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More than 180 women working in agriculture across Scotland gathered at Murrayfield to discuss 'finding the balance' at the first Women in Agriculture Conference.
Women often have to juggle different responsibilities on the farm or croft as well as in family life outside of the business. The event, hosted by the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) which is delivered by SAC Consulting - part of SRUC, provided a supportive environment to discuss the issues that can arise for women and how to find the balance between these different demands.
Guest speakers at the event on 28 February included Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity; Nikki Yoxall, from Pasture for Life; and Sarah Millar, Chief Executive of QMS, with attendees given the opportunity to ask questions.
Discussions on the day centred on wellbeing, succession, diversification, farm management, finance, policy reform and biodiversity. Key takeaway messages included the importance of including women in the future of agriculture, reflecting on the quality of life you want and taking time to look after your own needs.
Attendees also had the opportunity to socialise with other women working in agriculture and make new
connections with various organisations who were present.
SAC Consultant and event organiser Mary-Jane Lawrie said: "I'm delighted that our first FAS Women in Agriculture conference was a sold-out event, bringing together lots of like-minded women to help them to utilise their skills and be part of the future of agriculture.
"We are all trying to find the balance in our day-today lives and in our businesses - from balancing making space for biodiversity versus profitability, to balancing family members when talking about succession and finding the right diversification options to suit your business and lifestyle."
Jim Fairlie said: "I was delighted to attend the first Women in Agriculture conference. It gave me an opportunity to hear directly from women involved across the industry and learn about their personal experiences within the sector.
"As the new Minister for Agriculture, I want to reaffirm both the Scottish Government's and my own personal commitment to gender equality within agriculture.
"Women are the backbone of our rural economy and I will continue to do my utmost to support them across the sector.
Responding to today's Budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, British Safety Council's Chairman, Peter McGettrick said:
"The Chancellor was clearly building on his Autumn Statement with a number of measures to encourage investment in British businesses, intended to support people in work and boost growth. This includes the cut to National Insurance, as well as a new British ISA and changes to help small businesses. There were also further measures to support people with the rising cost of living and a welcome extension of support for those most in need, although we know inflation continues to create a challenging operating environment for businesses and individuals alike.
"Investment announced by the Chancellor to boost NHS productivity and increase capacity in the health system will be welcomed by those awaiting treatment and would help people remain in or return to work. A tax on vapes is welcome if it can discourage more young people from taking up the habit and getting addicted to nicotine, but must be combined with support for people to give up smoking.
"With commitments to improving the efficiency of key public services, we would also urge the Chancellor to commit to ensuring that the Health and Safety Executive and its Buildings Safety Regulator receive adequate funding, through its sponsor body the Department for Work and Pensions, allowing them to fully fulfil their core respective purposes of making our homes and workplaces safer for all."
British Safety Council is the UK's leading health, safety and wellbeing charity, whose vision is that no one is made ill or injured through their work.
There was welcome news for farmers in today's Budget papers that Agricultural Property Relief will apply to the Government's Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs).
However, the Chancellor also announced he was abolishing the favourable tax treatment of furnished holiday lets, which will impact farmers who have diversified into holiday accommodation.
Elsewhere, Jeremy Hunt cut National Insurance contributions by 2% for employees and the self-employed, reformed Child Benefit Tax, and announced he would introduce a British ISA for investors.
Sean McCann, Chartered Financial Planner at NFU Mutual, provides his response to the Chancellor's Budget.
• Agricultural Property Relief and ELMs
Sean McCann said: "There was good news for farmers and landowners with the announcement that Agricultural Property Relief would be extended from April 2025 to include land managed under environmental schemes.
"There had been concerns that land owners would be discouraged from participating in ELM schemes that involved taking their land out of agricultural production for fear of leaving their family with a large inheritance tax bill."
• Abolishing furnished holiday lets
Sean McCann said: "One of the Chancellor's biggest announcements in the Budget was to abolish the favourable tax treatment of furnished holiday lets from April 2025.
"This will detrimentally impact farmers who have diversified and now offer holiday accommodation on their farm.
"As well as the ability to offset full mortgage interest against income, there are also reliefs for Capital Gains Tax, and the ability to base pension contributions on the profits made running holiday lets, which made them more appealing from a tax perspective renting to a long-term tenant."
• National Insurance cut
Sean McCann said: "Shaving another 2% off National Insurance contributions for both employees and self-employed will put more money in the pockets of workers.
"However, the deep freeze on tax thresholds until 2028 remains, and the impact of fiscal drag means many people are paying more tax in real terms."
•
Sean McCann said: "There was a welcome and overdue reform of the divisive High Income Child Benefit Tax. The original thresholds hadn't changed in over a decade, but they will finally be increasing this April.
"Increasing the levels you start paying child benefit back to £60,000 is a boost to middle income families being squeezed by rising costs and there was a further promise to fix the unfairness of the tax by levelling it on household income rather than just the highest earner."
•
Sean McCann said: "The Chancellor plans to boost growth in Britain by consulting on the introduction of a British ISA, which will give investors an extra £5,000 tax-free allowance in their ISA provided it is invested in UK companies.
"Any increase in ISA allowances is welcome news for investors, but it is important to ensure your investments are appropriately diversified."
The Princess Royal was in South Yorkshire in February, and visited the UK's leading manufacturer of vegetable handling machinery.
During her visit to Haith Group in Armthorpe, near Doncaster, Her Royal Highness met members of the founding family and current employees and saw one of the company's Queen's Award-winning machines in operation.
Following an introductory presentation by managing director Duane Hill, The Princess Royal toured the company's extensive facilities, gaining an insight into the manufacturing process, from initial design, sheet metal cutting & folding, welding, machining, assembly, and predelivery testing.
The Princess Royal was particularly interested in hearing about how Haith developed its Rota-Tip box tipping system and Root Veg Polisher, which won a Queen's Award for Innovation in 2022 and 2010, respectively.
Before leaving, Her Royal Highness witnessed Haith's latest Rota-Tip box tippler in action and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the prestigious visit.
"We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness and His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Dame Hilary Chapman, to Haith Group. It was a privilege that we will never forget. I am delighted members of the Haith family, including former chairman Nigel Haith and Engineering Director David Haith, could share the company's story with Princess Anne," said Mr Hill. "The Princess Royal was genuinely interested in how Haith Group helps farmers, food packers, and processors operate more efficiently and took the time to visit all of our departments, talking to the team and hearing about how we develop our handling solutions to meet the needs of customers in both the UK and around the world. We are incredibly grateful to Princess Anne for choosing Haith to visit.
Haith was established in 1947 by the late Geoff Haith and has grown to employ over 120 people, who design and manufacture a comprehensive range of vegetable handling machines, spanning grading, washing, bulk handling, weighing, pre-pack systems and water treatment solutions. Haith's machines are relied upon by some of the world's largest food producers and packing companies, along with farmers of all sizes in the UK and overseas.
The South of England Agricultural Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Her Royal Highness
The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO as their President for the year 2024.
The Royal Family has long maintained a profound connection to agriculture and rural life, and The Duchess is committed to supporting the agricultural industry and championing sustainable food production.
Already serving as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), The Duchess has been a regular attendee at agricultural shows throughout the UK. Her Royal Highness is passionate about the contribution that food producers make to our national life and supports organisations that promote opportunities for young people to build careers in the British food industry, support sustainable food production and engage children with where their food comes from.
enthusiasm and passion for the land and our cause."
As this year’s President for the South of England Agricultural Society, The Duchess will select a charity of the year for the Society to champion throughout 2024.
Charles Burgoyne, Chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society, expressed his delight at The Duchess‘ appointment, stating:
"Fostering an understanding of agriculture and countryside industries in our region is central to our overarching objective. I couldn’t envisage a more suitable individual to assist us in achieving this goal than Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh with her boundless
Serving as Deputy President for the South of England Agricultural Society in 2024, will be Dr Sue Greener, who brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her extensive history of involvement with the Society includes serving as a Trustee, Joint Vice Chair, chair of Spring Live!, a member of a number of organising committees as well as stewarding sheep classes.
For more information about the South of England Agricultural Society, please visitwww. seas.org.uk
As spring unfolds its vibrant colours and farmers gear up for the bustling season ahead, optimising baling operations becomes paramount. Among the arsenal of tools and techniques available to farmers, the digital applicator system from PFC, designed to apply acid-based preservatives, emerges as an indispensable asset. As we enter this pivotal time of year, investing in such systems not only ensures the preservation of hay quality but also promises to augment revenue streams and minimise losses for agricultural enterprises.
First and foremost, understanding the significance of employing a digital applicator system for acid-based preservatives necessitates a grasp of the challenges inherent in baling operations. Hay, a cornerstone of livestock feed, is susceptible to degradation due to factors like moisture, heat, and microbial activity. Without adequate preservation, hay quality deteriorates rapidly, leading to nutrient loss and diminished market value. Here lies the crux of the matter: preserving hay quality directly correlates with maintaining profitability for farmers.
The digital applicator system from PFC addresses this challenge head-on by offering a precise and efficient means of applying acid-based preservatives. These preservatives combat microbial growth, thwarting the onset of mould and yeast that compromise hay quality. By integrating such systems into baling operations, farmers exert greater control over the preservation process, safeguarding hay from degradation and ensuring its nutritional integrity.
Now, why is this the opportune time of year to implement such measures? Spring heralds the onset of favourable weather conditions conducive to hay production. However, with increased moisture levels and rising temperatures, the risk of spoilage amplifies. Thus, the window of opportunity for preserving hay at its peak quality
narrows. Acting now equips farmers with the foresight to pre-emptively safeguard their hay inventory before the onset of adverse conditions, thereby fortifying their market competitiveness.
Moreover, investing in manual applicator systems for acid-based preservatives translates into tangible economic benefits for agricultural enterprises. By preserving hay quality, farmers bolster their product's market value, fetching premium prices in an increasingly competitive landscape. In addition, enhanced hay quality fosters customer satisfaction and loyalty, establishing enduring relationships that underpin long-term profitability.
Conversely, failure to prioritise hay preservation exacts a toll on financial viability. Subpar hay quality diminishes market desirability, relegating produce to lower price brackets and eroding profit margins. Additionally, losses incurred from spoiled hay compound operational expenses, exacerbating financial strain. Thus, the economic imperative of investing in preservation technologies becomes selfevident, offering a strategic avenue for revenue augmentation and risk mitigation.
Essentially, the utilisation of Digital applicator systems for acid-based preservatives represents a pivotal intervention in enhancing baling operations. As we navigate the spring season, characterised by burgeoning agricultural activity, the imperative to safeguard hay quality assumes paramount importance. By leveraging innovative preservation technologies, farmers not only fortify their competitive edge but also unlock pathways to sustainable profitability. Now is the time to act – to embrace innovation, optimise efficiency, and secure the future of agricultural enterprises amidst a dynamic and evolving landscape.
Following a protest by thousands of farmers and staff from associated businesses on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last week (28 February), the Senedd proceeded to debate and vote down two motions on policies relating to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and bovine TB.
The Welsh Conservatives motion called on the Welsh Government to scrap the current sustainable farming scheme proposals and to re-engage with the farming sector to develop a new scheme that has the support of the farming community.
The second motion on bovine TB, tabled by Plaid Cymru, called on the Welsh Government to urgently undertake a long-term evaluation and
appraisal of current cattle controls to determine their relative effectiveness in preventing and controlling disease transmission. Additionally the motion also asked for immediate changes to onfarm slaughter policy and establish policies which reflect wildlife as a source of infection.
Speaking in response to the debates, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “I am proud to say that the agricultural community stood in unity on the steps of the Senedd last week to express the strength of feeling towards the current situation and the future direction of agricultural policy in Wales.
“We heard many speakers say, including Senedd Members, how at difficult times we must stand together in unity. However, despite our presence and the very real frustrations of the farming
community that have been demonstrated by events right across Wales over recent weeks, the Senedd votes reflected party political priorities rather than real consideration of the facts.
“This is history repeating itself since two years ago Plaid Cymru’s motion to annul the Control of Agricultural Pollution ‘NVZ’ regulations was lost by 30 votes to 27 despite the regulations repeatedly being referred to ‘as a hammer to crack a nut.’”
Following recent meetings with both farming unions and other farming representatives the First Minister and Minister for Rural Affairs issued a joint statement outlining the next steps now being considered to the SFS. There were also some comments made by the Government around the issue of bovine TB and the ‘NVZ’ regulations but no
clear way forward has emerged on either of these two issues.
“While it’s positive to see that at least some steps are now being considered with the SFS, it is truly disheartening to think it has taken thousands of us standing on the steps of the Senedd for the Welsh Government to acknowledge the severity of the situation and issue a rather bland statement which doesn’t come close to addressing our concerns.
“As a professional farming union, with members’ interests at our core, we have a duty to work with both the government in power and the opposition parties to drive things forward. Our job will continue: ensuring that Wales’ agricultural sector and our family farms receive the consideration and respect they deserve,” added Mr Rickman.
As the bedrock of the UK's biggest manufacturing sector -food and drink, which isworth £120 billion to the nation's economy – farmers welcome some of the announcements in the Chancellor's Spring Budget, but it doesn't go far enough in offering stability for agricultural businesses, growth in food production and decarbonising the sector.
Responding to the Chancellor's Spring Budget, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "Where some of the headline announcements, such as an extension to agricultural property relief (APR) and a reduction of National Insurance for the self-employed, could offer some benefits to agricultural businesses, the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to deliver resilience for food producers.
More than 220,000schoolchildren across the country are celebrating British Science Week and National Careers Week with NFU Education, with three new live lessons bringing farming directly into their classrooms.
Hosted by farmer Fiona Bates and farm vet Dr Claire Whittle, the children will delve into British food and farming to explore key science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects through a real-life farming context. The sessions for Key Stage 1 and 2 include:
• KS1: Students will see first-hand how farmer Fiona looks after her animals, help feed them and learn how she grows their food from scratch to learn about mammals and seasonal changes. They will also learn about the machinery she uses on her farm and help an agricultural engineer fix her broken tractor.
• KS2: Guided by Dr Whittle, students will help inspect a cow’s teeth, compare a cow’s digestive system to their own and then go on a ‘poo walk’ to hunt for invertebrates in the fields to learn about the digestive system, nutrition, food chains and habitats.
"We welcome the government backing the NFU's call for the extension of APR to land in Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes as it will remove a barrier of entry for a number of farm businesses and give farmers more choice about how to use their land. But the extension of this beyond ELMsmay have an adverse impact on food production and farm tenancies and we will work with Treasury to assess those implications.
"Agricultural businesses are facing a challenging economic backdrop, with input costs at persistently high levels and at least a 50% reduction in direct farm payment support due this year. The announcement on the abolition of the Furnished Housing Letting regime is a significant concern as it's an important source of diversification for farm businesses which underpins resilience. We will be looking to engage further with Treasury on this announcement."
• KS2: Studentslearn how farmers can help take care of cows’ hooves and how Dr Whittle responds to the different emergencies she’s called out to. They will also help scan cows to see if they are pregnant to learn about animal lifecycles, reproduction and inheritance.
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said:“Science is engrained in almost every aspect of agriculture, from soil health to crop protection to animal health. By bringing farming into classrooms across the country these lessons help bring often challenging subjects to life, allowing children to explore key STEM topics in a real-life context and gain first-hand experience of the world of work.
“I am incredibly proud of our education work in schools across the country. As well as offering this virtual way of finding out more about farming, the NFU’s initiative is a vitally important means of linking food production with the next generation. Science Farm Live programme has seen 220,000 students able to step into the boots of a farmer and farm vet to learn about day-to-day life in the agricultural sector.
“I hope this week will inspire students and ignite an interest in a future in science, especially in our fantastic British food and farming sector.”
Responding to AHDB’s survey which shows yields of crops such as wheat, winter barley and oilseed rape are likely to be significantly reduced this year due to the wet weather, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Since the end of last year, farms across the country have faced continued wet weather with many thousands of acres of productive farmland affected.
“Many farms in areas such as Lincolnshire are still under water from last October, and we have heard countless desperate stories from our members who are struggling to get on to their fields to plant any crops.
“While it is difficult to mitigate against all environmental extremes, we must recognise that we haven’t been prioritising our water management and things are going drastically wrong.”
The AHDB survey¹reveals:
• Wheat - down 15 per cent at 1.463 million hectares (biggest reduction in cropped areas since 2020)
• Oilseed Rape – down 28 per cent at 280 thousand hectares (biggest reduction since 1980s)
• Winter Barley – down 22 per cent at 355 thousand hectares (biggest reduction since 2020)
Mr Bradshaw added: “Not surprisingly, results from this AHDB survey paint a bleak picture and build on an unprecedented year in terms of high input costs, lower commodity prices and a reduction in direct payments.
“It is another example of how vulnerable British food producing businesses are and highlights the possibility of more crops being imported, potentially produced to standards that would be illegal here, all adding further to market volatility. That’s why domestic food production must be given the right policy framework and the priority it deserves.
“The NFU’selection manifestosets out how more funding is urgently needed by the Environment Agency, so it can deliver a proactive plan of management and reinvestment in the watercourses and flood defences it is responsible for.
“And crucially, our manifesto urges the next government to commit to an agricultural budget that ensures British farming can meet the challenges of climate change and deliver on the government’s own statutory commitments for the environment and net zero², while producing sustainable British food.”
NFU Scotland, Scotland’s leading agricultural organisation, has announced a new partnership with County Durhambased business finance broker Anglo Scottish Asset Finance to create NFU Scotland Finance, a dedicated division of Anglo Scottish with the purpose of offering bespoke business finance solutions to NFU Scotland’s 9000 members.
NFU Scotland Finance will offer tailored loans, commercial mortgages, asset finance, business credit cards, and refinancing opportunities to NFU Scotland members.
Anglo Scottish Asset Finance has been supporting businesses with business finance solutions for almost two decades and has extensive experience funding many types of agricultural machinery and vehicles, as well as diversification and green energy projects to help agricultural businesses achieve their growth and sustainability goals.
NFU Scotland CEO John Davidson said: "This partnership is built on a shared philosophy to help NFU Scotland’s members to achieve sustainable and profitable businesses.
“We've seen how impactful and innovative our members can be when they are supported by reliable financial services, and we expect many of them will use this opportunity to grow their businesses, and thus create a stable future for Scottish agriculture.”
The newly formed NFU Scotland Finance will be led by Andrew Laird, Head of Agriculture & Food Finance at Anglo Scottish, and supported by a team of farming finance specialist. The team plan to contact members directly, as well as attend NFU Scotland events to discuss new projects and commercial opportunities.
Andrew added: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with NFU Scotland to establish NFU Scotland Finance.
“As an organisation, NFU Scotland is dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of farmers and crofters in Scotland. By joining forces to become NFU Scotland Finance, we are committed to providing NFU Scotland members with tailored commercial finance and asset finance solutions to help them achieve their growth and diversification objectives.”
With 2024 just around the corner, farmers and agricultural business owners across the UK are beginning to prepare themselves for another harvest cycle.
The general outlook for the UK’s economic growth is difficult, to say the least. The International Monetary Fund’s October forecasts predicted the UK’s growth for 2024 to be the lowest of the G7 nations.
But how is the 2024 outlook looking for farmers in the UK? And how can agricultural businesses adapt to protect their profits and futureproof their enterprises? We spoke to Andrew Laird, Head of Agriculture at Anglo Scottish Finance, to discuss some of the trends we can expect to see in the new year.
In recent years, a growing onus has been placed upon farmers to diversify, becoming less reliant on a single income stream and developing different areas of their land to become more resilient in the event of a poor harvest.
Recent research from October 2023 indicates
that 34% of British farmers have diversified their businesses, an increase of 6% from 2018. The difficult economic climate has had a minimal effect on the number of farmers considering a new diversification enterprise, dropping by 1% compared to last year.
Laird comments: “Diversification is moving forward from the top-end farms to the smaller ones – whether it’s rentable yurts or living pods on your land or something bigger. Farmers across the UK are becoming more inventive in their diversification, whether it’s setting up shooting ranges or turning woodland areas into games areas.”
Many farmers remain confident in their new enterprise, with 37% expecting their annual returns to increase over the next five years. So, though investing in a new venture can be daunting, the long-term support and resilience provided by successful diversification remain lucrative for farmers in 2024.
For farmers owning and operating combinable crop farms, overheads (rather than yield) are expected to make the difference between
surviving and thriving in 2024. Costs of fertiliser compounds like ammonium nitrate are expected to drop significantly, with an expected 25% drop in the price of essentials including spray, seed and fertiliser.
Farmers with the luxury of sufficient storage and cash flow to buy early are expected to increase their margins by stocking up on ammonium nitrate – but those unable to buy significant bulk quantities will be happy to see costs falling.
Utilities are another fixed cost being targeted by farmers across the country. Laird reports that a growing number of farmers are investing in technology designed to limit their utility expenditure. Ground source heat pumps, solar panels and other forms of sustainable energy generation are being financed with increasing frequency, a trend that is expected to continue throughout 2024.
SFI actions poised to have a larger impact
Updates to the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) have made it a valuable asset for farmers to make use of and optimise their income wherever possible. The SFI 2023 offer includes an expanded range of actions for which farmers can access payment – these actions can be combined to ensure maximum annual payment for farmers.
Focusing on the most profitable SFI-eligible categories can reap huge benefits for farmers, particularly with a focus on integrated pest management. Producing a pest management plan and assessment will net a flat yearly sum of £989, while farmers can earn £673/hectare/year by creating habitats that encourage natural predators of crop pests.
Other sustainable crop management techniques can also help supplement income – farmers can earn £45/hectare/year by not using insecticide on their arable and permanent crops.
For farmers looking to upgrade their machinery without compromising their cash flow, the second-hand market will continue to be a good cost-cutting mechanism. Laird reports an increase in the number of farms turning to the second-hand market to save money on machinery:
“There are plenty of great deals available for farmers looking to purchase expensive machinery like tractors, combine harvesters and ploughs. The used market has been increasingly popular through 2023, helping farmers save tens of thousands.
“Given how quickly farming assets can depreciate with heavy use, it’s little surprise that the second-hand market is so popular – and we expect this trend to continue through 2024 and beyond.”
The use of AI in agriculture has been increasing at a rapid rate – the applications of this technology across the farming sector are myriad. Expect wider-spread adoption of AI technologies to increase farming efficiency and boost bottom lines.
In recent years, award-winning products like John Deere’s See and Spray Ultimate have led the way in using computer vision and machine learning to detect weeds from crop plants. Bosch’s ONE Smart Spray has driven this principle further in 2023, allowing farmers to receive customised herbicide strategy recommendations and monitor key areas where they could be applying herbicide more efficiently.
Laird comments: “Expect the most profitable agricultural businesses to be making use of AIled technologies in 2024. The increased efficiency brought about by these technologies is saving farmers time and money, and this will only continue as the tech becomes more widely available.”
In 2024, even the most profitable farms are likely to make use of refinancing facilities to fund investments in infrastructure. This trend has been visible in the later months of 2023, where high-performing farms have been more likely to refinance existing machinery to support repair work or improvements being made around the farm.
“Typically, but not always,” says Laird, “equipment refinancing has been used by businesses who might struggle to afford the initial investment they need. However, in an effort to protect their business’ cash flow, we’ve seen an increase in high-level, reliably profitable farmers opting to refinance their existing equipment to spread the cost of their investment.”
In light of the uncertain economic conditions predicted for 2024, it’s unsurprising that many farmers are looking at alternative ways to finance equipment or streamline their operations. UK agriculture is increasingly resilient and adaptable in the face of difficulties, and farm owners across the country are using every weapon at their disposal to protect their businesses.
Abakery has pledged its support to protesting Welsh farmers and is putting their logo on its pies and rolls to show solidarity with them.
The Jones Village Bakery is also placing the No Farmers, No Food design on two of its vans as well as having flags flying outside two of its sites in Wrexham in response to controversial Welsh Government plans to change the way post-Brexit farm subsidies are paid.
The proposals contained in the Sustainable Farming Scheme have led to a wave of mass protests by farmers across Wales.
They are angry about plans that would force them to commit to a checklist which the Welsh Government says is designed to reward sustainable farming practices.
Among the most contentious proposals is insisting that farmers plant trees on 10 per cent of their land, with a further 10 per cent earmarked as wildlife habitat.
It’s been estimated that the scheme could result in the loss of 5,500 jobs in rural Wales.
Jones Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones said: “We have been following the news recently about the plight of the Welsh farmers and as a business and keen country people we think the proposals are shambolic.
“We have had our local sourcing policing for nearly a quarter of a century and if we can’t buy local, quality produce its going to drive up prices for the consumer and we think enough is enough.
“We can’t sit idly by and watch what’s going on. We are there to support and show solidarity
with the farming community.
“This is not just about the impact on individual farmers, it’s about the whole eco-system of the rural economy.
“Farmers are at the centre of a vitally important economic and cultural network upon which the countryside depends.
“Without a policy that promotes sustainable agriculture which enables farmers to make a living, the whole of the rural economy is going to collapse.
“I’m very proud of what the Welsh food economy is all about in terms of quality and provenance. There are some really great stories here but if we carry on this road, I am at a loss as to where we’ll be in five or 10 years’ time. Once the farmers are gone from the land they are gone for ever.
“The Welsh Government has done a lot to champion the Welsh food and drink industry in the past – but this new policy will destroy it but they now appear to have totally lost the plot.
“I have been an advocate of Welsh food and drink over many years and I was chair of the Welsh Agri-Food Board for a short period because I felt passionate about it.
“Sadly, where we are going as a country is unsustainable, both in terms of our rural communities and the interests of consumers .
“The upshot will be that we have less choice. The most sustainable way is to be as selfsufficient as we can but these proposed policies will have the opposite effect.”
It was a sentiment echoed by the Village Bakery’s projects director, Christien Jones, who said he was proud of the family firm’s environmentally friendly policies and its role in conserving a“magical” secret forest in the middle of one of Europe’s biggest industrial parks.
The ancient six-acre Erlas Black Wood belongs to the company and is located next door to their 140,000 sq ft super bakery on Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Christien said: “It’s great to plant trees and it’s great to plant wildlife areas and a lot of farmers have been doing this anyway via the Glastir programme for many years.
“There are better ways of promoting sustainable agriculture than the current proposals that are ill-thought out. There is a lack of understanding about how farming works. There’s also a lack of empathy.
“Ultimately, we won’t be able to buy local produce if there are no farmers to rear or grow it and that’s going to drive up food prices.
“By the Welsh Government’s own admission, thousands of jobs are at risk – but it’s also a threat to a whole way of life and doing untold harm to whole communities and the Welsh language.
“We have lost other industries in Wales but food and farming has got to be protected.
“If you lose the capacity to produce food you open the door to lower quality food that’s produced to lower standards in a less sustainable way.
“This campaign is our way of showing support for the farmers and saying they are doing a great job – we’ve got their back.”
farmer's daughter and former P.E teacher has strengthened the Farmstrong Scotland team by taking on the role of Programme Coordinator.
Anna Dunlop and her family farm beef cattle and sheep in Annan, Dumfriesshire, however, her passion for farming stems from her childhood, where she would spend time at home and on her grandparents' mixed enterprise in Stranraer, in particular helping with the lambing.
Alongside the livestock, Anna breeds and trains horses, as well as competing and participating in the Dumfriesshire Hunt Pony Club and British Showjumping events. Ensuring she has a strong social network and spends time away from the farm is something she continues to prioritise today and is an active member of her local Young Farmers Club, Annandale Young Farmers as well as supporting Dumfries and Lockerbie, and Moffat Agricultural Shows.
Following school, she decided to follow a career in education, studying physical education at
University including a probation year in Fraserburgh. She has recently spent two years working in Wigton, Cumbria but was looking for a better work-life balance where she could spend more time helping on the farm, as well as giving something back to the agricultural sector.
"I'm thrilled to join the Farmstrong Scotland team as I really wanted a career that allowed me to return to the industry whilst also supporting the most important asset within our sector, our farmers and crofters." explains Anna.
"Through the Pony Club and Young Farmers, I have had the opportunity to take part in events and competitions that allow me to connect with other people, be active and continue learning. When I first heard of Farmstrong, I realised these were all key messages of the programme so they really aligned with my own values.
"It was a difficult decision to give up teaching but when the opportunity came up to join the team at Farmstrong, I knew it would be an ideal role for me."
Commenting on the appointment, Alix Ritchie, Programme Director for Farmstrong Scotland, said; "Anna's understanding and enthusiasm for the industry, as well as her active involvement in the rural community, makes her a brilliant addition to our team. We really wanted someone who would be familiar with the challenges those working in the industry face, whilst also bringing a fresh perspective and new ideas for how we can support and promote positive wellbeing.
"Her skills and experience managing events will help the team and board, ensure we continue to build momentum and put processes in place to support farmers and crofters across Scotland."
1. Finding a local club to join, allowed me to share new experiences, make new friends and take time away from the farm.
2. Taking a few minutes to notice the small things such as seeing new buds forming in the hedges and associating it with spring, helps me appreciate the positives.
3. Physical exercise, whether it is a short walk, riding my horse or playing a team sport, really helps lift my mood.
The government has published itsresponseto an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committeeinquiry into soil healthon Thursday 21 March.
The committee called for soil to be put on the same footing as water and air quality within government policy, but this has not yet been actioned.
Responding, Soil Association Head of Farming Policy Gareth Morgan said:
"We depend on soil for almost all our food production and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee rightly warns that soil is vital for all life on Earth. This is why the Soil Association and others sought to amend the Environment Act so that soil is given the same protection as water, air and nature.
"It is alarming that government has ignored this advice from the EFRA inquiry and failed to act on many recommendations including the call to better regulate harmful practices. Its response today is largely a reiteration of previous commitments and this underlines the need for a Soil Health Action Plan which was promised but never delivered.
"With millions of hectares ofUK soil at risk, and much of our farmland flooded, farmers need help and a strong legal framework to change the way soil is managed. It is essential we stop practices that we know are harming soils and, as a result, food security. This will require regulation, recovery targets, and support for farmers. "The target to bring 60% of soils under sustainable management is simply insufficient. We cannot leave almost half of this vital resource at risk. We need nature-friendly, agroecological and organic farming across all our farmland if we are to achieve EFRA's recommendation for 90% of soils to be managed sustainably."
Ina joint response to the news that Red Tractor has ceased plans for the Greener Farms Commitment, the four UK Farming Unions - NFU, NFU Cymru, NFUS and UFUtogether with theAHDB, said:
“We welcome today's news that RedTractorhas listened to feedback from its members and has axed the proposed Greener Farms Commitment.
“It’s also pleasing to see a commitment from Red Tractor that it will only consider future environmental standards with sector consensus and full consultation. This is essential in rebuilding trust with farmers from across Britain, something we are pleased that Red Tractor has said is a priority and is already acting upon. “We welcome Red Tractor’s desire for a more transparent, open and effective relationship with farmers in future.”
Sustainability data at a farm level will soon be provided to schools and hospitals in a first for UK public procurement.
Soil Association Exchange is set to deliver the environmental measures for farms in public sector purchasing as part of the Crown Commercial Service's (CCS) Buying Better Food and Drink agreement.
This agreement is available for all UK public sector organisations to use for buying food and drink through a single online access point, which is to be providedbyEntegra, a Sodexo company, and expert in procurement solutions,using AgileChain technology byEquilibrium Markets Ltdfollowing a tender process in 2023.
As well as a shift to more dynamic food procurement – which removes barriers to allow small producers to contribute to larger public sector orders – the updated service will also use Exchange's holistic farm assessments for sustainability.
Exchange measures the environmental impact of farm operations by assessing six key areas – soil, water, carbon, animal welfare, social impacts, and biodiversity.
It does this by collecting data through on the ground farm surveys, satellite imagery and other datasets on metrics like soil carbon and bird counts, alongside considering the food production and community benefits a farm provides.
Holistic farm sustainability metrics
Soil Association Exchange Chief Executive Joseph Gridley said: "It is hugely important for our public institutions to serve food that supports sustainable, British farm businesses and we are excited to start delivering data that will help to make this easier.
Exchange is already working with hundreds of farms who have helped to develop our wideranging sustainability metrics. These measurements consider the full picture and can help to show schools and hospitals all of the brilliant things that farmers are doing to support nature while producing good quality food. With our farm level sustainability data and new technology from Equilibrium Markets designed with small businesses in mind, we hope we will soon see a much wider variety of producers accessing this important market."
The AgileChain technology developed by
Equilibrium Markets applies dynamic food procurement principles that seek to deliver greater transparency and break down barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), primary producers. AgileChain does this via smart automation making fulfilment along short supply chains more efficient for producers, distributors and wholesalers.
The Buying Better Food and Drink agreement from CCS sets new parameters for procurement
enabling more informed sourcing decisions based on individual farm levels and the social, environmental, and economic impact of food and drink choices.
Equilibrium Markets Chief Executive Rich Osborn said "We are thrilled to be working with Exchange, who will bring an industry changing level of farm production data to public procurement for the first time. It will enable buyers to see the social and environmental impact at a farm level, on a wealth of different factors from soil health and biodiversity, to animal welfare and social good.
"The combination of Exchange and AgileChain technologies brings unprecedented transparency to public sector procurement. Shining a light on the
good work of productive, sustainable British farms enables buyers to make better informed decisions. There is over a billion pounds being spent by public sector kitchens that can be used to compensate farmers for efficient, lower carbon food production in harmony with nature."
Buyers can express interest in the Buying Better Food & Drink agreement, which is due to launch in late 2024.
Food procurers in the public sector can express their interest now by emailingbuyingbetter@entegraps.uk
Any farmer can get involved by obtaining a sustainability score from Soil Association Exchange for free atwww.soilassociationexchange.com
Farmers need to carefully consider to what extent they enter new environmental schemes after inheritance tax relief was extended to such projects by the Chancellor, a rural property expert has warned.
In his Spring Budget, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which allows inheritance tax to be reduced when a farmer passes on agricultural land after death, will also apply to land used for environmental schemes. Many have been awaiting clarification of the policy to consider to what extent they use schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
But Carrie Marshall, Agribusiness Consultant at leading consultancy Fisher German, has said farmers need to have a balanced approach between environmental projects and land devoted to food production.
“With the phasing out of BPS, farmers need reliable sources of income more than ever,” she said.
“The SFI scheme is a great new way for farmers to have a steady stream of cash coming into their businesses, but some were holding back on large environmental schemes because APR may not have applied to that land.
“The Chancellor has clarified that land in environmental schemes will be eligible for APR,
and although a tax advisor should still be consulted, many farmers may now be looking to increase the area of land they are planning to enter a scheme.
“However, it is crucial that farmers take a balanced approach. It’s important to remember that the SFI scheme isn’t written in stone – it’s a government policy that could be taken away after the next election or funding could be reduced at any time.
Farmers should be wary about committing their whole farm to an SFI scheme and selling surplus machinery.
“Additionally, prices for commodities like wheat can be highly variable with the war in Ukraine and the price of fuel all contributing to this uncertainty.
“One year, crops may bring in lots of money, while in other years, prices may drop. Having unproductive land used for environmental schemes that bring in steady cash, while saving more productive land for crop growth is often the best strategy to balance the risk.
“And while environmental schemes can bring in SFI payments, there can often be high costs involved with some of the options. It is important to look further than just the headline income figure.
“There is not a one-size-fits-all solution that maximises value, so we would encourage farmers to seek expert advice before starting a new environmental scheme on their land.”
Aside from the monetary value, Carrie felt it was important that government policy encourages farmers to devote land to food production and to farm innovatively and efficiently, such as embracing technology to drive down some of their costs.
Considering the clients that Carrie advises, she added that there is a wide range of efficiency and productivity across farming businesses, and when undertaking benchmarking analysis, there is a clear correlation between results and efficiency.
She said: “Our country needs to strike the right balance between growing our own food and protecting our environment, and farmers clearly play a vital role in achieving both of these goals. “While incentives to care for the environment are undoubtedly important and can now provide a solid income for farmers, future governments must ensure grants relating to efficient food production and equipment upgrades are not overshadowed in the process.”
Calum McCall and Robert Harvie have joined the team at Origin Fertilisers covering northern England and south west Scotland.
Calum has joined Origin as retail technical support covering south west Scotland and will be supported by the team of in-house nutrition agronomists. With over 10 years’ experience at major agricultural merchant Tarff Valley, and a further two years at Carrs Billington, he joins Origin with a strong product knowledge. In both roles, he became acutely aware of the issues facing modern farmers and the need for sound advice. Holding both BASIS and FACTS qualifications, Calum has a clear vision in his new role.
“Through my previous jobs, I spent a lot of time talking to farmers and understanding their issues, and I believe increasing fertiliser efficiency is a key focus for many in the future. There is more interest regarding enhanced fertilisers, rather than applying the same as previous seasons, and Origin’s range of prescription nutrition is ideal for this.”
Based in south west Scotland, Calum will be developing his role across the region and helping both livestock and arable farmers achieve more from their fertiliser.
In a further strengthening of the team, Robert Harvie joins Origin as an area sales representative covering Lanarkshire and the surrounding areas. Robert hails from a beef and sheep farm in Coalburn, Lanarkshire, so understands the challenges farmers face across the region. He joins Origin with experience selling animal health products for a local agricultural supplier.
“I know the region well and have direct experience with the daily challenges faced on local farms. I’ve joined Origin to challenge myself and grow my fertiliser product knowledge, specialising in providing the right fertiliser advice to farmers,” says Robert.
“My aim is to build strong relationships with existing and new customers and work with them and the current Origin team in the area to ensure crop requirements are met.”
Robert and Calum have already started their new roles.
After four-and-a-half years of development, PGRO has launched a new tool designed predict the optimum harvest time for UK vining peas.
The Vining Pea Tool will reduce the cost of harvesting low-quality crops, smooth the intake flow at freezing plants, and remove huge amounts of staff time manually checking crop maturity.
The benefit to the industry is estimated to be £30m if 80% of the industry adopts the technology in the next five years.
Leah Howells
Remote sensing, machine learning, weather patterns and historic yield data work together to advance the harvest forecast from two days to 10 days, as well as predict the yield of growers’ harvests.
“The machine learning aspect of the tool is incredibly powerful,” says Leah Howells, the PGRO Data Scientist who has led the work. “If you feed in a large amount of data, it will pick apart and find trends and patterns
in that data which can then be applied to new data, allowing you to make more accurate forward predictions on unseen data.”
Updated daily, the tool provides all the relevant information in a single visualisation. It also takes into account the pea variety’s yield and maturity traits, further increasing its accuracy.
The tool will ease the harvesting process through its yield predictions by reducing the need for growers, or their staff, to take tenderometer readings daily in the run up to harvest.
“Right now it’s incredibly difficult to predict harvest date in peas, with the current heat-based methods becoming less accurate as temperatures rise and drought like conditions become more common due to climate change,” Leah says.
“PGRO wanted to develop a model that could withstand a changing climatic landscape, could work well into the future, and be flexible enough that it could be used by the whole industry, and that what this tool is.”
Growers will be able to use the subscription-based tool from March onwards by contacting the PGRO or visiting www.pgro.org
Learn
Experience precision farming like never before with the introduction of E-Services for TopDown and Opus.
Now these machines can seamlessly utilise prescription maps for automatic, in field machine adjustments.
Alternatively, with a touch of a button the driver can dynamically adjust the working depth or intensity of the discs, tines, levellers or packer while in operation.
Cutting-edge UK ag-tech tools are coming together with research and development expertise to help farmers discover more about the role roots play in maintaining healthy soils.
Soil degradation currently costs England and Wales £1.2 billion every year, but few tools have been developed to measure soil and root health and how they interact.
The innovative TRUTH (Thriving Roots Underpinning Total soil Heath) project is a threeyear, £1M Defra-funded project that will bring together experts in soil and root health, sensor technology and wheat genetics.
They will work alongside farmers who conduct trials on their own farms with the goal of identifying the tools they need to assess their crop roots and quantify the impact of their farming system.
A key part of this will be developing a novel sensor, developed by PES Technologies, capable of ‘smelling’ a soil’s biological signature.
“Improving the resilience of soil is key to maintaining UK food security, improving farm productivity and mitigating climate change,” says Tom Allen-Stevens from BOFIN (British On-Farm Innovation Network), which is leading on farmer engagement for the project.
“Healthy soils play an important role in food production, climate change mitigation, and maintaining biodiversity. However, what goes unrecognised is the role of the roots that weave their way through them, drawing nutrients, transferring carbon, providing life to the complex microbiome that lies unseen beneath our feet.
“What we’ve brought together with TRUTH is some really exciting, cuttingedge technology that can open a window on this unexplored world.
“In addition, there are many desirable traits that rely on the interactions between crop and soil, such as drought tolerance, performance in marginal situations, nitrate modulation, and soil carbon sequestration. Through TRUTH, we will get a better understanding of the
interactions that would enable breeders to identify the genes responsible. These can then be brought into breeding lines and help identify bioproducts that consistently enhance performance.”
TRUTH is funded by the Farming Futures R&D fund, part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme. Defra is working in partnership with Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, who are delivering the programme.
The three-year, £1 million project will deliver two key innovations. First, it will build on work already carried out by PES Technologies to develop its innovative soil health sensor to enable it to measure microbial diversity and fungal:bacterial ratio.
Secondly, working closely with leading scientists at University of Nottingham and John Innes Centre, it will create the ‘Root Rangers Platform’, an online space offering on-farm soil/root health testing tools validated during the project by the farmers taking part.
“The project outcomes will deliver farmers the tools they need to assess their crop roots and quantify the impact of their farming system on soil health,” Mr Allen-Stevens says.
“Support and inspiration will be delivered through a farmer-led community in which knowledge has true value. Accordingly, this brand-new platform will empower farmers to quantify the effect on productivity of new genetics and bioproducts.
“Ultimately, this will achieve our twin aims of boosting productivity while improving soil health. It will launch new opportunities to drive agriculture towards net zero, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and build the environmental benefits that accrue. This farmer-led platform will support resilient farming systems that are able to withstand the knocks as the effects of climate change take hold, providing growers with the confidence to keep continually improving levels of productivity and maintain a global food supply.”
TRUTH will be led by BOFIN alongside PES Technologies, CHAP Agri-Tech Centre, John Innes Centre and University of Nottingham.
A£100,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to help establish the Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF) group which currently represents 77 land managers covering 40,000 hectares in the Dark and Southwest Peaks. The central aims of the cooperative are nature recovery, peatland restoration, clean water and net zero by 2040. In the long term it is looking to replace the loss of farm subsidies by securing a blend of public and private finance to restore the precious habitats and heritage of the Peak District National Park.
The UK's leading wildlife research charity the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is managing the National Lottery funded project.
Chief executive Teresa Dent CBE said:
"I am delighted that the Heritage Fund is supporting GWCT to help farmers and moorland managers in the Peak District create an Environmental Farmers Group that will aim to deliver substantial environmental outcomes over 40,000 hectares of land. This is just the beginning of what I am sure will be an exciting environmental journey. It is wonderful that National Lottery players have made that start-up possible."
Tom Noel, local farmer and chair of PEF said:
"We welcome the award as a ringing endorsement of the principle that, through collaborative working and with the right level of investment, farmers can achieve nature recovery alongside food production over a large scale, thereby meeting and beating government environmental targets. Farmers manage 72% of the UK countryside and so are vital to achieving the transformative change needed to meet the challenges of national biodiversity decline, climate change and restoring iconic landscapes."
The Heritage Fund grant will enable the PEF, which
has so far been established on a largely voluntary basis, to attain legal standing, carry out ecological surveys of its members' land holdings and develop landscape-scale conservation plans. This will provide a platform from which the environmental cooperative aims to secure public funding through Environmental Land Management Schemes and private finance via natural capital markets to support long-term, large-scale projects such asrebuilding stone walls, restoring damaged peatland and planting new networks of hedgerows.
Chloe Palmer who facilitates two smaller Farmer Clusters within the larger PEF,Hope Valley and Bradfield Farmers,recently managed the distribution of 31,000 hedge plants as part of a project to plant 24km of hedgerows in four years. She said: "These new hedges will capture carbon, help prevent sediment run off polluting river systems and benefit a wide range of wildlife including threatened farmland birds such as song thrushes, linnets and tree sparrows. Further ahead we are looking forward engaging the wider Peak District community in initiatives to restore stone walls and moorland.
The work of the PEF will play a key role in delivering the aims of the Peak District National Park. Phil Mulligan, chief executive said: "The farmed landscape has been at the heart of the National Park for generations and remains inextricably linked to what we can deliver for nature recovery and climate change today. We are already at the forefront of key government tests on the transition to new environmental land management (ELM) approaches, along with administering significant grants through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. This substantial Lottery funding to PEF will enable the farming community both as individuals and collaboratively to further strengthen the Peak District's leading role in demonstrating how the agricultural landscape can tackle the biggest environmental issues we currently face."
Vegetable, fruit and arable producers can now more accurately irrigate, manage and protect their crops thanks to two new environment monitoring sensors from Sencrop.
Water stress is an increasing concern due to the changing climate, and the new Soilcrop sensor takes real-time measurements of soil moisture and temperature at depths of up 60cm. This enables producers to trigger irrigation at the right time, based on existing and forecast conditions, and turn it off when soil moisture reaches the required level. In addition, it can be used to identify the most suitable time for other weather-dependent field work, including sowing and fertiliser application.
“Soilcrop takes measurements every 15 minutes at depths of 10cm, 20cm, 40cm and 60cm, giving an accurate picture of soil moisture content and temperature throughout the profile,” says Mark Herriman at Sencrop. “And if used in conjunction with Raincrop, a sensor that measures rain, temperature and air humidity, the app can show in a user-friendly graph the forecast soil moisture, using real-time data and forecasts. Producers can therefore be even more precise when it comes to
crop management decisions.”
For fruit and wine producers, frost is a particular challenge, so the new Thermocrop sensor offers an entry-level monitor to help predict frost damage up to four days in advance. It measures both air temperature and humidity every five minutes, and is integrated with Sencrop’s other weather management software to create predefined or personalised frost alerts within the app.
“Accurately anticipating the risk of frost is essential if you are to trigger your frost control measures at the right time, thereby protecting your crops while keeping costs to a minimum,” says Mr Herriman.
Thermocrop is a low-budget alternative to its big brother Leafcrop, which was launched in 2019. Whereas Leafcrop is a connected sensor placed on the plant itself to obtain accurate temperature, humidity and moisture measurements, Thermocrop is placed in the middle of the field for more general measurement. Its price point enables all farmers to make use of this precision technology, although using both gives a more accurate view of what is happening on the land for greatest frost protection.
Growers around the world are under pressure to produce more food for a growing population. Some estimates say that 50% more food will be needed by the middle of this century. At the same time, they're being asked to do this sustainably.
This means focusing more on nutrient use efficiency as well as maintaining productivity in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions. During a recent webinar series, Chris Harrold, YaraVita Product Manager, explained why biostimulants are going to play a key part in healthy, profitable, and sustainable crop production.
"Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that are applied to seeds, plants, or the soil zone surrounding the roots," says Chris. "When applied, they can support a plant's natural processes thereby improving nutrient uptake or use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, crop quality and yield."
Improving tolerance to environmental stresses is crucial, as they can limit the productivity of agricultural crops. There are two types of environmental stresses on crops, abiotic and biotic stress. Abiotic stresses include things like excess rainfall, drought, and extremes in temperature; all of which cause the loss of crop potential worldwide. Biotic stresses are issues caused by diseases and pests. By helping crops reach their genetic potential and improving nutrient uptake, biostimulants mitigate the effects of these stresses.
"Biostimulants bring specific benefits," says Chris. "As well as improving tolerance to abiotic stress, they help with nutrient use efficiency and that's very important because as an industry, there's pressure on us to reduce our carbon footprint. Increasing nutrient use efficiency helps with that as does improving crop yield and quality. If growers can improve the marketable yield of the crops they are growing, there will be less food waste."
Over the past five years, Yara has developed a portfolio of biostimulants, which up until now, have been part of the YaraVita foliar nutrition range. Now the products have their own brand identity, YaraAmplix.
"Biostimulants are becoming increasingly important in crop production systems," says Chris. "The new brand name is inspired by the word 'amplify,' by
adding a biostimulant to crop nutrition programmes rather than by replacing something else they might be doing, growers can get an amplification of the benefits provided to crops."
Growers can get best results by considering biostimulants as part of an integrated crop programme rather than seeing them as a standalone solution.
"The best way forward for growers is to combine foliar nutrient products with the biostimulants," says Chris. "In 95% of cases, we have seen this approach deliver better results than the standalone application of either product."
Yara's biostimulants are combined with vitamins and other nutrients that work in synergy to provide benefits to the crop.
One product in the range, BIOTRAC, contains different bioactive components from seaweed extract as well as organic, vitamins, and complementary nutrients designed to promote plant growth, improve flowering, and increase tolerance to abiotic stresses.
A Belgian trial which looked at the impact of applying YaraVita foliar nutrition plus a biostimulant to potatoes was replicated in the UK. Split field trials on potato crops on sites in Yorkshire and Scotland found that two applications of BIOTRAC at 3 litres/hectare produced a 10% yield increase and a marketable yield of 3.5 tonnes respectively.
Development work in France found that applying the product on sugar beet yields could increase yield by 5%. The work was repeated in split field work in Suffolk. Three litres of BIOTRAC per hectare was applied twice at growth stage 16 to 18 and then again at growth stage 19 and like in the French trial, there was a 5% yield increase.
"With the potato trial, we saw the biggest benefits of using biostimulants on unirrigated land," says Chris. "In the sugar beet trial, crops that had been under stress from herbicide applications responded best to biostimulant applications. This really highlights the benefit of using them; protecting crops from abiotic stress and helping them reach their genetic potential where there are limiting factors."
Biostimulants are a complex area, and Yara's recent live webinars are aimed at demystifying what they are, what they do, and how they are formulated and developed.
Berry Global’s Silotite® brand is marking four decades of pioneering advancements in agricultural bale wrapping, highlighting its legacy of innovation, reliability, and steadfast commitment to continuous product development for the agricultural sector.
The introduction of Silotite to the UK market helped revolutionise bale wrapping, paving the way for significant investments in state-of-theart multi-layer and advanced extrusion technologies. These advancements, which have taken place at Berry’s facilities in the UK and Belgium, represent a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in bale wrap technology. The recent unveiling of Berry’s SilotitePro 1800 Sustane film, featuring a lighter weight and incorporating 25% postconsumer recycled content, embodies a leap forward in sustainable agricultural films.
Other notable introductions like Baletite®, SilotitePro, and innovations in sleeve packaging reflect Berry’s responsiveness to the evolving needs of the agricultural industry and demonstrates their proactive approach to
improving silage protection solutions that aim to support farmers and contractors in their environmental responsibilities.
The brand’s dedication to continuous and collaborative innovation is at the heart of Silotite’s success. By engaging directly with the farming community and working closely with key research establishments to undertake commercial scale trials. Berry ensures that its product developments are both scientifically grounded and closely aligned with the sector's needs.
Reflecting on the brand's significant influence, Lloyd Dawson, Sales Director for UK, Ireland, Pacific, and Asia at Silotite said “We remain committed to providing farmers with cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency, promote sustainability, and contribute to their success.”
Today, Silotite’s market leading range of balewrap films continue to be used worldwide to preserve a variety of winter forage including grass, maize, sugar beet pulp, clovers, alfalfa, and legumes, protecting these vital foodstuffs from climatic conditions. For more information on the evolving Silotite product range please visit https://www. silotite.com
The NFU is calling on government to introduce a Horticultural Buyers Code of Practice as part of a package of recommendations to underpin confidence and profitability in the British horticulture sector and ensure fairness in the supply chain.
The call comes amid ongoing challenges in the sector, including costs of production which have increased by as much as 39% in the past two years and uncertainty about a long-term plan for seasonal workers.
The code of practice would complement and expand on the rules already laid out in the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and be appliable to all buyers across the supply chain1. It forms part of the NFU’s recommendations to the Defra horticulture supply chain review consultation. Other recommendations which could ensure a fair and wellfunctioning horticulture supply chain fit for the UK’s food security needs include:
o Calling for the government to use its powers in the Agriculture Act to regulate contracts.
o Ensuring appropriate enforcement of regulations made under the Agriculture Act by an independent body.
o Expanding the role of GSCOP and the GCA (Groceries Code Adjudicator) to include large manufacturers and processors in its scope and include ornamental crops in its remit.
o Ensuring the government works together so that GSCOP legislation stays relevant to the industry challenges.
o Legally incorporating the GCA’s seven golden rules into GSCOP.
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett said: “Evidence gathered from our grower members shows just how strained relationships2in the horticulture
supply chain have become. While growers want to remain anonymous for fear of losing contracts, we have heard examples of unreasonable delay tactics to negotiating contracts, making it difficult to plan for the season ahead and unexpected requests mid-contract.It is vital for Defra to use its powers in the Agriculture Act to address the unfair buying behaviours impacting growers.
“Having experienced shortages of some of the nation’s favourite fruit and vegetables in the past 12 months, and with ongoing global instability, we know firsthand how fragile the supply chain is. We want to see our domestic supply chain geared to consistently deliver a sustainable supply of affordable British food for people. It is essential for the future of the sector that we address concerns about fairness in the supply chain and build confidence back into the sector.
“The British horticulture sector has the ambition to grow and deliver for food production, the environment and people’s health and wellbeing. However, only profitable businesses working within a fair supply chain have the certainty to invest and ensure long-term food security for the UK.
“To address the barriers identified and to give businesses confidence to invest in productivity and innovation we need to introduce a specific Horticultural Buyers Code of Practice that stamps out unfair buying behaviours, along with fairer contractual obligations. This should be introduced while also expanding the remit of GSCOP and the GCA to address the problems in the supply chain.”
Farmers are testing if a selective approach to tillage can help them grow maize productively while reducing costs and environmental impacts, in two field labs withInnovative Farmers.
In the UK, maize is typically a ploughdependent crop as it needs a fine seed bed to establish and is easily outcompeted in its early growth stage. But this heavy ploughing can lead to degraded and compacted soils that risk polluting rivers via run-off.
Working with theFarm Net Zeroproject in Cornwall, farmers are leading an Innovative Farmers field lab testing a strip-till approach, where the top layer of soil is disturbed in strips, rather than full immersion ploughing of the entire field.
farmers are hopeful for good results from the observations they have made.
Carbon benefits and living mulch potential
Devon farmer Andy Gray is working on a separatefield labalso testing strip-till, but while growing a permanent living understory of clover.
He said thispractice is commonplace in Switzerlandas a method of preventing run-off into rivers resulting from growing maize.
So far, this approach has not negatively impacted yields, even having a positive impact in some cases, while reducing fuel and machinery costs, and boosting soil health.
Boost for yields, crop quality and nature
Gray hopes the clover will maintain cover for the soil and roots to anchor it, while feeding the soil biology from October until the maize is established. Clover may also suppress weeds and fix nitrogen, reducing the need for inputs.
Although he is trialling a slow growing clover, it could compete with maize for water and light so he will compare methods of supressing it using glyphosate and sheep grazing.
Cornish arable farmerMalcolm Barrett trialled two different types of strip-till drill, which he compared to a control of disc cultivation – a min till technique he had already found to be a better approach for his soils.
He saw equal or increased yields from using the strip drill, and he also trialled direct drilling with no soil disturbance which saw a small yield reduction.
But Barrett also found the nutritional quality of his maize improved along with his soil structure, and he was able to save fuel costs on establishment.
He said: "The difference we can see in the soil in the last two years since we started a min till approach is phenomenal. The cattle aren't poaching the fields, we can drive our machinery across the soil without it sinking, and the number of worms we've now got is unbelievable. The first thing you notice when you walk the field is the worm holes, and how the water is being absorbed into the soil instead of sitting on top.
"Where we have seen slight reductions in yield it's been offset by reducing our establishment costs, and some of the losses are due to where we didn't get our machinery to line up properly. A lot of this is just about experimenting and learning the best approach to get the best result.
"It's been a real change in mindset to get off the treadmill. We used to take our soils for granted whereas now I call myself a livestock farmer because there's livestock that live in the ground and we need to look after them as much as the ones above the ground."
Barrett added he is interested to see how his customer's milk yields could be impacted by nutritional improvements in the maize crop.
The next step on from measuring yields will be to test soil samples for soil carbon and organic matter – and the
Clover was established last year using an interrow drill into growing maize – providing winter soil cover postharvest – and Gray will then strip-till ahead of precision drilling maize this Spring.
He said: "Maizeproducesenormous amounts of carbon for soils if you grow it well, but if you're destroying your soil structure every year then you're letting all that benefit out again.
"With a living mulch we should be able to get combined soil health benefits through continuous cover and maize's extraordinary ability to photosynthesis during the summer months.
"I'm determined this approach will work, but it's a longterm way of thinking to deliver a financially sustainable system. I'm willing to put up with a yield penalty initially if I can see that in the long term I'm building the asset value of my farm – my soil.
"To me it's a no brainer, we just have to find a way to make it work profitably."
Gray also believes the clover choice could be critical and this could be a long trial if he needs to change variety.
But he hopes to benefit from the new Sustainable Farming Incentive options for cover cropping and companion cropping.
Innovative Farmers arable advisor Jerry Alford said: "Maize can be a useful crop but there are multiple challenges in growing it in a nature-friendly way. These two field labs are seeking to tackle similar issues in different ways so the combined results of both will help to provide practical insights to any farmer, showing the vital role of farmer-led research."
Both trials are open for new farmers. To get involved and for open-source information on all field labs, visitinnovativefarmers.org
Farmers across the UK are growing profits and generating new revenue streams through a programme that provides mentoring from leading names in regenerative agriculture.
Regenerate Outcomes, which launched in 2021, sponsors a long-term farm mentoring programme, as well as verification services related to soil carbon and other environmental outcomes.
Farmers can join the programme at no up-front cost and are able to leave at any time.
Members receive long-term, one-to-one support and mentoring from Understanding Ag, led by farmers Gabe Brown, Dr Allen Williams and Shane New, a leading global authority on regenerative farming.
Regenerate Outcomes is currently working with over 50 farms located across the UK, in areas including Wiltshire, the Midlands, East Anglia and Wales but with its largest number of farms in the Hexham and Alnwick areas of Northumberland.
Regenerate Outcomes aims to be working with 100,000 hectares of British farmland by the end of 2026.
As well as the support it gives to member farms, Regenerate Outcomes also runs regular webinars, farm walks and other events which anyone can attend for free.
Regenerate Outcomes is hosting two soil academies which will be held in Oxfordshire and Northumberland in May. The two-day events will explore how to maximise profitability by improving
plant, animal and soil health and will be led by the team from Understanding Ag combining practical knowledge with scientific expertise.
Regenerate Outcomes works with soil carbon monitoring specialists Agricarbon and independent verification bodies to baseline and monitor soil carbon stocks on participating farms.
Soil carbon increases (sequestration) are verified following the world-leading Verified Carbon Standard
Carbon credits and other environmental outcomes, such as improved water quality and biodiversity, can then be sold to generate additional income for the farm.
Mentoring and monitoring are carried out at no upfront cost to farmers, with Regenerate Outcomes retaining a minority share of sold outcomes to cover the costs of running the programme.
It plans to sell its first batch of verified outcomes in 2025.
Regenerate Outcomes Director Tom Dillon said that the programme is intended to support the growing number of farmers who are focusing on improving soil health to become more resilient and less dependent on subsidies and external inputs.
“Farmers are facing multiple challenges, including extreme weather, fluctuations in the cost of external inputs and changes to farm subsidies,” he said.
“Improving soil health is a fundamental step towards taking control and becoming more selfsufficient in order to meet these challenges.
“Regenerate Outcomes is a long-term programme, with mentoring led by farmers who have successfully used regenerative practices to improve their own soils. Their shared knowledge and expertise helps other farmers do the same.
“We understand that every farm is different and so we never prescribe a particular farming system. Instead we equip our members with a set of principles which they can apply to get the best results for their particular situation.”
Understanding Ag works with farmers to support them to improve soil health and increase profits.
Regenerate Outcomes’ members are also given access to the Soilmentor app to track their regenerative progress.
Understanding Ag co-founder Gabe Brown is perhaps best known as author of 2018 book Dirt to Soil, as well as for his appearance in 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground.
“The definition of regenerative agriculture is farming in synchrony with nature to repair, revitalise, rebuild and restore ecosystem function, beginning with all life in the soil and moving to all life above the soil,” says Gabe
“The crop species, livestock and equipment used may be a bit different wherever you are in the world, but the principles, rules and processes are the same.
“At Understanding Ag we’re committed to using education to help farmers implement the principles of regenerative agriculture to improve their soil health, their businesses and do right by nature wherever they are.
“It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Regenerate Outcomes and their network of farms in the UK to continue to grow our global network.”
Stuart Johnson, a beef, sheep and arable farmer near Hexham, who was named 2023 Soil Farmer of the Year, has been working with Regenerate Outcomes.
His family has been making the move to regenerative farming for the last 10 years.
“Regenerate Outcomes are offering a whole package of mentoring and education and it saves us the job of hunting for the right information because they can help guide us to what we need to know,” he said.
“It’s really beneficial to have access to all that information and experience in one place, rather than spending hours trawling through books or YouTube videos to find it and decipher it yourself. “The collaborative side of it means there is a group of farmers who you can bounce ideas off. It’s less daunting than just setting out and doing it on your own. It’s quite important to have that reassurance.
"I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with the team. If we can work together to farm in a way which is better for me, my family, the environment and future generations then that’s going to have benefits for everybody.”
George Hosier, a farmer from Wiltshire and a member of Regenerate Outcomes’ Wessex cluster, said: “We’ve been following regenerative principles for eight or nine years now and I saw the need to try and monetise what we’re doing.
“Whatever the process is, if we're doing things that are benefiting the wider environment and there is a market appearing for that then it makes a lot of sense to work with a company like Regenerate Outcomes who are looking to monetise it.
"The reason I’ve joined Regenerate Outcomes rather than any other project is really because of the training and the baselining in terms of soil and carbon. That's the absolute winner. There are plenty of people offering the chance to help you get carbon credits, but very few add on the training and baselining as well.
“There's a groundswell of feeling that this is a better way of farming in so many ways. We need that to grow and the only way that grows is with evidence. Regenerate Outcomes will help provide that evidence.”
To find out more about Regenerate Outcomes go to www.regenerateoutcomes.co.uk
The big picture for a family business
McAuley Feeds is a thirdgeneration, family-owned and operated agriculture business that has been farming in Balrath, Ireland since the mid-1950s. It grows cereal and forage crops to produce feed for livestock such as dairy, beef, and sheep. Over the years the company has continuously evolved, seeking to offer the highest standard of service and delivery, along with efficient and progressive farming practices.
As a high-volume business that operates machinery for five and a half days each week, McAuley uses a significant amount of energy. Its yearly average energy consumption is between 2.7-3 gigawatt hours, representing approximately 17 percent of its annual operating costs.
McAuley champions the importance of economic and environmental sustainability for the future of its business. As an agricultural operation, McAuley’s wanted to ensure that it acted responsibly to reduce emissions and encourage the use of renewable energy generation. And, as a family firm, it wanted to ensure long-term progress and profits across generations.
The company has several renewable generation assets on site, including a Vestas
Maintaining productive uptime
McAuley’s critical machinery cannot run at a reduced capacity. Its mills, conveyors, and other processing equipment do not allow the company to have partial shutdowns. Any flexibility would have to be a consequence of planned downtime.
Before its partnership with Enel X, McAuley participated in another load shedding programme that operated between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The programme did not offset enough of McAuley’s energy costs and participation was not flexible enough for its operations. During busy periods, McAuley had to compensate for lost productivity by restarting operations after 7 p.m. and running late into the night.
McAuley needed a flexibility solution that offered:
• Greater control and flexibility over its
response to requests to reduce consumption.
• An increased revenue stream to offset more of McAuley’s energy costs.
Enel X first worked with McAuley to identify the demand response programme most suitable for its operational requirements. By understanding the nature of McAuley’s businesses, and where the energy flexibility could come from, it determined that participation in the Capacity Market (CM) was the best solution.
The Capacity Market is one of several schemes that Enel X helps its customers to access. Its function is to ensure the security of the electricity grid by balancing available supply with demand, especially when the grid is under increased levels of stress. Capacity Market customers earn revenue from guaranteeing that they can respond to ‘dispatch events’ that are caused by a lack of supply. When those events occur, participants like McAuley are requested to reduce their energy demand to stabilise the grid. Emissions are also reduced by preventing the use of fossil-fuelled power stations that would have otherwise compensated for the increased demand for energy.
demand side response activities. Enel X’s no cost, low risk demand side response programme has allowed McAuley to reduce its operational costs, decrease its emissions, and support the stabilisation of the grid.
Michael Mahon, Customer Success Operations Manager at Enel X, commented, “Enel X works closely with its partners to monetise their energy assets and flexible capacity. As a family-owned and operated business, we are proud to support McAuley develop its environmental and economic sustainability.”
The average revenue that McAuley receives is between €10,000 and €12,000 per year. This represents nearly 2% of its annual energy spend.
Regular forecasting has given McAuley operational flexibility, along with the opportunity to use the planned downtime to carry out other business-critical tasks. This enables McAuley to remain productive during grid events. At busy periods on the farm, McAuley can choose either to not participate or to run its 350kW onsite generator and reduce its offer to Enel X, which helps to maintain its revenue stream.
Enel X conducted a site visit and engineering assessment; ensuring that equipment installation was a simple process, with zero outlay, that took less than a day with no shutdowns involved or impact on operations.
Enel X has supported McAuley and facilitated its access to the Capacity Market for almost 10 years. During that time, Enel X introduced forecasting functionality to give organisations like McAuley greater control over their response to dispatch events. Enel X notifies McAuley with weekly predictions of the likelihood of upcoming events, allowing McAuley to proactively plan its response to potential events.
Over the tenure of its partnership with Enel X, McAuley has benefited substantially from its
David McAuley, CEO of McAuley Feeds, commented on the success of the partnership, saying, “Having control of when and how we respond to grid events is crucial to our operation. The ease of taking part is also a significant benefit for us. Enel X manages participation on our behalf, allowing us to focus on farming and production.”
Furthermore, McAuley promotes the use of renewable energy; having installed several assets on its own site. By supporting the stabilisation of the grid through sharing of its flexible capacity, McAuley also enables more variable renewable energy sources (VRE), such as wind and solar, to be incorporated into the grid.
David McAuley added, “Taking part in demand response offers us an additional revenue stream and reduces our overall energy costs. It’s also a way for us to encourage the use of renewable energy and reduce emissions. It’s low-hanging fruit, and because participation is easy, I’d encourage other organisations to enrol.”
Grain Sentry is Perry of Oakley’s Automatic Drier Moisture Monitoring System which controls the drier temperature, fan speed and discharge speed automatically by measuring the input and output grain moisture content.
How does it work?
Grain Sentry utilises a moisture meter using Near Infra-Red technology. Traditionally moisture meters have required multiple calibrations each day to ensure their accuracy. The one utilised in this system only requires an annual calibration (that’s a game changer). That one change creates a substantial reduction in the manhours it takes to operate the system while also improving the accuracy of it. This technology has been integrated with the Perry Savannah range of continuous flow grain driers by using a suction system fitted to the incoming and outgoing conveyors or ducts which results in a true average sample being taken. The samples are then returned pneumatically to any suitable point in the system, so the grain is not lost.
Alongside the innovative engineering sits the stateof-the-art self-teaching algorithm. This has been developed in-house at Perrys by utilising all of the team’s extensive knowledge of real-world drier operation so it closely replicates how experienced drier operators would run their drier.
Grain samples are taken from the drier at a minimum of every 2 minutes. The moisture content is measured, and the results fed into the selfteaching algorithm which calculates how long the grain needs to transit through the drier, at what drier temperature, fan speed and discharge speed. Based on that information the system then changes
those parameters to achieve the required grain moisture content without over-drying. As you would expect the system is built with various alarms and alerts which can be sent to mobile phones. This means your operator can be doing other work on the farm while it is running.
The combination of the accurate moisture meter and the self- teaching algorithm system prevents the quite large financial losses associated with over-drying grain such as decrease in weight, extra fuel usage, labour, and electricity, for example. This means big savings and peace of mind can be achieved, especially when coupled with the manpower savings from using a moisture meter that only requires annual calibration.
How big are the savings? Based on a 30tph throughput drier, drying 6000T per season in average conditions the direct drying cost savings would be £21,500 per season. Contact us with your real-life data and we’ll run it through our calculator and show you how much you could save.
It can be retro-fitted on to any shutter discharge continuous flow grain drier, and is a recommended optional extra on all Perry Savannah Series driers.
As a long-established British designer & manufacturer of grain drying, handling & storage equipment Perrys can provide everything you may need from a single machine through to a whole plant. Their in-house team do all their own product development which means that you can get quick answers to any problems you might have. Perry’s Devon-based factory also holds a large stock of spares to support you when you need it most. We even man the phones evenings & weekends especially through harvest.
Contact Perrys today for all your handling, storage & drier requirements on +44 1404 890 300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk
Openfield is really pleased to be teaming up with agricultural charity
The Farming Community Network (FCN) to help provide wellbeing support to its members as the entire agricultural sector continues to face into challenging times and funding changes.
The aim is to help open up direct lines of communication between farmers who are heading towards or experiencing difficulties and FCN, to help them manage their way through their tough times and move forward.
The partnership also celebrates the hard work of all involved in British farming and highlights the integral role Openfield members play in supplying British grain to some of the biggest and most wellknown food and drink brands in the UK.
Richard Kaye, Openfield head of brand and communications said: “FCN has some fantastic resources to help support all farmers in difficult times. We’re very pleased to be able to partner with FCN to raise awareness of what they do and help put any of our members needing their help in touch with a professional and supportive team.”
Georgina Lamb, Senior Partnerships Manager at FCN, said: “Supporting our world-class farmers through the changes ahead requires a collaborative approach. By working alongside Openfield as part of this partnership, we hope to highlight the many ways our charity can support people across agriculture and ensure farmers know they are part of a supportive community that is here to listen, talk and help.”
FCN can be contacted confidentially on 03000 111 999 (7am-11pm every day of the year) and help@fcn.org.uk. For more information please go to www.fcn.org.uk
Martin Lishman Ltd, a market leader in grain moisture meters and crop quality equipment, is excited to announce an exclusive offer aimed at supporting farmers in their preparation for the upcoming harvest season.
They are well known in the industry for providing a unique service where farmers can send in their moisture meters for a service/calibration to ensure its accuracy and satisfy crop assurance schemes.
As the harvest season approaches, particularly during the peak months of June through August, the demand for the service skyrockets, leading to an influx of moisture meters for calibration. Due to this overwhelming volume, wait times can unfortunately extend up 5 weeks!
To encourage farmers to get their moisture meters serviced ahead of time, the Martin Lishman service team are delighted to offer a 10% discount on their moisture meter calibration and service program. This applies to any make and model moisture meter that arrive at their workshop before 30th March 2024.
Alongside improved accuracy, you'll receive a certificate of calibration, ideal for ticking that all important box for crop assurance schemes.
“Our moisture meter service/calibration program cannot be overstated in its importance for the modern farmer. As Joel Capper, Managing Director of Martin Lishman Ltd, explains, "Moisture meters are indispensable tools for farmers. They require regular maintenance and calibration to ensure the reliability of these devices. This reliability directly impacts the decision-making process related to harvest timing, storage conditions, and ultimately, the quality and sale price of the crop.”
To take advantage of the offer, all you need to do is visit the Martin Lishman website and fill out the form to download your 10% off voucher.
Voucher Link:https://martinlishman.com/moisturemeter-service-offer/
Simply send your moisture meter to the Martin Lishman workshop in Bourne along with the printed voucher before 30thMarch to qualify. Terms and conditions apply.
Spearheading innovation in agricultural storage and safety at work, Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator has teamed up with partners Crover Ltd, the robot’s creators, as well as Camgrain, Holkham Farming Company and Morley Farms to further develop and pilot a grain-monitoring robot that can substantially enhance workplace safety and enhance grain store.
The ‘CROVER’ robot is the first robotic device able to 'swim' or move with minimal effort through grains stored in bulk, such as wheat, barley and oilseeds held in storage and is intended to enable farmers and grain storage operators to improve the health and safety of their grain storage and transport operations.
The prototype, which is being tested at ABP’s Port of Ayr in Scotland will also help maintain grain quality during long-term storage, reduce energy costs from cooling and aeration and avoid unnecessary chemical interventions. This will reduce grain claims and rejections, labour costs from integrated pest management (IPM) grain storage operations.
Prior to the existence of this robot, checking the moisture levels of piles of grain was a manual process, which is both time consuming and produces varying degrees of accuracy. It also increased the risk of avalanches when operatives had to climb up a stack of grain to take readings on moisture and heat. This robot enhances workplace safety because it has the ability to ‘climb’ to the top of a tall pile of grain and insert a metal rod vertically, which helps monitor the levels with a significant level of precision and eliminates the need for a manual process.
Duncan Welberry, ABP Head of IT BusinessPartnering, Data & Analytics, said: “Safety is a core value for ABP and because our ports naturally bring a wide variety of businesses across the supply chain together, they are ideal innovation hubs for developing tools and
systems to enable safer workplace practices.
“This grain-monitoring bot is the latest addition to our smart tech devices, which include drones, wearables and more. We are excited about this collaboration and look forward to seeing what lessons it can reveal for the wider farming and grain storage industry.”
Connor Lyons, ABP Business Innovation Lead, commented: “Being part of the creative R&D process is always immensely rewarding. The idea to integrate the CROVER robot was born by developing a deep understanding both of our customers’ challenges but also the situations our colleagues in operations deal with everyday. I am proud that we have been recognised and rewarded a grant which will further accelerate innovation in this space.
“This project is an excellent celebration of science in practice and with British Science Week coming up in March, it’s a powerful
reminder that ports are hubs for innovation and can offer a variety of exciting jobs from Engineering to R&D.”
Dr. Lorenzo Conti, Crover Founder & Managing Director: “We are delighted to have won this funding with ABP and are grateful to have a partner with the space, operations and vision to help us test this tool in a realistic environment and refine its capabilities.”
The project has been awarded £335K by Innovate UK as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra)’s Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) fund. As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK helps businesses to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Through her love of honey and poor traceability of the shop bought variety, Heather felt the only way to truly know the origins of the honey she was eating was to produce her own. So, in 2015 she signed up for a weekend beekeeping course, joined her local association in Conwy, North Wales and became a beekeeper.
The idea of beekeeping vs the reality was very different, and she quickly realised honeybee care and honey production wasn’t all that straightforward. Beekeeping is a hobby influenced by many external factors and beekeeper experience. It also didn’t take long for Heather to learn that it’s impossible to keep honeybees and not become aware of the environmental surroundings and the impact modern lifestyle choices are having on our bees and pollinators.
Due to work commitments, Heather arrived in Scotland, Loch Lomond in 2017 and continued her beekeeping journey, quickly becoming someone who people would approach for mentoring or just an opportunity to see the bees. It was through mentoring that Heather landed the opportunity to mentor a family as part of the CBBC programme called ‘Show me the Honey’ and this is where she
met Harry, a 14-year-old beekeeper.
Beekeeping is traditionally a retired gentleman’s hobby. Working full-time and travelling internationally as part of her corporate job, Heather didn’t fit this demographic and figured if she could keep bees as an ‘average joe’, then there were many more ‘average joe’s’ out there, doing the same thing.
Harry was the first young beekeeper Heather had been given the opportunity to work with and it was during this mentorship, where the lack of beekeeping provision for young people in Scotland became apparent. Rather than just talk about it, she chose to do something. She wanted to create a solution that makes beekeeping accessible for all ages and abilities, provides a safe space for new beekeepers to learn and grow and to be OK with ‘messing up’. The Solution was ‘The Bee School’.
Whether it be fate, the stars aligning or just pure good luck; Katie arrived on the scene looking to be involved in a ‘Bee Project’, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. With this small team, the winter of 2021 was spent developing course content and material. The idea and principles of The Bee School had already been firmly cemented, the school needed to focus on honeybee/beekeeping education, but it also needed to raise awareness of the current decline of the wild bees and pollinators and the subsequent impact to our environment.
Now The Bee School just needed a venue!
The bees have played a part in every step of this journey and the hunt for a venue was no different. There were lots of facilities available, and lots of fields, but never a combination of the two. That was until Heather responded to a swarm collection
call-out. The lady who placed the bee SOS call, happened to work at Luss Estates, Loch Lomond, where she was able to introduce Heather to some very significant people within the estate and following the most nerve-racking meeting of her career, Heather had found a facility, a field and an ally. Making it real.
Whilst The Bee School offers weekend beekeeping courses for all ages, not everyone wants to be a beekeeper, but lots of people are interested in the bees. The Bee School runs an afternoon ‘Bee Safari’ experience, where ‘Explorers’ can learn about the wild bees, the honeybees, learn about
the part they can play in reducing the decline of the pollinator population, enjoy a honey tasting, then jump into a bee suit and carry out a supervised hive inspection.
As the Bee School heads into its 3rd season, a new addition to the school is the young beekeeper’s beekeeping course, a 12-week programme of zoom time learning, activities and hive inspections, culminating in a formal assessment carried out by the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA).
For the first time this year, The Bee School is being approached by children who want to take up
beekeeping as a career, a response that far exceeded Heather’s expectations, but one she is 100% supporting.
Recognising The Bee School doesn’t and shouldn’t just exist within the small corner of Loch Lomond, they offer shared working with local communities and are very fortunate to be collaborating with North Kelvin Meadow, a children’s wood located in the centre of Glasgow City. Katie is now custodian of their Beedookit and provides training and awareness based on The Bee School ethos to the children of North Kelvin Meadow.
The most frequent question asked at The Bee School is “What can I do to help save the Bees?”, whilst there are many factors contributing to the decline of the pollinators, an easy option that everyone has within their gift, is to make a conscious choice and to choose organic, simply put, pesticides and herbicides need to be removed from a way of life and this is something everyone can support.
The Bee School has learned over the years that everything is intrinsically linked, healthy soil provides healthy plants, which in turn provides a clean healthy food source for the bees. This is where we need to start with our recovery and preservation of our pollinators and the overall wellbeing of our environment. Regenerative farming must be a way forward if we’re serious about doing our bit to save our bees.
Buzz over to:- www.thebeeschool.co.uk
Instagram: beeschooluk
Facebook: The Bee School
Written by Olivia ShaveThe UK's leading manufacturer of vegetable handling solutions has extended its market-leading range of boxfilling solutions.
Haith has followed-up the unveiling of its Quanta Fill box filler at January's Potato Expo in the United States by introducing the RotaTip PRO and an innovative box stacking module.
The Quanta Fill features a unique in-feed conveyor that gently layers the crop into a buffer bunker, which is then lowered into the box. Active discharge doors then open to transfer the crop into the box, simultaneously raising as it fills. The process ensures that the weight of the box is never lifted and the machine is not put under pressure, which eliminates fatigue and prevents damage to both the machine and the box. The additional box handling functionality allows the operator to place stacks of empty boxes into the machine, which are then automatically de-stacked and transported to the filling module. After filling, the boxes are re-stacked for the operator to remove from the line.
Haith is also offering box stacking and de-stacking as part of its 2024 RotaTip box tippler upgrades.
Available as additional modules for the RotaTip PRO box tippler, Haith's new box stacking and de-stacking functionality significantly speeds up the box handling process and dramatically reduces forklift movements.
The latest version of the RotaTip – the RotaTip PRO – also features a new allelectric box clamping system, which holds the box in place when rotating and has the ability to handle varying height boxes, from 900 to 1200mm tall. The latest design is narrower than previous versions, allowing it to be transported on a standard HGV trailer. It is also easier to install or relocate, as Haith has incorporated forklift pockets in the latest design. Haith has also improved the
accessibility of the main electric drive, placing it at low level for easier maintenance.
As with previous RotaTips, the RotaTip PRO handles potato boxes quickly and reliably, even in harsh conditions. As the tippler is rotated around a centre pivot, the weight of the box is never lifted, and the machine is not put under pressure, which eliminates fatigue or prevents damage to both the machine and the box. The absence of hydraulics also removes the chance of oil contamination. The RotaTip PRO offers exceptional power consumption as Haith has incorporated high-efficiency motors, which only run during the tipping sequence.
"With nearly 200 RotaTip box tipplers in use worldwide, the RotaTip is an incredibly popular machine," says Duane Hill, Haith's managing director. "We are always looking to make life easier and more efficient for our customers, and these new innovations will do just that.
"By introducing box stacking and de-stacking to both the RotaTip PRO and the Quanta Fill, users will operate more efficiently and with fewer forklift movements, something many of our customers have said they would benefit from."
To find out more about Haith and its range of vegetable handling equipment, please visit www.haith.co.uk, email sales@haith.co.uk or call 01302 831 911.
Potato growers can manage the increasing incidence of blight resistance with effective fungicide mixing strategies, and still retain the benefits of utilising the most potent chemistry to protect crops, advises Syngenta Technical Manager, Andy Cunningham.
Speaking at the Potato Science Live events this spring, he highlighted how the mandipropamid mixing strategy enabled growers and agronomists in Denmark to dramatically reduce the outbreaks of CAA compromised blight strain EU 43 from over 70% of recorded cases in 2022, to less than 20% of outbreaks last season.
As a result, the recommendations for the use of Revus in Denmark have increased by over 60% for this season, from two applications per crop to five, with a range of fungicide mixes.
“UK growers are in a far more fortunate position, given that the EU 43 strain has never been sampled in blight monitoring programmes, and they have many more options available for mix partners that will enable them to reliably use Revus in this season’s programmes.”
Andy reminded growers that Revus has consistently proven the most potent blight fungicide for protection through the most important early and mid-canopy phase, outside of OXTP – with news that this too has now been compromised with resistance in the European blight population.
“There has been an emergence of a new blight genotype, EU_46, in the Netherlands,” he reported.
“We still need to understand what impact it will have. However, due to our understanding of the resistance mechanism to CAA chemistry, there is a very good chance this new strain will be sensitive to Revus, meaning mandipropamid becomes the solution to the issue,” he said.
To ensure Revus retains its full efficacy, and to avoid selecting for any resistant strains, should they arrive in the UK, Andy advocates it should always be used in mix with a complementary blight fungicide with an alternative mode of action. Furthermore, the partner must be used at a rate that will give protection equal in duration to Revus in the blight programme schedule.
He cited suitable partners for Revus in the UK for the 2024 season include mancozeb, fluazinam, propamocarb and cyazofamid, as well as the leading contender, amisulbrom.
“There is potentially a role for cymoxanil to give kick-back activity, in the event of a weather delayed application, but in our Eurofins blight trials there was indication that it may not give the desired duration of protection – so intervals would have to be tightened,” he suggested.
Andy reported the robust resistance breaking strategy of fungicide mixing had been proven in the Eurofins trial, even in an inoculated and infection cultivated trial with the fluazinam resistant EU 37 strain, a season-long programme of fluazinam –mixed with a range of partners, maintained full or high levels of control.
“The experience of the research at Eurofins, along with R&D in Europe, has given confidence that with appropriate mixing strategies we can both minimise the risk of resistant blight strains established in the UK, and still get beneficial effects from compromised chemistry should it occur.
“Potato growers and agronomists need to take a responsible approach to planning this season’s blight strategy, and still take full advantage of the benefits of Revus for highly effective foliar blight control and, by keeping the crop clean, minimising the risk of tuber blight spread.”
The combination of mandipropamid and amisulbrom could prove especially valuable, targeted at the reduction of tuber blight risks.
Biox-M is the only 100% natural and sustainable sprout control for potatoes.
As we head towards the end of what is likely to prove to have been the shortest storage season for many years, final storage treatments need to be considered with care. Products with what is effectively no harvest interval, such as Biox-M (spearmint oil), offer considerable flexibility for movement, which can be uncertain as crop can be called from store at little notice.
Biox-M applied to crops, which have come through the storage season well, but for which final movement is
uncertain, also delivers good longevity of sprout control as stores are emptied. When product is well applied, growers are finding good control for six weeks or more, which, in such a short season, should see crops through to the end in good order.
As ever, attention to detail when applying volatile products remains essential:
• Most crops should now be dry, but vigilance is always essential to avoid condensation during treatment, a particular risk if crops were very wet when put in store.
• Many crops have been unusually dormant this season, but store-keepers should avoid complacency and keep an eye out so as to avoid be caught out by late season sprouting.
• The warm spring may also be putting pressure on sprouting as we head into April.
• And keeping stores tightly shut following treatment remains as essential as ever, and it is worth considering extending the closed period if there is no reason to open the store. Leave the product to work well.
• Is a naturally occurring and truly sustainable product, in widespread use in the food industry,
• Is approved for use on organic potato crops,
• Has no harvest interval or MRL beyond the one-day mandatory withholding period after treatment,
• Has flexibility of timing of application,
• Results in minimal weight loss in store,
• Does not leave persistent residues in the fabric of stores and boxes used for storage,
• And is therefore suitable for use in stores, which may subsequently be used for the storage of other crops or seed potatoes,
• Is effective at higher storage temperatures, reducing the risk of acrylamide development when crop is processed,
• Sequesters carbon during growth, removing 1t of CO2 for every 1,000t of potatoes treated,
• And should be a component of the sustainability plan for every farm and every customer; effectively carbon neutral.
AUK-based research team is set to step change the potato supply chain by applying cutting edge precision breeding approaches.
Led by B-hive Innovations, the new research project, called TuberGene, is funded as part of UKRI’s National Engineering Biology Programme and aims to harness the power of gene editing to address pressing challenges and secure a sustainable future for the potato industry.
The UK potato sector produces around five million tonnes of potatoes each year but faces significant hurdles, including producing a significant number of potatoes that don’t meet commercial specifications, costing millions of pounds annually.
part of UKRI’s funding initiative. Also part of the scientific team delivering the research are Branston Ltd, the James Hutton Institute and James Hutton Ltd.
Dr. Andy Gill, general manager of B-hive Innovations, said: "The UK potato industry is facing significant challenges, and it's crucial that we find innovative solutions to ensure its long-term viability. This project represents a major step forward in our efforts to address issues such as bruising-related losses and changing consumer preferences."
Dr. Rob Hancock, research scientist at the James Hutton Institute, said: "Gene editing and other precision breeding technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to rapidly enhance the traits of potatoes, meeting the need to quickly respond to the changing preferences of consumers. By targeting specific genes responsible for traits like bruising susceptibility and cooking times, we can create varieties that meet the needs of both growers and consumers."
Additionally, changing consumer preferences have caused fresh potato sales to gradually decline, as people opt for quicker-cooking alternatives like rice and pasta.
With new legislation allowing the commercial development of gene edited crops, the project presents an exciting opportunity to transform the industry. Researchers will focus on two key goals: reducing bruising-related discoloration and making potatoes quicker to cook. These improvements aim to enhance potato quality, cut down on food waste, and meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Lincoln-based R&D company B-hive Innovations is a team of agritech and biotech pioneers bringing innovative processes to the fresh produce supply chain, which has attracted significant support as
A key part of the project involves sequencing the genome of the Maris Piper potato, a beloved variety in the UK. This foundational work will pave the way for future targeted gene editing to enhance other desirable traits.
Barbara Correia, principal research scientist at Bhive added: “This project leverages the bioinformatics expertise in our business and the genome sequencing allows us to build a pipeline to address other issues in potato farming, such as disease resistance, as we move towards the creation of a Super Spud. It also means that we can apply our skills more easily to other crops, thereby helping more of the UK’s fresh produce sector and safeguarding global food security.”
For more information on the TuberGene project, visit https://www.ukri.org/news/13-5-million-for-48engineering-biology-rd-projects/
For more information on B-hive, visit https://www.bhiveinnovations.co.uk/
afeguarding the future of our carrot growers and celebrating the UK's most popular root vegetable is the catalyst for a new National Carrot Awareness Day on 3October, 2024, and every year thereafter.
Chair of the British Carrot Growers Association (BCGA) and York-based carrot farmer Rodger Hobson says, "We want to communicate both the challenges and joys of growing carrots, which has a high disease susceptibility, high input costs and conflictingly low output values, which means making a viable return a struggling reality for UK carrot growers. It's time to make a bit of noise about the nation's favourite vegetable - the carrot."
The BCGA are hoping this national day will help protect the future of the British carrot and its growers. Carrots are harvested in Britain 12 months of the year, producing over 700,000 tonnes of carrots, that's equivalent to 70 times the weight of the Eiffel tower. Due to the natural seasonal weather vagaries, alongside climatic changes, carrot growers are always innovating, developing new management techniques and trialling varieties to compete for survival of the crop.
Rodger explains that profits have been squeezed to such a tight margin, that many farmers have decided to stop growing them.
"This multipurpose vegetable is iconic," says Rodger. "Carrots are such good value for money
and extremely versatile with high nutritional value. Ichallenge the British public to find anything better value than 6p - the price of a carrot - to consume one of their five a day."
An International Carrot Day already exists and is celebrated annually in the USA on 4 April. This is out of season for the UK crop, so Britain's top 5 carrot growers (Huntapac Produce ltd, Kettle Produce ltd, M.H Poskitts ltd, Burgess Farms, and Strawson ltd) decided to cultivate their own special day on 3 October, which is peak harvest time and when the BCGA holds its annual demonstration day.
Every year one of the five big UK carrot growers hosts the event which showcases new varieties, trial plots and brings in speakers to evaluate the future of the sector.
"For us carrot enthusiasts it's a huge event and we want to share our love of this British-grown vegetable with a wider audience," explains Rodger, whose favourite way of eating carrots is simply raw and dipped in Houmous.
On National Carrot Day, people will be encouraged to buy, get creative, eat, and cook with carrots. A day to love the carrot, post carrot dishes on social media and add the hashtag:#lovebritishcarrots to your posts.
Follow us on Instagram @lovebritishcarrots
For more information visit the British Carrot Growers Association website:http:// britishcarrots.co.uk/
With the rise of strains resistant to vital chemistry on the continent, potato blight control could face a challenging season ahead.
EU_43_A1 (EU43) remains undetected in the UK, although it has now been found in Ireland. This strain and an additional related strain, EU_46_A1 (EU46), account for almost 40% of the samples analysed across Europe by EuroBlight, a consortium of organisations studying late blight across Europe.
In 2022, EU43 primarily concerned Danish growers, but it has spread to become the dominant strain in the Netherlands (52%), Germany (52%), and Belgium (36%) in 2023.
Fortunately, the frequency of EU43 in Denmark fell from 64% in 2022 to 24% in 2023, indicating a potential fitness penalty and that the sensible use of carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides can reduce the selection pressure for this strain.
“We analysed 946 samples last year, and there is still no EU43, which is good news,” says Dr David Cooke, research leader at the James Hutton Institute. Dr Cooke and Dr Alison Lees lead the team running the Fight Against Blight monitoring service, which is enabled by industry sponsors and is still seeking funding to run this season’s service.
“In the UK, we mostly have EU_36_A2. This doesn’t mean blight is easy to manage, but at least we don’t have resistance issues.
“All the fungicide testing has shown that the UK isolates are sensitive to all the main actives, apart from the known fluazinam issue with EU_37_A2,” adds Dr Cooke.
The learnings from the continent continue to resonate, according to Dr Cooke. There, mandipropamid and oxathiapiprolin resistance exists and is widespread in the case of
mandipropamid.
It is still debated whether the level of resistance amongst the CAA fungicides varies. Regardless, experts caution that CAA-containing fungicides should be used judiciously and that the FRAC CAA working group guidelines are rigorously followed.
“If we do find EU43 (in the UK), the first thing we will need to do is test what variant of the lineage it is and whether it has the resistance or not.
“There are variants of EU43 which are sensitive to mandipropamid and oxathiapiprolin, and some which are resistant to both,” says Dr Cooke.
The James Hutton Institute has been developing genetic markers for mandipropamid and oxathiapiprolin resistance as part of Scottish government funding. Dr Cooke anticipates that they will be able to use these to determine whether any field samples of EU43 in the 2024 season have the mutations associated with fungicide resistance.
“The EU43 found in Ireland is a concern because of the prevailing wind. Our view is once it has been found, there must be others; they just haven’t been sampled.
“Early potato crops in Pembrokeshire and Cornwall will be of interest and should be monitored closely,” adds Dr Cooke.
Agronomist Denis Buckley of Highfield Lodge
Agronomy is principally concerned about imported seed potatoes bringing EU43 and EU46 into the UK.
A 7% reduction in the Northern Europe seed area in 2023, coupled with losses from downgrading and poor yield, means there will be a critical shortage of potato seed this season. There is a danger that supply problems could see seed potatoes from crops infected with EU43 or EU46 imported into the UK.
“Imported seed is more of a potential issue than anything else,” says Denis. “I have been advising my clients not to buy it, but the problem is that many are already committed and can’t source it from anywhere else.”
Dr Cooke agrees this is a risk and cites infected seed as the most likely cause of EU37 arriving in the UK because it was first detected in a distinctive node in the Midlands.
“I can’t remember the uncertainty surrounding blight control being this great,” continues Denis. “The resistance that has appeared is in very important chemistry.
“This puts more resistance pressure on the other active ingredients that are still available. Then there is then a risk that they fall over too.”
Denis is still figuring out a robust programme of systemic fungicides for the season.
“Whatever programme I go with, mancozeb will be a large part of it. You need to be applying mancozeb, certainly in the first half of the season, with every spray.
“You don’t know what will turn up on your farm, and the last thing you want is blight.”
“Mancozeb is the only potato blight fungicide we have access to with true multisite activity, meaning selection for resistance is highly unlikely,” adds Denis.
At present, the proposed withdrawal timelines would mean the sale and supply of any plant protection product containing mancozeb ends on October 31st this year, says Geoff Hailstone, potato technical lead for UPL in the UK.
An additional year would be allowed for the storage, disposal and use of any product containing mancozeb. This means that growers
should plan their purchases and usage accordingly to avoid any disruptions to their planned blight programmes.
The industry continues to lobby for the maintenance of mancozeb, citing its critical role in resistance management and disease control.
Geoff believes the loss of mancozeb in mainland Europe has been an important contributory factor in the increase in resistant strains, which has resulted in serious blight outbreaks, leading to yield and quality losses.
UPL plans to have Nautile DG (cymoxanil + mancozeb) and Manzate 75 WG (mancozeb) available this year.
“We are planning our production for mancozeb based on it being approved for sale this season,” explains Geoff. “The UPL team is busy asking the market how much mancozeb they are likely to need and whether this is more or less than last year.
“The industry is coming off the back of a highpressure year in 2023 and increasing concerns over resistance pressure. It is difficult to ascertain what a typical season is.
“I would encourage growers and advisors to speak with their suppliers to let them know what they expect to need. This information greatly helps with our production planning.”
He advises potato growers to continue to adhere to the general FRAC guidance. Always mix products with different modes of action in the same application and alternate mixes in the programme.
“Without mancozeb, products like Proxanil (cymoxanil + propamocarb) would become even more important. The two actives in Proxanil have no reported resistance issues; they are both from different chemistry groups and are the only members of those groups.
“Cymoxanil is known to be one of the few actives with kickback activity and has a very low risk of developing resistance. Propamocarb has strong anti-sporulant activity, good movement in the plant and is only active in the carbamate resistance group.
“When tank-mixed with a protectant fungicide such as cyazofamid, Proxanil strengthens the activity and gives excellent resistance management,” recommends Geoff.
The Devon County Show livestock committee is delighted to announce a full range of classes for four new breed categories at the 2024 event in May.
First up is the Red Poll Cattle breed, No longer on the rare breeds survival trust watchlist thanks to the hard work of the Breed Society, these multi-purpose cattle will grace the Devon County Show for the first time in the 150 year show’s history The majority of this docile, low-input breed are used as suckler cows but a number of milking herds still exist with an average yield of 5,000 litres at 4.2% butterfat and 3.5% protein.
Two new native breeds will be introduced to the sheep section. The Kerry Hill breed originates from the hills around the small town of Kerry, on the English/Welsh borders. Once extremely numerous, numbers since declinedand the Kerry Hill was until recently included on a list of Rare Breeds. However, this striking sheep with its characteristic black and white face and legs is now making a comeback, thanks mainly to its attractiveness to small holders,
The Llanwenog is a versatile breed, which produces excellent meat. It is characterised by its lack of horns, a black face and ears and a tuft of fleece on the top of the head. In temperament, the breed is hardy and docile, making them an
economical breed to keep.
The pig section is delighted to invite entries to a new Kune Kune pig class. As the smallest domesticated pig, Kune Kune pigs are delightfully placid and friendly in character, thriving on human company. Their ease of management and ability to live almost entirely from grass, the Kune Kune is now a popular breed for small holders.
Commenting on the new classes, Becky Hurd, Competition Co-ordinator said: “Livestock has always been the heart and soul of the Devon County Show since it first started back in 1872 and will continue to remain its principal raison d’etre. Agricultural shows like us have a responsibility to support and celebrate this type of farming, and to recognise the extraordinary effort the farmers put into producing their animals. Equally, we have a responsibility to ensure that breeds which are lower in numbers nationally, are given the opportunity to thrive. Casting the spotlight on some of these breeds at the Devon County Show is a positive step towards securing their future.”
To enter the livestock competitions at Devon County Show, visitDevon County Show 2024 - Showing Scene
The Devon County Show takes place from Thursday 16thto Saturday 18thMay at Westpoint, Exeter. Further information about Devon County Show available fromwww.devoncountyshow.co.uk
The Devon County Agricultural Association is delighted to announce Michael Caines MBE as President of the 2024 Devon County Show.
Michael Caines MBE is one of the UK's most esteemed and celebrated chefs, known for his culinary prowess and innovative approach.
Beyond his success in the kitchen, he has proven himself a visionary hotelier, a dedicated patron and fundraiser for national and local charities. He is also a devoted advocate of farming and food in Devon – a passion that will be reflected in all his plans as President for this year’s show.
Commenting on his role as President, Michael said:
“Food and farming are of course at the very heart of the Devon County Show.The two are inextricably linked - as there can be no food future without farming.
Farmers are the caretakers of the land and providers of our regional larder. Chefs are story tellers, as are our suppliers and they connect this unique tapestry of our woven landscape to the very communities that live, work and thrive within this wonderful county of Devon.
We must therefore protect and champion our indigenous and heritage breeds, celebrate our biodiversity, protect our ancient woodlands, orchards, wetlands and grasslands and as stewards of the countryside, embrace the need for the adoption of Regenerative Farming techniques – a need that becomes ever more urgent as we face a climate emergency.It’s by working together at events such as the Devon County Show, where communities with a truly diverse audience come together and are prime for getting the conversation started and forging partnerships, that will help create a better future for Devon, Food and Farming.
supported by Students from Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College, who will be performing cooking demonstrations throughout the duration of the show. Championing my vision, they will demonstrate alongside suppliers and connect the audience to our regional larder and celebrate its provenance.
I have been working behind the scenes at the show for some time now and have and met so many of the extraordinary people charged with running this annual event. What strikes me is that whatever, their role, from mowing the grass, to running the livestock section, to directing traffic into the car parks, is their Passion in all they do. I want to find ways to spotlight and celebrate each and every one of them.
We all recognise that farmers face huge challenges in their daily lives. Looking after our farmers to secure a better future for the industry is another personal passion of mine. I am working closely with the show organisers to look at ways to highlight some of the issues farmers face and how they can overcome them.
We have much to celebrate, and we choose to do so every year at the Devon County Show.”
To my mind, Devon has the finest larder in the UK and Devon County Show 2024 will certainly showcase this. I am delighted to be able to introduce some of the most talented chefs from Devon - winners of “South West Chef of the Year”
The Devon County show 2024 takes place at Westpoint Exeter on Thursday 16thFriday 17thand Saturday 18thMay.
Early bird tickets are now on sale at www.devoncountyshow.co.uk
The Cereals Event 2024 will welcome visitors to its new site at Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm in Hertfordshire on 11-12 June, alongside its brand-new co-hosted event DirectDriller@Cereals – and early bird tickets for both are now on sale.
Hosted by Alex Farr and his cousin Edward Wainright Lee, both events will be held on the Farr family’s 45-ha outdoor event space – one of the 900-ha arable farm’s diversifications, complete with established trackways and amenities. Its 10 years as a large event venue means it is well-placed to host the 20,000+ visitors the events are set to attract.
“We love welcoming people to Bygrave Woods – it’s great to be the host farm for Cereals after attending it over the years,” says Mr Farr. “The event offers such breadth of information and technology; the progress in robotic technology is always something that gets our attention –and it never gets old meeting new and old
friends.”
As ever, Cereals will showcase the latest developments in arable agronomy, machinery, technology and business advice; with over 450 exhibitors, 200+ live demonstrations, two days of seminar programmes, and several hundred individual crop plots on display.
New to 2024 is the co-located event –DirectDriller@Cereals. Co-hosted by Cereals and Direct Driller Magazine, its theme is ‘Regenerating farm profit’, and it will focus on how regenerative agriculture can make largescale arable farms more commercially successful. It will comprise a full conference programme including seminars curated by BASE UK, and a schedule of demonstrations –which are soon to be announced.
Being co-located, DirectDriller@Cereals offers visitors convenience and combined ticketing options, giving them access to a much wider range of farming focuses. “Cereals wanted to
cover regenerative agriculture in much more detail, given the impact of the sustainable farming incentive,” says Clive Bailye, arable farmer and publisher of Direct Driller magazine. “Direct Driller magazine and BASE UK are able to bring together topics, speakers, and demonstrations that will help large-scale arable farmers to implement these ideas in a way that will directly impact their farm profit.”
Also new to 2024 is the Seed to Shelf stage – a fresh take on the Cereals main stage. The KWSsponsored stage will trace the arable supply chain from seed to retail, offering attendees valuable insights from plant breeders, agronomists, farm contractors and farmers, through to grain marketers, processors, retail brands and retailers. Ever well-attended, the stage will also host a political welcoming session.
Remaining at the heart of the show are the crop plots, expanded by a further six new exhibitors –putting even more varieties on display. The Ceres Rural-curated winter wheat and barley feature will also return, offering a spread of popular winter wheats; groups one to four, and a collection of two-row and six-row malting barley varieties. The plots offer a unique opportunity to see a selection of leading Recommended List (RL) varieties side-by-side, with experts on-hand to guide and advise across both days.
From top to bottom, the 20m-long NIAB Soil Hole will return, giving visitors a unique insight into cultivation effects and crop growth below ground. Also focusing on matters underground will be the NAAC Drainage exhibition and demonstration area, offering an opportunity to meet exhibitors from this important sector.
Back above ground, 2024 brings with it an expansion of demonstration areas. The Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena, Drill Demos and NAAC Demo arena will undoubtedly draw crowds – showcasing the latest precision technology, innovations in land preparation, establishment, and crop protection. But that’s not all; visitors will be able to check out more working demonstrations by the likes of Agriweld, Case IH, Maschio Gaspardo, Hardi, Merlo, New Holland, and SDF. Not forgetting the impressive robotic and automation demonstrations by AgXeed and Autonomous Agri Solutions, with drone technology also in action. And back by popular demand is the Isuzu Off-road Driving Experience; a purpose-built off-road course for visitors to get in the driving seat and experience
all the capabilities of Isuzu’s latest vehicles. Exhibitor numbers are already 15% up, year-onyear, with exhibitors bringing a wealth of practical and technical expertise, says Ms McEntyre. “Every year we learn more about what Cereals visitors want. This year’s line-up reflects all that feedback – we are absolutely committed to making the event even better every year, and we’re looking forward to opening the gates in June.”
Newnham Farm represents elements of modern farm businesses up and down the country. The arable operation grows around 480ha of winter wheat, 130ha of oilseed rape, 120ha of sugar beet, and 10ha of sunflowers. Incorporated into the rotation, and across the wider farm, are around 60ha of GS4 species-rich mixes as well as wild bird seed and wildflower mixes, under the sustainable farming incentive and mid-tier countryside stewardship scheme. The family have also introduced companion and cover cropping into their strategies, and take pride in maintaining the farm’s woodland.
The farm’s diversification started with the event space – Bygrave Woods – but has since continued to grow. Today the farm also has a 380,000-broiler unit comprising 10 sheds, plus four woodchip boilers, and a portfolio of residential and commercial lettings. The diversified nature of the farm’s business is also helping it to develop more circular models, for example, using manure from the poultry unit on the wheat crop, with any that does not make milling grade fed back to the poultry.
At the core of farm’s success is the people –remaining a family affair with Mr Farr’s father and uncle, Nick and Tim, supporting them alongside the wider family and staff. “We all have our particular areas of knowledge and interest, which helps with a diversified business,” says Mr Wainwright Lee. “But we’re also a good team, and when it gets busy we all pull together.”
To register for tickets and find out more about the event – including the co-hosted DirectDriller@Cereals event – visit www. cerealsevent.co.uk
Cereals Event ticket holders have access to all areas and demonstrations, except the DirectDriller@Cereals Conference Theatre, which is ticketed separately and includes all-day hospitality, food, and parking.
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, the organiser of the UK’s flagship dairy event, record last week’s event (Wednesday 7 February) as the most successful since its launch in 2018.
With a plethora of dynamic speakers, a host of over 80 new products and the highest visitor number to date the event was a resounding success.
Tech-giant Google delivered this year’s keynote session discussing all things consumer focused.
The Dairy Hub also played host to several key industry names including Arla’s Paul Savage, Bali Nijjar from Freshways and Agriculture Counsellor Hillary Curnow from New Zealand High Commission.
The Innovation Hub showcased new concepts throughout the day with talks on new technology, breeding innovation, grazing strategies and new diversification opportunities, concluding with a session focused on all things science and research.
The day saw the presentation of several prestigious industry awards, the pinnacle of which was the
announcement of the NMR RABDF Gold Cup winner. Bisterne Farms were victorious, with Farm Manager George Brown graciously accepting the award from RABDF Chairman Robert Craig.
RABDF Managing Director Matt Knight said the show was without doubt the most successful yet.
“It’s amazing to see Dairy-Tech growing each year, the content across all aspects of the event this year were second to none, with top quality exhibitors, speakers and products.
“With uncertainty still ongoing within the sector it’s imperative we are able to provide a platform, through Dairy-Tech, to help equip farmers and businesses with as much insight and knowledge as possible to aid their success and profitability.”
Grosvenor Farms Dairy and Infrastructure Manager, Dave Craven, spoke on the Dairy Hub discussing the environmental ethos behind their business. With this year’s RABDF Down to Earth event heading there on Wednesday 3 July, there will be lots to see and hear on regenerative practices and what techniques the farm have adopted to focus on their environmental impact.
ImmnuIGY Bovine IgG from Bimeda was named winner of the Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Dairy-Tech last week (7 February).
ImmunIGY Bovine IgG is a novel test that checks whether a calf (up to 42 days old) has received sufficient antibodies from the colostrum (IgG levels). The blood test is easy to conduct using a lancet and directly measures IgG levels using a lateral flow device (LFD) in just 10 minutes. Calves receiving insufficient, high-quality colostrum in the correct timeframe will suffer from Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) and have been shown to be more susceptible to disease and poorer performance in terms of daily live weight gains. Farms which routinely monitor IgG status have been shown to suffer significantly lower rates of failure of passive transfer, highlighting the importance of monitoring.
Head Judge and RABDF Vice Chairman, Tim Downes says: “This year’s winner of the Royal Innovation Award was seen as a new step forward in measuring the success of rearing healthy calves.”
He continues: “The judges were impressed with the potential benefits for the dairy industry by allowing testing of colostrum intake up to 42 days old.”
“Bimeda are incredibly proud to have received this award,” says Bimeda General Manager Mark Cokayne.
“We are thrilled that by using the Immunigy Bovine IgG test producers can now assess calf IgG levels with definitive direct results. Praise is also due to our partners in this project; Synergy Farm Health, Soma Bioscience & Buitelaar Group. It has been a real team effort to get to this point and we are all excited about the future.”
Bimeda will be formally recognised in a presentation by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal later this year.
The runners up for the award were: National Milk Records (NMR) with GenoCells; an innovative herd management and herd improvement service centred exclusively around genomic testing and DeLaval with DeLaval Plus; an online platform that uses the most advanced level of farm management analysis to give farmers the tools to turn on all their farm data into actionable and easily understood information.
Jon Witter, a student at Harper Adams University, has beaten off five other finalists in a closely fought contest to win this year’s RABDF Dairy Student Award, sponsored by ForFarmers.
The award, which has been running for over a decade, is open to entrants studying at universities and colleges, and is highly regarded throughout the whole sector. Taking the form of 1,500 word essay in response to a case study prepared by Kite Consulting and delivering a presentation to a panel of judges at the Farmer’s Club in London.
The winner was announced at Dairy-Tech, the RABDF’s flagship event, on Wednesday 7 February. The presentation saw Jon take home a cheque for £750. Teddy Moore from Reading University was named the runner up.
The competition, run by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), is designed to reflect real-life challenges seen on dairy farms and broader policy issues and identify some of the sector’s rising stars and new entrants.
This year’s judging panel consisted of RABDF Chairman Robert Craig, who was joined by Alison Ewing from ForFarmers and Kaia Hillsmith from
Kite Consulting.
Commenting on the winner, Mr Craig said: “The standard of this year’s students was incredibly high, making the final decision almost impossible.
“Jon gave an excellent presentation which highlighted his knowledge of dairy farming both at home and on a wider level concerning the industry as a whole.”
“This is the first year ForFarmers have sponsored the award, something we are proud to be associated with,” explains ForFarmers Technical Development Manager, Alison Ewing.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the judging process and meeting the finalists; their passion for the dairy industry was infectious, once nerves were overcome.
“Congratulations to all and especially to Jon and Teddy, as winner and runner-up. I hope they start their dairy careers with good support and mentors to harness their enthusiasm and knowledge.”
The award winners were announced on the Dairy Hub at Dairy-Tech and were presented by RABDF Chairman Robert Craig.
Students from Surrey University, Harper Adams University and Duchy College came out on top in this year’s RABDF’s Farm Health Management Awards, sponsored by Volac.
The awards aim to demonstrate an understanding of, and test students’ knowledge of, proactive farm health management – a vital element of the Agriculture Act.
The competition is split into three categories: students at agricultural colleges, agricultural universities and vet schools.
Rebecca Langford from the University of Surrey, Molly Mead from Harper Adams University and Clara Woodhead from Duchy College were announced as the winners for this year’s awards.
The runners-up were Charnia Rogers from the University of Surrey, Sam Ward from Harper Adams University and Katie Kirkwood from Myerscough College.
Each candidate submitted a 1,500 word essay on proactive farm health management and explained how they thought it was integral in delivering health and welfare improvements on farm.
The awards were judged by RABDF Policy Director Tim Brigstocke and RABDF Trustee Sarah Tomlinson. Each category winner took home a £500 cash prize.
Sarah Tomlinson says it was a privilege, as a RABDF Trustee, to judge the Farm Health Planning essays.
“All of the entries were clearly passionate about the importance of proactive health planning on farm, many mentioning the government support available for farmers, including the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, the grant schemes and the Medicine Hub.
“The winners stood out as they really grasped the value of collaboration, not just within the farm team, but with external advisers like the private vet, nutritionists and other paraprofessionals. It was also clear to see they understood the importance of monitoring data and the impact endemic disease can have on costs and long term financial and environmental sustainability of a business.”
The award winners were announced on the Dairy Hub at Dairy-Tech and were presented by Sarah Banks, Volac’s Head of Marketing and Sustainability, Animal Nutrition.
y name is Sophie Bell, I am 23 years old, I'm from Co. Cavan, Ireland. I grew up on a very small family farm, which was purchased many years ago by my grandad, who died when my father was about 4 years old. Back in the day it was a typical traditional farm with a small herd of dairy cows, however as the dairy industry became more modernised the farm moved into suckler farming.
I remember my childhood was full of many different interests and hobbies, but I always found myself with a huge interest in animals and being outdoors. During my early years of school, I remember being quite different to the other girls in my year, in terms of what I wore and how I looked, which from time to time resulted in being left out/laughed at, I was also painfully shy as a child; I had trouble even just making eye contact with others and never spoke up about anything.
I think as a result of having a hard time "fitting in", it made me feel like I had to change; in order for this to stop, which is what I did, I stopped being myself! As I got older into my later teens, I became friendly with a group of girls who were from a farm and got involved on their farms. I think this was the first time I realised that it was actually ok to be a girl who enjoyed being outdoors with the livestock. From this, my passion for agriculture seemed to escalate quickly, as I got more involved on the farm and met more like minded people. I started being myself again.
I then found an interest in taking pictures of the sucklers on the farm at home, as well as different rural scenery, again, I was still very very shy and self conscious at this point, but I plucked up the courage to post a picture on my instagram page, I believe it got 13 likes ! aha, at this point, the farm had about 6 suckler cows. I decided one day, I was going to use my savings to buy some dairy beef calves to rear, I think I bought three quite overpriced Hereford cross calves, I fed them everyday before and after school, my father decided he would buy a
few more calves, eventually we found it was a much better option for our farm to rear these calves rather than suckler farming, so we moved from the sucklers into dry stock. Whilst doing this, I continued to post pictures on my Instagram page, which kept growing in popularity and people began taking a large interest in my rural life.
As my school years moved on, it came to a point where I had to decide what I wanted to do after school as a career. Honestly, I didn't really have much idea of what my future was going to look like, but I knew I had a strong interest in animals. Harper Adams was a university that I always dreamed of going to, but the financial side of things was always a concern. I went over with my mum to the open day just to see
the university and get a feel for it, upon speaking to the finance department they showed some options, it turned out there was a route for me to take. So I decided to apply, I took an interview on the day and sent in my personal statement and completed my leaving cert. That year was quite stressful for me, Dad had to move to the UK to work for a few months, balancing the Leaving Cert and the farm duties was quite overwhelming, but I learned a lot. On results day I really couldn't believe it, I was offered a place to study at Harper.
Moving away from home was a little daunting, especially when I knew nobody over there and had never been away from home properly by myself before. I was still documenting my life on instagram with regards to my farming / university life which continued to grow and also gave me some media opportunities and interviews for some farming articles.
I soon settled into Harper and made some wonderful memories and learned a lot about agriculture and about myself and grew as a person at the same time. Throughout my time at university, I needed a job to keep everything afloat. My vet put me in touch with a local dairy farm, this is where I learned how to milk properly, the woman on this farm taught me a lot about dairy farming, I worked here whenever I came home from University, I also did some milking and other work in the UK and on the Harper farm, I wanted to gain as much experience as possible, so I tried to take up any opportunity I could. Unfortunately halfway through my degree, the pandemic hit, as we all know it was a challenge to work through. I was delighted to complete my BSc Hons Agriculture with Animal Science degree, our class of 2021 graduated about a month ago, back in July. I received a president's prize from Harper for my contribution toward the university.
When I finished university, it was quite a culture shock. I took up an office based job straight after finishing my degree, but I moved shortly as I had an offer from a local company closer to home, which produces pharmaceutical and anthelmintic products for the agricultural industry, which is sold worldwide. I have settled in very well and I am enjoying my role as a QC analyst, which is where I test the products in the lab, before they are dispatched. I find it really interesting and suits really well at the moment.
As for the farm, after some research, despite the dry stock improving the profitability and
efficiency of labour on the farm, I decided to look into contract rearing heifers, after some thought and research, and finding a local dairy farmer we decided to start contract rearing. It has since proven the best option for the farm so far in terms of labour and profitability, its all going well so far, my whole family have full time jobs during the day so this system suits the size of the farm and our availability very well.
I am still continuing to document my farming journey on instagram, I would love to have more time to put into it, but it's hard to balance everything I guess. Having my little insta blog has given me some wonderful opportunities and moments to talk about my experience in farming - if I told my younger self what I am doing today she would be very proud. It's also a lovely thing to look back on and see how far the farm has come and how much I have grown as an individual. I guess this is quite the early stages of my career, I'm not exactly sure of my plans but I look forward to what the future brings as I would love to broaden my horizons and experience more.
For any young person who is reading this, my advice to them would be: Have confidence in yourself. Don’t look for anyone else’s validation for your own happiness or success. Learn to love and respect yourself without worrying if you’re ‘good enough’ or ‘cool enough.’ Realise that you are a person full of amazing potential and deserving of great things. You have always been and will always be … enough.
Follow Sophie’s journey on Instagram: @sophie_bell__
ccording to a long-
needs expertise in helping make his biogas plant work. He’s understandably unhappy because his biogas plant is an absolute pain and not working properly. Those who financed it aren’t happy because the plant isn’t making any money. The equipment suppliers aren’t happy because it’s not working properly.
‘What we need is someone to take responsibility’
He added: “The farmer blames the process provider, but they point out that a different feedstock is being used from what was perhaps originally stated, and the farmer then says to the process provider that they made decisions sitting behind a desk and didn’t ask enough questions!
“Sadly, failing plants give the industry a bad name, and it pains me to say that. It has become a big downward spiral, with everyone covering their own back. What we need is someone to take responsibility.
“I simply don’t understand equipment suppliers who don’t want to make things right for their customers. Some have had little or no back up at all. It is very poor form to walk away, or not go that extra mile to make matters right. With the best will in the world, it can take 18 months to iron out all the challenges of setting up a biogas plant, but with the right equipment and the right people pulling in the same direction, it is very much worth it, as successful, very profitable AD operators will tell you.
He continued: “The main area of failure in the UK has been in the mixing systems, which are critical to the smooth-running of a biogas plant. Farmers and other AD investors were sold package plants that were just fine for maize, but ended up with major crust problems here because we’re using slurry with grass. Us seeing digesters burdened
with metre upon metre of crust is all too common. It’s meant to be the business of making gas, not crust. Those thinking that ‘any old mixer’ will do the job are hopelessly wrong, and it’s the farmer who is left with a malfunctioning tank. For slurry/grass, you may need a separate hydrolysis tank, but either way, a very robust mixing system is a must. Frustrated, the farmer and the process provider often start throwing more and more power at the application to try and rectify it, but it is not the answer- and a real shame when you should be trying to fine tune a system so that you’re getting the maximum amount of energy from a minimum of what you’re putting in!”
‘Producing energy from waste is something we should be proud of’
“We are a pump and mixer manufacturer; not a process consultant, but increasingly we’re having to step up and help, because nobody else is prepared to. Troubleshooting is a challenge, but our customers welcome it, especially when many others seem totally bogged down in the blame game. Meanwhile, the farmer isn’t producing any gas, which is ridiculous.
“Maybe we should be perfectly happy with all the retrofit work that we keep winning, but it is alarming that package plants with totally unsuitable mixers for UK biogas plants are still being sold! I can certainly understand the frustration
and stress of farmers and other AD/biogas operators who were made some very big promises; only to see now that many of those so-called ‘experts’ who sold them the equipment are no longer even in the industry. Some of those who remain have no concept of customer service, and quite frankly, a distinct lack of knowledge, because they’ve never really got their hands dirty at an AD plant, and don’t seem to have much grasp of joined up thinking.
‘Turn these failing plants into successful ones’
“It is time for some hand-holding and a will to turn these failing plants into successful ones. There are companies on board who are making this happen, but we need more of it. Producing energy from waste is something we should be proud of, even though the media seems obsessed instead with solar and wind power. Let’s work together to make things right and show everyone that this is an industry that is moving in the right direction.”
www.landia.co.uk - 01948 661 200
GmbH Reichenbach commissioned its Kumac digestate processing system from WELTEC BIOPOWER.
This is the first Kumac plant to go live in Germany, in addition to the 16 that have been built worldwide to date. The agricultural company based in the Vogtland region of Saxony, Germany, specialises in dairy farming and the cultivation of feed crops. In addition to the dairy farm with 1,400 cows and breeding cattle, the farmers have been operating a biogas plant with an electrical output of 845 kW since 2006. The facilities generate up to 72,000 t of liquid manure and digestate a year.
manure into compost, fertiliser, animal bedding or biogas substrate. For the conversion, Kumac makes use of tried-and-tested processes that are fine-tuned to each other.
Every day, the biogas plant feeds 12,000 kWh of electricity into the public grid. In addition, the plant supplies up to 500kW of heat to small consumers and to the site of the former Paracelsus Clinic in Reichenbach via a heating network. The plant‘s main business consists of the delivery of biogas via a 3.2-km raw biogas pipeline to the heating plant of Stadtwerke Reichenbach for the base load supply of flats and social facilities. The amount of electricity generated each year corresponds to the annual consumption of around 6,000 private households.
Within the scope of the Leipzig Biogas Expert Talks, Deutsche Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (DBFZ) had already invited visitors to the Application Day in Reichenbach in December 2023. The numerous professional visitors made use of the opportunity to visit the biogas plant as well as the digestate processing plant of WELTEC
BIOPOWER. The introduction of modern technologies and systems such as the Kumac system greatly contributes to the recycling of nutrients and the conversion of liquid
„In Reichenbach, the output of the Kumac process consists of around 25 percent solid and 20 percent liquid farm manure and 55 percent dischargeable water. The resulting solid matter and the nutrient concentrate are applied as organic, high-quality fertiliser to our own crops. In this way, long transport routes are avoided,“ explains Lars Bittermann, Managing Director of Agrar Reichenbach GmbH. „This closes an efficient material flow cycle, and the individual areas of our portfolio interlock perfectly. From the cultivation of feed crops to dairy farming to the utilisation of the liquid manure in the biogas plant and the processing of digestate into fertiliser and water, all components have their place.“
In the first step of the liquid manure and digestate treatment, flocculants are added to the source material. These additives ensure flocculation of even the finest components, facilitating the separation from the water. At the same time, they contribute to the reduction of
odour emissions. After the material has been squeezed through a belt press via various rollers against a second, water-permeable belt, the solid material can be used directly as fertiliser, compost, animal bedding or biogas substrate with a dry matter content of up to 30 percent.
Subsequently, the liquid phase is passed through a tank in which small particles and suspended solids are separated. Any remaining solid
particles are removed by means of a fine filter. In the next step, the filtrate traverses a three-stage reverse osmosis process to remove salts and nutrients. The resulting liquid fertiliser is rich in nitrogen and merely accounts for one quarter of the original volume. Clear water accounts for the greatest share of the treatment products and is currently discharged into the receiving water.
The scalable modular system can be used from an amount of 70,000 t of liquid manure or digestate a year. Should the processing needs increase, several Kumac lines can easily be combined. „The processing here is almost fully automated, which also minimises the amount of personnel required“, says Managing Director Lars Bittermann. „By the way: Operators who decide to set up a system can receive funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development“, adds Nico Sudbrink, the responsible process engineer at WELTEC BIOPOWER.
örger’s BioSelect, which is designed for the easy and highly effective separation of slurry at farms and biogas/AD plants, is now available as a tailored mobile unit.
Suitable for a car or truck trailer, the new Powerlift Separator can be built (capacities between 25 m³/h and 150 m³/h), to suit a specific application(s).
The entire mobile set-up, including feed-pump, macerator, liquid-phase pump, control technology, as well as the Separator, is all designed and manufactured in one, compact unit by Börger.
The Powerlift can be extended hydraulically to a discharge height of more than 4.30m, so that even large dump trucks can be filled easily.
The Börger rotary lobe pump (benefitting from Maintenance-in-place) feeds the BioSelect, and at the same time sucks the medium to be separated through the macerator (a Börger Multi-Chopper),
which then shreds the fibres, depositing impurities into the debris collector.
Achieving Dry Solids (DS) content up to 38%, the Börger Separator is load-triggered, whilst the feed pump ensures that volumes do not exceed capacity. The high-density solids-discharge-pump determines the degree of thickness, so the user can (for example) thicken 4 per cent dissolved solids (DS) content liquid into 12 per cent DS, to make it suitable for a tanker. Likewise, liquid manure and fermentation residue can be thickened to 22 per cent DS, without making any mechanical adjustments to the machine.
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here will be 10 billion people in the world to feed by 2050, which will pose an “unprecedented challenge”, the United Nations warns.
The global food production system produces a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, studies show. And over 70% of these come from livestock and fisheries, crop production and land use. The rest comes from food processing supply chains related to packaging, transport and retail.
So how can the farming sector maintain, or even increase, productivity while also reducing emissions and becoming more sustainable? Here are three examples of renewable energy and agriculture working together.
Research has shown that solar panel arrays can have a positive effect on water-stressed land
around them. A study in Oregon found that areas around panels were more than 300% more water efficient. Crops can also be grown under solar panels in a practice known as agrivoltaic farming. However, they can also boost biodiversity. A fouryear trial in Australia involving sheep farmers installing solar panels on their land has been hailed as a “complete win-win”, reports ABC News. The
farmers have reported that the sheep’s wool has improved in both quantity and quality since the solar arrays were installed.
The sheep’s grazing has helped reduce grass growth, helping the panels from being obscured. They in turn provide shade which helps stop the soil being dried out.
"It is actually quite astonishing. Some of the sheep look fantastic. They're growing exponentially and the wool cuts are in the top 5% in the district,” wool broker Graeme Ostini told ABC.
2. Geothermal greenhouses
Farms can use geothermal heat pumps, to both heat and cool buildings. They are able to exchange air and ground temperature all year round.
A family in the United States used a government grant to install renewable energy at their small flower farm. Rebecca Kutzer-Rice and her husband Mark Ginsberg say heating a greenhouse used to cost $1,000 a month using propane, but now costs just $100 a month using geothermal energy.
“During the day the greenhouse gets super hot ... and instead of just letting all that air vent out, the system actually captures it and pumps that heat back down into those pipes in the ground. And then at night when it’s super cold outside, it pumps the heat back into the greenhouse ... We’re pretty sure it’s the first geothermal greenhouse for cut flowers in the US,” the couple told NJ.com.
3. Using biogas to heat a poultry farm
Biogas is a renewable source of energy derived from organic matter such as food and animal waste. It can be used for cooking and heating as a more sustainable and often cheaper alternative to natural gas.
A farmer in Bhutan decided to use biogas on his poultry farm to reduce his electricity bills, according to the ANI news agency. San Man Subba’s farm has 4,000 birds which need to be kept warm,
especially during the winter months.
He uses manure from pigs and dairy animals to fuel his own on-site biogas plant. He says the savings he has made mean he hopes to use biogas to also heat his piggery farm.
“During one of the winter months I had to pay around $730 [for] an electricity bill. So, I had to think about an alternate way to warm up my poultry farm ... So, in this way, I can use the amount saved for other purposes,” he says.
Making agriculture fit for the future
New and sustainable technologies offer farmers a way to optimize results for both their businesses as well as the planet, according to an April 2022 insight paper from the World Economic Forum. Transforming Food Systems with Farmers: A Pathway for the EU says “climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices and digital innovations already show great promise in helping to mitigate these trends of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
The report found that if an additional 20% of farmers in the EU adopted climate-smart agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by an estimated 6% by 2030. They could also restore the soil health of more than 14% of the EU’s total agricultural land, and add between $2bn and $10 billion annually to farmers’ incomes.
roposed changes to agricultural permitted development rights could sow the seeds for change on farms in England, a property expert says.
The UK is facing a national shortage of good quality and affordable homes, and a raft of new measures have been suggested to stop unnecessary planning red tape slowing down the delivery of new properties.
One of the ways the government is proposing to make the planning system more efficient and effective to overcome the shortfall in housing supply is by amending permitted development (PD) rights.
Some of these proposed changes apply to
agricultural permitted development and, if made law, new legislation will allow farmers to diversify buildings and deliver new housing on their land without the need for a long planning process.
Suzanne Tucker, partner at Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, discusses what farmers need to know about the proposed new rules which were consulted on in the Autumn.
The first planned changes are to the size and number of Class Q homes (agricultural buildings converted into dwellings) which can be delivered by a farmer.
This will allow more homes to be delivered, and expand the type and location of buildings that can benefit from the right as well as
extending the scope of works that can be undertaken.
The proposals are that regulations be simplified to a single maximum floorspace of either 100 or 150sqm per home, while the maximum number of homes per agricultural unit increases from 5 to 10 and an overall maximum floorspace changing use of 1000sqm.
This encourages farmers to deliver a greater number of smaller homes on their land, by reusing existing buildings and thereby reducing the pressure to build homes on greenfield sites.
It's worth noting that whatever building farmers would like to convert into a dwelling must be suitable for conversion. Full demolition and rebuild is not allowed.
Permitted works for a barn conversion include things like the installation or replacement of windows and doors or adding water, drainage, gas and electricity supplies.
The proposed PD rights changes suggest that rear extensions to Class Q conversions be allowed.
Previously, any increase in the size of the original agricultural building was not allowed but this could be waved through in the future.
This would allow single storey extensions of up to 4m to the back of a building if the land is already hard-surfaced (for example if it’s a farmyard), with any extension falling within the overall floorspace limit.
Whatever dwellings farmers have planned, the existing agricultural building must comply with minimum space standards (a floorspace of 37sqm) before being granted permission to be
developed.
The proposed new Class Q PD rights could be extended to apply to National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a view to delivering more rural homes in such locations through the re-use of underused buildings.
The proposed allowance for rear extensions would not apply in these locations and World Heritage Sites are not included within the areas benefitting from this proposed expansion of the PD rights.
Changes to PD rights seek to bring back into use agricultural buildings which are no longer part of an established unit.
In the past, these buildings would have been excluded from PD rights, but under the proposed changes, planning for a change of use could be granted permission, for example for a barn which was once part of a working farm, but is no longer part of the main agricultural unit.
There are also proposed changes to the PD rights allowing changes of use of buildings from agricultural to commercial use (Class R). This includes extending the legislation to buildings currently used for forestry or equestrian use, and to allow different uses –for example outdoor sports or fitness use or the processing of raw goods as well as allowing a mix of uses and a doubling of the allowable floorspace to 1,000sqm.
Farmers may want to extend or build more properties on-farm for agricultural use, and under the proposed changes, there could be greater flexibility to do this.
Credit: FarmingUK
rom towering skyscrapers scraping the clouds to quaint cottages nestled in valleys, buildings define our constructed world. Their ability to stand strong, defy gravity, and provide shelter lies in the intricate relationship between structure and reliability. This essay explores the fundamental principles of building structure and their critical role in ensuring reliability, while looking ahead to the future of building design and materials for enhanced longevity and resilience.
The foundation of any reliable building lies in its structure, the skeleton that provides form, stability, and the ability to withstand various loads. Understanding the fundamental principles of structural engineering is crucial.
Here are some key concepts:
• Forces: Buildings are constantly subjected to forces such as gravity, wind, earthquake tremors, and snow accumulation. Structural elements are designed to resist these forces and transfer them safely to the ground.
• Load-Bearing Elements: These are the primary structural components responsible for carrying loads. Columns, beams, walls, trusses, and arches are some common examples. Each plays a specific role in distributing weight and maintaining stability.
• Equilibrium: A fundamental principle of structural engineering states that a structure remains stable when the sum of all forces acting on it (and the moments generated) equals zero. Achieving equilibrium ensures the building doesn't tip, collapse, or experience excessive deflection.
• Material Properties: The chosen building materials significantly influence structural reliability. Steel, concrete, timber, and masonry each offer distinct strength, weight, and flexibility characteristics. Structural engineers carefully select materials based on the building's design requirements and the anticipated loads.
Reliability: Built to Last
A reliable building is one that can consistently and safely fulfill its intended function over its expected lifespan. Structural reliability hinges on several key factors:
• Structural Integrity: The strength and stability of the structural system are paramount. Calculations and simulations ensure the chosen elements can withstand all anticipated loads without failure.
• Durability of Materials: Building materials must be able to resist degradation from environmental factors like moisture, temperature fluctuations, and biological attack. Corrosion, erosion, and rot can compromise structural integrity.
• Quality Construction Practices: Skilled construction using proper techniques is critical. Improper placement of structural elements, deviations from design specifications, and inadequate quality control can lead to hidden vulnerabilities and reduced reliability.
• Maintenance and Inspection: Regular maintenance and inspections are vital for identifying potential issues. Early detection of cracks, deterioration, or overloading allows preventive measures to be taken, enhancing structural reliability.
Beyond the Basics: Designing for Resilience
While traditional structural principles remain essential, the future of building design demands a focus on resilience. Here are some emerging trends:
• Performance-Based Design: This approach moves beyond simply meeting code requirements. It considers the potential consequences of various load scenarios, ensuring the building can maintain a certain level of functionality even after a major event.
• Seismic Design: In earthquake-prone regions, buildings are designed to absorb and dissipate seismic energy, minimising
damage and potential collapse.
• Sustainable Building Materials: The use of recycled materials and those with lower environmental impact is gaining traction. However, ensuring their long-term durability and structural integrity requires careful research and development.
• Digital Design and Simulation Tools: Advanced software allows engineers to perform complex structural analyses, optimise designs, and identify potential failure points before construction begins.
The consequences of neglecting structural reliability can be devastating. Building collapses due to faulty design, poor construction practices, or inadequate maintenance can lead to fatalities, injuries, and significant economic losses. The collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh in 2013, tragically killing over 1,100 people, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing structural safety.
Conclusion
Buildings are testaments to human ingenuity. They shape our environments and provide us with shelter. However, ensuring their safety and reliability requires a deep understanding of structural principles, coupled with a commitment to quality construction and continuous improvement. By embracing cutting-edge design methods, focusing on resilience, and prioritizing the well-being of occupants, we can build structures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe and enduring for generations to come.
This essay has explored the core principles of building structure and reliability. Additional areas for potential discussion include:
• The role of building codes and regulations in ensuring structural safety.
• The impact of climate change and extreme weather events on building design.
• The integration of innovative materials such as self-healing concrete and smart materials in future building projects.
By further exploring these topics, we can continue to refine our approach to building construction, fostering a future filled with reliable, resilient, and sustainable structures.
Two men have died following an incident on a farm in Cambridgeshire, police have confirmed.
The men, who were aged in their 70s and 40s, died on a farm Cross Bank Drove in Soham on Saturday 2 March.
According to local media outletCambridgeshireLive, the pair died after being crushed by bales.
Workplace watchdog the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the incident.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said the 'industrial incident' was not suspicious.
The spokesperson said: "We were called to
an incident at Cross Bank Drove, Soham, at about 1.50pm on Saturday (March 2). Fire and ambulance also attended.
"Two men, one in his 70s and the other in his 40s, died at the scene. The incident is non-suspicious and has been referred to the HSE."
Farming has the poorest safety record of any occupation, with26 people losing their liveson British farms in 2022-2023.
Of those killed in England, Scotland and Wales, 21 were farm workers and 6 were members of the public, including a child, according to figures by the HSE.
Credit: FarmingUK
n agricultural expert is urging farmers to prioritise safety as spring brings an influx of visitors to the countryside.
Anderson
Fossett, of rural insurance broker Lycetts, stressed the importance of proactive measures to help prevent injuries to walkers, ramblers and families, and potential losses to farm businesses.
"Sadly, each year sees serious and sometimes fatal incidents of cattle killing members of the public,” he said.
“Under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 and 1984, farmers must demonstrate a reasonable duty of care towards others.
“Furthermore, the Animals Act 1971 places strict liability on the keeper of an animal in cases of injury. Hence, the responsibility for any incidents on public footpaths ultimately lies with the farmer.”
“The public may stray from designated routes, either because they are lost or because they are tempted to photograph or pet a cute lamb or calf.
“It’s well-known that cows can be very protective of their young and unpredictable. Sheep, too, are easily alarmed, especially if a dog gets near them.
“Conducting daily checks for damage on perimeter fencing, wires and rails, which should
be well-maintained and secure, will help to keep animals and people separated.
Fossett emphasised the importance of proper signage, indicating the presence of livestock, and of planning cattle movement routes in advance to minimise contact with the public.
He also highlighted the legal restrictions on certain breeds of bulls being left to roam in fields with public rights of way.
"By being aware of the potential risks and taking action to minimize them, farmers can help ensure the countryside is a safer place for all."
British agriculture is a cornerstone of the nation's food security and rural economy. However, it remains one of the most hazardous industries, with statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealing a concerning number of fatalities and injuries. This essay explores the crucial role of health and safety (H&S) and fire safety practices in British farming, emphasising their importance and outlining potential advancements for a safer agricultural future.
Farming activities encompass a diverse range of tasks, each presenting unique safety challenges. Working with large machinery, handling livestock, and utilizing hazardous chemicals are just a few examples.
• Machinery-related incidents are a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries. Tractors overturning, entanglement hazards, and inadequate guarding of moving parts pose significant risks.
• Working with livestock can be unpredictable. Animal kicks, bites, and crushes can occur, particularly when handling stressed or unfamiliar animals.
• Exposure to hazardous substances is a common concern. Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers can all cause poisoning or long-term health problems if not handled with proper precautions.
• Falls from height are another
significant risk, especially when working on roofs, ladders, or in lofts with inadequate fall protection measures.
Prioritising H&S and fire safety measures is not merely a legal requirement; it is a moral and economic imperative. Here's why:
• Protecting Lives and Wellbeing: The human cost of neglecting H&S is severe. Every injury or fatality has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. Robust safety practices significantly decrease these risks.
• Enhanced Productivity: A safe working environment fosters a more productive workforce. Injuries and illnesses lead to downtime, impacting farm output and profitability.
• Reduced Costs: Accidents and illnesses incur significant financial burdens through medical treatment, compensation claims, and potential legal action. Implementing preventative measures is costeffective in the long run.
• Improved Reputation: Consumers are increasingly concerned about the ethical sourcing of food. Demonstrating a commitment to H&S strengthens a farm's reputation and consumer confidence.
The responsibility for fostering a safe work environment lies with farm owners and managers.
• Risk Assessments: Regular and comprehensive risk assessments are essential for identifying potential hazards and developing appropriate control measures.
• Training and Awareness: All workers, including temporary staff and contractors, must receive adequate training in safe working practices specific to their roles.
• Maintenance and Inspection: Farm machinery and equipment must be regularly maintained and inspected to ensure proper functioning and identify potential safety issues.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing and enforcing the use of appropriate PPE, such as gloves, boots, respirators, and hearing protection, is crucial for mitigating risks.
• Incident Reporting and Investigation: Encouraging the reporting of all near misses and incidents allows for investigation and implementation of corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.
Focus
Farms are particularly susceptible to fire hazards due to the presence of combustible materials like hay, straw, and fuels. Strict fire safety protocols are essential:
• Fire Risk Assessments: Regular fire risk assessments are vital for identifying potential fire hazards and implementing appropriate control measures. This includes electrical safety checks, proper storage of flammable materials, and ensuring clear escape routes.
• Firefighting Equipment: Adequate and readily accessible firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers and fire blankets, must be available and staff trained in their proper use.
• Clear Escape Routes: All buildings must have clearly marked and unobstructed escape routes for quick evacuation in case of fire.
• Emergency Procedures: Developing and practicing a clear fire emergency plan ensures everyone on the farm knows their role in the event of a fire.
Technological advancements are paving the way for a safer and more sustainable future for British agriculture. Here are some promising areas:
• Precision agriculture: Technologies like GPS guidance systems and automated machinery can reduce the need for manual operation, minimising human error and exposure to hazards.
• Remote monitoring: Sensors and real-time monitoring systems can detect potential equipment failures or environmental changes before they become safety issues.
• Robotics and Automation: The increasing use of robots for tasks like milking, crop spraying, and harvesting can significantly reduce risks associated with manual labor.
• Virtual reality training: Immersive virtual reality training programs can provide a safe and realistic environment for workers to learn and practice safe working procedures.
Building a robust H&S and fire safety culture in British agriculture is crucial for protecting lives, improving productivity, and promoting ethical food production, by embracing a proactive approach
North Yorkshire firm Wise Agriculture has been appointed sole distribution rights in England, Scotland and Wales for Arrowquip’s cattle handling equipment portfolio.
The appointment will drive innovations and enhance customer care for the GB market says Arrowquip’s UK Manager Darren Brennan.
“Arrowquip’s mission is to improve the safety and efficiency of cattle handling by providing the farming community with equipment that combines world-class engineering with designs based on practicality and animal behaviour. This is supported with industry-leading warranties of up to 15 years on some crush models and a customer-first approach to follow-up support and care,” says Mr Brennan. “Wise Agriculture shares this mission and has been instrumental to Arrowquip’s development for the UK and customer service.”
After seeing a need in the industry for quality livestock equipment supported by quality customer service, livestock farmers Edward and Laura Wise established Wise Agriculture in 2018 with their first shipment of Arrowquip manual squeeze crushes
from the Canadian company. Their business has since grown to be Europe’s largest Arrowquip importer and has also taken on sole UK distribution rights for Advantage Feeders (formerly known as 3in-1) and Landquip NZ’s Porta-Yards mobile sheep handling range. The firm is also a leading distributor of Tru-Test weighing and EID equipment and AgriCow brushes.
“Wise Agriculture was founded on the base of efficiency, innovation, practicality and quality in both the equipment we provide and the way we conduct business. We are here to provide farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock supply chain with products built to last and customer service they can have faith in,” says Mr Wise, Managing Director of Wise Agriculture. “Arrowquip has been and will continue to be an excellent partner in upholding this ethos.”
Wise Agriculture has been Arrowquip’s distributor in Scotland since June 2023. All GB equipment warranties and customer support will be handled by the firm who can be reached by visiting wiseag. co.uk.
EAE (Enzootic Abortion of ewes) remains a significant issue on sheep farms and was one of the top three causes of sheep abortion in Great Britain in 20231 costing the UK sheep industry up to £20 million a year2.
Caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), one ewe with EAE in the first season can infect many ewes with no obvious signs or symptoms.
The disease remains latent in these newly infected ewes until the following lambing season, when they may abort in significant numbers of up to 30%3.
Farmers are being urged to test for EAE if they have experienced an abortion rate of over two per cent in their flock or if two or more have aborted over two to three days irrespective of the size of flock.
A ewe that aborts with Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), is usually fit and healthy throughout, but it may have the following signs: a red/brown vulval discharge, abortion of lambs from three weeks before due date, a red inflamed placenta or small, weak or dead lambs.
The best sample for testing is the whole aborted, fresh foetus and placenta. This can be sent to a lab for post-mortem and analysis. If the lab is too far away or not open, a vet can take relevant samples.
Some tips to ensure the best samples are taken include:
• Always sample fresh cases where possible
• Avoid cases that are rotting or mummified
• Sample more than one case, if available
• Start investigations as soon as you’ve identified there’s a problem
Ceva Animal Health has launched its annual Assure Ewe diagnostic support scheme for sheep farmers
experiencing flock abortions during lambing. The subsidised testing scheme is available through participating vet practices for flocks showing late term abortion or ewes lambing at term with weakly or still born lambs. Up to six ewes can be sampled from flocks that do not vaccinate against EAE; these samples may be useful in flocks where an investigation during the outbreak was not possible, or to confirm the diagnosis in aborted ewes. Aborted ewes can be tested for Chlamydia abortus (Chlamydophila abortus), ideally from three weeks to three months after lambing. Ceva recommends that farmers record tag numbers and mark up ewes that have aborted so that they can be easily identified for screening at the end of lambing.
Phillipa Page BVSc BSC MRCVS, veterinary advisor at NADIS and consultant sheep veterinary surgeon at Flock Health Ltd, comments: “It can be stressful at the start of lambing if you are experiencing abortions in your ewes. In the first instance assume that the cause may be infectious and contact your vet for some advice and a plan if the abortions continue. It is very useful to get a diagnosis, where possible, to help decide on a strategy for this lambing and future lambings.”
For further information on EAE, the Assure Ewe scheme or Ceva Animal Health’s Cevac Chlamydia vaccine, please contact your vet or visit https:// enzooticabortion.co.uk/
With scanning results looking good this year on many of Scotland's sheep farms, nutrition expert, Calum Littlejohn of East Coast Viners, is urging farmers to focus on quality feeding over the next few weeks to maximise healthy and straight forward lambing.
"Many are seeing ewes looking in good condition, but it's important not to fall into the trap of thinking they'll be alright because they are looking good by eye: 75% of foetal growth is in late pregnancy, this is the time when correct nutrition is vitally important. Even if ewes are in good condition, they still need to be fed adequately as fat ewes that are underfed will suffer from metabolic issues such as twin lamb disease."
Energy requirements increase drasticallyapproximately 60% for a twin bearing 70kg ewebetween seven weeks and one week pre-lambing when the ewes are under stress and need the greatest sources of energy and protein, he explains:
"This needs to include the right nutrients and in the right ratio for good average birth weights. Different breeds have their own optimum birth weights however a good rule of thumb for lowland breeds is 6kgs for a single, 5kgs each for a set of twins and 4.5kgs for triplets. With the current strong hogg trade and optimistic outlook for new season lamb, it's worth getting the feeding and nutrition right, right to the end, to get the best survival rate and the return on the investment that you've put into your flock so far."
Low birth weight lambs can be weaker and may not get up to their feet to suckle and get the vital 50ml of colostrum in the first few hours of birth. The ability of the lamb to absorb the immunoglobulins in the colostrum drops after six hours which is the main reason to get the colostrum in quickly.
Lambs require 200ml of quality colostrum per kilogram of bodyweight in the first 24 hours for a healthy start. A strong healthy lamb up and sucking within 15 minutes of birth has more than a 90% chance of still being alive 90 days later.
Correct ewe body condition score (BCS) can help to sustain foetal and udder growth. For best results, BCS should be on average 3 at lambing for lowland ewes - this will be closer to 2.5 for upland ewes and hill ewes - so if the weather is bad or there's a slight lack of nutrition they can utilise extra reserves at this critical time. If you do find your ewes are under conditioned at this stage, seek advice from your nutritionist as soon as possible to ensure they are given the best chance to lamb successfully.
"Check feed label for the energy levels and type of protein in the feed to ensure it's supplying what's needed at this stage. An 18% ewe roll from different suppliers is not always like-forlike. Look for the energy MJ/kg and make sure quality cereals are in the top three ingredients and these are not cereal by-products. It should include some bypass protein sources that don't degrade in the rumen and are absorbed in the small intestine to aid colostrum quality and quantity."
If you are feeding large amounts of concentrates (over 0.5kgs per day), Calum suggests splitting this over two feeds to keep the rumen pH consistent. If the pH falls too low, there is a greater risk of acidosis.
Feeding concentrates can either be done through a step rate system or a flat rate system. Step rate is where the amount of concentrate is increased to meet the increasing energy and protein requirements in the weeks running up to lambing. Flat rate feeding is feeding the same amount of feeding for the last six weeks of lambing.
"If there are numerous people on farm and you're feeding flat rate for easier management, take an average of the minimum and maximum feed over the six-week period and average it out. A flat rate system is not suitable for lean ewes or triplet bearing ewes as their energy requirements can exceed the amount of feed offered."
Calum also recommends forage analysis, to ensure the correct amount of concentrates is offered to balance the forage. If this is not done, over or under feeding can result with higher risk of lamb losses.
If forage and feed management is good, there are opportunities to save money on bought-in concentrates, however this needs to be calculated correctly. In contrast, if forage is poorer than expected, the risk of underfeeding is higher if forage quality has not been factored in.
"If you have a high scanning percentage, you may want to increase your specification of ewe rolls or consider molasses depending on your forage quality. Molasses is excellent for higher performing flocks as it doesn't fill the ewes up, so provides a readily available source of energy to ewes that are under additional stress."
Nutrition continues to be important post lambing for maintaining ewe condition and for optimising lamb growth rates, Calum ends:
"Nutrient demands to support milk production increase rapidly after lambing and is higher than that of late pregnancy. Milk yield peaks at around 3-4 weeks post lambing and then declines thereafter. If the ewe's nutrient demands are not met by grazing alone, ewes then rely on their own energy reserves and milk can suffer. The energy gap can be bridged with concentrates until there is good grass available. With high costs it's tempting to pull back on input costs, but this can impact the margins long term through poor lamb growth rates and poor ewe condition. Aim to get lambs away as quick as possible off farm; For every extra week you keep those lambs they are consuming more forage resources, and by reaching target weights quicker, it can reduce fertiliser requirements or free up grassland for other classes of stock or forage production."
gricultural testing laboratories
Eurofins Agro UK has launched a new report for the equine market to help owners optimise forage. Equi Feed is based on the established near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method which dries and grinds forage samples to provide more accurate and detailed analysis.
Eurofins’ forage analysis specialist, Shane Brewer, explains:
throughout a season, and year on year. Comparisons have shown that fresh grass has a dry matter content of around 18% and haylage 6575%, whereas hay has a dry matter content closer to 85%. This suggests that a horse should eat four times more fresh grass, compared with hay, to obtain the same dry matter content and fulfil the basic needs of the horse.
“The new report provides test data in easy-to-read and understand graphics, based on the nutritional, fibre, mineral and trace element content of a forage sample. It also presents this data in relation to the type of horse by providing target values for horses based on leisure, sport, age and whether the horse is pregnant.”
Tests carried out by Eurofins on fresh grass have established how its nutritional value varies
“Variations in fresh grass will occur due to warmth and sunlight, but also soil health. In short, fresh grass is nutritionally more difficult to manage than hay or haylage. Using Equi Feed, owners can see the exact DM in relation to crude protein and sugar. The report also shows how the fibrous content of the DM is digested, showing neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) individually,” says Mr Brewer.
In addition to presenting this data, the Equi Feed report can also be specified to include insight relating to fructants in hay, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in both fresh grass and hay, minerals, and trace elements.
“Understanding the mineral value of forage so that sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium can be managed to regulate digestion is an important progression of this new report. Sodium levels affect performance and appetite whilst potassium is linked to fertility. Having this data in an easy-to-read list with target values will help every owner manage their horse’s diet and condition more effectively,” concludes Mr Brewer.
odder beet should be a serious consideration for livestock farmers this spring, given its potential to be the highest yielding of UK-grown forage crops and the cheapest per unit of energy produced.
So says ProCam’s Rhys Owen, who outlines a number of key management points and recent advances in agronomy that will help to ensure success.
“Achieving its typical potential of around 25 tonnes of dry matter (DM) per hectare, fodder beet can work out at as little as 5-6.5p/kg DM, which can be about a third to half of the cost of grass silage, or compares with about 8-10p/kg DM for kale,” Rhys explains. “Fodder beet is a crop that requires investment and attention to detail. However, done right, it can be the most cost effective forage crop available.
Maximising returns from fodder beet also depends on choosing varieties based on trials performance and their suitability for the required end use, adds Rhys.
“It is a multi-purpose crop, in that it can be grazed in situ or lifted. Fed in situ, it has the potential to extend grazing seasons, or to be utilised as part of an outwintering system for cattle or sheep.”
“For grazing cattle, use a proven medium DM variety like Geronimo, whereas if it’s for sheep or young cattle you’ll achieve better utilisation by going for a variety that sits out of the ground more, with a lower DM, such as Lactimo. In all cases, I’d recommend using primed (pre-germinated) seed, as this will result in a faster and more even establishment, with the crop reaching canopy closure more quickly.
Fodder beet is drilled earlier than most other forage crop options, with the optimum sowing period being mid-March to the end of April, says Rhys, so should therefore be established before the greatest risk of dry periods that can hamper later-drilled crops. In all cases, site selection is the first consideration, he says, then it’s important to prepare the right seedbed.
“Light and medium bodied soils that are free draining are best, with a pH of 6.5 or higher. For optimum establishment and crop growth, create a seedbed that’s fine and firm in the upper 5-7cm, with a more open structure below to allow root development.
“If you are intending to graze the crop in situ, it’s important to plan ahead of drilling in order to optimise the layout. If planning to transition cattle on to beet, leave a 6m headland to allow them space. Also, drill in a direction that enables the fence to be positioned along the rows, which simplifies allocation of the crop to all stock. If the field is sloping, always aim to graze downhill.”
“Primed seed is an important advance in fodder beet growing. It should be used alongside a number of other significant agronomic improvements in order to achieve full potential.
“For example, where a crop is destined for grazing, fertiliser application and disease control should be geared towards maintaining green leaf growth longer into the season, boosting overall yield and protein content,” he says.
“Fodder beet has a total nitrogen (N) requirement of about 200-240kg N/ha, compared with 120-150kg N/ha for traditional beet. But with the right inputs at the right time, fodder beet can out-perform any other forage crop and be your most cost effective autumn and winter forage.”
Comprehensive guidelines on growing and feeding fodder beet are available through ProCam’s Field Options website: www.field-options.co.uk/technicalInformation/category/growers-guidelines.
Five steps to success with fodder beet
• Suitable site and seedbed
• Plan field layout ahead of drilling
• Grow proven varieties compatible with end use
• Primed seed
• Tailored agronomy
fter 38 years with ForFarmers Steven Read will be retiring from the business at the end of 2024. Until the end of this year Steven will be responsible for divesting two UK sites and fulfilling an interim assignment at Group Headquarters.
"It has been hugely rewarding to be part of the journey of ForFarmers in the UK and see it set on solid foundations to continue to support all livestock sectors," said Steven. "The
expanding CirQlar business is particularly exciting as the feeding of co-products is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective way to bring increased nutrition to livestock feed."
"I'm really pleased to have found two talented individuals to take the business forward. Dr Mark Cole will be Managing Director of the compound feed, blends, forage and straights business, and Peter Lyon the Managing Director, CirQlar UK, the growing coproducts business. "
Dr Mark Cole moves from the role of Managing Director Ruminant OpCo, to take on the leadership for all species in the UK. Mark has over 30 years of commercial and business experience in the industry. His appointment solidifies the strong relationship across all sectors of the business and demonstrates ForFarmers' commitment to the UK livestock industry as a whole.
This transition is happening at the same time as Steven Read steps down from responsibility for the UK business and ultimately retires from ForFarmers at the end of 2024 after 38 years.
Mark brings extensive international expertise and perspective to the role having spent over 18 years with Provimi (now Cargill) in severalgeneral
management and technicalroles both in the UK and abroad. He has also worked with ForFarmers in both the UK business and in group roles including a stint as Micro and Speciality Purchase Director and was then charged with leading the integration of the Polish business, Tasomix into the ForFarmers family following its acquisition. In addition to this he has worked for the Carr's Groupincluding the roleof Managing Director of Carr's Billington Agriculture (Sales)before its divestment.
Mark is excited to take on this new challenge at ForFarmers. He said: "I have built up considerable experience in commercial, technical and general management within the feed sector which I am looking forward to bringing to this role as we continue to support farmers across the UK with the best possible feed solutions."
attle and sheep producers are being encouraged to guard against coccidiosis in growing spring born calves and lambs.
Youngstock are at particular risk of the parasite-born disease at this time of year once any passive immunity gained from colostrum starts to wear off.
“Thanks to antibodies gained through ingesting colostrum early in life, calves and lambs initially acquire some passive immunity to the parasite. But this protection is short-lived, leaving young animals particularly susceptible to infection as they grow and develop as the weather warms up,” said MSD Animal Health veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.
In spring born calves, disease can occur at any age from 3 weeks to 6 months old and in lambs, maternal immunity wanes at 4-8 weeks of age.
Dr Baxter-Smith explained that clinical coccidiosis is caused by a build-up in the rearing environment of oocysts produced by the Eimeria parasite.
“Susceptible growing calves and lambs become infected by ingesting these oocytes when they lick contaminated objects in their rearing environment or ingest feed or water contaminated by faeces. Once taken into the body in sufficient numbers, the oocysts hatch and the parasites invade and destroy intestinal cells. Infection often leads to diarrhoea, weight loss and poor growth rates.”
She explained that alongside good hygiene practices, anticoccidial treatments often have to be used strategically to manage the disease threat on many cattle and sheep units as a consequence.
“This allows youngstock some level of exposure to the parasite so that they gain longer-term immunity, but also removes the parasite before it is able to impact on productivity and further contaminate the environment.
“Oral drenches such as Vecoxan® are generally the most convenient way of ensuring that each calf or lamb receives the correct dose at the right time.
“Easy-to-administer as a single oral dose, Vecoxan® is a flexible coccidiosis management solution that can be used in calves and lambs of any weight, in any management system and without any environmental restrictions or meat withdrawal period1. In addition, its strategic use with all young animals in a group allows natural immunity to develop in your youngstock and there’s no need to dilute manure from treated animals before spreading on fields1.”
However, Dr Baxter-Smith added that it is important to recognise that coccidiosis is only one of a number of causes of diarrhoea in calves and lambs. Farmers unsure about a particular disease management situation, should contact their vet for advice.
Farmers in England can boost their chance of receiving 50% grant funding on a range of animal health and welfare equipment by discussing their application with their vet.
MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced that farmers in England who wish to apply for grant funding on a range of animal health and welfare equipment can improve their application scores by submitting evidence that their claim has been discussed with their veterinary surgeon.
Details of the Rural Payment Agency’s latest round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FEFT) grants has recently been announced in England, with funding available to help farmers buy a range of items that improve productivity, manage slurry and improve animal health and welfare.
The application window for productivity and slurry management items is already open (the current window runs from 6 March to 17 April 2024), with the application dates for animal health and welfare items due to be published shortly.
“What we know at this stage is that applications for equipment which fall within the animal health and welfare category can be boosted where evidence can be provided that the claim has been discussed with the farm’s vet,” explains Samantha Carmichael, Senior Technology Solutions Marketing Manager for MSD Animal Health’s Ruminant Business Unit.
For example, application scores for funding on items such as the Alligator PRO range of mobile sheep handling systems (FETF69), the Allflex range of EID stick readers (FEFT82SH and FEFT82CA) and MSD Animal Health’s SenseHub health and welfare remote monitoring system (FEFT315CA) and cattle automatic ID shedding gate (FEFT66) will be increased by 20 percent if it can be shown that the farm’s vet has advised the use of these items.
“With the window for applications due to be announced imminently, any farmers intending to apply for a grant should speak to their vet as soon as possible to ensure they have the necessary documentation in place to ensure their application for funding goes as smoothly as possible.”
For more information about the latest round of FEFT funding visit https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/farming-equipment-andtechnology-fund-2024
Compared to an isolated micronutrient programme pre-calving, the additional feed and nutrients in LIFELINE PreCalver feed buckets further supports colostrum production.
A 2023 cattle farm trial found combination feed and micronutrient bucket LIFELINE Pre-Calver to increase colostrum quality by 20% when compared to an isolated micronutrient delivery method.
These results show the benefit of supplementing micronutrients with additional feed compounds to increase total colostrum production and immunoglobulin concentration, says Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco.
“In the final six weeks of pregnancy, cow nutrient stores are under immense pressure to produce colostrum while the majority of foetal growth takes place,” explains Dr Bond. “Availability of key trace elements, vitamins and minerals will have a direct impact on the short and longterm performance of livestock giving birth, and their offspring.
Micronutrients + specially formulated feed block = colostrum boost
In the trial conducted from January to mid-April 2023 on a Coventry suckler farm, 43 Simmental cross sucklers with a history of pre-calving micronutrient supplementation were assessed for eight weeks before the start of the calving period through to the end of the calving season.
One group of cows remained on the farm’s bolus programme, receiving a full spectrum bolus with trace elements and vitamins two months before calving. The other group remained unbolused and instead received free access to LIFELINE Pre-Calver eight weeks before calving at a ratio of one 22.5kg bucket per 15 head of cattle.
“The trial found body condition, calving ease and brix colostrum results to have no significant difference between the two groups of cows. However, colostrum quality measured in igG had a 20% increase in the cows supplemented with LIFELINE Pre-Calver,” says Dr Bond.
According to Dr Bond, this is likely due to the additional nutrients cows received via the feed and micronutrient combination bucket. Both LIFELINE Pre-Calver and the bolus contained key micronutrients including cobalt, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, E and D. However, at an average 150g/day intake, cows were able to consume significantly higher volumes of micronutrients than those supplied through daily release rates of the bolus.
Additionally, LIFELINE Pre-Calver is fortified with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium. It also contains prebiotic carbohydrates that are derived from yeast cell walls, which may increase total colostrum production and immunoglobulin concentration through stimulation of the innate immune system.
Whatever the chosen method of delivery, micronutrient supplementation is essential in pre-calving herds –especially those on a primarily forage-based diet. Colostrum quality, calving ease, fertility in the subsequent service period, animal health and liveweight gain are just a few of the factors that will be impacted by micronutrient availability.
Forage has nutritional gaps that need to be filled for gestating livestock with variations in energy, protein and essential trace element content, says Dr Bond. Industry analysis has shown this year’s growing conditions to have significantly impacted silage quality, making it even more important going into this pre-calving period for cows to be supplemented with essential trace elements, vitamins and minerals.
Aside from micronutrient delivery methods, cattle received the same housing and feeding treatments, housed on straw and fed big bale silage and straw ad-lib until calving. Post-calving, all cows were offered ad-lib silage and straw plus 6kg of barley and 1kg of beans. The trial finished on the 19th of April once all the cows had calved.
Despite being an average of two years older, cows that received LIFELINE Pre-Calver micronutrient and feed buckets had an average colostrum igG of 188.2 mg/ml. Cows that received only micronutrients via a bolus had an average colostrum igG of 156.5 mg/ml.
According to Dr Bond, the trial findings highlight the opportunities cattle producers have to stretch their precalving supplementation further by gaining further boosts in colostrum quality.
“Feeding LIFELINE Pre-Calver in the final six to eight weeks before calving is going to optimise your precalving supplementation programme by delivering a full spectrum of micronutrients with unique feed compounds to boost colostrum quality,” concludes Dr Bond.
The recently announced Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024 grant scheme, which promotes improved slurry management, is welcomed by slurry specialist Tramspread. Eligible products from the company’s range include dribble bar and trailing shoe applicators, hose reels and drag hose, slurry separators, flow-meters, mobile slurry chopper pumps and remote-control systems for engine-driven pumps.
Significant funding is available for slurry separators which are a useful management tool, as Tramspread director Terry Baker explains:
“Removing solids from slurry makes in-store management easier, especially if the slurry store is covered. This provides increased application output from both tankers and umbilical systems. Less friction in umbilical hoses allows for longer pumping distances and reduces wear on the pump, hose and applicator, and saves fuel too.
The more uniform product aids even flow from applicators giving an accurate application to the crop.”
Tramspread is the sole UK importer of highquality Stallkamp slurry separators made in Germany and keeps a range of parts for these machines in-stock.
“FETF grants are available for mobile separators for the first time, and there are two Stallkamp options,” points out Tramspread’s John Tydeman. “The PSS mobile unit is built around a PSS 5.5-550 separator with two rotary lobe pumps, one to fill the feed hopper and one to pump away the separated liquid. The second option uses a PSG 5.5-600 separator and two progressive cavity pumps. Both have a throughput of 15 to 20m³/hr and can be either free-standing or trailer-mounted. Funding is also available for fixed separators,
and Tramspread also supplies pumps, gantries and control panels to suit individual system requirements.”
Tramspread’s well-known Suffolk range of dribble bars have working widths from 6m to 24m and a 25cm inter-outlet spacing. They are designed to accommodate flowmeters and NIR sensors with Isobus connectivity for accurate application with full record-keeping. Bomech trailing shoe applicators are also offered.
The company’s market-leading range of mounted random-wrap hose reels have hose capacities of 600m with single hydraulic motor drive and 1000m or 1400m with twin motor drive. Trailed compartmented hose reels can hold 1600m or 2000m. All twin motor reels can be supplied with 4”, 4.5”, 5” and 6” drag hose.
Tramspread offers two remote control systems for engine-driven pumps: the SIL Vision IV radio control and Teletram 2020 GSM remote control. These offer full engine protection, flow meter connection, fuel level sensing, inlet and outlet pressure and air compressor control. Options include a nurse tank level sensor and pneumatic sponge launcher. Tramspread highspec PTO-driven pumps also qualify for funding under the new scheme.
Vogelsang has launched a new DoubleFlow linkage option for its trailing shoe slurry applicators that enables the operator to halve the row spacing from 25 centimetres to 12.5. This doubles the surface area coverage operators can achieve without affecting tractor forward speed.
“The DoubleFlow runner divides the drop hose into two outlets, using a Y shaped piece, which splits the row spacing when spreading liquid manure to enable operators to cover more ground with a narrower spreading belt,” says Vogelsang’s Andy Hayhurst.
The new DoubleFlow trailing shoe part is easy to retrofit and can be added to the Vogelsang UniSpread and BlackBird trailing shoe linkages from May 2024.It has been designed to fit the flow optimised PrecisionFlow nozzle that existing Vogelsang customers will recognise from the BlackBird.
Mr Hayhurst suggests Vogelsang’s trailing shoe applicators are becoming more popular in the UK due to the PrecisionFlow spout used, which ensures precise slurry positioning.
“This is especially important on grassland to
improve forage quality and reduce the risk of slurry contaminating the green crop,” he adds.
The lightweight design of the Vogelsang trailing shoe applicators features a new runner design which is made from Hardox steel blades and wear-resistant plastic. This offers operators a hard-wearing and robust design that is easy to operate and maintain.
“The steel blades can be replaced individually. Operators will also benefit from the long service life of the applicators and low cost of spare parts,” concludes Mr Hayhurst.
Flexible, reliable and easy to maintain:
As a pioneer in agricultural technology, Vogelsang leads the way in environmental friendly spreading equipment. The dribble bar systems combined with the ExaCut distributor give the highest application of liquid manure nutrients.
Dribble bars are available in working widths of 7.5m right up to 36m and are retrofit-friendly.
For more information visit www.vogelsang.info/en-uk/dribble-bar-systems
VOGELSANG – LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY
Contact us at:
01270 216 600 | sales.uk@vogelsang.info
vogelsang.co.uk
lurry and digestate management specialist Tramspread has introduced a new range of temporary slurry stores. These are quick to install and consist of a steel tank with a durable Landflex Elvaloy lining suitable for slurry.
The new Butek Tank stores are manufactured in Britain by Butyl Products Ltd with capacities of 280 m³, 500 m³, 800m³, 1100m³ and 1250m³. The steel is treated with Magnelis, a metallic zing coating said to last three times as long as standard galvanised steel, and then powder coated for a durable maintenance-free finish.
Tanks can be supplied in any RAL colour, although dark green is standard, and have a 10-year warranty (coastal area exclusions apply) with a longer anticipated lifespan than galvanised steel tanks.
As standard tanks are equipped with a single 6” through-the-wall filling/emptying port, but they can be specified with as many ports as required, including 5” up and over the wall types. Multiple ports allow an umbilical slurry application system to operate, simultaneously drawing-out slurry whilst recirculating back into the tank.
Installation is straightforward, without any need to
pour a concrete base. Instead, the tank uses a compacted earth base covered with a Geotech membrane and a ring of concrete slabs which are supplied as part of the package along with drawings and installation advice.
To minimise odour and emissions the tanks can be covered with either a floating Hexa-Cover or a fixed cover. The slurry or digestate can be mixed using a hydraulically-driven mixer positioned over the side or agitated using a pump.
“The new stores are very flexible, and lend themselves to a number of possible scenarios,” explains Tramspread’s James Peachey. “We envisage them being popular as satellite or supplementary stores suitable for livestock farmers and AD plants alike, perhaps to service an outlying block of land or even on rented ground where the commitment and investment of a permanent store isn’t always appropriate. With no fixedfoundations needed the tank can be placed virtually anywhere. This addition bolsters our existing range of storage options, and we believe we can offer our customers the right solution for a wide variety of situations.”
JRiley Agri is the sole importer of the premium Kumm Technik slurry tanker range which is new to the UK. The company is currently undertaking a demonstration tour with a Kumm KTR 20.5m³ twin-axle tanker equipped with a Bomech Farmer 15m trailing shoe applicator.
The tanker’s specification includes a fourtonne capacity adjustable drawbar, airsuspension and Michelin 800/60R32 tyres with central tyre inflation. The tanker itself is divided into two chambers. In the field the rear compartment is emptied first maintaining weight transfer to the drawbar, a feature which comes into its own when working on undulating ground.
Additionally, air can be released from the front axle suspension system for 90 seconds to transfer more weight onto the tractor. The KTR features a double-hinged 8” filling arm which can be adapted to fill from a tanker docking station or lagoon. The macerator and stonetrap are mounted ahead of the 9000 litre/min pump and application rate is controlled via the Kumm touchscreen display, although the tanker is also Isobus compatible.
“We are pleased to be able to offer the KTR range of Kumm tankers,” says Sion Williams, sales director for slurry equipment at J Riley Agri. “Michael Kumm built his first tanker after being unable to find a machine on the market which was suitable for his contracting business in Germany. Now 15 years later, Kumm Technik is known for its high-quality tankers. The KTR range runs from 14 to 30m³, and we can also supply the KTS 30m³ articulated road tanker which is fully UK compliant.”
“We have the 20.5m³ KTR tanker available for demonstration, fitted with a 15m Bomech Farmer trailing shoe applicator,” he continues. “This tanker maintains an accurate application rate even when applying lower volumes thanks to the rotary lobe pump and 8” flow-meter working with a three-way valve which directs the correct volume to the boom and sends the excess back to the tank.”
For more information and to book you Kumm demonstration please call Sion Williams on 07919 214788.
KUHN Farm Machinery is celebrating 10 years since the launch of its revolutionary TWINPACT double plunger design for its large square balers.
The technology has transformed the operation of its SB 1290 iD balers, allowing operators to produce high density, uniformed bales without increasing the load or strain on machine and operator. The result is 25% higher bale densities in dry crops compared with conventional balers.
KUHN’s innovative TWINPACT design splits the plunger into upper and lower sections connected via a triangle rod. The sections compact the bale in series during a complete plunger cycle, with greater force applied per surface area, while avoiding peak loads on the machine.
KUHN’s grassland product specialist, Rhodri Jenkins, says the innovative design is still a key attraction for users. “The low power requirement from the TWINPACT design, and the reduced
‘nodding’ impact that is synonymous with weighty plungers on big square balers, are features that users require on modern machines. The split double plunger allows us to produce bales of greater density without increasing the stress on the machine and is why more users are investing in a KUHN large square baler.”
Despite the heavier bales, the load on the machine is comparable with a conventional 120 x 90 (4 x 3) baler, which eliminates the need for an oversized driveline, flywheel and main frame, along with a higher horsepower tractor to power the baler.
Available with new transmissions and integrated AutoTracTM functionalities in the dashboard, the new John Deere 5M is a versatile machine in the field, around the farmyard, and on the road. John Deere has also added the 5M 130 to the range, broadening the upper power class portfolio with a maximum output of up to 135 horsepower.
The new PowrQuadTM PLUS and Powr8TM transmission options provide farmers with solutions for a wide range of tasks. The technology allows operators to experience continuous pulling power with smooth gear shifts within the selected group. Additionally, a button on the lever eliminates the need for manual clutching when shifting between groups. Thanks to the EcoShift feature, the 5M tractor reduces RPM to save fuel while delivering sufficient power to accomplish transport tasks efficiently at up to 40 km/h.
efficiency by minimising overlaps during field and grassland work. The guidance system helps to stay on track in straight-line field jobs. An upgrade to more sophisticated guidance functionalities with a G5 Universal Display is possible at any time.
The integration of AutoTracTM in the dashboard – a feature that 6M Series owners enjoy in the Corner Post Display –enhances precision and
With a compact 4.1-metre turning radius, the John Deere 5M series provides great maneuverability, making it well-suited for tasks such as yard work and animal feeding in confined spaces. The low hood and the large roof window offer operators with excellent visibility, especially for front loader tasks. The new 5M series comes with the predictive analysis functionality Expert Alerts, enabling early recognition of required maintenance needs, which further enhances operational reliability and minimises unexpected downtime.
The UK’s Morris Leslie Plant Hire is kicking off its 50thbirthday celebrations in style by placing an order for a huge fleet of new JCB machines worth £68 million.
The machines will all be supplied throughout 2024 in an expression of confidence in the UK’s housebuilding and construction market.
The substantial order - to be supplied by dealer Scot JCBincludes Loadall telescopic handlers, X Series excavators, mini excavators, compaction rollers and site dumpers. Significantly, the deal also includes 50 JCB backhoe loaders – one for every year Morris Leslie Plant Hire has been in business and a product on which the success of the company was built.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford handed over the keys to one of the backhoes to Founder Morris Leslie – a special Platinum Edition machine produced to mark the JCB backhoe’s 70thbirthday. Lord Bamford said: “We are very proud of our long association with Morris Leslie Plant Hire. Like many of our customers, the company has grown from very small beginnings into a force to be reckoned with in the plant hire sector. From one family company to another, we wish Morris Leslie Plant Hire a very happy 50thbirthday.”
https://www.claas.co.uk
TheARION600and500range-thenewmid-rangestandard
Formoreinformationcontact:
SharnfordTractorsLtd
LodgeFarm,BroughtonRoad, Frolesworth,Lutterworth, Leicestershire,LE175EH
Telephone:01455209300
https://www.sharnfordtractors.co.uk
Morris Leslie said: “Over the years we have bought more than 7,000 JCB machines, so our success over the past half century is very much intertwined with that of JCB and we look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come.”
Scot JCB Sales Director David Park added: “This significant order for new JCB machines in the company’s 50thanniversary year underlines Morris Leslie’s commitment and confidence in the construction industry.”
Perth-based Morris Leslie has 15 depots across the UK with nationwide coverage, and prides itself in having one of the youngest fleets of machines available. The deal comes less than a year after Morris Leslie Plant Hire ordered £87.5 million worth of JCB machines. Morris Leslie founded his company on his parents’ farm in 1974 in the Carse of Gowrie, near Perth, where he began buying and selling construction equipment. Today the company has a fleet of more than 5,000 machines.
KUHN GF8700
A01 TEDDER
6 Splines, Hyd Controlled Windrow Curtain
KUHN VM 123 PLOUGH
6920mm Depth WH 123 Side, Hydr Front, Furrow ADJ, Mec Anglin £19,950
KUHN HR 3004 A32
HARROW 6 Splines, Fast Fit Standard Blades, Maxipacker Roller
KUHN FC 284 D-FF MOWER Mower Conditioner, Front Mounted,1000 RPM
KUHN HR 3030 POWER HARROW
PTO, Standard Blades Set, 3.0m Maxipacker £18,750 +VAT
KUHN VENTA 3030 DRILL
Uni Divider Head 24R Vista. Flow, Pre-Emergen Marker, Seed Rake, Radar Kit £31,750 +VAT
KUHN HR 6030 RA03
267 Hrs, 21 Splines Maxipacker Roller
KUHN 30.2 D
AXIS SPREADER
L800 Hopper Ext, AP-L 25.2 Hopper, T25 Telimat £13,250
SEED DRILLS
KUHN GA 7501 RAKE
Twin Rotar GyroRake, 7.4 Working Width £18,950 +VAT
PRIMOR 3570 M FEEDER/BEDDER
Trailed, Fixed Chute, PTO-S AB6 1 3/8-6 1510
KUHN 40.2 EMCW AXIS SPREADER Mounted Spinner, PTO Drive, Twin Disc £9,500 +VAT
Bobcat has chosen LogiMAT 2024 as the backdrop for the international debut of its material handling lineup. Having incorporated more than 200 forklifts and warehouse solutions into its portfolio over the past year, the manufacturer is showcasing a selection of its newly rebranded models to exhibition attendees from 19-21 March in Stuttgart, Germany.
A variety of diesel and electric forklifts, reach trucks and warehouse equipment – all sporting Bobcat’s famous white and orange signature colors –are on display at Stand B57 in Messe Stuttgart’s Hall 9 throughout LogiMAT 2024. The
manufacturer’s expanded lineup reflects its commitment to becoming a leading player in the global material handling market, mirroring the unparalleled reputation it has developed in the international compact equipment segment.
The first Bobcat-branded material handling units began rolling off production lines at the organization’s plants in South Korea, China and Germany in January 2024. The brand’s LogiMAT lineup represents the culmination of a two-year global initiative, through which the full range of forklifts and warehouse equipment formerly produced by Doosan Industrial Vehicle (DIV) has been successfully rebranded as part of the Bobcat family.
Scott Park, CEO and Vice Chairman of Doosan Bobcat, said: “Through our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence, we have significantly broadened our product portfolio to not only meet the needs of our loyal customers but also to inspire and empower new customers to conquer their toughest challenges. With an expanded range of solutions, we’re empowering even more customers to accomplish more.”
Bobcat’s LogiMAT 2024 lineup
Bobcat’s LogiMAT 2024 product showcase features a selection of diesel and electric forklifts, reach trucks and warehouse solutions such as pallet trucks and stackers.
The newly rebranded material handling models on display at LogiMAT 2024 include:
• D160S-9 | 10-16t 9-Series diesel forklift
• D50SC-9 | 4-5.5t 9-Series diesel forklift
• B25NS | 2.5-3.5t 7-Series Plus electric forklift
• B20X-7 Plus | 1.6 - 2t NXESeries electric forklift
• B80NS | 8-10t NXE-Series electric forklift
• BR16J-9 | 1.4-1.6t 9-Series reach truck
• BPL18S-7 | 1.8-2t 7-Series pedestrian pallet truck
• BPR20S-7 | 2t 7-Series rideon pallet truck
• BDR13S-7 | 1.3t 7-Series double stacker
• LSM12N-7 | 1.2t 7-Series pedestrian stacker
Bobcat is also using LogiMAT 2024 as a platform to showcase its TL25.60 super compact telehandler, whose optimized dimensions and superior maneuverability allow it to operate effectively in tight spots
without compromising performance.
In addition to the units on display in Stuttgart, Bobcat’s expanded lineup now includes all models previously manufactured under the DIV name. The full range of Bobcat-branded material handling solutions includes the following product lines:
• Diesel forklift trucks | lift capacities of 1.8 to 25 tons
• Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) forklift trucks | lift capacities of 1.5 to 7 tons
• Electric forklift trucks | lift capacities of 1.5 to 10 tons
• Warehouse solutions | pallet trucks, reach trucks and stackers
The incorporation of more than 200 forklifts and warehouse solutions into Bobcat’s portfolio represents a natural extension of the brand’s offering, delivering new and innovative products, attachments and services with the power to add significant value to the operations of both new and existing customers.
Vaclav Kratky, Senior Product
Marketing Manager, Bobcat EMEA, said: “For more than 60 years, the Bobcat brand has been synonymous with worldclass compact equipment. Our company has led the industry with tough, versatile, empowering and inventive equipment and solutions, and we continue to offer an unparalleled customer experience that distinguishes us from the competition. With the integration of the former DIV material handling portfolio, we are doubling down on the power of the Bobcat brand.
“This global rebranding initiative has resulted in a number of additional advantages for Bobcat customers, including an increased two-year warranty as standard for the majority of our products,” Kratky continued. “Our standard warranties can be further enhanced with extension and financing programs, which begin from 0% for 24 months. As part of the project, we have also leveraged Bobcat’s industryleading sales and service training programs and facilities to upskill our material handling dealers, which will enhance customer experience.”
Ardent Hire, the leading specialist rental provider of telehandlers and roto telehandlers, has placed a £12m order with Manitou for 200 telehandlers featuring a diverse range of models ranging from 6 to 18 meters. This order marks the largest telehandler order placed with Manitou by Ardent Hire.
In 2021, Ardent Hire included Manitou telehandlers into its fleet, marking a significant enhancement. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from operators and construction sites solidified Manitou's place in Ardent Hire's telehandler fleet permanently. Presently, over 20% of Ardent Hire's telehandler fleet comprises Manitou telehandlers. This milestone not only solidifies Ardent Hire as the UK's largest telehandler provider but also positions it as the largest Manitou telehandler fleet operator in the country.
"This £12 million deal with Manitou represents a pivotal moment for Ardent Hire," remarked Leigh Webb, Sales Director at Ardent Hire. "We are dedicated to offering our customers the most advanced and reliable machinery available, and Manitou telehandlers perfectly align with our mission. This partnership will not only elevate our service standards but also
empower our clients to accomplish their projects with greater efficiency and confidence."
The telehandlers secured in this deal boast varying reach, ensuring versatility and adaptability across a wide array of applications, from construction and infrastructure projects to housing and industrial endeavours. Renowned for their innovative design and robust performance, these Manitou telehandlers are poised to set new benchmarks in reliability and productivity on job sites nationwide.
"We are thrilled to partner with Ardent Hire on this significant order. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our own values, and we're excited to see our Manitou telehandlers contribute to their continued success in the industry." - Peter Smyth, Sales Director UK & Ireland, Manitou Group.
The deployment of these telehandlers have already commenced across Ardent’s network of depots nationwide. This strategic investment underscores Ardent’s unwavering commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and excellence in service delivery.
Makita has added two new pruning products to its ever growing outdoor product range. Powered by Makita’s 18V LXT battery system, the new DUP180
Brushless Pruning Shear and the DUC150 150mm Pruning Saw offer a comfortable and powerful solution to make quick and light work of repetitive or heavy pruning jobs.
With an adjustable shear blade opening angle, the new DUP180 18V LXT Brushless Pruning Shear accommodates four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm and provides up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge (when used with a 6.0Ah battery).
Thanks to a brushless motor and belt holster to carry the battery, this tool is extremely lightweight and comfortable to use at just 0.68kg (without battery). To further minimise user fatigue, Makita has engineered the tool so that the control of the shear blade is interlocked with the trigger, meaning the blades will only open and close depending on the degree the trigger is depressed or released.
Additionally, an external oil port is designed for easy blade lubrication without disassembly, enhancing the tool's durability.
Joining the outdoor line up is the DUC150 18V 150mm Pruning Saw. Operating with a chain speed of 8m/s, this compact machine offers excellent cutting performance despite its lightweight design, making it ideal for general garden applications or orchard maintenance.
Additional comfort and efficiency-enhancing features include tool-less chain tensioning and automatic chain oiling, while a brushless motor ensures low maintenance requirements and a longer working motor life.
The DUC150 is available as a kit with a BL1850B Battery and DC18RC charger, or as a standalone tool body only.
Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “Whether it’s for making light work of clipping back shrubs and hedgerows, or trimming branches and small trees, the DUP180 and DUC150 are convenient tools that are designed with simplicity and ergonomics in mind. At Makita, we continue to apply our heritage and expertise in battery technology and tool engineering to develop
essential kit items such as these, so that the professional sector has access to a vast range of battery powered tools that meet every daily demand without the constraints of cords or petrol.”
To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com
CLAAS has launched a new generation of highly innovative front loaders with significantly improved comfort and performance features to replace the previous FL C series with integrated mechanical self-levelling linkage.
The six new models from FL 40 C to FL 140 cover lift capacities from 940 to 2,490 kg (measured 80 cm in front of the bucket pivot point) and a breakaway force from 1,820 to 3,120 kg. Maximum lift heights at
the bucket pivot point range from 3.50 to 4.50 m.
The new loaders feature a new, innovative three-section design, which perfectly complements the design of the CLAAS tractors. The double-angled boom shifts the pivot point mechanism of the parallelogram downwards by more than 20 cm. This gives the operator an even better view of the frame and attachment, especially as the front crossbeam has been lowered by 10 cm.
The new design features the customary robustness and manufacturing quality that is a hallmark of CLAAS front loaders. The boom is also designed for the most demanding tasks. All hydraulic hoses are integrated into the frame for protection.
The familiar FITLOCK coupling system from the FL and FL C front loaders has been retained: the locking mechanism is fully automatic and entirely mechanical. To unlock, simply release a small lever on the boom. With the MACH multi-coupling system, all hydraulic and electrical lines can be connected to the tractor in an instant – without the need for any
additional plug connections. This system makes the job of attaching the front loader fast and safe.
With the optional hydraulic FASTLOCK system, attachments can be locked at the press of a button from the comfort of the cab, in addition to automatic mechanical locking. Third and fourth functions can be connected via the MACH 2 multi-coupler, which features leak-free, flat-seal couplings. A pressure relief function for the third function is available on request.
The automatic bucket return function automatically returns the bucket to the horizontal loading position – increasing operator comfort and productivity to boot.
Optional LED work lights illuminate the loading area perfectly in the dark. The new design and features transform the AXOS and ARION into even more productive loading machines.
Benefits of the new CLAAS FL C front loaders at a glance:
• New innovative design with three sections
• Improved view of attachments and the area in front of the tractor
• Choice of six models with lift capacities ranging from 940 to 2,490 kg for the AXOS and ARION
• Extremely robust, durable boom for the most demanding applications
• Integrated mechanical self-levelling linkage
• FITLOCK attachment: automatic, mechanical, safe and fast
• FASTLOCK multi-couplers for hydraulics and electrics
• MACH 2 couplers with flat-seal connections for 3rd and 4th function
• Pressure release lever for 3rd function
• Optional automatic bucket return
KUHN Farm Machinery has introduced a 12.5m version of its Optimer disc cultivator that has been designed to work with controlled traffic farming systems (CTF).
The new 12500 L joins the existing range of Optimer cultivators, which start with the 3m mounted model. It features 100, 510mm discs arranged across two rows for working depths of 310cm and a Double U 550mm diameter rear roller for flexibility to cope with a wide range of soil types.
Minimum power requirement is 350hp, and the new width complies with machines already working in CTF systems.
KUHN’s arable and connected services product specialist, Edd Fanshawe, says the new models will help large scale farmers reduce compaction. “The Optimer range combines intensive mixing at high speed, with easy adjustment to suit conditions. The new 12500 L offers CTF users a stubble cultivator that can slot easily into existing systems and contribute to significantly lowering the
number of wheelings during a season.”
The 12500 L is part of a new generation of Optimer machines that includes the 9000 9m model and the previous flagship, the 12m Optimer 12000. Updates comprise of a new hydraulic stand to replace the manual version, along with a new folding and unfolding sequence. This is operated via a single user input replacing the four required on previous models.
Steady Control is standard on Optimer 9000,
12000 and the new 12500 L. The system offers users an easier way to manage working depth by controlling pressure in the hydraulic cylinders across the width to guarantee a consistent disc depth.
Additional seeding options include the SH 201, SH 402 and SH 600 small seed applicator tanks, with the latter also available on Espro drills. The new Optimer 12500 L will be on KUHN’s stand at Cereals 2024.
Cheffins will conduct a live onsite auction on behalf of Bromell Contractors Ltd following a decision by the owners to retire after a lifetime dedicated to farming and contracting.
Twins John and Jay Bromell, who are now in their 70s, have spent several decades building up a substantial contracting business from their base in Rugby, Warwickshire. Included in the auction is an impressive fleet of tractors and combines, along with a large selection of grassland and arable implements.
Bill King, Charmain at Cheffins, says: “Sales that feature a wide range of well looked after modern machinery, such as this, don’t come along very often.
John and Jay have had a hugely successful farming career and the range of machinery on offer is testament to their continual investment to grow the business and keep pace with the latest technology.”
The tractor line up is dominated by John Deere, with nine of the 11 tractors featuring the green and yellow livery. However, the most recent addition to the fleet is a Massey Ferguson 8S.225, which was purchased in 2022. The newest John Deere is a 2020 6215, with a further two 2019 tractors of the same model. There is due to be high interest in some older examples – two 2010 John Deere 7530s and a 2010 John Deere 6930, offering buyers some modern classics.
Cheffins will also bring to the market four combines and a single forager harvester in the sale. All the combines are John Deere HillMaster models with a 2009 C670 and C670i, while a brace of older 2007 combines includes another C670i and 9780i CTS. The sole forager is a
2017 JD 8400i model, with a 2017 John Deere 360 Plus maize header, and 2017 Zurn ProfiCut 530 wholecrop header, both available as separate lots.
On the spraying front, a trailed JD 840i 36m and self-propelled John Deere R4040 36m are on offer, while the loaders include a duo of JCB models – a 2019 JCB 419S loading shovel and smaller JCB TM310 telescopic pivot steer loader.
The pick of the implements includes four Bunning
manure spreaders; a KV Optima HD 8row maize drill; a 2017 JD 750A direct drill; a 6.5m Vaderstad Carrier and Rexius Twin 450; 2020 Weaving Sabre 6000M, along with a selection of Bailey grain and silage trailers. There is a wide variety of grassland machinery with three Claas Liner rakes, JD triple mowers, a brace of Claas Volto 770 tedders, along with four John Deere and Massey Ferguson balers. A choice of two bale wrappers extends to a 2012 Kuhn SW4004 and a 2010 McHale 991.
More information and the full catalogue can be found on the Cheffins website with the sale starting at 9:30am on Wednesday 3rd April 2024 in Rugby, Warwickshire. A viewing day will be held on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 between 10am and 4pm.
The quality of your equipment can make the difference in terms of the level of service offered by your agricultural contracting firm. Your machines and implements are directly concerned, but equipment such as tyres also have a role to play. Your choice of tyres is decisive as far as protecting your clients’ soil is concerned, as well as obtaining better traction and less slip. In terms of savings while completing the work to be done, good tyres last longer over time, help you to reduce fuel costs, to work more rapidly and to offer better quality services. Having high-tech tyres which protect the soil and limit compaction is a real sales argument in the eyes of your clients. If you choose large sized low-pressure tyres with a high volume of air, this will mean that you can work with wider implements and improve the rapidity with which you complete your operations. Being able to carry out high quality work more rapidly, while protecting your client’s assets, is a mark of top performance.
can opt for more high-tech tyres than were originally fitted, with high value added.
Less compaction with supple yet robust tyres
Soil preservation allows you to maintain the productivity of your agricultural fields on a longterm basis. The first and most important step is the choice of tyres, since they are the principle elements in direct contact with the ground. When it comes to replacing your tyres for the first time, you
Among the different models available, large size VF tyres bring many significant advantages. Thanks to their technology which allows them to work at a very low inflation pressure and offers improved flexion in the sidewalls, these premium tyres significantly reduce soil compaction during agricultural work. They protect the soil against excessive compaction, encourage better crop root growth and reduce erosion.
The use of large sized VF tyres allows agricultural contracting companies to optimise their working time and resources. These high-tech tyres with a high volume of air can effectively cope with heavier, wider implements, which improves overall productivity in record time. This results in improved profitability and greater customer satisfaction.
The VT-TRACTOR tyre: a true ally for agricultural contracting companies
When working at a low inflation pressure, Bridgestone’s VF VT-TRACTOR tyre offers a larger, but above all longer contact patch with the ground for better protection of your land. By investing in this type of tyre, agricultural contracting companies can improve their operational efficiency while reducing their
impact on the environment.
This tyre provides better traction than a standard tyre, which leads to greater efficiency in carrying out the various agricultural tasks to be done. You will be able to finish the job quicker and more efficiency while protecting the productivity of the land and avoiding costs linked to soil rehabilitation work.
Certain tyres such as the VXTRACTOR tyre are specially designed to cope with increased wear, resulting from intensive use on the road or the transport of heavy loads by the powerful tractors owned by your agricultural contracting company. Their ingenious design gives them exceptional durability, even in the harshest conditions.
These high-tech tyres are built around a casing made up of 6 overlapping layers, which are more solid thanks to specific plant-based oil compounds that are resistant to wear and thanks to a thicker layer of rubber.
VX-TRACTOR tyres are perfectly suited to agricultural contracting companies with their intensive transport requirements. A casing that is more resistant to overheating on the road, more rubber and better wear resistance make this one of the tyres models that has to be replaced least frequently, which leads to substantial long-term savings. By reducing the costs linked to tyre replacements, you can maximise your productivity and your profitability.
Designed for lighter, multi-purpose tractors in the 135 hp range, VX-R TRACTOR tyres are ideal for a range of varied mixed crop-livestock farming activities. This tyre is suited to more varied multipurpose uses, offering an ideal compromise for tasks such as transport by road, crop farming on small plots of land, specific activities such as sowing or livestock management.
The advantages for agricultural contracting companies of using VX-R TRACTOR tyres are multiple:
The casing basically contains 20% more rubber than standard agricultural tyres. This extends the tyre lifespan by thousands of hours, representing a pot of gold for agricultural contracting companies.
The VX-TRACTOR tyre is an ideal choice for agricultural contracting firms who need tyres that are capable of bearing heavy loads frequently. With its ultra-resistant casing which increases the load capacity and its enhanced durability, this tyre provides a clear advantage in terms of reducing the costs linked to wear in difficult conditions.
A reduction in the frequency of tyre replacement
This tyre model is generally cheaper than the more high-tech ranges for powerful tractors, which is an important financial advantage for agricultural contractors, in particular in a context where cost management is essential for the profitability of their activities. By opting for VX-R TRACTOR tyres, agricultural contractors can equip themselves with highly efficient multi-use tyres, with major advantages, while making substantial savings on their tractor equipment related costs.
• A wider tread for better traction,
• A unique lug profile for better transmission of
power to the ground,
• Optimised lead to improve efficiency,
• Greater wear resistance to increase the tyre’s lifespan,
• A robust casing to improve damage resistance,
• Reduced fuel consumption, More sustainable development.
Its performance levels make it an excellent choice for light tractors used for a wide range of agricultural operations by agricultural contracting companies. The innovative design makes the tyre suitable for multipurpose use, whether for work in the farm courtyard or livestock buildings, for work in the fields: harvesting, sowing… or even for transport. This versatility allows agricultural contractors to optimise the use of their equipment throughout the year, adapting to the changing needs of their customers based on the different agricultural seasons.
Harvesting campaigns are critical moments during which soil preservation is essential. Faced with the considerable weight of the harvesting machines, it is highly recommended to opt for suitable tyres which minimise the impact on the soil. So which tyres should you choose to protect your clients’ land?
The VT-COMBINE tyre: the best choice for harvesting
Harvesting machines such as combine-harvesters and silage harvesters exert significant pressure on the ground. However, thanks to tyres that are specially designed for harvesting, such as the VTCOMBINE, it is possible to limit this compaction. This premium tyre made by Bridgestone allows you to maintain a moderate pressure with very high loads.
For example:
• Using size 800/70 R 38 VT-Combine CFO tyres
you can work at a pressure of 2.4 bar at 15 km/h during cyclic operations. This represents a load capacity of 13,950 kg and therefore a total front axle weight of 27,900 kg.
• When using duals (like in the image above) you can work at a pressure of 1.2 bar at 15 km/h during cyclic operations. This represents a load capacity of 14,745 kg for each set of duals, i.e. a total for the front axle of 29,490 kg.
VT-COMBINE tyres offer a very high level of traction thanks to their larger, longer soil footprint and their specific Involute lug design. These characteristics allow them to spread the weight of the machine more efficiently, thus reducing the pressure exerted on the ground. Consequently, this limits soil compaction and protects the soil structure, while fostering future crop health.
By opting for VT-COMBINE tyres, agricultural contractors can guarantee their clients a significant reduction in soil compaction. Depending on the harvesting season and the type of ground, soil rehabilitation work may turn out to be unnecessary for your client, leading to both time and fuel savings. In this way, agricultural contractors can offer quality harvesting services while protecting the long-term productivity of their clients’ land.
High-tech tyres offer a multitude of advantages for agricultural contractors. They represent an investment that can improve the overall efficiency of agricultural operations. They make it possible to improve the level of service, for example during wet spells, when only high-tech tyres such as the VT-TRACTOR tyre can guarantee a clean, efficient job while ensuring optimal soil conditions for future crops. By investing in good tyres, agricultural contractors can optimise their operations as well as contributing to the protection of their clients’ land, which strengthens their reputation as well as boosting customer loyalty.
The Bridgestone-agriculture.eu blog is written and administered by tractor tyre experts who are available to provide you with the advice you need on the subject of your agricultural tyres. They allow you to maximise your productivity with information on all subjects linked to tyres: Technical data for agricultural tyres – Agricultural tyre performance –Air pressure advice, Solutions to avoid soil compaction – Sprayer tyre pressure – Why and how to ballast your tractor tyres – etc.
For the 11th consecutive time, Trelleborg tires proudly remains the official sponsor of the prestigious Machine of Year Brasil® 2024/2025 Awards, which recognize agricultural machinery excellence in six different categories: harvesters, sprayers, planters, plow/ leveler harrows, spreaders and mowers. Judged by industry specialists, agricultural Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from Brazil will compete for recognition as the best in their field with their latest generation of machines. Moreover, an award will be given to the “most voted brand” by people worldwide through the website www.machineoftheyear.net , from March 20th to April 30th, 2024.
Marcelo Natalini, President of Yokohama TWS for South America states: “We firmly believe in championing excellence, innovation, and sustainability within the agricultural machinery sector with our Trelleborg tires. That's why we're thrilled to continue our support for the Machine of the Year 2024/2025 Awards. By doing so, we're not just sponsoring an award; we're investing in the future of Brazilian agriculture. We're dedicated to fostering positive change and pushing boundaries in our industry, and this sponsorship is a testament to that commitment.”
Julian Mendieta, President of Agriworld Magazine and organizer of the awards, remarked: 'For over a decade now, Trelleborg Tires has proudly served as the backbone of the Machine of the Year Awards in Brazil, fueling our shared vision for agricultural advancement. With Trelleborg's tire expertise, we're not just celebrating innovation; we're driving sustainability forward. Our esteemed panel of academic judges meticulously evaluates each product, considering not only its functionality and performance but also its ethical and transformative potential. This partnership bridges academia with industry, shaping the future of technology and fostering innovation for a more sustainable farming”.
First held in 2013, the Machine of the Year Brasil® Awards occurs biennially in Brazil, alternating with the Tractor of the Year Brazil® Awards, both sponsored by Trelleborg tires. The awards ceremony will take place at Agrishow, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, at the Trelleborg tires booth, # E8b.
To learn more about Trelleborg's high-performance tire solutions for agriculture, visit: www.trelleborgtires.com/agriculture-and-forestry-tires
For more information about the awards, follow the official Instagram account @machineoftheyearbrasil
Two Honda All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) perform a crucial role helping a small team look after livestock on challenging terrain within a Norfolk wetland wildlife reserve.
The 475cc Honda TRX500FM and 420cc TRX420FM machines are used by one of the UK’s Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) sites, for transporting people and equipment around the environmentally sensitive reserve, and to look after livestock which graze the wet grasslands from spring to autumn. The farmed area totals 400ha, but most is under water for three to four months of the year. Approximately 130ha is managed wet grassland from which the team can remove water to maintain the required level. The other 260ha is within the 22-mile long, Ouse Washes that controls the flow of the River Great Ouse. During winter is affected by seasonal flooding which is out of the Wetland Trust’s control.
During summer, up to 400 cattle graze the wetlands, comprising 300-head within five herds
on the larger area, and herds of 30-head each on three blocks of 12ha within the managed area. The cattle are brought in when the birds have fledged in May or June each year and remain until just before flooding returns in November. “Cattle are ideal for the environmentally important land as their uneven grazing leaves grass at different heights benefitting a wide range of insects and other wildlife,” explained Grazing Officer, David Tough. “Later in the year, sheep graze the whole area much shorter, cleaning up what the cattle have left ahead of winter. The site is a haven for all sorts of wildlife and it’s internationally significant for over-wintering of wildfowl, while in the summer many ground-nesting birds take advantage of the favourable habitat.”
The cattle are owned by local graziers and David’s small team manages the animals for the owners. When pregnancy testing or fly treatments are required, then this is organised and managed by the grazier and David and his colleagues assist herding and handling the livestock.
For transport around the two-mile long site, the team relies on two Honda ATVs. Their light weight and large flotation tyres allow travel across soft, wet grassland transporting the rider and equipment without damaging the sensitive ground. In the past, off-road motorcycles were used, but these were phased out in favour of the Honda ATVs for their superior versatility and load carrying capabilities.
“When I started at the reserve in 2016, we had a very elderly Honda Fourtrax TRX350FM 4wd ATV and three Honda motocross bikes,” continued David. “In 2022 the TRX350FM was traded in for a new Honda Fourtrax TRX 420FM, and we also had the opportunity to purchase a very tidy secondhand Foreman TRX500FM with a known history which replaced another of the motorcycles.
“The Honda ATVs are extremely versatile, and it would be hard to manage the livestock without them. Having two gives us the reassurance that if one is out of action then the other will always be available and makes it much easier to herd 40 cows with their 40 calves. Two stockmen on ATVs start at either end of the grazing area and work towards the middle of the narrow strip. The technique works well.”
Ditches, or ‘wet fences’ as David refers to them,
form boundaries between individual grazing blocks, but also hamper the livestock team by preventing them from walking or riding directly between adjacent fields. Each year’s batch of cattle quickly get to know the crossing points, which makes herding them between the areas relatively straightforward.
For most of the year, wet ground conditions plus the site’s environmental importance means that travel away from the small number of hard tracks by 4x4 pick-ups isn’t possible, so the ability to carry total loads up to 90kg between the front and rear load racks makes the Hondas especially useful. They are used daily for livestock checks from spring until autumn, and in the winter they are used several times per week for the staff to travel around the site and to check the condition of the fox fencing. A selection of tools and equipment including fence insulators are carried, so most faults found can be repaired immediately without returning to the base for supplies. They also transport electric fencing materials, replacement fence batteries and large mineral blocks for the cattle, plus anything else that needs moving around the site. “We used to carry smaller items on the motorcycles as it was easier than doing the jobs on foot, but now the ATVs can transport in one journey what required multiple trips before,” continued David.
When the latest TRX420FM was ordered, competitor brands weren’t considered. “Our own experience of Honda has been excellent, and we are well looked after by the teams at G & J Peck, and MKM Agriculture; both of which are local dealers. Our previous motocross bikes were Hondas and always proved reliable, and we use other Honda equipment too, such as our portable petrol engine water pumps which fill livestock drinking troughs in the summer and start first time every time. We are a charity and are careful that money is spent on the right things, and the Hondas represent good value and are ideal for the task.”
Unlike the previous TRX350FM model, both the current Hondas have electric power steering. David commented that this makes a significant difference to rider comfort, especially on uneven ground including traversing spoil heaps from ditch clearing, and when riding along the steep riverbanks. Another advantage of the two current machines is that they both have selectable twoand four-wheel drive. “Most of the time, the ATVs on their large flotation tyres travel everywhere
easily in two-wheel drive, but we can just select four-wheel drive at the touch of a button if it’s needed.
“We seldom get stuck, but when it does happen it’s usually because the conditions meant we shouldn’t have been there in the first place,” confirmed David.
David stressed that it would be difficult to look after the livestock if it wasn’t for the Honda ATVs. “In the dry, summer season then we could use 4x4 pickups instead on some of the harder ground, but elsewhere we would have to travel on foot, and that just isn’t practical within an area two miles long and half a mile wide while also having to navigate the deep drainage ditches that criss-cross the fields. The cattle run much faster than we can!
“So, for most of the year we rely on the Honda ATVs and their ability to travel on our SSSIs without causing damage. Checking livestock on an ATV takes one person three hours, but at least a full day without it.”
rench SSV pilot Xavier de Soultrait and co-pilot Martin Bonnet became this year’s Dakar Rally SSV Champions; their second-ever race in the SSV category at the helm of Polaris RZR Pro R Factory.
In the second year of a five-year partnership between Polaris Off Road Vehicles and the Sébastien Loeb Racing team, the vehicle, team and crew have proven to be a winning formula by claiming the top spot in arguably the world’s toughest race.
Fresh after his incredible victory, Xavier de Soultrait answers the burning questions on what winning the Dakar Rally for the first time feels like, and how he overcame the various challenges of Dakar to reach this monumental milestone.
This is your second participation in the Dakar Rally in the SSV category with the Polaris RZR. How does it feel to come out on top?
“Winning the second SSV race of our lives, and the first race with Polaris’ new RZR Pro R Factory, is indescribable! We fought to be at the start and we all tried very hard. Winning the hardest race in the world so early in my journey with Sébastien Loeb Racing and Polaris is a really great feeling.”
What was going through your mind when you crossed the finish line?
“Lots of pride and happiness for our Loeb Racing team, for Polaris and for FrayMedia who believed in us. It was a feeling of accomplishment, a relief to beat all our competitors.
We also understood that it was the start of
something for us in the automobile industry.”
Was there a moment where you knew you had a chance to win, and how did this affect you for the rest of the race?
“The 48H CHRONO stage is the "queen" stage of the Dakar, it was the longest, the most difficult for us and the machines, we won this legendary stage and gained an advantage over our competitors. This gave us a lot of confidence in ourselves, a lot of confidence in our Polaris RZR and total confidence in our mechanics. The next day, we increased the pace, took the lead in the race and never let go until the end.
“The last special was a mental game, we kept our heads cool and at the finish, we discovered at the same time as our mechanics what we had just done, it was incredibly emotional.”
What is the biggest challenge you faced on the road to victory?
“Adapting to a new vehicle is always a big challenge - the Polaris RZR was brand new to us in last year’s Dakar, but this year, we had previously completed a race and had over 300 kilometres of testing. It is healthy, easy to use and reliable, so we succeeded in this challenge thanks to that.
“The 48-hour Chrono stage—taking place on the dunes without assistance—was another big challenge to overcome, especially on the mechanics of the vehicle. After experiencing the performance and reliability of the RZR in this stage, it gave us a lot of peace of mind from that moment on.”
How was this year's Dakar compared to previous editions, and how did that affect your strategy when approaching each stage?
“It was a very difficult Dakar, very brittle, but Martin and I were solid. Our strategy was to attack very hard in places—over 10% of the race—and we were close to the limits at times, but the robustness of our SSV allowed us to do so.”
Were there any particular stages that played to your strengths, and others that you approached more cautiously?
“Yes, I did the Dakar on a motorcycle for 10 years, and Martin was also a motorcycle champion, and that experience meant that we both had great pace in the dunes, so we capitalised on that. On the other hand, in the rocky areas where the risk of damaging the vehicle is extremely high, we were forced to drive very carefully to avoid any breakages or additional costs to the team, and ultimately this helped us to preserve the mechanics.”
How does the Dakar experience in a sideby-side compare to being alone on a motorcycle?
heavy responsibility to help Polaris shine in these gruelling conditions, but we do so without the fear of serious injury.”
What do you think gave you the competitive edge to win the Dakar Rally?
“Our high level of experience at Dakar helped us make a succession of good decisions and good strategies. The Loeb Racing team was in "commando operation" mode; we were very united. The mechanics did not make a single mistake, Sébastien Loeb was with us every day, and we remained humble. Heads down and feet on the ground - we were all extremely focused.
“The team’s unity and focus were complemented by the simplicity of driving the Polaris RZR. Simple driving pleasures are not to be overlooked in a long race like Dakar; like having confidence in the control and responsiveness of the vehicle, and feeling comfortable at the wheel. These factors allowed me to drive fast from the start until the very end.”
“Taking on the Dakar on two wheels requires meticulous navigation. Both myself and Martin are very strong here and our understanding is good, so together we pushed each other for the better, which made the overall experience even better. It’s great to share this with a true friend.
“When I used to race in the motorcycle category, I attacked a lot. Back in 2021, I was at the head of the motorcycle race, and the next day, I was being airlifted to a hospital with a fractured spinal column. Now, in SSV, the fuse is no longer our body, but instead, it’s the machine. We bear a
How do you think winning the Dakar will impact your racing career? What's next for you and the team this year?
“For us, it feels like this victory has allowed us to be born in the automobile industry. We didn't know if we were just good enough or if we had the potential to go further. Throughout these 15 days of racing at the Dakar Rally, we all saw that we had the potential to go fast and we all became aware of our abilities; the team, Martin and me.
“The rest will be exciting and we can't wait to return to the desert!”
The established benchmark for the maximum performance sector of the ATV market, Kawasaki's 750 cm3 V-Twin Brute Force has been significantly updated for 2024 with new – even more purposeful – looks plus an array of practical and welcome standard spec additions.
Undergoing its first major update in a number of years, the 2024 model retains the universally praised high-performance 750 cm3 VTwin engine and tough, durable chassis that has made it a longtime-success, bringing it up to date with new, more powerfullooking "tough & rugged" styling.
In terms of that distinctive new look, new fenders, a new grille, a new 3D emblem, and various carefully considered design touches throughout give the
machine an eye-catching, advanced yet unmistakable tough look that makes it clear this model is still at the top of its class ready to take on all challengers.
That enhanced equipment includes TFT colour instrumentation, all-LED lighting (including a new handlebarmounted LED light), furthering the Brute Force 750's evolution into a more modern adventure and hard working ATV offering sports ability along with all-dayworking utility features.
The clear, easy-to-read 11cm (4.3inch) high-grade full-colour TFT LCD screen sits at the centre of the handlebars, making it simple for the rider to see speed, odometer, and other relevant information while a new LED light mounted to the handlebars turns with the 'bars and is complemented by highly effective LED headlights. And
for people to see you forging ahead, red LED rear lights are also part of the new spec. In terms of that spec, the new Brute Force will be available in European Kawasaki ATV dealers for 2024 in either a distinctive Grayish Blue colourway or Camouflage with the "camo" model enjoying the additional benefit of handguards as standard fitment.
Refreshed too, the newly designed front and rear carriers feature compatibility with the
KQR (Kawasaki Quick Release) system while both include built-in tiedown points, while the rear plastic cover also incorporates antislip grooves to help keep loads in place.
Whatever the use – recreational or utility – the Brute Force owner is likely to spend many hours in the saddle, so electronic rider aids remain a core function with electrically selectable 2WD-4WD and the welcome assistance of electronic power steering while the ondemand front differential control makes directional changes plus tough climbs and descents precisely controllable.
With front disc brakes, and a fully enclosed rear brake plus double wishbone long travel suspension front and rear, the 2024 Brute Force has a standard spec that is the envy of the competition. Add an impressive inventory of tried and trusted genuine accessoriesplus that lusty work and play hungry water-cooled, fuelinjected, CVT equipped 750 cm3 V-Twin engine - and the 2024 Brute Force is set to fiercely protect its place as the default dominant leader of the ATV pack.
The Quarter-Final draws for the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy took place on Monday, 12th February 2024, at Isuzu UK’s headquarters in Solihull. The draw had been highly anticipated by non-league football fans, and was presented by talkSPORT’s Ian Danter, who was joined by former England captain Stuart Pearce and Isuzu’s roaming reporter, Tony Incenzo.
Isuzu’s headquarters were a fitting location to host 40 attendees from The FA, talkSPORT and competing clubs. The showroom sported a large LED screen accompanied by the impressive NewLook D-Max V-Cross in Dolomite White, with the Isuzu FA Trophy and Vase silverware in the foreground, setting the scene ahead of an enthralling Quarter-Final draw.
The draws for the Quarter-Finals were broadcast live on talkSPORT2’s ‘The Social’ programme, and the remaining non-league sides will be hoping to take one step closer to Non-League Finals Day, which will be hosted at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 11th May 2024.
The winners of The FA Trophy Quarter-Finals will receive £7,500 whilst losing teams will collect £2,000. In The FA Vase, the winning sides will receive £4,125 and the losing teams £1,350.
Isuzu FA Vase Quarter-Final Fixtures:
• North Greenford vs Romford;
• Worcester City vs Emley;
• Hallam or Lincoln United vs Bridgwater United or Deal Town;
• Highworth Town or Great Wakering Rovers vs Falmouth Town;
Isuzu FA Trophy Quarter-Final Fixtures:
• Gateshead vs Peterborough Sport;
• Bromley vs Barnet;
• Wealdstone or Hendon vs Solihull Moors;
• Macclesfield vs Bishop’s Stortford or Coalville Town;
Participating in his first live cup draw, Stuart Pearce
discussed his experiences playing in The FA Trophy and how it will feel for the players to reach Non-League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium: “The idea of playing at the iconic stadium of Wembley was so special for someone like me who grew up in the borough of Wembley and playing non-league football at the start of my career. Anyone who can get to Wembley and get their hands on either of the trophies will remember that moment for the rest of their life.”
Isuzu UK have been proud sponsors of The FA Trophy and Vase for over a year. Managing Director for Isuzu UK, Alan Able, said: “It is a great connection for our brand to be associated with non-league grassroots football. Our network of Isuzu dealers are very much community-based and there is a superb connection between football community clubs and our communitybased dealerships. It is an extremely exciting day to host the Quarter-Final draws here for all our staff and dealers, as well as the clubs that have come along today to see who they have been drawn against.”
Tony Incenzo spoke about the importance of the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy to the clubs taking part: “They don’t pay the greatest wages at this level and that sort of prize money can keep them going for quite a while. The chance of getting to Wembley offers incredible publicity. The
publicity, the finances and the goodwill build up the further you progress in the competition.”
Tony Incenzo also shared what he believed could be the tie of the round for both the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy:
FA Vase – Worcester City vs Emley
“Worcester City are a fantastic club with a great pedigree in non-league football having only lost one game in the Hellenic League so far this season. Emley are flying high, second in the Northern Counties East Football League. Whoever wins this game will certainly fancy their chances.”
“It’s a top of the table clash in the National League with Bromley being the highest ranked team left in the competition. Barnet also have a good pedigree running second in the National league and going back to 1972 where they finished runners up in The FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium.”
KGM Motors UK is delighted to announce the launch of the all-new Torres, available in dealer showrooms now. The C+ segment SUV is the first model to reflect the brand’s new design philosophy ‘Powered by Toughness’ whilst maintaining KGM’s distinctive and authentic SUV characteristics.
Inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, Torres is available in two trim levels– the entry-level K30 and the highspec K40. The AWD K40 and Torres is expected to be launched in the UK this summer, following the launch of the pure-electric Torres EVX in April.
Torres represents a departure from the brand's traditional design with the introduction of a sleek and modern exterior, proceeding the brand's reputation for strong, practical lines. This design's bold direction sets it apart within the company's lineup and draws inspiration from iconic SUVs on the market.
Kevin Griffin, managing director of KGM UK, said; “Torres is the first to reinterpret our future design vision, which draws heavily on our unique heritage. Its launch marks an exciting, new era for design, performance, and product with all models moving
forward adhering to this new approach.
“The SUV market is continually expanding and subdividing, and with Torres, we are filling the gap between semi-medium-sized SUVs such as Korando and large SUVs like Rexton. This move will create an additional segment in the market and open new opportunities for us as we continue to develop our product offering that adds value and originality.”
Built on a new platform designed for multiple drive trains, Torres offers drivers the freedom to expand their lifestyle by harnessing the brand’s reputable SUV and 4x4 heritage while experiencing the fusion of innovative and advanced technology with bold shapes and essential functionality to truly experience the adventures of the great outdoors.
The 1.5 turbo engine gives a best-in-class torque of 280Nm and a maximum output of 163ps. This gives a 10% improvement in acceleration from a standstill compared with the same engine currently fitted in Korando, while the acceleration from 60120km/h is also improved by 5%, to deliver exceptional performance under real-world driving conditions.
The exterior projects a rugged and tough aesthetic,
while the interior offers a delicate, comfortable, and contemporary space. Seamlessly integrated into the ergonomic design, Torres’ interior has been designed to maximise comfort and convenience for all onboard.
The wide yet slim dashboard creates a spacious feel, providing an uninterrupted view of the road. Aside from being stylish, the fourspoke flat-bottom steering wheel offers integrated audio controls for quick access. Metal accents and ambient mood lighting add a sophisticated touch to the leather upholstery.
Information is presented on a user-friendly, twin-panoramic 12.3” digital display cluster and infotainment controls. Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, and front USB & and AUX ports, accompanied by six cabin speakers.
Torres offers convenience from the moment you step inside with ample cabin and load space to maximise accessibility. With a width of 1,890mm, Torres offers space for passenger comfort and a load area that sets an industry standard, ranging from 703 to 1,662 litres, presenting an expansive luggage capacity suitable for a mid-size SUV, while also having the best-in-class luggage space and numerous useful storage spaces.
Adding to its versatility, Torres features a discrete and concealed space beneath the load floor, enhancing both space efficiency and security. This substantial and practical storage area caters to various needs, making it exceptionally convenient for both daily activities and road-trip adventures.
The towing capacity of Torres is up to 1.5 tonnes with a braked trailer, and 750kg for an unbraked trailer. It also offers a competitive approach and departure angles for safer, stress-free driving in more challenging or offroad situations. In the event of a trailer snaking while being towed, the trailer sway control function takes over to help the driver regain control when this alarming phenomenon starts to affect the steering and directional stability.
Combining cutting-edge intelligent technology into an authentic-looking SUV, Torres provides a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art driver safety and assistance features. This positions Torres as not just one of the safest but also one of the most relaxing vehicles to drive.
BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and power batteries, has chosen the Geneva International Motor Show 2024 for the European premiere of a diverse variety of models, sub-brands and innovative NEV technology. In a European first, BYD unveils the BYD SEAL U DM-i, introducing BYD Super DM (Dual Mode) Technology to Europe, representing a gamechanging evolution in intelligent PHEV technology. The new version of the BYD TANG, the imposing 7-seater AWD full electric SUV, will be on display, completely refreshed and restyled. And as a surprise, BYD also brings two innovative subbrands, YANGWANG and DENZA to Geneva, highlighting its technological prowess and its diverse high-end brand portfolio.
BYD enhances European product range with
BYD has introduced six full electric models since its launch in Europe: the BYD ATTO 3 (C-segment SUV), the BYD HAN (E-segment sedan), the BYD TANG (E-segment SUV), the BYD DOLPHIN (Csegment hatchback), the BYD SEAL (D-segment sedan) and the BYD SEAL U (D-segment SUV). In Geneva, the BYD SEAL U EV SUV welcomes its plug-in hybrid family member, the BYD SEAL U DM-i utilising cutting-edge Super DM (Dual Mode) Technology. This model is an efficient, practical, and eco-conscious solution for daily mobility needs and long worry-free journeys. The BYD SEAL U DM-i will be launched in European countries where the infrastructure of electric charging is not yet matured, or where customers are in demand of a vehicle that offers all the benefits of electric driving without compromising on range.
The completely renewed 7-seater, AWD, fullelectric SUV BYD TANG will also be shown in Geneva. The intelligent family-centric E-SUV offers practicality and comfort for eco-friendly journeys with swift charging, extended range up to 530 kilometres (WLTP combined) and powerful performance. Ahead of its European launch, the new BYD TANG has been awarded with the maximum 5 stars by Euro NCAP Safety Test, underlying BYD’s commitment to safety and sustainability.
BYD inspires innovation as it presents subbrands: YANGWANG and DENZA
BYD will also be teasing public reaction at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show with the exciting European premiere of YANGWANG technology. YANGWANG is the supreme luxury sub-brand of BYD and represents the pinnacle of innovation in inspirational new energy vehicle technology. BYD provides a glimpse of the exceptional capabilities of YANGWANG technology during a sensational preview at the Geneva Motor Show.
Taking centre-stage will be the YANGWANG U8. The YANGWANG U8 is powered by two groundbreaking technologies: the e⁴ platform and the DiSus-P Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System. BYD's e⁴ Platform is the world's first massproduced four-motor independent drive technology platform, designed to offer leading-class safety and performance. Compared with conventional fuel vehicles, it precisely controls the dynamics of all four wheels through four-motor independent vector
control, providing rapid sensing, precise recognition, and robust control capabilities. The four motors' independent control of the torque of the four wheels allows the YANGWANG U8 to use differential steering. This gives the ability to have the left and right wheels spinning in opposite directions, thus realizing the function of 0-to-360degree Tank Turn. The BYD DiSus Intelligent Body Control System is another proprietary breakthrough, enhancing vehicle agility and compatibility in various driving scenarios. It reduces the risk of rollovers, minimizes occupant displacement during high-speed cornering, acceleration, or braking, and protects the vehicle from damage under challenging road conditions.
Founded in 2010, DENZA, the joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, has emerged as a premium brand dedicated to delivering top-tier automobile products and exceptional services. After debuting DENZA with the 7-seat MPV (2+2+3 space) D9 at IAA Mobility 2023, now in Geneva, BYD introduces the DENZA D9 as a newcomer to the European market in the coming year. With a multitude of comfort, safety and performance innovations, the DENZA D9 is meticulously crafted to offer discerning consumers a luxurious, intelligent, and personalized driving experience. Within just six months of its launch in the Chinese market, the DENZA D9 secured its position as the best-selling MPV. DENZA is poised to impress Geneva with the N7, a premium sleek and sporty full electric mid-size crossover SUV.
Volkswagen UK has marked the success of its UK-wide Retailer network by presenting awards to its top-performing sites. The accolades celebrate outstanding performance across all business areas over the past 12 months including fleet, new cars, used cars, aftersales and more.
Inchcape Volkswagen in Bury secured the main prize of Retailer of the Year 2023 after finishing top of Volkswagen’s network league table. Its sister site, Inchcape Volkswagen in Shrewsbury, finished second, while Murray Volkswagen in Newton Abbott secured third place. The wider Murray Limited business also celebrated winning the award for bestperforming Retailer group.
Bury St Edmunds Volkswagen won the award for most improved Retailer, after climbing an astonishing 109 places since last year.
Awards were also handed out to Retailers that performed best in specific business areas:
• New car sales: Inchcape Volkswagen in Shrewsbury
• Used cars: Wrexham Volkswagen
• Aftersales: Heritage Volkswagen in Dorchester
• Fleet: Lookers Volkswagen in Preston League positions were decided according to how each site performed against specific criteria over the past 12 months, in categories such as customer satisfaction, staff training and quality of work.
The awards come off the back of a strong 2023 for the Volkswagen brand and its Retailers. Volkswagen was the UK’s bestselling new-car brand for the third year running, as confirmed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 162,087 new Volkswagen passenger vehicles were registered in the UK in 2023 – over 30,000 more than in 2022.
Volkswagen was also once again one of the most popular electric brands in the UK, with two of its ID. models among the top-10 bestselling electric vehicles in 2023.
“Huge congratulations to all our award winners and to the entire network for performing so well over the past year,” said Rod McLeod, Volkswagen UK Director. “The awards are a real feather in the cap for those that win them, but it’s important to acknowledge also the outstanding work by all our partners in the retail network. We really appreciate all the hard work and passion that goes into delivering such outstanding commercial results and of course for supporting customers so brilliantly.”
IA Electric Vehicles, the UK’s only multi-brand EV distributor, has confirmed that the all-new Seres 3 will arrive into UK showrooms this spring, with an attractive starting price of just £29,995 OTR. The encapsulating SUV combines modern design, premium materials and the advanced technology to ensure occupants are comfortable, engaged and safe on every journey.
The interior is characterised by its sophisticated dashboard design and a cuttingedge infotainment system which provide a spacious and contemporary feel. This is accompanied by sumptuous leather-style upholstery and elegant detailing that contribute to an upmarket interior which remains fuss-free and practical to operate.
Benefitting from an assertive exterior design, the all-new Seres 3 boasts a distinguishable and sporty appearance. The elevated front-end design and sharp contours generate an imposing presence which is complemented by distinctive 18” anthracite-finish alloy wheels and front and rear LED lights.
The state-of-the-art
high-strength steel bodyshell takes care of structural safety, and the Seres 3 is also equipped with 6 airbags, ISOFIX on rear seats and a comprehensive electronic aid package as standard.
The entry-level Active model is generously furnished with keyless start, reversing camera, air conditioning and a 10.25” touchscreen display while the top-level Spirit (priced from £31,995 OTR) adds further sophistication with a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging and heated front seats.
Powered by a 54kWh lithium-ion battery, the Seres 3 has a combined range of 205 miles (WLTP) and is capable of recharging in just 30 minutes (20% to 80%). The 120kW electric motor propels the Seres 3 to 62mph from standstill in under 9 seconds.
To facilitate the strong sales growth anticipated for 2024, IA Electric Vehicles is encouraging dynamic single- and multi-site automotive dealerships from across the UK to get in touch about exciting franchise opportunities with low investment costs by visiting www. iaelectricvehicles. co.uk/franchiseopportunities.
The all-new INEOS Fusilier follows in the very capable footsteps of the Grenadier, building on its DNA with a modern direction and distinctive identity. The Fusilier’s design is an evolution of the instantly recognisable proportions of a traditional 4X4 with a suite of sophisticated features that successfully maximise its aerodynamic efficiency.
• Design and engineering direction to appeal to those who seek a modern classic with serious off-road capability.
• Updating the archetypal 4X4 for an electrified powertrain to minimise drag without impacting the functional design sees a smoothing of body lines and a more athletic style.
• Chamfered edges and corners assist with uninterrupted airflow and maintaining that crucial unobstructed visibility over the road and terrain ahead.
• Exterior functional features have been cleverly incorporated into the bodywork for a more stylised appeal. There when you need them, out of sight when you don’t.
• Active grille shutters have been introduced to manage airflow at the front of the vehicle depending on its cooling or range-efficiency requirements, opening and closing automatically as required.
• Extensive use of flushed glazing and the integration of secondary features such as the side steps, boxed wheel arches and skid plates create a cohesive look, hinting at its dual-purpose functionality while maximising aerodynamics.
• Familial style aspects seen on the Grenadier and Quartermaster include 7” circular all-LED lighting front and rear, symbolising the strength of a steel tube running fore and aft, visible B-pillar between the doors and 4-way roof strengthening structure.
• Door hinges are on-show, now recessed for airflow, and the wide horizontal front grille features twin LED working lamps for maximum illumination - integrated within a streamlined surround.
In a strategic move to expand its presence in Europe, the mobility company Lynk & Co is making significant inroads into new markets by joining forces with partner SEEAG, a well-established leader with 30 years of experience in the automotive markets of South-Eastern Europe. The upcoming year marks the launch of Lynk & Co's plug-in hybrid in a total of 12 new markets, reinforcing the company's commitment to provide flexible mobility across the continent.
In 2024, Lynk & Co is set to execute its growth strategy by expanding into 12 new European markets.
For this, Lynk & Co has appointed SEEAG to act as importer and distributor for Southeast Europe. SEEAG is an established automotive group with decades of experience in the import, distribution, wholesale and retail of cars and spare parts. Lynk & Co will first bring its exceptional 01 to this region, starting with Romania and Greece. This strategic partnership offers numerous benefits, including the utilization of each other's strengths, resources, and networks, mitigating financial risks associated with market entry.
Nicolas Lopez Appelgren, CEO of Lynk & Co, said: “With this strategic rollout, we will expand our footprint in the European Market, solidify
our brand as a major provider of flexible mobility – and of course, deliver great cars. SEEAG is a reputable player in the industry, with strong infrastructure and operations — an ideal partner as we venture into these new territories.”
The expansion from 7 to 19 European markets signifies substantial growth for Lynk & Co. While currently operational in Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, the strategic collaboration with SEEAG paves the way for entry into exciting new territories. The initial launch in Greece and Romania is just the beginning, with plans for further expansion into Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Moldova by the end of 2024.
With this strategic initiative, Lynk & Co is ensuring greater availability of vehicles and establishing an extended sales and service network across Europe. This approach reflects Lynk & Co’s broader strategy and commitment to sustainability and business efficiency, positioning the brand for long-term success and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of European mobility.
Milltek Sport says the popularity of its premium enhanced exhaust systems reflect the UK’s enthusiasm for double-cab pick-ups, with owners continuing to enhance their working vehicles in the aftermarket.
Earlier this week, HM Revenue & Customs announced it would retain historic benefit-in-kind rates for double-cab pick-ups, following a nationwide backlash in response to proposed taxation changes. Milltek Sport says it appreciates the clarity from the HMRC and expects the retained BIK rules to continue to support hardworking commercial vehicle owners across the country.
Since launch in 2017, the Volkswagen Amarok has been a popular choice with Milltek Sport customers looking to enhance the character and style of their daily workhorse, with premium cat-back systems available with a choice of exhaust exit and tip designs.
Milltek Sport’s Active Sound Units (ASU) have also proved popular with commercial vehicle ownersan innovative solution which generates a usercontrollable exhaust sound, specifically designed for vehicles that traditionally lack the sound and tone that owners desire. The ASU is suitable for a wide range of commercial vehicles, and includes 11 selectable sound files with volume, pitch and tone adjustment, controllable via the company’s iPhone or Android app.
According to SMMT data the Ford Ranger was the UK’s most popular pick-up truck in 2023, and this is reflected by Milltek Sport customers. Following increasing demand from Milltek Sport customers, the company is now launching a new product range for the nation’s preferred pick-up.
Milltek Sport’s recently launched axle-back exhaust range for the new Ford Ranger Double Cab is suitable for 2.0-
litre models with a 1-tonne payload capacity, allowing owners to enhance aesthetics with dual-exit exhaust tips.
Outside of the commercial pick-up market, Milltek Sport has also launched an exhaust range for the performance-focused Ford Ranger Raptor, unlocking even more potential from its highly potent 3.0litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine.
Milltek Sport’s Ranger Raptor system brings more noise to Ford’s high-performance pick-up and incorporates the factory driving modes to allow a switchable soundtrack.
“It’s true that we’re a nation of pickup truck lovers, and the continuing appetite for premium aftermarket products for commercial vehicles reflects this,” says Steve Pound, Managing Director at Milltek Sport. “Just because pick-up trucks are built to get the job done doesn’t mean owners shouldn’t take pride in them, and we’re pleased that double-cab pick-ups will retain their status as working commercial vehicles.”
For more information, customers are invited to contact their nearest Milltek Sport stockist, which can be found at www.millteksport.com, or call Milltek Sport on 01322 227 280.
Dacia’s first all-electric model, Spring is widely credited for making electric mobility accessible to all. First launched in 2021, it was the third most sold electric car to retail customers in 2022 and 2023. In total, more than 140,000 Dacia Spring have been registered worldwide since its launch.
Spring’s energy efficiency and carbon footprint were particularly praised in 2022, when it was awarded the maximum 5-star rating from the independent European organisation Green NCAP.
Dacia Spring is the perfect solution for people looking for simple, affordable and efficient zeroemission mobility. Data collected via the vehicle’s on-board connected systems shows that the average daily trip made by Spring drivers covers just 23 miles, at an average speed of only 23 mph. In 75% of cases, cars are recharged at home.
The Dacia Spring has always found its audience because it has constantly evolved since its launch, with a new brand identity in 2022, then a more powerful 65 hp motor in 2023. Today, the All-New Dacia Spring passes another milestone, taking those qualities that made it a success to the next level.
It is even more attractive than ever, with an entirely
renewed and more robust design, and yet still as practical, with exceptional interior storage space for its segment. It is more efficient, thanks to carefully managed weight, while remaining the most affordable full-electric model on the market.
And now these qualities are available to UK buyers, as it launches in right-hand-drive for the first time. Pre-ordering for the All-New Dacia Spring will open on 12 March 2024, with prices announced the same day.
Dacia continues its mission to be the best value for money car brand that constantly redefines the essentials. Applying this to Spring, Dacia wants to encourage drivers to make the shift to all-electric cars in an accessible way. A car’s design – along with efficiency, price and practicality – is one of the essential pieces in the puzzle.
The All-New Spring features the new Dacia design, first seen on the latest generation Duster. It is a robust and assertive style that makes the Spring more attractive than ever. The interior has undergone a spectacular transformation with a complete overhaul of the entire space, just as the only part of the exterior body to remain unchanged is the roof.
David Durand, Dacia Design Director commented:
“As Spring embraces the brand’s new design language, it is a resolute sign that it is here to stay as a key member of the Dacia family. We gave it a serious and confident design. Building on the success of the previous generation, the All-New Spring confidently asserts its own identity.”
The highly structured, highly constructed volumes of Dacia’s new design style give renewed strength to Spring. A powerful look that comes from a clean, simple, pared-back silhouette, such as that seen on the highly sculpted bonnet.
The new Dacia identity is evident in the two black bands, one at the front, the other at the rear, which meet in a glossy finish, with specific matte stripes at the rear. The two strips are framed by the brand’s iconic Y-shaped light signature, which is particularly striking with the full-LED daytime running lights at the front and the parking lights at the rear.
The modern design on the All-New Spring is underpinned by decals featuring a contemporary style that adorn the front and rear bumpers on the Extreme trim. The 15-inch wheels, fitted with highly crafted wheel covers, add to the robust feel.
True to the Dacia philosophy, the All-New Spring cultivates a clever and durable design. This is evidenced, for example, by the lower-door side protections which are light, affordable, easy to install, and easy to replace. As with all new Dacia models, decorative chrome parts have been removed, mitigating further impact on the environment. The same for the roof bars, as they are generally redundant on a small car used mainly for short trips; removing them helps lower the car’s weight, make it more aerodynamic, and therefore improve its range.
The All-New Spring is available in a range of six shades, including newly introduced Brick Red and Beige Safari colours.
The dashboard has been totally reinvented, both to incorporate elements from Dacia’s new interior design language, with its emblematic horizontal architecture, and to also integrate a new range of digital screens. Spring now features a customisable digital dashboard with a 7-inch display on all versions as well as a 10-inch
multimedia central display in higher trim level models. The colour palette and materials used for the interior have been reworked to offer superior quality, while reducing the diversity of options to better manage costs – key to the Dacia philosophy.
The All-New Spring also features full-body white elements that help create a fresh, modular atmosphere. They are located around the instrument cluster, gear stick, and door bins. The iconic Dacia "Y", located at the heart of the central air vents, is in white (or copper on the Extreme trim). The central decorative accent on the instrument panel varies by trim: Alto Gray on Essential, Brick Red on Expression, Dusty Khaki on Extreme.
The All-New Spring is designed to be practical. The large multimedia touch screen has been positioned as high as possible for optimal ergonomics. The graphic design on the customisable digital dashboard with 7-inch display has been designed to be simple and intuitive, giving the driver ready access to essential information. What’s more, the All-New Spring features innovative YouClip accessory mounts, revealed recently on the AllNew Duster. Finally, the Extreme trim comes with sturdy, rubber floor mats and door sills with unique ‘topographic lines’ design.
The All-New Spring remains true to its original concept: a widely affordable, fully electric car adapted to the real needs of drivers. Just as it has always been since its launch in 2021, the All-New Spring remains the most affordable full-electric car on the market. As such, Dacia aims to encourage UK motorists to transition to electric driving in a very concrete and effective way.
Above all else, an electric car is a car, which is why Dacia never loses sight of its most essential
feature: its usefulness. The All-New Spring offers the best storage volume in its class. With 308 litres (+6% compared to the previous model) – 1,004 litres with the rear seats folded down – its boot can fit much more than similarly sized rival vehicles and is on par with B-segment models. In addition, Spring offers additional storage throughout the cabin, with an overall volume of nearly 33 litres. This space is also better than segment standards.
Smart yet practical accessories further optimise storage capacity in the All-New Spring. Consumers can opt for additional space housed under the front bonnet, providing an extra 35 litres of storage space. The centre console can fit an exclusive cup holder, made using cutting-edge, flexible, and resource-efficient 3D-printing technology.
The All-New Spring also works with Dacia’s innovative YouClip system. The simple and clever system invented by Dacia engineers can be used to attach various dedicated accessories, practically and robustly, to key places inside the car. The AllNew Spring, as standard, comes equipped with three YouClip anchor points (one on the dashboard, two on the centre console). They can be used to mount a storage pouch, smartphone holder (with or without an induction charger), or a nifty 3in-1 attachment that combines a cup holder, bag hook, and portable light. All these accessories will be available through the Dacia retail network.
other features (e.g., navigation) via their smartphone, with ergonomics designed to be used when driving.
The Media Nav Live system – standard on the Extreme trim – boasts a large 10-inch central touch screen that incorporates smart navigation, with real-time traffic conditions and up-to-date European maps for up to 8 years. Moreover, it enables wireless use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Media Nav Live system also includes two USB ports.
New ADAS enhance the range of on-board equipment to meet the latest European Global Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) safety standards. These include an advanced emergency braking system (with vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle detection), traffic sign recognition with speed alert, rear park assist, emergency stop signal, lane change alert, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, and emergency call (eCall). To make life easier for drivers, Dacia has included a clever ‘My Safety’ button for rapid access to their preferred and personalised ADAS settings.
For an easier driving experience, every All-New Spring features a customisable digital dashboard with a 7-inch display. Located behind the new height-adjustable steering wheel, the colour display shows essential information in a simple and efficient manner. It can be customised to show additional information such as remaining range, energy consumption, or driving assistance systems (ADAS). When the All-New Spring is charging, the digital dashboard displays the battery level and remaining time until full charge.
Media Control, a standard feature on Essential and Expression trims, is a steering wheel-controlled multimedia system with media information and phone calls displayed on the digital instrument panel. It also incorporates two speakers, a Bluetooth connection, and a USB port. When connected to the free Dacia Media Control app, drivers can use radio/media functions and access
The All-New Dacia Spring is equipped to tackle both the urban jungle and country roads. Particularly compact (3.70m long) and with one of the best turning circles in its segment (4.80m wall-to-wall), it is exceptionally agile, making it particularly easy to drive.
Bodywork that stands the test of time thanks to the solid-colour protection strips that wrap around the body, especially the bumpers and wheel arches. The All-New Spring can withstand everyday wear and tear without compromising on appearance. Its high ground clearance is an asset when venturing over rough terrain.
As well as a 45 hp motor, All-New Spring is offered with the more powerful 65 hp/48 kW motor. It boasts spritely acceleration, achieving 0-62 mph in less than 14 seconds.
The All-New Dacia Spring is resource-light and achieves greater efficiency through its light weight.
In addition to changes made to all new Dacia models, such as the removal of all accent pieces in chrome and animal leather, or the increased number of full-dyed parts, the All-New Spring is designed according to very strict criteria to accurately meet the specific needs of A-segment customers. That includes a battery calibrated to meet their criteria and which fits a compact platform.
Weighing only 984 kg in the top-level Extreme trim, it is the only full-electric car in Europe to stay under one tonne. Compared to previous generation models with the same trim, the weight has only increased by 6 kg (or +0.6%), despite the numerous new ADAS added to meet regulatory requirements, the upgraded trims and standard equipment.
Having kept a close eye on the scales, combined with the efficiency of the motor, the All-New Spring, boasts excellent energy use, below 14.6kWh/62 miles, thereby keeping running costs in check.
The compact 26.8 kWh battery is precisely calibrated to meet the needs and lifestyles of AllNew Spring drivers, without degrading the overall performance by adding excessive weight. Boasting a WLTP range of over 137 miles for all versions (pending certification), its performance is more than sufficient for customers who travel an average of just 23 miles per day (according to data collected by on-board computers).
connector, located under the grille, acts as a traditional 220V/16A socket.
For the launch of the All-New Spring, Dacia offers an expanded range so customers will find the model that perfectly meets their needs. Consistent with the brand’s other models, a mid-range Expression trim has been added between the Essential and Extreme trims. Full UK specification will be communicated in March.
Main standard equipment:
Spring Essential: 7-inch digital instrument cluster, height-adjustable 3-spoke steering wheel, power steering, Media Control system with USB port, speed limiter, cruise control, steering wheel radio control, central locking with remote control, electric front windows, rear parking sensors, 12V socket.
Spring Expression: Same as Essential + manual air conditioning, 15inch wheels.
Spring Extreme: Same as Expression + copper interior/ exterior finishes, power rear mirrors and windows, Media Nav Live multimedia system with 10-inch centre screen, 2 USB ports and wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bi-directional charger.
DACIA
To further optimise the car’s range, the All-New Dacia Spring is equipped for the first time with a regenerative braking system that is activated by selecting the ‘B-mode’ via the new gearbox controls.
The All-New Dacia Spring is equipped as standard with a 7 kW AC charger that can charge the battery from 20% to 100% on a domestic outlet in less than 11 hours, or in just 4 hours on a 7 kW wall box. A 30 kW DC charger enables fast charging from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes.
More practical than ever before, the New Dacia Spring now features a bi-directional V2L (vehicleto-load) charger so it can be used as an energy source to power electrical devices. A specific adapter that plugs into the car’s charging
Green NCAP awarded Dacia Spring its top 5-star rating in August 2022. In its assessment, Green NCAP measured the impacts the vehicle and its use have on air quality, global warming, and energy efficiency. Spring excelled in each category, thanks mainly to its efficient use of energy and low environmental impact.
On February 2, 2023, Green NCAP unveiled their award for Best Car Green NCAP 2022 and Spring – the featherweight of European electric vehicles –overtook the market heavyweights. This 5-star rating is not only symbolic – it rewards Dacia for striving to fulfil its desire to offer vehicles that boast the market’s best price-performance ratio, and which are more environmentally friendly to as many people as possible.
The new Renault Trafic E-Tech 100% electric is now available for preordering, with the fully electric van costing from £34,500 plus VAT after the £5,000 PiVG (Plug-in Van Grant). Customers can pre-order now, with official ordering opening in June and first customer deliveries expected to begin in September.
The zero-emissions-in-use van is available in a choice of three versions, including a high roof model that occupies a unique position in the UK market.
An award-winning best-seller, the Renault Trafic has been trusted by more than 2.4 million hardworking professionals since its launch in 1980, making it the third most-sold LCV in Europe. Today, that lineage now includes an all-electric version –the new Trafic E-Tech 100% electric – that sits between the Kangoo E-Tech electric and Master ETech electric in Renault’s fully-electric LCV line-up.
The new Trafic E-Tech 100% electric, with its bold design that capitalises on the brand’s new identity, maintains all of its ICE counterpart’s strengths, providing a high level of performance with a broad choice of specifications and a wide variety of individualisation options.
Versatility comes as standard with the new Trafic E-Tech 100% electric, with a choice of two body lengths (5.08 and 5.48 metres) and two heights (1.967 and 2.498 metres) to offer a load space that ranges from 5.8m3 to 8.9m3.
Loads of up to 4.15 metres in length can be carried in the LWB version thanks to the clever loadthrough facility, while up to 920kg of towing capacity and a maximum payload of up to 1,222kg ensure no job is too big for the new Trafic E-Tech 100% electric.
That practical nature continues into the cabin, too, with up to 88 litres of storage space on offer: 19.7
litres in the console, 14.6 litres in the doors, and 54 litres in the bench.
The Renault Trafic was the first LCV to be equipped with a “mobile office” and this smart piece of equipment has since gone on to become a must-have for tradespeople on the move. Now standard on the new Trafic E-Tech electric, the middle passenger seat folds down to become a convenient work desk or a table for meals, complete with a detachable A4 clipboard and a laptop storage slot.
With a lithium-ion battery of 52kWh capacity, the new Trafic E-Tech electric can drive for up to 186 miles (WLTP) on a single charge, while rapid DC charging up to 50kW can fully recharge the battery from flat in just an hour. A single-phase 7kW AC charger works with all types of home outlets, while 22kW AC fast charging at public stations provides a 31-mile top-up (WLTP) in less than 25 minutes.
An 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty ensures this level of performance is maintained. The batteries will be replaced free of charge should their state of health drop below 70% of the nominal level.
The new Trafic E-Tech electric is powered by a 90kW (120hp) electric motor providing 245Nm of instantly-available torque. The conventional hydraulic braking system now includes an Adaptive
Regenerative Brake System (ARBS) which maximises opportunities for energy recovery.
The MyRenault smartphone app and the Easy Link multimedia system enable scheduled battery charging, remote battery status monitoring, and scheduled cab pre-heating. A list of destinations that can be reached with the battery’s remaining range and charging points along a route can also be easily identified.
The new Trafic E-Tech electric is exclusively offered in a generously-equipped Advance specification. This includes such standard features as an Easy Link display with 8-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, full LED headlights with C-shaped DRLs, heated electrically-adjustable door mirrors, rear parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, intelligent speed assist, active emergency braking system, tyre pressure warning, lane departure warning, driver attention alert and drowsiness warning.
Also standard are a premium dashboard with horizontal grain and chrome styling, a 7-inch colour TFT driver information display, height adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment and armrest, electric front windows with one-touch opening on the driver’s side, air conditioning with pollen filter, and the Mobile Office with folding middle passenger seat.
Available options include climate control, heated seats, 360° parking sensors, rear parking camera, automatic high beam, automatic headlights, rain sensitive wipers, blind spot warning, and a range of door and glazing configurations.
Standard equipment
Technology
• 6-speed gearbox with gear shift indicator
• Key – 3-button folding with selective opening
• EASY LINK display with 8-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB ports
• 4.2-inch Colour TFT driver information display
• Wireless smartphone integration with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®
Interior
• Kompo upholstery
• Driver's seat with armrest – height adjustable, lumbar adjustment
• Electric front windows – driver's side 'one touch' descending
• Interior cabin lighting
• Premium dashboard with horizontal grain and chrome styling
• Closed glove box
• Manual air conditioning with pollen filter
• Passenger bench seat with Mobile Office (fold down middle passenger seat, with detachable A4 clipboard and laptop storage)
• Steering wheel – reach and rake adjustment
Exterior
• New brand identity
• Full LED headlights with C-shaped DRL
• Door mirrors – heated with electric adjustment and external temperature sensor
• Left side loading door – unglazed, right-side panel unglazed
• Rear doors – unglazed, 180°
• Spare wheel with anti-theft spare wheel holder
• 16" steel wheel trims
• Body-coloured door rail and rear tail light column with chrome grille (not available on high roof version)
• Cruise control and speed limiter
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend
• Anchorage points: 14 for Short wheel base (SWB) and 16 for Long wheel base (LWB) weight allowed per anchorage ring: approximately 500kg
• Alarm – Thatcham T1 volumetric alarm
• Airbag – driver and passenger airbag
• Airbag –- front lateral, curtain and front passenger with deactivation
• Seatbelt reminder – driver and passenger
• Seatbelts – 3-point heightadjustable seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
• Deadlocking
• ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
• Remote central locking
• Electronic immobiliser
• All-round disc brakes
• Full steel bulkhead with load-through facility
• Wide view mirror (blind spot mirror in passenger sun visor)
• Rear parking sensors
• Active Emergency Braking System
• Driver Attention Alert and Drowsiness Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Intelligent speed assist
• Alcohol interlock pre-device
