July 2020 Farming Monthly National

INSIDE: Low Carbon Agriculture 2021 launches in the UK page 73

Farming

MONTHLY National

July 2020

Also in this issue...

Climate

| Agricultural Infrastructure: Climate Impact page 66

Suffolk pig farmers feed one million bees in pioneering project Also inside this month..

Pig farming brothers have succeeded in feeding one million bees thanks to an innovative and pioneering project that saw them turn over half their land to wildflowers.page 14

Alternative crops p18

Beef finishing using homegrown crops p54

The new INEOS Grenadier p94

PLUS: Arable | Silage| Tyres | Livestock | Climate | Machinery | Energy | ATV | Motors

CONTENTS July 2020

FEATURES 24

13 Security Quad bike theft suspects arrested

16 Arable High alert for potato blight

42

46

64 Climate

66

76 Buildings

Creamery reduces carbon footprint

76 Feature

Environmental Impact: Can it stop the job?

86 Tyres

What are Drone IP Rating Standards?

New TrailXBib from Michelin

34 Cereals & Grain Cereals LIVE celebrates online success

40 Grass & Silage

REGULARS

Wilt rapidly to reduce dry matter losses

48 Pig & Poultry Could you reduce piglet handling

50 Muck & Slurry Ktwo improves spreaders

54 Livestock Beef finishing using homegrown crops

04 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

06 News Bounce back plan for agriculture

14 On Topic Suffolk pig farmers feed one million bees

43 Energy Complete crop nutrition packages

80 Machinery Scotts introduce new toppers

88 ATV ATV news...covered.

90 Motors Latest motors news

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

94

Agriculture. Covered.

EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@farmingmonthly.com ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0) 2476 353537

Suffolk pig farmers feed one million bees in pioneering project

p14

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Shona Beedham s.beedham@farmingmonthly.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Julie Smith j.smith@farmingmonthly.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jenny Hughes j.hughes@farmingmonthly.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION studio@farmingmonthly.com SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@farmingmonthly.com ON THE COVER Wholecrop can overcome forage shortages

Subscribe today!

Enjoy your 12 month print subscription direct to your door for just ÂŁ20!

Call us on 02476 353537 or visit our secure website at www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Available in

PRINT. DIGITAL. APP.

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.

Full copyright applies. All rights reserved.

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

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 05

| News

‘Bounce back’ plan for agriculture, food & drink industry launched A 'bounce back' plan of trade measures for the agriculture, food and drink industry has been announced to help support businesses that have been impacted by coronavirus. he new strategic interventions jointly announced by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will offer immediate support to help businesses in the industry grow their trade activity overseas.

The agriculture, food and drink industry is the UK's largest manufacturing industry and plays a vital role in the UK's food supply chain, which contributed £121 billion to the UK economy in 2018 – supporting around 4 million jobs. In 2019, UK food, feed and drink exports were worth £23.7bn – up 4.9% from 2018.

The measures introduced today will support producers, manufacturers and agri-tech companies across the food supply chain, from farm to fork, and has been developed with insight from the devolved administrations, trade associations, businesses and DIT's regional and international networks.

The UK agriculture, food and drink industry has been significantly impacted by Coronavirus. Although it has done well to adapt, exports have been hit and the Government is committed to supporting this most important of industries get back into international markets and start growing market share once again.

That's why we're proud to announce our 'bounce back' plan, introducing a new programme of physical and virtual events that have been tailored to help a variety of businesses and exporters. These include an overseas virtual buyer trial, a 'Smart Distance Selling Process', and a package of 'Ready to Trade' Exporting Masterclass webinars.

Leveraging DIT's existing E-exporting Programme, we are also launching a new SME E-commerce Accelerator Pilot to increase the level of international e-commerce backing for

T

06 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

SMEs in the food and drink industry.

The plan will also see the introduction of Defra's first Agri-food Counsellor serving the Gulf. In this new role, they will support the UK's food and drink industry and represent the interests of UK businesses already exporting, or planning to export, to the region.

These measures are being announced as part of a programme of support for the agriculture, food and drink industry to ensure they benefit from new trade and investment opportunities - including future free trade agreements (FTAs).

Over the last two months the Department for International Trade has launched the first round of talks for the US, Japan and Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Additionally, the department has announced the first UK Tariff in almost 50 years, the UK Global Tariff, which firmly backs British industry, including agri-food and drink. In 2019 the UK exported £2.4bn of food and drink to the US, £312m to Japan, £453m to Australia and £58m to New Zealand.

Minister for Export, Graham Stuart MP, DIT said: "More trade is absolutely critical to helping the UK's agriculture, food and drink industry recover from the impact of coronavirus.

"The package of measures we have announced today will support 'bounce back' in exports, and help our world-class producers and manufacturers increase trade with the rest of the world. It will also get the industry ready to capitalise on the opportunities that are being opened up by the series of free trade agreements that my department is negotiating around the world."

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Victoria Prentis, Defra said: "The high quality of British food and drink is recognised around the world and the wider

industry supports thousands of jobs across the UK. "This package of measures signifies our strong commitment to support the sector in recovering from the impact of coronavirus. It includes the promotion and showcasing of British expertise and produce to new export markets, identifying opportunities and strengthening existing relationships.

"Our new Agri food counsellor serving the Gulf region will be an important new role representing the interests of UK businesses exporting to the area, working to open new export markets and supporting food and drink promotion activities within the region."

Ian Wright CBE, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation said: "Support on this scale from UK Government is extremely welcome at this uncertain time.

The package of measures is testament to the close and long-running work between FDF, DIT and Defra to boost our exports performance.

Our success in restarting and expanding exports will be absolutely vital in aiding the UK's post-Covid economic recovery.

"UK food and drink is an international success story, exporting more than £23 billion of quality products each year. The 'bounce back' plan will ensure that specialist support is available to those UK businesses which trade around the world and provides fantastic potential for those companies looking to export.

With a footprint in every constituency, food and drink is uniquely placed to drive an exports-led recovery. In the longer term, it is important that government and industry continue to work together to take advantage of export opportunities and address fragmentation in available support across the UK." AHDB's International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley said: "We welcome today's announcement by

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

government to launch a new recovery package, which will provide immediate support to those businesses looking to grow their trade activity overseas. Coronavirus has had a big impact on the UK's export activity and while we continue to ship our produce around the world, the challenges of the pandemic have been strongly felt in all sectors.

"Therefore, we are very encouraged to see this 'bounce back' plan, which will provide significant support to many of the UK businesses we assist in growing their overseas trade. We hope that many will benefit from new trade and investment opportunities, so that AHDB, in partnership with government, can continue to put UK produce on the tables of more households around the world."

UK Government minister for Scotland David Duguid said: "Scottish food and drink is world-famous and highly sought after around the globe. This 'bounce back plan' will help support the thousands of people working in the industry across Scotland and is a further example of the UK Government doing everything we can to make sure we recover from the unprecedented pandemic.

"We are working to ensure we enjoy the new opportunities as a country outside the EU through making new free trade agreements with countries around the world - bringing a wealth of new markets to our sector.

"Agriculture, food and drink are among Scotland's biggest success stories and vital to our economy and we are working to make sure this flourishes for many years to come."

The full range of measures announced include: 1. Launch of a GREAT DIT Food & Drink Exporting Masterclass, an extensive and bespoke programme of webinars to be produced in conjunction with trade

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

associations, UK regions, including Devolved Administrations, and DIT's international network, all supported by DIT's Export Specialists.

2. Launch of Food & Drink SME Ecommerce Accelerator Pilot to leverage DIT's Eexporting Programme to increase the level of international e-commerce support for food and drink SMEs, including agri-tech. This will include the offer of one-to-one e-commerce export clinics with the programme's ecommerce specialists and regional advisers, a new series of industry webinars and podcasts focussed on highlighting the opportunities available to export through e-marketplaces internationally, as well as virtual workshops on internationalising their websites for those companies selling direct to consumers in various markets around the world.

3. Promote 50 Food and Drink Export Champions to stimulate aspiring exporters, while utilising International Trade Advisor specialist networks focused on agri-food.

4. Announce the first Defra Agri-food Counsellor serving the UAE and wider Gulf Region, with the role focussing on supporting our food and drink sector and representing the interests of UK businesses already exporting to the area, as well as those looking to export for the first time. The new Defra-funded Regional Agri-Food Counsellor will be based in Dubai and will work alongside DIT's existing sector leads in the UAE, providing specialist knowledge and engagement in Government to Government discussions on behalf of UK interests and sectors. She will also support food and drink promotion activity at the UK pavilion at World Expo in 2021, identifying opportunities for new markets and further developing existing export relationships.

5. Launch of a programme of physical and

virtual events, using innovative, interactive software to connect buyers, promote the UK and reach international markets. This will include: an overseas virtual buyer trial working directly with chosen US buyers through a virtual delivery programme; and developing a UK 'Smart Distance Selling Process', which includes the dispatch of food and drink samples to buyers.

6. Leveraging Defra's Food is GREAT campaign, which will extend into the UAE and the EU later this year, to provide impactful and targeted activity in priority export markets, such as USA, China and Japan. This also will be complemented by new agri-food creative imagery within DIT's GREAT Ready to Trade campaign when this resumes in the summer, under the Food is GREAT and Invest in GREAT pillars.

7. Two Virtual Investor Roundtables chaired

by Lord Grimstone, Minister for Investment, with agri-food and drink, and agri-tech companies to inform the development of the UK's investment strategy, the UK Agri-Tech International Strategy and the launch of Phase 2 of the High Potential Opportunity Programme.

8. Uplift of UK Export Finance's "Exporters' Edge" campaign to further outreach and engagement to identify and respond to the needs of the industry and raise awareness of how UKEF and Trade Finance can help the businesses win and fulfil export contracts.

UKEF is also accelerating the development of its products to allow a wider range of UK exporters to access its support. Its enhanced offer will provide easier access to working capital for UK exporters by offering financing that is not tied to specific export contracts but instead supports general business activities.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 07

| News

Tractor tests to restart in England To help the vital agricultural industry, tractor tests will resume in England from Monday 6 July, DVSA has announced. uring lockdown people have relied on farmers to work and keep the food supply chain going, helping our supermarkets remain stocked.

To help them with this year’s harvest DVSA is getting its tractor driving test service back up and running.

DVSA has announced driver and rider testing services will resume in phases, starting with the ones where social distancing is easier to maintain. As the driving examiner gives instructions from the side of the road during a tractor test it is one of the first services to return.

DVSA will contact everyone who had a tractor test cancelled after the service was suspended on 20 March to agree a suitable time and location for their cancelled test.

Anyone wanting to book a tractor test can

D

apply for an emergency test via the critical worker emergency booking service at www.gov.uk/apply-emergency-theory-test.

DVSA Chief Driving Examiner Mark Winn said: “The agricultural industry is a vital cog in the UK economy which keeps us all fed and nourished.

“Tractors play a key role in this industry by supporting harvesting and many other farming activities, so I’m pleased to announce the restart of tractor tests in England.

“It is vital that tractor tests resume when it is safe to do so and in line with the Government’s advice.”

DVSA will announce when the service opens to book tests in due course. The DVSA booking service will only reopen after all candidates with a driving and riding test suspended at the start of lockdown have been offered the opportunity to book a new time and date.

DVSA will publish further information and make future announcements on the resumption of testing, training and lessons as soon as possible. DVSA will announce the restart of tractor driving testing in Scotland and Wales subject to the devolved administrations’ lockdown guidance. DVSA is keeping the situation under review.

Red tape and digital divide threaten success of post-Brexit sustainable farming incentives, research shows Farmers want to see less red tape and better access to the web so that they can engage with the Government’s sustainable farming plans, according to new research. xperts at the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Sustainable Food and the University of Reading’s School of Agriculture interviewed farmer welfare charities, facilitation groups and farmer-run networks, farm advisors and agri-environment workers to uncover why policymakers find some farmers are ‘harder to reach’.

Complex bureaucracy, lack of trusted advisory support, and poor internet connections are key issues that prevent them from getting involved in the design and delivery of the Environmental Land Management scheme which will replace European Union subsidies from 2024.

The researchers warned that failing to engage harder to reach farmers risks damaging consequences for the environment and threatens the viability of farm business in some of England’s most iconic landscapes.

The ‘public money for public goods’ approach will reward land managers in England for improving biodiversity and delivering cleaner air and water, healthier soils and flood protection. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has committed to ‘co-designing’ the new policy with farmers, but previous consultations have only seen larger farmers and organisations getting involved in the process.

Along with the impact of the ‘digital divide’ and limited access to broadband in rural areas, the new study found that past experiences with

E

08 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

bureaucracy and distrust of Defra and government agencies put many farmers off responding to the government’s efforts to involve them in policymaking. Lack of time, social isolation, and age of the farmer were also found to make it difficult for farmers to contribute and participate in the co-design of ELM. The study showed that paying farmers correctly and on time was crucial to Environmental Land Management’s success as late payments have contributed to an erosion of trust and faith in previous schemes.

The researchers recommended a simplified scheme design and the creation of non-digital ways for farmers to get involved. They called on ministers to review implementation timescales regularly and fund farm advisors with strong interpersonal skills and training in agrienvironment issues, to support farmers through the transition to the new scheme. This is key to achieving the aim of protecting the environment, as socially isolated farmers are more likely to use unsustainable farming practices.

Dr Ruth Little, Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Sheffield, said: “The new Environment Land Management scheme represents a dramatic shift away from the previous support regime, with huge potential to restore nature to health. But for it to keep farms in business after Brexit and improve our environment, farmers must have a say in its design. Defra have made a commitment to codesigning ELM with stakeholders and our

research offers insights on how to make these conversations as inclusive as possible.”

“Our findings showed some farmers are forced to drive to the nearest McDonald’s to access decent wifi, and many find the online schemes difficult to engage with. The government should provide IT assistance and invest in rural broadband – not just for our economy, but for the environment too.”

Dr David Christian Rose, Elizabeth Creak Associate Professor of Agricultural Innovation and Extension at the University of Reading, said: “We have known for some time that farmer engagement in agri-environment schemes is dependent on the availability of free, trusted advice, as well as payment being provided on time with no harsh penalties for administrative mistakes.”

“Our findings show that known solutions, including providing free advice, improving rural broadband and non-digital response options, reducing scheme complexity and allowing local flexibility must be prioritised to ensure that Environmental Land Management participation is high. ELM must also be attractive to land managers not widely in current agrienvironment schemes, such as pigs, poultry, horticulture, hobby farmers and large landowners.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

Mark and Zena Hinds with the new milk vending machine

Derbyshire farm diversifies to introduce milk vending machine A farm near Ashbourne has launched a milk vending machine giving customers the chance to buy fresh milk 24 hours a day – and even create their own DIY milkshakes. eldersley Farm has diversified and is now selling the freshly pasteurised milk it produces as well as other local produce directly to the local community through vending machines.

The farm is run by husband and wife Mark and Zena Hinds and is based on the Osmaston Estate, which is managed by property consultancy Fisher German.

Milk will be available from a special milk vending machine, and customers will have the opportunity to bring their own bottles or purchase them on-site through a second vending machine which also stocks free range eggs and locally produced honey, with other local produce being added soon.

Flavourings will also be available giving families the opportunity to create their own DIY milkshakes.

The vending machines are based in their own building on the farm and are accessible to customers 24 hours a day.

Y

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

The farmyard is located on the main A52 between Derby and Ashbourne, and Mark and Zena hope to not only attract the local community but also those passing through the area.

Mark said: “We wanted to add value to our milk by selling it directly to the local community while bringing people on to the farm.

“We also receive an awful lot of passing traffic, so diversifying in this way seemed like a really positive step for the business.

“We want to be as eco-friendly as possible and are encouraging customers to purchase a reusable one litre glass bottle or bring their own, however we do have a limited number of plastic bottles available.

“We also created our DIY milkshake bar to provide a fun experience for families who are visiting.

“We’re passionate about promoting dairy farms in a positive way and encouraging people to shop local, something that those living in the Ashbourne area are incredibly

supportive of.

“We’ve already received some really positive feedback and are now looking to grow the vending business organically, working with other local suppliers should there be the demand for us to stock a wider range of products.

“Some of the money we raise will be invested back into the farm to further improve animal welfare and to support local wildlife environments on the farm.”

Ian McKenzie, of Fisher German, added: “This is a fantastic example of diversification and an excellent way to bring members of the community on to the farm while enabling them to purchase fresh local produce.

“It is also very eco-friendly, cutting down on food miles and encouraging customers to reuse glass bottles, creating a sustainable food source for the community.

“The estate is extremely supportive of the farm’s new vending machine business and we look forward to seeing it thrive.”

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 09

| News

Landowners warned about public rights of way as Covid-19 sees increase in walkers Farmers and landowners are being advised to protect themselves from unwanted public rights of way being created, as the Covid-19 pandemic results in an increasing number of walkers in the countryside. eading property consultancy Fisher German is urging landowners to protect their interests as the boom in walking during the lockdown period has resulted in more people trespassing.

Experts from the firm’s rural team have said that even if landowners currently see no harm, not protecting their assets now may result in public rights of way being created and losing control of their land in the future.

Public footpaths and bridleways can be created by people walking or riding across otherwise private land for a long time, usually in excess of 20 years.

Once a public right of way has been created, it can then become difficult to remove or alter the route of it, even when landowners are able to produce evidence that they have prevented people from using a path, for instance by challenging users or erecting signage.

Fisher German is advising landowners to gain expert advice on ways to protect themselves, including making a ‘deposit’ under Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980.

Although this measure does not necessarily mean that the owner is planning to stop public access, it does protect them against public rights of way being created over land through long-term usage.

Molly Dickson, of Fisher German, said: “We have had an increasing number of landowners contact us during the pandemic about people walking on their land where there is not a public right of way.

“With leisure activities being restricted this has ultimately led to people developing new hobbies, a popular one being walking.

“But while farmers and landowners may currently see no harm in people walking across their land, this could result in a public right of way being created through long-term use.

“This can have a negative impact on property values and cause damage to crops and livestock, and access may be of particular concern if the landowner has aspirations for an alternative use of the land in the future.

“Lodging a deposit under the Highways Act is one way for landowners to protect themselves, and although it doesn’t always

L

mean that the owner is planning to stop public access, it is a way to protect themselves.

“It does not affect those rights of way already in place and accrued, but it does stop the clock on new ones being acquired.

“It is important that landowners seek the appropriate advice on how to lodge a deposit, including the application and renewals process, and other ways to help protect their assets.”

10 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

Red Tractor’s remote assessments protocol proves to be a success The introduction of a new remote assessment regime for farmer members has proven to be a highly successful initiative, according to new figures released

by Red Tractor. ver the past two months, the UK’s largest food and farming scheme has seen 6,300 members complete remote assessments on farm. In March, all physical assessments were halted in accordance with government advice on social distancing and non-essential travel. Working with the scheme’s certification bodies and key stakeholders, a new protocol was developed to meet all UKAS requirements, and to ensure that the supply chain remained secure and fully traceable. The Red Tractor regime for remote assessments gives assessors the ability to have ‘virtual eyes’ on farm and allows farmers to complete their assessments to gain or maintain their assurance status.

Members have been offered the opportunity to opt for either an offline pre-assessment of documentation, followed by a partial assessment using live-streaming technologies to provide a real-time visual inspection of the farm. Or, alternatively have the entire assessment-reviewing paperwork and documents, alongside a visual inspection streamed live with an assessor.

Red Tractor’s CEO Jim Moseley said: “With more than 6,000 remote assessments already completed since we began the roll out, and thousands more in the pipeline, we are delighted how quickly and well this new protocol has been received by members.

“Working with our certification bodies, we’ve continued to test the platforms and systems, and respond to user feedback, to deliver a robust regime for farmers. In doing so we have ensured that we continue to have a secure

O

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

supply chain, which has every member, meeting every standard, every day.

“Increasingly our farmers are recognising the benefits of remote assessments. Not only as a viable solution for now, but as a real asset for the future- helping to overcome some of the geographic and biosecurity challenges they often face.”

Andrew Hurford, who farms alongside this brother and parents in Devon said: “I was sceptical about the new format, but it actually worked out well.

“We were due to have our audit a week before lockdown, but this couldn’t go ahead so we were top of the list for the new online version.

“I was apprehensive about it because I’m not very comfortable with technology and I hadn’t used any video conferencing apps before. But the interaction with the assessor was very good and they clearly explained what I needed to do.

“The thing that took the most time for me was getting all the documents together. I wasn’t confident about using the technology, so I chose to show the assessor our documentation during the video call, rather than uploading it to the portal beforehand. Now that I feel more confident, I think I’ll be able to use the portal next time. This will make life easier.”

Remote assessments have been made possible, largely due to the development of a unique online portal, which works as a confidential online filing cabinet. Members can upload and store all necessary documents required to demonstrate compliance to Red Tractor standards. It’s a secure and safe way for members to upload and review documents relating to their assessment and has been

designed for all Red Tractor farm scheme and transport members to use. Assessors can then review the documents ahead of the assessment to save members time. For farmers who struggle with mobile connectivity, the online portal allows them to upload documents beforehand at a time that suits them.

As the UK begins to open again, Red Tractor is now preparing to introduce the phased rollout of physical inspections on farms. From Monday 6th July, the resumption of on-farm inspections will principally be for those who meet the following criteria: new applicants wishing to become Red Tractor assured those who have been identified as a poorer performer as part of Red Tractor’s risk-based approach where live streaming is not a credible option, due to connectivity or technology issues.

At this stage, most inspections will continue to be conducted remotely. This dual approach to assessments for farm members, means that from the 6th July, inspections will return to being compulsory.

Jim Moseley added: “As we move towards a semblance of normality, with the relaxing of social distancing and travel restrictions, it is important that we take a sensible and measured sustainable approach to how we deliver our inspection regimes for the health and wellbeing of our members and inspectors.”

With more than 2,200 members already utilising the Red Tractor Portal and nine out of ten farmers finding it a helpful and easy to use resource, it is expected that most members will opt to use it for the paper-based reporting element of assessments.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 11

| News

Nearly £10m to help improve water quality in Wales Nearly £10m of capital funding will be used in 2020-21 to improve water quality across Wales and also tackle water pollution issues from abandoned metal mines. ver £5m will be allocated to a series of projects, working with partner organisations to improve water quality across Wales, including: Nature Recovery Action Plan (£1.115m) –NRW will work with partners including Afonydd Cymru on measures for salmon and trout in Welsh waterways to restore fish habitat and improve breeding distribution; Rural Development Plan (RDP), Glastir Small Grant Scheme (£1.5m) – match funding for a specific grant focusing on improving water quality;

O

"By working together, with partner organisations and the farming sector, we can make a real difference to our waters and ecosystems both today and as we work towards a green recovery post-Covid19."

Natural Flood Management Programme (£1m) – contribution to a dedicated scheme at catchment level combined with water quality improvement measures, to achieve both reduction in flood risk and improving water quality; NRW Water Quality Improvement Projects (£802,000) – NRW will work with partners on 15

smaller scale projects to tackle areas affected by increased levels of pollutants, such as Phosphate and improve marine biodiversity; and Research & Development (R&D) Projects (£1m) – the project will develop effective innovative solutions to minimise the long-term impact of metal mine water discharges, improve the ecological status of Welsh rivers and support a healthy farming industry. This includes innovative projects such as Coleg Sir Gar's Gelli Aur Sustainable Farming Centre.

The Gelli Aur Sustainable Farming Centre aims to become a knowledge centre for the farming community, developing alternative systems for water and slurry management suitable for on farm use. The project will be led

by Coleg Sir Gar in collaboration with NRW, Welsh Water, AHDB, Farming Connect and the farming unions.

In addition, NRW will receive £4.5m for a metal mine remediation programme, focusing on the most polluting abandoned mines to tackle water pollution issues.

Abandoned Metal Mines are one of the principal causes of failures of Water standards in Wales. Discharges from underground workings and leaching of metals from spoil heaps present significant sources of water pollution today, causing iron, zinc, lead and cadmium failures.

There are 1,300 abandoned metal mines in

Wales that have been estimated to impact over 600km of river reaches.

The funding was agreed as part of the Welsh Government 2020-21 Budget.

Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: "We are determined to improve our water quality across Wales and tackle the very real problem of pollution in our waterways, in particular from abandoned metal mines. This significant package of funding will enable a number of innovative projects to get underway to do just that.

"By working together, with partner organisations and the farming sector, we can make a real difference to our waters and ecosystems both today and as we work towards a green recovery post-Covid19."

Ceri Davies, Executive Director for Evidence, Planning and Permitting said: "Our rivers, lakes and streams are an iconic part of the Welsh landscape they provide us with vital resources including drinking water, a habitat for wildlife and supply of water for business use and recreation opportunities.

"Like many of our natural resources our waterways are under pressure from the way we use and interact with these resources both past and present, and this funding will mean that we can take action now to further improve water quality for generations to come."

Be rewarded for protecting against metaldehyde Farmers in Severn Trent priority catchments are being encouraged to sign up to the Farm to Tap scheme to receive up to £5/ha for protecting watercourses from metaldehyde. aura Flower, Severn Trent catchment scientist, explains that, although this is the penultimate season for metaldehyde application, reducing the risk it poses to water is still a primary objective. So, the water company is looking to continue to collaborate with farmers throughout the process.

“For those still using metaldehyde, the Farm to Tap payments will provide some buffer for trialling different IPM techniques for slug control or contribute towards the cost of the ferric phosphate alternative,” she says.

“Since starting the scheme in 2017, over 800 farmers have worked in close collaboration with our agricultural advisers to successfully reduce metaldehyde levels reaching treatment works annually, and we don’t want this

L

year to be any different.”

Applications for the scheme are now open until 15 September 2020. And, to encourage all farmers in the area to join in with the effort, Severn Trent is offering a £100 bonus to those in catchments with no exceedances over the drinking water standard of 0.1ppb during the testing period.

“Metaldehyde is extremely costly to remove from water, so it’s essential for us to work in partnership with farmers to prevent the issue at the source. Every £1 we spend on catchment management activity, such as the Farm to Tap scheme, we save £20 in treatment, ensuring customer bills are kept as low as possible,” says Laura.

For more information, or to apply, please visit https://www.stwater.co.uk/aboutus/environment/catchmentmanagement/farm-to-tap/ or contact your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser.

12 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Security

Quad bike theft suspects arrested – and told to stay out of North Yorkshire Two Hartlepool men have been arrested on suspicion of trying to steal quad bikes from a rural North Yorkshire farm – and told to stay out of the county. vigilant farmer spotted suspicious activity on his land yesterday morning, Monday 29 June 2020. He followed the two suspects into nearby fields, while another family member called North Yorkshire Police on 999, just before 7.20am.

Police officers, including a police dog, attended immediately, arriving within 15 minutes – and arrested two men, aged 24 and 17.

The 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.

Gloves, a spanner and a knife were seized from the 17-year-old suspect. He was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, going equipped for theft and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

On examining the scene – a farm north of Northallerton – it was established that a secure garage had been broken into, and tools and two quad bikes removed. The

A

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

quad bikes – both Honda vehicles with unique agricultural attachments – were located nearby.

Unfortunately they had been damaged, and may cost hundreds of pounds to repair.

Both suspects were taken into custody and interviewed. Last night they were released on bail while police enquiries continue. Both have been given bail conditions not to enter North Yorkshire for any reason, other than answering bail.

Speaking earlier this year, Inspector Matt Hagen, of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, said: "Quite apart from its monetary value, the loss of a quad can have a significant impact on a farm or other rural business – particularly in these difficult times, when farmers really cannot afford any further disruption.

"Police patrols in rural areas have not stopped, so if you see or hear anything suspicious, don't hesitate to call us. If a crime is in progress, or someone suspected of a crime is nearby, call 999. If you don't need

an emergency response, please report anything suspicious to us using the 101 phone number. Any

piece of information could help us build up a picture and bring criminals to justice."

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 13

| On Topic

Suffolk pig farmers feed one bees in pioneering project Pig farming brothers have succeeded in feeding one million bees thanks to an innovative and pioneering project that saw them turn over half their land to wildflowers.

F

our years ago Mark and Paul Hayward decided to farm 33 hectares – the equivalent of 83 football pitches – mainly around the pig site at Dingley Dell Pork in the most wildlife

positive way.

This involves planting nectar-rich blooms with the aim of embracing a more eco-friendly and sustainable way of farming.

And this week, under the guidance of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a scientific study was carried out monitoring insect activity on the plot – which found they were feeding one million bees at any one time.

“This was our target when we started – to grow enough to feed a million bees on a single

14 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

day,” said Mark, a third generation farmer. “We are acutely aware that bees are under threat from modern farming methods and that East Anglia is one of the worst offenders for bee foraging diversity.

“Every third bite of food you eat can be attributed to pollinators and we wanted to create an operation on our farm that did not push nature out but rather embraced it – as a central part of our eco system and our food cycle.”

The farm uses a seed mix of phacelia, sainfoin, birds-foot trefoil, alsike clover, musk mallow, campium and vetch.

Paul said: “Modern life has pushed nature out and the world knows we have a problem.

We are taking a very minor role in helping

society restore a more favourable balance and this starts with plant diversity to encourage in insects, bees, small mammals, and birds.

“At the end of the day, we see ourselves as caretakers of this land. Between us we have six children and we owe it to them to farm sustainability and set an example for the generations to come.”

Mark’s eldest daughter Grace, 18, has taken the lead on the big bee count, part of a wider set of surveys under the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS).

This involves marking out square meter patch of land using a quadrat made of stiff cardboard or wire and counting first number of flowers in the patch and then the bees feeding there over a one minute period. The team

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| On Topic

e million carried out counts in different flower mixes with a high of 19 bees counted in the phacelia.

These figures were then multiplied by the land space for each type of flower mix to give an estimate of the total number of insects feeding.

The total number of bumblebees estimated on the land during the count was 1,186,300.

Grace, who also runs the newly-launched Dingley Dell Cured, a branch of the business selling charcuterie, said: “I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved here and what’s even better is nobody has been stung except my boyfriend – which obviously my dad found hilarious.”

The farm has developed a rotational system for its pork production which allows it to grow

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

both grass and wildflower mixes - vital flowering habitat for bumblebees and other pollinators.

According to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, many types of bumblebee in the UK have seen their populations decline by 70 per cent, and two species have become extinct in the last century.

Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Trust said: “The 'bees per square metre' figure can take a bit of finessing but even allowing for some extrapolating, the studies show that Dingley Dell is feeding at least one million bees at any one time.

“Nobody has done anything of this scale before and the point that should be made here is how committed Mark and Paul are to

ensuring that their farm is pollinator friendly.

“Their commitment and passion for protecting bumblebees has to be applauded.

And what they have done here is truly exceptional.”

Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming added: “I so appreciate this important initiative: providing food for a million bees is simply incredible aim. I’ve visited Dingley Dell and applaud Mark and Paul Hayward for their enthusiasm and commitment to animal welfare and the environment.”

For more information visit https://dingleydellcured.co.uk/

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 15

| Arable

Changing weather pattern puts potato growers on high alert for blight Rain showers and warming temperatures have heightened the threat of potato blight with Hutton Criteria disease warnings declared across many of the UK’s key growing regions. he Blightwatch alert system, hosted by AHDB and the MET Office, has displayed red warnings since 11 June – indicating the highest level of blight threat – just as many crops are reaching the crucial rapid canopy growth stage.

Red alerts have been issued in England for Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, East Anglia and across the West Midlands.

In Scotland fewer warnings have been issued but indicate that the same urgency and

T

16 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

tightening of the blight programme should be a priority for growers in Angus and Ayr, and also in Ceredigion in Wales.

A prolonged period of hot, dry weather through much of April and May meant planting took place in good conditions and the disease threat remained low.

Farmers and advisors are well aware that the threat of blight will develop quickly in warm, wet weather, particularly with latent blight present in volunteer potatoes from fields that were abandoned following a difficult harvesting campaign in 2019.

The challenge is intensifying with the widespread presence of newer, more aggressive strains of late blight which make vigilance ever more important.

Corteva™ Agriscience’s Field Technical Manager for potatoes, Craig Chisholm, says the current situation hasn’t yet reached the epidemic levels of disease seen last June and July when persistent downpours made spray programmes so difficult for many.

But he added that the threat is evident and urged potato growers to protect crops now with robust blight prevention programmes.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

He said: “The majority of the main crop is just embarking on the rapid growth phase, so the need to be on top of potential blight infection in new growth is key.”

Growers will now be looking for windows of dry, calm weather in which to apply their spray programmes.

Craig advocates a strong preventative strategy which keeps the canopy clean as it develops.

He believes Corteva’s new blight fungicide co-formulation Zorvec™ Endavia will play an important role in establishing a clean

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

foundation to any programme.

Market-leading performance in trials and experience using Zorvec in 2019 will give growers confidence that they can stay on top of the disease in 2020, Craig said.

“Zorvec chemistry has proven to be the best available fungicide in its control of late blight at the rapid canopy development phase, with the co-formulation of oxathiapiprolin + benthiavalicarb (Zorvec Endavia) being every bit as affective as the co-pack was in 2019,” he said.

“Timings will be largely dependent on variety

and conditions, but Zorvec offers up to 10 days’ protection adding flexibility to programmes at a time when demand on available labour is particularly high.

“Regardless of application timing, growers will look to benefit from the product’s ability to move into new growth. This will have value during the rapid growth phase as well as later in the programme particularly on varieties with an indeterminate growth habit.”

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Arable

Seabuckthorn is among the alternative crops being used in new food products

Taking an alternative approach to crops Experts are investigating ways to create new foods and related products from alternative crops to maximise the use of locally produced food and drink.

S

pecialists from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute are also looking at how to make the most of the natural environment to tackle global

challenges.

This includes focusing on a range of crops, from those with a high nutrient or protein content and stable yields, to those which have a positive impact on soils and multiple uses.

Products under development include a seabuckthorn kefir and ginger beer and a nettle health drink, both of which utilise unwanted or invasive materials or crops.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the insecurities in some supply chains and food systems and the researchers are interested in the potential of supporting plant-based diets through a range of legume alternatives.

They are also looking at the possibility of using natural species and crops grown on

18 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

marginal land – such as gorse, grass and clover – to extract protein, fibre and sugars for use in innovative food products, textiles and packaging, as well as the use of by-products from plants to create hydrogels that can be used in biomass for the controlled release of nutrients into the soil.

In addition, they are investigating research into plant extracts and co-products to develop foods with a positive impact on human health or which can prevent or manage chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

Christine Watson, Professor of Agricultural Systems at SRUC, said: “If the Covid-19 outbreak has taught us anything, it is that we should value our natural environment and maximise the use of locally produced food and drink.

“The potential journey of crop production from 2010 to 2050 feeds into our discussion of the many innovative opportunities available.

“The importance of considering crop

processability, profitability for farmers and also affordability for producers is a key area of work with valuable lessons for populations across the world.”

Ceri Ritchie, Food & Drink Sector Lead at SAC Consulting – part of SRUC, said: “The challenge now is to work together to identify and evaluate markets for these products and to continue to innovate and add value to Scotland’s food, drink and agriculture sector.”

Professor Wendy Russell, from The Rowett Institute, said: “With only 25 harvests left to deliver fit-for-purpose climate neutral agriculture, an integrated approach across the food supply chain will be essential. As scientists from the Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI), we are rising to this challenge, delivering an interdisciplinary programme of work to support our green recovery.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Arable

Limus® protected urea hits the target Getting the most out of the nitrogen applied to crops is important both for farm profitability and sustainability. ow rainfall, dry or drying soils, warm soil temperatures - all of which have been widely experienced this season - or high soil pH are the environmental conditions which can increase the risk of ammonia and therefore nitrogen losses, from both granular and liquid urea fertilisers. The use of a urease inhibitor, such as BASF's new product Limus®, can reduce these ammonia losses by up to 98%.

As part of a series of trials with its customers, BASF and Bartholomews Agri Food Ltd have joined forces to carry out 5 Agronomics onfarm, tramline trials, comparing two granular nitrogen sources: urea treated with Limus®, known as protected or inhibited urea and ammonium nitrate; in winter wheat and barley crops.

Andrew Stilwell, Agronomist and Crop Nutrition Technical Manager with Bartholomews Agri Food Ltd said, "We have 5 trials spread across 5 counties, over a wide range of soil types, ranging from sands and gravels, to heavy clays and silts, the cumulative size of which is in the region of 60 ha."

The trials have been set out using ADAS's Agronomics methodology, which provides the protocols, software and statistics to enable farm trials to deliver robust and scientifically credible conclusions. Deep core nitrogen analysis was carried out before the trials began. These showed the background nitrogen levels were lower this spring than in previous springs, due to the amount of rainfall over the winter.

Mr Stilwell said, "I have taken samples for tissue analysis, in the season, at GS 32 and at GS 39, looking at both macro nutrients and trace elements.

"At GS 32, the ammonium nitrate plots were a little bit darker green than the Limus protected urea plots. However, within the plant tissue itself, looking purely at the nitrogen

L

content, the two treatments were actually very similar. The subtle difference in appearance was not reflected in what we found with the tissue analysis.

"Later on in the season when we took the second set of samples, at GS 39, there was no visual difference but the balance had changed slightly. The nitrogen content within the plant tissue was slightly more where the Limus protected urea had been used, as opposed to the ammonium nitrate. The net result of it was that the two products are neck and neck. We couldn't see any real difference between the two based on the tissue analysis."

Dan Willis (FC Cummins + Sons), Rookery Farms, Berkshire has a trial on his farm and has also used Limus® protected urea over 520 ha of his crops.

Mr Willis said, "This is the first season we have used Limus treated fertiliser. Mr Stilwell has done tissue testing in the trial, so we have been able to keep an eye on nitrogen uptake from both the Limus protected urea and the ammonium nitrate, and with both, the plant has always had enough nitrogen."

Mr Willis admits that using Limus® protected urea over such a wide area was a leap of faith, however, he said, "I can honestly say we have seen great results this year. Even with the dry weather its absorption has been absolutely fine."

With spring 2020 likely to be declared as one of the driest on record, Rookery Farms have had very little rain, 22 mm, from the first week of March onwards. Mr Willis said, "We had really hot weather through April with a warm wind all the time, what moisture there was dried off. I have always been very dubious of using urea because of the drawbacks in its ability to get into the soil, and the fact that it is so temperature orientated."

Conditions have been textbook for ammonia volatilisation losses from urea, but Mr Willis is

confident that he is getting full efficiency from his applications of Limus® protected urea.

Urease inhibitors reduce ammonia losses by temporarily slowing down the conversion from urea to ammonium, a process carried out by urease enzymes. This process raises the pH of the soil around the urea and ammonia volatilisation can occur if this pH spike is not buffered by sufficient rainfall. Urease inhibitors delay this conversion by binding to urease enzymes, giving time for the urea to be washed into the soil.

"This is the first season we have used Limus treated fertiliser. Mr Stilwell has done tissue testing in the trial, so we have been able to keep an eye on nitrogen uptake from both the Limus protected urea and the ammonium nitrate, and with both, the plant has always had enough nitrogen."

Limus® is the only urease inhibitor available with two active ingredients, enabling it to bind to a wider variety of urease enzymes and more effectively minimise losses.

Mr Willis said, "We are very much in favour of a little and often approach so we will split our nitrogen 5 ways from mid-February onwards on the winter wheat. The Limus treated urea has given us a slow and steady uptake which has been really good, so it has made use of every bit of moisture that we have ever had.

All our wheat is for milling, we've N tested some of the ears and we are seeing great results there. It's looking like we are on course to hit our target of 13%. That's testament to not only getting the nitrogen on at the right time but using the right product too. We've pencilled in some more for this season coming."

Check weeds ahead of harvest After a challenging season for arable farmers, the window before harvest is an opportunity to check and map the blackgrass situation to plan for the months ahead. Bayer's Darren Adkins shares his thoughts on what farmers can be doing right now to manage black-grass and other grass weeds. heck weed levels Walking the crop to assess black-grass levels is an important step to plan cultivation and cropping.

Identify fields with high weed pressure for late-drilling or even spring cropping. Some farmers might be keen to drill wheat earlier this autumn after the deluge last year. Anyone doing this needs to target low black-grass pressure fields.

Identify the reason for poor black-grass control Compaction or bad drainage are often the cause of bad black-grass and poor crop establishment. Investigate any problem areas with inspection pits to decide what needs to be done. Take a targeted approach to any deep cultivation; unnecessary cultivation is costly

C

20 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

and mixes the weed seedbank throughout the soil profile.

Resistance tests If weed control from herbicides is lower than expected, it might be worth taking a resistance test. Black-grass, rye-grass and brome all have instances of resistance to post-emergence chemistry. There have also been a small number of cases of resistance to preemergence chemistry in rye-grass. Use the results to plan future herbicide and cultural control programmes. In general, more cultural control measures and alternating or stacking modes of herbicide action help manage resistance.

Don't collect seed too early for a resistance test For a resistance test, weed scientists need a good quantity of viable seed. The most

common problem is collecting immature seed by stripping form the head rather than mature seed which you can brush off gently. For a black-grass resistance test, at least a half-pint glass full is needed to ensure good results.

Also, make sure it is fully dry and store in a paper bag or envelope as moisture may cause the sample to rot in transit.

Think about harvest hygiene Moving black-grass around the farm on harvest equipment can turn a small problem into a much bigger one. Combine weed patches last so that seed isn't spread between clean parts of the field. Blowing down the combine between fields is also beneficial.

Slowing down harvest work is never an easy decision, so build the hygiene element into planning rather than as an afterthought.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Feature

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

Michael Tait

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 21

| Arable

awemak cultivator from PFC Introducing into the UK market the new Awemak cultivation and grass harrow range of equipment. PFC Agri Solutions have been appointed as the distributor for the UK ROI. wemak have been manufacturing top quality products since 1989 using high quality components sourced from world industry leaders.

Backed up with our customers knowledge that we offer a large inventory of spare parts. PFC are passionate about our work and make every effort to be the best at what we do.

PFC offer various disc and tine implements with fully mounted and semi mounted options to suit each customer individual needs.

The full range consists of vineyard and orchard discs, conventional ploughs, spring tine seedbed cultivators, discs, subsoiler, tine and disc combinations with power requirements of 35-500hp The Matador heavy stubble cultivator with working widths of 3, 4.8 and 6 meters and a maximum working depth of 350mm. This machine has large under beam clearance of 850mm and 800mm inter row spacing.

Standard equipment includes, NSK bearings,

a

22 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

LED lighting, and 3 packer options of wheel roller, packer roller and steel ring packer.

The Ozyrys BT 3-meter disc harrow has 2 rows of independently sprung 610mm discs which are well suited for shallow surface cultivation up to 150mm working depth.

Standard specification include NSLK bearings, LED lights, active side screens and straw tines.

Optional equipment is a sprung loaded breaker board and hydraulic working depth adjustment.

The Ozyrys BT can be combined with the Atom GT subsoiler as a single pass unit for the min till operation of directly after ploughing removing compaction pans and aerating the soil with a maximum working depth of 450mm The Thor BC grassland harrow is available in 3 and 6 meter widths. The system is setup with sprung loaded levelling board, 2 rows of 12mm tines and 3 rows of 9mm tines with hydraulic adjustment of working angle. the machine offers excellent ground contour following.

The Proline grassland harrow differs from the Thor BC by using 5 rows of 9mm tines with hydraulic angle adjustment.

Both machines are fitted as standard with LED lights and an have the option of a Pneumatic seeding system proving excellent flexibility for boundary management, reseeding damaged areas or establishing new grass leys.

For Further information on the high quality and competitively priced products contact: Andrew: 07967300578 Martin:07769 992 932 www.pfc-eu.com

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 23

| Arable

Alkalise spring barley in place of lost wheat Livestock farmers who normally grow winter wheat as a feed crop for their cattle – but have different cereals in the ground this year – are being urged to consider post-harvest alkalisation to boost nutrient value. iveF Alka Limited says that alkalisation works just as well with any cereal crop – whether it be wheat, barley or oats.

“The mix of cereal crops in the ground is very different this year because of the very wet sowing season last season. AHDB’s February 2020 Early Bird Survey (EBS) suggested the

F

24 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

national wheat crop was down 17% but spring-sown barley is up 47%. There are more oats in the ground too with the survey suggesting a 26% increase in the acreage sown,” points out Rob Cockroft from FiveF Alka.

Mr Cockroft suggests that farmers growing spring barley for harvest later in the summer as a feed crop consider making Alkalage

barley (from fully mature whole crop) or Alkagrain barley (from fully mature grain).

“The only difference between Alkawheat and Alkabarley is final feed nutrient value (see table), but even that can be equalised to a certain extent by using more Home n’ Dry on your barley – certainly to balance up the protein content,” he says.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 25

| Arable

26 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

Where there’s muck, there’s brass: scientists discover what makes high carbon soils so valuable A radical new way of thinking about soil has finally solved the mystery of why adding organic material like manure improves flood and drought resilience, climate control and crop yields - universal ‘ecosystem services’ that are widely recognised as worth billions to the global economy. ounded on more than 50 years’ worth of data from a unique field experiment, researchers have demonstrated that common farming practices drain the soil of carbon, altering the structure of soils’ microscopic habitat and, remarkably, the genetics of microbes living within it.

The team of microbiologists and physicists, led by Rothamsted Research, considered almost 9,000 genes, and used X-ray imaging to look at soil pores smaller than the width of a human hair, and in concert with previous work, have started forming what they envisage will be a universal ‘Theory of Soil’ (see Notes).

In healthy soils, relatively low nitrogen levels limit microbes’ ability to utilise carbon compounds, so they excrete them as polymers which act as a kind of ‘glue’ - creating a porous, interconnected structure in the soil which allows water, air, and nutrients to circulate.

Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers reveal that the Victorian-era switch from manure to ammonia and phosphorous based fertilizers has caused microbes to metabolise more carbon, excrete less polymers and fundamentally alter the properties of farmland soils when compared to their original grassland state.

F

“Despite carbon’s critical role, the mechanisms underlying carbon dynamics and the link to soil water were poorly understood,” Lead researcher Professor Andrew Neal said: “We noticed that as carbon is lost from soil, the pores within it become smaller and less connected. This results in fundamental changes in the flow of water, nutrients and oxygen through soil and forces several significant changes to microbial behaviour and metabolism. Low carbon, poorly connected soils are much less efficient at supporting growth and recycling nutrients.”

A lack of oxygen in soil results in microbes having to turn to nitrogen and sulphur compounds for their energy – inefficient processes, he says, which result in increased emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide among other issues.

The closed soil structure also means microbes need to expend more energy on activities such as searching out and degrading less easily accessible organic matter for nutrients.

Conversely, in carbon-rich soil there is an extensive network of pores which allow for greater circulation of air, nutrients and retention of water.

“Manure is high in carbon and nitrogen, whereas ammonia-based fertilisers are devoid of carbon. Decades of such inputs - and soil processes typically act over decades - have

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

changed the way soil microbes get their energy and nutrients, and how they respire.”

Whilst soil carbon was already known to drive climate and water cycles the world over, it took a chance discussion between experts working at very different scales to discover the reason why.

The idea to look at this link between the living and non-living components of soil came about through a discussion between an expert in microbial genetics Professor Andrew Neal, and Professor John Crawford – now at the University of Glasgow - who studies the way complex systems behave.

“Despite carbon’s critical role, the mechanisms underlying carbon dynamics and the link to soil water were poorly understood,” said Neal. “Society struggles with the concept of what soil is and how it can be managed effectively because it is such a complex combination of biological, chemical and physical processes.

“We took inspiration from a theory proposed

by Richard Dawkins in the 1980s that many structures we encounter are in fact products of organisms’ genes – Dawkins used the examples of bird nests and beaver dams. This view helped us understand soil as a product of microbial genes, incorporating organic materials from plants and other inputs to create all-important structure.

“We have shown for the first time a dynamic interaction between soil structure and microbial activity - fuelled by carbon - which regulates water storage and gaseous flow rates in soil with real consequences for how microbes respire.”

The group, which also involved scientists from The University of Nottingham, are the first to seriously study the details of this intimate two-way relationship between the microscopic life in soil and its structure at scales relevant to microbial processes.

The results also demonstrated why soils can sometimes show great resilience to human interventions.

“Although years of intensive management practices have altered what compounds microbes predominantly live on and increased the frequency of genes that allow this lifestyle, very few genes are ever completely lost from the system. That crucially allows soils to respond to changes and these results can really help with any future remediation efforts,” said Professor Neal.

“Microbes are very good at acquiring genes from each other, which is why rather than look at different species we looked at the abundance of different genes and what functions they ultimately coded for.”

The results also have implications for farmers, where the addition of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers - and not carbon - may in fact be leading to a degradation of the natural fertility and the efficiency with which nutrients are processed in their soils that will be detrimental to the long term productivity of their farm.

A Theory of Soil The negative impacts of increased leakiness of the soil system include nutrient loss to the atmosphere and rivers.

A Theory of Soil These latest findings complement previous work showing how microbial action influences the structure of soil, and the team have developed a hypothesis as to how carbon underpins soils functions.

In healthy soils, relatively low nitrogen levels limit microbes’ ability to metabolise carbon compounds, and these are instead excreted by the organism in polymers (called extracellular polymeric substances, or EPS) that can act as a kind of glue’.

EPS stabilises the aggregation of soil particles in the environment adjacent to the microbe. This makes the physical structure of the environment around these microbes more stable to disruption, such as occurs when the soil wets up and dries, or when plant roots pass nearby.

Because the stabilisation is linked to the activity of the microbe, this means that the microenvironments that are favourable to microbial activity are preferentially reinforced relative to other microenvironments in soil.

Lab and field experiments along with computer modelling, have shown that the outcome of this over time is to increase the volume and connectivity of the pore structures that are important for storing water, enabling the supply of oxygen to microbes, and connecting water and nutrient pools to plants.

However, long term addition of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers has caused microbes to burn more of these carbon compounds for energy, an activity that has increased emissions of CO2.

Ploughing has also increased the availability of this soil carbon to microbes, further decreasing its levels in the soil.

As carbon stocks decline, less EPS is produced, and the soil loses the beneficial porous structure.

Not only does this hamper the soils’ ability to store and release water, it creates an oxygen poor environment where microbes must utilise nitrogen and sulphur compounds for energy instead.

This decreases the availability of these soil nutrients to plants and causes the production of nitrous oxide – another harmful greenhouse gas that also enhances ozone depletion.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 27

| Arable

Use disease ratings when choosing rape variety Neil Groom, technical director for Grainseed, is of the view that we need to utilise the variety disease ratings in oilseed rape much more than we do. n wheat most growers would sit Phoma stem canker can erode yields by at down with the AHDB variety list least 0.5 to 1 t/ha, which is worth a lot of money in front of them and make their in rape and can mean the difference between a variety selection based on a profitable crop and an unprofitable one. It number of factors –yield usually remains the most significant and most costly comes first, followed by disease in rape. disease ratings. The intrinsic ability of the wheat According to the Crop Monitor surveys, variety to withstand Septoria, for example, Phoma remains the most serious and would be high on this list of most growers’ widespread disease in rape, affecting 82% of needs. So in rape the variety’s intrinsic ability to crops and 21% of plants in spring 2019 and withstand Phoma, which is the most common 89% of crops and 40% of plants in autumn and the most damaging disease of rape, Natalie Wood 2018. In the Southeast, 100% of crops had should be high on the list of requirements.

Phoma. It is much more widespread than Light

I

28 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

Grainseed technical director Neil Groom

Leaf spot, which in spring 2019 infected 64% of crops and 23% of plants and in autumn 2018 infected just 3% of crops and 0.2% of plants.

“You would have expected more Light Leaf spot following the mild winter last year, but that didn’t appear to be the case. I think we over play Light leaf spot and under play Phoma. The use of Phoma resistant varieties may not obviate the need for fungicide treatments altogether, but it will allow more flexible timings and possible fewer fungicide applications and a robust start which is all important for rape. An integrated approach to disease makes

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

economic and agronomic good sense.”

“Most Grainseed varieties have strong Phoma resistance rating and this genetic resistance to Phoma is multi-gene which is more durable. They also have excellent tolerance to Verticillium where there are still no chemical solutions to this disease. Es Mambo has a 7.8 rating for Phoma stem canker, it is a top performing variety in AICC Verticillium trials.

Keeper has a 7 rating for Phoma and it too shows resistance to Verticillium wilt. Decibel CL has an 8 for Phoma.”

Usually it is around now that you start to see the first signs of stem canker caused by Phoma are visible at the stem base on susceptible varieties or the first signs of Verticillium.

Growers are advised to remove individual plants and scrape the surface around the stem

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

base to confirm diagnosis. Sunken brown or necrotic lesions at the stem base may indicate stem canker. These lesions can encircle the stem and weaken it, causing premature ripening, lodging or even plant death.

If you suspect Verticillium, symptoms are usually seen a little later, end of June or early July. For Verticillium, look for yellowing leaves, premature ripening of branches and grey stripes down stems, often on one side only, or if severe the whole cross-section of a stem.

Underneath these vertical stripes, when the outer stem layer is peeled off, you will see grey vascular tissue and using a hand lens, you can see tiny black dots or microsclerotia.

Neil reminds us that the most important source of Phoma infection is airborne spores from oilseed rape stubble after harvest. “At least there is less rape stubble around this

season. We need to monitor for twenty days of rain from the 1st of August to trigger the release of air-borne Phoma spores which then infect newly-emerged oilseed rape plants to produce leaf spots. These infecting ascospores can be blown some distances but are generally deposited within 300 metres. The most damaging effects of Phoma are found in smaller plants in susceptible varieties. This is because the fungus has to grow a shorter distance down the leaf petiole to reach the stem base where it forms cankers right around the stems.”

Neil says “controlling Phoma needs careful management including the use of rape varieties with ratings of 7 or above, cultivations, rotations and suitable fungicides.”

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 29

| Arable

Cost-effective Keeper Two independent seed specialists have selected the conventional oilseed rape variety Keeper, bred specifically for the UK by independent breeder Mike Pickford. eil Groom, technical director for Grainseed, says Keeper is an agronomically strong variety with high yields combined with excellent disease ratings which will make it a firm favourite on farm. “Big bold seed is a selection criteria Mike Pickford uses and it pays dividends when the crop gets out into the field. Strong early vigour enables the crop to get up and away quickly, reducing slug and cabbage stem flea beetle damage. Keeper is a shorter variety with good stem stiffness and lodging scores,“ Neil says.

N

30 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

Will Miller of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire based Williams Seeds says Keeper may appeal to farmers questioning whether to continue growing Oilseed Rape. “Drilling 100 seeds / metre ² of a large seeded, vigorous variety for less than £19/acre gives the best chance of establishment whilst minimising upfront costs. If it works, you can continue on to a potential £300 + / acre gross margin and a proper first wheat entry. If the CSFB pressure is too great, you can rip it up and put in a different crop and your losses are under £19 / acre, the cultivation to establish the OSR is not

wasted as it will contribute towards the seedbed for the new crop.” says Will.

Will is expecting growers to prioritise wheat in their rotation this autumn but it is important that a profitable break crop is sustained and he believes Keeper is the right variety to achieve this. “This variety’s excellent autumn vigour has been proven in trials and on farm. Large seed size delivers more energy for germination and initial growth and then high genetic vigour takes over to produce maximum biomass as quickly as possible. Keeper has a good yield potential, comparable with widely grown variety

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

Campus. Its disease resistance profile is one of the best of any conventional variety, with a 7 for Phoma stem canker and a 6 for Light Leaf spot plus excellent Verticillium wilt tolerance. Its short plant height and strong standing power means more even maturity, quicker harvest and less header losses,” Will says. “We already have interest in this variety from our customers.”

Another independent seed specialist, Andrew Bourne from T Denne & Sons in Ashford, Kent, finds Keeper an appealing rape variety also. “I agree with Will that growers will probably have a knee jerk reaction to maximising the area of first wheat drilled this autumn, after last years’ difficulties drilling

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

cereals. This may mean a reduction in the area of rape sown this year but growers should be ready to seize an opportunity to drill rape if they see an opportunity in early August. In Kent I would think that we are mirroring the national picture for rape. Four or five years ago the rape crop was unscathed by CSFB but now we have this problem across the county. But an economic break crop needs to be integrated into the rotation. When choosing your rape variety, growers must know and keep their costs of establishment under control. The reaction to last year’s rape crop will mean that growers will be looking for varieties that are low cost, conventional and vigorous. “ “I too am a big fan of the breeder Mike

Pickford. I value that the variety is selected specifically for the UK. The seed is realistically priced and his varieties are decent, conventional varieties with many good characteristics for the farmer. For example Keeper has two good disease resistant scores, it is relatively early to mature so harvest doesn’t clash with wheat harvest, it has strong stem stiffness and strength. All round I would say Keeper has as good a set of data behind it as any other rape variety. In my opinion it was unlucky not to get selected for the AHDB listing.

All these attributes of Keeper are valuable to the grower,” says Andrew.

Georgina Wood

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 31

| Arable

Annual Great British Pea Week returns for the fifth year to celebrate the UK pea industry Britain’s annual pea harvest takes place each year from June – August, marking the busiest part of the season for the UK pea industry. Great British Pea Week (6th – 12th July 2020), now in its fifth year, celebrates the UK pea season and champions the industry that works around the clock each summer to deliver frozen peas to the nation. reat British Pea Week was launched by the Yes Peas! campaign to recognise the industry-wide effort made by experts across the pea vining sector, which produces 2 billion portions of peas for the UK market and beyond each year.

Britain’s Eastern Seaboard boasts a maritime

G

32 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

climate which, combined with the soil and planting conditions, is the perfect environment for growing superior quality peas. The East Coast is home to some 700 pea growers and farmers, stretching from Suffolk right up to Dundee.

The harvesting process, which lasts an average eight weeks, is a huge operation which takes place between June through to August,

24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Harvesting machines, known as pea viners, work in unison to harvest, shell and transport the peas from field to frozen as quickly as possible with the majority in just 150 minutes, ensuring the freshness and nutrients of each pea is locked in.

Russell Corfield, one of the UK’s pea growers, explains: “At this time of year the pea

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Arable

harvester goes for 24 hours a day. There are approximately 700 British pea farmers working around-the-clock looking after 35,000 hectares of pea crops – the equivalent to about 70,000 football pitches. It’s like running a military operation - one day you can be on top of your game and then the weather turns and you’re fighting the battle!

“Now more than ever there has never been a more pressing time to ensure we have a successful harvest and we will be continuing to work hard to fill our supermarket freezers with Great British peas.”

In what is seen as a nationwide effort, seed producers, growers, harvesting machinery companies and freezers up and down the country are working tirelessly to ensure the UK continues to remain the largest producer and consumer of frozen peas in Europe, with Brits eating an average 9,000 peas per person every year.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Coral Russell, Crop Associations Manager at the British Growers Association, which runs the Yes Peas! campaign, explains: “British farmers are proudly recognised for their expertise when it comes to producing high quality peas, with the peas on our plate being the culmination of over four months’ hard work. Britain is 90% selfsufficient in pea production, meaning nearly all

peas in supermarket freezers going into your trolley or online order are most likely grown by British farmers on a British farm, resulting in the superior quality and flavour which we know and love.”

For more information about Great British Pea Week or the Yes Peas! campaign, please visit www.peas.org

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 33

| Cereals & Grain

Cereals LIVE celebrates online success Cereals LIVE – the online version of the arable event - has been a resounding success, attracting over 10,000 visitors from all over the world. aving postponed the physical event due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the organisers decided to deliver as much content as possible online to support the industry during lockdown. The result was a two-day online event on 10-11 June featuring a comprehensive seminar programme packed with top speakers, video demonstrations of machinery and new kit, crop plot tours and interactive chat with exhibitors.

“We have been overwhelmed at the reaction from the farming industry,” said event director Alli McEntyre. “Everyone has been really keen to get involved – and the response to the live webinars far exceeded our expectation. We had more than 9,000 live viewers, with the top session drawing over 800 attendees and every session producing some excellent questions from the audience.”

NFU president Minette Batters and Defra minister Victoria Prentis went head-to-head on the topic of food security and imports, with the NFU’s recent petition on maintaining high food standards having received nearly 900,000 signatories in just two weeks. “We’ve seen 72,000 emails going from members of the public to MPs – it just shows how strongly people feel; we’ve got to get this right,” said Ms Batters.

Mrs Prentis insisted that the Government was committed to high standards in agriculture and food safety. “In all of our trade negotiations

H

34 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

we will not compromise on high environmental protection, animal welfare protection or food standards,” she said.

Other seminar topics included adapting to and mitigating climate change, precision farming technology, routes into farming, and the arable market outlook. In total there were 18 live webinars which averaged an audience of 487 each, plus two webinars available on demand.

“It was nice to see a really global reach, with 15% of the attendees joining from outside of the UK - from a total of 78 different countries,” said Ms McEntyre.

Visitors were also able to view plenty of machinery in action in the Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena – where the Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year presentation took place.

Scooping the top spot was Matt Fuller, who works at Heathcote Farms, Toddington, Bedfordshire. Making the presentation was NFU vice president Tom Bradshaw: “There’s going to be ever more scrutiny on the way we use plant protection products,” he said. “It’s absolutely critical that we can demonstrate professionalism right throughout the industry.”

The event offered a valuable opportunity for visitors to collect BASIS and NRoSO points, as well as a plethora of technical advice from exhibitors and through the NIAB virtual event hub. There were even virtual crop walks and video from crop plots at the original Cambridgeshire site.

Closing the event on each day was a virtual

beer tent, where visitors could relax with friends, request live music from the resident DJ and pledge money to the charity partner RABI. “Nothing can quite replace seeing friends, machinery and crops in person, but going online has enabled us to deliver a wide range of content and to reach a totally new audience,” said Ms McEntyre. “I’d like to thank all of our exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and visitors for contributing to such a successful event, and look forward to meeting you face-to-face next year.”

Key figures 10,812 attendees over the two days 67,166 page views 78 countries 9,260 webinar viewers 813 top webinar attendance 568 questions asked in webinars 114,100 impressions on Twitter over two days (@CerealsEvent)

For the first time ever, the Cereals Event went online to support the industry amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with existing exhibitors and sponsors involved for free as their fees rolled over to 2021. Cereals LIVE 2020 was held online on 10-11 June 2020. For more information visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Cereals | Arable & Grain

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 35

| Cereals & Grain

Drying, Handling & Storage from a brand you can trust With over 70 years experience in the manufacturing of handling, drying & storage equipment, Perry of Oakley Ltd. provide high quality machinery to a wide variety of industries, including farms, commercial grain stores, waste & aggregate industries, feed & pet food, pharmaceutical & biomass industries, and many others. Perry have supplied machines to over 25 different countries across 4 continents. n the handling range, Perry manufacture and supply chain & flight conveyors, aspirator pre-cleaners, belt & bucket elevators, belt conveyors, Utrough and tubular screw conveyors, which come in three different performance levels: industrial (150-1000tph), light industrial (60-150tph) & agricultural (860tph supplied with a 10 year performance guarantee).

Alongside the handling range, Perry specialise in manufacturing continuous mixed flow grain driers. Two models are available: the entry level “Mistral” and the top specification “Savannah” series. The two drier ranges provide driers to fit requirements and budgets from commercial grain stores to farms.

Savannah Series driers have Perry’s own advanced touch screen PLC panel, which can be linked to any smart phone for full control of

I

36 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

the drier from any location. This technology is designed and programmed in house allowing UK engineers remote access for diagnostics and adjustments. The auto control uses both the exhaust air temperature and hot grain temperature to give advanced control of the drier, to maintain a consistent moisture content of the discharged grain. The Mistral series drier is controlled via a hard-wired control panel, though this is easily upgradable to the Perry PLC touch screen control panel.

To promote consistent movement of grain down the grain column, even in very wet conditions, all Savannah Series Driers are fitted with pneumatically controlled shutter discharge.

This ensures precise and even movement across the whole bed. The Mistral range of driers are fitted with Perry’s proven roller discharge as standard (shutter discharge is optional).

In 2019, Perry of Oakley Ltd. announced a

new partnership with SiloMasters. Together, the two companies provide an extensive range of flat bottom & hopper bottom silos from 3m to 32m; storage capacities from 27m³ to 26,000m³. All of the silos within our range come with Z600 galvanising and S450 steel construction. A wide corrugation profile of 106mm pitch for only 13mm profile depth is standard, helping to reduce product hang-up ensuring a cleaner bin. The silos are manufactured on state of the art equipment and can be specified to meet either ANSI or Eurocode standards. The smooth wall construction of the Perry & SiloMasters silos make them the perfect storage solution for grain, but also for less natural flowing products – such as meal & woodchip.

Contact us today for all handling, storage & drier requirements on +44 (0)1404 890 300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Cereals & Grain

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 37

| Cereals & Grain

38 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Cereals & Grain

Get Ready for Harvest!

Here at Gibbons Agricultural, we have all the stock you need for harvest. ith Cereals postponed this year but now a live event, we are showcasing our Plug&Cool pedestals in time for your harvest. Whilst some of you may have seen them at LAMMA and our exhibitions previously, we are taking this opportunity to show you the benefits of our range of Plug&Cool pedestals. The plastic ducting, for example, results in a durable pedestal that can withstand inevitable knocks.

The pedestal we’ve produced is constructed from two types of twin-wall, food-grade polymer for durability and has the optimal air flow for our Plug&Cool fan to function with the correct resistance – giving the fastest and most energyefficient results.

Our Plug&Cool pedestals come with an optimised polymer base, adaptor and piping, and our coupler features a specially designed dual-adaptor sleeve – giving users the ability to connect different sizes of fans.

They come in either 1.2m or 2m length to

W

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

suit your barns needs.

Our pedestals are just one product in the Plug&Cool range, featuring everything from best-selling grain fans, control panels, extension leads, airspears and a packaged solution to grain storage – the Plug&Cool Barn System.

We’re sure you’ve heard about these before, but if you have any enquiries, call 01621 868138 or email agricultural@gibbonsgroup.co.uk today. We will also be at the Cereals LIVE event, virtual stand 920.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 39

| Grass & Silage

Bob Kendal

Wilt rapidly to reduce dry matter losses from silage Dry matter losses are costing UK farmers an average of £25/tonne DM. But simple changes to silaging practices could help cut this cost.

D

ave Davies, from Silage Solutions, who recently spoke about silage making as part the Alltech Navigate webinar series, explains how rapid wilting can help reduce dry matter losses

from silage.

“Hot and dry conditions, which most of us have been experiencing this spring, give farmers the opportunity to quickly wilt grass after cutting,” he says.

“Delaying a cut, even just by a week, can mean cutting after the crop starts going into reproductive phase, resulting in less regrowth and reduced dry matter yield over the course of the season” “A rapid wilt with a target of 30% DM as quickly as possible and no longer than 24 hours, is the ‘gold standard’ to make sure that grass is dry enough to go into the clamp while avoiding unnecessary losses of digestible nutrients.

“As soon as grass is cut, quality proteins start breaking down while sugars are converted to carbon dioxide and water by respiration. This

40 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

decreases the proportion of digestible material going into the clamp.”

Dave explains that target dry matter content should be about 30%, but even if conditions are not ideal, there is little to be gained by leaving cut grass in the field for longer.

“Yeasts and moulds start to multiply, which can lead to issues with aerobic spoilage at feed-out and mycotoxin contamination,” he adds.

Alltech north region sales manager Bob Kendal, who spoke in the same webinar, stresses the importance of getting the timing right when cutting, and achieving the right density in the clamp, to reduce dry matter losses.

“Delaying a cut, even just by a week, can mean cutting after the crop starts going into reproductive phase, resulting in less regrowth and reduced dry matter yield over the course of the season,” says Bob. “Similarly, a high density of 750kg/m3 of fresh matter in the clamp will reduce the amount of oxygen present and help create an anaerobic environment for fermentation to occur. This will significantly reduce losses of digestible matter due to sugars breaking down by respiration, improving the efficiency of the process.”

The Navigate webinar series, can be

accessed by registering here: https://go.alltech.com/uk/navigate/webinarseries Dave Davies

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grass & Silage

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 41

| Grass & Silage

5 common mistakes to avoid when making silage for biogas Does your silage have an unpleasant odour? Does your clamp suffer from excessive losses, effluent or mould? Are your biogas yields lower than they should be? If so, you may be guilty of making one or more of the most common mistakes when producing silage for biogas production. Here, Tim Elsome, General Manager of FM BioEnergy, explains how cropfed biogas plants are only as good as the silage put into them – and how you can prevent poor silage from affecting your bottom line. hile the direct costs of poor silage production (such as low dry matter) can be significant, disposing of sub-standard feedstock brings additional financial and time burdens. Yet the alternative option – feeding poor quality silage into your digester – is far worse, potentially causing significant damage and disruption to the resident microbe population.

In some cases, it can take many months to repair the damage and get the digester back to a healthy condition, costing the operator thousands of pounds in lost biogas production.

If you experience issues with your silage, you may be making one or more of the following mistakes: 1 Harvesting the crop at the wrong maturity of dry matter Harvesting maize too soon is one of the most common errors, particularly when trying to balance crop maturity against weather conditions and the ability to harvest it. It is difficult to get good fermentation in maize silage at moisture levels above 70%, and harvesting immature kernels will reduce the starch content of the silage, in turn reducing the amount of food for the bacteria in the digester.

Low dry matters will increase the potential for liquid draining from the clamp and could lead to environmental issues with run-off.

Conversely, maize silage that is too dry (typically above 36% dry matter) can be difficult to compact.

2 Incorrectly applying additives When used correctly, additives and inoculants can greatly improve silage quality and help to mitigate the effects of some of the

W

42 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

mistakes outlined in this article. However, their incorrect usage is one of the most common errors we see.

It is important to follow the manufacturers’ instructions in terms of dilution and application, as well as regularly maintain, calibrate and check applicators. Applying too little additive, or uneven application, will adversely affect its performance, while applying more than is necessary is a waste of money. Choosing a biogas-specific additive which is independently approved and easy to store, dilute and apply, such as Silasil Energy XD, should also be a key consideration when comparing products.

3 Inadequately packing the clamp There can be many reasons why a clamp is not properly packed or consolidated, such as loading too much material too fast or using machinery of insufficient weight. Poor compaction results in the formation of oxygencontaining air pockets in the clamp, which allow aerobic bacteria to grow and spoil the silage. It is also important to avoid over-filling the clamp, as this may mean that it cannot be sealed correctly.

Matching clamp-loading machinery and capacity to harvesting rates is also crucial. In addition, a silage additive, such as Silasil Energy XD, will ensure an optimal population of anaerobic bacteria, helping the silage to resist aerobic breakdown and improving quality where the clamp may not have been fully compacted.

4 Skimping on sheets and sealing Sealing the clamp properly is essential to create the anaerobic conditions necessary for fermentation to take place in the top and side layers. Financial losses from these areas can

soon add up, with up with every 1.3 sq. m of surface area representing around 1 tonne of silage, with a value around £40/t.

Using specific oxygen-blocking covers, ensuring that sheets have sufficient overlap (especially at the clamp edges), and using side covers are all essential.

5 Poor feed-out practice It is easy for good silage to turn bad through being exposed to the air, and this is most likely to occur when feeding out from the clamp.

Some estimates suggest that up to half of all dry matter losses occur at this stage. Try to keep exposed surfaces as small and smooth as possible; ideally removing the entire open area surface to a depth of 2m each week. Process any spilled material immediately and do not take more material than can be instantly fed into the plant.

Removing two- or three-days’ worth of feedstock at once may seem like a time-saving operation, but material which has been left in the open and exposed to the air will not perform as well in the digester and is more likely to become contaminated.

When combined with good silage management practices, using a silage additive, such as Silasil Energy XD, will speed up fermentation in the clamp, improve the storability of the silage, and help to protect against deterioration associated with poor clamp management, such as sealing and outloading.

For a free assessment of your silage health, or for advice on making silage for biogas production, contact: T +44 (0)330 678 0981 E info@fmbioenergy.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Energy

Complete crop nutrition packages for on-farm ADs Anaerobic Digestion is one of the main processes which produces renewable energy in the form of biogas. In order to perform this process, and for anaerobic plants to operate effectively, they require a variety of elements to be at their optimum level. n array of nutrients and microorganisms are required to grow, for the AD plant to function effectively. However, it is often the case that anaerobic digesters and biogas plants are lacking in these vital micronutrients which means the plant is unable to function at optimum levels. This can lead to poor COD and/or organic solids removal, elevated VFA levels, bacterial slime production, poor microbial growth and poor granulation in UASB type reactors.

In all systems, the energy that is produced through the biological process can be optimised by feeding the digestate the ‘correct’ diet (this being bio-available, essential trace elements), helping to improve the bacterial

A

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

performance of the plant and increase the content of biogas in turn helping it to perform at maximum efficiency.

The addition of essential supplements like micronutrients, enzymes and iron has shown proven results in increasing biogas production and methane content in the biogas stream.

OMEX offer a complete nutritional package of essential supplements including bioavailable liquid trace element solutions, enzymes, micronutrient blends to boost the availability of essential trace elements and a range of iron powders all used in the anaerobic process to help improve the bacterial performance in the digestate and increase the methane content of biogas production. This helps commercial operators to run their Plants at optimum levels, maximising their revenue streams and return on

investment through increased profits.

The OMEX support service includes a nutrient profiling service in their fully-equipped laboratory with analysis of plant influent, effluent and biomass, through which a nutrient solution will be recommended. Dependent on the individual requirements of the plant and operations, a tailor-made micronutrient solution can be produced. This support service also includes onsite visits, consistent and effective aftercare and complete crop nutrition packages for on-farm ADs. View our range of products now at https://www.omex.com/environmentalproducts/ or email us at environmental@omex.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 43

| Energy

Miscanthus delivers ecological benefits Rob Meadley, Brown and Co agri business consultant and East Yorkshire arable farmer, grows 12 hectares of Miscanthus on varying quality, outlying land which previously wasn’t delivering a viable return with arable crops. e believes Miscanthus is 100% the right crop for this land, and has not only met the budgeted return, but has introduced additional ecological benefits to the farm.

“We’ve had a number of RSPB surveys done on the farm and the feedback was that they were genuinely surprised by the abundance

H

44 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

and diversity of birds in and around the Miscanthus, including Curlews, rarely found in East Yorkshire,” explains Rob. “We also saw breeding deer, brown hares and an abundance of invertebrates.”

Rob planted Miscanthus in March 2012, in good conditions, but this was followed by the wettest April on record, meaning the freshly planted crop was in standing water, and the

bad weather hit again in June.

“We therefore couldn’t control weeds,” he says. “The following year we topped it and controlled the weeds and due to the poor establishment conditions, it was a little behind other Miscanthus crops, but it soon caught up after two years and we have never looked back.”

Rob explains that the 2014 harvest was

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Energy

affected by the legacy from flooding and lack of weed control, but arable crops would never have survived the conditions that the Miscanthus was exposed to and we didn’t lose any money on inputs. “The annual yield quickly recovered, and in 2017 we had a bumper harvest of 13t/ha.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

The Miscanthus area has allowed Rob to square off an arable crop next to it, and this field is two miles away from the farm, meaning the minimal maintenance required is noticeable. “The crop has also helped to naturally control blackgrass in that area,” says Rob.

“Miscanthus is a vitally important crop due to its soil carbon capabilities and positive ecological impact, and with the uncertainty around farm subsidies under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) model, it provides a long-term fixed price, reliable income, ” adds Rob.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 45

| Energy

Scottish solar farm basks in the spring sun to set new record Unseasonably sunny weather has seen a solar farm that helps power a Scottish food business set new records for the time of year. ackie's of Scotland's solar farm, based on its Aberdeenshire family farm, produced more green energy in April than in any month in 2019 – spiking by more than a quarter against the same month across any of the previous four years.

March was sunny and May followed with more heat to make the total production this spring the highest on record since installation in 2016.

In total across the three months, the 7000 panel system produced over 640 megawatt

M

46 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

hours of electricity - enough to boil over 6.4 million kettles – or to power 193 houses for an entire year.1 The 10-acre 1.8MW site helps with power for Mackie's to produce its ice cream and chocolate and complements its four wind turbines (total 3MW). The mix is efficient because the solar panels are able to provide more power in the summer when wind levels tend to drop. This estate means that Mackie’s business is 80% powered by it’s own renewable energy.

Mac Mackie, Managing Director and one of three sibling owners, said: “It's nice to be able

to talk positively about the weather in Scotland for a change! April really was out the ordinary and the solar farm's spike in energy production shows the extent of that.

“We also had a record in February and if June comes close to the summer of 2018 we could be looking at our best ever year for solar energy.”

Built in 2015 by Loch Lomond based Absolute Solar and Wind, at the time of completion it was Scotland’s largest and first solar farm.

Along with initiatives like the on-site production of a vast majority of its packaging,

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Energy

Mackie's is already a carbon positive company and aims to become 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy this year. A £4.5 million investment in eco-freezers powered with ammonia plant and biomass, is set to be one of Europe's greenest and most innovative refrigeration systems.

Despite being delayed as a result of the lockdown measures, the First Minister's announcement last week to enable the construction sector to make a cautious return to work means that building work has been able to begin again and it is anticipated the system should be operational by the end of the year.

Mac added: “The new freezer will make a tremendous difference to our energy requirements, the efficiency of the new system means that we should cut our energy use by up to 80%. It’s an exciting development in other ways too – the new refrigeration system along new ice cream filling equipment will increase our production capacity and enable us to look at making new types of ice cream.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

As well as the solar farm and wind turbines on the farm, Mackie’s has a smaller array of solar panels fitted on the byre roof to power the milking systems and a further 400 kW of heating power for the office and farm houses comes from a biomass plant, ensuring a good mix of renewable power types.

The company's sky to scoop ethos sees it create everything from milk to its packaging on site. The fourth-generation family farm is based on the 1500 acre farm, Westertown, in Aberdeenshire. Mackie's still produces all its ice

cream and chocolate on the farm, with fresh milk and cream ingredients from the farm's own dairy herd. The farm and ice cream production teams have been able to keep working during the Covid-19 crisis, implementing new distancing and hygiene procedures to supply ongoing demand from customers at home, which has increased in the recent sunny weather.

To find out more about Mackie’s, please visit: https://www.mackies.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 47

| Pig & Poultry

Could you reduce piglet handling?

Pig farmers could save up to half a day’s work each month1 and dramatically improve piglet welfare by combining iron and coccidiosis treatments in the early days. raser Claughton, Bayer commercial manager, explains that the pre-weaning period is critical. Piglets are extremely vulnerable to environmental stress factors which can have a major impact on their performance, even impacting mortality rates.

“Saving handling time on routine practices can also provide more opportunity to carry out tasks that require more attention to detail, such as split suckling, which can lead to improved weaning weights from better colostrum intake, for example,” he says.

But Fraser explains that saving time is not the

F

48 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

only benefit of combining treatments. “It’s well known that handling young piglets causes stress, so any reduction in human contact will make an important contribution to improved overall wellbeing.”

To reap the time saving and welfare benefits, Baycox® Iron Injection is recommended as an alternative to the traditional approach of a coccidiosis drench and separate iron treatments.

However, it is worth noting that successful coccidiosis treatments are all about timing, as it is important for piglets to have some exposure to the disease. This allows them to build some natural immunity, while the treatment prevents

sub clinical early symptoms that lead to poor performance and low weaning weights from the consequent damage seen in the gut.

“Therefore, we generally recommend administering the product when piglets are two to three days old at the same time as other tasks such as vaccinating to keep handling occurrences to a bare minimum but it’s best discussed with your vet,” says Fraser.

For more information on Baycox® Iron Injection, please visit: https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=474270 or contact your local Bayer representative.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Pig & Poultry

The most accurate map of the genetic code of pigs ever produced paves the way to more precise agriculture and biomedical research Scientists have decoded the whole genetic make-up of pigs – known as their genome – in a development that will facilitate the discovery of genetic variations linked to key traits. he findings could help improve selective breeding and enable more accurate use of geneediting technologies to develop pigs with desired characteristics, such as resistance to infectious diseases, the researchers say.

Knowledge of the genome also enables identification of genetic similarities between pigs and humans, which will enhance biomedical research in which pigs are used as models to study human health.

The study was led by scientists at the Roslin Institute and the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Meat Animal Research Centre, and involved 40 scientists from 15 laboratories in the UK and US. The new reference genome, which was built using the latest cutting-edge DNA sequencing technologies, provides information on the

T

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

location of more than 21,000 pig genes and is freely available online.

The improved quality of the reference allowed the researchers to identify a further 2,500 pig genes with an evolutionary link to a human gene, increasing the known number of such genes to 15,500.

The scientists characterised the genomes of two different pigs – a sow from the Duroc breed and a male crossbred white composite boar, and included detailed information of a further 11 pigs from European and Asian breeds.

“It’s a very exciting time to work in genomics.

Genomes as complete as the ones we have produced would not have been possible without recent major advances in DNA sequencing technologies. The new reference genome provides scientists around the world with an accurate and complete framework on which to base their pig research, whereas before they were working with a very

incomplete picture.” Dr Amanda Warr, Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

“Pork is the most popular of all meats and, with a growing global population, we need to improve the sustainability of food production.

The improved knowledge of pigs’ genetic make-up will help farmers breed healthier and more productive animals.” Professor Alan Archibald, UK study lead and Personal Chair of Mammalian Molecular Genetics, Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

The results of the study, which was funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the US Department of Agriculture, the Wellcome Trust and the Roslin Foundation, are published in the journal GigaScience. ** The Roslin Institute is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. **

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 49

| Muck & Slurry

Ktwo improve their spreaders to increase volume and outputs Ktwo, one of the biggest British manufacturers of farming machinery, has launched their new Mk5 range of Bio and Evo muck spreaders to increase volumes and ease emptying to maximise outputs. ith increasing demand from farmers and contractors for more efficient machines giving maximum outputs, Ktwo continue to develop their product range to stay ahead of the curve using technology and innovation.

The Ktwo Bio range of rear discharge muck spreaders with twin horizontal beaters are designed with the most accurate of applications in mind and are the perfect choice when spreading higher value products. Whilst the Ktwo Evo range of rear discharge muck spreaders with twin vertical beaters are designed to cope with the most demanding conditions whilst at the same time providing extra accuracy and the highest outputs available.

The new and improved Mk5 versions of the Ktwo Bio and Ktwo Evo now have a flared body throughout which gives an increased volume capacity. By starting to taper from the floor, it acts as a funnel to help move materials down to the chains

W

increasing volume and allowing for easier emptying with less bridging.

The Mk5 Bio and Evo ranges now include a timed front roller with integral cleaning scrapers.

This gives positive engagement with the chain ensuring the chains remain times and provide a consistent flow of material.

Not only does the new design increase volume and ease of emptying, the Mk5’s come with a host of smaller improvements from listening to customer feedback including hardened spinner paddles and the new Ktwo Evo’s have hardox rotor bases with sweeper bars.

The versatile and popular Ktwo Duo Mk6 range of rear discharge muck spreaders with twin vertical beaters have already had the improvements to the body design which has been well received by farmers and contractors complementing the improved outputs.

To arrange a demo of the new Mk5 Ktwo Bio or Ktwo Evo, contact the Ktwo team today on +44 (0)1844 299290 or email sales@ktwo.co.uk For more information visit: www.ktwo.co.uk

50 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Muck & Slurry

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 51

| Livestock

Beef finishing using homegrown crops Dr Cate Williams: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. ver the past 20 years, UK livestock production has become more intensive, with more productive animals that require more nutrient-dense and protein rich feeds. As such, reliance on vegetable protein has increased.

Soybean meal is generally thought of as the ‘gold standard’ in animal feeds, providing high levels of protein and energy for finishing and for milk production. However, UK arable agriculture is simply unable to meet the demand for

O

54 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

soybean, mostly due to the temperate climate, so imported soybean has largely filled this gap.

The UK now imports around 2 million tonnes of soybean per year, 90% of which is used in animal feeds and most of which originates from the US and South America. Whilst the growing of soybean, and indeed any other type of bean, is not problematic in itself, the scale on which it is produced does cause issues. Large monocultures result in a plethora of environmental issues – deforestation to clear space for planting, soil erosion and depletion,

increased pesticide usage and increased greenhouse gas emissions from harvesting and transportation. As such, many UK farmers are now looking to homegrown crops, which not only reduce environmental impact but can have a significant effect on profitability, as bought in feeds constitute a large portion of many farms’ outgoings (approx. 75% in beef finishing systems). Such changes are being observed across a variety of industries, from poultry and pork to dairy and beef and have the potential to increase

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Livestock

the sustainability of farming all round – this article will focus on the beef finishing industry.

So many options…

Barley Barley is a popular crop in the UK and does well under temperature conditions. For ruminants, barley is the third most readily digestible cereal behind oats and wheat and offers high levels of starch and energy due to its rapid fermentation rate. The downside to high starch levels is, of course, ruminal acidosis. High-starch cereals, such as barley, are acid-producing, which in small quantities the rumen can cope with, but in larger quantities often fed in finishing systems the rumen cannot buffer itself. The rumen microbial population reduces in diversity, stability and fermentative capacity, depriving the animal of nutrients. The ruminant gut is not particularly well equipped to digest starch so grains may also accumulate in the ruminant’s intestines

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

due to the lack of starch-degrading enzymes.

This can promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria which can lead to serious health complications. Starch content and therefore fermentation rate, are variable depending on the barley cultivar. Therefore, it is important to note these differences so that farmers can select and feed the most appropriate varieties that optimize production without compromising rumen health.

Barley is a good source of crude protein and essential amino acids lysine, methionine and tryptophan (table 1). Cattle are unable to produce these amino acids for themselves so must receive them in the diet. Often the first limiting amino acids (those in shortest supply) are methionine, lysine and cysteine, of which barley offers higher amounts than maize or wheat. Barley is also lower in starch and fat when compared to corn and wheat (Table 1).

However, barley can be low in vitamins and

calcium and as such animals will require supplementation.

Table 1: The nutrient composition of barley, corn and wheat as fed, Nikkhah, 2012.

Feeding management of barley is critical and inclusion level should be limited to maintain rumen health. It is also important to consider processing method, along with cultivar, as this will affect nutrient content. The main methods for processing barley in the UK are rolling or crimping, although barley may also be fed ‘whole’. Studies have shown that feeding whole barley reduced digestibility by approximately 48% and resulted in a large number of kernels being excreted in the faeces, indicating incomplete digestion. Processing greatly increases the nutritional value of barley as the fibrous hull cannot be sufficiently damaged during chewing which hampers access to key nutrients contained inside. The decision between crimping or rolling depends on the

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 55

| Livestock

producer, although crimping may be more advantageous. Crimping barley offers the chance to harvest earlier (allowing earlier sowing of follow on crops) and eliminates the need for drying as the cereal is simply compacted into a clamp, similar to silage. The main drawback of crimping is that specialist equipment is required along with preservatives, however, this initial investment along with vitamin supplementation may be balanced out when the cost of bought-in feed is considered.

In 2020, 26 acres of barley was planted on the Farming Connect demonstration farm, Bodwi to investigate the effectiveness of crimping and inclusion in a finishing ration, with potential plans to grow and feed red clover silage. The site aims to reduce their bought-in feed costs which could help to increase the sustainability of the business and reduce their carbon footprint.

Wheat In the UK, wheat is the largest arable crop by area, producing 14-16 million tonnes per year, supplying both the British milling industry and exporting a considerable amount overseas. As an animal feed, wheat is similar in its nutritional profile to barley, offering a low fibre, high energy and high starch grain. Wheat offers higher levels of starch compared to barley or maize, and as such ruminal acidosis is a common problem in cattle fed wheat (Table 1).

Studies have found that whilst substituting barley grain with wheat does not affect overall digestibility, it does cause changes in the rumen microbial population, increasing the number of bacteria responsible for starch degradation and increasing the daily duration that rumen pH dipped below 5.8. Such evidence suggests that barley may be preferable over wheat in terms of rumen health or that wheat should be fed in careful moderation.

56 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

Like barley, wheat offers fair levels of crude protein and essential amino acids methionine and lysine as well as cysteine, however, the grain can be low in vitamins and calcium (Table 1). As such, wheat grain should be fed in moderation (40% or less) alongside good quality forage to avoid acidosis and with a vitamin supplement. Wheat must also be processed, generally rolled, to allow access to nutrients contained inside the husk. Early studies feeding unprocessed wheat found that feed intake increased by 18% and feed required per lb of gain increased by 15.8%, making whole wheat an expensive and inefficient feed. Extensive processing can also be detrimental, reducing the wheat to a floury consistency.

Maize Maize may be fed as a crimped grain or as silage and is a popular feed for finishing beef cattle in the UK. However, not all parts of the UK are suitable for growing maize – the majority is grown in mid to Southern England and sheltered parts of Wales. As such, it is important to assess land in terms of location, soil type and altitude before selecting maize as a crop.

Nevertheless, maize offers a plethora of benefits, both economically and nutritionally.

Like wheat and barley, maize is also high in starch and therefore energy, however, compared to barley, maize contains a larger amount of rumen-undegradable or by-pass starch. This means that approximately 35% of total starch cannot be degraded in the rumen and moves through to the small intestine instead. This results in a slower release of energy and the risk of ruminal acidosis is significantly reduced. However, maize contains slightly less protein than wheat or barley (9-10%) so will need to be balanced with another high-protein feed. A

study by Harper Adams University investigated the performance of bulls finished on a barleybased diet versus crimped maize. The study found that those on crimped maize had larger daily live weight gains, were quicker to finish (141 vs. 154 days) and had higher slaughter weights (by 6 kg). Furthermore, those fed a maize-based diet had a lower incidence of liver abscesses, which can indicate ruminal acidosis. It is important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a feed, maize is a safer crop in terms of ruminal acidosis and offers good animal performance, but the economics of supplementing with additional protein should also be considered.

Another option for feeding maize is in the form of by-products – maize distiller’s grains or maize gluten feed. Both of these processing methods result in a product with higher crude protein levels (20-25%) whilst maintaining energy content. Maize distiller’s grains, in particular, offers highly digestible fibre and high levels of by-pass protein (or rumen undegradable protein). By-pass protein escapes the rumen and continues into the intestine where it can be absorbed for utilisation by the animal instead of the rumen microbiome.

However, the nutrient profile of maize distiller’s grains can be highly variable and both sustainability and availability depends on geographical location.

High oil levels can also limit inclusion, as fats should not exceed 5% of the ruminant diet.

Again, it is important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks and make a decision based upon each farm’s individual circumstances when selecting a feed.

Finishing on grass An alternative to finishing beef cattle indoors on concentrates is to finish them out at pasture.

Making use of good quality, highly digestible grass works out cheaper than bought-in feed

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Livestock and is achievable with good management and consideration for target markets. In summer, grass is generally plentiful with good grazing conditions and supplementary concentrates are rarely needed, however, supplementation during autumn may be necessary. In particular, heifers and native breeds are well adapted to finish on grass, but late-maturing, continental breeds may need supplementary concentrate feed. Stocking fields at a higher density during the spring and then reducing rates later in the season can help to maintain sward height and quality, especially in conjunction with rotational grazing methods. Nevertheless, autumn grass is still a more economical option than silage or concentrates and short-term concentrate supplementation reduces the requirement for more costly silage later on. Energy rather than protein is the limiting factor in autumn grass so using energy dense feeds is more important than those with high protein levels.

The ruminant diet can also affect the resulting products in terms of quality, composition and sensory attributes. Many studies report that the fatty acid profile of grazed meat, in particular, is different from that of cattle finished on concentrates. Whilst meat from these different diets is generally similar in saturated fat content (SFA), those fed on grass produce meat containing higher levels of health-beneficial polyunsaturated fats (PUFA), in particular, omega-3 and -6. Studies have found that the colour of meat from those finished on pasture is consistently darker, likely influenced by a combination of factors, including increased movement outdoors in the field. There is no consensus on the difference in taste between the two diets – as some claim that grass-fed tastes better than grain-fed, whilst others the opposite. However, there is a definite increase in consumer interest in grassfed beef – perceived as having higher welfare standards and potential health benefits. As such, consumers are willing to pay a premium.

Legumes To boost the protein content of pasture and/or silage a legume may be considered.

Legumes can also boost dry matter intakes and offer the added benefit of being able to fix nitrogen. Atmospheric nitrogen is captured and converted by symbiotic bacteria in the roots into a usable form for the plant. This equates to 100-150 kg N/ha/yr for a white clover mix and 150-250 kg N/ha/yr for red clover mixes, reducing the need for nitrogen fertiliser which confers both economic and environmental benefits.

Perhaps the most popular legumes for use in livestock are red and white clover. Both species

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

offer higher protein levels when compared to perennial ryegrass (PRG) and white clover contains higher amounts of minerals, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, copper and selenium. Red clover also produces the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) which works to protect the protein stored in the plant, this is particularly useful in silages which contain higher quality and higher levels of protein than a PRG silage (14-19% versus 13.8%, respectively). Mixes containing red clover consistently produce higher yields than PRG alone when cutting for silage and tend to outperform white clover in this regard. As such, many sources recommend white clover for grazing and red clover for silage. Clover mixes and plantain have been shown to improve forage intake when compared to perennial ryegrass (PRG) monocultures, showing a linear relationship between % clover and dry matter intake (DMI). In general, the recommended inclusion rate for white clover in grazing is 30%, however, many supporting studies reach this figure using dairy cows. As such, further research with a focus on beef cattle would be useful to determine the optimum inclusion rate of clover for beef production.

There are two key drawbacks to the use of red clover in grazing or silage, the first is that it is a short-lived crop, lasting 3 - 4 years, however, white clover may last up to 10 years with good management. The second is the risk of bloat which is caused by the rapid breakdown of protein from grazed clover resulting in a build-up of gas internally. As the rumen distends it exerts pressure on other internal organs, especially the lungs. However, with good management the risk of bloat can be greatly reduced – by limiting access when livestock are first turned out, offering extra fibre such as hay or straw or by feeding anti-bloat supplements. The risk of bloat from red clover silage, on the other hand, is negligible. Overall, the inclusion of clovers in grazing or silage has many potential benefits, for animal performance, for the environment and for the profitability of a farm business.

Summary As increasing pressure is placed on UK farmers to become more efficient and productive whilst reducing their environmental impact, many are looking to reduce their bought-in feed consumption. As a result, some are considering planting their own feed crops – be that cereals or grasses for silage or grazing.

Homegrown crops have the potential to reduce farmer’s carbon footprints by eliminating import activities and greenhouse gases associated with transport; this change may also contribute

to reducing environmental issues in the exporting country. Additionally, whilst there will be an initial investment, growing and harvesting at home is more economically viable than buying in feed. Regardless, there is still the question of which crop to choose. Whilst this will depend on many other factors, animal nutrition is likely a key consideration. Especially in the case of beef finishing, metabolisable energy and protein content are key feed components, although starch should also be considered. Balancing the amount of starch in feed to provide enough energy and ensure good daily weight gain whilst minimising the risk of acidosis is essential. It may also be worth considering the individual amino acids in a feed – as essential amino acids are a valuable feed component. There may also be potential to finish from grass, although as autumn approaches, and particularly for continental breeds, supplementary concentrates may be necessary. Nevertheless, when well-managed, finishing on grass presents a cheaper alternative to bought-in concentrates and silage, particularly in light of increased consumer interest in grass-fed beef.

Background information: This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

The Farming Connect Knowledge Transfer Programme and Advisory Service is delivered

by Menter a Busnes on behalf of Welsh Government. Lantra Wales leads on the delivery of the Farming Connect Lifelong Learning and Development Programme.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 57

| Livestock

New Arrowquip crush range raises the bar for cattle handling Cattle handling equipment safety and efficiency is essential for beef and dairy producers looking to optimise herd performance. hether it be mitigating injury of livestock and handlers, improving health programme protocols and daily liveweight gains or reducing production losses associated to stress, cattle handling equipment is going to have a long-term economic impact on beef and dairy herds,” says Edward Wise of Wise Agriculture, leading UK supplier of Arrowquip.

Upping the standard of its world-renowned cattle handling equipment, Arrowquip is releasing four new squeeze crushes, including two manual and two hydraulic models.

W

58 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

According to Steve Langrell, cattle handling expert lead on Arrowquip’s research and development team, the new range combines practical functionality with animal behaviour research.

“Arrowquip equipment improves handling safety and efficiency by working with – not against – the natural instincts of cattle,” explains Mr Langrell. “Combining this with customer feedback, trial work on our research farm and quality manufacturing, we have developed the most diverse and innovative range of cattle handling equipment on the market.”

Q-Catch Series Manual Squeeze Crushes The new Q-Catch 87 Series and Q-Catch 74 Series cover a greater demand from producers with different sized herds. With an industry leading seven-year warranty, the Q-Catch Series range ensures a quality investment.

Both crush lines feature the 3E Q-Catch Yoke Gate, a new curtain style head gate that uses light to improve cattle flow through the crush.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Livestock Operating with an infinite locking system, any size of animal can be secured without the need for adjustments. The same locking mechanism operates the squeeze, easily holding the largest bull to the smallest calf.

Featuring a rear sliding door and ability to operate the head gate anywhere along the side of the crush, the Q-Catch Series is ideal for producers with limited labour resource.

“The Q-Catch Series has multiple access points, including top and bottom access doors that can be opened independently or together, and a needle door that provides generous access to the neck,” explains Mr Langrell. “This easy and safe access to the animal has made the Q-Catch Series a preferred option for many veterinarians for TB testing and pregnancy detecting.”

The heavier, more refined Q-Catch 87 Series has a textured floor made of virgin Goodyear rubber to keep cattle calm as they enter the crush. Pivots and hinges are engineered with poly bushings and slam latches are poly

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

coated to reduce noise.

“Sudden movement and loud noises, such as clanging equipment or shouting, will kick in an animal’s fight or flight instincts and induce stress. This often leads to cattle not flowing through the system properly,” explains Mr Wise. “The calm environment provided by the Q-Catch Series and the ability for one person to operate the crush has allowed one of our Scottish customers to weigh cattle at a spot rate of 100 head per hour with only two people.”

For producers after an entry-level squeeze crush, the Q-Catch 74 Series is a lighter weight option to improve their farm. Its steel, ribbed floor, fixed width vet cage and steel blinder panels make it ideal for producers needing to make an affordable upgrade on their current crush without compromising quality and safety.

The Q-Catch 87 Series and Q-Catch 74 Series are both available with standard and vet cage options. Outside of the seven-year warranty, these carry lifetime warranties on friction locks, rump fingers and the Goodyear rubber floor.

Q-Power Series Hydraulic Squeeze Crushes For producers wanting to further increase the efficiency of operating their crush, the Q-Power Series Hydraulic Squeeze Crush line will remove the manual operation of the head gate, rear gate and squeeze. Hydraulic variants of the QCatch Series, the Q-Power 107 Series and QPower 104 Series come with a three-year warranty.

The flagship Q-Power 107

Series features a vet cage, curtain style rear door and wide-range pivoting swing arm allowing for operation on either side of the crush. The fast-responding hydraulic connection is run by a remotely mounted, silenced power-pack to keep noise to a minimum in the work area.

The Q-Power 104 Series is an unrivalled entry-level hydraulic crush with standard and vet cage options. Frame mounted controls and power pack allow for quick and easy set-up.

“Taking the labour intensity out of projects with a Q-Power Series hydraulic squeeze crush will allow users to work quicker and for longer without tiring. We have a customer that operates his contracting business in Northwest England with two Q-Power Series crushes. His crew can TB test 900 head in four hours – which is fast enough for APHA to double-check with the veterinarian that the work times are accurate,” says Mr Wise. “Without a doubt, there is a place on any farm, regardless of the herd size, for either the standard Q-Power 104 Series or the heavier duty Q-Power 107 Series.”

Mobile cattle handling systems The Q-Catch Series manual crushes and the Q-Power 107 Series hydraulic crush have also been integrated into Arrowquip’s diverse range of mobile cattle handling systems. With a total of 37 different crush, race and forcing pen combinations, producers can tailor their portable handling system to their unique needs.

“High quality equipment that is built to last for years and engineered to improve efficiency and safety of cattle handling will yield long-term benefits for beef and dairy producers,” concludes Mr Langrell. “It’s not worth the financial and physical risk for settling for anything less.”

Arrowquip cattle handling equipment is available for nationwide delivery through Wise Agriculture Ltd. To learn more about Arrowquip’s new Q-Catch Series and Q-Power Series crushes, go to wiseag.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 59

| Livestock

Options for forage shortfalls Livestock farmers concerned about forage shortfalls in the wake of an exceptionally dry May could include summer-drilled brassica fodder crops as part of a wider strategy, thereby taking the pressure off silage clamps this coming autumn and winter.

he advice comes from Germinal GB’s Helen Mathieu, who acknowledged the impact that recent drought conditions could have on forage resources during her presentation at a recent GrassCheck GB webinar.

“Soil moisture level recordings being taken across the country as part of the GrassCheck GB programme confirm the full extent of the hot and dry conditions we’ve been experiencing and there will inevitably be a long-term effect, whatever the weather going forward,” she said.

T

60 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

“I recommend that farmers review their current position as soon as possible, on a fieldby-field basis, and identify the worst performing fields for prompt action. In the case of fields that were already nearing the end of their productive life, the very dry conditions may well be the final straw. In such cases, the best way forward may well be to burn off the old sward and establish a fast growing fodder crop, such as Redstart hybrid brassica, to provide valuable grazing at any point from the late summer through into the winter.

“Using a hybrid brassica has the advantage

of rapid establishment and will also provide as much as 10 tonnes/ha of quality forage. As a rape/kale cross, it is also winter hardy and therefore suitable for out-wintering, so it offers great versatility. It’s also a very good break crop within a grassland reseeding programme, creating a clean start for a new ley next year.”

Interacting with an industry-wide audience at the AHDB-run webinar, Helen addressed questions on an array of current challenges. In relation to recent grassland reseeds, where the drought may have exacerbated problems caused during a difficult establishment phase

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Livestock

last autumn, she said that overseeding may be the best short-term solution.

“Where swards are quite open, but most of the plants are perennial ryegrass, the best approach may well be to stitch in more perennial ryegrass, at around 10kg/acre, once there is sufficient soil moisture. This will boost performance later in the season and help to minimise the impact of the drought.”

Fields should also be earmarked for conventional reseeding later in the summer, where possible, to maintain productivity into 2021.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

“If at all possible, try to maintain your routine reseeding plans, as this is the best way to avoid a long-term knock-on effect from the recent dry spell,” she added. “We know that reseeding results in a significant uplift in the quantity and quality of forage available and that this will more than pay for the investment within the first year.”

Germinal GB’s Helen Mathieu was the invited specialist speaker at the GrassCheck GB webinar on grassland reseeding, run by AHDB. Further details, including webinar recordings, are available at www.grasscheckgb.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 61

| Livestock

New milk formula for stressed calves Farmers struggling to manage persistent digestive disturbances amongst their calves now have access to a breakthrough new 100% dairy protein milk formula from Volac. ew Imunogard® has been formulated specifically for under-performing stressed calves or to meet the unique needs of calf units wrestling with a stubborn scour problem that can’t be overcome by an improvement in environmental hygiene.

Volac global technical manager Ian Watson explains that the new 23% crude protein calf milk formula is vegetable protein-free, which means it is more easily digested by calves under stress.

“The protein in Imunogard® is 100% dairy. By formulating to 100% dairy protein we can maximise the level of Imunopro® in this new product. This also increases the delivery of the functional whey proteins (contained within Imunopro®) to the calf, which gives it the best chance of fighting off a disease challenge,” he says.

He adds that the new product also contains a slightly higher fat content to allow for more energy to be metabolised for growth.

N

Additionally, Imunogard® incorporates the established hydrolysed yeast culture Celmanax from Church & Dwight to help improve calf gut function and mitigate the effect of a number of harmful pathogens.

“Proven hydrolysed yeast cultures not only provide readily digestible refined functional carbohydrates for the calf; they also have a recognised prebiotic function. Put simply, the inclusion of Celmanax feeds the calf’s beneficial gut bacteria and helps bind them to damaging bugs, such as cryptosporidia, E.coli and Salmonella spp. This stops these harmful pathogens from binding to the gut wall and taking hold to cause disease signs such as scouring,” explains Mr Watson.

“For example, independent scientific trials have demonstrated that calves supplemented with Celmanax shed three times less cryptosporidium oocysts than those which were not, thus helping to reduce the spread of cryptosporidiosis. The Celmanax supplemented calves also had improved faecal and dehydration

62 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

scores1.”

Imunogard® also benefits from the inclusion of other beneficial health supplements, as standard in Volac’s Lifeguard range of calf milk formulas. For example, butyrate for its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to stimulate gut enzyme production, and the garlicderived ingredient Gardion –

known too for its natural pathogen inhibiting effects and ability to enhance immune system function.

The new calf milk formula should be mixed at the rate of 150g in every litre of water and be fed to calves according to Volac’s standard growth curve recommendations.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grassland | Livestock & Muck

Wholecrop offers dual benefits to overcome forage shortages With the exceptionally dry spring likely to have a knock-on effect on forage supplies, harvesting cereals originally drilled for grain as wholecrop in the coming weeks could help ease future shortages. o says Francis Dunne of Field Options, who points not only to the guarantee of filling clamps with a valuable primary feed source but also to the opportunity the earlier harvest creates for establishing following crops.

“Data from our grass mixture trials at Harper Adams University (HAU) shows a 37% drop in production during April and May relative to forecast,” he reports, “and that’s likely to be similar on farms in many areas.

“Whilst recent rainfall is welcome and is providing a much-needed boost to grass growth rates, there will inevitably be an impact on future forage supplies. Farmers need to think now about strategies that will compensate for the forage dry matter that has been lost from first and second cut silage crops.

“Where farms have their own cereal crops

S

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

originally destined for grain and straw, there’s an easy option to go down the wholecrop route. Alternatively, there may be arable farms in the area where the prospect of selling a standing cereal crop for wholecrop is good business, particularly where expectations for a grain and straw harvest are low following poor establishment conditions.

“In all cases, taking the cereal as wholecrop creates a far better window for sowing a following crop. Looking at past performance data from our HAU trials site, the best catch crop ryegrass has the potential to produce as much as 5 tonnes DM/ha as 25% dry matter silage by late September when sown following a July harvest. It will then produce a similar tonnage in early May the following year and remain productive throughout 2021, if required.

In the case of the arable farmer, harvesting cereals as wholecrop provides more options

within the cropping rotation and could create the opportunity for something like fodder rape or turnips as a break that can offer an income as winter sheep keep. Crops such as this could produce over 2,000 lamb grazing days per hectare. At 50p/head/week this can generate £125/ha of supplementary income.”

Mr Dunne says that wheat or barley are the preferred options for fermented wholecrop, which should be harvested when grain is at the cheesy stage and there is still some green in the foliage, with the aim being to achieve a 40% dry matter forage.

“It’s important to harvest at the optimum maturity and use a proven additive to ensure a rapid fermentation and minimise losses. It is only suitable for clamping, not bales,” he adds.

“Done well, wholecrop wheat or barley will be a really good complementary forage, fed at around 20-25% of the diet.”

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 63

| Climate

Creamery keeps on trucking with £600,000 investment to reduce carbon footprint A farmer-owned creamery has invested £600,000 updating its transport fleet with four new state of the art trucks which are also kinder to the environment. he DAF trucks will help South Caernarfon Creameries reduce their carbon footprint because they have lower carbon emissions and increased maneuverability on rural roads.

They have replaced older models in the company's 13 vehicle fleet which operates on seven days a week, 52 weeks a year schedule.

They are helping the cooperative maintain its extensive milk collections during the Coronavirus pandemic to keep local shops and supermarkets stocked up and feed the nation The 32-ton eight wheelers are fitted with tanks supplied by Sayers with reload trailers by Crossland tankers, enabling each to carry more

T

64 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

than 19,000 litres of milk daily from the top cooperative's 135 independent member farms stretching across North and Mid Wales.

Transport manager Dylan Owen said: "They couldn't have come in at a better time – at the height of our year when our famers' cows are out to grass and milk production levels are at their highest."

With the SCC milk collection run covering an average 60,000 miles a year – a thousand miles a week – Dylan said they chose DAF because they are reliable, strong and robust.

He said: "We've partnered with DAF previously and always been impressed but they've undergone a design transformation in recent years. One of the big attractions to us of

these latest DAF CF 450 models was their exceptional maneuverability.

"That's hugely important to an operation like ours when you think of the type of roads our drivers travel on. You're talking narrow rural lanes, rough terrain and compact muddy farmyards. We need vehicles which can negotiate these specialised conditions and the DAFs provide what we want.

"The carbon emissions of the new DAF trucks definitely guarantee lower carbon emissions, seven per cent less than the older models because they have the very latest engines which adhere to the stringent, highest standard, government backed Euro 6 engines emissions guidelines.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Climate

"They are also fitted with Adblue systems, which involve spraying emissions with a liquid solution of which transforms nitrogen oxides emissions into harmless substances.

The new trucks comprise three DAF CF 450 8x2 rigids and a CF 480 6x2 tractor-trailer unit.

They feature DAF's industry acclaimed FAX axle configuration which provides the capability for a 10 per cent smaller turning circle than a conventional 8x4 double-drive chassis. On turning, the ingenious device reduces the chassis kerb to kerb distance by two metres.

Dylan said: "It means easier, smoother maneuvering in small spaces and the positively steered rear axle also reduces risk of damage to farmyard surfaces which is a plus point for our drivers and our farmer members. The drivers have already commented on what a big improvement they are."

The investment continues a decade of expansion and improvements for South Caernarfon Creameries, which is Wales's oldest dairy farming co-operative, having been based on the Llyn Peninsula in Chwilog near Pwllheli since 1938.

Last year saw it achieve a record £52.9m in sales for its range of award-winning dairy products, while total sales have increased by

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

60 per cent over two years. The sales growth follows a £13.5m investment updating and expanding production and packaging facilities.

The dairy produces 14,000 tons of cheese yearly using 100 per cent Welsh milk. With most of SCC's 160-strong workforce living within 20 miles of the plant, it has continued to produce its Welsh cheeses and butter, including its distinctive Dragon brand, throughout the three-month lockdown.

It delivers to most UK supermarkets and has been determined to keep the nation's milk and dairy supplies going at full pace throughout the pandemic.

Dylan said: "We are a key operator in the food sector and for everyone's sakes we pulled out all the stops to keep the supply chain running normally. Our farmers' cows cannot stop being milked because there is a pandemic on and we need to get those milk supplies to the point of retail as much as ever.

"There have been some hurdles to overcome to ensure safe social distancing, but we have

managed to negotiate those and run pretty much as normal. We're very proud of all our staff, including our tanker drivers for stepping up to the plate to get us through these extraordinary times."

He said demand for dairy products has been high during the pandemic, and also because demand during summer tends to naturally go up. It has put the co-operative's distribution network under greater pressure but the DAFs have coped admirably.

The gleaming trucks – also known in the industry for the outstanding comfort of their driver cabs – were bought through North Wales DAF dealer MOTUS Commercials in Wrexham.

Dylan said: "They have a terrific after sales service. We have our own depot here at the SCC site with a team of able mechanics to undertake general maintenance and repairs, but if unforeseen problems arise it's good to know we can always turn to the guys at MOTUS or Holyhead Trucks to help us resolve any issues, engineering or otherwise."

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 65

| Climate

Agricultural infr Part 1 - Climate Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University

ecent figures suggest agriculture accounts for around 10% of the total GHG emissions in the UK and up to 24% of all human-related GHG emissions globally, indicating that it is an area of significant climate impact. The main focus on emissions within this sector revolves around methane (CH4) production (mostly

R

66 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

enteric production in livestock) and nitrous oxide (N2O) production (mostly through applications of inorganic fertilisers). Previous figures have suggested the emissions of these to be fairly similar due to agricultural outputs with around 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent being emitted a year. Whilst these are now key targets they are not the only climate impacts associated with agriculture,

several other emission factors exist which need highlighting and mitigating for. One such area is agricultural infrastructure.

What is meant by infrastructure Within agriculture, infrastructure relates to the basic systems, facilities and services required to keep the sector operating: power supplies, communication systems and transportation methods, as well as, farm

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grassland | Climate & Muck

astructure: impacts

buildings, processing buildings and storage units. Infrastructure can be considered either broadly across the sector or on the level of an individual farm. Whilst significant infrastructure is imperative for the sector to thrive, aspects of its development, running and maintenance are significant contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both directly and indirectly.

Current areas of emissions

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Agricultural buildings Due to increasing demands on agricultural production to supply a growing population, there has been a global shift towards increasing production using controlled, protected environments. The ability to accurately control environments within these buildings whether these are crop production facilities (including aquaponics and heated

greenhouses) or livestock buildings (e.g. poultry and pig rearing units) achieves far more consistent conditions for optimal growth and yield. However, such systems also require significant energy inputs, acting indirectly to increase GHG production. One regular source of GHG emissions is the construction of farm buildings. Whilst it is difficult to ascertain precise figures for these emissions, it is

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 67

| Climate suggested that their influence is present but fairly minimal. Figures from 2018 place emissions from construction throughout the whole of the UK at 2% of the country’s total and agricultural buildings will account for only a fraction of this.

Livestock Levels of GHG production also vary depending on livestock being farmed. A significant UK study of the energy consumption per sector was performed in 2007. This suggested that within each sector; poultry egg/meat production, pig production and dairy farming (figure 1), significant energy was required for lighting, ventilating and heating buildings. Dairy building-related energy inputs were further increased by energy requirements for cooling milk, heating water and operating milking machinery. The majority of energy consumption across beef and lamb production, however, was related to oils/diesel used for field operations or pasture maintenance and feeding.

Figure 1 Primary energy inputs into livestock sectors taken from 2007 report to DEFRA Horticultural crops When it comes to UK horticultural crops, one of the main inputs of energy is the use of greenhouses and other temperature-controlled buildings. Energy inputs include the use of ventilation, hot water circulation, cooling, heat pumps, air re-circulation and lighting. Within the group of edible crops produced in the UK, tomatoes had the highest energy consumption

68 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

followed by cucumbers and peppers as these products need warmer temperatures to be maintained for improved yields and growth.

Interestingly, figures from 2006 suggest that whilst protected crops account for a significant amount of energy input, due to the different energy mixes involved (mainly gas rather than electricity), compared to other aspects of agriculture its total contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) specific emissions is only 0.1% (not accounting for GHG produced by refrigerated storage and transport). Using tomatoes as an example, a comparison of Spanish vs UK grown products suggested that due to increased inputs required for growth in the UK these tomatoes had >3x more CO2 impact.

Arable crops Whilst the majority of arable crop GHG emissions are directly related to their growth; additions of fertilisers and chemicals for growth and the machinery used for their dispersal and harvesting, there are still direct agricultural building-related GHG emissions. Factors involved include the variable-temperature storage spaces for drying grain crops, as well as, ventilated or cooled storage conditions required for longer-term storage of mainstay crops such as potatoes. Each of these utilises energy, either directly from the grid or through the combustion of fuels and, therefore, acts to increase GHG emissions.

Irrigation Irrigation for crop growth is of far greater

concern in more arid countries. However, there is still an energy input and therefore passive GHG emissions contributing to UK statistics, particularly in sandy soil environments. This can be seen in the evaluation of sugar beet production, where irrigation accounted for almost 9% of all the energy/fuel consumption required for crop culture operations. Whilst currently irrigation is generally seen as nonessential in the UK, there are increasing concerns regarding future climate variation. As drought is becoming more regular, irrigation may become more commonplace and models are already being developed to aid farming enterprises in planning for such eventualities.

Agricultural machinery and vehicles Mechanisation and vehicle use in agriculture has direct effects on GHG emissions, particularly CO2 through fuel combustion, accounting for around 11% of the total GHG emissions of the sector. There are also inherent GHG emissions associated with the initial construction of these machines/vehicles as well as in their continued maintenance and repair over their lifetime.

Transport through supply chains Following on-farm production, there are yet further energy consumptions and GHG emissions which come into play through the remainder of the food supply chain. These include: Transport Produce is transported from farm to processing plants or direct to consumers/retail

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Climate outlets with an estimated 10% of the total farming and fishing CO2e emissions being related to food freight in the UK (2013).

Within this output 25 - 40% of the emissions are due to the need for on-board refrigeration in heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and up to 21% of this fraction is linked to leakage of refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Whilst there are direct mitigation strategies which can be put into place, it is suggested that the biggest factor (accounting for around half of all transport-related emissions of fruit and vegetables) is our reliance on air freight transport, which accounted for two-fifths of all transport emissions in the UK. Processing Primary processing can include; milling, malting and slaughtering and have been suggested to account for >23% of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions for the farming and fishing sector (2013). Further insight into the energy use in this sector finds 68% is used for heating (either processes or spaces), 16% for powering motors, 8% for further electrical heating, 6% for refrigeration and the remainder to power air compressors.

However, certain processes (dairy product processing, meat processing and manufacture of bread and alcohols) are known to be responsible for higher emissions, reportedly accounting for four-fifths of all processing emissions.

Waste Food waste as well as non-recycled

packaging and agricultural plastic waste, all have influences on the sector's total GHG emissions. Any waste nullifies benefits being gained on the GHG emissions used in initial production, processing and transportation.

Based on recent figures for the UK, 9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted annually and this is associated with 25 million tonnes of CO2e emissions or 5.5% of the total emissions from the UK (based on figures from 2018). With regards to non-recycled packaging waste from food production, figures suggest between 6 and 8 million tonnes of CO2e emissions or 1% to 1.7% of the total UK emissions (dependent on total emission values for the year of prediction). These figures have demonstrated a trend of increase in total % emissions over time. These increases are likely related to the trend of net reductions of UK wide emissions across all sectors, as well as a net trend of increasing waste production.

Finally, direct farm-level agricultural plastic waste is a known issue. Whilst in many instances these plastics should be recyclable, many are considered hazardous due to their use in agrochemical storage which complicates recycling procedures with increased energy required for decontamination. As of 2012, the European recovery rate for agricultural plastics was 49.5%, unfortunately, burning may be considered by some as a last resort despite the fact it is illegal due to the related production dangerous pollutants as well as direct GHG production. Currently, in the UK there are a

severely limited number of plants available to process this type of waste which may well lead to increased GHGs being produced in transporting waste to such facilities or less recycling occurring altogether.

Whilst infrastructure may play an important role in the functionality of the agricultural sector as a whole, and adaptations thereupon could improve emission levels through several adaptation/mitigation strategies, it is interesting to note that this aspect does not feature in DEFRA’s proposed ten indicators of GHG emissions and attitudes for England. This may well suggest it is an area that is being neglected despite the possibility that mitigations here could benefit sector outputs on the whole.

Summary Infrastructure for the agricultural sector is vital to ensure efficient production, however at both farm and national levels it can have significant impacts in producing GHGs. Several key areas have been studied for their direct and indirect climate impacts over the years, including aspects such as agricultural building outputs, irrigation and transport. Whilst it is clear all of these areas have some detrimental impact on the environment there appear to be a far lower level of concern for such factors, with focuses instead being placed on methane production from livestock and nitrogen from fertilisers as key areas requiring mitigation.

Fig 1.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 69

| Climate

Agriculture Infrastructure: Part 2 - Climate adaptations and mitigations Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. gricultural infrastructure is essential for the sector as a whole to function and thrive. It is also an area were negative climate impacts can and do occur regularly. For these reasons, there are multiple opportunities to apply relatively simple mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) outputs. For more information on the climate influencing factors of agricultural infrastructure see the previous article.

Possible adaptations and mitigations Farm buildings Cooling buildings Possible adaptations to farm-building infrastructure towards reducing emissions are varied. In hotter climates and during summer months, a significant amount of energy expenditure may be related to the cooling of building spaces. Adaptations which could assist in mitigating these expenditures include the use of solar reflective roofing materials as well as the planting of green facades on walls and roofs. Where roofing is concerned, initial research demonstrated the ability to achieve surface temperature reduction of up to 8°C due to up to 90% more energy being emitted by certain materials. It was also noted that the angle of the slope of the roof also had a significant impact on increasing solar reflectivity.

Whilst research into green facades is somewhat in its infancy, with experimental design issues and lack of standardised testing, initial urban experimentations suggested that green facades mitigate 5 - 10% of effects relating to increases in temperature. The above study, however, found a lack of significant evidence relating to green roofing. The cooling effects of green facades are achieved through direct shading of the building surface as well as evapotranspiration of plants having a cooling effect on their surroundings. Very limited research has been performed into the reverse effects of green facades during winter months

A

70 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

or where improving heat-retention is concerned. One study cites slightly higher energy input requirements for heating green facade structures, however, it is also noted that in winter they do assist in preventing heat loss compared to bare walls at night or on cloudy or foggy days. It is likely that energy usage for heating is minimally increased due to greenery limiting solar gains during the day. Whilst the thermoregulation effects of green facades are interesting, there are further potential climate change mitigation factors to consider, such as the ability of vegetation to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as other pollutants.

Green roofs demonstrate an even higher ability to sequester CO2 than green facades and additionally require less irrigation and maintenance.

In greenhouse systems and areas of high solar energy, solar-powered cooling systems using solar thermal collectors could be utilised with initial studies showing potential to reduce energy consumption associated with traditional cooling.

Heating buildings Heating of agricultural buildings is associated with a significant proportion of the energy consumption from UK agricultural infrastructure (figure 2). Developments towards reducing this energy consumption could include the use of combined heat and power (CHP) units in combination with agricultural/waste feedstocks, as well as solar collectors and heat exchangers.

Figure 1 Relative direct energy consumption UK agriculture sector (minus fisheries and forestry) taken from Warwich HRI (2007) CHP systems offer a high potential gain when considering heating of agricultural buildings as through the process of combustion of feedstocks to produce electricity there is excess heat produced which can be captured rather than wasted. In traditional CHP systems, it is noted that there is up to a 30% reduction in carbon emissions. This could, however, be improved further through the

growth of specific feedstock on-farm (or locally to reduce processing and transport GHG emissions) to power CHP units. In such systems, the emissions produced are considered carbon-neutral due to the feedstocks simply returning previously sequestered carbon to the atmosphere. High energy feedstocks such as miscanthus and willow could be grown for direct use or mixed farming systems or silvopastoral systems via the inclusion of fruit trees may add benefits.

Alternative scenarios provide a consistent source of produce requiring regular coppicing for utilisation in CHP units as well as having significant benefits in climate control associated with tree planting. Similarly, coppicing of maintained hedgerows and any implemented buffer strips could also bolster feedstocks for CHP units.

Another method of producing fuel which could be directly utilised towards building heat or vehicle power is on-site anaerobic digestion.

These systems take agricultural waste biomass, including manure and green waste, and produce biogas, an ‘anaerobic cake’ and a nutrient rich liquid both of which can be utilised on-farm as fertilisers. Studies have also suggested that combining anaerobic digestion produced biogas with specific CHP units (internal combustion engine ICE), can provide both heating and electricity with high economic savings and significant reductions in CO2 emissions on farms.

Solar collectors also offer a means of providing some heat to agricultural buildings and work via conversion of solar energy into a heat store of some form (water or air). Whilst these appear largely to have been assessed for their ability to be used in the drying of agricultural produce, there are also some indications of potential use in the direct heating of livestock spaces in colder climates.

Incorporation of heat exchanger technologies can have benefits across multiple agricultural areas. These include direct use of heat from power plants which produce hot

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Climate wastewater. It has been suggested that integrating heat exchange systems from hot wastewaters with extensive heated greenhouse systems can reduce energy costs of heating up to 87% and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 62%. In the UK plans are underway to build two of these expansive greenhouses in Norfolk and Suffolk with similar sustainable efficient systems being implemented by companies utilising large greenhouse systems such as British Sugar. Other systems include earth air heat exchangers which can cool greenhouse systems in summer and heat them in winter.

Conductive cooling (via buried heat exchangers) is a potential route to alleviate heat stress in high lactation dairy operations, as well as heat exchangers in the pasteurisation and cooling storage procedures of milk.

Other Building considerations Vertical farming is an innovative use of agricultural buildings which is thought to present potential economic and environmental advantages. It has been suggested that, due to no nutrients being lost to soil and water systems, reduced water consumption, reduced land/space requirement, no pest interactions and improved year-round crop production that vertical farming offers significant potential as a crop production system. A study modelling such systems suggest that by utilising technologies such as renewable energy sources, including solar panels and heat exchangers and low power LED bulbs, that these buildings offer high potential as a sustainable route towards providing produce. A caveat to consider, however, is that, for highest efficiency, these systems need to be built close to high population regions to minimise the climate costs of transportation further. Finally, across multiple sectors; from crop storage, greenhouses to livestock housing, a noted area for potential energy saving is the correct and improved level of insulation applied to structures offering potential savings of 5 - 11%.

Agricultural machinery and vehicles Whilst a steady decrease in the volume of fuel used in the agricultural sector has been observed since 1997 there are still further mitigation strategies which can be introduced.

One developing sector which may have the potential to reduce GHG emissions associated with current machinery in agriculture is precision agricultural technology alternatives.

These can include: agri-bots which can perform automated weeding and crop maintenance, self/assisted steering technologies which can improve the efficiency of agricultural vehicle fuel use, therefore reducing emissions, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to monitor crops, pastures and livestock remotely and field sensors to monitor field conditions remotely (such as temperature and moisture levels of soil or silage). All such technologies tend to utilise lower energy inputs and direct electricity inputs (rather than fossil fuels) which could be produced in a net neutral manner either via CHP systems or renewables. Furthermore, remote monitoring via UAVs and in-situ sensors could lead to less labour and GHGs from agricultural vehicles, being expended via visual inspection routines and agri-bots are suggested to utilise less or no pesticides and have a less detrimental impact on soil compaction. Where remote sensors are concerned, true benefits may well require innovations for long-distance data transfer. In potentially signal restricted areas, a transfer could be achieved via LoRaWAN and similar technologies. Other areas for consideration include waste heat recovery from agricultural vehicles as well as the expansion of the

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

availability of electric agricultural vehicles.

Transport through supply chains Transport Mitigation strategies for food supply transport include the improvement of infrastructure localisation. If this was performed strategically then reduced transportation leads to less GHG being emitted. Improved organisation of bulk produce transport from various farms, rather than multiple smaller transportation trips would equally contribute to lower emissions. Evaluations of these strategies are being performed and optimised using models, particularly in the cold supply chain sector due to carbon tax regulations. There are several suggested mitigations relating to refrigerated food transport emissions, including the application of waste heat recovery, as with agricultural vehicles, to power refrigerant units.

Alternative refrigeration technologies which could reduce emissions include absorption or adsorption refrigerant systems, thermoelectric cooling (which whilst still utilising energy lacks refrigerant leakage or direct fossil fuel combustion emissions and can be reversed to supply either heat or cooling) and air cycle refrigeration. Finally, general electrification of food freight vehicles has been modelled to achieve between 26 – 96% reduction of GHGs emissions in urban areas where distances travelled are manageable.

Processing Within food supply processing there are several mitigation steps which could be employed to reduce energy use and emissions.

Following on from emissions reductions from CHP system (which can also play a role in processing units of up to 35% reductions in energy used), the incorporation of a refrigerant system (often absorption refrigeration) can turn systems into ‘Tri-generation’ or combined heat power and refrigeration (CHPR) systems. These can reduce GHG emissions by fully converting up 90% of the energy from fuel input into usable outputs with reduced waste. Other mitigation can include improved cooling techniques for produce (cold fluid emersion for freezing), use of anaerobic digestion for biogas production, air cycle refrigeration and sonic wave processing (for heating liquors in brewing industries with up to 30% energy savings).

Waste Waste mitigations from both the food supply chain as a whole and agricultural waste specifically is a complicated issue. An immediate reduction strategy which is possible, both in agriculture and food packaging, with regards to plastics is the incorporation of biodegradable plastic packaging. Alongside this option, a downscaling in the level of packaging can also be beneficial in reducing waste and initial processing energy required to produce packaging. Largely, however, waste reduction with regards to food requires a major attitude shift towards utilising fresh produce efficiently and a reduction in highly packaged processed food and ready meals.

Agricultural waste has specific issues with regards to recycling as there are only limited plants capable of processing agricultural plastics in the UK and these often cannot accept contaminated plastics. Mitigations can also include schemes such as the red tractor assurance which has checks to encourage those seeking accreditation to keep plastic in a manner that will allow its eventual re-use or recycling. Recent studies have also utilised geographic information systems (GIS) to map agricultural plastic use in an attempt to provide efficiently placed waste collection centres which could improve recycling uptake.

Alongside plastic wastes, other agricultural wastes include agrochemicals, oils and oil drums, batteries and carcasses. For many farms, a mitigation strategy of interest could be for farms to combine waste, in order to have sufficient quantities to justify the treatments required.

Renewable energy and fuel alternatives One common mitigation for GHG production, on the whole, is the use of renewable energies including solar (in various forms), geothermal, ground source heat pumps, wind, hydroelectric and biomass energy. Whilst these all have the potential to displace emissions otherwise associated with fossil fuels, either via action as direct heat sources or via electricity production, they often rely on highly specific conditions.

Analysis in 2007 demonstrated that the most efficient renewable source with regards to direct farm application across the majority of agricultural sectors, was through biomass energy, with up to 3 x more fossil fuel displacement compared to other renewables.

Certain farms, however, with the correct conditions may see significant benefits from other renewable sources.

One direct fuel alternative was previously discussed with regards to biogas from anaerobic digesters. Another alternate route for producing fuel is through the growth of bioenergy crops for the production of biofuels such as biodiesel. These crops sequester CO2 from the atmosphere during growth and are therefore carbon neutral upon combustion.

Summary Agricultural infrastructure is vital for the operation of the sector as a whole, and as such, major overhauls within its structure are difficult to perform. Whilst the sector functions successfully in the current environment, it is clear that changes will be required to meet not only increased consumer demand but also sector targets for reducing climate change emissions. As several aspects of agricultural and farm level infrastructure are known to be significant sources of emissions, these also offer potential targets for innovative adaptation and mitigation strategies to move agriculture towards a more sustainable future.

Background information: This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

The Farming Connect Knowledge Transfer Programme and Advisory Service is delivered

by Menter a Busnes on behalf of Welsh Government. Lantra Wales leads on the delivery of the Farming Connect Lifelong Learning and Development Programme.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 71

| Climate

Collaborative, farm-based environmental project launched in East Yorkshire could significantly cut CO2 levels A Landmark, farm-based project that could help return atmospheric CO2 to pre-industrial levels has been launched in East Yorkshire.

A

s well as having the potential to counter the effects of climate change, the Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project could also drastically reduce flooding and improve soil

health.

The project is a collaboration between Yorkshire Water, Birds Eye, and supply chain consultancy Future Food Solutions, with other brands joining in as different commodities are grown in rotation. Research expertise is being provided by the University of Hull, with support from Teesside University.

However, at its core are more than 40 farmers from across East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, based in the Yorkshire Water catchment area, who grow peas for Nomad Foods-owned Birds Eye. The Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project involves these farmers growing cover crops in the window between harvesting peas and sowing their next food crop.

The cover crops – christened pop up rainforests by Future Food Solutions – are made up of a diverse range of plant species chosen for their ability to capture huge amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Trials funded by Yorkshire Water and facilitated by the UK Birds Eye Agricultural Team show that growing cover crops can increase soil organic matter by up to 40 tonnes per hectare, which can sequester nett over four tonnes of atmospheric carbon per year.

As soil organic matter has fallen by 50% over the past 60 years, using cover crops to restore these levels not only has the potential to reestablish soil health, but could also help to reverse the ongoing rise in atmospheric CO2 levels.

The pre-project trials have already achieved a dramatic rise in soil organic matter, more than doubling levels in just five years, from 3.0 % to over 6.0 %.

Andrew Walker, Asset Strategy Manager for Yorkshire Water, said the Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project laid the foundations for addressing some of the most urgent problems the world is currently facing.

He said: “Growing cover crops to increase soil organic matter is one of the most effective way of combatting the major environmental issues we face today.

“In just seven weeks, they generate enough carbon-sequestering organic material to make a significant dent in atmospheric CO2.

“If grown on a global scale, arable farming could become the first sector of the economy to be net carbon zero.”

He added that the Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project could also play a major role in the reduction of flooding in Hull – a notorious problem for the city as much of it lies below the high-tide line.

72 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

Yorkshire Water is a core partner in the Living With Water partnership in the city, alongside East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council and the Environment Agency.

“The remit of the Living With Water partnership is to implement measures that reduce or mitigate the impacts flooding has on Hull,” Mr Walker said.

“Research shows that achieving just a 1% increase in soil organic matter would enable agricultural land to store an extra 200,000 litres of water per hectare.

“Therefore, this project has huge implications for flood attenuation in and around Hull. Birds Eye has long term relationships and collaborations with its growers, so by working with them to increase the levels of soil organic matter in the Humber region, we can make a real impact.”

Paul Rhodes, director of Future Food Solutions, added that growing cover crops also has significant implications for soil health and the wider environment.

He said: “The plants’ root structure holds the topsoil in place reducing erosion, and the increase in organic matter means less farm inputs are required, enabling farmers to grow food more efficiently and profitably.

“Of the inputs that are required, less are leached away into the waterways, making for healthier rivers and watercourses and this has a positive knock on effect on local flora and fauna.”

Fellow Future Food Solutions director, Steve Cann, described launching the Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project as a great example of collaboration between utility partners, the supply chain and farmers, and this was just the start with the initiative set to grow as new crops are drilled.

He said: “Because of the unique nature of the Birds Eye supply chain and interactions with the growers of the Green Pea company, peas can be the catalyst for change; the same farmers will grow wheat, barley and oil seed rape for other supply chain partners so the potential to upscale the project is huge.

“As further crops come into play, we expect to see more food brands coming on board and more farmers starting to grow cover crops as the benefits become clear. This hugely exciting project is set to grow and grow.”

James Young, Agriculture and Veg Sourcing Director, Nomad Foods said: “We have a rich

history in the Humber catchment area, having worked with local farmers for over 60 years growing highest quality peas for our consumers.

“Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of our company purpose at Nomad, and has always been at the core of the partnership with these farmers.

“Therefore, we’re very excited to be involved in this project and the opportunity to work collaboratively with partners on finding solutions to issues such as climate change and flooding, as well as improving soil health for future crop production.”

Soil organic matter, water content and other metrics will be monitored by the University of Hull on an ongoing basis.

Professor Dan Parsons, Director of the Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull, said: “The government’s 25year environment plan speaks of maximising natural capital and working with nature in our use of landscapes.

“The Sustainable Landscapes Humber Project is an exemplar of how we can optimise landscape use to amplify ecosystem services, such as bio-diversity and reducing flood risk, whilst also maintaining or improving agricultural crop values into the future.

“The innovative practice that will be demonstrated by the project, through digitalisation and high-resolution monitoring and modelling, holds great promise in shaping our use, management and interactions with landscapes into the future.”

Paul and Steve formed Future Food Solutions in 2013 to help food brands achieve carbon neutral supply chains.

The business analyses supply chains and works with the farmers involved to help them reduce their carbon footprint.

Paul, a former farmer, said farmers come in for a lot of criticism from outside the industry for their perceived effect on the environment.

But he said the effectiveness of cover crops put them front and centre in the battle against climate change.

“Many people see farmers as part of the problem when it comes to the environment,” he said.

“But growing cover crops makes the arable farming sector one of the most powerful weapons we have in the fight against the climate emergency.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Climate

Low Carbon Agriculture launches in the UK Low Carbon Agriculture, the new event showcasing opportunities in low carbon energy, technological advances and Environmental Land Management (ELM), for a profitable and sustainable future in farming, will launch at the National Agriculture and Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh, on 9-10 March 2021. o says Francis Dunne of Field Options, who points not only to the guarantee of filling clamps with a valuable primary feed source but also to the opportunity the earlier harvest creates for establishing following crops.

Formerly Energy and Rural Business Show, the event has rebranded, relocated and reasserted its focus to ensure that practical solutions to tackling climate change through the generation of renewable energy, the implementation of low carbon initiatives and best practice in both environmental and carbon management, take centre stage.

As lockdown eases, and the events industry adapts, Low Carbon Agriculture will combine the latest software and innovation with the physical show, running digital webinars on the run up to the event, starting on the 15th July.

Low Carbon Agriculture is also launching a networking app to enhance visitor experience, inviting delegates to book in one-to-one appointments in advance of the event, as well as attending networking roundtable discussions run by exhibitors and to continue these connections well beyond the show.

Held in association with the National Farmers Union (NFU), Low Carbon Agriculture incorporates four expos in one show and has announced new features for the 2021 event, including the addition of ‘Environmental Business Expo’ and ‘Farm Technology Expo’ to compliment ‘Energy Now Expo’ and ‘Low Emission Vehicles Expo.’

Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Adviser, Renewable Energy and Climate Change for the National Farmers Union (NFU), is supportive of

S

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

the new show. “The NFU strongly supports the launch of Low Carbon Agriculture and its move to Stoneleigh Park. The event has always been a trailblazer, and its focus on low carbon agriculture, natural capital enhancement and agri-tech is very much in tune with current policy, at a key time of change in agriculture."

The event’s move to NAEC Stoneleigh, positions Low Carbon Agriculture in a wellknown agricultural venue, in the middle of the country, more easily accessible to a larger audience from all over the UK. Chris Hartley, Managing Director of NAEC Stoneleigh says “We are delighted to welcome Low Carbon Agriculture to NAEC. The show fits with our ethos, as we are a venue working to reduce our own carbon footprint, introducing our own ‘Three Rs System – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ In addition, NAEC is the natural home for many leading agricultural events and many businesses based here at Stoneleigh Park are leading organisations dedicated to agriculture and rural enterprise.”

Chris goes on to say “In what is a hugely challenging time for the events industry, it’s great to share some good news. We are always pleased to welcome another market leading trade event to our venue.”

The show is committed to reducing its impact on the environment, going paper free and implementing digital check in and navigation, ensuring any materials used are sustainable, responsibly sourced or can be recycled, with a ban on the use of all single use plastic.

Spring boarding off the success of ‘Energy and Rural Business Show’ in 2019 and 2020, the event continues to be ahead of the curve,

evolving from its roots as ‘Energy Now Expo’, and celebrates 12 years of success next March.

David Jacobmeyer, show director says: “Our aim is to provide farmers and landowners with information and guidance on ways to combat climate change, to align with developments in agri-policy and to identify the business opportunities which will allow them to continue providing their essential products and services in both a profitable and sustainable way.”

The show remains free to attend and features the Energy Now Expo, in which an exhibition will be accompanied by an energy storage theatre and a cutting-edge conference programme, covering all forms of renewables.

The Low Emission Vehicles Expo will showcase the latest low-carbon transport and machinery solutions, highlight the related opportunities, and feature a test track. The Environmental Business Expo will include an exhibition and conference sessions offering practical guidance to farmers on carbon and Environmental Land Management (ELM). Suppliers of innovative agri-tech will take part in the exhibition and workshop area within the Farm Technology Expo.

Visit the new Low Carbon Agriculture Show website to find out more www.lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 73

| Feature

What do Drone IP Rating Standards mean for the agricultural sector?

The drone market has experienced significant growth in recent years. And as both hobbyist and professional users alike take great interest in exploring the capabilities these devices have to offer, this growth is set to continue, with a huge 76,000 drones projected to be flying the UK skies by 2030, according to Skies without Limits, a 2018 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). hen it comes to commercial applications, drone usage is still in its infancy but in many markets it is growing fast.

Agriculture is a case in point.

Prescient & Strategic Intelligence (P&S Intelligence) recently projected that the agricultural drones market would grow from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $6.2 billion in 2024, experiencing a 25.0% CAGR during 2019–2024 (forecast period).

The summary of the P&S Intelligence's 2019 Agricultural Drones Market report, goes on to state: "crop spraying was the largest category in 2018, based on application, owing to the rising prevalence of fungal plant diseases caused by the Verticillium and Rhizoctonia fungi, which are spread by bollworm and flat armyworm. As these diseases destroy the yield, the agrarian community is deploying drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), to kill the pathogen."

Drones are increasingly widely used by farmers to help enhance the yield by providing real-time images of crop growth and analysis of health, soil and field quality. Agriculture is after all one of the fastest growing markets for

W

74 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

commercial drones today. As they are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, they are widely seen as offering the potential to achieve a fast return on investment (RoI). They can also be used to help locate areas affected by botanical disease. In addition they can be leveraged in the battle against pests. Recent reports indicate that the Maharashtra state government in India plans to use drones to spray insecticides on locust swarms, which have been blamed for damaging vegetables on some farms.

The need for reliability Currently, reliability remains the biggest obstacle to the widespread deployment of drones in an agricultural setting. A lack of reliability may lead to the loss of the drone, reduced customer satisfaction, significant damage to brand reputation, or a combination of all three.

For governments and administrative authorities, a lack of reliability also represents a danger to the general public from drones crashing out of the sky. The approach taken therefore is typically prudent and cautious.

Standards development and operating constraints In line with this, as the use of drones is rolled

out across agricultural sectors, the evolution of standards and regulations will be key to their success. Moving forwards, operators will need to attain licences to fly some drones but, as we have already seen, the use of drones in an agricultural sector is relatively new and the working methodologies are still emerging, so standards development remains in its earliest stages. Legislation around drone use is beginning to come on stream, however.

In June 2019, the EU published a package of regulations relating to unmanned aircraft systems use, which included certification for certain types of drones and their operators to ensure the safety of individuals. These come into effect in July 2020. Part of these regulations require operators to understand how meteorology impacts drone use and be familiar with IP Ratings. It is likely that in terms of IPX ratings (for water protection), agricultural teams will have little knowledge around what each rating indicates – at least at the outset.

In general terms, the IP Code, or Ingress Protection Code, IEC standard 60529 classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against, dust, intrusion, accidental contact, water and moisture. The first digit refers to solid

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Feature

New project enables future farming today Farmers are increasingly looking to adopt smart technology to monitor livestock, housing and even crop growth – but linking data across platforms has proven a barrier; until now. n a breakthrough which will benefit the whole industry and help farmers to improve efficiencies across the board, Glas Data has succeeded in creating a platform on which farmers can view all of their information and use it to improve decision-making. “We’ve been working on it for three years and the technology is really catching up now,” says Colin Phillipson, co-founder of Glas Data.

“We’re simplifying it, bringing all of the data into one place so that farmers can view it.”

Glas Data has been working alongside Ver Facil, which has adapted about 60 sensor devices for use in agriculture, as part of a research project supported by grants, research and graduates through Agri-Tech Cornwall.

These sensors use LoRaWAN (long range, low power) technology, which means they can be deployed around the farm without 4G or 5G connectivity or heavy batteries. “LoRaWAN is ideal for large areas - you just need one antenna on the farm, and batteries will last between three and 10 years without being replaced,” explains Rob Cartwright, founder of Ver Facil.

The sensors measure everything from housing environments to bulk milk tank temperature, and can even be used inside a cow’s rumen in the form of the Moonsyst Smart bolus, which monitors temperature, pH and activity even when the cow is out in the field.

To demonstrate the value of these sensors and data platform, Ver Facil has installed them in Duchy College’s Future Farm, a research facility which will house 200 dairy cows and signpost the way for producers to improve technology, efficiencies and welfare.

The Moonsyst Smart rumen bolus is able to predict a cow’s heat cycle, while also monitoring for lame or sick cows, and those which are about to calve. “We are also installing sensors to monitor the bulk milk tank

temperature, the refrigerant cooling plant status, barn light levels, CO2, temperature and humidity,” says Rob. “By monitoring the cows, the pasture they graze, their water intake and indoor environmental conditions we aim to improve milk yield and cow welfare.” In addition, the project will install two extra antennae to test the ability to triangulate the cows’ location – enabling the mapping of milk yield against grazing - and will monitor electric fencing and water pipes for supply outages.

“We installed water meter sensors at the Royal Cornwall Show last year and identified two leaks at a saving of several thousand pounds,” says Rob. “We can provide virtual meter readings via a smartphone and are looking to develop the means to automatically detect major water leaks.”

The firm is also working with Lynher Dairies to reduce water use and better manage waste water produced from the cheese-making process. “They have to pay for their water and pay to get the waste taken away, so it’s a double saving,” explains Rob. “In addition, we installed temperature sensors in their freezers – which are housed in shipping containers.

“Most other wireless technology won’t go through the steel, but one Sunday they got an alert that the cooling had failed – they managed to fix it before they lost an entire year’s worth of stock ingredients.” Temperature and humidity sensors in the cheese maturation stores will also enable the firm to better understand the cheese characteristics based on their storage environment.

Another project, in conjunction with Rothamsted Research, is using sensors – including Sensoterra soil moisture and soil temperature monitors - to optimise strip grazing, while an egg production trial will see six environmental sensors installed in a chicken shed to demonstrate how the data can be used to improve welfare and production.

particle protection, e.g. dust; the second refers to liquid ingress protection, e.g. rain. Additional letters may also be used. The use of the letter, M, for example, indicates the device was moving during the water test, e.g. the drone propellers were in motion.

What operators need to do In line with evolving standards, operators need to consider reliability of the equipment and the constraints caused by wet weather conditions. They will need to ensure that if a drone has to land at any point, water intrusion is kept to a minimum to reduce damage to important components.

Many will already have this level of awareness. Yet, the likelihood is that they will have little understanding of what IP rating they will need in order to provide a sensible level of protection whatever the meteorological conditions.

They will not typically appreciate the granularity that goes between 'not protected at all' and 'fully water-protected'. Most will not fully comprehend the nuances between the levels, so, once again there is a need for a process of education to be put in place.

As operators go to manufacture drones, they

will need to understand what can be done in terms of water protection at each IP rating.

They will also need to know if the IPX rating they have chosen for their drone will be suitable for the task they are going to undertake. The reality is that they won't necessarily need IPX8 (full immersion). In fact IPX4 or IPX5 is typically enough to give rain protection.

How can providers help?

So how can providers play a role in educating drone users across the agricultural market about the prevailing IPX ratings? They need to help them to understand what is the IP rating of the drone; how long that rating is expected to last and also what would compromise it, e.g. water protection achieved by the use of mechanical seals may be jeopardised by physical impact, but also usually degrades over time.

Providers can help ensure the reliability but also the protection of the drone. Solutions should last the lifetime of the device. But equally as essential, if a drone is damaged then solutions should be easily reworkable. For example, thick conformal coatings can make repairability impossible by covering connectors.

However, the use of modern nano coating

I

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

“With 60 different sensors – and more in development – farmers can collect a lot of useful data,” says Rob. “But that would be of no use without the means to visualise, store and analyse that information and this is where Glas Data provides such a unique service. The dashboard has been specifically designed to map and visualise farm information from many data streams, including milk records and other sources. At last the real barrier to using data to boost profits has been removed, opening the door to future farming, today.”

For more information see www.agritechcornwall.co.uk

technology not only ensures lifetime protection of the drone but also allows manufacturers to produce devices which are fully reworkable.

Nano coatings protect PCBs and even whole devices from the inside out and eliminate the need for bulky mechanical seals which might make a drone difficult or unsafe to open.

Currently, reliability remains the biggest obstacle to the widespread deployment of drones in an agricultural setting Finally, providers can also make drones robust against changing weather conditions.

They can help operators protect the drones if they are caught out in rain, so their capital outlay is not lost if they get into contact with water unexpectedly. This kind of service will help drone operators to deliver the services farmers are looking for in rain or challenging weather conditions, which gives them an edge over the competition, who may not be able to achieve that, and a key point of differentiation as they forge ahead into a fast-expanding new marketplace.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 75

| Buildings

Environmental impact: Can it stop the job?

Cash flow is important fuel for any business. The impediments to cash flow are many, and as the current pandemic is showing, can bludgeon an unexpected visit direct to the front door of a business and put a padlock on it. Another potential padlock to business, one that quite correctly needs to be negotiated through the many requirements of 2020 life, is the planning process. he repeated iterations of the planning process can delay a project for many months longer than expected, or even stop it happening at all. From slow cash flow to no cash flow.

Recent events have drawn me back to helping with the planning process for livestock buildings in the UK, an area of work left behind 15 years ago to focus on animal health. What has caught my attention in the last 12 months is twofold: there are increasing numbers of individuals attached to the planning process, and the bigger picture of progress is sometimes lost to the insular view of some specialists and interest groups.

Environmental impact has become a major topic for the planning process, not before time.

But who is collecting the correct information, and which parts are valid to the planning discussion?

Agriculture does not have a good track record on diffuse pollution and we need to plan and act in line

T

with standards applied by other industries.

Whilst the planning authorities are the ultimate judges of a proposal, based on legal and guidance documents, they cannot be expected to have all the knowledge on all the subject matter, and they will be under pressure from a number of their clients (the public) who are not associated with agriculture or food production. Public access to information from around the world functions with incredible ease, which has created heroes and monsters within many debates, depending on where you stand. If cows are a major contributor to greenhouse gases, why would the planning process support an application for a new set of cattle buildings? Confirmation bias will bring up many items on the internet that would support that general view. But who spots the data that says feeding small amounts of seaweed to cows reduces methane output by 80%?

And is it true?

Progressing Plans There is good value in

76 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

demonstrating that, as an industry, we know what we are doing, what the expected outcomes are likely to be, and what the back-up plan will look like. We need to have considered viable alternatives not only to justify the plan to ourselves, but to others. And it is also useful to know where the expected resistance to a development plan is likely to occur. Noise from mechanical ventilation, vehicle noise both within and accessing a site, light pollution, dirty water and general diffuse pollution at ground level, dusts, gases and odours; these are all predictable stumbling blocks in the planning process. If the industry can demonstrate the benefits of a development in clear, objective terms that address the concerns of others, without being asked, we will help cash flow for building projects.

Managing dirty water was mentioned in the last journal, and I expect attention to detail to be increasingly expected by the planners. All concrete areas around a livestock building can be considered as producing dirty

water, and authorities would be correct to demand that all rainfall is collected to tank.

A large cattle building might have 1,000m2 of hard standing at the gable ends and around the sides, producing 1,000 tonnes of dirty water per annum in middle England, or up to 2,000 tonnes in the wetter livestock areas of the UK. Part of the solution is to determine exactly how much of this planned hard standing is required, and how often. Can hardcore do an acceptable job if the area is only used once a week, or less? There is also benefit to the business and to the planning process if the expected waste management is clearly defined. If the farm business plan was to clean an area of the yard after infrequent livestock use such as handling or loading, and can be washed down to dirty water drainage, it is entirely acceptable for rainfall at all other times to be directed towards field drains. This will reduce negative environmental impact, reduce the business cost of storage and spreading, and show the planners that we

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Buildings

understand our obligations.

Dusts and gases emitted from a planned site are also the subjects of increased attention. We should expect external parties to question emissions from a planned building, and they will use the internet and basic modelling processes to support their interests. It is another area where we need to demonstrate clearly what we know and what benefits will arise if the development is allowed to proceed.

Ammonia emissions are a predictable feature, and excellent basic models such as SCAIL are used to predict airborne environmental impact. The difficulty lies in the interpretation of the output data. If the model predicts a significant increased deposition of 1.5kg/ha of nitrogen on a local SSI from the proposed development, will this stop the job? The naysayers will use it, and focused lobby groups might use it.

What is required is not a knee-jerk reaction but a presentation of possible mediation of the outputs from the building, as well as an unbiased presentation of the big picture. Yes, there might be 1.5kg/ha of nitrogen deposited on an SSI, but there will be a saving of 20,000 kgs of chemical fertiliser per year from the FYM produced in the new building, a 5% improvement in the efficiency of

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

production from the newbuild (reduced carbon footprint per unit of production), a reduction in medication use/kg of product, an investment in the long-term sustainability of a food production business, and local too.

We should continually keep the big picture in front of the specialists and naysayers. And to finish off, we can line up the various technical aspects of the building that will help to reduce emissions as predicted by the SCAIL model, because the model uses ‘standard’ data for inputs.

Our building can have details in the flooring that are shown to reduce ammonia emissions by 30%, the type of information presented by AHDB’s Zanita Markham in the last journal, odours reduced because of drainage details and management, and dusts managed by variations in feed type and delivery system.

The building sector might not consider waste management as part of their remit, but livestock production can be a very messy business and there is plenty of scope to help tidy up an important industry. We need to inform ourselves, and then inform others of the benefits that will accrue if a proposed building goes ahead.

Jamie Robertson

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 77

| Buildings

AW Brandreth & Sons aiming to fuel UK's racehorses thanks to new ground source heat pump AW Brandreth & Sons – a family-run farming business famed for its organic milk, hay and straw production – is diversifying its business by implementing a £1.6m 4Mw Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) as it looks to supply highquality feed to the UK's racehorse industry. he Warwickshire-based, 3rd generation farming partnership has invested in the GSHP to dry Lucerne hay, which is in demand from the UK's equestrian industry where it is used to provide energy, good quality protein and a source of fibre to the specialist diet of performance racehorses.

Sixty acres of Lucerne seed has been planted already which is scheduled for harvest in August. The heat produced by the new GSHP

T

78 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

will also be used to produce organic dairy grade Lucerne hay as well as other forms of straw and hay.

Joe Brandreth, of AW Brandreth & Sons, said: "Thanks to the contacts we've built up through our successful hay and straw business over the years, we have a strong book of demand for Lucerne hay and so felt that an investment in a GSHP would help to not only diversify the business but take it to the next level.

"Shawbrook understood the long-term value

that the GSHP would provide our business by unlocking the Lucerne hay opportunity for us.

"As a specialist lender, Shawbrook offered us a facility that was ideal for the project and the dynamics of our business. We are really pleased to be working with them and looking forward to seeing how the investment in GSHP will help us unlock a new market and grow AW Brandreth for the future."

The project means AW Brandreth & Sons qualify for the commercial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a government financial

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Buildings

incentive to promote the use of renewable heat.

Mr Brandreth added: "Businesses switching to heating systems that use eligible energy sources can help the UK reduce its carbon emissions and meet its renewable energy targets – so we are delighted to be able to play our part in that through this project, financed by Shawbrook."

AW Brandreth & Sons is a family-run farm business consisting of almost 600 acres of owned and rented land. The farm has 140 dairy cows producing organic milk with a long-term milking contract. Its other main income is driven through its hay and straw business, where they produce swaths of hay which is then baled and stored then sold to clients in the UK and

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

Europe. The farm is home to one of the largest storage sheds in the area, covering an acre and holding the equivalent of 440 bales in length and 90 bales wide.

The specialist Agriculture and Renewable Energy team at Shawbrook Bank provided a funding facility of ÂŁ1.6m to AW Brandreth to finance the project, with the GSHP pump installed by Omi Heat and Power Ltd. Chris Russell, Business Development Manager at Shawbrook Bank, said: "Our reputation as a specialist lender has been maintained over the years due to a strong emphasis on relationship management.

"After being approached by Joe and the team, we quickly realised that this was a superb

opportunity for the business and one that we whole-heartedly supported.

"This was Shawbrook's first heat pump project of this size and it came with a number of potential challenges, as most project finance transactions do. But by working closely with Joe and Martin we were able to work through those obstacles and put a facility together that will help AW Brandreth further diversify and protect their business for the future. I am excited to see what the future holds for the farm with this latest venture."

Shawbrook Bank was introduced to this project by Justin Amos of Portman Asset Finance.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 79

| Machinery

Two new toppers completes Scotts 2020 line-up Ten years since introducing its first haulm topper, Scotts has this month launched two new machines, making its range the most comprehensive available. cotts' first topper - the Trinity 22B 2 row haulm topper - has over the years been joined by the Trinity 6000 six row folding topper, Trinity 22 Bulb Specific flower bulb version and the Trinity 30B, which can work on three 36" rows of four 30" rows.

This month, Scotts unveiled the Trinity 36B four row topper and the Trinity 54B. The company also announced plans for an 8 and nine row models, which will be available in 2021.

The Trinity 36B features dual drive and a split rotor with centre bearing and has been designed as an affordable high output machine for growers with less than 300 acres.

The second new machine - the Trinity 54B features the same style of drive and rotor as the 36B but comes complete with road wheel and drawbar. Scotts introduced the 54B model to offer a high output, six row topper, at a lower price point of its flagship Trinity 6000 folding version.

"We believe that by launching these two

S

80 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

models and announcing that our development work on an eight and nine row version has reached its final stage, we have the broadest range of toppers in the UK," says Derek Scott, managing director. "We know just how challenging things are at the moment and with the banning of diquat, growers have had to adjust to a mechanical destruction method. The Trinity 36B has been designed to come in at a really affordable price point and is the answer to numerous enquiries from people looking for the best of British but at a lower cost.

"As we want to offer a topper to suit every enquiry, we've also managed to create a six row topper, that by not having the folding feature, comes in at price point below the flagship Trinity 6000. We think it is a very attractive offer for people looking for a high quality fixed topper.

"The final pieces of the jigsaw are our eight and nine row toppers, and we're delighted to say that pre-orders are now being taken and that we are hoping that LAMMA 2021 goes ahead so that we can officially launch the machine there."

All Scotts' toppers feature front and rear LED

side lights and quick change flails for reduced downtime. The toppers offer a broad range of cutting heights and come with static shear plates that provide a "mulching" effect. Scotts has included a replaceable steel inner liner that offers excellent hood protection and the largest variation of flail lengths of any topper currently available. A brand new feature - hydraulic steering – is now available across the range and essential for hill side work.

Established in 1994, Scotts Precision Manufacturing specialises in the design and manufacturing of highly efficient vegetable handling equipment. Its products, such as the Evolution separator, often feature in full handling line solutions supplied by leading manufacturers but can also be retrofitted by farmers looking to upgrade.

For more information about Scotts Precision Manufacturing's range of Trinity haulm toppers, please visit http://www.scottsuk.com/

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| LAMMA

Andrew Symons South Molton, Devon EX36 3L T: 01769 574455

Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HL T: 01409 254040

Crediton, Devon EX17 1FB T: 01363 720430

Sharnford Tractors Ltd Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5EH T: 01455 209300 www.manitou.co.uk

www.andrewsymons.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 81

| Machinery

Minimum disturbance disc for Kverneland u-drill A new design of cultivation disc is available for the u-drill, to suit those looking to minimise soil disturbance. alled the MD disc, it is an alternative to the u-drill’s short disc harrow. Previously known as the Great Plains Turbo Coulter, the MD disc design is one that has the ability to work as part of a conservation tillage system, or within a conventional crop establishment process.

The 430mm diameter straight disc has a fluted profile around its circumference, which assists

C

82 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

with removing surface trash, reducing the risk of hair-pinning. The disc’s flutes also lightly prepare soil in a narrow 30-50mm strip. Each disc also aligns perfectly with the u-drill’s CD coulters, enabling seed to be placed in the soil strip, delivering a row spacing of 16.67cm.

Each MD disc is individually mounted using the proven 3D auto-reset rubber-mounting system, allowing it to follow ground contours, but also to deflect on-contact with any in-field obstructions.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 83

| Machinery

84 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

Easy automatic documentation with CLAAS With its TELEMATICS platform, CLAAS is not only providing a quick overview of machine status and settings in real time, but also a convenient solution for reliable documentation of field and harvesting work. he automatic documentation means that machine data and agronomic information can be assigned to specific areas in a time-saving and uncomplicated manner. Once the field boundaries have been stored in TELEMATICS, the system automatically recognizes the field in which the machine is located. Based on the field boundaries and recorded tracks for each activity, the TELEMATICS platform then creates field-related documentation for various parameters. The system is fully automated which means that there is no additional work for the driver or in the office.

Documenting yield maps with NIR sensor In combination with a CLAAS JAGUAR, harvest quantities and measurement values of the NIR sensor can also be evaluated for each field. The DLG-approved NIR

T

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

sensor provides information about dry substance content and also about constituents such as starch, crude protein, crude fibre, crude ash, crude fat and sugar content.

The TELEMATICS platform also produces clear and— thanks to NIR measurement—highly precise yield maps for subarea-specific analysis. Data and maps can be exported and transferred in ISOXML format if required. In addition, the dosage quantity of the silage additive, which is controlled based on the NIR measurement, can also be documented.

Automatic data transfer—also from add-on devices The TELEMATICS platform can now be directly connected to many well-known farm management systems thanks to the new CLAAS API. As a result, field boundaries can be automatically transferred to the TELEMATICS platform, and the data from the automatic documentation is directly

transferred to the respective farm management system. This means that manual export and import of data is no longer necessary, which makes work considerably easier and saves time.

The TONI function in CLAAS TELEMATICS continues to be unique. The ISOBUS interface can also be used to document data from stored add-on devices such as balers or loader wagons or, if necessary, to export it in ISOXML format.

Using DataConnect, the awardwinning platform solution presented at Agritechnica 2019, it will also be possible in the future to display the mixed vehicle fleets with networked machines from

John Deere, Case IH, Steyr and New Holland in TELEMATICS. TELEMATICS is fitted as standard on many CLAAS tractors and harvesters and, in addition to documentation, offers digital dealer support through remote service, on request. This includes the transmission of faults to the responsible CLAAS sales and service partner, who can order and deliver the right spare part after remote diagnosis, thereby saving time. A proactive maintenance plan is a further component of the remote service for sophisticated, rapid and perfectly-timed maintenance that is optimally tailored to the customer.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 85

| Tyres

Michelin’s new high-technology TrailXBib tyre offers improved longevity and performance Michelin is launching the TrailXBib – a brand new range of agricultural tyres for trailers, spreaders and slurry tankers. esigned with a robust VF (Very High Flexion) casing and a deep tread for greater endurance and longevity, the TrailXBib uses Michelin's Ultraflex technology to help farmers protect the soil.

The tyres feature excellent self-cleaning capabilities thanks to a new advanced tread pattern with wide inter-lugs, meaning fewer closed areas for dirt and soil to accumulate.

The TrailXBib will initially come in two sizes – VF 560/60 R22.5 and VF 650/55 R26.5.

Gordon Brookes, Customer Engineering Support Manager for Michelin's agricultural division, says: "The TrailXBib sets the new

D

86 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

standard for low-pressure agricultural trailer tyres. Packed full of Michelin's latest technologies, it offers great tyre life and will help our customers keep ground compaction to a minimum, protecting their crops and ultimately improving their yields."

Michelin's Ultraflex technology allows for greater flexibility – meaning the tyres can work with a larger footprint, reducing the impact on the soil. The TrailXBib can carry more load than the same dimension of CargoXBib HD or HF and at a reduced pressure.

The reduction in pressure lessens the stress into the structure of the trailer, thus reducing mechanical strain and wear.

The TrailXBib's robust VF casing and a

deeper, specially-designed tread lead to a significant improvement in tyre life compared to Michelin's CargoXBib range, while a strong central RIB improves handling and endurance on the road.

The new tyres are fully compatible with Central Tyre Inflation Systems (CTIS), allowing them to run at the optimal pressure for the precise ground they are working on, helping to reduce fuel consumption and improve agronomic performance.

The TrailXBib will be launched onto both the original equipment and replacement markets in July 2020. Further sizes are planned for launch in 2021.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Tyres

Goodyear Farm Tires secures new UK Distributor Goodyear Farm Tires has strengthened its position in the UK agricultural market by recruiting a new distributor. outh West Tyre Services, which is based in Somerset and provides tyres for cars, commercial vehicles, agricultural and plant, has added Goodyear Farm Tires to its product portfolio.

Goodyear Farm Tires has built up a strong network of distributors across the UK and Europe since returning to the market last year.

John Pearce, one of the owners of South West Tyre Services, said: "We were looking for a new brand to partner with which provided a high quality of tyre at the right price point and Goodyear Farm Tires fits the bill on all levels.

"We have agricultural customers across the UK and the return of Goodyear Farm Tires has created a very positive talking point.

"The Goodyear brand has an extremely strong reputation and we are delighted to be

S

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

associated with the company.

"We have already seen high demand for the Goodyear products, most notably the Optitracs, and I only expect that to grow over time.

"There is a genuine feelgood factor around Goodyear Farm Tires amongst the farming community because the products have been proven previously over a good number of years."

The new range of Goodyear Farm Tires complements the current radial portfolio.

It includes 85, 70, 65 and XL Tractor Drive Radials, as well as specific designs for sprayers, harvesters and industrial applications.

Plans are already in place to expand the offering over the next 18 months.

Lindsay Hart, European Tyre Sales Director for Titan International which has been responsible for Goodyear's return to the UK and European markets, said: "South West Tyre

Service is well known amongst the agricultural community across the UK and we are delighted that they are now formally one of our distributors.

"We are hugely excited to be expanding the Goodyear Farm Tires range for the UK and mainland Europe and we are seeing a very positive reaction.

"Our distribution network is constantly growing and we look forward to building on that strong foundation."

Titan International has been manufacturing Goodyear Farm Tires in America for more than a decade and last year returned to the European and UK markets after purchasing the licence. It has also made a significant investment in new plant and equipment to manufacture tyres specifically for the UK and European markets.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 87

| ATV

Polaris

Polaris Ranger XP 1000 ABS wins Technical Innovation Award

Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) announced the results of its 2020 Technical Innovation Awards this week, awarding Polaris with a silver medal for its Ranger XP 1000 EPS with ABS – the only off-road vehicle manufacturer to receive an award. longstanding innovation accolade, the Technical Innovation Awards are well respected amongst manufacturers, distributors and consumers alike, showcasing innovation and development specifically within the agricultural sector.

Richard Coleby, Polaris Britain Sales Manager, said: “Winning a silver award in the RHASS technical innovation award is a great accolade for Polaris Industries. The Ranger XP1000 ABS is designed, tested and validated within working agricultural applications. The award is a fantastic recognition of Polaris’ continued development of products tailored to our core working markets.”

Launched in 2019, the Polaris Ranger XP 1000 EPS raised the bar once again with the

A

88 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

addition of an ABS version, offering uncompromised braking performance and building on the diverse applications of the Ranger.

Developed at the Polaris Opole facility in Poland specifically for the European market, the Ranger XP 1000 EPS with ABS delivers the widespread versatility of the Ranger product along with all the benefits of having ABS, including the ability to steer whilst braking whilst minimising the risk of skidding, as well as controlled braking on varied surfaces and improved stopping distances on surfaces like ice.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance the capabilities of our off-road vehicles,” Richard continued. “We incorporate customer feedback into every development opportunity to ensure we deliver an innovative

product that helps our customers achieve even more.”

The Ranger XP 1000 EPS produces classleading power thanks to its ProStar 1000 Twin Cylinder engine, as well as 61lb-ft of torque, impressive towing capabilities of over 1100kg and 13-inches of ground clearance.

There are unlimited ways to configure the RANGER cab system with Polaris Engineered Lock and Ride solutions, giving maximum convenience with easy-on and easy-off installation without the need for any tools. With over 200 Polaris Engineered accessories designed to fit the RANGER XP 1000 EPS ABS, owners have a wide variety of parts and accessories available to suit any task.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| ATV

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 89

| Motors

Carl Fogarty goes from on-track racing to offroad adventure with Isuzu Former motorbike racing world champion Carl Fogarty has collected the keys to his new Isuzu D-Max XTR from Walton Summit Truck Centre in Lancashire. Featuring a custom designed body kit, a sophisticated and sporty interior, performance brakes and a bespoke Pedders suspension arrangement, the XTR is the perfect fit for the adrenaline-filled petrolhead. enowned for his high corner speed riding style, Carl raced to victory on 59 occasions in the World Superbike Championships – picking up four world titles in the process – making him one of the most decorated riders of all-time. With its energetic appearance and enhanced off-road capabilities, the Isuzu D-Max XTR complements Carl’s action-packed lifestyle.

In terms of performance, XTR is equipped

R

90 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

with a bespoke Pedders suspension and brake system making it extremely comfortable on the road and capable in the extreme off-road. Vented and slotted front brake discs offer excellent heat dissipation and work in combination with the Kevlar ceramic front brake pads for remarkable braking performance. The 17-inch satin black alloy wheels have a heavy duty, rigid design and are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tyres that provide traction in challenging conditions.

XTR offers substantial kerb appeal with a dramatic front bumper guard, bonnet protector and headlight frames. Imposing wheel arch extensions contribute to XTR’s assertive stance and the angular bar framework on the XTR side steps are designed to prevent rocks and stones damaging the bodywork. To personalise his truck, Carl has chosen an optional XTR Style Pack, consisting of Black Mountain Top Roller Cover, Black Sports Bars and Black Roof Bars.

Inside the cab, Carl will be travelling in style

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

as the D-shaped sports steering wheel and XTR heated front sports seats are trimmed in leather and suede with contrast green overstitching. The interior of this six-speed automatic XTR is packed with convenient equipment, including a 7-inch Multifunction Colour Touchscreen, Bluetooth, Front & Rear USB Ports and a Reversing Camera. For even more visibility, Carl has also opted for a Front Camera.

Carl collected his XTR from the family-run Walton Summit Truck Centre near Preston in Lancashire. Many Isuzu customers are key workers so Walton Summit’s workshop has remained open to provide maintenance and repairs for essential services during lockdown.

They’re continuing to implement social distancing and enhanced hygiene practices now their sales showroom has re-opened, including regular sanitisation of surfaces and vehicles, the provision of protective equipment and the removal of non-essential items like magazines in

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

the waiting room.

They have a new vehicle handover procedure designed to protect the health and wellbeing of customers which meant that Carl’s collection appointment was scheduled in advance. He was asked to wash his hands upon arrival and maintain a safe 2 metre distance at all times.

Once Carl signed the paperwork using his own pen, he was presented with a tray containing the disinfected keys to his new Isuzu D-Max XTR. Carl Fogarty remarked: “I love anything with an engine and I live for the outdoors, so the XTR suits me down to the ground. It’s got real character and stands out from a crowd, which is great in an age where cars are increasingly looking the same. Can’t wait to take it off-road!”

Nigel Perplus, Commercial Director at Walton Summit Truck Centre added: “Foggy is a motorcycle racing legend so XTR is clearly the perfect truck for him. We want him to focus on enjoying his new pick-up so we’ve worked very

hard to put procedures in place that ensure a safe handover environment at Walton Summit because our top priority is the protection of our staff and customers.”

William Brown, Managing Director at Isuzu UK, commented: “Having a world champion superbike rider choose the XTR speaks volumes.

It has been engineered to the highest standards and has been built with true motoring enthusiasts like Carl in mind.”

The Isuzu D-Max XTR sits alongside the Blade and Arctic Trucks AT35 in the ‘Adventure’ range, and an XTR ‘Colour Edition’ upgrade was added in June. All Isuzu D-Max models achieve the Euro 6 emission standard without the need for AdBlue, are covered by a 125,000 mile / 5-year warranty (whichever comes first) and 5-year roadside assistance in the UK and across Europe.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 91

| Motors

Landrover Defender means business as Hard Top name returns for new commercial model

92 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

and Rover has confirmed the new commercial Defender 90 and 110 models will restore the Hard Top name to its rugged 4x4 family.

The versatile and durable Defender Hard Top will be launched later this year, combining unstoppable all-terrain capability with 21stcentury connectivity to give professionals a unique combination of cargo space, practicality and premium comfort.

The Hard Top name dates back to 1950, when the introduction of demountable Hard Tops gave early Series Land Rovers added security and protection from the elements. New Defender Hard Top continues this ethos, sharing its fixed metal roof and silhouette with the iconic original.

Land Rover has experienced unprecedented global demand for New Defender 90 and 110 since its successful world premiere last September and the new Hard Top models will be the next additions to the legendary bloodline.

Defender’s aluminium-intensive D7x body architecture is three times stiffer than the best body-on-frame designs. Sharing its strong body structure and next-generation Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) with passenger models, the Defender Hard Top is being developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to deliver unrivalled durability, practicality and toughness.

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “We will maximise the functionality and usability of New Defender’s cargo area, with tough materials and clever storage solutions to ensure it surpasses the capability of any previous Defender Hard Top.” The 90 and 110 Hard Tops will both feature independent coilsprung suspension, with advanced electronic air suspension also available on the 110. Both set-ups will provide outstanding offroad geometry, with ground clearance of 291mm, while the 110 Hard Top will have approach, breakover and departure angles of up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively (in Off-Road height).

Full technical details will be confirmed later this year.

Nick Collins, Land Rover Vehicle Line Director, said: “New Defender 90 and 110 Hard Top will be the toughest, most capable and most connected commercial 4x4s we have ever produced. They have been engineered to meet global safety standards and deliver impressive long-haul comfort, giving businesses and professionals the best of all worlds.”

L

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

An impressive payload and towing capacity of up 3,500kg* will combine to make New Defender the ultimate commercial 4x4.

The flexible cabin has no second or third-row seats, but the optional front-row jump seat means it will still accommodate up to three people. Land Rover’s clever ClearSight Rear View mirror system preserves rearward visibility when the jump seat is occupied, or when the load space is full. It uses a live video feed from a rear-facing camera to give drivers an unobstructed view at all times.

New Defender Hard Top will be a world-class tow vehicle, with a raft of technologies to help hitch, drive and reverse safely while pulling a trailer. Land Rover’s intelligent Advanced Tow Assist system takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres by letting drivers steer trailers with their fingertips using a rotary controller on the centre console.

The maximum wading depth of 900mm is also supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence – so important supplies will always get through.

Land Rover’s state-of-the-art Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment will provide immediate and intuitive control of all the major vehicle functions, including seamless smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Twin eSIM technology underpins Pivi Pro and supports Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) capability, allowing customers to download updates for a variety of vehicle systems. For professionals using the Defender Hard Top for business, this will minimise time spent off the road as SOTA updates can be completed without the need to visit a Land Rover retailer.

In addition, the New Defender Hard Top models will feature a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

Land Rover’s 3D Surround Camera system provides an all-round visualisation of the vehicle on the central touchscreen, helping drivers manoeuvre safely in tight spaces or position the vehicle close to items ready for loading.

Convenience will be enhanced with the Remote smartphone app, which will allow businesses to keep track of the location, fuel level and journey history of their vehicle remotely, for ultimate peace of mind and security.

The first passenger models of Defender 110 are now being delivered to customers.

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 93

| Motors

The INEOS Grenadier

94 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 95

| Motors

INEOS Automotive reveals the design of its upcoming 4X4, The Grenadier INEOS Automotive today reveals the exterior design of the Grenadier, its forthcoming, no-nonsense 4x4 vehicle for the world, another step on the road towards start of production. uilt from the ground up on an all-new platform, the INEOS Grenadier has been designed on purpose: namely to meet the demands of its future owners for a rugged, capable and comfortable go-anywhere working vehicle.

“The brief was simple. We set out to design a modern, functional and highly capable 4x4 vehicle with utility at its core”, said Toby Ecuyer, Head of Design. “A design that is ‘easy-to-read’, with no ambiguity about the Grenadier’s role in life. There to do everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Nothing is for show. Modern engineering and production techniques ensure the Grenadier is highly capable, but we have been able to stay true to the essence of creating a utilitarian vehicle that will stand the test of time”.

Dirk Heilmann, INEOS Automotive’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to be able to share the design of the Grenadier so early in the process.

Most manufacturers would hold back, but we are a new business, building a new brand, and we want to take people with us on this exciting journey.

B

96 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

“Showing the design now allows us to focus on the critical next phase of the vehicle’s development, testing its capability and durability. We have a very challenging programme ahead, as we put prototypes through their paces in all conditions, on the way to accumulating some 1.8 million test kilometres over the coming year. From today the covers are off. Testing ‘in plain sight’ without the need for camouflage wrapping, foam blocks or fake panels is an added benefit.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, said: “The Grenadier project started by identifying a gap in the market, abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle.

This gave us our engineering blueprint for a capable, durable and reliable 4x4 built to handle the world’s harshest environments. But it had to look the part as well. As you will see today, Toby and his team have done a great job in delivering a design that is both distinctive and purposeful.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Motors

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 97

| Motors

98 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 99

| Motors

Suzuki introduces the new Across Suzuki has launched the new ACROSS, a robust and sporty SUV equipped with a sophisticated Plug-in Hybrid system and E-Four electronic 4x4, delivering uncompromising performance and efficiency with the capability and styling of a full-fledged modern SUV. he ACROSS is the first model supplied from Toyota Motor Corporation under the collaborative business agreement between Toyota and Suzuki. Sales are set to start in Autumn of 2020 in Europe.

Highlights of the new ACROSS Striking SUV design Designed to stand out with a robust polygonal body that combines characteristic SUV toughness and a sporty front face featuring a large open grille.

Cutting-edge Plug-in Hybrid performance Powered by a highly sophisticated Plug-in Hybrid system that delivers superior fuel efficiency and low CO₂ emissions, with quick response and smooth acceleration.

Advanced 4x4 capability Equipped with the E-Four electronic 4x4 system, which ensures efficient and effective 4x4 performance for confidence inspiring handling and control even in slippery conditions.

Plug-in Hybrid system The Plug-in Hybrid system in the ACROSS provides unparalleled fuel economy and

T

smooth acceleration, with CO₂ emissions of just 22g/km*2.

At the core of the Plug-in Hybrid system is a powerful front electric motor that delivers vigorous torque at low speeds and combines with a powerful 2.5-litre petrol engine for rapid acceleration at higher speeds.

With maximum output of 134kW and 270Nm of torque, the electric motor draws its energy from an 18.1kWh (50.9 Ah) high capacity lithium ion battery that is mounted beneath the floor.

Paired to the electric motor is the A25A-FXS Dynamic Force engine, which functions as a charger for the battery and provides power assistance to the electric motor during high-speed driving if required. Designed to deliver both high output and excellent fuel efficiency, the engine features a long stroke and high compression ratio, and both direct cylinder fuel injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI) that vary depending on driving conditions to raise output and fuel efficiency while lowering emissions.

The Plug-in Hybrid system is equipped with four modes—the default EV mode, Auto EV/HV mode, HV mode, and battery

100 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

charger mode—which the driver can select depending on driving conditions and battery status. In EV Mode the vehicle is driven entirely by the power of the electric motor even under full acceleration.

When in Auto EV/HV mode and HV mode, the engine contributes to power delivery when required, such as when the accelerator is pressed strongly. To store electricity for EV mode when the charge is low, the battery charger mode runs the engine to re-charge the battery.

Advanced 4x4 capability The state-of-the-art E-Four electronic 4x4 system in the ACROSS provides drivers with genuine 4x4 performance while maintaining superior fuel efficiency.

The system features an independent 40kW rear motor that

works in conjunction with the front motor to provide front : rear torque variation ranging from 100:00 to 20:80. Benefits of this system include enhanced stability during take-off on slippery surfaces such as snow covered roads, and confident handling when cornering on varying road surfaces.

AWD Integrated Management (AIM) Central to the E-Four system is the highly sophisticated AWD Integrated Management (AIM), which controls not only drive force distribution, but also engine throttle control, transmission shift scheduling, Electric Power Steering (EPS) assistance and braking, according to the driving conditions.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 101

| Motors

The midsize SUV seen in a new light: The new generation Audi Q5 The Audi Q5 is adapting to the fast-changing digital landscape by venturing into new technological territory – the successful midsize SUV has been extensively updated inside and out, with highlights including the latest Audi touchscreen MMI Touch control in the cabin and new next generation digital OLED exterior lighting for top-tier versions as a first in the automotive sector. n keeping with the Vorsprung durch Technik philosophy the functional improvements that bring the Q5 back to its peak technologically go hand in hand with refinements to its form designed to further emphasise its genetic ties to the now five-strong Audi Q model family. Due to make landfall in the UK in the autumn, the upgraded Q5 will initially be available here with the familiar Sport, S line and Vorsprung specification options, and also in exclusive Edition 1 form for the first time.

“The Q5 struck a chord with UK buyers even before SUVs became such a dominant force here, and I think its inherent suitability for our way of life is key to its consistent popularity,” says Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle.

“It offers durability and ample capacity for a demanding family without being overbearing on UK roads, and its refinement, efficiency, technology and quality finish give it impressive business transport credentials, particularly in TDI and TFSI e plug-in hybrid forms. The many improvements our customers will find in this latest incarnation will help it fulfil both these roles even more capably.”

UK range debut for Edition 1 model In keeping with the structure elsewhere in the Audi range S line specification brings privacy glass and an exclusive design for the front and rear bumpers and side skirts, and these

I

102 | Farming Monthly | July 2020

elements also form the basis for the look of the Edition 1 version, which is new to the latest range in the UK. By upsizing to an exclusive matt black, diamond cut 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheel and adding a black styling pack that gives a lustrous Titanium black or High gloss black finish to everything from the window and grille surrounds to the door mirror housings and the Audi rings, the Edition 1 delivers much of the visual appeal of the Vorsprung model at a price point that is closer to the mid-range S line. It is available in a choice of glacier white or mythos black paint finishes, or in the new shades district green and ultra blue.

Driveline: powerful performance, low emissions A broad spread of TDI and TFSI engines will ultimately be available for the updated Q5, and the successful Q5 TFSI e plug-in hybrid will also be reinstated with a choice of two outputs, but the first wave of the newcomers will carry the 40 TDI quattro badge exclusively, meaning that they are equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with peak power increased from 190PS to 204PS, and peak torque of 400Nm. The unit’s upgraded output goes hand-inhand with improved efficiency, which is reflected in its compliance with the requirements of the latest Euro 6d-ISC-FCM emissions standard and EU 6 A, and has been achieved with the help of a new twin-dosing SCR system with dual AdBlue injection that significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. It is also now in even better shape

physically - its aluminium crankcase weighs approximately 20 kilograms less than before, and around 2.5 kilograms has been pared from the weight of its crankshaft - so in conjunction with a seven-speed S tronic transmission it makes lighter work of propelling the midsize SUV to 62mph from rest in 7.6 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 137mph where conditions allow.

Two further supporting technologies play to the strengths of the inherently efficient TDI – a mild hybrid system (MHEV) and the latest ondemand version of quattro all-wheel-drive.

Employing a belt-driven starter/generator (BSG) the MHEV system recuperates energy generated under braking and stores it in a compact lithiumion battery within the 12-volt electrical circuitry. It enables the Audi Q5 to coast with the engine off at speeds of up to 99mph, and initiates its startstop function earlier, from speeds of 13mph, to give an additional boost to fuel economy.

During normal everyday driving, the quattro on demand system disengages the rear axle so that the seven-speed S tronic can direct all of the TDI’s power to the front wheels - the most efficient operating mode. If the road conditions dictate, or more is asked of the drivetrain by the driver, two clutches connect the rear wheels to the driveline in fractions of a second – in many situations, this happens predictively – meaning that economy and agility can be given equal billing.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

July 2020 | Farming Monthly | 103