set the layout for most successful harvesters of the time.

In 2001 Vervaet unveiled the first nine-row harvester in the world, the Beet Eater.

Although a number of nine-row machines were successfully used by British contractors, when fitted with a six-row lifting unit the new harvester really excelled in the UK. With its eight turbines, six wheels and 600hp engine the Beet Eater 625 developed a reputation for high output even in the worst conditions.

Refurbishing used harvesters and undertaking out of season overhauls for customers have always been important activities for the company. Dedicated new premises were constructed at Attlebridge in

| Muck & Slurry

2007, included new workshop and office facilities which in turn allowed the stores to be enlarged.

The launch of the all-new Q-Series beet harvester in 2017 further cemented Vervaet’s position of dominance and the company’s market share expanded again following the introduction of a rollerbed option in 2021. In 2022 Jeremy retired and sold the business, which is now co-owned by Vervaet and managing director Matt Carse.

Considerable sales success has also been achieved with Vervaet self-propelled slurry and manure applicators, and the J Riley range of slurry handling and application machinery was recently expanded to provide further solutions to slurry customers.

Combining the right machines, developed with the UK market in mind, with Rileys’ exceptional backup has made Vervaet harvesters the market leader for well over two decades. Currently a team of 10 talented and experienced engineers provide service support to customers the length and breadth of the country.

“Having good people within the company has been key to its success over the past 30 years, land with a great team in place we are poised to continue the Riley story for the next three decades,” comments managing director Matt Carse. “We very much appreciate the continued support from our loyal customers, with which we enjoy many long-lasting relationships, and we are keen to continue to offer the highest level of service in the industry.”

“The UK is a special market where our philosophy comes together perfectly,” says Jonathan Hoekman, commercial director at manufacturer Frans Vervaet BV. “We believe three elements are key to customer retention – excellent machines, perfect service/ backup, and low cost of ownership. When two of these are achieved customers will return, but with the Riley team behind us in the UK often all three factors are present, and this is reflected in our market share. This success is now being duplicated in the slurry machinery sector too. With younger teams in place at both Vervaet and Rileys we have a secure future ahead of us to continue this ultra-successful story.”

Farming

| Machinery

McCulla enhances eco credentials with Hultsteins

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cCulla Ireland has taken the next step in its low carbon journey with Hultsteins’ zero emissions Ecogen system.

hauling this 45-foot truck about with a fridge powered by a diesel internal combustion engine.”

McCulla began trialling Hultsteins’ Ecogen2 unit over 12 months ago with a supermarket customer. The Ecogen onboard power generator is fitted to the tractor unit and effectively transforms the existing diesel-powered refrigeration units (TRUs) to run on electricity during transit.

Founded in 1969, the company is Ireland’s leading provider of temperaturecontrolled logistics and operates a mixed fleet of 130 diesel and CNG trucks with 220 trailers. It has won a suite of awards for its environmental efforts, which include in-house biomethane production for use in its vehicles.

Its extensive efforts to slash CO2 brought conventional diesel-powered refrigeration units into sharp focus. “We’re doing all this fantastic work on the front end of the CNG trucks, which have 93% lower emissions than a diesel equivalent,” explains operations director, Brian Beattie, “but we’re

Ecogen can be retrofitted to any tractor unit with an engine power take-off. It generates 400 volts, and easily connects to the TRU fridge motor via a five-pin plug.

In addition to adapting TRUs to emission-free power, Hultsteins’ Ecogen system represents a highly costeffective method for operators to switch to clean and sustainable transport refrigeration.

Hultsteins point out that there is no need to replace an existing trailer’s TRU, and by simply fitting an Ecogen to the tractor, every fridge it couples to will be transformed to electric operation.

“We’re now able to provide our customer with an extremely low-carbon CNG vehicle and fridge trailer with zero emissions, because it’s powered by the compressor on the truck,” adds Brian.

https://www.claas.co.uk The ARION 600 and 500 range - the new mid-range standard Assisting you, wherever it is needed.

One of our most popular tractors has just got even better thanks to a host of new functions developed by our engineers in consultation with ARION drivers.

After all, they work in the field every day, so they know exactly what they want.

For more information contact:

Sharnford Tractors Ltd Lodge Farm, Broughton Road, Frolesworth, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5EH Telephone: 01455 209300 https://www.sharnfordtractors.co.uk

Farming

Results in numbers While the Ecogen units can be applied to both diesel and CNG tractor units alike, their ability to square the green circle renders them a perfect fit for McCulla’s gas vehicles, which can catch the eye of large, environmentally conscious customers.

“The best application for us is on our gas-powered trucks, because what we’re offering to customers is a very low-carbon solution,” explains Brian, “it’s appealing to early adopters – those keen on environmental, social and governance policies – and you’re talking to a welcome audience that wants to reduce carbon. We find this is often driven by the larger corporates and multinationals.

“A lot of fleets out there just buy the one electric vehicle to tick a box. We’re more about rolling out low-CO2 solutions across our whole operation.

We’ve run significant tests and we’re getting really good results, so we’re now considering rolling them out across the fleet.”

LATEST USED STOCK www.chandlers.co.uk

MT765D 2013, 5758 Hrs, 380 HP Speed: 40Km/h Track: 25 Track %: 25 RG655

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2011, 5314 Hrs, 242 HP Speed: 40Km/h 30m Booms, 6000 Litre

2015, 4793 Hrs, 240 HP Speed: 50Km/h 36m Pomier Booms

Guidance Ready, Extreme Ag 16/4 Powershift Transmission

2006, 9000 Hrs, Track: 30 Extreme Ag Tracks

£75,000.00

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2022, 35 HP Tyres: 24 X 8.5-12 (100%) 315 X 80D16 (100%)

2016, 6019 Hrs, Tyres: 380/85 R28 460/85R38

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2018, 2100 Hrs, 50 Km/h Tyres: 600/60R28 710/60R38

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MF 8S.205 EXDE7 2020, 2083 Hrs, 200 HP Tyres: 600/65R28 (75%) 650/65R42 (75%) Guidance Ready, Front Spool Dyna-7 Power Transmission, Spec. Package: EXCLUSIVE

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FENDT 828 2022, 2100 Hrs, 280 HP Tyres: 600/70R30 (70%) 800/70R38 (70%) VALTRA T175EA 2017, 3997 Hrs, 175 HP Tyres: 540/65R28 (50%) 650/65R38 (50%)

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VALTRA T174D 2020, 2971 Hrs, 180 HP Tyres: 600/65R38 (70%) 650/65R42 (70%)

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2022 (22) 1.9 V-Cross Auto Double Cab 25,800 Miles

2019 (18) 2.3 Tekna Auto Double Cab 78,500 Miles

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2014 (64) 2.0 BiTDI Auto Double Cab 97,953 Miles

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Farming

| Machinery

Massey Ferguson launches official clothing collaboration with Raging Bull

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aging Bull Clothing, founded by Phil Vickery, one of England’s greatest rugby players, has teamed up with leading agricultural machinery manufacturer Massey Ferguson for a new partnership in 2024.

Raging Bull will become an official clothing partner of Massey Ferguson this year. Founder and exfarmer Phil is well-known for a hugely successful rugby career at both national and international level and being part of the England 2003 World Cup winning team.

farm and regularly returns to work on the farm and fully appreciates the daily challenges that farmers face.

Phil comments: “Growing up in the farming community, Massey Ferguson has always been there; red, reliable and ready for work. Over the years I’ve watched all their equipment become more and more sophisticated, giving farmers the support they need to get the job done. So now I am delighted to be developing a collaboration clothing range with the fantastic people at Massey Ferguson, with whom we share a very similar set of values – Integrity, Pride and Passion. It is an honour and a privilege to be one of Massey Ferguson’s official partners and I can’t wait to see this partnership with Raging Bull unfold.”

The collaboration will design dual-branded Raging Bull and Massey Ferguson clothing in various styles, which will be available through the Raging Bull website and shops and the AGCO dealer network later this year. Visitors to LAMMA 2024, the UK’s biggest agricultural machinery event, will have the chance to win a Raging Bull outfit. Plus, a special edition Raging Bull t-shirt will mark the start of the new collaboration with Massey Ferguson and herald the launch of the new MF 9S. The limited-edition t-shirt will be sold through the Raging Bull website.

Lindsay Haddon, advertising and sales promotion manager, Massey Ferguson UK, IRL and Middle East, says the opportunity to work with Raging Bull and Phil Vickery is exciting for several reasons.

“Phil’s farming background, love of the countryside and eating local will resonate with our customers.

The launch of our new flagship MF 9S tractor and in particular its features and styling; our very own Raging Bull, mirrors the Raging Bull imagery and Phil’s reputation on the rugby field.”

The values that Phil has put at the heart of Raging Bull were instilled in him whilst growing up on the family farm in North Cornwall and then forged in the fire of international rugby. The spirit of integrity, pride and passion that drive Raging Bull, and Phil’s deep connections with farming, really resonated with Massey Ferguson and led naturally to this strategic brand collaboration.

Since retiring from professional rugby in 2010, Phil has established his Raging Bull men’s clothing brand along with winning MasterChef and setting up his own restaurant. Growing up on a farm in Cornwall now run by his brother, Phil was born to Farming

Sandrine Grenet, merchandise brand manager, Massey Ferguson EME concludes: “We know our farmers appreciate quality, functionality, durability and great-looking products, that’s why the collaboration with Raging Bull is such a perfect fit.

There’s huge respect for Phil Vickery’s incredible success on the rugby pitch but also an appreciation that with his farming background he understands the needs of our customers. I am proud to say, together, we have come up with an exceptional range of stylish clothing, which is not only practical but a pleasure to wear”.

Massey Ferguson will be in hall 12 on stand 470 at LAMMA 2024.

| Machinery

SPEARHEAD ANNOUNCES SCOTTISH EXPANSION

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n a strategic move to strengthen sales activities, Spearhead Machinery Ltd have moved to appoint Scot Agri as their new dealer partner throughout the North & East of Scotland.

Sales Manager – GB East at Spearhead, Jack Norton suggested; "the brand has really only scratched the surface in terms of what it has to offer the Scottish farmer, contractor, parks and grounds professional or airport authority. We are excited by this new partnership and the opportunity that it presents".

Steven Mitchell, Regional Manager at Scot Agri commented; "Spearhead is an established brand and has been marketed successfully here in the past. It is a product range we have sold effectively over the years without promoting it officially. We really believe that there is an opportunity for further growth by engaging the whole Scot Agri business”.

Spearhead Machinery Ltd designs and

manufactures a range of professional reach, rotary, flail, and amenity mowers; including the wellknown; Multicut 480 Flex Wing Rotary Mower, the Stubble Master 930 HD Flex Wing Rotary Mower with a market leading 9.3 metre mulching width and the exciting new Twiga Pro Reach Arm Hedgecutter Series with its industry leading Propilot Touch Screen Control System.

Renowned for innovation, Spearhead is a farmer founded company and exports its product range globally with a particular following in military and aviation operations. In recent times the company has developed a host of technologies targeted at Stubble Management applications after harvest.

Commenting; Norton said, “the appointment of Scot Agri represents an opportunity for Spearhead to further expand and support its customer base in Scotland. We are pleased to have established this new partnership and look forward to developing and growing our business with the support of the Scot Agri team.”

Farming

| Machinery

KUHN introduces high output FC 13460 RA trailed mower

UHN Farm Machinery has introduced a new flagship FC 13460 RA trailed mower conditioner aimed at users requiring increased mowing capacity and efficiency from a wider trailed machine.

K

Launched at Agritechnica 2023, the FC 13460 RA features a 12.4-13.4m cutting width, allowing operators to benefit from reduced fuel consumption and lower soil compaction Farming

due to covering a wider area with each pass. It also has well-known features from current KUHN machines, such as LIFTCONTROL and the OPTIDISC ELITE cutterbar.

KUHN’s grassland product marketing specialist, Rhodri Jenkins, says the increased output from running a wider width should be a key consideration for users this season. “The FC 13460 RA offers significantly higher output from a single machine handling large

areas and operators can expect a 25-30% wider cut on each pass than a mounted triple mower combination. Added up over a single season, the savings in fuel, labour and time are considerable.”

The FC 13460 RA uses KUHN’s proven OPTIDISC ELITE cutter bar featuring the FAST-FIT quick knife system to reduce downtime. The mower features 12 discs on each unit, with improved crop flow and an increased knife

| Machinery

overlap to ensure all crop is cut. A greater distance between the discs allows improved crop flow to the rear of the mower and away from the cutting area.

Disc skid linings and TRIPLE 5 knives are standard.

Central to the design is an innovative frame that offers constant ground pressure control through the LIFTCONTROL suspension.

The weight of the mower is spread between the tractor’s drawbar and the mower’s axle, with flotation tyres helping to further protect the soil. Users can adjust bed pressure during work and Rhodri explains why this feature is becoming increasingly

important to users.

“LIFT-CONTROL allows users to change bed pressures to suit the conditions, helping to protect swards and prevent damage to the mowers, which is especially useful in wetter conditions.

Operators can also adjust the pressures to suit field undulations to ensure an even cut and maintain forage quality.”

When fitted with the belt grouper, the FC 13460 RA can produce a swath between 1.8m and 3m wide and group a 13m cut into one row, helping to increase the output of the following baler or forager.

The FC 13460 RA is

ISOBUS compatible and also available with a CCI 800 or 1200 screen that offers a wide range of implements to be operated through a single terminal.

Users can also select the CCI A3 joystick to group up to 30 functions onto a single control. Independent section control of the mowers is only an option through the CCI screens.

This feature lifts the mowers automatically to avoid double cutting crop at the end of a run, helping to maintain forage quality and reduce operator fatigue.

Interested buyers can expect units on farm during Q2 of 2024.

Farming

| Machinery

Tractor World Show is Bigger, Better and Earlier This Year

O

ne of the biggest and most popular shows in the calendar, the Tractor World Show returns to the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, next month.

Showcasing everything tractor, truck and trading related, the two-day extravaganza takes place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 2024 and this year sees even more exhibitors, trade stands, displays and bargains than ever before.

With not long to go until show date, organisers, Kelsey Media are asking for those lastminute entry forms to be sent back asap.

Places are strictly limited and filling up fast, so if you’re hoping to exhibit, trade, or bring a club display, then you’ll need to download the relevant forms from the website and send them in.

Brand new features for this years’ show Farming

include an exhibition of model tractors and engines, plus specialist suppliers stocking everything the at-home modeller could desire. Also, a large brand-new trade area will boast a fantastic selection of new tractors and farm machinery from leading manufacturers.

As always (and as regular visitors will know) the show fills all three large exhibition halls and outdoor areas with hundreds of exhibits of vintage, veteran and classic tractors, stationary engines, classic commercials, vans, classic JCB displays, Land Rovers and vintage vehicles, historic farm machinery and agricultural heritage displays.

For fans of all things farming, the renowned agricultural auctioneers H J Pugh & Co will be presiding over Saturday’s auction with over 1500 lots expected including over 100 tractors, whilst

| Machinery

Sunday sees the return of the popular Classic Commercials Drive-In Day. There’s still time to join in, see website for details.

Open 9am-5pm Saturday and 9am-3pm Sunday, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a wide range of regional and national club stands and displays, trade stalls, model and toy retailers, tools and garage equipment, tyres, workwear, clothing, books and gifts. There’s also a wide range of vintage horticultural and gardening equipment, including classic and modern ride-on mowers.

The Three Counties Showground has two heated restaurants, coffee lounge, numerous outdoor catering stands, plus a cash machine for when unplanned temptation strikes! It’s easy to find with brown signs from all major routes. Free admission for children under 15, free parking, disabled, coach and camping facilities. Dogs on leads welcome in all areas.

So, get the date in your diary and grab your entry forms, before it’s too late at www.tractorworldshow. co.uk

Farming

| Tyres

Bridgestone urging Farmers to join the Club in 2024 F armers are being told that they’ve got a friend in Bridgestone in 2024, after the company unveiled a new online companion to make the most of, known as the ‘Bridgestone Club’.

Created with the philosophy that ‘you’ll never farm alone’, the platform will provide monthly offers, advice, news, discounts, giveaways, and opportunities to engage with other professionals at the tap of a device.

It has been designed to allow for as much interaction as possible, with opportunities to upload photos and comment on farming life along with other users around the UK. The Bridgestone Club will launch in January 2024 and Bridgestone’s VT Sales Manager for North Europe Stephen Lamb is excited to see it rolled out.

He said: “No other tyre manufacturer has created anything like this and we have never reached out to farmers Farming

in this way before. We are offering all UK farmers and contractors the opportunity to become a member of this exclusive Club, with so much emphasis on engagement and interaction.

“Our aim is to create a vibrant community, where professionals can lean on us for information, entertainment, and advice. We want to add a fun personality to our brand, where farmers will associate the Bridgestone name with a business that genuinely cares.

“We know that it can be a lonely existence out in the field, and this is our attempt to bring everyone closer and to celebrate everything that is truly good about British farming.

Regular news bulletins will be mingled with opportunities to win prizes each month, as will be seen when a Milwaukee Power Tool giveaway is launched in January.

Meanwhile, farming ‘celebrities’ will be interviewed at regular intervals, while a

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‘My Tractor - My Photo’ section will lend itself to greater levels of engagement amongst users.

Stephen added: “Bridgestone Club is something new and exciting for us and we hope it

complements our line-up of premium tyres, with plenty of product advice and information brought to life in new ways, too.”

The Bridgestone Club platform underlines the company’s continued efforts to support the realisation of a sustainable society by providing social and customer value. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is at the heart of this and consists of eight focus areas – Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment – that guide Bridgestone’s strategic priorities, decision-making and actions throughout every area of the business.

For more information Bridgestone Club, visit https://bit.ly/ BridgestoneClub Farming

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TGB LAUNCHES NEW YEAR 0% FINANCE DEAL

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GB distributor Dualways has introduced a 0% finance scheme on all TGB ATV models.

The new finance deal runs from January the 1st 2024 and covers the entire TGB range from the popular Blade 520SL through to the top-spec Blade 1000LTX Premium.

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TGB offers an industry-leading five year warranty on all ATV models.

For further information on the new 0% finance scheme and the TGB range visit www. dualways.com

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WHEN CLIMBING FROZEN HILLSIDES Nothing beats my Honda

Agile. Powerful. Dependable. Robust.

Farmers know, nothing comes close Year Warranty*

honda.co.uk/nothing-beats-my-honda The use of handlebar muffs should only be employed after a thorough risk assessment. * Subject to following the service schedule, 2 year warranty applies to domestic and commercial use.

Farming

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Take on any terrain with Kawasaki’s proven Mule Pro MX

hether it is working on the farm or transporting materials across construction sites, having the right equipment is essential.

The Kawasaki Mule Pro MX delivers the rugged, reliable and adaptable attributes that will help you take on any terrain.

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Designed to work hard, the robust Mule Pro MX. Powered by a torqueladen 700cc CVT singlecylinder engine, the Pro MX offers 32.8 kW {45 PS} / 6,000 rpm, guaranteeing a fun-to-drive vehicle that can easily hail cargo for work or weekend fun. The spacious cargo bed is able to carry up to 317 kgs 700 lbs, making chores or hauling gear a breeze.

Measuring 2795mm long and For more information

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1525mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2005mmthe Mule Pro MX is the perfect mid-sized vehicle, offering superb manoeuvrability and mobility that ensures it can negotiate the tightest of trails.

To maximise comfort, the all-

terrain vehicle features double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear, enabling the Kawasaki to easily traverse obstacles and elevations with minimum Southam Agri. Services

•

effect on the chassis.

Of course, these workhorses are designed to be used throughout the year in all conditions. That is why the Pro MX is equipped with 25” tyres on 12” rims, guaranteeing fantastic off-road traction and ground clearance. Strong and reliable front and rear disc brakes provide effective braking, especially when combined with the Mule pro MX’s proven engine braking.

While its performance is unmatched, Kawasaki has also focused on making the Mule pro MX model as accessible and user-friendly as possible.

Coming equipped with doors as standard, users will be protected from mud and puddles, while a 5.3 litre

| ATV

storage bin underneath the passenger seat ensures that there is plenty of space to securely store all of your belongings.

Bright digital instrumentation ensures you can always see essential information at a glance and the console also comes prepped for an accessory audio system. The multi-function display is built directly into the dash and features an array of insight, including: •

Driving mode (2WD/ 4WD) indicator

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Digital speedometer

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Digital fuel gauge

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Clock odometer

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Dual trip meters

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Hour meter

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Differential indicator lamp

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Check engine lamp

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Electric Power Steering warning lamp

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Water temperature warning lamp

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Seatbelt warning lamp

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Parking indicator lamp

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Reverse indicator lamp

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Neutral indicator lamp

The contoured bench seat complements the body and provides ample space and comfort for two adults at a time. Kawasaki’s high-grade Electric Power Steering (EPS) is speed-sensitive, providing users with light steering at low speeds and tightened steering at higher

speeds. It can also work to enhance rider comfort by acting as a damping system, reducing the bumps and kickbacks created as you go along bumpy terrain. Drivers are also able to set the position of the steering wheel to not only suit their preference but also to lift it out of the way when getting in and out of the vehicle. An electrically selectable 2WD/ 4WD and dual mode rear differential system ensures quick and simple changing to suit the changing terrain.

Since its launch, the Kawasaki Mule Pro MX has established itself as one of the leaders in utility vehicles, used by farm workers, gamekeepers, construction workers and event workers across the globe. More information on the MULE pro MX can be found at www. kawasaki.co.uk

Delivering all the rugged, reliable and adaptable attributes that Kawasaki’s MULE utility vehicle brand is justifiably famous for, the Kawasaki MULE PRO-MX range relies not only on a torque laden 700cc CVT single-cylinder equipped engine but also benefits from the Shinari design philosophy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO FIND YOUR LOCAL KAWASAKI DEALER, VISIT WWW.KAWASAKI.CO.UK

Farming

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ISUZU UK LAUNCHES NEW ‘100 DAYS OF TRADE-INS’ CAMPAIGN

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suzu UK has just launched 100 days of trade-ins to ring in the New Year.

For the next 100 days, UK pick up owners can say a fond farewell to their old pick-up and drive away in a new Isuzu D-Max with a fantastic part exchange deal. They’ll get all the multi-award-winning substance you’d expect with loads of newlook Isuzu D-Max style, not to mention the 3.5-tonne towing capacity, one-tonne payload and a 5 year/125,000-mile warranty.

The benefits of taking part in the campaign are ensuring the best value by a local Isuzu dealership assessing a customer’s pick-up, upgrading to the latest models by trading up to the newest Isuzu D-Max on the market.

From the workaday Isuzu D-Max Utility to the top-of-the-range V-Cross models. Customers can also stay connected and entertained with the latest infotainment systems, navigation tools, and smart connectivity features. Plus get best-in-class safety features and a maximum 5-star NCAP rating.

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George Wallis, Head of Marketing, Isuzu UK said “Due to a hugely successful 2023, quality used pick-up stocks are low going into 2024. This gives UK pick-up owners the opportunity to maximise their trade in and trade up to a new Isuzu D-Max. Being the pick-up professionals, we are happy to retail any used model. By running the campaign for 100 days provides a long enough window for to replenish our Used pick-up stocks and for customers to take advantage of a great part-ex deal, so it’s a win-win situation.”

The Award-Winning Isuzu D-Max versatile combination of impressive capability, durability, and reliability, along with a rear differential lock means it can handle any situation. Part-ex vehicles must be a pick-up and be under 7 years old for a stronger partex value. For full details visit https://www. isuzu.co.uk/100-days

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RENAULT kangoo production surpasses four million AT MAUBEUGE PLANT

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enault has hit another production milestone with more than four million of the Renault Kangoo manufactured at its Maubeuge plant.

The northern France production facility has made the Kangoo ever since the model was introduced in the late 1990s. While Maubeuge has been operational since 1969 and produced more than 20 prominent models, it is the Kangoo that it is synonymous with. Today, more than 400 Kangoo vehicles, including leisure and commercial versions, roll off the plant’s assembly lines every day – or one every 90 seconds!

Maubeuge, which has become a centre of LCV excellence, began Kangoo production 26 years ago. To ready the plant, Renault invested over €500 million in upgrades. These included the installation of a 5,400-tonne Farming

transfer press – one of the largest in Europe – and the first ever variable height production lines.

The plant would complete its millionth Kangoo in 2002 and its two-millionth in 2007. A year later, the site would commence production of the secondgeneration Kangoo. In 2011 Maubeuge adapted its lines to start manufacturing the electric Kangoo Z.E. and has made 90,000 of them (100,000 including electric vans produced for partners), contributing to Renault becoming one of the leaders in this category. To keep up with demand for the electric Kangoo, since 2021 the batteries have also been assembled at Maubeuge.

In 2021, the plant also started production of the third-generation Kangoo, with Renault investing €450 million to overhaul the site.

This included the additions of a High Speed XXL stamping

| Motors press (delivering 6,600 tonnes of pressure through five units and up to 15,000 strokes a day) and 600 metalworking robots. The logistics flows were also reshuffled to accommodate differing variations of the Kangoo: the plant assembles more than 380 versions on a single production line, handling about 3,700 product references on an average day.

Maubeuge celebrated the production milestone of 150,000 third-generation Kangoo in July 2023, which was followed by the introduction of the seven-seat Grand Kangoo to the line following its unveiling at IAA Munich.

The plant continues to be a showcase for Renault’s advanced production facilities. Its abilities include being able to produce up to 370 colour tones for Kangoo customers, while one of its recent

upgrades, ‘vision control’ uses an array of cameras to check each point on each board is just right, so the screwing operation complies with all quality requirements. It even has a virtual reality paint booth simulator where personnel can practise without even using a drop of paint.

In the UK, the Kangoo is available in Advance and Extra trim levels, offering a choice of efficient petrol, diesel or 100% electric powertrains, plus short-, long-wheelbase and crew van formats. Its comprehensive specification includes up to 20 advanced driver assistance systems, while the Kangoo E-Tech electric has a driving range of up to 186 miles (WLTP). The Kangoo is priced from £20,250 plus VAT, and the Kangoo E-Tech electric starts at £32,350 plus VAT before the PIVG (now extended to £5,000 for LWB and Crew Van versions)..

Farming

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sangYong Motor UK is excited to announce its renaming to KGM Motors UK (KGM) with immediate effect. The announcement marks a significant step for the Korean manufacturer with a new era of innovation and global market expansion. This transformation signifies a refresh of the brand vision with a focus on pioneering the next generation of mobility solutions and incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as electrification, autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence.

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In the UK, the new name will be set to the right of the brands iconic winged logo, which pays homage to KGM’s heritage since 1954. This corporate identity (CI) change will introduce a new refined brand colour scheme, where white on black replaces the current white on blue colour palette.

In addition to the new name, the UK distributor proudly adopts the brand's global slogan, "Go Different. KGM," reflecting a unified vision to inspire customers to embrace

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innovation and break away from the ordinary.

practices and delivering excellent customer service.

Kevin Griffin, managing director of KGM Motors UK, commented: “KGM Global has changed its name for the first time in 35years as it transforms into a brand for the future. This is an exciting period for us for us all in terms of unveiling a refreshed, modern brand identity alongside the development and launch of impressive products which utilise new technologies. We have embraced the change here in the UK and we will continue to grow as a proud and respected SUV and pick-up truck brand.”

The recent progress in brand image and profile underscores significant growth, reflective of a strong product range that has increased exponentially since its launch in the UK. Utilising luxury materials and cutting-edge technology, KGM vehicles possess high-quality features, steering away from the conventional 'value for money' perception and continue to produce products of exceptional quality.

KGM's renewed brand vision centres on the belief that change is integral to progression, emphasising that vehicles are not merely transactions but access to exploration. The brand invites customers to experience KGM’s unique qualities as a distinctive and innovative choice in the automotive market.

Despite charting a new course for the brand's future, KGM remains committed to its core promise of exceeding expectations through transparent

KGM Global boasts a rich automotive legacy spanning over 70-years, the company was originally founded as Ha DongHwan Automobile Manufacturing in January 1954, before changing its name to Dong-A Motors in 1977. In 1988, the brand became SsangYong Motor Company which was acquired by KG Global with a majority shareholding in 2023. The acquisition signalled its entry into the automotive industry with a strategic focus on new product and electrification.

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WM ORA, a newly launched electric vehicle brand in the UK, has undertaken an in-depth research study delving into the preferences of UK consumers in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The findings shed light on the core considerations driving purchasing decisions in this rapidly evolving sector.

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Most importantly, this new research indicates that the appetite for electric vehicles is steadily growing, with 61% of respondents indicating that they are now more inclined to purchase an EV as their next car compared to one year ago. This aligns with SMMT data for November 2023 that showed a year to date uptake increase of 27.5% for Battery electric vehicles (BEV’s), with projections that market share for BEV’s in the UK will increase from 16.3% to 22.3% in 2024.

Of the people who had an opinion on concerns associated with electric vehicles, 72% of respondents thought that it would be difficult to locate a public charger. The good news is that charging infrastructure continues to grow across the UK, recently passing a major milestone with the installation of the 10,000th rapid EV ChargePoint. According to ZapMap, at the end of November 2023, there were 53,029 electric vehicle charging points in the UK, across 30,853 charging locations, which represents a 46% increase in the total number of charging devices since November 2022.

When asked about driving habits, only 19% of those surveyed said that they travelled more than 10,000 miles annually

in their main car and 43% admitted that they only make a 200 mile trip ‘a few times a year’.

Pure electric vehicle brand, GWM ORA, now offers 48kWh and 63kWh variants of ORA Funky Cat, offering a range of up to 193 and 260 WLTP miles respectively, which will satisfy a diverse array of mobility needs in the UK market.

When it comes to purchasing a new car, 78% of respondents agreed that ‘handling’ is one of the most important factors and 61% said they don’t always look to buy the same brand of car.

This news bodes well for brands like GWM ORA, which entered the UK market in December 2022 with ORA Funky Cat, providing an exceptional blend of affordability and quality. The brands first model was recently awarded a Which? Best Buy, where it was praised for being “spritely” and having “agile and predictable” driving dynamics.

When asked specifically about electric vehicles manufactured in China, 74% of respondents were open to the idea of owning one and similarly, 75% believed that electric vehicles produced in China did not offer a compromise on quality. This positive sentiment is reflected in the uptake across Europe, according to customs data,

Chinese new energy vehicle shipments to the EU jumped 112% in the first seven months of 2023 on the year and 361% from 2021.

Unsurprisingly, over 60% of those surveyed indicated that both running costs and price were two of the most important factors when considering a new vehicle purchase. GWM ORA’s first model, ORA Funky Cat First Edition, continues to offer exceptional value for money in the UK market, with business and personal leasing customers able to drive away from just £199* and £239** per month respectively. This makes ORA Funky Cat one of the best value ‘family sized’ BEV’s currently available in the UK leasing market.

With an MSRP of £33,795, ORA Funky Cat First Edition+ is GWM ORA’s second variant to go on sale in the UK, offering even more exciting technology and features. According to GWM ORA’s consumer research, 63% of respondents said they love technology in their car and only 2% strongly agree that they typically get the cheapest option available. The First Edition+ variant hosts GWM ORA’s 63kWh battery, offering 260 miles of WLTP electric range and comes equipped with features like: heated, cooled and massage front seats, heated steering-wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic tailgate and automatic parking assistance.

ORA Funky Cat First Edition+ also shares a lot of technology with the brands first launch model, including: wireless phone charging, facial recognition, electric front seats, app integration and ‘Hello ORA’ intelligent voice assistance.

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YD DOLPHIN is elected AUTOBEST ‘‘Best Buy Car of Europe 2024’’. The 31 journalists on the AUTOBEST jury from 31 European countries have voted for BYD DOLPHIN as a strong winner. With a total of 20.057 points, BYD DOLPHIN came in first place before 3 other finalists.

Europe 2024’’. According to its president Dan Vardie BYD DOLPHIN simply offered the best.

“It was one of the most balanced AUTOBEST competitions in a decade, but BYD Dolphin, an EV only model, won the title well deserved”, Vardie said.

It is the first time ever that the AUTOBEST jury voted for BYD as AUTOBEST ‘‘Best Buy Car of

The jurors choose the DOLPHIN not only for its comfort, quality and great driving

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Unbeatable in price/quality

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experience but even more appreciated the very spacious interior within the compact dimensions of the car. Accessible pricing, combined with high level of warranty, low costs per kilometer, high level of standard features and its state-of-the-art technology features also caught the attention of the jury.

a seating for 5 occupants and good storage in the 345-litre boot, that can be expended to a surprising 1310 litres when seats are folded flat. The vehicle offers a highly efficient 60.4 kWh BYD Blade Battery with 427km range (WLTP combined).

Ground-breaking Blade Battery

The AUTOBEST jury was clear and concluded: “The BYD DOLPHIN in unbeatable when it comes to price/quality/range” the report says.

Moreover, the jurors praised the compact dimensions of the DOLPHIN, combined with the wealth of interior space for its passengers and great dynamic driving experience and is well balanced technology based on BYD’s ePlatform 3.0.

Compact but spacious and very safe BYD DOLPHIN, awarded by safety organisation Euro NCAP with the maximum of 5 stars, is a compact but spacious hatchback that combines modern aesthetics with exceptional intelligence and efficiency derived from pioneering electric vehicle technology and smart connectivity.

Measuring 4,290 mm in length and 2,012 mm wide (with wing mirrors unfolded), the BYD DOLPHIN enjoys a 2,700 mm wheelbase, optimised for space and comfort thanks to the e-platform 3.0 and short front and rear overhangs.

DOLPHIN offers

BYD DOLPHIN also benefits from the groundbreaking in house developed BYD Blade Battery which is revolutionising safety, durability and performance in the EV industry.

The cobalt, manages and nickel free Blade Battery uses Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) which offers a much higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Furthermore, the Blade Battery offers more stability, safety and durability, delivering high power density with the benefit of ultra-low energy consumption.

Michael Shu, Managing Director, BYD Europe, is very pleased with the title AUTOBEST BEST BUY Car of Europe’: “We are very proud of this award as it has been recognised by a panel of professional judges. I’m absolutely sure that this prize will attract the interest and attention of new car buyers. Especially because BYD DOLPHIN offers something that is rarely seen in the electric car segment: excellent price/ quality. BYD wants to pack great premium equipment as standard, and at the same time we would like to make it affordable for the broader audience in order to promote emobility”.

AUTOBEST President Dan Vardie: “BYD DOLPHIN has won the title. And that is well deserved. The fact that the DOLPHIN is manufactured by BYD, one of the leading global companies in the world of electrification, is also very important. The victory of BYD Dolphin is clear proof that today the car industry is becoming a more global business with less boundaries compared with only few years ago. The industry is growing in all territories with products showing an appeal able to satisfy any kind of tastes and driving habits, including the most demanding ones of European consumers”.

The BYD DOLPHIN is just launched in Europe and is for sale with a starting price under € 30,000 excluding local incentives. The official AUTOBEST “Best Buy Car of Europe 2024 award” will be handed out officially during the 23rd AUTOBEST gala that will take place in Luxembourg later this year.

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n a year marked by robust engagement and unprecedented enthusiasm, Isuzu UK proudly announces its successful participation in 26 events throughout 2023, captivating the interest of over 1.5 million visitors. The events ranged from iconic agricultural shows to prestigious exhibitions, showcasing Isuzu's commitment to connecting with diverse audiences across the UK. The standout events, boasting the highest attendance figures, included: •

Royal Highland Show – 217,000 people,

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Badminton Horse Trials – 200,000 people,

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Royal Welsh Show – 200,000 people,

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Great Yorkshire Show – 140,000 people

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The Game Fair – 120,000 people,

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Balmoral Show – 110,000 people.

Undoubtedly, the pinnacle of exhibitions was the National Motorhome and Caravan Show, Farming

drawing an astounding 106,000 attendees.

This was closely followed by the Emergency

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this thrilling experience, with feedback indicating that some current Isuzu customers were inspired to purchase based on their aweinspiring off-road encounters.

In the words of Jason Sharpe, Isuzu UK Professional Driver Instructor for Off-road Experiences, "The real extreme off-road

Services Show with 12,000 visitors and the Commercial Vehicle Show with 11,000 enthusiasts.

One of the highlights of Isuzu's presence at these events was an off-road course at select shows, allowing attendees to experience the 4x4 capabilities of the latest New-Look Isuzu D-Max range in challenging conditions. The Badminton Horse Trials, The Game Fair, and The Scottish Game Fair stood out for featuring

courses at events provided people with a great experience, showcasing the outstanding capabilities of Isuzu vehicles. It's truly exhilarating to witness the positive impact on those trying our vehicles in these challenging conditions."

Debbie Warne, Isuzu UK Events Manager, reflected on the tremendous year, stating, "We are thrilled to have witnessed such widespread interest in Isuzu vehicles at events across the country. The logistical coordination for events like Badminton Horse Trials, where Isuzu is the Primary Automotive Sponsor, presented our biggest challenge, but the positive response from attendees made it all worthwhile."

In 2023, Isuzu made its debut at prominent events such as the Badminton Horse Trials, Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, and The National Motorhome and Caravan Show, offering attendees a unique experience, including a special towing showcase.

The Southampton Boat Show, spanning 10 days, marked the longest show Isuzu participated in, while The Game Fair and Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials captivated audiences with their picturesque locations and stunning backdrops.

Debbie Warne further added, "As we reflect on this remarkable year, we invite everyone to join us in anticipating what Isuzu has in store for 2024. The success of 2023 has set the stage for even more exciting events on the horizon."

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i'an, China, December 23 - NIO Day, an annual gathering of NIO and its users, was successfully held in Xi'an with the theme of "A New Journey" this year. Over 2,000 NIO users participated comprehensively in preparation for NIO Day, including event planning, stage performances, and hospitalities, and more than 10,000 users were present at Xi'an Olympic Sports Center Stadium for the event.

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NIO's strategic and comprehensive investment in the core technologies of smart EVs, NIO ET9 integrates the latest technological research and development achievements, showcasing a perfect package of flagship-style exterior, spacious interior, immersive experience, efficient recharging, and smart technologies. NIO ET9 is designed specifically for the new generation of high-end business users, offering a sophisticated, comfortable, and safe smart electric executive flagship.

At NIO Day 2023, NIO ET9, a smart electric executive flagship, officially made its debut. Smart EVs have reached the pinnacle of technological innovation. With

NIO ET9 reshapes the presence of the executive flagship in the era of smart EV. With a length of 5,325mm, a width of 2,016mm, a height of 1,620mm, and a

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wheelbase of 3,250mm, NIO ET9 presents a strong posture.

Adopting the Landjet design, it satisfies users with cabin space, comfort, safety, and steering.

NIO ET9 adopts a four-seat layout. The innovative "Sky Island" and "Executive Bridge" create exclusive first-class comfort. Inside the "Executive Bridge", NIO ET9 offers a 360degree versatile tray table for the passengers in the rear seats, which can be adjusted at any angle. The first-class rear seats of NIO ET9 file 24 selfdeveloped patented technologies, with a maximum backrest adjustment angle of 45 degrees, a seat cushion width of 582mm, and 11 adjustments with

| Motors one click, providing benchmarking comfortable experience. Moreover, the 7 electric sunshades can be activated with one click.

NIO ET9 defines the executive flagship with leading position in technology, bringing together over 100 NIO full-stack technologies, including 17 worldfirst technologies, 52 leading technologies, and 525 patents filed, setting a new technological benchmark for electric vehicles.

SkyRide Intelligent Chassis System of NIO ET9 integrates three core hardware systems steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and full active suspension – for the first time, making it the world's only drivenby-wire intelligent chassis. In the face of complex road conditions, NIO ET9 can deliver a driving experience akin to traveling on a flat surface.

NIO ET9 is equipped with China's first Full-Domain 900V Architecture, boasting the highest voltage of 925V, a charging peak power of 600kW, and a charging peak current of 765A. The 900V ultra-fast charging and swapping platform allows fast recharging after a 3minute battery swap or extending the range by 255km with a 5-minute charge.

NIO ET9 boasts a selfdeveloped intelligent system, where NIO's super computing platform Adam 2.0 supports computing functions in six major areas, namely intelligent driving, digital cockpit, intelligent chassis, body, e-powertrain, and cloud. NIO premiered its first 5nm automotive-grade chip for AD, the NX9031, achieving a strong combination of computing power and proprietary algorithms. It shares computing resources between autonomous driving and cockpit domains, ensuring ultimate safety and efficiency. SkyOS, NIO's vehicle operating system, creates a technical cluster covering vehicle control, intelligent driving, cockpit, and mobile connectivity,

constituting the "soul" of the executive flagship.

NIO ET9 incorporates flagshiplevel safety features covering every aspect of travel safety. Not only does it possess a torsional stiffness of 52,600Nm/deg, but it also expands safety boundaries with the most advanced sensing units and computing capabilities.

Designed following aviationgrade safety standards, NIO ET9 allows for safety redundancy in seven key systems of smart EV, including driving, braking, sensing, computing, communication, and power distribution, setting the global safety benchmark for executive flagships.

NIO ET9 is available for preorder in China, with delivery time scheduled in the first quarter of 2025.

At NIO Day 2023, NIO launched the fourth-generation NIO Power Swap Stations (PSS 4.0) and the 640kW Liquid Cooled Power Charger. PSS 4.0 is compatible with multiple brands and reduces the overall swapping time by 22%. Equipped with rooftop photovoltaic systems, PSS 4.0 saves nearly 18,000kWh of electricity annually. NIO 640kW Power Charger has a maximum current of 765A, maximum voltage of 1000V, and a peak charging power of 640kW. The charging power can be automatically allocated within the station. In 2024, NIO will build 1000 Power Swap Stations and

20,000 chargers, further enhancing the charging experience for users.

Outside the Xi'an Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the user marketplace initiated by NIO Users Trust features 75 stalls run by NIO users. All the sales were donated to Xi'an Charity Association, while NIO Users Trust matched donations at a 1:1 ratio. At NIO Day 2023, NIO and NIO Users Trust announced the collaboration with China Charity Federation to launch NIO Climate Action, allocating RMB 50 million to mitigate disasters and environmental issues caused by global climate change.

"Faced with the complexities of the world, we need to adhere to our values, ambition and responsibility, and maintain passion for life and belief in the future," said NIO's founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li. "NIO ET9, the smart electric executive flagship, comprehensively showcases NIO's R&D strengths and achievements. Integrated with over 100 NIO full-stack technologies, NIO ET9 reaches a new height of innovation and technological development, representing NIO's determination, confidence, and ambition in leading the premium smart EV market and providing high-quality products and services to our users."

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EV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol a world leader in energy has shared the insights fleet owners need to have to succeed on their electrification journeys in a new and rapidly shifting industry. VEV has supported large commercial fleets through the challenges of EV transitions during 2023.

Both macro-economic and sector challenges presented hurdles for fleets this year. From inflation rate increases and recession fears, to reservations

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around sufficient charging infrastructure, fleet owners were concerned with the level of investment needed to electrify, and the practicalities of developing and executing a robust electrification plan.

Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV said: “Given the scale of their operations, fleet owners and managers have expressed worries about how much time, operational change and capital expenditure is needed to even start their fleet’s path to electrification. Their concerns have been

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compounded by the delay in the ban on the sale of new ICE cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, with some deeming the move to have shifted the goalposts and requiring a rethink.

“However, it is essential for fleets to recognise that these challenges should not detract from the huge opportunity that electrification offers and the benefits of starting now. When correctly implemented electric fleets can save energy and maintenance costs, bolster sustainability credentials and provide access to low carbon contracts. Also, electrification and in turn digitisation provides more efficient operations enabling lower costs and higher margins versus today’s diesel fleets. The fleets that are recognising this now will maximise their value over the next two years and get an edge over their competitors."

As the industry looks ahead to next year, fleets are set for a critical turning point. As part of its consulting practice, VEV has revealed that fleets are increasingly recognising the importance of an optimised power supply. From identifying the right energy sources and tariffs to analysing grid capacity, evaluating accurate requirements for EV charging, and designing microgrids with solar generation and battery storage, it’s essential for fleets to make informed, data-driven decisions to efficiently power their fleets at the lowest possible cost.

Mike Nakrani continues: “Power supply, cost optimisation and upskilling for EVs are the key factors fleets need to prioritise next year. Support such as the government’s recently announced £70 million scheme for boosting motorway service area charging, and its commitment to install 300,000 public electric vehicle chargepoints by 2030, are welcomed and will help reinforce confidence in EV range.

However, fleets themselves still need to work smartly to develop their own optimised charging solutions and vehicles within their budgets.

“Working with an electrification partner to upskill their teams on obtaining vehicle and energy data, interpret it, and use it to make better decisions is also critical. Fleets doing this are already seeing a competitive advantage in many of their use cases and those that follow suit will set themselves up for success next year and for years to come.

“We predict an upsurge in the adoption of electrification-as-a-service next year to help manage the upfront financial burden. It’s a model that moves the EV investment from capex to opex through a managed service rather than purchasing the entire fleet and infrastructure, and it’s one that fleet managers are increasingly becoming interested in.”

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inter weather is predicted for many parts of the country this week, and GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging drivers to put safety first on journeys. The road safety and breakdown organisation says it’s best to postpone a journey if conditions are poor, and to ensure you check for weather updates on the radio or online before travelling.

Sweep the snow. If there’s snow as well as ice on your car, sweep it away with a brush.

Have a proper scraper designed specifically for the job of removing ice. Random sharpedged items pulled in haste from the glove compartment or door pockets are not recommended as they could damage the glass.

No hot water thank you! If you pour hot water over the

If snow slides down onto your windscreen when you’re driving, or is lifted off your car roof and into the path of another vehicle, you could be prosecuted for driving without due consideration, or even using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

The penalty is up to £2500 and three points.

Don’t leave the engine running unnecessarily when you’re stationary.

Not only is it an offence, it also wastes fuel and is bad for the environment. Ensure your numberplate is visible: clear snow, ice and dirt from your number plate. Also, make sure there’s no dirt, ice or snow covering your lights or indicators.

Offenders can be fined from £20, or £80 in areas of

“Never drive your car if you can’t see properly out of it,” says GEM road safety adviser James Luckhurst. “Not only does it greatly increase the risk of a collision, it could also land you with an expensive fine and points on your licence.

“During cold weather, factor in some extra time to scrape windscreens, remove dirt and ensure your lights are clear and working properly. The extra few minutes spent preparing properly will help avoid danger – and keep the pounds in your pocket.”

windscreen you risk cracking it, simply because glass expands quickly when it heats.

Invest in a can of de-icer. It’s a great time-saver in extreme cold when ice layers are particularly thick on your windscreen.

London.

Don’t splash pedestrians in wet weather.

Tips for drivers

Don’t fall foul of the law:

You risk a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence if you’re caught – with the risk of much higher penalties if the case goes to court.

GEM has assembled a quick guide to de-icing your car before a journey, and also identifies how you should stay on the right side of the law:

Check you can see all round.

Get your lights right.

You must be able to see clearly out of every window, so ensure you have removed all ice and snow before you set off. Ensure mirrors are clear and all windows are free from condensation.

Failure to do so could lead to a £1000 fine and three penalty points.

Don’t rely on automatic light settings or daytime running lights during the winter. You must use dipped headlights at night and whenever visibility is seriously reduced. You should only use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced, and remember to switch them off when visibility improves. Failing to do so can lead to a £50 fine.

GEM’s simple guide to deicing your car: Use a cover. If you need to keep your car outside overnight, consider placing a cover over the windscreen as this will keep it free from ice.

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Remove snow from the car roof and bonnet.

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Hyundai KONA Wins at the Company Car and Van Awards

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he All-new Hyundai KONA has been named Medium Car of the Year at the annual Company Car and Van Awards, praised for its broad powertrain selection – from petrol to fully electric – as well as its advanced technology and practicality.

packages in the B-SUV segment, including the widest range of powertrains. Compared to the previous generation KONA, its length is now 4,350 mm, 145 mm longer than the previous generation launched in 2017, with a wheelbase of 2,660 mm, which is 60 mm longer. Its width is 1,825 mm, which is 25 mm wider, and the height is 20 mm taller at 1,585 mm.

Andrew Walker, Company Car and Van Editor, said: “For company car drivers & fleet managers alike, KONA is available as pure ICE as well as EV and hybrid, so it's a car that works for the way you drive. All models feature a top class cabin with plenty of space & they're fitted with up to date tech & safety features. Furthermore, the overall build quality puts others to shame. Hyundai are on a roll at the moment & the latest KONA only enhances that.”

Among the upgrades are dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, full Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) which will also be able to support future Feature on Demand applications. Fitted as standard across the all-new KONA range is Bluetooth, DAB radio, LIVE services, MapCare, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, steering wheel controls and front and rear USB C charging points.

The second-generation KONA offers one of the most comprehensive product

Since it was first revealed in early 2023, All-new KONA has been praised by experts across

the industry, named Auto Express Car of the Year, as well Best Company Car and Best Small SUV. Carbuyer chose Allnew KONA as its Best Small Family Car. Tim White, Head of Fleet, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “With All-new KONA we took a car that was already a hit with our fleet and business customers, and emphasised everything they loved. With petrol, hybrid and EV versions, we have a broad spectrum of offerings and price points covered but there’s a unity among them; every version of KONA is stylish, generously equipped with technology to make our users’ lives easier and comes with the peace-of-mind of our renowned build quality and five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. The fleet market has been a core focus for KONA, and the endorsement of publications that know this market best is a testament to the meticulous development of this car.”

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suzu UK is proud to announce that the Isuzu D-Max has once again secured the prestigious Pick-Up of the Year 2024 award from Company Car & Van magazine. This marks the third consecutive win for the Isuzu D-Max in this category, a testament to its unrivalled performance and versatility in meeting the needs of small to medium fleets.

Celebrating its fourteenth year in the industry, Company Car & Van magazine stands as a beacon of expertise for fleet managers and company directors overseeing fleets of fewer than 100 units. As a trusted motoring publication and website, it caters to those with the authority to shape their company's vehicle fleet, providing invaluable insights into the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the automotive sector. Recognised for its insightful analysis and comprehensive reviews, the magazine assists decision-makers in making informed choices that align with the unique demands of their business operations. Company Car & Van continues to play a pivotal role in guiding professionals toward vehicles that not only meet their practical needs but also align with the ever-evolving landscape of corporate mobility.

The award handover took place at Isuzu UK's headquarters in Solihull, near Birmingham, where Isuzu UK Managing Director Alan Able graciously received the honour.

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher at Company Car & Van, expressed, "Despite the arrival of a number of new competitors in 2023, the Isuzu D-Max is yet again our Pick-up of the Year for 2024. Why? It offers the most comprehensive range of single, extended & double cabs in the sector with a plethora of conversions offered as well. The recent facelift has increased its appeal, and with the on-trend tech and safety features on board that customers want, it ticks those boxes too. Most importantly, if you need a pick-up to be a pick-up, it does the tough stuff as well.”

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Alan Able, Managing Director at Isuzu UK, commented on the win, "We are honoured to receive the Pick-Up of the Year award for the third consecutive year. This recognition is a testament to the commitment of Isuzu to providing high-quality, reliable vehicles that meet the diverse needs of our customers."

The award-winning Isuzu D-Max line-up offers a range of vehicles tailored to different preferences and business requirements.

specifications such as keyless entry, push-button start, dualzone climate control, leather interior, and a reversing camera. It also features a 7-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Adventure Range •

V-Cross: Best-selling in this range, it adds a 9-inch multimedia system, an eightspeaker sound system, and distinctive gun-metal grey exterior styling elements.

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Arctic Trucks AT35: Takes the VCross even further with additional accessories created for extreme off-roaders, including 35” tyres, elevated Bilstein suspension, widened wheel arches, custom sidebars, and AT35 styling on the outside and around the cabin.

Business Range •

Utility: Aimed at businesses, the Utility model comes with single, extended, or double-cab body styles. It features a wipe-clean vinyl floor covering, hardwearing cloth upholstery, and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.

All-purpose Range •

DL20: Adds features like heated front seats, rear parking sensors, 18-inch silver alloy wheels, and a colour-matched front bumper.

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DL40: Builds on the DL20 with a premium feel inside the cabin, including SUV-like

Isuzu D-Max continues to lead the way in providing a comprehensive range of tough and reliable vehicles that cater to the diverse needs of businesses and fleet managers, securing its position as the Pick-Up of the Year for 2024.

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ubaru (UK) Ltd recorded a 73.18% increase in vehicle sales over 2022, finishing 2023 at 2,409 units registered.

September proved particularly strong for the brand, providing 23% of the year's sales.

buyers. With its renowned AllWheel-Drive system and focus on safety, along with the brand's respected reliability record, the Forester continues to be a favourite among Subaru owners.

Subaru e-BOXER self-charging technology, which combines petrol engines and compact, lightweight Lithium-ion batteries, to provide a seamless, smooth, and more efficient drive.

The improvement in sales year-onyear vastly outperforms the UK automotive industry, which finished the year up 17.9% at 1,903,054 total units according to the latest data from the SMMT. With a growth of 73.18%, Subaru was one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in the UK last year, ending the year in the top three vehicle makes.

16% of Subaru sales during 2023 were Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). The Solterra is the first allelectric zero-tailpipe emission vehicle launched by the brand and stays true to its Subaru heritage thanks to its go-anywhere capability.

The Solterra boasts a class-leading ground clearance and Subaru’s AllWheel-Drive system that includes Dual-Function X-MODE®, along with the latest generation of premium safety equipment.

The Subaru Forester was the brand’s highest-selling model with the Premium trim level proving the most popular amongst Subaru

Mild-hybrid vehicles (MHEV) comprised 52% of the Subaru sales mix. The Subaru Forester, XV and the new Crosstrek model utilise the

Alex Sheward, National Sales Manager at Subaru (UK) Ltd said “2023 was a good year for the brand. Everyone at Subaru UK, and its dedicated dealer network, has worked hard to provide sales volumes for our customers, which are now getting back to pre-COVID and component shortage levels.

2024 promises to be another strong year, with further growth expected following the introduction of the new Crosstrek model and as our allelectric Subaru Solterra firmly cements itself into the Subaru UK model line-up.”

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olvo Cars sets a new global sales record as the company reports full-year sales of 708,716 cars during 2023, an increase of 15 per cent compared with the full year of 2022.

The all-time-high sales record is a demonstration of Volvo Cars’ strong electrified product portfolio in combination with a more stabilised supply chain.

Volvo Cars also saw a significant increase in sales for its electrified cars. Last year, Volvo Cars sold 113,419 fully electric cars, an increase of 70 per cent compared with 2022, and 152,561 plug-in hybrid cars, which was a 10 per cent increase compared with 2022. Sales of fully electric cars accounted for 16 per cent of all Volvo cars sold globally during 2023.

For the month of December, Volvo Cars sold 76,015 cars globally, an increase of 5 per cent compared with the same period in 2022.

European sales reached 294,794 cars during 2023, an increase of 19 per cent compared with 2022.

Volvo Cars’ line-up of Recharge cars, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, accounted for 59 per cent of all the cars sold in the region last year.

Volvo Cars’ US sales for 2023 amounted to 128,701 cars, up 26 per cent compared with the full year of 2022. The number of Recharge cars sold increased by 28 per cent and accounted for 28 per cent of all cars sold in the US during the year.

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Sales in China grew 5 per cent compared with 2022, resulting in 170,091 cars sold during 2023. Overall, sales of Recharge cars grew 26 per cent during the January-to-December period.

For 2023, the Volvo XC60 was the top-selling model with sales reaching 228,646 cars (2022: 195,338 cars), followed by the XC40 with total sales of 200,670 cars (2022: 169,206 cars), and the XC90 at 107,549 cars (2022: 97,130 cars).

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A Electric Vehicles, the UK’s first multi-brand electric vehicle company, has announced its exciting plan to introduce all-new automotive brands and accelerate its dealer network growth in 2024.

In addition to DFSK, IA has been appointed as the authorised UK distributor for leading EV OEMs Seres and Skywell with sales due to commence in Q2 2024.

With an advanced range of next-generation electric vehicles, robust support packages and flexible finance solutions, IA is ideallypositioned to assist the decarbonisation of the automotive sector and help achieve the UK’s net zero targets.

Officially introduced to the UK at the London EV Show in December, Seres is a California-based manufacturer and a subsidiary of the Seres Group - an A-Share listed company with over 10,000 employees globally.

The Seres 3 electric SUV was the first of this new line of vehicles to be unveiled and received an excellent response at the London EV Show. A perfect blend of style, performance and practicality, the Seres 3 is competitively priced from less than £30,000 and will go on sale in April 2024.

Set to be launched in the UK in Q2 2024, Skywell is one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive brands; globally-renowned for its cutting-edge technology and sleek designs. Going on sale in the summer, the Skywell

ET5 is a premium and sophisticated mid-size SUV with a practical range of 304 miles (WLTP).

Gary White, General Manager at IA Electric Vehicles, commented: “This is a very exciting time for IA Electric Vehicles as we welcome Seres and Skywell into the family, alongside DFSK. Both brands are highly respected around the world and their technology, comfort and refinement are a perfect match for the UK marketplace”.

To facilitate the strong sales growth anticipated for 2024, IA Electric Vehicles is encouraging dynamic single- and multi-site automotive dealerships from across the UK to get in touch about exciting franchise opportunities with low investment costs by visiting www.iaelectricvehicles. co.uk/franchise-opportunities

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fter only a month since the reveal of the All-New Dacia Duster, thousands of UK drivers are already interested in making the robust SUV their new car in 2024.

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have registered their interest so far via the Dacia UK website. In over a decade of the brand officially being in the UK, it is the shortest time in which so many people have signed-up for updates on a forthcoming new Dacia model.

Since initial details were released of the new model at the end of November, 5,510 people

Even the festivities didn’t distract those who want to find out more about the All-New Duster, with

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45 people even putting their name down on Christmas Day! With the number increasing daily it’s an early indication that the All-New Duster will strengthen the model’s standing as the most popular Dacia with UK car buyers.

Due to arrive at Dacia UK’s nationwide retailers during the

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second quarter of this year, the All-New Duster is the latest chapter in the model’s success story.

Encapsulating all the merits of the previous versions, it enhances the SUV’s multiaward-winning formula with Dacia’s distinctive new design and the addition of the latest technologies, from hybrid

drivetrains to advancements in safety and comfort. As a result, it is now more spacious, connected, sustainable and capable than ever.

Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said: “The All-New Duster is already making waves well ahead of its launch and it’s great to see thousands of people recognise

what it offers and what it stands for. It’s the brand’s boldest and most advanced model, but is still Dacia to the core, blending technological progress with robustness, outstanding value, and usability. It’s no surprise that thousands of UK car buyers already have it on their most wanted list for 2024.”

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JEFFRIES OF BACTON

STARTIN TRACTORS

CULVERWELL CARS

DUCKWORTH ISUZU

Stowmarket, Suffolk JEFFRIESOFBACTON-ISUZU.CO.UK 01449 781 131

Robertsbridge, East Sussex CULVERWELL-ISUZU.CO.UK 01580 880 567

Ashby Road, Twycross STARTINTRACTORS-ISUZU.CO.UK 01827 880 088

YORK VAN CENTRE

Station Lane, York YORKVANCENTRE-ISUZU.CO.UK 01904 470 170

London Road, Boston DUCKWORTH.CO.UK/ISUZU 01205 725 700

All fuel consumption and emission values are based on the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test cycle which uses real-world driving data. Official fuel economy for the standard Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Low 25.1–27.6 (10.2–11.2). Mid 31.4–36.4 (7.8–9.0). High 36.0–39.4 (7.2–7.8). Extra-High 29.0–30.8 (9.2–9.7). Combined 30.7–33.6 (8.4–9.2). CO2 emissions 220–241 g/km.

Visit Isuzu.co.uk or contact your local Isuzu dealership for more information.