INSIDE: Driving productivity at Grassland & Muck 2020 page 34
Farming
MONTHLY National
March 2020
Also in this issue... Buildings
| Pilot scheme success in restoring historic barns page 22
Expense, red tape and vacancies Also inside this month..
How the Government’s new immigration policy will affect farmers heavily reliant on migrant labour from the EU page 12
Land Rover Defender 90 p56
UAVs in agriculture p44
Optimizing AD operations p27
PLUS: Arable | Security| Grain | Livestock | Forestry | Machinery | Energy | ATV | Motors
CONTENTS March 2020
FEATURES 10
22
14 Arable Sprin cereals switch demands herbicide strategy re-think
20 Grain
27
34 Grassland & Muck
38
48 Tyres
Driving productivity at Grassland & Muck
44 Precision
Latest tyre news
50 Forestry Commission creates woodland maps
Lifetime farm valuations
Crop nutrition in the spotlight at Cereals 2020
22 Buildings Pilot scheme success in restoring historic barns
25 Security Yorkshire Wolds residents join with police
28 Livestock New recommendations for antibiotics
32 Pig & Poultry Pig & Poultry 2020 preview
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REGULARS 06 News Tackling micro-plastics
12 On Topic Expense, red tape and vacancies
26 Energy Large scale gas heat recovery
40 Machinery Latest machinery news
52 ATV ATV news...covered.
54 Motors Latest motors news
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Agriculture. Covered. EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com
Expense, red tape and vacancies
p12
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March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 05
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NFU guests were given a tour of Staffordshire University's state-of-the-art science labs
Scientists and farmers join forces to tackle microplastics Staffordshire University scientists spearheading research into microplastic pollution have joined forces with West Midlands’ farmers. niversity researchers held talks with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and its members to explore how plastic pollution is impacting on the farming industry and what can be done to tackle the issue. Much is known about marine plastic pollution but there is little information about the impact of plastics in the soil; Staffordshire University scientists are driving research in this area. During the meeting, held this month, the group discussed how microplastics (pieces less than five millimetres long) get into the environment. The farmers and growers heard this was from wider commercial manufacturing, shedding from synthetic clothing, cigarette filters,
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car and truck tyres, treated sewage waste which is sometimes used as a fertiliser, and a host of other sources including the physical breakdown of plastic litter. Claire Gwinnett, Professor of Forensic and Environmental Science, explained: “We want to share what knowledge we do have and hear from farmers working on the ground. Farmers can help make changes so it is really important to understand what is actually happening in the industry and what issues they are concerned about. “I was delighted to welcome the NFU to the university and we hope to develop this relationship as the research work continues.” Sarah Faulkner, NFU West Midlands environment and rural affairs adviser, helped organise discussions in the Science Centre at the University’s Stoke campus.
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Mrs Faulkner said: “I think it is really interesting as a first step to see what our farmers make of this issue, however; we need to see much more research in this area as there are many unknowns. “We are innovative and pioneering when it comes to food production and environmental protection and the industry is science-led, so we look forward to seeing and hearing more from the Staffordshire University team and of course we will help where we can. “There is currently a lot of change in agriculture and horticulture and policy is changing so we are very interested in getting ahead of what the emerging issues are. We need a sound, sciencebased understanding of the potential impacts of soil microplastics and we need to avoid knee-jerk reactions at all costs.” Plastics play an important role in farming to increase crop production and reduce water consumption but currently only 35% of agricultural plastics are recycled due to limited recycling options. Ellie Harrison, who is completing a PhD in Microplastics in Agricultural Environments at
Staffordshire University, specialises in crop development and is researching whether microplastics affect germination and invertebrates living in the soil. “There are many benefits of using plastics but we need to understand their impact,” she said. “Microplastics can affect soil stability and the growth and development of plants. Biodegradable alternatives can have equally negative effects so it is important to explore all options before any changes can be made. “If we want to push sustainability in farming then we need to have a sound understanding of the impact of microplastics, it is also important to educate and look at how to fill the gaps in our knowledge before looking for future solutions together.” The farmers discussed the potential sources of microplastics on their land with her and offered to donate soil samples for analysis. Professor Gwinnett also led the farmers on a tour of the University’s state-of-the-art laboratories and discussed some of the department’s other work with the group.
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Farmers to learn from New Zealand farmers in the 100th Innovative Farmers field lab New farmer-led research exploring the benefits of sheep grazing on lucerne is launching this year in what marks the 100th field lab with Innovative Farmers. he field lab will look at grazing ewes and lambs on only lucerne - a legume that is widely used as forage for sheep in New Zealand and valued for its high yield, drought tolerance, protein content, and digestible fibre. Farmers taking part in this field lab - the 100th research project launched by Innovative Farmers since 2012 – will assess lucerne’s potential in finishing lambs quicker, tolerating low rainfall, and reducing fertiliser inputs by fixing nitrogen in the soil. The trial will also provide key insight for the sector on how best to manage the feed to ensure health of the animals as a high protein content can increase risk of bloat and disease. The idea for the field lab came from a group of farmers who were inspired by a visit to New Zealand and are now working with Dr Liz Genever, sheep and beef consultant, and the Innovative Farmers network to co-design the trial. The group will benefit from Liz’s experience including her involvement in the publication of the AHDB guide ‘Growing and feeding Lucerne’. Triallist David Cross farmed for 18 months in New Zealand and runs an arable farm in Norfolk with his father, where rotational sheep is a key part of the business model. He said: “We are trying to move towards using more legumes to get our lambs finished quicker and to give us summer resilience against droughts. There have been years where we have had to grow specific crops to move lambs onto midsummer to finish, which has a cost involved and is taking land away from our arable rotation. Hopefully lucerne will reduce costs across the arable land by fixing nitrogen alongside improving soil structure and organic matter levels. We have a real drive on lamb growth rates and hopefully the more consistent pasture growth through the summer will mean we can get our lambs finished quicker. If we can work out how to overcome the health issues related with grazing lucerne, then everything else should fall into place because there are so many positives to
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lucerne. Most agricultural research in this country is trial based and it’s not always relatable to on farm situations - the only way to know properly is in a real farming situation.” Any farmer with lucerne already established can get involved in the field lab – as the crop is not usually suitable for grazing in its first year. And any farmer interested in the trial can stay up to date on its progress via the online Field Lab Portal. It is hoped the farmers taking part in this trial will join the 60% of farmers who reported significant learnings in field labs and the 25% who said they made changes to their farming practices after taking part. Established to enable and promote farmer-led research, the Innovative Farmers network currently has more than 300 farms in field labs actively involved across the country and has awarded over £300k of funding in small grants to groups of farmers since it was established in 2012. Helen Aldis, Innovative Farmers Programme Development Manager, said: “The lucerne field lab is a great example of how essential it is for farmers to be supported to carry out research on their farms so they can be confident of its practical application and can quickly transfer this knowledge to others. It is exciting that this valuable research marks such an important milestone for the model of farmerled research as the 100th field lab for Innovative Farmers. More people are recognising that the results from this form of research have a higher chance of being implemented by farmers as they are much more realistic to the needs of real working farms. Everyone involved in Innovative Farmers is proving that farmer-led research is wanted, needed and valuable, and should be more integral to mainstream agricultural research in the UK.” To find out more, email info@innovativefarmers.org Information on this field lab and others happening around the country is made available open source at www.innovativefarmers.org, where anyone can sign up to the network for free.
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 07
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Global model for post-Brexit food and farming regulation would help UK meet climate challenges The UK should build on the science-based models of countries around the world to develop a post-Brexit regulatory system for agricultural biotechnology that encourages innovation and ensures a safe, sustainable and affordable food supply while protecting human health and the environment, a new report has found. ostering innovation in agriculture through enabling regulatory policy’ by Estel Consult, examines the regulatory frameworks of Australia and New Zealand, Canada and Argentina when it comes to innovations including gene edited crops and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), contrasting their flexibility, robustness and efficiency with the EU’s restrictive and political approach. According to the research, a fit-for-purpose regulatory system modelled on those of countries leading the world on food safety could not only return the UK to its status as a centre for research and development in agriscience, but could also help deliver on the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), address food security challenges, and reduce reliance on imports for food and feed supplies. In contrast, retaining regulatory alignment with the EU leaves the UK attached to a system under which the last product approved for cultivation was in 1998. The UK has a strong reputation for scientific excellence, and was the first European country to introduce a GM product in the 1990s. Since regulatory responsibility was transferred to the EU, such innovation has been hindered[i], while globally, other countries have made strides in research and commercialisation[ii]. The EU’s approvals system has consistently failed to operate as the legislation intended, with scientific opinion from the body specifically established to provide advice to policy makers frequently ignored.
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‘With the global population growing, concern about carbon emissions and food security high, and farmers challenged to do more with less impact on the environment, it has never been more important that we embrace technology and innovation to support sustainable agriculture” With the UK now outside the EU, the Government has the opportunity to re-join the rest of the world and introduce a science-based regulatory framework that enables the development of innovative products like blightresistant potatoes and allows farmers to access to them, offering potentially enormous benefits to food security and helping farmers to deliver on the UN’s SDG[iii] to produce higher-yield crops with lower environmental impacts. The report, commissioned by the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC), recommends the UK adopts a functional regulatory system for agricultural biotechnology that is broadly in line with the EU legislation, but, crucially, incorporates elements from countries that practice science ahead of politics and legal doctrine in their decision making, and that have experienced over two decades of progress with modern plant breeding.
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While it identifies differences between the models, the analysis finds that the Canadian, Australian and Argentinian systems all share certain features, including flexible frameworks, consultation during product development allowing for early discussion on the regulatory pathway, and the expertise of those undertaking the risk assessments. As a result, safe innovations are regularly approved and used by farmers, leading to reduced carbon footprints, improved yields, reductions in pesticide spraying and greater income for farmers. In contrast, EU risk assessments offer little option for case-by-case assessments, and reviews are not necessarily conducted by professional risk assessors. The report urges the UK to adopt a risk assessment framework that is science-based, conducted by those with in depth knowledge, fit-for-purpose and proportional. It recommends that, in establishing a post-Brexit regulatory system, politicians and officials aim to: • Set clear policy goals for food security and sustainable agriculture coupled with transparent protection goals representing a level playing field for different technologies. • Adopt a science and risk-based approach to safety assessments • Foster technical excellence of UK risk assessors • Avoid overly prescriptive safety assessment guidelines • Enable consultative procedures that allow for discussions with technology providers prior to and during the safety assessment of any given product. Cooperate with other countries, to ease the burden of duplication of efforts in assessing the same products for food and feed safety. As the report sets out, diverging from the EU in this area would enable Britain to rejoin much of the rest of the world in taking a sciencebased approach and utilising innovation to support sustainable agriculture, at a time when the need for action on both food security and climate change is high. Agriculture is a contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and better plant breeding is one of the key ways this footprint can be reduced. Already, crop genetic improvement has resulted in the production of more food per acre – which is key given estimates[iv] suggest farmers will need to produce 70% more food by 2050 to serve the world’s growing population. Mark Buckingham, Chair of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council said: ‘With the global population growing, concern about carbon emissions and food security high, and farmers challenged to do more with less impact on the environment, it has never been more important that we embrace technology and innovation to support sustainable agriculture. Leaving the EU offers the British Government the chance to set its own regulatory policy when it comes to agricultural biotechnology, and in doing so rejoin the rest of the world. This analysis makes clear that other countries operate safe, effective
and science-based systems of regulation and that we should be looking to countries like Canada, Australia and Argentina for guidance and best practice. To incur the costs of leaving the EU without grasping the opportunities would be a historic mistake. The potential benefits of the UK setting its own path on techniques such as editing individual genes in crops are significant, and could help to address the serious challenges of keeping our farmers competitive, maintaining a safe, affordable food supply, while better protecting consumers and our natural environment.’ Dr Monica Garcia-Alonso from Estel Consult, author of the paper said ‘Agricultural biotechnology has been and continues to be a key tool for sustainable food production around the globe. However, despite the UK’s recognised scientific excellence in this area, UK farmers have not yet been able to benefit from any of the products of this research, due to the cumbersome and politicised regulatory system set up by the EU. Our research demonstrates that there are many safe and science-based approaches to regulation currently in operation around the world, components of which could work well if adopted by the UK Government. This report makes clear that ministers would be well served by studying systems in place abroad in order to design the right framework for agricultural biotechnology regulation in Britain.’
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| On Topic
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March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 09
| News
LEADER supports farmer to produce carbon and plastic neutral oil in world first Supported by LEADER Programme funding of £26,825 towards new machinery, a Northamptonshire farmer has produced rapeseed oil certified as both carbon and plastic neutral in a world first for any product. ourth generation farmer Duncan Farrington has made history with his Farrington's 'Mellow Yellow' cold pressed rapeseed oil. His business has been nurturing healthy soils, reducing waste and recording energy usage for over 25 years, so becoming net zero was the next step. In 1998 Duncan and his family made the decision to stop ploughing their fields and have been using traditional tillage cultivation and non-plough techniques since. This decision has increased the soil organic matter by 66%. The next stage for the farm was to reduce the need for man-made fertilisers and pesticides, Duncan wanted to achieve this by implementing a no till seed drill. No till seed drilling is a way to keep nutrients in the soil and lower the environmental impact. This is because there is less weight of machinery on the ground, the movement of the soil decreases and the ability to directly plant the seed. This leads to less disturbance of the organic matter and overall better soil health. There is an increased water absorption, less water run-off, less need for fertilisers and reduced pollution. Over time this resulted in a year on year decrease on the reliance of man-made fertilisers and pesticides. Great for the farmer, great for the environment. Mr Farrington said: “We continue to improve
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and aim to be carbon negative – removing more carbon from the atmosphere than is produced – through sustainable farming practices where our soils are locking in CO2, planting even more trees and creating more inviting wildlife habitats.” In addition, the farm has become plastic neutral, by enabling the removal and recycling of plastic waste that would otherwise be landfilled or flushed into the oceans. These aren’t the only benefits that Farrington Oils have seen as a result of their £26,825 LEADER programme funded project. They have also seen a sustainable growth in the overall business, with an increase in income, productivity and further employment. There are now 14 employees working on the farm. Far exceeding their growth expectations for this year. LEADER Programme Manager Will Dallimore said: “I am delighted LEADER could support a farming business that has gained carbon and plastic neutral accreditation. It highlights what a positive impact conservation agriculture techniques can have on the environment. The project is a great example of what a rural business can achieve when it accesses LEADER funding.” As a Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) supporter Duncan has ensured that everything he has learnt from his own farm and research is shared with local farmers. This knowledge sharing is paramount to influencing
and changing behaviours within the farming community. Duncan hopes to aid other farmers to improve their soil husbandry, he regularly rents his high-tech equipment to other local farmers and even sowed the seeds for a local cricket field last year. In the mission to continue this knowledge sharing Duncan hosted a Chinese delegation group with LEAF, including the Chinese Minister of Agriculture and UN delegate in September 2019. In a recent blog post Duncan stated that if this technique and technology was mirrored across the world, “the benefits could be enormous; it has been estimated that agriculture could reduce global CO2 emissions by between 10% and 30%.” To find out more about Farrington Oil’s environmental mission – https://www.farringtonoils.co.uk/leaf/ and their Mellow Yellow Range https://www.farrington-oils.co.uk/ The LEADER programme is designed to support rural businesses to create jobs, and support the rural economy: www.leaderprogramme.org.uk/. It is focused on rural areas supporting; small rural companies, farm diversification projects, forestry projects, tourism projects, rural services and cultural and heritage projects. The LEADER Programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and is delivered by Ngage Solutions.
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Water quality remains high through adverse weather Severn Trent’s Farm to Tap scheme, which aims to mitigate the impact of pesticide run off on water quality, has seen its most successful year to date, with no metaldehyde water quality failures at its treatment works. aura Flower, Severn Trent catchment management scientist, gives her insight into why this might be, despite the high levels of rainfall over the winter. “There were two major factors at play helping to stop metaldehyde reaching watercourses between September and December 2019,” she says. “First of all, 800 farms in our region signed up to Farm to Tap, which financially supports them in switching to a ferric phosphate alternative or making management changes to significantly reduce run-off. “We also know that less slug pellets than normal were applied, as 24% of the farmers signed up were unable to drill any winter crops due to the extensive wet weather,” says Laura. Severn Trent is now in the process of rewarding farmers in successful subcatchments up to £5/ha. Those who signed up to the scheme and were unable to drill, but operate in a successful sub-catchment, will receive a goodwill payment of £100. Laura explains that even with the lack of planting, a handful of sub-catchments still succumbed to the rainfall and failed local water quality tests. But the good news is that the
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higher quality water from other catchments diluted this and meant drinking water standards were upheld at treatment works. “We’re now working closely with the few farmers in the failed areas to understand how we can support them to resolve the issue. We’re offering a £25 incentive to these farms for filling in a simple survey to help with this.” Laura adds that while the costs initially seem high for Severn Trent, every £1 spent on catchment management saves Severn Trent
About Farm to Tap Severn Trent’s Farm to Tap scheme runs every year as part of the Farming for Water catchment management programme. The scheme’s focus is to work in partnership with farmers and landowners to adopt different methods of slug control to reduce levels of metaldehyde reaching watercourses, with an aim to minimise the need for treatments, and rewarding those that successfully meet the set criteria. Metaldehyde is difficult and expensive to
£20 in treatment, meaning customer bills are kept as low as possible. “For this reason, we will be continuing the Farm to Tap scheme for 2020/21 before metaldehyde is completely banned from use in 2021, where we will develop a similar scheme for different pesticides.” For more information please visit https://www.stwater.co.uk/aboutus/environment/catchment-management/farmto-tap/
remove from water, but exceedances can be prevented. Higher levels of pollution in water lead to greater treatment costs, which could impact customer bills. 2019/20 payments rates: • £5/ha if water quality in the subcatchment is below 0.05ppb • £2.50/ha if the water quality in the subcatchment is below the drinking water standard of 0.1ppb but above 0.05ppb • No payment is the water in the sub catchment is above 0.1ppb • £100 goodwill payments for signed up farms in successful catchments that could not drill crops
Agriculture Bill brings tenancy reform Significant changes to agricultural tenancies are included in the government’s 2020 Agriculture Bill announced midJanuary which should help improve productivity and assist succession. ollowing the tenancy reform consultation last year Schedule 3 of the Agriculture Bill proposes several amendments to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. An important improvement is a provision to vary or even over ride some restrictive clauses within Agricultural tenancies which are problematic, especially with the anticipated changes revolving around environmentallybased income. “Some restrictive clauses currently could prevent farmers improving, for example, water storage systems to comply with water quality regulations or putting up new facilities for a diversification enterprise,” said Eifion Bibby of Davis Meade Property Consultants. “The new Bill proposes allowing tenants the right to apply through arbitration or third-party determination to resolve such a dispute.” “Another change in the bill will see arbitrators in the future being appointed not just from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as now but also from the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). “This gives CAAV (and also the Agricultural Law Association) statutory authority to act on a unilateral request arising from a rent review, end of tenancy issue or other matter at issue
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between the parties that are statutorily referable to arbitration.” With regard to succession, the new bill gives authority to develop an improved Suitability Test relating to the applicant’s capacity to farm the holding commercially to a high production standard and care for the environment. Other criteria might be the applicant’s experience, training or skills in agriculture and business management, health, financial standing and character, as well as criteria relating to the character and condition of the holding and the terms of the tenancy. The Bill proposes amending the minimum age (currently 65) at which applications to the tribunal for succession on retirement can be made, so that such applications can be made at any age. The age which local authorities can issue tenants a retirement notice to quit (currently age 65) will be replaced with State Pension Age. “Rent reviews will see demands for arbitration in the rent review process replaced by a notice of determination, which may be followed by arbitration or third-party determination,” Eifion said. “Also, with the aim of encouraging Landlord investment in Agricultural Holdings, it the tenant has agreed in writing to make payments for improvements that are wholly or partly financed
by the landowner, such payments are to be disregarded from considerations of changes to the rent ;and any benefit to the tenant from the improvement should also be disregarded whilst the tenant is still making payment for the same.” For more information contact Eifion Bibby at the Colwyn Bay office of Davis Meade Property Consultants on 01492 510360, email eifionbibby@dmpcuk.com
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 11
| On Topic
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Expense, red tape and vacancies? How the Government’s new immigration policy will affect farmers heavily reliant on migrant labour from the EU. n 19 February, the Government published the first details about its proposed new Immigration system, planned to be operational on 1 January 2021 following the termination of EU freedom of movement on 31 December 2020. Barlow Robbins LLP’s immigration specialist Hesham Shoeb and rural property specialist Charlotte Brackley examine how the proposed changes could impact farms that rely on workers from the EU. In particular: • the requirement to hold a ‘sponsor licence’; • the lack of a dedicated visa route for low skilled workers; • minimum salary threshold; • English language requirements; • employer surcharges; and • the expansion of the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme. Sponsor Licence Until now, EU nationals have been able to work in the UK without restriction, much like British citizens. Under the new system, employers will have to hold a ‘sponsor licence’ to employ all foreign (i.e. non-British) workers, not just non-EU employees as they do now. Currently, a licence costs £536 for a small organisation, or £1,476 for medium or large organisations. Holding a licence doesn’t just permit the holder to employ foreign workers, it also imposes obligations. These include: tracking employee attendance; keeping employee contact details up to date; monitoring employees’ immigration status; and reporting any problems to the Home Office. To do this, the employer will need adequate and reliable record keeping systems in place. The Home Office can inspect sponsors at random and revoke licences if they suspect any breaches of the rules. If a licence is revoked, this could have serious consequences: sponsored workers could lose their immigration status and would have to leave the UK.
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The emphasis on imposing high costs and red tape are clearly all designed to put farmers off employing foreign workers post 2020. However, whether there are sufficient British nationals ready, willing and able to fill these roles – and whether the expansion of the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme provides adequate support – are key questions for farmers as they plan for the future beyond the EU transition period. No specific visa route for low skilled workers The Government’s new system is designed to attract “highly skilled workers”, rather than the low skilled workers that have been filling, for example, seasonal agricultural worker roles until now. (n.b. but also see below re Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme). In order to qualify for a work visa under the new system an applicant must be doing a job at a skill level equivalent to at least Regulated Qualifications Framework (‘RQF’) level 3 (equivalent to A-Level).
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Whilst this is lower than the level required under the existing system (which requires a minimum skill level of RQF6 (equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree)) - and therefore will increase the number of jobs which can qualify for a work visa - it will still be too high for many jobs in the farming sector. By way of example, a Farm Manager is deemed to have a skill level equivalent to RQF level 4, meaning that most seasonal workers are unlikely to satisfy this criteria. Whether or not there is sufficient British labour willing to fill these roles remains to be seen. Minimum salary threshold If the foreign worker satisfies the skill level test above, the next hurdle that must be crossed is the minimum salary threshold. The new base threshold will be £25,600 and the migrant must be paid the higher of either (i) the base rate or (ii) the appropriate rate of pay governed by the Immigration Rules for skilled work. Under the existing skilled worker rules, an employer is required to pay an experienced nonEU Farm Manager at least £30,000. Following the implementation of the new rules, the lower base salary may make it easier to recruit for skilled roles. English language requirement It will also be mandatory for applicants to prove their proficiency in English prior to getting a visa. This can be done by passing specified language tests or having a recognised degree taught in English. Skills and Health Surcharges In addition to the visa fees, employers must pay an ‘Immigration Skills Charge’ for every foreign worker. Currently this is calculated according to the length of the visa and the size of the sponsor. For a medium employer sponsoring a skilled worker for 5 years, the skills charge is £5,000. They must also pay an ‘Immigration Health Surcharge’ of £2,000 for the same 5-year visa. If the worker has dependents, such as a spouse or children, the same costs will apply to their visas as well. Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme In 2017, the National Farmers Union’s ‘Supply of Seasonal Labour to British Horticulture Farms’ survey found that the overwhelming majority of seasonal workers in agriculture – around 99% came from the EU. The Government launched the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme in September 2018 as a way of alleviating worker shortages during peak production periods. Through the pilot, workers can be hired for a period of up to six months to help out on farms during peak production periods. Defra has confirmed that the Pilot will be expanded in 2020 to allow farmers in the edible horticulture sector to access a pool of 10,000 workers from outside the EU – increased from 2,500 last year- to help them pick and gather the 2020 harvest. The emphasis on imposing high costs and red tape are clearly all designed to put farmers off employing foreign workers post 2020. However, whether there are sufficient British nationals ready, willing and able to fill these roles – and whether the expansion of the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme provides adequate support – are key questions for farmers as they plan for the future beyond the EU transition period.
Charlotte Brackley
Hesham Shoeb
Sources: Government statement on new immigration policy https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/t he-uks-points-based-immigration-systempolicy-statement NFU Survey information https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandc ommunity/populationandmigration/internation almigration/articles/labourintheagricultureindu stry/2018-02-06 Immigration Rules https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigrationrules/immigration-rules-appendix-j-codes-ofpractice-for-skilled-work Regulated Qualifications Framework For reference, a “Farm Manager” is deemed RQF level 4 and would have to be paid the base rate of £25,600 as this is higher than the SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code:
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 13
| Arable
Spring cereals switch demands herbicide strategy rethink Farmers abandoning winter cereals and switching to spring wheat and barley will need to pay close attention to broadleaf weed control if they are to prevent significantly reduced yields. or many arable farms, fieldwork taking place over the next few weeks will have more of a focus on spring cropping than it has done for many years. Corteva Agriscience is advising that effective weed control should not be overlooked in what looks set to be an extremely busy season for UK farmers. Alister McRobbie, cereal herbicide product manager, said: “The very wet autumn and winter has led many growers to abandon the remainder of their winter cereal drilling and opt for spring-sown crops instead. “We saw about 900,000 hectares of spring barley planted in 2013 but we could see as much as one million hectares go in the ground this year if the switch is as profound as some predict. “Where spring cereals aren’t the norm, farmers should be mindful that different weed control strategies are required. Broadleaf weed species are more likely to pose a threat to yield and a problem at harvest than grassweeds.” Where annual meadow grass is a problem, farmers often use tried and tested, well-
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established residual herbicides. However, these won’t control all the key broadleaf weeds and a number of important species, such as cleavers, cranesbill, poppy, fat hen, black bindweed and fumitory will come through a residual application. A follow-up contact herbicide is therefore recommended, depending on species present. Crops established with shallow disc cultivations before drilling in early spring could transplant large, over-wintered weeds into crop rows, which will readily re-establish. These larger weeds will be much harder to control as they are unaffected by any residual herbicides used, so a contact product will be required. Alister added: “Fluctuating temperatures in early spring means sulfonylurea chemistry may struggle to achieve good control of some weed species, especially larger poppy plants and those exhibiting ALS resistance. “That’s where Zypar, which contains Arylex Active, can prove very useful. Zypar works well at low and fluctuating temperatures giving good control of poppy, including ALS-resistant populations. It is also robust on cleavers, cranesbill, chickweed, mayweed, fat hen,
fumitory and charlock. In spring cereals Zypar can be applied from 1 February to 30 June, up to and including growth stage 45 of the crop.” Where a mix of broadleaf weeds and grassweeds need controlling in spring cereals, growers could use Arylex-based products Pixxaro or Zypar plus Broadway Star (pyroxulam + florasulam) to control wild oats and a wide range of broadleaved weeds. In late-sown winter cereals, Pixxaro at 0.375L/ha plus Broadway Star can be used to control both grassweeds and broadleaved weeds from 1 February to growth stage 23. Tank mixing with plant growth regulators, fungicides and trace elements will help reduce the number of sprays applied to crops in the busy spring period. This will be especially helpful with the expected increase in spring drilling work. In Scotland, Broadway Star is likely to be the contact herbicide of choice on either winter or spring cereals, due to its effective control of ryegrass, brome, oats, and range of broadleaf weeds.
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| Feature
Contact your nearest dealer: Agratech NW Ltd Unit 8 Dale Mill Burnley Road East Lancashire BB4 9HU 01706 211399 www.agratech.co.uk
Michael Tait
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March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 15
| Arable
Bespoke cover crop solutions to improve soils Leading agronomy firm Hutchinsons has unveiled a new range of tailor-made cover crop mixes that includes options which could help improve the structure and health of land left fallow this spring. ith many fields in the wettest parts of the UK likely to take weeks, if not months, to dry out enough before spring drilling is possible, more growers are opting to leave land uncropped rather than force a seedbed and damage soil structure in the process. “This year specifically, a lot of fields are in a mess after late-harvested crops like maize, potatoes and carrots, while others remain waterlogged,” says Hutchinsons Bioagriecologist Ed Brown. “We’re past the situation where winter wheat is viable, while spring barley prospects don’t look great given the saturated market and likely difficulties of creating a seedbed in time.” Leaving fallow land bare and trying to rectify structural issues with cultivations alone is likely to exacerbate soil structure problems rather than alleviate them, so cover crops will have a vital role, he says. “You need roots in the soil to feed biology, restructure soils, build organic matter, and act as a water pump to manage moisture through the profile. The benefits of cover crops are wellproven.” Mr Brown has worked with a team of Hutchinsons colleagues representing a range of soil types, cropping and agronomic situations, to develop five bespoke cover crop mixes, including two short-term spring/summer catch crop mixes alongside three options for overwinter cover. Although the short-duration catch crop mixes were primarily developed for the narrow 6-8 week window between harvest and autumn drilling, they could be just as effective on land destined to be left fallow this spring. Diversity is key Years of experience with cover crops clearly
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shows that mixes based on a diverse variety of species are more effective than those featuring just one or two. Having a range of root and canopy characteristics spreads risk and delivers wider benefits to soil structure improvement, nutrient capture, and organic matter additions, Mr Brown says. Diversity also helps mitigate potential “green bridge” issues for pests and disease. “Growing a single or two-species cover crop mix based on a high proportion of a brassica species, for example, could potentially increase pest or disease risk in a following oilseed rape crop. However, that risk is virtually eliminated when you use a more diverse mix featuring a low proportion of brassicas.” Diversity does not mean cover crop mixes have to include expensive, exotic species, though. “We’ve based our mixes mainly on species of legumes, brassicas and forbes [non-woody herbaceous, broadleaf plants] that we know how to manage and that have proven effectiveness in UK conditions. We offer six-way and three-way mixes for our catch crop options, while the overwinter mixes each feature eight different species.” “There’s a mix to suit almost every scenario, although if growers have very specific requirements, we can still tailor a solution to meet those needs.” Don’t just spin it on Cover crops must be established properly to maximise the benefits from root and canopy growth. This typically requires more effort than just spinning seed on to stubble with a fertiliser spreader or slug pelleter, although the most appropriate technique depends on individual situations and soil types, says Mr Brown.
“Many growers choose to drill cover with a conventional seed drill, but equally, we’ve seen good results from using a seeder unit mounted on a shallow cultivator or set of rolls.” Where land is waterlogged and likely to take weeks to dry out enough before sowing, spring cover crops are ideal as they can be sown from mid-April, giving ample time for soil conditions to improve. Cover will grow rapidly in warm, moist soils and, in just 10-12 weeks, should deliver many of its soil health benefits, before it can be terminated to provide a timely entry for a following autumn-sown crop. Mr Brown allays concerns some growers may have about cover crop volunteers in following crops, insisting the risks can be mitigated by identifying the species which may cause issues and ensuring these are terminated before plants set seed. “It is something to be aware of where cover grows rapidly, especially if mixes include brassica species such as mustard or radish which can be more awkward to control in some cash crops later in the rotation.” Looking ahead, Mr Brown notes that while glyphosate remains a key option for terminating cover crops, there is increasing interest in other methods, such as crimper rollers and grazing with sheep. “Integrating cover crops with livestock is a really good tool for improving soils, but it needs careful management and you must ensure whoever manages the livestock is on board with what you’re trying to achieve with the cover crop to tailor the grazing regime accordingly.” Contact your local Hutchinsons agronomist or call 01945 461177 to discover which cover crop mix is right for your farm.
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| Arable
Nunhems® continues to innovate in the lettuce segment to meet consumer demands The vegetable seeds subsidiary of BASF is introducing new and original types of lettuce and bringing new concepts to supermarket shelves that put an emphasis on the flavour, colour and culinary uses of lettuces. unhems®, the vegetable seeds subsidiary of BASF, is holding a new edition of its Lettuce and Spinach Demofield in Cartagena (Murcia) on 10-14 February, where it will be showcasing not only its new and original types of lettuce and spinach but also its commitment to bringing added value to consumers with the launch of new salad leaf concepts. “We want to go one step further and not just rest on our laurels as a producer but also make the whole retail chain aware of the variety and versatility of different types of lettuce, offering another way of presenting and consuming this product,” explained Juan Pedro Pérez, Crop Sales Manager Salads EMEA at BASF Vegetable Seeds. The novelty in the romaine lettuce segment is Magistral, a variety “with which we’re looking to increase crop profitability,” says Carlos del Espino, the lettuce specialist at BASF Vegetable Seeds. Thanks to its smaller size and weight and more uniform shape, Magistral is designed for high density growing environments, thus increasing yield per hectare. In the mini-romaine segment the company is introducing Winbee F1 (NUN 6549 F1), a variety recommended for spring growing with high resistance to tip burn. In this respect, Del Espino revealed that they are working to round off the annual cycle with a new variety for winter. With a view to marketing in the Little Gem segment, the new variety from Nunhems® for the winter is the NUN 6806 F1. With this variety, BASF’s vegetable seeds business is complementing Thicket F1 and Thespian F1,
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two very hardy and versatile varieties that round off the annual growing cycle and consolidate the breed as a benchmark in this type of lettuce. All of them are resistant to mildew and aphids. Higher quality Iceberg lettuces The Iceberg lettuce is one of the company’s hallmarks and its big showpiece in this segment, and this season it is introducing three new varieties: NUN 1212 F1, NUN 1228 F1 and NUN 1232 F1, for autumn, winter and spring respectively. “With these new varieties we are bringing even higher quality in terms of plant formation; these varieties are suitable for mechanized harvesting thanks to their uniform shape and we have even improved the postharvest performance,” explains Del Espino, adding that they are also resistant to mildew and aphids. Nunhems® is thus offering the sector a range of varieties that will help them to improve their yield per hectare. These three varieties join Melosa F1, which has shown how well it adapts to summer growing, performing extremely well in terms of bolting and tip burn in extreme conditions, and Goldiva F1, which has performed outstandingly in January harvests thanks to its good plant formation, calibre and resistance in the field, allowing a wide harvesting window. Concepts for consumers Nunhems® is taking a big step forward in the lettuce market to attract consumers by introducing new concepts that put an emphasis on the clearly differentiating factors of certain varieties. An example of this is Themes F1 and Intred F1, respectively green and red Little Gems, offering retailers the chance to sell these products in twin packs that bring added colour to the traditional salad range.
Meanwhile, NUN 06193 F1 and NUN 06567 F1 are two varieties that stand out for their sweeterflavour, while with Agros, Nunhems® has demonstrated its support for producers and other agents in the chain in terms of the growing need for harvest mechanization. But the most revolutionary concept, without a doubt, is the Chef’s Lettuce, designed for the hotel,restaurant and catering industry. With Greenglace and Rubyglace, among others, Nunhems® isintroducing different types of leaves for different sandwich formats. Meanwhile, the wrap is a lettuce whose leaves form a kind of spoon shape and can be used as a base for different cold or hot toppings. Crispol F1 is one of the varieties that falls within this concept. “We have the products, and now we want to offer ideas and suggestions about how to use them in the kitchen,” says Juan Pedro Pérez. Spinach Nunhems® is one of the market leaders in this crop and continues to make great strides in its cultivation. The result of the company’s work is the wide range featured in its catalogue, including such well-established varieties as Hydrus F1 and Alcor F1 which allow year-round spinach production. Some of the new varieties include Formax F1, Sculptur F1 and Crater F1, all of which stand out for their high quality. From an agricultural point of view, all of them are resistant to mildew (1-17) and have a high tolerance to leaf spot. Nunhems® is thus underlining its commitment to the sector and continues to work hand-in-hand with producers to jointly develop solutions to the key challenges facing this flourishing segment.
Revolutionary new camera to make crop disease detection easier and less expensive Multi-award winning product consultancy Wideblue has designed a low cost camera which will be used in agriculture to test for early onset disease in various crops including potatoes and soft fruits. he Hyperspectral Crop Camera (HCC), costing under £1000, is capable of taking images across a wide continuous spectrum of wavelengths of light, In the case of the HCC prototype this was in the visible wavelength region. However, the same technology within device could also be applied to non-visible wavelengths such as short wave infrared. Traditionally, hyperspectral cameras are very expensive and bulky due to the nature of the complex optics and electronics within the device. To significantly reduce the cost yet maintain the same performance Wideblue took an innovative approach. The device uses a Linear Variable Filter (LVF) rather than a traditional diffraction grating (similar to a prism). The LVF is a narrowband filter that allows light to pass through it linearly along its length. By moving
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this lightweight component rapidly across a standard image sensor (camera) the HCC can capture images in real-time across the full visible spectrum of light, one wavelength at a time. This is extremely useful for imaging crops as this can highlight drought stress or disease , these are often difficult to detect with the human eye since the eye detects all visible wavelengths of light simultaneously. Equipped with a feature extraction and classification algorithm, the proposed system can be used to determine potato plant health, for example, with ∼88%∼88% accuracy. This algorithm is also capable of species identification and is demonstrated as being capable of differentiating between crops such as rocket, lettuce, and spinach. Russell Overend, managing director, Wideblue said "The HCC demonstrates that by applying alternative technologies to new areas of research, in this case agricultural imaging, a low
cost solution can be developed We have lowered the cost by a factor of 10 but the device offers comparable performance to traditional machines." He added: "This market disruption model is being applied by Wideblue to a variety of industries including medical, scientific and satellite applications." Led by Wideblue the project was a collaboration between Wideblue and University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland, the James Hutton Institute and Galloway and Macleod. The project was funded by Innovate UK. The project was recently featured as a research article in leading academic journal Applied Optics. Please follow this link to read the full paper https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm? uri=ao-59-5-A167#articleBody
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 17
| Arable
Nitrogen boosts may be necessary following wet winter washout Farmers may need to apply more nitrogen to crops this year, following an exceptionally wet winter across most of the UK. ccording to AHDB, the extent of the ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ excess winter rainfall (EWR) zones is already much wider this year, compared with the long-term average. Historically drier areas of the country, particularly towards the middle and eastern half of England, are the most likely to experience downward shifts in soil nitrogen supply (SNS) indices. To determine the precise impact on nitrogen management strategies, farmers should follow the guidance published in the recently revised AHDB Nutrient management guide (RB209). EWR is the amount of rainfall the land receives after the soil profile becomes fully wetted in the autumn (field capacity) and before the end of drainage in the spring (around the end of March). Ideally, the calculations also take account of water lost through any growing crop (i.e. evapotranspiration) during this period. Because nitrate is soluble, any water moving
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through a field takes nitrate out with it. As this affects soil nitrogen supply (SNS), an understanding of EWR is essential for accurate nutrient management planning. To help farmers select the appropriate SNS look-up table in RB209, AHDB uses Met Office data to create EWR estimates, across 199 (40 x 40 km) UK regions, for the following categories: Low – less than 150 mm EWR (annual rainfall less than 600 mm) Moderate – 150 to 250 mm EWR (annual rainfall between 600 to 700 mm) High – over 250 mm EWR (annual rainfall over 700 mm) Based on mid-season (1 October 2019–31 January 2020) estimates, most cropped (about 83%) regions currently fall in the ‘high’ rainfall category. Sajjad Awan, AHDB crop nutrition specialist, said: “This winter has been phenomenally wet for most of the UK. Currently, only about 3% of cropped regions remain in the low-rainfall category. This is exceptional: long-term
average data would put the typical low-rainfall figure closer to 25%. “As several weeks of the EWR period remain, it would not be a surprise if all low-EWR regions are washed off the UK map by the end of March. In fact, without the drying effects of crops, no regions would fall into the low category at all. With many farmers forced to leave land bare this winter, it is even more important to consider a lack of evapotranspiration.” The current season is in stark contrast to the 2018/19 winter, which was relatively dry and allowed many farmers to cut back on the total amount of nitrogen applied to crops. SNS calculations take account of several other critical factors, such as the previous crop and soil type. To plan nitrogen applications, consult RB209 and access the latest EWR maps via ahdb.org.uk/ewr
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| Arable
Designed for the future: Stimulating debate in controlled environment agriculture Can we really feed 40,000 people with a ‘SkyFarm’? Or will everyone in London have a ‘Personal Food Computer’ by 2040? These are the sorts of provocative questions being posed ahead of the upcoming Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) conference being held on 18th March at the John Innes Centre. he event is hosted by AgriTechE, a business-focused membership organisation that is supporting the growth of a vibrant agri-tech cluster of innovative farmers, food producers and processors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs. Matt Millington, of Method Strategic Design Studio, is a speaker at the event. He comments: “Humans only evolve when they are pushed to. There are technological advances that can contribute to making urban farming a wider reality, but more importantly there are drivers: climate change, soil degradation, urbanisation…” He’s right about there being drivers of change: models indicate that 70% of the human population will live in cities by 2050*. CEA, the concept of growing crops in a secure indoor space, is seen by many as the ultimate solution to food security in an urban context and the upcoming conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders in the field to discuss how to reach the future that they want to see. Speakers include visionaries: Matt, from Method; and Thomas Cox, a Bristolian Architect with ambitious plans for a modular high-rise farming block. Both will arrive at the upcoming Agri-TechE conference with plenty of thoughts to fuel a debate on the future of CEA. Food Computers and Cooperatives – Matt Millington, Method Method is a strategic design studio, making products, services, experiences and businesses for the digital age. They use design as a tool to help organisations make better strategic decisions about the future of business. Matt says: “At Method, we often make things that are designed to trigger controversy and promote a conversation about what a future
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might look like, and in this case we hit upon the Personal Food Computer as just that – an object to frame a conversation around. “What does it mean for the food system, if something like the food computer became common-place?” According to Matt, it’s all part of the mission to simulate debate: “Rather than asking people what they want, we show them that potential future.” “The food computer is an experimental growth chamber designed to be built by anybody, and at a low cost, with detailed instructions also available for free online,” Matt adds. 'Growth recipes', shared via the cloud, enable the grower to control specific attributes of the crop through close monitoring of ‘environmental inputs' such as lighting. Matt expects that as CEA is picked up in urban centres, growers could begin to form into cooperatives, which will provide a big boost to the overall productivity: “Much as we’re starting to see local urban energy production in parts of London, producing their own electricity and selling it back, I think you’ll see in future cooperatives within London who are producing their own food on a relatively large scale. “So, I think you’ll see CEA in cities develop more on a cellular basis – areas of cities providing the urban farming model, which then influences perhaps what a supermarket sells in that region. I think supermarkets will play a big role influencing the sorts of crops that get grown and sold within local communities.” At the Agri-TechE conference, Matt is ready to fuel debate: “We need to provoke a conversation around what the future should look like… in order to make decisions to design toward that future or, more importantly, away from that future that we don’t want.” SkyFarms – Thomas Cox, Wotton Donoghue Architects Thomas Cox is a ‘grey-sky’ thinker. He is
concerned by levels of air pollution in dense urban centres. Smog, caused by the release of Nitrogen Oxides from internal combustion engines, is a major health issue in the world’s largest population centres such as Los Angeles, Beijing and Delhi, and is becoming increasingly prevalent in London. Thomas’ response is a building design that he calls the ‘Sky-Farm’. “The Sky Farm is covered in beans and pulses that take in nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. Essentially, you have a big greenhouse, which is cleaning up air pollution and converting this into green fertiliser and food.” Thomas designed his Sky Farm to sit on a small footprint of land in Battersea, on the south bank of the river Thames in London. “The ‘Sky Farm’ was designed to be a small-scale supplement to traditional farming, but I worked out that it could sustainably feed half of the population of the borough of Battersea – approximately 40,000 people.” “I think we need to plan now, so we’re ready to act when population increase starts to detrimentally affect our quality of life. I know that’s a bit of a bleak vision, and we’re maybe talking 100 years’ time, but we need to stay ahead of the curve.” Matt and Thomas will be joining the fray at Agri-TechE’s ‘Controlled Environment Agriculture – The Industry is Growing Up’ conference, alongside some twenty other speakers. Other participants include: IGS, world-leaders in vertical farm engineering; LettUs Grow, looking at total in-farm automation; and Growpura, designing hydroponics solutions on a massive scale. The all-day event will be held at The John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park NR4 7UH on 18th March, 9:00am – 5:00pm. For tickets or more information, please visit www.agri-teche.co.uk/events
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| Grain
Crop nutrition in the spotlight at Cereals 2020 Weeds and disease are an ever-present threat to crops, but nutrition plays a key role in tackling both and optimising it should be a focus for farmers. rom variety choice to the latest chemical developments, weed tackling strategies and nutritional advice, Cereals 2020 (10-11 June) will deliver the knowledge to help farmers overcome many challenges. Nutrition is one of the key areas in the spotlight as growers consider where improvements can be made. Micronutrients in particular can easily fall under the radar, and yields can suffer as a result. This year especially, with the excessively wet conditions, leaching could be a serious problem for many. According to Natalie Wood, agronomist at Yara, boron deficiency is often an issue. “In 2019, 86% of our tissue samples were deficient in boron and this year we would expect it to be even worse if growers don’t apply it.” Boron deficiency affects the number of grains per ear, meaning crops lacking in it are unable to achieve their yield potential. But boron isn’t the only micronutrient crops are often lacking; zinc and magnesium are also hidden culprits. “Macronutrients are often tailored for, but micronutrients aren’t always given as much attention and things like copper or boron are taken for granted as growers don’t always know the impact they have,” she explains. “Just because they are called micro, they are no less important, they are just needed in smaller quantities - and when crops are deficient in one, it can be a limiting factor to yield.” There’s still time for growers to act on this year’s crop though, adds Ms Wood. “If they can get leaf samples before the T0 spray, then they can apply the necessary nutrients then. Or T1 is
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another application option for nutrients – so there’s time to take tissue samples and get the right products ordered.” Growers do need to be cautious though, because rooting has been so severely compromised in some crops that they do not have the capacity to take up nutrients well, according to Chris Gamble at Olmix-Micromix. Biostimulants can improve rooting which - by optimising other inputs - translates into yield, and getting roots to grow on crops should be a priority for farmers at the moment, he says. Mr Gamble suggests that growers should look to use a multi-trace element mixture, as well as biostimulants and a non-scorch liquid nitrogen to aid ailing plants. “Use it at low doses to kick-start the crop to improve rooting, support tiller growth and boost yield. “At this point some crops need a rescue remedy and anything we can do to make more root will support challenged crops,” he adds. Improving root structure can also help plants compete with weeds, and blackgrass is still one of the biggest weed challenges for farmers. An endless amount of research goes into fighting this most stubborn and persistent of weeds, and John Cussans, weed biology specialist at NIAB will explore the most effective options for tackling it at the Cereals Event. With a changing climate, keeping on top of pests and diseases can be particularly hard, so considerable research is also going into improving varieties to cope with emerging challenges. During a tailored session at Cereals, Rothamsted Research’s Kim Hammond-Kosack will reveal breeding research that will deliver resistance to aphids, take all, septoria, slugs and yellow rust to name
but a few. Further to this, the new world of biopesticides will be explored by Dr Roma Gwynn at BioRationale. Capable of playing a major role in tackling pests and diseases, these natural combatants could have serious potential on UK arable farms. Using an all-round approach is continually hailed as the most effective way of tackling all arable challenges, which is why exploring the benefits of the latest technology at Cereals could revolutionise crop management. CHAP’s Fraser Black will explore how Crop Pro matches local growth stage to pest and disease risks and can provide spray window forecasts using bespoke weather monitoring. Or for those interested in utilising drone technology, DroneAg’s Jack Wrangham will be demonstrating how a smartphone-based app enables farmers to fly a drone to points in a field and get accurate green area index (GAI), emerging plant counts, and spot weeds and insect damage. Farmers have faced a challenging year, but the progress of the industry has been no less exciting despite this, says event director, Alli McEntyre. “There is so much new and innovative technology available and agriculture is advancing continually; it’s important to keep abreast of it as it could revolutionise the way you run your business.” The Cereals Event will be held on 10-11 June 2020. For more information or to book tickets visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk. To register and book discount group and early bird tickets go to https://registration.gesevent.com/survey/15pxo 4scp74z6?edit-mode=true.
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| Grain
YEN Wheat Quality Award Winner (L-R) Trevor Pierce 3rd, Ian Rudge 2nd, James Perry 1st
Wheat quality in the spotlight at the AHDB Milling Wheat Conference The importance of the supply chain working together, particularly during this challenging growing season, was highlighted at the AHDB Milling Wheat Conference which took place on Thursday 27 February in Cambridgeshire. he event emphasised the role of growing quality wheat, taking in the latest market information, best practice in growing and views from individuals and organisations throughout the milling wheat supply chain from breeders to growers, hauliers to millers. Dr Sarah Clarke, ADAS Research Scientist, said: “Variety choice and nutrition are both key to achieving bread-making quality. Growers can benchmark and learn more about their quality from entering the YEN Wheat Quality Competition and could think about carrying out tramline trials for nutrition programmes to see what could be achieved on their farm.” Joe Brennan, Policy and Research Officer for the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers (nabim), presented on the new regulations for ergot. He said: “Changes to ergot regulations will impact how millers treat this contaminant and growers need to be aware of what they can do to minimise the risk of rejection. “These regulations are a sign of the times, and the whole chain needs to keep working together to advocate for rules that ensure the
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food safety of cereals and their products, while remaining practical for each sector.” At the conference, the ADAS Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) Wheat Quality Award winner for harvest 2019 was announced as James Perry of Aldburys Farm Contracting, Essex, whose entry was sponsored by AHDB. The awards, sponsored by nabim, recognise excellence and innovation in achieving high yield and quality in Group 1 milling wheats. The YEN Wheat Quality Award winners are: • First Place: James Perry, Aldburys Farm Contracting, Essex. Sponsor: AHDB • Second Place: Ian Rudge, Bedfordia Farms, Bedfordshire. Sponsor: Hutchinsons • Third Place: Trevor Pierce, R Sternberg Farms, Kent. Sponsor: Bayer James’ entry yielded 12.6t/ha with a protein yield of 1.5t/ha. In the assessment of the entry it was noted that not only did this entry yield well, but high quality was seen in the grain through to the final loaf.” James said, “We are a small farm, but have a large contracting portfolio. This means we can invest in up-to-date and large kit. We use a selfpropelled 24 metre sprayer even though we only cover 300 acres a year on our own farm.
When the time comes to put on fungicides or other applications, we can go at exactly the right time. “This year we looked closely at the YEN report for any shortfalls on nutrients. We decided to use a different variety and this field had some farmyard manure applied to it. It was all about attention to detail and doing the right things on time.” Teresa Meadows, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager, said: “AHDB is pleased to sponsor entries into the YEN each year. It is a great way to learn more about your crop, how to achieve more of your potential and, in this instance, learn more about how your management through the season can influence the final milling quality of the loaf. “James’ attention to detail gives consistently high-quality milling wheat for their local markets. It has been great to be able to share the learnings from their approach more widely to the benefit of the industry.” Presentation slides from the day and biography videos of the YEN Wheat Quality Award winners can be found at www.ahdb.org.uk/mwc
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 21
| Buildings
Bridge End Barn, Longsleddale, Lake District Copyright Historic England, James O.Davies
Pilot scheme success in restoring historic barns Final call for 2020 applications to bring traditional agricultural buildings back to life within the boundaries of five National Parks he deadline for final applications for a £8 million pilot project to restore historic agricultural buildings in National Parks is 30 March 2020. The Historic Building Restoration Grant Pilot was launched on 29 March 2018 and is a collaborative project between Natural England, Historic England, the Rural Payments Agency and five National Parks (Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales). The aim of the pilot is to bring life back to traditional agricultural buildings within the participating National Park boundaries. Funding is available for restoring buildings for continued
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agricultural use, using traditional methods and materials, which will improve the distinctive character of the area. As the scheme is a pilot, it is now closed to new applicants but existing applicants can submit restoration grant applications up until March 2020. Once restored, these buildings are enhancing the historic landscape and public enjoyment of the National Parks, as well as providing welcome habitat for wildlife, such as bats and barn owls. Early economic forecasting of the impact of the pilot grant scheme found that for every £1 of public money offered by the scheme in rural areas, the benefits to the local economy in terms of creating jobs and helping local businesses ranges between £1.65 - £2.50.
The analysis also indicated that the scheme creates around 15 full-time equivalent jobs in the local economy of each of the five National Parks; equating to at least 77 full-time equivalent jobs for an initial grant investment of just over £4 million. Given that the pilot grant budget has been increased to £8 million, it is anticipated that the economic return will exceed early forecasts. Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner said: “This pilot is a wonderful initiative to help bring historic buildings back to life for future generations. Many of the historic stone barns scattered throughout our National Parks have fallen out of use, despite being perfectly situated to provide shelter for livestock or store feed. Natural England has played an important
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| Buildings
Bridge End Barn, Longsleddale, Lake District The large barn built into the bank at Bridge End is Grade II listed and dates from the 18th century. The bank barn is immediately adjacent to Bridge End Farmhouse and was built as part of a farmstead which worked the land in this part of Longsleddale from at least the later 17th century, probably much earlier. The main risks to the standing structure were the: · Loss of slate from the roof · Deterioration of external joinery · Deterioration of individual stones in the external walls that has occurred historically · Possible build-up of vegetation in the un-pointed wall construction The bank barn is a significant feature in the landscape and a contributing factor to the Lake District World Heritage Site.
role in helping applicants with the application process, and I look forward to seeing how this funding will be spent to revitalise these buildings.” Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England said: “We are delighted at the results already being demonstrated by the historic farm building restoration grant pilot scheme. They show the widespread enthusiasm to repair these buildings which are such a distinctive part of their landscapes. Historic England will continue to work in partnership with the National Parks, landowners and tenants, Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency to ensure as many historic farm buildings as possible can be brought back into use.”
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Farmer Andrew Sutton with his sheepdog and newly restored field barn. Copyright Historic England, James O.Davies
“This pilot is a wonderful initiative to help bring historic buildings back to life for future generations Applications are rigorously assessed by a grants panel chaired by the Rural Payments Agency with representatives from Historic England, Natural England and the National Parks. The budget for the scheme is £8m and to date £5.4m has been awarded for capital works.
March 2020 | Farming Monthly | 23
| Buildings
Highbury Barn, Chagford. Dartmoor National Park Highbury Barn is situated in the Teign Valley a little over 1km west of Chagford on flattish land just above the flood meadows along the south side of the river. This barn probably dates from 1743 and is known as a linhay, a distinctive West Country form of open-front stockshed. The repairs to the building include: · works to the hayloft · roof · stonework The building is close to the road and highly visible. It will continue to be used for lambing following repairs of a flock of rare breed Dartmoor sheep.
Image shows the barn before roof and stonework repairs made under the pilot Historic Building Restoration Grant scheme. Copyright Jonathan Rhind Architects
Changes to Agricultural Property Relief will ‘tear’ farming apart Any changes to tax relief on agricultural property in the next Budget will “tear the farming industry apart”, the head of a leading firm of chartered surveyors has warned. aul Madeley, managing director of Shropshirebased Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, is concerned by reports ahead of the new chancellor Rishi Sunak’s first Budget that he may be looking at scrapping the Agricultural Property Relief, which allows farmers to pass on agricultural property under Inheritance Tax. The current relief rate for agricultural properties is 100 percent, but Paul believes any move away from that will see many farmers unable to invest in their long term future and keep their businesses for the next generation “There has been a 100 percent relief for as long as I can remember, and changing it is quite a serious thing, with big consequences for the farming community,” said Paul. “This will be of detriment to the ordinary farmer who are often asset rich, but income poor. It would be one of the biggest shake ups that agriculture has seen, and it could tear the farming industry apart.” Along with upcoming changes to the way subsidies are handed out to farmers, Paul believes that big changes of this nature are just adding to the uncertainty of farming in the future.
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“It’s more important than ever that farming is properly supported,” said Paul. “Just look what is happening with Coronavirus for example. There’s a chance that we’ll need to be selfsufficient, but taking away from farmers makes that less likely.” Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, whose offices are based in Much Wenlock, have acted on behalf of thousands of clients over the years, helping them maximise the potential of their land. “We will always be on top of issues such as this, because it’s important for us to be ahead of the game with how we advise our clients,” said Paul. The Madeley’s team will spend time with clients on their land and will spot opportunities for land as well as exploring funding and financial support. Madeleys Chartered Surveyors are always at the forefront and provide the best advice and guidance at all times and if you would like to learn more about its services then please visit madeleys.co.uk/contact
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| Security
Yorkshire Wolds residents join forces with police to takle rural crime A new group has been created to help tackle rural crime affecting the Yorkshire Wolds. ozens of people attended a meeting in Thixendale, on Monday 2 March 2020, to launch Wolds Against Rural Crime. The Yorkshire Wolds are low hills spanning the counties of North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire - from the Vale of York in the west to the plain of Holderness in the east. The new group is aimed at farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and everyone affected by or concerned about crime in this picturesque area. Representatives from North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police attended the meeting at Thixendale Village Hall, alongside Farm Watch co-ordinator Gordon Calvert. The meeting was opened by wildlife artist Robert E Fuller. Inspector Matt Hagen, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with the communities in the Yorkshire Wolds to help tackle rural crime. “Although the North Yorkshire countryside is a very safe place, we do know that criminals target isolated areas, so it’s really important that residents are vigilant. “We are looking to follow the model of our scheme already up and running in Helmsley, where members of the community are using a
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WhatsApp group linked to the police to report suspicious activity. Volunteers are also being trained to take part in a Mobile Rural Watch scheme, to help them act as the ‘eyes and ears’ by patrolling in rural areas. The contribution of these volunteers is invaluable in the fight against rural crime. The meeting discussed dealing with rural crime such as crimes involving farm equipment and livestock; poaching; illegal trapping and taking of wildlife; theft and damage; tourism crime and crime against rural businesses; and serious and organised crime affecting rural areas. Insp Hagen added: “We’re particularly grateful to Robert for his support in setting up this initiative, and for opening the meeting at Thixendale.” PC Mark Atkinson, of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, said: “The meeting went really well, with about 60 members of the rural Wolds community attending. Our partnership working with Humberside Police and the local community will help us tackle rural crime together, and keep people safe.” PC Martin Phillips from Humberside Police’s Rural Crime Team said: “The meeting this week was really positive and it was fantastic to see so many people give up their evening to come
along. We are committed to our ongoing work with North Yorkshire Police and the local community to tackle crime in the area and I look forward to continuing to share our ideas and initiatives through the group.” “Although the North Yorkshire countryside is a very safe place, we do know that criminals target isolated areas, so it’s really important that residents are vigilant.” Robert Fuller said: “I was really pleased by the high turnout to the first meeting to Wolds Against Rural Crime. Tackling rural crime is clearly something that is very important to local people. This new way of working will help the community come together as a unit to report crime together in partnership with North Yorkshire and Humberside police forces.” To find out more about Wolds Against Rural Crime, contact PC Mark Atkinson of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, by calling North Yorkshire Police on 101 or emailing mark.atkinson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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| Energy
Providing large-scale gas heat recovery for chemical processing At CHEMUK 2020, stand J24, HRS Heat Exchangers will showcase its range of tubular heat exchangers for the chemical industry, and in particular its range of products for recovery from exhaust gases. RS recently supplied a K Series large gas heat exchanger for a Belgian chemical plant to cool the exhaust gases leaving a catalytic reactor (which can reach temperatures of up to 500 deg. C) and use the recovered heat to preheat the cold gases entering the reactor.
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For gas applications, small pressure drops are often required HRS Sales & Process Engineer Antonio Jara explains: “Every HRS heat exchanger is designed specifically for the client’s demands. Our largest heat exchangers are designed to the smallest details to ensure that they fit perfectly in the customer’s planned installation. We manufactured this unit in stainless steel which is specifically used by HRS to cope with arduous duties.” For gas applications, small pressure drops are often required, so large tube bundles are needed. This particular unit contained 2,900 separate tubes – providing a total tube length of 21 km – with each one being individually inserted into the shell before carefully being expanded and
welded into the tubeplate to provide a high level of resistance to thermal and mechanical stress. Other design features include expansion bellows to absorb the thermal dilations and stresses which occur between the inner tubes and the shell, and reinforced impingement rods at the shell inlet. These are carefully spaced and located to absorb the kinetic charge of the incoming flow, thus preventing unwanted tube vibrations. Inside the shell, segmental buffers support the large tube bundle and help to improve the thermal efficiency of the unit. “The inlet nozzles are designed with a tolerance of 5 mm to meet strict dimensional specifications, so that the unit connected directly and easily to the existing pipework at the customer’s facility,” adds Antonio. “With a length of 7m and weighing in at 14 tonnes, this 1.5 m diameter heat exchanger is one of the largest units we have manufactured. Lifting lugs and transport saddles, as well as fixing supports for the bellows, were manufactured and fitted to ensure safe transport and installation.” For more information on the extensive range of HRS industrial heat exchangers and thermal technologies, visit stand J24 at CHEMEX 2020 on 13-14 May 2020 at EventCity in Manchester.
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| Energy
Farmers encouraged to optimise AD operations Official statistics released by the NNFCC in 2019 revealed that there are 486 anaerobic digestion (AD) plants in the UK, 338 of which are farm-based and another 239 farm-based AD in development. ith Feed in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) subsidies eventually running out, experts are encouraging the many farmers in ownership of AD plants to tap into ways to optimise their operations, to not only increase revenue now, but to ensure the plants can ‘selfsustain’ in future. Dr Kiara Zennaro, head of biogas for the REA, is chairing a conference session looking at the enhancement of AD plants at the Energy and Rural Business Show, which takes place on 3 and 4 March, and believes there are many ways for farmers to look at enhancing and optimising AD plants. Existing plant owners are encouraged to attend the event to understand how to maximise the returns from their AD assets and explore the additional opportunities available. “Opportunities in optimising performance, and therefore revenue, fall broadly under three main categories: feedstocks, operations and products.” Feedstocks Kiara explains that according to the experts, poor clamp management can account for losses of up to 20% in biogas yield. “Making sure the design and management of the clamp is at its peak is very important, reducing the exposure of the silage to oxygen for example could maximise the amount of biogas captured in the digester,” she says. Bringing in new or alternative feedstocks to replace expensive crops also presents an opportunity to lower costs. “While maize is a high biogas yielding
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feedstock, it might be worth considering alternatives that can lower input costs. There are companies now that can provide novel feedstocks, such as some processing wastes or by-products. For example, by-products from the food and drinks industry are being used, such as syrups, whey, molasses and glycerine. “Animal slurries and manure are also available in abundance in the UK: it’s estimated that 90 million tonnes of manure is generated in the UK annually,” says Kiara. Operations “It’s in the interest of operators of AD plants to maximise biogas production and lower input costs,” explains Kiara. Key to this is making sure the biological process is stable. “You want microbes in an optimal condition to perform. If the process is unstable, this can result into an accumulation of intermediate products like volatile fatty acids inside the digester and trigger a chain of events that can ultimately lead to a severe inhibition of the process and a drop in the biogas production. It’s advisable to regularly monitor the process carefully and understand how to interact and respond to your data. “Make sure you have a plan of action to respond quickly to any deterioration of process.” Products There have been many changes over the last few years in the legislation that regulates digestate application to agricultural land, which could create new opportunities. “Since the introduction of the ‘Farming Rules for Water’ in 2018 - formalising good agricultural practice into regulations - farmers
are only able to apply digestate if the crops grown on the land require it, meaning that in most cases the spreading window for digestate is very limited and more storage is needed, with higher capital costs. Cost savings on storage and transport may make the case for dewatering or processing of digestate more viable. “There are technologies available to process or ‘de-water’ digestate, making it easier to store and transport and these could be potentially retrofitted on existing plants,” she says. Looking at other by-products from AD plants, CO2 can be captured and used in many products, its readily used in food and drinks sectors, but in the future it could also be used to make polymers, fuels, chemicals and fertilisers and Dr Zennaro is confident that there is a lot of potential in these new innovative areas. Energy and Rural Business Show Kiara Zennaro will host the AD and Biogas session on ‘AD optimisation and enhancement’ at Energy and Rural Business Show 2020. There will also be dedicated sessions at the event on the use of biomethane as a vehicle fuel, with biomethane and electric vehicles and machines on display and available for test drive. Taking place at the East of England Arena for the first time, the show hosts a multi-streamed conference and features three Expos in one show: ‘Energy Now Expo’, ‘Rural Business Expo’ and the ‘Low-Emission Vehicles Expo’. Free tickets can be booked online: http://www.energyandruralbusiness.co.uk/visit/r egister-to-visit
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| Livestock
New recommendations for monitoring use of antibiotics on beef farms An industry standard for measuring and monitoring antibiotic use on beef farms has been agreed following extensive industry consultation. he new recommendations complement those previously agreed for monitoring antibiotic use on dairy and sheep farms. The recommendations developed by the Cattle Health and Welfare Group’s (CHAWG) Antimicrobial Usage (AMU) Subgroup are based on research work undertaken by the University of Bristol and extensive industry consultation. The measures will help beef farmers understand where they are in relation to the antibiotic use targets set by representatives of the beef sector within RUMA’s Targets Task Force in 2017, and to continue delivering reductions and refinements in use once new post2020 targets are announced at the end of the year.
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The core measure a beef farm is advised to use is the total weight of antibiotics used in a year (in milligrams) relative to the average weight of the cattle population at risk of treatment on the farm during the year (in kilograms). This is similar to the core mg/kg measures already in use by the dairy and sheep sectors. Tim Brigstocke, chair of CHAWG AMU, said: “Measuring and comparing antibiotic use in beef herds is not straightforward, as it needs to take account of the numbers and types of cattle on a farm, which can change considerably during a year. “We have aimed to strike a sensible balance between accuracy and pragmatism and produce a metric that will work for the majority of farms, recognising that the opportunity to link to national databases in the future
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will make providing data relating to the number and types of cattle much easier for farmers.” Derek Armstrong, Veterinary Lead at AHDB, said: “We want to encourage vets and others in the supply chain to use these standard metrics, where possible, to ensure that a common language is being used. “This will help farmers monitor antibiotic use on their farm over time and see how it relates to similar farms across the industry. It will also inform vets and farmers when they are working together on developing health plans and encourage farmers with specific health challenges and high antibiotic use to identify where to focus in order to improve their management practices.” The overall mg/kg measure should be reported alongside a separate figure for the highest
priority critically important antibiotics, which aligns well with recommendations from the other ruminant sectors. Additional measures have also been recommended where more detailed farm level antibiotic use records are available. These are the percentage of animals treated and treatment days per animal. These additional metrics can also be used for other veterinary medicines. More information about the new beef benchmarking recommendations, and existing dairy recommendations, can be found on the CHAWG page. Information about the sheep measures for monitoring antibiotic use on farms can be found at http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/re turns/health-and-welfare/sheephealth-and-welfare-group-shawg/
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| Livestock
One of the best years on record for red meat exports Red meat exports from the UK rocketed to more than £1.5 billion last year – making 2019 one of the strongest years on record, with Asia being key to the success. ccording to HMRC, the total value of red meat exports rose 13 per cent year-onyear, with more than 661,000 tonnes of pork, lamb and beef shipped around the world. While the lion’s share is still exported to Europe, strong growth was recorded for all three meats to non-EU countries. The strong figures come in a year with some good access wins for red meat, including Japan for both beef and lamb and China moving closer to the first shipments of UK beef for the first time in over 20 years. These wins will convert into commercial trade in 2020 offering further growth opportunities. And with inward inspection visits from countries including
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Mexico in February of this year and the USA in the summer of 2019, industry leaders are optimistic of further market access wins in the year ahead. AHDB International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley said: “This year has been phenomenal. As well as a record year in terms of both volume and value, we have also seen some incredible market access wins, which has helped make 2019 one of the best years for our red meat exports. “This tremendous success is underpinned by AHDB’s commitment to target and grow key markets not only through the tremendous efforts of our export team, but also through a network of 13 agents and representatives across Europe as well as staff in the US, China and Hong Kong.” Latest figures show that 183,000
tonnes of beef and offal were exported in 2019, worth £532 million – up 7.5 per cent. Sheep meat and offal shipments rose 12.5 per cent to 99,000 tonnes, with a value of £402 million. But it was pig meat that led the charge with total export volumes reaching 378,000 tonnes, worth £609 million – a rise of 24 per cent compared to 2018. And it was demand from China that helped boost the figures with shipments of pig meat, including offal, up 61 per cent to 131,000 tonnes – worth a staggering £191 million compared to £77 million in 2018. AHDB Head of Asia Pacific Jonathan Eckley said: “The Asian market was key to the success of 2019, with demand for imported pork continuing across China in light of the ongoing ASF outbreak. “We have also seen great success for our pork exports to
Taiwan, with £6.8 million worth of pig meat shipped in our first full year of trading, following the granting of market access in 2018.” Beef and offal exports to the Philippines saw a fourfold increase with volumes increasing to 3,736 tonnes. In recent years, AHDB has led two missions to Manilla alongside beef exporters in a bid to help grow the market. AHDB will continue to explore new markets working alongside the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as well as UKECP, APHA and FSA, in addition to other industry bodies.
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| Livestock
Study reveals 74 percent of dairy farmers store expired medicines on-farm Research has revealed 74 percent of dairy farmers have expired medicines on-farm, in one instance being as much as 16 years out of date. ager to understand more about dairy farmer attitudes to medicine use, University of Bristol vet, Dr Gwen Rees, undertook PhD research to determine on-farm storage of prescription veterinary medicine. “The research highlighted a big knowledge gap on what to do with expired medicines, with very few farmers saying they frequently discussed with their vet what was in the medicine cupboard.” In light of the study results, Dr Rees advises farmers to conduct a ‘medicine cupboard health check’ as part of their regular herd health planning. Farmers can then work with their vet to ensure they are using appropriate medicines. In addition, only 63 percent of the study farms were storing medicines correctly which could also impact treatment effectiveness. Dr Rees recommends checking storage
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instructions on the bottles of medicines. “For vaccines, it’s recommended storage temperatures are between 20C and 80C, particularly for live vaccines which are more sensitive to damage at raised temperatures. However, a study in 20101 found that on-farm this wasn’t the norm, and vaccines were often not stored at the correct temperature,” adds Dr Rees. The study also found on-farm medicine records varied wildly, from very accurate to non-existent. Recording and managing medicine use and stock is particularly important when meeting assurance scheme requirements and creating health plans. “Using a simple medicine book to record when medicine is used, why it was given, and how much was administered, will help farmers to keep track of herd health. It is also valuable to include withdrawal periods and any subsequent doses needed to fulfil treatment,” concludes Dr Rees.
BCVA welcomes the Government’s ‘pragmatic response’ to the 2018 Godfray Review The British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) welcomes the publication of Defra’s pragmatic response to the 2018 Godfray review, and its far-reaching approach to bTB (bovine Tuberculosis) eradication by 2038. he report reflects the complexity of dealing with such a destructive disease and the recognition that multiple approaches are going to be necessary in tackling this together. BCVA are fully appreciative that in the report, Defra has identified and acknowledged the necessity of successfully controlling wildlife in order to eradicate bTB. Furthermore, publishing evidenced figures and highlighting the success of the industry led badger cull in reducing bTB in cattle herds in high risk areas (HRA) is welcomed. Whilst we support the view that the Government need a long-term exit strategy from badger culling in its current form, we also are satisfied that this is going to be a phased approach over several years. BCVA are pleased to see the intention to bank the gains evidenced in the cull areas, and that wildlife culling is not being completely taken off the table for
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all locations, where there is epidemiological evidence to support this as the best course of action. We also welcome the recognition that there is a lack of existing field evidence for badger vaccination success on reducing bTB in cattle herds in the various risk areas. Consequently, we are glad that additional research, surveillance and reviews will be ongoing, to ensure that its role as an instrumental part of future wildlife control is fully investigated. BCVA also welcomes, with enthusiasm, the provision of a timeline for rolling out a deployable cattle bTB vaccine and validating a DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) test. The association’s President, Nikki Hopkins says, "There are promising times ahead; now that Defra has laid out an official timeline for cattle bTB vaccination, and the defined steps that are needed to achieve this. It’s encouraging to see how much emphasis the Government are putting into prioritising this. This
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now seems like a realistic proposition to aid in bTB control, and with a timescale of 5 years, it’s possible to envisage it happening. What once seemed like a pipe dream can now happen during most of our members’ working lifetime." As regular testing and removal of infected animals is seen as the cornerstone of bTB strategy, we are pleased that there is encouragement to use the most appropriate test available, that is targeted towards individual situations and evidence-based with flexibility for different scenarios. In light of the introduction of increased herd surveillance and the new 6 monthly cattle testing regime in the HRA’s in 2021, BCVA must put emphasis on the veterinary workforce and its ability to be able to effectively deliver such a programme. We recognise that Defra have given this consideration with the introduction of Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs), but we must work together to ensure that these resources can be effectively and viably
introduced, and that smaller practices are not left at a disadvantage. Following on from this, BCVA’s lead on bTB, Rebecca Cavill states, "We have always been supportive of empowering private vets with more confidence in dealing with bTB breakdowns and aiding them to help their clients with disease management and making better decisions. The report clearly identifies the trusted private vet as being pivotal for farmer advice, and we welcome the Government’s approach to commitment for better support and involvement for vets to gain further expertise in this area.” A key part of the BCVA position on bTB control is the provision of appropriate training to private veterinary surgeons to facilitate improved disease control at a farm level. We ultimately all have the same ambition of bTB eradication; increased unity between all industries will be a key driver in being able to effectively deliver this.
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| Livestock
DairyTech 2020 The RABDF’s third Dairy-Tech event, held earlier this month at Stoneleigh Park, saw a 10% increase in its visitor numbers and over 300 exhibitors taking stand space. reated to drive business profitability through performance, innovation and technology Dairy-Tech has now secured its place as the leading dairy event for new products, ideas and concepts. Matthew Knight, managing director, RABDF says this year’s event has surpassed all expectations. “It’s fantastic to see so many people throughout the sector throwing their support behind Dairy-Tech. We can safely say the event has made its mark throughout the industry in a short period of time leaving us excited about the future. “Over 80% of visitors to this year’s event held buying power for their company which we believe is the result of creating a paid entry event with a unique offering. “We’re looking forward to growing and developing the event for 2021 to ensure we are continuing to showcase the very latest innovation and products coming to the dairy market.” The Dairy Hub housed sessions throughout the day looking at some of the key issues facing dairy farms. Amongst these were Promar International’s Tom Gill, who outlined
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how addressing simple issues on-farm could contribute hugely when it comes to meeting the optimistic emissions reduction targets set out by government and the NFU. This theme continued throughout the day with Kite Consulting’s John Allen outlining the businesses ‘2030 Dairy Vision’ – which sees emissions reduced through environmental improvements. As ever, the Innovation Hub focused on all things new – products, ideas, technology, concepts and techniques. Slots covered the contribution of innovations when it comes to reaching net zero carbon and how different system types play different roles in the reduction of carbon. New product launches and new apps were showcased – looking at their contribution when it comes to maximising business efficiency. The Skills Studio hosted CV clinics, course and apprenticeship information, was home to the Dairy Student Award final debate and Farm Health Management winner announcement. The Dairy Student Award named Harper Adams University student Florence Turley the winner and Olivia Egerton from University Centre Reaseheath the runner up. Lucy Ross from Nottingham University, Faye Al-Nakeeb from University of Bristol and Matt McClymont from
Myerscough College were announced as the 2020 winners for each of the RABDF Farm Health Management Award categories. Zoetis took home the Royal Dairy Innovation Award for its CLARIFIDE® Plus heifer genomic test – the only test to incorporate health and wellness traits in addition to the production traits delivered by standard testing. The day finished in its usual way with the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup announcement. Bryce and Robert Sloan from Darnlaw Farm, Ayrshire were crowned the 2019 award winners with the judges commending the development of both dairy herds and how the farm had established a good working relationship with their milk buyer. They have also made significant, impressive, investment in technology and systems for the future efficiency of the business. The father and son duo milk both the 180 Townlaw Holstein herd and a separate 50 cow pedigree herd of Darnlaw Jerseys. Dairy-Tech will return to Stoneleigh Park on Wednesday 3 February 2021. Further information on the event will be available over the coming months but any queries in the meantime should be sent to office@rabdf.co.uk
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| Pig & Poultry
Ideas and innovations at the Pig & Poultry Fair Accessing the latest innovations, networking and ideas are the most valuable aspects of the Pig & Poultry Fair for producers, and the 2020 Fair is lined-up to deliver them in abundance. oth the pig and poultry industries are no strangers to evolving with the times, but now more than ever there is enormous pressure on farmers to change and adapt to meet consumer and environmental demands, says event organiser, Alice Bell. “The 2020 Pig & Poultry Fair is a two-day tool-box aimed at providing producers with everything they need for their businesses to flourish.” The Fair is a great place to hear from experts, speak to other producers and identify the best new strategies and technologies, according to James Mottershead, a poultry producer with 215,000 broilers in Shropshire. “Visiting the Fair is a great opportunity to have a look round, engage with new technology, meet like-minded people and catch up with the whole team of people we deal with,” says Mr Mottershead. “As things change we have to pick peoples’ brains to get new ideas so we can go home and implement them,” he adds. The networking opportunities are also paramount for Jonty Hay, a broiler grower from Herefordshire produces 30 million birds. “The most important part for me is the networking;
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everyone is there. I have a list of people I want to see - including the people I don’t deal with or see on a day to day basis.” The representation of supermarkets at the Fair is an important aspect of the event for Mr Hay. “I like catching up with the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Marks and Spencer – to make sure we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet.” Mr Hay will be on the lookout for the latest poultry technologies. “We are in the process of reinvesting in atmospheric and environmental controls in our sheds.” The Fair has just as much to offer pig producers and Stephen Thompson who operates a batch farrowing business with his family in Sheffield, is keen to view the shed construction options at the event as he wants to replace their fattening sheds. “We will look at what’s going to go into this building at the Fair,” he says. “Every year we invest in the buildings because you can’t afford not to.” Stephen will be looking for products to develop the farrowing accommodation. “We use a lot of milk and are hand mixing at the moment, so mechanisation will be timesaving and reduce labour.” The chance to be inspired with new ideas is
one of the biggest draws of the Fair for Charlie Thompson, who produces pedigree pigs from his 650 strong sow herd in Northampton. “We changed our washing and disinfecting system to the MS Schippers Greenline system after attending the Fair; it makes it very easy for our staff to use as it applies the disinfectant and detergent at the correct dilution,” says Mr Thompson. “This year we will be looking at the slurry management and new ideas for fulfilling the welfare code at the Fair. It’s a good chance to see a lot of suppliers in one place and get hands-on with the equipment.” Whether it is the latest technology to boost efficiency or sharing ideas with likeminded farmers investing time in a day at the Fair really is invaluable for every pig and poultry business, says Ms Bell. “The event is guaranteed to provide plenty to think about and take home to implement on farm.” The British Pig and Poultry Fair is the leading event for the UK pig, poultry and egg sectors, and will be held on 12-13 May 2020 at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The Fair is free to attend, for registration visit www.pigandpoultry.org.uk
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| Pig & Poultry
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| Grassland & Muck
Driving productivity at Grassland & Muck 2020 Making the most of forage is a priority for UK farmers. Whether grazed or ensiled quality grass is still the most economic source of feed, and when managed right will reduce production costs and minimise environmental impact. o maximise returns and reduce costly losses grassland must be managed from the soil up – farmers and contractors visiting the Grassland & Muck Event at Ragley Estate in Warwickshire on 20 – 21 May, will find solutions to make the most of their grass, manures and soils, says event organiser Alice Bell. “The event brings together the latest ideas and technologies with 172 acres of working grass and muck demonstrations, a full technical forum programme and over 200 exhibitors.”
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Underpinning the value of grassland nutrition and its application will be Nigel Hester, John Telfer and Philip Cosgrave in Yara’s technical forum sessions. “With bottom lines under pressure, farmers are looking for more ways to improve efficiencies and make the most of their home-grown forage,” explains Mr Hester. “Valuable information is gained from soil and manure analysis allowing precise micronutrient plans to be compiled for your grass silage, grazing and reseeding sites which is vital for sward diversity and health. Having a handle on accurate application
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rates of fertilisers – natural or artificial – will maximise return on investment and minimise wastage,” he says. Mr Hester is keen for farmers to see that tightening up efficiencies is cost saving. “Correct pH of soils is essential in fertiliser utilisation. If fertilisers are applied to soils not at target pH, your cost per unit goes up considerably.” Other sessions in the technical forum programme will include advice on manure management by ADAS’s John Williams; how to avoid clamp slippage by Dave Davis reporting on AHDB’s silage slippage project, and how to
rejuvenate pasture, making the right reseeding and variety choices by DLF’s Paddy Jack. Meanwhile the event will be shining a spotlight on grazing systems with a new grazing feature and discussion tent exploring how rotational grazing can boost outputs and soil quality. The live demonstration with sheep on a specially sown grazing mix will give farmers the chance to see and discuss how rotational grazing can improve their productivity from grass. Tom Chapman, farmer and head of regenerative agriculture at Innovation for Agriculture, will be
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| Grassland & Muck
focusing on how to regenerate soils and farm profitably. “Farming is a business – it needs to be profitable. How farmers can achieve that while safeguarding the environment and consequently the future productivity of the land, is where regenerative agriculture can help. “Regenerative agriculture is about managing land in a way which promotes a healthy, living soil, captures carbon and makes a profitable return,” he explains. “If managed properly, grass can be capturing sunlight feeding both ends of production – soil and animal – all year round.” Herbal mixes for both grazing and ensiling leys will also be explored, including; varying rooting depths; heading dates for nutrient uptake; longevity; resilience to weather and disease challenges. Arable farmers can benefit from increased productivity by using grass and cover crops, alongside grazing stock in arable rotations. “Breaking arable rotations in this way will help heal, feed and prepare soils for the next crop – it is also an effective way to suppress weeds,” explains Mr Chapman. Showcasing the latest agronomic developments, visitors
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can see over 100 grass varieties and mixes sown in the demonstration plots, including flood and drought tolerant species. For farmers who want to learn how to assess their soils, alleviate compaction, interpret soil test results and plan manure applications - the ADAS Soil and Nutrient Advice Clinic is a must. ADAS reports that according to the most recent Farm Practices survey, 62% of grazing livestock farmers in lowland areas do not undertake any form of soil structural assessment. With soil structure so important, effective management is fundamental in maximising efficiencies and achieving long term sustainable production. “We know that farmers and contractors visit the event to see the latest machinery, gather information and ideas,” says Ms Bell. “The 2020 event promises more experts and solutions than ever before, with 94% of visitors rating Grassland & Muck 2017 as good or excellent - visitors to the 2020 event are sure to be inspired.” Tickets go on sale in March 2020. Save money and book your tickets early at www.grasslandevent.co.uk
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| Grassland & Muck
What do you want to dry? – Perry Belt drier is a proven success! The Perry of Oakley Ltd. belt driers can dry grass/lucerene, paper pulp, woodchip, flaked maize & refuse (SRF/RDF/MWS) and are successfully in use across the UK and internationally. he Perry Belt Drier has an all galvanised construction and is built with a modular design, allowing users to extend their machines at a later date if required. There are no louvres or perforations to become blocked, meaning there is consistent air-flow. The warm air is drawn down through the product bed which means there is minimal product lift off to contend with making it an ideal solution for lights and fines.
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Perry also manufacture a complete range of handling equipment to feed and discharge the belt driers Perry of Oakley Ltd. are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of materials handling & drying equipment. All Perry machines are manufactured in the factory based in the South West of the UK. Perry also manufacture a complete range of handling equipment to feed and discharge the belt driers, including: chain conveyors, belt conveyors, belt and bucket elevators, augers and screw conveyors, in addition to many more
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handling & storage solutions. Perry are able to offer full turn-key solutions, while supporting dealers, for industries ranging from farms/agricultural applications to feed mills & flaking mills, biomass and industrial applications. They are able to manufacture &
supply handling, storage and drying equipment in capacities ranging from 8tph to 1000tph. To find out if the Perry Belt Drier is the drying solution you are looking for call now on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit www.perryofoakley.co.uk
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| Grassland & Muck
New vertical folding mower conditioner to debut at Grassland & Muck 2020 A 3.1 metre vertical folding mower conditioner will be launched and demonstrated by KUHN Farm Machinery at Grassland & Muck 2020. he mounted FC 3115 D is the latest addition to the company’s extensive grassland machinery range, with 126˚ hydraulic vertical folding giving this model the beneficial features of compact transport, great manoeuvrability and reduced loading on the tractor’s rear wheels. Targeted at both livestock farmers and contractors, this mower conditioner is suitable for use in combination with a front mounted unit and includes several technological advantages common to KUHN’s more advanced models. Features include the exclusive Lift-Control suspension system, non-stop safety breakaway, the maintenance-free OptiDisc cutter bar and the Fast-Fit quick release blade system. The Lift-Control suspension system, in conjunction with powerful and constant pressure control, allows precise ground following to ensure a clean cut and minimal soil contamination of the forage. This also provides an effective safety mechanism, whereby the machine moves backwards and upwards if hitting an obstacle before moving swiftly back into work, therefore minimising damage whilst maintaining efficiency of work.
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The FC 3115 D features KUHN’s OptiDisc cutter bar, with an asymmetric disc design that combines quality cutting performance with high crop flow characteristics that help maintain efficiency of operation whatever the conditions. OptiDisc also includes features such as large diameter gear wheels and KUHN’s Protectadrive safety within the disc bearing housings that ensure the machine is robust in work with minimal maintenance requirements. KUHN’s Fast-Fit quick blade release system is standard on the FC 3115 D. This ensures safe and secure attachment during work whilst allowing quick blade changes using a simple
lever. This model can also be fitted with KUHN’s Triple 5 reinforced blades offering four to five times the life of standard knives. The conditioning unit on the FC 3115 D is a heavy duty pivoting steel finger system that is adaptable for all crop types and situations. Conditioning intensity is easily adjustable by switching between two rotor speeds and/or setting the conditioning hood in one of five positions. KUHN will demonstrate the FC 3115 D at Grassland & Muck during the two days of the event on 20th and 21st May 2020.
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| Grassland & Muck
Bauer slurry management and application solutions to feature at the Grassland & Muck event With a range of slurry handling and management solutions from pumps to the largest land application tankers, Bauer will be setting out its stall at this year’s Grassland & Muck event with a selection of new and established products. t one end of the scale, the Bauer S300 screw-type separator is now available in both fixed installation and mobile ‘plug and play’ formats, both capable of separating up to 15cu m of slurry an hour into liquid and solid fractions, with dry matter content of the solids at about 32%. “Separation in this way can have a significant impact on storage capacity requirements and management of slurry as a resource,” said Adrian Tindall, Area Manager at Bauer UK & Ireland. “The liquid fraction can be applied from a lagoon through a dirty water irrigator and the solids stored and spread separately to grazing or conservation grass, or to crop stubbles as and when required. “Either way, like all our separators, the S300 enables producers to manage their storage requirements more effectively and make best use of the nutrients and other beneficial characteristics in the solid and liquid fractions.” Slurry in-flow to the S300 separator is regulated by an automatic pressure control system to ensure consistent results and, as with all Bauer slurry separators, adjustable weighted discharge doors provide resistance to
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help the wear-resistant stainless steel screw squeeze liquid through long-life screens available in a choice of sizes. The S300 Plug & Play version is a selfcontained mobile package that incorporates a pump, an automatic control panel and a compact steel frame with pallet tines slots so that it can easily be used across two or more locations on one farm or shared by two individual farms. At the other end of the slurry management scale, Bauer UK & Ireland has been the official sales and service support operation for Bauer specialist slurry application systems designed for Claas Xerion tractors. Previously sold under the SGT name but now fully incorporated into the Bauer slurry and digestate tanker range, the products include an innovative slurry loading system carried on the front of the Xerion, a 16cu m capacity deckmounted tank, and semi-mounted tanks up to 30,000-litres capacity towed from a deckmounted coupling that results in favourable weight transfer to the powerful four-wheel drive tractor. Soon after acquiring SGT, Bauer applied its expertise in poly-tank production – a hand-laid polyester laminate manufacturing process used for its range of tractor-towed tankers up to
26,000-litre capacity – to produce the 16cu m unit for the forward control Xerion S-Trac. This lighter-weight solution allowed an increase in capacity over the previous steel version, while producing a direct-mounting frame for the front-mounted pump unit enables operators to save 1000kg by replacing the tractor’s front three-point linkage. The Bauer filling pump unit is available with a 10in remote docking system to take a load on board from a nurse tank, a 10in stone-trap box and a 9000- or 12,000-litres/min pump – the larger capacity option is offered for 24m to 36m slurry dribble booms.
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| Grassland & Muck
New grassland machinery designed for undulating land Fendt is launching new grassland machinery including a new mower and three new tedders. The front mounted Slicer FQ mower and a range of tedders including the 770, 1020 T and 1250 T will be demonstrated by Fendt at Grassland & Muck in May. he new mower is suspended on a frame which provides more flexible movement making it better suited to undulating land. Aimed at farmers and contractors looking to cut grass with precision, the Slicer FQ is available in the UK from spring 2020 and orders have already been placed. “This is an exciting new product for farmers
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who have the challenge of cutting grass on undulating and hilly land. It can be adjusted easily to allow one side to be as much as 650mm higher than the other and there is movement available at every corner making it perfect for difficult to cut fields,” says Sam Treadgold, product support specialist for grass equipment. The machine is available in two widths, 3.1 metres and 3.62 metres. It can be specified with
tine or roller conditioners making it well suited to contractors and livestock farmers alike. Also on show at Grassland & Muck will be the new range of Fendt tedders. The hook tine design of the tedders provides high output without digging into the soil. “The hook tine rubs rather than digs which reduces the impact on the soil and, because there is less contact with the ground, reduces breakages and downtime,” says
Mr Treadgold. The hooked design of the tine spreads grass more effectively with fewer lumps. The grabbing and pulling motion of the tine separates more grass which offers operators higher output and throughput. Fendt will be demonstrating its range of grassland machinery at Grassland & Muck on 20th and 21st May 2020.
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| Machinery
Ktwo’s Roadeo Compact and Push trailer increases capacity by 40%! Ktwo, one of the biggest British manufacturers of farming machinery, has manufactured the Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer which is being hailed the next generation of trailer. t's been designed to increase capacity by compacting its contents which can achieve up to an additional 40% per trailer. The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer is unique in its design because it doesn't tip to empty it's produce, instead it compacts and pushes its contents out. This increases capacity through compaction and reduces costs by increasing the volume each trailer can take by up to 40%. The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer’s success is also based on its safety and reliability.
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The chassis and running gear have been designed to provide maximum stability with the very best of on-and-off road handling characteristics as demanded by today's highspeed tractors. It is fitted with high specification axles and brakes to ensure that the trailer can stop safely in all conditions. ‘’Our Roadeo Compact and Push Trailers are already being used by farmers and contractors in the UK and worldwide.’’ Explains Robbie Polson, Ktwo Managing Director. ‘’We regularly get praise for their time and cost saving benefits to farming. The increased capacity and emptying
speeds reduce fleet running costs dramatically.’’ The traditional tipping trailer is likely to be replaced by the safer and cost saving pusher design in the future. Ktwo launched a prize draw to win 8 weeks hire of The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer at LAMMA this year and they will be offering more chances to enter over the next few months. The winner will be drawn in July 2020. For more information on Ktwo and The Roadeo Compact and Push Trailer, visit: www.ktwo.co.uk
The last Condor IV produced by Agrifac The last Condor IV left the Agrifac factory in Steenwijk in a festive manner. There is not much to worry about, because the successor is already ready for this extremely successful self-propelled sprayer. ith more than 500 units produced and sold in more than 20 countries worldwide, from Europe to Australia and North America, the Condor IV has proven to be a particularly successful generation. This generation of Condor IV consisted of
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several models and versions. In addition to the richly executed standard version, this generation consisted of versions such as the Condor ClearancePlus, which is characterised by an adjustable ground clearance of 130 - 200 cm, the Condor WideTrackPlus with an adjustable track width between 225 and 300 cm and the MountainMasterPlus, which can level on steep
slopes. The production of the Condor IV was started in 2015 and the successor of this generation has already come off the starting blocks. This new generation of Condor sprayers will be produced from January 1 in the most sustainable factory in the Netherlands, which was festively opened two years ago.
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| Machinery
Latest JCB Compact Wheeled Loaders are more fuel efficient Latest versions of the JCB 407 and 409 compact loading shovels and the JCB TM180 and TM220 telescopic wheeled loaders and are more fuel efficient as a result of powertrain upgrades that coincide with the introduction of revised engines to meet EU Stage V exhaust emissions standards. new engine shutdown feature guards against unnecessary fuel wastage if the machines stand idle during pauses in loading or materials handling operations, and electronic engine management reduces the speed of the engine during farm to field journeys. All four machines are powered by the 2.5-litre JCB Diesel by Kohler engine as before but this time equipped with a DPF (diesel particulate filter) to remove a larger proportion of potentially harmful particulate matter in the exhaust gases. The installation requires no outward changes to the machines, so excellent visibility to the rear
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over the compact engine cover is unaffected. This is an essential characteristic of these highly manoeuvrable loaders because, together with the raised central driving position and large glazed area of the cab, operators can work their machines with confidence in and around buildings on livestock farms and other rural enterprises. Performance is unaffected by the engine change as power and torque outputs remain the same. The 1.8 tonne lift capacity TM180 and 0.8cu m 407 have a 64hp version of the JCB Diesel by Kohler engine, which drives through a single-speed 20kph hydrostatic transmission on the TM180 and a two-speed 35kph
version on the 407. The JCB 407 also benefits from a new ‘whisper-quiet’ Rexroth hydraulic pump to reduce noise levels in work. Engine output for the 2.2 tonne lift TM220 and 1.0cu m 409 loaders is 74hp but in this instance power and torque are delivered through the two-speed 35kph transmission or a three-speed version providing increased tractive effort and a spritelier 40kph top speed. The TM220, 407 and 409 also have a new Eco Drive Mode that electronically reduces engine revs once the machine’s top speed has been reached, resulting in a quieter journey and up to 16% lower fuel consumption during road travel.
JCB has also taken the opportunity of the Stage V engine introduction to upgrade the cab interior on these machines, bringing it closer to the standard of the Command Plus cab fitted to larger JCB wheeled loaders. Changes include a clearer instrument display that includes a DPF regeneration indicator, and a general improvement in the quality of plastics used. Externally, there are styling enhancements to more closely reflect the appearance of other models in JCB’s unrivalled loading shovel range, with new mouldings for the cab roof and access panel on the ventilation/air conditioning unit.
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| Machinery
The new Quadtrac and Steiger AFS Connect™ series: when power meets technology Case IH introduces the new Quadtrac and Steiger AFS Connect™ series tractor. Recently announced at Commodity Classic in the USA, this new range will be available in Europe during the second half of the year 2020, with some specific features for the European market. he range will include in total 14 models, covering 420 to 620 HP range. Quadtrac AFS Connect™ will be available from 470 to 620 HP, and Steiger AFS Connect™ from 420 to 500 HP range. Several upgrades will be included, such as a redesigned cab and ultimate connectivity to allow comfort and higher productivity. Workhorse power and performance The new lineup of Quadtrac and Steiger AFS Connect™ tractors can be configured to fit any operation and is built for a range of applications. With two industry-leading
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transmissions to choose from, Case IH can deliver the optimal choice to meet an operation’s requirements. The fuel-efficient PowerDrive powershift transmission delivers 20% faster shifting and a record-setting 682 peak-horsepower on the Quadtrac 620 model. The CVXDrive™ — the first continuously variable transmission for an articulated 4WD tractor —automatically balances power and efficiency. The Quadtrac AFS Connect™ tractors also feature larger fuel tanks to cover more acres before needing to refuel. Producers can work for longer with no engine regeneration, 600-hour oil change intervals and ground-level maintenance to lower operation
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costs and keep equipment in the field. Nebraska Tractor Tests confirmed that Case IH Quadtrac and Steiger tractors are the industry’s most powerful and fuelefficient tractors available. Advanced technology and ultimate connectivity The connectivity solution from Case IH, AFS Connect, will be embedded into the cab of the tractor, bringing new levels of productivity. It enables two-way data transfer between the machine and the manager. This allows farm managers to manage with precision their farm, fleet and data from their office or mobile device. The connectivity system includes three key components,
the AFS Pro 1200 display, the AFS Vision Pro operating system and the AFS Vector Pro receiver. These elements allow users to configure tractor management and precision farming functionality in the way they prefer. AFS Connect technology also makes it possible for remote display viewing of the tractor’s AFS operating screen by farm owners, managers and – with permission – the dealers supporting their equipment. This can help identify problems and allow deeper insight to be gained into how they are caused and how they might be addressed.
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| LAMMA
Andrew Symons South Molton, Devon EX36 3L T: 01769 574455
Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HL T: 01409 254040
Crediton, Devon EX17 1FB T: 01363 720430
www.andrewsymons.co.uk
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| Precision
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – A bird’s-eye view in agriculture By David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. AV technologies are becoming more affordable, increasing the feasibility of their use within smaller-scale agricultural ventures. Currently, the major focus of UAVs in agriculture is within the arable sector, with functionality in field mapping and crop assessment to improve yields. There is currently an increasing amount of research being performed on utilising UAVs for livestock management and other precision farming integrations which could benefit farmers in the future. What are UAVs? The term unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) covers a range of different remotely or entirely autonomously piloted crafts which are often referred to as drones. UAV refers to both more traditional fixed-wing aircraft, and also single or multiple rotorcraft, such as quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters. When considering a UAV for a particular use, it is important to consider the requirements for each application as specialised UAV are likely more suited to specific roles. For example, fixed-wing crafts can carry heavier payloads and can usually fly further and for longer. Alternatively, rotary-winged crafts have higher manoeuvrability and can be flown directly against the wind more efficiently as opposed to fixed-wing craft. Whilst initially UAVs were heavily used and
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developed for scientific and military uses, they are becoming more widespread with roles in areas including: mapping, search and rescue, agriculture, cargo transport, photography/cinematography, and environmental management. There are even proposals to use them in emergency health treatment. UAVs’ CO2 emissions when used to transport cargo have been assessed and are suggested, given the correct infrastructure, to be lower than current transport methods. As of February 2020, rotary based drones can be purchased with inbuilt high-quality cameras from as little as £369, making them far more accessible to hobbyist flyers. Companies are also working to develop new UAV to circumvent weight limits associated with drone registration restrictions in the UK. UAV legislation and restrictions in the UK Currently, UK legislation relating to UAV usage set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) falls into two categories: regulations regarding crafts less than 20kg, and those concerning crafts over the 20kg limitation. Operation of larger craft over the 20 kg weight limit, is subject to standard UK Aviation regulations and individuals planning to pilot them must obtain specific authorisations and permissions from the relevant authorities. For the lighter category (<20kg), the legislation is more specifically defined as they are less likely to cause airspace interference
issues. Any craft weighing between 250g and 20 kg to be used recreationally, must be registered by an individual or an organisation (£9 annual cost); operators must pass an online test (and renew this every 3 years); and the craft must be labeled with the operator’s assigned ID. Any failure to comply with these legislations can lead to a fine of £1,000. The CAA states that any business use of UAVs, regardless of size, is considered commercial. As such, commercial costs would be incurred when employing UAVs within the farming industry in the UK. (This parallels legislation in the US where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that any type of agriculture UAV use must be considered commercial.) In the UK, in order to obtain a commercial piloting license, an individual or organisation needs to gain ‘Permission for Commercial Operations’ (PfCO). Standard permissions allowing for commercial operations require a detailed operations manual and ‘National Qualified Entity’ (NQE) training (provided by a CAA approved trainer) to have been undertaken and passed (~£1,000). A fee must also be paid to the CAA per operator to register as a commercial pilot (£247) which is to be renewed annually (£130). Applicants must also have a compliant insurance policy (average cost between £600 - £1,000 annually). This leads to an initial cost of up to £2,247 with an annual cost thereafter of up to £1,130. In some
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| Precision
instances landowners, over whose land noncommercial operators may be flying, may also specifically request a PfCO; one example being The National Trust. The standard legislations of flight either as a non-commercial operator or on standard permissions for commercial flying have the following restrictions; • the aircraft cannot exceed 120 metres height above the ground • the aircraft must be more than 50 metres away from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure • the aircraft must be more than 150 metres away from any congested area (standard commercial operators are not bound by this) or open-air assembly of more than 1000 people. As well as these restrictions, there are expectations that pilots must maintain a visual line of sight (VLOS) throughout operations. Thereby UAVs, regardless of integration of a first-person camera feed, must be able to be viewed via VLOS at all times. In instances where first-person “goggles” are utilised, the operator must be paired with an individual who acts as a spotter throughout the flight to maintain VLOS. Where commercial flying is concerned, there are instances where exemptions, such as flying beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), may be requested via non-standard permission and sufficient evidence of competency to perform these operations safely are requested.
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Additional costs are likely to be incurred on the application for these. UAVs in Agriculture Early uses of UAVs in the agricultural sector have included remote sensing of arable crops and farmland status in general, usually to facilitate direct on-farm management practices. Previously, large-scale analysis of agricultural land has been reliant on satellite imagery which, in comparison to UAV-based technologies, can be slow to manifest, or temporally low resolution (meaning that images may be several months old), provide lower resolution imagery (particularly due to being blocked by clouds) and be linked to much higher costs. When used in remote sensing, drones can be fitted with red-green-blue (RGB) imaging equipment as well as multispectral cameras and near infra-red (NIR) sensors to fly over fields and assess several factors. Assessments can include; normalised differential vegetation index (NDVI) which allows determination of nitrogen contents of crops, water management via soil moisture content analysis, soil erosion evaluations and early indications of crop diseases. Other applications for crop management outside of the UK (due to current legislation bans) include the ability to integrate sprayers onto UAVs for remote applications of pesticides, insecticides or herbicides. Examples of software for crop-related UAV mapping currently include Dronedeploy and
Datamapper, both of which act as central apps to programme flight paths for accurate image collection and 2D and 3D mapping with inbuilt NDVI analysis. Both options also are linked to many accessory apps allowing utilisation of specific add-on technologies such as NIR. This enables functionalities such as assessing water pooling, integration of field maps and is even compatible with John Deere software for use in autonomous tractor controls or variable rate application mapping. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors are also available for UAVs and can add to the resolution of 3D mapping along with accurately assessing crop height and biomass. The advantage of utilising these technologies on farms, is the cost-effectiveness and ease with which the data can be gathered and analysed by farmers. Development of software that can output management actions in a straight forward manner, rather than purely numerical data being returned as is common, would add another level of convenience. In the past, UK farmers tend to have required the assistance of specialist companies to make management plans based on raw data, adding additional costs as each freehold is relatively small compared to the potential scope of the company resources. The majority of companies offering UAV farm analytics to farmers are based in Australia and the United States where large scale arable enterprises make this kind of service feasible.
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| Precision
Recently, however, there has been an increase in the availability of these services to UK agriculture. This was credited to have been initiated by the now-dissolved URSULA Agriculture Ltd based in Aberystwyth. Other than crop-specific applications of UAVs, there has been consistent discussion, throughout multiple review articles on precision farming, relating to UAVs for proposed roles in livestock management. Whilst research in this area is in its infancy, several aspects are being assessed including; visual detection and identification of livestock (for counting and monitoring location), herding of livestock, treatment of livestock (spraying ectoparasites) and evaluating feeding. With regards to counting, one company has utilised automatic object detection algorithms to produce an app (now available) which can take pre-programmed flight paths over fields and count sheep. UAV technologies such as multispectral lasers, used for evaluating and inspecting buildings, could be mounted to agricultural UAVs in the future to concurrently inspect farm infrastructure in addition to other farm activities. Research into animal behaviour response to UAVs may also offer the potential for a ‘scarecrow’ effect in protecting crops or even livestock from predators during vulnerable periods such as lambing or calving outdoors. With regards to outdoor lambing and calving, integration of thermal imaging onto drones could assist in overnight monitoring of livestock, reducing farm labour and increasing animal welfare. Thermal imagery, independently of UAVs, is currently in advanced testing for use in determining livestock illness and, could, therefore, be easily integrated into UAV systems in the future. One area which could benefit livestock, as well as precision farming in general, with regards to UAVs, is their use as a “data mules”. This involves carrying a recording device to collect data transmitted from other smart-
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connected devices across a farm during flight. Whilst technologies such as low-power widearea networks (LPWAN) including LoRaWAN are currently of interest for use in agriculture, the topography of certain regions makes their coverage incomplete and UAVs could act to bridge these gaps in the signal, potentially offering higher speed transfers due to reduced distances and power needs. Trials have suggested this to be possible with UAVs reading data transmitted from cattle ear tags with little to no significant effects on animal welfare/behaviour. Research is also currently ongoing in utilising this principle of detecting animals with “tags”, whereby the UAVs note their GPS location during communication to provide tracking of animals and monitoring of movement patterns of herds. This prospect allows tags to remain dormant until contacted by the drone using significantly less battery power than current alternative livestock GPS monitoring devices, thus they can be placed on livestock for months or years. Obstacles of UAV use in Agriculture The main obstacles to overcome in the future use of UAV technologies in agriculture include: evidencing the cost-effectiveness of the direct outputs to farmers generated from information gathered from UAV systems, overcoming the current lack of tailoring of software to UK farming requirements and maximising potential whilst working within current legal limits. Data need to be integrated into whole-farm precision systems and translated into actionable outputs that don’t require the assistance of specialists and their associated costs. Particularly where research into use in livestock management is concerned software systems are essentially not present and therefore need to be built from the ground up with farmers as a target operator if they wish to be successful. It is essential to get farmers involved with these technological developments at this early stage. This would mean they can influence the outputs to be most
beneficial practically on farms. Despite the increased availability and accessibility of UAVs, current regulations regarding their safe and legal flight make their application in many scenarios difficult. Where an agricultural application is concerned, this often involves covering large distances, with farm size averages for Wales at 49 hectares and England 86 hectares. Analysis of UAV flight patterns with the requirement for VLOS shows that over 3 times more flights are required compared to flying BVLOS. The agricultural sector will, in future, be in a position to present significant evidence to the CAA of the benefits of regularly flying BVLOS. Alternatively, they could petition to have specific agricultural-related mitigation to UAV legislation, in order to manage widely distributed mountain grazing herds or to assess upland vegetation, for example, dominant species such as Molinia and bracken which are subject to significant control strategies. Summary The use of UAVs in the agricultural industry is an ever-growing area of interest with current applications largely focused on arable management practices. Here in the UK, we are lagging behind many other countries in our adaptation of legislation surrounding UAVs, which could be limiting the prospects of many innovative agricultural enterprises. Whilst drone systems themselves are becoming ever more cost-effective and able to be integrated with an increasingly wide range of bolt-on technologies, the ease and specificity of the software accompanying these for normal agricultural use are somewhat limited. Particularly here in Wales due to the topography of many Welsh hill farms and widespread grazing, UAVs offer a potential solution to the evaluation and management of areas which are difficult to access and assess, as well as a potential reduction in negative compaction of land and other environmental detriments of utilising other vehicles.
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| Precision
Skippy Scout is a mobile phone app that flies drones autonomously to capture and interpret images of crops
Drone’s eye view without eye watering costs Hundreds of excited farmers and agronomists who have been on a waiting list will soon be the first to use a new crop monitoring app. kippy Scout, the mobile phone app developed by Drone Ag uses artificial intelligence to offer guidance on crop health, pests and weed control. Following its launch, and gold innovation award at LAMMA, Skippy will be available for farmers to buy from March 2020. The crop scouting software, which significantly reduces the time it takes to monitor and evaluate crop problems, will be available to farmers for as little as £30 per month. “Over 300 early users worldwide tested version one of the software in 2019,” says Drone Ag founder, Jack Wrangham. This has created a waiting list for version two, which will be available on 1 March. In just one year Drone Ag expects to subscribe over 1,000 users in the UK alone. 2021 and 2022 will see further launches in the USA and Africa with a projected 10,000 users worldwide by 2023. Skippy Scout is an autonomous software package that flies drones to points plotted by
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the farmer using a normal mobile phone. Mr Wrangham says: “Farmers do not need to have prior understanding of drones or the ability to fly a drone because the software will do it all for them. Skippy users will use maps on their phone to simply touch the points in a field they want to see images of. The drone flies to these points and sends the images to the phone. Once delivered, the artificial intelligence in the app analyses the images and provides data on green area index (GAI), pests and weeds.” A single user software license is available for £30 per month which is less than the average mobile phone contract. There is also relatively little investment needed to buy a suitable drone. “A Mavic Mini is a perfectly suitable drone for crop scouting and can be bought for just £450. This would make the annual use of Skippy £810”, says Mr Wrangham. A key benefit of the Mavic Mini is its weight. “At just 249 grams it falls one gram below the threshold for registration,” explains Mr Wrangham. Drones under 250 grams do not
need to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority which will save farmers time and hassle with paperwork. “All you need is your smartphone and a drone. When you register for Skippy you can be in the air monitoring your crops on the same day,” explains Mr Wrangham. Skippy Scout is an autonomous software package that flies drones to points plotted by the farmer using a normal mobile phone Drone Ag has also considered the likelihood that the drones may be damaged. A partnership with drone specialists Heliguy means that Skippy Scout users will be offered replacement drones, and repairs to damaged drones. “It is important that farmers don’t experience significant downtime with any piece of farm machinery and drones should be no exception,” concludes Mr Wrangham.
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| Tyres
Top BKT agricultural tyres on display at FIMA Starring at the joint stand of BKT and San José Neumáticos (Hall 7 - Stand B/10) are the AGRIMAX products for tractors as well as a selection of trailer tires including the brand new V-FLEXA KT and San José Neumáticos will not miss the two-yearly trade show FIMA, a major farming event in Spain. The Iberian market has such an importance for BKT that the company became Official Global Partner of LaLiga in August 2019 for the purpose of increasing BKT’s brand awareness and of deepening users’ knowledge. By speaking through the emotional language of sport, BKT
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actually aims at staying by users’ side even in moments of fun in their free time. This is why there will be a special guest at the stand: Fernando Morientes, Ambassador of LaLiga and football champion – a brilliant player in several European championships. The farmer footballer will be at the stand on Wednesday, February 26 giving an exclusive interview that the audience can follow live and signing autographs for all of his fan. Not to be missed as well is the opportunity to
take home an extraordinary selfie: visitors can enter the Photobooth and take a picture of them with the true LaLiga trophy to enjoy a precious memory of a special FIMA edition - a mix of sport and agriculture. BKT is a renowned brand that is appreciated by the Spanish farming market - above all thanks to its tires, which have gained a wide reputation. The company and its distribution partner for the Iberian Peninsula, San José Neumáticos, will display a tire selection at the trade show.
Farmers warned to tread carefully on wet ground Extreme winter weather has left fields extremely wet or waterlogged. Using heavy machinery in wet conditions increases the risk of soil compaction so farmers are being advised to adjust tyre pressures or risk causing irreparable damage. ichard Hutchins, agricultural tyre specialist for Continental, warns of widespread soil damage if farmers do not set the correct tyre pressures for wet ground. “Farmers should be looking to set the lowest possible pressures for field work. The severe winter has waterlogged many fields which will take weeks or months to dry out fully. If heavy machinery needs to be used for cultivation or drilling then farmers can reduce the risk of soil compaction by choosing the correct tyre pressures,” he says. Establishing the load of the vehicle is critical to establishing the correct tyre pressure. Technical data sheets are available from most major manufacturer
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websites, but Continental has also introduced a new mobile app. The ‘Agriculture TyreTech’ App is now available for iOS and Android. Using a database of all available Continental tyres, the app is able to cross reference the properties of the tyre with the load of the vehicle and recommend the best tyre pressure. “The app is an easy way for farmers in the field to see what pressure their tyres should be based on the axle load of their machine,” says Mr Hutchins. Adjusting the pressure of a tyre changes the footprint which allows the weight of the vehicle to be spread over a larger surface area. “If the tyre pressure is lowered in wet conditions, the operator will achieve greater grip, be able to operate more efficiently and the tyres will travel over the land with
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less resistance, which will reduce the risk of soil compaction,” explains Mr Hutchins. The correct pressure for tractor tyres is dependent on the load and speed required to carry out the required task. Not using the correct pressure is a major cause of soil compaction. It can also damage the tyre, lower work rates and increase fuel consumption. “Government pressures and environmental concerns about soil health can, in part, be addressed by accurate use of machinery to reduce compaction. Continental has invested €2.5 million in an agriculture-focussed research and evaluation centre to develop tyres that help meet these concerns,” concludes Mr Hutchins.
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| Tyres
Goodyear Farm Tyres secures new UK distributor One of the UK’s fastest growing tyre retailers, Protyre, has become the latest distributor of Goodyear Farm Tires.
art of the Micheldever group, Protyre has 20 agricultural centres across the UK. The Micheldever Group has renewed a long-standing relationship with the iconic Goodyear Farm Tires brand, which returned to the UK and European markets at the end of last year. High customer interest has already been reported from Protyre outlets in areas such as Cumbria, Pembrokeshire, Derbyshire, Bristol and Essex.
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Matt Richardson, Agricultural Sales Manager for Micheldever Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have teamed up with Goodyear Farm Tires once again. “I’ve been with the company for well over 30 years and fondly remember the times when we worked with Goodyear on the agricultural side previously. “The two things that stood out then were that the products were always very reliable and durable and they had a very knowledgeable and dedicated team. It’s early days but the same characteristics appear to still be true of Goodyear Farm Tires now, which is fantastic.” The new range of Goodyear Farm Tires complements the current radial portfolio. It includes 85, 70, 65 and XL Tractor Drive Radials, as well as specific designs for sprayers, harvesters and industrial applications. Plans are already in place to expand the offering over the next 18 months. Matt added: “After an absence from the agricultural market, it would have been easy for Goodyear Farm Tires to have initially come back with a limited range of products and sizes but that isn’t the case. “There is a good range of tyres which suit
the modern farming needs and it’s exciting that there are plans for the range to grow further over the coming years. “We have had a lot of interest in Goodyear Farm Tires from farmers right across the UK and it bodes well for a very positive year.” Lindsay Hart, European Tyre Sales Director for Titan International which has been responsible for Goodyear’s return to the UK and European markets, said: “This is an extremely positive step for us towards growing our market share in the UK. “Not only does the Micheldever Group have a very strong reputation, it also provides fantastic coverage across the UK so we look forward to working closely with them to get Goodyear Farm Tires to the end user. “Our distribution network is constantly growing and we are always looking to build on that strong foundation.” Titan International has been manufacturing Goodyear Farm Tires in America for more than a decade and has recently purchased the licence for the European and UK markets. It has also made a significant investment in new plant and equipment to manufacture tyres specifically for the European market.
Michelin AxioBib 2 tyres prove the perfect fit for Flawborough Farms’ UK-first Horsch sprayer Flawborough Farms is getting the best from its next-generation Horsch sprayer after switching the original equipment fitments for a set of Michelin high-technology agricultural tyres. he family-run business, in Nottinghamshire, took delivery of the UK’s first Horsch Leeb 8.300 PT last summer. The sprayer arrived as a prototype from Horsch’s headquarters in Germany fitted with a competitor’s rubber, but Flawborough Farms has since switched to Michelin VF 650/85 R42 AxioBib 2 183D tyres to unlock the machine’s maximum performance. Supplied and fitted by Michelin Exelagri dealer Bush Tyres, the large high-flotation tyres are designed to provide excellent traction for high-horsepower heavy farm machinery. They can run at very low pressures, minimising soil compaction and crop damage in the field. Tom Hawthorne, Partner at Flawborough Farms, says: “The AxioBib 2 was the best tyre available to do the job we needed. I wanted a tyre that can carry the most weight and acts as a very good flotation wheel, but also one that I can use as late as I dare when growing the crop. “This AxioBib 2 is the biggest tyre we can have, without going too crazily wide for the road or for the crop in the field. We do have to move to a narrow row-crop wheel eventually, but we want to keep this tyre on as late into the
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spring as possible, so the 650 width is ideal. “Because these tyres are so tall, they give me the clearance I need when spraying the crop. They can carry heavy weights at very low pressures, while the speeds they can give me are as good as you can get.” The Horsch Leeb 8.300 PT is being used for spraying Flawborough Farms’ combinable crops, including wheat, barley, beans, hybrid rye and maize. It is fitted with an 8,000 litre fertiliser tank and a 36 metre boom. Despite the wet weather in recent months restricting its use, Hawthorne is delighted with how the sprayer has performed since pairing it with its Michelin AxioBib 2 fitments. The tyres benefit from Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology and can carry considerably more weight than standard farm tyres – making them particularly desirable given the increasing weight of modern farm machinery. “I’ve been brought up on Michelin. They are a premium product but, when you factor in the longevity and reliability they deliver, they work out to be very competitive in our experience,” adds Hawthorne. “We also get great support from Michelin. Our local account manager comes out to visit us regularly, weighing the tyres, setting them
up and making sure everything works as it should. We’re a big Michelin farm and have never been let down.” With more than 15 years’ experience in contract farming, Flawborough Farms has expanded steadily and now manages a substantial acreage around the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire borders. For more information about the range of Michelin farm tyres available visit http://agricultural.michelin.co.uk or tweet @MichelinAgriUK
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| Forestry
Forestry Commission uses aerial photography to create forest & woodland maps The Forestry Commission has revealed how it is using the latest aerial photography to manage and regulate public and private forests in the UK. upplied free at the point of use by Bluesky and Getmapping under the Aerial Photography for Great Britain (APGB) contract with the Geospatial Commission, the high resolution imagery is widely used across the organisation. Hosted in the cloud and delivered via web services the regularly updated photography is used to complement Ordnance Survey mapping, provide contextual detail for mapping and analysis tasks and in the creation of 3D visualisations to communicate woodland management projects. As network and GI technologies have improved and more data has become available the Forestry Commission has embraced the cloud. This allows it to deliver the APGB imagery, alongside other types of geospatial data, to users in all parts of the business. The imagery can be viewed by all staff within the organisation via a simple to use web browser; Forester Web. Sitting alongside Ordnance Survey mapping, the photography is used for a wide range of purposes, providing real world context and detail for grant applications and felling permissions, for example. Tree Health staff use the imagery both at the desktop and in the field on portable â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;toughbooksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for mapping outbreaks of diseases and issuing Statutory Plant Health Notices while Landscape
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Architects create 3D visualisations to assess and promote more complex woodland management proposals. The aerial photography and data management tools provided in Forester Web are also used to verify and update spatial data relating to the management of the national forest estate. The APGB data is also used to update of the National Forest Inventory which provides up-todate information about the size, distribution, composition and condition of the forests and woodland in Great Britain. This information is essential for developing and monitoring policies and guidance to support sustainable forest management. As the world continues to focus on major environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, environmental degradation and resource depletion the NFI helps to monitor and regulate valuable woodland and forest resources. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands. The Forestry Commission works alongside two agencies in England; Forestry England which manages the public forest estate and Forest Research the principal organisation for forestry and tree related research across Great Britain. In Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry -
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also users of the APGB data mirror the functions of the Forestry
Commission and Forestry England.
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| Forestry
New trees planted at SRUC's Kirkton and Auchtertyre farms will be used to demonstrate the benefits of agroforestry
Branching out into agroforestry A hundred trees have been planted on upland research farmland run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to demonstrate the benefits of agroforestry. he half-hectare block of trees was planted in one of the improved fields at Kirkton and Auchtertyre farms in Perthshire after SRUC was awarded funding from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The site, on the floodplain of the River Fillan, will be used both for demonstration and research purposes, showing farmers and land managers how agroforestry – the integration of trees and agriculture on the same piece of land – can be introduced to a hill farm system without loss of productivity. Agroforestry can be used to
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mitigate climate change and floods and is beneficial for biodiversity and the landscape, as well as animal health and welfare. The trees at Kirkton and Auchtertyre, which are a mix of native species including alder, rowan, birch, oak, cherry and aspen, will provide shelter and shade for livestock, timber, improved drainage and soil conditions, carbon storage, and habitat for woodland invertebrates and birds. Each tree is individually protected by a net cage and has been given a handful of high phosphate fertilizer to help growth and a wool mulch to reduce competition from weeds. The cages will enable sheep to graze
the pasture between the trees without causing any damage. John Holland, an Upland Ecologist at SRUC’s Hill & Mountain Research Centre, said: “I have been wanting to have a demonstration plot of silvopastoral agroforestry on the in-bye ground at Kirkton for a number of years and now, thanks to funding from the Tree Planting Grant Scheme, we have been able to establish a small half-hectare block which we can use for demonstration and research purposes. “As the trees grow we will be able to show land managers the multiple benefits that agroforestry systems can bring.” Simon Jones, Director of Conservation and Visitor
Operations at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted to have helped fund this project through our Tree Planting Grant Scheme, which aims to increase tree cover in the National Park. “Planting more trees will help to improve and enhance our natural capital for the benefit of both people and wildlife – playing a vital role in our response to both the global climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis. “We hope that this project, which will showcase the varied benefits of agroforestry, will encourage farmers, landowners and land managers to consider tree proposals on their farmland.”
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| ATV
Suzuki ATV
Suzuki is the ATV of choice for Paul Childerley
Suzuki is delighted to announce well known estate manager and prominent Gamekeeper Paul Childerley as the latest Suzuki ATV ambassador. uzuki’s affiliation with Paul is through the supply of a KingQuad 500 to add to his existing fleet of Suzuki quads, which he will use to facilitate the management of over 30,000 acres of estates. The supply of the new KingQuad 500 is through Suzuki’s Authorised Dealer, MKM Agriculture, who have sold Paul his previous Suzuki ATVs. Coming from a family background of Gamekeeping, Paul was introduced to a wide variety of country field sports at an early age, but game and rifle shooting have come through as the true passions which he has turned into a career. Firstly becoming a gamekeeper then an estate manager and then Childerley Sporting was established in 2011 based in Bedfordshire, England. Childerley Sporting covers all aspects of game shooting over two well established estates. They manage over 30,000 acres of estates for the wild deer, managing the stocks to produce a healthy and balanced population. They are rated number one in the world for managing Chinese Water Deer. Paul said, “I have been using ATV’s throughout my career and have tried and tested every brand on the market but I have been
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running Suzuki quad bikes for over ten years with fantastic satisfaction and reliability for the job. I only put my name to products I truly believe in and this is definitely one of them. With day to day Gamekeeping duties, ATV’s are put through their working test as a fully loaded vehicle can be driven over a variety of terrain and in all weathers. Suzuki ATV’s are always reliable, easy to drive and comfortable to ride. Childerley Sporting gamekeepers and guides all use the ATV’s as an essential part of equipment for everyday work.” The Suzuki KingQuad 500XP has recently been awarded the status of best ‘ATV in its category’ in a media group test. High praise indeed and both Suzuki KingQuad 500 and 750 models benefit from a number of key features that make them a delight to ride. The classic Suzuki T-shaped seat is extremely comfortable for all-day use and the ergonomic riding position means that these machines are easy to handle and steer. The front suspension, steering system, power steering system, rear stabiliser, and the chassis frame all combine to deliver excellent straight-line stability as well as sure-footed handling when cornering and improved maneuverability. These improvements also make the machine easier to ride as shock
levels are reduced and less rider effort is required when travelling over diverse terrain. The super-smooth automatic gearbox also delivers proven reliability as well as strong engine braking for confident downhill travel. The Suzuki KingQuads also have a range of features such as additional storage compartments and a handlebar-mounted headlight, which directly contribute to enhanced usability and practicality. In addition, the multi-function instrument panel is easier to view and also includes a service reminder icon. Then, once the ATV is with an Authorised Suzuki Dealer for its service, the work itself has been made easier through the re-design of some body parts that make some components such as the fuel filter, easier to access. With its tried and tested products, Suzuki has carved out an enviable reputation for being the ‘go to’ brand for the supply of ATVs into farming and agriculture, as well as achieving notable sales into other markets such as land management and gamekeeping. Look out too, for some limited-edition colours, with the 500XP being available in white, camouflage and black and the 750XP being available in bronze and black, in addition to the standard red or green. For more information, visit: www.atv.suzuki.co.uk
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| ATV
Polaris
Polaris expands 2020 model year lineup with new youth model
Polaris Off Road, the world leader in powersports and off-road innovation, has expanded its 2020 youth ATV lineup with the introduction of the all-new Outlaw 70 EFI. elivering industry-leading safety features for the next generation of off-road riders, the Outlaw 70 EFI offers added safety features and benefits designed to grow with youth riders. “Polaris is committed to growing the off-road community, and it starts with putting the customer at the center of everything we do. This has never been more evident than in the release of this new model,” said Steven Menneto, president of Off Road, Polaris. “The Outlaw 70 EFI brings innovative safety features in a youth ATV that is designed to accommodate nextgeneration riders as they grow, providing peace
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of mind and long-term value that parents will appreciate.” The new Polaris Outlaw 70 EFI sets the new standard for younger riders. Designed for riders six-years-old and up, it is the latest addition to the industry’s largest youth vehicle lineup and replaces the best-selling Outlaw 50. The childfriendly ATV is equipped with advanced safety features for parents’ peace-of-mind, delivering convenient and reliable single-lever disc brakes, an enclosed engine, a parent-adjustable speed limiter and an industry-exclusive safety kit featuring a helmet, safety tether, training DVD and whip flag. Its 70cc engine suits a wider range of youth
skill levels and is complemented with a larger ergonomic design, which allows riders to continue to enjoy the machine as they grow. The Outlaw 70 also comes with electronic fuel injection (EFI) offering improved cold starts. Allnew styling and accessories include LED lights for improved rider visibility as well as front-andrear bumpers, a storage bag, windshield and a decal kit that allows kids to customize the machine and make it their own. The Outlaw 70 EFI is available in White/Red graphic options.
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| Motors
Pump action: Kier Rogers and his Mercedes-Benz Unimog
Kier wades in with his Mercedes-Benz Unimog as Storm Dennis floods hit Herefordshire Apple grower and cider maker Kier Rogers has been hailed a hero of flooded Hampton Bishop after using his all-terrain Mercedes-Benz Unimog to ferry neighbours to and from their cut-off homes and businesses. he proprietor of premium cider brand Colcombe House also delivered much-needed food and other supplies in his 28year-old U1700 over three long and hectic days as Storm Dennis battered the Herefordshire village. Hampton Bishop is situated between the River Lugg and the River Wye, which meet nearby. ‘Danger to life’ warnings were issued as both peaked at record levels – flood waters more than three-and-a-half feet deep rendered roads impassable and left residents stranded. Its plight made national headlines and Kier was also kept busy on two evenings, transporting villagers to meet and be interviewed by the TV crews and other media who descended on their local pub, the Bunch of Carrots. A long-term fan of the Mercedes-Benz brand, Kier bought his first Unimog 15 months ago. The truck undertakes a variety of tasks on his 400-acre holding on the banks of the Wye. He also plans to acquire a trailer next summer so he can use it to haul a proportion of his apples at the peak of their ripeness to a local pressing farm. The legendary Unimog combines outstanding cross-country capability with high road speeds compared to the conventional tractors that other local farmers deployed during the flood relief effort. Riding on 28in
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wheel rims shod with agricultural tyres for maximum traction off-road, Kier’s truck took all in its stride, fording stretches of deep water that even drivers of 4x4 SUVs dared not risk unless their vehicles were fitted with snorkels. “Wading would have been very scary in places,” recalled Kier. “But nothing stops a Unimog and mine performed brilliantly throughout. I was able to carry up to 10 people at a time, with hay bales in the back for them to sit on, and they were all very grateful. “I took one person to hospital, collected and delivered their thyroid tablets for another, and gave a lift to a gas fitter because the central heating had gone off at the home of a disabled child in the village. “I was out for 11 hours on each of the first two days of the floods, and it just went on and on. But I’m lucky enough to own a vehicle with exceptionally high clearance so was only too happy to pitch in and help my neighbours in their time of need.” Kier is a visionary horticulturalist who challenges conventional fruit growing practices and techniques. Customers for Colcombe House artisan ciders, which he launched in 2015, include some of the country’s bestknown Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants. Residents took to social media to thank him for his heroic contribution. “Many many thanks to Kier and his fellow tractor drivers,” wrote one. “I can honestly say I don’t know how all of
Heroes both: Kier Rogers and his Mercedes-Benz Unimog keep locals moving in Hampton Bishop
us in the village would have managed.” Meanwhile, mobile security specialist Serbus, which is based in Hampton Bishop, presented Kier with a ‘thank you’ hamper for ferrying members of its team to and from their place of work. “He really put himself out for us,” acknowledged Co-founder and Director Russ Ticehurst. “The offices were cut off but it was ‘mission critical’ that we reach them in order to manage and maintain our servers, so there was no interruption of service to our customers. Someone gave me Kier’s number and he picked us up and took us in. The hamper was just a small token of our gratitude.” He added: “We’re now reviewing our flood management arrangements and seriously contemplating buying our own Unimog.”
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| Motors
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| Motors
New Land Rover Defender 90 goes on sale following unprecedented demand for Defender 110 Order books for the Land Rover Defender 90 have opened following the successful launch of the Defender 110. New Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made and delivers 21st century connectivity with unstoppable off-road performance. he first Defender 110 models will be delivered to customers from spring this year with threedoor, short-wheelbase Defender 90 models due to arrive later this summer. Since its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019, Land Rover has experienced unprecedented demand for the new 4x4. More than 1.21 million people have configured a vehicle on the Land Rover website, and over half of those chose one of the four Accessory Packs.
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The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs give New Defender a range of distinct personalities. For the Defender 110, the Urban Pack – which includes a front undershield, bright rear scuff plate and metal pedals, plus a spare wheel cover – has been the most popular choice, selected in more than 35 per cent of the configurations that included an Accessory Pack, followed closely by the Explorer Pack. Finbar McFall, Land Rover Global Product Marketing Director, said: “We have experienced unprecedented demand for New Defender 110 and the official introduction of Defender 90 is
sure to boost interest. As the family grows to include an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain and commercial derivatives later this year, we look forward to continuing this success. If our experience with the Defender 110 is anything to go by, we can expect over half of customers to opt for one of the four Accessory Packs, making New Defender the most accessorised and personalised Land Rover we have ever produced.” The innovative Front Row Centre Seat (otherwise known as jump seat) allows three people to travel in the front row. Conceived and
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| Motors
designed as an occasional seat, the practical addition means the Defender 90 can accommodate six occupants in a compact family hatchback length body. When not in use, the seatback folds down to provide a front armrest and oddment stowage, including a pair of additional cupholders. Practicality is a hallmark of Land Rover interior design and the new Defender 90 comes with an abundance of storage opportunities including a choice of high and low centre consoles. New Defender is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948. The 110 and 90 body designs will be available as practical commercial models later this year while a
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highly efficient Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will also join the line-up. The iconic 4x4 embraces 21st century technologies and introduces Land Rover’s Pivi infotainment, which features an intuitive interface and its own back-up battery for always-on responses. Advanced software-overthe-air updates also ensure customers benefit from the latest software at all times, wherever they are in the world.
The New Defender 90 is priced from £40,290 in the UK and the Defender 110 is priced from £45,240. To configure and order yours online, click here: www.landrover.co.uk/Defender. Later this year, practical commercial derivatives will join the range priced from around £35,000 (plus VAT) in the UK.
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| Motors
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| Motors
New technology, new markets, same legendary off-road performance MW Motors Czech Republic are pleased to announce the arrival of the MWM Spartan. The Spartan range of Military Style SUVs are based on the legendary 4×4 Hunter platform provided by UAZ, Russia. EW TECHNOLOGY The MWM Spartan offers a 100% electric version. With battery packs from 56kWh to 90kWh & a suitably powerful electric drivetrain, the Spartan is the first electric car to come to market offering real world 4×4 capability. Since 1941, UAZ have been improving & perfecting their off-road capabilities. The combination of MW Motors electrification technology & the legendary UAZ 4×4 platform is a perfect match. NEW MARKETS The MWW Spartan range will for the first time bring the UAZ 4×4 platform to Right hand drive markets. The full range (100% electric & petrol models) will
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launch in the UK in Q2 2020. The electric version in Left hand drive will be introduced on a phased basis throughout Europe later in the year. THE NAME MWM Spartan perfectly describes this range of hard working, practical, minimalist, affordable & easy to fix vehicles. The range is designed for customers abandoned by large car manufacturers. Real 4×4 enthusiasts, the farming community, forestry workers, extreme activity fans & underground mining companies care about rugged, raw performance, not fancy interiors or accessories. Not everyone wants a high cost, high maintenance stallion. Some people need a workhorse. The Spartan range fills this niche.
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SUSTAINABILITY Environmental & economic sustainability go hand in hand. Other companies like to build mega factories but these have severe economic & environmental impacts. All that concrete & steel cause mega emissions. The UAZ / MW Motors co-operation allows for the use of existing world class UAZ factories & existing MW Motors finishing facilities in Europe. A
proven vehicle platform from UAZ is married with cutting edge electrification technology from MW Motors. This clever use of resources eliminates the carbon footprint associated with building new facilities, guarantees economic sustainability & delivers an affordable price for the end customer. For more information contact: spartan@mwmotors.cz
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| Motors
Touareg R - The world premiere Volkswagen is set to add a range-topping new premium model to its flagship Touareg line – the Touareg R. he versatile model’s 340 kW (462 PS) plug-in hybrid drive offers an innovative blend of superlative performance and electric efficiency. When the battery is sufficiently charged, the new SUV always starts in the all-electric EMODE for zero emissions. The battery capacity is designed so that the Touareg R can cover the average daily commute under electric power. Like all Touareg models, the new R version comes with permanent all-wheel drive (4MOTION) as standard. 4MOTION and the powerful drive system (700 Nm of torque) means the
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Touareg R has also been homologated for a maximum trailer weight of 3.5 tonnes. The premium model can cope with this maxi- mum trailer weight even in E-MODE. As the first plugin hybrid SUV in the world, the Touareg can also be fitted with the trailer manoeuvring system Trailer Assist. And yet another first: the Touareg will be available with Travel Assist for the first time. The premium model will be the first Volkswagen to boast assisted driving (automatic longitudinal and lateral guidance) up to a speed of 250 km/h. First R model with plug-in hybrid. The new flagship model was designed by the
Volkswagen R performance brand, which traditionally develops the sportiest models in the Volkswagen range. The Touareg R represents a par- adigm shift – it is the first Volkswagen R model to feature a plug-in hybrid drive. It is also the first time a hybrid model has been the most highly-pow- ered Volkswagen. The extremely well appointed Touareg R, which features the Black Style exterior design package along with 20-inch alloy wheels (Braga) and R-Line interior trim (including Vienna leather with crystal grey stitching), is set to enter the market in the second half of 2020.
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