Farming Monthly National March 2023

• Bale preservative

o Safe for all animals

o Baler safe

o Stronger than the competition keeping application rates low

o Bale Hay and Straw up to 30% moisture

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• Precision moisture sensor via smart device or integrated to the baler

• Wet bale marker for easy separation of high moisture bales

• Market leading precision with zero calibration required

RuralPaymentsAgencyopensapplication windowsforfarmpaymentsfor2023

Theapplication windowforthe BasicPayment Scheme(BPS) andtheclaim windowfor existingCountryside Stewardship(CS)revenue andEnvironmental Stewardship(ES) agreementshasopened (Tuesday14March).

BasicPaymentScheme

Lastyear,BPSadvance paymentsweremadeinthe summerforthefirsttimeto helpfarmerswiththeir cashflow,withbalance paymentsmadefrom December.Thischangetothe BPSpaymentcyclewill continueandthisyear advancepaymentsofaround 50%ofthetotalwillbemade fromthestartofAugust2023.

DirectPayments,currently paidthroughBPS,arebeing steadilyphasedoutthroughto 2027asthegovernment introducestheEnvironmental LandManagementschemes. Aspartofthisprocess,we plantoreplaceBPS

withdelinkedpaymentsbased onafarmer’saverageBPS paymentsforthe2020to 2022schemeyears.The paymentswillbereduced eachyearastheyarephased out.Farmersmustclaimand beeligibleforBPSpayments inthe2023schemeyearto receivedelinkedpaymentsfor 2024to2027.

Crosscompliancewillend afterthe2023schemeyear

andwillnotapplytodelinked payments,althoughthevast majorityofstronglegal standardsfortheenvironment andanimalhealthandwelfare willcontinueandthesewillbe enforcedinafairand proportionateway.Wewill workwithfarmerstogetit rightandgivethemachance toself-correctbeforetaking strongeraction,forexample byincreasingtheuseof warningletters,where appropriate,ratherthan immediatelydefaultingto paymentpenalties.

CountrysideStewardship andEnvironmental Stewardship

For2023theRuralPayments Agency(RPA)has supplementedtheexisting onlineclaimprocessforCS withamore straightforwardannual declarationoptionincases wherenochangesare required.Thiswillbeavailable intheRuralPayments service,withfarmersableto generateandsubmitan automatedrevenueclaim withoutneedingtocomplete eachsectionoftheclaim form.

Allfarmersmustsubmita claimorannualdeclarationfor CSandEStoreceive paymentforworkscarriedout in2023.

RuralPaymentsAgency ChiefExecutivePaul Caldwellsaid:

“Iknowtheimportanceof

cashflowtoruralbusinesses atthistime.Iampleasedthat wehavecontinuedtoachieve astrongperformancetohelp farmersdeliversustainable foodproductionalongside environmentalactionsto enhanceandsupportnature.

“Iencouragealleligible farmerstosubmittheir applicationsandclaimsas soonaspossibletoensure thatnoonemissesout.”

Thegovernmentiscommitted toinvesting£2.4billionper yearintothefarmingsector fortherestofthisparliament –withallthemoneyfrom reducedBPSpaymentsbeing reinvestedintothesector throughourongoing paymentsandone-offgrants underourEnvironmentalLand Managementschemes.

InJanuary,thegovernment setoutdetailedplansonthe improvedandexpanded SustainableFarmingIncentive (SFI)andCountryside Stewardship,aswellas increasedpaymentrates throughCountryside StewardshipandanewSFI ManagementPaymentworth upto£1,000tohelpmanage costs.

Theschemesoffersomething foreveryfarmer,withsix furtherSFIstandardsopenfor applicationsthissummer,and evenmoreactionstobe addedtobothschemesnext year.

NFUlaunchesfarmbusinessresilienceplans

TheNFUhastoday launcheditsvision forboostingfarm businessresilience andclimate-friendly farmingacrossall Britishfarmingsectors.

Thesector-specificplans, launchedattheNFU’sannual conference,outlinehowfarm businessescanunlockthe benefitsofincreasedefficiency andlowercostswhileimproving thesustainableproductionof food,energyandfibre.

Theplansmapoutthedifferent priorityareasforeachsector, includingincreasingbusiness resilience,andidentifieswhat governmentpoliciesareneeded toovercomekeychallenges, suchasincentivisingrecognised carbonandnutrient benchmarkingandaccounting,to supportclimate-friendlyfarming.

NFUDeputyPresidentTom Bradshawsaid:“Inthecurrent economicclimate,theproduction ofaffordable,climate-friendly food,energyandfibreismore importantthanever.YetBritish farmersfacehugechallenges, fromextremeweathereventsto cripplingenergy,feedand fertilisercosts,whicharelimiting ourabilitytodeliverthesecrucial productsforthenation.

“Toovercomethesebarriers,we needtobuildresilienceintoour agri-foodsupplychainsby improvingefficiency,increasing on-farmcarbonstorageand producingmorerenewable energy.Thiswillenableamore sustainablefutureforfarm businesses,bothfinanciallyand environmentally,andamore securesupplyofBritishfood,fuel andfibreforthecountry.

“Smartandefficientfarming–

climate-friendlyfarming–isat theheartofbuildingbusiness resiliencewiththepotentialto helpfarmersandgrowersreduce costs,increasemarketaccess andbuildthesustainability credentialsofBritishfood,all whilereducinggreenhousegas emissions.AndifwewantBritish foodtocontinuetobethe productofchoiceforpeopleat homeandabroad,itisessential thatwehavethedataand evidencetoshowwereallyare producingclimate-friendlyfood.

“Thesesectorplansarejusta startingpointandthereismuch moreworktodowithin government,theindustry,and researchanddevelopment,ifwe arealltobesuccessfulinour collectiveambitiontoreachnet zero.”

HayAndStrawBalingMadeEasier I

tisthetimeofyear againwherehay makingisuponus. Allthemachineryis servicedandready forwork,butit cannotanswerthequestion whichraisesitheadeveryyear–WILLTHEWEATHERBE FAVOURABLE.Nomatterhow muchmoneyisputintothelatest teddersandbalersifthehayisto wettobaleitwillproducepoor qualityforage.Themostcosteffectiveweatherinsuranceis Baler’sChoicehaypreservative. Itallowsthemoisturewindowto beincreasedfrom0-15%upto 30%moisturewithnoneedfor singleuseplasticandallthe disposalandhandlingissuesand costplasticcauses.

Baler’sChoiceisthestrongest haypreservativeonthemarket formaslittleas1.9litresper tonneupto22%moistureon roundbalesand20%onlarge square.Ithasbeenprovenand testedinallgrassandstraw types.Thereisnocompromise onreliable,repeatableresults. Baler’sChoiceforhayandstraw upto30%moistureisapplied usingthelatestapplication technologyavailable.Forthose

userswho donotwant tocommitto thefully automatic applicator thenweoff thesmaller budgetthen weofferthe PFCForage Solutions applicator. Thisisa digitalcontrol unitwitha12 litreper minuteacid compatible gearpump. Settingthedosepertonneand themachinesoutputthesystem willapplyproductreliably.All balerscanhavetheprecision moisturemeterinstalled.

Oncethecropisbaledtarpaulins arethefinalqualitystorage solutionwhenshedspaceisata premium.Withanaveragelifeof 5yearsandcostingaslittleas £0.45p/balefora120x70x240 size.Thetarpaulinshavemany uniquefeaturesprovidinga strongandsecurefastening systemsuitablefortheUKwinter

winds.Oncesecuredallstacks willsettlesowerecommend checkingevery3-4daysforthe firstfortnightthenoncemonthly orbeforeandafterstrongwinds. Atighttarpisasecureandlonglastingtarp.ThesuperCinchis aneasywaytojustpulland secureandpulldownandoutto releasemechanism.Forround balesthetarpissecuredtoropes placedunderthebalesduring stacking.Largesquarebaletarps utilisethebottomrowtwine.The steelJ-Hooksimplyhooksinto thebottomtwineandallowsthe sideropestorun throughthesteeleye. Leavingbothends openallowsforany windtopassthrough thestackandthereis nopressurechange underthetarpaulin. Duetothesecuring mechanismandthe manufacturing processofthe tarpaulinitprovides confidenceinthelong lifeoftheproduct. Simplyput,secureit, checkitandstoreit forthefollowingyear.

Office:01805603 363 Andrew:07967300 578

ShowcaseinCanadacelebrates specialtycheesefromtheUK O

ver140potential buyersattendeda showcaseeventin Canadathismonth tocelebrate specialtycheese fromtheUK.

AHDBjoinedtheUK Government'sDepartmentfor

BusinessandTradeatthe showcaseinTorontotoraise awarenessofUKcheese making,withmorethan85 varietiesofcheesesampled. IndependentCanadianretailers, aswellasbignamesincluding CostcoandSobey's,attended thesuccessfuleventtocelebrate cheeseproducersandartisans

largenumberofrepresentatives toattendtheevent.

fromtheUK.

TheDeputyHead ofMissionforthe BritishHigh Commission Ottawa,Dave Prodgerwelcomed guestsand thankedthemfor theircontinued supportforUK cheesemakers.

AHDB'sNorth Americaagentfor dairyPaulBlake wasinstrumental insecuringsucha

Paulsaid:"Wearethrilledthatso manyretailersandpotential buyersturnedupforour showcasetosamplesomeofthe bestcheesetheUKhastooffer. Itwasareallysuccessfulevent andthefeedbackwereceived wasveryencouraging. "Ibelievecompetitionisgoodfor thewholeindustry.Competition createsbettersalesforthe domesticmarket,aswellasthe importmarket.Britishcheeses arestillgrowing.We'recurrently numberfiveonthelistof importedcheeses,whichis amazing."

Canadaproduceswell-known varietiessuchascheddar, parmesan,mozzarella,cream cheeseandcottagecheese. WhereastheUKmakesamuch widerrangeofdifferentcheeses, someofwhicharenotmade anywhereelse.

CoventryUniversityhelpseco-friendly weedcontrolbusinessscaleup

Aneco-friendly weed-killingsystem whichuses electricityinsteadof harmfulchemicals totreatorchards andvineyardsissettogoto marketaftersupportfrom CoventryUniversity.

RootWave,founded by AndyDiprose andbasedin KinetoninSouth Warwickshire, appliesan electricalcurrent toweedswhich causestheirroots toheatupanddie. Itavoidstheuseof conventionalherbicideswhich haveahighcarbonfootprintand candamagetheenvironment. Theinspirationforthecompany camefromAndy’sfather,DrMike Diprose,whohasaPhDin ElectricalandElectronic Engineering.Hedemonstrated theeffectivenessofthe technologyinthe1970s–althoughtheprocedurewas muchmoreexpensiveatthe time.

Andytookuphisfather’smantle

anddevelopedtheideaintoa start-up,withthepotentialto revolutioniseweedcontrolon smallandlargescales.Thefirm hadinitialsuccesswithitshandweeder‘RootWavePro’,whichis usedinparksandgardens acrosstheUKandEuropeto controlunwantedplants.

CoventryUniversityhelped RootWaveearngrantsworth morethan£30,000torefine itshand-weederproducts andpurchasesoftwareto helpitdesignsystemsfor larger-scaleweedcontrol.

Andysaid:“Thereareso manyreasonswhyan alternativesystemofweed controlisneededtoday.

“Forexample,weedsare becomingmoreresistantto herbicidesthroughoveruse, governmentsarerecognisingthe harmthatherbicidescancause, andconsumersarealsochoosier abouttheprovenanceoftheir food,sothebusinesscasefor farmerstoswitchisalsostronger thanever.

“It’sbeengreattoseehow effectiveourhand-weedershave beenincontrollingJapanese

knotweed–anotoriously persistentweed–acrossmany parksandgardensintheUKand Europe,whichhasgivenusa greatbasetobuildon.”

Continuedadviceonscalingits productsandaccessinggrant moneyfromtheuniversityhas seenRootWavegrowitsstaffto 41employeesanddevelopa largerscalesystemforfarming settolaunchlaterthisyear.

Thesystemisattachedtothe backofatractorwhichdrives betweencropsandhasmetal contactswhich‘zap’anyweeds growingneartovinesortrees. Andyadded:“Theinitialsupport andthegrantsawardedtous throughCoventryUniversitywere ahugelysignificantpartofour growthasacompany.Allstartupsneedmoney,soitwas fantasticthattheyrecognisedour potential.

“Thelaunchofournewsystem fororchardsandvineyardswill beanexcitingnewchapterfor RootWaveandwe’rereally positiveaboutthefuture.”

CatherineColby-Johnson, BusinessDeliveryManagerat CoventryUniversity,said:“When wefirstmetAndyandheard aboutRootWave,itwasclearit wasanambitiousidea withalotofpromise. WeencouragedAndy toapplyforgrant moneyindifferentpots andguidedhim throughtheapplication processes.

“It’sfantastictosee howmuchRootWave hasgrownandthatit isclosetolaunching itssystemforlarge scaleagriculture.

“We’dencourage similarinnovativestartupstogetintouchto seeiftheycanbenefit fromoursupport.”

BSIandDefralaunchNature InvestmentStandardsProgramme

BSI,initsroleasthe UKNational StandardsBody, todayannounces thelaunchofa NatureInvestment StandardsProgrammein partnershipwith theDepartmentfor Environment,Food&Rural Affairs(Defra),startingwitha discoveryphase.

Thisisoneofasuiteof interventionstheUK governmentisputtinginplace aspartofitsforthcomingGreen FinanceStrategyandNature MarketsFrameworktoboost marketconfidenceandincrease privatesectorinvestmentinto naturerecoveryandnaturefriendlyfarming.Thiswill ultimatelyhelptoaccelerate progressonenvironmental goalssuchasreversing biodiversitylossandachieving netzero.

Theprogrammeisdesignedto overcomebarrierstoinvesting innatureandtheservicesit provides,includingaddressing thelackofstandardised, transparentdata.The programmewilldrivea consistentapproachand provideabenchmarkfor industrycodestoberecognised assufficientlyrobustand credible.

DefraandBSIwillworkclosely withtheDevolved Administrationsandawide rangeofstakeholderstocreate anew,consensus-based,UKwidestandards’frameworkthat setsoutclearprinciplesand robustrequirementstodrive efficiency,greaterclarityand rigour.Thiswillincludethe identification,prioritization,and developmentofstandardsto addresskeymarketgaps.

Theobjectivesofthe programmeareto:

•Enablescalingupofhigh integritymarketsthattrade inecosystemservicesto supporttheflowofprivate sectorinvestmentinto nature

•Buildtrustandconfidence forallmarketparticipantsby guardingagainst greenwashing

•Drivenature’srecoveryand accelerateprogresson environmentalgoals includingnetzeroand reversingbiodiversityloss

•Empowerregulatorsand otherexpertbodiesto engagewithandsupportthe developmentofnature marketsthatarerobust, transparent,andfair

Thisinitiativebuildsonthe progressmadeinternationally andwilltakeaccountofthe forthcomingpublicationsby initiatives,launchedunderthe UK’sCOP26Presidency,that areseekingtoestablish integritystandardsinthe voluntarycarbonmarket. ThroughtheBSIinitiative,the UKisbuildingonbestpractice andpositioningitselfatthe forefrontinternationallyin buildinghighintegritynature markets.

ScottSteedman,Director–General,StandardsatBSI commented:"Enablinghigh integritynaturemarketscan helpbuildconfidence,attract investment,andempowerland managersandother stakeholderstodeliverprojects thatcanachievemeaningful environmentalimpact.Thisis importantatatimewhenthese

marketsareemerging,toguard againstgreenwashing,andhas thepotentialtooffersubstantial benefitstosociety.

We’redelightedtobe partneringwithDefra,the DevolvedAdministrationsand industrytoshapeastandards frameworksupportinghigh integritynaturemarketsby providingimprovedrigour, consistencyandclarity. Ultimatelythiscanhelp accelerateprogresstowardsa sustainableworld.”

LordBenyon,Environmentand GreenFinanceMinister, said:“Torestorelandscapes andhelpfundthetransitionto naturefriendlyfarming,we needtomobiliseinvestment intothenaturalenvironment andprioritisecleangrowth.

“Wearepleasedtobe partneringwiththeBSIto shapeUKstandardstosupport investmentinlong-term, sustainablenaturerecoveryas partofourforthcomingGreen FinanceStrategyandNature MarketsFramework.

“Thesestandardswillprovide clarityandstructureinnature marketsanddriveastepchangeintheroleofprivate financeinaddressingnature’s decline,buildingondomestic andinternationalpractices, initiativesandinnovation.”

Theinitialdiscoveryphase, whichwillincludeextensive stakeholderengagement,will takeplaceuntiltheendofMay, withtheoverallprogrammedue torunforthreeyears.

Visittheprogrammeweb pagetolearnmoreandsignup togetinvolved.

Ontheruraleconomy,MarkTufnell,Presidentofthe

After12yearsin charge,itisstill difficulttoseewhat –ifany–ambition thegovernment hasfortherural economy.Ruralbusinesses continuetobeheldbackby apathyinpublicpolicy,notleast intheplanningsystemthat activelyholdsback entrepreneursfromgenerating growth.

"Theruraleconomyis19%less productivethanthenational average.Closingthisgap wouldadd£43bntothenational economy.Nothinginthis budgetwillunlockthatvast potential.Thegovernment needstoshowitisontheside ofhard-workingruralfamilies

andbusinessowners,thatit matchestheirambitionandis seriousaboutgrowingthe economy.Theyneedurgently tocomeforwardwitharobust planthatwillremovethe considerablebarriersrural businesses,andcommunities, facetotheirfuturesuccess."

Onapotentialchange, followingaconsultation,tothe definitionofagricultureto includeenvironmentaldelivery forIHTpurposes(4.32in Budgetbook)

"TheCLAhascampaigned extensivelytochangethe definitionofagricultureinthe taxsystemtoinclude ecosystemservices.Itisvital togivefarmersandlandowners

theconfidencetheyneedto engagewithenvironmental delivery,improvingbiodiversity andcarbonsequestration. Withoutthischange,wewillsee aperverseoutcomewhereby forwardthinking,naturefriendly farmingwillbepunishedbythe taxsystem.

"Thischangewouldalsoserve toencouragefarmerstolook afreshatenteringinto EnvironmentalLand Managementschemes(ELM). Forallthechallengesfacedby transitioningawayfromtheold EUschemes,ELMhaslaida paththatisworthwalking,and weencouragefarmerstolook verycarefullyatthem.

Entriesand nominationsare nowopenforthe 2023British FarmingAwards, shiningalighton thededicatedandsustainable workdeliveredeverydayby farmersacrosstheUK.

Sponsoredby Morrisons,theannual eventmakesa welcomereturnas trustandconfidencein Britishfarmersfrom consumerscontinuestosoar. Alongsidefarming'score sectors–dairy,beef,sheep, arableandcontracting–there isalsorecognitioninother valuedgroupssuchasfamily farms,students,newentrants, agri-techandthehugenumber offarmdiversifications,which arenowsocrucialtomany businesses.

Theawardsalsowelcome nominationsofbusinesses whichhaveintroducedpositive

changeswhetherthatbe embracingtechnology, streamliningproductionand efficiency,educatingthepublic aboutfoodprovenanceor revampingtheirbusiness modelsthroughdiversification. SophieThroup,MorrisonsHead

OliviaMidgley,Editorof FarmersGuardian,said:

ofAgriculture,Fisheriesand SustainableSourcing,said: "Aslong-termsupportersof Britishfarming,wewantto thankfarmersacrossthe countryfortheworkthey continuetodointhese challengingtimes.

"Wewanttosupportthe recognitionoftheeffort,care, innovationandskillsBritish farmersputintomakingand providingfoodweareallproud of."

"WeknowtheUKishometo someofthebestandbrightest farmingtalentintheworld. Fromitsrichhistoryin technologyand innovation,its placeinfeedingan ever-growing populationand,of course,nurturing ournaturalworld–thereareinfinite reasonstobeproudof.

"Thatiswhywebelieveour BritishFarmingAwardsareso importantandtoenjoyour world-classindustryandthe peoplebehinditwhomakeit tickandgothatextramile." Theclosingdateforentriesis June23.

Formoreinformationon applyingortonominatean individualvisitwww.

britishfarmingawards.co.uk

NewUKcompanyhelpsfarmersthrive despiteimpactsofclimatechange

limateSpheresUK isaninnovative start-upona missiontohelpUK farmersfindways tothrive,reliably andsustainably,despiteour rapidlychangingclimate.

Manyfarmersarealreadyfeeling theimpactsofourchanging climateandrecognisethatthe changeswillcontinueto accelerate.Butwhatcanthey do?Howcanourfamilyfarms adapttoensurethattheywill continuetosucceed?What financialopportunitiesmight therebeforfarmersinhelpingto mitigateclimatechange?

ClimateSpheresUK(CSUK) offersscience-basedsolutions, enablingfarmerstoadaptto climatechangeinarobustand cost-effectiveway.CSUKgives farmersthetools,knowledgeand strategytoensurethattheirfarm isfuture-proofandremains profitableastheUKclimate becomesmoreextreme,while beingwellpositionedtobenefit fromtheagriculturaltransition andNetZeroopportunities. CSUKprovidesdata, consultancy,educationand guidestofunding.

HowdoesClimateSpheresUK work?

ClimateSpheresUKfocuseson threespecificproductsand servicestoaddressadaptationto climatechange:

1)CSUKhasdeveloped proprietarytoolstoperformindepthanalysisofthespecific agriculturalimpactsthatclimate changewillhaveatanindividual farmlocation.Climatechangeis usuallydiscussedintermsof temperatureandrainfallchanges overbroadareasofthecountry. However,CSUK'sproprietary modelandservicesenable farmerstounderstandthe

specificimpactsclimatechange willhaveontheirspecificfarm,in termsrelevanttotheday-to-day runningofthefarmbusiness.

Basedonthis,ClimateSpheres UKprovidesadviceonfinancial impact,sustainability,potential risks,andplanningfocuses, workingwiththefarmerto identifypracticaladaptation measuresandevaluatethese basedontheireffectivenessfor thespecificfarmanditslocation, thecostandanybarriersto implementation.

2)CSUKhasidentifiedindustrial hempasahigh-potentialcropto givefarmersanewsourceof incomethatbenefitssoilhealth andsequesterscarbon.There areover50varietiesthatcan groweasilyindifferentareasof theUK.CSUKwillhelpfarmers findtherightvarietyfortheir farm,helpthemselectthe appropriateseed,adviseand assisttheminacquiringa growinglicenseandgrowingthe plant,andhelpthemgettheseed tomarket.Hempisfastgrowing, andonehempplantcanproduce upwardsof3,000seedsmaking itpotentiallyhighlyprofitable.

Thisisanemergingmarket. Gettinginatthestartwillafford farmersthebiggestsuccess. CSUKcanfindbuyersforthe wastehempstalktoproduce biocharforuseasasoil improver,whichsequestersa largeamountofcarbondioxide fordecadesormore,movingthe farmtowardsmeeting governmentnetzerogoals!It alsomeanstheentireplantis used–everypartreturnsvalue tomaximiseincome.

Beforethehempiseven harvested,CSUKwillhelpfinda suitablebuyerfortheseed, givingthefarmerasaleandprofit sourceandenablingthemtoplan forward.Hempisusedforawide varietyofapplicationsfromfood

andbeautyproductsto bioplastics,paper,andbuilding materials–meaningthemarket opportunityisstronganddemand isincreasing.

Customersalsobenefitfrom ClimateSpheresUK's internationalnetworkofpartners inrelevantsectorsfrombiochemicalproviders,seedsellers, academics,anddigitalsolution providers.

3)CSUKishelpingfarmersto improvetheirslurrymanagement withstate-of-the-artAnaerobic Digesters(AD).CSUKcanassist withdevelopingthebusiness planformaximisingeconomic returns,selectingtherightAD unitforthespecificfarm,plus helpwithmeetingenvironmental requirements.

"Farmersneedtogetaheadof theimpactsofClimateChange. Theyneedtounderstandhow theirspecificfarmwillbeaffected andwhattheycandotoensure, notjustsurvival,butprofitability, inthefuture.Thisisessential, notjustforthefarmers themselves,butforallofuswho relyonfarming,initsmyriad forms,intheUK.Climate SpheresUKhasbeencreatedto ensurefarmersareabletothrive inaclimate-changed future."SaidCSUKco-founder KevinHoltzclaw.

ClimateSpheresUKhasrecently wontheUK2022JourneytoNet Zeroaward,hostedbythe SchoolofSustainableFoodand Farmingandhasdonepilot projectsinEnglandandWales.It isnowlaunchingtothewider farmingcommunityanditssupply chains,helpingthemtofutureprooftheirfarmsandtheir livelihoods.

Formoreinformationsee:https:// climate-spheresuk.com/

REVOLUTIONARYneweducationandcommercialbuildings formpartofa£10mruralcollegeredevelopment.

Backedwithmore than£5.9mfrom theWelsh Government’s Sustainable Communitiesfor LearningProgramme,Coleg CambriaistransformingitslandbasedcampusatLlysfasi,near Ruthin.

“Theywillreceiveafirst-rate experiencethatwillpreparethem forarangeofcareersinthelandbasedeconomy,andthatinturn willcreateacentreofexcellence tosupportlocalfarming.”

vibrantnewclassroomand meetingspaces,amachine workshop,jobshop,landscaping andforestwalks.

Ahubofsustainability,the collegewillusethestate-of-the artcomplextoguideandeducate thefarmingsectorandlocal communitytowardinnovative agriculturalpractices,aswellas supportingindependent businessesandusingmeatand producegrownon-sitetodrive economicoperations.

ProfessorTimWheeler,chairof governorsatColegCambria, saidtheirvisionwillhelpadvance thelandscapeofagriculturein thenortheastWalesregionand beyondforgenerationstocome.

“Thecollegeismakingamajor investmentinitsLlysfasicampus toensuretheeducationand traininginagricultureandlandbasedcoursesitoffersreflectsa forward-lookingperspectiveas theindustryevolvestomeetthe challengesofbecomingcarbon neutral,”hesaid.

“Studentswillenjoyoutstanding facilitiesinamajorbuildingthat itselfwillbecarbonneutral.

ProfessorWheeleradded:“The collegeisdelightedtohave receivedupto£6mfromthe WelshGovernmentandwillbe contributingmorethan£3mfrom itsreservestocarrythis importantinitiativeforward.

Therewillalsobebilingual informationeventsandadvice sessionstomentorlocalfarmers lookingtodiversifyanddevelop theirowncommercialprocesses.

ElinRoberts,headoftheLlysfasi site,saidtherewillbefurther promotionoftheWelshlanguage withafirmfocusonmarrying academic,agriculturalandsocial opportunitiesforlearnersandthe community.

“WeareintheheartoftheVale ofClwydbutCambria’simpact travelsfarfurtherthanthat,”she said.

“Thisdevelopmentisagame changernotonlyforfarmingbut forland-basededucation, creatingopportunitiesfor studentsbutalsosupportingthe sectorasitmovestoward innovative,technologicaland sustainablesystemsand embracesnewmethods.

“Theoverallinvestmentof around£10mwillensurethe long-term,sustainablefutureof thecampusandweareexcited toseetheseplanscometo fruition.”

Detailedproposalsalsoinclude

“Wearedelightedtoseeworkis underwayandarelayingthe foundationsforfuture generationsofourlearners.”

Visitwww.cambria.ac.ukforthe latestnewsandinformationfrom ColegCambria.

Cheshiredairyfarmerrecognisedfor grassrootscommitmenttoNFU

Adairyfarmerfrom Cheshirehasbeen honouredatNFU Conferenceforhis dedicationand commitmenttothe NFUandUKfarmingindustry. Thisyear’sMeurigRaymond Award–namedaftertheNFU’s formerPresident–waslastnight presentedtoNFUmemberPhil Smallwood.

Phil,whofarmsatMiddlewich,is wellknownforsuccessfully deliveringtheaward-winning Let’sTalkFarmingmarqueeat theRoyalCheshireShow,as wellaspromotingfarmingtothe publicatothereventsacrossthe county.Healsoworksclosely withlocalschoolstoorganise educationalvisitsand,overthe past30years,hashosted hundredsofyoungchildrenand teenagersonhisfarm.

Athird-generationfarmer,Philis alsoadedicatedsupporterof severalfarmingcharities,raising fundsforboththeRoyal

AgriculturalBenevolentInstitution (RABI)andFarmingCommunity Network.

Hesaid:“Ifeelthatasafarmer it’sreallyimportanttobegetting outthereandpromotingthe industry,that’swhyIdowhatI do.Youcan’texpectother peopletobedoingitforyou

“Itstartedmorethan30years agowhenIjoinedtheNFU,and whenIgotthepromotionaltrailer theideawastodoabouthalfa dozeneventseveryyear.Last yearwewentto29eventsand thediary’salreadyfullforthis year.”

NFUDirectorGeneralTerry Jonessaid:“I’mabsolutely delightedthatPhilhaswonthis year’sMeurigRaymondaward. Thejudgeshadtheunenviable taskofselectingoneperson,and fromoureightfantastic nominees,Philreallystoodout astheworthyoverallwinner.

“Phil’soneofthoseunsung farmingheroes.Whenhe’snot runninghisownfarming

business,he’smorethanhappy toprovideanauthenticvoiceas partofNFUcampaigns; engagingwithcolleaguesfrom acrosstheorganisation,with stakeholders,politiciansorthe mediaonarangeoffarming issues.

“Phil’scommitmentandpositivity inpromotingBritishfoodand farmingthroughouthislocal community,acrossCheshireand theNorthWest,makeshima veryworthywinnerofthisyear’s award.”

PhilSmallwood,representing NFUNorthWest,wasselected fromeightnomineesdrawnfrom eachoftheNFU’ssevenEnglish regionsandNFUCymru.The othernomineeswere:Luke Abblitt(EastAnglia),Derek Jarman(WestMidlands),Geoff Hotchkin(EastMidlands),Paula Matthews(SouthEast),Mark Humphrey(SouthWest),Martin Stephenson(NorthEast),Roger Lewis(NFUCymru).

NFUMutualLaunches£5,000Sustainability BursaryforWineStudents L

eadingruralinsurer NFUMutualhas launcheda£5,000 sustainabilityfocusedbursaryfor wineindustry students.

TheEnhancingVineyard SustainabilityAwardisthefirstof itskindandwillbeawardedtoa finalyearMScstudentat PlumptonCollegestudying ViticultureandOenology.

Theawardwillprovide£5,000 towardstravelandresearch coststosupportastudent pursuingaresearchprojectona sustainabilityissuefacingUK vineyards.

Theobjectiveofthesubstantial awardistopromotethenext generationof'moversand shakers'comingthrough PlumptonCollege,arenowned centreofexcellenceforteaching andresearchinviticulture. Theawardisopentoallstudents intheirfinalyearattheEast Sussexcollege.Thesuccessful applicantwillneedtoaddressthe contributiontheirprojectmakes towardvineyardsustainabilityin thecontextoftheUKwine industryandpresenttheir findingstotheannualPlumpton CollegeIndustryResearch Symposiumin2024.

DavidHarrison,Viticulture SpecialistatNFUMutualsaid: "Weareproudtobeofferingthe firsteverEnhancingVineyard SustainabilityAwardtoastudent atPlumptonCollege.Weare passionateaboutsupportingthe futureofwine-makingintheUK andensuringthatsustainabilityis attheheartofproduction."

JeremyKerswell,Principal atPlumptonCollege,added:"We arethrilledthatNFUMutualhas sogenerouslyofferedthisunique bursary.Sustainabilityiscrucial tothefutureoftheindustryand thisawardwillgofarin developingresearchthatwill

illuminatetheviticulturesector acrosstheUKandbeyond."

Aspartofitsongoingsupportfor theBritishwineindustry,NFU Mutualhasalsorenewedits partnershipwithindustrybody WineGB.

Thepartnershipreflectsthe leadingruralinsurer's commitmenttosupporting vineyardowners,grape-growers andwinemakersthroughout Britain.

NFUMutualprovidesinsurance andriskmanagementsolutions thatmeettheneedsofthose operatingwithintheviticulture sectorthrougheverystageofthe productionprocess,fromgrapegrowingandwinemaking,toretail andwinetourism.

Tofindyourlocalspecialist viticultureAgent, email:winegb@nfumutual.co.uk

Wherethere'smuck,there'sbrass

Thepotentialfor convertingmanure intoasustainable materialofthe futurehas highlightedthetruth intheoldsaying'Wherethere's muck,there'sbrass'.

Livestockdungistypicallyused asafertiliserorasasourceof biogasforgreenenergy applications,butitcouldbeused tocreatethenextgenerationof cellulosicmaterialsaccordingto anewreport.

Thestudy,ledbyscientistsat Scotland'sRuralCollege(SRUC) incollaborationwiththe universitiesofEdinburghand Bristol,reviewedrecentresearch intothedevelopmentofhighvaluemanure-derivedmaterials fromruminantanimalssuchas cattle.

Theyfoundthatdunghasbeen largelyoverlookedforthese

materialsdespitethe "staggering"varietyofdifferent applicationsforrecycled 'ruminantwastebiomass'(RWB). Themostcommonapplications usemanureincombinationwith othercomponentstocreate compositematerialssuchas plastic,recycledcardandpaper orconcrete.

However,itcouldalsobeused fortheextractionof nanocellulose-aprospective bio-basedandbiodegradable materialofthefuture. Currently,thereisatrade-off betweentheperformanceofthe materialandtheamountof processingrequiredtoachieve this–limitingthecapacityof RWBtoreplaceconventional materialsonacommerciallevel. Nevertheless,VijaiKumarGupta, SeniorChallengeResearch FellowatSRUC,said:"Giventhe demandforsustainablematerials andtheever-increasinginterest innanocelluloseresearch,itis

highlylikelythatitwillsoonbe broughtoutofthelabandinto factoriesandeverydayproducts. "Ruminantwastebiomasscould beinstrumentalforthetransition ofnanocelluloseproductionto largeandeconomicallyviable scales."

ProfessorVijayKumarThakur, HeadofSRUC'sBiorefiningand AdvancedMaterialsResearch Centre(BAMRC),added: "Nanocellulose,incombination withothermaterialssuchas polymers,metalsandceramics, hashugepotentialforusein antibacterialagents,antioxidants, sensors,electromagnetic shieldingdevices,adsorbentsin watertreatment,fuelcells, electrochromicandinbiomedical applications."

Thestudyispartofaresearch projectbyThomasHarrison,a PhDstudentatSRUCandthe UniversityofEdinburgh,andwas publishedbyScienceDirect.

UKFARMERS'MISSIONTOSEND 1004x4STOSUPPORTUKRAINE

AgroupofintrepidUK farmersarelooking forsupportintheir endeavourto supply4x4vehicles totheUkrainian frontline.

vehicles.Theyareeagertohear fromanyonewhocoulddonate anoldpick-uporother4x4as wellasmoneytohelpgetthe vehiclestoUkraine.

Vehiclescanbeupto15years oldandhavemore than100mileson theclock,anMOT andgoodtyres.It costsaround£1200 totransporteach vehicleandprovide accommodation andtransportfor thevolunteer driversbacktothe UK.

Volunteersonthe mostrecenttrip camefromfarming

strongconnectionstoUkraine.

VinceGillinghamsaid:"Ukraine isunderattack,andtheyare desperatelyshortoffour-wheeldrivenon-militaryvehicleswhich arecrucialtogetfoodand medicinetotheirtroops.We haveplentyofthesevehiclesin theUK.

"Itissoinspiringtoseethegood inthepeoplewhohavegiven theirvehicles,timeandmoneyto thisproject.Itgivesyoualotof hopefortheworldtoseean18year-oldwhohasonlyjust passedhistestdrivingallthe waytoUkraine.

Thefarmersandothers workingintheagricultural sectorhavejustdelivered theirfirstconsignmentof 224x4,vehiclestoLvivin westernUkraine,where theyarebeingusedto ferryinjuredanddead soldiersfromthefrontline tohospitals.

Thegroupareplanning monthlymissionsuntil Junewiththeaimof sendingatleast100

communities allaroundthe UK,the youngest participant being18years oldandthe oldest76.

Theprojectis spearheaded byVince Gillingham andMark Laird,bothof whomhave

"IknowUkrainewellbutformost ofourtravellingcompanionsit wastheirfirstvisit,anditwas remarkabletoseehow strongthecultural connectionswere.Our Ukrainiancontactscould notbelievethattheUK farmingcommunitywould dothisforthem.Iurge anyonewhocandonatea vehicleormoneytohelp usbuyvehiclesandpay otherexpensesforthese missionstogetintouch."

MarkLairdsaid:"Beinno doubt,thesevehiclesare savinglives,andUkraine willtakeasmanyaswe cansendthem.Ukraineis afarmingnation,andmanyUK cerealproducershavedonewell thisyearonthebackofhigh grainpricesandwouldliketo givesomethingback.

"IhaveworkedinUkrainefor muchofmyprofessionallife,and lovethecountryandits extremelycleverandfriendly people.Pleasehelpuswiththis humanitariangesture-anything thatwecandotohelpasfarmers isinvaluable."

MarcJansenappointednewCEOatTriolietB.V.

Trioliethas appointedMarc Jansenasitsnew ChiefExecutive Officer(CEO)as of1March2023.Hesucceeds RobertLiet,whohasserved asManagingDirectorof Triolietsince2007.Robertwill remaincloselyinvolvedinthe ongoinggrowthand developmentofTriolietas shareholderandasmanaging directorofTriolietHolding.

MarchasbeenaProduction andLogisticsManagerat Triolietsince2018andisalso

amemberofthemanagement team.Hehasextensive experienceasamanagerin variousrolesatvarious companies.

Marc(53)ismarried,has threechildrenandlivesin Raalte,Overijssel(NL).Asa farmer’sson,hehasbroad experienceoftheagricultural sector.Hehasbuiltupan impressiveservicerecordand willnowusehisknowledge andexperiencetosupport Trioliet'songoinggrowth. Triolietisspecialistand marketleaderinfeeding

technologyfordairyfarming. In2022,salesamountedto approximatelyEUR100 million,withthecompany employing375membersof staff.Furthergrowthis expectedfor2023.

Continuingthegrowth trajectory

AsthenewCEO,Marc Jansenseesitashismission tomaintainTrioliet’sgrowth trajectory.“Wewillcontinueto implementTrioliet’ssuccessful internationalexpansion strategyandaccelerateour development,”hestates.

hronicincreaseof 'hiddenhomelessness' inthecountryside fuelledbycostofliving crisis,groundbreaking reportshows

•Ayearlongstudyexposesa surgeinruralroughsleepingsince thepandemichasbeenworsened bythecostoflivingcrisis

•Accordingtoanalysisofofficial statistics,roughsleepinginrural areasshotup24%injust oneyear

•Highhousingcostsinprosperous areasblamedfora'hidden homelessness'crisis–with 'shameandstigma'keepingmost vulnerablenotrecordedin officialstatistics

Thecountrysideisbattlinga'hidden homelessness'crisisdrivenbysoaring housingcostsandagapingshortfallin localauthorityfunding,anewreport shows.

Thetruescaleofthecrisisislikelyto befarhigherthantheofficialstatistics. Theyear-longstudy,whichincludeda surveyof157frontlinesupport workers,serviceproviders,NGOs,and shelters,foundanoverwhelming majoritythoughtruralhomelessness wasaseriousproblemthatwas gettingworse.Keyfindingsinclude:

•91%ofrespondentsinruralareas haveseenhomelessness increaseinthepastfiveyears;

•83%ofrespondentsinruralareas saidtheirjobhadbecomeharder inthepastfiveyears;

•81%ofrespondentsbelievethat roughsleepingisexperienced differentlyinruralareascompared tourbanareas.

Thestudy,byacademicsatthe UniversityofKentandtheUniversity ofSouthampton,onbehalfofa coalitionofruralcharitiesandhousing associations,showsruralareasbeing paidafractionofwhattheyneedto tacklehomelessnessintheir communities.

Overall,rurallocalauthoritiesare receiving65%lessinfundingper capitathroughtheHomelessness PreventionGrantthanurbanareas, whoarethemselveschronically underfunded.Thesharpdiscrepancy infinancialaid,discoveredinstatistics releasedbytheDepartmentfor LevellingUp,Housingand

Communities,showsurbanlocal authoritieswerepaid£7.15per homelessperson,comparedtojust £2.50perhomelesspersonpaidto rurallocalauthoritieswhencompared onalikeforlikebasis.

Interviewswithmorethan40people, includingpeoplewhosleeproughand outreachworkersinfourrural locations,paintastrikingpictureof isolationandresilience.

Peoplewhoexperiencehomelessness inruralareasoftensleeproughin farmlandorwoodland,makingthem muchharderforoutreachworkersto findandsupport,andputtingtheirlife andhealthinjeopardy.Reallife storiessharedwiththeresearchers includedpeoplediggingtrenchesin thesnowtosleep,goingseveraldays withoutfood,beingspaton,theirtents setonfire,andmuggingsthatresulted inbraininjuriesandteethbeing knockedout.

Thestudyfoundthatisolationalso madetheproblemfarworseforthose facinghomelessnessinruralareas, wherelimitedtransportoptionsand theabsenceofsupportplacedthemat greaterrisk.Thosewithphysicalor mentalhealthneedswerefoundtobe mostvulnerable.

MartinCollett,chiefexecutiveof EnglishRuralandco-chairofthe researchproject,said:

'Thisresearchshinesaspotlightona growingruralcrisishiddeninplain sight.Youseeherethebrutalreality beyondtheinsufficientofficial statistics.Peoplewhohavenochance ofaffordingabasicstandardofliving throughnofaultoftheirown.Youdon't tendtoseepeoplesleepingroughin ruralareas–butthey'rethere, normallyhiddeninagricultural buildings,outhouses,sleepingrough onfarmlandorcondemnedtoan insecurelifeofsofasurfing.Because fundingissoinadequate,manypeople aremovingtourbancentresformuch neededsupport.Itisinallourinterests tofixthiscrisis.

'Ruralhomelessnessisasignificant problem,andalackofsupportand fundingforaffordablehomesand servicesintheseareasputs vulnerablehouseholdsatadistinct disadvantage.Thefindingsofthis researchshoulddriveastepchangein ourapproachtotheissue.Localand nationalleadersmustcometogether tosayclearlythat'ruralhomelessness

counts'.

Farmerswerefrequentlycitedasa lifelinebythoseexperiencingrural homelessness,allowingpeopleto pitchtentsintheirfieldsandproviding cleanwaterandcupsofteainthe morning.Butsomefarmersexpressed frustrationatregulationstheysaid preventedthemfromallowingrough sleeperstostayontheirland,forfear ofbeingcriminalisedbylocal authorities.

TomFyans,interimchiefexecutiveof CPRE,thecountrysidecharity,said:

'Farmerscaringforpeoplesleeping roughintheirfieldsisashocking indictmentofgovernmentindifference. Thisisapoliticalchoicebeingpaidfor byourmostvulnerable.Itshouldn'tbe thisway,butchronicunderfundingand yearsofslashedbudgetsmeansthere isnolongerasocialsafetynetinthe countryside.

'Inmanycases,thehomelessness crisisinruralareasishiddenbythe kindnessofothers.It'sverygenerous, andnodoubtwelcome,butcontributes tothetruescaleofthecrisisgoing unreported.

'Hardworkingpeoplearefalling throughthecracksofabrokensystem andthegovernmentmusttake responsibility.Weneedimmediate actiontofixagrowingaffordable housingcrisisthat,inoneofthe richestcountriesintheworld,is nothingshortofanationaldisgrace.'

Thecoalitioniscallingforlocaland nationalleaderstomakeaclear commitmentthat'ruralhomelessness counts'.Theyarerecommending:

•Allfuturehomelessnessand roughsleepingstrategiesconsider theneedsofruralcommunities and'atrisk'residentslivingin them

•Improvedprocessesforbetter countingandidentifyinginstances ofruralhomelessness.

•Deliveringnewhomelessness supportservicesinrural communitiesthataddressmental healthandsocialandphysical isolation

•Dedicatedinvestmenttofund muchneededruralsocialhousing andincreasingfundingthrough thewelfaresystemtocoverthe costofrent

'Hiddenhomelessness'crisisfuelledbycostofliving,newreportshows

LastchanceforfarmersandlandmanagerstoenterScotland'sBestSoilinShowcompetition

Asfarmersacrossthe countryarebusy samplingtogettheir soilcarbon baselines,The JamesHutton Instituteisissuingthelastcallfor landmanagerstoenteritslongrunningcompetition,BestSoilin Show,whichaimstohighlightthe importanceofhealthysoils. Soilsampleswillbeanalysedby theinstitute'sleadingscientists againstcompositional,structural, andchemicalcriteriatotestand benchmarkthesoil.

Thewinnerwillbeannouncedat TheRoyalHighlandShowon22 June2023andwillreceivea trophyandfreein-depthanalysis oftheirsample,toconfirmits qualitystatusthecharacteristics thatmakeittheBestinShow.15 runners-upwillreceiveabasic analysisoftheirsample.

ProfessorColinCampbell,Chief ExecutiveofTheJamesHutton Institute,said,"Soilisintegralto ourlives.Itplaysavitalroleinour food,ourhomes,ourbiodiversity, thewaterwedrinkandsomuch more.

"BestSoilinShowhighlightsthe importanceofmaintaininghealthy soilstodeliverbiological, ecological,andultimately, economicbenefits.Wehopeto supportlandmanagersintheir understandingofhowthe characteristicsandconditionof theirsoilcanhelpthemtomake informeddecisionsaboutits management."

TheJamesHuttonInstitutehas over90years'experienceinsoil andcropresearchandhosts Scotland'sNationalSoilsArchive, whichisahistoricreferenceof soilsinthepastandisusedto testnewanalysesandmonitor changesinsoilovertime. Soilsamplesmustbesubmitted by31March2023.Formore informationonhowtoenter visithutton.ac.uk/about/best-soilshow

Don’tholdbackonearlynitrogenapplications

‘Backward’cropsthisseasonwillneedagoodearlydoseofnitrogen, andforwardcropsmaywellneedthesame,whereSoilNitrogenSupply (SNS)levelsarelowastheycouldrunoutofsteamveryquickly,isthe messagefromleadingcropproductionspecialistsHutchinsons.

RobJewers, Hutchinsons fertiliserandcrop nutritionspecialist pointsoutthateven wherefieldshave highSNSlevels,theywillstill requireagoodearlyapplication ofnitrogenofatleast6080kg/ha.

“Learningsfromextensivetrialsat ourHelixFarmsandRegional TechnologyCentre’soverthe pastfewyearshasshownusthat cropsneedagoodbase foundationofsoilapplied nitrogen,granularorliquid,to growbiomassandretaintillersto maximiseyieldpotential.”

“Cropsshouldreceiveagood baseapplicationofnitrogen anywherebetween120-180kg/ha dependingonindividual circumstancesandfinal applicationsthentailored accordingtodevelopmentsinthe season,endmarketetc,”he adds.

SNSlevels

SNSinspring2022washigher thanin2021duetolowwinter rainfallandmildconditions meaningthatmineralizationofN continuedrightthewaythrough lastwinter,andinmanycasesit waspossiblefornitrogen applicationstobecutback withoutanynoticeableimpacton production.

“However,theresultsthathave beencomingbackfromthe laboratorythisyeararelooking quitevariedforSNS;thefigures aregenerallylowerthanlastyear duetohigherwinterrainfalland coolertemperaturesandare moreinlinewithwhatwewould expecttoseeina“typical”year.

“WithmorenormalSNSresults thisyear,RB209predictedrates canbeusedalongwithanybreak evenratio(BER)adjustmentforN &grainprice.WhereBER calculationsorSMNPlusresults suggestcuttingbackonnitrogen rates,forexamplefrom200kg/ha to160kg/ha,applyallnitrogen early–bytheendofMarch,”he says.

Therearemanytoolsand resourcesavailabletoassistwith finalnitrogenrecommendations suchastheAHDBCalculatoror theautomaticBERadjustmentin Omnia.

“Theimportantunderlying messagetothisisthatwith generallylowerSNSthanlast year,theremightnotbeasmuch opportunitytocutbackon

nitrogenrates,”hepointsout. “Whilstcropsmaylookgoodnow, itsimportanttheydon’trunoutof ‘oomph’laterintheseasonwhen theyneedit.Soitisimportantto knowyourbaselines!”

GoearlywithUrea

Growersusingureathisspring shouldplantheirfirstapplications assoonaspossibleifnotalready doneso,”advisesMrJewers.

“Ureatakeslongertoconvertto plantavailablenitrate,with ammoniumnitratebeing50% plantavailableassoonasitisin thesoilsolution.

“Asaruleofthumb,urea applicationsshouldbemade around10daysaheadof ammoniumnitratetimings.”

StemHealthbringsyieldsecuritytoUKoilseedrapecrops

StemHealthoffersa measurableand tangiblelevelof stem-baseddisease resistancestohelp oilseedrape varietiesmaintaingreenhealthy stemsforlonger–enablingthe croptoreachitsfullgeneticyield potential.

LaunchedbybreedersLimagrain UK,onthebackoftheirwell establishedandverysuccessful trait-loadedhybridbreeding programme,thisattributecovers thethreemainstem-based diseasesofOSR-phoma, Cylindrosporium(Lightleafspot) andverticillium.

Hebelievestheadditionofthis characteristictotheLimagrain programmebringsanotherlevel ofgeneticsecuritytohelp mitigateasmuchriskaspossible toanalreadyriskycrop.

“Stemhealthisgenerallyanarea thatisoftenoverlookedbutcan haveaseriousimpactongross output.Howeverbyhaving healthygreenstemslongerinto thegrowingseasonweoftensee higheryieldsandoilcontent,”he notes.

“Asbreeders,wehave recognisedthatthebestwayto mitigatetherisktoon-farm performancefromthese diseases,isthroughimproved genetics,thereforeStemHealth hasbeenakeyfocusforthe LimagrainEuropeanbreeding programme.

Withthreebreedingstations acrossEurope,andcollaboration withnationalinstitutesand universities,Limagrainhasbeen abletotestandevaluatematerial acrossdifferentdisease pressures,whichhasresultedin abigimprovementofLG germplasmoverthelastfew years.

backofhighcommodityprices andgrowersgainingabetter understandingofestablishingthe cropunderCSFBandweather challenges,wasthemessage fromLimagrain’sarable marketingmanager,William Charlton,atarecentindustry briefing.

“Todate,therehasbeenno valuablewayofassessinga variety’stolerance tothethreemost commonstem baseddiseasesin aquantifiableway –andthisiswhat wehavesetoutto dowiththelaunch of‘StemHealth’,” says Liam Wilkinson, arable technicalofficer forLimagrain.

“ForaLimagrain varietytoholdthe StemHealthtagithastooffer highlevelsofdiseaseresistance toallthreediseases–onesingle weaknessleadstoexclusionfrom theStemHealthlist,ortheright tocarrytheStemHealthclaim.”

“Weselectplantswithgood strongstemsthatstandwell–we knowthegeneticswillholdup,” saysMrWilkinson.

Newlyrecommended varietyAtticaand currentcommercial offeringLG Auckland,arethe firstvarietiesinthe LGbreeding programmetooffer StemHealth-adding toanalreadytraitloadedoffering-and thisisreflectedin theirconsistently highgrossoutputof107and 106%respectively.

PANEL 2023seescontinuedconfidence intheoilseedrapecrop,onthe

“Oilseedrapeisstillthebestnoncerealbreakcrop,andsecondto firstwheatsinmanysituationsin termsoffarmgrossmargins–andwithnewervarietiesbringing improvedyields,vigourand agronomiccharacteristicstothe rotation–growersareseeingthe opportunityprovidedbythecrop,” henotes.

“Wesawabigreboundinthe cropin2021,withtheplanted areaforharvest2022uparound 361,000ha’s.Thisyear,we expectthattogoupto414,000 ha’ssown.”

“Wealsoseethepopularityof hybridsincreasing,withhybrids makingup71%ofthecropdrilled thisyear,andonly19%ofthe cropisdowntoconventional varietiesand10%tofarmsaved seed.”

“Thereisnodoubtthattherisein popularityofhybridsisledby theirvigour,aswellastheir ability,inthecaseofLimagrain hybrids,toofferStemProtect, TuYV,Clubroot,PodShatterand RLM7resistance–allofwhich contributetoyieldstability,which weknowiswhatgrowersare lookingforon-farm,”hesays.

Toptipsforspringgrassmanagement

Againstabackdrop ofrisinginputcosts, farmersneedto lookatmaximising theoutputfromtheir grasslandby focussingonafewkeyagronomy managementpractices,isthe advicefromJimClark,Carlislebasedagronomistwith Hutchinsons.

Thismeanslookingatgrassmore asanarablecropsuchas creatingalongtermplanfor reseedingandcontrollingweeds andasoilhealthplan,hesays.

“Themostimportantstepisoften thefirst,andmanaginggrassland isnodifferent.Getoutandwalk thegrass,andreallylookatits condition.Getaspadeoutand lookatthesoil,isitpoachedor compacted?Takesomesoil samplesasyougotocheckyour pH,PandKlevels.”

Hesuggeststakingnoteofhow muchcoverthereisacrossthe field.“Whatistheweedburden particularlyinrelationtodocks, andalsoanypoachingand compaction.”

“Inthemain,grassislooking goodthisspring,althoughthewet Januaryhasmeantthatwhere sheepwereoutonpasturethere aresomepaddedsurfacesand thesewillneedswardliftinghoweveronlyaboutthetop4-5” willneedlifting,”hesays.

“Poachedandcompactedsoils carryahigherweedburden, chickweedcanbeaparticular issue,butdocksareamajor problemthisspringasaresultof amilderwinterandstockoutwinteredforlongercausingbare soil-anddocksloveopen ground.”

MrClarksuggestschoosing

grassvarietieswiththeweed burdenandherbicideoptionsin mind.

“Forexampleifincludingcloverin thesward,manydockand chickweedherbicideswillknock thisoutaswell,soitsimportantto planaheadwhenthinkingabout reseedingandiffieldshavea highweedburdensowashort termorevenadifferentcropfora fewyearstogetthemunder controlbeforesowingyourclover andherballays.”

“Rememberthatsomeherbicides aremuchkindertothegrass whencarryingoutweedcontrol thanothersandyoudon’twantto checkthegrassgrowthinspring, souseasofterproductbased aroundFluroxypyr.”

“Whenreseeding,seedtosoil contactisessentialforgood establishment.Sounlessthesoil isbareavoidascratchharrowair drill.Whendirectdrillingseeds intothesward,temperatureiskey tosuccess.Coolertempsof6-8C suitItaliansandWesterwolds,but laterperennialsandcloverneed 9-10C.”

Headdsthatgrassshouldbe sownbeforeapplyingslurry, particularlyifgoingoninbands, asifdrilledaftertheslurryis applieditismuchharderforthe drillstopenetratethesoilwhich affectssoil:seedcontact.

Soilsampling:“Interestingly, therehasbeensomere-thinking aroundtheoptimumpHfornewer grassesorhighproducing grassesataroundapHof6-6.5 ratherthanpH6,asnutrientsare moreavailabletotheplantatthis higherpH.”

MrClarkalsorecommends addinganorganicmanure measurementtoanysoil samplingasthiswillhelptowards

SFIpaymentsandmanymilk producersarelookingforitas standardnowanyway.

“Withfertiliserpricesbeingwhere theyare,Itisalsoworthusinga FACTScertifiedadvisorforthe bestfertiliseradvice.”

PANELPrecisionfarmingfor grassland

“Wearestartingtoseea precisionrevolutioningrass

Toptipsforspringgrassmanagement

productionasmanygrowers realisethebenefitsoftoolssuch asvariablerateapplicationsof lime,NDVImappingandyield mapping,”believesJimClark. “Manyfarmersareincreasingly usingtheHutchinsonsTerraMap soilscanningservicethat providesgreaterdefinitionand moreaccuratesoilmapsthanany othersystem.”

“Itdoesthisbyprovidinghigh

definitionmappingofallcommon nutrientproperties,pH,soil texture,organicmatterandCEC aswellaselevationandplant availablewater.Italsomeasures thelevelsofP,K,Mg,pHand% ofclay,sand,silt,textureand elevationaswellascalcium, manganese,boron,copper, molybdenum,iron,zinc,sulphur, OM,CECandplantavailable water,“heexplains.

“TheresultsfromTerraMapare thenusedtocreatemapswithin Omniasuchasvariablerate applicationmaps,forlimingfor example.”

“Manyfarmersarefindingthat theyareabletomakesignificant costsavingsbyonlyputtinglime whereitisneeded.”

Ecologicalseedmixestomeetagronomicneeds W

ildflowerand environmentalseed mixturesnow availablefromthe SyngentaOperation Pollinatorinitiative willenablefarmersandgrowers toestablishhabitatsprovento deliversignificantecological enhancementsandagronomic gains.

Createdinassociationwith specialistseedsuppliers,Kings, themixtureshavebeen specificallyselectedtoachieve reliableestablishmentunderfarm conditions,aswellascosteffectivemanagement.

AlltheSyngentaOperation Pollinatorseedmixesarebacked byrepeatedyearsofresearch andstudiesoftheecologicaland

biodiversitygains,includingfor pollinatinginsectsandbeneficial pestpredators,alongwith agronomicfeaturesofnutrient captureandsoilimprovement. Themixescan alsobefully utilisedwithinSFI andCountryside Stewardship strategies, includingpollen andnectarflower mix(CSAB1& AB8)and provisionof winterbirdfood (CSAB9),oras awatercourse bufferstrip(CS SW4)–attracting paymentsnow worthupto£732 perhectare. Furthermore, withtheadvent ofnewand diversefunding comingthrough fromtheprivate sectorthese mixturesmay attractadditional paymentsfor growers.

Syngenta Sustainable

FarmingManager,Belinda Bailey,highlightedthat20years ofSyngentainvestmentin

OperationPollinatorresearchand on-farmtrialshasrefinedthe mixesandthemanagement techniquestohelpassure reliabilityandsuccessfor growers.

“Ecologicalpaymentsformany areanincreasinglyimportantpart ofafarm’soverallincomestream. Ensuringhabitatscanbe consistentlycreatedand managedeffectivelytomeetthe requirementsofschemesis essentialtoachievetheir objectives,”shesaid.

“TheOperationPollinatormixes thathaveprovedsopopularin pastseasonscontinuetodeliver onbothecologicalandeconomic fronts.Newresearchis continuingtoensuretheymeet thechanginglegislative landscapeandfitseamlesslywith agronomicpracticesinashiftto regenerativeagriculture systems.”

SyngentaOperationPollinator mixesforthe2023season include:

OperationPollinatorAnnual FlowerMix

TheUK’sNo.1LimingProduct

Ecologicalseedmixestomeetagronomicneeds

afterusingtheGreenHeadland Mixishugelyenhanced, comparedtofieldswhereno coverhasbeensown.

Price:£69.50perhectarepack Non-brassicaGreenHeadland Mix

Designedforfieldvegetable growersorarablefarmswith brassicacropsareakeypartof therotation,thenon-brassica versionoftheGreenHeadland Mixprovidesthesamebenefitsof soilprotectionandnutrient captureasthestandard,while maintainingtherotationalbreak clubrootandpests.

Acarefullyselectedmixof flowersdesignedtobeeasyto establishandmanage,yet offeringanincrediblyrich diversitywithimmensevisual appealwheninflower.Autumn sownitisoneoftheearliest floweringmixesintheseasonbeforemanyoftheperennial flowermargins-toencourage pollinatinginsectsandhabitatfor beneficialpestpredators.Itis idealtofillthehungrygapfor insectsafterOSRflowering.

Kings’advice: Themixthatgoes ongiving,researchhaseven shownitcanbeleftinsitufortwo successiveseasonswithgreat results.

SyngentaGreenHeadlandMix Afastgrowingandstrongrooting mixoriginallydesignedforsowing onuncroppedareassurrounding potatoandvegetablefields.The coverprovidedhelpstoprotect fromsoilerosionanddamage fromfarmequipment,whilealso capturingandretaininghigh levelsofvaluablenutrientsinthe field.

Kings’advice: Growers’ experienceusingthetechnique hasshownthatperformanceof thefollowingcroponheadlands

NEW–Researchlookingatthe benefitsofplantingthesemargins inthetramlinesofvegetable fields.

Kings’advice: Thenon-brassica mixmayalsoprovemoresuitable forfarmswithongoingissueswith fleabeetleinfestations,which couldcompromisebrassica establishment.

Price:£66.50perhectarepack BeesandSeedsMix

Amixthatpioneeredproactive multi-tierecologicalhabitat management.Itisdesignedto providevibrantfloweringas crucialsourceofpollenand nectarforinsectsthroughthelate summerandautumn,alongwith seed-bearingheadstogive farmlandbirdsanessential sourceoffoodthroughthewinter months.

Kingsadvice:Sunflowersinthe mixarearealstand-outforcolour andattraction,aswellasalonglastingfoodsourceforfarmland birds.Themixprovidesanideal habitatforgamebirdsand complementsgamecover.

Price:£86perhectarepack

Price£76.67perhectarepack(+ VAT)

Let’sgetsocial! T

hismonthIwas luckytohaveanice chatwithCameron Wilsonaka, ‘Cammy’whohas takendigital diversificationtoa wholenewlevel,vastlybecoming aYouTubesensationsharinghis farminglifewithawideraudience utilizingthepowerofsocial mediabystorm.

Cammyheads700eweswith somedryhoggsalsoandhas developedasimplegrassbased sheepsystemwhichallowshim timeawayfromthebusinessto workasacontractshearerand socialmediainfluencer.

He’srecentlylaunchedhisown merchandisetosupporthis digitalchannelandpresentson LandwardwhichisaScottish farmingandcountrysideprogram focusingontheissuesthataffect thecommunity,additionally coveringScotland’svast landscape,wildlifeandnature foundwithinthecountry.

WhenIcaughtupwithCammy, hehadjustdroppedhisyoung sonofftonurseryandasweall knowinthesetenderyearsitcan

besomewhattraumatic;juggling farminglifewiththerealitiesof homelifecanbesomethingofa skill.

Withtheunpredictableweather oflate,luckilyfor Cammybasedin SouthAyrshirehe hasn’tbeenhitwith thetaskofrescuing hislivestockfrom thesnow.Lambing beginsonthe1st Aprilasitdoesus hereinNorfolkso preparationsare wellunderway alreadyandtime seemstobeflying!

Ifyou’vewatched Cammy’sYouTube Channel @TheSheepGame you’llhaveseenthe anticsthathis

Cheviotsgivehimwithoutdoor lambingbutit’salways entertainingwithhisethos focusedonbeingaplatformfor farmers,sharinghisday-to-day lifewhethergoodorbadand hopefullymentoringothersthat mightbeenteringthisindustry.

I’mahugefanofthisChannel andhavelearntfromhis informativementoringandit’s reassuringtoknowthatattimes itdoesn’talwaysgotoplan;as eachlambingseasontendsto thrownewproblems,butformeI personallyliketoseethegood andbadasgenerallyfarmerslike toshowonlythegoodpartsbut inrealityitcanbereallytough, witharollercoasterofemotions.

Inmyopinionourwider communityhavebecome disconnectedfromtherealitiesof farmingbutCammysharesina verynaturalmanner,stayingtrue

tohisrootsbeingmindfulnotto preachandjusthavefunwithit whichisperhapshiskeyto success.

connectconsumerswithbuying Britishfood,theyneedto understandandbeeducatedwith howit’sproduced.Therefore,it requireshonestyfrom withinthefarming community.

diversificationtoyourfarming journeyandconsiderthe importanceofusingvideos asanintegralpartofyour onlinecontentmarketing strategy.

Cammystates“Networkingis thebiggestthing.Youmust knowpeopletosucceedin lifeingeneral,butespecially infarming.Ifyouwanttoget ground,andtoget opportunities,youneedto knowpeople”.

Perhapshispreviouscareer inthePoliceforcehasbeena contributingfactortohis relatablepersonainhisvideos gaininghim274Ksubscribers, enablinghimtoempathizemore withpeopleofallwalksoflife.

Whileabigpartofcontent marketingisabouteducation,it’s importanttorememberthatit’s alsoaboutcreatingaunique, engagingexperience.Video makesiteasiertoconnectwith peopleonanemotionallevel, whichisakeypartofthebuying process.Youcanshowyour brand’spersonality;addcolour andmovementtoyourbusiness imagemakingyoumorerelatable totheuser.Usingcallstoaction, annotations,andcomments effectivelygivesbusinessesa uniquewaytoengageand interactwithusersonYouTube.

YouTubeisthesecondlargest searchengine,with4billion videosbeingwatchedeveryday whichiswhyYouTubeshouldbe yourgo-to-placetopromoteyour videocontent,andifweareto

Cammy’splansareto perhapsseekatenancy farmforhisfuture farminggrowth ambitionsalongwith takingthesameroute asuswithproducing lambboxes sellingdirect toconsumers but interestingly hispassionis shearingand he’sset himselfachallengeto sheareverybreedof sheepintheUKso,I askedCammyifhe’s shearedaNorfolkHorn yetandhehasn’tso watchthisspaceashe comesdowntothe Brecksandcrossesthis breedofhislist.!

Shearinghasbeen Cammy’slifelineintofarming, enablinghimtonetworkwith otherfarmers,learningby mentorswhichwouldbehis advicetoanyyoungentrants.Be visible,getsocialandutilizeour digitalworldandfindamentor dependingonhowfaryouwish totakeyourbusiness,but establishyourselfonline,TikTok andYouTubechannelsthough hardworkcanberewardingasa

I’llbecatchinguplaterinthe yearwithCammyatoneofthe bestagriculturalshowsintheUK, TheGreatYorkshireShowwhich welcomes140.000peopletothe 250-acreshowgroundto celebrateagriculture,food, farmingandcountryside,witha respectfortradition.

TostayupdatedwithCammy andI’msuresomelambing videosheadovertoInstagram& Facebook@thesheepgamevlog https://www.youtube.com/ @TheSheepGame

WhybuyfromaBritishManufacturer?

ecauseweareonlyafewhoursaway, havecheapertransportcosts,and,no potentialdelaysbringinggoodsintothe country,tonamejustafewofthe benefits.

WhybuyfromPerrys?

Plus,weanswerthephoneevenoutofhours,we design,manufactureandsupportourbranded equipmentfromourfactoryinDevonsoeverythingis righthereinBritainincludingawarehouseofspare parts.

conveyortoreplacetheonethatjustaboutlimped throughlastyear’sharvest,oryouwanttoputanew grainstoreonagreenfieldsitewecandoitall,andwill happilyworkwithyourchosendealer.

After-salessupportisjustasimportant

We’veallhadthosetimeswhenyourbuyaproduct andtheafter-salessupportjustletseverythingdown. Weworkincrediblyhardtosupportourcustomersafter thesaleasmuchaswedobeforehandtoo.Wehave a7personstrongtechnicalsupportteamwith~130 yearsexperienceinthetradebetweenthem,onhand tohelpwithyour supportquerieswhen problemsoccur.The phonelineismanned eveningsandweekends whenyouneedusmost.

Ourproductranges

Weofferaverybroad rangeofconveyorsand elevatorsincluding chain&flight,curved combination,screw conveyors,belt& bucketelevatorsin agriculturaland industrialcapacities.

Wehave3rangesof graindriersincludinga mobilebatchdrieras wellasourcontinuous flowmodels(theMistral andtheSavannah).

Whenwesaywemanufactureallourequipmentin BritainwhatweactuallymeaniswedoeverythinginhouseinDevon.Quiteoftenyoufindmanufacturers whosaytheydoitallthemselvesbutactuallytheysubcontractmostofthemanufacturingprocessout.When wegivecustomersatourofourfacilitytheyarealways impressedbythebreadthofourin-houseexpertise.

Sowhydoesmanufacturingin-housematter?

Itmeanswehavecontroloftheprocess.Yeswehave ourstandardmanufacturingtimesbutwhena customerneedsustorespondrapidlywehavethe abilitytodoso.Wealsohaveanightshiftwhichhelps uskeeptimeframesdownasweliterallyworkthrough thenighttogetthejobdone.

We’vebeenintheagriculturalmaterialshandling, dryingandstorageindustryforover75yearsnowand wevaluethatheritage.Whetheryouwantasingle

Ourstoragerangegoes fromsquarehopperbottombinswithacapacityof1to 100tonnes,throughtohopperbottomsiloswitha capacityof35to3,000tonnes,allthewayuptoflatbottomsiloswithacapacityof30to20,000tonnes, andalltheaccessoriesyouwouldexpect.

WealsoofferPLCpanelstocontrolthemachines and/orplantprogrammedbyourin-houseteam.

ChoosePerryofOakley

We’reBritish,wehaveanexcellentreputationfor qualitygoodsthatlast,andafullproductrangetomeet allofyourgrainhandling,drying&storageneeds.

Getintouchtodaytoseehowwecanhelpyouon+44 (0)1404890300oremailsales@perryofoakley.co.uk. Youcanalsofindafulllistofproductsandservicesat www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Full range of drying, handling & storage, including:

Grain Driers

Savannah or Mistral Series - 5 to 150tph.

Mobile Driers

Agrex Mobile driers - 7 to 42T.

Belt Driers

Perfect for drying most nonflowing products.

Chain & Flight Conveyors

Agricultural, Heavy Duty & Industrial ranges.

Curved Combinations

Feed elevator boots, enter buildings along roofline.

Levelling & Travelling Conveyors

Maximise grain store capacity.

Belt & Bucket Elevators

Single or double lift, up to 1,000tph.

Belt Conveyors

Widths from 300mm to 2,000mm, 1,000tph.

Intake Conveyors

Trench or Mechanical Reception Hopper.

Screw Conveyors

Diameters from 150mm to 1,000mm.

Twin Trace Conveyors

Standard or Heavy Duty specification.

Tote Bins & Silos

Capacities from 1 to 20,000T.

Visit our website to view the full range!

IncreasedarabledrivesneedforDunechtHome FarmstoworkwithMcArthurAgricultureand SellarsAgriculturetoupdategrainprocessingplant N

eedingtohandle moregrainduetoan increaseinarable hectarescoupled withtheincreased capacityoftoday’s combines,ChrisLovie,Farms Manager,DunechtHomeFarms, Aberdeen,knewthatheneededto upgradeandstreamlinetheFarms’ existinggrainhandlingsystem.

“Ourdrierwasagedandthedrying facilityconsistedofsmallbins whichwereverylabourintensive. Tocompletelyemptythelastton fromeach,wehadtomanually sweepthegrainacrossthebottom ofthebintotheoutlet,”explained Lovie.“Withlimitedstorage capabilityadjacenttothedrierwe alsohadtotriplehandlegrainto andfromthedrierandintostorage

farmerswhowereusingMecmar batchgraindryers,and understandingthehighresidual valueoftheMecmarshouldthere beaneedtoreducethearable, waskeentoinstallaMecmarofhis own.

Hisresearchhadrevealedthat McArthurAgriculturethroughits partner,SellarsAgriculturecould supplythedrierand sohemadecontact.

Workingcloselywith McArthurAgriculture onthedesignofthe newgrain processingplant Loviewasadvisedto installMecmarS35t electric,automatic batchdrierwhich incorporatesan aspiratorgrain cleaner,and SkandiaElevatorAB handlingequipment.

DunechtHomeFarmscurrently farms6,500haoflandbetweenthe DunechtEstateandEdinglassie Estate,andisownedbytheHon CharlesPearson.TheLowground operation,approximately1,000ha, growsamixtureofarablecrops: springbarleyforthelocalmalt whiskyindustry,winterwheatand barleyforlivestockfeed(100cows, 20breedingheifers,and400ewes –thehillfarmingoperationhas 2,000ewes)winteroatsformilling andoilseedrapeforthevegetable oilindustry.

atotherlocations,whichagain meanttherewasalotoflabour involved.”

Lovieinitiallylookedatconstructing anewgrainhandlingplantbutas thepriceofsteelbegantoincrease thecostbecameprohibitive.The focusmovedtoconvertingthree adjoiningAtcostunder-utilised cattleshedswhichhadbeen constructedinthemid-1970s.

Havingconductedextensive researcharoundthechoiceofdrier Lovie,followingconversationswith

ASkandia60tphwet grainchainandflight intakeconveyorfeed theMecmardrier andoncethegrainis driedandcooleditis transportedtothree grainstoragesheds viafiveadditional 60tphchainand flightconveyors.

Eachshedhasaconveyorrunning alongitslength,oneofthe conveyorsleavingthedrierfeeds shedsnumbersoneandtwo,whilst theotherconveyorfeedsshed numberthree.Thepositioningof thedrierbetweenshedsoneand twoandshedthreemeansthat thereisonlyevertheneedtorun twoconveyorsatanytime.The destinationofeachbatchofgrainis determinedviatheMecmar’s controlpanel.

“Thenewplanthastransformedharvest,”said Lovie.“Wehaveincreasedourdryingand storagecapabilityandreducedtheneedfor additionalharveststaffandassociatedlabour costs.TheautomationoftheMecmarmeans thatlabourarounddryingandputtingthegrain intostoreisvirtuallynon-existentandgrain leavingthestorecanbeeasilyhandledwitha telehandler.”

“Theteamneededlittletrainingasthesystem issimpletooperateandmaintenanceis minimal,”addedLovie.“Withtheall-important returnoninvestmentinmind,wehaveamuch largergrainplantthanwehadenvisagedwhen consideringbuildinganewone,forsignificantly lessinvestment.”

Lovie’sadvicetootherslookingtobuildanew grainplant,convertexistingbuildingsor upgradeanexistingplant,istocarefully researchtheoptionsandengagewithproven grainhandlingexperts.

“Workingwiththerightpeople,ontheright designsmeantthatourinitialplanning applicationwasmadeinApril2021andthe plantwasupandrunningforharvest2022,” Lovieconcluded.

Bellwin Dr ive , Flixborough Industr ial Estate , Flixborough, Scunthor pe

SpringintoAction&PrepareYourGrain StoragewithConcretePanelSystems

Monthaftermonthis spentplanningfor harvest–it’saneverendingcycleifyou askus.You’vegot sewing,growingand harvesting,andonceallthatis complete,you’rebackonrepeat. What’stheonethingthatwould makethiscontinuouscyclemore bearable?GrainStorage.

Withthecurrenteffectsofthe globalpandemic,ongoingconflict, andclimatechangewehaveseen anincreaseinfoodinsecurityand itsnowmoreimportantthaneverto haveaplaninplacetoincrease yourchanceofasuccessful harvest.

itcorrectly,thenit’dallbefor nothing.So,whatcanyoudoto ensureyou’redoingeverythingyou cantomaintainandmanageyour grainstore?

Cleanliness

Grainstoresshouldbe cleanedandclearedwell aheadoftheharvest. Removinganyperished grain,winterstored goodsandensuringthe areaisclean.

MoistureManagement

Thisisvitalforensuring youcanpreventspoilage instoredgrain. Bothtemperatureand moistureinteractwithone anothertoprovideideal conditionsforinsect populationandfungito develop.

TemperatureControl

OurConcretePanelsare ManufacturedtoUKCAmark standardsandallowyoutoquickly buildwallsfor,GrainStores, Livestockbuildings,SilageClamps, SlurryStores,AggregateStorage, andmuchmore.

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ThicknessOptions:

•90mm|Idealforlivestock walling

Firstletstalkaboutexternalfactors thathaveanegativeimpacton yourcroponceit’sinstorage.To nameafew:moisture,general hygieneandstructuralissueswere justafewtobearinmind.That’s whyplanningaheadandcreatinga solidgrainstoragesolutionisvital. That’swherewecomein.Wehave anexpertteamwhocanhelpyou plantheperfectgrainstoretosuit allyourrequirements.Whether youjustneedtoreplaceoldwalling withourrobust,easytoclean, Concretepanelsoraddcrop storagebaysintoyourexisting shedswecanhelp.

HowDoITakeCareofMyGrain Storage?

It’sallwellandgoodbuildinganew grainstore,butifyoudon’tmanage

Fungalandinsectsasan example,arecontrolledby temperature.Storinggrain abovetemperatures15C ingrainstoresincreases thebiologicalactivityofinsects, fungiandgrainitself.Ifyouweren’t aware,insectbreedingstopsatlow temperaturesandthere’sless moistureavailableforpotential pestsincoldgraintoo.Therefore, whengrainisputintoyourgrain store,itshouldbecooled immediatelytopreventinsects breedingandyourgrainspoiling.

WhatCanNewConcretePanels OfferYou?

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Rapidleadtimesavailable!

Don’thesitatetocallourteam todayforachaton

01270258076

https://www.concretepanelsystems. co.uk/quotation/

sales@concretepanelsystems. co.uk

#concretepanels#concrete #concreteblocks#farming#farmers #farminguk#grainstorage #backbritishfarmers #agricultureandfarming #agricultural#backbritishfarming #agriculture#grainstore

arableforAberdeen-basedfarmerandupgrade ofexistinggrainhandlingsolutionbyMaster FarmServices,BDCSystemsLtdandRavenhill

Thepullingofmilkcontractsinthe Aberdeenareabyalargediarymeant thatRoyMitchellofLofthillockFarm, Inverurie,Aberdeen,hadsometough decisionstomake.Aftermuchsoulsearching,Mitchelldecidedthathisdairy herdhadtogo,hewouldfinishsomebeefcattleand significantlyincreasehisarableoutputwhichwould requireanupgradeofthefarm’sexistinggrain handlingcapabilities.

“Previously,thecropswereusedtofeedthecowsbut increasingmyarableto70haofwinterbarley,80haof winterwheat,50haofoilseedrapeand130haofspring barleypresentedabigchallenge,”explainedMitchell. OvertheyearsMitchellhadhireddifferentmakesof batchdriersduringharvestbuttherehadbeennoneed toinvestinadrierofhisown.

“Ididn’thavethedryingorstoragefacilities,orthestaff tobeabletohandlemyincreased graintonnage,”addedMitchell.“I hadonelargegrainstoreanda telehandlerbutnothingelsein placeforharvest2021.Usinga contractorforcombining,Iamnot alwaysabletopickandchoose theincomingmoisturecontent (mc)–whichinthisareais historicallyhigherthanotherparts oftheUK,soIhadtofinda solutionprettyquickly.”

Afterdoingsomeresearchand talkingtootherfarmers,Mitchell decidedthathisbestoptionwasa modern30tbatchcapacitydrier fromMasterFarmServicesasits driershadaprovenrecordin termsofdriertechnologyand buildquality.Plus,thehigh residualvaluesandflexibilityof batchdriersappealedtoMitchell havingjustexperiencedhow quicklythefarminglandscapecan change.

Followingconversationswith

GeorgeYoungofMasterFarm Servicesitwasclearthatits Masterdrierintegratedwith SkandiaElevatorhandling equipment,suppliedbyBDC SystemsLtd,andinstalledby RavenhillwouldmeetMitchell’s requirements,importantly,atthe rightprice.

JohnWilson,BDCSystems’,Area Manager,ScotlandandNorth EastEnglandadvisedMaster

Disappearingmilkcontractdrivesincreasein

FarmServices’Youngonthe designoftheupgradedplantand thechoiceofSkandiahandling equipmenttomatchthe capabilityoftheMasterdrier.

“Itwaskeythatwesuppliedthe rightintaketo,anddischarge from,thedriertomaximisethe dryingandhandlingprocess,” explainedWilson.“Webased everythingaroundinstalling 80tphSkandiaI-Lineequipment.”

Mitchell’splantincludesalarge shedtoholdthewetgrain,thisis thentippedintoa12mSkandia trenchintake(KTIG30/40)which feedstheintakehopperofthe 30tMasterdrier.Withthe Skandiaintakecapacityat80tph andthedrierintakeaugerat 90tph,thereisnochanceof overloading.Fillingthedrier, whichhasanexcellentdust extractionsystemwithan additionalgravitycleanerfan,at thisratemaximisesthedrier’s dailythroughput.

“Thedrier’sdustextractionand cleaningfeaturesaregivingme anaverageoffivepointsonmy bushelweight,whichisextremely helpful,”statedMitchell.

Fromthedrier,grainis transportedtothegrainstorevia aninclined8mSkandia80tph chainandflightconveyor (KTIA30/40).Twomore80tph Skandiachainandflightconveyors(KTIF30/33)one being14m,theother26mlong,takethegraintotwo separatestores.Thestoreconveyorsarefittedwith R&Premoteslideoutletswiththree-wayandtwo-way valvesallowinggraintofilleitherstoresoneortwo.

“Theupgradedplanthasbeenahugesuccess.Ihave avoidedemployingadditionalharveststaff,helpingthe bottomline,andalthoughthe2022seasonwasoneof oureasiest,thedriercameintoitsownwithits excellentcoolingandcleaningcapabilities,”added Mitchell,whobelievesthatreturnoninvestment(RoI) aroundtheupgradedplantwillbeprettyquick.

“Thebiggestsavingformewillbeinthepotential lossesIwouldexperienceifIhadtosellthegrain straightoffthecombine,orputitintoacommercial storefordryingandstorage.Withthehighmcwe experiencehere,itdoesn’ttakelongforanyprofitsto bewipedoutifyoucan’tdryandstoreyourowngrain,” Mitchellsaid.

Additionally,Mitchellhastheabilitytomarkethisgrain

towhomhewantswhenhewants,whichwillalso speedupRoI.Theimprovementinbushelweightis alsoafactoraspotentialbuyersseethebenefitthat batchdrierscandeliverintermsofgrainquality.

“Asaone-manband,Iwouldhighlyrecommenda plantwhichconsistsofabatchdriercombinedwith Skandiahandlingequipment.Ithassignificantly reducedgrainhandlingandisveryeasytooperate.

“Ofcourse,youneedtoworkwithgrainhandling expertstomakesurethatallthedifferentdryingand grainhandlingcomponentsworktogether.Master FarmServices,BDCSystemsandRavenhillarethe peopletotalkto.Theyarehappytoputyouintouch withtheircustomerssoyoucantalkfarmertofarmer aboutwhatworksbest.

“Byworkingcloselytogether,thethreecompanies havedeliveredanupgradedgrainprocessingplant whichhashugelyreducedmystresslevelsduring harvestandthatispriceless,”concludedMitchell.

Biologicalsboosthealthofpotatocrops A

Yorkshirefarmer believesbiologicals haveplayedakey roleinboostingthe overallhealthofhis potatocrop.

RichardSmithfromBamburgh GrangeFarmnearDoncaster hasbeenapplyingcalcium phosphitetohis320haof potatoesforthepastfiveyearsto helphiscropcopewith fluctuatingweatherpattensand periodsofstress.

Atatimewhenthecostofinputs hasrocketedandcostofliving hassoared,tailorednutritionand biologicalsprovideacheaper meansofboostingplant nutritionalhealthandresilience.

“Riskmanagementinthepotato businessisrelativelysimpleto talkaboutbutverydifficulttodo,” Richardsays.

“Thecostofgrowingthecropis nowenormousandtherisks associatedarealsohuge.We've gottocoversomeofthatrisk somehow.Thatmeans investmentinnewtechnologies andtryingtomakeeverythinga bitmorerobust.”

Richard,athirdgeneration McCainpotatofarmerandwinner ofthe2019McDonald’s OutstandingFarmeroftheYear Award,firstappliesUnical, producedbyUniumBiosciences, atplanting.

“Biologicalshaveaparttoplayin generalcrophealth–keeping theminthemixisimportant,it’s

justvitalthatyouunderstand wherebesttousetheminyour programmeandhavingthe flexibility–there’snopoint puttingthemoninhindsight,”he says.“You needtopredict wherethe weather conditions appeartobe goingand applythemin advance beforethe problemis there.”

Alaterfoliar applicationof CalfiteExtrais appliedduring thegrowing seasonatthe onsetoftuber bulking.

“Calciumprovidesgeneralplant healthbenefitsbetterableto withstandabioticstressand helpscreateahealthyroot system,soI’mconvincedit’sthe rightthingtodo,”hesays. “Especiallyasit’ssocost effective.”

Aswellasplayingakeyrolein bolsteringcropssotheycan withstandepisodesofextreme weather,Richardbelieves biologicalswillplayapartin helpingbusinessesmanagethe lackofavailablepesticides.

“Newtechnologyintermsof pesticidesjustisn’thappening becauseit’sveryexpensiveto

registersomethingandwe’re losinganawfullotoftheactive ingredientswe’vealreadygot.So ourtoolboxofchemicalsinmuch smaller,”Richardsays.

“Weneedproductsthatcanhelp uskeepourcropshealthyand that’swherebiologicalswillcome in.”

Richardcreditshisuseof biologicalswithboostingthe marketabilityofhispotatocrop andhisoverallgrossmargin.

“Theyhavedefinitelyhadan effectontuberqualitywhichhas, inturn,boostedsaleableyield andthemarketabilityofmy potatoes,”heexplains.

“I’malsoverypositiveaboutthe otherproductsUnium Bioscienceshasinthepipeline–theresultsI’veseenlookvery promising.”

turnkeysolutionspotatogrowers trustHaithtohandleit.

AgVantageUKLtdtakesoverthearea ofYorkshire&HumberMachineryLtd

Yorkshire&Humber Machineryaremost well-knownfor dealingwithroot cropandcrop protectionequipmentthroughout YorkshireandNorth Lincolnshire.Theyhavebeen providingexcellentserviceand supporttotheircustomersinthe areaforover4yearsandhave becomeaverywellrespected dealerinthattime.

Wearepleasedtoannounce thatasof1stMarch2023

AgVantageUKLtdwillbetaking overthedistributionandsupport activitiesinthearea.

AgVantagewasfoundedin2020 asajointventurebetweenAndy CarseandDewulfandhas alreadymadegreatprogressin themarket.AgVantageis extremelyproudtohaveDewulf asashareholder,bringingthe strengthandresourcesthatthe companyneedstoexpandand performwithclosesupportinall areasfromthemanufacturer.

AndyCarsecommented;“We recognisetheimportanceof localsupportandthereforewill continuetooperatefromalocal baseinYorkshireholdinga partsstockandoperatingalocal serviceteam,backedupclosely bythelargerstockandteamat ourheadquartersin Peterborough”.

Wearedelightedtointroduce RussellButton,oneofthe foundersofYorkshire&Humber Machinery,asourDepot ManagerforAgVantageforthe YorkshireandNorthLincolnshire area.Russellhasawealthof knowledgeandexperiencein theagriculturalindustry,

especiallywithintherootcrop andcropprotectionsectors.His expertiseinunderstanding customerneedsanddeliveringa highlevelofservicemakeshim anexcellentfitforthisrole.We areconfidentthatwithhis skillset,nowbackedbyalarger teamandpoolofresources,will beaninvaluableassetfor AgVantageandthebrandsit representsinthefuture.

Speakingoftherecentchanges Russellsays;“Iamexcitedfor thefutureandlookingforwardto beingpartofalarger organisationstructure,being abletomaximiseourpotentialin thearea.Wewantittobevery much‘businessasnormal’forall ourcustomers”.

HendrikDecramer,Dewulf GroupCEO,commented; “Dewulfhasbeenactiveinthe UKformorethan20years, togetherwithourdealerswe havebuiltasubstantialmarket share,butwearenotthereyet. In2020weformedapartnership withAndyCarseandnow settingupaservicehubin Yorkshire,togetherwithRussell Button,isthenextlogicalstep. Weareverypleasedwiththis promisingnewventure”.

Inadditiontothis,weare

excitedtoshareourplansto investmoreintoresources,staff andtrainingoverthecoming threeyears.Thisinvestmentwill ensurethatweareprovidingthe bestsupportpossibleforour customersandtohelpus achieveourlong-termgoals.

Andywentontosay;“This movementwillbeofgreat benefitforthenewlarger AgVantageteamtobeableto shareresourcesandexpertise upanddownthecountry.Along withthat,eachdepotwillhave accesstoalargerpartsstock, meaningmoreavailabilityand fasterreactiontimestobetter serveourcustomers”.

AgVantagewillbehonouringall existingagreementscustomers mayhavewiththeYorkshire& Humberbusiness.Weare dedicatedtoprovidinga seamlesstransitionandlook forwardtocontinuingtosupport customersinallareasofroot cropandcropprotection machinery.

Foranyadditionalenquiries regardingthisinformation, pleasecontactourofficeon 01733215921andamemberof ourteamwillbedelightedto assistyou.

SustainablePotatoSproutControl

Biox-Mistheonly100%naturalandsustainablesproutcontrolforpotatoes.

The2022potato harvestseasonhas thrownupplentyof anomaliesand unusualcircumstance withwhichgrowers havehadtocontend.AHOTdry(for many)summerputcropsunder significantpressure.Thosewith whatmightnormallybeconsidered asexcessiveirrigationcapacity foundtheirinvestmentrewarded,as theycameclosetomaximisingthe valueofallthatsolarradiation. Somerecordyieldswererecorded. However,intheabsenceoffrequent watering,cropsprovedhardto manage,withsproutinginthefield affectingmanyvarietiesforthefirst time,notjustouroldfavouriteslike KingEdward.

Harvestweatherwasreasonably kindformany,andcropswere quicklyintostore.However,urgency togetontopofearlyorinfield sproutingundercontrol,sawsome storestreatedperhapstooson, beforethewholecropwasfullydry andcured.Controlofactivesprouts withBiox-Missoeffectivethat patiencewasrecommended.Oncea cropisinstore,itcanbemanaged.

TheinvasionofUkrainesentenergy costsspiralling,andthentherewas anothernewsproutsuppressantin themix,aboutwhichanotherboutof learningwasrequired.Withthe demiseofAHDBPotatoes,the industryhadlostanumberofkey sourcesofinformation,advice, supportandcommunicationbothfor growersandtothewiderworld.

ThelossofAHDBPotatoesandthe closureofSuttonBridgestorage researchfacilitycoincidedwithsome significantchallengesforthose storingpotatoes,withtheremovalof CIPC,theintroductionoftwonew sproutcontrolproductsinquick succession,andtherecentsurgein energycosts.Theabsenceofa singlepointofcontactforadviceand todisseminatebestpracticeacross industryhasmadetheprocessof adaptionharderandlesscertain.

Tofillmuchofthisinformationgap, GBPotatoes,anewvoluntary memberbody,hasbeencreatedand isseekingthesupportofgrowers acrossthecountrytobea‘new voice’andchampionfortheindustry. Theabsenceofindustry-wide, independentdiscussionofand

adviceonbestpracticeforthenew products,andonthelessonslearnt fromwhatwere,effectively,awide rangeofcommercialtrials(every storeisdifferent,andeachstore treatedforthefirsttimecreatedan opportunitytolearn)hasbeenfeltby manygrowers.GBPotatoesisthere tohelp,andwewouldencourage growersupport.

Juno(PlantProtection)ispleasedto supportGBPotatoes,andwewould encouragegrowerstovisitthe websiteandregisterfor membership:www.gb-potatoes. co.uk

Growersinthefreshsectorhad beenusingBiox-M(spearmintoil) sinceitarrivedintheUK2012,and theproductwaswell-understoodin long-termrefrigeratedstoresandon organiccrops.WiththeendofCIPC forthe2020harvest,theprocessing sectorwentthroughaswiftlearning processtoadapttoBiox-M,anew anunfamiliarproductformany.By 2022,allofthefoggersandmost storekeepershadgainedsignificant experiencewithBiox-Mandwere managingstorestobestadvantage.

•Isanaturallyoccurringproduct,inwidespreaduseinthefoodindustry

•Isapprovedforuseonorganicpotatocrops,

•HasnoharvestintervalorMRLbeyondtheone-daymandatorywithholding periodaftertreatment,

•Doesnotleavepersistentresiduesinthefabricofstoresandboxesused forstorage,

•Andisthereforesuitableforuseinstores,whichmaysubsequentlybe usedforthestorageofothercropsorseedpotatoes,

•Iseffectiveathigherstoragetemperatures,reducingtheriskofacrylamide developmentwhencropisprocessed,

•Sequesterscarbonduringgrowth,removing1tofCO2forevery1,000tof potatoestreated

•Andshouldbeacomponentofthesustainabilityplanforeveryfarmand everycustomer;effectivelycarbonneutral.

|Potatoes&RootCrops

Measuringandmonitoringfundamentaltoirrigationstrategysuccess

AndrewGoodinson, agronomistand potatospecialistat Hutchinsons,offers insightsandtoptips tohelpgrowers decideirrigationstrategiesand reducetheincidenceofdiseases suchascommonscab (Streptomycesscabies)and powderyscab(Spongospora subterranea).

summer,theEnvironmentAgency hadruledabanonextractionsfrom rivers.

“Thelessonlearnedfromthisisthat whenplanningyourcrops,youneed toknowthewatercapacityyouwill needandhavetheconfidencethat youwillbeabletodothejob properly.Forexample,ifyouapply 25mmofwater,thatisequivalentto 250,000l/ha.250cubesofwater weigh250tonnes.”

“Onceyouareclearthatyouhave thecapacity,youcandecidehow youprefertobuildyourirrigation strategy,choosingbetweenmodelbasedirrigation,whichuses predictionsofweatherandsoil moisture,and/ortheuseof tensiometersandin-cropsensors.

“Weneedtogetbetteratmonitoring andmeasuringwhatisgoingonin thesoilandthecriticaltimesfor irrigation.”

“Ifsoilsaresmeared,infiltrationis compromisedandthewaterdoes notreachdowntotherootzone,the waterislost.

“Ifitisverydry,the‘fire-engine’ approachcansometimesleadtotoo muchwatergoingon,particularlyifit isfollowedbyheavyrain,astoo muchwatercanleadtogrowth cracks.”

Thesecanoccurwhentheskinis unabletostandtheinternalpressure createdbyverywetirrigation regimeswhichleadstooverhydratedtubers.

Waterratescanbeadjustedwhen usingbooms,whichfacilitatesa moreuniformapplicationofwater thanwhenrain-gunsareused, however,theycanstillcreaterun-off ifthefieldisonaslope.

BasedinHerefordshire,Andrewhas beenworkingforcropproduction specialistsHutchinsonsfor16years andlooksafternearly8000haof farmland,rangingfromCirencester, totheWelshborders,south ShropshireandWorcester.

Nowisagoodtimetoreflectonthe success–orfailure–ofyour irrigationstrategiesandlessons learnedinthetough2022growing season,saysAndrew.

Ingeneral,wherewaterwas availablethroughouttheseason, wellthought-outirrigationstrategies cameintotheirown,protectingyield andquality.However,growerswho ‘teased’potatocropswithwater whensoilmoisturedeficitswerevery high,lostout.

Andrewsays:“Toolittlewater–or toomuch–canimpactonyieldand quality;fluctuationsinwater availabilitytotherootzoneofthe cropcanincreaseincidenceof secondarygrowthandevencause internalnecrosis.”

Lastyear,partoftheproblemfor manygrowerswhohadplannedon irrigatingwasthedrywinter2021/22, andwhenriverlevelsdroppedinthe

Timingofmeasurementiskey,and Andrewsuggestsdiggingacrossthe ridgedownto50-60cmandlooking attherootingzoneandtoassess thesoilmoisturelevels.However,he warnsnottoleaveituntiltoolateas thenanyapplicationofwaterwould havealimited,ifanyeffect.

Movingontotalkaboutirrigation tools,hepointsoutthatbooms,raingunsanddripsystemsallhave advantagesanddisadvantages.

“Trickleirrigationmakesthemost efficientuseofwater,asitcanbe appliedaccuratelywithsensors.It worksbetterthantheothermethods inhot,dryseasonsasyoudonot losesomuchtoevaporation.”

Aswaterisappliedlittleandoften, roomcanbeleftforrainfallwhenitis forecast,headds.

However,costsofset-upare considerable,anditisanongoing processthatneedscareful management,anddripirrigationis notsuitableforrectifyingaproblem asnotenoughwatercanbeapplied quickly.

Rain-gunsaremoreofa‘firebrigade’approachwhichcanbe useful,saysAndrew.However, becauseofthespeedofapplication, 25mlcanflattenthehaulm,andit canleadtorun-off.

“Whenchoosingyourfieldforthe crop,itisagoodideatoalsothink aboutyourpreferredirrigation method,anyeffectsoftopography andiftherearenearbywater storageareas,boreholesandrivers.

“Usingaboomcanalsobemore difficultiftherearetreesandpoles tocontendwith.”

Andrewnotesthatusinganysortof irrigationwillraisethecarbon footprintofthecropbecauseofthe energyusedtopumpthewater;for every1loffuel,thereisa2.5l carbonpenalty.“However,onthe plusside,potatoesaregoodat soakingupcarboninthe atmosphere,particularlyastheyare stillgreeninJulyandAugustwhen othercropsaresenescing.”

Followingweatherforecastsremains important,particularlywhensummer stormsthreateninJulyandAugust, becausetheyarelikelytobring heavyrain.“Thisiswhenweseethe benefitofawell-structuredsoilwhich isabletousewatermoreefficiently.

“Inourtrials,wehavenotedthat soilswithareasonablelevelof organicmatter(OM)areabletohold ontowatersothereisabigger reservoirintherootingzone.

“Nonetheless,ifheavyrainis forecastitisbettertoholdoffwith theirrigation.”

Knowingthesoilsinthefieldbeing

Measuringandmonitoringfundamentaltoirrigationstrategysuccess

usedforgrowingpotatoesremains key,andwhilemostgrowersknow thesoilsontheirownfarmswell, andtheareaswhichtendtobecome saturated,sometimesrentedland canbringsurprises.

Soiltypeandtexturedetermine waterholdingcapacitybecause sand,silt,andclayparticleshave differentporesizes.Soilswithhigher amountsofclayhavemoresmall poresthansandysoils,helpingthem toretainmorewater.

“Ifyouareplantinginasandysoil,it isworthconsideringgrowinginbeds madefortwoorthreerowswithno furrowbetweenthem,asthiscan helpwaterstayintheall-important rootzone.

“Gentlerainfallisthebestfor potatoes.Ononehandifthesoilin theridgeshascapped,quiteoften gentleraincanhelpbreakit,butalso itcanhelptoreducegreeningasit fillsupcrackswhichhaveappeared intheridges.”

WhatareFieldCapacityandSoil MoistureDeficit

Fieldcapacity(SMD=0)isthe amountofwaterthesoilcanhold–a guidetothisiswhensoilheldina handissqueezedanddoesnotfall apart

SoilMoistureDeficit(SMD)isthe amountofwaterneededtobringthe soilmoisturecontentbacktofield capacity.

Toptipsforeffectiveuseofwater

•Attentiontodetailinmonitoring soilmoisturetoassesscrop waterrequirements

•Ensureirrigationpressureis correct–ifpressureistoolowit createsbigdropletswhichare morepronetorunoff;toohigh causessmalldroplets,which canresultinmistinganddrift

•Checkraingunsareatthe correctangletoavoiddriftand ensureevenapplication–no under-orover-lapping

•Maintainboomnozzlesto ensurecorrectwaterpatternand evenapplication

•Measureandrecordwater abstractionrates

Controllingcommonscab–isit morethanjustwater management?

Soiltype,irrigationandvarietal susceptibilityallplaykeyrolesin reducingtheincidenceofcommon scab(Streptomycesscabiei),says Andrew.

Thestandardscabcontrolregimeis toirrigatefor28daysfromtuber initiation(TI).Thisisthetimewhen thecropissusceptibleasnewtissue isbeingformedbynewcells,andis reducedoncethetuberreachesthe sizeofagolfball,heexplains. Tuberinitiationtakesplace15-40 daysafteremergencebutinsome varieties,dependingonweather conditions,itcanoccurintwobursts. Herecommendsthatthesoilinthe ridgesshouldbemoistduringthis time,andsoirrigationneedstostart ingoodtime.

Inaddition,ifirrigationisstoppedtoo early,itcancreateanevenbetter environmentforthepathogento proliferate,resultinginhigherscab levels,hesays.

“Ifemergenceisuneven,itisbestto keepthecropmoistuntilallthe tubershavehadachancetogrow outofthesusceptiblephase,which iswhenthetuberhasstopped producingnewcells.”

Irrigationhelpsboostthepopulations ofgoodmicrobesthatcompetefor thesamenutrientsasthescabcausingStreptomyces,andresulting infewerpathogens.

However,henotes,extrairrigation doesnotgivegreaterprotectionas therearenofurtherincreasesin beneficialmicrobenumbersandmay evenleadtoinfectionwithpowdery scab.

Irrigation,nevertheless,isoneofthe keystrategiestoreduceincidenceof commonscab,yetitisnotthewhole story.Correctplantingdepthfor evenemergence,avoiding overcultivationandcompactionplus agoodunderstandingofsoiltype arealsocritical.

“Soilhealthisalsoimportantassoils withgoodstructureandorganic matter(OM)withhealthynumbersof microbesshowlowerincidenceof commonscab.”

Hefindsthattheapplicationof gypsumhelpsopenupsoilstructure, andthereforecanbeusefulin reducingcommonscab.

Althoughhydrogenionsdonot causescabsoilpHmayalsobea factor,hesays,notingthatthe effectsofloweringsoilpHbyan applicationofammoniumsulphatein theridgeareinconsistent.Thisis duetotheslowrateofthenitrogen breakdownwhichslightlyincreases acidity

Sulphurpelletshavebeenusedto increaseridgeaciditybutduetothe speedatwhichtheprillstobreak down,thecropisalreadypastthe susceptibletuberinitiationstage, saysAndrew,

“Anotherpointaboutbringingdown pHisthatyoureducetheplant’s abilitytouptakenutrients,soyou maybecreatingmoreproblemsthan yousolve.”

Manurecanworkasausefulsoil conditioner,andmayevendomore thanapplyingabiostimulantat planting.

Hegivestheexamplethatin Herefordshiremanyofthesoilsare lowincalciumandhighin magnesium,soapplicationsof poultrymanurewhichhelpcorrect notonlycalciumdeficiencybutalso lowerpHbecauseofthenitrogen levelsitcontains.

“ScabcontrolIfthecropsareunder stressatthistime,theycanalsobe moresusceptible,soanythingyou dotoreducethismaybeuseful.

Keepingpowderyscabatbay

Powderyscab(Spongospora subterranea)isafungalblemish diseaseofpotatoeswhichoften occurswhentherearecool,wet growingconditions,orpotatocrops havereceivedexcessiveirrigation, saysAndrew.

Thepowderyscabpathogencan sometimescarryandtransmit Spraing(potatomoptopvirusor PMTV).

Henotesthatcropsgrowninheavy soilscanbemoresusceptibletothe pathogen,particularlywhenthereis poordrainageorstandingwater.

Infectioncanoccurfromdiseased

seedoritcanbesoil-borne,headds notingthatfieldscancarryinoculum ifmanurefromstockfedwith diseasedtubersisapplied,orifthere isinefficientvolunteercontrolafter powdery-scabinfestedcrops.

“Ifyouarerentinglandforgrowing potatoes,youshouldlookalways carefullyatthefieldhistorybefore takingiton,”hesays.

Potatocropsaremostsusceptibleto thepathogenattuberinitiation. Howeveritcantakebetween4–8 weeksforsymptomstoshow.

“Partoftheproblemisthatthe ‘powder’ismadeupofsporeballs (cystosori)thatarereleasedintothe soilcansurviveinthesoilforupto tenyears.Thesesporesrelease motile(swimming)zoosporesthat penetrateroothairsandstolon epidermalcells,lenticelsandtuber eyes.Theycanalsoentervia woundsonthedevelopingtubers.”

Giventhelackofeffectivetreatment, particularlyinwarecrops,avoiding diseasedseediskey,andhe emphasisesthatcarefulcheckingof seediscrucial,particularlyas tolerancesarequitehigh.

“Itcanbeconfusedwithcommon scabsoIprefertouseaneyeglass whendoinginspectionsasitcanbe difficulttodistinguishbetween

powderyandcommonscab.

“Theshapeofthelesionisslightly different.Thepowderyscab pathogenproducescircularpustules onthetuberswhichcanactas ‘volcanos’aftertheyrupture.

“Anothersigntolookforisthesize ofthelesion–thosemadeby powderyscabareoftenlarger becausetheyhavemergedtogether.

“Also,ifyouscratchthelesionwitha fingernail,itleavesagreater depressiononthesurfacethanyou getwithcommonscab.

“Ifyoususpectpowderyscabitis alwaysagoodideatosenda sampletoadiagnosticlaboratoryfor confirmation.”

Onceinthesoil,thezoosporescan movethroughwateracrossshort distancestoinfectthenewcrop, and,ifthemothertuberisdiseased, theywillmovetothedaughters.

“Thezoosporesinfecttheroothairs andstolonsbeforethetubers develop,andcancausegallsonthe roots.Thedevelopingtuber producescorkytissuetohaltthe growthofthedisease.

“Wehavefoundthatsomevarieties aremoresusceptibletoothers,soit isalwaysagoodideatocheck susceptibilityofthevarietyyou

intendtogrowalongsidethefield conditionsandsoiltypetojudge risksofgrowinginthatparticular field.”

Higherriskfieldswhereseed potatoesaretobegrowncanbe treatedwithanin-furrowtreatmentof fluazinamat3l/ha,butthisthen meansthatthefungicidecannotbe usedaspartofablightcontrol programme.

“Ifyouaregrowingawarecrop,itis moredifficult.Azincbased treatment(suchaszincoxideorzinc sulphate)appliedtothesoilcouldbe useful,butatpresentthereareno suchtreatmentsapprovedfor powderyscab.”

Toptipsforreducingtheriskof powderyscab

•Growonwell-drainedlandor improvedrainage(ifitispooron ownland)

•Checkvarietalsusceptibility

•Usediseasefreeseed

•Maintainrotationofatleast6 years

•Takesoilsamplestodetermine presenceofthediseaseinthe field

NICKCESARECELEBRATESFORTY YEARSINAGRICULTURALAUTOMATION

Theownerofoneof theUK'sleading automation companiesis celebrating40years ofworkingwithagribusinesses.

NickCesare,managingdirectorof PACEMechanicalHandling,will markfourdecadesofsupplying roboticandautomatedpackingand palletisinglinestofarmers, packhousesandfoodprocessors on30thMarch.

MrCesare'scareerinagricultural salesbeganin1983atDarenth AutomationLtd,acompanyhehad joinedin1980.Afterselling Darenth'smachinestofarmersfor justayear,Nickbecameso convincedoftheimportanceof automationtoagriculturethathe joinedWalthamburyAgricultural Equipmentin1984.After13years atWalthambury,Nickdecidedthe timewasrighttosetupafamily businessandlefttoestablish PACEMechanicalHandling.

Fourdecadeslaterandwithover 250successfulinstallations,PACE MechanicalHandlingisthrivingand todaydevelopsbespokeautomated packagingandpalletisingsolutions utilisingthreecoreproducts:the Geminitwinheadweigher,Orion Weigher,OrionWeigherandsack placerandtheCBCsackplacer andstitcherline.PACEalso integratesMotormanrobotswith custom-madegrippersforpickand placepackagingsystems.

"Isetoutwiththeaimofhelping improvethepackingprocess. PACEallowsgrowers,packersand foodproducerstobemoreefficient. Oursystemsallowthemtopack morequickly,reliablyand profitably,"saysNick."We'veseen agreatdealofchangeoverthelast fortyyears,andwewillcontinueto seechangeasweconstantlyseek toimprove.

"Iamveryproudof myteamandour success,it'sbeen ajointeffort,andI wouldliketothank everyonewhohas puttheirfaithin PACEandasked ustodesignand installapacking lineforthem."

Onefarmthathas beenusinga PACEpackaging systemisOGE Chapman&Son. Establishedin 1957byOliver Chapman,the SouthLincolnshire farmgrows cereals,peas, sugarbeetand potatoes,withthe latterbeingpacked on-siteandsoldto fishandchipshops acrossthecountry.

"Weinstalledthe PACEpalletising systemfiveyears ago,anditwasoneofthebest thingswe'vedone,"saysJamie Chapman."Weneededtoreduce ourlabourcosts,so,withNick's help,weinstalledasackplacerand stitchline.

"Ourpotatoescomeintoahopper, overthegrader,throughNick's equipmentwhichpackstheminto 25kgsacks,whicharethenplaced onthepallet.

"Byinstallingthesackplacer,we nolongerneededamanthereto dothejob.Asthatpersonwas checkingthequalityofthestitching, weinstalledastitchlinetoo. Stitchingcanbetemperamental, butthePACEmachineneverlets usdown."

Aswellasreducinglabour,the

PACEsolutionhasincreased Chapman&Son'scapacityand throughput.

"Onagoodday,wecanhaveupto 100tonnesbeingpacked.Before weautomatedtheprocess,this wouldhavebeentwodays'work! Nick'sdouble-headedweigheris alsomoreaccuratethanour previousweigherandincreasesour output."

FormoreinformationaboutPACE MechanicalHandlinganditsrobotic andautomatedpackinglines,visit www.robotpalletizing.co.uk,call 01775630900oremail sales@robotpalletizing.co.uk

RoyalBath&WestShowentriesopen

TheRoyalBath& WestShowlooks forwardto welcomingback visitorsand competitorsalikeon 1-3June,2023,withentriesto thewiderangeofcompetitions nowopen.

Visitorscanexpectthreedaysof action-packedfamily entertainment,featuringthebest ofBritishagriculture,equine competition,andrurallife exhibits.Thepopularlivestock GrandParadewillshowcasethe championship-winningbeefand dairycattle,aswellaspigsand sheep,whileequinecompetitors willbekeentoclaimprestigious showjumpingaccoladesorhave achancetoqualifyfortheHorse oftheYearShow.

“Ouragricultural,equineand ruralheritageremainsatthe heartoftheshow,withquality entriesandentertainment throughout,”explainsJess Chiplen,HeadofShows.“And we’relookingforwardto

educatingthenextgeneration, withournewSTEMZone, ‘Discoverthefuture’,whichwill bepackedfullofinteractive technologyandengineering displaysdesignedspecificallyfor children.”

Andthat’snottheonlyforwardthinkingelement,withthisyear’s showintroducinganew veterinaryaward.“We’re delightedtoannouncethelaunch ofthe‘FarmVetoftheFuture’ competition,”saysMissChiplen. “ThecompetitionisopentoUK finalyearvetstudentsintending tobecomefarmvets.Thewinner andrunner-upwillbeinvitedto attendtheRoyalBathandWest Showon1June,whenthe winnerwillbeannounced.”

NaomiGuiver,Competitions Executiveadds:“It’sgreatto openentriesforadiverseand wide-rangingscheduleof competition,whichwill undoubtedlybringoutthehighest qualityanimalsandcontestants fromacrosstheregion.”

Livestock

Asalways,thelivestockclasses areatthecentreoftheshow; withbeef,dairy,sheep,andpigs featuringoneverydayofthe event.

Entriesforsheep,beef,andpigs close17April,2023

Entriesfordairycattleclose8 May,2023

Equine,shoeing,and shoemaking

Anotherpackedequineschedule, allfocusedinoneareaofthe showgroundandtoinclude heavyhorse,lighthorse,scurry driving,andshowjumping,as wellasthehighlyskilledfarriers enteringtheshoeingand shoemakingcompetition.

Entriesforscurry,lighthorse, andheavyhorseclose24April, 2023

Entriesforshowjumpingclose 19May,2023

Entriesforshoeingandshoe

makingclose2May,2023

Sheepshearing

Worldclasscontestantsgo upagainsteachother,andin theprocessdemonstratethe artofprofessionalshearing.-

Entriesclose23rdMay2023

TeamChallenge

Designedtohelptheyounger stockpersondemonstrate anddeveloptheirskillsin stockjudging,cattle preparationandcattle showing.Therearetwo categories,beefordairy,and withineachclassJuniors(1017yrs)andSeniors(18-28 yrs)competeinteamsof three.-Entriesclose8thMay 2023

Arts,floralandproduce Featuringattheshowfor over100years,theArt competitionencouragesand promotesartistsfromtheSouth West,withentriesincluding paintings,drawings,sculpture, ceramics,andoriginallimited prints–Entriesclose18thApril 2023

TheFloralArtcompetitionsees entriesofunbridledcreative aplomb,attractingvirtuoso floriststotheshowground–

Entriesclose3rdMay2023

TheBritishCiderChampionships offeruptheverybestin beveragefromacrossthe country–Entriesclose9thMay 2023

Finally,producethenationcan beproudof,goeshead-to-head intheEggcompetition,andinthe BeesandHoneycompetition.

Entriesforeggsclose10thMay 2023

Entriesforbeesandhoneyclose 1stMay2023

Andwithplentyofother attractions,amyriadoftraders offeringlocalfoodanddrink,and livemusiccontinuinglonginto theevening,thereissomething foreveryoneattheRoyalBath andWestShow,saysMiss Chiplen.“Wecan’twaittosee ourvisitorsandexhibitorsalike, whoarewelcometocamp overnighttomakethemostofthe occasion–andexhibitors,don’t forgetournewandimproved Stockman’sSupperontheFriday night.”

•TheRoyalBath&WestShow takesplaceon1-3June2023 atTheShowground,Shepton Mallet,SomersetBA46QN.

Competitionentriescanbe madebyvisitinghttps://www. bathandwest.com/royal-bathand-west-show/competitions

•Toenterthefarmvetofthe futureaward,visithttp://www. bathandwestsociety.com/ farm-vet-of-the-future-award

•Bookshowticketshere: https://www.bathandwest. com/tickets

Startplanningnowfor2023silageseason

Beefanddairyfarmersarebeing encouragedtostartforage planningnowaheadofthe2023 silageseason.

ThepleafromLientjieColahan,technical salessupportatLallemand AnimalNutrition,comes followingachallenging seasonin2022which hasleftmany farmerswithlittleor verypoor-quality silagefortheircows thiswinter.

“Therearemanyfarms that aren’tinaparticularlygood foragesituationbasedontheseasonlast year,”saysMsColahan.

“Nowisagoodtimetofocusmindsand startthinkingabouthowmuchforageyou needasaminimumforyouranimalsnext seasonandwhatkindofqualityyouwantto produce.”

Sherecommendsincludingyournutritionist, agronomistandcontractorinanyforage planningdiscussions.

“Farmersshouldworkoutaforagebudget withtheirnutritionistbasedontheirsystem requirements,”addsMsColahan.

“Thenutritionistcantellthemhowmuch grasssilage,andofwhatquality,theyneed perdaytoachieveacertainnumberoflitres ofmilkordailyliveweightgainfromforage.

“Thesediscussionsmightalsohighlightthat thereisn’tenoughspacetomakeorstore

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Startplanningnowfor2023silageseason

theamountofforageneeded–it'sbetterto knowthatbeforehandandmakean adjustmenttotheplan.”

Shesaysyouragronomistcanprovide adviceonhowtoimprovegrassyieldsby adaptingthefarm’sfertiliserplanorreseedingpolicy,whilealsogivinginsightinto thetruecostofproducingsilage.

“It’simportantforfarmerstorememberthat anymoneytheyspendonmakingforage willhavebeenspentwhethertheyfeeditor

whethertheythrowitawaybecauseof spoilage,”addsMsColahan.

Thingstodiscusswiththecontractor,orfor thefarmertoconsideriftheymaketheir ownsilage,includetimingandclamp construction.

MsColahansaysthisisespecially importantiffarmersareconsideringcutting earlierthantheyusuallywouldthisyear.

“Veryyoungandlushgrasswillcompact moreeasilysoputthinlayersintheclamp

androllit,but don’tovercompactit,”she adds.

“Over-compaction resultsineffluent productionand losingmoreofthe reallygood nutrientsoutof thatsilage.”

MsColahan’s otheradvicefor forageplanning includesmaking useof Lallemand’sprecutgrasstesting service,and makingsureyou haveeverything youneedfor silage-making, suchassilage sheetsandyour inoculant,atleast twoweeksbefore youplantomake yourfirstcut.

“Pre-cuttesting helpstoensure thecropisatthe optimumstagefor cutting.Farmers shouldstart samplingthree weeksbeforethe previousyear’s cuttingdate,given theyearly variationingrass growth,tomonitornitrate,NDFandsugar content.

“Makinggrasssilageiseasybutmaking reallygoodgrasssilageisincredibly difficult,”addsMsColahan.

“Ifsilagingdidn’tgo100%to planlastyear,don’tgiveupon it.Thinkaboutwhatyoucould havedonebetterandwhat wentreallywellandusethat informationtoplanforthis

Pre-cuttestingtargets

silageseason.Makingincremental improvementsinsilage-makingwilladdup toabigdifference.”

Toptipstomaximiseyour firstcutsilagethisseason

Farmersareurgedtostartthinking aboutgrasslandnutritionnow,to maximisesilagequalityandquantity.

ThisistheadvicefromDavidNewton, TimacAgrotechnicalmanager, followingachallenginggrowingseasonlastyear, thatledtoissuesproducingenoughgood-quality silagetoover-wintercattle.

“Farmersneedtoprepareforanothervariable silageseasonbymakingsmallchangesthatwill makeabigdifferenceforyourlivestock,aswellas yourinputcosts,”hesays.

MrNewtonsharesthreetoptipstohelpmaximise thefirstcutofsilagethisseason:

2.Remembertraceelementsarejustas valuableasNPK

“Achievingqualitysilageismorethanjustapplying N,P,andK(nitrogen,phosphateandpotassium),” saysMrNewton.

Focusingnotonlyonsupplyingthekey macronutrients,butalsoaccesstomineraland traceelementssuchassodium,boron,iodine, selenium,andsulphur,farmerscanmaximisecow healthandfertility.

“Themoreyoucanoptimisenutritionwithinyour forage,thelessreliantyouneedtobeonproviding extraconcentratesandsupplements,whichcanbe expensive,”hesays.

3.Usenitrogen fertiliserswhich containsulphur

“Quiteoftenfarmers forgetaboutsulphur, butit’sintegralfor sufficientuptakeof nitrogen,”MrNewton says.

1.Efficientuseofmuckandslurry

Herecommendstestingfarmyardmanure(FYM) andslurrytoensurenutrientcontentissufficient andtoensuresoilsarebestabletoconvertorganic mattertomineralisednutrients.

“Makingsuresoilsareintip-topconditioniscritical forefficientuseofFYMandslurry,”hesays.

“Ahealthysoilmeansawiderrangeofbiology, suchasbacteria,fungiandearthworms,whichwill cyclethenutrientsappliedfromFYMandslurry.”

“Sulphurlevelsare closelylinkedtoN uptakeandplant metabolism–soif they’relow,itcan severelyhinder proteinsynthesis.” Manurescontain somesulphurbutat relativelylowlevels andpredominantlyin organicforms,which needtobe mineralisedbeforeitisanyusetothecrop.

“UsinganNproduct,enhancedwithsulphur,such asSulfammo26N-Process,helpstoslowlyrelease Nthroughoutthegrowingseason,makingit availableforlonger,aswellasmaximisingprotein availabilityforcattle,”MrNewtonsays.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisit:Sulfammo26NProcess-TIMACAGROUK

FarmCentregains Agriroutercompatibility

Kverneland’s IsoMatch FarmCentrefleet managementand wireless telematicssolutionhasbeen upgradedtoincludegreater functionality,alongwiththe abilitytocommunicatewiththe universaldataexchange platform,Agrirouter.

WithFarmCentre,operators canusetheirIsoMatchTellus

ProandTellusGo+universal terminalsasagatewaytolink KvernelandGroupimplements tocloud-basedservices.This enablesreal-timedata exchangeforsendingand receivingtasks.

Byaddingcommunicationto Agrirouter,implementdata accessisalsoavailableto thoseusingthirdparty terminals,improvingcrossmanufacturercompatibility

betweentractorsand implements.

Amongthenewfeaturesof FarmCentreisadedicated dashboardthatcorrespondsto theimplementandthetask controller,simplifying evaluationofin-field performance,eitherwith specifictasksorthroughout themachine’slifecycle.

JohnDeereupdatesPrecisionAgTechnology

Formanyyears, JohnDeerehas offeredreliableand high-performance PrecisionAg Technology.In 2023,allessentialsofthe advancedequipmentwillreceive anupdatetobepreparedforthe future.Importantcomponentsare thebrand-newJohnDeereG5 displayfamilyandthenew JDLinkTMMmodem.These updatesmaketheJohnDeere PrecisionAgTechnologyfaster, morepowerful,andmore affordableforeveryfarmerand contractor.

TheNewJohnDeereG5 DisplayFamily

WiththebrandnewG5display family,JohnDeeredeliversthe latesttechnologydirectlyto customers.FullHDresolution,

additionalmemoryandincreased processingpowermaketheG5 monitoroneofthemostpowerful displaysavailable.Itcomeswith twoportableversions,whichcan beusedonallbrands,two integratedmonitorsforspecific JohnDeeremachinesandan ExtendedMonitoroption.TheG5 displayis10.1inchesandthe G5Plusis12.8inches,meaning theG5displayfamilyoffersupto 33%morespaceformapsand informationcomparedtoits predecessors.Bothportable displaysofferadditional protectionthroughtheirwater resistance(IP65).TheJohn DeereG5Pluscomeswith AutoTrac™andSectionControl asstandard.Ofcourse,thefull AEFISOBUScompatibility remains.

AllG5displayswillretainthe reliableandfamiliaruser

interfacefromGeneration4 displays.Thecombinationof moderntechnologyandfamiliar userinterfaceprovidesan immediateperformanceboost withouttheneedforlengthyrelearning.Thenewlicense programforadvancedfeatures meansthatfarmersand contractorsonlypayforwhat theyneed,andupfrontcostsare reduced.Regularsoftware updatesarebeingdevelopedand ensurethattheG5displayfamily isalreadyequippedforthe future.

TheG5PlusUniversaldisplay andtheG5Universaldisplaywill beavailablefororderlaterthis year.TheG5Plus CommandCenterandG5 CommandCenterTMwillbe availableonJohnDeere

JohnDeereupdatesPrecisionAgTechnology

machinesfromModelYear2024.

TheNewJohnDeereJDLinkM andRModem

Farmersandcontractorswitha mixedfleetcancontinuetotake advantageofconnectivity betweenmachinesandthe cloud.ThebrandnewJDLinkTM MModemoffersanaffordable alternativetothefamiliar JDLinkTMRModem.The JDLinkTMMModemisaplug andplaysolution,whichallows mixedfleetstobefullyequipped easily.TheJDLinkTMMandR Modemsarecompatiblewiththe SAEJ1939protocolandcan processover14datapointsfrom differentmachinebrands.This compatibilityenablesthe managementofanentiremixed fleetinjustoneportal:TheJohn DeereOperationsCenterTM.

TheJohnDeereStarFireTM 7000

TheJohnDeereStarFireTM 7000wasintroducedlastyear togetherwiththenewStarFire™ RTKsignal.WithanRTK accuracyof2.5cmandapull-in timeoffewerthan8minutes,the newStarFireTMRTKsignal offersaveryattractiveentryinto RTK.TheJohnDeere StarFireTM7000performswith evenbetterconnectivitythan previousgenerationsduetothe additionsofGalileoandBeidou satellitesignals.TheJohnDeere StarFireTM7000receiversare availableforordersanddelivery startsnow.

TheJohnDeereOperations Center

JDLinkTMprovidesfreeof chargetwo-wayconnectivityfor

theautomaticuploadingofcrop andmachinedatatotheJohn DeereOperationsCenter™.With continuousupdates,the OperationsCenterisconstantly beingimprovedandadaptsto futureneeds.Itwillcontinueto beavailablefreeofchargefor mobiledevicesandontheweb.

ThenewessentialsofJohn DeerePrecisionAgTechnology makesmartfarmingmore effortlessforcustomers.Itwill becomeincreasinglyeasytouse, automatedandisalready seamless.Allfeaturesandthe advancedlocaldealerservice andexpertise,makefarmersand contractors’businessesmore productive,profitable,and sustainable.

Newroundofgrantfundingmakesprecisionapplicationtechmoreaffordable

Anewroundofgrant fundinghasmade precisionfarming technologiessuch asauto-steering systems,GPS guidancelightbars,variablerate applicationcontrollers,slurryflow monitorsandslurryanalysis sensorsmoreaffordablein England.

TheRuralPaymentsAgency (RPA)publisheddetailsofthe latestroundofFarming EquipmentandTechnologyFund

(FETF)grantson9thFebruary 2023.Thenewschemeoffers grantfundingforspecificitemsof equipmentandtechnologyfor farmingandisdividedintotwo maincategories:Productivityand Slurryitems(Annex3)and AnimalHealthandWelfareitems (Annex4).

AselectionofTopcon Agriculture’sprecisionfarming productsareeligiblewithin Annex3ofthenewroundof funding,including:TopconSI-21 Lightbarsteeringguidance

system(£306grantcontribution); TopconAES-35ElectricSteering systemforolder,non-steer-ready tractors(£1,051funding);Topcon ApolloCM-40variablerate sprayerECU,TopconASC-10 variable-ratefertiliserapplication controller,TopconArtemis variablerateseeddrillcontroller andTopconAtheneSM-1 spreadingcontroller(£1,850 funding).

TopconAgriculture’srangeof slurryflowratemonitors(£2,134 funding)andinlineslurrynutrient

Newroundofgrantfundingmakesprecisionapplicationtechmoreaffordable

analyser(£10,803funding)are alsoeligibleunderthenew scheme.

“Withinputpricesremaining elevated–albeititataslightly reducedlevelcomparedtolast year’shighs–thereremainsa significantneedforarableand livestockfarmerstomaximisethe productionefficienciesoftheir respectivesystems,”explains RichardReed,ManagingDirector ofLHAgro,Topcon’spreferred distributorandinstallerintheUK.

“Onewaytoimproveefficiencies

andachievemeaningfulcost savingsistoapplyinputsas accuratelyandtime-efficientlyas possible,eitherbyusingvariable rateapplications,orsimplyby ensuringtractors,sprayersand implementsarebeingsteered andoperatedaccurately.

“Thefinancialassistance availablethroughthisnewround ofFEFTfundingmakesthese technologiesmuchmore accessibletoawiderproportion ofthecountry’sfarmbusinesses andenablesfarmersandfarm

managerstoensurecostlyinputs areappliedattherightrate,the righttimeandintherightplace.

“We’rethereforepleasedtosee thattheGovernmentcontinuesto recognisethevalueandbenefit thesetechnologiescandeliver, andwelookforwardtoworking withfarmerstoenablethemto takeadvantageofthislatest roundoffunding.”

Formoreinformationaboutthe Topconequipmentmentioned, pleasevisitwww.lh-agro.co.ukor callLHAgroon01480496367.

RABIreportsrecordsupportlevelsfor2022

Overtwoandahalftimesas manymembersofthe farmingcommunity receivedsupportfrom RABIlastyearin comparisonto2021butthere’sstilla longwaytogo,accordingtothe farmingcharity.

Reachingmorepeople

Theincreaseinthenumberof workingfamiliesRABIsupported suggeststhatincreasinglycomplex challengesareimpactingmany farmingpeople.Itcanalso,inpart,be attributedtotheunexpecteduptakeof itsReturntoSchoolcampaignandthe roll-outofnew professionalmental healthservices.

RABI’sdirectorof services,Caron Whaley,saysthat despitetheincrease inpeoplereceiving support,thereisstill muchmorethatcan bedonetoimprove thewellbeingofthe farmingcommunity.

“Lastsummer’s ReturntoSchool campaigndirectly benefitedalmost4,000people,”says MsWhaley.“IthasbeenRABI’smost impactfulstandalonecampaign, whichhadanallocatedbudgetof£1.5 millionassignedbytheTrustees,

availableforfarmingfamiliesin need.”

Breakingdownbarriers

“Unfortunately,webelievethere remainsalargepercentageofthe communitywhoarereluctanttoreach outforsupport.Collectively,weneed toworktowardsbreakingdownthe barriersthatpreventpeoplefrom accessinghelpwhentheyneedit,”she continues.

TheReturntoSchoolcampaignwas particularlysuccessfulinconnecting RABItofarmingwomenaged35to 44,whoaccountedfor80%of applicants.Reaching thesemotherswas particularlyimportant, asRABI’sBigFarming Surveyhadpreviously identifiedthis demographicasbeing mostatriskofpoor mentalhealthand wellbeing.

“Foralmost90%ofthe peoplewhoreceived supportthrough ReturntoSchool,this wasthefirsttimethey hadconnectedwithus. Encouragingpeople whoarestrugglingtotakethatinitial stepisvitalifwearetochangethe perceptionthataskingforhelpisnot aweaknessbutastrength,”saysMs Whaley.

Supportingwellbeing

Sheaddsthatsincelaunchingthe RABIwellbeingservicesinJanuary 2022,theuptakeofprofessionalinpersoncounsellinghasexceeded expectationsbyalmosttwelvetimes.

“Theuptakeofprofessional counsellingsuggestsasizeableneedin ourcommunityforwraparound wellbeingservicesthatcomplement thefinancialhelpandguidancewe provide,”saysMsWhaley.“Wewant tocontinueencouragingpeopleto accessearly,preventativewellbeing supportandnormaliseeveryday conversationsaroundhowwe’re feeling.”

DemandforRABI’saccreditedmental healthtrainingwasalsomuchhigher thananticipated.Ledbyqualified counsellors,thetraininghelpsto equipthoseworkingwithfarming peoplewiththetoolsandconfidence tostartmentalwellbeing conversations,aswellasbeingableto recognisethesignswhensomeoneis struggling.

“Addressingthewraparoundneedsof thefarmingcommunityremainsakey driverforRABI.Reachingouttoask forhelpissomethingeveryonecanbe partofsupportingandweencourage everyoneinthefarmingcommunity tobepartofthatchange,”addMs Whaley.

DemandforEmotionalSupportSees TreblingofCounsellingProvisionbyRSABI

Duringthepastyear,RSABIhastrebled itscounsellingprovisioninresponseto increaseddemandfromfarmers, crofters,andothersworkinginScottish agriculture.

Lastmonth(February)wasthebusiestmonthin 2022/23intermsofpeoplereachingouttothe charity,whichprovidesemotional,financial, andpracticalsupport.DuringJanuaryand Februarythecharityalsomade312outbound emotionalsupportcallsandsinceApril2022, ithasfunded170counsellingsessions.

Duringthepastyearthecharityhasalso notedatrendofworkingagepeopleseeking emotionalsupportduetostress,anxietyand isolation,withanoticeableincreaseinthose concernedabouttheirfinancialsituation, comparedwiththefinaltwomonthsof2022.

Thecharityiscurrentlyexpandingitsteam ofstafftoensureitiswellresourcedto respondtoafurtherincreaseindemandfor itsservices,aspressureontheindustry continueswithhighinputpricesandgeneral anxietyaboutcostoflivingandthefutureof agriculturalsupport.

RSABI,whichoffersemotional,financial, andpracticalsupporttotheagriculture industry,isexperiencingahighnumberof peopleseekingemotionalsupportwith88% ofthewelfareteams'timededicatedto providingemotionalandpracticalsupport.

AccordingtoChrisMcVey,WelfareManager withRSABI,whilespringmightseemlikea seasonofbustlingactivity,itcanbeavery toughtimeofyearforfarmersandcrofters who,emergingfromwinter,cansometimes feelthescaleoftheworkloadis overwhelming.

Hewelcomedthefactthatmorepeopleare contactingthecharityviaitsHelplineand urgedotherswhomayfeeltheyarenot coping,nottohesitatetoseeksupport.

"Comingintospring,farmers'andcrofters' mentalhealthcancomeunderstrainas springwork,includinglambing,calvingand sowing,getsunderway,"saidMrMcVey.

"Lackofsleep,coupledwithtirednessfrom theincreasedworkload,canresultinfarmers andcroftersfailingtotakecareofthemselves

andtheirownmentalwellbeingsowewantto remindeveryoneoftherangeofsupportservices wehaveavailable.

"Iffarmersorcroftersfindthemselvesstruggling withtheirmentalhealth,RSABIisheretooffer freecounsellingservices,deliveredquicklyafter receivingtheinitialenquiry.Ourfree

confidentialsupportserviceisavailable24hours aday,everydayoftheyear,bycalling08081234 555andcallswon'tshowuponphonebills,or throughaconfidentialwebchatservice,available onourwebsite."

RSABIisalsoremindingeveryoneinvolvedin theScottishagriculturalcommunityaboutthe importancetostayingconnectedandcheckingin onanyonewhomightbefeelingoverwhelmed, isolated,orlonely,particularlyatthistimeof year.

Therecentcoldsnaphasalsocontributedtoa furthersurgeindemandforRSABI'sHelpfor Heatinggrants,tohelppeoplestrugglingtokeep theirhomeswarm.Ifyou,orsomeoneyouknow, couldbenefitfromthissupport,pleasecontact RSABIorasksomeoneelsetodosoonyour behalfandhelptakethepressureoff.

FormoreinformationortosignuptoRSABI's supporters'scheme,pleasevisittheRSABI websitewww.rsabi.org.uk,whereyoucanalso finda24-hourconfidentialwebchatservice.

omenworkingto transformthedairy industryjoined anInternational Women'sDayeventto celebrateanddiscuss thetheme'BreaktheBias'atHolyrood.

TheDigitalDairyChain,ledby Scotland'sRuralCollege(SRUC), invitedwomenfromtheindustryto attendtheannualScottish Women's ConventionParliamentary Receptionon4Marchtopromote theirwork.

Theyalsohadtheopportunityto meetSusanMcKellar,Operations DirectorfortheScottishWomen's Convention,beforeher attendanceattheUNCommission ontheStatusofWomen conferenceinNewYorktodiscuss thethemesofinnovationand technologicalchangeandrural womenandgirls.

The£21millionDigitalDairy Chain,fundedbytheUK Research&Innovation'sStrength inPlacesFund,offersbusinesses andindividualsinvolvedinthe dairysupplychainacrossCumbria andSouth&WestScotlanda rangeofservicestosupport innovationandproductivity throughcollaboration.

PaulineMurray,InnovationBroker ProjectManager,said:"Oneofthe DigitalDairyChain'saimsisto createmoreopportunitiesand accesspointsforwomentoenter thedairysector.

"However,fortheindustrytobe appealingtonewentrants,we needtoshowcasetherangeof rolesandcareersavailable.

"Weinvited19womenworkingas researchers,technologyexperts,

projectmanagers,ice-creamproducers, farmersandpolicyadvisers,totheScottish Parliamenttodemonstratethebreadthof existingskillsandtheimportantrolewomen playinthissector.

"Wewanttohelpbreakdownthebarriersto

Womenindairymilknetworkingopportunity

participationbyraisingawarenessofthe supportandopportunitiesprojectssuchas theDigitalDairyChainareofferingwomen."

ToniBruce,ResponsibleSourcing SpecialistatFirstMilk–oneoftheDigital DairyChainpartners-said:"Thedairy industryhastraditionallybeenmale dominatedbutwomenhaveavitalroleto playacrossthesector.

"Wearekeentoencouragemorewomen

intotheindustryandtocelebratethe amazingcontributionthatwomenmake everydayondairyfarmsandthroughoutthe dairysupplychain.

"AtFirstMilk,wehaveawell-established WomeninAgriculturegroup,andweare delightedthatparticipantsfromthiswere abletojointheeventatHolyroodto celebrateInternationalWomen'sDay."

RotaryLobePumpretrofitworks wondersatbiogasplants

Atonesmallandonemuchlarger biogasplant,atwhichboth, farmerswereexperiencingmajor problemswithexistingprocesses, Borgerhasrecentlysecurednew ordersforitsprovenRotaryLobePumps.

AtthefirstADplant,theoperatorneededa reliablepumpfortransferringhighlyabrasive biogassubstratefromafermentertoa secondaryfermenter.Theexistingpumpfroma differentmanufacturersufferedfromextreme wearontherotors,whichhadgreatlyaffected theefficiencyandqualityofthefeedstock process,resultinginincreasedlabour, maintenanceandrepairs.

Incontrast,thenewlyinstalledBorgerRotary Lobepump,whichhastobeabletocopewith pressureof4bar,isveryeasytoservice.Its Maintenance-in-Placedesignrequiresonly basictools.Thespeedofthe32-80m³/h Borgerpumpiscontrolledbyafrequency converterdependingonthelinepressure.

Similarly,atasecond,muchlargerbiogas

plant,afarmerandhis teamwereveryunsatisfied withtheperformanceof the40pumpsithad installedforitsAD process.Afterjustafew weeks,thepumpsshowed worryingsignsofsevere wearandtearonthe rotors.Therewerealso frequentoccurrencesof damagetothesealsand gears.Theoperatorofthe biogasplantconducteda year-longtesttofindthe optimumpump-typeforhis requirements,putting severaldifferentmakes throughtheirpaces. Finally,hedecidedto retrofittheentireplantwith RotaryLobePumpsmade byBorger,whichbenefit fromrotorsthathavebeen developedspeciallyforthebiogasapplications.

Fibrousmatterinrenewableresourcesis capturedintheprofilegroovesoftheBorger profilerotor.Thisconstantlyexchangingfilm

formsallovertheseal betweentherotorsandthe casing.Theexceptionally highlevelofpump efficiencyenablesthe premiumprofilerotor operationtobevirtually freeofwear.

BorgerRotaryLobe

Pumpsareself-priming, valveless,positive displacementpumps.The evenrotationoftherotor paircreatesavacuumon theprimingsideofthe pump,whichcanbe definedbythedirectionof rotationofthedrive.This vacuumdrawstheliquid intothepumpchamber. Withfurtherrotation,the pumpedmediumis conveyedpastthepump wallintothepressurearea.Uptosixchamber chargesaredisplacedwitheachdriverotation, dependingontherotortype.Whentherotoris atastandstill,thepumpsealsoffalmost completely.

WORLDBANK,IEA,ANDGASINSTITUTE

NASOFUKRAINETOHEADLINE2023

WORLDBIOGASSUMMIT

Theprogramme forthe 2023World Biogas Summitwhich willtakeplaceattheNEC Birmingham,UKon29-30 March2023,hasbeen published.Organisedby theWorldBiogas Association(WBA)the Summitistheonlyglobal thought-leadershipforum entirelydedicatedto anaerobicdigestion(AD) andbiogas.

Underthehashtag #MakingBiogasHappen,this year’seventwillhighlight therolethatADandbiogas canplayindeliveringthe NetZerotransitioninthe faceofcurrentglobal

challenges.Withthisin mind,itwillfeaturekeynote speechesbyJenniferSara, GlobalDirectorforClimate ChangeGlobalPracticeat theWorldBank,TimGould, ChiefEnergyEconomistat theInternationalEnergy AgencyandHennadiyZhuk, Professor/directorat theGasInstituteNASof Ukraine,whoseaddresswill

bringmuchpoignancytothe proceedings.

“Recentworldeventsand theirimpactonclimate, energyandfoodsecurityon aglobalscalehaveputin sharpperspectivethevalue ofADandbiogasas solutionstothesecrises,” explainsCharlotteMorton OBE,WBAChiefExecutive. “TheUNFCCCsay

deploymentofAD technologyisamongthe ‘fastest,mosteconomical’ waystodeliveravastarray ofservicesthataddress thoseissues.Treating throughADallofthe105bn tonnesoforganicwastes generatedannuallyby humanactivitycould providehomegrownbiogas, biofertilisersandother bioproductsthatwould secureenergyandfood self-sufficiencyanddeliver 50%oftheGlobalMethane Pledge.Thisyear’sWorld BiogasSummitwillhighlight howthiscanbeachieved andthecontributionsfrom ourkeynotespeakerswill beparticularlyvaluablein reachingourgoals.Welook forwardtowelcomingthem onourstage.”

Fullydeployed,theglobal ADandbiogascouldgrow intoa$34trnindustryand create10-15millionnew greenjobs.

Inadditiontoexploringhow decarbonisationthroughAD canberolledoutthrough

thefinance,transport, agricultureandotherkey sectors,theWorldBiogas Summitwilllookatthe impactofbigoilcompanies nowinvestinginthegreen technology,castspotlights onemergingmarketsin BrazilandIndonesiaand debatethegrowingroleof womenintheindustry.

Internationalindustry leaderssharingtheir insightsoverthetwodays includeAmirAkbari, CEO,Anessa,RickyMaylin, Co-DirectorofONM Energy,KunalShah,Chief GrowthOfficerand

ManagingDirectorAsia atAnaergia,DrGerardJ. Ostheimer,GlobalLeadfor Sustainable Bioenergy,BioFuture Campaign,DrOscar Schoumans,Senior ScientistatWageningen University&Research, FelipeSouzaMarques, DirectorPresident ofCiBiogasandPierre EmmanuelPardo, InnovationManager

atSUEZ.

ViewWorldBiogas

Summitfullprogramme

Meanwhile,theco-located, andsoldout,WorldBiogas ExpoorganisedbyWBAin partnershipwiththeUK AnaerobicDigestionand Bioresources Association(ADBA),will featureexhibitorsfrom aroundtheworld showcasingtheirlatest productsandservices, whilstindustryexpertswill offerinsightsonallaspects oftheADandbiogas industryinitsEngineRoom theatre–withtopicsranging frominnovationin processesandtechnology, plantoptimisation,digestate andnetzerofarmingto carbonmarketsanda regionalfocusonIreland.

Registrationtotheseevents isfreeandcanbe completedat:www.worldbiogas-summit.com;www. biogastradeshow.com

SURPRISESUCCESSFORSCOTTISHOILSEEDRAPECROP

TheLawson brothers,Mark, PhilipandBen, farminNewton Stewartin DumfriesandGallowaytuckedintothebayjustbefore Stranraer–generallynotan arearenownedforproducing awardwinningoilseedrape crops.HoweverMark’scropof oilseedrapewonasilver awardinthe2022YEN awardswithhiscropachieving 84%ofitspotential yielding7.39t/ha.

“Whentheawards wereannouncedwe couldn’tbelieveit.It wasreallyunexpected, weneverexpected anythinglikethatfrom acroponthisfarm!” saysadelightedMark.

“It’sreallywethereandthesoilsarenot thebest-theytendto runtoshallowstoney–whichalthoughgives ussomereprievefrom therainfallasthewater runsthroughit–also meanswedon’thave lovely,deepsoilsfor thecroptosititsroots downinto-notthebest forhighestyieldingcrops.”

Airliesfarmstandsout amongstitsneighboursasit’s apurelyarablerotation,bar somebedandbreakfast cattle,inanareathat traditionallyisalllivestock farming.

TheLawson’sbought,what wasthenapurelyalivestock farmin1989.However increasedcoststotransport boughtinfeedfortheherd meanttheystartedtogrow theirown.Overtheyears,the arablesidehastakenover andnowhavearotation basedonwheat,barleyand

oilseedrape.Grassisgrown forsilageandtherougher pasturessupportsheep.

“Ourfarmaverageoilseed rapeyieldscanbearound3.7 t/habutifwecanpushthisto 4.2-4.4t/hawearehappywith that.”

“Ithadn’treallyoccurredtous toenterYEN.Wedidn’tthink wehadmuchhopeofwinning anythingandwereunsure

countrywithprovenstrong autumngrowthandgood springvigour,soliddisease resistanceandshort,stiff straw,combinedwithahighoil contentandyield.

“Whilsttherehasbeena tendencytomoveintohybrids generally,manygrowershave foundthatAcaciadeliversthe vigourandconsistencyof performancethattheyare lookingfor,”explainsDouglas. HeexplainsthatMark hasalwaysbeen interestedinimproving whathedoesonfarm, sowhenthecrop showedsomuch promiseitmadesense toenteritintotheYEN forthevaluable feedbackgainedfrom thejudging.

Awardwinning cropping

whatwewouldgainfromthe experience,butaconversation withourseedadvisor, DouglasBonnofNickersons convincedustoenter.

“WehadafieldofAcacia oilseedrapethatlookedgood andshowedpromise,soon discussionwithDouglaswe werepersuadedtoenterpart ofthatfield.”

“Weusedtogrowvariety

Anastasia,soitmadesenseto moveontoAcacia.”

BredbyLimagrainUK,Acacia isthemostpopular conventionalvarietyinthe

“Allinallitwasapretty easyseasononthe crop,saysMrLawson.” Autumn2021hadbeen reallykind–allthe cropsdrilledingood time.Withthehigh levelsofrainfallhere ourbiggestchallenge isgettingthecropsinthe groundingoodtime.”

“Followingwinterbarley,the oilseedrapewasdrilledintoa nicedryseedbed.Wemin-till usingaSimbaXpresswhich createsagoodtilthforthe seed.Seedratewas 3.55kg/ha–withanaimforan establishedplantcountof24 plants/m2.”

Withregardstoagronomyof thecrop,RichardBray, agronomistwithAgrovista basedinsouth-westScotland says“Itwasaseasonwhen everythingcametogether.”

“Thecropcameoutofthe winterwell,soweincluded growthregulationatstem extensionaswewantedto avoidalodgedorleaningcrop thatwouldnotmatureevenly ormaximisepodfill.Inwith this,wealsoappliedabroad spectrumfoliarfeed,”hesays

“Tissueanalysis highlightedthecropwas stillshortofboron.So weaddressedthisatthe earlyfloweringstage witha4-waymix containingboron,a carboxamideand triazolinthionefungicide forsclerotinia,abiostimulanttoboostyield byincreasingthe numbersofseedper plantandanadjuvantto aiduptake.”

MrBraypointsoutthat asthefloweringperiod canlastmanyweeks thisfarnorth,asecond mixatmid-floweringwas appliedbutwiththe additionofacrop enhancertoincrease chlorophyllproduction andmaximisegreenleaf area.

“Asfarasweedsand diseasesgo,wecan haveissueswithsterilebrome buttheoilseedrapedoes allowustocleanthatup reasonablywell.Lightleaf spotcanbeanissuebutagain wewereabletokeepontopof thatinthesprayprogramme.

“Itreallyisveryrewardingfor theLawson’stoachievethis successanddosowell againstthemorerecognised arableareasoftheeast,”says MrBray.

Harvestpromise

Markexplainshowexcitingit waswhenthecombinestarted workinginthefieldofAcacia. “Westartedharvestingonthe

5thAugustinaneighbouring fieldandthatlookedpretty good,sowewereveryhopeful whenwemovedintotheYEN crop–andinfactwestruggled togetitallintothetrailer-so weknewwewereontosome highyields.”

thosewithoptimalbiological growthtoconverttheenergy availableintograin.

Maximisingbiomassputs cropsinaprimepositionto convertsunlightintoyield, evenifthatyieldpotentialis limitedbyfactorsbeyondyour control.Sohowdid2022 fare?

Lookingat2022

season:

•AnalysisbyYENof historicweatherpatterns andOSRyieldshave revealedthathigh yieldingseasonsare associatedwithawarm October,dryDecember, warmminimumMarch temperatures,dry/sunny Aprilandawet/cool May.

•The2021-22season wascharacterizedbya warmOctober,adry Decemberandwinter, averageMarch temperature,adry sunnyAprilandan averagerainfalland warmMay.

“EnteringYENhasbeena reallypositiveexperience,we havelearntsomuchandwill usewhatwecaninthisyear’s crop.Wewilldefinitelyenter YENagainthereisalways moretolearnandbuildon fromlastyear.Ourobjectiveis tobeabletoproducethislevel ofyieldconsistently,yearon year.”

PANEL

WhydidOSRyieldsowell in2022?

AdecadeofYENresearch showsthatwhilelightand wateravailabilityremain criticallimitingfactorstoyield potential,successfulcropsare

•Thedryspringhelped torestrictcanopygrowth whichwillhavehelped optimizecanopysizeat floweringforgoodseedset andreducetheriskof lodging.

•Thesunnyconditionsin Aprilwillhavehelpedcrops tosetmanypods.Rainfall inMaywillhavebeen particularlybeneficialfor cropssufferingfromthe earlierdryspring conditions,butthedull conditionsmighthave restrictedthenumberof seedssetperpod.

•Onthewhole,conditions wereconduciveforsetting highseednumbersand hencehigherpotential yields.

Biogasbenefitsatthefarmwithtoughnewmixers A

farminthenorth westofKenthas significantly enhancedits biogasoperation byupgradingthemixing systemforitstwo4500m3 anaerobicdigesters.

addedhops,vinesand renewableenergytoits portfolioaspartofitsdrive towardsNetZero.However, asPlantManager,Carl Woolleydiscovered,the mixersthatwereincludedas partofthepackagedeal,were unsuitableforthe feedstockthat combinesthefarm’s cattleslurrywith wastefrom vegetablesgrownat the2500-acresite, suchascabbage, potatoesandcarrots. Oncoland’s feedstockalso includeswaste pomegranateand mangothatisfirst sentthougha hammermill.

mixersandgettheplanttoits optimumoperation.

“Weweighedupthecostsof retrievingthefaultymixersfor repairandrewinding,”said JamesGorridge,“butweboth knewhowdisruptivethat wouldbetothewhole process,andthefactthatwe’d befixingequipmentthatwas inevitablygoingtofailagainin onlyashortperiodoftime”.

‘Morecost-effectiveand reliableinthelongterm’

CarlWoolleyadded:

“Removingthesubmersible mixerswouldhavefirst involvedwaitingfordry,calm weatherandhiringinacrane. Then,twofulldaysofarduous workandahugeamountof

OncolandFarm(partofThe BillingsGroup)hadbeen experiencingproblemswith themixersthatwereinstalled whenthegas-to-gridADplant wasbuiltin2020aspartofits continuingdiversification. Traditionally,amixedfarmof arable,dairyandbeef, Oncolandhassuccessfully

“Themixerswould haveprobablybeen fineforastandard mixormaizeand slurry,”saidCarl, “butforaplantsuch asourswithvarying typesofwaste,you needmuchsturdier equipment.Onlysixmonthsin tousproducingbiogas,we startedtoseethatthe submersiblemixerswere beginningtofailduetothe ingressofwater.Althoughthe separate,paddlemixersinthe digesterscontinuedtodotheir job,overtime,thesubmersible mixers,one-byone,gaveupthe ghost”.

Workingclosely withJames GorridgeatMidKentElectrical Engineering (MKE),Carl lookedathow besttoresolve theissuewith thesubmersible

downtimeinhaltingthebiogas process,emptyingthe digesters,andthenstarting everythingupagain.Weboth wentawaytoconsiderthe best,long-termsolution.MKE havealwayssupplieduswith verygoodqualitymotorsand drives,withaverygood turnaroundandattentionto detail,soIknewtheybelieved inquality.DuringmycareerI’d seenjusthowrobustmixers

andpumpsarefromLandia. Andbasedonhisseparate previousexperiencewith Landiaequipment,James agreedthatdespitethehigher capitalinvestment,their mixerswouldactuallyworkout tobefarmorecosteffectiveandreliablein thelongterm, significantlyreducing ourmaintenancecosts”.

Whenthefourfailing submersiblemixers werefinallyremoved,it wasdiscoveredthat theirpropellershad actuallyexperienced verylittlewear.

“Thiswasbecausethey werethewrongshape anddidn’treallydoanything”, continuedCarlWoolley.“With justacoupleofbasicseals, theyjustweren’tdesignedfor thistypeofbiogasapplication, sohadstartedtoletliquidin veryearlyaftertheywere installed”.

Tooptimisetheprocess,Carl andMKEalsosawthatthe mixershasbeen

underspecified,so chosetogoupa mixersize.

“Weknewthiswould furtherimprovethe mixing,whichis crucialforany biogasplant”,added JamesGorridge fromMKE.“Itwould alsohaveless impactonthenew mixersfromLandia, whichwouldonly havetorunfor20 minutesperhour (comparedto24/7 forthefailed mixers),saving considerablyon energy consumption”.

FourofLandia’s POP-I(18.5kW 300rpm)mixerswereinstalled (twooneachdigester),withan immediatepositiveeffecton theprocess,whichtypically handlesdrysolidsofaround 8%andhigher.

mixersareeasytomaintain, especiallywiththeirtwinmechanicalseals.”

Inadditiontothetwoprimary digesters,Oncoland’spretreatmenttank(70m3)has alsobenefittedfroman upgradetomoresuitable equipment;thistimewitha LandiaChopperPump (inventedbythecompanyin 1950).

‘Comprehensivemixing’

“Previously”,saidCarl Woolley,“ittooktimefor everythinginthetankstoget going,butthenewLandia mixersresuspendedthe contentsalmostimmediately. Wenowgetcomprehensive mixingandnocrust whatsoever.Theother importantbenefitisthatthe

‘Constantlyconditioned’ “Wetooktheopportunityto widenourupgradetothepretreatmenttank,”saidCarl Woolley.“Again,the submersiblemixerthatwas suppliedaspartoftheplant packagewasn’tuptothejob, leavinglumpsinthefeedstock anddeadspotsinthetank. ButnowwiththeLandia ChopperPump(11kW),which isextremelyreliable,the feedstockofslurryfromour dairyunit,plusthevegetable andfruitwaste,isconstantly conditionedsothatour processbenefitsfroma consistentsoup.The ChopperPump’sblades remainfineandsharp”. Headded:“Withboth theLandiapumpand mixers,wenowhave peaceofmind.Working withJamesatMKE,we sawthatwecouldhave boughtmixersataround £4Klessperunit,but biogasfeedstocksare unforgiving.Thewhole processisabout learningandnurturing. There’sjustnohidingplacefor equipmentthatisn’tsturdy. Weboughtonreputationand canseealreadywhatasound investmentithasbeen.Biogas isadifferentbeasthereinthe UK,sobestbuythemixers andpumpsthatarefitfor purpose.”

www.landiaworld.com www.mke.co.uk

Campaignlaunchedtoreduce farmvehicledeathsandinjuries

•Vehicleincidentsarethenumberonecauseof deathsandseriousinjuriesinBritishagriculture

•Forty-eightliveslostinfarmvehicleincidentsin lastfiveyears,hundredsinjured

•HealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)launches campaigntoreduceinjuriesandsavelives

Vehiclesplayavital roleinfarmwork butincidents involvingvehicles arethenumber onecauseofdeathsand seriousinjuriesonBritish farms.

Incidentsinvolvingmoving vehicleshavebeen responsiblefor30percentof allfatalitiesonfarmsoverthe pastfiveyears,that’s48lives lostinincidentsthathave

destroyedfarmingfamilies.

Andhundredsmorearehurtin incidentsinvolvingmoving vehiclesonfarmseveryyear.

TheHealthandSafety Executive(HSE),Britain’s workplacesafetyregulator,is callingoneveryoneinthe farmingcommunitytodowhat theycantoreducethenumber ofinjuriesinvolvingvehicles andsavelives.

HSEisthisweek[w/cMarch 132023]launchingafarm vehiclesafetycampaignand hascreatedawebsitewhich bringstogetherlotsofgreat adviceonusingvehicles safelyonfarms.

HSEsaystherearethree piecesinthevehiclesafety jigsaw:operatingasafefarm, maintainingasafevehicleand beingasafedriver.

Together,thesepieceswill

helptokeepeveryoneon farmssafer.Ifonepieceis missing,therisksincrease.

SueThompson,HSE’sHead ofAgriculturePolicy,said:“We wanttomake2023asafer yearonourfarmsbyworking togethertopreventinjuries anddeaths.

“Agricultureconsistentlyhas thehighestnumberoffatal andseriousinjuriesofall industrysectorsinGreat Britain.Overthepastfive years,theaveragefatal incidentrateistwenty-one timeshigherinagriculture thantheaverageacrossall otherindustries.Thatisa shockingstatistic.

“It’stimeforustomakea changetogethertomakeour farmssafer,andthat’swhy we’reaskingfarmersin England,ScotlandandWales toconsiderthreeareasoftheir dailyfarmingactivitiesand taketherightactionsto preventanotherfarming tragedy.”

OperatingaSafeFarmKeeppeopleandvehicles apart:

•Segregatevehiclesand peoplewithclearlymarked routesandwalkwaysto keepthemaparttoavoid seriousinjuries.

•Usebarriersandpostsin hightrafficareastoprotect peopleandsavelives.

•Usesignage,goodlighting andahighvisibilityclothing tohelpeveryonebeseen onthefarm.

MaintainingasafevehicleDetectfaultsnow,beforeit’s toolate:

•Regularlycheckand maintainbrakes.Trailers musthavebrakes designedforthemaximum loadsandspeedsatwhich theywilloperate.

•Ensureaseatbeltisfitted andworneverytime.

•Forvehicleswhichhave doorsfittedasstandard, makesurethedoorsare attachedsecurelyand remainclosedwhenthe vehicleismoving.

•Forvehiclesthathave mirrorsfittedasstandard, doublechecktheyare fittedsecurelyandare cleantoensureoptimum visibility.

Beingasafedriver-Pause, takeamomenttobeasafer driver:

•Usethehandbrakeevery time.Topreventserious injuryifyourvehiclemoves duetotheterrainor gradient,followthesimple safestoproutinebefore yougetoutoroffavehicle: handbrakeon,gearsin neutral,engineswitched offandthekeyremoved.

•Ensureyou’vebeen trainedproperly;trainingis vitaltohelpkeepeveryone safe.

•Thinkvisibilitytoprotect everyoneonthefarm, whateverthevehicleensuremirrorsand windowsonthevehicleare cleanandwhen manoeuvring,takea momenttoconsiderwhere theblindspotsare.Keep peopleawaywhileyouare moving,getpeopleto standwhereyoucansee them.

SueThompsonsaid:“With significantpressureonBritish farmersnow,wewantto supportthefarming communitytoshowthatsafety onthefarmdoesn’tneedtobe difficultorexpensive.There aresimplestepsyoucantake todaytohelpkeepyouand everyoneonyourfarmsafe.

“Farmersandfarmworkers shouldtakeamomenttothink aboutwhatwouldhappento theirfamiliesandtheirfarmsif theywereseriouslyinjured andunabletowork.

“Whenpeopleonfarmsstart theirdailyroutine,theyshould followoursafefarm,safe driver,safevehicleadviceto helpplanthejobandcomplete itsafely.”

NFUMutualprovidesadditionalfundsforruralsecurityschemeroll-outinScotlandfollowingsuccessfultrial

Afarmproperty markingscheme hasprovedso successfulat reducingruralcrime inareasofScotland thatNFUMutualisproviding additionalfundingtoassistrolling outtheinitiativeinotherpartsof Scotland.

PoliceScotlandhasreportedthat atrialofSelectaDNAmarkingon SouthLanarkshirefarmswasa hugesuccess,withrepeatthefts onfarmspreviouslytargetedby thievesalmosteliminated.

Theschemeusesaforensic liquidwithaDNAcodewhichcan be'read'bypolicetoidentify propertysuspectedofbeing stolen.Ithasbeenshowntoboth deterthievesandaidrecoveryof stolenmachineryandtools.

NFUMutualinitiallyfundedthe SelectaDNAkitsforthetrialand isnowprovidinganadditional £2,000fortheroll-out,takingits totalfundingupto£6,000.This investmentispartoftheleading ruralinsurer'sfundingofmore than£400,000forRuralCrime initiativesacrosstheUK.

ItwillenablePoliceScotlandto providekitsinareaswhichare sufferingrepeatruralthefts includingtheScottishBorders, AyrshireandAberdeenshire.

NFUMutualisprovidingthe fundingaspartofitsongoing supportfortheScottish PartnershipAgainstRuralCrime (SPARC).

NFUMutualScotlandManager MarkMcBreartysaid:"Rural crimeishugelydisruptiveto Scotland'sfarmingcommunity, andwearedeterminedtodoall

NFUMutualprovidesadditionalfundsforruralsecurityschemeroll-outinScotlandfollowingsuccessfultrial

wecantostampitout.

"We'redelightedthat SelectaDNAmarkingisproving soeffectiveatreducingthefts fromfarmsandarebackingthe speedyroll-outoftheschemeby providingadditionalkitsfor distributionstoScottishfarms.

"SincePoliceScotlandsetup SPARCfiveyearsagotobring togetherallthoseinvolvedinthe fightagainstruralcrime,we've putourfullbackingintothe initiative."

PoliceInspectorAlanDron,

Scotland'sNationalRuralCrime Coordinator,said:"SelectaDNA isprovingtobeanexcellent additiontothenumerous initiativesandtacticsweutilise whentryingtoprevent,reduce andtackleruralcrimethroughout Scotland.

"NFUMutual'sadditionalfunding meanswecandeployyetmore kitsquicklyandinotherpartsof Scotland,wherethieveswould potentiallytargetagriculturaland forestrymachinery,plant,quad bikes,otherall-terrainvehicles andexpensivetools."

Farmers,croftersandland ownerskeentoprotecttheirtools andvehicleswithSelectaDNA shouldcontacttheirlocal PartnershipAgainstRuralCrime grouponhowtoobtainakit.

Formoreinformationonrural crimetrendsandadvice, visit:www.nfumutual.co.uk/ ruralcrime

Protectherdsfromspringbutterfatdepressionand improvefertilitywithstrategicfatsupplementation

Asdairyherdsare turnedoutfor springgrazing, producersmust balancerumen functionandenergy demandstoavoidbutterfat depressionandfertilityissues, saysDrRichardKirkland, ruminantnutritionistforVolac WilmarFeedIngredients.

“Rumenfunctionisputundera lotofpressureatturnoutascows gofromhavingacontrolledration thatisbalancedinfibreand starchtoamorevariableforage baseofgrazedgrass,”explains DrKirkland.“Whilethediet transitionaloneisenoughto causechallengestotherumen thatcanhaveanimmediate impactonmilkproduction,early grassgrowthmaybeakinto rocketfuelandisexpectedtobe rapidlyfermentable.”

Highinenergy,morerapidlyfermentableforagecancause

disruptionsinrumenpHand passmorequicklythroughthe digestivesystem.These conditionsleadtoanincreased riskofacidosisandalongwith thehighoilloadsposea significantthreatformilkfat depression,makingsupplement choiceofparamountimportance.

Fatsupplementationinbuffer rationshelpmeetenergyneeds

Variablespringgrazing conditionsmakeitharderfor energysupplytobemaximised withadropinfertilityasa consequence.Inperfectgrazing conditionsitispossibleto support25+litresofmilkperday, butdrymatterandenergy intakescanbesignificantly reducedinwet,overcast conditions.

“Especiallyforspringcalvers, maximisingenergyintakeis essentialduringtheearlypartof thegrazingseasonascows’

haveagreaternutrientdemand tosupportmilkproductionand bodyconditionaheadofbreeding withinashortwindowoftime,” saysDrKirkland.

Duringearlylactation,cows cannoteatenoughtomeetthe highenergydemandsofmilk productionandenterastateof ‘negativeenergybalance’,using energyfrombodyfatstoresto supportthegeneticdriveformilk production,andlosecondition. Researchindicatesafall-offin conceptionrateofaround10% foreach0.5-unitlossincondition throughthisperiod.

Tominimisethiseffect, compositionofbufferfeedneeds tobecarefullyconsideredsays DrKirkland.High-fibre supplementssuchascitruspulp andsoyahullswillprovidea betterbalanceintherumenand inconjunctionwitharumenprotectedfatsupplementcan providethegreatestresponsein

Bufferfeedingwithdigestiblefibreingredientsinconjunctionwitharumen-protected fatsupplementisaneffectivewaytomitigatebutterfatdepressionatturnout.

milkfatasobservedinresearch studiesattheUniversityof Nottingham.

Whileitmayworkoutonpaper, supplementationwithrapidlyfermentablecarbohydratessuch aswheatorbarleyasenergy sourcesoffergreaterchallenges andincreaseriskofacidosisand makingthefallinmilkfatworse.

“Rumen-protectedfat supplementshavearound2.5timestheenergycontentof cereals,makingthemidealto helpmaintainenergysupply throughvariablespringtime grazingconditionswithoutthe undesirablerumeneffectswe seefromstarchycerealsthrough thetransitionfromthewinterdiet tothespringgrazingscenario,” hesays.

Usingstrategicfat supplementationtooptimisemilk contracts

AccordingtoDrKirkland,

individualfattyacidsimpactcow performanceandinfluence partitioningofnutrientsbetween milkandbodyfatstores(cow condition).Therefore,fat supplementsshouldbeselected basedontheblendoffattyacids theycontaindependingonthe stageoflactation,individualfarm challengesandrequirementsto maximisereturnsfromspecific milkcontracts.

Tosupportbothfertilityandmilk productionduringthistime,Dr Kirklandadvisesfeedinga rumen-protectedfatsupplement witharesearch-provenratioof C16:0(palmiticacid)andC18:1 (oleicacid)tostrategically influencethepartitioningof nutrientsbetweenmilkandbody condition.

“Fattyacids,thebuildingblocks offatsupplements,influencethe partitioningofnutrientstospecific areasofcowperformance, enablingproducerstochoose supplementsaccordingtomilk

contractrequirementsat particularstagesinthelactation cycle,”explainsDrKirkland.

Duringtheearlylactationperiod C18:1isakeyfattyacid, increasingpartitioningofenergy andnutrientstoimprovebody conditionaswellasimproved developmentoffertilisedeggs. However,giventhechallengesof earlyspringgrass,products containinghigherlevelsofC16:0 canbeconsideredaseffective ingredientstoincreasemilkfat production.

“Carefulchoiceofsupplementsis essentialatgrazingtoprovide thosevitalmegajoulesofenergy inaformthatstimulatesthe rumenandmilkfatproduction,” DrKirklandconcludes.“Selecting arumen-protectedfat supplement,farmerscansupport bothfertilityandmilkproduction performancewhilehelping ensureenergydemandsare beingmetinasafeway.”

DrRichardKirkland,GlobalTechnicalManagerforVolacWilmarFeedIngredients.

THWHITEEXTENDSDELAVALTERRITORY

From1March,DeLaval dealergainsnew territorythatstretches fromWalestothe Norfolkcoastand opensanewdepotinNorfolk.

THWHITEhasextensive knowledgeofDairyoperations offeringinstallation,parts, servicing,andsupportfor conventionalandroboticparlours acrossthesouthwestandisnow expandingeastwardsasa substantialDeLavaldealerin SouthernEngland.

WhentheNorfolkdairybusiness TaylorIMSdecidedtoclose activities,apledgewasmadeby THWHITEtoinvestinthe Attleboroughbasedoperation anddevelopittofurthersupport dairyfarmersontheeasternside oftheUK.

AdrianLovegrove,Divisional DirectorforTHWHITEsaid“We

areveryexcitedaboutthis project,andwe’llstriveto establish,maintain,andgrow relationshipswithTaylorIMS customers”.DeLaval’sCountry CommercialManager,Scott Patrickadded“THWHITE’s provenrecordasaprofessional, customerfocusedandtrusted partnerwillallowustogetcloser toourcustomersandprovidethe bestpossibleservicetohelp dairyfarmerswiththeirdaily challenges”.

THWHITE’scurrentdairy depotsinFrome,Somersetand Huntley,Gloucestershirewillbe supplementedwiththeadditional facilityinAttleborough,Norfolk. Thisadditiontotheoperations alignswithstrategicaspirations togrowitsDairynetwork,to assistdairyfarmersintheregion andprovideTHWHITEwiththe scaletobettermeetcustomer needs.Wearepleasedto confirmthatTHWHITEhas

employedmembersofTaylor IMSstafftocontinuetosupport thebusiness.

ThenewTHWHITEbranchis locatedat:

BaconsthorpeFarm

EllinghamRoad

Attleborough

Norfolk,NR171YQ

Telephone01953550260

Openinghoursremainthesame. SteveTaylorofTaylorIMSsaid ofthemove“Wearedelightedto becomepartofTHWHITEand canre-assureourcustomers theywillcontinuetoseethe samefriendlyfacesofferingthe verybestcustomerservicewith ournewdealerbrand”.

Thisterritoryexpansionwilltake immediateeffect,withTaylorIMS windingupactivitiesthereafter.

Drivenbythesimpleprincipleof creatingahealthyenvironment andthatventilationisnotthe volumeofairinabuilding,but criticallyitistherateofair exchange,simplycleanairinandstaleairout -Farmplusdesignandbuildtothese principles.

Animalslefttonaturealwaystrytofind shelterinthebasicform,theyusehedges, walls&naturalhollowstogetoutoforreduce theimpactofthewinds.Likewise,theywill usetreesforshadefromthesunandshelter fromtherain.Whenwelookatbuildingswe shouldaimtoreplicatethesebasicprinciples ofnaturewhereverpossible.Rememberthat animalswantinthebasicformshelterfrom thewind,rain,shadefromthesun,andplenty offreshair.Ideallygivinganimalsashelter walltobeabletoliebehindwithadecentgap aboveforairtopassover.Allairmovements needtobeaboveanimalheightsoasnotto createadraft.

Dependingontheheightofthewall,thegap abovewilloftenneedsomeformofwind breakmaterialtoreducewindspeedonbad days.

Thebestandcheapestformofventilationis andalwayswillbenaturalventilationusing thestackeffectwithsufficientgapsatthelow eavesandopenridges.Nofansusing electricity,nomovingparts&nothingto breakdown,sonoongoingexpense.

Inveryhighrainfallareas,specialventilated ridgecapping’scanbesupplied.Formost situations,thebestridgetreatmentisstill, simpleupturnedflashing,forthesewillmake theoutsideairliftovertheridgeoftheroof. Thebaseofanyupstandshouldalwaysbeat aminimum50mm(2”inch)backfromthetop edgeoftheroofsheet,soanywater/rainfall thathitstheinsideoftheuprightflashingcan thendripofthehealanddrainawaydownthe roofsheet.

Animalslefttonaturealwaystrytofindshelterinthe basicform,theyusehedges,walls&naturalhollowsto getoutoforreducetheimpactofthewinds. Likewise,theywillusetreesforshadefromthesun.

Recognisinghardworkandhigh standardsatUKBorderwayDairyExpo

AwardsforaRisingStarandTidyLinestobepresented atHarrison&Hetherington'sAnnualDairyShowcase

Afterthesuccessof itsinauguralnew awardslastyear Harrison& Hetherington organisersofBorderwayUK DairyExpo,haveannounced thattheTidyLinesandRising Starawardswillbecomeannual presentations.

TheTidyLinesAward, sponsoredbyA.W.Jenkinson ForestProductswillbe presentedtothebestkept livestockexhibitionstand.

TheUKDairyExpoRisingStar Award,sponsoredbyToiToi Genetics,istobepresentedto astand-outyoungperson workingbehindthescenes duringDairyExpo.Thisaward

isintendedtorecognisethe knowledge,workethic,and sportsmanshipofayoung personindairyfarming.Both awardswillbejudged anonymously,onsite,intherun uptoandduringtheBorderway UKDairyExpo,withthe winnersannouncedand presentationsmadeattheend oftheday.

The2022RisingStarAward, waspresentedto24-year-old JamesWright,dairymanat GuillyhillFarminDumfries.His loveandenthusiasmtowork withtopcowswasclearforall toseeandonreceivinghis awardhesaid"Iamhugely gratefultohavereceivedthis award,andIfeelhumbledtobe

recognisedinsuchaway. Therearemanydedicatedand passionatepeopleouttherein ourdairyindustry,andI'mjust proudtobeoneofthem."

Showcasingthefinestdairy geneticsfromacrosstheUK andconsideredashopwindow forbreedersandproducers alike,BorderwayDairyExpoit isakeyindustryevent.being heldatBorderwayMartin Carlisle,thisyear,onthe10th& 11thMarch.Hundredsof livestockwillbeexhibitedalong dozensofindustrytradestands.

GlynLucas,SeniorPedigree DairyAuctioneeratHarrison& Hetherington,BorderwayUK DairyExpoEventOrganiser,

said:"Presentingandshowing dairycattleisexceptionallyhard work,themajorityofwhich happensbehindthesescenes andthroughtheseawardswe aimtorecognisebothateam's andanindividual'seffort.We areverygratefultoboth sponsorsformakingthis possible."

"Ihavebeeninvolvedinthe dairyindustryfromavery youngage,andhereat BorderwayUKDairyExpoitis alwaysapleasuretoseeboth theyoungerandolder generationsworkingtogether collaborativelyandinharmony. Therearenowsomany opportunitiesatalllevelswithin thedairyindustryandhopefully throughthiseventwecan demonstratethebreadthof theseopportunities."

TheTidyLines AwardsponsoredbyA.W. JenkinsonForestProducts, suppliersofshavingsand sawdustfortherings,willbe awardedtobestkeptexhibitor stalls,duringtheshow,andwas presentedlastyeartoDavid

Hodgson.Ahugeamountof teameffortandattentionto detailgoesintopresentingthe livestockfortheshowring.To ensurethatallanimalslook theirabsolutebestakey elementofthisistheupkeepof thestalls.Depthofbedding, overallcomfort,withthebackof thebedneat,tidyandwell packeddownwillallbetaken intoaccountbythejudges.The animals'namecardswith detailsoftheirpedigreeandthe exhibitors'namesand backgroundsmustbeclearfor alltosee.

Judgedbyacommitteeof YouthLeaderstheUKDairy Expo'sRisingStarAward,will identifyayoungpersonworking atBorderwayUKDairyExpo whostandsoutfromwhatis alwaysafantasticfieldof individuals.Opentothose workingattheshow,theywill havetodemonstratethe highestlevelsofanimal husbandry,beagoodallrounder,knowledgeableand haveagreatskillset.They neednotnecessarilybea winnerinthering,buttheywill

havedemonstratedsynergy workingwiththeiranimals, peers,andfellowexhibitors. SponsoredbyToiToiGenetics, notonlywillthisaward recogniseayoungpersonwho willplayapartinthefutureof thedairyindustry,itwillalso givethemtheopportunityto potentiallyfurthertheircareer, andtopromotethemselvesto industryleaders.

RichardJenkinson,Directorat A.W.JenkinsonForest Products,said:"As manufacturersofsawdust,we knowfullwellhowimportantit isforcattletobecomfortableat alltimes,whetherthat'sonthe farmorbeforetheywalkinto theshowring.We'reveryproud tosponsortheTidyLines Award."

BorderwayUKDairyExpois beingheldinCarlisleonFriday 10thandSaturday11thMarch. Itisfreetoattend,andfurther detailscanbefoundatwww. borderdairyexpo.co.uk

Dairyfarmersinvitedto RobotReadyRoadshow

Makingoptimumuse ofroboticmilking systemsisthe focusofaseriesof freeeventsthis monthaimedat dairyfarmerswhouse,orare interestedinusing,automation. ThesixRobotReadyRoadshow eventsorganisedbyForFarmers willbehostedbyroboticfarms acrossthecountryfromCornwall toCumbria.

Theprogrammewilldrawonthe hostfarmers'experienceand lookathowtheirroboticherdhas

developed.Expertsfrom ForFarmersandAHDBwillalso covertopicsincludingthe importanceofherdenvironment, maximisingmilkfromforage, feedingforefficientmilk productionandbreeding considerations.

"Themovefromconventional parlourtoroboticmilkingisa hugechangeandmorethanjust adifferentmilkingmethod,"said LaurenceLoxam."Italso requiresawholenewwayof managingandfeedingcows,but thepotentialgainstoproductivity,

efficiencyandlifestyleare enormous.

"TheRobotReadyRoadshow eventswillcoverallareasof roboticherdmanagementtohelp attendeesgettheabsolutebest fromtheirsystem–orfuture system–forthebenefitoftheir cows,herdandbusiness."

Theeventswillrunfrom10.30am to2.30pmwithlunchprovided. Forfurtherdetailsoflocations anddatesandtoregisterfora freeplacevisitwww.forfarmers. co.uk/roboticroadshow

STANDBOOKINGSOPENFORDAIRY-TECHAFTER ITSECURESITSMOSTPOPULAREVENTYET

Standspace bookingsforDairyTechopenedon1st ofMarchfollowing itsmostpopular eventyetin Februarythisyear.

Existingexhibitorscanrebook theirstandspaceatadiscounted rateuntil2May.Bookingsfor newcustomers,andexisting exhibitorswhowouldliketo changestandlocations,willopen from3Mayandbeapplicableto anearlybirddiscount.From2 Juneastandardratewillbein operationwithnodiscountsor reducedrates.

Dairy-Tech2023recordedits highestnumberofvisitorssince itslaunchin2018andhadsold outofallstandspaceaheadof theevent.

ItremainstheUK’sleadingdairy show,withover300exhibitors showcasingthelatestinnovation andtechnology,withthisyear

hosting80newproduct launches.

ThevenueatStoneleighPark, Warwickshire,occupiesover 6,000sqmallowingequipmentbig andsmalltobeshowcased.The accessibilityofStoneleighPark fromthenorthandsouthand abroadmakestheevent appealingtomany.

Commentingonthelaunchof

Dairy-Tech2024,RABDF ManagingDirectorMattKnight said:“Weareproudtoprovidean eventplatformthatshowcases thelatestinnovationinthedairy sector.Withavarietyofgrants availableforfarmerstoadopt someofthesetechnologies,it’s theperfecteventtodemonstrate what’sonoffer.

“Dairy-Techalsopridesitselfon beingahubwherefarmerscan gatherinformationonavarietyof thingstheymayneed.Thiscould beonbusinessrelatedmatters, staffmanagement,newentrant

opportunities,marketforecasts, nutrition,geneticsandbreeding, housingornewindustrykit.”

Exhibitortestimonialsnamed Dairy-Techas“thepremierUK B2Bdairyevent”statingitwasan “invaluableopportunitytoreach out,connectandsupportexisting farmersandnewentrants”.

Anotherexhibitorcommented: “Showvisitorswerefocusedand seriousaboutresearchingwhat wasrequiredtomovetheir businessforwardwiththeevent creatingaplatformtoportray newinnovationsthatwouldbe otherwisedifficulttododigitally.”

Toenquireaboutstandspace, gotodairy-tech.ukorcontact RosieBradbury

atrosiebradbury@rabdf.co.ukor call02476217383.Youcanalso getintouchifyouwanttobe addedtoourmailinglistto receivemoreinformationonthe event.

NewGrantsMakeMobileSheep HandlingMoreAffordable

Thelatestroundof farmequipmentand technologygrants hasmademobile sheephandling systemsmore affordableinEngland,withthose manufacturedbyAllflex(partof MSDAnimalHealth(adivisionof Merck&Co.,Inc.,Rahway,N.J., USA(NYSE:MRK)))andPrattley beingeligibleforfundingsupport.

TheRuralPaymentsAgency (RPA)publisheddetailsofthe latestroundofFarming EquipmentandTechnologyFund (FETF)grantson9thFebruary 2023.Thenewschemeoffers grantfundingforarangeof equipmentandisdividedintotwo maincategories:Productivityand Slurryitems(Annex3)and AnimalHealthandWelfareitems (Annex4).

Annex4alsoprovidesgrant fundingforavarietyofadditional sheephandlingequipment includingsheephandlers(£1,166 fundingavailable),automatic weighinganddraftingcrates (£5,478funding),EIDpanel readers(£597funding)and electronicweighcrates(£1,020 funding).

Taylor,tradesolutionsmarketing managerforMSDAnimalHealth. “Itisalsoreassuringtonotethat equipmentwhichimprovesthe healthandwelfareofanimals–suchasdedicatedsafehandling systems–hasbeenprioritised withinthelatestroundofgrants.”

Tobeeligibleforgrantfunding, mobilehandlingsystemsmustbe trailermountedandofan allmetalconstruction.The Alligator,AlligatorProand Prattleyrangesallfall withintherequired standardsandare thereforeavailableata reducedpricewhilegrants remainavailable.

Similargrantsarealsoavailable inWalesaspartoftheWelsh Government’sexistingsmall grantsefficiencyscheme.

“Purposebuiltmobilehandling systemsnotonlymakemanaging andsortingsheeplessofachore forfarmworkers,butcanalso reducestressonanimals,” Beverleyexplained.“Whenused inconjunctionwithcompatible electronicidentification(EID)and weighingequipment,theyalso provideaquickandefficientway ofmonitoringandweighing sheep,andmaketherecording ofgrowthratesandmovements onandoffthefarmmore accurateandsignificantlyless timeconsumingcomparedtopen andpaperbasedsystems.

WithinAnnex4,mobilesheep handlingsystems(FETF69*) capableofhandlingaminimum of250sheepawayfromthe farm’smainholding(and consistingofatleast20hurdles, adraftinganddosingraceand theabilitytofitafootbath)are eligibleforgrantfundingtothe amountof£3,568.

“Withfarmmarginsbeing squeezedbyhighproduction costs,itcomesaswelcomerelief thatfarmersareabletooffset around40%ofthecostofkey itemsofequipmentthroughthe secondroundofthe Government’sFarming EquipmentandTechnology Fund,”explainedBeverley

“Thisalladdsuptomakeit easierforfarmerstounderstand andmanagegrowthrates,to identifyunder-performinganimals and,mostimportantly,toensure stockarefinishedsafelyandat theoptimumweight.What’s more,theadditionalefficiency achievedon-farmsupportsthe environmentalsustainability statusofsheepfarming systems.”

Formoreinformationaboutthe AlligatorandPrattleyrangesvisit https://shop.allflex.co.uk

Optimisingcalfmanagementfor betterlifetimeperformance

alfhealthand subsequentlifetime productioncanbe optimisedthrough goodcolostrum management, feedingmoremilksolidsand controllingmoistureinsidecalf housing.

Thesewerethekeymessagesat Wynnstay’sCalfandYoungstock eventorganisedbyHannah BraithwaiteatGreenFarm, Longnor,Shropshire,on9 February.

GeorginaThomas,younganimal feedmanagerforTrouw Nutrition,saidresearchshows feedingahigherlevelofmilk solidscouldimprovehealthand organdevelopment.

Shepointedtoastudythat showedevery110gofaverage dailygaininthefirsttwomonths oflifeequatedto225kgofextra milkinfirstlactation.

MsThomaschallengedfarmers tofeedcalvesmoremilkand said:“Wethinkweshouldlimit mealsize.Thethoughtwasifwe fedtoomuchmilkitwould overflowintotherumenand causenutritionalbloatand scour.”

Contrarytothistraditional thinking,shesaidresearch showedthecalf’sabomasum–whichmakesup60%ofthebaby calf’sstomachcapacityuntilthe otherthreestomachsmature–willstretchcomfortably.

Infact,onestudyshowedcalves thatvoluntarilydrank8.6litresof milkdaily,didnotshowsignsof adverseeffects.

Sheadvisedfarmerstooffermilk ad-libassoonaspossibleand useteatstocontrolfeeding speed.

“Ifcalvesareclearingbuckets, starttoofferhalfalitremoreand aimtogetuptotopvolumesby sevendaysofage,”shesaid.

CharlieHumphreys,fromHorizon Vets,reiteratedtherolegood colostrummanagementplayson earlylifenutrition.

“Calvesshouldbefedatleast 10%oftheirbodyweightwithin thefirsttwohoursoflife,”she said.

calveshousedateither8°Cor 18°Cwhentherelativehumidity was65%.However,earlier researchshowedADGfellwhen humiditywas95%combinedwith alowertemperatureof7°C.

Headvisedfarmerstokeep beddingcleananddry,providea minimumof2.5m2ofspaceper calfandensurepenswerefree draining.

“Weneedtobuildaroundthe needsofthecalfratherthan puttingcalvesinlocationsthat arenotdesirable,”headded.

MrsHumphreysalsoencouraged farmerstostartmeasuringserum totalproteinlevelsbyblood testingcalveswhentheyareless thansevendaysold.Thisisa goodbarometerofcolostrum managementandtheclose-up calvingdiet,withcolostrum productionstartingfourtofive weeksbeforecalving.

Whilenutritioniskeytoproviding goodimmunitytodisease,Aaron Brown,commercialcalf nutritionistfromTrouwNutrition Ireland,saidmoisturecontrolin housingwasessentialtoprevent disease.

MrBrown,whocompletedaPhD oncalfhousingattheAgri-Food andBiosciencesInstitute(AFBI), saidcoldstressoncalveswas intensifiedbymoisture.

Hepointedtohisresearchthat showednodifferenceinthe averagedailygain(ADG)of

VetTommyHeffernanechoed thesesentiments,addingthat cleanlinesswasalsocriticalto controlpathogens.Hediscussed theimportanceofthegut microbiomeandhowthisis fundamentaltocalfhealthdueto 70%ofthecalf’simmunesystem beinginthegut.

“Doingthesimplethingswellis difficultbuttoimprovedisease controlwemustreduceinfection pressureandimprovecalf immunity.

“Firstly,cleanlinessisgod;50% ofcalfdiseasesarerelatedto hygiene,doyouhavegood simpleprotocols,thatare repeatableandeasytodo?

Secondly,Istronglybelievethat theuniqueliquidblend,ofpro andpostbioticsisagame changerincalfhealth.

Maintaininggoodguthealthis goingtobethekeytoany successfulcalfenterprise,”said MrHeffernan.

Pre-calvingtraceelementbolusingsupportscalfand cowhealthandperformance

EnduraBolPre-CalverandEnduraBolHighIodineprovidetailored supplementationforpreandpostcalvingcowsandheifers

Springcalvingbeef anddairyherdsare approachinga criticalperiodfor traceelement supplementation, saysEmilyHall,product managerforNettex.

elementsandthreevitaminsfor upto120days.Nutrientsinclude highlevelsofcopper,zinc, iodine,cobalt,selenium, manganeseandvitaminsA,D3 andE.

“Fordams,thebalanceofthese nutrientswillreducecalving issues,aidinquickerrecovery aftercalvingandsupport hormoneproductionforbetter conceptionrates,”sheexplains.

“Unborncalveswilloptimise growthanddevelopmentand havesupportindevelopinga healthyimmunesystem.”

fornormalproductionofthe thyroidhormones,whichcontrol energymetabolismand metabolicrate.Ifdeficient, calvingcanbedelayedand slowed,calvescanhavepoor vigourandtheriskofstill-births increases,”saysMsHall.

“Pasturesandforagesareoften deficientiniodine,while brassicasandlegumescontain compoundsthatblockiodine absorption–thereforerequiringa higherlevelofsupplementation insomecircumstances.”

Long-termassurancewith EnduraBol

“Themajorityoffoetal developmenttakesplaceinthe sixtoeightweeksleadingupto calving.Ahugeamountof nutritionalstoresaregoing togotowardsfoetal development,requiring supplementationduring thisperiodofessential traceelementsand vitaminstosupport adequategrowth,health andreproductionofboth thedamandhercalf,” explainsMsHall.

Withtheadditionof

EnduraBolPre-Calverand EnduraBolHighIodineto

Nettex’sEnduraBolCattle bolusrange,cattlefarmers havenewoptionsfortheir traceelement supplementationprogrammes.

EnduraBolPre-Calverconsistsof twobolusesthatprovidea sustainedreleaseofsixtrace

Forcattleonprimarilyforage diets,especiallythose consumingbrassicasand legumes,EnduraBolHigh Iodineisrecommended.Also consistingoftwoboluses, EnduraBolHighIodinecontains highlevelsofcopper,zinc, cobalt,selenium,manganese andvitaminsA,D3andE,and hasanaveragedailysupplyof 17.60mgofiodinetoovercome likelydeficiencies.

“Iodineisnotstoredwithinthe body,thereforeacontinuous supplyfromthedietisrequired

EnduraBolbolustechnology features‘singlepointerosion’ thatensuresconsistentand reliabledeliveryoftrace elementsandvitaminsfor extendedperiods.Thisslowand steadyreleaseallowstheanimal tooptimiseabsorptionwhile ensuringconsistenttrace elementdeliveryoveralong period,explainsMsHall.

“Thisisamuchbetter optionthandrenchingor relyingonfeed consumptionfortrace elementdelivery.Drenches providealargepulseof nutrientsinashortamount oftimethatwon’tbefully absorbedandfeedinghas varyingintakeswhichoften resultindeficiencies spottedthroughoutthe herd,”shesays.“However, abolusensuresevery animalgetsaconsistent amountoftraceelement supplementation.”

EnduraBolbolusesshould beadministeredatleastsix weeksbeforecalvingusingthe EnduraBolgun.Eachpack contains20bolusestosupply10 cows.

Quarantineanddrenchsheepreturningfromgrazing

Farmersarebeing remindedtotreat allincoming sheepwitha group4wormer andquarantine themtopreventresistant wormsbeingbroughtonto farms.

Whileitisgenerallycommon practicetotreatand quarantinenewlypurchased stock,sometimesthisprocess canbeoverlookedforsheep thatarereturningfromgrazing.

MattColston,Elanco ruminanttechnicalconsultant,

underdosed.

2.Treatallincomingstock withagroup4wormer

Currentlythereareonlyfive chemicalgroupsof anthelmintics.Research showsresistancetogroup1BZ(white),2-LV(yellow)and 3-ML(clear)isgrowing rapidly.

Formoreadviceontreating sheepforwormsgoto:www. farmanimalhealth.co.uk/sheep/ sheep-worms/sheep-wormerchecker.

LevelsofresistanceonUK sheepfarms:

saysitisvitalnottoforgetthese animalsbecausetheyposethe sameriskasnewlyboughtstock.

“Whethersheeparegrazing commonlandorrentedground, unlessafarmerhashadsoleuse ofthatlandforaminimumoftwo years,it’simportanttotreatthese animalsas‘incomers’,”saysMr Colston.

Below,MrColstonoutlinesthe bestpracticeprotocolsfor quarantinedosing:

1.Weighstockandcalibrate drenchingequipment

Toensuresheeparedosed accurately,donotguessthe weightofsheep.Calibrateyour scales,thenselectandweighthe biggestsheepinthegroupto determinethecorrectdose.Split thegroupifyouneed.

Underestimatingtheweightof sheepcancausethemtobe

“Onceresistancetowormers hasdevelopedit’s irreversible,”saysMrColston. Herecommendsusingthenewer group4(orange)wormerZolvix assoonaspossibleafterthe sheeparrivebackonthefarmas thiswillclearoutanyresistant wormsthesheepmighthave beenpickedupwhilegrazing landawayfromthefarm.

3.Quarantinesheep

Thequarantineperiodshould startassoonassheeparrive. Ideallysheepshouldbeyarded for24-48hourstoallowthe treatmenttoworkandprevent wormsbeingpassedonpasture.

4.Turnsheepouttodirty pasture

Followingthequarantineperiod, sheepshouldonlybeturnedout todirtypasture.

“Ifresistantwormssurvivethe treatment,thisensurestheyare dilutedbyotherworms,”saysMr

•InScotland,resistanceto group1whitewormershas beenfoundon80%of lowlandfarmsand55%of uplandfarms,accordingto Moredun

•InEnglandandWales, resistancetowhitewormers hasbeenfoundonnearly 100%oflowlandfarmsand 83%ofuplandfarms, accordingtoSustainable ControlofParasitesinSheep (SCOPS)

Moreinformationonquarantine dosing:

Colston.

Cost-effectivesolutionto2025splashplateban

SlurryspecialistTramspreadhas announceditwillbeworkingwith farmerstohelpreducethecostof complyingwiththegovernment’s CleanAirStrategythatwillseesplash platesbannedin2025.Managing Director,TerryBakerexplains:

“Inlessthantwoyearstherewillbethousandsof tankersleftpotentiallyredundant,havingnotbeen convertedtoworkwithaprecisionapplicatorto

adheretothesplashplateban.Tramspreadhasa universalmethodtoretro-fitdribblebarandtrailing shoeapplicatorstotankers.”

Tramspreadisabletoretro-fititsSuffolkrange dribblebarsystems,withworkingwidthsof6 metresto10.5metres,tomostsizesandbrandsof tanker.Thekeyisacleverfour-pointattachment thatcriticallydoesnotmounttothedoorofthe tanker.

“Rustcanformarounddoors,andthehingesare oftennotsecureenoughtofit dribblebarsto.Byweldingafourpointattachmenttothebodyofthe tanker,weprovidenewfixingpoints ontherearofthetankerthatthe boomframeworkattachestousing telescopicarms,”saysMrBaker.

Around88%ofammonia(NH3) emissionsintheUKcomefrom agriculture.Thisoccursthrough openstorage,butalsothroughthe useofsplashplates.Nitrogen,in theformofammonia,islostfrom organicmanurewhenitcomesinto contactwithair,particularlyon warmorwindydays.The2025 splashplatebanseekstoreduce thisandwillbefollowedbya2027 initiativethatwillexpectallslurryto becovered.Tohelpwiththecost,

TheRuralPaymentAgencyisoffering‘Annex3:FEFT2023 productivityandslurryeligibilityitemsgrants’tohelpfarmers complywiththecleanairstrategy.

“Manyfarmersandcontractorshavealreadyembraced precisionapplicationasitimprovesoverallnutrient managementandhasthepotentialtoreducerelianceon manufacturedfertiliser.However,forthosewhohavenot updatedtheirapplicatortherearegrantsavailableand retrofittinganoldtankerisacost-effectiveoptionthatwill helpthefarmcomplywiththe2025splashplateban,”he concludes.

TRAILING SHOE IN HIGH FLYER QUALITY

BlackBird®: Spreading technology that achieves superior results

You want things to run perfectly in the fi eld? Looking for flow-optimised geometry, outstanding distribution accuracy, minimum contamination and much more? Then, the latest cutting-edge trailing-shoe system BlackBird® by Vogelsang is the answer. Giving you consistent results. Get in touch now for more information: sales.uk@vogelsang.info

• Phone: 01270 216 600

VOGELSANG – LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY

vogelsang.info

FarmingEquipmentandTechnologyFund2023offer–keydetails

Grantinformation–corefeatures

Basisoffunding

–Thisgrantoffers fundingto contributetoaspecificlistof equipmenttoincrease productivity,boostenvironmental sustainability,bettermanage slurryandimproveanimalhealth andwelfare.

Competitivegrants–TheFETF 23grantiscompetitive,anda famerwillnotautomaticallygeta grantafterapplyingforone.The successofanapplication(s)will dependonthenumberandvalue ofapplicationstheRPAreceive foreachthemeofthegrant.

Twofundingthemesand timelinesinonegrant–Eachof thefollowingthemesofthisgrant hasaseparatelistofeligible itemsafarmercanseekgrant

fundingfor.Therearealso separateonlineapplication portalsanddifferenttimelinesfor thefollowingthemes:

•ProductivityandSlurry

•AnimalHealthandWelfare

Keydeadlines

Theonlineapplicationwindowfor ProductivityandSlurryitems openedon21February2023and closeson4April2023.The AnimalHealthandWelfare applicationportalisexpectedto openinMarch2023.

TheRPAstatetheclaim submissiondeadlinesforFETF 2023willbeconfirmedinthe GrantFundingAgreementsentto thosethataresuccessfulwithan application.Thedeadlinesare expectedtobeOctober2023for ProductivityandSlurryitemsand January2024forAnimalHealth andWelfare items.

Finalised dateswillbe publishedin duecourse.

More information canbefound onthe government's website at:GOV.UK| Farming Equipment and Technology Fund(FETF) 2023

Pleaseread thefull guidance before applyingfor this productivity andanimal healthand welfaregrant. Thereare

sectionsonthegovernment's websitecovering:howtoapply, howtoclaim,termsand conditions,andthelistsofthe eligibleitemsavailableunderthis grantoffer.

Howmuchmoneyisavailable underthegrant?

TheFETF2023grantsarefora minimumof£1,000anda maximumof£25,000pertheme. Thismeansthemaximumgrant youcanreceiveforProductivity andSlurryitemsis£25,000and themaximumgrantyoucan receiveforAnimalHealthand Welfareitemsis£25,000.

Ifyou'resuccessfulandreceived fundinginRound1youcanstill applyforupto£25,000per theme.Theminimumand maximumgrantlevelsapplyto 2023only.Infuture,theremay beacapaddedforthetotalgrant thatcanbeclaimedovermore thanoneyear.

Farmerscanapplytoeither themeorboth,foranyofthe eligibleitemsthatbestsuittheir business.

Whoiseligible?

TheFETF23offerisopento farmers,contractors,and forestersinEngland.Grantsfor itemsontheAnimalHealthand Welfarelistareavailableto farmersorcontractorsinthe followingsectors:

•beefcattle

•dairycattle

•sheep

•pigs

•layinghens

•broilers

Pleasenotetherearesome livestockproductivityitemsin theProductivityandSlurrylistof eligibleitems-thislistalsohas categoriesforitemsunder

FarmingEquipmentandTechnologyFund2023offer–keydetails

theyrangefrom40to 80andforAnimal HealthandWelfare items42to98).

Ifeitherscheme themeis oversubscribed,the RPAwillallocate fundingtothoseitems (ortheaveragefora combinationofitems) appliedforwiththe highestscorefirst. Thisinformationwas askedforafterthe over-subscriptionfor Round1tohelp farmersunderstand whytheywere unsuccessfulwithan eligibleapplication.

horticulture,arable,slurry, resourcemanagementand generalitems.

Eligibleitems

Therewere120itemsof equipmentonthelistunder Round1;therearenow203 itemsonthelistfortheFETF23 offer.

The203itemsaresplitdowninto 91itemsfortheProductivityand Slurrythemeand112forthe AnimalHealthandWelfare theme.ForAnimalHealthand Welfareitems,theRPAand Defrastronglyrecommendthat farmerstalktoavetbeforethey applyfortheseitemstohelp themimprovetheirhealthand welfareoftheirlivestock. Farmerscangetadviceby phone,email,oraspartofavet visit.

ProductivityandSlurryitemscan befoundinAnnex3onthe RPA'sguidance,andAnimal HealthandWelfareitemscanbe foundinAnnex4.

Outofthoseliststhereare:

•19newitemstoaid productivity

•2newitemstohelpwith

betterslurrymanagement •66newitemstosupport animalhealthandwelfare (partoftheAnimalHealth& WelfarePathway).

Thereare6itemsthathavebeen removedasstatedinthe guidanceandexplanationgiven.

Thegrantamountlistedagainst eachiteminAnnex3andAnnex 4oftheaforementionedRPA guidanceistheactualgrant amounttheRPAwillpaya farmerandisacontribution towardsthetotalcostoftheitem. Itisthefarmers'responsibilityto fundtheremainingcostofan item.

Itemsmustbepaidforinfull beforeclaimingyourgrant payment.Itemsmustbe purchasedthroughasupplieror manufacturernotlinkedtothe farmer’sbusinessandmustnot behomebuilt.

Transparency–Eacheligible itemhasascore(outof100) assignedtoitbasedonaDefra/ RPAassessmentofhowwellit meetstheobjectivesofthe schemeassetoutabove.These scoresaresetoutintheAnnexes (forProductivityandSlurryitems

Whichisnoteligible?

Iftheequipmentafarmerwants isnotlisted,ordoesnotmeetthe minimumspecification,itisnot eligibleforthisgrant.

Onlybrand-newitemscanbe fundedthroughtheFETF.Exdemo,secondhandand‘try beforeyoubuy’itemsarenot eligibleforthisgrant.

ItiskeytoreadtheFETF23 specificationscarefully,assome mayhavechangedsinceRound 1asthewholelisthasbeen reviewed,despitethenumbering remainingthesameforitemsthat werealsoofferedunderRound1.

Makingyourapplication

TheRPA/Defraareencouraging anyonewhowasunsuccessfulin thefirstroundtoapplyagain; thereisnoconnectionwith Round1successorfailureor withdrawalwhenitcomesto applyingforFETF23.

Stage1–actionstotake beforeapplying

Readtheinformationcarefully –Beforeapplying,ensureyou've readtheguidanceinfulland understandtherequirementsof

thescheme,whatiseligibleand alsowhatinformationisrequired whenapplyingandfollowingthe applicationinstructions. Understandhowitemscanbe purchasedandwhenthat processcanstarttoavoiditems beingineligibleforthegrant. TherewillbeaYouTubevideo tohelpwiththeapplication process.

CheckyourRuralPayment Onlinedetailsincluding permissions–Thosewhowishto applyneedtoberegisteredwith theRPA’sRuralPayments serviceandhaveanSBI(Single BusinessIdentifier).TheRPA cannotprocessanapplication withoutthis.Yourapplication detailsmustmatchexactlyyour recordsontheRuralPayments servicetoavoiddelaysor rejection.Findoutmoreonhow toregisterwiththeRPA.The RPAwillcontactyouviaemailif yourdetailsdonotmatchits records,andaskyoutomake anyrequiredchangesand resubmityourapplication.

Checktheavailabilityofitemsof interestwithsuppliers–youneed totakeaccountofthelikelyclaim windowdeadlinesbywhichtime youwillneedtohavetopaidfor andinstalledalltheitemsbefore youcanclaimagranttowards them.Checktheitemswillbe compatiblewithexistingsystems andhavesuitableITconnectivity.

Stage2–whattodowhenthe portalopens

Fromthe21February2023you canusetheProductivityand Slurryportaltosubmityour application.Youhaveuntil middayon4April2023to completeyourapplicationforthe ProductivityandSlurrytheme.

TheAnimalHealthandWelfare FETFApplicationportalis expectedtoopeninMarch. Thereisonlyoneapplication allowedperonlinethemeportal.

Ifanapplicantmakesamistake ontheportalorwantstoadd moreitemsbeforethedeadline, theymustsubmitanew applicationre-enteringallthe

itemstheywanttoapplyfor.If theRPAreceivemorethanone applicationwiththesameSBI number,theywillonlyconsider themostrecentapplicationin eachround.

Itisthereforeimportanttoensure youapplyingoodtime–the earlieryousubmityour application,themoretimeyou willhavetofixanyerrorsand submitanewapplication.

Stage3–aftersubmittingyour application

Yourapplicationwillthenbe checkedforeligibilityandscored bytheRPA.Ifyourapplicationis successful,theRPAwillemail youaGFA(GrantFunding Agreement)foreachapplication submitted–eitherthe ProductivityandSlurryportal,or theAnimalHealthandWelfare portal,orbothportals.

Successfulapplicantswillneed toaccepttheGFAofferviathe onlineacceptanceportalbythe dategivenintheemail.Alinkwill beprovidedbytheRPAforyou todothis.Youwillthenbeable topurchasealltheitemslistedin theGFAbeforetheendofthe respectiveclaimwindow.

PleasenotethatoncetheGFA offerhasbeenaccepted,you havetopurchasealltheitemsin youragreementunless exceptionalcircumstancesapply andyouhavetheRPA'swritten consentinadvance.Makesure thepurchaseditemsmeetthe relevantitemspecification(s) listedintheguidanceandstart theprocessofpurchasingas soonasyouareaallowedtofrom theRPAcommunication.

IfyouacceptaGFA,pleasebe awarethatyou'llneedtofollow anyguidancefromtheRPA aboutacknowledgementand publicityofthegrant.TheRPA/ Defraisalsolegallyrequiredto publishdataaboutgrantsmade undertheProductivityandSlurry portal.

Stage4–submittingasingle claimforpayment

Onceyou'vepaidforand installedtheitem(s)andtheyare

inuse(havingfollowedthe rules),submitasingleclaimfor payment.Theguidanceonhow todothisisdetailedintheHow toclaimyourgrantsectionofthe government'sguidance.

Ensureyoureadtheguidance carefullyonwhatneedstobe submittedincludingtheevidence (invoices/paymentevidence/ photos)andinwhatformitis required.

You'llreceiveyourpaymentinto thedesignatedbankorbuilding societyaccountregisteredwith theRPA.

Stage5–afterpayment

Keepgrantfundeditemsatthe locationstatedinyourGFAoffer operationalandingoodrepairfor fiveyearsfromthedateyour claimispaid.

Recordtheitemsonthebusiness assetregisterforaminimumof fiveyearsfromthedateofthe claimispaid.Keepcopiesof relevantdocumentation, includinginvoices,receiptsand bankorbuildingsociety statementsforsevenyears.

HowtheRPAwillprioritise items

Eachthemeapplicationwillbe assessedseparatelyandbased onthecriteriaforeither ProductivityandSlurryorAnimal HealthandWelfare.

Thescoresforeachitemapplied forwillbeaddeduptogivethe totalscoreforallitemsinthe applicationandthenusedto workouttheaveragescorefor thenumberofitemsthathave requested.

TheRPAwillallocatefunding startingwiththehighestscoring applicationswiththehighest averagescoresthatbestmeet thescoringcriteria,untilthe availablefundingisfully allocated.Thiswillseta minimumthresholdfortheround. Theresultsoftheprevious applicationroundsdonotaffect thisround.

DoosanBobcatAnnouncesGlobal BrandStrategy:Forklifts&Portable PowerTransitiontoBobcatBrand

DoosanBobcat,a companywithin DoosanGroupand aleadingglobal compactequipment manufacturer,has announceditsglobalbranding strategytocreatebusinessand growthopportunitiesforthe DoosanBobcatproductportfolio. DoosanPortablePower(DPP),

overallDoosanBobcatbusiness andprovidingevenmore solutionstohelpourcustomers accomplishmore.”

Therebrandingoftheportable powerandindustrialvehicle equipmentlines—twokey businessareasforBobcat— lookstofurtherstrengthenoverall brandequity,marketrecognition andconsumerrecallofall productofferings.The transitionwillcreatea cohesivecustomer experienceandgrowthe organization’sfootprint,thus makingthebrandaccessible tomorecustomersandin moreplaces.

“TheBobcatbrandempowers ambitiousandpassionate groundbreakerstoaccomplish more.Acrosstheglobe,big challengesgetsmallerbecause ofourequipment;frombreaking downwallstobuildingup communities,we’reproudto providepeoplewithwhatthey needtobesuccessfulintheir endeavours,”saidLauraNess Owens,DoosanBobcatVice PresidentofGlobalBrand.“By expandingtheBobcatbrandto theportablepowerandindustrial vehicleindustries,Bobcatcan helpevenmorecustomers,in morewaysthanever.”

anindustry-leadingglobal manufacturerofaircompressors, mobilegeneratorsandlight towers;andDoosanIndustrial Vehicle(DIV),asupplierof qualitymaterialhandling equipment,includingforklifts, willrebrandtheirproduct offeringsundertheBobcat brand.

“Bobcatisaniconicbrandthat changedtheworldwiththe inventionofthecompact equipmentindustry,andweare excitedtounleashthebrandin bold,newways,”saidScott Park,DoosanBobcatCEO& ViceChairman.“Doosan PortablePowerandDoosan IndustrialVehiclehavelong legaciesofdevelopinghighqualityproducts.Bringingthese strongDoosanbrandsintothe Bobcatportfolioallowsusto furtherexpandthesebusiness lines,whilealsogrowingour

Bobcathasbroadenedits productportfoliosignificantly withinthepastfiveyears, launchingmoremachines duringthisperiodthanpreviously initsentirehistory.Thebrand hassuccessfullyexpandedits offeringswithnewtechnologies andinnovationsandexpanded productlines,suchasgrounds

Withthisrefreshedidentity,the DPPandDIVproductlineswill, respectively,undergodesignand aestheticchangesinalignment withcurrentBobcatbranding.

Therebrandedproductswillbe displayedatkeyglobaltrade showsinMarchandApril2023:

•DPPwilldisplayaportionof itsproductline-uprebranded inBobcattradeliveryat CONEXPO2023inLas Vegas,14-18March.

•DIVwillshowcaserebranded Bobcatforkliftsaspartofthe in-boothdisplayatProMat 2023inChicago,20-23

March,aswellasatLogiMAT inGermany,25-27April.

maintenanceequipment,which includescompacttractors,small articulatedloaders,mowersand turfequipment.

Bobcat-brandedmaterial handlingequipmentand portablepowerproductsare expectedtobeavailable throughDoosanBobcat’s extensive,globaldealer networkatalaterdate.Bobcat andtheserebrandedproduct lineswillproudlyremainpartof thebroaderDoosanGroup portfolio

Kubotaapproveslow-emissionHVO andGTLfuelusefordieselengines

Kubota(UK)Ltdhasapproved useoftheparaffinicfuels HVO(HydrotreatedVegetable Oil)andGTL(GasToLiquid) inallitsdieselengines, contributingtoalowercarbon footprintforKubotainternalcombustion engines.

ApprovalfollowsKubota’sinternal evaluationofthesealternativefuels.Ithas confirmedthatanyparaffinicfuelthat complieswiththeEuropeanstandard EN15940,issuitableforuseinallitsdiesel engines.

“Thisisatremendousbenefitforoperators whoarerequiredtomeetenvironmental conditionswhereCO2emissionsare monitoredandmeasured,”explainsTim Yates,Kubota(UK)’sagriculturaland groundcaresalesmanager.“Forthose

https://www.claas.co.uk

TheARION600and500range-thenewmid-rangestandard Assistingyou,whereveritisneeded. Oneofourmostpopulartractorshasjustgotevenbetterthankstoahostofnew functionsdevelopedbyourengineersinconsultationwithARIONdrivers. Afterall,theyworkinthefieldeveryday,sotheyknowexactlywhattheywant.

workinginurbanlocationsforexample,orwith countycouncilsandenvironmentalprojects, achievingalowercarbonfootprintisnowpossible withKubotapowered equipment.”

Asamanufacturerof industrialengines, tractors,groundcare andconstruction equipment,Kubota recognisesthatHVO, whichissynthesised fromvegetableoiland fat,andGTLwhichis synthesisedfrom naturalgas,arebecomingincreasinglypopularas alternativefuelsduetotheirenvironmentalbenefits thatofferreducedemissions.

“ThisisanotherexampleofKubota’sengineering excellence,toenableachangeinapprovedfuel withoutanymodification,”saysMrYates.“It providesownersandoperatorswithyetanotherfuel choice,tosuittheiroperatingenvironment.”

Whenusingthesefuels,operatorsshouldcomply withanyappropriatelocalregulationsintheareas beingused.Thereisnorequirementtoflushfuel tanksorchangefilters,asHVOandGTLaresafeto mixwithdiesel.Noraretherechangestoexisting maintenanceintervalsorwarrantyconditionswhen usingthesefuels.Operatorsmaynoticeaslight degradationinengineperformancefromusingthe lowerdensityparaffinicfuels,comparedtodiesel.

JCBWINSITSBIGGESTEVERUKORDER ASPERTHSHIREFARMERINVESTS

JCBhaswonits biggesteverdealin theUKaftera Perthshirefarmer placedanorderfor £87.5millionworth ofmachines–includingabig fleetoficonic3CXbackhoe loaders.

Thehugeorderhasbeenplaced byPerth-basedMorrisLeslie PlantHirealmost50yearsafter FounderMorrisLesliestartedthe companyonhis parents'farminthe CarseofGowrie, nearPerth,where hebeganbuying andselling construction equipment.Today hiscompany operatesacross theUK–with manyofhisfirm's customersworking intheagricultural sector,particularly inScotland.

MorrisLesliePlant Hire'snew machinesincludea bumperdealfor50 JCBbackhoe loaders,atatime whennewfigures showaresurgence indemandfor backhoesintheUK,withthe marketgrowingbymorethan12 percentin2022.Theinvestment willalsoseethecompanytake deliveryofLoadalltelescopic handlers,excavators,site dumpers,andcompaction equipment,underliningits commitmenttoprovide customerswiththemostup-todatemachinespossible.

ManufacturedatJCB'sfactories inRocesterandCheadle, Staffordshire,allthenew machinesarepoweredbythe latestStageVengineswhich

deliverlowemissions.Theyare alsofittedwiththeJCBLiveLink telematicssystemwhichenables MorrisLesliePlantHireandits rentalcustomerstomonitorthe safety,productivityand emissionsofthemachines.The orderwillbesuppliedbydealer ScotJCBtoMorrisLeslie's14 nationwidedepotsthroughout 2023.

MorrisLeslie,Chairmanofthe Group,attendedElmwood

"Wearedelightedtohave agreedourlargesteverorder withourlong-termpartnerJCBto supportour2023growthplans andbytheendoftheyearour entireJCBfleetwillbeoperating withthelatestStageVengines.

"Thebackhoeloaderpartofthe orderisparticularlypleasing,and welookforwardtoseeing ongoinggrowthofourJCB3CX fleet.Thebackhoecontinuesto behugelypopularwithour

AgriculturalCollege,Cuparand todayheownsandoperatesfour arablefarmsinPerthshireand Anguscoveringatotalof2,000 acres.

MorrisLesliesaid:"Ourbusiness wasfoundedonafarmin1974 andIamproudthatfarmersand thewideragriculturalcommunity continuetobevitallyimportantto thesuccessofthecompany today.Thisorderensureswe cancontinuetosupportthem withtheverylatestandbest equipment.

customersthankstoitsexcellent loadingandexcavating capabilitiesandtheabilityto traveldirectlytothesite,cutting theneedforcostlytransportation. ScotJCBandotherJCBdealers aroundtheUKcontinueto providefirst-classservicetoour depotsandourcustomers."

JCBSalesMDMarcoBersellini said:"WeareproudofourlongstandingpartnershipwithMorris LesliePlantHire.Thisdeal confirmsthatJCBhasexactlythe rightproductstomeettheneeds ofhirersandendusers."

JohnDeeremarkstwo millionMannheimtractor

TheJohnDeere plantinMannheim iscelebratingthe productionofits2 millionthtractor.

About3,300 employeeshelpproduce40,000 tractorsayearatthesite,before themachinesareexportedall overtheworld.Thefactoryisone ofthemostimportantemployers inthecity.

TheJohnDeereplantin Mannheim

Mannheimisthecityofinventors. Thecar,thebicycleandthe tractorwereinventedthere,and whilenocarsorbikesare producedinthecitytoday, tractorscontinuetorolloffthe lineintheLindenhofdistrict.The HeinrichLanzcompanylaidthe foundationstoneforoneofthe mostsuccessfultractorfactories 102yearsagowiththeBulldog.

JohnDeeretractorshavebeen producedtheresince1956.

Duetothesharpincreasein production,thefactoryisnowthe largestJohnDeereproduction facilityoutsideNorthAmerica.It isalsothelargesttractor productionfacilityinGermany,as two-thirdsofalltractors manufacturedinGermanyare producedinMannheim.The factorybenefitsfromits convenientlocationontheRhine, viawhichabout250tractorsare shippedtwiceaweekto RotterdamorAntwerp,andthen overseas-includingtheUKand Ireland.

However,theplantisnotonlya productionsite.Itisalsoa developmentsiteforallmedium tractorsfromJohnDeere.More than250engineersworkonthe tractorsoftomorrowandbeyond. Themainfocusison

performance,comfortand efficiency.Today'stractorcabs offertheluxuriesofacarwith automaticairconditioning, AppleCarPlay,comfortable seats,GPSsteeringandmuch more.Developersalsoputalot ofeffortintocleanfuel combustion;thesamestrict exhaustemissionstandards applytotractorsastheydofor othervehicles.Atthesametime, engineersareworkingon alternativeconcepts,suchasthe useofbiofuels.Electricdrives arealsobeingdeveloped,albeit onlyforsmallertractors,asthe batterycapacityforlarger machinesisnotyetsufficient.In 2026,thefirstfullyautonomous andbattery-driventractor deliveringapproximately100hp willbepresented.

JohnDeeres6Rand6M Tractors

Thedevelopmentdepartmentled thewaywiththeintroductionof theframedesignonthe Mannheimtractors.Thesturdy bridgesteelframegivesthe tractorsenormousstabilitywhen usingheavyimplements.In addition,theothercomponentsof thetractorcanbebuiltlighter. Forexample,thegearbox housingsaremadeofaluminium. Aftertheintroductionoftheframe designinthe1990s,production figureswentsteadilyupwards. Formorethan20years,John Deerehasbeenthemarket leaderfortractorsinallmajor WesternEuropeancountries. Thecurrentsuccessisdue, amongotherthings,tothe flagshipofMannheimproduction, the6R250.Withamaximum outputof300hp,itisthelargest tractoreverbuiltinMannheim. Overall,Mannheimtractorscover therangefrom90to250hp ratedpowerinthe‘luxury’class.

ThetwomillionthJohnDeere tractorfromMannheim

Thetwomillionthtractorwillalso bea6R250.Asathankyouto theproductionteam,thetractor

iswrappedinportraitphotosof morethan300employees.The tractorwillbeunveiledatthe Mannheimplanton22Marchin thepresenceofJohnDeereCEO JohnC.May.Inthefollowing weeks,thetractorwillbeon displayattheJohnDeereForum. Inthelongterm,itwillbegivena placeofhonourinthefactory museumnexttoitslittlebrother, the1millionthtractor,aJD6400. Ittook70yearsfromthestartof productionforonemillionJohn Deerestobeprodced,butthe secondmillionhaverolledoffthe lineinabout30years.

Alookintothefuture

Withthehandoverofthe anniversarytractor,thecompany isnotonlylookingback,butalso lookingforward.Theceremony willtakeplaceinthebuildingof thenewpaintshop.Morethan $80millionUSDiscurrently beinginvestedinthefutureofthe plantandinsecuringthe location.Thankstostate-of-theartenvironmentaltechnology, energyconsumptionis significantlylowerandemissions canbereducedtoaminimum.

Wastewaterandwasteare avoidedandthenoiselevelis muchlowerthanintheprevious plants.

Thetrainingworkshopatthe Mannheimplantisalsolooking backandforward.Itcelebrates its100thanniversarythis summer.Intimesofashortage ofskilledworkers,itisbecoming increasinglyimportantforthe companytotrainqualifiedyoung people.Currently,thetraining workshopoffers160young peoplequalificationsas mechatronicstechnicians, automotivemechatronics technicians,industrial mechanics,electronics techniciansforindustrial engineeringandconstruction mechanicswithafocuson weldingtechnology.

TheMannheimlocationiswell equippedforthefuture.Withthe twomillionthtractorandfurther investmentsinassemblybeing made,thecompanyissending animportantsignaltothemore than3,300employeesandthe Rhine-Neckarmetropolitan regionthatitismovingforward.

VADERSTADSWEDENEXPANDS

FACTORYANDINCREASESCAPACITY

Väderstadisincreasingitsfactorysize inSwedenbyanother12,600m2.The expansionprovidesadditional surfacesforassemblyandpainting, withtheaimofaproductioncapacity of10,000machinesannuallyby2028.

Väderstadhasbeenexperiencingastrongincrease indemandforitsproductsinthelastfewyears,with turnoverincreasingfrom237MEURinfinancial year2017to550MEURin2022.In2021Väderstad announcedthebuildingofanewfactorycenter,an investmentofSEK125million,whichwillbeready foruselaterthisyear.

“Thecontinued expansionofour factoryinVäderstad isinlinewithour growthtargets,and willbenefitbothour customers,our dealersandhelp createmorejob opportunities,as wellascreatea moreefficientflowin ourproduction,” saysHenrik Gilstring,CEOof VäderstadGroup.

Theproductionin Väderstadcurrently producemachines forallglobalsales regions,exceptfrom NorthAmerica, whereproductionis locatedatits factoriesin Langbank,Canada, andWahpeton, USA.

Thetwohousing blocksbeingadded andconnectedto theexistingfactory inSwedenareeach of6300m2,creating atotalproduction areaofapprox. 70,000m2.

“Asidefroma generalincreasein

demand,wehavealsolaunchedseveralnew productsinthelastcoupleofyears,”saysMikael Peiponen,seniorvicepresidentofordertodelivery atVäderstad.“Inspiregoesintofullproductionthis spring,whileProceedconceptisinfulltestingand wecontinuetoseeaverylargedemandforour Tempoplanters.Thisexpansionwillhelpusface thefuturedemandforalltheseproducts.”

Thedecisiontoexpandwastakenataboard meetingintheendofJanuary.Constructionwill startonApril1st2023andthenewbuildingsare plannedtobeinfullusebyautumn2024.

KroneUKbolstersteamwithfournewrecruits

Asaresultofa periodof exceptional businessgrowth, KroneUKhas bolstereditsteam withfournewrecruits.

Followingarecord-breaking 2021-2022,achievinga15 percentincreaseinsales turnover,Kronehashiredanew nationalproductmanagerand threeterritorymanagerstohelp steerthecompanyandits productportfolioasitcontinues togrowatpace.

managementandmarketingfor thetractorbusiness.

“Kroneisakeyplayerinthe agriculturalmachinerysector, withthebroadestline-upofhay andforagemachineryonoffer. We’veastrongemphasison researchanddevelopmentbased oncustomerneeds,puttingthe businessattheforefrontof innovation,”saysMrDavies.

“I’mdelightedtobeworkingwith suchaforward-thinkingteamand havetheopportunitytosupport thegrowthofthecompany,”he adds.

Thesecondnewrecruit,Liam Featherstone,isbasedinthe PeakDistrictandhastakenon theroleofterritoryproduct supportmanager,covering WalesandcentralEngland.

MrFeatherstonehaspreviously workedinfieldservicesfor dealershipsandmanufacturers, suchasB&BTractorsand GrimmeUK.Hehasalso

medelivercustomerswiththe bestpossibleservice.Forme, there’snobetterfeelingthan workingwithoursupportteamto repairorsetupamachineto worktoitsoptimum.”

JonathanMilleralsojoinsthe teamasterritoryproductsupport manager,fortheSouthWest.He hasover25years’experience workinginspecialistfieldservice andtechnicalsupportroles nationwideforglobalagricultural machinerybusinesses,spending thelastdecadeworkingat AGCO,withChallengerand Fendtbrands.

Thefirstnewrecruit,BenDavies, hasjoinedtheteamasproduct managerafterspending20years workingatCNHIndustrialina varietyofroles,fromtechnical trainingtoaftersalesterritory managementintheUKmarket, aswellasfactorytechnical supportandengineering.Priorto leavingCNH,MrDavies’role wasfocusedonglobalproduct

specialisedinsugarbeet machinery,andworkedonpreproductionprojectsandproduct linedevelopment,whilealso assistingregionaldealerships.

“Kroneproducesmarket-leading machineryandhasbuiltasolid reputationintheindustryfor reliablekitandback-upservices,” hesays.

“Thisin-housesupportwillhelp

“I’mkeentoworkwithKrone’s specialistproductrange,with closelinkstothefactory,while strivingforbusinessgrowthand customersatisfactionacrossthe region,”saysMrMiller.

Andfinally,CharlieThorntonJameshasjoinedthebusiness asaterritorysalesmanager,also fortheSouthWest.

BasedinDorset,hehasworked withcontractorsforover15 years,havingspentthree seasonsinNewZealand.Since then,hehasbeenworkingfor manufacturersandbuiltstrong relationswithdealersinthearea.

“ThequalityofKronemachinery issecondtonone.It’sclearto seehowpioneeringthecompany isatproducinghigh-end machinerythatmeetscustomer needs.I’mpleasedtobepartofa teamdeliveringthisforthe industry,”concludesMr Thornton-James.

BenDavies,productmanageratKroneUK

LiamFeatherstone,territoryproductsupportmanager atKroneUK(WalesandcentralEngland)

JonathanMiller,territoryproductsupportmanager atKroneUK(SouthWest)

CharlieThornton-James,territorysalesmanager atKroneUK(SouthWest)

Takingawholefarmapproachtotacklinginputcosts

limbinginputcosts andadesireto improvesoilstructure forlongtermfarm productivitylies behindone Leicestershiremixedfarmer’s decisiontolookateveryaspectof hisarablesystem.

80%.Nextspring,wewillseehow, afterthreeyearsinagrassley,it lookswhenplantedwithspring beans.”

Itisabouttakingawhole farmapproach.Wetookon alotoflandtwoyearsago whichwasfullofblackgrass andfarmedout.

MrBelcherhasalso experimentedwithgrazing sheepon40haofwinter wheat.“Weputthemonin lateJanuary,”heexplains. “Thegrazinggotridofany diseasedleaves,stimulated rootestablishmentand producedfreshdisease-freetillersin thespring.Itisafinebalancenotto over-graze–thereisanarttoit.But ithascutourfungicidebillsbythreequartersandreducedourherbicide programmebyaquarter.“Therehas beennodetrimenttoyieldandwe’ve seenfarlessdisease,”headds.

Deere750AdiscdrillandaHorsch Sprintertinedrill.“Thisdeliversfuel savingsofaboutone-thirdcompared withmoreintensivecultivations.”

Fertiliserandotherinputcostshave gonethroughtheroofinrecent years–sohowcangrowerstackle thiswithoutaffectingproductivity? DanBelcher,whofarmsatMarch HouseFarm,GreatDalbyhasfound awaytomakesignificantsavings, by:Measuringandmanagingcrop requirementsmoreeffectively, makingbetteruseofanimaloutputs likefarmyardmanure(FYM),and usinggrassleystotacklehighweed burdens.

Thefarmworksonafour-crop rotationofwinterwheatfollowedby winterbarley,adiversecovercrop–grazedoverwinter–andfinally, springbeans.Aswellassingle winterwheatvarieties,hegrowsa four-waywheatblendtoimprove planthealth.“Usingthisblendallows ustocutfungicidesbythreequarterscomparedwithasingle variety,withnodetrimenttoyield,” hesays.“Ifitkeepsdeliveringthe goods,wewillbeusingitexclusively inthenexttwotothreeyears.”

Healthysoilandhealthyseed requirelessfertiliser

Moresignificantsavingscomefrom usingfertiliserinamoretargeted way,explainsMrBelcher.“Weuse Nmin[soilnitrogen]testingto discovertheresidualnitrogeninthe groundanddevelopafertiliserplan basedonthisandplanttrace elementtesting.Wedoalotof tissuetestingandsapanalysis throughthegrowingseasonand basefertiliserapplicationsonwhat theplantrequirestokeepithealthy.”

Heapplies110kgN/hatowheatand barley;previouslyheapplied180200kg/ha.“Forourfirstdressingin Marchweputonsolidureawith sulphur.Theseconddressingin mid-Aprilis40kgofasulphurN liquidproduct,Nitroflo24N+7.5% SO3fromOmex,followedbytwo foliarapplicationsofnitrogen–10kg each,alsoaddingtraceelements, molassesandliquidcarbon.”

“Itisabouttakingawholefarm approach,”hesays.“Wetookona lotoflandtwoyearsagowhichwas fullofblackgrassandfarmedout. Throughplantinggrassleysand grazinglivestockontheworstland, wehavecuttheweedburdenby70-

MrBelcher’sapproachto fungicidesistowatch thecropandtheseason ratherthanapplyingata particulargrowthstage. “Thisyearwassodry thattherewasno diseaseburdenonany ofthecrops.Weare mindfulofwhatisgoing onaroundus.”Heuses allfarm-savedseed, cleaningbutnotdressing it.“Idon’tfeeldressingis requiredifthesoilisin goodenoughconditionandyou haveahealthyseed;theplantgets away.“Thisapproachmorethan halvesourseedcosts,”headds.

Forestablishment,headoptsalow ormintillapproachusingaJohn

PartoftheNbudgetcomesfrom FYM,whichisanalysedtodetermine nutritionalcontent.MrBelcherhas investedinaBunningspreader,with discsandweighcellsenabling spreadingofFYMataconstantrate over24m,usingitasatopdressing inthespring.Itequatesto10kg N/ha.“Withourapproachtocrop nutritionwehavecutourtotal fertiliserspendby40%.Looking longerterm,theFYMisimproving soilorganicmatterandbuilding fertility.”

Withourapproachtocropnutrition wehavecutourtotalfertiliserspend by40%.Lookinglongerterm,the FYMisimprovingsoilorganicmatter andbuildingfertility.

Savingwithprecision

Precisionfarmingmethodsalsoform

partofthearablesystemandhelpto identifysavings,saysMrBelcher. “WeusetractorswhichhaveGPS andtheJohnDeere732sprayerhas sectioncontrol.Wedon’tdo controlledtrafficfarmingbuttryto runonlyonthetramlineswherewe can.WeuseJohnDeere’s GreenStarmanagementsystemand JohnDeereLink.Wecanget informationondieselconsumption andyieldsandmakeabouta10% savingthroughusingthis technology.”Averageyieldsforthe farmare:Wheat8.8t/ha,barley 7.9t/ha,andspringbeans4.4t/ha.

familyopenedafarmshop,addinga caféwhichlaterclosedduringCovid andwasn’treopened.However,the farmshophasexpanded.Mr Belcheraddedabakery,which makesporkpies,meatpies,and sausagerollsforsaleinboththe farmshopandlocalvillageshops.

Makingsaleswithdiversity

Althoughthediversificationhas retained60%ofthebusinessit gainedduringCovid,recent increasesinelectricitypriceshave hitthebutcheryparticularlyhard, saysMrBelcher.“Refrigerationuses themostpowerandwearelooking toinvestinmoresolar powertokeeptheelectricity billssensible.Wealready haveasmallsolarprojecton theshedroofs–butwe needtoincreaseitbyfive timestomitigatethebill.”A biomassboilerheatsthe graindryingfloorswhen neededandthefarmhouse andfarmshop.

capacity.”

Whilethehigherfertiliser,fueland electricitybillshavecomeasan unwelcomeshocktoMrBelcher,the costcuttingmeasureshehas alreadybeenestablishingwill hopefullymitigatetheworstofthem. “Weareplayingthelonggame, puttinginplaceasystemthatwillstill workwellin30years,notjustthree.”

FarmfactsMarchHouseFarm

•Location:MarchHouseFarm, GreatDalby,MeltonMowbray, Leicestershire

•120halandowned

•Heavyclaysoils

•Averagerainfall:720mm

•840hatenantedincluding460ha arableandtheremainder, grassland

DanBelcherfarmswithbrother Tom

•Staffincludeanarableforeman andashepherd

•Livestock:2,800breedingsheep –NorthCountryMulesand Romneys

•Viehbestand:2800Zuchtschafe –NorthCountryMulesund Romneys

•80AberdeenAngusand Shorthornsucklercowswith followers

•50Breedingsows

•Diversification–Farmshop, butcheryandbakery

Lookingatlabourcosts,MrBelcher ishappywithhisteam.“Wehavea greatteamonthefarmwhoare reliableandhard-working.Beinga mixedfarm,wedon’tneedtoworry aboutseasonallabour.Wecan deploypeopleinthearableor livestockenterprisesdependingon thetimeofyear,makingmore efficientuseoflabour.”

However,findinggood,reliable labourcanbeanissueinthefarm’s diversificationprojects–about30 staffareemployedforthefarmshop, butcheryandbakery.

Thebutcherystartedin2000,with thefarmsellingbeefandlambfrom homebredlivestockatfarmers’ marketsinLondon.In2017,the

Beforemakinganyfurther changes,MrBelcherwants toassesshowthenewcost-saving measuresacrossthefarmand diversificationprojectareworking.

“We’vemadequitealotofchanges overthepastthreeyears,”hesays. “Iwanttoseethetrueresultsof usingthenewsystem.Threeyears ago,wedecidedtheconventional approachwasn’tworking,whichled ustowherewearenow.”

However,hedoeshavehiseyeon somemachinerychanges.“AJohn Deere6215Rtractorisduetobe deliveredbyChristmas.Wechange thetelehandlereverytwoyearsasit does3,000hrs/year.Andasweare doingmorefoliarfertiliser applications,whenwecometoswap thesprayer,we’llbelookingfor somethingwithalittlemore

Maschineryfleet

•Threemaintractors–John Deere6195R,6150Rand Fendt720.

•Lease300hptractorduring harvest

•JohnDeereT560combine22ft cut

•VaderstadRexiustwincultivator

•ohnDeere750Adiscdrill

•HorschSprintertinedrill

•Kuhn40.1fertiliserspreader

•Bunning150muckspreader

•JohnDeere732sprayer24m

•JCB54270telehandler

VervaetConnecttelematicsforoldermachines

LeadingDutch sugarbeet harvesterand self-propelled slurryapplicator manufacturerVervaethas introducedabackward compatibleversionof itsVervaetConnect telematicssystem. Thisissuitablefor machinesproduced duringthelast7to12 years(dependingupon spec)andallowsusers toequiptheirexisting productwiththelatest efficiency-increasing technologyfor precisionfarming, managementand remote-diagnostics.

LaunchedlastJanuary ataworkingdemo heldbyUK-importersJ RileyBeetHarvesters (UK)Ltd,from2022all Vervaetself-propelled machineshavebeen

equippedwithVervaet Connectasstandard.This allowsmanagersand operatorstoviewreal-time andhistoricalmachinedata remotelythroughthe MyVervaetonlineportal.

Applicationmapscanbe createdforslurryspreading, whilstadditionaloptional equipmentmakesyield mappingpossibleonsugar beetharvesters.

Thisnew introductionallows VervaetConnect tobeaddedto VervaetBeet Eater617,625 andQ-616beet harvesters manufactured from2011 onwards,and HydroTrike machinesmade from2016to 2019.Fitment requiresadditional wiringandanew touchscreen controlterminal.Currently customerscantrade-intheir oldscreenagainstanewunit.

“ByalsoofferingVervaet Connectforexistingmachines weareprovidingcustomers theopportunitytoexperience thesystemandgainthe benefitsfortheirbusiness,” saysJonathanHoekman, salesmanageratVervaet.

“WeenvisageVervaet Connectasanaddition suitableforeverymachineand

everyuser.Thisyearweare workinghardtofurther improvethesystemwith premiumfeaturesaccessible toeveryonein2023.”

ThenewupdatedVervaet Connectwillbeavailablein twolicenselevels–Connect EssentialandConnect Premium.Thebasiclevel providesreal-timemachine trackingandremoteaccessto operationaldata,service informationandwarnings.

Premiumallowsfield-specific datatobeexportedtofarm managementsoftware includingretrievalofhistoric datatoallowcustomer-and field-specificreportstobe generated.VervaetConnect canalsobeusedforremote diagnostics,whenenabled, allowingtechnicianstoswifty readerrorcodesandsensor values,potentiallyreducing downtime.

CheffinstohostmajorauctiononbehalfofRipon FarmServices–oneoftheUK'slargest agriculturalmachineryandgroundcaredealerships

EastAnglian-based auctioneer, Cheffins,willhosta majormachinery auctiononbehalfof RiponFarm Services,oneofthelargest agriculturalmachineryand groundcaredealershipsinthe UK,onThursday30thMarch.

Totallingover300lots,thesale willincludeanenormous55 tractors,tencombineharvesters, 14telescopicloaders,tenUTVs, fiveforageharvestersandan extensiverangeofgrassland machinery,cultivationequipment andtrailers.

RiponFarmServices,whichwas

AuctionDivisionatCheffins comments:"RiponFarmServices hasgrownrapidlyoverthepast4 yearsandthegrowthinthe servicesandproductsitprovides toitscustomersisexpectedto continue.Aspartofitsgrowth strategyandcontinued investmentinthebusiness,RFS istakingtheopportunitytohold thisauctiontoclearsomeofits excessstock.Thisissettobea majorsale,withsomehighprices expectedthroughoutallofthe sections."

Highlightsincludelateregistered JohnDeeretractors,combines, forageharvestersanda comprehensiverangeof cultivationandgrassland machinery.

tradeintwomachinestoone sale.

WehaveappointedCheffinsto conducttheauctiononourbehalf asthecompanyhasavastclient basebothintheUKandglobally. Wehaveagreatrelationshipwith Cheffinsandregularlyusetheir servicesattheirmonthly auctions.Therewillbeover400 lotsofavastvarietyandage, andhopefullytherewillbea pieceofequipmentonofferthat suitsmostclient'sneeds.We arelookingforwardtothe30thof Marchandhopeforasuccessful day."

OliverGodfreyfromCheffins continues:"Recentsaleshosted onsiteonbehalfof farmers,contractors anddealers,aswellas regularauctionsatour machinerysaleground atCheffinshavegone fromstrengthto strength.Pricesare risingastheexport marketcomesbackin fullforce,withbuyers makingthemostofthe weakerpound.Lot priceshaveincreased asalackofstock continuestoencourage buyersbacktothe second-handmarket."

establishedin1982,supplies agriculturalmachinery, equipmentandsupport throughoutYorkshire,Teesside, Lincolnshireand Nottinghamshire.

OliverGodfrey,Directorand HeadoftheMachineryand

RichardGravill,GroupUsed EquipmentManageratRipon FarmServicescomments:"Our businesshashadthreevery successfulyearsandhassolda largeamountofequipment acrossthegroup,onaveragewe

Thesalewilltakeplace onThursday 30thMarchatRipon Racecourse,HG41UG. Forafullpreviewofthe sale,headtoour podcast,AuctionTorque,which ishostedonSpotifyandcanbe listenedtohere: Spotify

Formoreinformation,please visitwww.cheffins.co.uk,orcall Cheffinsauctioneerson01353 777767.

STIHLLAUNCHESNEWCORDLESSHEDGETRIMMER

STIHLhasaddedanewcordlesshedge trimmertoitspopularAPSystem range,offeringlandscaping professionalsexcellentcutting performance,arotatinghandleand improvedusercomfort.

ReplacingboththeHSA66andHSA86models, thenewHSA100 boasts60cmdoublesided,double-edged cuttingbladeswitha widened34mmtooth spacing,makingthe toolidealfor landscapersworking onlong,tallhedges withthickerbranches.

Alongsidethe impressive performance,the HSA100alsooffers highlevelsof operatorcomfort.The newhedgetrimmeris comfortabletohold, balancedinoperation andfeaturesa rotatingrearhandle thatlocksintothree positionsacrossa 1800range,helping toreducewriststrain whenworkingforlongperiodsoftime.Furthermore, thetriggerislocatedontheinsideofthefrontloop handleforincreasedcomfortinallpositions.

Additionaloperatorcomfortfeaturesincludequiet operation,meaningthehedgetrimmercanbeused withouteardefenders,aswellasanimprovedantivibrationsystemthatofferssignificantlylower

vibrationcomparedtotheHSA86.

Tocombatpotentialjammingoftheblades, especiallywhenworkingonthickmaterial,theHSA 100featuresaninnovativeanti-blockingsystemthat reversesthemotorsrotationaldirectiontounblock theblades,minimisingproductdowntimeand enhancingtheefficiencyofthetool.

TheHSA100ispoweredbySTIHL’sAPbattery system,offeringupto150minutesruntimeona singlechargewhenusedwiththerecommended AP200battery.

FormoreinformationonSTIHL’snewHSA100, pleasevisitwww.stihl.co.uk.

CostEffectiveTractorTyresthatLast

Ifyouarelookingfornewtractororagriculturaltyresandneedsomething costeffectivethatwillactuallylast,Ascensotyresmightbetheanswer.

Ascensotyresburst ontotheUK agriculturalandoffroadtyrescenein early2021.Since then,thebrandhas gonefromstrengthtostrength becomingapopularchoicefor farmersandfarmcontractors acrossthecountry.

Notonlyarethetyresacosteffectivetyresolutionbutthey alsolookgoodandperform fantastically.Thefarmradial tyresallcomewith65kspeed ratingsandthelatestMud BreakerTechnologyforoptimal performancebothinandoutof thefield.Themudbreakerand thedualmudbreakerensure betterself-cleaningproperties andmaximumtraction.During theprocessofmovement, verticalcleatsonthelugsact likealevertopushthemud awayandcreateanairchannel tobreakthevacuumwhich helpsinself-cleaning characteristics.

Thetyrerangeincludeswell over400sizesacross Agriculture,Industrial& Construction,Material Handling,EarthMoverand Forestry,includingallthekey agriculturalfitmentssuchasthe

Ifyouneedanymoreconvincing, Ascensoalsooffersanincredible warrantyontheirtyres,7years warrantyonfarmradialtyresand 5yearsonbias.Showinghow confidenttheyareinthe qualityandlongevityof theirtyres. It’snotjustfarmers seeingthebenefitsof Ascensotyres,the brandalsohasOriginal Equipment(OE)status onarangeof manufacturers’ products,including Fliegl,Househam Sprayers,Larrington Trailers,withmore manufacturerscurrently testingthetyresfortheirown products.

us.Overthelasttwoyears,we haveseenagreatresponseto theproducts,andwiththearrival ofAscenso’srangeofVF technologyinthecoming

560/60R22.5floatationtyreand

InJanuarythisyear,Ascenso exhibitedattheLAMMA Showforthesecondyearin arow,increasingawareness oftheirproductswithinthe UKfarmingindustry.The brandwasrepresentedby theteamfromBABush& SonLtd,ateamoftyre expertswithmanyyearsof experienceinthe agriculturaltyresectorwho havebeenincrediblyproud tobepartoftherolloutof thebrand.

TomBush,directoratBABush& SonLtdsaid,“BringingAscenso tyresintotheUKhasbeenan incrediblyexcitingopportunityfor

months,wefeelthebrandwill sooncaterforallaspectsofthe agriculturaltyremarketmaking itthego-tobrandforfarm ownersandcontractors.The VFrangewillincludearangeof popularsizesincluding 600/60R30,710/55R30, 420/85R34and560/60R22.5to namebutafew.Ascensoare lookingtointroducean additional300newsizesin 2023takingthefullproduct rangetonearlythe800mark, wellexceedingmanyleading tyremanufacturers.BABush arealreadyintalkswithmany OriginalEquipment manufacturerstotesttheVFline up,astheyseetheAscenso rangeasacost-effective, performancesolutiontotheir currentbrandportfolio”.

Withdealersnowcoveringareas acrosstheUK,availableasfar NorthastheShetlandIslands andallthewaydowntothe SouthWestinDevonand Cornwall,youwon’tbefarfrom someonewhocansourceand supplyAscensotyres.Askyour localtyredealeraboutAscenso tyres,orvisit:www. ascensotyresuk.co.ukformore information.

460/70R24loadertyreandmany, manymore.

BKTLAUNCHESANEXCITINGNEWSEASONOFGLOBAL TRENDS,COMPLETELYDEDICATEDTOTHEOTRWORLD!

BKTNetwork,BKT’s ownDigital Platform,isproud topresentthe upcomingnew seasonofitsGlobal Trendsformat-thistime, completelyimmersingviewersin theOTRworld.

GlobalTrendsOTRhasbeen designedtobemorethanmerely asourceofinformation.Itisan innovativeandengaging experiencethatcombinesthe latesttechnologieswiththereallifeexperiencesofindustry experts.Theseasonaimsto provideamorecomprehensive

viewoftheOTRindustry,offering anin-depthanalysisofthemost importanttopicsinthesectorand providinginsightsintothelatest trendsanddevelopments.

GlobalTrendsOTRiscommitted tousinginnovativetechnologyto createanew,moreengaging

formatthatelevatesusersas ‘protagonists’oftheindustry.The immersivenatureofthisformat willplacetheuserfrontand centeroftheepisodes,aligning withBKT’speople-centric approachtobusiness.Asa brand,BKTembracestheir globalcommunity,andGlobal Trendsprovidesavaluable platformtoinformandinspire theirworldwideaudience.

carefullyselectedfortheir experience,whowilloffera detailedviewoftheOTRsector. Alongsidethem,everyepisode willwelcometheparticipationof aBKTExpert,whowillgive insightsontheepisodes’topics fromthecompany’spointofview.

companythatdevelopsand manufacturesnon-detonating rock-breakingexplosivesforthe mining,quarrying,andcivil engineeringindustries.

Subsequently,thelatestseason aimstomakeaground-breaking impactonaglobalscale,with newinitiativesthatincrease engagement,interactions,and strengthentheBKTcommunity. GlobalTrendsOTRstrivesto

Thefirstepisode,dedicatedto SustainabilityandESG,will featureCraigGuthrie,Editor-inChiefofMiningMagazine,a publicationwhichprovides industrynews,analysis,and insightsfortheglobalmining community.Hewillbejoined byRobertPell,Founderand CEOofMinviro,acompany thatprovidessustainability andenvironmentalservices totheminingindustrywith theaimtoreduce environmentalimpact andimprovesustainability practices.

Finally,thefourthepisode, focusedonthetopicofNetZero andLowCarbonEmissions,will featureThomasKochBlank, SeniorPrincipaloftheClimate AlignedIndustriesprogrammeat RockyMountainInstitute(RMI),a programthatfocuseson identifying,developing,and scalingupinnovative technologiesthatcanhelp acceleratethetransitiontoa cleanenergyfuture.Hewillbe joinedbyAlexanderAllen, DirectorofMiningatNthCycle, anAmericantechnology

provideacaptivatingand informativeexperiencefor industryprofessionals, distributors,media&press,end users,andfuturegenerations alike.

ThenewseasonofGlobal Trendswillbereleasedmonthly, fromMarch2023toJune2023, andwillconsistoffourepisodes onsomeofthemostpressing topicsintheindustrytoday: SustainabilityandESG, Technology,Automationand Robotics,AlternativeEnergies, andNetZeroandLowCarbon Emissions.

Eachepisodewillfeaturetwo highlyregardedindustryexperts,

Thesecondepisode,which willcoverTechnology, AutomationandRobotics, willfeaturetheparticipation ofFrikEls,Executive EditorofMining.com,an onlinenewsandanalysis platformthatprovidesup-todateinformationandinsights ontheglobalminingindustry. Userswillalsohearinsights fromAndrewPetruska, AssociateProfessorof MechanicalEngineeringat theColoradoSchoolof Mines,widely recognizedasoneofthetop engineeringschoolsinthe UnitedStates:aleading institutioninthefieldsof geology,mining,and energy.

Thethirdepisode,dedicated toAlternativeEnergies,will featuretheparticipationofPaul Muller,TechnicalSalesManager atPerkinsEngines,acompany thatdesignsandmanufactures enginesforavarietyof applications,including agricultural,construction,and industrialmachinery.BKT’s secondguestforthisepisodeis JonathanCohen,Directorof ProductsCommercializationat AutoStemTechnology,a

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Don'tmissoutontheopportunity togainvaluableinsightsand keepaheadofthecurveinthe

OTRworld.JoinBKTforthe upcomingseasonofGlobal TrendsonBKTNetwork.Engage withindustryexpertsandgaina morecomprehensiveviewofthe OTRindustry,includingthe latest,mostexcitingtrends.

Staytunedformoreupdateson thelaunchofthenewseasonof theGlobalTrendsOTRformat!

ContinentalAgriculturalTyres:NewTyreSizewithVFTechnologyforHigh-PerformanceTractors

•VFTractorMasterVF900/60R42tractortyresnowavailableworldwide

•Continentallaunchesitslargestagriculturaltyretoimprovetheefficiencyof largeragriculturalmachines

Continentalhaslauncheditslargest tractortyretodate,theVF TractorMasterVF900/60R42.Witha diameterof2,147millimetres,thetyre weighs450kilogrammes andhasaloadindexof189 (10,300kg).Thetyresizeis specificallydesignedtomanagethe weight,improvethegrip,andreducethe impactofagriculturalmachinerywithover 300horsepower.

Bigger,faster,heavier:newtyresize addressesindustrytrend

Risingcostsandthepressureto transportincreasinglylargerloadsina shortertimemeanthatthedemandfor powerfulagriculturalmachineryis growing.BenjaminHübner,productline managerforagriculturaltyresat Continental:“Thisdevelopmentnotonly demandstopperformancefrom

machines,butalsofromtheirtyres.Thatiswhywe developandtestouragriculturaltyresinclose consultationwithourcustomers.”

ContinentalAgriculturalTyres:NewTyreSizewithVFTechnologyforHigh-PerformanceTractors

Thetrendtowardlargemachinesistheprimary goalofworkingevenmoreefficientlyandcosteffectively.In2022,Continentalthereforelaunched fivenewtyresizesofitsVFTractorMaster(650/60 R34;650/65R42;710/75R42;650/65R34; 710/60R34).

Suitableforfieldandroad

ThankstoVFtechnology,thetyre canbedrivenwith40percentmore loadatthesametyrepressureasa standardtyreor40percentless tyrepressureatthesameload.In addition,tyreswithVFtechnology operatemorefuel-efficientlythan conventionaltractortyres.Hübner commented:“TheVF

TractorMastercombinesefficiency andsoilpreservation.TheVF technologyallowsforasmooth transitionfromfieldtoroadwithout havingtoadjustthetyrepressure. Atthesametime,theimpactof heavymachineryonthesoilis minimisedbyawidertreadsurface

whenworkinginthefield.”

Continentalisstrivingtocontinuouslyexpandits agriculturaltyrebusinessaspartofitsVision2030 strategy.Theexpansionoftheportfolioandthe realignmentoftheAgriculturalTyresbusinessfield, headedbyIvonneBierwirth,underscorethe company’sgrowthstrategy.

SUZUKIFITSDATATOOLTRACKERANDIMMOBILISER TOHELPPROTECTITSKINGOFQUADS

Suzuki’srangeof KingQuadATVs nowcomefitted withanenhanced securitypackage courtesyof partneringwithDatatooland Datatag.

Suzukihasbeenworkingwith Datatagforover10yearsand hasrecentlybolstereditssecurity offeringbypartneringwith DatatooltofitaThatcham accreditedtrackingand immobilisersystemaswell.

TheDatatoolStealthS5+tracker andimmobiliseractivelyprotect theATVagainstunauthorised movementaswellasproviding hotwire/forcedignitionprotection. Ithasbeendevelopedforthe harshenvironmentsthatATVs mustwithstand.Waterproofwith

abuilt-inantenna,theDatatool Stealthisacutting-edgetracking devicewhichbenefitsfromaUKbased24/7/365TheftMonitoring Teamandis4G-enabledfor superiortrackingabilitiesaswell asprovidingtow-awayalertsand keycloningprotection.

TheDatatoolStealthS5+’s immobilisationworksonthe basisof‘notag,nostart’.Ifthe riderIDtagisnotpresentthen theATVwon’tstart,evenifthe originalkeyisusedtostartthe machine.Theimmobilisation automaticallyre-armsonceyou walkawayfromthevehicleto ensureyourATVisalways protected.

TheDatatoolAppenables customerstoseethelocationof theirATVinrealtimeaswellas journeyhistorysoyoucansee

wherethevehiclehasbeen used.TheAppisavailablefor AndroidandiOSphones.

Thesystemhasbeenrigorously testedforquality,functionality, electro-magneticinterference resilienceandtheabilitytoresist physicalandelectronicattack fromavehiclethief.Italsomeets manufacturingqualitystandards forvehicletrackingsystemsand complieswiththerequired EuropeanDirectives.Witha96% recoveryrate,theDatatool StealthS5+isaprovensecurity systemthatisdesignedand madeintheUK.

TheCESARsecuritysystemby Datatagistheofficialsecurity initiativeoftheAgricultural EngineersAssociation(AEA)and isfittedasastandardfeatureon allnewSuzukiutilityATVs.

Datatagisauniqueforensic markingsystemcomprisedof fourlayersthatwillneverwear outorneedservicing.Once fitted,itgivesyourATVaunique fingerprintwithanidentitythat cannotbeerased,howeverhard acriminalmaytry.YourSuzuki ATVbecomesfourtimesless likelytobestolenandsixtimes morelikelytoberecoveredasits virtuallyimpossibletodefeatthis multi-layeredsystem;givingyou thepeaceofmind.

Thefourlayersofthesecurity systemcompriseofUVetchings, RFIDchips,microscopic datadots,andtamperevident warninglabels.

ThebenefitsoftheUVetchings arethattheuniquealpha numericcodegiventoeach etchingcombinedwithDatatag's 24/7contactdetailsare permanentlyetchedintothe panelsandframesofyourSuzuki ATV.Theyarealsoonlyvisible underultravioletlight,which

meanstheywon’tdefacethe appearanceofyourmachineas theyaredesignedtopenetrate thepaint.Thisalsomakesthe processofidentifyingastolen ATVquickerandeasierfor police.

TheRFIDchipswhicharehidden insidetheseat,wiringloomsand framecomponentsofyour SuzukiATVarenearimpossible tofind.Butaboveandbeyond that,theyarenotthestandard RFIDchipswhichcanbe overwrittenordestroyed,asthey aresecuritychipswithaunique alphanumericnumberetched intothecircuitboard.

TheDatadotsaretransparent microscopicplasticdiscsthatare lessthan1mmindiameter printedwithauniquealpha numericcodeandlistDatatag's telephonenumber.Theyare appliedinhiddenplacesallover yourSuzukiATVresultingin hundredswithinthesystem.Yet onlyoneisneededtoprove

SUZUKI KINGQUAD THE BEST IN ITS FIELD

ownership.

Tamperevidentwarninglabels alsohaveauniquealpha numericnumberandareplaced ontheframe.Iftheseare interferedwith,theywill disintegrateandbethefirstclear visiblesignthattheATVhas beentamperedwith.It’s especiallygoodtokeepaneye outfortheselabelswhen purchasingparts.

MarkBeeley,HeadofATV& MarineforSuzukiGBsaid, “We’repleasedtobeabletooffer thesesecurityfeaturesincluded withinthecostofourATVs.A SuzukiKingQuadisan invaluableassettoawidevariety ofbusinesses,particularlyinthe agriculturalindustry,sowe understandtheneedtoprotect themasmuchaspossible.We hopecustomerswillseethenew trackerandimmobilisersystem asanotheraddedbenefitandan additionalreasontochoose Suzuki.”

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

AfleetofuptosevenHondaATVsmakes lightworkofgamekeepingdutiesfora busyteamofkeepersinMidSuffolk

TheHondaTRX520 Foremanmachines areownedbyBox TreeGame Supplies.The family-owned businessincludesalongestablishedshopnear Stowmarket-sellingguns, cartridgesandawiderangeof countryclothing,anditalso managespheasant,partridge andduckshootsonownedand rentedlandatthreemain locationsupto15milesapartin MidandWestSuffolk.The largestshootoperateson 2,800haofmainlylightersoils comprisingarablecropping, forestandlakes.Theothertwo shootsoccupy1,200haand 1,800haofheavierclayland

whichismainlyarable croppingandwoodland. Shootingdaysaresold directorbookedby syndicates,andeach sitehostsuptosixshoot daysperweekduring thegameseason.

Long-established shoot

Thebusinesswas startedbyfarmerPeter Rushbrookmorethan50 yearsago,whenashoot ontheRushbrook’s familyfarmmergedwith ashootrunbya neighbour.Peter remainsactivelyinvolved althoughhisson,

Jackofalltrades

TheHondaATVsarereliedon throughouttheyear.“Theyreally area‘jackofalltrades’tous, andwecouldn’toperate efficientlywithoutthem,”stressed headkeeper,ScottBaker.“On ourheavyclaysoilstheydon’t makeamessevenwhenit’swet. Theytraveleasilywhenour4wd pick-uptruckswould struggle,andwithout damagingtheground.That isimportantwhenweare tryingtolookafterland rentedtousbymanylocal farmers.”

Essentialrole

MaintasksfortheATVs includefeeding,pest control,andmovingtools andmaterialsaroundthe site.Wildbirdcoveris establishedbyspreading seedsthroughamounted electric-poweredspinneron therearrack.

TheHondadifference

CharlieboughthisfirstATV morethan20yearsagobut saysthathedidn’trealiseat thattimethattherewas suchadifferencebetween Hondaandotherbrands.

“Ourworkingenvironmentis quitedemandinginthatthe machinesworkhardand conditionsareoftenwetand muddy,”heexplained.“Before buyingourfirstHondawetried threeotherbrandsandtheyall provedunreliable.Frequent electricalproblemswereanissue aswatergotintothewiring,and thedrivesystemsandbrakes neededconstantattentionas theyfilledwithmud.Wechanged brandsbutthesamesortsof problemscontinued.”

EventuallyCharlietriedhisfirst Honda.“Weimmediatelynoticed thesuperiorperformanceand buildqualityanditneverletus down.Astheshootingenterprise grewandwetookonadditional landweneededmoreATVs,so wegraduallyaddedtothefleet whileupdatingmachinesevery twoyearsaftertheyhadtravelled 25,000–30,000kms,”he continued.“Mostofthetimethey arepullingtrailers,butthe enginesandtransmissionsnever seemtosufferproblems.Weuse Hondaenginestopower othermachineryincluding mowersonourfarmandon theshoot.Theyalwaysstart easilyandareincredibly reliable.”

Reliableandefficient

Thecurrentfleetincludesa mixofHondaTRX520FM2 ForemanandTRX520FM6 Foremanmachines,all suppliedbylocalmain dealerMKMAgricultureLtd. Bothvariantshavepowerful andefficient518cc,liquidcooled,petrolengineswith electronicfuelinjection. Drivetothewheelsis throughafive-speed manualtransmissionand dependabledriveshaftsto thefrontandrearaxles. Selectablefour-wheeldrive isengagedatthetouchofa convenient,handlebarmountedbutton.“Whenwe

Charlie,nowmanagesthe operationassistedbyateamof keepers.

needtheextratractionthenwe canengagefour-wheeldrive instantlywithoutlettinggoofthe handlebar,”saidScott.“Earlier modelshadaleverbesidethe fueltank.Itworkedwell,butthe latestarrangementisbetter.”

Themaindifferencebetweenthe twocurrentmodelsisthatthe TRX520FM2hasarear swingarmwhichmeansthatboth rearwheelsaremountedona singlefullwidthrearaxle assemblyandmoveupand downasapair,whereasthe TRX520FM6hasdualarmrear suspensionallowingeachrear wheeltomoveupanddown independently.TheTRX520FM6 arrangementprovidessuperior groundclearanceupto240mm, andthemachineisratedtotow trailersupto599kg.

“Wegetonequallywellwithboth types,”suggestedScott.“In theorythemachineswith independentrearsuspension shouldhandlebetterandprovide amorecomfortableride,butwe don’ttravelfastsothereislittleto choosebetweenthem.When carryingheavyloadsand equipmentontheracks,thenI prefertherearswingarmasit feelsmorerigid.

“Asfarasgroundclearanceis concerned-becausethe machinestravelsolightlyacross

softgroundwithoutcreatingruts itisveryrarelyanissue.Our teamofkeepershavetheirown machinesandpreferences,but bothversionsareequallygood.”

Reducedfatigue

AllTRX520ForemanATVscome withelectricpowersteeringas standard.“Wedidn’tthinkthatwe neededituntilwehadit,”Scott continued.“However,afterusing thenewmachinesforafewdays andthenridinganoldermachine withoutpowersteeringagain,it wasevidenthowmuchithelped.

“Itmakesabigdifferencewhen spendingalongdayintheseat andreducesfatigue considerably.”

TheHondaATVsarepopular withallthekeepers.Scottsaid thatridecomfortisgood,and whenconditionsarewetthenthe widemudguardsandenclosed footrestsmeanthattheoperator remainsclean.Rearmudguard extensionsarefittedtoallthe ATVstoreducetheamountof mudsplashedontoloadscarried inthetrailers.

Easytolookafter

Charliesaidthatalthoughthe HondaATVsworkhard,thefuel useisreasonable.“Wetrieda dieselATVofanotherbrand,but

itwasnoisyandunderpowered,” hesaid.“ThelatestHonda TRX520machinesarethebest yet.Mostoftheworkwedoisat lowspeeds,buttheadditional powermakesquiteadifference whenpullingheavytrailers.

“Theyareeasytolookafter,and wecarryoutregularchecksand maintenanceourselvesanduse ourdealerforannualservicing andrepairs.Wearelookedafter wellbytheMKMAgriculture SuffolkdepotSalesManager, KeithCollinsandhisteamso, withthereliabilityand performanceoftheHondaATVs wehaveexperiencedsofar,we havenointerestatallin changingbrands.”

ATVspreferredtopick-ups

“Weneed4x4pick-upstopullthe heavygametrailersonshoot daysandfortravelbetweenwork areas,butifIhadtochoose betweentheenclosedcabofthe pick-upandtheconvenienceand versatilityoftheHonda,thenI wouldpreferanATVeverytime,” Scottconfirmed.“Thereareso manyoccasionswhenIcanjust nipthroughnarrowgapsbetween treesontheATV,ortravel acrosssoft,wetground,andthat justwouldn’tbepossiblewiththe biggerandheavierpick-up.”

TakeonanyterrainwithKawasaki’sprovenMulerange

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

Designedtoworkhard,the rangeisledbytherobustMule ProMX.Poweredbyatorqueladen700ccCVTsingle-cylinder engine,theProMXoffers32.8 kW{45PS}/6,000rpm, guaranteeingafun-to-drive vehiclethatcaneasilyhailcargo forworkorweekendfun.The spaciouscargobedisableto carryupto700lbs,making choresorhaulinggearabreeze. Measuring110”longand60” wide,withawheelbaseof79”, theMuleProMXistheperfect

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

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

enginebraking.

Whileitsperformanceis unmatched,Kawasakihasalso focusedonmakingtheflagship Mulemodelasaccessibleand user-friendlyaspossible. Comingequippedwithdoorsas standard,userswillbeprotected frommudandpuddles,whilea 5.3litrestoragebinunderneath thepassengerseatensuresthat thereisplentyofspaceto securelystoreallofyour belongings.

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

•Drivingmode(2WD/4WD) indicator

•Digitalspeedometerd

•Digitalfuelgauge

•Clockodometer

•Dualtripmeters

•Hourmeter

•Differentialindicatorlamp

•Checkenginelamp

•ElectricPowerSteering warninglamp

•Watertemperaturewarning lamp

•Seatbeltwarninglamp

•Parkingindicatorlamp

•Reverseindicatorlamp

•Neutralindicatorlamp

Thecontouredbenchseat complementsthebodyand providesamplespaceand comfortfortwoadultsatatime.

Kawasaki’shigh-gradeElectric

PowerSteering(EPS)isspeedsensitive,providinguserswith lightsteeringatlowspeedsand tightenedsteeringathigher speeds.Itcanalsoworkto enhanceridercomfortbyacting asadampingsystem,reducing thebumpsandkickbacks createdasyougoalongbumpy terrain.Driversarealsoableto setthepositionofthesteering wheeltonotonlysuittheir preferencebutalsotoliftitoutof thewaywhengettinginandout ofthevehicle.Anelectrically selectable2WD/4WDanddual modereardifferentialsystem ensuresquickandsimple changingtosuitthechanging terrain.

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

ISUZUUKPARTNERSWITHFOOTBALLSHIRTFRIDAYTOHELPTACKLEBOWELCANCER

IsuzuUKhastaken hugestepstoaidthe battleagainstbowel cancerwithitsnewest affiliation,partnering withFootballShirt Fridaytoraisemoneyforthe BobbyMooreFund.

Asaresultofthisnew partnership,IsuzuUKwillbe encouragingallemployeesto donate,withthebrandhavinga dedicatedCancerResearchUK givingpagereadilyaccessibleto employeesaswellasthegeneral public.Additionally,each memberofIsuzuUK’sdealer networkalsohasadedicated givingpage,therebyallowing dealerstoassistwiththe

fundraisingbyreachingmore people.

ThecombinationofIsuzuHQ andthedealernetworkwillsit undertheconsumer-facing bannerofIsuzuFC(Football Community).Nationalcampaigns willpointtotheIsuzuFCsuper teampagewhilstlocaldealer initiativeswillpointto theirownfundraising pages.Thegrandtotal willsitonIsuzuFCand therewillbealeague tableonthatpageofthe mostsuccessful fundraisers(dealersor HQ)withinIsuzuFC.

Dealershipswillalsobeprovided withpointofsaleandsocial assetstopromotetheirown campaigns.Withinthecompany, IsuzuUKwillbeurgingHQand dealeremployeestoswaptheir usualworkattireforthe campaign’snamesakefootball shirts,furtherpromotingthe altruisticcause.

ISUZUUKPARTNERSWITHFOOTBALLSHIRTFRIDAYTOHELPTACKLEBOWELCANCER

FootballShirtFridayisanational fundraisingcampaignbythe BobbyMooreFund,insupportof CancerResearchUK,thataims toraisefundsforresearchinto bowelcancerandincreasepublic awarenessofthedisease.The 2023campaignwilltakeplaceon April21standseeksto encourageasmanypeopleas

possibletoweartheirfavourite footballshirts,andthensharea photoonsocialmediatospread thewordanddonatetotackle bowelcancer.TheBobbyMoore Fundwasestablishedinmemory ofBobbyMoore,whodiedof bowelcancerin1993attheage of51.Overthepast30years,the Fundhasraisedalmost£30 milliontowardsbowelcancer research.

StephanieMooreOBE, founderoftheBobbyMoore Fund,said:““It’swonderfulto bepartneredwithIsuzuUKfor FootballShirtFridaythisyear. Goingintoitstenthyear,we hopeto make 2023’s campaign

thebestyetwiththehelpofIsuzu dealershipsacrosstheUK gettinginvolvedinthecampaign. Togetherwecanmakeareal impactandfundlife-savingbowel cancerresearch.”

GeorgeWallis,Headof MarketingatIsuzuUK,said:“By promotingthischaritable campaign,wearetryingtogetas manypeopleaspossibletojoin forcesagainstbowelcancerand makeameaningfulimpact throughnotjustcommunityspirit, butalsoasharedloveoffootball. Gettingtheentiredealernetwork involvedisproofthatpeoplecan cometogetherforthegreater good.”

Thecountdownstartsnow:All-electric NissanAriyatogofromPoletoPole

Epicdrivingadventuretocoverover27,000kilometresthroughseveralregions

Withonlyone monthuntilthe NissanAriya undertakesthe world'sfirstallelectricdriving adventurefromthemagnetic NorthPoletotheSouthPole,the teaminchargerevealswhythis caristheperfectmatch.

Nissan,inpartnership withBritish adventurer,Chris Ramseyandthe daringPoletoPole expeditionteamwill travelover27,000 kilometresacross severalregionsand continentswith predicted temperaturesranging from-30⁰Cto30⁰Cin amodifiedNissan Ariyae-4ORCE.

CommencingMarch 2023,theexpedition willseeChrisandhis wife,JulieRamsey becomethefirst peopletodrivefrom poletopoleina vehicleofanytype,as theymaketheirway fromtheArctic, throughNorth,Central andSouthAmerica, beforecrossingto Antarctica.

Theroutewillnegotiatesomeof theworld'smostextreme,brutal, andyetbeautifulscenery.From snow-coveredglaciallandscapes totreacherousmountainclimbs andvastdesertdunes;thisPole toPoleexpedition,driveninthe NissanAriyawilltakefollowers throughbreath-takingand unchartedterritory.

TheRamsey’s’PoletoPole expeditionisalignedwith

Nissan’sAmbition2030and company’scommitmentto sustainability.Aspartofitslongtermvisiontoempowermobility andbeyond,Nissanaimsto deliverexcitingvehiclesand technologiesthatempower customerjourneysandsociety.

Inpreparationforthefreezing ArcticandAntarcticconditions, Ramsey'sexpeditionNissan Ariyae-4ORCEwillbemodified withacustomruggedexteriorfit forthetrekacrossextreme terrainwithupgradedwheels, tyresandsuspension.

e-4ORCEisNissan'smost advancedall-wheelcontrol technologythataccurately managespoweroutputand brakingperformancefor smoothnessandstability.The

systemenhancesdriver confidencebytracingthe intendeddrivinglineovera varietyofroadsurfaces, includingwetandsnowyroads, withouttheneedforchangesin drivingstyleorinput.

Asatruereminderofthesheer unpredictabilityandmagnitudeof thetaskahead,theexactset-off datefortheRamsey'swillbe determinedontheday.

Challengingandeverchanging weatherconditionscombined withharsh,uncertaindriving conditions,duringtheweekof the20thMarchmeanstherewill bean'ontheday'decisiontoset offwhenconditionsseembest. Joinusaswecountdownto expeditionweekandfollowChris andJulie’sadventureofa lifetime.

NissanX-TrailawardedBestLargeSUV byWomen’sWorldCaroftheYear2023

Thejuryofthe Women’sWorld CaroftheYear (WWCOTY)2023 hasawarded NissanX-Trailthe titleofBestLargeSUV2023for itsthirteenthedition.

WWCOTY,theonlyinternational awardmadeupexclusivelyof womenautomotivejournalists, praisedthenewX-Trailforits spaciousness,effortlessdriving performanceandelectrified powertrain,e-POWER.

Speakingabouttheaccolade, MakotoUchida,Nissan’sCEO, said:

“Wearedelightedthatthejuryof theWomen’sWorldCarofthe Yearhasawardedthehonourof bestLargeSUVtotheNissanXTrail.TheX-Trailisourfamily SUVicon,withaheritageofover 20years.Ithasremainedtrueto itsoriginalrecipe:robustSUV looks,advancedandefficientallwheeldrivepowertrainsand

flexiblepracticality,whichcome togethertoenablefamily adventures.Wetookthevoices ofourfemalecustomersinto considerationthroughoutthe designanddevelopment process,sowe’reparticularly proudthatthejuryofeminent femaleautomotivejournalists fromallovertheworldhas recognizedtheX-Trail’stalents.”

BuiltontheAllianceCMF-C platform,thenewX-Trailboasts ofmusculardesignand advancedtechnologiesoffering effortlessEVdrivefeelingthanks toe-POWERtechnologytogether withatwin-motore-4ORCEallwheeldrivesystem.ThenewXTrailisavailableasafive-or seven-seater,offeringa convenientoptionfordaysout withextendedfamilyorfriends. Asanelectrifiedseven-seater SUV,itisuniqueinitssegment.

e-POWERisNissan’sinnovative drivesystemthatoffersanEVdrivefeelingwithouttheneedto recharge.ThenewX-Trail'se-

POWERsystemiscomprisedof ahigh-outputbatteryand powertrainintegratedwitha variablecompressionratiopetrol engine,powergenerator,inverter and150kWfrontelectricmotor. Thisuniquepowertrainmeans thatpowertothewheelscomes onlyfromanelectricmotor, whichresultsininstant,linear responsetotheaccelerator.

TheX-TrailisoneofNissan’s mostsuccessfulglobalvehicles, withsalesinover

100marketsandhasbeen enablingfamilyadventuresfor over20years.Thefourth generationX-Traildrawsfroma well-establishedDNAthatruns throughallthreeoftheprevious generationsofX-Trail.

Asaconsequenceofitbeing awardedBestLargeSUV,theXTrailhasbeenshortlistedforthe highestawardoftheWWCOTY, BestCaroftheYear2023,was announcedon8March.

InternationalMotorsLtd(IML)implementsUKmanagerial restructuretosupportbusinessdevelopmentplans

InternationalMotors Ltd(IML)isrenowned foritsservicesasa distributorfor automotive manufacturersinthe UK,IrishandNorthernEuropean markets.Thebusinesshas operatedfornearly50years, buildingasolidreputationfor successwithbrandslike Hyundai,Daihatsu,Subaru, Isuzu,MitsubishiMotorsinthe UKandnowpureelectricvehicle brand,GWMORA.

Withhugetechnological developmentintheautomotive industryandtherecentboomin electricvehiclesales,vehicle manufacturesandespeciallynew entrants,areseekingfaster routestomarketandnewways toreachtheircustomerbase efficiently.

Withthisinmind,IMLarenow activelylookingtoexpandtheir automotivebusinessin2023and beyond–offeringitsdistributor servicesandautomotive expertisetoadditionalbrands lookingtoenhancetheir operations.

LeadingIMLisnewlyappointed ManagingDirector,William Brown,whohasover26years’ experienceintheautomotive industry,mostrecentlyleading theIsuzuoperationsforIML.

SpeakingaboutIML’snew strategicapproach,William commented: “Asabusiness,we understandthattheautomotive landscapehaschangedand continuestoevolve,thiscanbe bothachallengeandan opportunityformanufacturers. IML’snewstrategicfocusisto

provideasupportstructurefor manufacturersthathelpsthem tailorasolutiontoperfectly addresstheiruniquemarket challenges,whileleveragingour infrastructureandexpertiseto maximiseopportunity.”

IMLhasrecentlylaunchednew electricvehiclebrandGWMORA intotheUKmarket,whichisa resultofanon-goingandlengthy relationshipwithitsChinese parentcompanyGreatWall Motor.Thisexcitingnewbrand nowhasevenSalesandService hubsplusanadditional13 ServiceCentresacrosstheUK andNorthernIreland,operated byPeterVardy,Wessex Garages,LookersGroup, ChorleyGroup,CityWest Country,andCharlesHurst Group.

InternationalMotorsLtd(IML)implementsUKmanagerial restructuretosupportbusinessdevelopmentplans

AspartofIML’sUKmanagerial restructure,TobyMarshallhas beenappointedasManaging DirectorforGWMORAUK.

SpeakingaboutIML’slaunch ofGWMORA,Toby

commented: “Thisexcitingnew brandisaperfectofexampleof howIMLcanaddvalueto manufacturers,cuttingoutthe massivecostsassociatedwitha directroutetomarketapproach. Ourin-houseteamofexperts haveyearsofexperience workingwithbothestablished brandsandstart-upswhich meanswe’vegotthemarket knowledgeandresourceto launchandmanagebrands efficiently.”

InadditiontothelaunchofGWM ORA,IMLhasalsorecently managedtheUKlaunchof

Subaru’snewall-electricSUV, theSolterra.IMLhasworkedwith Subaruforover45yearsandis nowatrustedpartnerproviding brandmanagement,consultancy andstrategicproduct developmentacrossmultiple markets.

AlanAble,previouslyBrand DirectorforIsuzuUKoperations, willnowassumetheroleof ManagingDirectorforIsuzuUK–oneofIML’soldestandfastest growingbrandswithintheUK. Withover36yearsofdistribution experiencewithIsuzuUK,IML hashelpedpropeltheIsuzuDMaxtonewheights,winning countlessawardsandachieving exponentialsalesgrowth.

Commentingonthegrowthof ISUZUUK,AlanAble, ManagingDirector,

commented: “IMLhasavery closerelationshipwiththeISUZU brandandovertheyearswe havebecomeacrucialplayerin thesuccessofthebrandglobally. In2023andbeyond,IML’s experiencewithnewenergy brandswillprovidekeysupport onceagainasISUZUdevelops it’selectrificationplan.”

Withincreasingcustomer demandfornewenergyvehicles andarapidlyevolvingautomotive landscape,IMLisperfectly positionedtoprovidearangeof flexibleautomotiveservicesas wellasfullbranddistributionand management.

Formoreinformationpleasevisit: https://www.imgroup.co.uk/ international-motors/

Hyundaisupportsmobilityvisions ofthefuturewithTherfieldschool

HyundaiMotorUKhasworkedclosely withTherfieldschoolonceagain,with aprojectdesignedtoengagestudents ontherapidlychangingnatureof mobilitysolutions,givingthema chancetohavea voiceandpresentimaginative ideasdirectlytoautomotive industryleaders.

Thecommunityoutreach projectsupportsHyundai’s visionofProgressfor Humanityandworkingwithin thelocalcommunity,directly engagingwithfuturemobility usersasthebrand decarbonisesroadtransport. Buildingonitsworkwith Therfieldfromlastyear, Hyundaivisitedtheschoolto setthechallengetoyear8 students,outliningthebrand commitmenttosustainable mobilitysolutions,whilst bringingthistolifewiththe

gamechangingIONIQ5thatcapturedstrong interestfromthestudents.

Aftersettingacreativetaskdesignedtoharness imaginationaroundnewmodesoftransport,three

studentgroupsvisitedHyundaiMotorUKlastweek topresentbackconceptstoSeniorleadersfrom Hyundai.ThewinningconceptwenttoMagneto, wherestudentspresentedamassmobilitysolution thatutilisedmagneticconnectionsbetweentheroad networkandvehicleforemissionfreemobility. Studentsshowedconceptualvisuals,detailedits customisableinteriorthattookinspirationfromthe SEVENconcept.Duringthedaystudentsalsogot thechancetoexploreIONIQ6andaskquestionsto Hyundaistaff.

OnworkingwithHyundaiChrisEagle,Headof BusinessandEnterprisefromTherfieldSchool, said:“It’sbeengreattoworkwithHyundaifora

secondyear,asour studentsonceagain benefitmassivelyfromthe inspiringtaskand opportunitytovisita leadingautomotivebrand soclosetous.Asaschool weworkhardtoengage pupilswithexperiential projectsandthisreallyhas capturedinterest,allowing ourYear8teamstobuild confidenceinpresenting, eveninspiringfuture careerambitions.”

AshleyAndrew,Managing Director,HyundaiMotor UK,said:“Asan automotiveinnovator, Hyundaiseekstoinspire thenextgenerationand givingTherfieldthisopportunityhighlightsthe importanceofharnessingtheimaginationof students.Hyundaihascementeditselfasapioneer inzero-emissionmobilityandit’sonlyrightwe harnessthecreativitywithinourlocalcommunity.”

Hyundaihascementeditssupportforschool engagementfurtherin2023bylaunchingTheGreat BritishSchoolTripprogramme,designedtoinspire schoolchildrenagedsevento14andtohelpthem toshapetheirfuturegoals.Hyundaihascommitted tosending25,000pupilsonschooltripsacrossthe UKandmoreinformationcanbefoundat:https:// greatbritishschooltrip.com/

FordPerformanceElectric SuperVan4toReachNew Heightsat101st Runningof PikesPeakInternational HillClimb

Forover100years, Fordvehicleshave beencompetinginthe legendaryPikesPeak InternationalHillClimb (PPIHC)heldjust outsideofColoradoSprings, Colorado.For2023andthe 101strunningoftheevent,Ford Performanceisheadingto America’sMountainwiththeallelectricSuperVan4.

Theracewasfirstheldin1916, andaFordModelTmadethe climbuptothefinishlinesitting 14,115ft.abovesealevelina timeof28minutesandthree seconds.SuperVan4aimsto continueFord’sstoriedtradition whilelookingtoshavemorethan afewminutesfromtheModel T’stime.

“ThePikesPeakInternational HillClimbistheperfectnextstop forFordPerformance,andisthe perfectplacetotakeSuperVan 4,asbothhavelong,storied historiesthatignitethe imaginationofracingfansall overtheworld,”statedMark Rushbrook,globaldirector,Ford PerformanceMotorsports.“Both haveevolvedovertime,andit’s timetotakeourelectricvehicle technologyandputittothetest onthemountainagainstsomeof themostimpressive performancevehiclesinthe world.”

In101instancesofthePPIHC, Fordvehiclehavecompeted prominentlywithavarietyof nameplatesrangingfroma1916 ModelTtocurrentgeneration Mustangs,includingaFord MustangShelbyGT500SE

campaignedbyShelbyAmerican in2022.

Overtheyears,severaliconic drivershavepilotedFordsupthe mountain,fromStockCar DivisionrecordssetbyCurtis TannerandParnelliJonesinthe 1960s,tothelateKenBlock’s incredibleHoonicornrunupthe mountainforClimbkhana.

For2023,SuperVan4willbe pilotedbymotorsportsiconand PPIHCrecordholderRomain Dumas,whoamongother notableaccomplishmentsisalso athree-timeLeManswinnerand holdsseveralEV-poweredlap records.

“Fordslatestgenerationof Electricvehicletechnologyisthe perfectmatchforAmerica’s Mountain”saidDumas.“With highaltitudescuttingpowerin traditionalICEpoweredvehicles, theelectricpowertrainof SuperVan4hasnolossat elevationandwillbeahealthy competitorinthisyear'srace.

ThiswillbeDumas’ninth appearanceatthePikesPeak InternationalHillClimb,originally startinghistimeonthemountain backin2012.

“We’realwaysexcitedtosee whatRomainisracingnextin thePikesPeakInternationalHill Climb.Heconsistentlyarrivesin uniquebuildsthatareserious contendersandfuntowatch,” sharedMelissaEickhoff,PPIHC ExecutiveDirector.“Thisyearis nodifferent.TheFord PerformanceSuperVan4issure tobeacrowdpleaser.”

SuperVan4,builtasajointeffort betweenFordPerformanceand STARD,takestothemountain thisyearsportinganall-wheel drivesystempoweredbya 50kWhultrahigh-performance cellbattery.Topthepowertrain withcarboncompositebody features,anFIAspecificationroll cage,andadjustable regenerativebraking,andit’s quitethehillclimbingcapable machine.

ThismarksEVandR&D specialistsSTARD’smostrecent projectwithFordPerformance overafive-yearrelationship, includingotherhighperformance EVpowertrainsfoundinvehicles suchastheFiestaERX™,the firstlineofFIAcertifiedEV rallycrossvehicles.

“SuperVan4isequippedwith oneoftheworld´smostpowerful electricpowertrainsever developed,”saidSTARDCEO MichaelSakowicz.“Ithasgone upthehillatGoodwood,rallied overWRCtarmacstagesand more.Now,tosendittooneof theworld´smosticonicand uniqueeventsisveryexciting andSTARDisproudtobeapart ofit.”

FordPerformancewillhave moredetailstoshareaboutthis year’sspecialeffortastheevent approaches.

ThePikesPeakInternationalHill Climbissettotakeplaceon SundayJune25th,2023.For moreinformationontheevent, visithttps://ppihc.org/.

UNDERSTANDINGTHEBIGGESTRISK INTHEWORK-PLACE-THEDRIVING FORBETTERBUSINESSSAFETYZONE

Health&SafetyEvent

25-27April2022,NECBirmingham

Around120,000HR andHealth& Safety professionalswill beoutinforcein Birminghamthis springatoneofthebiggest exhibitionsoftheyear:the HealthandSafetyEvent.And whiletherewillbeawelcome focusonthewell-known hazardsofworkplaces,none willbeasimportantasafocus ononeofthehighest-risk activitiesmanyemployees experience:drivingforwork.

Someoneinthreeroad collisionsinBritaininvolves someonedrivingaspartoftheir job–plusmanymoreinvolving peopletravellingtoorfrom theirplaceofwork.TheHealth andSafetyatWorkAct requiresemployerstotake appropriatestepstoensurethe healthandsafetyoftheir employeesandotherswho maybeaffectedbytheir activitieswhenatwork.This applieswhendrivinginthe samewayasitdoesinthe workplace.

VisitorstoDrivingforBetter Business’sDriverSafetyZone canplayagamewithaserious message:howbrakingspeeds areaffectedbyloading,tyre androadconditionsandhow impairmentfromdrugs,alcohol andfatiguealtersreaction timesandperformance.

Overthethreedays,therewill

beacomprehensive programmeofspeakersin panelsessionscoveringtopical issuessuchasdriver distractions,leadershipand behaviourchange.NickHarris, CEOofNationalHighwaysis amongahostofindustry professionalsintheDriver SafetyTheatresharing expertiseonkeythemessuch assafetyleadership,vehicle safety,behaviourchange,legal responsibilitiesanddriver fatiguetohelpyoumeetyour biggestchallenges.

“Thesectorcontinuesto change,”saysSimonTurner, CampaignsManagerfor DrivingforBetterBusiness.

“Thenumberofcommercial vehicles,especiallyvans,on ourroadshasincreased significantlyoverthelastfew years.Thesafetyofthose vehiclesandthepeopledriving themand,increasingly,the wellbeingofthosedrivers,is gainingevermoreimportance amongemployerswhorealise thatgoodmanagementof thosewhodriveforworkis critical,andthatgoodsafety managementandefficient, high-performingcompaniesgo handinhand.

“Forthosewhomanage occupationalroadrisk,there’s alottolearn,andalotto communicatetodrivers.We’re heretoshareresources, providesupportand encouragementandhelpfind

anygapsincurrent operations.”

Headds:“Thereisalsoaclear businesscaseformanaging work-relatedroadriskand improvingdriversafetywithin yourorganisation.Fewerroad incidentsmeanfewerdayslost toinjury;fewerrepairsto vehicleswithvehiclesoutof action;fewermissedorders andoverallreducedrunning costs.Nowisthetimeto becomebetterinformedand startgettingthebenefitsof betterpractice.”

DrivingforBetterBusinessis alsobringingtogetherarange ofexpertpartnerstohelp providecontentinthetheatre andsupportvisitors.Exhibitors intheDriverSafetyZonearea includeD-Tec,Westcotec, Esitu,IAMRoadsmartand REDDrivertraining.TheDriver SafetyZoneatthisyear’s HealthandSafetyEventisthe placeforthelatestadviceon guidancefromrealexpertson howtomanagedriversafety effectively.

Click here foranup-to-date scheduleofspeakers

Ticketsareavailable here

Presentationsandpanel discussionswillberecordedto besharedaftertheevent.

ISUZUD-MAXRECEIVES‘BEST PICK-UP’TITLEFROMBUSINESSVANS

TheAward-WinningIsuzuD-Maxhas reclaimedtheesteemed‘BestPickUp’titlefor2023fromcommercial vehiclespecialistpublication, BusinessVans.ExtendingIsuzuUK’s portfolioofawards,thisisthebrand’s fourthaccoladehonouringtherange,excluding awardsspecifictotrimlevel.

Havingwon2023’s‘Pick-Upof theYear’awardfromWhat Van?,CompanyCarandVan, and4x4Magazine,theaddition ofBusinessVans’‘BestPick-Up’ isaglowingtestamenttothe IsuzuD-Max’sunrivalled capability,durability,and versatility.Theaward's deliberationprocesssawthe rangethoroughlyexaminedbya panelofindependentindustry professionalsandmotoring journalists,wholookedat featuresincludingdesign, functionalityandprice. Impressingthejudgeseven furtherwastheextensivemodel line-upfortheIsuzuD-Max, offeringmanytrimlevelsthatfall intotheBusiness,All-Purpose andAdventurecategories.

BusinessVansisanonline publicationnichetothe commercialvehicleindustrywith varioustypesofcontent.Aimed attradespeopleandsmallfleets runningvansandother commercialvehicles,theoutlet providesallthelatestvannews, vanreviews,vantax,andvan operatingadvice.Thesitealso containsindustrynewsand updatesonthelaw,andalso offersaregularnewsletterto interestedreaders.

AlanAble,ManagingDirectorof IsuzuUK,said:“Iamimmensely proudthatIsuzuUKhas receivedyetanotheraward highlightingthequalityofthe IsuzuD-Maxrange.Althoughwe wonthe‘BestPick-Up’award backin2021,addingthistitleto

thegrowinglistofawardsfor2023further reinforceswhyIsuzuUKarethePick-Up Professionals.”

ThejudgesfortheBusinessVansaward commented:“TheD-Maxcomesinsingleand doublecabvariantsandit’spoweredbya1.9-litre

turbodieselanditdoesthejobveryeffectively.It hastheabilitytotow3.5tonnesandthevehicleis alsobackedbyIsuzu’s125,000mile/5Year warranty.Themodelrangerunsfromtheentry BusinessthroughAll-PurposetoAdventure.”

TheIsuzuD-Maxrangecatersforeveryneedand isavailableinsingle,extendedordouble-cabbody styles.Thebusiness-aimedUtilityspecification featureswipe-cleanvinylfloorcovering,hardwearingclothupholsteryandautomaticheadlights &windscreenwipers.TheDL20specificationadds itemssuchasheatedfrontseats,rearparking sensorsand18-inchsilveralloywheels.

MovingtowardstheAll-PurposeandAdventure models,theDL40featuresevenmoreSUV-like specificationssuchasakeylessentry&pushbuttonstartsystem,dual-zoneclimatecontrol, leatherinteriorandareversingcamera,alongwith a7-inchmultimediasystemthatincludesApple CarPlay&AndroidAutocompatibility.Therangeis toppedbythebest-sellingV-Crossmodelwhich addsa9-inchmultimediasystemalongwithan eight-speakersoundsystemanddistinctivegunmetalgreyexteriorstylingelements,withthe flagshipArcticTrucksAT35modelofferingan extremeadventurepick-upforanydedicatedthrillseekers.

Suzukiintroduces2023ModelUpdateSwace

SuzukiGBPLChas nowintroducedits 2023modelupdate SwaceintheUK,a stylishandversatile EstateCarwithan athleticdesign,smoothand stableridecomfortand advancedhybridperformance. Thelatestmodelnowhasa higherlevelofperformancewith 0-62mphtimereducedto9.4 secondsfrom11.1forthe previousmodelfirstintroduced inNovember2020.

For2023,standardspecification isevenhigher,andthenew Motionmodelincludes EmergencyDrivingStopsystem, LEDrearlamps,sevenairbags, DualZoneautomaticair conditioning,eight-inchLCD colourinformationscreen, heatedfrontseats,heated steeringwheel,Smartphonelink forwirelessAppleCarPlayand wiredAndroidAutodevice connectivity,rearparking camera,,newdigitalinstrument clusterwiththreedisplaymodes, typeCUSBportandDynamic RadarCruisecontrol.

ThenewUltragradeadds updatedBi-LEDprojector headlights,SafeExitAssist, SmartDoorlocking,Frontand RearParkdistancesensors, BlindSpotMonitor,RearCross

trafficAlert,interiorambient lighting,andcentreconsoletray withwirelesscharger.

Afullequipmentandtechnical specificationtableisincludedin thePDFdocumentontheSuzuki mediawebsite.

Bodycolours

TheSwaceisavailableinseven differentcolours–Platinum WhitePearlescent,SuperWhite, PreciousSilver,BlackMica, DarkBlueMica,PhantomBrown MetallicandOxideBronze Metallic.

Advanceddrivingassist functions

Fullyequippedwithadvanced safetyfeatures,theSwaceoffers confidenceandpeaceofmind forboththedriverand passengersoneveryjourney. Additionsforthe2023model updateare:

EmergencyDrivingStop System(EDSS).

EDSSisanewlydeveloped systemnowfittedasstandard equipmentthatfunctionswhile LaneTracingAssistisactivated andhelpstomonitorthedriver todetermineiftheyare inattentive,bringingthevehicle toastopandactivatinghazard waringlightsifnecessary.

SafeExitAssist(SEA)

Availableasstandardonthe Ultragrade,SEAusesthe sametechnologyasBlindSpot Monitorandtriggersawarning ifadoorisabouttobeopened intothepathofanoncoming vehicleorcyclistapproaching fromtherearwhenthevehicle isstationary.

Pre-CollisionSystem(PCS)

Updatedforthe2023model

withwiderrangeandadditional motorcycledetection,PCShelps preventcollisionswithother vehicles,pedestriansand cyclistsbymonitoringtheroad aheadwithamillimeter-wave radarandmonocularcamerato applybrakingassistand automaticbrakingifneeded.

Interiorfunctionality

TheSwaceisequippedwithan 8-inchmultimediaaudiosystem withAM/FM/DABradio, Bluetooth®function,and controlsonthesteeringwheel foreaseofuse.Thesystemis nowcompatibleforwireless AppleCarPlayforiPhone,anda wiredconnectionforAndroid Auto™andMirrorLink™for compatiblesmartphones.A higherdefinitioncolourdisplayis alsonowaddedforthese features.Allmodelsnowboast anupgradedcentral7-inchmultiinformationdisplay,withthe choiceofthreedisplaymodes. FortheUltramodel,aQi wirelesschargingpadis availableasstandardinthefront consoletochargesmartphones andbothmodelsnowhavetwo USBtypeCterminalsandan AUXterminalwithineasyreach ofthedriverandfront passenger.

Cabincomfort

Thecabinoffersversatilityand comforttosupporttheactive lifestylesofbothitsdriverand passengers.Withagenerous tandemdistanceof928mm betweenthefrontandrearseats, therearcabincomfortand

legroomisone ofthebestin itsclass.

Convenient storage spacescanbe found throughoutthe cabin,offering ampleroom forstoring smallitems suchas phonesand drinksinboth thefirstandsecondrows.

Luggagespace

Thelarge596-litreluggage compartmentprovidesample roomforavarietyofluggageor recreationalitems.Foradded versatility,therearcarpeted floorboardcanbeplacedina lowerpositiontostoretaller objectsandisalsoreversible witharesinbacksidethatcanbe usedforstowingwetordirty items.Thecompartmentcanbe easilyexpandedintoafullyflat spacebyusingtheremote foldinglevertofolddownthe second-rowseats.Privacyneeds areaddressedwithadetachable tonneaucoverthatcanbe retractedwithasingletouch,and theluggagecompartmentis equippedwithauto-illuminating lightsandDC12Vaccessory socketforaddedconvenience.

Hybridperformance

TheSwace’supgradedhybrid systemcombinesapowerful electricmotorwitha1.8litre petrolengineexclusively designedforhybridsystemuse, deliveringaseamlessdriving feelingwithpowerful accelerationaswellasexcellent fueleconomyandlowemissions. Thehybridsystemoptimally drivestheSwacewiththemotor, engineorbothdependingon drivingconditions.Electricmotor powerhasbeenincreasedto 70kWfrom53kWwhichhasin turnresultedinahigherlevelof torqueto185Nmfrom163Nm previously.

EVdrivemode

Leveragingitshigheroutput motorandlargebatterycapacity, theSwaceisequippedwithan EVdrivemodefunction.InEV drivemode,thevehicleisdriven solelybyitselectricmotorwith powersuppliedfromthebattery. Thismodecanbeusedfor drivingshortdistanceswithout havingtoworryaboutnoiseor emissions,especiallyin residentialareasearlyinthe morningandlateatnight,orin garagesandindoorparking areas.

Drivingcomfort

Swaceofferssmoothdriving comfortandstable,responsive handlingwithalowcentreof gravitydesignandfinelytuned suspension.Thelowbonnetline andlocationofthehybridbattery beneaththerearseatshelpgive thecaritslowstance,reducing bodyrollaroundcorners, improvingstabilityand contributingtoasmootherride.

Drivemodeselect.

Thedrivemodeselectfunction allowsthedrivertoadjustthe vehicle’sperformancetosuit drivingconditions.TheSwaceis equippedwiththreemodesNORMAL,ECOorSPORT.

NORMALmode: Providesan optimalbalancebetweenride comfort,stabilityandfuel economy,andissuitablefor normaldriving.

ECOmode: Helpsthedriver accelerateinaneco-friendly mannerandenhancefuel economythroughmoregradual throttleresponseandminimal air-conditioninguse.Thismode isusefulduringstop-and-gocity driving.

SPORTmode: Controlsthe hybridsystemtoprovidequick andpowerfulacceleration, makingitsuitableforwhenagile drivingresponseisdesired,such asonwindingroads.

WATTeCV1UNVEILED:THEFOUNDATION

OFFUTURELOW-TO-MEDIUMVOLUME ELECTRICLIGHTCOMMERCIALVEHICLES

WattElectric Vehicle Company (WEVC),a pioneerinthe design, engineering,andmanufactureof low-to-mediumvolumeEVs,both underitsownbrandandforthird parties,todayrevealsaunique lightweightandefficientchassiscabproductsettoprovidethe foundationfornext-generation

electriclightcommercial vehicles.

Designedforproductionofupto 5000vehiclesperannum,the innovativeandhighlyflexible 3.5-tonnecabandchassisunit, codenamedWATTeCV1, enablesawiderangeofelectric commercialvehicledesigns, facilitatingmission-specific modelswhichmeetcustomers’ particularfleetrequirements.

Thefirstofmultiplecommercial vehicleofferingstocomefrom WEVC,theeCV1usesthe company’sbreakthrough, proprietaryPACESarchitecture, asophisticatedyetcost-effective modularelectricvehicleplatform. Developedtosupport commercialvehicle manufacturers,specialist vehicleconvertersandfleet operatorsinthetransitiontoan electricfuture,PACEScomplies

withISOregulationsand exceedsstringentEuropean SmallSeriesTypeApproval safetystandards.

It’s’cell-to-chassis’system meansbatteriesareintegratedto theprimarystructure(ratherthan havingaseparatebatterypack), thusoptimisingstiffness, minimisingweightand maximisingpayload.Asaresult, thecleansheetdesignmeans theeCV1hasnoneofthe structural,weightandpackaging compromisesinherentinthe majorityofelectricLCVdesigns, manyofwhichhavingbeen convertedfromICEdrivetrains andwhicharefurther constrainedbytraditionalhigh volumemanufacturing processes.

TheeCV1rangefeaturesa

centraldrivingpositionwhich allowsasaferkerbsideexitfor theoperator,whicheversideof theroadthevehicleisdrivingor parkedon.Thecabincanbe configuredasaone-,two-or three-seatervehicle,withthe largeglasshouseproviding superbvisibilitymakingthe vehiclesafertodriveandeasier tomanoeuvreandpark.Afurther benefitofthecentraldriving positionisthatithasallowedthe A-pillarstoberepositioned inboard,thusreducingfrontal areaanddrag,akeymetricin designinganefficientelectric commercialvehicle.Theunique platformdesigncreates generousfullstandingheight headroom,facilitatingeasy ingressandegressanda‘walk throughcabin’optionthatis ideallysuitedforurbandelivery vehicles.

Theintrinsically lightweightPACES architectureresults inachassiscab withakerbweight fromjust1750kg, deliveringclass leadingpayloadand rangeinthe3.5t and4.25t segments.

NeilYates,Founder andCEOofWatt ElectricVehicles, explains:“I’m delightedtoreveal theWATTeCV1. Ourunique approachto addressingthe challengesfacing theindustryenables thetransitionto mission-specific,yet cost-effective electriclight commercial vehicles.Wehave embracedcircular economyprinciples inthedesign, manufacture,and operationofour commercial vehiclesto specificallyalign withincreasingly

stringentcorporateandfleet operatorsustainability responsibilities.

Theindustryisrapidlymovingto azero-emissionfuture,working withWEVCandoureCV1 platformwillallowcustomersto benefitfromelectrified commercialvehiclestailoredto exactlymeettheirneeds.”

Advancede-platformtechnology, manufacturedintheUK

Flexible,scaleable,lightweight andcost-effective,WEVC’s PACESarchitecture(Passenger AndCommercialEV Skateboard)featuresbespoke aluminiumlightweightextrusions andultra-precise laser-cutandCNC-foldedpieces whichingeniouslyinterlockand bondtogether,atechnical innovationknownasFlexTech®. Designedforlow-to-medium volumemanufacture,itcanbe appliedtopassengerand commercialvehiclesincluding FWD,RWDandAWD configurations–enablingWEVC torapidlyengineerabroad rangeoflightweightautomotive products.Withacapacityof 5,000unitsperannum,the company’snewUK manufacturingfacilitywillbe hometoitslightcommercialEV range.Fromtheoutset,WEVC’s businesstobusinessservices haveincluded‘whitelabel’build provisionforthirdparty manufacturersandOEMs,in parallelwithitsown-branded commercialEVs.

NeilYates,FounderandCEOof WattElectricVehicles, continued:“Astheelectrification ofthetransportsector accelerateswhatweareseeing fromcustomersistheneedfora ready-to-go,sophisticatedyet cost-effectiveelectric commercialvehicleoffering.With ourfirstproduct,theeCV1,we havereallyre-thoughtwhatis possible,andoverthecoming monthswillrevealfulldetailsof thefurtheruniquefeaturesthat makeitatrulyrevolutionarylight electriccommercialvehicle.”