Farming Monthly National September 2022

PROTECTING AND FARM

IsyourBuildingUnderinsured?

Eachyearwhen farmersreview theirinsurances, theyshouldbe askedtoconfirm whethertherebuildvalues foralltheirbuildingsremain accurate.Farmersmightbe awarethatcostshavegone upandthesupplyofsome materialsisanissue,but mightnotknowtheextent andthereforetheurgent needtoassessrebuild valuesforbotholdandnew farmbuildingstoavoidbeing underinsured.

A-PlanRuraladvisethatif youdon’tassessrebuild costsproperly,thenyou couldendupunderinsuring theproperty.Thismeans thatthedeclaredsum insuredisnotenoughto covertheactualreplacement cost.Underinsuringwill meanthatintheeventofa claimyourinsurerwon’tpay thefullamountormaynot payoutatall.

Thisisreallycommonwith farmsandestates,with85% underinsured,accordingto valuationsbybuilding insurancevaluersBarrett CorpHarrington(BCH). Theirdataalsoshowsthat rebuildvaluesare significantlyunderinsured (averageof66%).

FreddieBraithwaite-Exley, AccountExecutiveatA-Plan Rural,explainsmore–“Part oftheproblemmaybe confusionbetween‘rebuild cost’andmarketvalue.The rebuildcost(SumInsured) coverstheexpenseof rebuildingaproperty (includingmaterialsand labour)butalsotakes

accountofsiteclearance costfollowingalossand professionalfees.

“Themorecurrentproblemis restrictedsupplychains, risingbuildingmaterialcosts andtheshortageoflabour whichhaveallcontributedto substantiallyhigherrebuild costs.”

Theriskisthat,ifyouneed tomakeaclaimona buildingthatisunderinsured, itmaynotbepaidout.Or youmightonlyreceivea percentageoftheclaim (knownasaveraging).Using BCHfiguresasanexample, ifyouinsureyourfarm buildingfor£100,000butits actualre-buildcostis £166,000andyousuffera lossof£30,000,your insuranceislikelyonlyto pay£18,072.

Whattodo:aprofessional valuation

Sowhatcanbedoneto avoidbeingunderinsured? Forastart,itcanhelpto checkindexlinkingrates providedbyyourinsurer. Thesereflectchangesin nationalbuildingcosts, althoughtheywon’tbe specifictoyourfarm.

Freddiegoesontoofferthis advice–“Thebelt-andbracesapproach,istohave awholefarmvaluationdone, toensurethatallbuildings areinsuredaccurately.This hastheaddedadvantage thatsomeinsurerswillalso guaranteeaprofessional valuationforanumberof yearsmeaningthatevenifa claimismorethanthe declaredsuminsuredyou

willstillbecoveredforthe wholeloss.

“Awholefarmvaluationcan beexpensive,butyoudon’t needtohaveoneeveryyear -we’drecommendhavingit donearoundeverythreeto fiveyears.Butinthe interveningyears,we’dstill recommendyoucheckthe sumsinsured.

Asanalternative,youcould optforasamplevaluationof afewproperties.Youcan usethistoidentifyanymajor changesandconsider whetherthesumsinsuredon yourotherbuildingsneed adjustingalso.”

Whateveryoudecideto do,thereareacoupleof importantbitsofadviceto helpavoid underinsurance:

•Notifyyourinsurerof changesastheyhappen, suchasbuildingworks, extensions,additionsor overhauls.Otherwiseit’s easytoforgeteverything thathashappenedina year.

•Youcan’talwayspredict exactlywherebuilding costswillbeinayearbut addingDayOneUpliftto thesuminsuredisa relativelyinexpensive wayofprotectingyour businessfrombuilding costrisesthroughoutthe term.

Asever,it’swellworth speakingtoyourbroker,who canhelpyouavoid underinsuranceandthe costsitcanentail.

TheRuralPaymentsAgency(RPA)has today(20September2022)published theBasicPaymentScheme(BPS) entitlementrates.

TheBasicPaymentSchemeisarural paymentthatprovidesfinancialhelptothefarming industry.Fromthisyear,BPSpaymentsaregoing tobemadeintwoinstalmentseachyearforthe remainderoftheagriculturaltransitionperiodto helpfarmerswiththeircashflow.Around50%ofthe overallpaymentamountingtoover£679mwas issuedinthesummer,withtheremainingbalance expectedtolandinfarmers’bankaccountsfrom December.

For2022,BPSpaymentratesforEnglandaresetin Sterling.Thesearethesameratesasfor2021and wereusedtocalculatetheBPS2022advances issuedearlierthisyear.

Rates MoreinformationonBPSisavailable onGOV.UKandaprogressivereductions calculatorisalsoavailable.

Thereisalsoapackageofongoingandone-off paymentsforfarmers,suchasthenewSustainable FarmingIncentive(SFI)introducedunder theAgriculturalTransitionPlan.Theseareopento farmerswhoclaimBPSonly,orthosewhoclaim BPSbuthavelandinCountrysideStewardshipor EnvironmentalStewardship.BPSfarmerswith commonlandshouldcontacttheRPAwhowillhelp withtheirapplication.TheSFIiseasytoapplyfor online,andgivesfarmersanongoingpaymentthat willrewardsustainablepracticeswhichsupportfood productionandbenefittheenvironment.

Furtherone-offgrantsarealsoavailable,including theFarmingInvestmentFund,FarmingInnovation ProgrammeandtheFutureFarmingResilience Fund.

UnderBPS,farmersneedtoholdanentitlementfor everyhectareofeligiblelandtheyareclaimingon. Thesizeoffarmers’paymentswilldependonhow manyentitlementstheyuse,supportedbyeligible landandthevalueofthoseentitlements.

Farmersarealsoremindedtobewareoffraudas fraudstersmaytargetfarmerswhoreceivesubsidy payments.

Whetheryouarebalesilage, haylage,hayorstraw understandingtheconditionsare vital.Baler’sChoiceleadthewayin foragemanagementequipment. Offeringprecisionmoisturesensors forallbalerswithsystemsfullyintegratedor smartdevicecontrolled.Forsquarebalers, Baler’sChoiceusemarketleadingprecision star-wheelsmeasuringupto70%moisture, whileutilisingtwindisctechnologyforround balersupto60%moisturereadingwith accuracyat+/-1%.Thesystemmeasures throughthebalepulsingfromsidetosideupto 9readingpersecondtogiverealtimeactual moisture.Baler’sChoiceofferbalerintegrated systemsandsmartphonesystemssuitablefor allbaleroperators.

Onceyouhaveanunderstandingaboutthe actualmoisturetherearethenoptionsto managethebalesquality.Utilisingthewetbale markerwillidentifybaleswhichexceedthesafe moisturebalinglimitandallowseparationinthe stack.Squarebaleswillhavehighmoisture flakedmarkedwhileroundbalerswillhavethe leftandrightsidesmarkedasthebalesare ejectediftheyexceedmoisturealarmsetbythe operator.

Fortheultimatequalityusingthebalersafe Baler’sChoicebufferedacidpreservativewill openthebalingwidowinhayandstrawbyup to30%.Theapplicationsystemswillmonitor thebalersperformance,cropmoistureand

adjusttheapplicationrateautomatically, updatingtherateeverysecondinrealtime. Utilisingthelargesquareinternalweightan lengthsensorstomonitorthebaling performance.Asoutputchangesinrealtime theapplicatorwilladjusttomaintainapplication rates.Themoistureparameterscanbesetto apply3rateswhichwillautomaticallyadjustas themoisturesensorprovidesprecision readings.Ifasinglefixedrateisrequired,thisis achievedbysimplyadjustingtheapplication parameters.

TheBaler’sChoicepreservativeispH6.0, makingitbalersafeandsafeforalllivestock, includinghorses.Itisthestrongestpreservative onthemarketforhayandstraw.Baler’sChoice haverealworldproventestresultsforthe applicationratesrecommended.Thereisno substituteforreliabilityandrepeatabilityofthe Baler’sChoiceproduct.

UsingtheHarvestTecmarketleading applicationequipmentandpreservativewill improveefficiencyandforagequalitywhile reducingproductioncost.Thekeytomaking highqualityforageisafullunderstandingofthe processfromgrowingthecroptoharvesting andstoringthecrop.Attemptingtocutcorners andsavemoneyusuallyhastheunwanted outcomeofactuallycostingmoreinthelong run.Baler’sChoicespecialistscanadvisethe optimumproductstosuityourbudgetand requirements.

Prescison moisture sensors

Bale management solutions & 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

Foodanddrinkproducersface 'puzzlingtask'overpackaging

Foodanddrink producersoften faceadifficult trade-offbetween theenvironmental impactofusing plasticandcontributingtofood waste.

LuisaRiascosfromSAC Consulting,partofScotland's RuralCollege(SRUC),says highlyperishableitemssuch asfruitsandvegetablesmake themextremelysusceptibleto beingwastedalongthesupply chain.

Plasticpackagingisoften preferred,shesays,asthelow weightreducesfuel consumptionintransportation, keepingfoodfreshforlonger andreducingfoodwaste.

InablogaspartofSAC Consulting'sFoodand Footprintcampaign,Luisa adds:"Thetrade-offbetween foodandpackagingwaste needstobeconsideredby businesseswhenchoosingthe rightpackagingstrategyfor theirproducts."

Choosingsustainable packagingcanbea"puzzling task"forbusinesses,assome alternativepackingmaterials usemuchmoreenergythan plasticduringmanufacture,so considerationalsoneedstobe giventothefulllifecostof eachproduct.

Someplastics,metalsand

glassusedforpackagingcan bereusedorrecycledseveral timesand,comparedtoa single-usesustainable alternative,canhaveamuch lowerlife-cyclecost. However,usingtheprinciples ofthecirculareconomydesigningoutwasteand pollution,keepingproducts andmaterialsinuseand regeneratingnaturalsystemsbusinessescanproducea moresustainablefood packagingsystem.

Luisaadds:"Thereisalso significantpotentialtocreate newinnovativesolutionsfor circulareconomypractices wherewasteismostlycreated asaby-product;forexample, biowastesuchas peelingsorfood wastecanbe vilioratedintoa wholerangeof chemicalsand products,some ofwhichcanbe usedtomake packaging.

"Designingto keepmaterialsin theloop,and allowingwaste streamsto effectively recyclecurrent andnewplastics, canclosethe loopby

reintegratingmaterialsback upstreammultipletimes."

Sheconcludes:"Thereisno one-solution-fits-allwhen choosingapackagingoption foraspecificproduct, particularlyinavariedsector inwhicheachproductrequires differentpackaging specifications.Switching graduallytosustainable solutionsisachallengebut alsoanopportunitytodevelop newalternativesandbetter andmoresustainable products."

Tofindoutmore, visitwww.sruc.ac.uk/ foodandfootprint

SpecialtractorthatinspiredtheFieldMarshallClub

Thebrotherofthe founderoftheField MarshallClub sharesthefamily storythatinspired itscreation.

TheMarshallClub–onceknown astheFieldMarshallClub–only existstodaybecauseofavery specialtractor,boughtbya motherforhertwoboys.

Pullenwhowasacoachpainter. She’sstillgotthatpaint–you can’tevenseethebrushstrokes.

“Mumencouragedusalot,and wetooktheFieldMarshallto ralliesandshowsalloverthe country.Iwasintoit,butPeter becamearealfountainof knowledgeaboutit.”

Foundingtheclub

Inspiredbytheir FieldMarshall, Peterandhis friendWally Hawkins,later foundedthe FieldMarshall Clubin1988.

withher.”

“She’saveryspecialtractorand shemeansalottous.I’vehad peoplecomeroundandtrytobuy her,andoneguywhoeven slammeddownablankcheque.I toreitupandsaid‘you’venotgot enoughmoneytobuythis tractor’.”

‘Bub’asshe’saffectionately namednow,afterRoss’s nicknameforPeter,whodiedfive yearsago,willhopefullybe makinganappearanceatthe NewarkVintageTractorand HeritageShowon5-6November.

Brothers,RossandPeter Andersonsadlylosttheirfather FredwhenRosswas14months oldandPeterwasstilltwo monthsoffbeingborn.Their uncleTedPullen,whomoved nextdoorandplayedaprominent roleintheirlivesgrowingup,later encouragedtheirinterestin tractorsandsteamengines.On onefatefuldaywhenRosswas nineandPauleight,hetookthem seeaFieldMarshallSeries2that wasforsale.

Theboyswereenraptured.“Mum (JeanAnderson)boughtherfor usfor£35andshecametouson Novemberthe9th1968,” remembersRoss.“Wegother deliveredonthetrainandthen drovehertherestoftheway home,andthenstoredheronthe farmnextdoor.”

“Shewasonly20yearsoldwhen weboughther,butwestillrubbed herdownallbyhandwithawire brush,repairedafrayed decompressioncableanda brokenclutchcable.Shewas handpaintedbymyuncleHarry

“Wethoughtit wouldjustget50 members,butit grewtoover 500,”saysRoss. “Sothemost importantthing aboutourtractoristhatitledto thefoundationoftheclub.”

Petereven befriendedHenry Marshallhimself, whobecamea greatsupporterof theclub,saysRoss.

Aspartoftheclub, Peterwrotea newsletter,buthe reallystruggledwith hiswritingand spelling,andso eventuallywent backtonight school.Heimprovedsomuch thathewentontowritetwo booksaboutFieldMarshalls, saysRoss.

Life-changingtractor

“Peterwastoldhewouldnever amounttoanything,butthis tractorchangedeverything,”says Ross.“Withoutherwecouldhave becomefootballhooligansor something,butinsteadwespent ourtimerepairingandrecycling

“It’sthe75yearanniversaryof theFieldMarshallSeriesII,so I’mplanningtorubherdownand takeherout,”saysRoss.“Itfeels fittingthatI’mtheretorepresent Peter,too.”

75yearsoftheFieldMarshall SeriesII

FansoftheFieldMarshallSeries IIcancelebratethetractorinthe

AutumnattheNewarkVintage TractorandHeritageShowon 5-6NovemberatNewark Showground,alongwith celebrationstomark70yearsof thenewFordsonMajorE1A (produced1952–1958),75 yearsoftheDavidBrown Cropmaster,and50yearsof MasseyFerguson1200.For moreinformationvisit www.newarkvintagetractorshow.c om

Footings&Floors ConcreteFinishing areahighly experienced industrialand residentialconcrete installationcompanybasedin Essexworkingthroughoutthe SouthEastofEngland.

WeatFootings&Floors ConcreteFinishinghavethe capabilityandskillsetforall yourconcreteneeds,nomatter ofsizeorsurfacefinish

required.Weofferavarietyof servicessuchas:

•PowerFloated •EasyFloated •DappleBar •Tamp&BrushFinish.

•Installofsuspendedprecast floors,polystyrenedesignor traditionalblockandbeam.

•Preparationforconcrete consistingofmembranes, mesh,andinsulation.

Ourinstallteamsareallhighly experiencedandholdall therelevantIndustry qualifications.Eachgang consistsofaqualified SSSTSandfirstaid trainedtoensurethatall CDM requirements aremet. Ourmobile operations managers areonhand toassist onsiteand liaisewith clientswhere needed. Theywillvisit sitesona regularbasis toensure program

datesandsiteschedulesare meetthroughoutthecourseof yourproject.

WorkingTogether Weofferastart-to-finishclient experienceandprideourselves onourhighlevelofcustomer serviceandproductfinish throughoutyourproject. WhyChooseUs? Weworkwithawholearrayof differenttypesofclientsto producehighqualityinstallsand concretefinishingacrossallof ourresidential,commercialand agriculturalprojects.Whynot takealookatourgallerypage andseeforyourself.

Agroecologyconferencebuildssustainablefarming

Nextmonth, Hutchinsonsis hostingitsinaugural Agroecology conference,giving farmersthechance todiscoverhowtomakethemost ofregenerativefarmingpractices tobenefittheenvironmentand thebottomline.

Agroecology:Makingthe Transitionwilladdressmanyof thecoreregenerativeagriculture principles,whichheadof Agroecology,EdBrown,believes formthebasisofgoodagronomy inarapidlychangingindustry.

November’sconferencewillbe packedwithpracticaladvice aboutsustainablefarming practices.

“Whetheryou’reafarmerthathas alreadymovedtoamoreresilient farmingmodel,orarejuststarting out,theconferenceshouldhave somethingforeveryone.”

SpeakersincludeKnightFrank’s TomHeathcote,whois passionateaboutregenerative farming,andhashelpeda numberofbusinessestransition tomoresustainablefarming systems,makinghimideally

Twofarmerspeakers,atdifferent stagesoftheiragroecology journeys,willbetheretoo.Ben Taylor-Davies,aka“regenBen”, willsharehisexperiencesfrom yearsofadoptingregenerative practicesonthefarmatRoss-onWye,whileHarryHeath,who hoststheHelixAgroecologyfarm, willexplainhowhehastackled soilhealthissuesonthe Shropshirepigandarablefarm.

“Forus,we’vegonethroughthat earlyphasewherewerecognised oursoilsweren’tinthebestof health,withsignificantslumping anderosion,”saysMrHeath.“We weremassivelyover-cultivating, andwithsubsoilinginparticular, wefoundthemorewedid,the morewehadtodo,toartificially createstructure.

“Butwearenowwelldownthe implementationphase,having convertedtodirectdrillingfive yearsago.”

Coverandcatchcrops,grazed offbysheeporpigs,areintegral totherotation,improvingnatural structurethroughadiversityof rootstructures,whilealsofeeding soilbiology.

Risingcosts,changestofarm support,andincreasinglyextreme weatherevents,havehastened theneedtobuildmoreresilient productionsystemsthatharness naturalprocessesandreducethe needforartificialinputs.

“Thedaysof‘highinput,high outputatallcosts’agricultureare numbered.Thefocusismuch moreabouttakinganholistic approachtofarmingand agronomy.”

Hutchinsonsishelpingfarmers dothiswiththelaunchofitsnew Agroecologyservice,and

placedtoofferadviceon businessstructuringandfinance.

Soilhealthiswidelyrecognised asacornerstoneofsustainable farmingsystems,so Hutchinsons’sIanRobertsonwill explaintheimportanceof understandingyoursoilbefore makinganysignificantstructural oroperationalchanges.

Internationally-renowned independentresearcherand regenconsultant,JoelWilliams, willalsobepresenttooffera technicalinsightintohislatest research.

“Soilhealthandmicrobiologyare alwaysattheforefrontofour decisionmakingprocess,”Mr Heathadds.“Thesymbiosisthat existsbetweenthemicrobiology andtheplantisvitalandmaking surewemaximisethatisintegral toagroecology.

“Butthekeyistobeopenminded. Togetofftheconventional treadmill,youhavetothink differently,recogniseit’snotall aboutthecropandcontinually questioneverythingyoudo.”

•Conferencedetails

TheHutchinsonsAgroecology conferencewilltakeplaceon8th NovemberatTheBelfry,Sutton Coldfield,WestMidlands.To bookyourplaceandfindmore information,pleasegoto hlhltd.co.uk/eventoremail bookings@hlhltd.co.uk.

LAMMAtoserveupcuttingedgetechnologyand machineryinJanuary2023

Fromthe10th11thofJanuary 2023,LAMMAwill openthedoorsof theNECtofarmers andindustry professionalsfortheUK'sleading agriculturalmachinery,equipment andtechnologyshow.Visitors cannowregisterfor theirfreetickets.

"Welookforwardto welcomingthefarming communitybackto LAMMAonceagain," saysNicholaBell,Head ofEventsfor Agriconnectwhich organisestheevent. "Withsustainability, productionefficiency andfoodsecurityatthe topoftheindustry's prioritylist,LAMMAis theperfectplaceforfarmersand businessownerstofindtheright toolsandstrategieshelpthem

achievetheirgoals."

TheLAMMAteam expectsthatmorethan 700manufacturers, dealersanddistributors willfill11hallsatthe NEC,showcasingthelatest products,knowledgeand servicesavailabletofarmersand producersacrossthearable, horticultureandlivestocksectors.

Visitorscanexpecttoseea returnoffamiliarfeatures liketheFarmSafetyZone, theabilitytoearnCPD pointsandawiderangeof seminarsoncontemporary topicsinagriculture.The FutureFarmingTrailformerlyknownasthe Farming4.0Trail-willalso highlightexhibitorsand productsattheshowwith thepotentialto revolutionisetheindustry.

Thosewantingtobethe firsttoknowupdatesabout theshowcansignupforthe eventnewsletter.

Complacencycosts lives,warnsrisk managementspecialist

Latestfiguresfrom theHealthand SafetyExecutive (HSE)(1)have revealedafallin thenumberof fatalitiesinagriculture.Alex Cormack,ofLycettsRisk ManagementServices, analysesthefindingsandasks whethermorecanstillbedone tomitigaterisk.

Encouragingthoughthedrop

inthenumberofdeathsis, farmingremainsoneofthe riskiestindustriestoworkin.

Andalthoughthe25fatalities are16fewerthanin2020/21, itwouldbefoolishforfarmers tobecomecomplacentand relaxsafetystandards.

Themaincauseoffatal injuriesintheyearbeginning April2021waspeoplebeing struckbyvehicles.Thiswas

AlexCormack

followedbybeingstruckbyan object,contactwith machinery,fallsfromheight andanimal-inflicteddeaths.

Thedeathtollincludeda38year-oldfarmerfromtheEast Midlands,whowasovercome bygasinaslurrytank,anda 72-year-oldfarmerfromthe WestMidlands,whowaskilled whenhefellintoamakeshift drainagebarrelanddrowned.

Accidentscannotbe anticipated,whichiswhyitis soimportantthatthose workinginagricultureremain vigilant.Momentary distractions,actionsperformed countlesstimesbeforewithout incidentandtakingshortcuts tosavetimecanallaffect focusandresultindeath.

Countingthecost

Thelatestfiguresshowedthat thoseaged65andolder accountedfor36percentof allfatalinjuries,perhaps reflectingthelifelongdemands offarming,wheremany

cannotaffordtotakeearly retirement.

Significant,too,wasthefact thatmoreself-employed workershavebeenkilledthan employed.Thissuggeststhat whilefarmersaretakingcare toeducateandtraintheirown staffinhealthandsafety,they areperhapsnotgivingtheir ownpersonalsafetyenough attention.

Atragiclossoflifecan obviouslyhaveadevastating impactonfamilies,buthealth andsafetyviolationscanalso resultincripplingfinancial penalties,whichmay jeopardiselivelihoods.

Lastyear,theeight prosecutionsoffarm businessesbroughtbythe HSEresultedinfinestotalling £368,682.

Workingtowardsasaferfuture Onamorepositivenote,the figuressuggestconsiderable progresshasbeenmadein

agriculturalriskmanagement sincetheearly1980s,when therewerearounddoublethe numberoffatalinjuries.

Thisyear’stotalnumberof fatalitiesisthesecondlowest numberofdeathsrecordedin thelastfiveyears.

Tocontinuethispositive trajectory,doublingdownon robusthealthandsafety measuresisrequired.All appropriatetrainingshouldbe undertaken,riskassessments shouldbethoroughandsafety policiesshouldbe implemented.

Thefinancialandtime pressuresconfrontingthe agriculturalindustrycan sometimesleadto unintentionalriskoccurring. However,whatpricealittle morecareandthought comparedtothelossoflife?

(1)HSEFatalinjuriesin agriculture,forestryand fishinginGreatBritain 2021/22

BRITISHPLOUGHINGONTHECHATSWORTHESTATE

TheChatsworth EstateinDerbyshire willbehosttothis years’British NationalPloughing Championships& CountryFestivalwhentheevent isheldatGlapwell,NorthEast Derbyshireon8thand9th October2022bykindpermission oftheDukeandDuchessof Devonshire.

Ploughingentriesarenowinand over240ploughmenandwomen willbetravellingfromallcorners ofGreatBritaintotakepartinthe Championships,vyingforthe titlesintheirrespectivediscipline. Thetop10reversibleand conventionalploughersfromthe firstdaywillcompeteina ‘Plough-Off’Finalonthesecond day,hopingtowinthetitleanda placetorepresentEnglandin nextyear’sWorldorEuropean Championships.Thetop10 competitorsinthevintagetrailed, hydraulic,classicandclassic reversibleclasseswillagainwina placeintheirrespective‘PloughOff’Finalagaintowinthetitle andhopefullyaplacetocompete inthe2023EuropeanVintage PloughingChampionships.

Therewillalsobeclassesforthe stylishhigh-cuttractorploughing, crawlertractors,horticultural, Ferguson,Ford&Fordsonand

pairsenteredinthegeneral purposeploughingclassonthe Saturdayandtwelveploughingin thehighcutclassonSunday.

Alongsidetheploughing competitions,visitorswillbeable toshopandbrowse inthetradestand& shoppingareaand craftmarquee;they canseethelatest agricultural machineryforsale beingdemonstrated intheworkingarea; andseedisplaysof oldvintagetractors andmachinery. Theycanalso watchfourmassive steamploughing enginesshowing howcontractors wouldploughand workthefieldsin theearlypartofthe 20thcentury,witha cablerunninga ride-onplough betweentwo enginesweighing 20tonseach.The FowlerBB1 engines,“Aries” and“Libra”,willbe travellingallthe wayfromCountyDurhamwith StephenandAnneKeartonand anotherpair,“Tiger”and“Lion” arebased locallyat Ashover, courtesyof Marriott Drilling.

SocietyofPloughmenwhoare organisingtheeventsaid,“We arereallylookingforwardto holdingtheChampionshipsat Glapwell!Weareverygrateful thatourhostandPresident,the DukeofDevonshireinvitedusto Derbyshireasthisisthefirsttime in71yearstheeventhasever beenheldinthecounty-andit couldn’tbeonabettervenue thantheChatsworthEstate.”

DavidBrown.Finally,onboth daystherewillbethecrowdpullingheavyhorseswhich shouldbeasighttoseewith16

The250acresite onElm TreeFarm islooking good, although dryatthe moment andwillbe veryeasytofind,onlyafew minutesfromjunction29onthe M1.Afterarecentsitevisit,Sue Frith,ChiefExecutiveofthe

Mainsponsorsofthe ChampionshipsareBridgestone/ FirestoneandAztecOilsand furthersupporthasbeengivenby ARDemolition,CerealsEvent, Cheffins,DalesAgriSales Agency,DaltonTags,Friendsof FergusonHeritage,Howard MarshallEngineering,Ripon FarmServicesandTamaFarm GrownSolutions.

Discountedticketsareavailable onlinewithextradiscountsfor ‘earlybirds’before31stAugust. Forfurtherinformationvisit www.ploughmen.co.uk

Ruralmovementcanboostinfluence ofcommunitiesinpolicymaking

ruralmovementfor Scotlandcanboost thevoicesand influenceof communitiesin nationalpolicymakingdecisions-butitneedsto bedesignedtobetruly representativeofthediversevoices acrossScotland'sruralandisland areas.

Itisoneofthekey recommendationsmadein researchundertakenbyScotland's RuralCollege(SRUC)and NewcastleUniversityand commissionedbytheScottish Governmentinresponsetoa recommendationbytheScottish RuralParliament.

Afterstudyingruralmovementsin tenotherEuropeancountries, includingEngland,theNetherlands andSweden,thereportalso suggeststhataScottishrural movementshouldbesupportedto developconstructiverelationships withCommunityLedLocalAction Groupstoensurethatthe movementrepresentslocalissues andneedseffectively.

Movementssuggestthatthe recommendationsareusedasa basisforongoingdiscussions betweentheScottishGovernment, ScottishRuralActionandothers seekingtodevelopaneffectiveand impactfulScottishruralmovement.

MairiGougeon,CabinetSecretary forRuralAffairsandIslands, said:"I'mpleasedthatthisvital reporthasnowbeenpublishedand I'dliketothankeveryoneinvolved. ThelearningsfromthisSRUC-led researchwillbeasteppingstonein progressingourworkin establishingScotland'sownrural movement.

"Itsetsoutfreshapproachesto longstandingissuesimpactingrural andislanddevelopment,aswellas emergingopportunitiesto strengthenruralandisland Scotland'scontributiontobuildinga morejust,resilientandsustainable nation.

DrJaneAtterton,oneofthe authorsofthereport,said:"Our workshowshowmovementsin othercountriesprovidean organisednetworkandvoicefor ruralandislandcommunities. Importantly,theyhelptoshape local,regionalandnationalpolicy, andexchangeideasand experiences.Thisresearchwork willhelpshapeastrongrural movementforScotland".

ProfessorMarkShucksmith,coauthorofthereport,added:"Iam delightedthatourreportisproving helpfultotheScottishGovernment andruralstakeholdersin consideringhowbesttosupport peoplefromScotland'sruraland islandcommunitiesinlearningand sharingideaswithoneanotherand withtheircounterpartsacross Europe,soworkingtogether effectivelytoensurethefuture wellbeingofallinruralScotland."

TheauthorsofLearningfrom EuropeanRural

"Weremaincommittedtoensuring thatthevoiceofruralandisland communitiesandbusinessesis heardandincludedinthe developmentofpolicy,andthatis whyweareprovidingongoing supportforScotland'sRural Parliamentandruralmovement."

happenswhencropsareharvested,andthey'llgettojoin inmakingtheworld'sbiggestcombineharvester.Carrots areonthemenuforKeyStage2,withalessonthatwill takestudentsthroughhowfarmersareusingclimate changefightingtechnologyandsciencetogrow,process andpackthem.

NFUPresidentMinetteBatterssaid:"It'sfantastictosee suchalargenumberofschoolsandchildrenwithakeen appetitetolearnmoreaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom andconnectingthemwiththecountryside;ourfarmed workinglandscape.

"Beingabletoshowintheclassroomhowinnovative, diverseandexcitinganindustryagricultureisinsucha practicalwaygivesstudentsanamazinginsightand couldinspirethemtothinkaboutacareerinfoodand farminginthefuture."

Theresearch,whichwas supportedbytheEuropeanRural CommunitiesAlliance,willbe presentedattheEuropeanRural ParliamentinPolandfrom12-15 Septemberandatarural movementstakeholdereventin Scotlandon8November. BuismanwillexplaintoKeyStage1childrenwhat

Fundingandsupportavailabletohelp farmersincreasewaterresilience

armersinSouth EastWater’spriority catchmentareas canapplyfor fundingandsupport tohelpimprovetheir farm’sresiliencetofuture droughts.

During2022,thesoutheasthas experiencedsomeofthehottest anddriestmonthssincerecords beganin1836,andthelowest rainfallsince1911.

AlStewart,surfacewaterleadat SouthEastWater,explains:“Asa resultofthis,ourtworeservoirsin Arlington,EastSussex,and Ardingly,WestSussex,are currently48%and31%full–comparedto91%and97%this timelastyear.

“We’rethereforeencouraging householdsandbusinessestodo theirbittomakesurethere’s enoughforlife'sessentials,such asbathing,hydration,andfood production,”hesays.

“Tohelpsupportthis,weare workinginpartnershipwith farmersinourregiontohelpthem increaseresiliencetofuture droughts,whichareexpectedto becomemorefrequentinfuture, withtheMetOfficepredictingthat by2070summerswillbe between1and6°Cwarmerand upto60%drier.”

SouthEastWater,whichsupplies morethan520millionlitresof waterperdayto2.3million customers,offersfreeon-farm waterauditstohelpprovide farmerswithmoredetailedinsight intotheircurrentwaterusage,as wellasstepsthatcanbetakento improvetheiroverallwater management.

“Wealsoofferupto£10,000of fundingtohelpwiththe installationofrainwater

harvestingsystems,”explainsMr Stewart.“Costshavepreviously beenabarriertofarmbusinesses fittingthistypeofequipment,but we’veseenanincreasedappetite fromfarmers,inparticular livestockproducers,whoare lookingtocreatealevelofselfsufficiency.”

Whileawaterauditandrainwater harvestingsystemscanhelpin thelongrun,TomBrassington, ADASagriculturalengineer,

providespracticaladviceonmore immediatestepsfarmerscantake tominimiseunnecessarywater use.

“Keepingmilkingparloursclean andhygienicbywashingdown equipmentandsurfacesatleast twiceadayiskeyfordairy farmers.However,thereare stepsthatcanbetakentotryand reducewaterusageduringthis process.

“Forexample, physicallyscraping andbrushingawaythe worstofthedirtbefore washingdownisgood practice.Considering whetherornotthe wholecollectingyard needstobewashed downandusingalow volumewasher insteadofahigh volumeoption,could allhelp,”heexplains.

“Whereverpossible,try toreduceandrecycle water.Thiscould includeusingwater fromplatecoolersto providedrinkingwater tothecows,orfor cleaningdown equipment.”

MrBrassington reinforcesthe importanceof checkingremoteareas ofthefarmforburst waterpipes, particularlyaround joints.“Thisisaneasy measurethatcanhelp reduceunnecessary

waterusebutcanoftengo unnoticedaspipesareburied underground.

“Shuttingthesupplyofftovalves inareasthataren’tinuseand havingwatermetersfittedon eachindividualsupplytohelpto monitorforleakscanalsohelp.”

Finally,herecommendschecking ballcockvalvesonalldrinking troughstoensuretheyare workingcorrectlyandnot overflowing.“Tighteningballcocks alittlesotroughsdon’tfillrightup tothetopcanhelpavoidcows spillingandwastingwaterover therimwhendrinking.”

Overthecomingmonths,South EastWaterislookingtoruna seriesofeventsandworkshops tosupportfarmersand landownersintheirregion.

VisittheirEventbritefarmevents hubtofindoutmore:https:// www.eventbrite.com/cc/ supporting-farmers-1095269

Formoreinformationvisit website:https:// www.southeastwater.co.uk/ farming

Farmersandgrowerssoughtto'cultivate' newonlineskillsandcareersservices

Thenewprofessionalbodyfor agricultureandhorticulturehas reneweditsrequestforvolunteersto helpdevelopitsonlineservices.

TheInstituteforAgricultureand Horticulture(TIAH)willlaunchitsonlineplatform nextyear.Itwillofferarangeofpersonalisedskills andcareersresourcesforpeopleworkingatevery leveloffarmingandgrowing.

TIAHisrecruitingvolunteerswhoworkinthe industrytotestandreviewvariouselementsofthe platform.These'TIAHCultivators'willhelpensureit isintuitivetouseandoffersthemostusefuland relevantcontent.

TIAH'sHeadofDigital,LukeHarmer,whoisleading theplatform'sdevelopmentexplained:

"OurexistingCultivatorsaregivingushugely valuablefeedback,suchashelpingusunderstand

themostusefultypesofcontentandtellingusabout problemstheyoftenexperienceinaccessing trainingsowecandesignwaystosolvethem.

"Buteveryoneisdifferent,soweareseekingmore peopletojoinourCultivatorsschemetohelpus discoverwhatworks,whatdoesn't,andwherethere aregaps.We'dparticularlylovetohearfrom employeesoffarmingandhorticulturalbusinesses, althoughweareworkingwithownersandmanagers too.ThiswillhelpmakeTIAHasuccessfor everyone."

TIAHasksitsCultivatorstogivejust20minutesa month.Inreturn,theywillbeenteredintoamonthly prizedraw.

Moreinformationandonlineregistrationcanbe foundathttps://tiah.org/tiah-cultivators/.Anyone whowouldliketochatwithTIAHaboutwhat's involvedcancontactLouon03301744290 orinfo@tiah.org

Convertinggrazinglandtoarable 'unsustainable'inWestCountryandother partsofnorthernEurope,studyshows

Cropfailuresand smallyieldslikelyas climatechange stopsfarm machineryfrom accessingfields

Convertingfarmsfromlivestock toarablewouldleadtoregular cropfailures,accordingtoan analysisofonetheUK'slargest beefandsheeprearingregions.

TheRothamstedResearchled studyfocusedonthesouthwest ofEnglandinresponseto questionsoverwhatcould happentoUKlivestockfarming communitiesassocietyshifts towardsmoreplant-baseddiets.

Thebadnewsforfarmersisthat thechancesofsuccessfully growingwinterwheatonfields onceusedtoraiselivestockcould beaslittleas28%infuture,as increasedrainfallwillmake sowingthecropimpossiblein someyears.

Forecastsshowthatinthe absenceofclimatechange,yields couldbegreaterthan14tonnes perhectare-butwhenthenear certainimpactofincreasedfuture rainfallonsowingandharvest dateswereincludedinthe simulation,itfellinsome situationstolessthan3tonnes perhectare.

LeadauthorDrLianhaiWusaid:

"Adaptingtothechangingclimate andchangesinconsumer demandswillforceustodiversify landfromitscurrentuses.

Livestockgrazingisthemaintype offarmingacrossthewestofthe BritishIslesandithasbeen suggestedthatgrasslandsinthe regioncouldbeconvertedto otherlanduses,suchasgrowing cerealcrops.

"However,oursimulations

suggestthat,forthesouthwestof Englandandregionsundera similarcombinationofsoiltypes andclimates,plantingwinter wheatbetweenOctoberand Decemberwouldbeimpossiblein someyearsbecauseof constraintsonsoil'workability'." 'Workability'isdefinedasthe abilityofasoiltosupportbeing ploughed,andalongwith 'trafficability'–thecapacityofsoil tosupportheavyfarmmachinery withoutbecomingdamaged–is determinedinpartbythe weather,soilproperties,andthe previousimpactofmachinery. Onarableland,unsuitablesoil conditionsduringthesowingor harvestperiodswilldecrease yieldifsowingorharvestare delayed-orevenpreventit entirely.

Thestudy,whichalsoinvolved SRUC,lookedatthreesoiltypes commonacrossthesouthwest, underthecurrentclimateand threeclimatepredictionsfromthe MetOffice.

Acrossthesoiltypesandclimate scenarios,thechancesof successfullysowingwinterwheat betweenOctoberandDecember rangedfrom28to76%,whilst harvestingwaspredictedtobe lessimpactedbythepredicted increasesinrainfall.

Theclimatemodelsshowthe numberofheavyraindays,those withmorethan2cmofrain,will increaseinthesouthwestfrom6, toasmanyas17daysayear,by theendofthecentury.

Delaystosowingandfailureto harvestacropinsomeyearsdue towetweathermadetheideaof conversiontoarablea"nonstarter"forlivestockfarmersin thesouthwest,saidDrWu.

"Butthequestionstillremains–if wearegoingtoeatlessmeatand rearlesslivestock,whathappens tothesefarmersandthese farmingareas?"

Thestudyalsolookedatthe implicationsforsoilcarbon storageandgreenhousegas emissionsifgrasslandcutthree timesayeartoprovidesilage, wasconvertedtowinterwheat. Includingtwoothergreenhouse gases,nitrousoxideand methane,inthecalculations,it showedthatwhilsttheaverage greenhousegasemissionsfrom soilgrowingryegrasswerehigher thanfromthesameland convertedtowheat,thiswas compensatedforbythegreater amountsofcarbonstoredwithin theryegrass.

Grassesreturnmoreofthis carbontothesoilaftertheydie, andassuch,carbonstocks declinedannuallyafterconverting grasslandtowheatby165-280 kgofcarbonperhectare, dependingonclimatescenario andsoiltype.

"Grasslandconversioninthe regionwouldnotbesustainable intermsofcarbonsequestration althoughapplicationsoflivestock manureorotherorganicmaterials couldmitigatesoilClossesto someextent,"saidDrWu "Intermsofstoringcarboninthe soil,convertinggrasslandto winterwheatistherefore unsustainableinareaswithsoils andclimatessimilartothe southwestofEngland,suchas manyotherareasintheUKand northernEurope."

Unpredictableweatheranddrought underlinethecaseforresilientvarieties

Unpredictable weather–as highlightedbythis summer’sdrought–isunderliningthe caseforchoosing winterwheatvarietiesthatare resilienttogrowingindifferent conditions,saysSyngentawheat seedstechnicalexpert,Matthew Bull.

Inparticular,hesaysgoodroot growthisassociatedwith improvedscavengingforsoil moistureandsoilnutrients,which couldbeusefulwhenconditions aredrier.Andthereareother characteristicsthatcouldgive cluestoavariety’sresilience,he suggests.

“Althoughgrainpricesare healthy,highfertilisercostsmean thereisverylittleslackinthe systemtogamblewithyield,” saysMrBull.“Unpredictable weatheronlyaddstothe argumentforchoosingvarieties thatperformreliably.

“Somecharacteristicstoconsider includechoosingvarietieswith fiveyears’solidyielddatabehind themontheAHDB RecommendedList(RL)–and whichhavemaintainedgood yieldsoverthistimescale.Also,

considerhowthe varietyhas performedonlight soil,whichislikely todryoutsoonerif rainfallislacking. Andconsider varietieswhich maintainagood specificweight, whichhavegood tillerretention,and offerdrillingdate flexibility–for exampleifplanting isdelayedbecause soilsaretoowetor toodry.”

Inaddition,MrBull saystherooting abilityofvarietiesis attractingincreasedinterest. Hybridbarleyisknownforits vigorousrooting,butthereisalso emergingevidenceofstrongroot growthinthewinterfeedwheat variety,SYInsitor,hepointsout.

Consideravarietywithvigorousrootgrowth, giventheincreasinglyunpredictableweather, saysSyngentawheatseedstechnicalexpert, MatthewBull

SYInsitoralsohasthehighest lightlandyieldfigureonthe AHDBwinterwheatRLfor 2022-23.

“Independentseedlingrooting assessmentrevealedthatSY Insitorproduced13%moretotal rootlengththanaleading alternativevariety,”saysMrBull. “Thisisinadditiontoother independentmeasurements whereSYInsitorwasfoundto haveverystrongrootanchorage.

“Webelieveitsgoodrootingis duetoSYInsitorbeingafastgrowingvariety.Rapiddevelopingrootsalsohelpto facilitateavariety’sperformance whendrilledlater.Where November-drilledSYInsitorseed wasprotectedwiththeseed treatmentVibranceDuointrial worklastseason,itsrootlength wasincreasedby85%overan alternativeseedtreatment,”he adds.

Anotherinterestingtrendseenin trialsresultsfromthedroughted 2022harvest,saysMrBull,was thatearlyyielddatasuggested thatseveraloftheearliermaturingvarieties,suchas Graham,wereoutperformingtheir five-yearaverageyieldin2022.

“Otherimportantvariety characteristicstolookatinclude diseaseresistanceandorange wheatblossommidgeresistance, ifthisisaconcern,”addsMrBull.

Quickelaunchesnewrange ofSilocutImplements

Renowned agricultural manufacturer, Quicke,has releasedthenew rangeofSilocut implementstoincreaseefficiency andsafetywhenmanaging silage.

September2022inthree differentsizes:

•SilocutM+:Availableasa forgedfeaturinghighquality, replaceableboltontinesor profiletineimplement,a forgedtineversionwhichhas profilecut“tufftines”welded inthetinecarriageproviding excellentwearcapabilities.

TheSilocutguaranteesa smoothandcleancutfrom silagestockpittoensurehigh qualitysilage.

Thewidthandcapacityare idealforfrontendloaders, compactwheelloadersand mid-sizedtelehandleruse.

highlyefficientimplementfor bothcuttingclampsilageand splittingbales,noneedfora secondimplement!Itallows handlingofdifferentsilage types,silagebaleswiththe bucketalsohandlingloose fodderandfeed,again withoutchangingimplement whenfeedinganimalssaving valuabletime.

Powerfulcylindersandalarge openingallowmostcommon silagebalestobesplitwith ease,ensuringacompletecut withouruniquecutting systemincorporatedintothe sidegablesoftheSilocutL+.

BenParkerandAdamBrown

WithitsbrandQuicke,Ålö,a memberofJOSTAgriculture,has providedthefarmingindustrywith innovativesolutionsforseven decadeswithFrontLoadersand associatedImplements.Withthe launchoftheSilocutthey continuetobetheleadersin innovationanddigitalisation withinAgriculturewhilst maintainingunrivalled performance,quality,versatility, andfit.

TheSilocutrangecomeswith variousoptionstoensureit matchestherequirementsof theuserandisavailablefor purchaseasofbeginningof

Variousaccessories,suchas boltonbackscreenswillallow enduserstocustomisethe implementtosuittheir personalneeds.

•SilocutL+:Availablewith forgedorprofiledcut “tufftines”butalsoahighly versatilebucket.TheL+isa

•SilocutXL+:Thismodelisa high-capacitysheargrabthat canbeusedforcuttingclamp silageandsplittingbales.Itis offeredinthesamethree versionsasthesmallerL+.

Therobustandwell-tested designgrantslongservicelife andpeaceofmind.

•

BoththeSilocutL+ andXL+areavailable withtwoadditional innovations.Abale wraphandleraswell asapushout mechanism.

Thebalewrap handlermakesit possible,afterthe baleissplit,tograb thewrapandnetand retainit,negatingthe needtoremovethe wrapbyhand, increasingoperator safety.Thebalecan beunwrapped,split andplacedintothe twoseparatefeeder unitsordirectlyinto thefeedwagonor mixerinoneprocess givingsubstantialtime savings.

Theprofilecut “tufftine”versionscan beequippedwitha push-outmechanism whichfacilitatesthe unloadingintodiet feedersorotherareas withlimitedspace.

HenrikJönsson, ProductManager Implementsin Sweden,explains “Wehavedesigned thenewSilocutto facilitatethefeeding processofour operators’workandto simplymakethem moreefficient.Our brand-newdesignnot onlyallowsthe

operatortoefficientlyandcleanly removesilagefromthesilage clampwithlesspowerbutalso splitandcutwrappedsilage bales.Allowingourcustomersto WorkSmarter,NotHarder.

Quickehavealsoreleasedanew sequencervalvewhichallows userstocombineworkwithtwo independenthydraulicfunctions ontheimplementwithonlyathird service.Thissequencervalve allowstheoiltodiverttothebale wraphandlerwhenthecutis completedthereforeensuringthat thebaleiscompletelysplitand thattheclawskickattheright momentaswell.Thevalveoffers greatsavingsoverasyoucan usetheoptionwithouttheneed forafourthhydraulicservice.

“Weprideourselvesonthe strength,quality,anddurabilityof ourproducts,andtheSilocut rangeisnodifferent.Ithasbeen thoroughlytestedbothinalabbasedtestrigaswellasinthe fieldatworkinglocationsaround Europe.Customerswhohave testedthenewSilocutwereso satisfied,theywerereluctantto returntheprototypeson completionofthefieldtests.” Henrickadds.

TolearnmoreaboutQuicke’s newrangeofSilocutimplements, pleasegetintouchwith marketing@alo.seoraskyour localdealer.

Quicke®andSilocut®are registeredtrademarksofÅlöAB. ÅlöABisaMemberofJOST Agriculture.

Thefutureofplantbreeding

Ensuringplant breedingcontributes toamore sustainablefuture forUKagriculture andexploringhow theindustrycancollaborateto addressthischallenge,istobe exploredataknowledge exchangeeventinOctober.

PlantBreedingFitfortheFuture isbeinghostedbytheSoil Associationandagri-tech innovationcentre,CropHealth andProtection(CHAP)on October12atAstonUniversity.

Delegateswilljoinplantbreeding andotheragriculturalindustry expertstodiscussanddebate prioritiesandcollaboration opportunities,aswellasshare resources,toensureUKbreeding programmesmeettheneeds andchallengesofthe 21stCentury.

Theeventwillfeatureawide rangeofperspectiveswith engagingpresentationsfrom industryexpertssuchas ProfessorTimBentonof ChathamHouse,TomMacMillan fromtheRoyalAgricultural UniversityandPaulGoslingof AHDB.

Afternoonbreak-outsessionswill provideanopportunityfor delegatestoengagein discussionontopicssuch astraitstosupportresilience, businessmodelsforthe21st Century,achievingtailored varietieswithlimited resources,andtheroleof populationsvsvarieties.

SoilAssociationHeadof BusinessDevelopmentFarming andLandUseHelenAldis,said: “Tobuildresilienceintothe industry,farmersneedtohave confidenceinamorediverse rangeofseedsthattheycanrely oninchangingclimatic conditions.

“Toooftentheycanbelimitedto varietiesbredtoperformwell underinput-richconditions,which arenotalwaysbestsuitedto farmsthatwishtoavoidorreduce theirchemicaluse.

“OurInnovativeFarmersfield labslookingathowhopand wheatvarietiesperforminorganic conditionshavemadeagreat starttothisimportant conversation,butwithchanging weatherpatternsandinputprices escalating,nowisthetimeto bringmoreoftheindustry together.

“Weencourageallgrowerstoget involvedwiththiseventwherewe canshareideasontheplantswe mayneedforafuturefarming systemthatissustainable, resilientandprofitable.”

Ratherthandiscussspecific technologies,theconference aimstoexplorecurrentplant breedingframeworksandfuture needsinagriculture.

Itishopedthatbybringing practitioners,researchersand policymakerstogether, discussionswillhelptoidentify futurebreedingprioritiesandthe changesrequiredtosuccessfully meetthechallengesassociated

withamoresustainablefuturefor agriculture.

DrRuthBastow,Innovation DirectorforCHAP,said:“Plant breedingandtheplantvarieties wegrowplayacrucialrolein sustainableagriculturalsystems. Thiseventprovidesanexcellent andtimelyopportunitytoexplore futurerequirementsandexplore howtomaximiseandleverage theimpactofplantbreedingto meetmarketneedsalongside localandglobalchallenges.

“Theconferenceisfocusedon interactionandnetworking-we wantthoseattendingtofeel comfortabletosharetheir thoughtsandviewsonwhatwe needtoprioritise,toensurewe haveplantswhicharefitforour future.

“Bringingeveryonetogether shouldproveanexcellent opportunitytoidentifyareasfor potentialcooperation,foster greaterefficienciesandhopefully encourageamoresuccessful transitionfrombreeding programmestorealisationinthe market.”

PlantBreedingFitFortheFuture WednesdayOctober12, 0900-1700

ConferenceAston,Birmingham, B47ET

Register:https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/plantbreeding-fit-for-the-futuretickets-407908002817

Tickets£30perpersonincluding lunch

HedgerowCarbonCode:"goodnewsforUK agriculture,climatechangeandBritishwildlife"

Unlockingthe environmentaland income-generation potentialof hedgerowsinthe Britishcountryside isastepcloserastheGame& WildlifeConservationTrust (GWCT)beginspilotingthenew HedgerowCarbonCode.The Codewillencouragehedgerow habitatimprovementstoincrease theamountofcarbonstoredby hedges,contributingtoBritish farming'snet-zerotargetand boostingbiodiversity.Itwillallow landmanagerstocalculateand verifythecarboncapture potentialoftheirhedgerows, enablingthemtotradecarbon credits–amarketwithapotential valueof£60m.

"Wearealsolookingatwaysin whichlandmanagerswhoare alreadygeneratingcarbonand biodiversitybenefitsthroughgood hedgerowmanagementcanbe recognisedandrewarded."

Hedgerowssequestercarbonat twicetherateof woodlandbecauseoftheir3dimensionallinearstructureand England'shedgesalreadystore 9mtonnesofcarbon.Similarto theWoodlandCarbonCode,the newcodewillbecomethequality assurancestandardfor hedgerowsandaimstogenerate hedgerowcarboncredits, independentlycertifiedby OrganicFarmers&Growerswhoalreadydothesameforthe WoodlandCarbonandPeatland Codes.

TheHedgerowCarbonCode includesatoolwhichwillenable thecarbonstoredinahedgeto becalculatedand verified,incentivisingland managerstoplantandmanage hedgerows-animportantpartof thegovernment's newSustainableFarming Incentive.Thetoolalsohasthe potentialtobedevelopedfurther tomonitorhedgerow biodiversityforcalculating biodiversitycredits.

"WenowhaveatrialHedgerow CarbonCode,"saidDrAlastair Leake,projectleadandGWCT DirectorofPolicyandtheAllerton Project,ayearonfromreceiving an£81.5kgrantfromthe government'sNatural EnvironmentInvestment ReadinessFundfortheproject.

"Pilotshavebegunwiththree arablefarmsinEngland,where weareevaluatingthepracticality oftheCodeandthecarbon calculationtoolanddevelopingit withtheinputoffarmersonthe ground.

"Manyarable farmshaveold hedgerows whichareno longerneeded fortheir primary functionof containing livestock,so thereislittle incentiveto maintain them,"said Alastair."But, ifwecanattachavaluetothem, throughrecognisingtheircarbon sequestrationandbiodiversity benefitsandrewardingfarmers forthese,thenwecould incentivisefurtherhedgerow restoration,"saidAlastair.

TheUKgovernmenthassetout itsambitionforBritishagriculture tobezero-carbonby2050,while theNationalFarmersUnionhasa moreambitioustargetof2040. IndependentstatutorybodyThe ClimateChangeCommitteehas identifiedhedgerowplantingasa waytohelpreachthattarget.

"Goingforward,plantingand managinghedgerowswellwill enablelandmanagerstoaccess theSustainableFarming Incentiveandopenopportunities togenerateincomefromcarbon andbiodiversitycredittrading," saidAlastair."Thatcanonlybe goodnewsforUKagriculture, climatechangeandBritish wildlife."

Thedevelopmentof theHedgerowCarbonCodeis beingwelcomedbytheUKfood industry.Kellogg's,aspartoftheir "Origins"programme,hasbeen workingwiththeGWCT'sAllerton Projectdemonstrationfarm, wheretheCodeisbeing developed.DuncanRawson, fromEFFPwhomanagesthe OriginsprogrammeintheUKon behalfofKellogg's,said:

"TheOriginsProgrammeinvests intosustainablefarming practices,workingwithKellogg's farmerstohelpimprove productivityandenvironmental performance,withaparticular focusonclimatechangeand biodiversity.Quantificationofthe on-farmsequestrationofcarbon isimportanttodemonstratethe rangeofcarbonbenefitswhich agriculturecanprovideandto enablethefoodsectortomeet carbonreductionambitions."

Holdyournerve:keepwheatdrills underwrapstobeatblack-grass

Farmerswitha knownblack-grass burdenshouldn’tbe luredintobringing theirwinterwheat drillingdate forwardsjustbecauselargeparts oftheUKhaveseenimproved soilmoisturelevelsfollowingthe dry,earlyharvest.That’sthe advicefromMikeThornton,head ofcropproductionforagronomy firmProCam,whorecommends thatgrowers shouldholdtheir nerveanddelay drillingforaslong asispracticably possible.

“Rushingouttodrill justbecausewe’ve seensomedecent rainfalleventsin thelastfewweeks wouldbecounterproductive,”Mr Thorntonsays.

“Instead,delaying drillinguntilmidOctober,oreven intoNovember whereweather conditionsallow, providesafantastic opportunitytocreatesomereally goodstaleseedbedsafterthis year’searlyharvest,especially forthosegrowerswhoneedto controlburgeoningblack-grass populations.”

Whilstasignificantproportionof wheatgrowerswithasevere black-grassproblemmightaspire todelaytheirdrillingdateforas longaspossible,itremainstobe seenhowmanywillactuallyhold theirnerve:“There’salotoftalk abouthowthisyearmightmirror thehistoricsummerdroughtand infamouslywetautumnof1976,” MrThorntonsays.

“Admittedlywecouldbeheading

intoanotherwetendtotheyear, butthetruthisno-onereally knowswhattheweathermight hold.Whatwedoknowhowever, isthatdelayingdrillingtoenable weedstogerminatesotheycan becontrolledbeforethenextcrop isplantedisstillthebesttacticon high-riskland.Itthereforemakes sensetoplaythelonggameand tokeepthebrakesontheseed drilluntilthefirstflushofweeds hasbeeneliminated.”

because,comparedwith September,there’slikelytobe moresoilmoisturefor germinationinOctoberand seedbedsshouldbemore weathereddowntoaidcrop establishment.Moregrassweed seedsshouldalsohave germinatedbyOctobertherefore allowingforbettercontrolbefore plantingcommences.

“Residualherbicidesshouldalso bemoreeffectiveand persistforlongerin October’scooler,moist soils,whichwillbeof benefittolater-drilled cropswheretheremay onlybetimetomakea singletreatment comparedtoearliersowncropswhichmight needbothpre-andperiemergenceapplications. Forbothstrategies, drillingcerealseedto thecorrectdepthis crucialfromacrop safetyperspective,soit paystoscrutinise herbicideproductlabels beforedrilling commences.”

Yieldsneedn’tsuffer Forgrowersconcernedthat delayingdrillingcanaffectyield,a multi-yearProCamtrialatthe company’strialshubatthe StockbridgeTechnologyCentre nearYork,inwhichdifferent winterwheatvarietieshavebeen drilledatmonthlyintervalsfrom Septemberonwards,hasshown thatalthoughdrillingdatecan affectyield,itwasnotcrops drilledinSeptemberwhich producedthebestyields,but thosesowninOctober.

“Thatmightsoundillogical,”Mr Thorntonexplains,“butitactually makesalotofsense.That’s

MrThorntonsayslater-drilled cropsmightalsofaceareduced threatfrombarleyyellowdwarf virus(BYDV)infection–dueto lowerairtemperaturesreducing theactivityofdisease-vectoring aphids–withlater-drilledsecond wheatsalsolesslikelytobe affectedbytake-all.“Inboth casesthere’snoguaranteelater drillingwillreducethelevelof risk,especiallyasit’sunlikely temperatureswillsuddenlydrop offacliffoverthenextfewweeks, sobothriskswillstillneedtobe monitored.However,theseare addedpotentialbenefitsfor growerswhoseresolvetodelay drillingmightbewavering.”

Areyouthinkingofupgradingyourgrain dryingcapabilityfornextyear?

ere’swhatJohn& AllanMarshallfrom Fifedidwiththeirs.

Theyhavean arablefarmwitha 1,400Tbarleystoreanda3,800T wheatstore.Theyfarm695acres ofwheat,217acresofbarley,247 acresofOSR&80acresof potatoes.

Thefather&sonteamrefurbished theirstorewhichincludederecting anewbuildingandupgradingtheir dryingplant.TheycontactedKM DuncanAgriculturalEngineering Ltdtoundertaketherefurbishment workwhointurn,recommended PerryofOakleyLtdasthesupplier ofthegrainhandling&drying equipment.

Theintakecomprisesoftwo60tph Perrymechanicalreceptionpits whichfeedanaspiratorprecleaner.Thegrainisthenelevated viaa60tphbelt&bucketelevator.

ThePerrymodelM511drieris capableof41tphandhashadour lightgrain&chaffrecoverysystem installed,whichremovestheneed tocleanoutlightgrainsandchaff fromthedrierexhaustplenumas it’spneumaticflapsopen periodicallytoallowthisbackinto thedriercolumn.

Thedriedgrainisthendeliveredto storesviaabeltconveyorwhich hasbeeninstalledwithamotorised tripperwhichiswinchedalongthe buildingasthelevelofgrainbuilds up.

Thewholesystem,includingthe handlingequipmentiscontrolled usingaPerry12”touchscreenwith aPLCprogramwhichisdesigned &programmedinhouseatPerry’s factoryinDevon.

TheMarshall’sSaid:“We particularlylikethePLCcontrol panel.It’ssimpletouse&thetext messagealertsarereallyhelpful. Theautomaticsetuphassimplified gettingourdrierperformingatits optimum,andwiththeinclusionof handling,re-routingthecropis easierthanwecould’vehopedfor.”

Formoreinformationplease contactPerryofOakleyLtdtoday on+44(0)1404890300oremail sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

Organicwheatblendssaveonlabour, boostyieldsandbenefitwildlife

Somersetorganic farmhasenjoyedits best-everharvest thissummer,thanks toarobustand bountifulwheat blendthatsuitsitssystem,saves onlabourandbootsyields.

EversinceRichardHollingbery boughtGodminsterFarm,in Bruton,hehaspursuedfully organicprinciplestothelandand thelivestock,withprojectsfor woodlandcreation,tobenefit wildlifetoo.

Godminster’sOrganicFarm Manager,PeteCheek,said:“We triedourfirst(hard)wheatblendApex,with50%Nelsonand50% Extase–ontheexpertadviceof CopeSeedsinOctober2021and

weharvesteditthisAugust(2022).

“Itisbrilliant;oneofthebest harvestswehaveeverhad.”

Petesaidalthough‘oneswallow doesn’tmakeasummer’,thisblend hashadfarmorevigourthana straightvariety,fromtheword‘go’.

“Wheatisacashcrop,”he explains,“andithasyieldedhigher thanstraightsinaveryfertilefield.

“Wedrillthewheat90kilostoan acre.Ourblendedwheatyields0.8 ofatonnemorethannon-blended.

“Blendedwheatshavebeenaround foragoodfewyearsandlotsof arablefarmershavebeentalking aboutthem,sowethoughtwe wouldhaveago.

“Thebeautyofblendingtwo varieties,isthatifonefails,the otherpicksupandruns!”

Petesaidthissummer’sheatwaves haveproducedamuchcleaner wheatcropthanusual,andthe weedsanddiseaseshavebeen keptatbay.

“Springwheatdidn’tdosowell becauseofacoldseedbedand lackofmoisturebutthewinter wheatcropwasaboveaverage;a blendgivesyouasecondbiteof thecherryforayield,”hesaid.

“Ourfarmhasaheavybias towardsdairyandthecattlewho feedonthewheatblendandover redcloverleys,produceorganic manurethatbooststhesoil’s fertility.Thewheatisharricombed

inOctoberandisleftalone untilharvest.Itrequiresno ploughingandminimumtillage andthecropsenhancethered cloverbygivingitadeepertap root.

“Wefeedallofourwheatto ourdairycowstomakemilk andcheese.We’veseen endlessenvironmental benefits,suchaslovelybig hedges,species-richgrasses, wildflowersandherballeys.

“Wegrowtherightcropsatthe righttimes.Blendedwheat fromCopeSeedssuitsour systemandlessensthework.”

GemmaClarke,managing directorofCopeSeeds,said: “Itwasclearfromworkbeing doneoverseas,thatgrowing blendsofferedarablefarmers increasedresilienceand diversity.

“Wedecidedtouseour knowledgeofvarietiesto createarangeofblendsthat workbothagronomicallyon farm,andweresuitabletoend userstoo.We’reabsolutely thrilledwiththecommentswe arereceivingfromgrowers includingGodminster,who grewourblendsthisseason.”

RichardHollingberyworkswith Terrafarmer,regenerativefarm consultancy,andco-founder andheadconsultant,Tom Tolputt,saidblendsarepromoting diversityandloweringrisksof diseaseanddrought.

“We’veworkedalongside Godminsterfarmonitsorganic journeyformanyyearsandPete’s successwithblends,throughwhat hasbeenadifficultseason,tells ourstorytoo,”hesaid.

“Godminsterisverypleasedwith

ourblends;they’veproduced above-averageyieldsandwillbe growingmorenextyear,basedon strongmetrics.

“Blendsleadtodeeperrootingand healthierplantsandtheyareless reliantonchemicals.Wemixour ownblendsforcovercropsand farmerscandothesame,aslong astheyhaveplentyoftimeandthe righttechnology.Farmersare

CopeSeedsandGrainisaleadingagricultural seedandgrainspecialist,connectingworldrenownedplantbreederstofarmersandendmarkets.

Builton85yearsofexperience,theindependent, family-runbusinessdevelopsawiderangeof conventionalandorganicseedspeciesand

startingtomixcerealswith legumesnow.Theyharvestthem togetherthenclean,splitand separatethem.

“Wepreparedietsfromwhatwe growtofeedGodminster’scattle andwearelookingtoimprovetheir dairymarginsthroughanew feedingparloursystem.”

varietiesandisthelargestorganiccerealand pulseseedproducerandsupplierintheUK.

Withinnovationinitsroots,CopeSeedshas commercialisedpioneeringvarieties,bringingnew materialseamlesslytomarket,bothintheAHDB RecommendedListandIndependently.

neofIreland's leadingfull-service freshproduce providershasthis monthcompleteda £1.5minvestmentas demandforitscarrotscontinuesto grow.

MeadeFarmGroup,whichhas grownfromasmallpotatosupplier tolocalshopstoagrower,packer anddistributoroffreshproduceto retailersacrossIreland,hasthis monthincreaseditsthroughputby overathird.

Theincreasedcapacityhasbeen achievedbyHaithGroup,which

designedandinstalledastate-oftheartcarrotgradingandwashing lineatMede'sfacilityin Lobinstown,CountyMeath.

Takingsixmonthstodeliver, Haith'sfullstainlesssteelline featurestwoopticalsorters, washing,de-stoningandpolishing machinery.

Integratingopticalgradingfrom Newtec,whichsuppliedaCelox opticalsorter,thelineiscapableof handling12tonnesofcarrotper hour.

Thecarrotsentertheprocessform tippingtrailersintoaHaithsupa-

flowreceivinghopperthenpass throughaHaithpre-soak immersiontankwithintegraldestoner,whichremovestheheavy claysoil.AHaithSupaWashand MkIIIRootVegPolisher,with automaticrotationchangefor optimumbrushlife,followbefore thefieldheatinthecarrots'coreis loweredbyaHydrocooler.Finally, thecarrotsaresortedbysizeand qualityandenteroneofseven channels.

"MeadeFarmhasbeenavalued customerforseveralyears,andas they'vegrown,they'veaskedusto designandinstallincreasingly sophisticatedpackinglinesfor

them.Meadepridesitselfon deliveringqualityproducetoits customers,andourvegetable handlingmachineryplaysakey partinthis,"saysDuaneHill, managingdirectorofthedouble Queen'sAwardforEnterprisewinningcompany."Meadeuses fiveofourrootvegpolishers,seven ofourself-cleaningbarrelwashers andfourHaithRota-Tipbox tipplers,andweareincredibly appreciativeoftheirloyaltytous."

PhilipMeadeSrstartedselling potatoesin1977,withtheMeade PotatoCompanybeing incorporatedfiveyearslater.Inthe yearsthatfollowed,Meade's

passionforpotatoesextendedto Irishvegetables,includingcarrots andonions.Thecompanychanged itsnametoMeadeFarmGroupin 2020toreflectthebroadrangeof produceitsupplies.

SimilartoHaithGroup,innovation isacorevalueofMeadeFarm Group."Webelievethatifyouare goingtobesustainable,youhave tobeinnovative.Thisphilosophy sawusbecomethefirstcompany toexportIrishpotatoesbyboatin 1996,bringbackwashedpotatoes inthelate1980sandrepeatedly investinourfacilitiesandgainthe benefitsofusingthelatestin vegetablehandlingmachinery.

Duaneandhisteamshareour passionforinnovationandback thisupwithexcellentcustomer service.That'swhywekeep trustingHaithtodeliverwhatwe need,"saysRobertDevlin, ExecutiveDirectorforMeadeFarm Group.

TofindoutmoreaboutMeade FarmGroup,visit www.meadefarm.ieandtolearn moreaboutHaithanditsmarketleadingrangeofvegetable handlingsolutions,goto www.haith.co.uk,email sales@haith.co.ukorcall+44 (0)1302831911oremail sales@haith.co.uk.

•Isanaturallyoccurringproduct,inwidespreaduseinthefoodindustry,

•Isapprovedforuseonorganicpotatocrops,•Hasnoharvestinterval orMRL,

•Doesnotleavepersistentresiduesinthefabricofstoresandboxes usedforstorage,

•Andisthereforesuitableforuseinstores,whichmaysubsequentlybe usedforthestorageofothercropsorseedpotatoes,

•Iseffectiveathigherstoragetemperatures,reducingtheriskof acrylamidedevelopmentwhencropisprocessed,

•Sequesterscarbonduringgrowth,removing1tofCO2forevery1,000t ofpotatoestreated,

•Andshouldbeacomponentofthesustainabilityplanforeveryfarm andeverycustomer;effectivelycarbonneutral.

rowersapproachthe 2022potatoharvest surroundedby uncertainty.Costsfor manyinputshave jumped–fertiliser, electricity,dieselthemost significant.Thereisnoobvioussign thattheywillgetcheaperanytime soon.Atthesametime,thedemise ofBPC/AHDBPotatoesmeansthat growersaremuchlessawareof marketconditionsintheUK.How manyhectareshavebeenplanted? Istheareasharplydown,orhave growerstakenacounter-cyclical viewandincreasedtheiracreage?

Howmanygrowershaveleftthe industrycompletely?Andina seasonwhichhasseencropsheldin storeforlongerthanusual(theresult ofaseriesofunexpectedmovement delays),howmuch2021crop remainsinstorewitha(fading)hope ofmovement?

Withextremeheatandabsenceof rainfallintheeasterncountiesand thesouth-eastofEngland,wecan expecttoseemorecropsbreaking dormancyinthefieldthisyearthan isusual.Biox-Mwillstillplayapart

inthemanagementofcropsinstore, whichhavebrokendormancy prematurely.Therewillbean increasedurgencytodryandcure thesecrops,andtocoolthemtoan eventemperature,andtogetthem intoastableconditionfortreatment. Thiscanbeexpectedtotake between7and14daysdepending onvarietyandstorequality.Afirst applicationofBiox-Mcanbe expectedtocontrolanyearly sprouting,andcropsshouldbe treatedasnormaltherafter.

Fogdistributionduringapplicationis veryimportant;itshouldbeaseven aspossiblethroughthestore,and particularlythroughboxes.Thus,fan speedandintermittentfanoperation duringfoggingshouldbe considered.Fanrunningtimeand speedduringtheclosedperiodafter treatmentcanbereducedinalmost allcircumstancesifareallygood, evendistributionoffog(andthen vapour)hasbeenachievedduring fogging.Fanoperationduringthe closedperiodservestoensurethat anevendistributionofvapour remainsso.Intermittentandslow speedissufficient.Manygrowers

arealsoextendingtheclosedperiod, ifstoreandcropconditionsallow.

Twoyearsonfromthedemiseof CIPCinEurope,itseemsthatthe restoftheworldwillplaycatch-up. EndusersinNorthAmericaand Australiaareincreasingly uncomfortableandlookingfor alternatives.Biox-Miswell establishedinEuropeanmarkets, withgrowersincreasinglyconfident inusingaproduct,whichhasseena step-changeinstoremanagement. Thefocusformanystore-keepers andgrowershasturnedtofine tuningstoremanagementtoextend thereturninterval,toreducethe numberofapplicationsandto understandthefinepointsofdetail, whichwillenhanceeconomic performance.

And,inspiteofregularexhortationto leavestoresclosedforatleast48 hours(and72isbetterstill)following treatment,westillcomeacross incidencesofstoreswithdoorsleft openshortlyaftertreatment.Biox-M isavolatileproduct,whichwill escapeifgivenanopportunitytodo so.

Natural. Effective. Powerful.

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

Peter Hall

Nick nick@junopp.com

Heatstresshitspotatoyields

otatocropshavepaidaheavypenalty asaresultofthissummer’srecordbreakingtemperaturesanddrought.

Firstdigsfromthisyear’sQuantis heat-stressbiostimulantfieldtrials suggestyieldsmaybeover30%lowerinuntreated crops.

Acrossaseriesoftrialsfromthesouth-easttothe mid-west,marketableyieldsareonaverage24% higherintheQuantistreatedareas.

Thetotaltubernumbersinmarketablesizegrades havebeenonaverage34%greaterinthetreated areas,reportedSyngentaTechnicalManager,Andy Cunningham.

“Whatappearsapparentisthata Quantisapplicationatearlytuber initiationhasbeenhugely beneficialinhelping plantstosetmore tubers.

“Importantly,further applicationsduring periodsofheatstress throughthegrowing seasonhasenabled cropstokeepgrowing andproducemore marketableyield.”

Allthetrialsyieldedso farhadreceivedan applicationattuber initiation,withtwo additionaltreatments duringthetuberfilling growthstages-at timingswhenthe QuantisHeatStress Alerttoolforecast periodsofchallenging conditions.

“Quantisresearchhas shownbestresultscan beachievedwithapplicationstwo tothreedayspriortoonsetof heatstress,”advisedAndy.

“NottinghamUniversityresearch hasproventhatQuantishelps

plantstobetterregulateexcess heatandcontinuetoutilise availablesunlight.”

WeobleyinHerefordshire,the cropofNectarproduced24% moretubersofmarketablesize andover30%higher totaltuberweightof marketablegrades.

“Theresultshave beenremarkable,but notentirelysurprising giventheseason’s temperatures,” commentedAndy.

“However,itmustbe rememberedeven withconsecutivedays at35-38⁰Cplus,this seasonwasthe hottestsummersince 2018.Theseevents arebecomingmore frequentandmore extreme–which growersneedto preparefor,”he advised.

ResultsofirrigatedtrialsinKent andthemidlandsweremost noticeableinproducingthe greatestupliftintubernumbersin the50-60mmsizecategory.At

Forfurtherdetailson howQuantisworks andtheQuantisHeat StressAlerttool,visitthe Syngentawebsite www.syngenta.co.uk/quantis

MAJORPOTATOSUPPLIERACCELERATES ENVIRONMENTALINNOVATIONSTOMAKE SUPPLYCHAINMORESUSTAINABLE

REVOLUTIONARYtechnologytrialsandsustainablepracticesthroughout thepotatosupplychainarebeingledbynationalpotatosupplier,Branston, inabidtoachieveNetZeroby2030.Leadingitsenvironmentalstrategy, Branston’stechnicaldirector,MarkWillcox,explainshowitsexciting advancesarehelpingtogreenthefutureofthefreshpotatosector.

Withretailfast preparingclimate strategiesto ensure decarbonisation throughoutthe entiresupplychain,itismore pertinentthaneverforthefood industrytocollaborateinorderto meetthegovernment’stargetsof netzeroby2050.

energysupplybackintoitsown productionfacilities.Ithas recentlyinstalledelectricvehicle chargingpointsatallsitesand hasintroducedaschemetohelp staffleaseelectriccars.Alltheir HGVdrivershaveundergone additionaltrainingtoimprovefuel efficiencyandfollowinga successfultrialthefleetwillhave bulkyrefrigerationunitsremoved fromthe trailersduring thecooler monthswhen theyarenot needed.

Lookingtothe widersupply chainforfresh potatoes, Branstonis leadinga groundbreaking TuberNet

AccordingtoDeloitte,85percent ofconsumersarenowmaking moresustainablelifestyle choices,particularlywhen movingtoaplant-baseddiet,and withthatinmind,arecentreport fromSupplyPilotalsofoundthat sustainablepracticesdeliver markedlybetterfinancialresults forbusinesses,responsiblefor approximately20percent.

Branstonhascontinuedtoinvest insustainableinitiativesatallits sites.Thisyearthecompanyhas investedover£1millioninto doublingthenumberofsolar panelsonitsroofs,feedingthe

Zeroprojectinpartnershipwith Agri-techfirmB-hiveinnovations, theUniversityofLincoln,crop storagetechnologyfirmCrop SystemsLtdandgrowersin LincolnshireandScotlandwhich hasrecentlybeenawarded£2 millionfundingbythe DepartmentforEnvironment, FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA) inco-operationwithUK Research&Innovation(UKRI).

TheTuberNetZeroproject bringstogetherexpertisefrom theareasimpactingmostonthe carbonfootprintofpotatoes:soil managementandfertiliserusein

thefield,transportandcold storage.Thethree-yearinitiative willtrialspecificapproachesto reducecarbonandcostineach areawiththeoverallgoalof enhancingthelong-term sustainabilityofthefreshpotato industryintheUK.

Field

Inthefield,experimental methodsingrowingpotatoesare beingtrialledalongsidethe UniversityofLincoln,withnew regenerativeagriculturepractices includingcultivationtechniques aimingtominimisesoil disturbance,maximise biodiversityandminimisehuman input.

Byfar,thebiggestGHGemitter throughoutthepotatoproduction istheuseofnitrogenbased fertilisers,soBranstonhasbeen workingonthedevelopmentofa revolutionarylow-carbonfertiliser whichusespotatopulp,abyproductoftheirpeelingprocess. Thisshouldreleasearound80% lesscarbonthanstandard syntheticfertilisersandwillbe fullytrialledatfieldscaleaspart oftheTuberNetZeroproject.

Transportandstorage

Branstonhasalreadytrialledan initiativetoreducerelianceon woodenboxesintheharvesting, storingandtransportingof potatoes.Itsbox-to-bulk transitionwillenablelorriesto transportanextrafourtonnes directlyfromthefieldorstoreto

thepackingsite.Itwillremove theneedforforkliftstoloadand unloadlorriesaswellasavoiding thereturnoflorryloadsofempty woodenboxestofarms.

AspartoftheTuberNetZero project,Branstonisworkingin conjunctionwithCropSystems Ltd–astoragetechnologyfirm innovatingnewmethodsin storingcropsinoptimum condition,whileminimising energyusageandenvironmental

waste.

Aswellasintroducingfrosted packagingtoreducegreening, thefirmusesPerfoTech technology,whichanalysesthe optimumventilationrequiredfor thecropandlaserstinyholesin thefilmasthepotatoesare packed.Thebreathableholes canalsopreventcondensation forming,whichhelpsthe potatoestokeepfresherfor longer,extendingtheshelflifeof

homeduetoatoxinnamed acrylamidepotentiallyforming duringthecookingprocess.

Newavenuesforwaste

Havingalreadydramatically improveditsuseofthewhole potatocropoverthepastfew years,theBranstonteamhas formedseveralavenuesfor wasteproduce.Notonlyhasit createdprofitableprepared productsusingoutsizetubers andpeeled‘cosmetically challenged’spudsformashand ready-meals,butithasalso utilisedlowgradematerialto generateelectricityinits anaerobicdigestionplantfor sometime.

Theongoingchallengeistoget thebestpossiblevaluefrom everypartofthecropfromthe thousandsoftonnesdealtwith eachyear,ideallyretainingit withinthehumanfoodchain.

impact.CropSystemsLtdis trailingtheintroductionofits WarmStortechnologywhilethe potatoesareintransit.Theirlow energyairsourcesystemgently warmsorcoolstheload,sothat theyareattheoptimum temperatureforhandlingwhen theyarriveatthepackingsite.

Theyarealsolookingatfurther enhancementstotheefficiency ofpotatocoldstores,usinga newsystemofairflowwhichdoes notrequireadefrostcycleand assessingthepotentialfora slightlyraisedstorage temperaturewhilstmaintaining qualityandsproutcontrol.

Anongoingjourneyto sustainablespuds

Continuingitsvoyagetowardsa greenerfutureforgrowers, retailersandcustomersalike, Branstonsaymaintainingthe correctstorageenvironmentfor packagedpotatoesisalsocrucial whenitcomestopreventing

potatoesbyuptotwodaysfor retailersandcustomers.

Inamovetoensurecustomers areplayingtheirpart,Branston’s strategytosignificantlyreduce householdpotatowaste-which totalsanestimated5.8millionin theUKalone–hasseenthe companychampionalobbying exercisetoinfluencechangein FoodStandardsAgency(FSA) adviceonhowtocorrectlystore potatoes.

RecentresearchfromWaste& ResourcesActionProgramme (WRAP)foundthatpotatoes storedinthefridgecanlastmore thanthreetimesaslong comparedwithstoringatroomtemperature,havingthepotential tosave100,000tonnesoffood wasteperyear.

Themovehelpedtodebunk previoussafetyconcernsaround previouslegislation,which advisedagainstthestorageof rawpotatoesinthefridgeat

Frompilotphasetoitsfulllaunch laterthisyear,Branstonhas recentlybeguncommercialising itsnewpotatoproteinproduct, followingitsinvestmentintoa new£6mextractionfacilityin partnershipwithagri-techR&D firmRootExtractsLtd,whichhas developedandrefinedthe bespoketechnologyoverthe pastfewyears.

Thefactorywillconvert secondarygradelow-value potatoesintofunctionalplantbasedprotein,aswellas generatingstarch-based productsforarangeof manufacturingapplications.

AsBranstonmakeswavesin enhancingsustainabilityforits ownbusiness,theprogression doesn’tstopthere,withthe companytakingaleadon industry-widechallengesthat haveabigimpactoncarbon emissions.Fromgrowingthrough toeducatingconsumers,thereis muchmoretocomefrom Branstonasitforgesagreener futureforpotatoes.

Formoreinformationabout Branston,visit: www.branston.com

theoutdoorexhibitionwith technicalprogramattractedover 250exhibitors.

Withoneinthreetravelingtothe tradefairfromabroad,thetrade fair’sprofessionalpotatovisitors wereprimarilyfrom theNetherlands, Belgium,France, Poland,Denmark, UnitedKingdom, Spain,Italyand Austria.

Additionally, expertsfromNorth Africa,Northand SouthAmerica, andAsiaattended theexhibitionto stayup-to-dateon newdevelopments intheindustry.The specialfeaturesin thetechnical programpresentedto internationalvisitors,including Germany,anarrayofsolutionsto currentissuesinpotato cultivationandmarketing:

-Digitalizationin technologyfor potatocultivation exploredin "SmartPotato Farming" -Erosioncontrol andwater management exploredin "Intercropping andgreening” -Opportunities andprospects fordirectfarm salesexploredin "On-farm processingandmarketing"

"PotatoEurope2022hasmadeit clearthatalsointhepotato industry,personalcontactisstill themostimportantfactorfor initiatingnewbusiness,”said

"Thecurrentdroughtandthe expectedlowharvesthighlightto societytheimportanceofa reliablesupplyofhigh-quality potatoes,"saidMartinUmhau, DLGSupervisoryBoardmember andpotatogrowerfromSaxony.

"PotatoEuropeisakey showcasefortechnologicalleaps inpotatoproduction.Theeventis thereforeimportantforus,as potatogrowers,andfortheentire valuechain,sincethekey solutionstocurrentproblems fromoperationalpracticeare usuallyalwayspresentedhere," addedUmhau.

Exhibitorsweresatisfiedwith theirparticipationin PotatoEurope2022, emphasizingthehigh professionallevelofthevisitors. Thisresultedin numerousprofessional andexpertdiscussions aswellasnew contactsatthestands ofthe253exhibitors from15countries.

Europeanevent schedule

RenéDöbelt,DLGvicepresident andfarmerfrominSaxony, Germany

“Manyoftheinternationalvisitors hadtraveled fartosecure liveinformation onnew varieties, cultivation methodsas wellas demonstrations ofequipment on-site."said RenéDöbelt, DLGvice presidentand farmerfromin Saxony, Germany.

Thenext PotatoEuropewillbe heldon6and7, September,2023,in BelgiuminCainnear Tournai,andwillbe organizedbythe Belgianagricultural machineryassociation Fedagrim.In2024,thetradefair willbehostedinFrancebythe ARVALIS,France’sagricultural researchinstitute,andin2025in theNetherlandsbyDLG’s subsidiaryDLGBENELUX.

PotatoEuropewillbeheldin Germanyagainin2026.

PotatoEuropeontheinternet: www.potatoeurope.com www.potatoeurope.de www.twitter.com/potatoeurope www.instagram.com/ potato.europe www.youtube.com/potatoeurope www.linkedin.com/groups/ 1593137/

xhibitorbookings forthisyear’s MidlandsMachinery Showarerunning 15%aheadof normal, demonstratingthefarmindustry’s delightatgettingbackoutand aboutpost-Covid.

Theevent,whichwillbeheldon 16-17NovemberatNewark Showground,providesfarmers andcontractorstheopportunity toviewthelatestkit,fromnew tractorstorobotsandprecision sprayerstolowdisturbance cultivators.“Exhibitorsareclearly keentoreturntofarmevents; newbookingswere15%upby theearlybirddeadlineattheend ofMay,andrepeatbookingsare alsofloodingin,”saysshow organiserElizabethHalsall.

Theeventpromisestofeature someofthenewest,most advancedmachineryand equipmentonthemarket, includingthelatesttractor models,roboticmachinery, loaders,telehandlers,and mowers.“Lastyear,77%ofour visitorsattendedtoresearchand purchasenewproductsandto meetsuppliersface-to-face,and therewillcertainlybeplentyfor themtosee.”

Chandlers(MF)Ltdwillbe bringingalargeselectionofthe latestMasseyFergusonmodels andtheChandlers(FV)Ltdteam willhaveafullrangeofFendt andValtratractors,including somebrandnewmodelsnotyet releasedatthetimeofgoingto press.Telehandlersandloaders willalsobeonview,joinedbythe

innovativeFarmDroidFD20whichwillformanybethefirst chancetoseethenewfully automatedmachine.The lightweightsix-to-eightrowFD20 runsentirelyoffsolarpowerto reducelabourandcostsof sowingandweedingcrops,while beingCO2neutral,explains GavinPell,managingdirectorat Chandlers.

“Thefarmingindustryischanging towardsmachinerythatishigh techandoftenrobotictoreduce labourandcosts,”hesays.

“Requirementsaredrifting towardsnewer,moreadvanced technologyandweareexcitedto beabletoofferthenew FarmDroidtoourcustomers.”

ReturningexhibitorSetchfields willbecelebratingits40th

anniversarythisyear,andwillbe exhibitingKiotitractors,mowers, andequipment.The Lincolnshire–basedfirmwillalso bejoinedbyJCBloaders.

“TheMidlandsMachineryShow

isagoodplacetocatchupwith newandexistingcontacts,”says chiefoperatingofficerHannah Setchfield,whojoinedthefamily businesslastyear.“Thefarming communityiscontinually evolving,andthroughourparts,

serviceandmachinery offeringwearewell equippedtomeetthe demandsofthe modernfarming business.”

Almost35%ofvisitors lastyearordereda newproductfromthe show,and82%learnt aboutnewproducts andinnovations,says MrsHalsall.“Given theclosefocuson farmandturfcare machineryand equipment,both exhibitorsandvisitors knowthattheywillget whattheycamefor.

Lastyear93%of visitorsweresatisfied withtheexhibitors’ offering,andwithadvance bookingsalreadyuponprevious years,itpromisestobea fantasticeventforallinvolved.”

•Formoreinformationvisit www.midlandsmachinerysho w.com

Regenerativefarmingconference attheMidlandsMachineryShow

TheNFUwillholda half-day conferenceon regenerative farmingatthe Midlands MachineryShowon16 November.

The‘miniconference’isaimed atfarmerswhowanttofind outmoreaboutwhat regenerativefarmingis, beyondthebuzzword.Itwill includesessionsthatoutline regenerativefarming practices;examinetheimpact ofpracticesonbusinesses’ bottomlines;andtalksfrom farmersalreadyemploying regenerativefarming.

“Iamdelightedtobechairing theEastMidlandsNFU Conferencethisyear,”says DavidExwood,NFUvice president.

“Thegrowthininterestfrom farmersaboutregenerative farmingiscleartoseeand withthisconference,ourrole willbetohelpmembers understandtheprinciplesand howitmightfitintotheir businessesasfood producers.”

SimonFisher,NFU environmentadviser,is organisingtheconference.“It isforfarmerswhoseealotof wordsaboutregenerative farmingbutwonderwhatit’s allabout,”heexplains.“Soil healthisunderthemicroscope atthemoment,andthat’sthe foundationofregenerative agriculture–HenryDimbleby’s NationalFoodStrategy focusedonit,asdoesthe NFU’sownFoundationofOur Foodreport.

“WealsoknowthatDefrais puttingtogetherasoilhealth

actionplan,andthereis generallyalotofinterestin regenerativefarmingamongst farmersthemselves–this conferencewillthereforehelp themmakeabitmoresense ofitall.

“Weknowalotofsoilsare depleted,andifwe’re goingtobeamore sustainableindustry goingforwardthen we’vegottostart puttingsomeofthese thingsright–if nothingelseforthe nextgenerationof farmers.”

Precisiontechnology tominimiseinputsand no-tilldrillscanhelp withmoresustainable farming,addsMr Fisher.Andtherewill beplentyofthemto seeandcompareat theShowitself,along withfarmbusiness consultantsoffering adviceonthevarious environmentaland grantschemes available.

Surveywillpaint pictureofregenerative farminginregion

TheNFUisalso hopingtousethe conferencetoruna surveyaboutwhat regenerativefarming practicesfarmersare alreadyusinginthe region,saysMr Fisher.

“Therearefive regenerativefarming principles,andalotof farmersareprobably alreadydoingatleast someofthese,like

covercroppingandmin-till whichplentyofpeoplehave beendoingforaboutfiveto sevenyearsnow.Itwillbe interestingtoseewhoisdoing what,andhowmanyare engagedinthefull regenerativefarming spectrum.”

finishingworkinaroundtwothirdsofthetime,taking2-3 hoursoffa10hourday.”

BobcatMaxControlisanew hardwarekit,combinedwithan iOSapplication,witheasytouch controlsthataredesignedfor smartphones,sothatremote controlusingthesystemisjust asintuitiveasusingaphoneapp. MaxControlisavailablenowon iOSdevices,butanAndroid versionwillbeavailableshortly.

WithMaxControl,ownersof Bobcatloadersdonotneedthe latestmachineliketheT450atJ HFencingorcostlyhardware updatestoenjoyremotecontrol. Thesystemisalreadycompatible withallBobcatloaderswith SelectableJoystickControls (SJC)datingasfarbackas2004. Asaresult,theMaxControl systemprovidesanewwidely applicableremotecontrol solutionforuseinmanymarkets includingconstruction, demolition,agriculture, landscaping,cleaning,recycling andgeneralliftingandhandling.

NewBobcatT450Provides ManyAdvantages

JackHampshireadded:“I purchasedtheT450fromGrays foritscompactsizeand operatingweightofonly2961kg, combinedwiththelowground pressureandhightraction providedbythedurabletrackson themachinetoworkinall conditions.Anothervery attractivefeatureoftheT450isit isfullytowableand,withawidth ofunder1.4mon300mm tracks,theT450canpass througheventhenarrowest gatesonfarmsandelsewhere,

whichis perfectfor ourwork creatingnew equine arenasand other fencing applications.

“TheT450 maybea compact machinebut itprovides allthepower weneedfor ourwork-itisdrivenbythewellprovenBobcatD24StageVhigh torquedieselengineproviding 41.0kW(55HP)ofpowerand combinesthiswithanimpressive tippingloadandarated operatingcapacityof2049kg and717kg,respectively.”

Whenliftingandcarryinglarge loads,theuseofMaxControl eliminatesblindspotsinfrontof theloadandraisesawarenessof thesurroundingenvironment. Beingoutsidethecabalsoallows forface-to-facecommunication withco-workersonsite,enabling fasterorganizationofthework. Operatorsmayneverknowin advancewhenremoteoperation willcomeinhandy,butwith MaxControlonthephoneintheir pocket,theyarealwaysreadyfor anychallengesthatcanarise.

RemoteOperationAlwaysat YourFingertips

JackHampshireadded:"Thesetupischild'splayandvery intuitive.Yousimplyconnectthe devicetothemachineviathe joystickcontrolandaremote dashboardformsandis displayedonthe smartphone. Thankstothis flexibility,Ican simplystartthe machine,pull outmymobile phoneand controlthe machine remotely. Switchingback tomanual drivingisjustas

quick.Itiseasyandintuitiveto useandhasarangeofupto100 m.Beingbasedonanapp,I knowIcanalsogetthenewest featuresthemomenttheyare available.

“WithMaxControlinstalledonthe T450,itallowsustocombine jobswithouthavingtojumpin andoutoftheloader’scab. Beingabletooperateoutsidethe cabprovidesadifferentangleof view,helpingnewandevenless experiencedoperatorsintight areas.”

GraysMachinery-Authorised BobcatDealer

AsthededicatedBobcat AuthorisedDealerforNorthand WestYorkshireintheUK,Grays Machineryhassoleresponsibility initsareaforsalesandservice ofthemarket-leadingrangeof Bobcatskid-steerandcompact trackloaders,mini-excavators, telehandlers,compactwheel loaders,lightcompactionand attachments.

AswellastheentireBobcat range,Graysalsooffersafull selectionofgenuineBobcat accessoriesandpartstosupport bothnewandexistingBobcat customersinitsarea.Thisis backedupbyastockofboth brandnewandsecondhand Bobcatmachinesforsale. Customersalsobenefitfrom Grays’on-siteservicenetwork, coveringeverythingfrom emergencyrepairstoroutine maintenance.

Formoreinformationabout BobcatandBobcatproducts,visit thewebsitewww.bobcat.com

yLife

I’moftenaskedwhetherI alwayswantedtobea farmer.Theanswerisyes. Alongsidemytwinsister,we arenowthefifthgenerationonourfamilyfarm inNorthYorkshire.Aftergoingawaytostudy andastintinothersectorsstillwithin agriculture,Iventuredbacktothefarmjust overayearago.Icansafelysaythatbeinga farmerisallIhopeditwouldbeintermsofthe opportunitiestomakeadifference.

Growingup,Irememberalwayshavingabusy life–Iwastryingtofitinschoolwithsporting commitments,horsesandprobablymost memorably,helpingoutonthefarm.During lambingtime,mysisterandIwouldgetupearly todothefirstchecksonthesheepandproceed toschoolwithadistinctlydifferentaromatothe cleanlaundrysmellsportedbyourfellow classmates!Butwedidn’tmind–farmingwas ourlifeandthelifegenerationsbeforeushad chosentolead.Afterschool,Iheadedtothe

UniversityofCambridgetostudyforadegreein Human,SocialandPoliticalSciences.Ididn’t thinkIwouldfitinatCambridgeandthere certainlyweren’ttoomanyfarmers,butthat didn’tmatter.Itwasagreatexperiencetosee lifefromtheotherside–citylifeand surroundedbypeoplewhowereintriguedby everythingthatwentonathome.WhenItell peoplethatIwenttoCambridgeandamnowa farmer,they’resometimesshocked.Apparently, itisnotseenas‘thedonething’tobeacademic andinagriculturebutpeoplecouldn’tbemore wrongandIhopethismisconceptionchanges. MostofthefarmersIhavemetaresomeofthe mosteloquent,multi-skilledandintelligent peopleIhavecomeacross,albeitinsometimes theirowneccentricways!

FollowingmytimeatCambridge,IdecidedIstill wasn’treadyfortheworldofwork!Notbeing abletoenvisionmyselfwithacareerinLondon likemanyofmyfriendsandwantingtoreturnto myagriculturalroots,IheadedtotheRoyal AgriculturalUniversitytostudyforanMScin

So,womeninagriculture… whathasthis meantformylifesofar?Thefarmhasbeen passeddownonmymaternalside,soinmy lifetimeandbeyond,therehasalwaysbeena femalefigureactivelyinvolvedinthefarming business.Indeed,Ithinkitwouldbewidely recognisedthatwhoeverdoestheworkoutside, whethertheyaremaleorfemale,itisoftenthe womanwhoreallyknowswherethe chequebookiskept!IknowIhavebeenluckyin thissituationandjokesaside,thereisstillwork todoforrepresentationanddiversityofall typesinagriculture.Weneeddiversepeople withdiverseskillsetstostrengthentheindustry, tokeepitrelevantandattractivetonew entrantsaswellasensurethatwearethemost progressivewecanbeinallareas.Ourjobwill bedonewheneveryoneisvaluedfortheir abilitytodoarole,nottheirgender,raceor sexuality.

BootsandHeels

Alongsideworkingonthefarm,IamalsocopresenteroftheFarmersWeeklyBootsand HeelsPodcastturnedYouTubeseries.Iamthe BootsoftheduoandpartneredupwithLizzie McLaughlin(theHeelsofthetwo)whoisfroma

RuralEstateManagement.Thiswasprobably themostfunyearofmylife–Iwassurrounded bylike-mindedpeoplewhoknewwhatImeant whenIsaidthatourbestewehadmastitisor thewheatwasat15%andwholovedfinding newpubsasmuchasIdid,allwhilstlearninga moretheoreticalsidetotheindustryIloved.

Thetimehadthencomeformetogeta‘proper’ job,soIworkedasaruralsurveyorin OxfordshirebeforecomingbacktoYorkshireto workasaprojectmanagerinapoultry equipmentsupplyfirm.Unfortunately,dueto familyillness,Ireturnedbacktothefamilyfarm soonerthanplanned.Mydadwasn’tableto driveforsixmonthsandsowemadethe decisionthatitwastherighttimetocome home,trythingsout,andIcouldalwaysgo backtoajoboutsidethefarmifthingsdidn’t work.Well,nearly18monthslaterI’mstillhere andhopefullywillcontinuetobehere,helping tobuildthefamilybusinessforwhenmysister returnshome.Rosiecurrentlyworksat BenthamAuctionMarketand,inevitably, workingsomewhereasrenownedfortheir sheepsalesasBentham,that’swhereher passionlies.Shestartedbuildingherflockof sheepthreeyearsagoandIboughtmyfirst gimmershearlingsthisyeartojointheflockand keepgrowingnumbers.

non-farmingbackground.Theideastarted whenLizziehadquestionsformeaboutfarming

whichsomepeoplewouldn’t liketoaskforfearofbeing seenasstupidorignorant.We don’tthinkthisisthecaseat all–youcan’tjustGooglethe answerstofarmingquestions astheanswersareoften complex,filledwithspecific terminologyandquitesimply everyfarmisdifferent. However,ifpeopledon’thave knowledgeoffarming,how canweexpectthemtobe connectedwithfood productionandBuyBritish. ThemostrecentYouTube serieshastakenusallover thecountry,withsome recognisablefacessuchas

ChallengingTimes Ahead

AsIwritethisfeature,weare currentlyrainedoffand desperatetogetthecombine outagain.Butontheother hand,therainhasbeen absolutelyvitalforthegrass growth–wehavebeen supplementaryfeedingwhich isnotsomethingyouever wanttodooversummeras thereistheworrythatwewill havedepletedourwinter stocks.Fingerscrossedthe rainhascomejustintimeto saveoursupplies.Thedrought

extremeweathereventswill becomemorefrequentbutI wonderwhenwewillstop beingtoldthatfarmersand livestockarealltoblame.Yes, wecanalwaysimprove,butI thinktargetssuchasthe NFU’sNetZeroby2040show theambitionwhichBritish farmershavetoprovetothe worldthatwearepartofthe solutionandarealways strivingforthehighest standardsofbothsustainability andwelfare.

We’realsoseeing unprecedentedinputprice risesatthemoment.Whilst theseareaffectingall industriesacrosstheworldas wellasconsumers,agriculture isbeinghitextremelyhard. Oneofthereasonsforthisis thatfarmersareprice-takers. Wecannotdeterminethe marginsasaresultofthesale pricebutwhatwecandoistry tomonitorourcostsmore closelythaneverbefore,make ourbusinessdecisionsbased onstrategyandkeepstriving toimproveefficiency.Forus, weareaHelixFarmin partnershipwithHutchinsons, ouragronomyspecialists.The Helixconceptuses technology,innovationand datatodeliversustainable farming–it’sallaboutknowing yourfieldsandusingthis informationtoinformyour decisionmaking.Another crucialpartisthetrialsthatwe undertake,suchasthose testingvarieties,nitrogenuse efficiencyandotherproducts comingtothemarket.

Emmerdale’sKelvinFletcher,

hasmostlikelydepletedour yieldssignificantlyonthe arableside.Ourpeas,for example,haddriedoff naturallyaboutthreeweeks beforewewouldexpect. That’sthreeweeksofcrucial podfillingtimethatwehave lost.Timewilltellwhenwe managetogetthecombine outagain.We’retoldthese

Hopefully,byembracingthe concept,wecanshare knowledgeandexpertisewith otherfarmersandbeyond.

Finally,farmerscanalsofind themselvesupagainstitwhen itcomestopolicy.Alltoo often,thedecision-makersare fartooremovedfromthe realitiesoffarmlife,frequently

implementingpolicieswhich arelackingcommonsense, arenotjoinedupbetween organisationsandare disconnectedfromactualonfarmpractices.TheFarming RulesforWaterspringsto mindasarecentexample whichhasbeenmuchreported oninfarmingcircles.There canalsobeproblemswith blanketpoliciesbeingapplied whenweknowasfarmersthat thingsneedtobelookedaton afarm-by-farmbasis,oratthe veryleastwithan awarenessoflocation. Myhopeforthefuture isthatgovernmentand theirsubsidiary organisationsbecome morewillingtoengage withfarmers.But engagementisjustthe start–theknowledge thatfarmersshare mustbeusedto educateandinform futurepolicy.

Itisdifficultieslike thesementioned above,plusawhole hostmoretoo numeroustomention, thatmeanweare facingarealmental healthcrisisinour industry.OnaBoots andHeelsepisodein seriesone,Iamstill leftwiththewordsof oneofourguests, ‘everyfarmerknowsa farmerwhohastakentheir ownlife’.Indeed,ifonlywe gaveourselvesthesamecare andattentionthatwegiveour livestock,cropsand machinery.Ihopethatanyone whoisreadingthiswhois strugglingknowsthatthereis supportoutthereforthem, whetherthatbefriendsand family,orcharitiessuchas YellowWellies,TheFarming CommunityNetworkorthe DPJFoundation.

BritishAgriculture–spreadingapositive message

Outsideofthefarm,Iwas luckyenoughtobechosenas anNFUStudentandYoung FarmerAmbassadorfor2022. Theprogrammeisayear-long seriesofeventsdesignedto giveyoungpeoplethe opportunitytoengagewiththe workoftheNFUandtoput theirownstamponthefuture ofBritishfarming.

manyfollowers,letalone anyonewhoknewwhatthe NFUstoodfor.Fromthere,I foundIhadlotsofchancesto takephotosonthefarmand beyond.Whatseemedtome tobeaday-to-dayjobsuchas footbathingsheepprovedto beaneye-openerforlotsof myfollowerswhocouldlearn aboutthetimeandattention whichfarmersgivetotheir flockandtoanimalwelfare. Now,Istilltaketimewhen writingmypoststoensurethat I’mrelayingtheright message.

ThroughbothBoots andHeelsandbeing partofthe ambassador programme,Ihave hadsomeamazing opportunitiestospeak publiclytohighlightthe challengesinBritish agriculturebutalso showcasetheindustry. Forexample,Ihave spokenontheradio, writtenarticles,visited Parliamenttospeakto MPsandevendidmy firstliveTVinterview fromtheGreat YorkshireShowthis year!

WhenIbecamean ambassador,Iwasawarethat wewouldbecalleduponto spreadmessagesaround Britishagricultureonsocial media.Notevenayearago,I hadonlypostedaboutthree picturesonInstagrambutI reallywantedtoutilisethe opportunityandplatformI wouldhave.Cuemyfirst ‘proper’post!Ispentages tryingtogetthetoneright,and hadtopluckupthecourageto clickshareasIdidn’thave

So,amIhappyI’ma farmer?Absolutely. Beingactivelyinvolved infarmingmeansIam inaprivilegedposition tobeabletospreadtheword aboutourfantasticindustry. Whocanshoutlouderthan farmersthemselves?

FollowRebecca’slifeonthe farmonInstagram: @rebeccawilson722

CheckoutRebecca’sbussiness onAirbnb!

Biogashasakeyroletoplayinaddressing energyandclimatecrises,saysanaerobic digestiontradebodyinletterstonewgovernment

•ChrisHuhne,formerEnergyandClimateChangeSecretaryofStateandnowchairman oftheAnaerobicDigestionandBioresourcesAssociation(ADBA)-writestothePM andkeymembersoftheCabinetsettingoutthebenefitsofanaerobicdigestion(AD) andbiogastoachieveeconomicgrowth,energyindependenceanddecarbonisation

•ItcouldtakelessthantwoyearstobuildanADplant–inadditiontoreducingtheUK dependenceongasimports,rapidgrowthoftheindustrycouldhelpreduceUKannual greenhousegasemissionsby6%

•ADBAcallsforgovernmentsupportinseparatefoodwastecollectionsgoingtoAD, therapiddeploymentofADinfrastructureandtheliftingofredtapeforbiogas producerstosecuregreateroutputofbiogas

Inletterswelcoming themtotheirnew roles,ChrisHuhne (pictured),former SecretaryofState forEnergyand ClimateChangeand nowChairmanoftheAnaerobic DigestionandBioresources Association(ADBA),hasurged PrimeMinisterLizTruss, BusinessSecretaryJacobReesMogg,ChancellorKwasi Kwarteng,Environment SecretaryRanilJayawardena andTransportSecretaryAnneMarieTrevelyantorecognisethe valueofADandbiogasas shorter-termsolutionstothe hugechallengesfacingthenew government.

"Biogasderivedfromorganic wastescanprovideasubstantial alternativetogasimportswhile alsogeneratingrevenueforthe Treasurythatcouldbeusedto alleviateconsumerbills",he writes.

Pointingoutthebenefitsof biogasasaconstantratherthan intermittentsourceofenergy,he emphasisedtherapid contributionADplantscould maketoachievingenergy security.Withtherighthelp,the existingfleetcouldproducemore energy,andnewplantscouldbe builtevenfasterthanthecurrent

two-yearturnaround,heexplains, beforelamentingthe government'sfailuretoeven mentionbiogasorbiomethanein theUK'sEnergyStrategy publishedinApril.

"Morebiogasisasanessential responsetotheRussiangas crisis,asmanyofourneighbours areproposing"hesays."TheEU planstodoublebiogasoutputto meet9%oflastyear'sgas demand.Bycontrast,intheUK, currentgovernmentplanswould meetlessthan1%ofour2021 consumption".

HealsodescribestheroleofAD andbiogastechnologyplaysin decarbonisingtheeconomyby transformingorganicwastesinto valuablebioresourcesand capturingharmfulgreenhouse gasemissionsintheprocess."If theorganicwastesusedtomake biogasandbiomethanearenot managed"heexplains,"they releasethepotentgreenhouse gasmethaneandcausehuman healthissues.Whenrecycled throughAD,theseemissionsare capturedandtheorganic'wastes' turnedintoastorable,flexible greengas(biogas),bio-CO2and arich-in-nutrientbio-fertiliser (digestate)."

"Fullydeployed,theADand biogasindustrycouldalsoreduce

annualgreenhousegas emissionsby6%",hestates.

TosupportthegrowthoftheAD andbiogasindustryasa significantsolutiontothese challenges,hecallsontheUK governmentto:

•Acceleratetheimplementation ofmandatoryseparate collectionsoffoodwasteacross theUKanditstreatmentthrough ADtoproducebiogasand biomethane

•Supporttherapiddeploymentof biogasandbiomethane infrastructurethroughcontracts fordifference(asappliedto turbo-chargethewindandsolar sectors).Atpresentgasprices, thiswouldleadtoawindfallfor theTreasury

•Reduceunnecessaryredtape onbiogasproducers,including time-consumingandonerous planningprocesses,toenable sharpshort-termincreasesin biogasoutput.

HeconcludesbyinvitingthePM andcabinetmemberstoengage withADBAtodiscussthe sector'spotentialinaddressing today'schallengesandvisita biogasplanttoseethe technologyinaction.

IOGESTAmerica receivedaUS ordertobuildan agriculturalbiogas plantinSouth Dakota.Theplant hasathermaloutputof156,000 MMBTUp.a.andoperateson 224,000tofcowmanureper year.Duringtheprocess,the manureistransformedintohighqualityorganicfertilizerthatacts asasubstituteforchemical products.Aftertheprojectis complete,thebiogasgenerated bythismanurewillbecaptured,

cleaned,andconvertedinto RNG.BIOGEST'sprovenbiogas planttechnologyofferssignificant advantagesinenergyefficiency andoperationalsafetyaswellas aneasyandcost-efficient maintenancesystem.

"We'rethrilledtohavethe opportunitytoplanthisanaerobic digestionprojectasacomponent ofournewFullCircleDairy.We arerepeatpartnerswith Brightmarkforasimplereason: weknowthatwecantrustthem togetthejobdone."–GregVan

Ravenswaay,Manager,Full CircleDairy

RNGistheonlyrenewable energysourcethatcanbe carbon-negative,asit significantlyreducesmethane emissionsfromagricultural operations.BIOGEST'sRNG plantsproducenotonlypipeline qualitygreengasbutalsoan organicfertilizerthathelpsto lowertheuseofchemical fertilizersinagriculture.

GoodWeUnveilingPlans foraSolarFutureat

SolarandStorageLive

SolarmanufacturerGoodWeissettounveiltwo newproductsatSolarandStorageLive2022.

Theproductstobeshowcased attheUK'sflagshipsolarand renewablesevent,which takesplaceatBirmingham's NECfrom18th–20th October,includeanew modelofGoodWe'sinnovativehybrid inverterandadomesticenergystorage solutionthatcombinessuperior performancewithoptimiseduser experience.

Withsolarproductshighindemandas homeownersseekwaystocombatthe energycrisis,GoodWe(standE1)willbe demonstratingitslatestproductstohelp installersanddistributorswithresidential installations.Thisincludesanew6kW modelofitspowerfulsingle-phase,low voltagehybridinverter,theESG2Series.

The6kWESG2inverterisasingle-phase hybridinverterdesignedtoincreaseselfconsumptionofsolarenergy.Availablein outputsrangingfrom3-6kW,itssmart designoffersgreatflexibilityfor demandingscenariosasitsupportspeakshavingfunctionalityandparallel operationforexpansionupto30kW. Moreover,ESG2enhancesoperational safetywithremoteshutdownaswellasa rangeofothersafetyfeaturestoprovide all-roundprotectionfortheinverterand eventhewholePVsystem.Thankstoits integratedplug-and-playfunctionalityand compact,lightweightdesign,PV installationscanbequickerandeasierto completethaneverbefore.

Showcasedalongsidethenewinverterwill

betheLynxHomeUSerieslow voltagelithiumbattery,specially designedforresidentialuse.The USerieshasabuilt-inauto recognitionfunctionwhichallows formuchfastersetup,making installationssimpler.Remote diagnosisandupgradesalso meanmaintenanceiseasierto managetoo.Automatic undervoltagerebooting contributestoenhancedsafety andasmootheruserexperience, asdoestheLynxUSeries'IP65 protectionlevel.

Thenewinverterandbatteryare partofGoodWe'soverallEco SmartHomeconcept,seamlessly integratingallaspectsof residentialsolar,includingBIPV panelsandEVchargers.

EugeneLucarelli,Marketing ManageratGoodWeUK,said: "Microgenerationandstorage arethewaytogoinorderto addressthecurrentpowercrisis andeventuallyleadtoallhouses beingpartiallyortotallypowered bysolar.

"WiththelaunchofourESG2 series,alongsideourexisting comprehensivelineofsolar invertersandstorage technology,weareaimingto protectthegeneralpublicfrom risingenergycosts,power outages,andover-relianceon

thegrid.Notonlythat,butwe eliminatetheusualhasslesfor installerssuchaswarranty issues,installationdelays,and compatibilityproblems.

"TheLynxHomeUseriesof batteriesputssolarpowerinthe handsofconsumers.Designed withhomeapplicationsinmind, theUSeriesiseasytoinstalland commission,andveryuserfriendly.Witharangeof5.4–32.4kWh,combiningtheESG2 inverterwithaLynxHomeU Seriesbatterywillsafeguardany homeagainstrisingenergycosts andpoweroutages,aswellas helpcontributetotheUK'snet

zerogoals."

Alongsideitsresidentialsolar solutions,GoodWeisalso leadingthechargeon commercialandutility-scale solutions.AccompanyingEugene LucarelliatSolarandStorage LiveisDavidSanchez,EMEA SalesDirectoratGoodWe,who willbeonhandtodiscusssolar power'spotentialintheUKand answeranyquestionsonsolar farmsandindustrialsolar applications.

Sanchezadded:"GoodWeis determinedtobeanallyin helpingtheUKachieveitsNet Zerogoals.Webelievethatsolar

iskeytodrivingtheenergy transitionbothnationallyand globally,whichiswhyweare excitedforSolarandStorage Live.GoodWe'slarge-scale invertersarealreadyinuse acrossutility-scalefarmsin China,APACandEMEAsoIt'sa fantasticopportunitytounveilour newestdevelopments,bringing ourknowledgeandexpertiseto playourpartintheUK'sfuture."

Toregisterforfreeticketsto SolarandStorageLive, clickhere.

FormoreaboutGoodWeandits solutions,please visiten.goodwe.com.

CardenGroupisprivatelyownedand

Theyhaveworked

Collectivelyand

MORGAN,HEATH&AUBREY-FLETCHERLAUNCHSTRATEGICLANDBUSINESS

expertise,whetheritbedraftorallocatedsites,orland withlongertermprospects.Thegoalistodeliverhigh qualityplacemakingandthrivingnewcommunities.Once planningpermissionisachieved,thelandwillthenbe soldtolocal,regionalornational housebuilderswhosharethesamevalues.”

CardenGrouphasalreadyacquireditsfirstsite–a220 acreparcelofagriculturallandnearExeter.Planninghas nowbeensubmittedatTreasbeareGardenVillage,with theplanstodeliver1,000newhomes,aneighbourhood centre,primaryschool,publicopenspaceincludingplay areas,allotments,sportspitchesandapavilion. Thecompanyisalsoclosetoacquiringtwofurthersites, whichbetweenthemwoulddeliver1,100homes.

Aboutthefounders;

WillHeath,whogrewuponafamily-runmixedfarmin Shropshire,isacharteredsurveyorbybackground.As CEOofCardenGroup,heassumesdaytoday responsibilityofthebusiness.HeisalsoCEOofthe BridgemereGroupandchairmanofCastleGreen Homes,aprivatelyownednorth-westbasedhousebuilder currentlybuilding300homesperyear.Willassumesday todayresponsibilityofCarden Group.Willpreviouslyspent12yearsatRedrowwhere heheldanumberofseniorpositionsincludingGroup DevelopmentDirectorandChairmanofHarrowEstates –Redrow’sstrategiclandbusiness.

SteveMorganiswellknownandhighlyrespectedwithin thepropertyindustry,havingfoundedRedrow,nowone oftheUK’sleadinghousebuilders,in1974.In2019he retiredfromthebusinessafterhandingoverRedrow’s 100,000thhomeandhavingguidedthebusinessto recordlevelsoftradingandprofitability.Steveisalso chairmanoftheBridgemereGroupofcompanies,which hasinterestsinaviation,healthcare,UKandoverseas property,homebuildingandhotels.In2001 hesetuptheSteveMorganFoundationtosupport projectsthatimprovethelivesofthemostvulnerableand disadvantaged.InrecentyearsStevehasgivenover £300mtotheFoundation,makingitoneofthelargest charitabletrustsintheUK.

HarryAubrey-FletcherpreviouslyworkedatTaylor Wimpeyasstrategiclanddirectoroverseeingmajor strategicdevelopmentprojectsacrosstheUK.Priorto thathespentsixyearsatJ.P.Morganadvising housebuildersandconstructioncompanies.Alongside hisroleatCardenGroup,Harryisadirectorofafamily farmingbusinesswithoperationsinBuckinghamshire, Oxfordshire,WestSussexandBerkshire.

TheUK’sleading ruralinsurer,NFU Mutual,isurging farmersandother ruralLandRover Defenderownersto takesensiblesecuritymeasures toprotecttheiriconicvehicles.

Theinsureriscallingforamixof traditionalandsophisticated electronicsecuritymeasuresas claimsdatashowsthatDefender theftfromruralhomes,farmsand otherbusinessesincreasedby 34%in2021,afteraslightlullin 2020.NFUMutualdatasuggests thatthenumberofLandRover Defendertheftsis oncourseto increaseagainin 2022.

Thecostof Defendertheft reportedtoNFU Mutualhasalso rocketedby87%, with£2.6mincars andpartsbeing stolenfrom countryside communitiesand businesses.

Rebecca Davidson,Rural AffairsSpecialist atNFUMutual, said:

“We’vebeeninsuringLand Roverssincetheyfirstappeared onBritishfarms,andtheiriconic statusmakesthesevehiclesa regulartargetforboth opportunisticthievesand organisedcriminalgangs.

“Fromtrustedfarmvehiclesto covetedcollectors’pieces, Defendershaveuniversal appeal.Witholdermodels retainingtheirvintagevalueand newerusedcarssoaringinprice, thievesarescouringthe countrysideforLandRovers,as wellasdismantlingthemfor parts.

“Weknowthatwhenpricesgo up,thievesarequicktocashin andthedecreaseinruraltheft thatwesawoverlockdownis wellandtrulyover.

“AtNFUMutual,wewillcontinue toprotectourcustomersand theircommunitiesbyworking closelywiththeNationalVehicle CrimeIntelligenceService (NaVCIS),tohelptrackdown thievesandrecoverstolen vehicles.Butpreventionisbest whereverpossible,sowe’re urgingtheruralcommunityto takestepstoprotecttheir vehicles.”

possible,usingacombinationof measuressuchasimmobilisers, trackingdevicesandpedaland

“It’salsocommontoseevehicles

NFUMutualhaspartneredwith ScorpionTracktooffer customersdiscountsofover50% onsophisticatedtrackingand anti-theftdevicesfortheir vehicles.

DCChrisPiggottofNaVCIS said:

“Weareparticularlyconcerned thattheolderLandRover Defendermodels,the workhorseswhichareso importanttofarmers’everyday activity,areatriskbecauseofa lackofmodernsecuritysystems.

“Ownersshouldthereforefortify theirvehiclesasmuchas

•Don’tshareinformationon indicatewhereLandRovers

•Formodernvehicles,keep electronickeysinafaraday pocketorboxatnight

MatthewWeaver,Stone, Staffordshire

MatthewWeaverisnostranger totheperniciouseffectsofrural crime,havingpreviouslyfallen victimtotheftsfromhisdairyand arablefarminStaffordshire.

Aftersufferingthesethefts, MatthewinstalledCCTVcameras andimprovedthesecurityatthe gatetohisfarmyard.

HisLandRoverDefender,the workhorseheuseseverydayto navigatehisfarm,wasparked rightunderneathoneofthese CCTVcameraswhenagroupof thievesbrokeintoMatthew’s farmyardandstrippedthebonnet anddoorsfromthevehicle.

“Theywerebrazenanddidn’t seemtocarethattheywerein fullsightoftheCCTV,”said Matthew,recallingthenightthe thievesbrokein.

“Ihaveavideoinhighdefinition oftheDefenderbeingcasually strippedforpartswhileIsleptin thehouse.Theyknewexactly howtoremoveeachpartsothey clearlyplannedthejob.”

Matthewwasnotalonein sufferingsuchatheftfromhis LandRoveratthattime.

“Thesamethinghappenedto othersinourareawithinadayor twoofmytheft.Ithinkthese partsarebeingtargetedbecause theyarehardtocomebyatthe moment.

“AlthoughNFUMutualpaidfor thedamageandprovidedahire carwhilewesourcedparts,it wasalongtimeuntilnewdoors andabonnetbecameavailable andtheDefenderwasbackup andrunningaroundthefarm again.”

Matthewhasupgradedthe securityonhisfarmagainbutis worriedthatthecountrysidewill continuetofallvictimstorural criminals.

“Whatcanbedone?”he concluded.“There’snoeasy answer.”

StephenMurgatroyd,St Agnes,Cornwall

Thievesmanagedtobypassan alarmandsteeringlocktosteal StephenMurgatroyd’sLand RoverDefenderfromthe drivewayofhisCornishhome, beforeusingitinanattempted cashpointraid.

Theytookitintheearlyhours withoutalertingthe65-year-old, orhisneighbours,andheonly foundoutthevehiclehadgone whenapolicemanfriendrang himtosayithadbeen discoveredelsewhere.

“Whenhephonedthatmorning, heaskedmewheremyDefender wasandItoldhimitwasonthe driveway.Hesaiditcan’tbe,as I’mlookingatitwhileI’mtalking toyou,”saidStephen,wholives

inthevillageofStAgnes.

“WhereIusuallypark,itwould havebeenhiddenbytrees,butI hadleftitfurtherdownthe drivewayasIhadbeenpainting thehousethatweek,sothe thieveswouldhaveseenitfrom theroad.

“Icouldn’tbelieveit.Idon’tknow howtheymanagedtodoit withoutdisturbingusoranyof ourneighbours.”

Stephensaidhisfriendtoldhim thatitwasn’tthefirsttobetaken andtherehadbeenother attemptedtheftsofDefenderson thesamenight.

AfterStephen’sDefenderwas latercapturedonCCTVwhenit wasusedintheattempted cashpointraidinanearby seasidetown,thethieves dumpedit.

Whilehewaspleasedtohave thevehiclebackandgetit repaired,thethieveshadalready dealthimafurtherblow.

Duringawalkwithhiswifeand daughterjusthoursafterthe theft,Stephenfoundhistoolbox andotherpossessionsfromthe LandRoverdumpedinahedge, just400yardsfromhishouse.

Stephenadded:“Thatwaswhat hurtmemorethananything.We wereburgledanumberofyears agoandthatsameemotioncame back.It’sveryunpleasantand canhavesuchanimpactonyour life,butthethievesdon’tthink aboutthat.”

ABreedApart

coEweinNorfolkis anexampleofan amazingfamily farmingbusiness thatdiversifiesnot justinproducing foodforallofustoenjoy,butalso insustainableproductionoftheir sheepwithlovelywoollyjumpers andrugs.Theirluxurylifestyle rangeshowcasetheirethicsand bybeingbasedaroundzero wasteandtheyarethus,fully sustainable&quintessentially British.

"OliviaisaShepherdessand Maker,custodianoftheland, conservationistfromtheBrecksin Norfolkandanadvocateforher flockofNorfolkHornedsheep; workingtoconnectpeoplewith therealitythatourclothescome fromfarming,justlikeourfood. Herhand-crafted,100%traceable knitweardemonstrateshow Britishwoolcanbegrown regeneratively,simplyandlocally processed,resultinginclothing thatisbeautiful,honestandgood

fortheearth.Everypieceis distinctiveindesigninspiredby ourrichheritageprovidingtrue provenance.

Authenticinorigin, theyareboundto thejourneyofher shepherdinglife; fromdelivering lambsand watchingtheir fleecesgrow throughoutthe season,to shearingtimeand runningthe threadsoffinished yarnsthroughher hands."

Asafamilyoffirstgeneration farmers,that began8yearsago wewerefromthe onsetvery passionateand enthusedtoraise theprofileofthis indigenousbreed andshareourrich historyofWool& Textileindustry.

TheHerlingswere

afamilyofgreatantiquityinthis parishandareburiedinSt.Peter &PaulChurchattheeastendof thesouthisleinachapel dedicatedtotheVirginMary, calledHerling’schapel,itbeing theburialplaceofthatfamily adornedinhiseffigies,withthat ofhiswife,beautifullycarvedin marble,lieonthetopofthealter tomb.Onhisbreastarehisown armsandthoseofhismother,his feetlayonalionandthewhole

tombisencompassedin Pelicans,Unicornsand Crescents.

Itistheseemblemsin thestoneworkthathas inspiredourdesigns, patterns&knitwear usingourNorfolkHorn4 ply&DKyarn.Through thisprocessitmeans we’vecelebratedthe effortsofourhistoric pastandmodernizedit toanew,younger generationandmade ourownbitofhistoryfor otherstoenjoyinyears tocomeandkeepthestoryofour heritageverymuchatthe forefrontofruralvillagelife.

OurLuxury,sustainable,lifestyle rangeisethicaland environmentallyconscious, creatingtruecharacterforliving spacessharingitsuniqueness& originalitywhichnotonlyraises theprofileofthisindigenous breed,butalsodramatically increasingthevalueand desirabilitywithitsauthenticityas wellasprovidinganinsightinto itsheritage.

farmingregenerativelyonour lightsandysoilsthatareonly suitableforgrazing.

Theentirecollectionisdesigned andfinishedhereinBritainatthe oldestestablishedtannerywhich stillemploystraditional processingtechniqueswhich procuresthehighest-grade lambskinsandusinghighlyskilled craftsmen,makestheDevonia sheepskinauniqueandsoughtafterproduct.

Theconceptbehindconserving thisbreedistowhole-heartedly shareourvaluesofproducing traceable,sustainableproducts withzerowaste,throughpositive regenerativeimpactssupporting ourfarm&BritishManufacturing allwhilstraisingtheprofileofthis rarebreed.

“Wehaveinnumerable connectionsofprovenancewith our‘Herling’flockofNorfolkhorns thatarefortunatetograzewhere westillseeevidenceofancient trackswhichwereusedintimes gonebytotransportdrovesof sheeptoandfromthefairs,so weareliterallyfollowinginour ancestors’footprints”.

grazingandthetasteof theirmeatis immeasurablein comparisontoimported meatsavailablein supermarkets.

ManyUKfarmerslikeus arecreatingEcological foodsystemsthat functionwithout degradingsoils,land, waterorbiodiversity. Whenyouhaveanative breed,thathavesimilar genotypicand phenotypic characteristicssuchas theNorfolkHorns,thesefeatures developtobecomeaccustomed toadefinedenvironment,making themtheperfectagrienvironmentalexample.

Ourskinsareanaturalbyproductfromourdual-purpose sheep,andinkeepingwiththe naturalbalanceofnatureandthe planet,webelieveinzerowaste, respectingwhathasbeengiven tous.Maintainingaholistic approachtolifeandliving,

“Ithinkpeoplehavehada problematicdeparturefrom nature”,Oliviastates.Weshould becelebratingthesenative breedswhichhaveevolvednot justtosurvivebuttothriveintheir nativelandscapes,heritage breedsmaytakelongerto mature,butthey’rehealthier creaturesasaresult.It’sthe seasonsthatdictatethelevelof

OurNativebreedssuchasthe NorfolkHornswerebredtothrive infarmingsystems,wehadyears agowithlowenvironmental impactandlowinput.They’rea breedapartbeingoneofthe oldestintheUKhowever,though numbersnowarehealthier,there remainsadeclineinbreeding damsandprogeny.

OliviaShave ECOEWE Instagram:@ecowe

Photocredit:Pgpphotograhpy

Farmer-ownedco-opontopof theworldaftergoldenhat-trick

Afarmer-owned creameryisontop oftheworldafter threeofitscheeses wonglobalawards.

SouthCaernarfonCreameries (SCC)scoopedthehat-trickof goldprizesattheprestigious InternationalCheeseandDairy Awards2022whereitsMature

whereitgainedgoldswithmature whitecheddarandsaltedbutter, andatMidSomersetShowwhere itwasvictoriouswithseven varietiesofcheeseanditssalted butter.

EarlierthissummerSCCalso celebratedaspectacular appearanceattheRoyalWelsh ShowinJuly,collectingseven

InternationalCheeseandDairy AwardsinStaffordshirewerean “unmistakablestampof recognition”ofqualityin cheesemaking.

Hesaid:“Itisarealboost commerciallyasitenhancesour reputationforproducingsupreme products–cheeseofastandard tomatchandsurpassanyofour

WhiteCheddar,Caerphillyand RedLeicestertriumphedagainst toughopposition.

Theaccoladescrowneda remarkablerunofsuccessforthe co-operativebasedinChwilog, nearPwllheli.

Thecreameryhasalsopickedup abumpercropofawardsin competitionsacrosstheUK,with aglitteringhaulof22gold medals,15silversand12 bronzes.

Otherachievementsincluded winsattheRoyalHighlandShow

goldawardsforitsRedLeicester, DoubleGloucester,Wensleydale, andColouredMildCheddar,as wellasforitsReducedFat cheeseandHalfFatcheesewhile thecreamery’sDragonbutter stoletheshowwiththeSupreme Championtitle.

Therewasmoresuccessforits saltedbutterattheGreatTaste Awardswhereitwasawarded onestar.

HeadCheeseGraderShôn Jones,whoisalso arespectedjudgeatcheese shows,saidthevictoriesatthe

competitorsaroundtheworld.”

“We’vehadagoodrunoverthe lastfewyearstobehonest.But it’sahugecoupforustogaina hat-trickattheInternationalinthe firstyearwhenalltheshowsare backtoliveformatagainfollowing thepandemic.

“Thentofollowitupbycollecting anarmfulofawardsattheRoyal Welshisicingonthecake.

“It’scredittothehardworkwhich everyoneinvolvedputsintohelp usmakethehigheststandardof productswecan.

CaernarfonCreameriescheeseisasgoodasgoldandtheycontinuetobringhometheawards.

“Allourfarmersadheretothe industryrecognisedRedTractor assurancestandardsformilk production,andourcheese gradersareonsiteconstantly gradingallourcheesetoensure itreachesmaximumpotential.

“Ourmethodsareundoubtedly payingoffandournameisnow beingheraldedaroundtheworld.”

ItwasviewendorsedbyNew ProductsDeveloperTrystan Poveywhosaid:“Itmeansweare notjustseenasaWelsh companybutasaglobal company,capableofmaking cheesesandbutterstotemptthe tastebudsofincreasingly importantinternationalmarkets.”

ShônandTrystannowhavetheir sightsfirmlysetonachieving moresuccesslaterintheyearat theWorldCheeseAwards2022 attheInternationalConvention CentreWales,inNewport,

Cardiff,onNovember1and2.

Theawards,hostedbytheGuild ofFineFood,wereoriginally scheduledtobeheldinKyiv,the capitalcityofUkrainethisautumn butthevenuehadtobehastily re-arrangedafterRussiainvaded Ukraine.

Shônsaid:“Itisstillhopedthat Ukrainianfarmerswillbeableto berepresentedattheeventandI thinktheorganiserswillcertainly planonpayingtributetothe Ukrainiannation.”

Itwillbethe34thyearthatthe WorldCheeseawardshavebeen held.

ShôngradesthevarietyofSCC cheesesonadailybasis, checkingattributesincluding texture,colourandappearance aswellastheall-importanttaste profile.

Hestartedworkingfortheco-

operative25yearsagoand becameincreasinglyinterestedin thegradingandmonitoring process

Shônhasalsobeeninvolvedin judgingcheeses,includingfor eightyearsattheInternational CheeseandDairyAwards,and hisexperienceandknowledgeof whatjudgesarelookingforis invaluabletoSCC.

Trystanalsohasexperienceas anassistantjudge,thoughneither ofthemcanjudgetheircooperative’sownproducts.

Shônsaid:“Everythingisjudged blindatallthetopshowsunlessit isabrandcategoryinwhichcase wewillknowwhotheproducers are.Butwhenitcomestogeneral categoriesitisallunlabelled.We assesshowthecheesesare presented,texture,maturityand taste.”

AbrahamLincolnfamouslysaid-“Give mesixhourstochopdownatreeandI willspendthefirstfoursharpeningthe axe.”Theemphasishereisofcourse ontheplanningstage,whichisnever moreimportantthaninbiosecurityon farms.Planfortheworstandhopeforthebest shouldbethemantraofallsmallholdersand farmingoperationswhenitcomestobiosecurity.

Whenadiseaseentersafarmitisalmostalwaysa signthatbiosecuritymeasureshavefailed.The failurecouldbeintheformofanuncheckedvehicle enteringthefarmwithcontaminatedwheels,contact betweenanimalsonneighbouringfarms,or betweenexistingandnewlivestockorpoor adherencetoprotocolbystafforvisitorsonthe farm.

Withthe2021to2022avianfluseasonreaching terrifyinglevels,affectingcoastalbirdsandpoultry alike,itisimperativethatfarmsacrosstheUK ensurethattheirbiosecuritymeasuresare watertight,andathoroughauditisthebestwayto goaboutit.Enlistingthehelpofateamof biosecurityexperts,suchasLivetec,is recommendedbecauseoftheirexpertiseinthefield andnotleastowingtothefactthatanobjectiveeye

isfarmorelikelytospotanybiosecurityholes. Effectiveplanningnotonlyhelpstokeeplivestock healthy,italsominimizestheriskofdiseasesbeing broughtinfromtheoutside.Farmersandfarm workersaretaughthowbesttominimizetherisk theythemselvesposetotheirlivestockandcanhelp tokeepvetandmedicinecostslow.

Therearedetailedplansanddescriptionsavailable forpoultryownersastotheoptimumlayoutfor buildingshousingbirdsandtheirsituation,for instanceawayfromanyadjacentwaterbodyas wildfowlposethegreatestriskwhenitcomestothe spreadofavianflu.Itisvitalthatbiosecurity measuresareinplaceandadheredtoatalltimes, notjustwhenthethreatofanoutbreakis heightened.Whennewanimalsareaddedtoa flock,theriskofdiseaseisgreat.Itisabsolutely bestbiosecuritypracticetohaveasystemof isolationinplacetoprotectexistinganimals,while carefulscreeningandallappropriatetestingshould beinplacetohelprestricttheadditionofany animalswhomaycarryunwantedinfectious conditions.

Formoreinformationvisit:https:// www.livetecsystems.co.uk/our-solutions/biosecurityservices/

ManyfarmersacrossEurope,togetherwiththeir businessandspecialistadvisers,havealready accessedknowledgeontheBovINEKnowledge Huborganisedacrossthefourmainthemesof animalhealth&welfare,socioeconomicresilience, productionefficiency&meatqualityand environmentalsustainability.

ProfessorMaeveHenchion,Co-ordinatorofthe BovINENetworkprojectsays:

"TheBovINEKnowledgeHubholdsawealthof knowledgevalidatedthrough'onfarm' demonstrationsandpracticeandthroughresearch. Withthebeeffarmingsectorandcommunity challengedacrossmany fronts,itisessentialthatthe knowledgeneededtomeet theexpectationsofregulators, themarketandconsumersto improvethesustainabilityof thesectorreachesthosewho needandwilluseit–the farmers.

TheBovINEKnowledgeHub isanexcellentsourceof informationforfarming supportandadvisory networksaswellasfor farmersdirectly.Through nationalmeetingsacross EuropeinSeptemberand October,organisedby BovINEpartners,morebeef farmerswillbeprovidedwith directlinkstotheKnowledge Hub,enablingthemtoaccess andutilisetheinformation theyneed."

RunningalongsidethenineBovINEnational meetingsforfarmersandtheiradvisersisa communicationscampaignacrosssocialandthe

specialistmediainall languagesutilisingcontent fromtheKnowledgeHubon topicsparticularlypertinent toeachcountry.The meetingsarebeing organisedinBelgium, Estonia,France,Germany, Ireland,Italy,Poland, PortugalandSpain.Through visitors'owninternet browser,thecontentonthe KnowledgeHubcanbe translatedintomultiple languages.

ŁukaszKarmowski,beef farmerfromPolandand memberoftheBovINE Networkrecommendsother farmersjoinandaccessthe KnowledgeHub:

"TheBovINEKnowledgeHubissomethingvery usefulasIcanfindanswersformyproblemsand questions.TheBovINEprojectisreallyimportantfor thewholebeefsectorinEuropebutforme personallytoo.Ihadreallygreatexperiencessofar ...someofthemhelpedmetorunmyproduction."

JohnDunne,sucklerandbeeffarmer,CoLaois, Irelandsupportsthecollaborativeopportunitiesof theHub:"JoinedupthinkingacrossEUmember stateshasmajorpotential.Asfarmers,advisorsand researchers,wecouldachievesomuchmore workingtogetherandsharingknowledgeintheEU. BovINEprovidesanidealhubtofacilitatethis."

JointheBovINEAwarenessinitiativeonTwitter, InstagramandFacebookandaccessthe'BovINE Bitesize'beeffarmingnuggetslinkedtothe KnowledgeHubandaimedatdrivingthe sustainabilityofEuropeanbeeffarming.

NOAHLivestockVaccinationGuideline providesdirectsupporton-farmtoimprove welfare,productivityandsustainability

Noahhastoday launcheda campaignto promotethe Livestock Vaccination Guidelinetoensurethatfarmers acrosstheUKcanbenefitfroma preventativehealthapproachto livestockvaccination.

Thiscampaignaimstomakethe mostofthegreatpotentialof vaccinestohelpimproveanimal welfare,increasetheproductivity oftheUK’snationalherdand flockandpositivelyimpactthe sustainabilityoftheagricultural sectorbysupportingindustry professionalswiththeinformation theyneedtomakedecisionson vaccinatingtheiranimals.

Farming,veterinaryandindustry professionalsareinvitedtosign uptopledgetheirsupportforthe LivestockVaccinationGuideline, whichpromotesashiftinhow vaccinesareusedbythedairy, beefandsheepsectors.

Theknowledgefromthe LivestockVaccinationGuideline hasbeendistilledintoon-farm guidesforthedairy,beefand sheepsectorswhichwillbe providedtothosewhosignupto thepledgeatnoahlvg.co.uk. Supporterswillbeaskedto committosharingand implementingtheGuidelineto helpfullyrealisethebenefitsofa preventivehealthapproach.

Vaccinationplaysavitalrolein

‘OneHealth’,aconceptthat encompassestheinteraction betweenanimalhealth,human healthandtheenvironment. Severalvaccineswhichare championedintheguideline(for examplethoseagainst salmonellosis,leptospirosisand ringworm)alsoactasa safeguardtoprotecthuman healthbyreducingtheriskof zoonoticinfection,helpingto lowerdiseaselevelsandreducing theoverallrisktoanimalsand humansalike.Astrategic approachtovaccinationisvery muchattheheartofaholistic approachtopreventingdisease aspartofprogressiveherdand flockhealthmanagement.

ThisNOAHGuidelinesupports UKanimalhealthandwelfare ambitions,foodsecurityand safetyandadvancesthe competitivenessoftheproduce fromourlivestock–benefitting theoverallhealthstatusoftheUK herdandflockaswellas contributingtothehealth,welfare andresilienceofindividualfarms. Thecampaignwasunveiledat theKisacoLivestockand AquacultureInnovationSummitin London,andtheLivestock VaccinationGuidelineisavailable here.

DawnHoward,ChiefExecutive ofNOAHsaid:

“Astrategicandindustrywide approachtovaccinatinglivestock isanimportantpartofensuring thatouranimalsarehealthy. Healthyanimalsmeansbetter welfare,higherproductivityand moresustainablefarming.

“Weknowthatthosewhoare choosingtovaccinateand carryingoutthevaccinationson farmneedhandyresourcesto makethedecisionseasierand

quickeron-farm.That’swhy NOAHhasteamedupwith veterinaryexpertstocreatethe LivestockVaccinationGuideline, anddistilitintoshortsector specificguidesthatbringkey clinicalexperienceandresearch togethertodemonstratecurrent thinkingandbestpracticeona proactiveapproachto vaccination.

“Thesedocumentswillenable vets,SQP’sandfarmerstowork togethertoimprovefarm resilience,preventzoonotic diseasesandensurethefuture prosperityofthesector.Healthy, vaccinatedanimalsaremore likelytostaywell,producemore andarelesslikelytorequire antibiotictreatment.Weare aimingtochangethemindset andapproachtowardsproactive vaccinationstrategiesonfarms..

“BybringingtheUKsheep,beef anddairysectorstogetherwitha commoncommitmenttolivestock vaccinationassetoutinthe guidelinewehopetofullyrealise thebenefitsofthepreventive healthapproach–bothon individualfarmsandintheUK livestockpopulationasawhole.

“Wecontinuetobegratefultoour authorsJonathanStatham,Fiona LovattandJoeHenryfortheir extensiveworkinbringing togethertheinsightandexpertise neededforthiscomprehensive documentandtheassociated guides.”

Youngsheepfarmerssoughtto explorethestagesofwoolprocessing

Youngsheepfarmers wantingtolearn moreaboutwhat happenstotheir flock’sfleecesonce theyleavethefarm gatesareinvitedtojoinan interestingtouranddiscussion eventnextmonthaspartofthe NationalSheepAssociation’s (NSA)NextGeneration programme.

ThenewNSANextGeneration andBritishWool‘Wool Symposium’willofferupto12 youngpeopleagedfrom18to35 theopportunitytogo‘behindthe scenes’atBritishWool’sBradford Headquarters,viewingactivities fromthewoolsortingandgrading processtotheliveauctionofwool tobiddersfromacrosstheglobe.

Thevisit,fromMonday17thto Tuesday18thOctober,willalso includeafascinatingtriptothe HaworthScouringplantwhere rawfleecesaretransformedinto

pristinefibresreadyfor manufacturingintogoods. NSAChiefExecutivePhilStocker says:“Thisisafurtherexciting additiontoourNSANext Generationprogrammethisyear. Theprocessundertakentoturn thefleecefromthesheep’sback intoonereadytobemadeintoall mannerofgoodsonanindustrial scaleistrulyafascinatingthingto view.Thisisatripthatwillsuit thosewhoreallyvaluethe benefitswoolhastoofferandthat arereadytoengageindiscussion onhowthemarketforwoolcan besustainedandgrownonce again.”

Followingtheinsightfulvisitsand anovernightstayandmealin Bradford,allgenerously sponsoredbyBritishWool,the groupattendingwillcome togetheragainfora‘Symposium’, anopportunitytodiscusstheir ownthoughtsonthefutureof woolwithBritishWoolstaff.

GarethJones,HeadofMember CommunicationatBritishWool says:“BritishWoollooksforward towelcomingmembersofNSA NextGenerationtoBradfordto learnmoreabouttheworkof BritishWoolandalsoonthewool process.We’veworkedwith manyNSAgroupsintherecent yearsandfeelit’simportantto engagewiththenextgeneration ofsheepfarmersbecauseasa memberorganisation,everything wedoisaboutaddingvalueto ourmembers.TheNSANext Generationprogrammeiskeyto thefutureofourindustry.”

Thoseinterestedinapplyingto jointhefreetripcancompletea shortapplicationformontheNSA NextGenerationwebsite. Applicationstojointhegroupare openfromtoday(Wednesday 14thSeptember)until5pmon Monday3rdOctober.Termsand Conditionsforthetripcanalsobe foundontheNSAwebsite.

Innovationistacklingkeychallenges andbenefitingdairybusinesses

Britishagricultureis facingchallenge andopportunityon boththehomefront andinglobal markets,with climatechange,volatilityandfood securitydrivingchangeacrossall sectors.

Thisyear’sDairyShowwillbring togetherknowledge,innovation, andashareddeterminationto tacklethesekeychallenges, helpingmilkproducersmaximise today’sandtomorrow’s opportunities.

Sowhatinnovationand discussionscanvisitorsexpectto acrossthe300+tradestandsand intheseminarsessions?

Cowmonitoring

CowhealthchampionandCream Awardwinnerforinnovation, Herdvisionwillbeattheshow withitsautomatedbodycondition andmobilityscoringcamera technology–afirstofitskindon

themarket.

Using2Dand3Dtechnology,a smallcamerarecordscowswhen theyareinarelaxedstate, explainsheadofsales,Stuart Adams.“Cowsnaturallyperceive peopleaspredators;theytryto hideailments,makingitdifficultto observeearlierstagesofdisease andpain.

“Manualobservationsare subjective,”headds.“The technologyisconsistent, objectiveandrepeatable.”

Positionedaboveasingle-track race,theunobtrusivecamera recordsimagesofeachcowas theypassunderneath.Cloudbasedartificialintelligence(AI), machinelearning,andalgorithms thenprocesskeymetricsto determinebodyconditionand mobilityscores.

Achangeinacow’sconditionor mobilitywillbesentasanalertto thefarmer’sPCand/or smartphone.“Farmerscanthen

drilldownfurtherintodatawith theirvet,nutritionist,andfoottrimmertoidentifytrendsand implementactionsthatmake improvementstohealthand welfare.”

Developedinassociationwith Arla,theprocessorisnow acceptingthedataformobility scoringcompliance.Anda Kingshaycost-benefitanalysis suggestsanannualsavingof £22,169foratypical200-cow herd(£111/cow)inlameness reductionandassociatedlabour costsalone.

Slurryinoculant

Whenitcomestothe‘Dirty Discussions’seminarsessions, EnviroSystemswillbesharing howbacteriaandenzymescan helpproducerscapitaliseontheir slurry’struevalue.It willalsobegivinga progressupdateon itsDefra-sponsored researchintoslurry emissions.

Organicmanures arevaluableand canhelplessen relianceonbagged fertilisers–but thereare challenges,says co-ordinator,Sally Russell.“Alotof nutrientsarelocked upinthecrustand arewasted.”

Slurrytreatedwith SlurryBugs–a blendofbeneficial bacteriaand enzymes–was foundtohavea significantlyhighernutrient content,wortharound20%more thanuntreatedslurry.

IndependentlyanalysedbyNRM laboratories,treatedslurryhad

27%morenitrogenand45%and 16%morephosphorusand potassium,respectively,when comparedtountreatedslurry.

“InAugust,producersneeded 1,700litresofmilktopayforone tonneofnitrogenfertiliser–that’s 800litresmorethanbetween January2019and June2021,”says MsRussell.The inoculantcan thereforemakea bigfinancial difference.

“Theinoculant alsomakesslurry more homogenousand easiertospread, givingmore uniformnutrient application,”she explains.“Andthe slurryneedsless ongoingagitation -savingtime,fuel, andwearandtear onmachinery–whichofcourse helpsreduce carbonfootprint.”

Electricutilityvehicles

Anotherenvironmentallyfriendly offeringisfromAC1Customs, whichwillbeexhibitingtwoof ElectricWheels’all-terrainelectric utilityvehicles(UTVs)thathave thecapabilitiesoftheirfossilfuelledcousinsbutwithoutthe emissions.“MulesandGatorsare onmostfarms,”saysElectric Wheelsfounder,ChrisHurdle.

“However,weareseeingmore farmersshowinginterestin electricvehicles,aslongasthey candothejobandprovidethe samefunctionality.”

OnofferaretheNipperandthe Worker,whichprovide45-75 milestothecharge–enoughfor afullworkingdayon99%of farms.

“Itwillcostthefarmeraround £1.50perworkingday,whichis significantlylowerthandieselpoweredUTVs;theysit somewherebetween£20-£30per day.Maintenancecostsarealso

muchmorecontrolled;annual servicesaverage£200to£300 withcheaperspareparts.”

Sohowdotheyshapeupin comparison?“Onfarm,both sharethesamefunctionalitiesof atypicalUTVandfeaturearear tipper,”saysMrHurdle.“But beingelectrictheyachievezero emissions,andfarmerslikethe quietnessofthemaround livestock.

“Theyworkin4x4and2x4drive withsomedifferencesbetween themodels.TheNipperis narrowerandhigher–it’sbetter suitedtofarmswithnarrow accesspointsandtightcorners.

“Ourmostrecentstepwasto offerthesemodelswithalithium battery;amoresustainable batterywithgreaterlifetime capability,”headds.

Baleprobes

Meanwhile,CornishMutualhas joinedforceswithQuanturito becomethefirstUKsupplierof Haytech–awirelesstemperature monitoringsystemforhayand strawbales.

Thereareover200spontaneous combustionincidentseveryyear onfarms,whichhasbeen steadilyincreasingduetohot,dry weather,sayslossprevention

leader,DominicJones.

NadinePesonen,founderof Quanturi,developedtheHaytech probeafterafiredevastedher farmbusinessinFrance,saysMr Jones.“It’sasimplesystem;the wirelessprobesarestuckintothe hayorstrawbale–atleastone per20bales,makingsureprobed balesaredistributedthroughout thestacktomonitorhigh-risk areas.”

Measuringthebaletemperature everyhour,theprobeswirelessly transmitthedatatothesecure cloudserverviaarepeaterand basestation.Thefarmerwillthen receivewarningsandalertsvia textor/andemailwhenalert temperaturesarereached.

“Generallytheseare58⁰cfora warningalertand68⁰cforahighriskalert,”MrJonesadds.“The Haytech10systemcostsaround £1,190andincludes10probes, thebasestation,threeyearsof connectivityanduseofthe Quanturiinsightservice–andwe offerittomembersandnonmembersalike.

“Someonewho’shadafirewill seethevalueinthesystemtherearesomethingsyoucan’t putapriceon.”

newprojectaimsto helpfarmersand croftersimprove retentionratesand avoidpenalties becauseofmissing eartagsinsheepandcattle.

ResearchersatScotland'sRural College(SRUC)areinvestigating whatmakesapplyingeartags difficultandwhatcauseseartags tofallout.

Theyarelookingtospeaktoa rangeoffarmersandcrofters, includingboththosewhohave issueswitheartaglossesand thosewhodon't,tofindouthow toavoidtheseproblems.

Theteam,ledbyDrKateLamont andDrSamBeechener,is lookingforanswerstoavarietyof

Projectaimsto solveeartagissues

questionsaboutpeople's experienceswitheartags, includingwhethertheyfind locatingthetagintheeara problem,ifthereisabreedof cattleorsheepthatseemsmore pronetoeartagloss,orwhether aparticulartypeoffence,field boundaryoreventypeoftag causesmoreproblems.

Theyarealsointerestedinfinding outiffarmersandcroftersare unclearaboutwhenandhow manyanimalsneedtobetagged, oriftheythinkeartaggingisan unwelcomelabour/costexpense whichisn'tapriority.

DrSamBeechenersaid:"There arelotsofwaysforfarmersand crofterstohavetheirsay.Itcan beviaaquickchatonthephone, atextoranemail,orbysending

photos,completinganonline survey,orevenasitevisitwhere theycanpointoutwhatthe problemisandwhereonthefarm orcroftitoccurs."

Theprojectisfundedbythe ScottishGovernmentwhichis tryingtoestablishhowbiga problemeartaglossisforsmaller enterprises,whatthecausesare, andimportantly,whatcouldbe donetohelp.

Datagatheredwillbeusedto provideinformationabouthowto preventlossesandavoid penaltiesarisingfrommissingear tags.

Formoreinformation,call07714 528850or email:eartagloss@sruc.ac.uk

GEAtechnologytriedandtested inuniquenutrientpartnership

Withlargeareasof theUKofficially declaredtobein droughtduetothe unprecedented heatwavewhich hasbrokenallrecords,protecting waterresourceshasneverbeen moreimportant.GEA’s technologyfordewateringslurry isplayingakeyroleinan innovativeprojectinWales designedtolimittheriskof pollutionandmakebetteruseof avaluablesourceofnutrientsfor farmland.

TheTywiFarmNutrient Partnership(TFNP),whichis basedatColegSirGâr,GelliAur Farm,waslaunchedin2020to developself-containedmanure treatmentsystems.Partners contributetheirareaof knowledgewiththejointaimof significantlyreducingtheriskof airandwaterpollutionby

improvingslurrymanagement capabilities.

GEA,theinternationalindustrial technologygroup,was approachedtosupplyan environmentalsludgedecanter prolinesystem.Reducingthe volumeofslurryfordisposalis goodfortheenvironmentand alsoreducescarbonfootprints.

AligningtheGEAequipmentwith thatofotherTFNPpartners providesacompletenutrient managementpackage,creatinga farm-basedsystemwhichcan separatethenutrientsfromthe manureintoeasiertomanage segments.Theresultisa reductioninstorageandbetter controlofnutrientsappliedto land,reducingtherelianceon transportingwasteslurry.

SupportedbytheWelsh Government,NaturalResources

WalesandWelshWater,among others,TFNPhasdeveloped constructedwetlands,plant outcome-ledadaptionsand precisionfarmingequipment. Thisistomaximisethepotential recirculationandreuseofthe waterandthenutrients.

ChrisClarke,HeadofSales SeparationatGEAUK,saysthe projectisattractingworldwide attention.“Manureissuesand treatmentrequirementshaveno boundaries.Farmsaroundthe worldarefacingthesame problemswithnutrient management,overspreading andanincreaseinherdsizes. Thelargerfarmshavealarger problembutthesolutionisthe same,justonadifferentscale.”

Asfarmsincreaseinsizeand legislationgetstighter,itwill becomehardertohandleslurry. Landbankisdecreasing

becauseofpopulationgrowth. Foragriculturetobesustainable innovativeideasareneededto dealwithwhatissometimes seenasawasteproduct.

Fertiliser,fuelandenergyprice increasesonlymakeitmore viabletotreatslurry.The nutrientshavevalueand transportingslurrylongdistances tospreadcannolongerbean economicoption.

ChrisClarkeadded:“GEAhasa globalbaseofknowledgeinthis area.Wehaveafarm technologiesdivisionwhich handleseverythingfromfeeding tomilkingtomanurehandling. Wearenowjoiningforcestoaid inbetterseparationefficiencies withtechnologytypicallyusedin thewastewatermarket.”

ZoeHenderson,NRWBoard MemberandChairoftheWales LandManagementForum, concluded:“Themanagementof slurryisbecominganeverincreasingissueforfarmersand theenvironment;itisavital resourceofnutrientstotheland butcanalsobeverytoxictoour waters.Theworkundertakenby

theTywiFarmNutrient PartnershipatGelliAuris fundamentaltoprovideresearch intovarioustechnologies,and exploreinnovativesolutionsto deliveragainstthenatureand climateemergencywearefacing notonlyinWalesbutglobally.

“TheprojectatGelliAurcollege isnotjustleadingtheway forwardfortheagricultural industryinWales,butacrossthe worldonslurrymanagementand precisionfarming.Allthe partnershaveakeyroletoplay inmovingforwardthistechnology tobeimplementedonfarms,in ordertoutilisethenutrients, spreadmoreaccuratelyand makeefficientuseofthewater. NRWareproudtobepartofthis innovativeandexcitingworkand wanttocontinueworkingin partnershipwiththegroup,along withtheagriculturalsector,to improvethesustainable managementofnatural resourcesinWales.”

JohnOwentheTFNPProject Manageraddedthatheisvery happywiththeprojectoutcomes: “Thecooperationbetweenallof

thepartnershasreallyprovedits worth,thecurrentoutcomeof whichwillbeavailableforallto seeattheprojectopendaytobe heldon15thSeptember,all interestedpartieswelcome.”

TFNP’ssolutionisnotonly confinedtocows.Manure behavesverysimilarlyto digestatesfrombiogasplants andofcourseotheranimal slurriessuchaspigmanure.The systemcanbereplicatedand GEAisalreadyindiscussionwith clientsaboutthis.Thebiogas industryisfacingthesameissue asfarmerswithlandspreading.

GEAishopingtoseetheproject throughtoitsconclusion.It’s somethingthecompanyisproud tosupportacrosstheboard especiallyinanareawhichhas suchbigpotentialtomakea difference.Thisisahugebenefit tobothGEAandthelearning partyastheycomplementeach otherwithglobalknowledgeand localrequirements.

Furtherinformationisavailableat www.gea.com

Reduceinputswithprecisionappliedslurry

Slurryspecialist TerryBaker,of Tramspread, suggeststhatslurry canbeappliedwith thesamelevelof precisionas fertiliser.

However,he saysthat,first, thequalityof theslurry needstobe suitablefor precision application.“The technologyisalreadyavailable. Wehavenearinfrared(NIR), slurryanalysis,flowmeters,and precisionapplicatorssuchas dribblebars,trailingshoes,and injectors.However,ifslurryisnot

Bakerbelievesthatoperators shouldalsobeusingtestingand meteringdevicestoestablishthe nutrientvalueoftheslurryand applythenutrientvaluelevel requiredbythecrop. “Agrostestingkitsare inexpensivetobuyand offeranefficientwayto establishplantavailable nitrogen,drymatterand phosphorous.This coupledwithaflowmeter fittedtotheapplicator, whichcanbeconnected tothetractor’sISOBUS andGPSsystemviaa TramspreadRavenBox, canfacilitatethecreationof applicationmaps.Itcanalso reportfurtherinformation includingfielddetails,area coveredand applicationrates whichcanbe downloadedand usedforreporting.”

enablesfieldmappingtobe viewedinrealtimeand downloaded.”

Slurryapplicationtechnologyis transformingtheaccuracyof

storedandmanagedproperly,it isalmostimpossibletorealiseits truevalue,”hesays.

Storingslurrywillchangein 2027underthe government’sproposed CleanAirAct.Allslurrywill havetobecovered,a measurethatMrBakersees asakeybenefittoimproving thequalityofslurryavailable onfarms.“Bycoveringslurry andreducingthelossof harmfulammoniaemissions, storagebecomeseasierto manage.Itwillbelessaffected byclimaticchangesandthe volumeismuchmore manageableasrainwaterwillbe keptout.”

Whilstnewapplication technologyhasmadeprecision slurryapplicationeasier,Mr

Thelatest integratedwayto applyslurryand digestateisNIR technology.This enablesatractor operatorusinga tanker,oran umbilicalsystem,to seearealtimeanalysisofslurry asitisapplied.“Ifthetractorhas autosteerandGPS,theNIR

applyingslurrytocrops,butwhat isjustasimportantisthatthe dribblebaroratrailingshoe appliestheliquidevenlyacross itswidth,saysMrBaker.“Poor applicationcandamagecrops, wasteslurry,andharmthe environment.Ifnotapplied accurately,slurrycaneraseallof thebenefitsgainedby investmentsmadeinstorage, separation,andanalysis.The sameappliestoartificialfertiliser spreaders,nofarmwantstosee stripesinthecropfrompoor application.”

systemwillanalysetheslurry andadjusttheforwardspeedof thetractortoachievethenutrient applicationrate.Thisinformation isdisplayedonthetractor’s screentoshowtherealtime volume,drymatter,nitrogen phosphorousandpotassiumasit isapplied.Thissystemalso

Tramspread’sSuffolkrange dribblebarsarefittedwith Vogelsang’sECQdistributorto improvetheaccuracyofslurry application.“Wetakea lotofcaretomakesure thatourboomsupply hosesarecorrectfor flow.Thedribblehoses arespaced250-300mm apart,andallboomsfrom 12mto24mhave variableboomgeometry controlforworkingon undulatingground.This isveryimportantforeven application.The importanceofwellmixedslurry andcleanslurriescannotbe overstressed,especiallywiththe shortageandincreasingcostof artificialfertilisers.Thosewho investinimprovingslurry managementwillreapthe benefits,”heconcludes.

NewUKDealerforDezeure

Anotherexcitingbusinessventurefor AgVantageUKLtdasitannounces thelatestpartnershipwithspecialist trailermanufacturerDezeure.

AgVantagewillnowimporttheproduct rangedirectlyfromthereputable

leadingBelgianmanufacturertosupplyUKbased customers.

AgVantage,alreadyhometothefulllineofDewulf, MiedemaandDammannbrands,isveryexcitedto welcomethislatestdevelopmentunderits expandingumbrella.

Thislatestmove willsee AgVantage becomingan authorised distributorofthe fullDezeure productrange andoffering sales,product knowledgeand customer servicetoboth newandexisting customers.For thoseunfamiliar withthebrand, Dezeurewas foundedin1947 andhasbeen producing specialisttrailers andtankers since1970.Still aprivately owned company,thethirdgenerationofthefamilytook overin2015,maintainingitsrootsandethoswasof courseofupmostimportance.Earlierthisyearsaw theopeningoftheirnewpurposebuilt15,000 squaremetrefactorydesignedtokeepupwithan everrisingproductdemand.Dezeurecurrently produceanimpressive250unitsperyear.

AgVantageFounderandManagingDirector,Andy Carsespokeofthisnewadventure.“TheDezeure brandisn’tverywellknownyetintheUK,but acrossEuropeandtherestoftheworldithasan excellentreputationforbuildqualityandreliability. Dezeuremachineryfitsperfectlywithmyvision,to workwithhighendspecialistmanufacturersoffering efficientandreliableequipmentthatprovidelow ownershipcosts,somethingwhichIfeelis becomingmoreandmoreimportantbytheday.The opportunitytooffertheDezeureproductsto growersintheUKisanexcitingprospectandIam verymuchlookingforwardtothepartnership”.

AgVantagepridesitselfonalwaysofferingthebest customerservice,aftersalesserviceandcustomer support,whichisoneofthereasonsithasbecome suchasuccesssincestartingattheendof2020.

SielHimpens,ofDezeureexplained“Webelieve therearemanyprogressivefarmersintheUKand thereforeitisanimportantmarketforus.Wewere lookingforaspecialistdealertoimportour products,notatraditionaldealersellingmany differentproducts,weneededsomeonethatcan giveusfocusandtheattentionweneed,insales andaftersales,adynamiccompany.Afterseveral discussionswithAndyandatriptoAgVantageit quicklybecameclearthattheyaretherightpartners forustoworkwith,wearelookingforwardtoa successfulcooperation.”

ronehaslaunched twonewhigh-end forageharvesters, theBiGX980and BiGX1080,in directresponseto anincreasingglobaldemandin the900hpto1100hpsegment. OnlytheBiGX980willbe availableforthe2022/23season intheUK.

Likethe1156hpBiGX1180in therange,thetwonewmodels willalsobepoweredbya LiebherrV12engine,boastingan extended1000-houroilchange andserviceintervalsforfilters andvalves.Allmodelsinthe rangearenaturallycompliant withStageVandTier4f standards(thelatterrequiring onlySCRemissiontreatment).

Bothmodelsfeatureamodified PowerSplitthatallowsthe operatortocustomiseengine powertocurrentrequirementsat

thetouchofabutton.Theyhave theoptionofeconomicalEcoPowermode,andinsituations requiringfullengineoutput,the operatorselectsX-Power.The advantageofthistechnologyisto boostefficiencyandgivegreater fueleconomy.

Otherpioneeringdevelopments thatmakethehigh-endBiGX uniqueintheforageharvester marketistheinnovativecropflow assemblythatconsistsofsixprecompressionrollers,amassive choppingdrumandtheOptiMaxx 305andCornConditioner.Its hugeconditioningsurfacearea ensuresintensivegrainandstalk processing.

VariStream,thatconsistsofa spring-loadedfloorbeneaththe choppingcylinderandaspringloadedplatebehindthecrop accelerator,isalsoincludedto minimiseblockagesandensure smoothcropflow.

Anotheruniqueversatility improvementisVariLOC–a gearboxinsidethepulleythat drivesthechoppingdrum–that enablesthedrumspeedtobe reducedfrom1250to800rpm, whileincreasingcutlengthbyup to50%.

KroneLift-Cabandtheunique XtraPowersystemaddtothe newBiGXfeatures.Thelatteris anonlinefeaturethatoffers operatorstheopportunitytobook additionalenginepowerintothe machineforalimitedperiodof time.ThereisXtraPower100for theBiGX980andtheBiG X1080andXtraPower200forthe BigX980.

Measuringandrecordingnutrient levelsingrass,maizeandwhole cropsilageduringharvesthas becomeincreasinglyimportant, whichisaidedbythedualpurposeNIRControlsensor.

ubotahasreleasedthe LXe-261electricallypowered compacttractor.Designedto meetcurrentenvironmental standards,thebattery-powered tractorwillbeshowcasedat severalkeyeventsaroundEuropeoverthe comingmonths,beforebeingmadeavailable forrentalfrom2023.

WithanincreasingnumberofEuropean marketstighteningregulationsand implementingbansondieselvehicles,many localauthoritiesandotherpublicbodiesare activelyseekingalternatives-suchas electricvehicles(EVs)andfuel-cellvehicles (FCVs).Inlightofthis,andinlinewith Kubota’sEnvironmentalVisionpublishedin 2021toachievecarbonneutralityby2050, theyhavebeenresearching,developingand triallingelectrictractors.

Oneofthemajorchallengeswhen developingelectrictractorsisrangeand operationaltime.Forthatreason,thenew LXe-261isequippedwithalargecapacity batterythatcanproviderapidone-hour chargingandthreetofourhoursof continuousrun-time.Thismeansoperators willbeabletoquicklychargethebatteries duringlunchandcontinueworkinginthe afternoonforoptimalefficiency.

JohnDeerecelebrates30years trainingthetalentoftomorrow

ohnDeereis markingthe30th anniversaryofits renowned apprenticeship programmewithan opendaytorecruitthenext generationoftechnicianstowork acrossitsagriculture,turfand partsbusiness.

Wellinexcessof1,000 apprenticeshavequalifiedsince 1992,andthecompanyiskeen toshowcasetheexcitingcareer paththatliesaheadofthosewho completethecourse.

On6October,JohnDeereand thescheme’strainingprovider, ProVQ,willopenthedoorsofits newtrainingcentreinUpper

Saxondale,Nottinghamshire, wherecandidateswillbeoffered guidedtours,practical demonstrationsanddriving experiences.

Classroomsandworkshopswill bestaffedbyinstructorsand apprentices,providingaunique opportunitytoviewthestate-ofthe-artlearningfacilitiesonoffer andtalktothosewhoknowall abouttheprogramme.

JohnDeere’sapprenticeship programmeseestechnicians workwithinthecompany’s dealershipnetworkasapaid employeewhilecompletingeither atwoorthree-yearcourse comprisingon-the-jobpractical learningandclassroomstudies.

Threecoursesmakeupthe programme;AgTech–focusing onagriculturalmachinery,Turf Tech–focusingonprofessional turfequipment,andPartsTech–focusingonpartsserviceand support.

“It’sahugelyexcitingtimetobe partoftheagriculturaland turfcareindustries–theyare evolvingandbecomingmore technologicallyadvancedthan everbefore,”JohnDeereBranch TrainingManagerAllanCochran says.

“Thejobissomuchmorethan justservicingandfixingthings. Themachinesandpartsour apprenticesworkonandwithare someofthemostadvancedin

theworld,manycapableoflevels ofautomationoroperatingat capacitieswecouldonlydream ofafewyearsago.

“Withexamresultsnowknown andyoungpeopleplanningtheir futures,we’re encouraging themtojoinus forouropenday tofindouthow JohnDeerecan ignitetheir careers.

“It’snotjustfor peoplewholove tractors–ifyou wanttoearn whileyoulearn andbepartofa huge,global brandwitha reputationfor ground-breaking innovations,then aJohnDeere apprenticeship couldbethe perfectstartto yourcareer.”

Theopendaywillbeheldon6 October,withthreesessions 3pm.Refreshmentswillbe

Understandtractorhealth

GarethJones,directoratAvonTuning,whoofferan ECUremappingserviceforagriculturalmachines, saysthattestingtractorsonadynamometer,before decidingonpowerincreases,willofferaclear indicationabouttheconditionofatractor.

“Exertingvaryingloadsontheenginewillhighlightif thereareanyconcernsabouthowthetractoris operating.Wewouldneveradviseinstallinga remaponatractorthatisn’tmechanicallysound,as theconsequencesindoingsocouldbedetrimental.

“Ifyouarebeingrecommendedthatyourtractor, sprayer,foragerorcombinecanhaveanincrease inpowerwaybeyonditscurrentlevel,youshould bequestioninghowsafethisis.Powerincreases mightseemlikeacheapwaytoboostoutput,but theymustbedoneprofessionallysothatreliability andmachinehealthisn’tcompromised.”

Thereisgrowingdemandforprofessional remappingsoftware,thateditsmanyoftheengine’s

characteristicstoincreasepowerandtorque,but alsolowerfuelconsumptioninasafeandreliable way.Avonoperateatrainednetworkofauthorised agentsinstallingremapsnationwideandimport specialistDimsportdynamometerstoprovide accuratetestsonmachinery.

Notonlyisestablishingifthetractorisingood conditionessential,butbeingadvisedbyan authorisedagentonsafepowerincreasesthatwork withinthelimitsofthemachinewillmaintain reliabilityfollowingaremap.

“OurDimsportdynotestsallowustofully understandthehealthofamachineandwhat impactanypowerincreasesmayhave.Alotofour initialworkisadviceandmakingsurethecustomer isawareofthesafeincreasesopentothem.”

ValtraUKSmartTour2022

SmartTourisbackfor2022!Weknow ourcustomersandweknowtravelling toshowsisnotalwayseasy.That's whywehaveacreatedaspecial programmeoflocaleventsintheUK withournew2022SmartTour.

Fortwoweeksbetweenthe27thSeptand8th Octwewillbehostingfourdifferentevents throughouttheUKwherecustomersandthe generalpublicwillgettheopportunitytobeoneof theveryfirsttoexperienceournewQSeries, launchedlastFriday!

Aswellashavingthechancetogetbehindthe wheelanddrivethenewQSeriesvisitorswillalso gettoexplorethecompleterangeofnewfifth generationmachinesfromASeriesthroughtoS Series.Therewillalsobeexpertdemonstrationsby theValtraUKteamonValtraSmartFarming solutionsincludingSmartTurn,ValtraGuide, ISOBUS,PrecisionLift&Load,SectionControl, TaskDocandmuchmore!Aneventnottobe missed!

“WeareveryexcitedtobetakingtheQSeriesout ontheroadthisautumntoshowtoourcustomers andgivethemtheopportunityforanearlytest drive.ItfitsinperfectlybetweenourpopularTand SSeriesandwillopenthedoortomanymore farmersandcontractors”,commentsAlan Sanderson,NationalSalesManagerValtraUK& IE.

SmartToureventlocationsareconfirmedas follows:

Event1

•Date&Time: 27thSept13:00-17:00 28thSept08:30-12:30

•Location: BoddingtonEstate,Cheltenham Event2

•Date&Time: 30thSept13:00-17:00 1stOct08:30-12:30

•Location: Sawtry,Cambridgeshire Event3

•Date&Time: 4thOct13:00-17:00 5thOct08:30-12:30

•Location: Tranent,EastLothian Event4

•Date&Time: 7thOct13:00-17:00 8thOct08:30-12:30

•Location: AmazoneLtdHeadquarters,Doncaster RegistrationtoattendtheSmartTourissimpleand easy.Signuponlinetocomealongtotheevent nearesttoyoutoMEETTHEBEAST!Registerat https://www.valtra.co.uk/smarttourUK.html

BobcatRevealsSuperCompactTelehandlerand

Bobcathas expandedthe company’snext generationRSeriesrangeof productswiththe launchofthenewSuper CompactTL25.60telehandler andthenewS86andT86 compactloaders.Asthesmallest machineintherange,thenew TL25.60bringsthenumberof rigidframetelehandlersfrom Bobcatforconstruction,rental andgeneralhandlingto11 models.ThenewS86R-Series Skid-SteerLoaderandT86RSeriesCompactTrackLoader replacetheprevious700and800 M-Seriesloadersandcomplete thecurrentR-Seriesloaderlineup.

Commentingonthesenew productintroductions,Mike Vought,VicePresidentProduct ManagementatDoosanBobcat

EMEA,said:“Becausejob sitesarebecomingever tighteronspace,telehandlers mustalsobecomemore compactandagile.Wehave designedthenewBobcat TL25.60tonotonlymeetthis demandbuttobethebest compactmachineonthe market.TheS86andT86are alsoexceptionalmachinesthemostpowerfulcompact loaderswehaveeverbuilt, providingevenmore versatilityasbothtool carriersandworkhorses.”

TheNewTL25.60Super CompactTelehandler

ThenewTL25.60telehandler hasbeendesignedfor simplicityofuse,excellent stability,optimumcomfort andsafeoperationinany typeofapplication.

TheTL25.60ispoweredbya

75HPBobcatStageVengine.Themachinehasa ratedoperatingcapacityof2500kg,offersa maximumliftheightof5.91mandamaximum reachof3.31m.TheBob-Tachcarriage(manualor hydraulic)increasesversatilitybyallowingthe TL25.60toutiliseattachmentsdesignedforthe Bobcatloaderrange.

FlorianHilbert,TelescopicsProductManager

EMEAatBobcat,said: “OntopofthisSuper Compactformat,the cabintheTL25.60is thesameasBobcat’s top-of-the-rangeRSeries18mmodel,so customerscanbe certaintheyhavethe mostspaciouscabin thecompact telehandlermarket.A complementaryversion oftheTL25.60aimed attheagricultural marketwillbe launchedin2023.”

Featuresofthecab include:

•New5-inchLCD display

•Enhancedintuitivenessandsimplicity-of-use

•Plentyofstoragespaces

•Airsuspensionseatfordailycomfort

•Optionaltiltingandtelescopicsteeringcolumn

•Easytogetinandoutofthecabwith90°door

openingandlowentrystep

LikeallBobcattelehandlers,the newenginehoodhasbeen designedtomaximizevisibilityon therighthandsideofthe machine.Togetherwiththenew dashboarddesigninthecaband strongbutslimcabinpillars,this providesexcellentunobstructed

visibilityfortheoperator. Combinedwiththebestturning radiusonthemarket,thisallows theoperatortomovearoundthe jobsitewitheaseandto minimiseaccidentsormistakes.

TheTL25.60hasanextratough designwitharobustframeand boomforworkinginevery

possibleenvironment.The shieldeddesignprovides protectionforhydraulicand electricalcomponents(including thepipes,harnessand transmission)andasteelplate protectsthebaseofthemachine. LikeallBobcattelehandlers,the TL25.60hasaboxsectionlayout andsignificantgroundclearance forpeaceofmind.

TheTL25.60offers impressivecontrolatany heightthankstothesmooth hydrostatictransmission, hydraulicboommovements andflowsharing,ensuring allneedsaremetonjob sites.Usingthesamemain valveastheothermodels intheR-Seriesrange,the TL25.60offersthebest cycletimesonthemarket.

Top-of-the-Range:the S86andT86Compact Loaders

Deliveringahigherengine andhydraulicoutput,the BobcatS86andT86are themostpowerfulcompact

loadersthecompanyhasever built.BothmachinesuseawellprovenStageVcompliant3.4l Bobcatengine–producing78 kW(105HP)at2600RPM.Just likeallR-Seriesloaders,the engineismountedin-linewith directdrive,whichimprovesthe coolingcapacityoftheengine andhydrauliccomponents.This changeincreasesreliabilityin high-intensityapplicationssuch asroadconstructionandforestry work.

JohnChattaway,Loaders

ProductManageratBobcat, commented:“TheS86/T86follow onfromtheverysuccessful introductionofthesmallerS66/ T66andS76/T76loaders.The S86/T86top-of-the-rangemodels continuethesametrendby settingnewindustrystandardsin everyarea,fromin-cabcomfort andsafetytoavailablepower andattachmentversatility.The S86/T86takewhatispossible withcompactloaderstoawhole newlevel.”

BestHydraulicsontheMarket

Oneofthemostexcitingnew aspectsoftheS86andT86is thatbothmachineshaveforthe firsttimeachoiceofthree differentauxiliaryflowoutputs. Thereisastandardflow configurationproviding87l/min forapplicationssuchasloadand carry,orwherelowhydraulicflow attachmentsareused.Bobcat alsoofferstwoadditional hydraulicperformancefunctions usingthenewElectronic DisplacementControl(EDC) Pump:aHighFlowfunction giving138l/minandanew, industryuniqueSuperFlow functiontakingauxiliaryflowto 159l/min.

TheFiveCouplerBlock (standardwiththeSuperFlow option)providesaflexible approachtorunningdifferent

attachments.Fromonecommon source,theoperatorcanattach bothstandardorhighflow approvedattachmentstothe smallersized½inchquick couplers.Thenwhenusing SuperFlow,theuseofthe¾ inchcouplersallowsmaximum performanceandproductivity fromtheapprovedadvanced attachments.

BothHighFlowandSuperFlow optionscomeintegratedwith Bobcat’suniqueattachment controldevice(ACD).TheS86 andT86machinesequippedwith HighFloworSuperFlowalso havePowerBob-Tach Attachmentsystemsasstandard. ThePowerBob-Tachisan addedcomfortandproductivity featurethatallowssome attachmentstobeconnectedand removedwithouttheoperator leavingtheseat,justusingthe switchesconvenientlylocatedin thecab-itisoptionalon StandardFlowmachines.

IncreasedLiftingCapabilities

ThenewS86andT86workgroup designincreasestheabilitytolift more,carrymoreandreach further.Thisisachievedbya newworkgroupgeometrythat improvesliftingcapability throughouttheliftarm’srangeof motion.Whencombinedwiththe highhydraulicperformanceand thelighterandstrongercast-steel liftarmsections,theloadersoffer highercapacitythroughoutthelift cycle–evenatfullheight.

AlongwiththeS66/T66andS76/ T76modelslaunchedoverthe lasttwoyears,theS86/T86set newindustrystandardsforin-cab comfort.Thisincludesthelow noiseandvibrationlevelsinside theone-piecesealedand pressurizedcab,togetherwith theintuitiveSJCcontrolsas standard,andtheinformative displays.Thecabalsohasan

HVACsystemasstandardand increasedoperatorvisibility, whichcanbefurtherenhanced withtheinnovativeClearSide caboption.Withthelatter,75% ofthesidewindowsaremeshfree,ensuringanunobstructed viewfromthecab.Bobcathas alsoaddedarear-viewcamera asstandardequipmenttothelist. Inadditiontothestandard5inch in-cabdisplay,Bobcatoffersas anoption,anadvanced7inch displaythatprovidesevenmore detailedmachineinformationand unprecedenteddevice connectivity.

OtherkeyfeaturesoftheS86 andT86include:

•BobcatHorsepower

•SpeedManagement-

•5-LinkTorsionSuspension

•CounterweightReady-To

•Dual-DirectionBucket

•AutomaticRideControl

•ReversibleCoolingFan

Formoreinformationabout

UpgradetoaHonda broughtmultiplebenefits

ABedfordshire-based farmerand contractorwho changedtoa HondaPioneer520 fromacompetitor brandUTVlastyear,sayshe benefitsfromimprovedreliability, betterfueleconomyand increasedworkingefficiency.

RobertBoneandhismother Barbararunthemixedfarming enterprisenearBedford.Robert isthethirdgenerationofhis familytofarmthelandthere,and arablecropsincludewinterwheat andoilseedrape.Approximately 160haofgrazingcomprises 100haoftemporarygrassused asabreak-cropwithinthearable rotation,and60haofpermanent pasture.Thegrassisrentedfor sheepgrazingbyalocal shepherdandRoberthelpslook afterthesheep.Strawbalesare soldmainlyforequineuse,anda generalagriculturalcontracting serviceisprovided.

“Thisyearwearelookingafter approximately600breeding eweswhichwerebroughtinwith lambsatfoot,”heexplained.“In

previousyearswehavehadup to4,000sheeponsite.We providethegrassanddothe dailychecks,aswellascontractfarminganadditionalflockof sheepforaneighbouronhis land.OurHondaPioneer520 workseveryday.Werelyonit. Mostofourlandisheavyand usinglargermachinestotravel aroundwithfeedand equipmentwouldcausea lotofgrounddamage–especiallywhen conditionsarewet.”

Load-carryingUTV needed

RobertusedHondaATVs inthepastwhenhe managedapheasant shoot,butwhenasideby-sideloadcarryingUTV wasneededhehadto changebrands.“Atthat time,Hondadidn’toffera side-by-sideUTV,soI lookedatotheroptions andselectedawellknownbrandwithadiesel engineandalargerear loadbed,”heexplained.I thoughtitwouldbe

suitable,butitjustcouldn’tcope withthefarmworking environmentanditwasalwaysin forrepairs.Winter2021was particularlywet,resultingin particularlytoughconditions whichproveddisastrousforthe machine,sowewereforcedto findanalternativequickly.”

SeverallocalATVandUTV dealerswereconsulted;including MKMAgriculturewhich representsHondainthearea. MKMAgricultureManaging DirectorAnthonyDeacon suggestedthatthenewHonda Pioneer520wouldbeideal,asit hastwoseatsandarearload bedbutisonlyslightlylargerand heavierthanatraditionalATV andextremelycapableoff-road. Robertdidn’ttryit,buthis knowledgeofHonda’sreliability andbuildqualityaswellasthe excellentreputationoftheMKM teamgavehimtheconfidenceto placeanorder.

Light,compactbutcapable

ThePioneer520wasdeliveredin November2021andhasworked mostdayssince.“Ithasplentyof powerandisnimbleandquick, soitsavesusalotoftime,”he explained.“Itisveryfuelefficient too,andIfillthe15-litretank everythreedayswhenweare busy.ItusesfarlessthanIhad expected.

“Thelightweightisabig advantage.Iappliedslugpellets usingamountedspreaderlast winter,anditprovedso successfulthatIintendofferinga contractapplicationservicethis autumn.Ialsoprovidea contractingservicedoinghorse paddockmaintenance,andthe Pioneerperformswellwitha

sprayercarriedontherearload bed.It’slikehavinga conventionalATVbutwithextra weatherprotectionprovidedby theoptionalcab–it’sthebestof bothworlds.”

Powerandreliability

ThePioneer520hasa518cc, single-cylinder,liquid-cooled, petrolengineandafive-speed mechanicaltransmissionwith autoandmanualoperating modes.Drivetothewheelsis throughreliableshafts,rather thanchainsorbeltsthathavea muchhighermaintenance requirement.ThePioneerweighs only483kgunladenandisjust 1,270mmwide.Fully independentsuspensionand generous215mmground clearancemakeitextremely capableoff-road.Thereartipping bedcarriesloadsupto204kg andtrailersup to454kgcan betowed.

Extremely versatile ThePioneer 520loadbed issmallerthan thatofthe previousUTV, butRobert saidthatthis isn’tanissue. “Thereis

alwaystheoptiontopulla trailerifIneedtotransport largeritems,butfordelivering feedandnutrient supplementstosheepinthe fieldsthePioneerhasplenty ofspace.Ioccasionallycarry apassengertoassistwhen movingelectricfencing,and thereisplentyofroomfortwo inthecabandit’s comfortable.”

Excellentdealer

Robertcommentedthatdaily checksandmaintenanceare easilycarriedoutandwiththe rearloadbedtipped,thereis greataccessforcleaning.

MKMAgriculturedoesthe servicingwhenitisdue.“It’s beenfaultless,”hesaid.“The MKMteamhasbeenbrilliant thoughandit’sbeenclearfrom thestartthatifanythingwasto gowrongthatmeantthePioneer couldn’tbeused,thenthere wouldbesomethingavailableto borrowinstead.”

StickingwithHonda

Robertupdateshismain machinesregularlysothatthey arealwayscoveredbythe manufacturerwarranty.Asked whetherhewillpurchaseanother Pioneer520whenthecurrent machineistwoyears’old,Robert confirmedthatthisislikely.“It’s worked475hoursinitsfirsteight monthswithoutanyproblems, includingthroughaparticularly demandingwinter,”hestressed. “I’mveryunlikelytochangefrom Hondaortheback-upfromthe localdealer.”

howcasingthe extremeversatility andadventurereadynatureofthe PolarisOffRoad side-by-sidelineup, thePolarisOutlandingProjectis settosupportsixfemaleteam members,astheyprepareforthe journeyofalifetimeacrossthe volcaniclandscapeofIceland.

TakingplacethisSeptember,the specially-equippedPolaris vehicleswillembarkonaweeklongjourney,travelling thousandsofkilometresacross theintenseandbreathtaking landscapeofthe‘LandofFire andIce’.

RepresentingFrance,Germany andAustria,SpainandPortugal, theUnitedKingdomandIreland andScandinavia,thevehicles willbedrivenbysixfemales membersofthePolaristeam fromacrossEurope,allwitha sharedurgetobreakfromthe ‘norm’ofeverydaylife, experiencesomethingnewand unknownandengageother womenriderstoexperience similaradventures.Theteamwill becompletelyself-sufficient withoutaidsorsupportvehicles, travellingwithjustthreePolaris side-by-sidesandtheircamping equipmenttosustainthemover sevenadventure-filleddays.

Themostversatileadventure

side-by-sideintheindustrywill spearheadtheexpedition:The PolarisGENERAL1000Deluxe ABS.Equippedwitha CAMPWERKiKampertoptent,a Taubenreutherspecialdesign Multi-Rackstoragesolution, XOBIoutdoorkitchen,Pro Armor®lightbarandbeadlock wheels,PolarisEngineeredrock sliders,fronthoodstorageand muchmore,inadditiontothe purpose-builtfeaturesstraight fromthefactory,theteamwillbe wellservedtogetthemostoutof everymoment,dayandnight.

ThejourneywillstartinReykjavík withavisittoSTORMUREHF–theofficialPolarisdistributorin Iceland–tocollecttheirPolaris

vehicles.Fromtheretheteam’s Icelandicadventurebegins. Travellingoversmoothtarmac roadstotheless-travelledgravel F-roads,theteamwillnavigate throughfordcrossings,steep, slipperyinclines,andthefamed blacksands,allofwhichwilllead themtouncoversomeofthe mostbeautifullandscapesand naturalwondersinthenorthern

hemisphere–includingaclose encounterwiththeerupting Fagradalsfjallvolcano.Imagine remoteandunspoiltscenery includingdiverselavafieldsand spectacularmountains, geothermalhotsprings overlookedbyloomingglaciers, andbreathtakingwaterfallsthat fewplacesonearthcanmatch; thePolarisriderswillexperience

All-purposeATVessentialtoforagefocussedfarm

TheAtlanticAngus herdatHeleBarton FarminCornwall standsat600head ofpedigreeAngus cattlethatare finishedalmostentirelyongrass. Theherdismanagedby JonathanChapman,aqualified vet,andbrothertoJameswho foundedChapmanMachineryin 2010.

improvesthewelfareoftheherd andthefinishedproductwhen wecometosell.Weaverage around50bullsalesayearand wearebreedingfrom220,”he explains.

doesthewetweather,butitisall worthittogrowthebestgrass.”

Jonathanhasgrowntheherdto oneofthelargestintheUKand developedtheAtlanticAngus brandtomakeitidentifiableas someofthebesteatingquality cattleinthecountry.“Weare tryingtorearongrasswithas fewinputsaspossible.It

Thelandistypicalofthearea withrollinghillsandsmall pasturefields.Whilsttheforage isexcellent,itsmanagementis morechallengingwithsucha largeherd.“Bybeingfocusedon foragewecandriveeconomies oninputs,butitislabour intensive.Weoperaterotational grazingwhichinvolvesalotof movingcattle,puttingupfencing andmanagingtheland.The heavyclaysoilsdon’thelp,nor

Tomovecattleandmanagethe grassleyshespendsmuchofhis timeonhisATV,aYamaha Kodiak450.Thisalsopullsa rangeofequipment manufacturedbyChapmans, includingatippingtrailerwhich transportsfencingmaterialsand isusedforcollectingmuck.“I don’tthinkwecouldoperatelike thiswithoutanATV.Wehave 550acres,andthefarmisover 2.5mileslong.Manyofthefields wouldbeunreachableinpretty muchanythingelseanditdoesn’t causethesamedamagetothe soilasatractoror4x4.Mywatch tellsmeIdoabout10,000plus stepsaday,soIcouldn’timagine howmanyIwouldbedoingifI didn’thavetheATV.”

Carryingheavyweightsover undulatingandhillylandisoneof thekeytasksfortheATV.The centreofgravityislowerthan manyfarmvehicles,whichoffers greaterstability.“Ihavehad otherATVsbuttheYamahas haveadifferentridingposition.It islower,soIsitinthebikerather thanontopofit.Thesuspension alsoseemstosoakuptheterrain verywell,whichgivesme confidencetocarryloadsinall conditions.”

Havingaccesstomanyofthe implementshisbrother manufacturesonthefarmhasa wealthofadvantages.“James andIgrewuponthisrough terrainandhehasusedthat experiencetodevelopmachines thataresuitableforchallenging farmconditions.Itishandyto haveaccesstoimplements,but theyoftenselltoofasttobeon thefarmlongenoughformeto getmyhandsonthem.Ihave boughtasnacker,but,because wefeed95percentforage,itonly haslimiteduse.”

TheKodiakcantowupto500 kilosandJonathanisableto carryafurther120kilosonthe racks.“ThismeansIcanreduce thenumberoftripsImakewhen fatteningtheherd.Usingthe snackerisagoodwayofadding weightintheautumn.Weare tryingtofinishsteersat18 monthssoasmallamountof concentratemeanswecansell thembeforeChristmas.”

Furtherimplementssuchasa flailmowerandweedwiperhave alsobeenusefultohaveto maintainareasofthefarm. “Weedsandrushesstandproud oftheremaininggrassafter grazing,soIusetheATVwith theweedwipertogooverfields. Itisquickandveryeffective.It alsohasthebenefitofgiving growingroombacktothegrass whichmakesthepasturesricher forthecattle.”

Theflailmowerisusedto maintainareasofthefarmnot laidtograssleys,suchasthe orchardsandafishinglake.“I canalsousetheATVonthe conservationgrazingland.We haveaflailmoweronthetractor too,buttheATVcangetto

placesthetractorcan’treachand itsmucheasiertomowsmaller areaswith.IusetheFM120 mowerwhichislightand performswellonsoftground.It’s goodfortacklingweedsor rushesandhasarearrollerto preventscalping.”

Thewetconditions,claysoiland hillylandmeanthatJonathan keepstheherdinfor5monthsof theyear.Withhelpfrom contractors,heisabletohavea

gainis1.2kilosperdaybecause theyaregettingthebestgrassat therighttime.”

Jonathanispartof GrassCheckGB,agroupof approximately50farmerswho measuretheirgrasseveryweek andhealsohasthefreshgrass testedeverytwoweeks.“To monitorforageinthiswaymeans manymoremilesonoraround thefarm,butitistimewellspent inmyopinion.TheATVisthe fastestwaytogetaroundthe farm,andbymeasuringthe heightofthegrassandthen havingittested,Icanmanage theherdandthegrassmore efficiently.Ifindthetestsare particularlyusefulforshowing mineralvaluebecauseithelpsus tounderstandwhatmaybe lackingintheherd’sdiet.”

Jonathanhasestablisheda

clampprovisiononfarmand, withcarefulmanagement,his over-winterforagehasbeenan importantfactorinoverallherd health.“Thecattlecanspoilland veryeasilywhenitswet,sowe havenochoicebuttohouse themuntilthefieldsdryout.The silagewasupat11MElastyear andthatisagoodsignthatwe arefeedingarichdiet,even whentheherdisindoors.”

Withaveterinarybackground, Jonathanisfocussedonanimal health.Dietisabigpartofthis, andheusestheATVtotake grasssamplesregularlyinorder tomanagebothqualityofforage andintake.“Iwanttheherdto getthegrasswhenitisatits best.Ihavejustweighedthe yearlingheifersandtheweight

clinicalfarmingsystemthatis rearingsomeofthebestcattlein thecountry.Hehasfound innovativewaystousehis YamahaKodiakandthe machineryhisbrother’sbusiness manufactures.Hesuggeststhat thisnotonlysavestimeand money,butalsogiveshimthe confidencetotacklealmostallof theday-to-dayworkhimself.“The ATVwillgoanywhereandcosts afractionofaGatoror4x4to buyandrun.Theautomatic gearboxandpowersteering makeiteasierhandleonthe variedlandwehavehere.I’ve hadYamahasforover10years and,withthereassuranceof dealerCornishTractorslocally,I can’tseewhyIwouldwantto change,”heconcludes.

yearonfromreceivingtheirfirst RangerEVasabirthdaygifttodad CannonHallFarmarestillutilisingthe PolarisRangeraroundthe125-acre

FarmandSummerontheFarm,theteamhave beenextremelybusywiththeupkeepoftheir popularandever-developingfarm.TheRanger Dieselisonhandtohelp,deliveredtoCannonHall FarmbackinJanuarythisyear.

FarmerRobertsaid:“WelovedtheEVaroundhere –itwasourfirsttimewithaPolarisvehicleand reallyshowedusthequalityofthebrand.Thisyear, havingtheDiesel hasbeenanother greatexperience–it’ssousable,it’sso flexibleandit’s morethancapable. We’lloftenusethe Rangerfor extendedperiods andhavingthe confidenceinthe dieselenginehas beengreat,notto mentionit’s fantasticwhen carryingheavy loadsinthebed.”

TheRangerDiesel isprovingitselfto betheultimate

agriculturalworkhorse,beingputtohardworkfrom theget-goatCannonHallFarm.Withitslarge cargobedwith435kg capacity,theteamat CannonHallFarmuseitto transportanimalfoodand supplies.Thisisanomean featwithCannonHallFarm beinghometohundredsof animalsandreptiles,allwith tailored,high-qualitycare.

Overthe125acresofthe farm,there’sanumberof less-accessibleareasthat can’tbeeasilyaccessedby traditional4×4vehicles–thisiswheretheRanger Dieselcomesintoitsown withthehighestground clearanceinitsclassof 33cm,plusaddedfeatures likeelectronicpower steeringtoallowtheteam–includingdadRoger–to ridearoundthefarmalldaywithoutfatigue.

“TheRangerDieselisreallywell madeandthewholevehicle inspiresconfidencewhendriving, notjustoffroadbutalsowhen travellingontheroadsfromfield tofield,”FarmerRobcontinued. “It’sthemostrobustoffroad vehiclewe’veeverhadatthe farm!”

Notonlyprovingtobean excellenthelpinghandfordaily farmlife,DaveandRobhave recentlycomeupwithamore uniquewaytousethecargo bed.

“TheRangerDieselishandyfor lotsofdifferentthingsbutour favouriteisasabaronwheels, whenwehaveevents,concerts, etc.We’vediscoveredthatwecanusetheRanger tostoreallthecolddrinksandmovethemaround,

thewaterproofbedisperfectforthejob.Plus,when werunout,it’sonlyaquickdrive backtorefill–nomoreofthose peskywheelbarrowsrunning backandforth!”

FarmerDavidsaid:“TheRanger Dieselhasbeenarealgame changerforushereatCannon HallFarm,wecertainlyputit throughitspacesandithas neverletusdownyet.It’sawell builtmachinethatweknowwe canrelyon,anditsversatilityis somethingwenowcouldn’tlive without.”

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

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

Measuring110”longand60” wide,withawheelbaseof79”, theMuleProMXistheperfect

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

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

Whileitsperformanceis unmatched,Kawasakihasalso focusedonmakingtheflagship Mulemodelasaccessibleand

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

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

•Drivingmode(2WD/4WD) indicator

•Digitalspeedometerd

•Digitalfuelgauge

•Clockodometer

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

Thenextstageof Nissan’selectrified productoffensive takesshapewiththe regionalpremiereof theAll-New,fourth generationX-Trail.Overtwo decades,almostsevenmillion unitsofX-Trailhavebeensold globally,makingitoneofthe world’smostpopularfamily adventurevehicles.

Startingat£32,030,theAll-New X-Trailoffersaunique combinationofruggedeyecatchingdesign,comfort,onboardconvenience,andan effortless,confidentdrive.

Forthisnewiteration,Nissanhas drawnonthewell-established DNAthatrunsthroughallthree ofthepreviousgenerations: musculardesign,flexibleutility, andadvancedall-wheeldrive capabilities.TheAll-NewX-Trail willbeavailableinbothfiveand sevenseatconfigurations, offeringaconvenientoptionfor daysoutwithextendedfamilyor friends.

ThankstothenewAllianceCMFCplatform,whichshowcases advancedengineering, innovationandtechnology,the All-NewX-Trailwillagainraise thebarinthecrossoversegment. Customerswithatastefor

adventurewillsavourthe enhanceddynamicperformance andadvancedelectrification technologiesthatthenew generationofX-Trailoffers.

“ReplacinganiconliketheXTrailisahugeresponsibility.It hasestablisheditselfasavehicle forfamiliestoshareadventures in,soweknowwhatour customersappreciate.Forthe fourthgeneration,wewillgive themthecapacityforadventure, withanadvancedelectrifiedallwheeldrivepowertrain, combinedwithintuitiveand convenienttechnology,”said FrancoisBailly,SeniorVice President,ChiefPlanningOfficer, forNissan’sAMIEORegion.

Nissan’siconicX-Trailwillarrive onthestreetsoftheUKsoon withdealersnowabletotake customerorders.

Modern,muscularstylingthat createsarobustyetmodernlook

CentraltoX-Trail’sappealwillbe itsdistinctivestylingwhich projectsareassuringsenseof prominenceandrobustness, withoutbeingaggressive.

Boththeexteriorandinteriorof theAll-NewX-Trailreflectthe spiritofthevehicle–versatile andadventurous.Theexterioris

highlightedbysignatureNissan designelementssuchasthe floatingroofandV-motiongrille. Thefrontalaspectisframedby strikingheadlightsthatappear mouldedwithinthebodyworkof thefrontbumper,withcombined daytimerunninglightsand indicatorsnestledalongtheshutlineofthehood.

Fromtheside,muscularwheel archesatthefrontandreargive theX-Trailpresenceontheroad, whilstatthebaseofthedoors, aninsetfeaturebringsasenseof fluiditytothesheersurfacesof thedoors.

TheshapeoftheC-pillaris reminiscentofadolphinfin, bringingtensiontotherear wherethewrap-aroundlights completetherearthree-quarter aspect.

Frombehind,taughthorizontal linessitsjustaboveandbelow wherethenumberplateis mounted,whilesplitrearlights ensureawideapertureforthe trunk.Asilverpanelcurvesunder therearbumper,reflectingXTrail’sadventurouscharacter.

Keyaerodynamicfeatures include"3D"tyredeflectorsinthe lowerfrontfascia,anactivegrille shuttertocontrolairflowintothe enginecompartment,specialA-

pillarshaping,underbodycovers tomanageairflowunderthe vehicleandaunique"aircurtain" thatpreciselydirectsairflowfrom thefronttothesidesoftheXTrail.

Customersclearlyappreciate choice,sothenewX-Trailwillbe availablein10bodycolourswith fivetwo-tonecombinations, creating15variationstochoose from.

e-POWERdrivetrain

TheAll-NewX-Trailwillbethe secondmodelinNissan’s Europeanrangetobeequipped withthebrand’sinnovative e‑POWERdrivesystem.

ExclusivetoNissan,e-POWER isauniqueapproachto electrification,offeringtheEVdrivefeelingwithouttheneedto recharge.

FirstintroducedinJapanonthe Notein2016,itwentonto becomethebest-sellingcar,with customerslovingitscombination

fromanelectricmotor,which resultsinaninstant,linear responsetotheaccelerator.

TheapplicationForEuropeithas a1.5litreVariableCompression Ratioturbopetrolengine,witha finalsystempoweroutputof 150kW(204PS).

ThedefiningfeatureofePOWERisthatthepetrolengine isusedsolelytogenerate electricity,whilstthewheelsare completelydrivenbytheelectric motor.Thismeanstheengine canalwaysrunwithinitsoptimal range,leadingtosuperiorfuel efficiencyinurbansettings.

Thankstothepureelectricmotor drive,there’snodelayaswithan internalcombustionengineor traditionalhybrid.Theinstant responsedeliversanexhilarating hightorquefeelandagile accelerationtomakeovertaking ormergingontoahighwayeasier andmoreconfidence-inspiring.

Integraltothedesignofe-

Inadditiontothesebenefits,the e-POWERdrivesystem guaranteesaquietdrive,for example,at25mphthesoundin thecarreducesby8db comparedwithcompetitors.

e-PedalStep

Giventhat70%ofdrivetimeis likelytobespentinsuburban areas,Nissandevelopeda‘one pedal’drivingexperiencecalled e-PedalStep.Designedtotake therepetitivestrainoutofstopstarturbandriving,wherethe driverisfrequentlymovingtheir footbetweentheacceleratorand brake,e-PedalStepallows driverstoaccelerateandbrake usingonlytheaccelerator.

Thesystemmustfirstbe activatedbytheswitchonthe centreconsoleandonce engaged,theacceleratorwill deliveraccelerationasusual.

Uponreleaseoftheaccelerator, e-PedalStepwillbraketheXTrailat0.2g,enoughtoilluminate thebrakelights,andreducethe speeddowntoa“creeping” speed,notacomplete stop.Thisensureslowspeedparkingmanoeuvres areassmoothaspossible. Driverswillquicklyadapt theiracceleratorpedal inputstomaintainsmooth travel,ensuringurban drivingismoreintuitiveand lessdemanding.

MildHybridVersion

ofsmooth,effortless performanceandcable-free ownership.

TheAll-NewX-Trail’se-POWER systemiscomprisedofahighoutputbatteryandpowertrain integratedwithavariable compressionratiopetrolengine, powergenerator,inverterand 150kWfrontelectricmotor.This uniquepowertrainmeansthat powertothewheelscomesonly

POWERisthe“lineartune”, whichgovernstheoperationof thepetrolengine,ensuringthat it’sspinningatanappropriate speedrelativetoroadspeed, avoidingthe“rev-up”effectof traditionalhybridsunderhard acceleration.Asecondarybenefit istherefinementitbrings, ensuringtheengineisrunning onlyatthespeeditneedsto, whichistypicallylowinurban andsuburbanconditions.

Whilethee-POWER equippedversionoftheXTrailwillmakeupthe majorityofthedemandfor thevehicle,itwillalsobe offeredwiththe turbocharged1.5-litrevariable compressionratiopoweringthe wheelsinthetraditionalfashion. Generating120kW(163PS)and 300Nmoftorque,itwillbe offeredonlyintwo-wheeldrive configuration,withpowertothe wheelsbeingtransmittedviathe Xtronicsteppedcontinuously variabletransmission.Indriving scenarioswithrelaxeddriving andlightacceleration,theengine switchestohighcompression

ratioforoptimisedfuelefficiency, whileinsituationswheremore performanceisneeded,the compressionratioisadjustedto alowlevel.

Thepowertrainisalsoequipped with12vMildHybridtechnology. Thesystemprovidestorque assist,extendedidlestop,quick restartandcoastingstop,with benefitstobothfueleconomy andCO2output.

Whendecelerating,energyis recoveredthroughregeneration andstoredintheLithium-ion battery.Thischargedenergyis thenusedtorunthecar’s systemswhiletheengineis stopped,whilewaitingatared lightforexample.Additionally,a torqueboostofaround6Nmcan begeneratedunderacceleration.

ThismeansthattheentireX-Trail lineupisnowelectrified.

e-4ORCE

Anewall-wheeldrivesystem designedtoworkwithNissan’s electrifiedpowertrainsis introducedontheAll-NewX-Trail inEurope.e-4ORCEwilldeliver reassuringtractionandconfident accelerationinallconditions thankstoNissan'smost advancedall-wheelcontrol technology.The"e"ine-4ORCE standsforNissan's100%electric

motordrivesystem."4ORCE" referstothevehicle'sphysical powerandenergy,with"4" representingall-wheelcontrol.It willalsobearrivingonARIYA, early2023.

Thepowerfulduale-motor systemhasatotaloutputof 157kW(213PS)thankstothe rear100kwmotorwhichallows forkeenacceleration,with 0-62MPHin7seconds.Ithasa 10,000timesfasterreartorque responsethanamechanical 4WDsystem.Inaddition,the constanttorqueredistributionand nearperfectweightbalance contributetoreassuringhandling andridecomfort,enablinga powerfulyetsmooth,driving experience.

Byspecificallymanagingpower outputandbrakingperformance foreachwheel,thereby deliveringsmoothnessand stability,e-4ORCEenhances driverconfidencebytracingthe intendeddrivinglineoveralmost anyroadsurface,whilenever needingtochangedrivingstyle orinput.Whencorneringon snow-coveredroads,for example,thevehiclecanreliably tracethedriver'sintendedline thankstotheultra-high-precision motor,torquedistributionand brakecontrol.Withthe confidencetohandlesucha varietyofroadsurfaces,driving

becomesmoreenjoyable andthedriverfeelsmore confidentinanumberof drivingscenarios.

Engineersfine-tunedthe precisioncontroltechnology andtwinelectricmotorsof e-4ORCEtoprovide unparalleledridecomfort. Vehiclepitchanddiveare minimisedbyadding regenerativerear-motor brakingtotheusualfrontmotorregenerativebraking employedbytypicalEVand hybridsystemstoday.

Inadditiontooptimising frontandreartorque allocation,thesystem appliesindependentbrake controlateachofthefour wheelstomaximisethecornering forcegeneratedbyeachone. Thisdeliversdependable corneringwithminimalsteering adjustments.

“TheX-Trailwithe-POWERand e-4ORCEwilloccupyaunique cornerofthesegment,beingthe only7-seaterfamilycrossover withanelectrifiedpowertrain. TheX-Trailispreciselythetype ofvehiclemodernadventurous familiesarelookingfor,”said CliodnhaLyons,RegionVice President,ProductPlanning, NissanAMIEORegion.

Premiuminteriorambience

ThecabinoftheAll-NewNissan X-Trailsetsanewsegment standardforelevatedambience, distinctivedesignandenhanced usability.

AdvancedNissanIntelligent Mobilitytechnologiesareatthe driver’sfingertips,withcomfort andqualityineverytouch.New premiummaterials,smart featuresandconsidereddetailing enhanceacabinthatdelivers cutting-edgedesignand practicalityineverydimension.

Extensiveattentionhasbeen paidtotheergonomicandtactile qualityoftheswitchgearand buttonstogivethemahigh qualityfeel.Customerresearch

hasclearlyshowncustomers’ preferenceforeasy-to-usecore functions,sotheX-Trailhas simple,intuitiveheating/airconditioningcontrols,aswellas buttonsthatgovernthecentral screenfunctions,suchasaudio andnavigation.

Thetoplevelofthefloating centreconsolelayoutfeatures thee-shifter,thedrivemode selectorandtwincupholders,as wellasthe15wwirelesscharge padforsmartphones.Thecharge padactivelychargesyourphone, whereassimilarfeaturesjust ensurethebatteryofyourphone doesnotdie.Thereisa combinedelbowrestforfrontseatoccupants,whichhasa “butterfly”opening,toreveala cavernousstoragespacefor valuables.Thesideopening

Practicalandflexible

Tomakeiteasiertoloaditems, installachildren’sseat,orget comfortablyintothecar,access tosecondrowseatsiseven easierduetotherearpassenger doorsopeningtonearly90 degrees.

Thesecondrowofseatssplitsin a60:40configuration,plusthere isacentralhatchsolongitems suchasskiscanbeeasily transportedwithouttheneedto dropeithersectionofthesecond rowofseats.Thesecondrowof seatscanalsoslideforwardto maximisethetrunkspaceand alloweasyaccesstothethird rowonthe7-seatconfiguration.

Secondrowpassengersaretruly consideredwiththeoptionof

platform,theAll-NewX-Trailis availablewithathirdrowof seatinginthetrunk.Individual seatsthateffortlesslydisappear intotheflooraredesignedto accommodatepassengersupto 160cminheight,placingit amongstthemostgenerousinits segment.Thespacehasbeen optimisedtoensurethatthird-row passengerscanputtheirfeet underthesecondrowofseats.

Accesstothethirdrowrequiresa simpleoperationtotumblethe outersecondrowseatforward allowinganeasystepintothe thirdrow.

Whenthetworearseatsarenot inuse,theresultingbootspace putstheX-Trailamongthe leadersinitscategoryfor luggagespace,withatotal capacityof585litres,anincrease of20litres,thankstoabest-inclassfloorlengthandwidth betweenwheelhouses.The improvementsintheutilityofthe luggageareamakeloading baggageeasierandstoringsmall itemsmoreconvenient.

Additionally,themodularityofthe twoluggageboardsoffers16 differentlayouts,foroptimal spaceusage.

elementsalloweasyaccessto thestorageareaforrear-seat passengers,unlikearear-hinged lid.

Underneaththeuppertierofthe floatingconsoleisstoragefor itemssuchasawalletortablet. Makingiteasiertostoresmaller itemsandoptimisingspace, becauseinafamilycaryoucan neverhaveenoughstorage.

Creatingareassuringand calmingenvironment,newwhite ambientlightingisused throughoutthecabin,withits uniformitygivingapremiumand harmoniousimpression.

dedicatedcontrolsforthe heating/air-conditioningsystem, ensuringoccupantcomfort, whichisvitalinafamilycar.The keytoaharmoniousfamilytrip? Asteadysupplyofpowerof course!Tokeepelectronic devicesnourished,thereisa USBtype-AandaUSBtype-C chargingpointforsecondrow occupants.Parentsofbabiesand toddlerswillappreciatethe inclusionofintegratedsun-blinds intotherearpassengerdoors, offeringprotectiononsunnydays withaneasyone-handed operation.

Thankstothepackaging efficiencyoftheAllianceCMF-C

Apoweredhands-freetailgate makesaccessingtheboot effortlesswhenhandsare anythingbutfree.Onthefiveseatversion,theFlexible LuggageBoardSystemremains andisenhancedforthenew model,withreshapedboardsas wellasdurablecarpetonone sideandwipe-cleanplasticon theother.

CMF-Cplatform

LikeitssiblingtheQashqai,the all-newX-Trailisbasedonthe AllianceCMF-Cplatform,which representsastate-of-the-art automotivestructureand technologyarchitecture.

Intermsofconstruction,thebody inwhitemakesuseofmore lightweightmaterial,aswellas advancedstampingandwelding techniquestoincreasestrength buttoalsoreduceweight.Forthe

firsttime,therearhatchback doorontheX-Trailisnowmade ofacompositematerial.

Thefrontandreardoors,front wingsandbonnet,areallnow madeofaluminium.

Thiscontributestorefinement, ridecomfortandadriving responsetypicallyfoundina highersegment,plusexceptional safetyandsecurityintheevent ofanaccident–aswellas addingbenefitstothecar’s overallefficiency.

Newsuspensionandsteering design

TheAll-NewX-Trailwillcontinue toofferarewardingdriving experience–buildingonits reputationasa refinedandsecure drive,but nevertheless, enjoyablewhenthe roadturnstwisty.

ThankstotheCMFCplatform,theAllNewX-Trailhasan updated Macphersonstrut set-upatthefront. Rearsuspensionis anadvancedmultilinkset-up.

Thepower-steering set-uphasbeen upgraded,offeringimproved response,betterfeelingaround thecentralpartofthesteering rangeandreducedfriction.

Connectedcontrolwith35 inchesofinfotainment

Toenhancecomfortandmake drivingmorefun,theAll-NewXTrailoffersanadvanced infotainmentsystemwithabroad portfolioofconnectedservices includingeffortlessintegrationof smartphones,in-carWi-Fiforup tosevendevices,NissanConnect Servicesandadedicatedapp withwhichtointeractwithand monitorthevehicle.

Thelarger,higherresolution12.3 inchNissanConnectdisplay

screenisadigitalgatewayto navigation,entertainmentand vehiclesettings,andis compatiblewithbothAndroid Auto®andAppleCarPlay®. WirelessAppleCarPlay®has alsobeenintroduced.

Anewhigh-definition,fully electronic12.3inchTFTmultiinformationscreenoffersa choiceofconfigurablelayoutsto displaynavigation, entertainment,trafficorvehicle information,allcontrolledfroma newtactiledialswitchonthe steeringwheel.Atraditional “Kiriko”cutglasstextureisalso addedtotheTFT’sdigital background–anodtoNissan’s JapaneseDNA.

Aninnovativenew10.8-inch

availablesuchasremotehorn andlights,aswellasremote doorlockandunlock.Smart alertscanalsobesetincluding speed,timeandzonewithapp notifications,shouldthevehicle exceedthesetparameters. Wheninthevehicle,driverscan activatetheVoiceControlfeature toeasilyuseavarietyofinvehiclefunctionsandequipment throughvoicecommandswithout takingtheireyesofftheroad.

Ifnotusingtheirphone’s navigation,driverscanaccess 3DMaps&LiveTraffic,which includesadvancednavigation featuressuchasover-the-air mapupdates,real-timetraffic conditions,GoogleStreetView andfuelprices.Door-to-door navigationisalsoavailable throughtheapp includingaMyCar Finderfunction.

Connectivityextends toalloccupantswith theconsoleboxnow offeringfrontand rearUSBcharging connectionswith bothUSB-Aand USB-Cports.

Upgraded ProPILOTassist

(windscreentype)Head-Up Display(HUD)providesthe biggest-in-segmentimagesize. Keynavigation,driverassistance androadinformationare projectedontothewindscreen withinthedriver’slineofvision.

Home-to-Carskillsare compatiblewithGoogleAssistant andAmazonAlexadevices.The systemsupportsawiderangeof commands,includingtheability fordriverstosenddestinationsto thecar'snavigationbytalkingto theirsmartdevice,minimisingthe timerequiredtoinputthe destination.

ThroughtheNissanConnect Servicessmartphoneapp, vehiclecontrolfunctionsare

TheAll-NewX-Trail isequippedwiththe nextgenerationof ProPILOTassist,bringinggreater driversupportinawiderarrayof circumstances.CalledProPILOT assistwithNavi-link,thesystem hasbeendesignedtoreduce fatigueandstresswhiledriving, whilebeingveryintuitivetouse.

ProPILOTassistwithNavi-link canaccelerateandbrakethe vehiclewithinasingle-laneona highway.Thesystemcan acceleratethevehicletocruiseat asetspeedandcanbrakethe vehicledownto0mphinheavy stop-starttraffic.Thesystemcan resumeautomaticallyifthe vehiclehasbeenstationaryfor lessthanthreesecondsandthe trafficinfrontofthecarmoves away.

OntheAll-NewNissanX-Trail, theupdatedsystemisnowable toadaptthecar’sspeed accordingtoadditionalexternal circumstances:whenthecar crossesintoalowerspeedlimit zoneonthehighway,thesystem canreadroadsignsandtakeinto accountnavigationsystemspeed limitdatatoslowtheX-Trailto theappropriatespeed,meaning thedriverdoesn’tneedtoadjust thecruisecontrolspeed manually.

Thesystemcanalsousedata fromthenavigationsystemto adjustthespeedforapproaching curvesonthehighwaythathave atighterradius.

Furthermore,ProPILOTassist withNavi-linkcannow communicatewiththeX-Trail’s blind-spotradarstohelp intervenewithasteeringinput correctiontohelppreventalanechangemanoeuvreifthereisa vehicleintheblind-spotzone.

Thankstoanupgradetothe existingMovingObjectDetection alert,thevehiclewill automaticallyapplythebrakesto stopthecarifamovingobjectis detectedinfront.Andifamoving carorastationaryobjectis detectedwhilereversing,itwill stopthecar.

Activeandpassivesafety

Additionalsecuritycomesinthe formofNissan'sIntelligent ForwardEmergencyBrakingwith predictivefunction.Thanksto advancedradartechnology, sensorsareabletoreadtheroad beyondthecarinfronttodetectif

avehiclesuddenlybrakes.The systemwillapplythebrakesto reducethelikelihoodofa collision.

Safetyatnightisenhancedby thefitmentofadvanced headlamptechnologythatallows thelightunittobeslim,which helpstheX-Trail’saerodynamic efficiency,butadjuststheshape ofitsbeamaccordingto approachingtraffic.Usinga seriesofmatrixLEDunitsthat managethedirectionofthe beam,theindividualmatrixLED lightsaredeactivatedas oncomingtrafficisdetected, effectivelyleavingtherestofthe roadwellilluminated,butnot blindingthedriverofthe approachingvehicle.

Anotherfeatureofthesuiteof safetytechnologyon-boardthe All-NewX-Trailisthenewcentral airbag,whichdeploysfrom betweenthetwofrontseats,to preventthefrontrowoccupants frommakingcontactintheevent ofaside-impact.Thecentral airbagsupplementsthedriver andpassengerairbags,aswell asthesideandcurtainairbags fittedasstandardto theall-newX-Trail.

“TheAll-NewX-Trail isatourdeforceof Nissan’sinnovative technology.FromePOWER,the electrifiedpowertrain whichgivesthat unmistakablyEVdrivefeeling,with instantresponseand confidencefromour electrifiede-4ORCE

system,totheadvanceddriver assistancesystemsavailableon allgradestotheflexibilityofthe interior–thenewX-Trailhas beendesignedandengineered fromthegrounduptomeetthe veryexactingneedsofour customers.Formorethan20 years,X-Trailhasbeen synonymouswithcomfort, convenience,securityand confidence.Addintuitive technologyandruggeddesign, andwe’reconfidentthatthenew X-Trailwillemulatethesuccess ofpreviousgenerations,”said LeonDorssers,RegionalSenior VicePresident,Marketingand Sales,NissanAMIEORegion.

Ordering

AndrewHumberstone,Managing DirectorNissanGBadds:“We’re excitedthatthisiconwhichis synonymouswithfamily adventureswillbejoiningthe Nissanrangesoon.Weare confidentthatcustomerswilllove itsuniquecombinationof electrifiedperformance,steady handlingandrobustpracticality. Asonewouldexpectfroma Nissan,itwillofferunique customerappealandwecan’t waittoseeitinourshowrooms.”

Fromtoday,consumersinthe UKcanvisittheNissanwebsite toinitiatethepre-orderprocess andexplorethedifferentoptions thattheall-newNissanX-Trail offers.

DeliveriesoftheAll-NewNissan X-Trailaresettobeginin October.

UKVersionsandPricing

EUGEOThasupdated the3008and5008 modelswithnewtrim levels,stylingchanges andinteriorupgrades withnochangein pricingforcustomersrelatingto theseenhancements*.Also availableisawiderchoiceof powertrainsacrossbothmodels,

receiveseveralupgradesover previousActivePremiumtrim levels,includingtheadditionof an‘AluminiumPack’with AluminiumFrontDoorSillsand Pedals,18-inch‘DETROIT’ StormGreyDiamond-CutAlloy Wheels(3008modelsonly)and AluminiumRoofRails.Also addedisadarktintedrear windowandrear sidewindows.

AllurePremium+ modelsalso receivethe ‘AluminiumPack’ withtheroof upgradedtoa contrasting‘Black Diamond’finish foraddedstyling.

supportadjustment

•FramelessRearViewMirror •AdvancedEmergency BrakingSystemwithvideo andradarassistance

withPlug-inHybridtechnology nowavailableacrosstheentire 3008trimrange.Ordersforthe updated3008and5008range arenowopen.

FromAugust,ActivePremium+ andAllurePremium+replace previousActivePremiumand AllurePremiumtrimlevels,with Alluretrimnolongeravailable. BoththePEUGEOT3008and 5008willnowbeavailablein ActivePremium+,Allure Premium+,GTandGTPremium specification.

Tosatisfygrowing customerdemand fortheHYBRID225e-EAT8 powertrain,the3008HYBRID rangeis expandedto includethenew ActivePremium +trim,resulting inalowerentry pricepointfor HYBRID customers.

3008HYBRID ActivePremium +versionswill include additional elements overpetrol anddiesel3008variants, including:

•10-inchTouchscreenwith ConnectedNavigation& VoiceRecognition

•HalfMistralLeatherEffect Trimwith‘Colyn’and‘Mint

ActivePremium+modelsacross both3008and5008modelsalso receivetheEAT88-speed automatictransmissionacross both1.2LPureTech130and 1.5LBlueHDipowertrains,with both3008and5008nowsold exclusivelywithPEUGEOT’s smoothshiftingautomatic transmission.Thisfollows growingcustomerdemandfor automatictransmissionsover manualgearboxes,withthe majorityof3008and5008 customersin2022optingfor automaticversions.

ThePEUGEOT3008and5008 canbepurchasedin-storefrom

ActivePremium+models

•Driver’sseatmanuallumbar

PEUGEOTRetailersandvia PEUGEOT’sBuyOnline platform.BuyOnlineallows customerstoconfigure,finance, andordertheirnextvehicle entirelyfromthecomfortoftheir home,aswellasobtainapartexchangevaluationontheir currentvehicle.ViaPEUGEOT’s VirtualShowroom,customers canalsoscheduleaone-on-one livevideotourofvehiclesthey’re interestedin.

FiskerInc.(NYSE: FSR)("Fisker")–passionatecreatorof theworld'smost sustainableelectric vehiclesandadvanced mobilitysolutions–announces thatcurrentFiskerOcean productionnumbersof50,000 peryearmayexpandin2024 duetostrongconsumerdemand fromacrosstheglobe.

InJuly2022,the5,000-unit FiskerOceanONElimitedlaunch editionsoldoutgloballyinjust30 days,andthewaitlist,shouldany becomeavailable,numbersover 1,000.TheFiskerOceanSport basemodelandmid-levelFisker OceanUltrafollowedsuit,with potentialbindingordersforthe 2023U.S.allocationforboth trimssellingoutinamatterof daysearlierthismonth.Fisker currentlyhasmorethan58,000 reservations(inclusiveoffirm orders)forthefive-passenger, all-electricSUV,withatleast 80,000reservationsprojectedby theendoftheyear.

"Theenthusiasmwe'reseeing worldwidefortheFiskerOceanis nothingshortofhumbling.With ourpartnersatMagna,test vehiclesarerollingoffthelineat

thecarbon-neutralmanufacturing plantinGraz,whereweare workingdiligentlyonexpanding productionnumbersbeyondthe currentprojectionof50,000units peryear,"saidCEOand ChairmanofFisker,Henrik Fisker."We arealso exploring expanding operationsto meetthis growing demand, including considering manufacturing intheUnited States.And withour disciplinedspending,strongcash position,extraordinary operationalflexibility,strong relationshipswithoursuppliers, andadiversified,highline-ofsightpotentialrevenuestreamfor thefirstyear,we'refullspeed aheadonallfronts.I’mlooking forwardtoseeingtheverylatest pre-productionFiskerOcean vehiclescomeoffthelinewhenI visittheMagnaplantin September."

Fiskercontinuestodeliverand executeagainstitsbusinessplan predicatedona foundationof operationalexcellence andadisciplinedand deliberatefinancial strategy.Fisker's strongbalancesheet ischaracterizedbya conservativecapital structure,arobust liquidityprofile,asolid

cashpositionwith$851.9million inthebankattheendofQ2,and aflexiblemodelthatenables rapidspendingadjustment.

Fiskerconfirmeditsfull-year 2022guidanceonAugust3, 2022,andtheNovember17,

2022,plannedstartofproduction fortheFiskerOceanremainson track.

ThetoptrimFiskerOcean Extremetravels350milesona singlecharge,withdual-motor, all-wheel-drive,threedriving modes,a17.1"rotatingscreen featuringgaminginHMI, SolarSkyroof,CaliforniaMode, SmartTraction,andmanyfirstto-marketsafetyfeatures, includingtheworld'sfirstdigital radar,allfor$68,999.

ThelimitededitionFiskerOcean ONEbuildsontheExtremetrim, offeringspecificsignaturecues availableonlyonthefirst5,000 vehicles.InJuly2022,theFisker OceanONEsoldoutin30days, eachsecuredbya$5,000 depositrepresenting$350million inpotentialrevenueforFisker onceallthevehiclesare delivered. ANDULTRATRIMSSELLOUTINU.S.

Ordersarenowopen atallUKFiat Professional showroomsforthe NewDobloandfirst all-electriciteration, theE-Doblo,withpricesstarting from£18,855and£27,855 respectively*.

Inadditiontoitsdieselandpetrol versions,theDoblodebutsinthe worldofe-mobilitywithan electricmotorcapableof guaranteeingefficient,smooth andresponsivedrivingupto175 miles,courtesyofthevan’s 50kWhbattery.

TheE-Dobloalsoboastsrapid DCchargingcapabilitiesas standard,allowingfor80% chargetobereachedin30 minutes.

TechnologyandSafety-EDobloandDobloboasts18 ADASfeatures

BoththenewFiatProfessionalEDobloandDoblofeaturenew connectivity,infotainmentand safetytechnologiesthathelp driversovercomeallthedaily challengesandobstaclesthey mayface.

NewE-DobloandDoblocome jammedpackedwith18leveltwo autonomousadvanceddriver

assistancesystems(ADAS).

Thestand-outsafetyfeatureon bothproductsistheMagicMirror, whichthankstotwocamerasoneundertherightrear-view mirrorandtheotherabovethe reardoors-ensuresthedriver hasthreedifferentviews (displayedonafiveinchdigital rear-viewmirror)toperformthe mostcomplicatedmanoeuvrein thesafestpossiblefashion.

TheE-DobloandDobloalso benefitfromanewHead-Up Display,ensuringthatdriverscan monitorallkeydriving informationwithouttakingtheir eyesofftheroad.Withitsdigital transparentpanel,driverswillbe abletodrivesafelyandmonitor keyinformationsuchasspeed, theirnavigationstatusand receivesignalwarningsincluding speedlimitsandfuel consumption.

AdditionalADASsafetyfeatures includeAdaptiveCruiseControl; adaptingthevehicle’sspeedto thatofthevehicleinfront,Lane KeepingAssist;warningthe driverifalongitudinallane markingonthegroundis accidentallycrossed,andBlind SpotDetection;informingthe driverifanothervehicleis presentinthevan’sblindspot.

Bothvansareavailablewitha safetypackasstandardwhich includesadvancedemergency braking,lanedeparturewarning andtrafficsignrecognition.

Powertrains

NewE-DobloandDoblocomein threedifferentguises:all-electric, dieselorpetrol.

TheNewE-Dobloisequipped witha100kWelectricmotorand a50kWhbatterywhichallowsup to175milesintheWLTPcycle.

Italsoofferschargingcapabilities upto100kW,whichallowsthe vantoreach80%chargeinjust 30minutes.

Thedrivercanalsochoose betweendifferentdrivingmodes: Normal,Eco,PowerandBMode.

Eachmodemodifiesthevehicle’s drivingresponse,enhancing,and optimisingvehicleperformance, dependingonthejobathand.

Normalisrecommendedfor drivingunderregular,everyday drivingconditions.Ecoimproves thevan’seconomy,extending thevan’srange.Powerimproves thepeakpowerofthevehicle andshouldbeusedwhenthe vanhasaheavyload,whileB-

Modeallowsformaximum batteryregeneration.

Configurations

Inrecognitionoftheirflexibility, theNewE-DobloandDobloand areavailableintwolengthsand twodifferentconfigurations–PanelandCrewCab.

TheshortwheelbasePanelvan hasacargovolumeof3.3m³and anexternallengthof4.4m,while

threepeopleinthefrontseatsor increasethelengthandworking volume.Itispossibletoraisethe seatonthepassengersideand usethecompartmentunderneath forboxesorfragile objects.

OnthePanelvan,the cargocapacitycan increaseby0.5m³, allowingcustomersto carryupto3.8m³onthe shortwheelbase versionand 4.4m³onthe long wheelbase version.The loadvolume ontheCrewCab increasesto4m³.

whicharedesignedtomakeboth vehiclestailor-madeforclient requirements.

E-Doblostillbenefitsfromthe

thelongwheelbaseversionhasa cargovolumeof3.9m³witha lengthof4.75m.

Meanwhile,theCrewCab–only availablewithalongwheelbasepossessacargovolumeof 3.5m³andalengthof4.75m.

Designthatmatters:“Magic features”

Modularityandsafetyisatits bestwiththeNewDoblo’s “Magic”features.

NewE-DobloandDobloare equippedwithaMagicCargo featurewhichimprovesthe versatilityofthevehicle’s interior.

FiatProfessional’snewfeature allowsownerstocarryupto

FiatProfessional’s MagicPlug,only availableontheEDoblo,makesit possibletousethe battery’selectric energyforpowertoolsorother electricappliances.

TheNewE-DobloandDobloare availableintwotrimlevels, standardandprimo.Both

same800KGpayload,one tonnetowingcapacityand3.44m ofloadlengththatitsICE counterpartpossesses.

Comfort

TheentirespaceoftheNewEDobloandDobloaretailoredto driverandpassengerneeds.

Versatileandmodular,theNew E-DobloandDobloisthe commercialvehicleatthetopof itscategorythatoffersdifferent seatingandspace configurations,providing maximumcomfortwhen drivingandtransportingthe mostvariedgoods.

Greatattentionisalsogiven toacousticcomfortinboth theNewE-DobloandDoblo, reducingtheaveragenoise levelinsidethecabin, ensuringamorepleasant drivingexperience.

configurationscanbecustomised evenfurtherbyaddingother packswithADASsystemsand improvedfunctionality,allof

Visityournearestdealershipor orderonlineat www.fiatprofessional.com/uk/ doblo/new-doblo

EV9hasalsobeensubjectedto apunishingtestingregimenin locationsallovertheglobe.

Kiafirstgavetheworldapreview ofitsnewestflagshipmodelin theformoftheKiaConceptEV9, unveiledatAutoMobilityLAin LosAngeleslastyear.

Personifying‘OppositesUnited,’ thebrand’sgroundbreakingnew

designlanguage,theEV9 productionmodelwillrepresent thepinnacleofwhatispossible withanSUV.TheKiaEV9 developedonthecompany’s advancedElectricGlobal ModularPlatform(E-GMP)and willusherinanewerain sophisticated,high-technology, sustainablemobility.

Settobeformallyintroducedin thefirstquarterof2023,theKia EV9willfollowinthefootstepsof thebrand’sground-breakingallelectricEV6.TheKiaEV6has garnerednumerouscritical accolades,includingthehighly prestigiousEuropeanCarofthe Year2022title,andintheUK hascontinuedtoimpressatan incrediblyhighlevel.

iahasrevealedUK pricingand specificationsfor thenewXCeed compactcrossover asorderbooks openfortheupgradedmodel.

ThenewXCeedhasreceiveda rangeofmid-lifecycleupdates threeyearsafteritfirstwentonsale.Inthattime,ithasbecome thebest-sellingvariantinthe four-strongCeedmodelfamily, andnowaccountsfor51percent ofallCeedsalesintheUK.Ithas alsomadeup10percentoftotal KiaUKsalessofarthisyear, with5,652unitsregisteredinthe UKinthefirsthalfoftheyear.

senseofsportiness,similarto other‘GT-Line’modelsinthe existingKiaandCeedline-ups. Thenew‘GT-LineS’gradesitsat thetopofthenewXCeedrange, replacingtheearlier‘4’grade.

Withagenerouslevelof standardequipmentalongwith newGT-Linebodykit,unique18inchalloywheelsforexterior styling,andGT-Lineseatsand steeringwheel.ThenewXCeed alsoincorporatesKia’slatest driverassist, connectivityand infotainment systemsfor maximumeveryday usability,enjoyment andoccupant safety.

Twopowertrains onoffertoUK customers

UKcustomerdeliveriesforthe newKiaXCeedcommencefrom theendofQ32022,withprices startingfrom£22,995forpetrol modelsand£32,595forthelowemissionsPHEVmodel.

Mid-lifeupdatestopopular crossover

ThenewKiaXCeedhasreceived aseriesofproduct enhancementsfor2023, includingaboldnewexterior design,anenhancedinterior,and theadditionofanew‘GT-LineS’ gradetotheline-up.These changesmaketheXCeedan evenmoreenticingpropositionin thepopularC-crossover segment.

TheUKline-upincorporatesa new‘GT-LineS’gradeforthe firsttime,designedtoevokea

IntheUK,thenewXCeedoffers thesamechoiceoftwo powertrainsasfoundontheprefaceliftmodel,includingalowemissionsPHEVmodel.

Theanticipatedbest-sellerinthe line-upisthe1.5-litreT-GDi (turbochargedgasolinedirect injection)engine,pairedwitha six-speedmanualandproducing 158bhpand253Nmtorque.

Theenginefeaturescontinuously variablevalveduration technology,enablingittoshift continuouslybetween combustioncyclestomaximise performanceandefficiencyin differentdrivingconditions.

ThenewXCeedPHEVcarries overthesameplug-inhybrid system,basedona1.6-litreGDi

(gasolinedirectinjection),paired witha44.5kWelectricmotorand 8.9kWhlithium-ionpolymer batterypack.Itappliesits combined139bhpand265Nm torquetotheroadviaasmoothshiftingsix-speeddouble-clutch transmission(DCT).Thenew XCeedPHEViscapableof travellingupto30mileson electricpower.

WLTPfuelefficiencyand emissionsdataforallvariants,as wellas(Benefit-in-Kind)BIK informationforthebusinessfriendlyPHEVmodel,willbe revealedclosertothecar’sonsaledate.

‘2’,‘3’and‘GT-LineS’–a revisedUKgradestructure

ThenewXCeedoffersasimilar gradestructuretoearlier versionsoftheXCeed,butwith theoutgoing‘4’modelreplaced withthenew‘GT-LineS’version.

Versionswiththe1.5-litreT-GDi engineareavailablein‘2’,‘3’and ‘GT-LineS’grades.The‘2’ grade,pricedfrom£22,995, offersagenerousspecification asstandard.Thisincludes:

•16-inchalloywheels

•LEDbi-functionheadlights

•Powerlumbar

•Eight-speakerJBLpremium

•12.3-inchTFTSupervision

•Wirelessmobilephone

•Heatedfrontseats

•SmartParkAssistSystem (SPAS)withparallel/ perpendicularfrontandrear

•Reversingcamerasystem

•USB-CandUSB-Asocketsin thefrontcabin,andaUSB-C socketintherear

•ForwardCollision-Avoidance Assist(FCA)withcity, pedestrianandcyclist

•IntelligentStop&Go(ISG)

•Cruisecontrolandspeed

•Leather-trimmedsteering

•Smartkeywithenginestart/

•Freeseven-yearKiaConnect

•Rearparkingsensors

Inaddition,thenew‘GT-LineS’ grade,replacingtheearlier‘4’ grademodelandnowpriced from£29,995,offersthefollowing equipmentasstandard:

•Blind-spotCollisionWarning (BCW)

•IntelligentSpeedLimit Warning(ISLW)

ThenewXCeedPHEVis availableasasingle‘3’grade model,from£32,595on-theroad.ThenewXCeedPHEV‘3’ offersacompellingblendofhigh value,generousequipmentand lowrunningcosts.Thisissimilar tothe‘3’gradeofferedonnonPHEVmodels,butadds:

•Unique16-inchalloy wheeldesign

•Blackcloth

•60:40split-folding

•GT-Linebodykit

•GT-Line18-inchalloywheels

•Panoramicsunroofwithtilt andslidefunctionand automaticelectricrollblind

•Blackleatherwithsuedeseat upholstery

•Memorydriver’sseatwith powerheightadjustment

•Heatedouterrearseats

•Smartpowertailgate

•40:20:40split-foldingrear

•Blackandsatinchrome closedradiatorgrille

•SmartCruiseControlwith

•DriveModeSelect(with ‘Normal’and‘Sport’modes)

Newpaintcolourchoices

TheXCeedhasalwaysbeen offeredtoUKcustomerswitha selectionofvibrantcolour options,andthenewmodelisno different.Allfourgradesare availableinachoiceofeight paintoptions,with‘SpiritGreen’ newtotheline-upandnever seenbeforeonUKroads.

Theseareofferedalongside existingpaintoptions,which include‘PhantomBlack’,‘Penta Metal’,‘LunarSilver’,‘InfraRed’, ‘FusionWhite’and‘BlueFlame’. Fromlaunch,‘SplashLemon’is offeredasstandard,withallother premiumcolourspricedat£580.

•NissanannouncespricingforTownstar,itsall-newfullyelectricorpetrolcompactvan

•Electricmodelspricedfrom£29,945,withshortorlongwheelbasevariants

•Petrolversionpricedfrom£19,475SWBand£20,775forLWBversions

issanhasrevealed thepricingstructure forvariantsofitsall newcompactvan, Townstar.

ThesuccessortoNissan’s hugelysuccessfule-NV200, Townstarisprimedtofutureproofbusinessoperationsand acceleratethetransitiontowards electrification.Keytoitsappeal, however,willbethefactthatit offerstwohighlyadvanced powertrainsolutions–onepetrol andonefullyelectric,in combinationwiththelatest drivingtechnologies.

Forcustomerslookingtowards zeroemissionmotoring,prices willstartfrom£29,945*fora short-wheelbaseTownstar equippedwitha45kWhbattery, witharangeofupto183miles WLTPcombinedorupto269 milesincitycycle.

Alternatively,arefined1.3-litre

TCepetrolunitisalsoavailable andisfullycompliantwiththe latestEuro6d-Fullemissions regulations,delivering130HPof powerand240Nmoftorque, offeringpowerandefficiencyin equalmeasure.Petrolversions ofTownstarstartfrom£19,475.

Townstarbringsa suiteof20+ technologiesto thecompactvan segmentandwill featureabroad rangeofsafety technologiesand advanceddriver assistance featuressuchas Intelligent Emergency Braking,HandsFreeParking, IntelligentCruiseControland AroundViewMonitor(AVM), exclusivetoNissan,puttingitat theforefrontofitscategory.

Theexcitingline-upcomprises fourgenerously-specifiedtrim levels:Visia–wellequippedand readytowork;Acenta–featuring enhancedfacilitiesto accommodatemostprofessional needs;Tekna,incorporating additionaldriverconvenience

andexteriorstyling;andTekna+, combiningtheverylatest technologywithenhanceddriver assistance.

Whenitcomestocarrying capabilities,Townstarprovidesa generouspayloadofupto600kg (SWB)or800kg(LWB).In addition,themaximumbraked towingcapacityis1,500kg.

AllanNewman,LCVproduct manageratNissanGB,said: “We’redelightedtobeproviding moreinformationaboutall-new TownstarasitsarrivalintheUK approaches.Offeringtwo efficientpowertrainsolutions, practicaldesignandunique Nissantechnologies,itis comprehensivelyequippedto meetcustomers’ever-changing needs.

“Withtougheremissions standards,urbanaccess restrictions,andeverincreasingdemandfor last-miledelivery, businesseslargeand smallneedtofind effectiveandsustainable solutionstoremain competitiveandoptimise theiroperations.We’re confidentTownstarwill meettheireveryneed.”

Electricversions: Electricversionsofthe all-newTownstarare pricedfrom£29,945and willcomewithan11kW

Petrolversions:

Onpetrolversions,the aforementioned£19,475 pricetagappliestoaSWB Visiatrim-levelvehicle, poweredbyNissan’s1.3litreTCepetrolengineand withasix-speedmanual transmission.

Themostexpensiveshortwheelbasepetrol-powered Townstar,intop-of-therangeTekna+ specification,comesinat just£23,125.

Turningtolong-wheelbase petroloptions,pricesrange from£20,775(Visia)to £24,425(Tekna+).

(Visiagrade)or22kWAC (Acentagradeon)on-board chargingsystemwhichwillbe class-leadinginitssegment.As withitse-NV200predecessor, therewillalsobeaDCrapid chargingconnectorstandard fromAcentagrade,whichcan rechargethebatteryfrom0%to 80%inalittleover40minutes.

Pricesforall-electricshortwheelbaseexamplesrange upwardsto£34,845foraTekna+ model.Long-wheelbaseallelectricTownstarvariesinprice from£31,245(Visia)to£35,845 (Tekna+).

Furthermore,thiswillallbe accompaniedbyapan-European five-yearor100,000-mile warranty,inadditiontotheeightyearor100,000milesbattery warrantyfortheEVversion.This includesbumper-to-bumper protection,genuinepartsand accessoriesandroadside assistance–providing comprehensivecoverforextra peaceofmind.

Theofficialstartofsaleswillbe 1stOctoberforthepetrolversion and1stDecemberfortheEV version,andpre-orderswillopen from22ndAugust.

Polestar(Nasdaq: PSNY),theSwedish electricperformance carbrand,will establishitsUK commercial headquartersandanew customerTestDriveHubat BicesterHeritage.Openingin December2022,Polestar Bicesterwillbeanewmultipurposelocationfollowingthe developmentofoneofthe existingtwo-storeybuildingsin theHeritageQuarters.

Theheadquarters,locatedonthe upperfloor,willinclude operationalstaffsupportingthe approximately8000customers withPolestarsonUKroads.This includestherecentmovetoinsourceallcustomercarecentre staff.Sales,Operations, Marketing,andCommunications functionswillalsooperateoutof Bicester.Themovesupports Polestar’sglobalambitionto deliver290,000vehiclesby2025.

ThecustomerTestDriveHub locatedonthegroundfloorof

PolestarBicesteroffersa welcomingenvironmentfor customerstoexperiencethe Polestarelectriccars,interact withPolestarspecialistsand experienceatestdrive.Polestar Bicesterwillalsohostcustomer eventsthroughouttheyear.

Polestarispartneringwith BicesterMotion,duetothe strongalignmentincompany visiontocreateadestination unlikeanyother.Offeringan authenticcollectionofdynamic andinclusivevisitorexperiences, includingon-trackandoff-track immersiveexperiences celebratingautomotiveand aviationcultureandtechnology, past,presentandfuture.Polestar willsuperchargeBicester Heritagewithitsuniqueapproach toautomotiveretail,electric performance,sustainabilityand thefutureofelectricvehicles.

WithPolestar’sfocusonelectric performanceandsustainability, Polestarwillbeinvestinginthe Bicesterinfrastructureincluding theexpansionoftheEVcharging

networktosupportcustomers andemployees.

JonathanGoodman,Headof PolestarUKsays:“Establishinga UKcommercialHeadOffice, demonstratestheimportanceof theUKmarketreflectingtherate ofpureEVadoption.Bicester hasanapproachtoautomotive andfuturetechthatreally resonatedwithPolestar.Asthe firstlarge-scaleOEMtomoveto Bicesterandasanenthusiast marque,weexpectwewillfitin wellwiththeotherfantastic brandsalreadyonsite.Wewill beanopenandwelcominghead officeandwelookforwardto seeingBicesterHeritagevisitors, aswellasexistingandfuture Polestarcustomerstoo.”

DanielGeoghegan,Chief ExecutiveofBicesterMotion, comments:“Polestar’scommitted approachtosustainabilityand thefutureofelectricvehiclesis trulyinspiring.Wearelooking forwardtotheirunique ethoscontributingtothe successofBicesterMotion.”

AutoExpresshas namedtheSkoda KaroqasUsedCar ofTheYearfor 2022.Judgessaidit wasanSUVthat reallydelivers,andhas somethingforeveryone:quality, practicality,value,lowrunning costsandplentyofdriving satisfaction.

Thesilverawardwenttothe CitroenC3AircrossSUVforits Frenchflair,quirkystyling, practicalcabin,plusitscomfort aswellasoverallvalue.

Meanwhile,theVolvoS90picked upthebronzeaward,withthe judgingpanelcommentingthat theVolvoS90issomethingofa phenomenonandfeelsacut aboveitsGermanrivals.

AutoExpressEditor-in-Chief SteveFowlersaid:“Buyingused hasalwaysbeenagreatwayto getmorevaluefromacar purchase.Butnowsought-after second-handmodelshave rocketedinprice,it’svitalbuyers dotheirhomeworkandbuythe verybestcartheycanafford.”

Automotiveconsumerchampion AutoExpressdetailsthechecks thatallcarshoppersneedtodo beforetheyventureoutofthe door.

“Shouldanythingnotlookquite right–orthenumbersdon’tstack up–don’tbeafraidtowalkaway. Thereareplentymorecarsout there,sodon’tfeelpressuredinto buying,”SteveFowler commented.

Carbuyinghomework

Checktheownershiphistoryof thecar,plusthemileage.Forums canbeagreatsourceof information,andmotoring organisationscan–forafee–checkcarstoensuretheyare roadworthy.Youshouldalsotake outavehiclehistorycheckto ensureit’sfreefromfinance,not stolenorrecordedasawriteoff.

Canyouaffordit?

Itsoundsobvious,butit’snotjust theup-frontcostyouneedto consider.Thinkaboutthe monthlyrepaymentsandfinal paymentifyou’rebuyingona

PCP.Anddon’tforgetother necessarycostsinvolvedinthe totalcostofownership,which includeservicing,fuel,roadtax andinsurance.

Wheretolook?

Researchshouldincludelooking atadvicefrommotoringexperts suchasAutoExpress.Anddon’t forgetthatclassifiedadsarethe bestreal-worldpriceguidethere is.

Wheretobuy?

Privatesalesusuallyrepresent thelowestprices,butyou’llhave littlecomebackifyoubuya lemon.Dealersofallkindshave legalobligations,thoughforthe bestpeaceofmind, manufacturerused-approved schemesofferguaranteesand additionalchecks–andwill usuallyonlyincludecarswitha fullservicehistory.

Thefullawardscanbefoundin 17AugustissueofAutoExpress magazineoronlineat www.autoexpress.co.uk

Zap-MaprevealsEngland’smostpopular publicEVcharginglocations

ngland’smost popularpublic electricvehicle(EV) charginglocations havebeenrevealed byZap-Map,the UK’sleadingEVchargingapp.

Thefindingscomeduringoneof thebusiestperiodsontheroads asfamiliestravelacrossthe countryduringthesummer holidays.

Therankingsreflectthesecond quarterof2022andcoveraround 70%oftheUK’spublicEV chargingnetwork*.

WiththeGRIDSERVE ElectricSuperHubs atMotoRugbyand MotoExetertopping thelist,chargepoint operatorsMFGEV Powerandbppulse alsohavecharging locationsthatmake thetopfive.

Basedonanalysisof themorethan1.6 millioncharging sessionstrackedby Zap-Mapoverthe secondquarterof 2022,thetopfivecharging locationsare:

1.GRIDSERVEElectricSuper HubatMotoRugby

MotoopeneditsRugbysitein Aprillastyear,completewitha flagship,GRIDSERVEElectric SuperHubjustofftheM6.Ithas 12high-powerchargingdevices, whichhavebothCCSand CHAdeMOconnectors.

Acceptingcontactlesspayments andcapableofchargingatupto 350kW,thesechargerscanadd around100milesin10minutes.

2.GRIDSERVEElectricSuper HubatMotoExeter

ThisElectricSuperHubatMoto’s Exetersitehassome17charging devices,withsomethingfor everyone.Indeed,thehubboasts twofastType2ACchargers, threemedium-power,andtwelve 350kW-capabledeviceswith CCSandCHAdeMOconnectors.

OpenedonMarch31st,ona popularholidayroute, GRIDSERVE’sExeterSuperHub isofftoaflyingstartinitsfirst threemonthsofoperationwitha 240%increaseinEVtrafficon site.

justofftheA4,between HammersmithandBaronsCourt tubestations.

Withonerapidchargingdevice andfourultra-rapiddevices,the hubmaywellbethesmallestof thetopfive,butitslocationnext totheHammersmithFlyover seesitputtoextremelygood use.

5.GRIDSERVEBraintree ElectricForecourt

GRIDSERVE’sfirstElectric ForecourtatBraintreeinEssex openedinlate2020–andboastsa whopping30charging devices.Whilethese arepredominantly ultra-rapiddevicesfor EVdriverstoppingup onlongerjourneys, thehubseessome fastandrapiddevices thrownintooforgood measure.

3.MFGEVPower–Newington

MFGEVPower,theultra-rapid chargingnetworkbelongingto MotorFuelGroup,alsomakesit intotheUK’smostpopular charginglocationswithitsultrarapidcharginghubatNewington insouthLondon.

Sportingsevenchargingdevices, thehubisconvenientlylocated nexttotheA201,between Elephant&Castleand Bermondsey.

4.bppulse–bpHammersmith

Atnumberfour,bppulse’s Hammersmithcharginghubis

Locatedjustoffthe A131,adjacentto GreatNotley,the chargersarepowered byacanopyofsolar panels,aswellas GRIDSERVE’snetworkofsolar farms.There’salsoa6MWh batteryonsitethatallowssolar energytobestored.

MelanieShufflebotham,Zap-Map Co-founder&COO,said:

“Withover500,000pure-electric carsonUKroads,andthe numberofEVdriversjoiningtheir ranksshowingnosignsof slowing,high-powercharging hubsarebecomingincreasingly popular,asthesefivemost popularcharginglocationsshow us.

“It’sgreattoseesomanypeople joiningtheEVcommunityand

usingtheseultrarapidhubs,not onlybecausethey enablelonger electricjourneys, butultimately becauseeveryEV driverontheroad ishelpingto reduceourcarbon emissions.

“Itispopular locationssuchas thesethathelpto providepeaceof mindforEVdriversundertaking longerjourneys,whoknowthey caneasilyfindaconvenient locationforaquickboost.”

confidencetheyneedto undertakeanyjourney, irrespectiveofwhatelectric vehicletheydrive,andcharge quickly,reliably,andaffordably.

reststopexperience.Reducing rangeanxietyby revolutionisingtheEVcharging experienceformotoristson motorwaysisattheheartof ourplans.

ToddingtonHarper, GRIDSERVECEO,said:

“It’sgreattoseethreeofour GRIDSERVEElectricHighway locationsinthetopfivemost usedsitesacrossEngland.We arecommittedtobuilding anawesomeUK-widecharging network,enablinganyone, anywhere,inanytypeofEVto takeonanyjourneyandhavea greatcustomerexperience.

“GRIDSERVEElectricSuper

“We’velaunchedsevenElectric SuperHubssofarthisyear, includingExeter,throughour partnershipwith Motoplusour ElectricForecourt inNorwichand wewillcontinueto delivermanymore locationsonthe GRIDSERVE ElectricHighway throughoutthis yearandongoing. Thisisthesortof actionthat isnecessaryto movetheneedle onclimate change,andit’s greattoseehowthepassionand thepaceofdevelopmentwithin GRIDSERVEisdeliveringsucha positiveimpact.”

KenMcMeikan,CEO atMotoHospitality said:

“Iamdelightedtosee ourMotositesatRugby andExeteroccupying thetoptwospots,it’sa realvoteofconfidence frommotoristsinboth ourchargingofferand ourfantasticfacilities.

“Acrossalloursites,upand downtheUK,we’reimproving thesize,efficiencyand capabilityofourEVcharging offerandnowhaveeightSuper Hubsopen.Wealsoexpectto completesuperhubinstallation athalfofourMotorway ServicesAreasoverthe comingmonthsandareontrack todeliveraboveandbeyondthe governmenttargetofaminimum ofsixrapidchargersateach motorwaysiteby2023,allof whichmakesiteasierforour customerstomaketheswitchto sustainabledriving.”

HubsandElectricForecourts® helpprovideEVdriversthe

“AsthelargestUK MotorwayServices Operator,wearecontinuingour missiontotransformtheUK’s

AsoftheendofJuly2022,there weremorethan20,300charging locationsacrosstheUKwith almost33,300chargingdevices, accordingtoZap-Mapdata.

Thisrepresentsa35%increase inthetotalnumberofcharging devicessinceJuly2021,while therehasbeena70%increase inthenumberofultra-rapid devicesacrossthecountryinthe sametimeperiod.

TheZap-MapapphelpsEV driverssearchforavailable chargepoints,planlonger journeysandpayforchargingon participatingnetworks.Itnowhas morethan430,000registered users.

SsangYongMotorsUK isthrilledtoannounce thatHumphries& ParksSsangYong joineditsnationwide dealernetwork recently.Humphries&Parkshas beenawell-knownnameinKent for75-years,startingfroma smallhighstreetworkshopnear TunbridgeWells,toapurpose built3-acresitelocatedon LondonRoad,WestMallingnear MaidstoneKent,closetoboththe M20&M26motorways.

Foundedin1947whenCharles Humphries&ArthurParks,a brother-in-lawduofrom Wadhurst,purchasedanold Blacksmithsshopafterleaving thearmyafterthesecondworld war.Thebusinessbeganselling andrepairinglawnmowersand agriculturalmachinerybefore movingontousedvehiclesales andrepairsinthelate1950’s.

Movingonintothe1970’s, Humphries&Parksbecamea Mitsubishifranchisedealerfor Maidstone,Tonbridgeand Sevenoaks-makingthemthe longestestablishedMitsubishi dealerintheUKpriortothe brandleavingtheUKin2021.In the80’s,thedealership expandedtofoursitesacross

Kentshowcasingadditional brandssuchasDaihatsu,Seat andKia.

In2012,currentowner,Marcus Joy,purchasedHumphries& ParksinWestMallingand developedanewlydesignedsite allowingtheteamtogrow,andto offermodernhigh-techfacilities toitscustomers.Accoladesfor thebusinessincludenational industryawardsfromMitsubishi, AMandMotorTrader,the businesshasalsobeenawarded ElectricVehicleAccreditationby theOfficeforLowEmission Vehicles,oneofonly99UK businessesthatachievedthe accreditationprocessinitially.

KevinGriffin,managingdirector atSsangYongMotorUK,said: “Wearedelightedtowelcome HumphriesandParkstothe SsangYongfranchiseandto extendourrepresentationin Kent.Theteamhasawealthof experienceandanoutstanding reputationwhichwillensurean excellentcustomerjourney.”

Fastforwardtotodayand Marcusrunsthedealershipwith sonsSam,BrunoandSorenwho playanintegralrolewithinthe business,alongsidea30-strong teamofspecialiststaffleadby

generalmanager,Owen McGahan.

MarcusJoy,commented:“At Humphries&Parksexceptional customerserviceandexperience isapriority,ensuringthatwe developstrongrelationshipswith ourcustomers.Wearedelighted topartnerwiththeSsangYong brandwithitsrangeofawardwinningvalue-for-money vehicles.AsHumphries&Parks celebrates75-yearsinbusiness, weareconstantlyinvestingin andimprovingthewaywedo thingsandlookforwardto servingtheKentcommunityfor thenext75yearsandmore!”

TheMaidstonebusinessnow showcasestheflagshipRexton, anewfaceliftedMussopick-up truck,theTivolicompactSUV, andcrossoverKorando,including thenewpure-electricvariantfor theMaidstone,Tonbridge& TunbridgeWellsareas.A comprehensiverangeof accessoriesisalsoavailablefor thosewantingtoaddapersonal touchtotheirSsangYong vehicle.Inaddition,thereisan 80-carusedcarforecourtandfull aftersalescentre,offeringa servicing,MOTandrepairs.

VolvoCarUKpartnerswithbroadcaster andwellbeingpioneerFearneCotton

VolvoCarUK announcesan excitingnew partnershipwith FearneCotton,one oftheUK’sbestknownbroadcastersandfounder ofthemulti-facetedwellbeing brand,HappyPlace.

Overthepasttwodecades, Fearnehascraftedacareerthat encompassesTV,radioand digital,becomingoneoftheUK’s mostpopularpersonalities. Fearne’sHappyPlaceplatform, embracingapodcast,booksand festivals,connectsthoughtleadersfromaroundtheworldto inspireandempowerself-love andhappiness.

moreconsciousdesign,this modelfeaturesa100%leatherfreeinterior,andthecarpetsare madefromrecycledPETplastic bottles.Throughoutitsinterior, thedesignof theC40is centredon effortlessly blending sustainability andcomfort.

featureslikefastcharginggive methetimetorechargemyself, sothatI’minthebestframeof mindtogetbehindthewheeland offonmynextadventure.”

Unitedbyasharedpassionfor sustainability,VolvoandFearne havejoinedforcestohelp educatethenationabout electrification.Throughthe partnership,theyaimtoinspire andempowerpeopletomake moreeco-friendlychoicesintheir everydaylives.

FearnewilldriveVolvo’snew fullyelectricC40Recharge.As partofVolvo’scommitmentto

FearneCotton said:“I’mso happytojoin theVolvo family.We’re bothfully committedto sustainability, sobeingpart ofitselectrificationjourneyis superexciting.Aswellasthe planet,Volvohasalwaysbeena brandaboutprotectingpeople,a reallylovelycomplementtomy passionforself-careandmental health.

“Whenlifegetsbusy,it’s importantthatIfindthetimeto lookaftermyself.Thenew electricC40Rechargefitsso seamlesslyintomylife,and

UnderpinningVolvo’smissionto beafullyelectricbusinessby 2030,theC40Rechargeisthe shapeofthingstocomeforthe automotivecompany,building carsthatfiteasilyintoabusylife. TheC40Rechargecantravelup to274milesonasinglecharge, subjecttodrivingconditions, whichismorethanmostpeople’s weeklydrivingdistance,andfast chargesto80%batterycapacity injust37minutes.

KristianElvefors,VolvoCarUK ManagingDirector,said:“Fearne isanexistingVolvocustomer,so wearedelightedtonowpartner withheronourexciting sustainabilityjourney.An inspiringchange-makerand pioneerinherfield,Fearne perfectlyencapsulateswhatwe standforasabrand:sustainable living,butalsoadesiretopush boundariesandexplore innovativesolutions,asweboth worktowardsimprovinglifefor ourplanetanditspeople.”

FindoutmoreabouttheVolvo C40Rechargepureelectric,or bookatestdrive,at volvocars.co.uk

Topbeachcleantips

1.Takeglovesandabagor bucketwithyouwhenever yougotothebeachsoyou candoyour #2MinuteBeachClean.

2.Lookalongthetideline (whereyoucanseethesea hasleftalineofseaweedor debris,orthewetsandmeets thedrysand)asthisiswhere you’llfindplasticsandlitter thatthetidehasbroughtin.

3.Planhowyou’regoingtoget ridofthelitteryoufindcheckoutwherethenearest binisandrecyclewhatever youcan.

4.Takecarenottodisturb wildlife.

5.Staysafe:beawareofthe tideanddon’tpickupheavy items,sharps,orunhygienic waste.

6.Andmostimportantly, educateyourself!Didyou knowthat80percentof pollutionintheoceanscomes

frominland?Sodon’tforget your#2MinuteLitterPickand #2MinuteSolutionaswellas your#2MinuteBeachClean!

CaliforniaBeachinNorfolk, whichmeasuresapproximately 5,358milesfromCalifornia,USA, istheUK’sspiritualhomefor VolkswagenCommercial Vehicles’iconiccamper,which nowfeaturesatouringmodelfor everybudget,journey,and adventure.Withthelatest additionoftheCaddyCalifornia joiningtheCaliforniaandGrand California,itmeansVolkswagen CommercialVehiclesistheonly manufacturerwithafactoryproducedcampervaninevery marketsegment.

TomMcIntyre,HeadofProduct PlanningfromVolkswagen CommercialVehicles,said:“An importantpartofourCalifornia familyisitsabilitytogivepeople thefreedomtotravelandenjoy thegreatoutdoorsandmakeita homefromhome.Ofcourse,for ustoenjoytheplanetwemust alsolookafterit,too,andwith millionsofvisitorsheadingtothe UKbeachesoverthesummer

holidaystheimportanceof keepingourbeachescleanand tidyismorecrucialthanever.

“WehopethatworkingwithThe 2MinuteFoundationwillensure CaliforniaBeachinNorfolkis kepttidynowandinthefuture andourworkencouragesothers todothesame.”

ClaireGiner,HeadofEducation atThe2MinuteFoundation, said:“We'rereallygratefulto VolkswagenCommercial VehiclesfordonatingtheBeach Cleanstationandhelpingwith thiscleanup.Every #2MinuteBeachCleanthatyoudo isprotectingwildlifeandthe planet–94percentofthe planet'sbiodiversityisfoundin theseaandtheoceansarea vitalcarbonstore,sobeach cleaningisawesomeforallof us.”

Formoreinformationonthe VolkswagenCaliforniarange visit:https://www.volkswagenvans.co.uk/en/new-vehicles.html ortofindoutmoreaboutThe2 MinuteFoundationvisithttps:// 2minute.org/