Farming Monthly National October 2022

Sixtyyearslater,bookthatlaunchedenvironmental movementexposesGovernment'sinactiononpesticides

TheUK Government's "ditheranddelay" approachto pesticidepolicy continuestoputthe healthofournaturalworldat seriousrisk,sixtyyearsafter authorRachelCarsonfirst soundedthealarmaboutthe hiddenharmsofthesetoxic chemicalsinherbook"Silent Spring".

Today,onthe60thanniversary oftheground-breakingexposé, expertsinThePesticide Collaborationarecallingoutthe UKGovernmentforfailingto adequatelyprotecthumanhealth andtheenvironmentfrom pesticides.Sinceofficialrecords beganin1990,theUKhas coveredover700million hectaresinpesticides–enough todouseeveryinchoftheUK14 timesover.Meanwhile, pesticideslinkedtocancerare stillroutinelyusedinparksand playgroundsbylocalcouncils,up anddownthecountry.

SarahHaynes,fromThe PesticideCollaboration,said: "Governmentleadershipand actiononpesticidesislong overdue.Asmoretownschoose togopesticide-free,andfarmers explorenon-chemical alternatives,what'smissingis Governmentsupportand ambitiousreductiontargetsto tackletheproblemonthescale required.Sixtyyearsago, Carsonwarnedagainstacertain arrogance–theideathatwecan fullycontrolthepesticidesweput intheenvironment.Timeand againpesticidesoncedeemed "safe"arerevealedtopersist andpollutetheenvironmentfar beyondwhatwasoriginally thought.Anotherwayispossible, andappetitetopoisontheplanet whateverthecostisquickly diminishing."

DespiteGovernmentpromisesto

publishanationalactionplanon pesticidesin2018,itisyetto materialise–adelayofalmost fiveyears.Instead,the Governmentisnowtalkingabout deregulation,withPMTruss promisinga"redtapebonfire" whichislikelytoputhuman healthandwildlifeatfurtherrisk.

Inthemeantime,the environmentaldegradation predictedbyCarson,who warnedin1962ofafuture "SilentSpring"unlesspesticides weretackled–wherethehumof beesorchatterofbirdsareno longerheard–continuesto unfold.Ruralwildlifehas declineddramatically,with farmlandbirdpopulations plummetingonaverageby50 percentsince1970.Research suggeststhatflyinginsectshave declinedbyalmosttwo-thirdsin theUKinthelast20years–in linewithplummetinginsect numbersglobally.Asingle teaspoonofneonicotinoid insecticideisenoughtodelivera lethaldoseto1.25billionbees.

MartinLines,anarablefarmer andUKchairoftheNature FriendlyFarmingNetwork, explains:

"Governmentpolicyhastaken farmersdownapaththatdoesn't vieworrewardnatureasintegral tosustainablefoodproduction. Thegovernmenthasnotacted withthenecessaryurgencyto addressthebiodiversitycrisis, anditcontinuestodragitsfeetin deliveringanewpesticide NationalActionPlan.Weare concernedthatthisnew governmentwillturnablindeye toimportingproductsthatuse pesticideswhichareillegalin thiscountryandwillcontributeto thedeclineofnature internationally.Thegovernment musttakethehealthandvitality ofourfarmedlandscapes seriously,whichmeansactingto supporttheimprovementoffarm ecosystemswheretheneedto

usedamaginginsecticidesis negated.Weneedpolicythatwill stoptheuseofharmful pesticides,includingclear reductiontargets."

Pesticideharmsarenotlimited totheenvironment.Through residuesinfood,spraying throughouttowns,parksand playgrounds,aswellaspetflea treatments–humanhealthis exposedtothesetoxicchemicals inmultipleunseenways.Long termpesticideexposurehas beenlinkedtothedevelopment ofParkinson'sdisease;asthma; depressionandanxiety;and cancers.

ThalieMartini,CEOofBreast CancerUK,said: "Weareveryconcernedabout theeffectsofcertainpesticides stillincurrentuse.Somemay actascarcinogensbyinducing genemutations.Otherscanact asendocrine(hormone) disruptingchemicalsthatmay affecthormones–including oestrogen–whichmayalso increasebreastcancerrisk"

WhenRachelCarsonwroteher seminalbooksixtyyearsago,it sparkedawaveofpublicinterest andconcern.Herwritingisoften creditedwithstartingthemodern environmentalmovement.

Carsonwasalsometwithfierce resistancefromagrochemical companies,dismissingand underminingherscientific studiesasnonsense–atactic thattheindustrystillusestoday.

ThePesticideCollaborationis callingforanurgentreductionin pesticide-relatedharmstoboth theenvironmentandhuman health.TheyareurgingtheUK Governmenttointroduce ambitiouspesticidereduction targetsandputinplacethe supportfarmersneedto transitionovertonon-chemical alternatives.

FieldsofopportunityforScottishagriculturalapprentices

Twelveapprentices havestarteda bespoke agricultural engineeringcourse usingthelatest AGCOproductsaspartofanew partnershipbetweentheglobal agriculturalmachinerygiantand Scotland'sRuralCollege (SRUC).

scheme:WCGMoretonMorrell inWarwickshire,Riseholmein Lincolnshire,andColegCambria LlysfasiinWales.

Thecourse,whichisbeingrunat SRUC'sBaronycampusin Dumfries,willcomplementthree othertrainingpartnersdelivering theAGCOApprenticeship

Followinginvestmentfromboth SRUCBaronyandAGCO, Scottishagriculturalengineering apprenticeswillbeabletolearn aboutsomeofthelatest technologyintheindustryusing equipment andtraining aidsonoffer fromAGCO's Massey Ferguson, Fendtand Valtrabrands. With worldwide demandfor foodpredicted toincreaseby 60percentby 2050,thedemandforhighly skilledandtalentedagricultural engineerstoservicethe industry'sadvancedand complexmachineryhasnever beengreater.

CharlieRollason,Aftersales TrainingBusinessDevelopment ManagerforAGCO,said:"We aredelightedtohaveselected andpartneredwithSRUC BaronyforallourScottish provisionandarecommittedto deliveringbrandnew,true AGCOmanufacturer-led apprenticeshiptrainingthrough ourfurthereducationpartners, fortheFendt,Valtra,and MasseyFergusonbrands."

SRUCCourseTutorforthe AGCOSchemeMarkThomas said:"Ournewpartnershipwith AGCOwillallowScottish agriculturalengineering apprenticestoworktowardsa recognizedqualificationwithin theindustryandbuildacareer alongsideaglobal manufacturer."

Ifyouareinterestedin developingacareerasan agriculturalengineer,please contactSRUCBaronyforfurther informationon:01387860251or byemailing: mark.thomas@sruc.ac.uk

CropSaveris launchingthe new7Series bale management systemsforall typesoflargesquarebaler. The7Seriesbuildsonthe precisionandfunctionalityof theprevious600Series whilereducingtheoverall capitalcostofasystem.

TheH2Oprecisionmoisture sensorandisthebuilding blockforadditional7Series modules.Accurate measurementofmoistureis keytounderstandingfurtherimprovementsinthe managementofyourbalingoperation.TheH2O moisturesensorwithits24yearsofinfield experienceisbuiltforthelatestgenerationofhigh densitylargesquarebalers.

Inthenearfutureasecond-generationRFIDbale taggingsystemwillcomplementthewetbalemarker thatprovidesasimplelow-costoptiontohighlight balesthatexceedtheoperatorsdefinedmoisture limit.Markingwithafoodgradecolourofthehigh moisturebalesallowsthebalestobeseparatedat thestackingpointsothatthenumberofwasteor poor-qualitybalesarereduced.

Thethirdcomponentistheautomaticvariablerate applicatorwhichissuitableforalllargesquare balers.Thenew7Seriesisapproximatelya20% savingincapitalcost.CropSaverusesthebalers onboardsensorssuchastheelectronicbalelength andweighscaletomonitorsthebalers performance,adjustingCropSaverpH6.0buffered acidapplicationinrealtime.

Thetechnologyusedtoreadmoistureismarket leading+/-1%accuracywithzerocalibration requirementsindifferentcroptypesordensity.The twinstarwheelsmeasurebypulsinganelectrical signalthroughtheentirebaleflakeprofile.The CropSaverteamisoftenasked‘whywewouldpay moreforyourmoisturesensor’,thesimpleansweris accuracyandreliabilitywitheaseofusewhetherit isintegratedtohebalerorasasmartdevice standalonesystem.Whyshouldabaleroperator acceptdatathatislessaccuratefromarubpador moistureprobe?Withthetwinstarwheelsystem, theoperatorcanhavefullconfidenceinthedata produced.

CropSaverpH6.0animalsafebufferedacid.Thisis anintegralparttoassistinthebalingofhigh moisturehayandstrawwhentheweatherisfighting youallthewaytothebarn.Wehaveallheard storiesofstrawbaledtoowetandturnsoutlike cardboardorhaybaledtowetandtheusual commentsof‘leaveitinthefieldforafewweeksto sweat’oratworstself-combust.Onceyouexceed 16%moisturejustaswithgrainthereisvarying degreesofspoilageunlessusingourhigh-quality balepreservative.

NEW7Seriesisthemostcost-effectivetoolto assistinyourbalingoperation.Improvingyour understandingofmoistureincropsandbeingable tomanagehighmoisturebaleswiththewetbale markerorutilisingtheultimatebalemanagement applicatorsystem.CropSaverisavailablefromyour localNewHollandDealer

Add moisture sensors and application equipment to you autumn / winter baler purchases

Prescison moisture sensors Bale management solutions Manual & Automatic applicators

The precision system is built around a market leading zero calibration moisture system. we all know the importance of moisture but when the automatic applicator is added it provides a solution to deal with high moistures often found in hay just when you think it is ready to bale, this opens the baling window and improves the quality of the baled product utilising Baler’s Choice preservative. When moisture is the only concern a wet bale marker will highlight the individual flakes on square balers that are above your preferred limit. For round balers the bale that has and average moisture above the limit is marked

Independentreviewprovidesrecommendations toimprovesupportfortenantfarmers

Anewindependent reviewhas publishedits recommendations onhowlandlords, tenantsand governmentcanworktogether todeliveraresilientand productiveagriculturaltenanted sector.

TheRockReviewwas commissionedbyDefrain Januarytolookathowto providebettersupporttotenant farmersandtenanciesasthe governmentseekstodrive growthandsustainabilityacross thefarmingsectorandrural communities.TheTenancy WorkingGroup,whoproduced thereport,consistedof stakeholdersfromallpartsof thetenantedsectorincluding tenants,landlordsandagents.

Publishedtoday,thereviewis clearontheessentialroleof tenantfarmersindeliveringour environmentaltargets,food security,andagrowingrural economy.Withtenantfarmers beingstewardsonholdingsthat covermorethanhalfof farmablelandinEngland,this groupoffarmersneedtohave accesstogovernment schemes.

Thereviewmakesaseriesof recommendationsto governmenttoenablethe tenantedsectortodeliver sustainablefoodproduction, meetthechallengesofclimate change,andimproveand enhancebiodiversity.The recommendationscovera rangeofareas,includingpublic schemes,landlord-tenant relationshipsandnewentrants.

EnvironmentSecretaryRanil Jayawardenasaid:

“IwouldliketothankBaroness Rockandherteamforproviding

theiranalysisoftheissuesand opportunitiesfacingtenant farmersinEngland.

“Thereviewisrighttosetout theimportanceofhavinga thrivingtenantedsectorifwe aretodelivergrowthinourrural economyandunlockfarmers’ potentialtoimprovethe environment.Wewillbelooking closelyatitsrecommendations.

“Aswelookathowwebest deliverourenvironmental schemes,wewillmakesure thattheneedsoftenantfarmers remaincentraltoourplans.”

BaronessKateRocksaid:

“Thisreviewprovidesaclear visionfortheagricultural tenantedsectorinEnglandthat Defracanandshouldadopt. Therecommendations,when takentogether, activelymovethe sectortowardsa positionwhere tenantfarmers operateresilient, successful,and thriving businesses.

“Some recommendations canbemore immediately deliveredby Defrasuchas changesto schemedesign thatwould expandthe opportunitiesfor tenantfarmersto accesssupport forimprovingthe environment alongside producingfood.

“Other recommendations aremore

structural.Thesewillputthe tenantedsectoronamore resilientfootingaswemove throughtheagricultural transition.Theywillencourage tenantfarmersandlandlordsto collaborateandinvestin productivity,improvethe environmentanddrivegrowthin theruraleconomy.”

TheTenancyWorkingGroup wasformedtoprovidetenant farmersandassociated stakeholdersafurther opportunitytomakesurethe newenvironmentalschemes workwithinagricultural tenancies.

Thegovernmentwillpublish aformalresponsetothe reviewinduecourse.

World’sfirstagri-focusedsatelliteheads toUSasitpreparesforDecemberlaunch

EOSSAT-1,thefirst imagingsatelliteto bebuiltby Dragonfly Aerospace,will soonleavethe 3000m2DragonflyAerospace designandmanufacturing facilityinStellenbosch,South Africa,asitheadstoSpaceX’s launchsiteinCapeCanaveral, Floridaforpre-launchtesting aheadoftheTransporter-6 missionscheduledtolaunchin December.

Thesatellitewillform thefirstofasevensatelliteconstellation inlowEarthorbitfor customerEOSDA (EOSData Analytics).The remainingsix satellitesofthe constellationwillbe deployedoverthe nextthreeyears.

EOSSATwillbethe world’sfirst agriculture-focused satelliteconstellation providingthe agricultureand forestryindustrywith high-qualitydatato supportefficientand sustainable practices.

Imagesobtainedfrom Dragonfly’sEOSSAT-1will delivervaluableinformationfor harvestmonitoring,application mapping,seasonalplanning andassessmentsthatanalyse informationsuchassoil moisture,yieldpredictionand biomasslevels.Thisdatawill supportgrowerswithreducing carbondioxideemissionsand helpthemtodevelop sustainableagricultural methodswithoutfinancial losses.

Suchinformationwillhave importantenvironmental benefitsfortheplanetandhelp preventnaturalhabitatsfrom beingdiminishedforcrop growth.

EquippedwithtwoDragonEye electro-opticalimagers,EOS SAT-1willprovide44kmswath panchromaticandmultispectral imageryacross11spectral bandsatcloseto1mresolution –makingitoneofthemost powerfulsatellitesinLEO.

andbuiltbyDragonfly,thefirst tobemanufacturedinSouth Africasince2009,thefirst satelliteoftheEOSSAT constellationandthefirstagrifocusedconstellationinspace.

“Thishasbeenanimportant projectforourwholeteamand hasallowedustodemonstrate ourcapabilities,notjustin producinghigh-performance electro-opticalimagers,butin designingandmanufacturinga fullimagingsatellitesystem.It’s anamazingfeelingtoseeEOS

BryanDean, CEOandCofounderof Dragonfly Aerospace, said:

“Thisisakey momentfor Dragonfly Aerospaceand wearethrilledtobe delivering EOSSAT-1withanumber offirsts–the firstimagingsatellitedesigned

SAT-1leaveour premisesandtakethe nextstepinits journeytodelivering crucialdatathatwill haveimportant environmental benefitsforour planet.

“Welookforwardto supportingEOSDA withitsmissiontolaunch thenextsixsatellitesby 2025.”

ARLACRAVENDALERELEASES'EVERYBODYS FREE,A-COWPPELLASTYLE'

ArlaCravendalereleasesasoothingremixoftheclassichit,Everybody'sFree,sungbyArla farmers,tocelebrateitsherd'saccesstopastureandnewhigherwelfarestandards

ArlaCravendaletoday announcesthatwhenitcomes toitsherds,'Everybody's Free',asitlaunchesanew industryleadingstandards programmeacrossitsfarms. ArlaC.A.R.E(Cooperative,AnimalWelfare, RenewableEnergyandEcosystem)isa newsetofanimalwelfareandsustainability standardsformilkproductionwhich includes'FreetoGraze',ensuringallcows thatproducemilkforArlaCravendale® haveaccesstopasture.*

87%ofconsumerscareaboutthewelfare ofanimalsthatareinvolvedinproducing foodandwhenitcomestodairyproduction,

consumerswantmilkfromcowswhoare lookedafterwithcareandattention,whoare comfortableandtreatedasnaturallyas possible.WhichiswhyArlaCravendalehas introducedFreetoGrazeonitsfarms,aspart ofthewiderC.A.R.Eprogramme,toensure itsmilkisproducedtosomeofthehighest standards,fromgrasstoglass.

Alongsideensuringcowshavefreeaccessto nutritiouspasturewhenitisinthebest interestoftheirwelfare,ArlaCravendaleis goingonestepfurthertobenefititsherd's wellbeingwiththelaunchofanewtrack 'Everybody'sFreeACowppellastyle'.Studies havesuggestedthatsongsthatplayunder 100BPMcancalmaherdii,soArla Cravendale®hascreatedacalmingand slowerremixoftheclassichit'Everybody's Free',tocreateatunethatmeltsthevoicesof realArlafarmerswiththegentlemoosand soothingsoundstypicallyfoundonfarm. Whilecelebratingthebrand'sFreetoGraze standardthathasbeenintroduced,thetrack alsoallowspeopletolistentoandfeelthe senseofpuritythatisfoundonArlafarms thatproduceCravendalemilk.

KateLiversidge,senioragriculturalmanager atArlasays:"AtArlaCravendale,balancing nutritionandpuritywithmoresustainable farmingmethodshasbecomemoreimportant thanever,sowe'reproudtointroduceon farmstandardstohelpnurtureandprotect ourherdsandlandwhereverwecan.We

knowthatunderstandingwherefoodcomesfrom andhowit'smadeishugelyimportanttopeople, sothroughourFreetoGrazestandardandthe ArlaC.A.R.Eprogramme,wecanhelpour shoppersfeelconfidentthattheirmilkiscoming fromaplacewhere'Everybody'sFree'."

Toannouncethelaunchof'Everybody'sFreeACowppellastyle',ArlaCravendalehasteamedup withJLSstarandfarmer,JBGill,who'sknownfor playingmusictohisownherd.JBGillsays:"Asa farmer,I'malwaysinterestedinwhatcanbedone tofurtherbenefitanimalwelfareonfarm,soIwas excitedtojoinArlaCravendaleandlearnmore abouttheC.A.R.Eprogramthattheyhaveputin place.Alongsideplayingmusic,like'Everybody's FreeA-Cowppellastyle'onmyfarm,Ialsomake surethatmyanimalshaveaccesstotheland,like ArlaCravendalecowsdowiththenewFreeto Grazestandard."

Knowingthatcowshaveaccesstopastureis hugelyimportantforshoppers,soArlaCravendale isleveragingFreetoGrazethroughanonpack C.A.R.Elogososhopperscanbeconfidentthat theirmilkisproducedwiththehigheston-farm standardsandproducedbyfarmersthatare workinghardtoreducetheirimpactonthe

environment.

'FreetoGraze'isjustoneofthestandardsthat makeuptheArlaC.A.R.Eprogramme,oneof Arla'shighestsetofonfarmstandardstodate. Alongsidetheanimalwelfareelementofthe programme,ArlaC.A.R.Ewillseefarmerscommit toanother12standards,includingrenewable energyplansandimplementinginitiativesthat supportnatureandincreasingbiodiversity.

Arlafarmer,PeterWebster,says:"Myherd's healthandwellbeingisalwaysatoppriorityonmy farm,andIthinkit'simportantthatdairyshoppers areawareofthehighstandardswehaveinplace, whenthey'reinthedairyaisle.Fromthe standardswehaveinplaceonfarmthroughtothe C.A.R.Eaccreditationonpack,Ihopethosewho enjoyaglassofArlaCravendalemilkareassured thattheirmilkiscomingfromthepurestplace."

LearnmoreabouttheC.A.R.Estandardsat www.arlafoods.co.uk/care

*Aslongasweatherpermits,anditdoesn't compromisetheirhealth

Freesafetycourselaunchedforyoungfarmers

Lantrahaslaunched acomprehensive FREEcourse aimedatensuring thesafetyofboth buddingyoung farmersandthosevisitingfarms whomaynotbefamiliarwiththe environment.

Withthearrivalofthehalf-term holidays,Lantrahasjustgone livewithitsChildSafetyon FarmsCourse,toensure parentsareawareofthe inherentdangersonfarms. Therobustcoursecovers childrenonthefarmandthelaw, childrenandtractors,children andATVsandchildrenandfalls.

Italsocoversotherissues includingchildsafetyaround equipment,andharmful substances,andtheimportance ofhavingafarmsafetychecklist.

Oncompletionofthefreecourse participantscandownloadtheir freeLantraChildSafetyon FarmsCoursecertificate.

PaulaSmyth,DirectorofLantra Ireland,said:“Farmscanbe wonderfulplacesforchildrento growup,butfarmingisoneof themostdangerousoccupations intheUKandIreland,andit’s theonlyhigh-riskindustrythat dealswiththepresenceof children.

“Withtheschoolholidays,it’s importanttothinkaboutwhere yourchildwillbeduringthis break,haveyourplansinplace, andhelpsafeguardtheirsafety.

“Toensureyou’refamiliarwith potentialrisksonthefarm, completethe‘Childrenon Farms’course.

“Thisfreeshortcoursewillgive youaninsightintovarious hazardsandstepstotaketo avoidthese.”

Forfurtherinformationaboutthe courselogontohttps:// elearning.lantra.co.uk/register/ 124/55

Expertwarnsofrenewedenergy concernfollowingbudgetannouncement

ikeFoster,CEOof theEnergyand UtilitiesAlliance, says:"Newsthat theenergyprice cap

protectioncomingtoan endinAprilwillsurprise andworrymillionsof hard-pressedfamilies. Togetherwiththe announcementthat promisedtaxcutshave alsobeenwithdrawn willheaphugefinancial pressureontothose alreadystrugglingto paytheirbills."

"TheTreasury-led reviewtosupport familiesinthefuture lookslikeanexcuseto cutsupportinthese uncertaintimes,when wedon'tknowwhat energypriceswillbe. Whileallthisishappening,the Government'sownBoiler UpgradeSchemehandsout

£5000subsidiestothewelloffto changetheirheating,while millionsstruggletopaytheir bills.It'simmoralinthesedifficult timesandneedstobeculled, withthemoneyusedmore wisely."

"Thisreinforcesourviewthatin thelonger-termweneedto switchawayfromfossilgasand switchourgasnetworkto hydrogen.Wecanproduce

ourselvesandfreeusfromthe globalgasmarketsthatPutin's warhasmassivelyimpacted."

Ruralandfarmingcharitiesbenefit fromMovementForGoodAwards

Ruralinsurancebroker Lycettsandparent companytheBenefact Grouphaveawarded £30,000tocharitiesto supportthemental healthofagriculturalworkers.

TheRoyalAgriculturalBenevolent Institution(RABI)andYouAreNot Alone(YANA)werechosenbya panelofjudgestoreceiveashareof £500,000intheMovementForGood Awards.

Lycetts’CharlieDouglassaid:“The workofthesetwocharitiesisvitalto thementalhealthandwellbeingof thoseinthefarmingandrural communities.Wearedelightedto helpsupporttheirveryworthwhile ambitions.”

Theimportanceofsupportingrural workers’mentalhealthwas highlightedearlierthisyearwhena survey1ofmorethan15,000people workinginagriculturerevealedthat almostathird(31percent)suffer fromanxietyanddepression.

RABIwilluseits£20,000grantto provideacounsellingservicetohelp preventthoseinthefarmingsector reachingapointofcrisis,andtohelp thembecomemoreresilientand betterabletocopewithfuture

challenges.

The£10,000YANAreceivedwillhelp train108MentalHealthFirstAiders forfarmworkersandthosewhowork inotherruralbusinessesacrossEast Anglia.

TheCountryTrustwasalsoan awardwinner.Thecharitywilluseits £10,000tosupportitsworkhelping volunteerfarmersandlandowners welcomethousandsof disadvantagedyoungchildrenonto theirfarmstosharetheirpassionfor food,farmingandthecountryside.

Theawardsaredesignedtohelp charitiesmakearealdifferencein theircommunities.Morethan500 charitiesappliedforthefunding, whichisbeingputtowardsthe advancementofheritageandarts, education,ruralandcommunity, climate,humanrightsandequality. Thewinningprojectswereselected againstfourcriteria:impactand effectiveness,sustainability, innovation,andcareand compassion.

MarkHews,GroupChiefExecutive ofBenefactGroup,said:“At BenefactGroupwebelievebusiness shouldbeaforceforgood.More thanever,charitablecausesneed sustainedsupportandasenseof financialstability.

“ThroughourMovementforGood larger-grantawards,weare championingamoreimaginativeway ofsupportingcharitiessothatthey canhavesomecertaintyinthese challengingtimes.Weknowour fundingcanbealifelinetothosewho arestrugglingwithcost-of-living increasesandagrantofthisscale canmakeahugedifferencetothe incredibleworkthatcharitiesdo.

“BenefactGroupisthefourthlargest corporatedonorintheUKandhas anambitiontobethebiggest. Ownedbyacharity,allouravailable profitsgotogoodcauses,andthe moretheGroupgrows,themorethe Groupcangive.Asacompany whosepurposeistocontributetothe greatergoodofsociety,charitable givingisattheheartofwhatwedo.”

MovementforGoodisfundedbyEIO plc,partoftheBenefactGroup.

NFUrespondstoenergysupport packageforbusinesses

Respondingtothe informationprovided todayaboutthe energysupport packagefor businesses,NFU PresidentMinetteBatterssaid:“We welcomethedetailannouncedtoday intheenergysupportpackagewhich willprovideamuch-neededcushion forfarmers,growersandfood businesseswhoarevulnerableto highwholesaleenergyprices.

“Giventhepackagedoesnotcover

limitsonstandingcharges,it’s essentialthegovernmentcontinues toassessthefullimpactthatenergy billswillhaveonbusiness confidenceandproduction.

“Wealsoneedurgentclarityonwhat supportwillbeavailableforfood businessesaftertheinitialsixmonth period.Energyplaysacorerolein theproductionofourfoodand throughoutthefoodsupplychain, fromfertiliserproductionandheating glasshousesandlivestockbuildings, tobakingbreadandkeepingfacilities

clean.Wesimplycan’tproducethe foodthenationneedswithout affordableenergy.

“Becauseofthiscloselinkbetween energyandfood,thegovernment mustprioritiseaccesstoaffordable energyforfoodproductionandthe foodsupplychain.Continuedsupport willbekeytocurtailingfoodprice inflationgoingforwardandensuring theprovisionofaffordable,nutritious, climate-friendlyfoodforthecountry.”

TheRoyalWelsh WinterFairisjust aroundthecorner, anditwon'tbelong untiltheshowground inLlanelweddisonce againbustlingwithexhibitors,prizewinninglivestockandChristmas shoppers.Preparationsarewell underwayfortheannualeventtaking placeonMonday28thandTuesday 29thofNovember.

Thescheduleforthebutchery sectionforthe2022WinterFairis nowavailableontheRWASwebsite. EntriescloseonMonday 31stOctoberandallentrieswillneed tobesubmittedonline.Thebutchery sectionincludescompetitionsin dressedpoultry,meathampers,and variousmeatproducts.

Newtothebutcherysectionthisyear istheBacon,BurgerandSausage competitionwhichwillbejudged byMenBehavingBadly,Lineof DutyandBobtheBuilderstarNeil Morrissey,alongwithSteveMorgan ofMorganFamilyButchersand multi-award-winningwriterand director,PhillipJohnfromCardiff.

ActorNeil Morrissey hasakeen interestin food,coowningthe award nominated pubThe Plumeof Feathersin Stoke-onTrent,and oftenfrequentsthefarmer'smarkets ofNorthLondon.

Classesforthesectioninclude middle,shortback,andstreaky bacon,beef,lambandporkburgers, andvarioustypesofsausages. Eachentrywillbecookedandtaste testedbythejudgingpanel.

AllentriesfortheBacon,Burgerand Sausagecompetitionmustbeclearly labelledanddeliveredtotheCarcass Hallbynolaterthan8.30amonthe morningofTuesday29thNovember. Entriesarelimitedtotwoperclass. Judgingwillcommenceat10.00am. Theresultswillbeannouncedafter thejudgingandprizecardsand

rosetteswillbeawardedto 1st–3rdplaceprizewinners.All entriesmustthenbecollectedfrom theCarcassHallnolaterthan 4.00pmonthesameday.

Wearecurrentlylookingfor sponsorsfortheBacon,Burger,and Sausagecompetition.Ifyouoryour businesswouldbeinterestedin sponsoringthissectionpleasevisit ourwebsiteformoreinformationor contactsponsorship@rwas.co.uk. TheRoyalWelshAgriculturalSociety acknowledgeswithgratefulthanks thesponsorshipofthecrystalaward bySteveMorganCatering.

etandagriculture studentsatcolleges anduniversitiescould beinwithachanceof winning£500by enteringthisyear's FarmHealthManagementAwards, sponsoredbyVolac.

Theawardsaimtodemonstrateand testthestudents'knowledgeof proactivefarmhealthmanagement–avitalelementoftheAgriculture Act.

Thecompetitionissplitintothree categories:studentsatagricultural

colleges,agriculturaluniversitiesand vetschools,andisopentostudents inallyeargroups.

Eachstudentmustsubmita1,500wordessayonproactivefarmhealth management,witheachcategory winnertakinghomea£500cash prize.

Ashortlistofentrieswillbeinvitedto Dairy-TechatStoneleighPark,

Warwickshire,on1February2023, wherethewinnerswillbe announced.

MatthewKnight,ManagingDirector atRABDF,said:"FarmHealth Managementisanintegralpartof runningaproductiveandprofitable farmandisintegraltodelivering healthandwelfareimprovementsas partofDefra'sAnimalHealthand WelfarePathway.

"Itwillbeinterestingtoseewhatthis year'scandidatesfocusonintheir submissions,"headded.

Forentrypacksandmore information contactambermckay@rabdf.co.uk. Thedeadlineforentriesis25 November.

Sheepandbeefeventreturnsatnewvenue

Planshavebeen unveiledforthe WynnstaySheepand BeefEventon Wednesday November2,returning afterafive-yearhiatusatthenew locationofColegCambria,Llysfasi, Ruthin.

Tomarkthereturnoftheevent, Wynnstayisrunninganearly FastTrackregistrationprocessand thefirst500farmerswhosignupto attendwillbegivenafreeWynnstay bodywarmertobecollectedatthe event.

Firstestablishedin2015,thisyear’s dedicatedeventforsheepandbeef farmerswillfocusonchampioning theredmeatindustry,showcasing theopportunitiesforfarmersinboth sectors.

“Thelastcoupleofyearshavebeen challenging,withuncertaintyaround supportpaymentsandnowthecostof-livingcrisisraisingquestions aroundtheaffordabilityoffoodto consumers,”saysGarethDavies,

Wynnstaychiefexecutive.

“However,therearedefinitely opportunitiesoutthereforfarmers lookingtoproducefoodsustainably, andoftenit’sthesmalltweakswhich enhanceefficiencyandresultina moreprofitableandresilientfarm business,”hesays.

Throughouttheday,visitorswillhave theopportunitytolistentofourkey industryspeakers,whowillbe coveringaselectionofpertinent topicsforfarmers.

“We’redelightedtohaveJayneRees Buxton,writerof‘TheGreatPlant BasedCon’,speakingattheevent. JaynewasbornintheUK,raisedin CanadaandthenreturnedtotheUK whereshestartedwritingabook aboutfood,healthandthe environment.

“Jayne’sanambassadorfor producingrealfoodtoimprovepublic health,andattheevent,she’ll showcasethetruthsaroundthe importanceofincludingredmeatin diets,”addsMrDavies.

“We’realsojoinedbyawardwinning beeffarmerPaulWilliams,whowill explainhowhe’sincreasedefficiency andprofitthroughdataand technology.He’llalsocoverhowhe’s minimisinghiscarbonfootprint,by achievinggoodweightgainsfrom home-grownforage,”headds. Therewillbeanupdateonthe currentlambandbeefmarketfrom HCCandAlltechvicepresident MatthewSmithwillspeakon sustainabilityandbeefproduction. Demonstrationswillberunning throughouttheday,toincludeliver dissectionsandFECPAKtesting.In addition,theWynnstayteamwillalso beonhandtotalkaroundhow farmerscanmaximisethevalueof foragewithintheirrations.

Theeventisfreetoattendandlunch isprovided,withallattendeesgiven acomplementarymerchandisebag.

Tosignupandkeepuptodatewith thelatestnewsontheevent,visit: https://www.wynnstay.co.uk/

Nextgenerationoffarmersand growersjoinTIAHatHouseofLords

Membersofthenext generationof farmersand growersjoinedThe Institutefor Agricultureand Horticulture(TIAH)andDefra farmingMinisterMarkSpencerat theHouseofLordstoday (24.10.22).

Thegroupof30youngpeople-

fromNFU’sNextGeneration Forum;theYoungFarmers;and theOxfordFarmingConference’s TIAH-sponsoredInspire programme-wereguestsatan eventheldtoupdate parliamentariansandindustryon TIAH’sprogress.TIAHis preparingtolaunchits membershipservicesnextyear.

Theeventwassponsoredby

LordDonaldCurryofKirkharle, whoisTIAH’sfoundingpatron andChairofitsindustry consultationgroup.

LordCurryexplained:“Oneof TIAH’skeyfocusareasisto supportprofessional development,sowewantedto ensurethatthegroup,who representthenextgenerationof farmingandgrowing,hadan

opportunitytodiscussTIAHand tobuildtheirnetworksbymeeting arangeofindividualsfromthe worldsofpolicyandagriculture andhorticulture.Theyandtheir peersarethefutureofagriculture andhorticultureandwewantto supportthemindevelopinga widerangeofskillsand knowledgetoseizethe opportunitiesahead.”

TIAH’sChairDavidFursdon added:“Iwasparticularly impressedtomeetsomany youngerfarmersandgrowersand tounderstandfromthemhow TIAHcanhelpthemruntheir businessesinfuture.Havinga wayofdemonstratingtheirskills

ishighontheiragenda,asisa onestopshopfortheirlearning andprofessionaldevelopment–TIAHwillofferboth.”

TIAH’ssupportwillbedelivered throughitsOnlineService, whichistheculminationofmore thanthreeyearsofuserresearch andtestingwithfarmersand growers.Theplatformwillprovide userswithpersonalised informationonskills,careers, trainingandprofessional development.

TIAHhassofarrecruited150 volunteer‘Cultivators’whoare triallingthevariouselementsof theOnlineService,helping

ensureitisintuitive,easytouse andmeetsitsusers’needs.

SurreydairyfarmerJoRason, spokeattoday’seventabouther experienceasaTIAHCultivator.

Shesaid:“TheteamatTIAH havemadetakingpartsoeasy, fittingaroundusasbusyfarmers, andhavecompletelyunderstood whatwearelookingfor.Farming ischangingfast,withallsectors indesperateneedoffindingand keepingstaff.Havingtwosons alsoinvolvedinagricultureIam passionatethatfarmingdoesn’t getforgottenfortheyounger generation.Tothemitcanlook incrediblydauntingsoanyhelp thatcanbegiventothemthatis available24hoursadaycanonly beagoodthing.Havinglookedat theOnlineService,thatwillbe availabletothem,whichIthinkis amazing.Iwillbeencouraging asmanypeopletojoinTIAHasI can.”

AnotherguestwasEveeyHunter, ChairoftheNFUNext GenerationForum.Eveeysaid: “Theforumhasbeenfollowing TIAHsincethebeginningandit wasgreattobeinvitedtodayand learnabouttheprogresstodate. TIAH’splannedsignpostingfor newentrantsisencouraging consideringtheworkourforum hasdonewithnewentrantsover thelastcoupleofyears.A numberofourmembersareTIAH Cultivatorssoweareactively involvedinTIAH’sdevelopment. Wewouldencourageothersto getinvolvedinthisexciting collaborativeopportunity.”

Theeventalsofeaturedan addressbyMinisterSpencer, whosaidofTIAH:“I’mdelighted thatthisprojectisgettingofthe ground.Ihopeitgetsahuge amountofsupportandI’m buoyedbytheyoungfarmersI metandtheirenthusiasmforthe industry.Togetherwe’llcontinue tofeedtheworld,improvethe environmentanddeliver biodiversity.”

MoreinformationaboutTIAHcan befoundatwww.tiah.org

HowverticalfarmingcouldreducetheUKs carbonfootprintandimprovesustainability

Alsoknownasskyscraperfarming,this methodofcropproductionutilises verticalspacetoimproveyieldwhile reducingtheamountoflandrequired. Initscurrentstateverticalfarming mostlyfocussesonleafygreensand freshherbs,butasitallowstotalcontroloverthe growingenvironment,itcanalsoprovideout-ofseasonfruits—suchasstrawberriesinwinter—as wellasmoreexoticproduce.

Verticalfarmingyieldisnot dependantonweather, climate,orqualityofland, anditcanprovidereliable andconsistentyear-round cropproduction.Butjusthow eco-friendlyisit?Here, Brushtechighlightafewof thewaysthatverticalfarms couldmeanamore sustainablefutureforBritish agriculture.

Fewersquaremiles

Thekeyconceptofvertical farmingisthatitisawayto growmorecropsperfieldor patchofland.By‘growing upwards’,verticalfarmscan haveanincreasedproduction persquarefootthan traditionalmethods,which improvesyieldwhilesaving space—aprecious commodityhereintheUK.

Verticalfarmingmayreduce theenvironmentalimpactof agriculturalactivityandhelp toimprovebiodiversity, becausefarmingatthisscale doesnotcausethesame amountoflandsurface disturbance.Thismay supportlocalfloraandfauna, avoiddeforestation,and reducetherelianceon cultivatedlandforfood production.

Thatsaid,caremustbe takentoonlybuildvertical farmsinwaysthatdoesn’t impactlocalwildlifeand

biodiversity.Buildingoverfarmlandisnottheideal, butratherlookingforopportunitiestocreatevertical farmsonbrownfieldlandorinurbanareas.

Fewerimports

Verticalfarmsallowfarmerstocontrolallaspectsof cropgrowth,includinghumidity,temperature,light, andtheamountofnutrientseachcropreceives. ThismeansthatUKcanenjoymoreexoticorout-ofseasonproducewithouthavingtoimportitfrom

othercountries.Avoidingimportationisgreatforthe planet,butitalsomeansthattheUKcanbemore self-sufficientandlessreliantoninternationaltrade linesthatcanbeeasilydisrupted.Wehaveseen thisrecentlyasaresultofthepandemic,the blockingoftheSuezCanal,andthewaronUkraine.

Fewerfoodmiles

Growingmorecropsclosertohomealsohasan undeniableimpactonfoodmiles.Foodproducedin theUKforconsumptionintheUKreduces transportationtimesandcostsaswellasthefarm’s carbonfootprint.Planes,ships,andotherlong-haul methodsoftransportationcanbeusedlessandless asverticalfarmingtakesoff.Shorteningthe distancethatcropsneedtotravelcanalsohelp keepfoodfreshwithouttheneedforrefrigeration,

furtherdecreasingthecarbonfootprintofavertical farm.

Astheydon’tneedfieldstogrow,verticalfarmscan beinstalledinurbanareas,allowingfreshproduce tobecloserthaneverbeforetotheconsumer.

Lesswaterneeded

Verticalfarmstypicallyrequiresignificantlyless waterthannormalproductionmethods.Even hydroponicfarms,wherethecropissuspendedin waterratherthansoil,uselesswaterbecauseonly theexactamountofwaterneededperplantcanbe distributedduethecontrolledenvironment.And, becausethewaterusedinhydroponiccrop productionisusuallycleanafteruse,itcanbe recycledandreusedwhichfurtherreduceswaste.

Lessenergyconsumed

Onemajorcriticismofvertical farmingisthatthebuildings requireelectricityinorderto runcrucialelementssuchas lightingandheat.However, thesefarmshavethepotential tobemanagedusinggreen energyonly.Withsmart systemsinplace,energy consumptioncanalsobe monitored,evaluated,and mademoreefficientwhere possible.What’smore,vertical farmsmaybeartificiallylitwith energy-efficientLEDlights,but manysimplyusenatural sunlighttogrowtheircrops.

Lesspollution

Becausetheplantsina verticalfarmaregrowninside, there’snodangeroffertiliser run-offpollutingnearbyland andrivers.Infact,manyfarms don’tusesoilorfertiliseratall, optingforhydroponicor aeroponicmethodsinstead. Thisprincipleworksinreverse too,asthere’snoriskof contaminatedwaterfrom nearbylivestockorwildlife makingitswayintothefarming system. Therearealsofewer potentiallypollutingpesticides beingused,astheabsenceof insectsandotherpestsinthis controlledenvironmentmeans they’renotasnecessaryas theyareinanopenfield.

Movinginto2023,farmerscan unlocknewopportunitiesfor increasedprofitabilityandresiliency withsoilcarbonschemes

Inadditiontoadry harvestyear,the geopolitical challengesof2022 hitUKfarmersin agriculturalinputs. Defra’sannualpriceindex reporteda33.1percentinflation spikeforinputsoverthelast harvestyear,largelyattributedto risingfertiliserandenergycosts.

AndwithBasicPaymentScheme (BPS)paymentsdecliningby35 percentin2023comparedto 2020,andenergypricessetto risethiswinterandinflation potentiallyrisingto13percentby theendofyear,thesechallenges looksettocontinue.Soilcarbon schemes,suchas AgreenaCarbon,arerampingup toprovideUKfarmerssupportin retainingtheirprofitabilityinthe faceoftheseeconomic challengeswithasecond revenuepotential.

“Carboncertificationschemes canplayakeyroleinhelping farmersovercomefinancial uncertaintybyimpactingthe bottomlinethroughanadditional revenuestreamfromthesaleof carboncertificates,atthesame timeasimprovingthe environmentalsustainabilityand resilienceoftheirfarming businesses,”saidSimonHaldrup, CEOandco-founderofsoil carboncertificationcompany, Agreena.

Carbonfarminginitiativesfor farmersareontheriseacross Europe.Agreenahasexpanded itsoperationsoutofDenmark

withmorethan20employeesin theU.K.andisnowserving13 countriesacrossEurope,with morethan500,000hectares undermanagementandplansto expandintosevennewcountries

thisyear.Haldrupsaysthekeyto thecompany’ssuccesshasbeen ensuringfarmercontrolin decisionmaking.

Unlikeotherschemes,Agreena’s

third-partyverifiedandtradeable CO2certificateownershipsits directlywiththefarmer,whocan choosetokeepthem,sellthemto institutionalorprivate organisations,bundlethe certificateswiththeircrops,or workwithAgreenatoachievethe bestprice.Thenumberof certificatesafarmercanearnis basedontheadoptionof regenerativefarmingpractices, whichreducegreenhousegases (GHG)andremoveCO2fromthe atmosphereandstoreitinthe soil.Farmersparticipatinginthe AgreenaCarbonprogramme receiveuptothreecertificates perhectare,dependingonthe practicesadopted,suchas sowingcovercropsorno-till farming.Dependingoncurrent marketconditions,thevalueof

certificatesaresellingfor£20-40 each.

Benefitsextendingbeyondnew incomestream

Notonlydoescarbonfarming provideanincreasinglyimportant additionalrevenuestream,the long-termbenefitsfrom regenerativeagriculturepractices supportthefarmbusinessby decreasingfuelandlabourcosts, potentiallyreducingfarm machineryandfertilisercosts.

Soilsareoneofthegreatestlifesupportingresourcesonthe planet-butcurrentlyarefalling intoacrisisglobally,withonethirdofourprecioussoils degraded.Regenerativeand sustainablepracticesarebeing

|Arable

lookedtobyleadersand pioneeringfarmersacrossthe worldtosupportlong-termsoil health.Akeybenefitofregenag istheabilitytoincreasethewater holdingcapacityofsoilsand supportingcleanerwaterrunoff. Thisbenefithasresultedinwater agenciesfocusedonacleanand safewatersupply,suchas SevernTrent,partneringwith Agreena.

Onthepracticallevel, participationincarbonschemes cansupportlong-termclimate resiliencyforthefield-inaddition toprovidingco-benefitssuchas highernutrientcontentofcrops andincreasedbiodiversity.

Planningfor2023

Overallharvest2022wasgood, despitetheheatwavewhich servedtohighlightthe unpredictabilitythatclimate changedelivers,withmany farmerscompletingharvestin recordtime.

“Harvest2023maywellbea differentstory.Muchwilldepend oninputcostsandtheweather,” saysThomasGent,well-known regenerativefarmerfromSouth Lincolnshireandthemarketlead fortheUKatAgreena.“Whatis certainisthatfarmerswillbe lookingforwaystoremain profitableandachievereturnon investmentfromtheircrops. Carbonfarmingdeliversthat returnbothintermsofarevenue streamandlong-term improvementsinbusiness resilience.”

AgreenaCarbonforthe2023 harvestyearopenstoday,12 October2022.Nowfarmersare abletologintotheplatformfor freetoquicklydeterminetheir baselineandestimated calculationofthevalueavailable fromcarboncertificates.The companyhasenhancedits programmeofferingtoinclude morecultivationtechniquesthis timearound,“Andthereismore flexibilityforeachfarmer’s businessneeds,supportingthe paceofadoptionofnew practices,”concludesGent.

Buildfarmprofitabilityandsustainability byvisitingHutchinsonsatCroptec

Tohelpgrowers meetthe challengesofrising costs,changesto farmsupport,and increasingly extremeweatherevents, leadingcropproductionfirm Hutchinsonshasbeenatthe forefrontofinvestingheavilyin developingservicesand technologiesthathavebeen testedatafarmscalelevel acrossitsnationalnetworkof Helixfarms.

VisitorstotheHutchinsons standatCroptecwillhavethe opportunitytofindouthow theseservicesandtechnologies canhelptobuildmoreresilient farmingsystemsthatharness naturalprocessesandreduce theneedforartificialinputs.

Havequestionsaround Agroecology?

Hutchinsonsareleadingthe wayintriallingandtesting agroecologicalfarmingpractices onafarmscalelevelthrough theHelixAgroecologyfarm.A yearintotheproject,thereare manylearningsabouthow thesemaybeadoptedontoyour farminapracticalbutalso profitableandsustainableway.

giveanunrivalledsoilnutritional andmanagementservice, TerraMapGold.

Howcanyourfarmdatabe usedmoreprofitably?

TheOmniaDigitalFarming platformhascontinuedto evolveanddevelopofferinga rangeofinnovativenew developmentsusingfarmdata, suchasCostof Productionand Yield Performance mapping, Terramap, Carbon mapping,and E-Seed.

Themost recentofthese istheBusiness Performance planning modulewhich usesthisdata tocostouta rangeof potential croppingand machinery scenario’sin termsofboth financialand CO2equivalent performance.

Needtoknowmoreabout yoursoils?

Soilhealthiswidelyrecognised asacornerstoneofsustainable farmingsystems.However,itis keytounderstandyoursoil beforemakinganysignificant structuraloroperational changes.

Hutchinsonssoilscanning system,TerraMapprovidesthe mostaccurateandrepeatable soilmappingavailable.Nowthis canbealignedwiththemost comprehensivesoilanalysisto

Omniaalso nowprovidesamanagement platformtocompleteallofthe SFISoilstandardrequirements inafunctionalandeasyway, allowingyoutoimproveyour soilhealthandgainyourSFI SoilsStandardpayment.

Toensureitremainsup-to-date asschemerequirements change,furtherupdatesare alreadyplannedto accommodatethewiderrelease ofotherSFImeasuresinthe future,suchastheAdvanced Standardduein2024.

Vfarming,IntegratedPest Management(IPM)andtraining arethefocusfortheHubswhich havetheirownprogrammeof presentations,plusexpertson

handthroughoutthedaysfor furtherquestionsanddiscussion.

sessionsforfreeandseewhat youcanapplytoyourfarm business.

Kentra, the Yorkshire-based manufacturer of mixed flow crop dryers, has introduced two new moisture measurement and recording systems for growers, and an automated moisture monitoring system ideal for use at the grain intake, adding to its exisiting range of crop moisture management

The high-accuracy products come from Canadian manufacturer Dryer Master, whose long established DM510 control system fully automates the grain drying process with minimal manual intervention.

“The new DM100 is a lower cost, less sophisticated version that still provides an element of control to relieve the workload of whoever is managing the dryer”

Grain moisture is measured at the discharge point and adjustments to the discharge rate are made automatically when operator-set

high, low and target moisture levels for each of three discharge speeds are hit.

Unlike the fully automatic DM510, the DM100 requires the speed set points and moisture targets to be adjusted periodically to maintain optimum performance.

The new Moisture Monitor Pro records grain moisture and temperature at the discharge – with the option to add an intake sensor as well – to help operators achieve consistent results from fully manual control.

As with the DM510 fully-automatic and DM100 semi-automatic systems, values are shown on a colour display, are accessible remotely using a mobile phone and can be downloaded to farm computer records.

These features are also common to Load Monitor, a system that records the average moisture of entire lorry or trailer loads of grain at the intake.

“The sensor is fitted in the grain flow line – for example in a duct where grain passes from the intake pit to an elevator – and Load Monitor automatically starts logging as soon as the sensor detects grain flowing across it”

“The finished record includes a consignment identifier and time stamp, and compared with sampling, using Load Monitor means there is no delay to tipping incoming consignments and the moisture reading will be fully representative of the bulk.”

New grain moisture monitoring systems from Kentra help growers manage crop drying operations, we explore the technical world of Kentra crop drying and discover the capabilities and possibilities of Kentra’s unique products.

Kentra Grain Systems was formed in 1989 to design and manufacture grain dryers that meet the challenging requirements of Brit ish farmers.

Today, the range of mixed flow dryers produced from heavy-duty galvanised steel features a unique column design for effective drying of all free-flowing combinable crops and control systems, axial flow fans and designed, developed and manu factured in-house.

The modular construction of the dryer allows for maximum flexibility in model selection.

So if you need a throughput of 10 tonnes or in excess of 100 tonnes per hour our range of dryers and user-friendly management software give you complete, real time control over your harvest.

Grain drying demands real time control and automated decision making at your fingertips. Kentra brings you both and more.

Our ever changing climate ensures it has never been more challenging to produce a consistent quality harvest. Kentra has been at the forefront of continuous flow grain drying technology for well over 30 years. Our range of dryers and user-friendly management software give you complete, real time control over your harvest.

For further information please telephone:

Needagraindrierupgradeforharvest

PECSLtd.contactedPerry ofOakleyaboutanewdrier fortheircustomer,Coppid FarmingEnterprisesLtd.

ThePerrySavannahS414 continuousmixedflowgraindrierwas selecteddrierasitiscapableof40tph, basedoncleanfeedwheatat750kg/m³, reducingmoisturefrom20%downto15%. Thismodelofgraindrierisfittedwitha pneumaticallycontrolledshutterdischarge, withphosphorbronzeonallwearingparts. Thisensuresconsistentmovementofgrain acrossthewholebed.Thelightgrain& chaffrecoverysystemwasalsopurchased, whichremovestheneedtocleanoutlight grainsandchafffromthedrierexhaust plenumasitspneumaticflapsopen periodicallytoallowthisbackintothedrier column.

Therearemanyheatssourcesavailable forthePerrymodelgraindrier,suchas kerosene,steam&biomass,butthisdrier wasinstalledwithLPGgasburners.Not onlyisLPGacleanerfuel,it’salsoeasily controllablemeaninghightemperatures areconsistentlyreached.Thishasbeen twinnedwithheavydutyfurnacecowls from310gradeheatresistantstainless steeltosuitthegasburner.

Thegraincolumnhasacompletelyledgefreedesigntoreducechaff&residue,with 3mmthicktaperedairductsforevenair distributionanduniformdryingacrossthe graincolumn.APECS&CoppidFarming alsooptedtofitthePerryCentriKleens;a solutiontodustandchaffproblems. CentriKleenscollectupto95%ofallvisible dust&chaff.

Thewholesystem,iscontrolledusinga Perry12”touchscreenwithaPLC programwhichisdesigned&programmed inhouseatPerry’sfactoryinDevon.

Perrygraindrierscomeinarangeof capacitiesandpricestofitallbudgets.

Enquiretodayaboutyournextgraindrier bycontactingPerryofOakleyLtdon +44(0)1404890300oremail sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

heAgronomists’ Conferenceisafulldaytechnical conferencethat turnsthelatest researchinto practicalagronomyforthewhole rotation.

Theeventisfreetoattend.

In2022,theconferenceisfully online,withspeakerslivestreaming fromavenueclosetoAHDB’s headquartersinWarwickshire.

Theevent,whichfeaturesamixof in-depthtechnicalpapersand expert-ledthematicoverviews,isa staplefeatureinthediaryofmany agronomists.Theconferenceis nowinits16thyear.

Itincludesthelaunchofthelatest fungicideperformancetrialdata andprovidesinsightintothe recentlyreleasededitionofthe RecommendedListsforcereals andoilseeds(RL).

Thedayalsofeaturesseveral panelsessionstodebatethoughtprovokingquestions(submittedby registereddelegates).

Followingtheconference,videosof thepresentationswillbeavailable ontheAHDBCereals&Oilseeds YouTubechannel.

Withafocusonthelatestadvances inagronomy,theconferencebuilds onourannualAgronomists’ Inductionevent,whichintroduces AHDB’sproducts,tools,services, andstafftonewagronomists.

Forfurtherinformationaboutthe eventandtheAgronomists' Inductionevent,visit:ahdb.org.uk/ agronomists

Programme*

*Detailscorrectattimeof publication

9:00amIntroduction–AHDBChair

Session1:Pests

•9:15amTrends inthelast decade:Wheat bulbfly–Steve Ellis,ADAS

•9:35amTrendsinthelast decade:Insecticide resistance–SpeakerTBC, RothamstedResearch

•9:55amDecisionsupport systemsforoptimalcrop management–MarkRamsden, ADAS

•10:15amPanel session–Session1speakers

•10:25amBreak

Session2:Diseases

•10:35amStemrustand internationalrustmonitoring–DianeSaunders,JohnInnes Centre

•10:55amWhat’snextforvariety choiceandtheRecommended Lists(RL)?–PaulGosling, AHDB

•11:15amFungicide performanceforwheat,barley andoilseedrape–Fiona Burnett,SRUCandRebecca Joynt,ADAS

•12:15pmPanelsession–Session2speakers

•12:30pmBreak

Session3:Nutrients

•1:00pmNutrientmanagement forquality:Milling wheat–SteveHoad,SRUC

forquality:Oats–Speaker, TBC

•1:40pmNitrogenadjustment calculator–MarkTopliff,AHDB

Session4:Environment

Speaker,TBC

plantnutrition–Speaker,TBC

accounting:Wherearewe now?–AHDB

report–JonFoot,AHDB

remarks–AHDBChair

GrainMarketOutlook2022:Managing riskandlookingaheadtonewdemand

hisyearhasbrought someofthemost challenging circumstancesthe domesticgrainsupply chainhasseenfor decades.Rising energycosts,andtheimpacton fertilisercost,posesathreatto domesticgrainandoilseedproduction.

TheongoingconflictbetweenRussia andUkrainecontinuestoprovideprice volatilityinglobalgrainandoilseed markets.Withcostshigh, farmerdecisionmakinginthedomestic grainsupplychainisincreasingly difficult.

Thisyear'sGrainMarketOutlook conferenceaimstopreparetheUK grainandoilseedsupplychainfor anotherseasonofchallengesby providinginsightintothedirectionof domesticgrainandrapeseedprices.

Theeventwillallowfordiscussion arounddemandintheindustry,where arethesedemandcentres?Aswellas facilitatingdiscussionaround understandingthechallengesof climatechangeandopportunitiesin carbonmarkets.

Welookforwardtoseeingyouthereon theday,withthiseventbeinginperson.

ThiseventhasmovedoutofLondon thisyeartoGrantham,towelcome farmersandthetradealike,forwhat wehopewillbeausefultoolagainst thechallengingsituationwecurrently face.

Whatcanyouexpectfromtheday?

9:00–Arrival:Ourchairfortheday: JuliusDeane,Carr'sFlour.

9:30-AHDBMarketOutlook:The AHDBteamdeliversapresentationon wherepricesareheadingandwhat factorsaredrivingthismarket,both domesticandglobal.

Wediscussthetwokeyfactorswe believearesteeringpricedirectionthis season.Firstly,theimpactofthewar betweenRussiaandUkraineandthe impactthishasonglobalsupplyand trade.Second,theimpactofaglobal anddomesticrecessionmighthaveon grainmarkets.

AHDBspeakers:

•MillieAskew

•MeganHesketh

•AnthonySpeight

•MarkTopliff

Break

11:00–Newmarkets,new demand:Anindustryleddiscussion wherewetalkaboutnewdemand centresgoingforward.Speakerson thepanelwillgiveasmallupdateand thenlet'sopenthefloorforquestions anddiscussion.

Speakers:

•NeilGriffiths–VivergoFuels

•AndrewProbert-PremiumCrops

Lunch

13:00–Challengesahead-managing risk,withafocusonclimatechange andcarbonmarkets:Inthissession, weexploreclimatechangeasakey challengegoingforwardforgrowing crops.Whatcanweexpectfrom weatherpatternsandhowdoesthis impactindustry?Withweatherakey determinantofproductionyearon year.

DrPeteFalloon,ClimateServiceLead forDefraonFood,Farmingand NaturalEnvironment,deliversa presentationtousonclimatechange. Thisistheonlyvirtualelementtothe day,withtheirteamconscioustokeep theirtravelemissionslow.

Followingonfromthis,andwithinthis netzerojourneyinmind,BillGilbert joinsusin-personfromNatWestto deliverapresentationonthe opportunitiesandchallengestocarbon marketsandbiodiversitymarkets.

Speakers:

•DrPeteFalloon–MetOffice

•BillGilbert-NatWest

14:30–Departure

Don'tdelay–bookyourFREEticket today!

Welookforwardtoseeingyouthere. DavidEudall, AHDBEconomicsandAnalysis Director

Capabilitytocombinedrying,coolingand storageofpost-harvestcropsdrives increaseddemandforSukupgraindryingsilos

atherthanextend theirexistinggrain sheds,two Lincolnshirefamers, DavidCasswelland BooParkes,invested inSukupgraindrying silos,suppliedbyMcArthurAgriculture, intimeforharvest2022.TheSukup siloscost-effectively combinethe capabilitytodry,cool andstorecombinable cropswithminimal labourandpotentially nocostlyre-handling.

"Needingmoregrain storage,Ioriginally lookedatextending myexistinggrain storebutlookingat thefiguresitworked outasanexpensive option.Especially whentryingtoget quotesforthesteel, weweretoldthatwe wouldhavetopaythe pricethatitwason thedayofdelivery!" explainedDavid Casswell,whohasa familyfarmofnearly 2,000acresgrowing wheat,barley,OSR, sugarbeet,vining peas,onionsand springbeans,at SouthKymeinthe eastLincolnshire Fens.

Casswellthenlooked atordinarysilosbut sawthatSukupdrying silos,assuppliedby McArthurAgriculture, woulddelivermore flexibilityprovidingthe abilitytonotonly storegrainbuttoalso conditiongrainfor long-termstorage, andinwetweatherbe usedasabatchdrier.

"Italkedtothe McArthurteamand theycameacrossas beingvery professionalandvery wellorganised.

Importantly,theygaveusthe confidencethattheywoulddeliver whattheysaid,whentheysaid," continuedCasswell."Itwasalsovery helpfulthattheywereabletotakeusto lookatanexistinglocalSukup installation."

Installationofthe4207Sukup,whichis filledbyanauger,wasmuchquicker thanCasswellhadanticipated.Once thegroundworkhadbeencompleted theinstallersbeganworkonaSunday andfinishedontheThursdaynight. "Wewereamazedthatfourmencould buildsomethingthatquick,"added Casswell.

"Fromfirstcontact,bothMcArthur AgricultureandSukupdidan outstandingjob",continuedCasswell. "Importantly,supporthasbeenreadily availableasrequiredduringourfirst harvestwiththenewsystem.Wenow haveapproximatelyanother700tof additionalstorageandcurrentlyhave 500tofspringbarleyintheSukup, whereitwillstayuntilitissold."

BooParkes,whofarms520acresof springbarley,winterbarley,spring beans,wheatandOSR,atWeelsby Estates,Grimsby,northeast Lincolnshire,wasanexistingMcArthur Agriculturecustomerandawareofits proventrackrecordascompletegrain processingandstorageequipment specialists.

"Needingadditionalstorageanddrying capabilities,Ifirstlookedatinstallinga drierandgrainhandlingkitinone existingshedandthenupgradingthe underfloordryingsysteminanother shed.Onlookingatthecostingsthey wereverysimilartopurchasingtwo Sukupdryingsiloswhichwouldprovide theextrastorageIneeded,"said Parkes.

"Itwasimportantthatmygrainstorage

anddryingsystemwaseasytooperate asIhavelimitedmanpower–justme!" addedParkes.

Twox3607Sukupdryingsilos, providinganadditional1,000tof storage,weresuppliedbyMcArthur Agriculture.AsParkes'farmyardisnot large,thesilosarefedbyaSkandia trenchintake,ratherthananauger whichwouldmeantyinguphistractor andmovinganaugerfromonesiloto theotherisatwo-manjob.

"MytwoSukupsilosareoverallvery cost-effective.Theyhavegreatly reducedwearandtearofmachinery previouslyusedtohandlegrain, particularlymytelehandler,plushelpto maximisemytime,"continuedParkes.

"Forexample,previouslywhengrain leftthefarm,Ihadtospendtimeusing thetelehandlertoloadthelorry.This meantthetelehandlerwasheavily usedandtiedupmytractor.IfIwas usingthetractorforsomethingelse, likedrilling,Ihadtostoptoloadthe grain.Nowthelorrydrivercanpressa buttonandthegrainisdischarged withoutmehavingtobeintheyard," Parkesadded.

Onceharvestedgrainisputinthetop oftheSukupdryingsiloandis distributedevenlyusingaspreader. Oncegrainreaches0.5-1mdepth,the farmerstartsthefanandheaterto beginthedryingprocess.

Airisheatedto40-45Candenters fromtheperforatedbaseandexitsthe siloviatheroofvent.Thestirrersmix thewholearea.Oncedry,theSukup siloswitchestothecontrolledcooling stage.

Acontrolpanelislocatedonthe exterioroftheSukupsilowhich controlstheSilooperationsandgrain dischargeviaashoot.

Parkes'twoSukupdryingsilos replacedanageingsilosystemand havehugelysimplifiedhisharvest operations.

"TheSukupdryingsilosareagreatfit formeanddeliveredtheextrastorage anddryingcapacityIneededandthey easilymeettheadditionaldemandsof alargercombine.Inawordtheyare brilliant!"statedParkes.

SustainablePotatoSproutControl Biox-Mistheonly100%naturaland sustainablesproutcontrolforpotatoes.

•Isanaturallyoccurringproduct,inwidespreaduseinthefoodindustry,

•Isapprovedforuseonorganicpotatocrops,

•HasnoharvestintervalorMRL,

•Doesnotleavepersistentresiduesinthefabricofstoresandboxesusedfor storage,

•Andisthereforesuitableforuseinstores,whichmaysubsequentlybeusedfor thestorageofothercropsorseedpotatoes,

•Iseffectiveathigherstoragetemperatures,reducingtheriskofacrylamide developmentwhencropisprocessed,

•Sequesterscarbonduringgrowth,removing1tofCO2forevery1,000tof potatoestreated,

•Andshouldbeacomponentofthesustainabilityplanforeveryfarmandevery customer;effectivelycarbonneutral.

November2022will seethe10th anniversaryofBiox-M approvalforusein theUnitedKingdom asapotatosprout suppressant.Wewouldliketothank allthosegrowers,packers, processors,endusersand,most significantly,foggerswhohave supportedusonthejourney.The sproutcontrolpotentialofessential oilshadbeenrecognisedfirstbythe IncasinPeruhomeofthepotato, andmorerecentlyintheearly 1960s,butittookpainstaking researchbyAlbertoSardoandthe teamatXedaInternational,firstlyto identifythemosteffectiveofthe essentialoilsforthisparticularuse, andthentosupporttheworktogain EUapprovalforspearmintoil(BioxM)in2009.

Juno(PlantProtection)received supportfromfourUKpackers(thank you)forinitialcommercialtrialsin Norfolkin2010,whentherewasstill muchtolearnaboutthemovefroma small-scaleresearchenvironmentto large-scaleandwidelyvaried commercialsituations.UKapproval

wasconfirmedinNovember2012, andtheproductgentlylaunchedinto themarket.Initialusetendedtobe inorganicstores(wheretherewere noalternativeproducts)orin situations,whereacropinstorehad ‘gotaway’andwasatriskof rejectionforexcessivesprouting.A numberofcropswere‘rescued’ina highpriceseason.Thenextbigstep forwardwascourtesyofBranston, whowerelookingforwardtoaworld withoutCIPC,anddecidedtotry Biox-Minsomenewon-sitestores. New,highqualityrefrigeratedstores createdagreatenvironmentin whichtodemonstratethepotentialof anewproduct.

Overthenextfewyears,successful treatmentoffreshcropsandofnew stores,forwhichcontaminationwith verypersistentCIPCwasnotan option,sawasteadyincreasein marketpenetration.Biox-Mworked well,andsomeofthemore outlandishconcernswerequietlyput tobed.Yes,attentiontodetailon application,andretentionofa volatileproductinthestoreafter treatmentwereessential.Thiswas notCIPCinanotherguise;anew

approachwasrequired,andthe industrybegantoadapt.

Thecrucialmomentarrivedon19th June2019,whenapprovalforCIPC waswithdrawnacrosstheEU.With thestrokeofapen,therestofthe industrysuddenlyneededtoplay catch-upinahurry.Many processorshaddonelittlemorethan flirtwiththeproduct,secureinthe knowledgethatCIPCwascheap andeffective.TrialswithBiox-M werecarriedoutinprocessingstores inthespringof2020,butthe‘big’ learningbeganwiththe2020 harvest.Growerswithnoexperience oftheproduct,usingstoreswhich variedenormouslyinquality,hada lottolearnandquickly.Andtheydid soremarkablywell,effectively forgettingalltheypreviouslyknew andstartingagain.Biox-Mwasa newproductformany,andunlike anythingtheyhadusedpreviously.It isacredittotheindustrythatso muchknowledgewassharedso readilyandwidely,andacreditto thefoggersthattheyadaptedso swiftly.

Natural. Effective. Powerful.

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

Hall

Tapp

Tongbroadensopticalsortingoptionsacross itsprovenrangeofpost-harvestequipment

Leadingvegetable handlingequipment manufacturerTong Engineeringhas announcedits latestproductdevelopment, whichwillseeadvancedoptical sortingoptionsavailableonall newmodelsofitspopular fieldloadermachine,the FieldLoadPRO.

Designedtoallowgrowersto effectivelycleanandloadcrop in-fieldandon-farm,the FieldLoadPROisoneofthe latestTongmachinesonoffer withfully-integratedcamera sortingfacilities,furtherreducing labourrequirementswhen processingcropstraightfrom thefield.

“Withrisingcostsandan increasingneedforgrowersto streamlinetheirpost-harvest operationstogettractorsand trailersofftheroads,cartingless soilandgenerallyminimising cropmileageandassociated expenses,thedemandforour FieldLoadPROmachinehas continuedtoincreasesinceits launchin2018,”saysCharlie Rich,SalesDirectoratTong Engineering.

“Ourflagshipmobilegrader,the Caretaker,haslongbeen availablewithintegratedoptical sortingasareplacementof traditionalmanualinspection, withprovensuccessand continueddemand.However, withanincreasingnumberof

growerschoosingthe configurationoftheFieldLoad PROformaximumflexibilityin loadingcropstraightintoboxes, bulkersandbulkstorage,the newoptiontoincorporateoptical stoneandclodremovalwithin onefully-integratedfieldloading machinebringsanunrivalled post-harvestsolutionthatticks alltheboxes,”explainsCharlie.

Suitableforuseonawiderange ofrootcropsincludingpotatoes, carrots,onionsandmore,the self-containedandcompact FieldLoadPROfeaturesahigh capacityreceptionhopper feedingachoiceofcrop cleaningunitsincludingTong’s renownedEasyClean separatoravailablewithAuto-

TouchHMIcontrols,aswellasthe company’shigh-speedPUcoilcleaning systemandstarcleaningunits.Custombuilttosuitgrower’sexactspecification, theFieldLoadPROisbuiltwitha spacious4-maninspectionareaas standard,withthenewopticalsorting optionisofferedasanalternativetothe standardinspectionmodule.

“Wehavebeenworkingcloselyalongside opticalsortingspecialistTOMRAfor manyyearsandourrecentOptical SortingLIVEeventhasprovidedareal insightintowhatcanbeachievedwhen integratingoptical,”saysCharlie.“The eventhasgivencustomersthroughout theUKandworldwideachancetosee theTOMRAsorterinactionatournew manufacturingfacility,withthe opportunitytoruntheirowncropthrough thesorter.Theresultshavebeenvery impressivebothintermsoftheamountof labourthatcanbesavedatthisstageof thepost-harvesthandlingprocess,as wellasthepotentialreductioninstorage costsasonlygoodcropisbeingstored.”

Oncecropiscleaned,Tong’sfoldingcart elevatorcradlescropdeepintobulker trailers,storeorboxfillingequipment.A

|Potatoes&RootCrops

super-silentonboardgeneratorprovides powerefficiencyforin-fieldoperation, whichcanbebypassedformainspower whenoperatingon-farm.

“Ourhigh-qualityhandlingequipmentis developingallthetimeandthenew advancementsarealwaysdrivenby workingcloselywithourcustomersto developcompletesystemsthatovercome vegetablehandlingchallengesinthe mostefficientway,”saysCharlie.“The newopticalsortingoptiononthe FieldLoadPROisourlatestexampleof this,whichwillbringrealsavings alongsideveryversatilepost-harvest handling.”

Asanexperiencedopticalsorting integrationpartner,Tongisextendingits OpticalSortingLIVEeventthroughoutthe Autumn.Formoredetailsonhowyou canreducelabourandmaximise throughputbyintegratingoptical,orto bookalivedemonstration,call01790 752771.

FoodTechcompanywithbio-basedcoatingfor fruitandvegetablesgetsgrantfrom

AgriculturalEuropeanInnovationPartnership

Saveggydevelopsabiobasedcoatingasanalternativeto protectiveplasticcurrentlyusedtoprolongtheshelflifeof fruitandvegetables.Thecompanyhasnowreceiveda3,9Mio SEKgrantfromAgriculturalEuropeanInnovationPartnership foraprojecttodevelopaproductionprocessinapilotplant, totechnicallyvalidatetheproductandfinallydoacommercial validationinpartnershipwithICAandSvenskaOdlarlaget.

aveggyisasciencebasedcompanyand amemberofSmiLe incubatorinLund.

Globally,about45% offruitsandvegetablesgets wasted.Astheecologicalrucksack offoodproductionisheavy(carbon footprint,wateruseandlanduse), theenvironmentalimpactofwasted foodissignificant.Apowerful methodtoreducefoodwaste,isto extendtheshelflifeoffood.For this,oftencheapplasticpackaging isused.However,thepetroleumbasedplasticmaterialis exceedinglydifficultandcostlyto recycle.Andspeciallyforfood, virginplasticisrequired.Besidethe negativeimpactoncarbonfootprint ofproducingplasticpackaging,

thesematerialsarealsoharmfulfor nature.Recentstudiesshowmicro andnanoplasticsinoceans,in snowflakes,ontopofmountains andinhumanblood.

Saveggy’sproductsextendthe shelf-lifeoffreshfruitsand vegetablesusingabio-based protectionandeliminatestheneed forplasticpackaging.Theproduct isappliedonfruitsorvegetablesby dippingorsprayingafterthe harvest.

“WestartedcollaboratingwithICA inanearlyphaseoftheinnovation work.Thediscussionsledtoa deeperunderstandingofICA's valuechainandtherequirements thataresetateachsteptomeet consumerexpectations.Our

continueddevelopmentworkwas thereforeadaptedtomeetthe requirements”,thefoundersof Saveggysay.

Fromtheconsumerstudy,wesee thatconsumercuriosityand opennesstocoatingishigherthan wehaddaredtohopefor,whichis positive,saysMarcusWelin Sandgren,purchasingmanagerfor fruit,assortmentandpurchasingat ICASweden.

Saveggyishonouredtobe supportedbySwedishBoardof Agriculturethathandlesthegrant. ItenablesSaveggytoputthefirst generationofitsproductstothe market.

TURNKEY SOLUTIONS INNOVATION COMBINED

& DESTONERS POLISHERS

SORTERS

AHDBrespondstohorticultureindustryrequest

Thehorticulture sectorhasspoken andAHDBhas actedtosupport theindustryand Defrainsecuringthelong-term supportforEAMU/EAworkfor thehorticulturesector.

Followingcarefulconsideration oftheimplicationsandtoensure theongoingessentialworkin connectionwithEAMU/EA services,theAHDBBoardhas agreed,inprinciple,forthe transferofsurpluslevyfundsto thenewcompanyHorticulture CropProtectionLtd(HCP).

Itisenvisagedthefundingwill bringadegreeofcertaintyand enablesimportantongoingwork tocontinueasthenew organisationdevelopsits operation.

Discussionsarestilltakingplace

betweenthepartiesontheexact detailsofthearrangements,but industryassociationshave whollysignalledtheirsupportof anewvoluntarysubscription modelasproposedbyHCPand themoveisconsideredanatural follow-onfromthework previouslyundertakenbythe levyboard.

Itisanticipatedthesuminvolved isupto£1millionwhichwillbe madeoverbywayofagrant overaperiodoftime.The transferoftheselevymoniesis subjecttoDefraapproval.

Duringtheperiodoftransition fromtheexistingsystemtothe neworganisation,theteamat AHDBaremanagingthe pipelineofworkonEAsand EAMUstogivethenew organisationthegreatestchance ofsuccess.

Inthepotatosector,some proposalshavebeensubmitted totheAHDBBoardforsmall grantsforimportantworkto continueintheabsenceof AHDBPotatoestakingthelead.

Themoveawayfromthelevy bodytoanewerahassome waytogointhissector, especiallyastheAHDBboard havenotedthatanygrant schemewouldbecontingentof finalisingthesaleoftheSutton Bridgeresearchfacilityand collectingoutstandingdebtfrom potatoforbusinessesforthe 2021growingseason.

TheAHDBboardfeltthata publicdemonstrationofsupport onascaleachievedin horticulturewouldallow progressongrantschemes.

Caption:VahidSohrabpourCSOandArashFayyaziCOOatSaveggy.Photo:GreenChallenge.

Covercrops–lotsofadvantages butnosilverbullet

AndrewGoodinson, agronomistand potatospecialistat Hutchinsons,offers adviceandinsights tohelpgrowers ensurethebestresultsfromtheir potatohaulmdestruction strategies.

BasedinHerefordshire,Andrew hasbeenworkingforHutchinsons for16yearsandlooksafternearly 8000haoffarmland,rangingfrom Cirencester,totheWelshborders, southShropshireandWorcester.

Potatogrowerscouldgetsome welcomehelpfromcovercropsin buildingsoilfertilityinthebattleto keepinputstoaminimumwithout compromisingqualityoryield,says Andrew.

CovercropstakeupresidualNleft behindinthesoilorreleasedfrom cropresiduesafterharvestingthe precedingcerealcrop.Whenthe covercropisdestroyedinthe spring,theNisreturnedtothesoil andsomeofitbecomesavailable tothenextcrop,andalthoughthe amountofNreleaseddependson arangeoffactors,suchassoil, rainfallandspeciesofcovercrop used,itstillprovidesausefulinput.

“Covercropsareanintegralpartof goodsoilmanagement,andthe aimshouldbefornobarestubble fieldsoverwinter,”saysAndrew, notingthattheyarenot,howevera silverbullet.

“Covercropsshouldprovide around20t/haofbiomassabove groundwithahealthyrootbiomass, therebyreducingtheimpactofthe rainonthebaresoil.

Theweightofwinterrainfallisoften referredtoashavingthesame weightaseightbagsofpotatoeson topofeachother,pushingthesoil down.

“Havingtheground coveredhelpsreduce theimpactofthis weight.

“Inaddition,byhaving rootsinthesoil,cover cropshelptoreduce soilerosionandthe consequentlossof nutrientssuchas phosphates.”

Otherbenefitsinclude reducingrun-offand leachingofallimportant nutrients,including potash,magnesium andsulphur,whichis particularlyimportantwhenfields areclosetorivercourses.

“BytakingupN,thereislessriskof nitrateleachinginwintermonths afterrainfall.

“Moreover,covercropshelp improvesoilstructureandtherefore improveorganicmattercontentand waterholdingcapacity.Thiscan improvesoilresilienceandalso cashcropsbecomemoreresilient toadverseconditions.”

Nonetheless,covercropshaveto becost-effective,heemphasises, notingthatplantingaradishcover cropwiththeaimofavoidingthe needtosubsoil,needstocostthe same,orless,thanthecostof cultivation.

Lookingattheeconomics,acover cropcostsaround£40/hatogrow, anditsaboutanother£30/haspend oncultivationstogetplanted.

However,acovercropcansupply 35-40kg/Nand15kg/K,which suggestsagrossmarginofaround £50/ha.

“Itcanbehardtoassigna monetaryvaluefortheoverall benefitsofacovercroptojustify theirusetoalandlord,butcutting

AndrewGoodinson

andmeasuringthebiomasscan helptoassessthebenefits.”

“Allthedifferentspeciesdo differentthings,forexampleryeis agoodscavenger,anditgrows wellandactsasaneffectiveweed suppressant,whilevetchesprovide Nandphosphateforthenextcrop.”

Decisionsonwhichmixtobuywill dependontheneedsofthe particularfieldandconditionsand thegrower’ssystem,andhowitwill bedestroyedafterwards.

“Thiswilldependonyoursystem androtation;somegrowersflail andchopit,othersdiscit;andbest practicesuggestsitshouldbe incorporatedintothesoilbefore finalcultivations.”

Covercropsonheavylandshould bedestroyedearlierthanthoseon lighterareasbecausethesoilcan takelongertodryoutbeforespring cultivations.

Iftheaimofawintercovercropisa balancebetweenimprovingsoil healthandprovidingbetterforage forsheepgrazing,therearesome importantconsiderations.”

Forexample,sheepnumbersneed tobecontrolled,andcareshould betakentonotgrazethecover cropdowntotheearthbutleave 5-7cmofabovegroundbiomass.

Addressingconcernsaboutwinter covercropsprovidingagreen bridgeincreasingpredatornumbers inspringcrops,Andrewnotesthat benefitsfromcovercropsoutweigh thethreats.However,itcanresult inhighernumbersofslugsand/or wireworm,whichmayneed managing.

Henotesthatthere havebeen suggestionsthat covercropsharbour pestssuchas rhizoctonia,and explainsthatweeds belongingtothe Solanumspecies, suchasnightshades andchickweedare moresusceptibleto harbouringthepest.

Aphids,includingthe peachpotatoaphid (Myzuspersicae)and thePotatobuckthorn aphid(Aphis nasturtii),tendto overwinterin hedgerowsrather thanthemiddleofthe field.

“Ifyouhavecereal volunteersinthe covercrop,itcan provideagreen bridgeforthegrain aphid,thebird cherry-oataphidand therose-grainaphid andthesubsequent transmissionof barleyyellowdwarfvirusBYDV. However,aphidsthatwillbea problemforpotatoesdonot overwinteroncereals.

“Wealsoneedtorememberthata covercropwillalsoprovidea harbourforpredatorsofthese pests.”

Andrewexplainsthatwhenaplant isunderstress,itplacesalotofN initstissueswhichleadstohigh

sugarlevelswhichareattractiveto pestssuchasaphidsandslugs.

“Acovercropprovidessoil conditionswhichpromotebetter rootgrowthandaccesstonutrients andwater‘fromtheplateandinto thelarder’,sothefollowingcash cropismoreresistanttoadverse weatherconditions,harvestingand pests.”

Choosingyourcovercrop species

“However,aswithanyvegetation, thegrowthofcovercropsis influencedbyweather(temperature andmoisture)andsoiltype.

“Thecovercropmarketcanbe confusingandexpensive,sothe teamatHutchinsonsgottogether andweevaluatedanumberof differentcropsandrankedthemto makeitsimplertounderstand whicharethebestplantspecies whicharebeneficialforthesoil.”

Thisledtoputting togethersomecover cropmixeswith brassicas,legumes andforbs(e.g. linseed)indifferent ratioswhichoffer varyingdegreesof biomass,rootsand nutrients.

“Vigorousrooting helpsimprovesoil structurefriability, whilegroundcover providessoilarmour andweather protection, particularlyoverthe wintermonths.”

Mixescanalsobe madeupfromhome savedseedfrom legumecropssuch aspeasorbeans,or evenvolunteerpeas orrapeandmakea cheapcovercrop.

Giventhebewilderingarrayof covercropsonthemarket,thereis arealneedforclarity,headds.

“Covercropsarebeingsoldtocure allsortsofproblems,but impressive-soundingclaimsoften havelittlebasisinfact.Ofcourse, thechoiceofcovercropspecies andseedratethathaveagreat effectonthesuccessofthecover crop.

“Oneofthe challengesgrowers facewithcovercrops isthatthedifferent sizedseedsinmixes canseparateinthe hopper,sowehave replacedthepercentageofseeds inthemixtothepercentageof seedspermetreforthedifferent species.”

Whilesomeintheindustryare promotingcovercropsasa panaceaforproblemswithsoils, theyarejustoneofanumberof elementswhichformpartofa programmeforsoilhealth,says Andrew.

“Covercropsarenotaquickfixand inheavysoilsitcantakemorethan onecovercropintherotation beforethebenefitscanreallybe assessed.”

Advantagesofcovercrops include:

•Helpingtosuppressweedswith theirbiomass

•Improvingdrainageand reducingrunoff

•MoppingupexcessNand slowlyreleasingnutrientsready forthenextcrop

•Helpingbuildsoilorganic matterandcreatingbetter conditionsforbeneficialsoil micro-organisms

Biofumigants–acovercropwith adifference

Abiofumigantisalsoacovercrop, butwithsomedifferencesbecause theycanhelpsuppresssomesoilbornepests(suchasPCNand wireworm)becausetheyhave

biocidaleffectsfromglucosinolates.

Thereareanumberofplants fromtheBrassicaceaefamily(which includesoilseedrape,cabbage, andradish)whichproducethese glucosinolates,andsomeofthese haveahigherconcentration.

Themosteffectivebiofumigantsfor PCNsuppressionareIndianand brownmustardsandtheyshould beplantedassoonaspossible afterharvestpriortothenext spring’spotatocrop,saysAndrew. Theyaremoderatelywinterhardy butacoldwinterwillremovethe biomass.

However,thechallengewithall biologicalsolutionsisgetting everythingright,fromplantingand emergence,throughbiomass buildingtomaceration.Eachstepis crucialtosuccess.

Although,ideallybiofumigantcrops aregenerallygrowninsummerand choppedandincorporatedbefore soiltempsdropbelow10deg.Cin autumn,inrentedfieldsitis sometimesnotapracticaloption

becauseoflatesignedcontracts and/orPCNtesting.

“Inthatcaseyoushouldbelooking atplantingbefore12September, buttherearesomeexceptions,like thisyearwhenthesoilsarestill warmandtheyhavesome moisture,soyoucandelayfora fewdays.

“Ifyourfieldconditionsarenot suitable,forexampleinverydryor verywetsoils,youarelikelyto struggletogetestablishment.

“Therefore,beforetakingthe decision,youwillneedtoconsider whetheritisadvantageoustoplant abiofumigant.”

Andrewemphasisesthat biofumigantsneedtobetreatedas cashcropswithadifferenceandhe recommendsusingeitherNor chickenmanuresothecropgrows asbigandlushaspossible,witha largecanopywhichwillcomeinto flowerinthespring.

Destructionshouldtakeplaceat theonsetoffloweringandnotbe

donelaterthan5percent flowering.

“Thisisthetimewhenithasthe highestlevelofglucosinolates,and soitwillprovidethemosteffective biofumigantproperties;butyou needtotreatitlikeyouwoulda chemicalapplication.”

Whenitcomestodestructionand incorporation,timingiskeyto makingsurethecompoundstoxic topotatocystnematodesare incorporatedintothesoilbefore theyvolatilise,whichhappensinas littleastwohours.

“Flailingandincorporationshould bedoneaswithonepass,usinga flailonthefrontofthetractorwitha plough/rotavator/spaderbehind.

“Ofcourse,macerationtechnique andtimingarekeytoensuringyou getthemaximumdamagepossible tothecropthroughbothbruising andchoppingwhichstimulatethe releaseofgas.”

“Biofumigantsareusefulforgetting ontopofaPCNproblem,butitis

onlyonepartofthepicture,andis notaone-prongedsolution.”

Howdoesabiofumigantwork?

Macerationandbruisingabrassica crop,suchasIndianmustard, releasesproductsfromtheplant’s metabolism,whichareknownas glucosinolates.Thesearethen brokendownbyenzymesinthe presenceofwater,toproduce isothiocyanates(ITC)andvolatile sulphurcompounds,whichhavea biocidaleffect.

Wake-upcallonPCNtesting

Priortorenting,soilsamples shouldbedonewellahead–about 10to11months-togiveyoutime toputacovercropinbeforethe potatoesareplanted,saysAndrew, addingthatthisshouldnotbea last-minutetask.

Andrewalsowarnsgrowersto avoidskimpingonsoilsampling whentestingforPCN,particularlyif theyareplanningonrentingafield forgrowingpotatoesoryou suspectafieldmaybeinfested,

warnsAndrew.

Thisisbecausethepestoccursin hotspots,soitcaneasilybe missed,andalthoughintheWest, PCNlevelstendtobelowerthanin theEasterncountiesofEngland, thepestispresentinsomefields.

Ifitisfoundtobepresent, integratedcontrol,whichwill includetheapplicationof nematicidesplusanIndianmustard biofumiganthighinglucosinolates, willbenecessary,andthisimplies costsofgettingthefieldinto conditionsforgrowingapotato crop.

“Thereareonlytwonematicides, Nemathorin(fosthiazate)and VelumPrime(fluopyram),which haveapprovalforuse,sowemay endupusingalloftheseoptions.

“Ornotgrowingpotatoesonthat field!”

Andrew’sUsefulCoverCrop suggestionsforusebeforeplanting potatoes.

Getcoveragainstseed-bornediseases

Seedtreatmentofpotatotuberstoreduceseed-bornedisease pressurecanenhancecropemergenceandgrowth-toultimately harvestincreasedmarketableyieldswithhigherquality,including moreconsistentlysizedtubersandimprovedskinfinish.

ThemovetoMaxim100FSliquid seedtreatmentdeliversmore evenapplicationandcoverageof theseedtubersurface,toachieve consistentlyreliableresults againstseed-bornediseases, accordingtoSyngentaTechnicalManager, AndrewCunningham.

Liquidfungicidesappliedcorrectlytoseedcan givegoodcoverage,becleanertouseand removesanoperationontheplanter,allowing operativestofocusongettingcropsplantedin goodorder,hepointsout.

ResearchandfieldtrialswithMaxim100FShas shownagreaternumberofeyesopeningand consistentcropemergence,alongwithstronger earliercroprooting.Theresulthasbeen increasedtubernumbersandmoreeventuber sizeatharvest,alongwithimprovedskinfinish.

“Afurtheradvantageofisthedistinctivered colour,whichclearlyindicatesseedtubershave beeneffectivelytreated,”headvised.

Toassessforpotentialseed-bornedisease issuesAndyurgesgrowersandagronomiststo haveintendedseedstocksinspectedatsource forsignsofinfectionattheearliestopportunity.

“ThisgivesthechanceforMaximtreatment beforeseedisdeliveredontofarm,orto organiseforon-farmtreatment.”Growers operatingonjust-in-timedeliveryforplanting,or notsetuptohandleorstoreseed,canhave seedconvenientlytreatedatsource.

MAXIM100FShasactivityagainstarangeof seed-bornediseasesofpotatoseedtubers includingBlackscurf(Rhizoctoniasolani);Silver scurf(Helminthosporiumsolani)andBlackdot (Colletotrichumcoccodes).Fieldobservation hasalsoseenvaluableeffectsonCommon scab(Streptomycesscabies)andDryrot (Fusariumspp).

“OptimisingcropemergenceusingMaxim 100FSseedtreatment,coupledwithAmistar andNemathorintotacklesoil-bornepathogens andpests,givesthefoundationforcropyields andtuberquality,”advocatedAndy.

NEWJCBFASTRACiCONTOMAKE

ThelatestJCB Fastrac,featuring anall-newtouch screencontrol interfaceandother significant upgrades,willmakeitsMidlands MachineryShowdebutatthe NewarkShowgroundin Novemberalongsideaselection ofJCBmaterialshandling solutionsexhibitedbyJCB dealersSharmansAgricultural andG&JPeckLtd.

ThelatestFastrac4000and 8000Seriestractorshaveanallnewelectronicsinfrastructure thatincludesfullyintegrated ISOBUSimplementcontroland GPSguidanceoptions,with everythingoperatedusingthe newiCONarmrestcontrol consoleincorporatinga12in colourtouch-screendisplay.

Inadditiontocreatingthisnew operator-machineinterface duringanextensivefour-year developmentprogramme,JCB engineersalsodevelopednew controlstrategiesfortheCVT transmission,withfullyautomatic speed-basedpowertrain managementintroduced alongsideexistingmodes.

Automaticswitchingbetween pedalandjoystickdriving techniquesistriggeredsimplyby usingthesedifferentcontrols duringfieldworkandroadtravel, andanewjoystick-mounted thumbrollerprovidesfinespeed adjustment.

JonWareing,JCBSales ManageratPeckssaid:“The FastraciCONwithitsall-new controlsystemandother upgradeshasgeneratedhuge interest,sowe’replanningto

exhibitour348hpFastrac8330 iCONdemonstratorforvisitorsto sitinthecabandappreciatethe featuresofthenewcontrols, whicharesointuitivetosetup anduse.”

PeckscurrentlyoffersJCBsales andservicesupportfromitsEly headofficeandRamseySt Mary’sbranchesin Cambridgeshire,MarehamLe FenandPinchbecknear SpaldinginLincolnshire,and fromtheDerehambranchin Norfolk;fromthebeginningof 2023,thedealershipwillalso coverJCB’sSuffolkterritory.

TheFastraciCONhasalsobeen wellreceivedatSharmans,with customersamongthefirstto havetakendeliveryofthenew 235hpFastrac4220iCONand putittowork.

ManagingdirectorScottBarclay said:“TheFastrachasalways hadstrongappealwithits unrivalledridecomfort,greatallroundvisibility,andfastworking androadspeeds.

“WiththenewiCONversion,it’s alsoupwiththebestintermsof tractorandimplementcontrol andguidance,withanenhanced transmissionalsocontributingto

amoreenjoyable,more productiveexperienceforthe operator.”

Sharmansbranchesat Grantham,MeltonMowbray, LowdhamandPytchleynear KetteringcoveraJCBterritory thatextendsfromSouth Yorkshirethrough Nottinghamshire,Derbyshire, LeicestershireandRutlandto

|MidlandMachineryShow

Northamptonshire. PecksandSharmans alsoplantoexhibit examplesofJCB’s world-leadingrangeof Loadalltelescopic handlers,whichearlier thisyearwas expandedwiththe new542-70AGRI Pro.

Inadditiontothe

Loadall’sestablished features,thishighperformancehandler eclipsesrivalswithits 173hpJCB

DieselMAXengine output,50kph DualTechVT transmission,22% greaterdynamic tractiveeffortand14% greaterhydraulicflow at160-litre/min.

Allofwhichaddsuptoa significantincreasein productivitypotentialforlarge farmingenterprisesand contractingbusinesses.

TheMidlandsMachineryShow willbehostedbytheNewark& NottinghamshireAgricultural SocietyonNovember16thand 17thattheNewarkShowground.

Toptipswhenswitchingfromsolidtoliquidfertiliser

Machinerydealers arereporting increasinginterest inusingliquid ratherthansolid fertilisers,sowhat shouldfarmersbearinmind whenconsideringtheswitch?

Farminfrastructurewillplaya partinwhethertogoforsolidor liquidfertiliseraswellaslabour considerations,saysDarren Glegg,Yarabusinessmanager, liquidandfoliarproducts.

“Itisaboutefficiency.Machinery hasgotbigger.Whenfarmers aremakingsuchamajorcapital investment,theywanttogetthe mostoutofitandbeableto applyliquidfertiliseraswellasag chem.Withasprayerjustone personisneededwhereaswith solidfertiliseranadditional personisneededtobringbagsto thefield.”

Whilesomefarmsmayhave shedspaceforafertiliser

spreader,liquidfertilisertanks maybemoreconvenientfor others,headds.“Itisabout weighingupthebestsystemfor yourfarm.”

Akeybenefitofusingliquid fertilisersisbeingabletoapply fertilisermoreaccuratelyatfield edges,saysMrGlegg.“Thiscan beupto20%ofthefieldinsome cases.”

Withsomefertiliser manufacturersfindingitdifficult tosourceproductcurrently,Mr GleggsaysYaraiscarryingon asnormal.“Ourfertiliseris producedinHollandand Germany.Wearealsowell placedtoadvisecustomerson applicationequipment,rates, timingsandagronomy.”

VisitorstotheMidlands MachineryShowinNovember willbeabletoseeawiderange ofsprayersandnozzleoptions onshowandspeaktoexperts aboutthebestchoicefortheir

farm.

Applyingliquidfertiliserisnotlike applyingplantprotection products.Itisappliedwitha spraynozzleproducingamuch largerdropletsize,whichisless affectedbywindandweather conditions,”saysChandlers managingdirectorGavinPell.

“Thismeansitcanbeappliedin awiderrangeofweather conditionsthanwouldbe possiblewithgranularfertiliser.”

“Ifsoilisbonedry,withsolid fertiliseryouhavetowaituntilit rainsbeforeitistakenup.You canalsodosemoreaccurately withliquidfertiliserandthereis lesslikelihoodofleaching, meaninglessfertiliseris potentiallywasted.”

Eventhosefarmersplanningto continueusingsolidfertilisersbut whoarebuyinganewcrop sprayerwantittohavetheability toapplyliquidfertiliser,saysCliff

Buck,technicalsalesmanagerat KnightFarmMachinery.“This meansthatsomewhereinthe backoftheirmindtheyare thinkingaboutliquidfertiliseras anoptionforthefuture.”

Mostcropsprayerscanapply liquidfertilisers;however, growersshouldbeawarethatthe liquidisabrasiveand,ifnotcared for,thesprayerwilldeteriorate fasterthanwhenonlyusedforag chem,saysMrBuck.

“Itneedstobethoroughly washeddown,ideallyeverytime fertiliserisapplied,paying particularattentiontoboom joints,hydrauliccylindersand areaswhereliquidfertilisercan sit.Itisalsoimportanttofitthe correctnozzles.Eithermulti streamnozzlesordribblebars arepopularchoices,”he explains.

“Anotherconsiderationisthe densityoftheliquidfertiliser whenusinganautoapplication ratecontrolsystemonthe sprayer.Ifthefertiliserdensityis anythingotherthanone(water)

thecontrolsystemneedstobe adjusted.”

Manygrowersareconsideringa fastfillpumptoincreasethe speedoffillingthesprayer,he says.“Itisalsoimportanttohave theabilitytopumpoutany remainingsprayercontentsinto thestoragetank.”

Forfarmersswitchingtoliquid fertilisers,applicationaccuracyis essential,andBillericayFarm Services,whichspecialisesin applicatorscanhelpfarmers choosetherightone.“Ourliquid fertiliserapplicatorselection allowsforconsistency,accuracy andenablesyoutoachieve professionalandproductive results,nomatterwhatthetask,” saysdirectorSimonNichols.

Sowhatequipmentwillvisitorsto theMidlandsMachineryShowbe abletosee?Chandlerswillbe showcasingbroadcastersfrom KRMBogballe,mounted sprayersfromBerthoud,trailed sprayersfromChaferandselfpropelledsprayersfromFendt, includingtheRogator655,says

MrPell.Therewillalsobea considerableline-upofother equipmentfromawidevarietyof manufacturers,withover210 tradestandsalreadybooked,an increaseof20%onprevious years.

VisitorscanclaimtwoNRosO pointsandtwoBASISpointsfor attendanceattheshow. Theycaneitherfillintheir membershipnumberandname/ addressdetailswhenthey registerfortheshowusingthe followinglinkhttps:// www.midlandsmachineryshow.co morvisittheNRoSO/BASIS pointstandattheshowinthe GSEHandregistermembership numberandaddress.

Formoreinformationorto registerforfreeentrytothe MidlandsMachineryShow,visit www.midlandsmachineryshow.co m/

MJPSUPPLIESANTICIPATINGATIDALWAVEOFINTEREST INALGIGOLATTHEMIDLANDSMACHINERYSHOW

ALincolnshire companyis anticipatingatidal waveofinterestin itsseaweed-based biostimulantatthis year'sMidlandsMachineryShow afterseeingsalesincrease33% inthe12monthssince2021's event.

Risingfertiliserprices, challengingweatherconditions andincreasingdesiretouse naturalproductshaveseensales ofAlgifolsurpass6,000litresper year.

DistributedintheUKbyMJP Supplies,Algifolisderivedfrom brownalgae,whichisdriedand refined.Theresultisanentirely naturalliquidboastingawealthof traceelements,vitamins, enzymes,aminoacids, carbohydrates,polyuronidesand growth-regulatingplant hormones.

"Forfarmers,the12months sincelastyear'sMidlands MachineryShowhavebeen someofthemostchallenging onesever,"saysMarcusPalmer, ownerofMJPSupplies."The pandemic,followedbythe

invasionofUkraine,havecaused fertiliserpricestoskyrocket. Thenwehavethedrought conditionsoverthesummer.I thinkallofthesethingshave resultedinconsiderableinterest

hand."

Inthelast12monthssince 2021'sMidlandsMachinery Show,Marcus'customershave reportedincreasedyieldand improvedresistancetoheat stressintheircrops.

Aswellasanincreasingnumber offarmers,thereisagrowing appreciationofbiostimulants amongagronomists,suchas JohnCarneyofCarney AgriculturalServices,whohas recommendedAlgifoltohis clientssince2018.

insustainablefarminganddriven peopletoseekoutbiostimulants suchasAlgifol.It'snotonlynew customersbehindthesurgein sales.We'vealsobenefitedfrom lotsofrepeatordersfrom growerswhohaveseenthe benefitsofusingAlgifolfirst

"Wehavesoldseaweedproducts tofarmersandgrowersforover 40yearsandhavealwayskeptto productsthataresourcedsolely fromthecorrectplantsand extractedwithoutlosingnatural ingredients,"saysJohn."We supplyAlgifoltoourcustomers asanutrientenhancertothe mineralsalreadyavailabletothe plant.Biostimulantsarebest usedbefore'fire-engine' remediesareneededandare appliedregularlyduringthe growingseason.Algifolisproven tobeverysafewhenaddedto otherpesticideproducts.

"Overtheyears,wehave notedthatanystressesthat plantsareputunderare greatlyalleviatedwhereAlgifol hasbeenapplied.Thegreen canopyGAIisveryapparent. Itenhanceswhatisalready thereintheplant.Thisis particularlysowithfruit growing,wheretheevidence ofqualityiseasilyvisible. Whereanyquality measurementssuchastuber size,sugarcontentorgrain specificgravityaremade, Algifolhasalwaysbeen showntobeanessential ingredient."

Formoreinformationabout Algifol,visitmjpsupplies.co.uk orspeaktoMarcusatthe MidlandsMachineryShow (Stand5inJCH2)

PACEMECHANICALHANDLINGTOSHOWCASE UNIQUEPALLETPROTECTIONSYSTEMATTHE MIDLANDSMACHINERYSHOW

PACEMechanical Handlingwillput thespotlightonan innovativenew protectionsystem forpalletised productsatthisyear'sMidlands MachineryShow(16–17 November)afterenteringintoa partnershipwithoneofSpain's leadingbagging,palletisingand wrappingmachinery manufacturers.

Nextmonth'sexhibitionis PACE'sfirstappearanceatan agriculturalshowsincesigning anagreementtorepresentTMIsl intheUKandIrelandinJune.

Establishedin2000,TMIsloffers anextensiverangeofend-of-line machines,whichareusedby someoftheworld'slargest manufacturingcompaniesin25 countries.

Aswellasannouncingthe agreement,PACEMechanical HandlingwillusetheMidlands MachinerytoshowvisitorsTMI's latestinnovation-ILERBOX-a uniqueprotectionsystemfor palletisedproducts.

TheILERBOXautomatic wrappingsystemplacesa protectivelayerofcorrugated cardboardaroundthepallet, whichisthenstretch-wrapped securelytoprotecttheproductin transitandstorage.

LikeallofPACE's packingsolutions, ILERBOXreduces thenumberof peoplerequiredand lowersthenumberof costlypalletboxes used.

"TheILERBOX systemfromTMIis unlikeanythingelse availableintheUK. Weareverymuch lookingforwardto talkingtoMidlands MachineryShow visitorsaboutitandourown rangeofroboticpalletisingand mechanicalhandlingsolutions," saysNickCesare,managing directoratPACEMechanical Handling. "The shortage oflabour isoneof themost significant challenges facedby packers today.By

PACEhasbeendesigning, installingandservicing automatedpackingsolutions since1996andinthattimehas workedwithmorethan200fresh producegrowersandpackers, automatingthepackingof potatoes,carrotsandonions, amongothercrops.

Thankstoitslong-standing partnershipwithMotomanof Japan,PACEMechanical Handlingoffersawideofrobots, frompickandplaceupto specialistheavyliftingmodels. Byhavingitsownteamof fabricatorsandsoftware engineersandextensive experienceindesigningand installingcompleteproduction lines,Nickandhisteamcan delivereverythingfromasmall automatedpackingrobottoa completeturnkeysolution.

introducingroboticpacking,itis possibletoreducethenumberof peopleneeded,increase throughputandlowerdowntime."

TofindoutmoreaboutPACE Mechanicalanditsautomated solutionsandthenewILERBOX solutionfromTMI,visitstand1in theJohnCrockerHall3atthe MidlandsMachineryShow orwww.robotpalletizing.co.uk.

RABIwinnationalcharityawards

RABI’sground-breaking BigFarmingSurvey haswontheCharity TimesChangeProject oftheYearAward 2022.Ateamfromthecharity attendingtheawardswerealso delightedtowinthehighly commendedawardinthe prestigiousCharityTimesCharity oftheYearcategory.

Celebratingexcellenceandbestpracticeacrossthenot-for-profit sector,theCharityTimesAwards panelofindependentexpertswere impressedbytheimpact,focus andinnovationshownbyRABI’s worksupportingthefarming community.

AliciaChivers,RABIchief executivewelcomesthe recognitionoftheimportanceof thesupportRABIprovidestothe farmingcommunityatanational level.Withtheunprecedented challengescurrentlyfacing farmingpeople,shebelievesthe wideracknowledgementofthese

challengesandimpactsonfarming peopleisfundamentally important.

"Itisaphenomenalachievement torepresentthefarmingsectorin theesteemedcompanyoftheother shortlistedcharities,”saysMrs Chivers.“RABIwasparticularly honouredtoreceivetheseawards inremembranceofourPatron, HerLateMajestyQueenElizabeth II,whocontributedsomuchto promotingandsupportingthe agriculturalcommunity.

“TheBigFarmingSurveyandthe ongoingoutcomesfromRABI’s workwererecognisedbythe CharityTimesawardpanelas beginningfundamentalchange thatwillresonatefora considerabletimetocome.

WinningthisawardhelpsRABIto showcasethevalueofour communityandgivefarming peoplethevoicetheydeserve,”she continues.

“Farmingpeoplemakean importantcontributiontoour

societyanditisvitaltheyare supportedappropriately.RABI hasalreadybeguntointroduce innovativenewsupportin responsetothesurveyandwill continuetodevelopourservicesto meetthechangingneedsofthe communityweserve.

“Everycharityreliesonthetalent, dedicationandcommitmentofits teamtomakeatangibledifference. Iamextremelyproudofthese awards,astheyrepresentapublic recognitionandcelebrationofthe hardworkanddedicationofthe entireRABIteamandallour supporters,”MrsChivers concludes.

RABIhasalsobeenshortlistedfor theAssociationofCharitable Organisations’CharityoftheYear 2022,aswellastheThirdSector’s BreakthroughoftheYearAward 2022,foritsfarmingtailored counsellingserviceandmental healthtraining.Bothawardswill beannouncedlaterinSeptember.

armingwillalwaysbesomethingthat isbredintome,muchlikemyyounger brother,Parents&Grandparentsit runsinourblood.Thewelfare, happinessandhealthofourherd comesbeforeanythingandIcouldn’t bemoreproudtobeaBritishfarmer.

grassland.MygrandparentsDavidandMary Drinkallboughtthefarmin1977,whatawreckit was.Theyputblood,sweatandtearsintothenow beautiful,wellcaredfordairyfarmthatweare privilegedenoughtocallhometoday.Fast forwardingto2022,theybothstillworkjustashard, mygrandpa,87,isalwaysthefirstinthemilking parlourathalf3inthemorning,andmygrandma, 82,alongwithallthepaperwork;alwaysmakessure thestaffhaveagoodbreakfastcookedandwaiting forthem.Mydad,Iain,isoneofthemost hardworkingpeopleIknow.Amanthatwoulddo anythingforhiscows,fromhalf3inthemorningto wheneverthejobisproperlyandsufficientlydone, eachandeveryday.Mymumwasalsoadedicated dairyfarmerformanyyearsduringmychildhood, howevernowsettlesforthetitleof“farmerswife”as sheperusedhercareerinmidwifery.Theworkethic theyallPossessissomethingIamverygratefulthat hasbeeningrainedonbothmybrotherandI throughouttheyears.

In2020whenIfinishedcollegeIwasdefinitelyata lostcauseforwhattodo.

Manyofmyfriendswereapplyingtouniversityto

IwasborninCheshire,andwhenpeoplelaughand joke“It’slikeyouwereborninamilkingparlour” wellactually…yournotfaroff.Whenmymum startedgoingintoLabourshewashalfwaythough milkingthecows;obviouslyintruefarmerfashion shefinishedmilkingthecowsbeforehavingmenot longafterinthelocalhospital.Fromthereonout, withtwohardworkingfarmingparentsIwas destinedtofallinlovewiththelifestyle.Bothmy brotherandI’schildhoodwasfilledwithCowsand Calves,TractorsandDirt,andacresoflandto Romearoundin.Growinguponadairyfarm;itruly believewecouldn’thavehaditanybetter.

StockerlaneFarmislocatedintheheartofthe Cheshirecountryside.Milkinganaverageof250 cowstwiceadayandfarming370acresof

study,butthatdidn’tseemtofeelrightformeatthe time.Thefirstoutbreakofcovid19wasjust beginningandI’vealwaysworkedonmyfamily’s farmasI’vealwaysbeenthere,it’shome.But duringthistimewaswhenIreallywentfulltime,no college,nodistractions,Butfulltimeonmyfamily’s dairyfarm.Lookingbackitwasdefinitelytheright decisiontomakeandI’msohappythatIdid.As wellasdairyfarming;theappTikTokalsobecame extremelypopularthroughoutthelockdowns,I thoughtitwouldbeagoodideatocreatesome smallvideostoentertainpeopleandto simultaneouslypromoteBritishfarmingand agriculture.Andtomysurprise,Thevideostookoff, peoplelovedit.“TheDrinkallDairy”currentlyhasjust

off20,000followersand4.2milliontotalviews, especiallyduringsuchadifficulttimeformany people,itwasgreattobeabletomakelittlevideos thatcouldPotentiallybrightensomeone’sday-my cowshavethateffectonpeople.

AsIwritethisfeature,wearedeliberatingwhether ornottomowthegrassoffandstartcollectinginthe thirdandfinalsilagecutoftheyear.Therainhas beenpersistentallweek,andlikewisetomany farmers,we’vebeenwatchingthelocalweather forecastslikeahawks.There’s3sunny,drydays comingupthisweekonthe2ndofOctobersowe’re hopingtomowoffandsilageourlastcutthen.On thebrighterside,atleastallthisrainismakingthe grassgrowthatlittlebitextra.

Allinallit’shard.it’snotallsunnydaysandblue skies,sometimesitspouringdownwithrainand everything’sgoingwrong;butwhatmakesitworthit, isthefactthatweknowwehavehappycowsthat couldn’twishforabetterhomeandahappyfamily thatworkssidebysidetogether.Dairyfarming

definitelyisn’taneasyjob,farfromit; Butwouldwechangeanyofit?Wouldany passionatefarmerchangeanyofit?No,nowe wouldn’t,notfortheworld.

FollowEmilyonInstagramandTikTok

Newdigestateadditiverevealsnitrogen increasestohelpoffsetfertilisercost

Aninnovativetrialexploringifanew slurryadditivecanimprovenutrient availabilityindigestatehasshowna 20.3%increaseinavailablenitrogen contentanda29%reductionindry mattersolidsafterthefirstyear.

ThenewDigest-ItslurryadditivefromOrigin Fertilisersisaliveliquidbiologicalbacteriathathas beenusedindigestateforthefirsttimeandhasbeen wellproventosignificantlyreduceammonia emissionsandincreaseammoniumnitrogenlevelsin slurry.Thetrialtookplaceata1.2MWanaerobic digestionplantinLincolnshire.

The20.3%increaseinammoniumnitrogenwas shownaftera12-weekperiodfollowingthe applicationofDigest-It.Afurther29%reductionin ovendrysolidshastranslatedtothedigestatebeing easiertopump,whichinturnhasreducedmachinery wearandfueluse,alongwithshorteningfillingtimes.

Asanoutcomeofreducingsolidcontent,the digestatehasathinnerconsistencyandistherefore easierfortheplantstoabsorbfollowingapplicationto thesoil.Plantsaren’tusingasmuchenergytosearch fornitrogen,andnitrogenlossesthroughvolatilisation arereduced.

CallumNorman,specialitysalesmanageratOrigin Fertilisers,whowasinvolvedinthetrial,saysthat whiletheheadlineincreasesmakeexcellentreading, thewiderbenefitsofapplyingDigest-Itshouldn’tbe overlooked.

Environmental,financial,andpractical

“Thetreateddigestatehadless nitrogencontentthanthe untreatedproduct.Theupshot hereisthatthesameamountof landcanhave13%more digestatespreadonitbefore NVZlimitsarereached,which couldbehugelybeneficialfor growersonsmalleracreages withexcessdigestatetospread.

“Wearereallypleasedwiththe resultsofthetrial.The environmentalbenefits,suchas

reducedvolatilisationduetothe conversionofammoniainto ammonium,andsupplyinggood microbestothesoil,willbea hugebenefittoallfarmsandhelp contributetowardsagriculture reducingitsemissions,” concludesMrNorman.

Fromafinancialperspective,the Digest-Ittrialreturneda2:1cost benefitandonlyrequiresone applicationsoreducesthelabour requirementcomparedwith

additivesthatneedongoing applications.

Theresultshavebeencollected fromsamplestakeneverytwo weeks,duringtheclosedperiod ofthedigesterafterapplication, andthencomparedwithprevious samplestaken.Thefeedstockfor theplantisaconsistentmixof foragemaizeandrye,which translatesintoa6kg/N/tonne value.

Internationalqualitymarkputs greentechaheadofthefield

Aleadingspecialistin thedesign, construction, operationand managementof photovoltaic solarprojectshasachievedIMS accreditation,givingcustomers reassurancethatitssolar farmsmeetthehighest internationalstandards forQuality,Health&Safety andEnvironmentalmanagement.

GreentechUK,whichhasits

headquartersinMiltonKeynes, wasawardedIMSaccreditation inSeptember2022after successfullypassingan independentauditforthe ProvisionofPVSolar Development,Operations& Maintenance.IMScertificationis awardedtocompanies whichimplementtwoormore ISOstandardstogetherina singleframeworkthateveryone inthecompanycanworkfrom.

GreentechachievedISO 14001-2015–Environmental Management,ISO9001-2015–QualityManagementandISO 45001-2018–Health&Safety Management,aspartofits accreditationandmanaging directorYawOfori believesthisaptlydemonstrates thecompany'sprofessionalism, dedicationanddrive togrowthecommercialsolar industryintheUKina sustainableway.

"Thesolarindustryisgrowing veryquicklyasdemandfor renewableenergygeneration increases,"says Yaw."Therearealotof newcomerstothemarketandit canbedifficultforfarmersto knowwhototrustwiththeir development.Asoneofjusta

fewsolardevelopers withIMSaccreditation,wecan givecustomersconfidencethat wearecompliantwith internationalstandards forqualityandthisdifferentiates ourofferfromtherestofthe field.

"Ultimately,whenafarmerleases theirlandforasolar development,theywanttoknow theprojectisgoingtorun smoothlyanditprovides thebenefitsforthemandthe environmentthatispromisedat theoutset.IMSaccreditation allowsustodothat,witha qualitymarkthat runsrightthroughfromour developmentand operationalprocessestoour maintenanceservicewhichis availableforthelifecycleof asolarfarm–typically40 years."

GreentechUKispartofone ofEurope'slargestindependent PVspecialistswhichoperatesin 10countries.Theoperationin theUKisthefirstinthegroupto achieveIMSaccreditation.

FlogasBritainGrantedPlanningPermissionfor

PipelineintoUK’sLargestLPGStorageFacility

UK,helpingtofurtherfutureproofBritain’ssupplyoflow carbonoff-gridfuels.Therewill beclearaffordabilitybenefitstoo, asaccesstoglobalmarketswill increasesupplieroptions,and reducetheUK’srelianceonits

diminishingrefinerynetwork.

StartingatBristolPortwitha new,state-of-the-artunloading facility,thepipelinewilllargely followexistingpipelineroutes throughpredominantlyindustrial

FPipelineprovidessecurityofsupplyandroadtonetzeroforfarmers logasBritain,oneof theUK’sleading liquefiedpetroleum gas(LPG) suppliers,has announcedthatit hasbeengrantedplanning permissiontoconstructagas pipelinefromBristolPortintothe nation’slargestaboveground LPGstorageterminal,at Avonmouth,nearBristol.

Oncecomplete,thepipelinewill linktheUKtoadiverse,global supplyofoff-gridgas,providing securityofsupplyandenhancing affordabilityforoff-gridfarmers andresidentialcustomers.Itwill alsoplayanimportantroleinthe decarbonisationofoff-grid Britain,inlinewiththe Government’s2050netzero target.

Withplanningpermissionnowin place,Flogas(partofDCCplc)is nowactivelytalkingtopotential partnersfromacrosstheentire supplychain,whowanttojoin Flogasincreatingadependable, affordableandgreeneroff-grid fuelsupplyfortheUK.

Flogasisfullycommittedto meetingnetzerotargetsand securingalowcarbonfuture,so planningapprovalforthepipeline marksamajormilestoneforthe business.LPGisthecleanest, mostefficientconventionaloffgridfuelavailable,andfarmers transitioningfromoilwillbenefit fromsignificantcarbonsavings andimprovedairquality,asit emitsfarfewerpollutant emissions.

AswellasimportingLPG,the pipelinewillhavethecapabilityto importBio-LPG,whichisafully renewablegreengasalternative. Additionally,itwillprovideaccess toemergingsourcesof renewablefuelsnotcurrently manufacturedoravailableinthe

areas,totheFlogasAvonmouth storagefacility.Runningsafely undergroundandoutofsite,the twin-pipelinewillvastlyincrease theavailabilityofLPGandBioLPG,enablingupto20,000 tonnesofcommoditytobesafely andsecurelydischargedfroma shipin24hours.

TheFlogasAvonmouthStorage facilityisthelargestofitskindin theUK,withthecapacitytostore 34,564tonnesofLPG.Formerly ownedbyNationalGrid,the Avonmouthfacilitywas

previouslyonlyabletostoreLNG (liquefiednaturalgas).However, workiscurrentlyunderwayto convertittoanLPGandBio-LPG storagefacility,further strengtheningFlogas’distribution network,andproviding customerswithanunrivalledoffgridgassupplychain.

LeeGannon,FlogasBritain’s ManagingDirector,said:“The grantingofplanningpermission isthefinalpieceinthejigsawfor thisground-breakingproject,as wealreadyhavetheAvonmouth

|Energy

storagefacilityandagreementin principlefromBristolPortand landownersforthepipelineroute.

“Thismeanswe’renowperfectly placedtostarttalkingto prospectivepartnersfromacross thesupplychainwhowanttojoin usinthisventure.Avonmouth offersanexcellentcollaborative opportunity,onethatwillprovide importantaccesstotheglobal marketandenhancesecurityof supplytoouroff-gridcustomers. It’salsocompletelyfutureready andwillbekeyinhelpinghomes andbusinessesmakethat importantenergytransitiontonet zeroemissions.

“Thenextphaseofdesignis currentlyunderwayandwith completionofconstruction potentiallyasearlyas2025,we willsoonhavelockedinadirect linkbetweenourstoragefacility andworldsupplyofexistingand upcomingcarbonfreefuels.”

LeeGannonconcluded:“Asan energysupplierthatiscommitted tomeetingnetzerotargets,we fullysupportheatpumpsand otherrenewablepowersupplies, butformanyoff-gridhomesand businessestheycanbeeither unsuitableorunaffordable.For thesecustomers,LPGisthe perfectoff-gridtransitionfuel awayfromoil,andthispipeline willincreaseitsaffordabilityand supply.”

GeorgeWebb,CEOofLiquid GasUK(LGUK)added:“The newAvonmouthfacilitymarksa significantstepintheimportand supplyofrenewableliquidgases hereintheUK.Thesitewill enableamuchgreaterstorage capacityofLPGandrenewable liquidgases,whichwillinturnwill strengthenthesupplychainand makeasignificantcontributionto thefutureresilienceofthe industryasawhole.

“Thenewpipelinedemonstrates Flogas’scommitmenttofacilitate thedevelopmentofrenewable fuelsintheUK,helpingresidents andbusinessesontheroadto netzeroemissions.It’sfantastic news,andgreatprogressforthe decarbonisationofoff-grid Britain.”

Heatandmoisture:Predictabledesignissues

Thosewordsarefromtheopeninglineofa paperintheJournalofAgricultural EngineeringResearchpublishedin2000 bytwocolleagues-RodMcGovernand JimBruce.Theyhadproducedamodelof thethermalbalanceforcattleinhot conditionsandconcludedthatinhotterconditions,feed intakewouldbereduced,andproductionwouldfall.

Sincethen,wehavealsocometo understandthatthereisanearlier negativeimpactofhotterconditions/ heatstress.Namely,thatisthe reductioninfertility(RIDBAJournal 2021:Vol22,Edition1).Their thermalmodelincludedair temperature,humidity,windspeed andradiation,togetherwith metabolicheatproductionfromthe animal.

Metabolicheatislostfromthebody

inavarietyofways.Theyincludeconductionfromthe bodycoretotheskin,fromtheskinbyconvection,by long-waveheattransferbyradiation,andbylatentheat lossviarespirationandsweating.

Table1showstheresultsofinstantaneousheat balancesimulationsatfourdifferentair temperatures.

Solarradiationcanbeaddedtothe modeltogiveresultsforthe expectedimpactofsolargain(or shading)deliveredatstatedangles, windspeed,cloudcover,latitude, albedo,theemissivityoftheanimal andthereflectance.Manyofthese termswillbefamiliartobuilding engineers,butwhatistheresult?

Incoldweather-example1inTable 1-convectiveheatlossesare reducedbyvasoconstrictionbut lossesthroughthehaircoatarehigh. Inexample3,respirationrate increasestodumpmoreenergyas moistureandinexample4thebody startstoacquireheatandbody temperaturerises.Inrealitythese cattlewillalreadyhaveadaptedbut withresultantlossestofertility,then feedintake,andthenmilk production.Theimpactofthe summerwhichwe’vejustexperience intheUKoncattlewas,andis, predictable.

Thedaily–ordiurnalpatternofair temperaturecanleadto apredictablepatternof heatstressinlivestock, andamorerecentstudy withyoungcalvesat IowaState University(Appuhamy,et al.2021“TheEffectsof DiurnalHeatStressin DairyHeifer Calves”)describefurther impacts.

Thestudyshowsthat althoughfeedintake increasedatnightto balancethereduced feedintakeduringthe heatoftheday,average dailyliveweightgainand feedefficiency decreasedsignificantly duringperiodsofdiurnal heatstress.They consideredtheseeffects arealikelyconsequence ofnutrientsbeingmoved towardsanactivated immunesystemand awayfromproductive processes.Theyalso reportthatwaterintake perunitoffeed consumedalso increasedsignificantly duringdiurnalheat stress.

Wedoneedthescience toinformus,andwe don’tneedthescienceto informus.Whenitgetshotanimals consumelessfoodanddrinkmore waterandmayhavereduced immunecompetence.Whata surprise!Butheatandwaterare issuesthathavebeentackledwith differentlevelsofprecisionaround theworldandthissummerwillhave shakenUKlivestockproducershopefullyintoanacceptancethat whatispredictablecanalsobe managedbetter.Wehaveplentyof informationonhowtobettermanage heatandwaterintheUK’slivestock buildings,butweneedto acknowledgetheissuesfirst,and workoutwhatitcoststogetitwrong.

Arecentqueryinvolvinganewbuild pigunitthrewuptheinteresting detailthatforthemonthofJuly2022 thewaterconsumptioninthe farrowingroomsincreasedby20 litresperpig,perday,comparedwith theaverageofthepreviousthree months.Thatis37m3forthemonth onthisparticularsite-fromdrinking

waterintakeincreasingtothesmart pigsthrowingwatereverywhereto keepcool.Ofcourse,thisalsoadds toslurryvolumes.Dairycows dramaticallyincreasethevolumeof waterintakeinwarmweatherand pigsandpoultryshowclear preferenceforcoolerdrinkingwater inhotweatherconditions.Themain productionanddesignquestionsfor anyfarm-neworexisting–are:

•Dowehavethecorrectvolumes andflowratesofdecentwater qualityandtemperatureatthe rightheightandwithadequate spaceforexpectedcompetition?

Thatisnolessthansixdesign factorstogetright…orwrong.

Infoodproductionprocesses,heat andmoisturegohandinhandand theUKagriculturalsectorhasplenty ofpotentialtoimproveonthe managementofbothfactors. Potentialgainshavebeenmentioned beforeassomethingthatneedtogo intoanyinvestmentappraisalofour livestocksystems.Theexampleof poorfertility-themajorreasonfor cullingcowsintheUK(NADIS2022) -willbeuppermostinUKdairy statisticsthisyearofhighair temperaturesandlowrainfall.The financiallossesofpoorfertility accruefromarangeofvariables (Table2)andaverage£250percow intheUKherd.

Table2.Thecostofpoorfertility.

milkproduction

veterinarycosts

numberofheifersthatneedto bereared

costofAI(orthenumberof bullsneeded)

production

Thechronichealthissueslinkedin parttoclimateextremesarecosting tensofthousandsofpoundsevery yearonindividualUKlivestock farms,whichleadstosignificant potentialbenefitstooffsetinvestment inimprovedbuildingdesignand higherspecificationmaterials.

Andsellrainwaterharvestingtothe clientsandtheplanners!Itshouldbe goodbusinesssenseandwill improvethesustainabilityimageof ourindustry.

JamieRobertson RIDBALivestockConsultant

AcquisitionofWidnesGalvanisingLtd

JosephAshLimitedis delightedtoannouncethe acquisitionofWidnes GalvanisingLtd.

Foundedover20yearsago, WidnesGalvanisinghasbeenan independenthotdipgalvanizerinthe northwest.ItistheperfectmatchforJoseph AshLtd.Notonlydothecompaniesshare similarvalues–includingamissionto providetheverybestcustomerservice–but JosephAshisnowabletobroadenits geographiccoverageintoCheshireto servicecustomersinLancashire,Cheshire, Merseysideandbeyond.

Theacquisitionisalsogoodnewsfor WidnesGalvanisingcustomers,whowill benefitfromtheadditionalservicesJoseph AshLtdprovides.Forexample,extra transportandstorage,spingalvanizing,and powdercoating.

ExistingWidnesGalvanisingemployeeswill

alsobenefitastheywillbeabletocapitalise ontheopportunitiesthatbeingpartofa largergroupbrings,suchascareer progression,training,andlearningnew skills.

StuartWhitehouse,ManagingDirectorof JosephAshLtd,said:“WidnesGalvanising isawelcomeadditiontoourJosephAsh family,andwearethrilledtohavethem onboard.Theacquisitionhasbeensmooth, ensuringaseamlesstransitionforthefuture. Whileinitiallytradingasasubsidiary company,Widneswillshareandexchange technologyandexpertisewithoureight otherplants.”

Whitehousecontinues,“Theacquisitionisa wonderfulopportunityforallpartiesinvolved: theexistingJosephAshteam,ournew colleaguesfromWidnes,oursuppliersand customers."

Furtherannouncementsaboutthe acquisitionwillbemadeinduecourse. Formoreinformation,pleasecontactthe JosephAshHeadOfficeon01215042573.

AcquisitionofWidnesGalvanisingLtd

scrimeinrural areasand particularlyon farmsand smallholdings continuestorise, agriculturetrackingexperts, ATVTrac,havereportedan increasedadoptionoftheir trackingtechnologyanddealer uptakeacrosstheUK.

Launchedoveradecadeago, followingtheparentcompany’s experienceandproventrack recordinmotorcyclesecurity, ATVTracofferedadedicated securityproduct,enabling ownersoffarmmachineryto havealivelinktotheirmachines 24/7regardlessoflocation.

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

reminderstoo,offeringamore thanjustasecurityfocussed product.

Aswellasdealerandcustomer interest,ATVTracisnow endorsedbymorethanten manufacturerswithdiscounts availableonInsurancefromthe NFUtoo.Morerecently,brands suchasPolarisandCFMOTO haveadoptedthesystemas standardfitmentonsomeoftheir modelstoo,withmanythefts thwartedduetoATVTracsince.

ATVTrac’skeyattributeisthe unit’sphysicalsizeandinternal battery,allowingforfitmentto virtuallyeverypieceoffarm machinery,fromATVstoUTVs, toTractors,LandRovers,4x4s, trailersandchipperstoo.And thankstoanonlineportaland dedicatediPhoneandAndroid apps,ownerscancheck24/7for locationandevenseemultiple assetsononescreen.

Aswellasprovensecurity features,ATVTracalsooffers usefuladditionalfunctionstoo, suchasthelogofusage(hours andmileage),theabilitytoset alertsforservicingor maintenanceandevenan emergencyalertshouldthe vehiclebeinvolvedinaroll-over incident;agreatfunctionforlone workers.

ATVTraccanbeinstalledon manytypesoffarming machinery,withfullsupport providedviathe24/7Secure OperatingCentreaswellas additionalsupportfromSecuritas too.

Formoreinformationon

ATVTracandpricing,please visitwww.atvtrac.co.uk

Ruralthievestargetfarmpick-upsassecond-handvehiclevaluessoar

Ruralthievesare targetingfarmpick-up truckswithmorethan twiceasmanyofthe farmworkhorses beingstoleneach monththanin2021, warnsNFUMutual.

Theleadingruralinsurerisalerting farmerstothenewruralcrimewave andadvisingthemtofitadditional securitymeasurestotheirpick-ups–evenonbattered10-year-old models.

Theftclaimsdealtwithsofarthis yearbyNFUMutualshowthatolder ToyotaHiluxandMitsubishiL200 arethemostregularlytargetedpickupmodels.Theaverageageof L200sstolensofarin2022was12 years,and10yearsforHilux vehicles.

Thieveshavealsobeentargeting theupmarketVWAmarokwhile theftsofrecentmodelRangeRovers havesoaredbyover50%amonth comparedwith2021.

Ruralthievesarecontinuingtosteal largenumbersofLandRover Defendersandtheirparts.NFU Mutualclaimfiguresforthefirstnine monthsof2022showtheyremainat thetopofthechartforstolen4x4 farmvehicles.

BobHenderson,agricultural engineeringspecialistatNFU Mutual,said:“Thisisalarmingnews forthelargenumberoffarmerswho usepick-uptrucksastheir workhorsevehicletocarryfeedand toolsaroundthefarmandtow livestocktrailerstomarket.

“Foryearsthieveshavetargeted DefendersandolderLandRovers becauseoftheirhighvalueand potentialforresaleasvehiclesor parts.Withpricesofnewandused replacementpick-upsrisingfast thievesarenowfindingitworthwhile stealingpick-ups–eveniftheyare over10-years-oldandbatteredfrom

hardworkonfarms.”

DCChrisPiggott,wholeadsthe agriculturalvehicletheftunitatthe NationalVehicleCrimeIntelligence Service(NaVCIS),said:“Aswellas beingstolenforonwardsaleand financialgain,thesevehiclesare alsobeingtargetedbyharecoursers withlinkstootherformsof criminality.

“Manyofthesevehiclesaren’tfitted withtheimmobilisers,trackersand alarmsfittedtonewervehicles.Until now,thishasn’tbeenasmuchofa problem,butnowthatpick-upsare provingdesirabletocriminals, there’sanurgentneedforfarmersto improvesecurity.

“It’sabsolutelyessentialtoensure keysarealwaysremovedanddoors lockedwheneveryouleavethe vehicle.Keepingvehiclesoutof sightwherepossibleandusing mechanicaldeviceslikesteeringand pedallocksarealsoaneffective deterrentforoldermodels. Retrofittingalarms,immobilisersand trackingdevicesisalsowellworth considering.”

BobHendersonadded:“Sadly there’slittledoubtthatcriminalswill continuetotargetfarmsasthecostof-livingcrisisbiteshardthiswinter. ArecentpollbyNFUMutualreveals that89%ofrespondentsbelieve risinginflationwillleadtoan increaseinruralcrime.

“Ruralcrimeisaboutmorethan financialloss.Theftsofessential vehiclesmassivelydisruptfarmwork andcauseanxietyforfamilieswho areawarethievesareregularly checkingovertheplacewherethey liveandwork.NFUMutualis respondingbyhelpingthoseliving andworkinginruralareastoprevent ruralcrimeandbycontinuingto providemajorsupporttoenable dedicatedpoliceresourcestotackle theissue.”

LastyearNFUMutualinvested

£430,000inruralcrimeinitiatives. Thisincludessupportforan agriculturalvehicletheftunitatthe NationalVehicleCrimeIntelligence Service(NaVCIS)whichrecovered stolenvehiclesandfarmmachinery worth£2.6mlastyear.Theunit deliversintelligence,training,and worksdirectlywithpoliceforces acrossthecountrytocombatrural crime,inadditiontojoint internationaloperationstoseize stolenmachineryfromoverseas.

NFUMutualandNaVCISfarm pick-upsecuritychecklist:

•Removekeyswhenpick-upsare notinuseandstorethemina securecabinetwherepossible

•Fittrackersandimmobilisersto deterthievesandaidrecoveryof stolenpick-ups

•Considerusingmechanical devicessuchassteeringwheel andpedallockstodeterthieves

•Avoidleavingvehicleswhere theycanbeeasilyseenfrom near-byroadsbycriminals searchingfortheftopportunities

•Closeandlockyardgatesat nighttodeterdrive-through thieves

•Checksecuritylighting,alarms andcamerasareworking correctlyandupdateif necessary

•Considerinfraredbeamalarms, CCTVandfloodlightingto protectfarmyards

•Joinalocalfarmwatchorrural watchgrouptokeepupdated aboutlocalruralcrimetrends andsuspicioussightings

Detailedinformationonruralcrime trendsandadviceonhowtosecure yourpropertyisavailableinNFU Mutual’s2022RuralCrime Report:www.nfumutual.co.uk/ ruralcrime

ay2006sawa majorinitiativein thecampaignto stampoutcrimein theconstruction industrywhenmore than20companieswereinvited totendertothePlantTheft ActionGrouptoimplementa uniquesecurityandregistration scheme–afirstforthesector. Datatag–theEuropeanmarket leaderinsecurityidentity

systemswithintheMotorcycle, ATV,Scooter,Trailers,Boats,IT, Cycle,JetSkiandConstruction andPlantsectors–underwenta rigoroustenderingandselection processbeforeafinalsubmission totheConstructionEquipment Associationandwasannounced asthewinningcompanyin November2006.

CESARwasfirstlaunchedatthe CombinedIndustriesTheft

Solutions(CITS)conferenceheld atJCB'sRocesterHQin2007, withtheagriculturalsector comingonboardon2009.Since itslaunchCESARhasbeen adoptedbya'who'swho'of leadingequipmentmanufacturers includingCaterpillar,Hitachi, JohnDeere,NewHolland, MasseyFerguson,Volvo, Komatsu,Hyundai,Takeuchi, JCB,SANY,ManitouandMerlo. Infacttheschemehasbeen

adoptedby93%oftheleading OEMsintheUK.(Afulllistof supporterscanbefoundhere WhoIsInvolved (cesarscheme.org))

Todate,550thousanditemsof equipmenthavebeenmarked withtheuniquemulti-layered technologytogiveeachmachine auniqueidentity.Theuniversally recognisedtriangularCESAR registrationplatehasbecomethe industrystandardidentification mark.CESARmarkingof constructionandagricultural machineryhascontributed significantlytoadeclineinthefts sincetheschemewasfirst launched.

RecoveryratesofCESAR registeredequipmentare significantlyhigherthannonregisteredmachinesandofficial statisticsconfirmthatamachine protectedandregisteredbythe CESARSchemeis approximatelyfourtimesless likelytobestolenthananonregisteredmachineand approximatelysixtimesmore likelytoberecovered.

Theschemeisalsorecognised byPolice,LawEnforcement, BorderandPortAuthoritiesasa resultoftheaccuratemachinery datarecordedbyDatatagand theCESARScheme.

KevinHowells,Managing Director,Datatag,said“Thelast 15yearshasbeenoneofthe mostdifficultandchallenging periodseverrecorded, particularlythelastfiveyears.

DuringthistimeIhaveconstantly

been impressedand gratefulforthe supportofthe CEA,theAEA andthe fantastic dedicated teamat Datatag,who havehelped makethe Official CESAR Schemea Worldleading Security initiative.Now,withthe developmentofEmissions ComplianceVerification,it’s helpedtogainthesupportof virtuallyallofthemajorOEMs protectingandregistering equipmentfortheirvalued customers,whichnowsurpasses halfamillionmachines.Sothank youtoalloftheparticipating customerfocussed manufacturersandhere’stothe next15years.”

RuthBailey,DirectorGeneral/ CEO,AEA(Agricultural EngineersAssociation)said “Theftofagriculturalmachineryis innobody’sinterest,exceptfor thecriminals,whoareoftenpart oforganisedcriminalnetworks. Aswellasthefinancialcosts involved,itisalsoincredibly disruptivetofarmersandother usersofmachinery,whorelyon ittolookafterlivestockandgrow crops.TheAEAsupportsany initiativewhichreducestheft. CESARhasproveditselfover thelast15yearstobeavery effectivedeterrentandweseeit goingfromstrengthtostrength asitreachesthismilestone.”

SuneetaJohal,ChiefExecutive, CEA(ConstructionEquipment Association)commentedon CESARreachingits15-year anniversary,“Unfortunatelywe willneverentirelystampoutplant theft,it’sasadfactoflife, particularlyinthecurrent economicclimate.TheCESAR schemeisamongstfewproven planttheftdeterrentsandhas excellentrecoveryrates. Reachingthis15-yearmilestone and550thousandregistrationsis

testamenttoitssuccess.We lookforwardtothenext milestoneof1millionmachines displayingthefamiliarCESAR triangle.”

In2013DatataglaunchedMicro CESAR–atheftsystemforsmall toolsandequipment.Insurers, manufacturersandindustry bodieshadraisedtheissueof smalltooltheft,andMicro CESARwastheresponsefrom DatatagandtheCEA.

Therearenewdevelopmentsin theCESARsuiteofproducts, whicharecurrentlyontrialwitha leadingcontractor.Watchthis spaceforthe‘officiallaunch’ whichiscomingsoon.

CESARSchemetechnology explained…

CESARusesStateoftheArt DatatagIDtechnology,withboth visibleandcovertmarkings, makingitarealtheftdeterrent. Theseincludethenow-iconicand uniquelynumberedtamperevidenttriangularIDplates, hiddenRFIDtransponders, microscopicDatadots,anda uniqueforensicDNAsolution. Oncefittedthesetechnologies arealmostimpossibletoremove successfullyandwhenrecorded onDatatag'ssecuredatabase, areaccessibletothepolice 24/7enablingthemtoidentifyany machineattheroadsidenightor day.TheDatatagteamhas trained1000’sofpoliceofficers, fromacrossthe43UK ConstabulariesonCESAR.

Therearenoannualfeesforthe scheme,justaone-off investmentinmarkingand registeringyourequipmentfor life.Inaddition,Datataghasa manned24hourinternationalcall centrespecificallyforCESAR andtheschemeisalsopartof Interpol’strainingprogramme–soitsreachisworldwide.

TheevolutionofCESAR…

In2019,theCEAandDatatagID announcedthelaunchofthe biggestevolutionoftheCESAR schemetodate;theadditionof EmissionsCompliance Verification(ECV).ECVtakes

siteisnowmucheasierand saferwithCESAR

SchemeEmissionsCompliance Verification(ECV)whichiswhy Macerequirecontractorsand supplierstouseit.”

themachine’sengineemission standardfromtheengine’sEU TypeApprovalnumberand displaysitonasimpletoread colourcodedplate.ECV providesaquickandeasy referencepointwheremachines areworkingonsiteswherethey arerequiredtocomplywithNonRoadMobileMachinery(NRMM) emissionregulations.

TheCESARECVsystem combinesthetechnologybehind thesecuritymarkingschemewith anadditionalcolourcodedplate showingtheengineemission stagefromstagetwothroughto stagefiveandnowincludes electricand,comingsoon, hydrogen.Theinformationabout themachineisthencollatedona comprehensive,securedatabase accessiblethroughtheECV clearingportal.Thisinformation enablesplantownersand operators,contractorsandsite managerstocomplywithany localpolicyorcontractual obligationinplaceregarding machineryemissionslevels.

JCBandHitachiwere amongthefirst manufacturerstofitthe CESARECVscheme asstandardinearly 2020–thescheme hasnowbeen adoptedbyover 90%ofOEMs andleading machine dealersinthe construction sector.

HS2hasalsoadoptedthe CESARECVschemeacross theirsitesaspartoftheirair qualitystrategy,CESARhave busyfittingECVsystemstoboth newandexistingequipment acrosstheindustry.

Leadingcontractor,Macehas mandatedCESARECVacross itsprojects.AndrewKinsey, MaceSustainabilityand OperationsDirectorsaid,“ Identifyingcompliancewithair qualitystandardsforNonRoad MobileMachinery(NRMM)on

SunbeltRentalsUKwerethefirst planthirecompanyintheUKto adoptanECVupgrade programmeacrosstheirfleet. Sunbelthaveplaced2021/2022 ordersforstageVequipment spanningexcavators,dumpers, telehandlers,compressorsand rollerstothevalueof£55m.

TomWelland,SunbeltRentals BusinessDevelopmentDirector HS2,said“AspartoftheHS2 supplychainSunbeltRentals recognisetheneedtoreport, easily,ourPlantNRMMdatato helpachievethese targets.Thereisno universalrecognition schemeforNRMMs,so currentlyitisamanual processtoidentifyand ensurethecorrectpolicy isenforced.Withaclear needforasimplesystem whichcouldcutdownin confusion,wrong deliveries,wastedtime andmoney,aswellas theriskofnon-compliant plantbeingused,the ECVschemecreatedby DatatagIDinpartnership withtheCEA,seemed thelogicalschemetoget behindandsupport.”

TheImportanceof effectiveentrancesecurity

Havinggatesattheentrance pointstoourpropertyhas becomethemosteffectiveform ofsecurity.Preventingintruders accesskeepsvaluablesoutof theirsightandmaintainssecurity,safetyand privacy.Thechallengeoftenlieswith installingtherightsystemforyour circumstances.Havingtherighttypeofgate andaccesscontrolisthedifferencebetween asuccessfulortroublesomeinstallation.

Bothmainsandsolarpoweredoptionsare availablealongwithradiofob,roadsensors, timers,keypads,GSM(mobilenetwork) accesscontrolandintercoms,ensuringthe gateissecureyetconvenienttouse.

Traditionallyhinginggateswerethenorm, howevercantileverslidinggateshave becomethemostpopularoptionastheyoffer greaterdurabilityandstrength.Thesegates boltdowntoaconcretefoundationandslide abovethegrounddoingawaywithanyneed foratrackintheroad.Avarietyofdesigns includingatraditionalfivebarstyleare available.

ThreenewmaternalbreedingvaluesaddedbyAHDB

Usingtheright animalgeneticscan helpthebeef industrybecome moreefficient, profitableand ultimatelyfitforthefuture. Followingthreeyearsof research,threenewmaternal estimatedbreedingvalues (EBVs)havebeenaddedtothe NationalBeefEvaluations(NBE) databasebyAHDB.TheEBVs aregeneratedbyScotland's RuralCollege(SRUC),using nationaldatafromprocessors, breedsocietiesandtheBritish CattleMovementService (BCMS).

Untilnow,theNBEdatabasehas providedageneticevaluationfor commercialcarcasetraitsinbeef cattle,helpinglevypayersbreed forthetraitsyougetpaidfor.

AHDBnowpublishEBVsfor threematernaltraits:

1.Ageatfirstcalving

2.Productivelifespan

3.Calfsurvival

DrAlexBrown,SeniorBeef BreedingandGeneticsManager atAHDB,hasbeenleadingon theprojectandsheisdelighted toannouncethisphaselaunchof maternalEBVs.Shesays:"The newmaternalbreedevaluations comeatapivotaltimeforthe

industrywhenmostproducers arelookingatwaystobecome moreefficientwiththeirbreeding policiestomaximiseoutputs.

"Wearegratefulforcontinuing supportfromSRUCandour otherdataproviders,asthis allowsustoleverageextravalue forproducersfromalready routinedatacollectiononbirths, deaths,andpedigrees.Pedigree informationremainspivotalinthe geneticevaluationprocessasit providesinformationonthe geneticlinksbetweenanimals, sopleaseremembertorecordall knownsireswhenregistering calveswithBCMS.Increasing theamountofsirerecordingon thepassportremainsthebest waytoincreasethebreadthand accuracyoftheNationalBeef Evaluationsanddrivegenetic progressinourindustry."

AHDB'sMaternalMatters campaignhasbeenrunningfor thepastyeartohighlightthe importanceofmaternal performanceindriving profitabilityinthesucklerherd. UsingthesenewEBVswillhave acumulativeandpermanent impactonsucklerherd performancebyimprovingyour herdgenetics,andtheylink tightlytokeymaternal performanceindicators(KPIs).

TheageatfirstcalvingEBV allowsbreederstoselectfor

animalsthataremorelikelyto holdserviceatayoungerage andisbasedonageatfirst calvingdatafromBCMS.This EBVcanbeusedalongside carefulmanagementandstrict nutritiontolowerageatfirst calving.Ageatfirstcalvingisone ofthemosteffectivematernal KPIs,ascalvingaheiferattwoyearsofagereducescostswhilst increasingthenumberofcalves thecowproducesoverher lifetime.

TheproductivelifespanEBV allowsbreederstoselectfor animalsthatcanbekeptinthe breedingherdforlongerandis basedoncalvinganddeath datesfromBCMS.Usingthis EBVwillincreasethetimethat cowsspendinthebreedingherd andislinkedtotheherd replacementrateKPI.

ThecalfsurvivalEBVisbased onthealiveordeadstatusof taggedcalvesat10monthsof ageinBCMSandallows breederstoselectforanimals thataremorelikelytosurviveto adulthood.UsingthisEBVshould haveapositiveimpactoncalf mortality,andislinkedtotheKPI calvesweaned,asa%of femalesputtothebull.

Forfurtherinformation,please headtohttps://ahdb.org.uk/ knowledge-library/nationalbeef-evaluations

UniqueNutrientManagementPlanServiceLaunched forLivestockFarms

MoleValleyFarmers haslauncheda uniqueNutrient ManagementPlan (NMP)service specificallyfor livestockfarmstohelptargetthe correctnutrientstograssland, boostproductivityandmaximise profitability.

Thebespokeweb-basedNutrient ManagementPlanisoperatedby FACTS-qualifiedexperts specialisingingrasslandand foragecropsandisapprovedby theEnvironmentAgencyand backedbyAHDB.Thismeans anychangestoRB209will automaticallybeupdated.

MoleValleyFarmers'NMP looksat:

•Currentsoilnutritionusing soilsamples.

•Nutrientrequirementsof differentcropsrequiredto growspecificyields.

•Nutrientsavailableonthe farmalreadyfromslurryand farmyardmanure(FYM)usingup-to-datesamples.

Fromthatinformation,theNMP providestargetedadviceon fertiliseruseanduseofslurry/ FYM,aswellasanysoil advancementsrequired.

Insummary,MoleValley Farmers'NMPwill:

•Tickalltheboxesfor legislation.

•Provideafocussed approach.

•Maximisenutrientlevelsand production.

•Targetnutrientsonlywhere theyareneededand specificallyforthecrop needs.

•Avoidtheuseofwasted nutrients,thussavingcosts.

•Minimiserisktothe environment.

CostofaNMP

ThecostofMole ValleyFarmers' NMPstartsat £250forthefirst 250acres.With costsrising,it makeseconomic sensetovalue whatyouhave, saidLisaHambly,Headof GrasslandandSoilAgronomyat MoleValleyFarmers.

"Thisprogrammewillallow farmerstotargetthemoney whereitisneeded.Nutrient ManagementPlanfeaturesinthe SustainableFarmingIncentive StandardsunderELMS.Our nutrientmanagementinformation canhelpsecuresubsidiesand evidencecompliancewith environmentalregulationsand standards,"shesaid.

"Aswellasbeingcompliantwith theELMSSchemessuchasthe SustainableFarmIncentive (SFI),andforfarminspections, considerablevaluecomesin planningthecropandseeing whatthereturnoninvestmentis forbuyingfertiliser,orperhaps rentingland.

"It'sforyoursoilhealth,cows andcropping,"sheadded.

MsHamblyaddedveryfew farmershadaNutrient ManagementPlaninplacebut stressedtheimportanceofsuch atoolinhelpingthemmaximise theiryieldswhilstreducingcosts.

"Askyourselfifyouknowwhat yourfieldsareyielding.Ifnot, howdoyouknowhowmuchto feedyourcrop?"

"Thisisn'tjustabitofpapertosit ontheshelf;thisisaninteractive toolwhereinputs/croppingcan easilybechanged.Theservice fromtheMoleValleyFarmers' teammeanswearehereto supportyouthroughthejourney andproducebetterforage profitably."

Whatisputonthesoilcanalso influenceanimalhealth,added MsHambly."It'svitaltolinkthe soiltotheanimalandrealise whatyouputonthesoilandtreat

thesoilwithcanmakea differencetoanimalhealth, productivity,andprofitability.

"Likewise,whatyoufeedyour animalswillalsoinfluencethe qualityoftheFYMorslurry, whichiswhyit'simportanttoget ittestedandinputtheresultsinto theNutrientManagementPlan foraccurateresults."

Benefitstofarmers

Devondairyfarmingpartnership BenBoundyandFrazerMartyn ofThorneFarm,Bridgerule,have recentlyhadsoilsamplestaken fromall40grazingfieldsusing MoleValleyFarmers'NMP service.Theyplantoincrease theirmilkingherdfrom250cows to350onthesamelandby growingmore,betterquality forage.

Theyhopetheresultsfromthe NMPwillprovidethemwiththe informationneededtotarget inputs,andmaximisecropping yieldswhilstmeeting environmentalandregulatory challenges.

MrBoundysaid:"Theplanisto usealltheinformationfromthe NMPandthatgatheredbyour contractorstogetawholefarm pictureofwherethe requirementsareneeded.

"Withthepriceoffertiliser,the costofapplyingslurryandthe EnvironmentAgency requirementsforsoilsampling andthepressurethatwillcome fromaboveinthenextfewyears onnutrientmapping,itissensible tostartthisASAP,"headded.

Autumnisagoodtimefor farmerstoconsiderconducting NutrientManagementPlans.Get intouchwiththeMoleValley Farmers'Teamtodayon01769 576232

Mycotoxinsinmaizecouldposeachallengeinwinterrations

Dairyfarmersare beingencouraged tolookoutforsigns ofmycotoxinsif feedingmaizethis winter,toavoida potentialdropoffinperformance.

BCWAgriculture’sagronomist, DaveHarris,saysgrowing conditionssuggestthisyear’s maizesilageisathigherriskof mycotoxincontamination,which couldhampermilkproductionon farms.

“There’sanincreasedriskof mycotoxinproblemsduetothe dryweatherandhigherlevelsof birddamageincrops,”addsMr Harris.

Hesaysthestoveropenedearly inmanycrops,lettingthebirds andinsectsin,andthis,followed byaspellofwetweather,has increasedtheriskofmycotoxins.

“Manycropshaveadrymatter (DM)of40%orabove, increasingtheriskofheatingand mouldformationonceopened,” addsMrHarris.

Heencouragesfarmerstowork alongsidetheirnutritionistifthey areconcernedaboutmycotoxins intheirmaizethiswinter,and

saysitcouldbeusefultotest silagetoassesstheriskaswell asconsidertheuseofproven bacterialinoculantsthatcan minimisethedevelopmentof mycotoxins,fornextyear.

LientjieColahan,technicalsales supportatLallemandAnimal Nutrition,saysthenegative effectsofmycotoxinscanbe reducedbytakingstepsto promoterumenfunctionbecause ofthenaturalabilityoftherumen microbiotatodegrade mycotoxinstolesstoxic substances.

Shesays:“Focusingonrumen function,whileintandem ensuringtheremovalofvisibly mouldyfeedstockthroughoutthe feedingregime,canoften alleviatesome,ifnot,allofthe suspectedtoxicitysymptoms.

“Thisisimportantbecause mycotoxinsymptomssuchas intakereductionandmilk productionlossesarealso symptomsofruminalacidosis.”

MrsColahanrecommends feedingarumen-specificlive yeastincombinationwitha mycotoxinadsorbenttohelp promoterumenhealthand function.

Shesays:“Liveyeastcanhelp raiseandstabiliserumenpHfor animprovedmicrobialbalance, reinforcingtherumen’snatural detoxifyingability.Recentstudies havealsoshownthatspecificlive yeastcantriggerenhanced rumenwallimmunity,reinforcing thebarrierbetweeningested toxinsandthebloodstream.”

MrsColahan’sothertipsfor mycotoxinmanagementare: neverfeedmouldysilage,not eventoyoungstockorheifers; regularlycleanfeedandwater troughs;keepfeedwagons clean;andstoreconcentrates andblendsindryconditionsfree fromvermin.

Themainmechanismsthrough whichmycotoxinstypicallyexert theirharmfuleffectsinruminants are:

•Intakereductionandfeed refusal

•Reducednutrientabsorption andimpairedmetabolism

•Hormoneproduction alterations

•Immunesystemsuppression (Rodrigues,2014).

DemandSoarsforBritishVentilationonBroilerFarms

AndyMann,GeneralManageroftheagriculturalbrands withinEltaGroupandparentcompanyofHydor,said: "Thehotweatherandincreasingtemperaturesare posingahugeproblemforfarmersandtheanimalsthey lookafter–nonemoresothanbroilerbreeders.Thisis whereventilationandaccesstoequipmentbecomes critical.

Theriskofheatstressinlivestockreachedconcerning

acceleratedbreakdownsofolderequipmentismore likely.Thisissueiscompoundedbypoultryfarmersbeing unabletogetaholdofreplacementequipment,with ventilationdowntimeposingasignificantriskfor profitabilityandanimalwelfare.Therefore,supplychains fromBritishproviderssuchasHydorhavebecome crucial.

ThespecialistagricultureHVACmanufacturerhas extendeditscurrentprofiletonowincludeanewrangeof industry-standardroundchimneytubefanswhichcanbe adirectreplacementforanyexistingfanunit.Thisnew additionwillultimatelyassistfarmers,contractorsand distributorswhomaybestrugglingtoaccessequipment fromacrossthecontinent.

NamedtheAgri-MaxTubeFan,itisidealforbroiler breeders,andcanbeusedforpigfarmstoo.

"Foryearswehavebeenwell-knowninthemarketfor ourhigh-performanceAgri-Jetrooffan.TheAgri-Max hasbeendesignedbasedonalmost60years' experienceofagriculturalventilation,aswellasthe needsandwantsfromrealcustomersonfarms.The resultisanhonest,hardworkingchimneyfanconstructed fromqualitycomponentswithagricultureinmindfromthe verybeginning.Weassemble,balanceandpackage everyorderatourUKmanufacturingfacilitytoISO9000 andISO9001whichensuresthat,ateverystage,your fanisbuiltandtestedtothehigheststandards."

TheAgri-MaxTubeFanisavailableinfouruniversal modelsizes-630mm,710mm,800mmand910mm–makinginstallationasimpleprocess.

Formoreinformationonoftherangeofventilation solutionsofferedbyHydor,visit:https://hydor.co.uk/ product-category/ventilation-cooling/

AmbitiousyoungsheepfarmerstoembarkonNewZealand studytripswiththesupportofNSAandtheStaple

TheNationalSheep Association(NSA) ispleasedto announcethat youngsheep farmersLucy GriffithsfromPresteigne,Powys, andPerryParkinsonfrom Dumfrieshavebeenselectedas thewinnersofthe2023/24NSA SamuelWharryMemorialAward fortheNextGeneration.

tobesponsoring theNSASamuel WharryMemorial Award.Thisisa greatopportunity fortwopeople fromoursheep industrytotravel andbroadentheirmindsinother countries.Thesuccessful recipientsthisyear,Perryand Lucy,bothinterviewedverywell andtheir chosentopics, willcertainly produce reportsofreal topical interest.”

Recipients Lucyand Perryarenow intheinitial stagesof planningtheir studytrips, withboth intendingto traveltoNew Zealandusing thefundsfromtheawards.

Theawardcomesintheformof twogenerous£2,750travel bursariestosupportthechosen enthusiasticyoungshepherdsin astudytriptoexplorethe applicationofscienceinsheep production.Thebursariesare madepossiblebyfundingfrom NSAalongsidetheCompanyof theMerchantsoftheStapleof England(theStaple).

Afterbeingshortlistedfrommany highcalibreapplicationsforthe award,LucyandPerryboth impressedapanelofjudges includingNSAandindustry representativestofinallybe selectedasrecipientsofthe bursariesthisyear.Thepanel wasledbyStephenFell,Staple representativeandasheep breederfromNorthYorkshire.He wasjoinedbyDrPhilipSkuce fromMoredun,EdwardAdamson fromNSANorthernIreland RegionandKateHovers,vetand NSACymru/WalesRegionChair.

MrFellsays:“TheCompanyof theMerchantsoftheStapleof Englandisonceagaindelighted

Lucy,whoisafinalyear agriculturestudentatHarper AdamsUniversityandfarms alongsideherfamilyontheir mixedfarminmid-Wales,plans toinvestigatedifferentoptionsfor outwinteringofstockonhertrip. Thisisatopicrelevanttoher family’ssystemthatcurrently outwintersbreedingewesand lambsonforagecropsaspartof thecroprotation.Onreceiving theaward,Lucysays:“Itisa privilegetobechosenasa recipientandtorepresentyoung UKsheepfarmers.Iamexcited totravelhopefullytobothNew ZealandandAustraliatosee firsthandtheirsheepsystems, withafocusonoutwintering techniques.Iamsureitwillgive meextramotivationasI completemyfinalyearatHarper AdamsUniversity.”

Perry,whoisheadshepherdat SRUC’sBaronyCollege Campus,islookingtostudy anthelminticresistanceinsheep duringhistrip.Thiswillfurtherhis interestforthetopicthathas

seenhimbegincreationofan eggcountmapofthecollege farm,allowingassessmentof highandlowriskfieldsand helpingdecisionsonplantingof grassesandothercropsinorder toreducetherisk.

LikeLucy,Perrywasdelightedto bechosenasoneofthe recipientsofthebursary.He says:“TheNSASamuelWharry MemorialAwardisagreat opportunityforanyyoungsheep farmertotravelandviewfarming inotherpartsoftheworld,and havingthebackingofNSAand theStapleisfantastic.I’mexcited toplanandundertakemytrip, hopefullybringingbacksome interestingfindingstotheUK,not onlyutilisemyself,buttoshare withotherstoo.”

Theawardsaregiveninmemory ofSamuelWharryofCarnlough, CountyAntrim,whowasNSA Chairmanwhenhediedsuddenly inMay2017,agedjust56.Asan advocateofscienceand technology,particularlyrelating togenetics,thesebursariesare giveninSamuel’smemoryto ensurehisenthusiasm,curiosity andpracticalnatureliveon.

NSAChiefExecutivePhil Stockercomments:“TheNSA SamuelWharryMemorialAward offersyoungsheepfarmers supportandinspirationtotravel anddiscovertheimportantroles thatscienceandtechnologynow playintheimprovementofthe worldwidesheepflock.

“Aftertheworldoftravelwas closedoffforsolongduetothe covidpandemic,itisespecially pleasingtobeabletoawardthe bursariestoLucyandPerrythis year.AllatNSAandthe Stapleareexcitedtobepartof theirjourneysandwishthemthe verybestwiththeirstudies.”

LianneFarrowNamedDairy IndustryWomanoftheYear2022

DairyworkerLianne Farrowhasbeen namedthisyear's DairyIndustry WomanoftheYearat theWomeninDairy (WID)Conferencein Worcestershiretoday(28 September).

Liannebeatoffstiffcompetition fromfellowfinalistsGaynor WellwoodfromLeicestershireand BexHeywoodfromDevonto becomethesixthwomantowinthe prestigiousaward.

Theaward,sponsoredbyHSBC, aimstocelebratetheachievements ofwomeninthedairysectorandis presentedtotheindividualwhohas demonstratedthecorevaluesof WomeninDairyofconnect,share, andinspire.

Liannecomesfromanon-farming backgroundand,afterbeginning herfarmingexperienceinNew Zealand17yearsago,nowheads upthecalfrearingattheDownes familyfarminShropshire.

Passionateaboutdairyfarmingand genuinelybelievingintheprinciples ofWomeninDairy,Liannesetup thesuccessfulShropshireWomen inDairyGroup.Withthehelpofher colleagueSophieTedesco,the grouphasgonefromstrengthto strength.

Lianne'spassionliesineducating thepublicandthenextgeneration aboutdairyfarming.Sheis responsibleforhostingeducational farmtoursforschoolsandtheir localBeaverCubScoutgroups. Thefarmhasalsobeenput forwardforSeniorSchool DevelopmentDays,wherethefarm showcaseswhatit'slikeworking withinthedairyindustry.Lianneis alsotrainingtobecomeaTeaching Assistant.

Whatthejudgessaid

JudgesthisyearwereGrace O'Dwyer,RegionalAgriculture DirectoratHSBC;BeccaCavill fromWIDsponsorsBoehringer Ingelheimandlastyear'swinner SophieGregory.

Commentingontheirwinner,Ms O'Dwyersaid:"Lianne'sobvious andinfectiousenthusiasmforthe sectorcameacrossinabundance. Shehasnavigatedapathwhere, despitechallenges,shehas significantlyaddedvaluetothe farm.Itisgreattoseehowanew entrantwithdriveandenergycan achieveafantasticbalance."

MsCavillsaid:"Lianneepitomizes enthusiasm,hermotivationto changeherlifeandbecomean integralpart,notonlyofthefarm sheworksonbutthewider communityoftheBritishdairy industryisphenomenal.

"Aswomeninagriculture,weare oftenfoundprecariouslyjuggling careerandfamilylifeandLianneis afantasticambassadorforwomen attemptingthiswithinthedairy industry."

MsGregoryadded:"Lianne's passionfortheindustrystruckme fromthesecondshestarted talking.Shewashumblebutproud ofherimpactinthedairysector, whichincludeseverythingfrom hostingmentalhealthsupportfor localmentoOpenFarmSunday. Notcomingfromafarming background,Lianne'shadtodig deeptofollowherdreamswhile supportingherhusband.Sheis continuallydevelopingherselfand isagreatassettotheindustry."

Thisyear'sWomeninDairy Conferenceattractedover100 delegatesandwasfocussedon motivationforchange.Newsfrom theeventcanbefoundathttps:// www.womenindairy.co.uk/ conference

GoldenShearsworldsheepshearing championshipscallforapplications

The2023GoldenShearswilltakeplaceatScotland'sRoyalHighlandShow,Edinburgh

Shearingteamsfrom acrosstheworldare beingencouraged toapplyforthe 2023Golden ShearsWorld SheepShearing&WoolHandling Championships.

Takingplaceatthe2023Royal HighlandShow(22-25June 2023),theGoldenShearsWorld Championshipisthepremier sheepshearingandwool handlingcompetition,attracting shearersfromover30countries acrosstheglobe.The2023 competitionissponsoredby ListerShearing,BritishWool, UlsterWoolandElanco.

Withalmost200,000visitors flockingtotheRoyalHighland Show,nextyear'sGoldenShears stagewillbeviewedbyahuge audiencebothattheShowand online.

TheGoldenShearscompetition willtakeplaceoverthefourdays, withcompetitorsbattlingitouton aworldstage–over200,000 peoplefrom82countriestuned intotheRoyalHighlandShow's onlineviewingplatform,RHSTV, in2022.

Competitorsfromacrossthe globewillbetreatedtoatasteof Scottishhospitalitywithagala

dinnertoopenthecompetition, aswellashavingtheopportunity toexperiencebeingpartofthe RoyalHighlandShow–aniconic eventintheScottishcultural calendar.

TheRoyalHighlandShowisthe flagshipeventof Scottishcharitythe RoyalHighlandand AgriculturalSocietyof Scotland(RHASS). Thefour-dayevent, firstheldin1822,is thepinnacleof Scotland'sagricultural calendar.Everyyear over1,000trade exhibitorsshowcase theirproducts,while over2,000livestock competitorsenterinto over900competitions (withover6,500animals).

ApplicationsfortheGolden Shears2023canbemadeonthe RoyalHighlandShow website:royalhighlandshow.org

Applicationswill closeinearly January2023.

JimWarnock, Chairmanofthe RoyalHighlandand AgriculturalSociety ofScotland (RHASS), commented: "Thereisnobetter stagethantheRoyal HighlandShowto celebratetheamazingskillsof competitorsattheGolden Shears.Scotlandhasalongand renownedheritageofsheep farmingandwoolhandling,soit isfittingthattheShowwillhost thisprestigiouscompetition.

"TheShowoffersagreat experienceforthewholefamily,

withsomethingforeveryoneto enjoy.Theexcitingadditionofthe GoldenShearsonlyaddstothe appealofanalreadyexcellent dayout,andoffersaworldstage onwhichcompetitorscandisplay theirskills."

GeorgeGraham,Chairmanof GoldenShearsWorld Council,added:

"The2023GoldenShearsWorld ShearingandWoolHandling Championshipswillbea spectacularevent,showcasing theskillsofcompetitorsfromup tofortycountries.SetinScotland attheRoyalHighlandShow,it willbeabrilliantsettingfornext year'scompetition.

"ThisistheOlympicsofshearing andwoolhandling,withsuper athletesvyingfortheprestigious GoldenShearsworldteamsand individualtitles.Uptofouranda halfthousandsheepwilllosetheir fleecesoverthecourseofthe event-asighttobehold!

"Iwouldliketotakethis opportunitytoconveymybest wishestoScotlandasthehost countryandallthevisiting countries,andIhopeafterafew verydifficultyearsthiswillbea phenomenalsuccessfor everyoneinvolved."

VogelsangattheEuroTier:machinesandcomponents forefficientliquidmanuremanagement

AttheEuroTier(Nov. 15–18,2022, HannoverMesse), VogelsangGmbH& Co.KGwillbe presentingitsrange ofmachinesandcomponents designedfortheefficientuseand distributionofliquidmanureand fermentationresidues.Inhall27 atboothB32,theinternationally operatingmechanical engineeringcompanywillforthe firsttimepresentitscompact UniSpreaduniversallinkageasa hoseversion.“Inadditiontothe equipmentoptionsasadribble baroratrailingshoelinkage,we areofferingourcustomersa furtheroptionwiththeUniSpread asahosesystemandthus broadeningourrangeoftailored liquidmanuredistribution systems,”saysHarald Vogelsang,ManagingDirectorof Vogelsang.

Lowersoilcompaction throughhoseoption

Aslurrytankerisnotrequiredfor thehoseversion,astheliquid manureispumpedfromtheedge ofthefielddirectlytothelinkage distributorviaasupplyhose. Consequently,thetractorcarries theUniSpreadasaclassic attachmentandsimultaneously trailsthehoseacrossthefield. Theadvantageofeliminatingthe slurrytankeristhatitreduces theoverallweightofthetractor combination,inturnleadingto lowersoilcompaction.Asofthe EuroTiertradefair,thehose versionwillbeavailableforthe UniSpreadlinkageinworking widthsof6to10.5m.

ExaCutECMcompact precisiondistributorwithout airsuction

Vogelsangisexpandingits portfoliotoincludetheExaCut ECMprecisiondistributor, therebyaddingafurther precisiondevicethatworks withoutairsuction.Thesmaller versionoftheExaCutECCis

especiallysuitablefor applicationswherethereisnot muchspaceforthedistributoron thelinkageside.“Ourcustomers needworkingvehiclesthatareas compactandmaneuverableas

possible.Consequently,wehave noticedatrendtowardsshorter, widerslurrytankers,”explains HenningAhlers,SalesDirector AgriculturalTechnology Germany.Furthermore:“Sincea

modificationoftheroadtrafficregulationsregarding maximumouterwidthsisunlikely,manufacturersof distributiontechnologyhavetosavespaceas intelligentlyaspossible.ThenewExaCutECMwill beanimportantmoduleinthisrespect.”

Toachievethiscompactsize,theECMisnotfitted withanairsuctionsystem,butnevertheless managestodistributewithgreatprecisionbecause theinnovativerotorconceptensuresaneven

supplyofliquidmanuretothe hoseoutlets.

Innovativesolid-liquid separationwiththeXSplit AttheEuroTier,Vogelsangwillbe unveilingitsXSplitpressscrew separatorasacompletesystem solution,consistingofaseparator, aVX-seriesrotarylobepump,a RotaCutwetcutterandcontrol technology,alloptionallymounted onatrailer.Theseparation enablesfarmersandbiogasplant operatorstooptimallyseparate liquidmanureandfermentation residuesfordistributionand furtheruse.Thepressscrew separatorachievesadry substancecontentinthesolids shareofupto40percentandis thereforesuitableformany differentagriculturalapplications. Byrepositioningthedriveatthesolidsoutlet,no extrashaftsealisrequiredtothemedium,greatly reducingwearcostsandmaintenancedowntimes.

Low-emissionliquidmanuredistributionwith BlackBirdandSyreN

TheVogelsangBlackBirdtrailingshoelinkage, whichwillbeshowcasedinworkingwidthsof15 and24matthetradefairbooth,standsforefficient,

low-emissionliquid manuredistribution. SyreN,thesystem designedtostabilize liquidmanurethrough theadditionof sulfuricacid,makesit possibletoreduce ammoniaemissions byupto70percent andmakeoptimal useofthenutrients.

Sturdyanddurable:ProCapT progressivecavitypump

Vogelsang’spumpingtechnology foragriculturalapplications

ensuresthatliquidmanureand fermentationresiduesarereliably transported.Consequently,the ProCapTprogressivecavity pumpfortankersisespecially sturdyindesign.Thelargeball openingandinsensitivityto foreignmattermakesitalowwear,highlydurablesolution. Thefullyweldedhousing ensureslongeroperatingand servicelife,alongwiththerobust interior.Moreover,theProCapT ismorecompactthanother progressivecavitypumpsonthe marketandthusrequiresless spaceonthetanker.

VogelsangattheEuroTier/ EnergyDecentral,November 15–182022,HannoverMesse: Productsfortheagricultural sector:Hall27,boothB32

Productsforthebiogas sector:Hall25,boothF18

Forrepresentativesofthepress, wewillbepleasedtoarrangea personalappointmentatthe Vogelsangbooth.Pleasecontact us.

Formoreinformation,visit: vogelsang.info

Safertankermounteddribblebarsystems

Tramspreadhas launchedarangeof tankerapplicators thatreducethe weightstressonthe reardoorforsafer slurryspreading.TheSuffolk Rangeofdribblebarapplicators usesimilartechnologytothe company’sumbilicalsystemsbut areattachedtoatankerwitha uniquemountmethod.Terry Baker,ManagingDirector, explains, “Theclampingontankerdoors canoftenfailduetothestressof largeboomsbeingmountedon fixingsattachedtothedoors.To avoidenvironmentallycostly tankerfailures,Tramspread

weldsfixingpointsontherearof thetankerthattheboom frameworkattachestousing telescopicarms.Thisbalances theloadmoresafelyandalso makestheboomsmorestable.”

UsingtheTramspreadframework andfixingmethod,largerbooms canbefittedtosmallertankers, withoutsignificantmodifications, tospeedupapplicationrateand improveaccuracy.Thedesign alsocreatesadditionalspaceto enableaflowmetertobe incorporatedintotheapplication system.

“Operatorscanapplymore accuratelybytestingslurryand usingaslurrymeter. Tramspread’sSuffolkRange

tankerboomscanalsobeused withthirdpartysystemssuchas JohnDeere’sHarvestLab becausetheframeprovides enoughspacetointegratethe technologyintotheapplication system,”hesays.

SuffolkRangetankerbooms benefitfromVogelsangECQ maceratorsandareavailablein workingwidthsof6,7,7.5,8,9, 10and10.5metres.Allmodels featurehydraulicverticallyfolding boomsthatincludeautotransport latcheswithsafetypins.

RossAgrireflectson50yearsinbusiness

hisyearmarkeda significantmilestone forFendtdealer RossAgriServices Ltd.Managing DirectorMartin Rossjoinedthefamilybusiness toworkwithhisparentsin2000. Reflectingonhis22ofthe50 yearsheexplained:

“Farminghaschanged, machineryhaschanged,and technologyhasbroughtthe biggestfundamentalchangesto agricultureinthe50yearswe havebeeninbusiness.Ihave hadtoadapttheserviceweoffer ourcustomerstoreacttotheway technologyisinfluencingtheway theyfarm.”

WorkingwithFendt,hehashad toadjusttothespeedofchange fasterthanmost.TheAGCO grouppremiumbrandhasbeen attheforefrontofpioneering

agricultural technologyand hasexpectedits dealerstokeep pace.

“WhenIstarted, therewerethree questionsIwould askacustomerto specifyonanew tractor.Doyou wantfront linkage,how manyspool valvesdoyou need,andwhat tyreswouldyou like?NowImay aswellbe speakingaforeignlanguageto somecustomers,ifIweretolist offallthevariousoptionsthatare availabletothem,”hesays.

MartinRoss, RossAgriServicesManagingDirector, celebrating50yearsofthebusiness. Picturedwitha1994Fendt512CFavoritTurbo.

almostdoublingin20years, manyarelookingforfixedcosts tohelpmanagetheirfarming enterprises.”

Thereisnodoubtinhismindthat thedevelopmentofnew technologyis helpingagriculture tobemore sustainableand productive. However,healso recognisesthe impactthishashad onthebusinessand howithas challengedhim,and hisstaff,todeliver anever-diversifying rangeofservicesto theircustomers.

“Ourcustomersare havingtorun tractorsforlonger hourstoseethe returnontheeverincreasing investmentsthey areexpectedto make.Itisourjob tomakesurethese hoursareasstress freeaspossible. Wearefortunateto havetheFendt franchisethatoffers 8,000hour warranties,but,with thecostoftractors

UsedFendttractorswithasmany as10,000hoursaresuppliedwith 12-monthwarrantieswhichMr Rosssuggestsrepresentsa sharedcommitmentbetween manufactureranddealerto deliverontheirpromises.

Theservicelevelexpectationhas seenMrRosschoosetoinvestin staffwhospecialiseinthe technologythathascometo controlthelatestmachines. However,thisisnottothe detrimentofskilledengineers whoofferweldingandfabrication atRossAgriServices’StCyrus base.

“Sellingpremiumbrandsisone thing.Wearenevergoingtobe thecheapestandweareoften unapologeticaboutbeingthe mostexpensive.Thevalueisin theaftersalesservice.Wepride ourselvesonbeingabletooffer ourcustomersaonestopshop, everythingfrommanufacturer traineddiagnosticstoCNC precisionengineering.Itisa challengetomoveatthespeed thattechnologyispushing agriculture,butwehavemadeit ourmissiontoworkwiththebest brandsandgiveourcustomers thesupporttheyneed,”he concludes.

SAFEGUARDCONNECTGROWSAXIAL-FLOW CONNECTEDCAPABILITY

Anewcombinationof added-value telemetryservices groupedto encompassall aspectsofservice supportisnowavailableforCase IHAxial-Flow250series combines.Keyfeaturesof SafeguardConnect,which complementsAFSConnect telemetry,includeextended SafeguardWarranty,pre-season inspection,dealerremote support,MaxService24/7backup,AFSConnectsubscription andfulloperatortraining.

AFSConnectaidsmanagement andmonitoring

Recommendedannuallyat thecustomer’sconvenience, apre-seasoncheckisa furtherpartofSafeguard Connect,withcombines subjecttoaprofessional inspectiondeveloped specificallyforAxialFlow machinesandperformed accordingtoofficialCaseIH inspectionlistsbyqualifieddealer technicians.Itcoversover200 checks,ensuringhigh-level maintenanceandhelpingprevent downtime.Uponcompletion,the customercandecidewhetherto committoanyrecommended repairs.

24/7CaseIHMAXSERVICE uptimesupport

TheAFSConnectFarmportal, whichenablesviewing,editing, management,analysisand utilisationofagronomicdata collectedbyAFSConnect,also formspartofSafeguardConnect, enablingmonitoringand managementofmachinesand fleetsviatheportalthroughaPC ortheAFSConnectFarmapp. Withpermission,dealerscan monitorthecombinesand providesupportforanyissues.

Operatortraining

AspartofSafeguardConnect, operatorsbenefitfromCaseIH dealertrainingonallfunctions andcapabilities,toextract maximumpotentialfromfull operatingknowledgeand exploitationoffeatures.

Pre-seasoncheckprovided

Inpartnership withdealers, CaseIH MAXSERVICE 24/7harvest seasonsupport includesphone andonlinebackuptoconnectthe customerdirectly withCaseIH shouldadditional assistancebe required,toget machineswith issuesbackto workasquicklyaspossible.

Examplesinclude24/7priority partsshipment,in-fieldsupportof dealerengineersbyCaseIH technicians,andsupplyofa courtesyunitifitisnotpossibleto getthecustomer’scombine quicklyupandrunning.

Proactivebreakdown assistance

CaseIHcontrolroomtechnicians constantlymonitorthestatusesof connectedAxialFlowcombines, alertingthedealerofany remotely-identifiedissue, enablingproactivemanagement andhelpingensureresolution beforeitcanbecomeaproblem, maximisingproductivityand avoidingdowntime.

OfferingSafeguardWarranty

SafeguardWarrantyisCaseIH’s

extendedwarrantyprogramme. StandardincertainEuropean marketsandoptionalinothers, theSafeguardWarrantyprovides thesamecoverinthesubsequent twoyearsasthatofthestandard firstyear.Thiscanbeextended (UKonly)uptofiveyears/ 6,000hrsdependingonmodel, protectingagainstunexpected repaircosts,providingpeaceof mind,controlledoperatingcosts andprotectionofresalevalue.

3yearsofroutineservicing

Tofurthercontrolcosts,allAxialFlowmachinespurchasedinthe UKandROIalsocurrentlycome withthreeyearsofroutine servicingincluded.Thiscoversall servicingasdefinedbythe maintenancescheduleinthe operator’smanual,including parts,fluids,lubricantsandlabour (termsandconditionsapply).

Thenextstepinmanufacturer anddealersupport

“ThereputationofCaseIHandits dealerscentresaround customers’expectationof premiumservicetomatchthe equipmenttheypurchase,”says PeterFriis,CaseIHHeadof CombineBusinessEurope.

“SafeguardConnectisthenext levelofourcommitmentto supporttheequipmentwesupply longafterasaleismade, allowingfarmerstofocuson farming,andprovidingastandard ofservicethathelpsmaximise reliabilityandproductivity,and providessupportwiththeleast possibleimpactonoperations,to helpminimiseoperatingand ownershipcostsandprotect customerinvestment.Safeguard Connectwillbestandardonall CaseIHAxial-Flow250series combinesfor2023.”

CASEIHLAUNCHESTWONEWFARMALLAMODELS

NewCaseIHFarmall90Aand100A arepowerful,versatile,reliable,easy touse,simpletomaintainandoffer excellentvalueformoney/FPTF54cylinderenginefeatures4valvesper cylindertechnology/CompactHigheSCR2AfterTreatmentSystemtomeetStageV legislation/New4-pillarcabisquiet,spacious,and comfortable,withexcellentvisibility.

CaseIHhaslaunchedtwonewFarmallAtractors, the90hp90Aand100hp100A,whichformpartof thecompany'sextendedFarmallrangefrom55hpto 120hp

Designedforsmallandmediummixedfarms, togetherwithspecialistlivestockenterprisesand smallholdings,theserobust,versatileall-round tractorsarehighlyproductive,comfortable,and manoeuvrable.Providingexcellentvalueformoney, theyareidealforapplicationssuchashayand forage,livestock,seeding,spraying,fertilising,light tillage,andtransport.

Powerfulandefficient

Withcommonrailfuelinjectionand4-valvesper cylinderdesign,thenewfour-cylinder,3.6-litreFPT F5engineisveryresponsive.Thisengineisableto provideoutstandingmaximumtorqueatlower enginespeed,380Nmand450Nmat1300rpmin theFarmall90AandFarmall100Arespectively.

Theexcellent47%torquerisedeliversstrong luggingabilityinhighloadsituations.

Despiteitsconsiderableresponsiveness,theFPT F5ishighlyfuelefficient,whichcombinedwiththe larger130lfueland14.4lAdBluetanksmeansmore timecanbespentworkingbeforerefuelling.Another significantbenefitisthe600-hourserviceintervals, whichminimisedowntimeandmaintenancecosts.

Akeyfeatureoftheengineisitshighlyefficientand maintenance-freeAfterTreatmentSystem(ATS). DevelopedtomeetStageVlegislation,theCompact Hi-eSCR2emissionsreductiontechnologyrequires nofilterreplacementormechanicalcleaning.Highly effective,itintegratesaDieselOxidationCatalyst (DOC),aDieselParticulateFilter(DPF)anda SelectiveCatalystReduction(SCR)system,which isverycompactduetoanExhaustGas Recirculation(EGR)rateoflessthan10%.

Thisadvancedtechnologyiscontainedunderthe enginehood,allowingsimple,fastloader installation,togetherwitheasyaccesstooiland enginefilterslocatedontheleftsideofthetractor. Withnoexternalcomponents,thedesignalso maximisesgroundclearance,whichcontributesto operatorsafetyduringrowcropandhay-making operations,providesexcellentforwardvisibilityand makesthetractorveryeasytomanoeuvreprecisely.

Poweristransmittedthroughasimple,efficient,

dependable,anddurable12x1240kphmechanical transmissionoroptionalhydraulicallyactuated Powershuttle,thefourgearsineachofthethree rangesenablingexactlytherightspeedtobe selectedforeachtask.A20x20creeper transmissionoptionisalsoavailable.

Four-wheeldriveFarmall90Aand100Amodels featureaClass1.0frontheavy-dutyaxlewith electro-hydraulicdifferentiallock,whileadjustmentfreeannulardiscbrakesdeliverpowerfulbraking performance.Automaticengagementofthefourwheeldrivesystemunderbrakingisalsoavailable toimproveperformance,stability,andsafetyfurther.

Extendedversatility

ToextendtheversatilityofthesenewFarmallA models,therearlinkagehasamaximumlift capacityof4,400kg,while theCaseIHLift-O-Matic™ systemoffersfastraising andloweringofimplements toapre-setpositionon headlands.Thetractors alsofeatureasmooth,selfmodulatingelectro-hydraulic independentthree-speed PTO(540/540E/1000)with ECOandgroundspeed options.

Optionsincludesa mechanicalfrontlinkage whichcanliftupto1,400kg, afront1,000rpmPTOand anExtraFlowopen-centre pumpwithaveryhigh hydraulicflowrateof82l/m. Thisimprovesloadercycle timesfurtherandwillbe beneficialwhenoperating

|Machinery

linkage-mountedimplements throughuptothreeremote outlets.

BothnewFarmallAmodels canalsobespecifiedfromthe factorywithloader-ready bracketsandhydraulics, makingthemcompatiblewith theCaseIHfrontloader offering.Theidealloaderfor thenewFarmallAisthe CaseIHL3815A.Utilisinga simpleplugandplaydesign, ithasaliftheightofupto 3.8mandamaximum capacityof1,922kg,idealfor generalhandlingtasks.

Operatorswillenjoythenew 4-pillar,flat-floorcab,withup tofourexternalworkinglights andeasyaccessupwide stepstothelargesingledoor.Insidethereismore space,airconditioningisstandard,andthe maximumsoundlevelisjust77db.Theoptionalroof hatchhasbeenmadewidertoimproveoverhead visibility,whilea320°angleofvisionprovides outstandingall-roundvision,perfectwhenworking inconfinedareas.Allcontrolsarepositionedina paneltotheoperator'srightsideandarewithineasy reach,theairsuspendedseatoptimisesride comfort,whileaUSBsocketand'phoneholder provideaddedconvenience.

EdoardoRonco,CaseIHProductManager responsiblefortheFarmallArange,states:"The newFarmall90AandFarmall100Aaresignificant newintroductionsforCaseIHinthisimportant sectorofthemarket.Bothincorporatesignificant benefitswhichmakethemmoreproductive,more costeffectiveandmorecomfortabletooperate."

Forward-thinkingschoolinvestsin futurewithnewmachineryfleet

Aprestigiouscollege withahistoryof producingelite sportingathletes hasmarkedits 100thanniversary withasignificantinvestmentinits groundscare.

LordWandsworthCollegein Hampshirehascompletely reneweditsmachineryinorderto maintainahugeareaofsports pitches,runningtracksand amenitygrounds.

AGPSprecisionsprayerhas beenaddedtothefleet,and combustionengineshavegiven waytoelectricwhereverpossible inlinewiththecollege’s sustainabilityambitions.

Foundedin1912,Lord Wandsworthleftagenerous bequestinhiswilltoeducatethe childrenofagriculturalworkers andchildrenwhohadlostoneor bothparents.

“Theoutdoorsisstillattheheart oftheschool,althoughthe emphasisonfarminghasbeen replacedbysport,withnotable formerpupilsincludingrugby starssuchasworldcupwinner JonnyWilkinsonandBritish&

IrishLionUgoMonye,”Alistair Cotton,GroundsandGardens Manager,says.

Othernotablealumniinclude SquadronleaderGeorge Johnson–thelastremaining memberofthe1943Dambusters raid–HelloFreshfounderPatrick Drake,andClaudiaGwinnutt, whocreatedthebeautybrand Circla.

Outofthetotal1,200acreson thesite,theteamisresponsible for150acreswhichincludes14 winterpitchesrangingfromfull sizerugbyandfootballtotouch rugbyandseven-asidefootball pitches.

“Thereisalsoafull-sizeandhalfsizeastroturfpitchandinthe summertherearesixgrass cricketsquares,twoartificial cricketgroundsandagrass 400mrunningtrack,”says Alistair.

“Itwouldbeenoughtokeep13 peoplebusy–atthemoment,we onlyhaveateamoffive.”

Withstaffrecruitmentanissue,a commonproblematpresentin theindustry,ensuringthatthekit isuptospeedandefficientis

particularlyimportant.

Thegroundsteamupgradedits fleetofJohnDeerekitthisyear, tobetterservicethesportsfields, someofwhichhaveincreasedin size,andtocontributetothe college’soverallaimtoreduce carbonemissions.

“Theschoolwaspassionate aboutcuttingcarbonemissions evenbeforethecurrentissues withpowerprices,”hesays.

“OptingforelectricTEGators wasjustoneelementofthat–they’realsoabouttoinstallsolar panelsonalltheroofstotryand offsettheutilitybills.”

Sofar,theteamhavebeen pleasedwiththeperformance.

“Theylastadayandwe’vehad noissueswithbatterylife,”he says.“Comparedtothe combustionGatorswehad before,theyarenotasfast,butif you’dneverhadoneoftheolder models,you’dwouldn’tknow–theydothejobjustaswell.”

Asignificantinvestmentinsolar panelsacrossthecollege’s buildingswillseetheGators chargedbyon-siterenewable energyinthenearfuture,butthe

teamcontinuestoruna dieselTH6x4Gator.

Thisnewcollectionof kitmarkstheschool’s thirddealwithJohn Deerethroughtheir localdealer,Hunt Forest,inBlashford.

“Eachdealhasgrown yearonyeartothe pointwe’reatnow,” Alistairsays.“We’ve beenwithJohnDeere for15years–they’re alwaysvery competitiveonprice andthereliabilityofthe machinesisasgoodas any.”

Theteam’sscheduleis dictatedbytheschool timetable.“Weknow whenallthefixturesareandwe knowwehavetobeoffthe pitchesbyaround3pmbecause that’swhenthey’llallbeout playing,”Alistairsays.“Inthe schoolholidays,whenthepupils aren’there,wedothingslike irrigation–wedoitourselves,no contractorsareinvolved.

“Wetrytodoasmuchourselves aspossibleandkeepcontractors toaminimum–we’reluckythat theschoolhasthefinancial resourcetoprovidetheextentof themachinerywerequire.There

aren’tmanyschoolsthatwould.”

LordWandsworthCollegeisone oftheonlyindependentschools inthecountrytooperateaJohn DeereProgatorGPSsprayer.It’s aninvestmentwhichAlistairsays ishardtojustifyonthechemical savingalone,butonethattakes intoaccounttheoverall improvementinperformanceand theabilitytoevolveother practicesusingthetechnology.

“Notonlydoesitimprovethe spraying,butitalsomakes everythingelsebettertoo–the

processisbetterbecauseofit,” heexplains.

“We’veputtheinfrastructurein forGPSonthethreeseries tractoraswellsowecanuseit forfertilisingandotherthings.”

The7700Afairwaymowersare usedtocutthecricketoutfieldin thesummerandthewinter pitchesthroughoutthewinter. The9009Acutsin-betweenthe pitchesandtheathleticsareain thesummer.

Thedealalsoincludedtwo 4066Rtractors,an 8900Atriplemower andtheGatorshave trailersontheback totransportmowers andmarkers around.

Theteamhasalso takendeliveryofa 3046Rcompact tractoralongsidethe fiveelectricTE Gators.

“Theteamhasbeen reallypleasedwith thenewkit–with JohnDeere,it doesn’tmatterwhat machineyou’rein, it’sallthesame excellentqualityand easeofoperation.” Alistairsays.

NewrollerbedoptionforVervaet Q-Seriesbeetharvesters

Market-leadingsugar beetharvester manufacturer Vervaethas introduceda rollerbedoptionfor thepopularQ-616.Followingthe launchofarollerbedprimarycleaningoptionforthesix-wheel BeetEater625forlastyear’s beetcampaign,itsavailabilityfor thefour-wheelQ-616further widenstheappeal.Thefirst rollerbed-equippedQ-616has alreadybeensoldinthebyUK importersJRileyBeet Harvesters(UK)LtdtoWroxham HomeFarmsinNorfolkwhereit replacesaharvesterfrom anothermanufacturerforthis campaign.

Thenewrollerbedreplacesthe Q-616’stwofrontturbines.Not intendedasareplacementfor thehighlysuccessfulturbine-

onlysetup,itoffersanother optionforpotentialcustomers alreadyoperatingarollerbed harvesterinsuitablesoilsand conditions.Vervaet’sunique rotatingwalkingshares,which excelinthetoughestof

conditions,liftthebeetontothe rollerbedwhichboastssevenfullwidth100mmdiameterrollers. Formaximumcleaningtheroots aretakenoutwardsbeforebeing gatheredbacktothecentreofthe table.Rollerspeedisvariable

fromthecab,withtheseventh rolleroperatedindependently.

Unlikeallotherrollerbed-type harvestersonthemarket,which useanelevatortraceto transportthecropbetweenthe frontwheels,theVervaetdesign utilisesacentralcleaning turbine,eliminatingapotential problemareaandcontinuingthe positivecleaningaction.Thefull rangeofVervaetharvesters boastanindustry-leadinglevel ofcleaningcapacity,andwhen fittedwitharollerbedtheQ-616 stillincorporatesfourwellutilisedturbines.Butwhere maximumcleaningisn’t required,theturbinescanbe sloweddownandfittedwithrail gatesforgentlebeethandling, makingaVervaetthemost versatilerollerbedmachineon themarket.

Thehighly-manoeuvrableQ-616 remainsthemost-popularsugar beetharvesterontheBritish market,outsellingthesumofits competitors.Itshighcapacity makesitattractivetocontractors andfarmersalike,andwithan 18-tonnetankit’sanidealmatch fora20-tonnetrailer.

“Theadditionoftherollerbed optionfortheQ-616meansthat wecannowofferasizeand typeofmachineforevery scenarioandsoiltype,”explains MattCarse,salesmanageratJ RileyBeetHarvesters(UK)Ltd. “I’veseenmanyrollerbed machinesinthepast,butthe Vervaetisunique,becausewe useaturbineratherthana transferwebit’sremovedwhat wastypicallyarollerbed’s Achillesheel.Asacompany,we areveryproudthatRileyshold byfarthebulkoftheBritishselfpropelledsugarbeetharvester market,andwith Vervaet’srecentdevelopments plustheoptionofrefurbished machineswecanoffertheright machinetoanyUKfarmeror contractor,givingustheperfect opportunitytogrowourmarket shareevenfurther.Wewillhave aVervaetQ-616witharollerbed availablefordemonstrations laterinthisseason.”

TrioofwheeledFendtsoffer versatilityformultipletasks

Arecentswitchtoa fullFendtfleethas allowed Hertfordshirefarmer JimmyHuntertorun thelatest technologyandhavetransferable machinesthatalloperatorsare wellaccustomedto.

WhenJimmyHunterbegan lookingforhisnexttractor,his keyfocuswasonchoosinga brandthatcouldoffertechnology tomakelifeeasieronthe 1,700hafarmingandcontracting operationbasedatPursleyFarm inShenley,Hertfordshire.

ThefarmisrunbyMrHunter,his children,HughandEveey,and theircousin,Charles.Around 1,000hoursperyearareputon themachines,whichmeans reliabilityisessential.Afteryears

ofrunningapairofJohnDeere rubbertrackedcrawlerstohandle thedrillingandtillingworks,Mr Hunterlookedatbuyingabigger wheeledmachinetoamalgamate twointooneandofferflexibility duringtheyear.

“Wehadtheoptionofthree wheeledmachinesfromJohn Deere,FendtandClaas.The dealforaClaasAxion950was attractive,butwefeltFendtand JohnDeerewouldreturnabetter second-handvalue,soreduce theoverallcostofownership.

“Themainreasonwewentwith FendtwasdowntotheVario gearbox,astheJohnDeere 8400Risonlyavailablewiththe e23transmission,whichIcouldn’t getonwith.Wehavebeen Autopowerusersforyearsonour JohnDeeremachinesand

obviouslyallourFendtmachines usetheVariotransmission,so thee23feltlikeabackwards step.TheVarioisthesmoothest transmissionwehaveusedina bigtractor.”

Standardfeatures

The942hasapickuphitchas standard,whichincreases versatilitythroughouttheyear andmakeshitchinguptrailers andimplementsaloteasierthan adrawbaronlymachine.Another benefitforregularlychanging conditionsisVarioGrip,asMr Hunterexplains.

“Fendt’sVarioGripisagreat featureforfieldwork.Itallowsus toalterallfourtyrepressures from0.6barupto2.5baronthe go,dependingontheconditions. Thisishandyassoilscanchange

quiteabitthroughoutthe dayandfromfieldto field.Wherethesoil allows,wewilldrillat 0.7bartospreadthe weightandhelpsave fuel.”

Arecentchangeinthe businesssetuphas meantthatthereisless requirementonhired help,sotheswitchto threeFendttractorshas allowedthefulltime operatorstogetthemost fromthetechnology.

“Charlesisthemain operatorofthe942,and helikestokeeptabson howthetractoris performingthroughthe telematics,whichgives himandusanideaofwork outputsandfuelusage,which helpsinfluencedecision-making acrossthebusiness.

“Asthefarmhasevolved,the threetractorsnowhave dedicatedoperatorsthroughout theyear,asopposedto temporaryharveststaff,sowe wantedmachinesthatusers couldcustomisetotheir preferencestoincrease productivity.Weliketorunone tractorbrandasithelpswith transferringdataandmeanswe canbuildstrongrelationshipswith onedealer.”

Sprayerchange

Alongsidethe942aretwo828s, onethatisdedicatedtorunning theBergmannchaserbinat harvest,whiletheotherhandles theFendtRogator366trailed sprayerallyear,alongwithsome lightercultivationwork.

“Wehavemovedupto36m tramlinesandtheRogator366 andwantedtomakethebestuse oftheinvestmentinthetractors andthe828handlesthesprayer wellwhenitisfullyloaded.

“Fendtswereconsidered complicatedtractorswhenwe hadademoofa936in2009,but younowrealisehowfaraheadof theirtimetheyare.Oneofthe biggestdifferencesnowisthe

comfortinthecabonrough ground,thetractorsjustglide overrutswhereaswewould noticetheunevenfieldsmorein someoftheoldermodels.

“Wehavethreedrillsforvarious situations,an8mtine,a6mdisc, anda6mpowerharrow combinationdrill,andwecanuse anyofthetractorsonanyofthe drills,whichspreadsthe investmentcostandallowsextra flexibilityduringbusyperiods.”

Thereisplentyofroadworkas thefarmstretchesovera15-mile radius,withlandrunningfive milesinsidetheM25,andthe Variotransmissionhasmade roadworkaloteasier.The investmentinaFendtfleethas allowedMrHuntertorunone brandofmachinethatisfamiliar toalloperators,whichhelps maximiseefficiency.

Joystickcontrol

ThearrivalofaFendtIdeal10T forthisharvest,whichwillruna 40ftGeringhoffbeltfeedheader, willbethefirsttimePursleyFarm hasownedadifferentbrandof combineforoverhalfacentury.

The10TisfittedwithFendt’s joystickcontrolconcept,which replacesthesteeringwheelwith aleft-handarmrestjoystick,and MrHuntersaystheadditionof thisandthethree-sectionreel, offersgreatviewsacrossthe

cutterbed.

“Withoutasteeringwheelthereis noobstruction,andtheheader reeldoesn’tfeatureajoindirectly inthecentreofthecab,asisthe casewithtwinsectionreels.This helpswithcropflowasthereisan uninterruptedfeedintothefeeder housesothecombineshouldn’t experienceanypeaksand troughs.

“WesawanIdealondemolast harvestandithadthecapability tocopewithawiderangeof crops,whichiswhatweneedas weexperiencedsomemajor issuescuttingwinterlinseedlast year.”

FarmFacts

TAGConfirmsNewShropshireSalesTeam

TallisAmosGroup (TAG)has confirmedthree Salesappointments foritsnewdepotin Shropshireat AllscottbetweenShrewsburyand Telford.Theannouncement followsTAG'sconfirmationinJuly thatithadbeenappointedasthe JohnDeeredealertocover ShrewsburyandNewportin Shropshire.Thenewdepotisdue toopeninOctober2022.

JamesPotterhasjoinedTAG

fromReaValleyTractors(RVT) asDepotSalesManager.Froma farmingfamilyinShropshire, JamesattendedHarperAdams andworkedatMcConnelbefore joiningRVTin2007.With15 yearsofexperiencewiththeJohn Deereportfolioandapassionfor ForageHarvestersandPrecision Ag,Jamesisperfectlyqualifiedto helpTAGearnfarmers'and contractors'business&trustin themonthsandyearsahead. Jamessaid:“After15happy yearsatRVT,I’mlookingforward

toworkingwithownersBenTallis andSimonAmosandtherestof theteam.Withover40yearsof experiencerunningaJohnDeere dealership,likemyfamilythey haveverydeeprootsinselling andsupportingJohnDeere products.

“AlltheteamatTallisAmoshave beenverywelcomingandIlook forwardtodealingwithcustomers newandoldfromournewAllscott Depot.”

JoiningJameswillbeGareth

TAGConfirmsNewShropshireSalesTeam

WilliamsandDanMallard.Gareth has25yearsofexperiencein agriculturalmachinery,withthe last15atRVT.Aswellassales insouthShropshirehewillhavea widergrouproleasaTAG combinespecialisthelpingto developcombinesalesin ShropshireandHerefordshire. DanMallardwilljointheteamand beresponsibleforsalesaround theNewportarea.Forthelastsix years,Danhasbeenworkingfor KroneUKasaTerritoryManager forcentralEnglandandWales, thisexperiencewillalsohelpDan

inhisadditionalroleofforager andgrasslandsalesspecialistin ShropshireandHerefordshire.

TAGwasformedin2012when twolong-standingJohnDeere dealerships,Alexander&Duncan andChrisTallisFarmMachinery joinedforces.Thecompany tracesitsrootsbackto1912and hasbeensupportingfarming businessesintheWestMidlands forover100years,with56years asJohnDeereagents.Currently operatingfourdepotsintheWest MidlandsandWalesatEvesham,

Kemble,Leominsterand Narberth,TAGalsohasplansto openanadditionalsitenear LampeterinNovemberthisyear. Employingateamof140, includingskilledafter-salesteams andexperiencedsales representatives,TAGhasa comprehensiverangeofother machinerypartnersincluding Kramer,Pottinger,Sumo,Pichon, ShelbourneReynolds,Sulky,AW &BaileyTrailersandmanymore.

UpgradetoaHonda broughtmultiplebenefits

Bedfordshire-basedfarmerand contractorwhochangedtoaHonda Pioneer520fromacompetitorbrand UTVlastyear,sayshebenefitsfrom improvedreliability,betterfuel economyandincreasedworking efficiency.

RobertBoneandhismotherBarbararunthemixed farmingenterprisenearBedford.Robertisthethird generationofhisfamilytofarmthelandthere,and arablecropsincludewinterwheatandoilseedrape. Approximately160haofgrazingcomprises100ha oftemporarygrassusedasabreak-cropwithinthe arablerotation,and60haofpermanentpasture. Thegrassisrentedforsheepgrazingbyalocal shepherdandRoberthelpslookafterthesheep. Strawbalesaresoldmainlyforequineuse,anda generalagriculturalcontractingserviceisprovided.

“Thisyearwearelookingafterapproximately600 breedingeweswhichwerebroughtinwithlambsat foot,”heexplained.“Inpreviousyearswehavehad upto4,000sheeponsite.Weprovidethegrass anddothedailychecks,aswellascontract-farming anadditionalflockofsheepforaneighbouronhis land.OurHondaPioneer520workseveryday.We relyonit.Mostofourlandisheavyandusinglarger machinestotravelaroundwithfeedandequipment wouldcausealotofgrounddamage–especially whenconditionsarewet.”

Load-carryingUTVneeded

RobertusedHondaATVsinthepastwhenhe

manageda pheasantshoot, butwhenasideby-sideload carryingUTV wasneededhe hadtochange brands.“Atthat time,Honda didn’toffera side-by-side UTV,soIlooked atotheroptions andselecteda well-known brandwitha dieselengine andalargerear loadbed,”he explained.I thoughtitwould besuitable,butitjustcouldn’tcopewiththefarm workingenvironmentanditwasalwaysinfor repairs.Winter2021wasparticularlywet,resulting inparticularlytoughconditionswhichproved disastrousforthemachine,sowewereforcedto findanalternativequickly.”

SeverallocalATVandUTVdealerswereconsulted; includingMKMAgriculturewhichrepresentsHonda inthearea.MKMAgricultureManagingDirector AnthonyDeaconsuggestedthatthenewHonda Pioneer520wouldbeideal,asithastwoseatsand arearloadbedbutisonlyslightlylargerand heavierthanatraditionalATVandextremely capableoff-road.Robertdidn’ttryit,buthis knowledgeofHonda’sreliabilityandbuildqualityas wellastheexcellentreputationoftheMKMteam gavehimtheconfidencetoplaceanorder.

Light,compactbutcapable

ThePioneer520wasdeliveredinNovember2021 andhasworkedmostdayssince.“Ithasplentyof powerandisnimbleandquick,soitsavesusalot oftime,”heexplained.“Itisveryfuelefficienttoo, andIfillthe15-litretankeverythreedayswhenwe arebusy.ItusesfarlessthanIhadexpected.

“Thelightweightisabigadvantage.Iappliedslug pelletsusingamountedspreaderlastwinter,andit provedsosuccessfulthatIintendofferinga contractapplicationservicethisautumn.Ialso provideacontractingservicedoinghorsepaddock maintenance,andthePioneerperformswellwitha sprayercarriedontherearloadbed.It’slikehaving aconventionalATVbutwithextraweather protectionprovidedbytheoptionalcab–it’sthe bestofbothworlds.”

Powerandreliability

ThePioneer520hasa518cc,single-cylinder, liquid-cooled,petrolengineandafive-speed

mechanicaltransmissionwithautoandmanual operatingmodes.Drivetothewheelsisthrough reliableshafts,ratherthanchainsorbeltsthathave amuchhighermaintenancerequirement.The Pioneerweighsonly483kgunladenandisjust 1,270mmwide.Fullyindependentsuspensionand generous215mmgroundclearancemakeit extremelycapableoff-road.Thereartippingbed carriesloadsupto204kgandtrailersupto454kg canbetowed.

Extremelyversatile

ThePioneer520loadbedissmallerthanthatofthe previousUTV,butRobertsaidthatthisisn’tan issue.“ThereisalwaystheoptiontopullatrailerifI needtotransportlargeritems,butfordelivering feedandnutrientsupplementstosheepinthefields thePioneerhasplentyofspace.Ioccasionally carryapassengertoassistwhenmovingelectric fencing,andthereisplentyofroomfortwointhe cabandit’scomfortable.”

Excellentdealer

Robertcommentedthatdailychecksand maintenanceareeasilycarriedoutandwiththerear loadbedtipped,thereisgreataccessforcleaning. MKMAgriculturedoestheservicingwhenitisdue. “It’sbeenfaultless,”hesaid.“TheMKMteamhas beenbrilliantthoughandit’sbeenclearfromthe startthatifanythingwastogowrongthatmeantthe Pioneercouldn’tbeused,thentherewouldbe somethingavailabletoborrowinstead.”

StickingwithHonda

Robertupdateshismainmachinesregularlysothat theyarealwayscoveredbythemanufacturer warranty.Askedwhetherhewillpurchaseanother Pioneer520whenthecurrentmachineistwoyears’ old,Robertconfirmedthatthisislikely.“It’sworked 475hoursinitsfirsteightmonthswithoutany problems,includingthroughaparticularly demandingwinter,”hestressed.“I’mveryunlikely tochangefromHondaortheback-upfromthelocal dealer.”

SuzukiKingQuadshelpmaintaintheworld’smosticonicracecircuit

Suzukiispleasedto announcethat SilverstoneRace Circuitnowhastwo ofitsmarketleadingKingQuad ATVsaspartofitsmaintenance andsupportvehiclefleet.The twoKingQuad750XPmachines (XPdenotespowersteering)are beingusedforessentialtrack maintenanceduringrace

meetingsandgeneralestate managementdutiesduringthe off-season.

TheATVsweredeliveredahead oftheBritishF1GrandPrixin Julyandhavebeeninuseever since,makinglightworkof keepingtheworld’smosticonic racecircuitandthesurrounding areasintiptopshape.

Suzukiisahighlyrespectedand popularmanufacturerofATVs andbackin1983the QuadRunner125wastheATV thatstartedanindustry!Itwas thefirsteverproduction4-wheel ATVandbecameatop-seller. ThisATVboastedafriendly designthatwaseasytouseand anoutstandingcost-performance ratio.Itwastobethecatalyst thatstartedafutureof4-wheel

SuzukiKingQuadshelpmaintaintheworld’smosticonicracecircuit

ATVtechnology.

NowSuzuki’srangecurrently comprisesofthreeversatile standardmodels;theKingQuad 500and500XPaswellasthe KingQuad750XPthatcomein FlameRedorTerraGreen. Therearealsothelimitededition 500XPZandthe750XPZmodels thatSilverstoneareusing,which comeinTrueTimberCamoand

MetallicMattRockyGrey.These robustutilityATVsarethe culminationofyearsof refinementandtheirhighlevels oftechnicalspecificationand easeofhandlinggiveriders confidenceonanyterrainand sure-footedstabilitywhen cornering.

LeeHowkins,CircuitManagerat Silverstonesaid,“TheSuzuki

KingQuadsaresoeasytoride andwiththeirversatilityand manoeuvrability,wehavebeen abletousethemonanumberof trackandlandmanagement tasksenablingourteamto completethemmoreefficiently. Theyarealreadyanextremely importanttoolforusandone whichwewouldnotwanttobe without.”

Polaris’all-women teamofridersfrom acrossEuropehave successfully completedthe PolarisOutlanding Project-aweek-long,100% outdoorexpeditionacrossthe volcaniclandscapeofIcelandthattookplacethisSeptember.

Withastrongfemale-forward focus,sixwomenrepresented PolarisfromFrance,Germany, Spain,SwedenandtheUK,all withasharedpassionforthe outdoorsandadventure.Butthis wasn’tjustanexpeditionto showcasethecapabilitiesof Polaris’side-by-sidelineupinthis harshenvironment;itwasa chancetoinspireotherridersto takeonsimilarchallengesin thesetypesofvehicles,providea

uniqueperspectiveonadventure andhowtoachieveit,andto encourageotherwomenriders whoarereadytoexploretostart planning.Aftermonthsof preparation,theteamventured intothewildernessofIceland withjusttheirvehiclesandtheir campingequipmenttosustain them-andallreturnedwith countlessmemories.

Thisjourneyofalifetimetookthe ridersoutofthecapital, Reykjavik,pastglaciers,geysers andgeothermalpoolsoftheeast intothesnowymountainpasses ofthenorth,beforereturning souththroughbarrenlavafields andlongstretchesofblacksand. Theteammanoeuvredover 1,200kilometresalmostentirely onnon-tarmacroads:Slow speeds,carefully-consideredtyre

placementandunfaltering concentrationwerekeyinmaking suretheroutesweresafely navigated.

“Tothinkthisallstartedwitha viewtoshowcaseouroff-road productsinthedramatic landscapeofIceland-autopia forthesevehicles-butitactually turnedouttobesomuchmore thanwecouldhaveimagined,” saidMarionChouanneau,Polaris OffRoadVehiclesEMEA MarketingManager.“Theroute madeforincredibleviews, technicalterrainandabigtestof willpower,butitwasmetwith unfalteringenthusiasmand confidencebythewholeteam, andwithoutasingleflattyre!It waseasytoforgetthatthis expeditionwasatestofthe vehicles’strength,butratherour

own.I’msoproudtobeapartof thisamazingteamofwomen, andtoworkforthebrandwhose vehicleshaveperformedso spectacularlyonthisproject.”

Accompanyingtheriderswere threePolarisoff-roadvehicles; thePolarisGeneral1000Deluxe ABS,thePolarisRanger1000 NordicProEdition,andthe PolarisRZRXP1000-allsuited todifferenttasks,usageand terrain,butallovercomingevery naturalobstaclethatIcelandhad tothrowtheirway.

Theultimateadventureside-byside-theGeneral-spearheaded theproject,specially-equipped withessentialcamping equipmentincludinga CAMPWERKiKampertoptent,a Taubenreutherspecialdesign

Multi-Rackstoragesolution, XOBIoutdoorkitchen,Pro Armor®lightbar,fronthood storageandmuchmore.Madeto takeonthetrailswithunrivalled performance,theRZRprovedits strength,powerandcontrolover theharshterraininIceland, takingoneveryboulderand watercrossingwithcomplete easeandconfidence,making eventhetoughestoftrailsajoy toride.Polaris’utilityside-byside,theRanger,isaproven workhorseanditsabilitytokeep ongoingwasinvaluableonthis expedition.Notonlycoulditcarry alltheteam’sequipmentinits cargobed,butitsin-cabheater andcomfybenchseatswerea welcomeadditiononthistrip.

ArrivalinIceland

Theteamreceivedaverywarm andheartfeltwelcomebythe crewatStormurEHFin Reykjavik-Polaris’official distributorinIceland-tobegin theproject,metwiththethree exquisitely-preparedvehiclesat thedealership,readytobe loadedfulloftheircamping equipmentandessentialstosee themthroughthenextweekof explorationinIceland.

Day1:135miles/217 kilometres

Divinginatthedeependisa goodwaytostartanytrip-and that’sexactlywhattheteamdid. Theridestartedroughand technicalthroughtheriftValleyof Þingvellir-agreatwaytogetinto theridingrhythm.Novisitto Icelandiscompletewithouta

shortpitstopat Stormur’snorthern dealershipfora surprisepizzaparty, theteamcontinued ontothespectacular 30-metrewide Goðafoss-‘the waterfallofGods’beforereachingthe finaldestination: Mývatn.Itwould havebeenrudenot totakeadipinthe MývatnNatureBaths towarmupandsoak inthehealthy mineralswhilst watchingthesungo down,beforean earlynighttorestup.

Day4:218miles/ 350kilometres

customaryvisittotheGeysir geothermalareatoseethe exploding30-metre-highStrokkur geyser,aswellasGullfoss (whichtranslatesto‘Golden Falls’),oneofIceland’smost lovedwaterfallslocatedinthe canyonoftheHvítáriver.135 milesfromtheirstartingpointin Reykjavik,theteamarrivedat HveravellirLodge-ahighland oasisinthemiddleofIcelandreadyfortheirfirstnightof camping.

Day2:124miles/200 kilometres

Day2wasaturning pointfortheteam,now realisingthattheterrain inIcelandisunlikeany theyhadriddenacross before,andthatthe Polarisvehiclescan handleitallwithease. Tothinktheroadsthey hadcoveredareall regularlegalroutesin Icelandisassurprising asitisinspiring; certainlynotforthe faint-heartedbutin theseoff-roadvehicles, theteamfeltconfident.

Ridinguptothefar northoftheisland,the mountainpasseswere alreadycoveredinsnow

thistimeoftheyear,followedby vast,flowingvalleyssurrounded byuntouchedwaterfallsand weavingtracks:Thisparticular routeunveilledthetruebeautyof theruralhighlandsofIceland.

Day3:88miles/142 kilometres

Beingatthenorthernmostpoint oftheroute,eventhemorning sunlightdidn’tstopthebrisk Icelandicbreeze,butitdidmake forsomebeautifulviewsasthe teamrodealongsidethedramatic coastlineandmadetheirway towardsthemountains.Aftera

Averylongdaycallsforavery earlystart.Asthemorninglight brokethroughthezipperson theirtents,theteamallthought thesamething:thesunhad joinedtheOutlandingprojectfinally!Ontheirlongestlegofthe journey-aroutefromthenorth tothesouthofIceland-the womenrodeforover12hours withoutanysignsofcivilisation, withtheexceptionofalodgethat wasalreadyclosedforwinter. Thereareprobablymany countriesintheworldwhereyou candriveforthatamountoftime withoutseeinganyoneelse,but foritsdramaticvolcanic

landscapewithcraterlikefieldsoflava,soft blacksandand majesticmountains lurkinginthe background,Iceland istrulyunique.

Day5:89miles/143 kilometres

Timetoseethe volcanoesofIceland. Day5wasashorter ridethantheteam hadcompleted previously,butitwas equallyasbeautiful. Technicalroutesled themtoKrakatindur, an858mvolcanoin thevastNyjahraun lavafield,wherethey setupforalunchtime picnicinitsshadow andgazedatitsintimidating beauty.

Day6:50miles/80kilometres

Thewomenfinishedthetripona high-ashortroutethattook themthroughanumberof shallowrivercrossings, presentingtheperfect opportunitytogivethedusty vehiclesagoodclean-off.With theirwetbootsandfacesfullof smiles,theysaidafinalfarewell totheirfaithfulandtrusted Polarisvehiclesthathadallowed themtoseethewondersof Iceland-eventhehard-to-reach ones.

Averyspecialthankyoutothe teamatStormurEHF,whose expertadvice,help,supportand hospitalitymadethePolaris OutlandingProjecthappen,and abigcongratulationstothe Polarisriderswhocompletedthe challenge-itwasnoeasyfeat!

CardoSystemssupportedthe PolarisOutlandingProjectwith eachriderusingthePacktalk Edgerider-to-rider communicationsystemtostayin contact.Withfeaturessuchas Cardo’sDynamicMesh Communicationsystem,the PacktalkEdgedevicesnotonly allowedtheridersto

communicateessentialrouteand safetyinformation-automatically reconnectingoverdistance-but alsoallowedtheteamtoprovide morale-boostingsupporttoone anotherintimesofneed,making thistechnologypriceless.The CardoPacktalkEdgeisfully weather-proof-includingdust, rainandmud,astestedand provenbythePolarisriders-and alsofeaturesnaturalvoice operationsobothhandscan remainonthewheel.WithhighdefinitionsoundbyJBL,the Cardounitallowedtheridersto communicatewhilstalsolistening totheircollaboratedPolaris OutlandingProjectplaylistalong theway.

GarminIberiaalsosupportedthe projectwithGarminTread®allterrainsatnavinstalledineach vehicle,helpingtheteamto navigatethetechnicalrouteand stayontrack.IP67weatherresistantandwithanultra-bright glove-friendlytouchscreen display,theGarminTread®not onlyallowedtheteamtoplan ahead,butalsototracktheentire off-roadjourneyturn-by-turneventheunpavedroadsand trails-withOpenStreetMap (OSM).

GoProkindlysupportedthe team’scontentgenerationwith

GoProHero10camera equipmentandaccessoriesfor high-qualityhyper-smoothvideo capturenomatterhowtoughthe terrainorhowcoldandwetthe weatherconditionswere.

Staytunedforthefullvideo editofthisextraordinary expedition

SeePolaris’journeyonsocial media:

PolarisFrance–FB(Polaris France)/IG(@polaris_france)

PolarisSpain–FB(Polaris Spain)/IG(@polarisspain)

PolarisUK–FB(PolarisBritain)/ IG(@polarisbritain)

PolarisGermany&Austria–FB (PolarisGermany)/IG (@polarisgermany)

PolarisSweden–FB(Polaris Sweden)/IG

InternationalYouTubeChannel: @PolarisOffRoadInternational

InternationalTikTokChannel: @PolarisInternational

CORVUSOFF-ROADVEHICLESis leadingtheoff-roadsectorintothe future,takingUTVefficiencyand performancetothenextlevelwithits newallelectric workvehicle.The officiallaunchforthe TERRAINEX4took placeatTheGame Fair,theUK’slargest industrytradefair.This 2022eventwasheldat theprestigiousRagley Hallestatein Warwickshire.It broughttogethermore than800leadingand specialisedbrandsin fieldsports,agriculture andlivestock,landandpropertymanagement,and gardenandhome,amongothers.

ThelaunchofthenewTERRAINEX4willmake CORVUSOFF-ROADVEHICLESanewmarket shareleader,asitistheonlyEuropean manufacturerwithfullyelectricUTVsavailablefor purchaseasearlyas2022.ItisaUTVthatoffersa morepleasantridethankstoitsquietoperation;and ithasalargetotalloadcapacityofupto620kg. Unrivalleddurability,lowmaintenancecostsand efficientvehicleperformancearehallmarksofthe newTERRAINEX4.

ThenewTERRAINEX4thusexpandstheproduct portfolioofthiscompanyhailingfromMurcia,which alreadyoffersapowerfulandrobust4X4diesel vehicle:theTERRAINDX4isalreadythemarket leaderinitscategoryof dieseloff-road vehicles.Thisisa highlyequippedwork UTV,perfectfor farming,livestockand forestrywork,capable ofcarryingupto 450kilosinitsrear box.

TERRAINEX4isa newglobalreferencein theside-by-side vehiclemarket.“From theoutset,our commitmenttoinnovationfocusedonbringingthe bestdrivingexperiencetoworkershasbeena priority.Wewanttoprovideourcustomerswith whattheyreallyneedtobeabletocopewiththe toughestworksituationsinthebestwaypossible. Becauseofthatcommitmenttoourcustomersand growingconsumerdemand,wehavedesigned TERRAINEX4,anewvehiclethathasgonefurther, offeringthebestoff-roadcapabilitiestogetherwitha moreefficient,quieter,andmoreenjoyabledrive,” saysJuanJoséBernal-Quirós,ManagingDirector ofCORVUSOFF-ROADVEHICLES.

THEPOWERYOUNEEDFOREVERY OCCASION

Gettingthejobdoneondifficultterrainisnow possiblewiththe13kWelectricmotor,which providesthepowertotransportortowlargeloads withease.Inaddition,the15KwHlithium-ion batteryisdesignedforfastandconvenient charging,makingthedrivingexperienceenjoyable fromstarttofinish.TERRAINEX4hasadouble powerselector(RANGEandPOWER)whichallows youtoelectronicallyselectthesuitabledriving mode.

SILENTPERFORMANCE

Onroutesthroughnatureandinhecticeveryday life,theTERRAINEX4isyourbestcompanion.The TERRAINEX4’squietoperationmakesfora pleasantridethatisveryusefulinyourworkingday. Thepowertrainmakesiteasytotalktofamilyand friendswhilethevehicleisinmotionandallowsyou toworkatanytimeofdaywithoutnoise.

MAXIMUMSTORAGE

TERRAINEX4hasalargestorageandload capacityofupto620kgthankstothelarge dimensionsofitscargobox,uniqueinthemarket. ThedesignofthenewTERRAINEX4isintendedto offermorespaceforyouandyourequipment,with apracticalfrontcompartmentforstoringtoolswitha capacityof45litresor25kg;andthreeconvenient interiordrawersundertheseattokeepeverything youneedcloseathandwithacapacityof67litres or30kg.Notforgettingthesteelrearcargobox, whichstandsoutinthemarketforitsdimensions, durability,andlightness,whereupto300kgcanbe transportedinastableandsafeway.

OBSTACLE-PROOF

groundclearanceenablesittosafelyovercome obstacles.Inaddition,itson-demand4x2or4x4 tractionwithareardifferentiallockenablesthe drivertomasterthemostdifficultterraininany situation.

FASTANDCONVENIENTCHARGING

TheTERRAINEX4hasa15Kwhlithium-ion batterywhosechargingoptionsaredesignedtosuit specificcustomerneeds,andit’saseasyas pluggingitintoastandardwallsocket.

PERSONALISATION

TheTERRAINEX4iscompatiblewithmostofthe currentTERRAINDX4accessories,includingthe sameexcellentCABsystemsthatprovidetotal drivercomfortthroughoutthewinterseason. Additionalaccessoriesavailableincludevarious frontandrearprotectionelements,aswellas variousoptionsforincreasedloadingandtowing possibilities,amongothers.

“LaunchinganewproductliketheTERRAINEX4 hasbeenarealchallenge,becauseatCORVUS OFF-ROADVEHICLESweofferaproductthatis alreadyaleaderinitsclass,theTERRAINDX4 dieselvehicle,sowiththeTERRAINEX4wefelta hugeresponsibilitytoonceagainachieve excellence.Wehadtheadvantageofworkingwith ateamwhoispassionateabouttheautomobile worldandthatistrulyleadingthecompanyintothe growinginternationalterritorywefindourselvesin”, saysJuanJoséBernal-Quirós.“Thecombinationof thebesttechnology,ourpassionfordesigningnew workvehiclemodelsandCORVUS’dedicationto consumer-driveninnovationhascreatedanall-new electricTERRAINthatoffersanincredibledriving experience,”concludesJuanJoséBernal-Quirós, ManagingDirectorofCORVUSOFF-ROAD VEHICLES.

TwomoreCorvusdealersappointed

Inthecontinuingexpansionoftheir dealernetwork,BossORVhas appointedtwonewCorvusdealers.

DavidTaylorGaragesandCampey TurfCarearethelatestdealerswho willbesellingtheEuropean manufacturedCorvusrangeof4x4utilityvehicles.

DavidTaylorGarageshasbeenaconstant presenceinCrickhowell,Powys,Walessincethe 1960’swherethebusinessgrewandexpandedto includehaulage,recoveryandseveralpetrol stations.AllthreeofDavidTaylor’schildrenjoined thebusiness.In1988GeneandhisbrotherScott, withatraveljournalist,drovefromJohnO’Groatsto

Land’sEndinanIsuzu,believedtobethefirsttime a4x4didthistrip,toraisemoneyforcharity.

BossORVManagingDirectorPhilEverettsays,“we aredelightedtowelcomeourseconddealerin Walesandextremelyexcitedtohavesomeonejoin theCorvusnetworkwithsuchareputationfor customerserviceinthisregion.Reallylooking forwardtoworkingwithGene,Chris,Katherineand alltheteamatDavidTaylor’s.”

CorvusarrivedinCheshiretocoincidewiththe openingoftheCampeyTurfCareretailpremisesin Bosley,Cheshire.RichardCampeyoriginally

TwomoreCorvusdealersappointed

detectedanuntappedmarketwhenherealised therewasaroleforaspecialistsupplierofhigh qualitypurposebuiltequipmentthatwouldenable turfmanagerstomeettheincreaseddemands placedonmodernsportsturfsurfaces.The businesshasnowgrowntobeoneoftheleading UK’sindependentdistributors,withmachinery availablethroughoutEurope,Asia,Africaandthe USA.

“I’mexcitedtoannounceourlatestCorvusdealer partnerisCampeyTurfCare,”saysPhilEverett. “It’sgreattohaveRichard,Johnandalltheteam joinusatthisexcitingtimeinourdevelopment.

TheirexpertiseintheGroundcaremarketcombined withourdevelopingproductline-upmakesa dynamiccombination.”

BothdealerswillbestockingtheCorvusTerrain rangeofside-by-side4x4utilityvehicles,including theexcitingnew100%electricTerrainEX4UTV. CorvusisthefirstEuropeanmanufacturerofoffroadandhomologated4x4UTVsvehicles.For moreinformationabouttheCorvusTerrainrange, youcancall01597810188E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.ukWeb:www.bossorv.co.uk

TakeonanyterrainwithKawasaki’sprovenMulerange

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

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

Measuring110”longand60” wide,withawheelbaseof79”, theMuleProMXistheperfect

Formore information

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

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

Whileitsperformanceis unmatched,Kawasakihasalso focusedonmakingtheflagship Mulemodelasaccessibleand

user-friendlyaspossible.

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

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

indicator

•Neutralindicatorlamp

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

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

Sinceitslaunch,theKawasaki

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

ISUZUUKMAINTAINSSALESVOLUMES DESPITECHALLENGINGMARKET

IsuzuUKrecordeda 50.9%increasein registrationsofthe IsuzuD-Maxpick-upin September2022 comparedto September2021andare0.94% uponayear-to-datebasis, despitetheverychallenging marketconditionsandvehicle productionrestrictions.

ThisperformancefromIsuzuUK anditsdedicateddealernetwork isparticularlyimpressiveasthe LCVandpick-upmarketsoverall continuetobeverytough.The pick-upmarketwasdown13.7% inSeptemberwith3,863 registrationsandyear-to-date salesdown36.8%at21,661 registrations,accordingtothe latestfigurespublishedbythe SMMT.

AlanAble,BrandDirector,Isuzu UKsaid“Oursalesperformance

thisyearhasbeenvery encouraging,especiallywith suchprolongedtoughtrading conditionsforusall.Tomaintain ourvolumeofsaleswiththe marketsignificantlydownshows justhowstrongthecustomer demandcontinuestobeforthe Award-WinningIsuzuD-Max range.”

Hecontinued“Althoughnot impactedasseverelyasmany othermanufacturers,wearestill workingtirelesslywiththevehicle productionfacilityinThailandto minimisecustomerwaitingtimes andwewillprovideasmuch informationtodealersaswecan toensureourcustomersare alwaysonthefastestroute possibletoanewIsuzuD-Max.”

TheIsuzuD-Maxrange,which startsfrom£23,149CVOTR, providesclass-leadingsafety standardsandachievedthe

maximumfive-starsafetyrating inthetoughnewEuroNCAP test.ThisUKfirstforapick-upis inpartduetothenewAdvanced DriverAssistSystems(ADAS) fittedasstandardacrossthe range.AspartoftheADAS functions,everyIsuzuD-Max featuresForwardCollision Warning,TrafficSign Recognition,Manual&Intelligent SpeedLimiter,alongwithLane DepartureWarningand AutonomousEmergency Braking,makingitthesafest choiceforbothretailandfleet purchasers.

Afive-year/125,000-mile warrantyandfive-yearroadside assistancearealsoprovidedfor furtherpeaceofmindandwitha 3.5-tonnemaximumtowing capacityand1-tonnepayload, theIsuzuD-Maxisthesmartest, strongest,andsafestIsuzupickupofalltime.

ISUZUUKPROVIDESGRANDPRIZE FORMASTERBUILDERAWARDS

IsuzuUKisproudto partnerwiththe FederationofMaster Builders(FMB)asit launchesthebiennial MasterBuilder Awards,anationalcompetition thathasbeenrunningforover30 years.Theawardsrecognise MasterBuildersfromacrossthe UKfortheirhigh-quality craftsmanship,greatcustomer service,andbuildingprowess.

Aslong-termapartnerofthe FederationofMasterBuilders, IsuzuUKisthrilledtobe providingthegrandprizeofthe awards,whichwillbeheldat London’sGrosvenorHousehotel inSeptember2023andhosted byNickKnowles.Theprize,an IsuzuD-Maxpick-upworth almost£40,000,notonlyserves asasignofacknowledgement fortheluckywinner's professionalsuccessesbutalso exemplifiesIsuzuUK'slongstanding,robustrelationshipwith boththeFMBandthebuilding industryasawhole.

determinationanddedicationto thewiderindustryand consumers,allowingthemto receivewell-deservedpraiseand injectconfidenceintothebuilding community.Precedingthe climacticnationalshowcasein September, finalistsare decidedover thecourseof sevenregional awards ceremonies whichtake placeacross theUKduring spring2023, withnominees putforwardfor various reasons including outstanding individualtradesperson,Master Buildercompanyorevenmost exceptionalapprentice.

BrianBerry,ChiefExecutiveof theFMB,said:“Thispastyear hasbeenatumultuousone,and

pressures.TheMasterBuilders AwardsaretheOscarsofthe buildingindustryshowcasingthe brilliantworkthatMasterBuilders carryoutacrosstheUK.It’s fantastictoonceagainbe partneringwithIsuzuandI

Despitebothrecentandcurrent challengestotheindustry,the MasterBuilderAwardsprovides industrymemberswithachance tocommemorateandcelebrate theirsuccess,bringingtolight examplesofgreatperseverance,

notleastforourhard-working SMEbuilderswhohave perseveredincompletingquality buildingprojectsdespitethe shortageinskilledworkers,a spikeinmaterialcosts,and consumersfacingcost-of-living

stronglyencourageallFMB MasterBuilderstoenterand receivetherecognitionthey deserve.Ifyou’renotalreadya member,thereisstilltimetojoin andbeeligiblefortheawards.”

GeorgeWallis,Headof Marketing,IsuzuUKsaid:“The MasterBuilderAwardscelebrate thebestoftheUKbuilding industry,andI’mverypleased thatIsuzuisonceagain supportingthisgreatevent.The outstandingquality,passionand levelofprofessionalismofMaster BuildersacrosstheUKandtheir dedicationtocraftsmanshipand customerservicearesecondto noneandIamverymuchlooking forwardtoreviewingthisyear's entries.Thepartnershipbetween thePick-upProfessionalsat IsuzuUKandtheMaster BuildersAssociationisagreatfit, withmanyoftheirmembers alreadybenefitingfromthe smarter,strongerandsaferIsuzu D-Max.”

riversofJaguaror LandRoverplug-in electrichybridand fullyelectric vehicleswillnow benefitfromthe launchofJaguarChargingand LandRoverCharging,bringing themeasyaccesstoanetworkof over300,000chargingpoints stretchingacross26countries and700separatechargingpoint providersincludingOsprey,Ionity andchar.gyaspartofagrowing network–whichwillseemore networkoperatorsbeingadded laterthisyear.

Existingornewownerswill receiveawelcomepacktothe service,includingaJaguaror LandRoverchargingkeywhich simplyneedstobetappedatany

oneofthenetwork’spointsto initiateacharge.Accesscanalso begrantedthroughtheJaguar ChargingorLandRover Chargingapp.

Withtheprospectofcharginga carawayfromhomeoften dauntingforcustomers,thenew chargingservicesaimtosimplify theprocess.Onechargingkey, oneapp,andacuratedselection ofchargingpointsacrosstheUK andEurope;andthewayusers payfortheserviceisequally simple.

WiththePay-As-You-Go packagethereisnomonthlyfee, andchargingsessionscost simplythecurrentvariablerateat eachcharger.TheGoldTariff –pricedat£4.26inc.VATper

month–providesfixedpricesfor charging,differingdependingon thespeedofthecharger.The PlatinumTariff,pricedat£8.50 permonthincludingVAT, reducesthefixedrates,makingit suitablefordriversthatare regularlychargingawayfrom home.

AsJaguarLandRover’sfuture electrificationplans–announced asapartoftheReimagine strategy–gathermomentum, improvingcustomerexperience remaincentraltoitsstrategy.The simplicity,transparencyand flexibilityofthenewJaguar ChargingandLandRover Chargingofferings,poweredby Plugsurfing,keepsjourneys hassle-free.Bespokeofferings forcompanycarfleetmanagers,

allowforanumberof driverstocharge throughoneJaguar ChargingorLand RoverCharging account,giving oversightonall chargingsessionsand onesimpleinvoice.

Aspartofthe Reimaginestrategy, Jaguarwillbe reimaginedasanallelectricluxurybrandby 2025,whileallLand Rovernameplateswill beavailableinpure electricformbytheend ofthedecade.The transformationtofull electrificationatJaguar isalreadyunderway, withtheall-electricJaguarIPACESUVaccompaniedbythe JaguarE-PACEandtheJaguar F-PACEplug-inelectrichybrids.

LandRoverisembracingthe strategytoo,withabatteryelectricRangeRoversetto premierein2024.TheNew RangeRoverisalreadyavailable withanextendedrangeplug-in electrichybrid,producingCO2 emissionsaslowas18g/kmand providingupto70milesofEV range.Therecentlyrevealed, dynamicNewRangeRoverSport

willalsoofferpureelectric propulsionfrom2024,withtwo extended-rangeplug-inelectric hybridvehiclesalreadyavailable. Plug-inelectrichybridversionsof theRangeRoverVelar,Range RoverEvoque,LandRover DiscoverySportandLandRover Defenderarealsoalready availabletoorder.

RawdonGlover,JaguarLand RoverUKMD,said:“Thisisa significantstepforwardforus andourcustomersaswemove closertoourall-electricfuture.

Creatingsimplicityand conveniencethroughouttheEV ownershipexperienceisakey objectiveand,untilnow,wehave beenimpactedbya compromisedpubliccharging infrastructure.Withournew JaguarChargingandLandRover Chargingservices,wecanserve ourfleetandbusinesscustomers withvaluablemanagementtools, andenhancethecharging processbymakingitmoresimple andconvenientfordrivers throughouttheUKandacross Europe.”

JEEPBRAND’SALL-ELECTRICPRESENCE ATTHE2022PARISMOTORSHOW

TheJeep®brandwill showcasea100 percentelectrified presenceatthe2022 ParisMotorShow (Mondialde L’Automobile2022),withastand fullydedicatedtotheintroduction oftheall-newfullyelectricJeep Avenger,thebrand’sfirst-ever BEV.

Thestandwilldisplayan energetic,vibrantandvisually dynamiclookfeaturingarock crawlingdisplaytoprovidethe rightstagingforthemediaand publicrevealoftheJeep Avenger.Theall-electricJeep AvengerwillofferJeepbrand capabilitythatisrightsizedforthe Europeanmarketdeliveringa targetedelectricrangeof250 miles,combinedwithmodern andtechnologicallyadvanced interior,withplentyofspacefor peopleandcargo.

ThenewAvengerwillbe revealedduringapress conferencehostedbyChristian Meunier,theJeepBrandCEO,at 1p.m.BSTonOctober17th.

“ThenewJeepAvenger spearheadstheintroductionofa portfolioofall-newJeepBEVsin Europe.”saidChristianMeunier, JeepbrandCEO.“ItoffersJeep brandcapabilitythatisrightsized forthemarketandduringits introductionattheParisMotor Show,we’llshowcasewhyitisa greatall-electricJeepbrand alternativetocurrentplayersin thesegment.TheJeepAvenger

JeepCompass,andRenegade. Itwillalsobefollowedearlynext yearbythelaunchofthe4xe versionoftheall-newJeep GrandCherokee.

IncountriessuchasGermany andFrance,theJeepbrand offersonlyelectrifiedSUVs,and thefullJeepSUVportfolioin continentalEuropealreadyoffers electrifiedmodels.

isamilestoneforourgrowth plansinkeyEuropeanmarkets, suchasFrance,andonourpath tobecomingtheleadingzeroemissionSUVbrandinthe world.”

TheJeepAvengerwilljointhe UKline-upwhichincludesthe Wranglerand4xeversionsofthe

TheJeep4xeplan,revealedin September,buildsuponthis4xe momentum,callingforthe developmentofaportfolioof capable,fullyelectricvehiclesfor Europe.The brandwill introduce fourzeroemission vehiclesin Europeby 2025,with offeringsin themain volume segments, includingthe JeepRecon andthe Wagoneer “S”,twoall newandallelectric vehiclesthat willcompete intheglobal mid-size SUV segment. Asaresultof thisproduct onslaught,alltheJeepvehicles onsaleintheregionwillbe 100%electricby2030.

Mediaandcustomerscanfollow theJeepbrandpressconference atthe2022ParisMotorShow via:https://youtu.be/ pBTLajp-1pQ

Onlymonthssinceits officiallaunch,the All-NewDacia Joggerisfastfilling upitssizeableboot withsilverware havingbeennamedthe‘Best ValueCaroftheYear’atthe ParkersNewCarAwards2023.

Theawardreaffirmsthe continuedsuccessofDaciain providingdriverswithwellequipped,goodqualityvehicles atthebestvalueformoneyon themarket.

KeithAdams,Editor,Parkers, said:“Whentimesaretough, peopletendtofocusongetting thebestvaluetheycan.Here's wheretheDaciaJoggerdoesso well–itoffersanastounding amountofbangfornotmuch buck.Thoughit’sbasedonthe Sandero,theJoggerhasbeen stretchedsignificantlytooffer

bagsofinteriorroom andsevenveryusable seats,makingitthe perfectcarforlarge families.Itmakesus wonderhowtheydoit forlessthanthepriceofamidrangeFordFiesta–it’sawelldeservedwinner.”

LukeBroad,DaciaBrand DirectorfortheUKsaid:“Daciais allaboutprovidinggreatcarsat thebestvalueformoney,andit’s fantastictoonceagainseethis recognised.Joggeroffers consumersacarpackedfullof cleverfeaturesthatworktomake lifeeasierforfamilieswithout costingafortune.Purchasinga newcarisaverybigdecision, especiallyinthecurrentclimate, butthisawardmeanscarbuyers canrestassuredthatthere’sno otherfamilycarthatoffersso muchforsolittleastheDacia Jogger.”

TheAll-NewDaciaJogger combinestheversatilityofasport tourerandthecomfortand ruggedstyleofanSUV.Itis availablewithsevenseatsandin threetrimlevels–Essential, Expression,andExtremeSE.All versionsaregenerously equippedwithairconditioning, cruisecontrol,andrearparking sensorsasstandardacrossthe range.Jogger’spracticalityis furtherenhancedwith23litresof storagespace,theabilityto removethethirdrowofseatsand theavailabilityofmodularroof bars.TheAll-NewDaciaJogger ispricedfrom£16,645on-theroad.

BoostforNorthDevonEVdriversandholidaymakers, ascar-chargingsitesdoubleinCouncilpartnership withOspreyChargingNetwork

ReadyforlocalEV driversand holidaymakersinthe heartofDevon,three newandsuper-fast EVrapidchargers havejustbeenenergisedinBelle Meadowcarpark.

BelleMeadowisthefirst charginglocationinapartnership betweenNorthDevonCouncil andOspreyCharging,oneofthe UK’slargestandmostpopular electricvehicle(EV)charging networks.

chargingisoneofthebiggest barrierstoEVadoptionandthere areconcernsthatmorerural areaswherechargepointsare traditionallylesscommon,such asNorthDevon,riskbeingleft behindintheEVtransitionif thereisnotvisiblereassurance ofamplepubliccharging.

Thejointprogrammewillmore thandoublethecurrentnumber ofrapidEVchargersinthe district,significantlyimproving accesstoEVchargingfor residents,businessesandthesix milliontouristswhovisiteach year.Atotalof15rapidchargers areindevelopmentacrossthe regioninBarnstable,Lynton, SouthMoltonandIlfracombe.

ThedistributionofEVcharge pointsacrosstheUKiscurrently hugelyvaried.Accessto

Furthermore,oversixmillion peoplevisitnorthernDevon throughouttheyearandtourism isoneoftheregion’smost economicallyimportantsectors. AsEVuptakeincreasesacross thecountryaheadofthe2030 banonnewpetrolanddiesel vehicles,moreandmoreofthese visitorswillrequireEVcharging tocompletetheirjourneysand continuetovisit.

PatrickSherriff,PropertyDirector ofOspreyCharging,said:“No regionshouldbeleftbehindin thetransitiontocleaner transport.NorthDevonhave madeachoicetofuture-proof theircommunitiesandprotectthe environment,withasafe,

reliable,accessiblerapid chargingservice.Osprey’s investmentinhigh-power chargingstationsinDevon makeschoosinganelectric vehiclepossiblenotonlyforthe millionsofseasonalvisitorsto thearea,butcruciallytothelocal residentsandbusinesseswho mightotherwisebenervousof makingthetransition.”

LeadMemberforEconomic DevelopmentandRegeneration atNorthDevonCouncil, CouncillorMalcolmProwse, said:“Wearefirmly committedto encouragingcleaner transportacrossthe district;cherishingand protectingour environmentisoneof thecouncil'scorporate priorities.These upcominginstallations willbegreatnewsforEV driverswhocurrentlylive inorvisitourdistrictand willhopefullyencourage otherstoconsider transitioningtoelectric vehiclesinthefuture.By partneringwithan innovativecompanylike Osprey,whichinstalls, manages,andmaintains therapidchargers,we’re abletodeliveressential EVinfrastructureatno costtothecouncil.”

EarlierthisyearOsprey committedtoproviding accessibleandsafecharging whenitbecamethefirstcharging networktosubscribeto independentpublicEVcharging endorsementbodyChargeSafe, toinspectandrateitssites.This pledgewillensurethecharging facilitiesateachnewchargers installedinNorthDevonareas accessibleaspossibleinthe spaceavailable.

|Motors

PEUGEOTREVEALSNEW408FIRSTEDITION

ThenewPEUGEOT 408FIRSTEDITION hasopenedfor orders,willbelimited tojust50unitsinthe UKandwillbesold exclusivelyviaPEUGEOT’sBuy Onlineplatform.

attractivepackageofcharging supportatnoextracost:

•PodPointHomeWallBox,

•£500PublicCharging(via OctopusEnergy ‘Electroverse’)

•4Years/40,000 milesService Package.

Thelimited-edition, top-of-the-range launchmodelalso features:

Withthenew408,PEUGEOTis introducinganovelsilhouetteon themarket.Thelookofthis elevatedfastbackiscompletely new:thePEUGEOT408is reinventingthehatchbackby addingtypicalSUVstyling featuresforaboldnewlook. Despiteitsstylishandsloping profile,thevehiclearchitecture alsooffersremarkablesecond rowspaceandbootspace.

The50PEUGEOT408FIRST EDITIONmodelswillallcome withaplug-inhybridpowertrain andfeatureanenhanced specificationbasedontheGT trim,aswellasanexclusive ‘ElectricPack’offer*.Availableto orderexclusivelyvia PEUGEOT’sBuyOnline platform,thePEUGEOT408 FIRSTEDITIONispricedat £43,250.

•Highlyinnovative ObsessionBlue metallicpaintwith dichroiceffects,which reflectsthelight differentlyonthe bodywork

•Plug-inhybrid powertrainwith225hp

•Next-generation PEUGEOTi-Cockpit® withcompactsteering wheel,3Ddigital instrumentcluster,10inchtouchscreenand configurablei-Toggles, naturalvoicerecognition,and i-Connect®Advanced infotainmentsystemincluding connectednavigation

•20-inch‘Monolithe’alloy wheelswithabrandnew geometricdesign

ThePEUGEOT408featuresa high-qualityinterior,combined withconnectivitythat incorporatesthelatest technologiestomakethedriving andtravellingexperiencemore intuitiveandrewarding.Itcomes withthelatestdrivingassistance systemsthatcombineserenity

InadditiontotheGTtrim features,thenew408FIRST EDITIONisequippedwith:

•20”‘Monolithe’DiamondCut AlloyWheels

•7.4kWon-boardcharger;

•Driver&PassengerSeat Pack, ThecomplimentaryElectric Packofferscustomersan

•Heatedfrontseatswithtrimaterialupholsteryincluding Alcantara®and5-programme massagefunction

•Electricallyadjustablefront seats,includingdriver’sseat with‘welcomemovement’, memoryfunctionandAGR* sealofapproval.*AGR–AkitionfürGesunderRücken

PEUGEOT408,unexpected fromeveryangle

andsafety-anotherexample showcasingthebrand’s excellenceacrosstheboard.

ThenewPEUGEOT408willbe availableinALLURE,ALLURE PREMIUMandGTtrimlevels andwillbepresentedtothe publicattheParisMotorShowin October2022.

ThePEUGEOT408FIRST EDITIONisavailabletoorder exclusivelyviaPEUGEOT’sBuy Onlineplatform.BuyOnline allowscustomerstoconfigure, finance,andordertheirnext vehicleentirelyfromthecomfort oftheirhome,aswellasobtaina part-exchangevaluationontheir currentvehicle.ViaPEUGEOT’s VirtualShowroom,customers canalsoscheduleaone-on-one livevideotourofselected vehicles.

SSANGYONGMOTORUKINTRODUCES

SsangYongMotorsUK isdelightedto announcethe introductionofthenew RextonUltimatePlus modeltoitsawardwinninglineup,availableinUK dealershipswithimmediate effect.

AswithallRextonvariants,the

UltimatePlusretainsallthe qualities,space,andcapabilities ofatraditionalSUVwhilst enjoyingthesameeye-catching, powerfuldesignthatservesasa solidfoundationforitssuperior rideandhandlingdynamics,as wellasa3.5tonnetowing capacity.

Ontheoutside,thenewvariant

boasts20”alloywheels, programmableauto-dipping mirrors,andapowersunroofas standard.Metallicpaintis includedintheOTRpriceandis availableinIceWhite,Space BlackandMarbleGrey.

Ontheinside,theRexton UltimatePlusimpressesfurther withanewquiltedpremium

nappaleatherandsuedeseat, 3D360°monitoringcamera, driver’sseatmemoryfunction, third-rowseatair-conditioning, wirelessphonechargerandrear passengerdoorsunblinds.

CommentingonnewRexton

withitsvalue formoney proposition. Thisnew Ultimateplus addsanother trimlevelwith evenmore

variant,Kevin Griffin,managing directorof SsangYongMotors UKsaid:“Inthe UK,the SsangYong Rextonhasset newstandardsand challengeditsSUV competitorsover thepastfewyears

toofferacomprehensive7-year/ 150,000-milewarranty,so customerscanbeconfidentthat theyhavemadetherightchoice whenitcomestothethingsthat reallymatter.”

Inanutshell,thetop-spec RextonUltimatePlus,which retailsat£45,495OTR,offers passengerconvenience,safety, comfort,andpeaceofmindwith

luxuryandspec, andyetstillretains theexcellentvalue formoneyposition. Withtoday’scost oflivingissues,we willcontinueto challengethe marketintermsof valueandcontinue

itsindustry-leading7-year/ 150,000-milewarranty.

Forfullconvenienceand technicalspecification,please visit; https:// media.ssangyonggb.co.uk/ models/rexton

VAUXHALLVIVAROELECTRICIS UK’SBEST-SELLINGELECTRICVAN

Theaward-winning VauxhallVivaro Electricremainsthe UK’sbest-selling electricLight CommercialVehicle (e-LCV),accordingtothelatest registrationfigurespublishedby theSocietyofMotor ManufacturersandTraders (SMMT).

TheVivaroElectricremainsthe UK’sbest-sellingelectricvan with3,010soldinthefirstnine monthsoftheyear.TheVivaro Electric’ssmallersibling,the ComboElectric,wasalsothe best-sellinge-LCVinits segment.

ThesuccessoftheCombo

ElectricandtheVivaroElectric rangeshavehelpedVauxhall remainthecountry’sbest-selling e-LCVmanufacturersofarthis year,aswellasincrease Vauxhall’stotalLCVmarket shareto11.1%fortheyear.

JamesTaylor,ActingManaging Director,Vauxhall,said:“As morebusinessesandfleetslook towardselectricvanstoreduce theiroverheadsand environmentalfootprint,it’sgreat toseesomanychoosethe Vauxhalle-LCVrange.Vauxhall isoneofthefewbrandsinthe countryabletoofferfleetsafully electricvanacrossitsentireLCV modelline-up.”

TheVivaroElectrichasalonglist

ofawardsunderitsbelt,including ‘MediumVanoftheYear’atthe WhatVan?Awards2022and ‘BestMediumElectricVan’atthe DrivingElectricAwards2022. TheVivaroElectricwasalso voted‘InternationalVanofthe Year2021’,alongsidemultiple othertophonours.

WithaWLTPrangeofupto205 milesandamaximumpayloadof upto1,226kg,theVivaroElectric isattheforefrontofVauxhall’s commitmenttoelectrification,as thebrandcontinuesitselectric vehicleexpansionwiththegoal ofofferinganelectrifiedvariant acrossitsmodelline-upby2024, andtoofferonlyfullyelectriccars andvansintheUKby2028.

ALL-NEWSPORTAGEANDNIRO DOMINATECOMPACTSUVSALES

KiaUKhashada landmark September,ending themonthwitha 6.6percentmarket share,bolsteredby salesoftheall-newSportage,allnewNiroanditselectrifiedrange.

SeptembersawtheUKcar marketgrowby4.6percent, largelythankstofleetsales.Kia wasthefourthbest-sellingbrand inSeptemberwith14,966sales, andremainsatno.3year-to-date, with83,105sales,up12.2per centandontracktoachieve 100,000salesbyyearend.

Combinedsalesoftheall-new Sportageandall-newNiro, dominatethepopularand importantCompactSUV segment.Theall-newSportage hassold24,301unitsandtheallnewNiro20,096unitsyear-todate.Thesetwomodelsnow makeupmorethanhalfofKia’s totalsales.

Inthemonththatsawelectriccar salesacrosstheUKreachone millionunitsintotal,theallelectricNirocontinuestoprove popularwithcustomers.Itisthe thirdbest-sellingEVyear-to-date with9,366sales,behindonlyallelectricbrand,Tesla.Theall-new NiroEVisofferedinthree grades,witha(WLTPcombined) rangeof285miles.

Kia’secovehicles–hybrid,plug-inhybrid andelectric–intotal achievedan8.5per centmarketsharein September,and9.0 percentyear-to-date. With35,237eco vehiclessoldyear-todate,Kiaisfast progressingtowards achievingoneinevery twocarssoldbeingan electrified model.

KiaUKPresidentand CEO,PaulPhilpott, commented“Thisyear hasbroughtnew challengesforusand ournationwidedealer partners.Withhuge demandforour products,especiallyfor SportageandNiro, plusourleadingrange ofelectrifiedcars, creatingshortsupplyandlong lead-timesandtheon-going logisticalchallengesfacedacross theindustry,theseSeptember resultsaresimplyoutstanding. Wehaveachievedstronggrowth throughout2022,byfocusingon faststockturn,andaswehead

intoQ4IamconfidentthatKia canachieve100,000salesinthe UKforthefirsttimeinits31-year history.”

ForthestartofQ4,Kialaunched arangeofnewfinanceoffersfor customers,including5.9percent availableonsomeofitsmost popularmodels,including variantsoftheall-newSportage. Thenewquarterseesthearrival ofthenewXCeedandXCeed

Plug-inHybrid,aswellastwo excitingnewgradesoftheSoul EV.Lookingtowards2023and beyond,Kia’snextelectriccar willbetherange-toppingEV9, followingplansforthecompany tolaunch14fully-electricmodels globallyby2027.

iaUKLimitedhas expandeditsKia Rentalservice,with anewdigitalappto revolutioniseand streamlinethecar rentalexperience.

Kiaispavingthewayforsmart short-termcarhire–offering hourly,dailyandweeklyhire periods–withthenewKiaRental appthatsimplifies,digitisesand automatesalmosttheentire rentalprocess.

Theappisavailableacrossboth theAppleAppStoreforiOSand GooglePlayStoreforAndroid devices.

•Apple: https:// apps.apple.com/gb/app/kiarental/id1589237142

•Google: https:// play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=com.driverse.kiare ntal.develop

Theappallowscustomersto view,bookandmanagerentals, aswellassigndigitalrental agreements–allwiththe reassurancethatthey’llhirethe exactvehicletheychooseto drive.Customerscanchoose fromKia’saward-winningmodel rangewhetherit’sKia’ssmallest car,thePicanto,orthebiggest, theSorento.Aselectionofeco andall-electricvehiclesarealso available,allowingcustomersto takezero-emissiontripsawayor visiturbancentreswithout incurringemissions-related charges.

Usingtheapp,customerscan easilyseewhetheravehicleis

automaticormanual,with factory-fittedsatellitenavigation availableacrossmostcars.

KIALAUNCHESNEWAPPTO STREAMLINECARRENTAL K

EachoftheparticipatingKia dealershipsdeterminethe makeupoftheirownindividual rentalfleet,withshortholding periodsandhighpreparation levels,thecustomerexperience issimilartodrivinganewcar. Currently,onlyselectKia dealershipsofferKiaRentalwith morescheduledtoofferthe servicenextyear.Customers shoulddownloadtheKiaRental apporvisittheKiawebsiteto findtheirnearestKiaRental location.KiaRentaloffers customersaccesstorental vehiclesinsomeareasthatare notcoveredbytraditionalcar rentalservices.

Newcustomerscanregister

Rental programmefor thepasteight years,Nexus Business Solutions developedthe appalongside Kiatotakethe customer mobility journeytothe nextlevel throughthe useofits inhouse

withinminutesusingstate-of-theartsecurein-appsoftware.First timesetupincludesareal-time DVLAdriverlicenceandidentity checkthatusesfacialrecognition algorithms,thephone’scamera andasecureandencrypted connectiontohelppreventfraud.

Onceloggedin,userscanselect desireddatesandsearchfor availablerentalcarsfromtheir nearestKiadealership.Only availablecarscanbebooked, offeringreassuranceto customersthatthey’llgetwhat theybooked.

Itcouldn’tbeeasiertocollecta car.Simplyturnup,parkforfree, payandbegiventhekeys, savingpreciousminutesand allowingcustomerstogeton theirwayasquicklyaspossible. Theentirecheckoutprocesshas beenautomatedandis completedwithintheapp. Customersaredirectedtotake photosofvariousanglesofthe rentalcar,notinganyexisting damage.Theappwillalsoshow mileageandfuelremaining, ensuringcompletetransparency –withmostrentalsavailableona like-for-likefuelreturnspolicy. Followingthisquickprocess,the digitalrentalagreementcanthen besignedandsubmittedusing theapp,helpingtoreduce paperworkandminimisepaper waste.

Toreturnacar,customers shouldsimplyreturnittothe dealershipwhereitwascollected andhandoverthekeys.

ManagingpartneroftheKia

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JohnHargreaves,General ManagerforFleetand RemarketingatKiaUK, commented:“Sinceevenbefore itslaunchinlate2014,KiaRental hasattractedsomededicated retailandfleetcustomers becauseofthequalityofservice. Thenewappisdesignedto streamlinetheprocesseven furtherandgetridoftheusual time-consumingprocesses associatedwithrentingcars.We wantthistobeassimpleas possibleforcustomers.

technologyandin-linewithboth company’smobilitystrategies.

Kiahasbeenalong-term supporteroftherentalcar market,havingfirstintroduced KiaRentalatdealershipsin October2014,availabletoboth retailandfleet/business customers.

“Whetheritisforajob-need,to tryoutanewmodelortakea largercaronafamilytrip,Kia Rentaloffersatrulyflexible service.”

TofindoutmoreaboutKia Rental,visit:https:// www.kia.com/uk/business/rental/

VolkswagenGroupUKwins‘OEMoftheYear’attheelectric-focusedEVIEAwards

VolkswagenGroup UKhasbeen awardedthe prestigioustitleof ‘OEMoftheYear’ attheannualEVIE Awards,inrecognitionofthe Group’sindustry-leading activities,productsand commitmentsintherapidly expandingworldofe-mobility.

Theprize,presentedata glitteringeventinLondon,was judgedbyapanelofindustry experts,withthenominees primarilyscoredonthesuiteof electriccarstheycurrentlyoffer. Astrongfocuswasalsoplaced onthewiderelectrification strategy,withparticular emphasisonconsumer engagement,partnershipswith

chargingmanufacturersand supplychainsustainability.

Duringthisdecade,Volkswagen Groupintendstolaunch approximately70all-electric models,manyofwhichare basedontheinnovative‘MEB’ modularplatform–apure electricplatformofferingsuperior efficiencyandsignificant economiesofscale.This platformwasfirstrevealedatthe 2016ParisMotorShowwiththe unveilingoftheVolkswagenI.D. concept,andhassincebecome thefoundationforanawardwinningarrayofmodels coveringawidecustomer audience.

Since2020,Volkswagenhas introducedthefamilyhatch-

sizedID.3,thecompactSUVsizedID.4,theID.5SUV-coupe, andtheiconicID.Buzz.Theaim istoeventuallyprovideafully electricvehicleoptionforany sizeorbudget–asisonly appropriateforthe‘People’s Car’.

OtherVolkswagenGroupUK brandshavealsolaunched criticallyacclaimedEVsaspart ofthecompany’smoveto electric,suchastheCUPRA Born,ŠKODAEnyaqiV,plusthe AudiQ4e-tronande-tronGT.

Initsawardnotes,thejudging panelexplainedthattheGroup hada“clearstrategybeyondthe vehicle”andhighlightedthework carriedoutonsustainabilityat everypointintheproduct

ClassicCarEVconversionspecialistsElectrogenic togrowanddevelop‘PoweredbyElectrogenic’, deliveringbestinclassEVpowertrains

BritishEVtechnology company Electrogenic,known foritsworld-leading classiccarEV conversions,enters anexcitingnewphaseasit announcesthefurther developmentofitsEVtechnology arm,‘PoweredbyElectrogenic’.

developmentunderlinesthe sustainedgrowthindemandfor EVconversions,avital technologicalpillarthatwill supportthetransitiontoalowcarbonfuture.

SpecialisedEVconversion technologyforawider audience

technologybusinessmeanswe willbeabletohelpfurther acceleratethemovetoalowcarbonfuture,gettingourEV conversiontechnologyintomore vehiclesmorequickly.Italso facilitatesexportsandwillcreate morejobsintheUKautomotive sector.”

Electrogenicisexpandingthe offerofitsproprietary,sectorleadingtechnology–the‘secret sauce’thathasunderpinnedthe business’meteoricriseand sustainedgrowth–toabroader audienceintheformof‘dropin’ kits,cateringtothesurging globaldemandforEVconversion technology.Operatingalongside itsbespokeclassiccarEV conversionactivities,the expansionofPoweredby Electrogenictakesthebusiness tothenextlevel.

Electrogenicisrenownedforits exactinglyengineeredand innovativelypackagedclassiccar EVconversions,havingreceived internationalacclaimforits sympatheticre-engineeringof automotiveiconssuchasthe CitroenDS,JaguarE-type, Porsche356,Morganandclassic Mini.Itsexhaustivelyengineered, reversibleconversionsare entirelybespoke,tailoredtofita customer’sspecificneeds,to createtheEVoftheirdreams.

With‘PoweredbyElectrogenic’, thecompanyisofferingits sector-leadingEVpowertrain conversiontechnology–which deliverssustainable,silentand reliableelectricmotoring-ina broaderrangeofapplications, andtoawideraudiencethan everbefore.

SteveDrummond,Electrogenic co-foundersaid: “We’re delightedtoannouncethefurther expansionofourPoweredby Electrogenictechnology,taking thisexcitingstrandofour business-andthecompanyasa whole-tothenextlevel.”

“PoweredbyElectrogenicwillbe deliveredtocustomersthrough keypartnerrelationships,so keepaneyeoutforfurther announcements.”

Themovebuildsonthesuccess oftherecentlyrevealed‘dropin’ agriculturalLandRoverDefender EVconversionkit-developedin partnershipwithInnovateUK, testedextensivelyatWorthy Farm,hostofGlastonbury Festival,andlaunchedtomuch fanfareearlierthisyear.

Electrogenicisnowexpandingits EVconversiontechnology business,offeringmarketleading ‘drop-in’EVconversionkits throughselectedpartners, internationally.

ThefirstPoweredby Electrogenicpackagestolaunch willbethreefurther‘drop-in’kits

Theannouncementcomesasthe Oxford-basedoutfitstrengthens itsleadershipteam,asex-Arrival LtdChiefEngineer,Francis Prime,joinstheElectrogenic board.Electrogenic’scontinued

“Eachkitwillincorporatethe latesttechnology,whilealso drawingupontheaccumulated experiencefromthecarswe’ve converted-carsthatour customers,inmanycases,drive everyday.”

“TheexpansionofourB2B

fortheLandRoverDefender. TheexpandedDefenderkit rangeisforthepre-2016 Defender,90,110and127 variants.Thekitswillfeature:

•120kWor150kWwatercooledmotor

•310Nmmotordelivering 900Nmdirectlyintothe transferboxviaabespoke helicalgroundgearset

•Retentionofthehigh/low LandRovergearselect,with permanentfour-wheeldrive

•62-93kWhofbatteries, locatedunderthebonnetand behindtherearaxle

•CCSrapidcharging

Furtherdetailswillbesharedin thecomingweeks.

World-classR&Ddepartment bolsteredbynewhire

PoweredbyElectrogenic packageswillincorporatethe firm’sproprietarytechnology, leveragingtheinnovative hardwareandsoftware developedin-houseby Electrogenic’sresearchand developmentteam,which includesleadingelectrical experts,programmersand automotiveengineers.

Electrogenic’salreadysectorleadingtechnicalteamhasbeen strengthenedfurtherwiththe hiringofFrancisPrimeasnonexecutivedirector.Prime,former ChiefEngineeratArrivalLtd,will guidetheoutfit’scutting-edge R&Dactivities.Primebrings25

yearsofelectronicsengineering experiencewithintheautomotive industry,withthelastdecade spentexclusivelyspecialisingin developingnew technologyand productsfor electricvehicles.

Prime commented, “I’vebeen developingEVs forover10years now,andwhenI firstcametovisit ElectrogenicI wasimmediately impressednot onlybythe beautyofthe classiccarsbeingconvertedto electricpower,butalsobythe company’stechnical sophisticationandcultureofthe team.

“Isawafascinatingengineering opportunity,butalsoabusiness withareallyexcitingfutureanda genuine,deep-rooted, environmentalethos.I’mreally excitedtobeworkingwiththe team,andtohelpguidethe companyasitentersthisexciting newchapter.”

Prime’sarrivaladdsfurtherdepth toElectrogenic’swealthof technicaltalent.Theconversion packagesitproducesareset apartbyarealdepthof engineering;allelementsare optimisedtodeliverexceptional

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performanceanduseability.

InnovativeEVproducts developedintheUK

ThekitsreflectElectrogenic’s philosophyofdevelopingand manufacturingitsowntechnology iftheperfectcomponentisn’t availableonthemarket.The verticalintegrationextendsto bespokesoftwaredesignand programming,aswellastheinhousedesignofprintedcircuit boards(PCBs)forECU controllersanddigital dashboards.Thebattery managementsystemsarealso bespoke,asisthespecifically tailoredvehiclecharging technology.

Thesameapproachextendsto mechanicalcomponentry,where

Electrogenichasdevelopeda proprietaryrangeofinnovative in-lineandtransversereduction gearboxes.Theunitsarecleverly packaged,andconfigurableto specificcarmodels-compact enoughtofitwithintheexisting vehiclearchitecture,sothecar’s structureispreserved,and ensuringtheconversionsremain reversible.Mechanical componentsaremanufacturedin theUK.

Electrogenic’sholisticapproach setsitapart;eachPoweredby Electrogenicpackageisdefined byitsqualityanddepthof engineering,resultinginproducts thatdeliverexceptional driveability,performanceand efficiency,whilstalsobeing straightforwardtoinstall.