July 2017 Farming Monthly National

INSIDE: AHDB Monitor farmer saves ÂŁ50,000 a year page 14

Farming

MONTHLY National

July 2017

Also in this issue...

News

| Project map is first of it’s kind in the UK page 07 Diversification

| Diversification and tax page 17

Soil testing is key Also inside this month..

Realise the value of healthy soil page 10

Paying too much for LPG? p41

Nitrogen App for drones p16

Never too old to learn p32

PLUS: Grassland | Cereals | Shows| Diversification | Machinery | Energy | ATV | Motors

Alternative income?...we’ve got it covered.

Farming Monthly National is the agricultural magazine published every month in print to farmers, landowners, estate managers, associated agricultural professionals and everybody with an interest in rural business throughout the UK. Also available as an associated digital edition (viewable on any device), the magazine not only reports on the latest news, developments and opportunities available from across the agricultural sector but in addition, reports on alternative income ideas and provides readers with possibly the largest regular farm energy/renewables section in the market.

The agricultural and rural sectors are ideally placed to invest and benefit from renewable energy due to their available resources and typically high energy bills. Solar power in particular has been embraced by these communities, with large numbers of farmers nationwide opting to install solar panels on suitable outbuildings, barns, poultry sheds, houses and other appropriate buildings, as well as landowners leasing sites for commercial-scale solar development.

Farming Monthly National provides a diverse source of information which can help farmers select the most suitable scheme to cut costs & increase profits and offers a selection of advertising opportunities to organisations wishing to do business within this sector. The editorial team are also interested in relevant news, including case studies, comments and technology updates.

Call us on +44 (0) 2476 353537, email sales@farmingmonthly.com or visit www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

The UK’s leading directly distributed, national agricultural magazine Subscribe today!

CONTENTS July 2017

FEATURES 07

12

11 Arable Soil acidity, blackgrass, Strategic Farms

16 Precision Reducing the cost of precision farming setup, nitrogen mapping

19

27 Grassland

32

34 Shows

Grassland fertilizer management

28 Cereals

Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire, Leicester

42 Muck & Slurry

Cereals 2017 delivers innovations to farmers of the future

Cut costs by making more of muck and slurry

17 Diversification Diversification made possible with LEADER grant, diversification & tax

18 Agroforestry Farmers share how trees have helped their business

19 Root Crops Potato planted area increase by 4%

22 Grain Grain storage: ensure you’re prepared

04 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

REGULARS 06 News Brexit demands leadership at every level

10 On Topic Soil testing is key for healthy soils

38 Energy AD & Biogas 2017

32 Education Education successes

48 ATV ATV news...covered.

52 Motors Latest motors news

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41

Agriculture. Covered.

EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com

Soil testing key to realising the value of healthy soil

p10

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Follow us For editorial, general enquiries or to advertise please call +44 (0) 2476 353537 or email sales@farmingmonthly.com Farming Monthly National is published monthly in the UK by Farming Monthly Ltd, 15-17 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5QJ Tel: +44 (0) 2476 353537 Printed in the UK No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

Whilst every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, the opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or publication. The Editor also reserves the right to alter or edit material as required and no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracies.

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ISSN 2044-0190 (print) ISSN 2044-0200 (digital)

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 05

| News

Badger vaccination restarts one year on Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has defied the odds to resume badger vaccination one year after vaccine supplies dried up. he Wildlife Trusts are delighted to announce that a scheme to vaccinate badgers against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is now underway again, one year after vaccine supplies dried up. In December 2015, the World Health Organization announced that there was a global shortage of TB vaccine for humans. This meant that The Wildlife Trusts had to suspend their badger vaccination programmes during 2016.

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The Trust’s pioneering approach to acquiring a vaccine has allowed other vaccination programmes across the country to restart Now a new supply of vaccine has been obtained by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust following several months negotiating supplies and obtaining permission from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to import the InterVax TB vaccine.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Chair and veterinary surgeon, Dr Sue Mayer, who secured the vaccine from a Canadian company has also been training twelve dedicated volunteers in how to use the new vaccine delivery system. Thirty badgers have already been successfully vaccinated, including twelve badger cubs, and the next round of vaccinations is due to start on Thursday 6th July. Vaccine from the same source was used to successfully vaccinate badgers in the Republic of Ireland in 2016.

Dr Mayer says: “Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to be leading the way across the country and vaccinating badgers against TB in 2017. UNICEF now say all country needs for human TB vaccine can be met so we wanted to start vaccinating badgers as soon as we could. Vaccination is a better solution than culling which research indicates can spread the disease further. It’s also cheaper and avoids the indiscriminate killing of healthy animals.”

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been carrying out the badger vaccination programme across Derbyshire since 2014 – working

06 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

with farmers and landowners and showing that a successful programme of badger vaccination can be achieved in partnership with the help of dozens of trained volunteers. DWT’s badger vaccination programme has been developed in close partnership with the National Trust, National Farmers Union (NFU), Derbyshire’s Badger Groups and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

The Trust’s pioneering approach to acquiring a vaccine has allowed other vaccination programmes across the country to restart, including those of Chester Zoo, other badger groups, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust have also obtained doses of the InterVax vaccine and will begin vaccinating badgers on a large area on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border imminently. Working with local landowners, they have now surveyed around 60 farms, over an area of more than 50km2. Traps

have been placed out on participating farms with the help of 40 volunteers in order to target badgers from around 20 active setts. Vaccination will continue until Autumn and will build on previous work which began in 2015 to build TB immunity in Nottinghamshire’s badgers.

BBOWT’s badger vaccination programme is resuming in early July, and will continue through the remainder of the vaccination season, which runs until November. Badgers will be trapped and vaccinated in a 15km2 project area around their nature reserve at Greenham Common in West Berkshire, before the team moves to the nature reserves in west Oxfordshire.

Defra is committed to securing vaccine for badger vaccination programmes in 2018 and Trusts will be discussing this renewed support this summer.The Wildlife Trusts are firmly opposed to the badger cull.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

Project map is first of its kind in the UK The country’s largest electricity distributor, is the first in the industry to launch an online map showing where over 100 miles of overhead cables have been undergrounded. he interactive project demonstrates the electricity company’s achievements in restoring many historic views across the countryside, showing where power lines have been undergrounded in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks.

The project map also encourages people to suggest which others power lines could be considered in the East and South East of England, where UK Power Networks delivers power (it also keeps the lights on in London where most electricity cables are underground).

Viewers can log on to learn about completed projects totaling 170km (under orange ‘pins’) and planned projects (blue ‘pins’). The map is constantly updated as projects are planned, started and finished.

The map was the result of UK Power Networks’ working in collaboration with Yes&Pepper, a London-based ideas agency.

The tool was built based on client-supplied

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information and continuous tests, with weekly calls and regular reviews in place for further development. The team managed to turn it around in ten weeks.

The inspiration for the project map came from the success of UK Power Networks’ existing power cut map, which enables people to see the progress to restore supplies after any power cuts throughout London, the South and South East of England. Since last summer, relevant customer tweets have been to the map in real time, and other power companies have started to follow its lead.

Jenny Carter from the digital team at UK Power Networks oversaw the map design. She said: “Ofgem encourages us to carry out undergrounding works in AONBs by providing special funding, but we wanted to take this one step further and share the positive impact this initiative has on the UK’s protected countryside, and engage further with local communities.

“We provide the expertise and manpower to underground these lines, allowing local

residents and tourists to fully appreciate the surroundings. Such work also increases the reliability of power supplies in the area and this map celebrates all that hard work. We’re looking forward to hearing what people think of it, and will continue to update and improve the online map in future.”

Ross Peet, managing partner at Yes&Pepper, said: “When dealing with large data, it’s vital for the information to be reported in a visual manner, to allow easy access and offer an overall understanding in a matter of seconds.

We’ve been working hand in hand with our client to build this innovative, user-centric project, always fine-tuning it for an optimal experience online. It’s been a real technical challenge for Yes&Pepper to pull everything together so quickly and accurately during testing, but the end result is incredibly efficient.”

See: www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/aonb/map.html

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 07

| News

Brexit demands leadership at every level, warns CAAV Brexit will accelerate changes that have been under way in agriculture for decades, and the industry must look ahead and adapt quickly to make the most of potential opportunities, say CAAV. rexit is a prompt to do many things we should be doing anyway, such as improving productivity and competing for world trade,” says Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. “This is the biggest peacetime task since 1945 and it’s a task that’s a lot bigger than the Government alone. If the industry wishes to take control of its destiny it requires effective and practical leadership at every level – from top organisations down to individual farming businesses,” he adds. “We need to analyse situations, develop ideas, and have direction to manage change effectively.”

At political level, there is a real drive for a more competitive economy, warns Mr Moody. “There is huge pressure for change – more challenges from the market and greater expectations on farming businesses. Area payments have held back structural transformation for years, so there is a lot of pent up change out there.”

Farmers will have to decide if they are commodity producers, and therefore focus hard on reducing costs of production and improving efficiencies, says Mr

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Moody. “If you can’t compete on price, then everything else is an opportunity: Adding value, niche crops, more segmented markets.

Farmers have formidably good collateral in land, so can raise the investment needed to diversify. It’s not part-time farming, it’s multifaceted earning.”

Historically, the CAP was not about the support payments to farmers that it has become, and there is no reason why the successor policy should simply be income payments, adds Mr Moody. “Policy and support can be tailored to fulfill future needs – it’s about how you operate the sector. We need to be looking at investing in marketing, innovation, the environment, research, and resilience.

“The CAAV is working closely with the Government in discussing future policy, while agricultural valuers are ideally placed to help farmers and owners review their businesses for the future challenges,” he adds.

“Our profession has always adapted to changing economic and legislative scenarios, whether that’s the introduction of Farm Business Tenancies, new tax regimes, or renewable energy options. There is going to be more demand for broadly based, practical professional advice

08 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

across the whole rural economy, and we must be at the cutting edge of any such developments to ensure we can deliver that.”

Jeremy Moody

For more information visit www.caav.org.uk

Cheese from Britain promoted in India for first time A selection of premium cheeses from Britain will be promoted in India for the first time ever in a bid to boost dairy exports. hoppers in Delhi will be offered tastings in supermarkets over the next two months as part of a series of promotional events across the city – with the first being held at the end of the month in the Food Hall stores.

The tastings have been organised by an Indian dairy importer and supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) as part of its new export marketing programme which aims to promote premium cheese around the world.

Jean Pierre Garnier, Head of Exports for AHDB, said: “We have chosen Delhi as the most appropriate city in India for this promotion as many shoppers there are used to international

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products and we already have a good market presence there.

“Obviously, we market in India mid-price products which sell at a premium against local cheese but are still affordable for a large part of the population.

“The Indian dairy market is the world’s largest and, although India is not yet one of our major outlets for cheese, the objective of this promotion is to support the longterm development in this country which has a huge sales potential.

The Indian consumer and retail scene is changing fast with an increased aspiration for imported food products on the back of growing incomes.

“This promotion will also help to develop our image as a producer of tasty, high quality and sophisticated cheeses in the face of fierce competition from other European countries.”

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| News

Smart water mapping and improving the market place for edible surplus GROW agri-tech business plan winners tackle real-world problems. ifting sub-Saharan farmers out of poverty by creating a market for their surplus and a water sensor that can create moisture maps from the air, were the two winning business plans at GROW - the UK’s agri-tech business plan competition. GROW was developed by Agri-Tech East to stimulate and support entrepreneurship in agriculture and horticulture.

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“There was a strong line-up of finalists who presented very innovative business concepts, we will look forward to following their progress” Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tech East, said that the entries this year were looking at global challenges: “Smart water use, enhancing data available for decision support and improving profitability by finding markets for

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edible waste were strong themes among the entries this year.

“Many were looking for partners and investors for pilot studies and this is where the agri-tech cluster in the east of England is particularly strong. Our membership includes investors, researchers and innovative farmers and for strong propositions there is a receptive environment.”

The keynote speaker was Robert Alston, Managing Director of Silfield Ltd and Board Director at Anglia Farmers. Alston is also chairman of AF Finance Limited, an agricultural pooled collective investment scheme.

Alston comments that for technology to be adopted by farmers it needs to be significantly better than what they have already, to offer the opportunity for them to differentiate their products, or to guarantee quality standards so they meet contractual requirements.

“You have to be able to adapt quickly in this market,” he says.

“You have to get something out there and prove it. It must be a

problem that is there for farmers now – not one that is only becoming a problem, which we might see further down the line.”

The GROW Judges’ Award went to Farming Data, a mobile trading platform that uses mobile money and SMS texting on a basic phone to allow smallholders and buyers to communicate and trade more effectively. “Local is the new global” comments co-founder David Godding.

For the first time the audience had an opportunity to tip their own winner with money from the ‘Bank of Agri-Tech East’. The audience choice was SoilSense, an aerial soil sensor that can provide a detailed map of moisture content of the soil - even through vegetation - for a whole farm, in minutes. The proprietary technology was first developed for detecting breast cancer tumours.

Smallholders grow 50 per cent of the world’s food and 40 per cent of global food production relies on irrigation – so the two organisations are providing solutions for a large unmet need.

Howard Partridge from Innovate

UK, sponsor of the 2016/17 challenge, said: “There was a strong line-up of finalists who presented very innovative business concepts, we will look forward to following their progress.”

“Many were looking for partners and investors for pilot studies and this is where the agri-tech cluster in the east of England is particularly strong” Dr Belinda Clarke, director of Agri-Tech East, thanked the participants and the judges.

“Thank you also to Innovate UK for its support, to the organisations that have provided support prizes and to Agrii who hosted the event at its Throws Farm Technology Centre.”

GROW is the UK’s only agritech business plan competition, established by Agri-Tech East to stimulate entrepreneurship in the industry.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 09

| On Topic

Soil testing key to realising the value of healthy soils Using a variety of assessment methods to test the health of soils, rather than relying on just standard nutrient testing, could reward growers with higher yields and greater profitability by helping make better informed management decisions on farm. any growers will regularly test crop nutrient availability to inform fertilising programmes, but this is only one basic step towards understanding the potential of soils.

Using a wider range of soil evaluation methods, including investigations into soil structure, soil organic matter and biology, will give a better indication of soil health and therefore help to improve farm-management decision making.

Growers attending a GREATsoils event at Honeydale Farm in the Cotswolds in June were shown simple and easy to use soil health testing methods that can be done by growers in the field.

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Dr Martin Wood, from Earthcare Technical who led the workshop said: “Soil health is as much about biology and structure as it is about the chemical composition. There are lots of simple testing methods that can measure soil health and we would urge growers to have a go at these and see what works for their growing systems.

“No one test is better than another and no one test will give you all the information you need to build a clear picture of your soil health.”

Factors which affect soil health include physical parameters such as soil structure; chemical parameters such as crop nutrient indices and soil organic matter content and biological parameters such as earthworm numbers. These can all be affected by the ways in which we manage our soils.

There is a range of soil assessment methods which vary in complexity, time input and skill.

Some tests can be run by growers on farm, including earthworm counts, water infiltration and visual soil assessment using a spade.

More adventurous growers could try out simple soil respiration and aggregate stability tests.

Other assessments require laboratory testing, including soil organic matter and nutrient availability tests.

Iain Tolhurst from Tolhurst Organic C.I.C who are looking at green manures as part of GREATsoils field work trials said: “The earthworm counting is a great way to assess soil health and one that can be learnt quickly by growers. I’m particularly interested in the respiration test we’ve been doing in this trial and the measuring of soil organic matter as it brings a more academic approach to the testing.”

Grace Choto, knowledge exchange manager at AHDB said: “The GREATsoils programme is informing and demonstrating the value of healthy soils to businesses through reduced input costs from fertilisers and irrigation use, to increased yields from healthier crops.“ GREATsoils (Growing Resilient, Efficient and Thriving Soils) is a programme funded by AHDB Horticulture to inspire and support growers to assess and manage the health of their soils.

There are lots of GREATsoils events planned around the UK throughout 2017. To find out more and to book your place, visit horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoils An information sheet is also available for growers which outlines soil assessment methods to download from horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoils

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

Soil acidity can seriously reduce crop yield and quality – plan your liming now!

Lime use data as reported in The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for 2016, has shown an alarming reduction in arable liming, as depicted in Graph 1.

his represents a 20% reduction against the previous 3 year average, equivalent to c.500,000 tonnes of ‘lime’!

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The latest 3 year averages (20142016) show just 3.4% liming in grassland and 7.7% liming in arable rotations; equivalent to liming grassland on a 30 year cycle and arable land on a 13 year cycle – this cannot be sustainable!

Furthermore, data collected via the PAAG surveys (2014-2016) from 530,000 soil samples showed 55% of grassland and 19% of arable land tested at, or below pH 6.0.

Routine soil pH testing is

required to ensure consequential loss of yield and quality is avoided by maintaining pH at an appropriate level for the rotation.

Ignoring soil pH and available calcium can prove to be a very costly mistake even in the short to medium term.

LimeX offers very fast acting (over 85% passing 150um sieve), but lasting pH correction in arable and grassland rotations, and can be used in organic farming systems. Furthermore, the integral nutrient package within LimeX contributes to maintaining soil fertility and increases available calcium.

For example, a ‘maintenance’ application of LimeX70 at 5/t ha will supply a minimum of: 50kg P2O5 35kg MgO 30kg SO3 typically these nutrients are worth c.£50 per hectare.

LimeX is available to order now for summer and autumn 2017.

These levels will impact significantly on the utilisation of costly N, P and K and other nutrients.

Table 1: The impact of low pH on macro-nutrient efficiency.

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July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 11

| Arable

Willingness to change is key to black-grass battle Admitting there is a problem and being willing to change farm practices accordingly is essential if growers are to get ahead of troublesome black-grass. o says Lincolnshire farmer Nick Wade, who after being inspired by a visit to the Hutchinsons National black-grass centre of excellence in 2014, has introduced several big changes across the 935ha of combinable cropping at Abbey Farm near Sedgebrook.

“When you work hard every day, it’s never easy to be told you’re doing something wrong, but sometimes it’s what’s required.

“To tackle black-grass effectively, you’ve first got to admit there’s a problem and be prepared to change what you’re doing, which can be hard. Our visit to Brampton was a breath of fresh air and gave us just the motivation needed.”

Identifying the problem Land at Abbey Farm is predominantly Evesham and Denchworth series heavy clay, which until three years ago was mostly down to a simple winter wheat and oilseed rape rotation established early using deep cultivations.

Mr Wade admits the approach was “ruinous” for black-grass, and confirmation of RRR resistance to ‘fop’ and ‘dim’ chemistry, threestar resistance to ALS inhibitors and some pendimethalin resistance, gave added impetus for action.

His visit to Brampton was the catalyst for several changes, with particular focus on reducing cultivation depth and spring cropping.

Shallower cultivations There has been a big move to shallow cultivations where just the top 50-75mm (2-3”) of soil is moved to create a “kill zone” for blackgrass and avoid burying seed for future years or bringing up old seed from deeper in the profile.

Two main machines are used for this; a 5.5m Simba X-Press or 6m Horsch Terrano fitted with A-shares and press.

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Mr Wade has also converted his Simba Freeflow drill to minimise soil movement by replacing the pigtail tines with Weaving Sabre low disturbance tines, reducing the number of coulters and removing the front loosening tines.

The machine now has the same effect as his Weaving Big Disc drill, with a noticeable drop in black-grass emergence post-drilling.

Subsoiling has been reduced, although mole ploughing is used more widely as part of an ongoing drainage improvement programme. This is accompanied by more attention to reducing compaction with low ground pressure machinery and restricting vehicles to tramlines wherever possible. Around a quarter of the farm receives organic manures each year to further improve soil structure.

Delayed drilling The heavy soil has not traditionally lent itself to late drilling or spring cropping, but this has not prevented Mr Wade venturing down this route.

Prior to 2014, winter wheat was typically sown from September to mid-October, leaving no time for stale seedbeds and increasing reliance on in-crop chemistry.

Autumn drilling is now a month or so later as Mr Wade is keen to establish two black-grass flushes before sowing a crop. He is also much more willing to adapt cropping according to weather, black-grass pressure and soil conditions.

The increased area of spring cropping from 14ha three years ago to 223ha this harvest (principally spring wheat and beans) aids later drilling, he says. Spring cropping is the ultimate form of delayed drilling and the later maturity of spring crops helps dry soil longer into the summer which facilitates later drilling of following crops, he says.

“Spring wheat might be six or seven weeks later to harvest than oilseed rape, so it’s taking

moisture out of the ground later into the season and is making a real difference.

“The gross margin can be similar to oilseed rape or first wheat, so there’s no panic if we don’t get land drilled in the autumn.”

Competitive crops After seeing work at Brampton, Mr Wade has adopted higher seed rates to boost competitiveness of winter and spring-sown crops and compensate for any lower establishment from drilling later.

Winter wheat is sown at 360-450 seeds/m2, winter barley around 500/m2 and spring wheat up to 550/m2.

He favours spring wheat over hybrid winter barley largely because the cost of hybrid seed makes it prohibitively expensive to sow at such high rates. Spring barley is another option, but gross margins are low for feed barley and spring wheat straw is also easier to chop behind the combine, he notes.

“We’re getting 70-75% establishment where spring wheat has gone in well, with yields of 3t/acre-plus, so I see a massive future for it, especially if we reduce the oilseed rape area in future.”

Cultural black-grass control is supported with a robust pre-emergence strategy, based around flufenacet, diflufenican and prosulfocarb. Avadex is also applied by a contractor to all first wheats and barley, removing the need for post-em sulfonylurea chemistry.

Mr Wade stresses the long-term effectiveness of black-grass control relies on willingness to change and close cooperation between all parties involved, including his Hutchinsons agronomist Andrew Wright and farm staff.

“We took our main tractor driver to Brampton and now he’s fully behind what we’re trying to achieve.”

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| Arable

AHDB to roll out Strategic Farms for arable growers AHDB has revealed plans to roll out a series of Strategic Farms for arable farmers as part of its Farm Excellence Platform. ormer Stowmarket monitor farmer Brian Barker has been selected as the first strategic arable farmer, with two further commercial farms being added in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Each Strategic Farm will run for six years to allow independent research to be conducted across a full rotation. Approaches showcased at the farms will be subject to full cost-benefit analyses to help farmers assess the potential for adoption on their own farms.

Strategic Farms, therefore, harness the proven benefits of ‘farmer-to-farmer’ learning to accelerate the uptake of knowledge and innovation to make the industry more competitive in the global marketplace.

Tim Isaac, AHDB Head of Knowledge Exchange (Cereals & Oilseeds), said: “We’re setting up these farms to make the connection between research and farming stronger.

“Monitor Farms play an important part but tend to look at issues on that specific farm.

Strategic Farms, however, focus on the broader strategic needs of the industry and use trialsbased approaches and sound economic data to fulfil those needs.”

Selected research findings and technical developments from AHDB and non-AHDB activity will be identified, tested and demonstrated at the Strategic Farms. Short-

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and long-term field and farm-scale trials will be exploited to generate evidence-based results.

Tim said: “To make strategic farms a success, we need to recruit the best. This means identifying highly respected individuals with excellent communication and presentation skills, who have experience of, and are willing to host, independent trials and demonstrations.

“Recruiting ex-monitor farmers helps us tap into well-established profiles and realise the full legacy value of the Monitor Farms.

“Eight out of 15 monitor farmers expressed an interest in becoming our first strategic farmer, showing how much they value being part of a network that creates and shares practical business data.”

Stowmarket Monitor Farm Brian Barker was selected to be first strategic farmer for AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds because of his impressive record as a monitor farmer.

The final meeting of his Stowmarket Monitor Farm takes place today (30 June 2017).

Brian said: “I want to build on the Monitor Farm project and look at the short- and longterm impact of decisions on my business.

“Understanding risk management is key, as is financial scrutiny of farm trials. As a host of a strategic farm, I want to make decisions that bring the best returns on investment. Most of all, I want to share my journey with others.

“Farming is a dynamic and ever-changing

industry. If you sleep, you get left behind. I hope this Strategic Farm will help the industry stay alert and remain profitable.”

One of the key reasons for establishing the new Strategic Farms is to reduce cost of production across UK arable businesses.

AHDB international benchmarking activity shows that many competitor countries in the grain market have lower costs of production compared with UK production.

UK benchmarking data also reveals a large variation in cost of production, with top performers experiencing lower costs (usually in machinery) and higher yields.

“We’re setting up these farms to make the connection between research and farming stronger” Each Strategic Farm will host three open events at key stages during the cropping year and will connect with local farmer groups, including Monitor Farms and Arable Business Groups. Information will also be promoted via AHDB’s digital channels.

The latest series of Strategic Farms is in addition to those already operated by AHDB – Strategic Potato Farms and Strategic Dairy Farms – which all look to provide robust evidence in a practical local setting to give growers the confidence to implement new ideas on their own farms.

Strategic Farms are part of AHDB’s wider Farm Excellence Platform, which inspires industry to improve performance and succeed through farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange.

Further information on the initiative will be published at cereals.ahdb.org.uk/strategicfarms

Improve knowledge of biopesticides to improve efficacy A lack of knowledge about biopesticides is leading to inefficient application by growers and reducing the success rates of integrated pest and disease management programmes (IPDM). o make application of biopesticides more efficient and effective, growers need to be provided with independent advice on which biopesticides to use under which circumstances and given more details on how they should be applied in practical situations.

Observation trials conducted throughout 2016 highlighted several opportunities to improve biopesticide performance through changes to application practices, based on improved understanding of the optimum conditions required for good performance of each biopesticide. This includes quantity of product used, quantity of water, location within the crop that should be targeted and other environmental parameters that could influence performance.

The trials were conducted as part of AMBER, a five-year project funded by AHDB with the aim of identifying management practices that growers could use to improve the performance of biopesticide products within IPDM. David Chandler, principal research fellow at University of Warwick said: ‘It was clear from our observation trials that there was a lack of understanding about how biopesticide efficacy is affected by factors such as population sizes of pests & diseases, environmental factors such as exposure to UVA and B and water volumes.

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More information needs to be given to growers on how to apply biopesticides in practical situations. This could be done through modifications to improve labeling” Joe Martin, crop protection senior scientist at AHDB said “In a survey we conducted as part of AMBER, we found that growers perceived biopesticides to be unreliable, however we believe this could be in part as a result of incorrect applications. We need to make sure growers are provided with as much knowledge as possible about the optimum conditions required for good performance of each biopesticide in order to identify potential improvements in application.”

Biopesticides are plant protection products based on living microorganisms, plant or microbial extracts, or behaviour-modifying substances and are a key part of a successful IPDM. Within the next 20 years, the number of biopesticide products available is likely to exceed the number of conventional chemical pesticides. Biopesticides are low risk products for human and environmental safety and many are residue-exempt, meaning they are not required to be routinely monitored by regulatory authorities or retailers.

Gracie Emeny, knowledge exchange manager at AHDB said, “There is a huge opportunity to improve biopesticide performance by helping to increase growers’

knowledge in this area. Clear guidance needs to be given to growers to help them get the best from biopesticides and improve their IPDM programmes, particularly as the conventional chemical options available to them continue to reduce. A key part of AMBER will be sharing knowledge and experience from the trials with growers and the industry to improve best practice guidelines.”

AMBER trials will now focus on developing practices that optimise biopesticide performance and will be tested on commercial nurseries.

A new website has just been launched to keep growers updated with all the AMBER project news. It also contains useful information for anyone looking to find out more about biopesticides. Visit bit.ly/AMBERproject

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 13

| Arable

David Blacker

Monitor farmer saves £50,000 a year AHDB York Monitor Farm host David Blacker has used the project experience to cut his business spending by more than £50,000 a year. avid Blacker told attendees at his final Monitor Farm meeting on 28 June that the radical changes he has made to his arable business over the last three years now save him £50,900 a year, compared with what he was spending before the project began.

The savings boil down to: • Reduction in diesel: £16,200 • Reduction in labour: £12,000 • Reduction in insurance: £6,000 • Stopping tractor hire: £5,000 • Reduction in fertilizer: £5,200 • Reduction in seed cost: £4,000 • Reduction in agronomy: £2,500 David said: “I’ve chipped away at every part of the business. What I’m saving each year is now bigger than my single farm payment.

“I’m hoping that the changes I’ve made will also lead to bigger yields and therefore lower costs of production.”

Over the past three years, the Monitor Farm programme has given David the confidence to continue making changes to his farm, for example cutting out

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second wheats from his rotation and establishing all his crops with a strip till.

Throughout the project David has run a number of on-farm tryouts to test theories and add local evidence into topical farming debates.

Compost From 2014 – 17 David applied compost at a rate of 35t/ha, costing him £157.5/ha per year, or £1,181.25 per field per year. He spread 140t/ha over the four years, with a total cost of £4,725.

During this time he has measured a half point rise in phosphate levels, a slight rise in pH and organic matter, and a slight increase in potassium levels on heavier land.

David said: “I’m slightly sceptical that the organic matter has gone up as much as the results say, as it could be due to semi-decomposed matter in the sample.”

Dr Liz Stockdale, from Newcastle University and a staunch supporter of the York Monitor Farm, was on hand to give expert insight into the discussions.

She said: “It’s important to look at how the land is working, as the measurable indices don’t give the

14 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

full picture. Looking at soil as well as analysing it is important to judge impacts.”

David agreed that he was slowly improving his seed bed and soil resilience – something the Monitor Farm group identified as an opportunity in the very first Monitor Farm meeting in 2013.

Liz had more options for David to consider: “You may be able to lower the compost application rate going forward. The positive impact of compost may not be linear, so you could have more than half the impact with less than half the application rate.”

A biomass map showed that the crop grown on land treated with compost was this spring bigger and healthier than other fields on the farm which had not had compost.

David said: “The main caveat, however, is that I haven’t seen any yield increase yet from using the compost with the same N application. So this year I’ve decreased my N usage to see if I can achieve the same yield but with less N. “If I can get a cheap supply then I will carry on using compost to help improve the soil structure. It all depends on the price of the

compost, however.”

All the meeting reports from the York Monitor Farm can be found at cereals.ahdb.org.uk/york Monitor Farms and Farm Excellence Platform AHDB Monitor Farms bring together groups of like-minded farmers who wish to improve their businesses by sharing performance information and best practice around a nationwide network of host farms. AHDB organises and facilitates Monitor Farm meetings for farmers, who own and operate the scheme – by farmers, for farmers. Monitor Farms are part of the AHDB Farm Excellence Platform. The Farm Excellence Platform inspires industry to improve performance and succeed through farmer-tofarmer knowledge exchange.

Monitor Farm benchmarking groups use Farmbench – AHDB’s new whole-farm benchmarking tool. For more information, visit farmbench.org.uk.

To find your nearest Monitor Farm visit cereals.ahdb.org.uk/monitorfarms.

For more information on your AHDB Farm Excellence Platform contact your local Knowledge Exchange Manager.

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| Grain

Contact your nearest dealer: Central Cropsprayers Limited Unit J Sandford Industrial Park Whitchurch Shropshire SY13 2AN 01948 840187 www.centralcropsprayers.co.uk

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Agratech NW Ltd Unit 8 Dale Mill Burnley Road East Lancashire BB4 9HU 01706 211399 www.agratech.co.uk

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 15

| Precision Farming

Precision Soil Mapping: Reducing the cost of precision farming set up The benefits of precision farming (PF) – reduced input costs, more efficient seed and fertiliser use and higher yields – when compared to conventional farming are now well known. However, the perceived high cost of entry into PF has long been a barrier to entry for some farmers.

PF are partners in a project that aims to make financial entry into PF more affordable whilst not compromising on the high resolution data required to produce meaningful soil management zones.

This large-scale collaborative project aims to integrate IPF’s satellite data with the UK’s most comprehensive soil datasets, held by Cranfield University and the James Hutton Institute, to produce Great Britain’s first ‘precision soil map’. The resultant map will present an economically viable alternative to the current labour intensive methodology of soil surveying and represents a very exciting opportunity for arable and vegetable farming to embrace precision farming. Growers will be able to increase yields with lower input costs and reduced environmental impact.

IPF have played a key role in the project since it began in September 2016. IPF’s first task was to provide the project with detailed soil survey data on at least 20 farms covering England, Wales and Scotland. Some existing soil data has been utilised and we have

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conducted surveys for the project to ensure that farms cover a good geological and geographical spread. This data is being used by scientists from Cranfield University’s Soils and Agrifood Institute, who are leading the modelling element. Cranfield are working together with the soils team in the James Hutton Institute in Scotland.

Max Dafforn, IPF UK’s General Manager, said: “When soil brightness technology arrived five years ago it represented a real breakthrough in terms of farmers joining the precision farming revolution. Approximately 40% of our current customer base has now been zoned using soil brightness, and it is becoming an increasingly popular choice as farmers look for lower cost entry into precision farming. We were keen to be a part of this project as we believe the combination of new satellite technology with traditional soil survey data offers the best approach for farmers looking for an affordable way to zone their fields ” The project recently featured on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme and has attracted considerable attention via several

published articles.

Turn over to see the new digital terrain model created as part of Stage 1 of the project. This model, created using OS data will be used alongside soil brightness to produce more accurate zones.

Once zones are created using a combination of soil brightness and topography information as shown above IPF will be able to interrogate Cranfield’s ‘Wall of Soil’ model. This is the second stage of the project which is currently in progress. The Wall of Soil contains characteristics such as texture, depth to rock, available water, organic matter and many more.

The model will work by automatically populating the new zones with this soil information. We expect that there will be a trial version of the model available in October.

PrecisionHawk and Leonardo launch Absolute Nitrogen Content App for drones PrecisionHawk, a leading aerial data company, and Leonardo, a multinational high-tech security company, have collaborated to deliver to customers a new algorithm that automatically detects wheat nitrogen levels from drone-collected imagery. The Absolute Nitrogen Content app is available to the public in PrecisionHawk’s Algorithm Marketplace. s supply expectations shift during the season due to planted acreage, weather, and growing conditions, drone technology can give growers a precise assessment of what a field actually needs, impacting the bottom line,” said Patrick Lohman, PrecisionHawk VP of partnerships. “By partnering with industry leaders, like Leonardo, PrecisionHawk is continuing to push the boundaries of how drone data can be utilized across commercial applications and made available to growers around the world.”

“Leonardo is making use of our years of experience in taking big data and turning it into useful, actionable intelligence for our security customers.” said Stewart Miller, SVP of Support

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and Service Solutions UK at Leonardo. “We’re excited to be exploiting our know-how in the form of Absolute Nitrogen Content, allowing farmers to be more efficient and in turn improving the world’s food security.”

The Absolute Nitrogen Content app is designed to support variable rate prescription applications in wheat fields and uses imagery collected by multispectral sensors. Wheat growers and producers will be able to upload field imagery and select the app to

automatically view nitrogen levels in their crop.

Nitrogen fertilizer is a high expense for farmers, and this has resulted in increasing demand for tools that curb costs.

Drones are being adopted by farmers as a tool in precision agriculture to provide insights that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with current technologies. The additional field data can be used to conserve resources and increase efficiencies.

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| Diversification

Farm diversification made possible with LEADER grant A farmer with no previous catering or butchery experience was given the confidence to diversify thanks to a £16,000 grant from the LEADER Programme. ob Pratt runs Marbled Meats from his family farm in Northall, Leighton Buzzard, where he raises lambs and Wagyu cows. With LEADER support he is now able to process meat and sell from the farm gate.

“Our aim is to produce the best beef and lamb products possible, ones that taste better than those from supermarkets,” says Rob of he and his teams’ plans for growth. “If we can get that aspect right, then the fact that we have the animals from birth, and raise them and process them ourselves, gives our customers the confidence they want and need when buying meat products.”

It wasn’t always so for Marbled Meats, who previously relied on others for processing and selling their meat. In the knowledge that taking control of the whole

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process would give his customers the necessary confidence, he began to formulate plans for diversification. But with no previous sales or butchery experience, Rob was in need of practical and moral support.

“I knew about the LEADER programme and the support they offer rural businesses,” explains Rob, “so I got in touch and was immediately supported by the team. I wanted to purchase a catering trailer and to install our own processing facilities at our farm, and received a £16,000 grant in order to do so.

“The LEADER team were there every step of the way with me. It felt like they were on my side and wanted me to get the funding.”

Will Dallimore, LEADER Project Manager, said: “I am delighted a LEADER grant has had such a positive impact on this rural business to ensure its future growth and prosperity.”

Will added: “So, whether you are a farmer, grower, small shop owner, forester, member of a community group, or run a rural business of any kind, you could be eligible for a LEADER grant.”

With his farm now equipped with processing facilities and a brand new catering trailer with which to sell directly to customers at events, Rob has been able to hire an additional full-time employee, and another on a parttime basis.

“I wouldn’t have been brave enough to go through with it all if it hadn't been for LEADER,” says Rob. “LEADER gave us the confidence we needed. And when you have confidence in what you are doing and what you are selling, you are better able to interact with customers and get

more sales.”

Rob is in no doubt as to the role the LEADER grant has played in this development. “First, LEADER was our safety net, giving us the confidence we needed to dream big. Then, LEADER became our springboard, helping to take us to new heights.”

The LEADER Programme delivers grants of between £5,000 – £100,000 to support business growth in rural areas. Example projects eligible for funding include farm shops, farming & forestry machinery, glamping, local food initiatives, food and drink processing, and many more.

Funding is available for a limited time only, so get in touch to find out more. Call the team on 07802 411040 / 07375 019227 or visit www.leader-programme.org.uk

Diversification & tax Philip Whitcomb of Moore Blatch examines the issues surrounding diversification for farmers and loss of APR/BPR. t is a truth universally acknowledged that a man is not going to make his fortune from just farming. At least that is what John Doidge, a farmer near Alresford, recently said to me. John is what the man in the street would describe as a typical farmer. He has a small dairy herd, a few hundred acres of land, a mixture of old and new farm buildings and a four bedroomed farmhouse overlooking the Hampshire countryside. He hopes that his son, also called John, will one day take on the family business.

Yet despite this idyllic lifestyle, John is worried about the future.

With Brexit (hard or soft) comes uncertainty on future milk prices; whilst the Government has guaranteed the Basic Farm Entitlements to 2020 there is no guarantee that payments will continue after that date and it is not as if his current business is making huge profits to help him through the lean times. So John, like many farmers has decided to diversify. The plan being to convert

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the old farm buildings into possibly self-catering holiday lets or (if he can get planning) modern offices.

This all seems sensible planning to provide an additional source of sustainable income for the future of the farming business, but careful consideration also needs to be given to the tax issues surrounding diversification. In John’s case because of his age (69) and the desire to pass on the business to his son, inheritance tax and the availability of agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR).

John naturally assumed that APR would still be available on those farm buildings but this is not the case since they are no longer being occupied for agricultural purposes. Even if John was considering wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating units as a way to increase income the land would no longer qualify under the occupation test.

So, thoughts turn to BPR. Where business assets have been used within a farming business for at least two years before death, BPR at 100% is achievable. However, if

John is simply collecting rent each year, with minimal management, provision of services and costs being incurred by him, then it is likely that HMRC will deem this activity as merely rental and so deny the relief.

Working closely with the accountant and lawyer, careful thought needs to take place on the structuring of the activities to ensure that even if APR is lost, BPR will continue to apply. Firstly that there is a genuine trading activity, for example the power generated is being sold to the National Grid. Secondly, whether those PV and turbines are being owned and used within the business or held outside and merely used by the business. The former means 100% BPR is available and the latter only 50%.

Particularly where a farming partnership is involved the position is often murky and unclear as to whether assets are owned by the business or are in fact personal assets of the farmer and are merely used by the partnership. It is important for this to be clarified since the difference in inheritance tax payable can be significant.

Further advice then needs to be taken on whether the assets are incorporated within the business, or (for a partnership) held on separate capital accounts, perhaps in a different ratio to the capital of the main farming business and whether new documentation needs to be drawn up to ensure clarity on ownership and rights.

Finally, where the traditional farming business continues with diversification get advice on whether on balance “in the round” the non-trading elements of the business (holiday lets where little or no additional services are provided) will still qualify for BPR at 100% following the principles laid out in the Farmer & Giles case.

In order for farmers such as John to survive there is often a need for diversification to bring in an additional income stream.

However, that change of use may jeopardize the future availability of APR and BPR unless careful planning is done at the same time.

With the average age of farmers now in the late 60s there is a ticking time bomb for those who fail to get that advice.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Agroforestry

Agroforestry conference: farmers share how trees have helped their business 250 farmers, foresters, landowners and researchers have come together to learn more about some of the UK’s leading agroforestry systems, at a dedicated conference exploring the benefits and practicalities of bringing more trees onto farmland, and taking farming into forests. groforestry 2017 – an event hosted by the Soil Association, the Woodland Trust and the Royal Forestry Society – was inspired by evidence that agroforestry can boost productivity and sustainability at once. By mixing farming and forestry, a well-managed agroforestry system can produce 40% more than if they are separate.

Attendees at the conference heard how the need to tackle soil erosion and cope with climate change will make trees an ever more important ingredient for productive cropping and livestock farming. Speakers from France, Australia and around the world described how these practices are increasingly popular. British farmers who are already reaping the benefits of agroforestry shared their experiences.

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David Brass from The Lakes Free Range Egg Co. Ltd in Cumbria is one of those already implementing agroforestry on his farm.

Speaking at the conference he said: “At first, we were planting trees simply to encourage our hens to range, having recognised their inclination towards sheltered areas. But the benefits went far beyond that original motive and, as well as the undeniable improvements to the hens’ welfare, we’ve seen better soil water retention, more biodiversity and crucially a higher quality product.”

While the benefits of agroforestry seem clear and comprehensive, it is still unusual in the UK. One reason is because it is seen as a niche practice, but it could be boosted by more recognition and support for tree planting on farms in government policy.

Closing the conference Beccy Speight, CEO

of the Woodland Trust, said: “Agroforestry needs to be a mainstream component of a new fully integrated land management policy. The practical examples and robust evidence we have heard today of trees supporting farm businesses and new commercial opportunities are powerful tools with which to influence a new, post-Brexit policy. Collectively, we must secure polices that prevent trees on farms from continuing to fall through the cracks. We are calling on the Government to take a new and ambitious approach which tackles administrative blockages, harnesses innovative sources of funding and properly reflects the valuable interplay between trees, woods, forestry, farming and the environment.”

For more information about agroforestry, visit the Soil Association’s website.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Root Crops

Potato planted area estimated to increase by 4% AHDB Potatoes Market Intelligence Analysts estimate the total area planted with potatoes in Great Britain this season is 121,000 hectares. The figure was announced Monday 26 June during a public webinar. This is up by four per cent on the previous year, the same as 2014 and at a similar level to the area planted in 2012 and 2013. he increase in area in Britain matches similar estimates from across the channel. The Northwest European Potato Growers (NEPG), which covers Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK, estimated a combined increase of 3.6% for last month.

Despite area increase, final production figures will depend on the yield of potatoes per hectare. AHDB market analysts’ considered various yield scenarios, pointing to a likely rise in production. Amber Cottingham said: “A five-year average yield of 44.7 tonnes per

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“There is still a lot of growing time remaining in the season” hectare (t/ha) would see a production increase of four per cent. This average includes 2012, which was an extremely low yielding year due to adverse weather. If we exclude 2012 from the average it becomes 46.7t/ha, harvest at that rate would result in an 8% increase in potatoes on the market compared to the 2016/17 season.”

The season average price for potatoes in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, which each had a similar planted area to the estimate for this season, was £154 per tonne and £127 per tonne respectively. These season average prices include potatoes sold on a contract with

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retailers or on the open market, known as ‘freebuy’.

Ms Cottingham said: “There is still a lot of growing time remaining in the season, so nothing can be taken for granted at this stage. An increase in production of between four per cent and eight per cent might sound sensible, but if this season sees another record high-yielding year such as 2015 then production could be as high as 5.9 million tonnes. This would be 13 per cent up on the previous season. Although if weather events change dramatically and yields take a nosedive then production could still be as low 4.5 million tonnes, a 14 per cent decrease in production on the previous season.”

The estimate is produced using anonymised and aggregated data from levy payer's return forms, which is analysed through an ISO controlled process. Price and production figures are based on AHDB Market Intelligence figures, compiled through weekly communications with a sample from the market.

In August AHDB will update the estimate to include the varieties of potatoes grown and regional figures.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Root Crops

Tong launches new Fieldloader options for loads easier transport Tong Engineering is pleased to announce new design options on its popular Fieldloader, including unique automatic transport-mode features, allowing users to make the machine even more compact for road transport. esigned to provide effective in-field cleaning and bulker loading in one mobile machine, the Tong Fieldloader is a mobile system which allows crop cleaning and inspection to take place straight from the harvester with direct loading into bulker lorries for immediate distribution.

"Our Fieldloader is increasingly popular with growers as it means soil is removed in the field and kept off the public roads, plus transport of crop is significantly reduced as there is a no need to transport crop to a central yard or location" explains Charlie Rich, Export Sales Manager at Tong Engineering. "It significantly reduces crop handling times, allowing growers to meet tight deadlines and deliver crop in optimum condition straight from

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the field."

One of the key benefits of the Fieldloader is the fact that it incorporates a heavy duty infeed hopper, crop cleaner, inspection area and integrated extending elevator all in one mobile unit. And the new options on Tong's Fieldloader are set to offer even better transportability and manoeuvrability between fields and the farm.

"Whilst some growers choose to operate the Fieldloader in the yard, many customers move the machine between fields," says Charlie. "With this in mind we have designed a new model of the machine which incorporates a transport-mode option featuring a powered elevator section that automatically retracts back under the cleaning and inspecting sections of the machine, making the unit as short as possible when towing on the road. Foldable

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conveyors are also a feature on the transport-mode design to make the Fieldloader as narrow as possible too. The standard Fieldloader stands at around 22 metres long when in full operation, but reduces to just under 15 metres long when in transportmode, reducing the length of the machine by over 7 metres. The new and automatic transportmode design can also include further transport options including full suspension, brakes, machine lighting and steering where required."

"The new options on the Fieldloader not only make the machine even easier to transport, but all the latest Fieldloader models are powered by our Blue Inverter Technology with all electric direct drive, meaning that the machine runs very efficiently, with minimal energy consumption; something which is a key consideration when using the machine in the field," adds Charlie.

"The Fieldloader is available with a choice of crop cleaning systems including Tong's market-leading EasyClean separator or Tong's adjustable coil cleaning unit for lighter soil conditions, and the latest models also feature wireless remote control of the extending elevator giving the operator

complete control over bulker filling without moving the Fieldloader.

Our market-leading Pro-Series HMI Control system featuring sophisticated diagnostics capabilities can also be specified for added control and advanced machine monitoring and reporting."

Farming over 10,000 acres of root crop, barley and rye, one of the UK's largest single farming units, Elveden Farms, based in Thetford on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, is currently operating a custom-built Fieldoader from Tong which was designed to clean and load the farm's carrot and onion crop straight from the field. In order to keep up with demand and to achieve higher throughputs, the company has ordered a second Fieldloader, complete with the latest transport-mode options, for use on its potato, carrot and onion crop. Farm Manager at Elveden Farms, Andrew Francis says, "Our original Fieldloader from Tong has streamlined our post-harvest crop handling times and has allowed us to achieve a very quick turnaround from field to bulker lorries. Our second Fieldloader is now in production and we look forward to increasing our capacity even further with the availability of a second machine."

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| Root Crops

Three Musketeers new potato grading facility After careful consideration over the last 18 months of various grading systems on the market 3m’s chose Haith as their partner to design and manufacture the new potato grading line. e were asked to design the most up to date potato grading system with the emphasis on gentle accurate handling, reduced labour and minimal fork truck movement to this end we used the ultra reliable patented Haith Rotatip to feed the line with a capacity of up to 45 tip cycles per hour can easily cope with the required capacity.

We then incorporated the FPS vision system for automatic stone and clod removal which was supplied by our partners Tomra,this unit eliminates manual handling for debris removal.

The grading is done by a five out let step

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grading module fitted with rubber covered screens and has an automated cleaning system.

Graded potatoes are then conveyed to the twin Haith supafill 600 box fillers and Haith Swing-Fill box/bag filler, all fillers are fitted with weighing systems linked into the central system for data retrieval.

The complete grading system is controlled from a HMI touch screen on the main panel allowing the operator easy acess to control all the equipment in the system, line variation and data capture can then be accessed.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 21

| Grain

Grain storage: Ensure that you’re prepared With harvest on the horizon, undertaking thorough store preparations is vital in order to maintain grain quality and meet market specifications. Good storage practices will help to reduce the risk of grain spoilage, and prevent a loss of premiums through claims and rejections. reparing – Clean, ask, check Good store hygiene is essential for eliminating fungi, insects and mites. Stores should be cleaned thoroughly before intake, using an industrial vacuum and food-approved disinfectant or sanitiser.

If you are using multipurpose or rented buildings, chemical residues that pose a contamination risk to grain may be present.

They may permeate building materials and persist for some time. Ask about the store’s history and take samples of the building fabric to test for residues. Chlorpropham (CIPC) is one such chemical agent that is used for storage of potatoes. Any store in which CIPC treatments have taken place may not be suitable for the future storage of crops where no approval for the use of CIPC exists, including cereals.

Make sure that the store is both weatherproof and well-ventilated. Check and, where needed, repair the roof and guttering, ensure doors are well sealed, and that the whole store is sufficiently sealed against rodent and bird entry Place insect traps in corners and at wall/floor junctions every 4-5 metres around the store and check them weekly. If insects or mites are found, pinpoint the source of the infestation

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and use additional hygiene measures. If pests are persistent or widespread, consider using an approved pesticide on the fabric of the building.

Pest products currently approved for use in the UK as either structural treatments or treatments of grain can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/ Storage – sample, monitor, protect Sampling to determine moisture content is key to safe grain storage. Lower temperatures and moisture content can reduce fungal growth, mycotoxin production, and insect and mite development.

Determine moisture content and temperature immediately after harvesting with a calibrated meter. Monitor temperatures regularly at the same spot, which should be where the cooling takes longest, i.e. the furthest point from the cooling source. Moisture should be monitored at several locations (which should be the same each time) and recorded at least once each month during winter.

Early detection of insects and mites is important to prevent rising populations. Traps have been shown to be more effective than sampling for detecting populations at a low level. Monitor traps weekly until the grain reaches the target temperature (50 C) then continue to monitor monthly until temperatures begin to rise in the spring, when increased insect activity means that weekly monitoring will

need to be resumed.

Always use secure, commercially approved rodent bait boxes and ensure that vermin bait cannot contaminate stored grain. Place bait boxes outside the store not inside, to avoid encouraging vermin to enter the store. A rodent control guide can be found at https://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/media/.../g70rodent-control-on-farms.pdf.

Key features of a good grain store A good grain store: is clean is dry is well-ventilated has shatterproof covers for lights, and shatter-resistant lightbulbs has correctly functioning and well-cleaned equipment is proofed against rodent and bird entry has a watertight roof with no leaks or broken guttering has no contaminants is secure.

AHDB has a regularly-updated Grain Storage Guide, available as part of the Harvest Toolkit at cereals.ahdb.org.uk/harvesttoolkit. This provides a one-stop resource for information on best storage practice.

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| Grain

Introducing the Savannah Series Driers from Perry of Oakley Ltd Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of materials handling & drying equipment and have announced the release of their latest continuous mixed flow drier. he Savannah series driers have significant improvements to their operation and appearance.

The operation of the fans has been improved as they will now be controlled by an inverter and there is also the potential to save power by running the fans at reduced speed and power consumption.

The fans selections have been revised to reduce the absorbed power consumption of the driers.

The overall drier width is reduced which will help when fitting the drier into existing buildings.

The Savannah Series driers will still come with Perry’s own advanced PLC panel, which is designed and programmed in

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house, and the auto control, which uses both the exhaust air temperature and hot grain temperature to give advanced control of the drier with feedback, to maintain a consistent moisture content of the discharged grain.

To ensure drier longevity they are built with a 2mm thick grain column for additional strength, and 3mm thick top ducts in the grain column to help prevent deformation and wear.

To promote consistent movement of the grain down the grain column, even in very wet conditions, all Savannah Series Driers are fitted with our pneumatically controlled Shutter discharge. This year this has been upgraded to phosphor bronze bushes on all wearing parts.

These improvements, and the

other key features of the Savannah range, provide a truly commercial specification grain drier for use on farms and commercial grain stores.

Perry of Oakley Ltd also manufacture a full range of 10tph – 1000tph handling equipment including chain & flight conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, augers & screw conveyors, aspirator precleaners, belt conveyors & much more!

If you required any information on how Perry of Oakley can support your grain handling and storage needs please contact Perry’s Sales Department on 01404 890300 or sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 23

| Grain

No monkeying around this harvest with Gibbons Ahead of the crucial harvest period, Gibbons Engineering Group has been busy satisfying demand for highperformance grain store fans from its recently-launched Agricultural Fans division. he durable steel and aluminium fans and hotspot spear fans are built by an expert team and shipped across Europe from Gibbons’ production facility near Maldon in Essex.

Sized 0.13 – 2.2kW, most of these fans are available as single-phase and three phase and can be tailored to suit specific applications.

Farmers may be interested to learn that Gibbons also supplies a comprehensive package of electrical and mechanical equipment for agricultural processes, covering all electric motor-driven applications.

Gibbons’ high-performance energy-efficient electric motors are used on farms across the UK, driving agricultural applications such as conveyors, pumps and fans. Equipment can be sized to match the application, while electricity costs are minimised with the use of the latest energy-efficient IE3 motors.

Farmers benefit from Gibbons’ comprehensive range of gearboxes and gear motors for grain dryers, conveyor belts and ventilation systems. Gibbons supplies and installs power transmission systems from leading gearbox manufacturer Bonfiglioli.

Motor breakdowns in processes such as feeding carousels, drainage pumps and silo screw conveyors cause tremendous inconvenience, which is why Gibbons offers a

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popular rewinds and repairs service. Gibbons repairs all makes and models of electrical and mechanical equipment, old and new.

Gibbons provides an extensive selection of air handling equipment and services for farm buildings, including high-performance axial supply and extract fans. Along with supply and installation, farmers benefit from a full package of life-cycle services for agricultural HVAC plant, including fan balancing, repair, refurbishment and upgrade.

For safe and user-friendly control, monitoring and automation of motor-driven systems, Gibbons designs, builds and installs bespoke control panels. Not only ideal for process control of ventilation systems and conveyors, these panels are designed to withstand tough agricultural environments such as grain stores and milking parlours.

Farmers can reduce energy consumption and achieve precise control of their motorpowered applications with the latest ABB variable-speed drives, supplied, installed, programmed and commissioned by Gibbons.

Return on investment may be achieved within months.

For effective solutions for pumping fresh and dirty water, effluent and slurry, Gibbons supplies submersible pumps, chopper pumps and self-priming pumps, giving farmers complete control on their site. Also offered is a

full repair and refurbishment service for all pump makes and models, including replacement of bearings, ‘o’ rings and seals.

Gibbons Director Matthew Gibbons said: “Our position in rural Essex and links to the rest of East Anglia means we have excellent relationships with farmers and appreciate their need for reliable, efficient equipment at a reasonable price.

We also understand that using one contractor for multiple works is cost-effective and convenient, which is why we offer such a wide range of products and services. Farmers who use us say that having a single point of contact for their entire project saves them a great deal of time.

And as a thank-you to local clients for their custom, we offer free delivery within a 50-mile radius of our premises.”

Portable Weigh-Beams ready for Harvest Griffith Elder had another successful year at cereals, showcasing our 4.4m portable weigh-beams. he demo provided evidence of the +/-1% accuracy and the repeatability of the system. We were also able to show off how simple they are to use with automatic weight capture allowing the whole operation to be unmanned and doesn’t even need the driver to leave the cab.

As they don’t need any civil works and can be either placed down on existing concrete or

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with spreader plates down onto earth, they really can be moved anywhere and doesn’t cost time and money in site preparation.

The fob system loads the pre-saved empty weight of the vehicle and after weighing the gross the system automatically prints a net weight ticket, as well as saving the record to USB. Weighing allows you to accurately account for what’s in store so you can sell at the right time of year without risk of having grain left in

the shed. It also gives your yield per field so you can back calibration the combine for accurate yield mapping.

Our Portable Weigh-Beams are a brilliant alternative that slashes the cost of a weighbridge, ideal for farms weighing for stock management.

So don’t delay if you need to weigh, and still get your Weigh-Beams in time for Harvest.

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| Grain

Steeping of barley (credit Ian Oliver)

Unlocking the (diastatic) power of barley Researchers have identified key genetic markers in barley which could help growers meet malting specifications and lead to more efficient whisky production. he AHDB funded research, carried out by the James Hutton Institute and SRUC, aimed to identify genetic markers for diastatic power (DP),

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which is the ability of a malt to break down starches into simpler, fermentable sugars, during the mashing process.

This process is essential in the production of grain whisky where the mash consists of up to 90% of

unmalted cereal with the remaining barley component added in quantities sufficient to breakdown the starch.

AHDB Cereal Product Quality Scientist, Dhan Bandari, says the work will help spring barley growers meet the malting specifications for the distilling and brewing markets.

He says: “Varieties with higher diastatic power can be used with higher proportions of unmalted cereal in grain whisky production, thus enhancing the overall yield of spirit. This potentially makes grain whisky production both quicker and cheaper, and increases the number of barrels of spirit produced per hectare of land used.”

Grain whisky production exceeds single malt production and the market for high DP barley is currently in excess of 100,000t per annum, representing a significant market.

Dr Bill Thomas, one of the researchers who has worked on the two year DP GENES project, says: “Currently we tend to see that varieties with high DP and grain N tend to be low yielding, for example, producing high diastatic power malt with the current preferred variety (Belgravia) yields some 12% lower than new variety Laureate which has a lower diastatic power rating.

“The markers identified by this project will therefore allow breeders to combine high diastatic power with high yield and so produce premium barley which could improve profit margins of both growers and distillers.”

The research team used historical data, including the AHDB

Recommended Lists, to collate information on 100 spring and 100 winter barley lines, all with malting quality potential and varying in diastatic power potential. After initial testing they then reduced these lines to 24 lines of spring and 24 lines of winter barley and used those to identify and validate candidate diastatic power genes.

While this work assessed known spring and winter barley lines the team felt they needed to broaden the scope to include untested lines. UK barley breeders were asked to provide samples of germplasm from their new barley varieties, and the project was inundated with over 150 samples, a mix of spring and winter varieties.

All the samples were then grown on the James Hutton Institute farm and the markers used to predict high and low DP lines. The accuracy of the predictions was then tested by sending the samples to the Scotch Whisky Research Institute for micro-malting analyses.

“The project has enabled us to identify a group of genetic markers associated with high diastatic power which are compatible with current breeding programmes,” Bill explains. “This means that varieties purposefully bred for high diastatic power and high yield could be available in the next five years.”

The DP GENES project will be showcased at this year’s Cereals in Practice event, held at Saphock Farm, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0EY on 6 July from 2.45pm – 6.30pm.

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| Grain

New grain plant keeps Svegma Drier at full capacity Home to the 7th Duke of Sutherland, Mertoun Estate Farms Ltd, is located in the Scottish Borders and farms over 2000ha of land in total along both sides of the River Tweed. heat is the estate’s main crop, accounting for over 700ha of production, with other crops including barley, oil-seed rape, potatoes, winter oats and vining peas. The remaining acreage is grassland which is let out to local livestock farmers and land in environmental schemes.

In 2012 a Svegma SVC 9/5 50tph continuous flow drier was installed on the site to replace a fire damaged drier which was part of the existing grain facility which had evolved over many years. The drier had been fed by the existing intake and handling systems which restricted the drier’s capacity. Storage was also an issue with limited dedicated grain storage and potato buildings being used to hold grain.

With a change in management of the farms it was decided to build a new grain drying, handling and storage facility, developing a site at Ploughlands Farm. BDC Systems, in conjunction with local dealer DMI Mechanical Engineers, were appointed to design and install the new plant. The existing Svegma drier, supplied originally by BDC Systems, was to be moved and fed by new 80tph Skandia handling equipment. The new storage buildings were designed and erected by Thorburn Duns.

A total of eleven Skandia machines were specified including industrial grade “I Range” chain & flight conveyors and belt & bucket elevators. The system also included an Aagaard AF80 aspirator pre-cleaner, Zanin PRA

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4/9 rotary cleaner and 105tph Jema belt conveyors feeding 7000 tonnes of floor storage.

The floor stores feature BDC heavy duty drive over laterals with underfloor ducts which form a low volume ventilation system powered by Soby HLSG 75 fans and a Robydome temperature control system with wireless probes. The drier itself was upgraded with Akron Turbo Clean dust extraction fans. New internal and external platforms were also installed to aid access to the drier. A new BDC control panel was installed to operate all the equipment, including remote access via iPhone

for the Svegma drier.

Mertoun Estate’s Farm Manager, Jack Parsons, commented: “Having used Skandia equipment before we were confident that it was the right choice on this occasion. The support and backup we receive from both BDC Systems and DMI is impressive and reassuring.” Mr Parsons went on to add: “We now get full capacity from our Svegma drier using the 80tph handling equipment. Our intake capacity has been massively improved and allows us to keep up each day during harvest.”

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| Grassland

Mid-season grassland fertilizer management With current grass growth rates hitting the high 80’s (DM/kg/ha per day), it’s a challenge to maintain grass quality at this time. Grass is hell bent on setting seed so managing the grass wedge and maintaining low residuals is the key to maintaining milk yield and composition. id-season grassland fertilizer management The recent ‘Grassland & Muck’ event at Stoneleigh highlighted how the recent dry conditions in April and May impacted on grass growth rates with many of the early season urea users suffering in the drier areas. This is no surprise as urea nitrogen is not immediately available for grass uptake and during dry conditions the conversion process is much slower. Some farmers were aware of this and switched to an ammonium nitrate (AN) based fertilizer early to kick-start growth as it performs better in dry conditions. AN contains nitrate which is immediately available to the plant.

We also took a lot of enquiries about sulphur application on grassland which was encouraging as we know how important sulphur is for productive grassland farming. My advice on the day was choose a nitrogen plus sulphur product, rather than straight

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nitrogen. The trial data is overwhelming in favour of sulphur applications, especially for early season growth. Don’t depend on organic sources of sulphur to supply your crops requirement.

My advice on the day was choose a nitrogen plus sulphur product Clover is coming into its own at this time of year but its nutrient requirements are not often considered. Clover is susceptible to sulphur and potassium deficiency so to get the best productivity from clover you need to supply these nutrients in a mineral fertilizer. NPKS products applied now will replenish the nutrients removed in earlier months and maintain shorter grazing intervals in mid-season.

Check the daily grass growth rates in your area with our grass growth map at http://www.yara.co.uk/cropnutrition/Tools-and-Services/grassgrowth-map/default.aspx

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| Cereals

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| Cereals

Cereals delivers innovation to farmers of the future Research and practical innovation will be the key to profitable farming post-Brexit, and the Cereals event had plenty of both on offer. elebrating the 40th anniversary of the event, director Jon Day said it was fantastic to see the 20,000 visitors making the most of so many new features introduced this year. “Bringing the industry together to exchange ideas and see new technology in action is always important, but even more so in these politically uncertain times,” he explained.

“Like the farming industry, Cereals is changing, and we’re really excited to be working together with Comexposium, which runs the SIMA event in Paris, to make next year’s event even more valuable to visitors and exhibitors alike. We’ve received strong feedback on this year’s event and will be working closely with key players - from farmers to multi-national companies – who have expressed such a strong desire to help the show develop and move forward,” he added. “Together, with greater industry involvement and extensive collaboration, Cereals 2018 will be the mustattend event that the UK market needs.”

In the opening forum debate sponsored by De Lacy Executive, industry leaders considered what the future holds for British agriculture as 2020 approaches. “We need to invest in the industry to make it innovative and profitable in the next five years,” said NFU president Meurig Raymond.

UK farming policy should be targeted at helping farmers to improve efficiencies in the transition period between now and 2020 – but

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the level of support required after that would depend on the success of trade negotiations, added Mr Raymond. “The trade deal is the most important issue – if we end up with a fair trade deal we can be very optimistic.”

Defra minister George Eustice visited the event, and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to keep the total agricultural budget the same for the next Parliament. Transitioning to a better policy would include greater focus on managing risk, knowledge transfer, research and development, and supporting investment on farms to improve productivity, he said.

“I’ve seen some very interesting work today – the cereals sector is very innovative, and events like this have a crucial function to showcase some of the new varieties and techniques to farmers.” By bringing the whole industry, including research bodies together, there was huge opportunity to increase profits in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way, he added.

Helping dispense technological advances at the farm gate was Rothamsted Research’s new science strategy, which is not just about research and development, but the way it is delivered on the ground. “We need to look ahead at what agriculture needs in the next 10 years,” said director Achim Dobermann. “There is an opportunity to become policy innovators in this country, if the government is prepared to take advantage of the scientific expertise we have.”

Research institutes needed to work more

closely with key partners and have more coordinated investment, added Prof Dobermann.

“If we don’t do all of this we won’t catch up with the efficiency gains we need.”

Efficiency was also order of the day in the Sprays and Sprayers arena, which saw 50 of the latest self-propelled, mounted, trailed and specialist sprayers put through their paces. With lighter kit, precision nozzles, larger capacity tanks and improved fuel efficiency, farmers had plenty of options to consider.

Syngenta, which sponsored the arena, also announced the winner of the Farm Sprayer Operator of the year at the event. Claiming top honours from over 100 entries was BASIS qualified Stuart Woods from GH Dean & Co, Sittingbourne, Kent. “Stuart has proved a worthy winner by demonstrating that best practice can deliver efficient, cost effective and, above all, safe crop spraying,” said Syngenta application specialist James Thomas. “He has consistently shown outstanding skills and works to very high standards to achieve the best possible results.”

Cutting edge technology rubbed shoulders with good old-fashioned husbandry at the event, with visitors just as keen to get below ground and discuss soil health in the Soil Pit sponsored by NIAB TAG - as they were to explore precision equipment in the Drone Zone.

New cereal variety plots grew alongside colourful niche crops and wildflower mixes, with working machinery demonstrations ranging from Brock’s enormous 24m roller to the precise Anatis robotic weeder.

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| Cereals

Increase grain protein by 1 percent By: Natalie Wood hen growing milling wheats, everyone knows how important it is to hit that protein quality parameter; especially with wheat prices as they are. Due to drought conditions in other parts of Europe, millers will be looking more towards the UK and importing less grain from other countries. Therefore it is important to hit the protein target that the

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millers are looking for.

Increase grain protein by 1 percent The top-up nitrogen application for milling wheat needs to be separate in order to build up the protein to the required level.

Nitrogen source, rate and timing are important when trying to boost the protein to ensure the nitrogen is utilised correctly in the plant.

Applying foliar nitrogen means that the soil/root system is bypassed and therefore minimises the risks of nitrogen

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immobilisation, denitrification and leaching; all of which could occur with the traditional flag leaf application of nitrogen. The nitrogen uptake is also much less dependent on soil moisture and this means it is a more reliable source of N. Applying 40-60kgN/ha which is 200L/ha of Nufol, depending on the requirement, has shown to be the best rate in Yara trial work. The application should go on between the end of flowering and milky-ripe

stages (69-75) to get the best results and ensure the nitrogen is used for boosting grain protein rather than elsewhere within the plant. If unsure then err on the side of caution and go earlier rather than later to avoid disappointing results. It is also advisable to apply when the crop is most receptive for uptake, i.e. when conditions are cool such as early morning (if there is no dew present) or evening.

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| Machinery

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July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 31

| Education

Never too old to learn; Ramgopaul graduates at 70!

A farmer from Trinidad will today graduate from Edinburgh Napier University with a Masters of Business Administration – at the age of 70. amgopaul Roop achieved academic success even though his parents Poyah and Roop Bataw could not read or write.

Ramgopaul – who had seen his three children study to degree level and beyond – fulfilled his ambition by combining full-time work on his smallholder farm under the blazing tropical sun with long nights of study, sometimes until sunrise.

His dedication paid off when he was awarded an MBA with Distinction.

He said: “This being the last chance on the last train, the only option was to sit tight and hold on.”

He added: “The past 32 months have been very challenging but stimulating. It shows there is no age limit to academic achievement and personal professional development.”

Ramgopaul – who is regional administrator of the Caribbean Agribusiness Association – studied online at Edinburgh Napier, one module per trimester.

He was supported by his wife Beena, who read and re-read drafts, and even the family dog, Coco, who had a special bed made up in

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Ramgopaul’s study.

The farmer completed his studies last autumn but was unable to travel from the West Indies to Edinburgh for the ceremony as it clashed with his commitments at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in the Cayman Islands, so he is receiving his degree at this summer’s graduations instead.

In the intervening months, he has used research from his MBA dissertation to help develop a policy framework for the cassava industry – a 21st century multi-purpose crop thought to have the potential to transform the economy of the Caribbean.

Soil and water management techniques on his farm which can pave the way for intensive vegetable and tree crops production were also praised as “a diversification dream” in his submission to the 2017 Global Contest on Sound Solution in Farming for Biodiversity.

Ramgopaul said: “The skills acquired in writing assignments and my dissertation are now being applied in my everyday activities.”

Ramgopaul had been introduced to the work of the university by Southpoint Education International, which supports online, distance

degrees offered by Edinburgh Napier.

Mammed Bagher, Director of MBA Programmes at Edinburgh Napier, said: “Ramgopaul’s achievement is testament to our ethos of education for all, regardless of age or social background.”

“The past 32 months have been very challenging but stimulating. It shows there is no age limit to academic achievement and personal professional development” He added: “Our global online suite of MBA programmes is suitable for learners who are unable to take part in the traditional classroom environment. We are continuously investing in our online staff and student community so all our learners feel very much part of the wider university network without physically being present.”

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| Education

LEAF and FACE merger confirmed The merger between two of the leading farming and food educational charities, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) and FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), has been confirmed and took effect from 30th June 2017.

EAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the merger between LEAF and FACE. It will deliver multiple benefits to our partners and stakeholders and enable us to further strengthen LEAF’s public engagement activities and the vital work the FACE team do in taking agriculture into schools. I am looking forward to working with the new team to deliver an efficient and effective strategy, that will increase and improve the public’s education, understanding and appreciation of farming, food production and the environment.”

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Caroline Drummond will continue as Chief Executive of LEAF and a new Director of Education and Public Engagement will be appointed this summer, to replace Dan Corlett, who is leaving FACE to pursue another career.

Commenting on the merger, FACE Chairman, Ian Pigott said: "Since the inception of FACE in 2001, it has achieved outstanding results. Through the training of teachers and farmers, advising industry on the code of practice and leading the on-line resource portal ‘Countryside Classroom’, huge numbers of young people have benefitted. The opportunity to merge with LEAF heralds a new dawn for public engagement and education; we look

forward to delivering even greater results for all involved in two of Britain's proudest sectors, farming and education.”

The merger comes after another highly successful LEAF Open Farm Sunday, which saw 250,000 people visit a farm on the 11th June. LEAF is now looking to build on its position as a leader in public engagement in food, farming and the environment and maximising FACE’s expertise in the education sector. The newly expanded organisation will offer stakeholders and partners, improved efficiencies, enhanced engagement and will create even more opportunities for educating and engaging the public with food and farming.

Local farmers see new developments at college farm first hand Local NFU members visited Moreton Morrell College Farm to see for themselves the new developments which have taken place over the last year. he event, arranged with NFU Warwickshire County Organiser, Luke Ryder, saw 25 members visit the new sheep and beef units, and venture out into the fields to see the arable enterprise. The visit was led by Velcourt Farms Director Nick Shorter, Farm Manager Henry Dingle and Head of Agriculture Mike Fairclough with the support of other curriculum staff.

The visitors heard how the changes at the 250ha farm followed an extensive review which was commissioned in light of changes in the sector and to ensure the farm was reflective of current industry best practice. The farm’s focus changed from dairy to sheep, beef and arable, and to bring a stronger commercial approach to the running of the farm, the college partnered with Velcourt - a leading provider of farm management services across the UK and internationally.

Henry explained, “The changes at the farm have seen a substantial expansion of the beef enterprise, a doubling of the college’s flock of sheep and a considerable increase in the hectarage and variety of cropping on the college farm.

“Our vision is to make the farm as diverse as possible, to give our students as much opportunity to interact and develop different skills in terms of livestock handling, machinery use and looking at the arable side as well.”

Mike Fairclough, Head of Agriculture said, “We were delighted to welcome so many local NFU members to the farm to show them the changes that we’ve been making over the past year. It’s great to see them so engaged and interested, asking lots of questions and giving us really useful feedback. They are the future employers of our students, so I hope they will continue to support us as we further develop

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the farm to provide the best possible student experience.”

Duncan Hawley said: “As NFU Warwickshire chairman I have been extremely keen to build stronger links between the union locally and the college.

“Our farming members are naturally interested in the college and its farm which as we all know is responsible for training and equipping our agricultural students as they seek to build careers in this most rewarding of industries.

“We arranged the farm walk in response to member interest and all who attended were

suitably impressed with what they saw and heard.

“I would like to commend Velcourt and Nick Shorter for taking some bold decisions regarding the farm and also wish Henry Dingle, the farm manager, Mike Fairclough and his fellow lecturers all the best as they continue on this most important of journeys.

“All being well we will be back in the future to witness more positive changes and I would implore all local NFU members to offer their support to the college and farm in whatever way they can”.

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| Shows

What’s with all the Royal Welsh excitement?

As one of the pinnacle events in the British agricultural calendar, the annual Royal Welsh Show is an action-packed event with four-days of exciting competitions, livestock, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink, a 12-hour programme of non-stop entertainment, attractions, displays and much more… the list goes on!

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hen and where?

24 - 27 July 2017 at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth

Wells The show is held every July at the beautiful Royal Welsh showground, nestled in the picturesque countryside of MidWales.

For some it’s an annual pilgrimage for the whole week, for others it’s a day out to remember each year… but, surprisingly, there are some who have never had the ‘Royal Welsh Experience’. We know! It’s hard to believe. So, with only six weeks to go, here are just a few reasons why you should visit…

1. Animals galore With over 8,000 livestock entries, the animals are one of the main attractions at the show each year. Exhibitors travel from far and wide to bring their potential prize winning animals to the show with expectations of returning home with a highly sought-after Royal Welsh rosette. There will be plenty of opportunities to watch the judging and displays and to also get up close and personal with a huge variety of animals, including; horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens, pets, and even some snakes and spiders!

2. Noise, speed and danger With an exciting 12-hour programme of entertainment each day, you’ll be kept busy all day

long. The show is bigger and better than you could ever imagine with non-stop action in the main ring from the minute you arrive at the showground. Whether you are attracted to the majestic horses, the impressive livestock displays or the thrill and danger of the displays, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All the entertainment, attractions and displays are included in your ticket price, so come along and make some unforgettable memories.

3. The Flying Frenchman Known as "The Flying Frenchman," Lorenzo the International Horse Display is joining us at the show from his home town of Saintes Maries de la Mer in southern France. Having been performing displays in front of local crowds since a very young age, Lorenzo has become an increasingly popular figure at international shows throughout the world.

You will be treated to an incredible display of dare-devil stunts which includes flying over a series of jumps while standing on the backs of several of his stunning horses! His show, which is a demonstration of incredible skill and control, will have you biting your nails and holding your breath in suspense and anticipation!

4. The Kangaroo Kid Daring tricks, amazing wheelies and spectacular jumps! A thrilling performance by world class Australian stuntmen. With their

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incredible skills and nail-biting tricks, the daring-duo will hurtle around the main ring on their quad bikes, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout the seriously exciting performance!

5. Jumping out of a plane!

Joining us for the first time will be the amazing RAF HAWKS Parachute Display Team. All taking time out of their busy active duties in the RAF, the team will be flying from Swansea to jump into the main ring on the first three days of the show. Once landed, you will be welcomed into the ring to meet the team in person.

6. Quack Pack The combination of clever Border Collies with cheeky Indian Runner ducks makes a highly interactive and humorous display.

You’ll be able to join Meirion and his trusted quack pack in the ring for a chance to get hands-on with the display.

7. Free parking Visitors can enjoy easy, quick and hassle-free parking with our superb park and ride service - just what you need after your journey to beautiful Powys.

8. Shopping, shopping and more shopping!

You really will be able to shop until you drop with over 1,000 tradestands at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. There will be plenty of opportunities to treat yourself as you enjoy a stroll through our shopping avenues and marquees.

From clothing to tractors, livestock equipment to jewellery, artisan

gifts to furniture, plus lots more!

And don’t worry about having to carry it about all day… we have dedicated ‘shopping crèches’ where you can leave your precious purchases until you’re ready to go home.

9. Food & Drink When it’s time for a spot of lunch or if you fancy a tasty treat, just follow your nose. You’ll not be left disappointed with so many opportunities to enjoy mouthwatering experiences around the showground. Whether it’s in our Food Hall, Festival of Food Marquee, Farmers market or from one of the many food outlets, you will be surrounded by tempting tasters produced from Wales and further afield.

10. Big, shiny tractors It’s every little (and big) boys (and girls!) dream. Avenues and avenues of the latest, high-tech machinery on display. Whether it’s a new quad bike, a shiny new tractor, a state-of-the-art combine harvester or a new horse box, the range of kit at the show is huge.

Enjoy a browse and take a seat on some seriously impressive equipment!

11. Shearing Undoubtedly one of the most popular places to be during the four-days of the show is the Meirion Shearing Centre. Make sure you lend your voice to the national anthems as you watch as the Welsh Team compete in test matches against the national teams from England, Scotland,

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| Shows

Coleg Cambria Llysfasi Coleg Cambria Llysfasi is based in Ruthin, North East Wales. ourses on offer include Agriculture, Animal Care, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry and Conservation Management; students come from all over the UK to study here and reside in the excellent catered accommodation.

Central to the learning at Llysfasi is the 1000-acre farm and forestry enterprise. A recent investment by Coleg Cambria has seen the development of a 250 cow dairy unit including a new calf rearing shed built to ensure that students experience the latest technology available. In addition to the dairy unit, the farm rears over 200 dairy and beef youngstock annually as well as managing a 1000 stratified ewe flock.

Students at Llysfasi are taught livestock and crop production skills as well as machinery and farm management. These are all essential skills for running and working a successful farm.

The demand for food will continue to increase in the future inline with population growth and

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France, New Zealand. The incredible atmosphere and the noise from the thousands of cheering supporters raise the roof while the skilful shearers from across the world battle through a packed schedule of competitions.

12. Sports Village Bring the kids along to enjoy our Sports village. There will be plenty to keep you, and them, entertained with rugby, football, golf, trampolining, judo, netball, tennis, cricket and more. You might even get the chance to meet representatives from the Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys teams!

13. Horticulture For the green-fingered amongst us, our horticulture marquee will be your perfect idyll. Packed to the brim with an impressive range of plants, vegetables and floral art displays, competitions, trade stands, workshops, on-stage demonstrations and talks, children’s gardening competitions, the Welsh National Honey Show and lots more!

14. Competitions We’re an agricultural show, first and foremost, but it’s plain to see from thousands of competitions held throughout the four-days that there is something for everyone: • Livestock • Shearing and woolhandling • School arts, crafts, gardening and photography competitions • Homecrafts, cookery, produce and handicrafts • Dairy Produce, cheese, butter, yoghurt, ice-cream

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• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Welsh National Honey Show Pets, rabbits and guinea pigs Woodlands and treefelling Woodchopping Stickmaking Poultry and pigeons Horticulture and floral art Farriery, ironwork and jewellery Tug of war YFC Grassland and silage Farm buildings Student awards Impressed yet? The list goes on…

15. Join 14,000 party-goers in the Young Peoples Village Running alongside the Royal Welsh Show, the Young People Village attracts over 4,000 campers and 14,000 party-goers as Wales YFC hosts the biggest festival in Mid Wales.

Excited revellers can join in with the fun from the Saturday before the show and be entertained each night by a host of local and national stars, from up and coming Welsh bands to Radio 1 DJ’s, including Greg James. Check out their website for more info: www.yfc-wales.org.uk/youngpeoples-village So, what are you waiting for?

And the best bit… if you book your tickets online before 9 July you’ll even get a discount! For more details or to buy your tickets today, visit www.rwas.wales

increasing wealth in developing countries. This will give farmers a challenge and an opportunity as they will need to increase production in a way which is also sustainable for the environment.

With this, the role of agriculture and related education will become more important than ever as the amount of technology used on farms increases and the business focus increases in a world where Students at Llysfasi are taught livestock and crop production skills as well as machinery and farm management. These are all essential skills for running and working a successful farm. efficient production is now so important. There is also an important support and supply structure that exists to ensure farms can operate well and produce high quality food.

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| Shows

Introducing FlashMate from KiwiKit KiwiKit are an innovative company, with a New Zealand influence that provide solutions for grass based Farmers and Fencing Contractors, as well as products to the Veterinary profession. Our aim is to provide solutions that add value to your business and improve profitability. e distribute several key brands from New Zealand including PEL, Strainrite, FIL Tail Paint, Apex Fast Flow Water Valves, Kaiwaka Clothing, Skellerup Footwear, Shoof, Stallion Feeders, Oringi Clothing and from Australia, Rossi Boots.

We specialise in heat detection in Dairy systems and this year launched FlashMate, a New Zealand sourced product that takes the stress out of heat detection. FlashMate improves efficiency and increases accuracy.

FlashMate has been used widely in New Zealand for the past two years with great success. It is a very simple system that uses technology similar to a touch screen mobile telephone to record animal behaviour. The system triggers when a set pattern is recorded and a red light flashes to indicate that the cow needs to be served. After that time there is a 26 hour window, during which the cow must be served to provide the optimum chance of getting into calf.

The average UK six week in calf rate for block calving herds is believed to be around

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65%. For every 1% increase that can be achieved by using FlashMate, approximately £7 per cow per cow is returned to the bottom line and the product is paid for. Thereafter every 1% improvement is profit. For a 300 cow herd improving their six week in calf rate by 10% that can equate to a massive £21,000 added to the bottom line. We would be happy to come and demonstrate the product and explain how the technology works to any farmer who would like to improve their six week in calf rate, without having to make extensive investment in equipment.

Our Sales Team are experts in Electric Fencing solutions and distribute Tru-Test’s proven Pel range of Electric Fencing and equipment. Electric Fencing is the most efficient means to fence in your livestock and with the increased uptake of rotational grazing to maximise production from forage, this is a growth sector for the company.

We will be at The Royal Welsh Show where you can speak to KiwiKit’s team of experts who will be on hand to demonstrate our range of products and provide advice.

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| Shows

Countdown is on to the Great Yorkshire Show 2017 The very best of agriculture and farming will meet fashion and celebrity at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show. ith just three weeks to go, organisers are gearing up for a jam packed three day show which will see a host of special guests and new events.

Agriculture remains firmly at the heart of the show, and this year, as well as the thousands of cattle, sheep, pigs, pigeons and ponies, the Charolais Cattle Society is holding its Summer National Show with around 75 cattle expected.

The Ford and Fordson Association is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of tractor production with a display of tractors and machinery on the President’s Lawn. This includes early Ford and Fordson tractors spanning through to the current New Holland range supplied by Russells.

Atkinson Action Horses from East Yorkshire whose TV stunt horses have appeared in Poldark, Victoria and Peaky Blinders, will make their debut and perform stunts and tricks in the Main Ring every afternoon.

They will be among the first users of the newly revamped Collecting Ring, which has seen the Yorkshire Agricultural Society invest £70,000 to improve conditions under the direction of Olympic show jumping legend Graham Fletcher.

Also in the main ring, military parachute display team RAF Falcons, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, will jump from the skies in their Great Yorkshire Show debut on Tuesday at 12.35.

Over at the fashion pavilion, there’s everything from John Lewis to James Steward to fashion students to Brook Taverner who is behind Yorkshire Agricultural Society tweed jackets. For the first time ever, the fashion show will raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Centre in Leeds as a thank you for its support for a team member.

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Tuesday will see famous faces from the world of sport and TV will take to the stage in a very special one-off fashion show at 2.30pm.

There will be four fashion shows a day at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm and all the action will be on Twitter, join in the conversation using #GYScatwalk.

There will be more famous guests across the showground including Rosemary Shrager who will cook up a storm in the Food Theatre (Hall 1) and the Game Cookery Theatre every day.

BBC gardening expert Carol Klein will give talks in the Garden Show on Thursday.

There will be film crews at the show following the lives of some of the guests including the Yorkshire Vets who are filming a Great Yorkshire Show special with Julian Norton and Peter Wright. The public can meet their heroes at a special meet and greet stand at the entrance to the Home and Gift Hall and the hour-long Yorkshire Vet at the Great Yorkshire Show will be broadcast early October.

Documentary “From Skye With Love” will see a crew follow competitor Donald Rankin from North Skye, Scotland, as he enters his Aberdeen Angus cattle who have achieved success at shows throughout Scotland. Rugby AM and Leeds Rhinos TV will bring rugby stars to the show for the first time ever, many of whom are from farming families.

International shearers will go head to head in a thrilling England v New Zealand Sheep Shearing “Test Match” which will take place on Wednesday. Adam Berry, Dean Nelmes and Anthony Rook will represent England and go up against current world champion Johnny Kirkpatrick and Rowland Smith who have flown in from New Zealand to compete.

Visitors can take a virtual pig tour every day (11am and 2pm) with sisters Vicky Scott and Kate Moore who run a family pig farm in East Yorkshire. Their indoor breeding unit at

Pockthorpe Hall, near Driffield, houses 1,700 sows while their outdoor unit at East Knapton is home to 1,200 outdoor sows.

Live milking will be happening once again at the Lely stand where visitors will see calves being trained to feed on an automated calf feeder. This is the first year that calves on an automated feeding system has featured at the show and is important to show how calves can be reared away from their mother. A revolutionary robot designed for solid floor cleaning called Discovery 120 Collector will also be showcased.

Beef Shorthorn breeders are scheduled to turn out an entry to match their 2016 record as it stages its annual UK championships once again this year.

The Great Yorkshire Show is also a family affair for many including the Prest family who have clocked up more than 150 years stewarding the sheep section. There’s also a family of pole climbers heading for the show this year when Great British Champion Daniel Whelan competes with girlfriend Emma Cakebread and grandad, 84-year-old George Tipping who has been the oldest competitor for many years.

Charles Mills, Show Director said: “We have such an exciting and eclectic mix of displays and demonstrations, seminars and shows, we can’t wait to welcome visitors again this year.

Agriculture remains at the very heart of the Great Yorkshire Show and while we endeavor to showcase the very best of rural life, we try to do this in an interesting, fun and memorable way.

We look forward to seeing you in three weeks’ time!

Leicestershire County Show announce activities planned for 2017 event Organisers of the 2017 Leicestershire County Show have revealed the activities and entertainment that will take place across the event held on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August. he Leicestershire County Show was relaunched in Market Harborough last year and attracted 12,000 visitors to the 85-acre space next to Airfield Business Park. Because of its popularity, organisers have decided to extend the original one day event over two days, creating space for a number of new acts for 2017.

On summer bank holiday weekend, popular acts from last year will return and new entertainment will be displayed, including a special flyover by a WWII Spitfire and Hurricane.

“Last year’s relaunch event in Market Harborough was a monumental success,” says David Young, Leicestershire County Show director. “Some of the activities such as the

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tractor pulling and a classic car rally proved particularly popular and will return this year.

We’re also pleased to make some new additions, a particularly notable one is the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.”

Leicestershire County Show celebrates rural life, with livestock and equine classes, exhibitions and demonstrations all taking place.

As well as this, there is a range of entertainment planned.

The main attraction for the 2017 event will be the Broke FMX and Freestyle Motocross, a leading motorcycle display that received high praise from attendees last year. The show will also welcome back Rockwood dog display, a show that ends with an agility relay race between two teams of dogs. For the first time, the show will introduce a RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast that will take place on

the Sunday.

Other activities will include the Leicester Tigers’ golden boot competition, Fernie Pony Club Relay and a grand parade to close the show. In addition to the entertainment, there will be up to 70 craft stands and 50 trade stands.

The Leicestershire Agricultural Society who organise the County Show was formed in 1833 by a group of Leicestershire farmers to promote improvements in agriculture. In the early days, Victoria Park in Leicester was used to host the event. In more recent years Melton Mowbray became the host town until Market Harborough took over in 2016 with its new custom-built site one mile outside the town centre.

More details about the activities at the 2017 event can be found at www.leicestershirecountyshow.co.uk

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| Energy

The future of farming at UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 This week, on 5-6 July at the NEC in Birmingham, UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 will bring the global biogas community together at the #1 global biogas trade show. ith a wealth of content on offer for farmers, the programme will explore opportunities to support farmers in a post-Brexit world and relevant sustainable agriculture themes such as using quality digestate to reduce fertiliser reliance and the on-farm use of biomethane.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers efficient and cost-effective solutions for farmers looking to reduce emissions and maintain profitability.

Incorporating AD into agriculture has the potential to deliver 15,000 regional jobs, £1bn in CO2 savings, and £0.11bn in avoided fertiliser imports. Is this the future of farming?

UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo is the place to find out.

Renowned farming industry speakers, including Tom Beeley, Renewable Energy Adviser at the CLA and Dr Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Adviser for Renewable Energy and Climate Change at the NFU are part of 57 hours of conference and seminar programmes and will examine issues including: finding sustainable and alternative feedstocks and

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growing crops for AD; biomethane deployment to smaller-scale AD facilities and the benefits this could generate to rural and farming communities; novel feedstocks and pretreatment techniques and the benefits and potential issues of digesting different crop materials.

Over 200 exhibitors are showcasing all the products and services required to commission, build and operate on-farm AD plants to recycle agricultural wastes, improve crop rotations, and provide electricity, heat, vehicle fuel and digestate biofertiliser for farm use, reducing input costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

AD operators will be able to discover the latest research and technological innovations emerging from the market, helping them to maximise the efficiency and performance of onfarm AD plants and maintain a competitive advantage. The event will allow farmers and landowners from across the UK to benefit from the huge opportunities offered by this exciting industry and network with others to share knowledge and best practice.

The show also features free one-to-one

advice clinics from industry professionals on valuable topics including: Sourcing feedstocks; feedstock management; digestion process support; PAS 110 Digestate Compliance; project management structures; and contracts and finance.

The evening of Wednesday 5 July will see the sixth annual AD & Biogas Industry Awards, which will celebrate the best of the best in innovation and achievement across all sectors of the AD and biogas industry, including awards for Best UK On-Farm AD Plant, Best International Agricultural Plant, and an award for Making The Most of Digestate.

With all of the above to look forward to, this year's event promises to offer all the practical ideas and advice to help you make better decisions for your farming business. Now in its 7th year, the show is bigger and better than ever and will be the biogas event to attend for the farming community this summer.

We look forward to seeing you there! You can register to attend the event at adbioresources.org

Alchemy Utilities - new generation of “AD Technology” searching for show site in UK It’s been a busy 6 months for Alchemy Utilities Ltd; launching the new sustainable utility company in April at the 2017 Energy Show in Dublin enabled Alchemy to make its presence known in the Irish renewable market. Winning two distinguished awards, the most critical award being the Product of the Future Award for the Alchemy TD; The Next Generation of AD. he Alchemy TD is particularly suited to a wide range of farmers because, it requires a small footprint, only needs 4.7 tonnes of feedstock per day to generate 100 kWh Electricity and 100 kWh Heat using a CHP unit or to utilize the biogas for other in-demand purposes. In many cases the Alchemy TD can eliminate the farmer having to store the slurry for up to 6 months at all because the E.coli bacteria are broken down within the patented process utilizing steam. This can remove the evergrowing concern of smell and greenhouse gases associated with slurry storage.

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The type of show sites Alchemy is interested in are ones with an organic waste in the form of food, cow slurry or chicken litter Alchemy TD is proven on multiple organic feedstocks, chicken litter and cow slurry. The ace up its sleeve, which totally transforms the

38 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

farmer’s economics, is the Alchemy TD’s ability to produce high quality granulated fertiliser which can be packaged commercially and then sold in the open market or easily transported to other farms.

“I believe we won ‘Best Product of The Future’ because the additional revenue stream from substantially improved efficiency in gas production in addition to the high revenues from quality granulated fertiliser makes the Alchemy TD second to none in the AD sector.

When measured on carbon reduction per pound invested and its rapid payback, as an investment it is unbeatable.” says Alchemy CEO, Richard Griffin.

Alchemy Utilities will be exhibiting at the 2017 UK AD & Biogas World Biogas Expo at the NEC in Birmingham. On July 5th and 6th it will be the show’s seventh consecutive year and will consolidate its position as the #1 global trade show for the biogas industry. While the exhibition will showcase 250+ exhibitors, Alchemy Utilities purpose at the exhibition will be to identify show sites for Alchemy TD in the UK. The type of show sites Alchemy is interested in are ones with an organic waste in

the form of food, cow slurry or chicken litter (at least 5 tonnes per day at 40% dry matter), a three-phase grid connection with DNO export access to the national grid and planning permission granted or in progress.

If you’re considering an AD system and have site planning or would like to discuss options please schedule yourself an appointment.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Energy

Tailor made products lead to huge savings As the AD market has matured it is well known that trace element levels can affect digester performance, causing poor gas production and low methane content if not maintained at the correct levels for good bacterial health. ometimes these elements are present in the feedstock, but in most cases there is a deficiency of two or three vital metals.

Traditionally a fixed blend was added to cover this shortfall, but this lead to overdosing of some metals, and meant paying for elements there were not needed.

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Celtic Chemicals is also a leader in hydrogen sulphide control Celtic Chemicals Ltd has addressed this issue by tailor making each and every batch to the customer’s unique requirements based on analysis by a fully independent external laboratory, which we can cross reference with our own in-house

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analysis to ensure accuracy. This reduces the number of metals down to three or four in many cases and gives savings of up to 50%. This approach means that changes to feedstock and operation can be rapidly accommodated as a different blend can be made each time.

This is especially important at plants with a waste feed stream or with seasonal variations.

Celtic Chemicals is also a leader in hydrogen sulphide control. Using ferric hydroxide in biodegradable sacks, the product is non-toxic and non-hazardous, unlike ferric chloride. The hydroxide also contains much higher levels of iron, up to 50% compared to 9-14% in chloride based solutions.

Our Technical Sales Representative, Alistair Marsh, can visit you to discuss your exact requirements.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 39

| Energy

Why LPG is in demand among Farmers

By Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG. PG (liquefied petroleum gas) suppliers are reporting a significant increase in demand for LPG from commercial users, with agricultural businesses being among a key growth area. So, what is driving this increase in demand and why now?

As one of the most energy-intensive sectors, farming businesses are always looking for more efficient practices to manage their increasing energy requirements without eroding their profit margins. Consequently, many are turning their attentions towards the most viable off-grid fuel sources to determine where savings can be made, both in pounds and energy efficiencies.

LPG is almost tailor-made for the farming sector, being ideally suited to a myriad of applications in off-grid locations. From the obvious uses such as heating poultry sheds, nurseries, greenhouses and hot water to eradicate contaminants in milking processing, all the way through to powering irrigation pumps, grinding mills and other farming equipment, it is a highly flexible fuel source for the sector. In short, it’s the right tool for many jobs. Farming is perhaps one of the most established sectors for LPG usage, so there is also an increasingly effective group of advocates who are shouting about the benefits of this highly flexible fuel source.

In many farming applications, it is proving to be more cost-effective as a high proportion of its energy content is converted into heat and it can be up to five times more efficient than traditional fuels. It is also cleaner – producing the least greenhouse gas emissions than any other fossil fuel when measured on a total fuel cycle.* On top of these well-known benefits, there are now other factors pushing LPG to the fore.

Following the implementation of the Energy Related Products (ERP) Directive which aims to reduce carbon emissions, oil is fast losing its appeal as a long-term solution, as innovation in

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technology to ensure compliance with the Directive is geared towards gas. Furthermore, with growing constraints on the electricity grid and renewables only offering interim supplies, it is now recognised across the energy sector that gas will be a key part of the future energy mix.

As a convenient, low carbon fuel source with the capability to deliver cost savings, as well as enhanced production and energy efficiency to farmers across the UK, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that demand for LPG has accelerated to an unprecedented level. Having spent almost two decades in the LPG market, I am proud to see LPG being recognised as an increasingly significant part of the solution for so many businesses.

On the Farm - LPG in Practice Farmer gets into Hot Water Home to an 180 strong prize-winning Churchclara herd of pedigree British Friesians, a large dairy farm needed gallons of hot water to wash the 20-unit milking parlour daily, as well as the impressive 11,500-litre milk storage tank up to three times a week.

And on top of that, hot water is a must in controlling the Total Bacteria Count – or TBC – of the milk produced.

Typically, hot water accounts for around 30% of our farmer’s energy bills, including the use of electric heaters heating the water throughout the day. Reducing this enormous cost was, therefore, paramount to ensure the longevity of his business.

A local independent gas installer recommended an LPG-powered system.

Taking just one day to install, it was an easy transition hooking up to the existing pipework.

As the installer explained: “The problem that many dairy farmers have is that the truck which comes to empty the milk storage tank every couple of days can arrive at any time. Hot water is needed straight away to do the wash.

It puts a lot of pressure on the current electric immersion system. With the new LPG-powered

Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG

system now on site, this is no longer an issue.”

Commenting on his new system, the farmer said: “I now have instant hot water at whatever temperature I need whenever I need it so hot water storage costs are eliminated. I only pay for what I use and the new cost is equivalent to night-rate electricity, which is far cheaper than before.”

Fuelling Grain Drying Season With the short but intensive grain drying season only lasting from August to October, it is essential that agricultural merchants working within the field have 100 per cent faith in the reliability of their energy sources.

Unfortunately for one large agricultural merchant, worries about rising costs, decreases in production efficiencies and rising emissions meant it fell short of such top marks.

That’s when the company decided to switch from using diesel oil to LPG to fuel its grain drying operations, which make up a significant part of its business.

It’s not just a reliable source of energy that is a must in the grain drying process; the equipment must also be dependable to avoid downtime, backlogs and those dreaded financial losses. The LPG supplier proposed the replacement of the existing two-stage oil burner with a fully modulating Weishaupt WM G20LPG burner, allowing for more precise temperature control, increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Sizing and location of the tanks was also critical. The solution - which was completed within budget and on time - was to install three four tonne LPG tanks which gave on-site storage of around 25,000 litres.

A spokesman for the company said: ‘Everything worked well during the critical grain drying season once we had moved over to LPG and I was impressed with its cleanliness, efficiency and responsiveness. I was also very pleased with the cost savings that resulted when we converted!’

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Energy

Paying too much for your LPG supply?

LPG Solutions has over 25 years experience of working within the LPG industry. s with other commodities there are a number of options available to both the Commercial and Domestic consumer, but as LPG is supplied under contract which can be from 1 to 5 years in length, it is important to ensure that it is the right one for you. Obviously price is the major consideration, although security of supply in what can be a critical process is just as important.

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Whether you are using LPG to supply a domestic or commercial property, a crop drier, fork lift trucks, or any other process, we can help ensure you have a competitive and market leading contract.

consumers who have entered into supply contracts with what can seem an extremely competitive price, but then have had increases applied throughout the contractual term. This obviously has a direct impact on a business’s bottom line. We can help ensure you have the right terms and conditions.

Whether you are using LPG to supply a domestic or commercial property, a crop drier, fork lift trucks, or any other process, we can help ensure you have a competitive and market leading contract.

If your contract has now ended or is about to please contact LPG Solutions for some free advice. We will review your situation and give guidance and possible alternative solutions to consider.

Either phone 01905 642810, fill out the enquiry form on our website www.lpg-solutions.co.uk or send an email to steve@lpgsolutions.co.uk

We see many examples of LPG

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July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 41

| Muck & Slurry

Cut costs by making more of muck and slurry Dairy farmers can learn how to release the true value of muck and slurry by attending one of a series of meetings throughout July and August. rganised by AHDB Dairy the events will cover muck and slurry storage, and techniques for cost effective applications within a nutrient management plan.

Farmers will also hear how the AHDB Slurry Wizard can help calculate volumes produced and storage capacity required to stay NVZ compliant, as well as exploring any cost/benefit of covering yards and slurry stores.

David Ball, AHDB Technical Manager said: “Farmers already acknowledge slurry, farmyard manure and dirty water as valuable by-products but up until now many underestimate their true value.”

The recently refreshed AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) provides accurate nutrient and availability values, and based on current market values, shows that muck is worth £9.20/tonne and a cubic metre of slurry has a

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value of £3.20 in NPK alone.

David continued “Dairy farmers should be looking at all of their outgoings as a matter of course and anything that can help bring down the cost of fertiliser should be encouraged.”

Details of the meetings can be found below and at ahdb.org.uk.

To book a place, farmers should contact the AHDB Dairy KE Events hub on 01904 771216 or email ke.events@ahdb.org.uk.

Date Venue 4th July Wicton Farm, Bromyard, Herefordshire 19 July Manor Farm, Waterston, Dorchester 24th July Coldharbour Farm, Binegar, Near Radstock 26th July Higher Trevallett Farm, Laneast, Launceston 1st August Yennards Farm, Potters Marston Lane, Leicester 2nd August Ashton Pool Farm, Stone

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| Muck & Slurry

The new PG II 28 from SAMSON AGRO. SAMSON AGRO will exhibit this new slurry tanker at several livestock shows over the summer.

SAMSON launches a PG II 28 slurry tanker It is crucial to have the flexibility to choose the right filling systems irrespective of implement, which is why SAMSON AGRO is now introducing the PG II 28 slurry tanker. he new PG II 28 model will replace the current PG II 27.

The development of slurry implements has accelerated in recent years, and customer demands for complete flexibility to choose filling systems, regardless of implement, have been intensifying. This explains why this new tanker has been made 35 cm longer to provide more space for large slurry drip hose booms. Several tanker features have also been brought up to date to match the requirements of professional users with the new model. The tanker is being introduced as a standard model for all markets and a hydraulic wheel drive (HWD) model for selected markets.

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“Like everything else in the agricultural machinery sector, slurry equipment just keeps getting bigger and bigger. This makes bigger and bigger demands on the lift” Tested by five agricultural contractors The first PG II 28 was ready in early spring.

After being tested at the factory, the new slurry

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tanker underwent field testing at five Danish agricultural contractors.

“It was crucial for us to get customer feedback about these tanker modifications. It was a good positive experience for both us and the testing hosts,” says Søren Mejlstrup Jensen, Product Manager for slurry tankers and implements, SAMSON AGRO. Better lifting of front axle The undercarriage of the PG II 28 has been modified to provide greater compression of the hydraulic suspension system. This increases the clearance between wheel and bed by up to 50% when the front axle is lifted. Operating the axle lifter has also been improved and the lifter is now easy to operate by pressing a short-cut key on the SlurryMaster 8000 joystick.

“The wider clearance makes it possible to substantially increase the pressure on the drawbar eye. This is a great help when you have to drive up steep hills pulling heavy implements,” Søren Mejlstrup Jensen says.

New position and lift modification The lift’s focal point has been lowered to improve the tractor pull lines over to the implement.

“As a result, the implement operates more freely and reduces the load on both the

implement and the lift. Like everything else in the agricultural machinery sector, slurry equipment just keeps getting bigger and bigger. This makes bigger and bigger demands on the lift,” Søren Mejlstrup Jensen says.

This lift modification will also be incorporated into the PG II 31 and PG II 35 so that the lifts on all PG II slurry tankers will have the same geometrical design.

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| Buildings

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| Machinery

AEF ISOBUS certificate for Two most powerful tablet app from CLAAS McCormick X7 Series The EASY on board app from CLAAS has now received official AEF certification as an ISOBUS terminal. This app is the first, and so far only, app for a tablet PC and can be used to operate any ISOBUS implement.

tractors now available to Efficient spec Simpler-spec versions of the two most powerful models in the McCormick X7 series have been introduced, joining the Efficient versions of other models in the line-up that were added to the range last year.

he Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) has certified two functionalities of the CLAAS app at the same time – ISOBUS UT and Auxiliary Control.

The abbreviation UT stands for Universal Terminal, which means that the app can be used to operate a wide range of ISOBUS implements. This has the great advantage that users only need one terminal for all the different implements. Auxiliary Control, on the other hand, means enhanced user-friendliness and flexibility as the various implement functions can be transferred from the app to the function buttons of any Auxcompatible multifunction control lever.

Having obtained certification, the EASY on board app is now listed in the official AEF database.

Farmers and contractors can, for example, use this database to check which implements can be controlled with the EASY on board app before making a new investment.

How the EASY on board app works The flexible options offered by a tablet PC, which is already in use on many farms, make the EASY on board app a low-cost alternative to the standard ISOBUS terminal.

When it is not being used to control an implement, a tablet can

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be used all year round for many other agricultural and nonagricultural purposes – from surfing the internet to answering emails, navigation to checking the weather forecast. With the EASY on board app, every driver can use his or her personal tablet as a terminal for machine control.

To use the EASY on board app, you need an Apple tablet (iPad Air or newer) with the operating system IOS 9.0 or later. On the machine side, the app assumes that the implement and tractor are connected by an ISOBUS cable and the rear ISOBUS socket. A special WLAN adapter (CWI CLAAS Wireless Interface) and a universal mount for the tablet are also needed. Both are available from CLAAS dealers.

The WLAN adapter, which is connected to the in-cab ISOBUS socket on the tractor, allows communication between the implement and the tablet; at the same time, the socket and adapter also guarantee a reliable power supply to the tablet.

The EASY on board app is available in the App Store for free download to a tablet. It just has to be installed once and creates the operating display for the implement currently in use on the touchscreen. From this display, the implement can be operated very easily by touching the screen.

hese additional Efficient models are being introduced at the request of operators wanting a high-performance, high-power tractor with a reasonable amount of automation but without the ‘bells and whistles’ features of the top-spec Premium models,” says Ray Spinks, sales director and general manager at AgriArgo UK, the McCormick distributor in Great Britain and Ireland.

The Efficient specification was introduced last year on 143-166hp four-cylinder models in the McCormick X7 Series and on a pair of six-cylinder tractors – the 160hp X7.650, which itself was a new addition to the range, and the 165/175hp X7.660.

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“The transmission is constantly highlighted by operators as an attractive feature of the McCormick X7 tractors because of its progressive gearing, silky smooth powershifts and effective road and field auto functions” Now, it is also available on the X7.670, which has 177hp for draft work boosting to 192hp for pto implements and towing trailers, tankers and spreaders, and on the X7.680 with 188hp rising to 212hp.

Standard specification for the new models includes three mechanical spool valves plus one electric valve; 123-litre/min loadsensing hydraulics plus a 44litre/min pump dedicated to steering and ancillaries; the 24x24speed Pro Drive transmission; four-speed pto with ‘economy’ as well as ‘power’ gearing; and 9300kg rear lift capacity.

Inside the spacious Premiere cab, which has manual instead of climate control air conditioning, there is a swivelling air suspension driver’s seat and a ‘hide away’ passenger seat. Outside, 10 work lights illuminate the tractor’s

surroundings.

In place of the seat-mounted armrest console found on full-spec Premium versions is a neat layout of main controls to the driver’s right. On either side of the dials used for setting up and adjusting the electronic rear hitch are levers for the mechanical spool valves, pto speed selection and the optional creep gearbox, which takes the total complement of ratios to 40 forward and reverse.

Ahead of them is the comfortable multi-function joystick, which carries a roller switch for easy linkage lift/lower and buttons for the engine speed memory and manual or auto road/field transmission shifting.

Another two buttons regulate the single electric spool valve fitted; the optional mid-mounted electric valves for operating a 3.5 tonne front linkage or a McCormick MPower loader are handled by a small, fully integrated joystick.

Although the X7.670 and X7.680 use the same 6.7-litre BetaPower engine and cast chassis as other six-cylinder models in the range, these are bigger, beefier tractors.

They have a longer wheelbase (2820mm versus 2750mm), more weight (3055kg versus 2920kg before ballast) and the ability to run on taller tyres (42in versus 38in) – all of which helps exploit the greater power and torque available.

They also have the same highly effective semi-powershift transmission as their Premium counterparts, with its smooth, adjustable power shuttle, fourspeed powershift and electronic manual or auto range shifting.

“The transmission is constantly highlighted by operators as an attractive feature of the McCormick X7 tractors because of its progressive gearing, silky smooth powershifts and effective road and field auto functions,” says Ray Spinks.

A 50kph option, packaged with hydraulic cab and multi-link front axle suspension can be added to the final specification, together with air trailer braking.

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| Machinery

New Holland revamps mid-range tractor offering

Kubota offers 0% finance across RTV range

New Holland has revamped its mid-range tractor model offering, with a comprehensive line up in the under 120hp segment to suit livestock and mixed farmers. The 17model tractor offering includes the T5 Electro Command™, recently launched T5 Utility, re-named T4 and existing TD5 ranges.

ubota UK has announced the launch of its latest incentive programme, offering customers 0% finance across its marketleading RTV range.

This promotion is available on Kubota’s RTV-X900, RTV400 and RTV500 machines, giving customers the opportunity to purchase one of these high power utility vehicles on the 0% finance scheme on a payment profile of 2+22 monthly payments.

The popular models provide unrivalled multi-use performance, enabling both groundcare and agriculture professionals to complete a wide range of tasks swiftly and easily. From transporting substantial loads to navigating uneven and steep terrain, the compact RTVs combine speed, agility and reliability together to be an essential part of a professionals’ fleet.

Kubota’s RTV-X900 is powered by a three cylinder 21.6HP diesel

ames Emery, New Holland’s midrange tractor product specialist in the UK and Ireland, says: “When the T5000 series was discontinued in 2013 it created a gap in our mid-range offering, particularly for farmers who need a versatile, compact tractor with good power and lift capacity at a reasonable price. The under 120hp sector is important to New Holland and the recent launch of T5 Electro Command™ and T5 Utility ranges ensures our customers can choose a tractor that perfectly suits their business.”

The three-model 100 – 120hp T5 Electro Command™ range, winner of Best Utility at Tractor of the Year 2017, features a Tier 4B compliant engine and a number of performance improvements alongside updated styling.

Enhanced front suspension, uprated rear lift capacity, heavyduty axle and 16 x 16 Electro Command™ transmission with auto functions, provide farmers with more flexibility to perform draft work with heavier implements. A loader-ready option and adjustable shuttle response make materials handling more efficient. Improved visibility in the VisionView™ cab comes courtesy of wide-angle mirrors and LED lighting packages, enhancing operator safety and comfort.

The five new T5 Utility models offer between 75 and 114hp and continue the heritage of the wellregarded T5000 series. Farmers can choose between two- or fourwheel drive on all SynchroShuttle™ models (four-wheel drive on all others), plus a wide choice of transmissions including Dual Command™, Power Shuttle™, and Creep-speed to suit individual

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requirements. The T5 Utility is well suited to handling tasks; loaderready, it supports a maximum lift capacity of up to 2,539kg with a maximum lifting height of 3.7m from New Holland’s 740TL front loader. An optional front linkage, with 1000-speed PTO provides added flexibility. The Heavy Duty (class 1.5) front axle, available on the T5.95, 105 and 115, further enhances load carrying capacity.

The six-model 65 – 115hp TD5 range offers robust design, rugged efficiency and all-rounder simplicity with a comfortable cab designed for long days and good visibility for loader work. At the lower end of the power offering the TD5.65 and TD5.75 feature highly efficient mechanical engines, while TD5.85, TD5.95, TD5.105 and TD5.115 models are complimented by modern, Tier 4A compliant, Common Rail 3.4 litre F5C powerplants, which have reduced fuel consumption by 10%.

The three-model T4 range, previously named T4 PowerStar™, is powered by a 3.4 litre, Tier 4B compliant Common Rail F5C engine. Precision fuelling enables enhanced response when the engine is placed under load, and fuel savings of up to 13% have been achieved. The flat engine curve between 1900-2100rpm maintains maximum power over a larger working range for improved operational flexibility, especially when working with power hungry implements such as forage wagons. Operator comfort is builtin to the T4’s best-in-class cab and is further enhanced with an optional dedicated baler bar, used to mount in-cab baler and implement monitors.

The new T5 Utility and other models from New Holland’s midrange will be on display at Royal Welsh Show 24 – 27 July.

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Kubota UK has announced the launch of its latest incentive programme, offering customers 0% finance across its market-leading RTV range.

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engine and variable hydrostatic transmission, delivering maximum torque for a one pedal drive that requires minimal use of the brake.

The machine’s all-round independent suspension systems also offers a comfortable and smooth ride, while the towing capacity boasts an impressive 1000kg to help complete a wide range of maintenance tasks.

For those looking for a smaller utility vehicle, look no further than the petrol powered RTV400 and RTV500. Carefully designed to navigate any terrain easily and efficiently, the models combine size with substance, capable of handling small to medium loads due to their high power and torque. Both models boast a range of features, including an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system for ondemand power to optimise acceleration and improve the machine’s responsiveness.

Customers can take advantage of this fantastic offer until the 31st July 2017, receiving 0% finance across all three models from their nearest UK Kubota dealer.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

Farmstar Limited Marr, Doncaster DN5 7AU T: 01302 786786

Market Weighton,York YO43 3GA T: 01430 875900 Brigg, North Lincs DN2 8NF T: 01652 654944 www.farmstar.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Andrew Symons South Moulton, Devon EX36 3LZ T: 01769 574455

Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HL T: 01409 254040 www.andrewsymons.co.u

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 47

| ATV

Polaris

at the 2017 Royal Highland Show

Polaris arrived at the Royal Highland Show with an impressive line-up of the new Polaris Ranger Diesel Side by Side utility vehicle, the exciting new Sportsman XP1000 ATV and the versatile Sportsman X2 570. he new 2017 Ranger Diesel HD comes with more torque, more towing power, Active Descent Control for controlled hill descents, with automatic fourwheel braking and Electronic Power Steering. A new 7-pin trailer socket now comes fitted as standard and comfort is ensured with the Lock & Ride® Pro-Fit cab system and a whole range of accessories. The highly modular design offers options from robust canvas doors and a poly windscreen, to premium automotive glass tip-out windscreens and electric windows.

The roof and rear panel on the 2017 Ranger Diesel come as standard. The Ranger Diesel HD is built for purpose with a 1028cc Kohler 3cylinder overhead cam liquid cooled engine.

The new Polaris Sportsman XP1000 is the most powerful ATV ever, with its 90 horsepower 1000 Twin EFI engine and it’s packed with premium performance features. Three-mode throttle control, Bluetooth connectivity, high

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48 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

clearance dual arched A-arms and new modular rack extenders with Lock & Ride® join high performance close ratio On-Demand All Wheel Drive on this outstanding machine. It incorporates new, sport inspired Rider Active Design with its body style, dual zone sculpted seat, new front lighting and LED taillights, flared bumpers and deep footwells. Electronic Power Steering is standard, there is a high performance stainless steel exhaust system and even an integrated beverage holder. The Sportsman XP1000 is impressive and demands to be seen.

If you want a totally capable off-road ATV with the option of carrying two people, look no further than the Polaris Sportsman X2 570. With its Active Descent Control it is a serious contender as a working vehicle on steep hills, with all the power you need to take two people up the steepest inclines and bring you safely back down, with the Engine Braking System and ADC automatically engaging on all four wheels for optimum traction and control in all conditions. If

you want the utility and capabilities of a traditional farm pick-up with the agility of a quad the Sportsman is just that, with Electronic Power Steering and the refinement of the world’s bestselling ATV’s legendary attributes. Independent Rear Suspension, with 24.1 cm of rear travel, OnDemand True All-Wheel Drive, a massive 556kg of towing capacity and the dump box with its tipping facility for quick unloading make it an easy choice.

All new Polaris ATVs and UTVs, except Youth models, now come with Datatag Cesar security systems for additional peace of mind. Polaris will be working closely with Polaris authorised Scottish dealers, who brought to the Royal Highland Show wide knowledge and experience of what visitors were looking for in their All-Terrain Vehicles.

Polaris Britain Ltd. 0800 915 6720 www.polarisbritain.com

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| ATV

Honda ATV Farm safety

Safe ATV and UTV operation starts with making sure the machine is suitable for the situation and intended task.

Your local Honda main dealer has the knowledge and experience to help you decide which of the market leading Honda range will best suit your needs. ork or utility models start with the Fourtrax 250 2wd which is ideal for lighter tasks, but for more pulling power the versatile Fourtrax 420 is available with 2wd or selectable 2/4wd and is a firm favourite with livestock and hill farming users. The larger Foreman 500 models have more power to carry and tow heavier loads while the top of the range Rincon 680 provides effortless transport at higher speeds over the most demanding terrain. For younger users Honda offers its entry level Sportrax 90, powered by a dependable electric-start, 4-stroke 86cc engine and supplied with the same full 2-year warranty as bigger models in the range.

For those with larger loads or passengers to move around the farm or estate Honda’s latest Pioneer side-by-side utility vehicle incorporates many design features from the ATV range for reliability and superb off-road performance, making it an immediate success for farm, gamekeeping and forestry use.

ATVs and UTVs are capable of travelling across terrain which would be impassable for most other farm vehicles, but to ensure

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tasks are carried out safely thorough machine maintenance, approved operator training and use of appropriate protective clothing are essential.

All new Honda ATVs and UTVs come with free of charge operator training through the industryrecognised European ATV Safety Institute (EASI) scheme, which caters for riders of all abilities and experience levels. Training includes basic maintenance and pre-riding safety checks, awareness of the operator handbook, selection of suitable safety clothing and safe operation.

The same course is available to those buying used ATVs for a small charge, and full information is available from your Honda main dealer.

Honda’s ATV range is the world’s best selling and accounts for more than half the machines sold in the UK. In 2016 the company joined forces with the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs as its exclusive safety partner, connecting younger farm users with their local Honda main dealers to ensure they had access to advice regarding safe operation and responsible riding, whatever brand of ATV they use.

National Farm Safety Week, in late July, aims to remind those

working on farms of the potential dangers. For advice regarding any aspect of ATV or UTV use from selection of an appropriate machine to protective clothing, operator training or implements, your Honda main dealer will be delighted to assist.

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 49

| ATV

Suzuki ATV

Success at the 2017 Royal Highland Show

Suzuki ATV saw a successful year at the 177th Royal Highland Show recently. ith dry weather, the show saw a record-breaking 190,000 visitors flocking to the showground over the four-day event.

Visitors to the show were treated to a number of highlights including livestock competitions and show jumping, a plethora of food stalls and workshops, as well as the huge agricultural section in which to browse and shop.

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“This year’s show has been a huge success for Suzuki” Suzuki displayed its range of leading ATVs on the stand in the agricultural section, with the limited edition KingQuad 750 and special Scottish flag wrapped ATV

drawing particular attention. As well as the full range, a variety of attachments were also on display from ATV City and Logic, including a C-Dax Eliminator weed wiper and Logic multi-feeder.

Suzuki ATV Ambassador and Agriscot Sheep Farmer of the Year 2015, Joyce Campbell said; “I always enjoy visiting the Royal Highland Show and make sure I pop to the Suzuki stand to say hello. The ATV display always looks fantastic and this year was no exception. My KingQuad 500 is invaluable to me on the farm – and the dogs love it too! The superior comfort and reliability of my KingQuad means I can get around my land without having to worry about the rough terrain or long hours. I urge anyone who hasn’t tried Suzuki to take a test ride.”

Head of Suzuki ATV and Marine at Suzuki GB PLC, George

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Cheeseman, said; “This year’s show has been a huge success for Suzuki. We’d like to thank our supporting dealers for helping us on the stand, as well as all the new and existing customers who came to say hello. We enjoy visiting the Royal Highland Show, and will be returning next year.”

Other fantastic benefits that come with choosing Suzuki: Try before you buy Knowing that customers want an ATV that is comfortable, reliable and hard-working, Suzuki offers customers the chance to try before they buy in order to help them get a feel for the right model and the company’s expert dealers are onhand to help customers to find the right ATV for them.

Free Suzuki workwear kit Suzuki knows that customers will be riding their ATVs in all weathers and conditions. So when

customers buy from an authorised Suzuki dealer, they will receive a free Suzuki workwear kit worth over £40, consisting of a branded bodywarmer and overalls.

Courtesy ATV Scheme Suzuki understands that customers rely on their ATVs and therefore gives a courtesy Suzuki ATV to keep customers’ businesses on the move when they take their machine – whatever the make or model – in to an authorised Suzuki dealer for service or repairs.

Theft deterrent as standard FREE on all new Suzuki utility ATVs, the CESAR Security System powered by Datatag gives each ATV a unique ‘fingerprint’ with an identity that cannot be erased, which acts as a strong theft deterrent and a tool for recovery should the worst happen – plus, it reduces insurance premiums too!

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| ATV

Kawasaki’s

on show....

Kawasaki Motors UK will be exhibiting their full utility range of vehicles at a number of shows throughout June and July – The Royal Highland Show, Royal Welsh Show and The Game Fair at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.

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howcasing the complete fleet of ATVs and MULEs to visitors including the: Brute Force 300, Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS and MULE Pro-DX and Pro-DXT as well as the MULE SX and SX

4x4.

Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer any Kawasaki-related questions you may have.

Celebrating its 177th year, The Royal Highland Show is one of Scotland’s most iconic events. Held at the Royal Highland Centre, just outside of Edinburgh City Centre, the four-day show took place between 22 and 25 June.

It was then onto the Royal Welsh Show (2427 July) – a highlight of the British agricultural calendar – at the showground in Llanelwedd, Wales. Every day had a 12-hour programme of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays – the Kawasaki’s being just one of the offerings…

The annual Game Fair is celebrating its 59th year and will be going to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire for the first time in history on 2830 July.

Simon Riches, Product Manager for ATV & Mule at Kawasaki Motors UK, said: “It’s been an extremely busy time of year for us over the last few months, but we love going to shows and talking with existing - and potential customers about the Kawasaki products.

There’s nothing better than feedback from those who use them on a daily basis. Since the launch of the new MULE PRO-DX and DXT, we’ve had some fantastic feedback about the products and they’ve been extremely popular

with many owners choosing to upgrade their existing model to the new offering.

“The shows offered a great chance for people to get up close to the products – sit on or inside and try one out for size – and chat through the features and benefits with the staff.

It might be that people attended the show with the intention of finding out more information or

it might be the first time they’d seen the product – either way, there was someone there to help.

As always, we were hoping for good weather but knew that the public would brave any elements!”

For those who haven’t made it to any of the shows, the utility range is on show at dealers throughout the UK.

For more information, or to view the whole utility range from Kawasaki, visit: www.kawasaki.co.uk For more information Southam Agri. Services Southam, Warwickshire CV47 2DH 01926 813426 http://southamagri.co.uk

Day & Coles Ltd Newton Close, Park Farm Ind. Est. Wellingborough NN8 6UW 01933 673900

Contact your nearest dealer

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 51

| Motors

The new Nissan X-Trail: World's best selling SUV gets even better The Nissan X-Trail is the world’s best-selling SUV and now available with a range of upgrades which further enhance its quality and refinement. he changes include a distinctive and robust redesign of the exterior, a higher-quality interior with desirable new features, additional practicality for owners and innovative new technologies to make life on the road even safer.

For drivers seeking new levels of flexibility and greater freedom when they want it, the new Nissan X-Trail will be available with ProPILOT autonomous drive technology.

The enhancements to X-Trail are based on consumer insight and customer feedback, and are designed to reinforce the X-Trail’s position as the perfect car for family adventures.

Philippe Saillard, Senior Vice

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President, Sales & Marketing, Nissan Europe, commented: “Demand for crossovers is growing all the time, and for the Nissan X-Trail to be the number one for global sales is a huge honour. With these enhancements, the new X-Trail is delivering more of what our customers want. The Nissan X-Trail is the perfect car for family adventures.”

Unveiled in dramatic style earlier this month at a special event in Cardiff, Wales – hours ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final – the new Nissan XTrail will be on sale across Europe from August 2017.

The X-Trail is number one for Nissan. A highly capable five or seven-seat crossover aimed at adventure-loving families, it’s the brand’s best-selling vehicle worldwide.

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Including the USA, where the car is badged Rogue, more than 3.7 million have been sold since the first Nissan X-Trail was launched in 2000. That includes almost half a million cars in Europe, where the X-Trail remains hugely popular. Approximately 115,000 units have been sold in Europe since the all-new thirdgeneration model was launched in 2014, and demand has grown significantly year on year; sales doubled from 2014 to 2015, and the total rose again by another 40% the following year.

It is also a record-breaker.

Including Rogue sales, in FY16 the X-Trail was the world’s most popular SUV, with 766,000 vehicles sold – more than any other rival model.

The X-Trail has continued to evolve; earlier this year, Nissan

launched the car with a new 2.0litre 177PS diesel engine, broadening the range to meet the needs of consumers who require a higher-output powertrain.

Not surprisingly, the Nissan XTrail is a hit with its owners. The car has an outstanding 8.9 out of 10 customer rating with independent ratings organisation Reevoo.

As with all Nissan vehicles, every upgrade – no matter how large or small – has been undertaken with the customer in mind. The result is the new X-Trail, featuring a distinctive and robust exterior design, higher-quality interior refinement, extra practicality for owners and innovative new technologies.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

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July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 53

| Motors

Volvo XC60 crowned ‘Best Premium SUV’ at Auto Express Awards The Volvo XC60 has been voted 'Best Premium SUV' at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2017. he new XC60 won praise for its interior quality, design, technology, spaciousness and comfort-oriented approach. Auto Express's expert testers also said the XC60 has "a level of safety, connectivity and autonomous technology that leads the sector" and that it "will be a very easy car to live with day-to-day".

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"Winning the Auto Express 'Best Premium SUV' award is a fantastic testament to the quality and desirability of the new XC60” Commenting on the award, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: "Volvo has done it again with the XC60. The

XC90 has been a serial winner at our Awards and now the XC60 wins at the first attempt. It's another super-stylish SUV from Volvo that offers a level of quality, comfort and technology that rivals can't – it really is the complete package."

This second-generation model has all of the advanced connectivity and safety equipment introduced in Volvo's awardwinning range of large premium cars. It also brings Volvo's latest elegant Scandinavian design to the mid-size SUV class, along with the brand's ground-breaking Sensus touchscreen control system.

The XC60 is available with a range of powerful yet efficient engines, including the innovative T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.

This combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, making it a nearsilent zero-emission city car one minute and a high-performance

54 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

family SUV the next. With CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km, the T8 is also exceptionally tax-efficient.

Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: "Winning the Auto Express 'Best Premium SUV' award is a fantastic testament to the quality and desirability of the new XC60. The XC60 brings all the style, sophistication and cutting-edge connectivity and safety features from our largest cars to our bestselling model, introducing the fruits of Volvo's transformation to even more owners."

The XC60 wasn't the only successful Volvo at the Auto Express Awards. The XC90 – a two-time winner of the 'Best Large SUV' award – was also highly commended in the 'Best Large Premium SUV' category this year, showcasing Volvo's expertise when it comes to SUVs. For more information on the Volvo XC60 and XC90, please go to www.volvocars.com/uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

Perkins

Central Motors

Dunmow Road Rayne, Braintree Essex CM77 6SA

East Street Chard, Somerset TA20 1EP

Tel: 01371 483 379

Tel: 01460 64747

perkins-subaru.co.uk

centralmotors-subaru.co.uk

MTC Subaru

Cambridge Subaru

Eastrea Road, Whittlesey Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE7 2AJ

158 Shelford Road, Trumpington Cambridgeshire CB2 9NE

Tel: 01733 822 943

Tel: 01223 841 616

mtc-subaru.co.uk

cambridge-subaru.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 55

| Motors

Jeep Wrangler proves a savvy purchase The Jeep Wrangler Diesel is proving a savvy used car purchase as values for the 2011 onwards Sahara and Overland models have risen over the last two years. he study of the 4x4 market by automotive data experts hpi identified the Jeep Wrangler as one of the best-used buys.

Tim Bearder, used car expert at hpi, said: “Demand for the Wrangler is high. The high-end modification market is supporting prices of this model, and they are available in relatively small volumes.

The overall effect is to support used values to create the rare phenomenon of depreciation free motoring.

“As access to new unregistered Wrangler models became harder, the only other option was to go out into the market and buy used examples, the requirement for these models from various design companies have driven this unusual trend.”

Sahara and Overland are popular models

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used by the design and modification companies. The average values of a Jeep Wrangler 2-door automatic at three years and 30,000 miles have risen from £16,950 to £19,700 in the last 24 months.

Bearder said: “If you bought a March 14 plate Sahara 2 door auto with 20,000 miles in July 2015 and just parked it in your garage, today it would be worth £450 more than when you bought it. It is unlikely that values will increase any more, with the return of previously sold vehicles into the market putting pressure on prices going forward, but, the Wrangler Sahara and Overland models have certainly bucked the Diesel 4x4 trend.”

The Jeep Wrangler is a true 4WD off-road vehicle that has a growing fan base in the UK. Models from 2007 are quieter and more refined to drive. It is also another alternative to

the legendary Land Rover Defender, a model that has had similar fame but is no longer produced.

“If you bought a March 14 plate Sahara 2 door auto with 20,000 miles in July 2015 and just parked it in your garage, today it would be worth £450 more than when you bought it” In November 2016 Jeep celebrated the 75th anniversary of the "car that won a war" with several special editions, including one for the Wrangler. These are worth keeping an eye out for in the future as the rarity boosts values.

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| Motors

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July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 57

| Motors

Jaguar E-Pace tested in world’s most extreme conditions From the freezing Arctic Circle to the dust and heat of Dubai, the Jaguar E-PACE has been subjected to a diverse testing programmes, ensuring it is not only a driver’s car but a dynamic and entertaining performance SUV too. aguar unleashed hell and high water to ensure that EPACE worked on all surfaces and in all weathers. More than 150 prototypes were built during a gruelling 25-month test programme which took place across four continents to ensure not only extreme durability but that the vehicle lives up to the Art of Performance philosophy.

From the demanding

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Nürburgring circuit and high-speed Nardo test track to the deserts of the Middle East, E-PACE has proved itself in the world’s most challenging environments. Jaguar’s engineers braved the -40C temperature of the Arctic Circle and the high altitudes and rivers of China’s most remote provinces to ensure E-PACE can withstand a lifetime of use in the hands of the most active and demanding customers.

Jaguar’s new compact performance SUV will face its final

test in a world premiere that will be aired on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday 13 July. Jaguar will demonstrate the E-PACE’s combination of agility and true Jaguar performance, as well as how entertaining it is to drive.

“Our team of world class engineers and dynamics specialists have meticulously tuned and developed a true Jaguar. Months of

intense testing on roads and tracks around the world have delivered a compact performance SUV that is true to Jaguar’s performance DNA” Graham Wilkins, Chief Product Engineer, Jaguar E-PACE The Jaguar E-PACE will make its global debut at 20:00 on 13 July.

Watch the reveal on Facebook.com/Jaguar or YouTube.com/JaguarCars.

ARCHIE MOSS Leicestershire 01530 553 785 www.archiemoss-isuzu.co.uk

DUCKWORTH ISUZU Lincolnshire (South) 01205 722 110 www.duckworthisuzu.co.uk

YORK VAN CENTRE North Yorkshire 01904 275 211 www.yorkvancentre-isuzu.co.uk

BOB GERARD Leicestershire 0116 259 2224 www.bobgerard.co.uk

GARLAND MOTORS Hampshire 01252 884 026 www.garland-isuzu.co.uk

MARK WEATHERHEAD LTD Cambridgeshire 01954 574 562 www.markweatherhead-isuzu.co.uk

BURRELLS MOTOR GROUP South Yorkshire 01302 515 763 www.burrellsmotorgroup-isuzu.co.uk

JEFFRIES OF BACTON Suffolk 01449 424 758 www.jeffriesofbacton-isuzu.co.uk

HOLDCROFT ISUZU Staffordshire 01782 484 954 www.holdcroft-isuzu.co.uk

DUCKWORTH ISUZU Lincolnshire (North) 01673 842 101 www.duckworthisuzu.co.uk

SOLENT ISUZU Hampshire 01962 866331 www.solent-isuzu.co.uk

BULLDOG TWYFORD Berkshire 0118 932 0922 www.bulldogtwyford.com

58 | Farming Monthly | July 2017

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| Motors

The new BMW X3 The new third-generation BMW X3 combines rugged off-road looks with a greater sporting presence. t builds further on its reputation as one of the most dynamically competent and technologically advanced SUVs in its class, whilst retaining its premium image. The new model also brings in a new 2.0-litre petrol engine alongside the familiar diesel offering, plus a new performance flagship, the M40i – the first ever M Performance vehicle in the X3 line-up, emphasising the class-leading dynamic appeal of the model.

A whole range of Driver Assistance systems also ensure it is one of the most advanced, as well as safest, cars in its class, with multiplatform connectivity that reaches new levels.

Styling The exterior dimensions of the new BMW X3 are largely unchanged, but its five-centimetrelonger wheelbase, long bonnet and short front overhang emphasise its 50:50 weight distribution between front and rear axle.

Comfort and practicality The all-new X3 features three-zone automatic climate control as standard. This feature adds separate temperature controls for the rear compartment to those for the driver and front passenger. To further improve comfort in the rear compartment, the angle of the standard 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrests can be adjusted individually and through various stages thanks to the optional rear comfort seat.

This feature also allows the backrests to be released remotely from the load compartment, which expands the standard load capacity of 550 litres to 1,600 litres.

The new BMW X3 can be locked and unlocked using the optional BMW Display Key

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found on the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series. The Display Key offers a series of additional features, keeping the driver informed of fuel levels and any service or maintenance work due, and letting them know that the windows and sunroof are closed. Plus, it can also be used to operate the optional auxiliary heating.

Dynamics With ideal 50:50 weight distribution, a finely honed chassis and xDrive intelligent all-wheeldrive, linked to Dynamic Stability Control, the new X3 proudly shows off the handling characteristics for which BMW is renowned.

Furthermore, the standard Driving Experience Control switch lets the driver choose between various configurations – ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes (only on the 30i, 30d and M40i) – designed to make the vehicle more dynamic, more comfortable or more efficient to drive.

As far as the chassis technology is concerned, the third generation X3 maintains its winning formula of a double-joint spring strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle.

At the same time, it delivers an even sportier driving experience than its predecessor without compromising on ride comfort. BMW’s engineers have made a considerable reduction in unsprung mass, fitting aluminium swivel bearings and lighter tubular anti-roll bars.

To further improve dynamics, the rear bias of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system is increased. Intelligent AWD management allows adjustments to be made as the driving situation demands, while still maintaining maximum traction.

Off-road ability The BMW X3 is a capable off-road vehicle for

its intended audience. The approach angle (25.7°) and departure angle (22.6°), together with a breakover angle of 19.4°, create plenty of margin for negotiating steep sections or crests.

And with a fording depth of 500 millimetres, the X3 can tackle most obstacles with ease as well.

Engines and powertrains From launch, the X3 model line-up consists of the xDrive20d with four-cylinder diesel engine, the xDrive30d with a straight-six diesel units.

These will soon be followed by the xDrive20i engine variant, and the range-topping petrol model, the BMW X3 M40i. All stem from the latest generation of BMW engines and operate even more efficiently than the models they replace. Further improvements have also been made to the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and the BMW xDrive intelligent allwheel-drive system to add efficiency.

The cutting-edge BMW TwinPower Turbo technology at the heart of the petrol engine comprises TwinScroll turbocharging, High Precision Injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft control and Valvetronic fully variable valve timing. The diesel units, meanwhile, have a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry as well as a common-rail direct injection system generating injection pressures of up to 2,500 bar. Emission control is handled in both cases

by BMW BluePerformance technology, comprising a particulate filter, oxidation and NOx absorption catalysts, plus an SCR catalytic converter with AdBlue injection.

All the engine variants are equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, matched to the power unit’s specific performance characteristics.

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Kentdale Kendal

Duckworth Land Rover, Boston

01539 814444, www.kentdale.kendal.landrover.co.uk

01205 722110, www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk

Rybrook Huddersfield Land Rover 01484 516016, www.rybrook.huddersfield.landrover.co.uk

Rybrook Copley Land Rover 01422 363340, www.rybrook.halifax.landrover.co.uk

Lloyds Kelso

Duckworth Land Rover, Market Rasen 01673 842101, www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk

Conwy Land Rover 01492 580000, www.conwy.landrover.co.uk

Stafford Land Rover 01785 214140, www.stafford.landrover.co.uk

01573 224345, www.lloyd.kelso.landrover.co.uk

Guy Salmon Knutsford 01565 632525, www.guysalmon.knutsford.landrover.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

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| Motors

Mitsubishi L200 wins Auto Express ‘Pick Up of the Year’ award for third consecutive year The Mitsubishi L200 has won ‘Pick Up of the Year’ in the Auto Express awards for the third consecutive year, the iconic truck retaining its crown at a prestigious ceremony in London last night. he magazine’s judges praised the L200 for its unrivalled allround capability, the truck impressing with its versatility, driving dynamics and high level of standard equipment.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-chief, Auto Express, explained: "Whether it's for work or play, the L200 has a brilliant blend of abilities that make it a worthy Award winner. Apart from its abilities as a workhorse, we love the way it drives with a strong engine and good handling, while it comes with plenty of luxury kit on board, too. In a busy year for pick-up launches, the L200 still comes out on top."

Mike Thomas, General Manager, Product Planning & Incentives, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: “We are delighted to receive the

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award for the third year in a row. The L200 epitomises the Mitsubishi brand, celebrating our heritage with its advanced four-wheel drive technology, rugged durability and excellent performance on- and off-road. We are especially pleased that Auto Express has judged it to remain supreme in a sector that is experiencing significant growth and is more competitive than ever.”

Auto Express’ annual new car awards span 29 categories and recognise the best cars and automotive achievements of the year. Auto Express is Britain’s leading title for car news and reviews, online and in print. It tests and reviews over 1,000 cars a year – more than any other title – and its website attracts four million unique users a month.

The L200 has been a mainstay in the

Mitsubishi Motors’ UK model range for decades, constantly being at the top of its sector. At the end of May, L200 sales were up over 35 per cent versus the same period last year.

The latest Auto Express accolade adds to the multiple awards that the Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 has won since its introduction in July 2015.

Priced from £18,299 (CV List Price), the Mitsubishi L200 is available in single, club and double cab body styles and a payload of up to 1,060kg and a towing capacity of up to 3.1 tonnes (braked). The fifth generation Mitsubishi L200 is currently available with zero per cent finance.

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