June 2020 Farming Monthly

INSIDE: Innovation and tech in action at Cereals LIVE 10th June page 34

Farming

MONTHLY National

June 2020

Also in this issue...

Cereals & Grain

| Protect wheat yield potential from flowering through to harvest page 46

Soil mapping for precise land management

Also inside this month..

Soils are the most important biological systems across all farming practices and the ability to map soil components accurately, including; nutrients, water content and structures can assist in improving farm management strategies page 14

Making fuel go further p60

Farming outside from inside the home p22

More milk from more forage p76

PLUS: Arable | Silage| Dairy | Livestock | Forestry | Machinery | Energy | ATV | Motors

CONTENTS June 2020

FEATURES 18

22

11 Security Rural Watch volunteers celebrated

18 Arable PGRO Crop Update

46

82 Potatoes

60

90 Finance

Sustainable potato farming

86 Sheep

Planning ahead

104 Forestry

Improve flock management

Cows in woods for biodiversity

34 Cereals & Grain Innovation and tech in action: Cereals LIVE

54 Grass & Silage

REGULARS

Alkalise whole cereal crops this harvest

62 Pig & Poultry Nursery performance focus: new piglet app

66 Muck & Slurry Hi-Spec slurry tankers meet all needs

70 Livestock Breedr and Tru-Test integration

04 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

06 News Red Tractor Assurance launch new ranges

14 On Topic Soil mapping for precise land management

56 Energy Crop nutrition packages for on-farm ADs

96 Machinery Keeping your diesel engine healthy

106 ATV ATV news...covered.

108 Motors Latest motors news

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

76

Agriculture. Covered.

EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@farmingmonthly.com

Soil mapping for precise land management

p16

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

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

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 05

| News

Red Tractor Assurance to launch new ranges The Red Tractor scheme is launching a set of farming marques to help simplify the experience of shoppers and diners when they are buying food and drink.

ased on farming systems widely recognised by consumers, the new ranges will offer a one-stop solution for people looking for specific production methods for food that is also grown or reared to safe, traceable, high animal welfare and environmental standards.

At present, consumers are faced with a host of logos and claims on menus and on pack, which create duplication and cause confusion.

For two decades, Red Tractor has fulfilled a mainstream demand for safe and affordable food. However, increasingly consumers are demanding a greater choice and for the scheme to clearly differentiate how some of the product carrying its label is produced.

Extensive UK and international research conducted by Red Tractor has helped develop the labelling system for the additional standards modules.

The new marques retain the union flag, the distinctive tractor with the heart in the wheel sitting on a 'tick', but replaces the words Certified Standards from the core logo, with the farming method used.

Each new marque will have its own colour: • Free range for chicken: Orange • Enhanced welfare for chicken: Purple • Organic: Green Red Tractor CEO Jim Moseley said: '"Grounded in the values of the Red Tractor scheme - animal welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental protection – this is an important broadening of the scheme which for 20 years has, and continues to, transform and build trust in British farming and food quality.

"Over the past 18 months we have been focused on how we can provide greater choice and clarity for those shoppers and diners who are looking to buy British produce grown and reared to recognised production methods, with the added confidence that it's been checked every step of the way from farm to pack.

"Red Tractor is uniquely positioned to be a

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06 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

valuable navigation tool, which safeguards the supply chain of retailers and foodservice brands and reduces the audit burden for farmers and processors. The new modular approach is supported by a clear and simple process, which could strip out some of the complexity from labels on pack and menus."

The new ranges will begin to roll out across food service and retail over the next 12 months. As with the core offering, accredited members will be required to meet robust specifications for the new ranges, which will be checked by independent assessors every step of the food's journey from farm to pack.

The enhanced welfare for chicken is the first module to roll out and is already available in a limited number of retail outlets.

Enhanced Welfare for Chicken The module has been developed in consultation with international industry experts, producers and key stakeholders in retail and foodservice.

In addition to the world-leading requirements already in the core Red Tractor standards, the module includes a slower growing chicken breed and more space and natural light in barns to encourage natural behaviours like pecking, scratching, wing flapping and use of perches. Stocking density is reduced from 38kg/m² to 30kg/m².

Jim added: "As the Agriculture Bill passes through the House of Lords, there's perhaps no more important time for consumers to have real clarity about the food they buy. Red Tractor now provides even greater variety whatever the choice or budget. Underpinned by the safety and traceability of our core standards, the 'Enhanced Welfare' range uses selective breeds, such as those from the slower growing Hubbard portfolio, which are reared indoors and have more room to grow for longer."

Tracey Jones, Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming said: "We are delighted with the introduction of the Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare module & marque for indoor chicken which meets the requirements of the Better Chicken Commitment.

Jim Moseley

"It is an important enabler for companies who want to source to this standard and the marque provides a clear visual identity which, along with the free range and organic labels, allows consumers to understand how their chicken was produced and make informed choices.

"We welcome the introduction of the Enhanced Welfare module as it will help companies across all sectors uplift their auditing and promote their higher welfare credentials to their customers."

The Enhanced welfare module meets all the requirements of the 2026 Better Chicken Commitment/ European Chicken Commitment but is also underpinned by the world-leading safety and traceability benefits of Red Tractor.

This Enhanced Welfare Module will complement the existing core standards and Free-Range chicken module.

Red Tractor will continue to examine which sectors would benefit from this modular approach.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

Concerns over public rights of way aired at online meeting

Farmers concerned about public access over their land voiced their worries last week at an online seminar organised by Farmers’ Union of Wales and Davis Meade Property Consultants.

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he meeting held over the platform Zoom, attracted farmers from across Wales, many from tourist hotspots such as Snowdon, who had many questions for the

speakers.

All the farmers had some sort of right of way over their land, public footpaths in most cases but also coastal access, 'open country' under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, bridleways and green lanes and had experienced problems at one time or another.

Dogs were a common problem with concerns over dog muck, livestock worrying, injury and deaths and disease transfer from dog faeces.

“For many of the farmers the Covid lockdown had reduced the problems they experienced with public access but for a smaller number problems have got worse,” said Philip Meade who spoke on behalf of Davis Meade Property Consultants along with Charles Cowap, consultant chartered surveyor and analyst.

The session was also a useful opportunity to revisit the rules on livestock and cultivations on public paths, and questions over liability for dogs and livestock.

Farmers were reminded of the fact that the

owner of a dog is responsible for any damage done to livestock by their dog.

From the farmer's point of view killing a dog which is threatening livestock must always be a last resort and it is vital that the Police are informed as soon as possible if the farmer is to have a defence against legal action.

All the farmers were keen to lobby for stricter controls over dogs in the countryside, for example making it a legal requirement for dogs to be on a short lead at all times around livestock. This is already a legal requirement on 'open access' areas during the bird nesting season.

The seminar also covered Definitive Map Modification Orders which can be put in place if someone intends to claims a new footpath across land and also the merits and pitfalls of temporary diversions and permissive routes which may incur increased liability for the land manager.

“The use of a specific route by members of the public for a period of time (usually 20 year plus) can lead to an application for a permanent right of way. This is of particular concern for landowners adjoining housing estates or with certain landscape ‘features’ such as rivers, reservoirs, lakes or those with tracks accessing items such as solar panels, masts or wind

farms,” Philip said.

“The solution is to make a Statutory Declaration under the Highways Act every 10 years and lodge it with the local council, stating ownership, current RoW and hence clarifying what isn’t a RoW and ideally include a marked up OS plan. Notices should als be displayed on the land.

“Where a Definitive Map Modification Order is made for a Right of Way landowners must be alerted so they can object to it and the Local Authority must refer any applications with objections to the Planning Inspectorate. Here it is key to properly challenge the evidence of the extent and nature of the claimed use,” he said.

The online meeting was organised by FUW and Davis Meade Property Consultants (DMPC) as a new way for farmers to meet during lockdown and was a great success with the topic having been proposed by FUW. “We are now planning future seminars on other topics of interest to farmers in Wales and England”, Philip added.

For further details contact Philip Meade at the Oswestry office of Davis Meade Property Consultants telephone 01691 659658 email philipmeade@dmpcuk.com or to find details of further seminars visit www.dmpropertyconsultants.com

Purple patch for blackcurrent farmers as Ribena owner invests in hunt for new climate-resilient varieties Lucozade Ribena Suntory invests £500,000 to extend 30-year partnership with researchers at Scotland's James Hutton Institute. ucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) has invested over half a million pounds in a five-year project with the James Hutton Institute to develop new varieties of climate-resilient blackcurrant.

LRS, which uses 90 percent of the blackcurrants grown in Britain to make Ribena, has supported the globally recognised Institute since 1991, investing over £10 million to improve the sustainability and quality of British blackcurrant crops. Around 10,000 tonnes of blackcurrants are harvested from British fields each year to keep up with consumer demand for Ribena.

Previous research from the Institute has highlighted the threat that climate change poses to blackcurrant farming. The plants need a period of sustained cold weather in the winter, without which they yield less fruit and have a shorter lifespan. The UK's 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2002 and winters in the UK are getting gradually warmer.

This is one of the challenges LRS and the James Hutton Institute will continue to address over the next five years, aiming to develop varieties of blackcurrants that can cope with these changes.

Dr Dorota Jarret, a soft fruit breeder at the Institute's commercial subsidiary, James Hutton

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Limited, says: "Development of climate-resilient varieties is high on the James Hutton Institute's agenda and blackcurrants are an important species in understanding the effect of climate change."

The LRS-backed research will also be on the lookout for berries with high anthocyanin levels, the compound that gives berries their purple colour, and for varieties that are naturally more disease and pest resistant.

Harriet Prosser, who works as an agronomist at Lucozade Ribena Suntory, adds: "Sourcing local blackcurrants from British growers keeps food miles low and allows us to trace every berry back to its field. Whenever someone buys a bottle of Ribena, they can be confident they're helping to support biodiversity on our farms and research into the most sustainable ways of farming. I look forward to extending the purple patch that we've had with the James Hutton Institute for nearly three decades and making sure the UK's blackcurrant farmers have a bright future."

Dr Jarret adds: "Together with LRS we pursue a truly integrated approach, satisfying the needs of the whole supply chain, from helping to secure the livelihoods of UK blackcurrant growers by improving sustainability of the crop, to ensuring the highest quality fruit for consumer satisfaction.

Continuous investment from LRS is a forwardthinking move towards securing the future of the crop and we are delighted to play a part.''

This partnership aligns with LRS's Growing for Good vision which includes commitments to both biodiversity and sustainability in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal for Life on Land. Since 2004, LRS has worked closely with blackcurrant growers to put in place annual Biodiversity Action Plans which ensure the environment is protected as much as possible throughout their growing process. LRS has also partnered with the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group to help tailor these plans to individual habitats found in and around the blackcurrant farms.

Blackcurrants have been bred at the James Hutton Institute since 1956 and now account for approximately half of the blackcurrants grown in the world. The varieties from this programme, probably the largest in the world, are instantly recognisable as they are all named after Scottish mountains and have the "Ben" prefix.

James Hutton Institute varieties have an estimated 95% market share in the UK, and for the last 30 years the majority of this crop has been used in the production of Ribena.

To learn more about LRS's biodiversity commitments, go to https://www.lrsuntory.com/sustainability/biodiversity/

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 07

| News

Farmers urged to think before rushing into coronavirus claims Many farmers and agribusinesses will have been inundated with information on the various grants and loans available as part of the Government’s response to help businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic, says Mike Butler, partner in the specialist team at Chartered Accountants, PKF-Francis Clark. efore business owners make any type of claim, it is critical that they make entirely sure that they qualify to receive the support offered.

In particular claims under the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the income support grant available for self-employed and partners in partnerships, requires the claimant to assess that business has had to ‘scale down or temporarily stop trading’ in order to make a claim as set out on the Government website.

Whilst many farmers may feel that there has been some impact from Coronavirus on their businesses, it important that all claimants are not only satisfied that their businesses have been sufficiently affected to warrant a claim but also they are able to justify such claims should there be later scrutiny but HMRC and other Government authorities.

The same considerations should have been given before accessing funds through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL). To make a claim, Government rules on eligibility restrict claims for funding to businesses that have been or are being ‘adversely impacted by coronavirus’.

One thing is clear. Those claiming under the Self Employed Income Support Scheme on the basis that it is a bonus or because it’s free money or those taking up Bounce Back loans because it’s cheap money should be concerned as this is not what the support is for.

It is also not appropriate to make a claim to cover other trading issues unconnected with coronavirus such as the financial impact of a wet autumn/winter in 2019.

In addition, claiming a Bounce Back Loan requires the borrower to certify online that the monies are needed to cover the impact coronavirus has had or is having on their business and will not be used for unrelated reason of funding a capital project such as a new build or a new piece of machinery or refinancing an overdraft that has increased for reasons other than coronavirus. Certainly borrowing to withdraw monies for personal expenditure would not be acceptable.

There is widely expected to be a formal review process and audit of claims once we get back to some form of normality and with that comes the risk that some businesses may be found to have made inappropriate claims.

In a worst case scenario, claims could be considered fraudulent with the obvious serious implications which that may entail.

The monies received by self-employed and partners making a claim under the SEISS is taxable and will need to be reported in some form potentially on the 2020 and certainly on the 2021 Self Assessment forms.

As such, whilst we are yet to have the detail on the format for reporting this income on the tax forms, there is every possibility that the reporting will not only separately declare monies received under these types of schemes but also that the level of continuing farming income will be compared with previous years to

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08 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

ADVICE - Mike Butler of accountants and business advisors PKF Francis Clark

see if the farming profits have been adversely impacted by coronavirus.

By making this comparison, HMRC may look to identify those businesses potentially making inappropriate claims for support and therefore referring them to other authorities to look into the validity of claims further.

Don’t make a claim if you are doing so just because it seems like free money or because everyone else seems to being doing it.

Many agribusinesses have been affected by this dreadful pandemic and indeed most farming sectors have seen at least some pressures and challenges.

However there are many other businesses out there in the wider business community really suffering and in virtually complete meltdown and it is clear it is for those businesses that many of the supports are aimed.

It is becoming increasingly clear that coronavirus is going to cost this country many hundreds of billions of pounds and the longer support measures last and more the scheme are taken up, the more this is going to cost the tax payer.

As such, the greater the cost, the greater the

need to check if those claims are legitimate.

Add to this the likelihood that a proportion of loans may never get repaid and you can imagine there will be lots of checking and lots of post mortems further down the line.

If farmers and agribusinesses feel that they have been adversely affected and had to scale down then they should seriously consider making whatever claim they feel fits their circumstances knowing that they can substantiate their actions should they later be scrutinised.

This will include many diversified businesses but also there will be some genuine farming cases where a claim is robust.

Think very carefully before a claim and know how you will answer a later claim audit and put in place evidence justifying the claim is vital before you jump on to the Government website and make the claim.

In all cases speak with your accountant who will understand more about the risks of making an erroneous claim.

If unsure or feel you have made a claim without the risks having been pointed out then feel free to call Mike Butler on 01722 786703 or email mike.butler@pkf-francisclark.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

New survey: lockdown leaves industry hungry for fair food and farming recovery New research with over 380 professionals working in food, farming and the countryside finds a huge appetite for change and collaboration across the sector. In Learning from Lockdown, a major new survey from the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, 80% of respondents wanted most things to be different in the recovery. None wanted everything to go back to how it was before. he findings find some pride in how food businesses and farmers adapted to a shock that few businesses had planned for. Yet it also reveals that industry, public servants and community groups are eager to reset Britain's relationship with our food, farming and countryside.

The survey shows a widespread desire for more collaboration and diversity, particularly through investment in shorter supply chains, as crucial to sustainable economic recovery.

70% or respondents say that the changes they want are possible by working together.

This is despite most (59%) expecting recession and business failures to have a bigger longterm impact than recent changes in behaviour and values, such as cooking more from scratch or attitudes to nature.

Investing directly in communities and local businesses is a core theme throughout. 90% support shorter, local food supply chains, more diverse food UK production and better rural services, especially broadband and connectivity. 85% want better pay and conditions for land-based work. 70% want more power and resources devolved to local governments and communities.

"Lockdown has shown that the UK's food system has the capacity for rapid and transformative change" said FFCC Chair, Sir Ian Cheshire. "Our survey captures this major shift and a huge energy to do things differently.

Nobody who responded wanted to go back to where we were just three months ago. People made strong connections between food and nature, the importance of local diversity and resilience, and the need for collective leadership. It emphasises how much the countryside is at the heart of our nation and how important it will be for everyone to be able to play their part in a green recovery. We need a fresh vision that extends beyond Defra, to invest in a working countryside and stronger

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local arrangements. And we need a new plan, which matches the sector's extraordinary appetite for change, while addressing the strengths and weaknesses exposed by lockdown, ready for the even bigger challenges we know are coming, like climate change."

Prof Tom MacMillan from the Royal Agricultural University, who led the study as FFCC's Research Director, said: "This new study builds on the YouGov polling we commissioned during lockdown in April, which found just 9% of people wanted everything to go back to how it was before coronavirus. Now we're getting the same message from the food, farming and rural sectors. What's most remarkable is the spirit of collaboration that comes through. This is a fiercely competitive industry often locked in polarised arguments over issues such as farming versus nature or local versus global. People are fired up by what they've achieved together and what has proved possible, both in big businesses and in local communities."

FFCC Commissioner and Bidfood CEO Andrew Selley commented on the significant changes the pandemic has led to across his business as a wholesaler and food distributor in foodservice. "Lockdown forced the closure of a large proportion of our customer base – pubs, hotels, theme parks, and workplace restaurants - overnight. We've had to pivot the business.

We're now in partnership with our biggest competitor, Brakes, and have delivered over 3 million food boxes to the vulnerable."

FFCC ran the Learning from Lockdown survey in May and 388 professionals responded. They included senior staff from large food businesses, farmers, estate owners, farming industry bodies, civil servants in Westminster, local and the devolved governments, government delivery bodies, campaign groups, community groups, and researchers specialising in food, agriculture and rural issues.

An interactive slide pack is available here.

Priorities for the UK's food, farming and countryside include: • More collaboration and collective leadership to tackle the serious issues: ◦ 79% agree that we need stronger relationships between government and society; and 50% agree they're needed with business ◦ 70% think the changes they want are possible if they and others work for it ◦ 42% believe that central and local government should take the lead to "build back better" • More resource and investment in communities and rural infrastructure: ◦ 93% want more investment in short or local food supply chains ◦ 91% say better rural services, such as broadband and rural connectivity ◦ 85% say better pay and conditions for landbased work ◦ 69% say more power and resources for local government • On national food security and productivity, 91% say the UK needs more diverse and local sources of food production; 80% want more investment in research and innovation.

• Reinforcing the results of FFCC's YouGov survey at the early stage of lockdown, which showed the public noticing cleaner air and more wildlife, 73% of respondents believe everyone needs easier access to nature.

• What surprised people: respondents were positive about collaboration, farming, dietary changes, small business and local food; mainly critical of government and buying behaviour (e.g. panic buying); and divided on the performance of the food system overall and on challenges relating to farm labour.

• Who took part: 388 professionals, from business (38%), local and national government (15%), local and national organisations from the third sector (27%) and academics (14%), other (6%).

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 09

| Feature

10 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Security

PCSO Emily Hewitson with Grassington Mobile Rural Watch volunteers

Invaluable support of Rural Watch volunteers hailed

by North Yorkshire Police Police in North Yorkshire have paid tribute to the more than 140 volunteers who help keep rural areas safe. orth Yorkshire Police is taking the opportunity to say 'thank you' to all its volunteers this National Volunteers Week (Monday 1 June – Sunday 7 June).

Of the force's 509 volunteers, 142 serve their communities as Rural Watch volunteers. They assist in the running and administration of Mobile Rural Watch (MRW) groups, supported by hundreds more members of the public.

Groups are made up of farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, rural business and estate owners, as well as anyone who lives or works in a rural area. They support North Yorkshire Police's Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Rural Taskforce, acting as the 'eyes and ears' of the police in the fight against countryside crime.

The groups communicate with each other via phone and WhatsApp, supported by North Yorkshire Police officers and PCSOs. There are now 25 such groups, representing more than 1,000 members of the public right across the county.

Sergeant Heidi Lewis, of North Yorkshire

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Police's Partnership Hub, said: "We are extremely grateful for the invaluable support of our Rural Watch volunteers, and all the members of the public who help us to keep our rural communities safe."

Information and intelligence passed to the police by Mobile Rural Watches has resulted in: • Countless reports of suspicious vehicle activity, which has led to further development of intelligence and supported investigations into criminal activity • Cross-border information sharing and targeted patrols with West Yorkshire, Humberside, Cleveland, Durham and Lancashire • Dealing successfully with some off-road motorcyclists who flout restrictions in national parks • The arrest of suspects involved in acquisitive crime such as quad bike thefts – and the successful recovery of suspected stolen quads • A significant number of poaching offences dealt with by the seizure of dogs, vehicles and subsequent reports for summons.

Sgt Lewis added: "The list goes on – the

successes have been phenomenal and too many to list. North Yorkshire Police could not have achieved all this without the dedication of our Mobile Rural Watch schemes, and we are so thankful for their continued support and dedication."

Rural Watch volunteers have also proved invaluable throughout the coronavirus pandemic, to reassure residents and businesses in isolated areas, and help officers and PCSOs engage with rural communities, and keep up the pressure on criminals.

Speaking about National Volunteers Week, Chief Constable Lisa Winward, who is the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for Citizens in Policing, said: "I am immensely proud of all our volunteers. So, on behalf of the force and our communities, I would like to say a big thank you to each and every one of you, for your continued passion, contribution and commitment. Every day, you help us make a real difference in North Yorkshire."

To find out more about Mobile Rural Watch, or to join a group, contact North Yorkshire Police and speak to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or Rural Taskforce officer.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 11

| Security

Improvements in technology leads to cross-border rural crime success Farmers warned of surge in The introduction of Whatsapp for rural crime police officers and local farmers in Wiltshire has been hailed a success after the system assisted with a cross-border crime. fogging cannon worth approximately £16,000 and a trailer worth approximately £3,000 were reported stolen from an address in Romsey, Hampshire, earlier this month.

Information in relation to the cannon was circulated on the Whatsapp group after a member of the public spotted it when out and about on a track just off the A36 at Pepperbox Hill in Wiltshire. Through the group, it was identified that the item had been stolen from the Hampshire area.

The stolen trailer remains outstanding at this time and enquiries continue.

Insp Liz Coles said: “Thanks to the improved communications between our local rural communities and police officers, we have been able to swiftly reunite the owner with these high value items

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despite this crime taking place across the border in Hampshire.

“We will work closely with Hampshire Constabulary as the investigation progresses.

“The Whatsapp group is proving really popular amongst the rural community who are able to liaise directly with officers, share information and intelligence as well as crime prevention advice.”

Whatsapp has been launched as a pilot amongst officers, starting initially with the rural crime team.

Supt Chris Chammings said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to make improvements to our technology to reach out to our rural communities who can often feel isolated. This is a great example of how these kinds of improvements to our technology can assist in solving crime and reassuring residents that we will take all reports of rural crime seriously and will do all that we can to identify those responsible.”

12 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

tractor GPS thefts Farmers are being warned to ramp up security after a spate of tractor GPS thefts from farming businesses in the South West. he GPS kits, worth tens of thousands of pounds, have been taken from farm businesses in Devon and Wiltshire since the beginning of May. In one incident ten receivers, seven screens and ten arm rest screens were taken from a farm in Trowbridge.

There are fears that criminal gangs are working their way across the country as other farms in the Midlands, including Staffordshire, have also been targeted.

Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, said: “The theft of GPS equipment is becoming big business again for rural thieves. As well as stealing vital equipment, criminals are leaving a trail of damage as they smash glass to gain access and crudely cut wires.

“We first saw thieves targeting GPS equipment from arable farms in East Anglia and more recently in the South East. This crime has now spread to other parts of the country, making it a national issue.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a surge in high-value but smaller, portable items being taken - and this appears to be what is driving this rural crime wave.

“This trend is deeply worrying for farmers who are investing in hi-tech equipment to make their farms more efficient and reduce pollution.

“In an attempt to stop thieves targeting GPS kit, manufacturers now provide PIN numbers to prevent the equipment being used by others.

“Most GPS kit in use on farms today is fitted to tractors as an easily-removable accessory. To prevent thefts, farmers have been removing the kit when it’s not in use and storing it under lock and key.”

DC Chris Piggott, Rural Vehicle Crime Officer at the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (Navcis), added: “Navcis are seeing organised crime gangs increasingly moving throughout the UK targeting farmers for their tractor GPS systems.

“With notifications of these units subsequently being offered for sale in Eastern Europe, Africa and the United States. Members of the gangs will travel countrywide to steal these high value items, causing untold damage breaking

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into tractors and cutting through wiring looms to facilitate the theft.

“Recommendations are to overtly mark such items marking them indelibly with farm name, postcode or in a single identifying colour, this will make their resale unattractive to thieves. We would also encourage owners of Starfire 6000 systems to enable the pin code and render them useless to criminals.

“We would encourage anyone who has had suspicious vehicles or people at their property to report to the Police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Information can also be emailed direct to intel@navcis.pnn.police.uk who coordinate intelligence for law enforcement on these types of crime.”

NFU Mutual Tractor GPS security advice • Remove GPS guidance receivers, aerials and antenna globes from tractors when not in use and keep them in a secure locked place whenever possible • Consider fitting security tethers or brackets to stop units being removed • Mark your post code on GPS units either with a UV pen, engraving tool of forensic marking system such as Datatag • Store machinery in locked buildings whenever possible • Where locking machines away isn’t an option, consider fitting mains or battery-operated alarms to cover around the perimeter of areas where machines are stored • CCTV and intruder alarms will deter most thieves, but make sure they are checked regularly to ensure they will work when you need them and they are placed where they won’t be triggered by animals or foliage moving in the wind • Record machinery serial numbers and photograph kit to help police identify stolen items and increase the chances of them being recovered • Let employees know the security arrangements that are expected of them while working on the farm • Join local farmwatch or social media security groups to keep in touch with rural crime trends in your area • Encourage farm staff to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Security

Heating oil security warning as thieves drain £250 of fuel from tank Police are urging residents in rural areas to take extra steps to secure their heating oil, after a theft in Hambleton. etween 8pm on Sunday 24 and 3pm on Monday 25 May 2020, oil was stolen from a tank at a property in the village of Thornton-le-Moor. Thieves are believed to have climbed over a fence before making off with about £250 worth of heating oil.

Inspector Matt Hagen, from North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, said: "A domestic oil

tank can contain many hundreds of pounds worth of oil, so our advice is take precautions to protect it.

"Measures such as remote oil level gauges, security lighting and a cage with a lockable access point can make a big difference.

"Consider also traditional security measures, such as planting prickly shrubs around the tank, investing in some high-quality locks, and installing a tank close to a house where it is

overlooked by a window.

"While North Yorkshire is an extremely safe place, opportunist thieves will target isolated communities in rural areas. By keeping vigilant and increasing the security of your property, you can make a real difference in the fight against rural crime."

Heating oil theft

Monitors Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full.

Security lighting Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief. Low energy “dusk til’ dawn lights positioned close to the tank should in most cases provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity.

Defensive planting Plant prickly shrubs and bushes around your tank to provide an effective and decorative barrier. The smallest trace of blood or shred of ripped clothing could help the police identify the offender.

Fencing A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can protect the tank but considerations must be made to allow the oil tanker driver access to fill the tank. We advise you install a metal grill or cage with a lockable access point.

CCTV CCTV can be used as a crime prevention and detection tool, but this method can be costly so we advise you consider the following before investing in this measure: • What do I hope to achieve by using

CCTV? • How much am I prepared to spend?

• Is there a reasonable level of light where the cameras will be operating or do I need to think about using cameras with low light capability? (Most thefts take place at night).

• What am I going to record the captured images on? – Digital recording is best.

• How am I going to provide the police with any evidence I may capture?

B

A domestic oil tank can contain many hundreds of pounds worth of oil so we advise you to take precautions to protect it. OFTEC or the 'Oil Firing Technical Association' offers advice and legal guidance for those who use and store oil at their premises.

Storing the tank • If the tank is close to the house, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high.

• If the tank is close to a road, path, drive or alleyway then it will be a far easier target for the thief. Tanks do need to be a reasonable distance to a road otherwise the oil supply company may not be able to refill it.

• Hiding the tank behind the garage, shed or some other type of outbuilding is fairly commonplace, but it does give the thief the advantage.

Locks A good thief will come equipped with a limited range of tools so it is worth investing in some quality locks. Close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to the most popular of burglar tools as they have very little metal which make it difficult for bolt croppers to grip.

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 13

| On Topic

Soil mapping for precise managemen

David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth Univ

Soil is one of the most essential aspects of any agricultural production system, with different soil components able to have huge effects on crop or pasture yield and quality, as well as increasingly important roles in environmental sustainability. armers have for centuries been adapting their management strategies based on observed physical and visual properties of soils, with more recent technological advances assisting in this practice. Components of the soil of major interest in agricultural include; nutrient levels (carbon - C, sulphur - S, phosphorus - P, potassium K, nitrogen – N, calcium - Ca and magnesium – Mg) fluctuation in which can significantly affect plant growth, physiochemical properties such as pH, texture (clay, silt and sand) and water contents.

Traditional soil sampling and mapping were performed using a “W” shape field sampling pattern before grid sampling became common, this was improved through the innovation of global positioning system (GPS) technologies to allow accurate sampling localisations. The difficulty with soil sampling and mapping, however, is the huge complexity and variability present across both large and small geographic distances. To obtain information at a significantly high resolution (to be effective

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14 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

across individual fields) intensive soil sampling is required which is time-consuming, costly and requires repeating regularly. One technological innovation of note which can facilitate more targeted soil sampling, to provide information for more cost-efficient mapping, is electrical conductivity (EC). When utilised alongside precision application systems such as variablerate technologies (VRTs) EC can assist in improving crop yields, pasture management, reducing input costs and assist in mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with chemical applications.

Electrical conductivity (EC) EC measures the voltage of electricity conducted through soils and is associated with several different factors of interest within soils.

EC analysis was previously performed on extracted soil samples placed in solution, this required physical sampling. To improve time and efficiency EC has been adapted to ECa (apparent soil electrical conductivity) which can be performed on bulk soil samples in a mobile fashion. Different soil profiles can affect soil conductivity including the makeup of sand

(lower conductivity), silt (medium conductivity) and clay (high conductivity) as well as soil salinity levels. Whilst these simplistic determinants can often be made, the true nature of ECa is far more complicated. ECa, in reality, is detecting the conductivity through the pore systems of soils via water. Therefore, the size, shape, connectivity and water content of pores are the biggest factors on conductivity results. Other broad factors that have the potential to be correlated with ECa results include; mineral levels, soil moisture levels, depth to the water table and soil texture. ECa is one of the most common research assessment tools in soil systems having been used in the sugar cane industry (Florida) and the potato industry (Canada), with results suggesting, significant enough, correlations between ECa results and variables such as pH, magnesium and calcium nutrients levels. Results can play a role in improving soil mapping and highlighting management zones (MZs) of interest (Figure 1).

MZs show a sub-division of an area which offers consistency within a defined measurement (eg. voltage or water content

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| On Topic

g land nt

versity

etc), therefore, allowing these areas to be treated with equal input quantities.

Figure 1 Two varied management zone maps based on ECa results a) loose mapping into two management zones b) more stringent mapping into three management zones – example figure Whilst this technology is of interest, due to its ease of adaption for on the go measurements, it is subject to major variation field to field or across different sampling dates. As such, it is largely used as an initial probing tool to assign loose MZs to field areas which can be assessed further with soil core analysis. No trials were found where ECa results solely were used to make management decisions or determine specific soil conditions, these were always bolstered by soil sample core results. Following ECa analysis algorithms/software can define a smaller subset of sampling points within each MZ (eg. 6 – 20 per MZ rather than up to hundreds across the field via traditional sampling), with results of sampling informing management strategies to apply to each MZ. Several companies offer services which almost always include ECa measurements of farmland, as these provide accurate mapping when combined with GPS, with ECa detection

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technology being easily mountable on vehicles for rapid field coverage.

Farming Connect demonstration farm Pantyderi is utilising precision mapping tools to improve their management strategies in nutrient applications (lime and fertiliser), as well as seed applications, in both crop and grassland systems. The project aims to provide Welsh farmers with information on changes in nutrient inputs as well as yield, quality and uniformity of crops and silage produced, whilst, importantly, considering the farm costs of implementing such systems.

Variable-rate technologies (VRTs) Whilst ECa mapping offers a rapid and more targeted method to develop MZs within a field, or across entire farms, to use this information efficiently it should be integrated practically into management strategies. It has long been understood that soils are not homogenous, with fluctuation in crop yield, soil quality and nutrient profiles observed across spatial sampling. Papers outlining the general principles to assess and manage variations in soils date back as far as 1929, however, the ability to accurately and easily act upon these assessments is relatively recent. To date, “traditional” farm management treats fields as

homogenous areas, as this is attractive to farmers, offering quick and simple implementation of uniform inputs.

Homogenous field inputs are increasingly an issue due to a move towards environmentally sustainable farming, where chemical input minimisation is desired. Variable-rate technologies, facilitated by advancements in GPS and geographic information systems (GIS), allow for highly accurate localisation of defined soil/field conditions to be acted on autonomously. Systems include those for providing variable application of fertiliser, lime, manure, pesticides, insecticides, water and variable seeding. VRT technologies functions via utilising information from GIS maps and variable input machinery to change input values automatically when GPS linked systems trigger a response. In practice, this involves taking data of mapped input values linked to GPS coordinate on a data device (such as USB stick) and providing this to a VRT integrated system, this then controls application rates accurately. Previous evaluations of VRT for fertiliser, for example, have shown >60% reductions in fertiliser applied leading to >7% cost reductions, and minimal yield changes compared to non-VRT systems. Similarly, in the

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 15

| On Topic case of winter wheat, trials demonstrated a minimum 6% positive yield increases using VRT to apply nitrogen compared to non-VRT management. Furthermore, VRT nitrogen applications demonstrate a role in combating N leaching in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) whilst also achieving higher profits and have shown on average savings of 25%. VRTs appear to be a suitable technology towards alleviating modern farming concerns, however, adoption rates globally and within the UK do not reflect this. In recent analysis, into the adoption and non-adoption of variable-rate technologies, it was determined that the 4 highest drivers for non-adoption were; the high cost of technology - 23%, a farm being considered too small for technology to be viable – 22%, a lack of information on the technology – 19% and a perceived low return of investment – 11%. Whilst a main reason for adopting technologies was any reduction in their costs (cheaper over time or due to subsidies).

Whilst, in this instance, VRTs are discussed concerning ECa mapping, it is important to note that these technologies function with an array of other soil mapping techniques or even a combination of these via multi-layer soil maps.

Other technologies and prospects EC is a form of proximal soil sensing (PSS) of which many other techniques exist, these have different accuracies and measure different soil components. PSS technologies differ from remote sensing (see below) and laboratorybased soil analysis, in that they are field-based and involve close contact with the soil (within 2m), as such, they can be considered invasive (direct sensor contact to soil) or non-invasive (no physical contact). Most importantly where the application of PSS is concerned in precision applications, certain technologies work only whilst static and others are suitable for mobile use, with mobile application

16 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

facilitating lower time, higher resolution results for on farm mapping. A table of other technologies, their ability to be utilised in a mobile manner (as is more commonly desired), along with an indication of the soil properties they analyse can be seen below. Different PSS systems have different strengths and, as such, the ideal future for these technologies may be in multi-sensor systems which could provide multiple layers of soil information simultaneously, though these are yet to become common.

Remote sensing (RS) offers another approach to mapping areas and determining soil properties and has benefits in low costs with rapid applications. RS uses electromagnetic energy to work out properties of a scanned target from a distance, usually via satellites, aircraft or more recently drones.

Whilst RS has been suggested to have the

ability to determine multiple key soil components, including but not limited too; carbon, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, pH, EC and clay/silt/sand percentage, it is equally noted, that due to absorption spectra overlaps of many soil chemicals, that accurate analysis is highly complex. Between geographical regions, RS soil property models are hugely effected, therefore, accurate calibration would require massive global soil sampling with immense time and economic costs involved.

The future for soil mapping globally appears to be in the development of digital soil mapping (DSM). DSM uses collected observations and data on various local soil populations, across time, and integrates these with numerical models, to infer soil conditions and properties across larger global regions. DSM has moved the field of soil mapping from smaller to larger

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| On Topic areas, from simple to more complex landscapes (able to evaluate multiple factors simultaneously), has moved away from 2D spatial modelling to 3D (where soil demonstrates heterogeneity both vertically and horizontally) and has shifted from purely agricultural to ecosystems service focused.

DSM aims to assist with food security, climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, water resource management and ecosystem health, with several working groups now set-up to facilitate global development. Groups include GlobalSoilMap.net and the working group on digital soil mapping as part of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), with general aims to deliver a worldwide scale soil map at practically high resolutions for use. A significant challenge of such projects is, as is demonstrated above, the huge variety of soil mapping technologies utilised to date, each of which produces “legacy� data in different formats which need to be converted before being usefully combined.

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Summary Soil management plays a vital role in maintaining efficient, high quality, low environmentally impacting agricultural plant growth, whether these are crop or pasture systems. Farmers tend to have a good understanding of their farm soil status, however, this often only extends to effects which can be observed easily. New technologies are consistently being developed to assist in the evaluation of soil properties, with increasing accuracy and ease of use. Whilst soil analysis is an area of high complexity, certain systems have the potential to produce soil maps with sufficient information and detail that they can assist in reducing the cost of specific sampling, and actively be incorporated into practical farm/field level management changes. Electrical conductivity is one commonly used system which has demonstrated roles in increasing crop yield following integration with variable-rate application technologies.

This work was produced by IBERS, Aberystwyth University, for The Welsh Government initiative Farming Connect

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Arable

PGRO Crop Update The latest, authoritative information on the pulse crop in Britain. nsect pests Bruchid beetle Bruchid beetles emerged from overwintering sites in midApril and will be active in field bean crops during warm weather, particularly in winter beans that are flowering and forming pods. If you're growing field beans for human consumption, insecticides should be applied when the temperature threshold of two consecutive days at 20°C has been reached and around 50% of pods on bottom trusses are 2 cm long. Sign up for the Syngenta BruchidCast® forecasting service by going to www.syngenta.co.uk/bruchidcast.

The forecast predicts when the temperature threshold has been reached in different regions of the UK and indicates suitable conditions for spray applications. Growers should check that first pods have formed on the bottom trusses. To avoid risk to foraging bees spraying should be carried out very late in the evening or at night-time. Due to the warm temperature over the last week or two, spray thresholds may have been, or will be reached for winter beans.

Aphids Both pea aphids and black bean aphids have been reported in crops and in later drilled crops there may be an increased risk of damage caused by virus transmission.

The active substance thiacloprid is approved in combining peas, vining peas and field beans and will give good control of aphids if products are available. This is an option to control the earlier virus-transmitting aphids and may be used up to 2 times in a programme in alternation with nonneonicotinoid insecticides of a different mode of action. Do not use Biscaya in consecutive sprays. Check with processors before use.

The active substance pirimicarb is approved in vining peas, combining peas, field beans and broad beans, and in French beans, runner beans and edible podded peas as an EAMU (2152/18) and will control large aphid colonies.

Use is limited to a single application in any of the above - mentioned crops.

Flonicamid (Teppeki) is approved in vining peas, edible podded peas, French beans and runner beans (EAMU 3739/18) and will give good control of aphids. Do not apply to crops in flower or to those in which bees are actively foraging. Do not apply when flowering weeds are present. Use is limited to a single application in any of the above - mentioned crops.

Pyrethroid products may give partial control of aphids.

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18 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

Pea moth Pea moths have been recorded at several locations in high numbers. Predicted spray dates can be obtained from the PGRO website at https://www.pgro.org/pea-moth 3 to 4 days after you reach a threshold in traps.

On the predicted spray date, crops which are at the first pod set stage, or which have flowered should be sprayed, but later crops should only be sprayed when they reach first pod set. Crops with flat pods are susceptible to damage. A second application should be applied 10-14 days later.

For products available to control pea moth please see our technical updates TU14 (checklist of fungicides and insecticides for vining peas) and TU15 (checklist of fungicides and insecticides for combining peas) at www.pgro.org.

Field bean diseases Rust Following recent warm weather and cool nights with high humidity, field bean rust (Uromyces fabae) may start to develop in crops. Both spring and autumn-sown crops are susceptible, although later-sown spring beans may be at higher risk. The disease first appears as pustules on the lower parts of the plant, developing as small, orange-brown spots. Leaf tissue around the pustule appears pale yellow and as the disease develops, large areas of the leaves and stems develop symptoms. In severe infections, plants may start to defoliate, leading to poor pod development and yield loss. Rust can be controlled with a range of active substances and these can be found in the PGRO Technical Updates TU16 (Fungicides and insecticides for field beans) and TU17 (Checklist of fungicides, insecticides and molluscicides for broad, green and runner beans) at www.pgro.org.

For more information about legume crop management visit the PGRO website at www.pgro.org.

Irrigation in peas The timing of irrigation in peas is crucial, should be related to both specific crop growth stages and soil moisture deficit, and can lead to good yield responses.

The following comments are based on work

by P.J. Slater and colleagues at HRI, Wellesbourne (now Warwick Crop Centre).

Before flowering – Soils may be near to field capacity when peas are sown, and irrigation rarely increases yield if applied before the start of flowering, although it does increase haulm. In several experiments, irrigation during vegetative growth depressed

pea yields. Irrigation should not be carried out during this period unless: (i) The seedbed is very dry and adequate germination would not otherwise occur. (ii) The crop is severely wilted because of drought.

At the start of flowering – Peas are most responsive to irrigation when the first flowers are opening and if a single application is to be made it should be at this stage. The plant is thought to be most responsive at this stage because the root system has ceased to grow, making the plant more vulnerable to water shortage.

Yield increases from irrigation at this stage are often very substantial, even up to 50% due to more pods contributing to yield and more peas per pod. Haulm weight is also increased.

Pod swelling – Crops irrigated during pod swelling have also shown up to 20% increases in yield. The number of peas per pod and the mean weight of peas are both increased by irrigation at this time. The weight of haulm is not affected.

Effect on yield – Response to Irrigation.

Growth Stage Irrigated

% Haulm Weight Increase

%Pea Weight Increase

Vegetitive Grown

60

-5

Start of Flowering

30

30

Pod Set

0

0

Pod Swell

0

20

Start of Flowering & Pod Swell

30

40

Effect on maturity – Irrigation during vegetative growth and early flowering has been found to have little effect on the rate of maturation, but applications during pod swell can delay maturity. A predictable delay of approximately 2 days is suggested and must be taken into account when growing vining peas.

Amount of water – It is suggested that during vegetative growth and at the start of flowering 25mm can be applied but at the pod swelling stage the amount should not exceed 30mm.

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| Arable

UK watercress harvest gets underway despite the odds The UK watercress season got underway this week without the usual fanfare of the Alresford Watercress Festival to herald its start having become another casualty of the COVID 19 pandemic. Despite this, and the more serious concerns over a lack of labour, The Watercress Company has kicked off the season as planned, and so far, prospects are looking good. plit between Hampshire and Dorset, The Watercress Company owns over 50 acres of watercress beds. The crop is cut every 4-12 weeks and its unique and productive nature which uses spring water nutrition enables harvesting of up to 6 crops a year. The Watercress Company anticipates harvesting over 600 tonnes of the super green between now and late October supplying over 4,000 stores around the country while also supporting its new online business selling traditional bunches of watercress in cones made from sustainable paper packaging.

Like many growers, The Watercress Company has had to overcome the lack of seasonal labour. Longstanding seasonal employees from overseas, many of whom have worked with The Watercress Company for 10 years or more, have been unable to come due to movement restrictions caused by COVID 19. As a result, the ‘class of 2020’ who have stepped into the breach have a range of backgrounds from sport instructor, designer, event electrician, student, landscape gardener, mechanic, builder, podiatrist to sailor!

Tom Amery, MD of The Watercress Company explains: “We realised quite early on in the lockdown that we were going to have issues with the harvest of watercress and our other salad crops if we didn’t quickly source the 25 staff members needed from other backgrounds. We were lucky as in both Hampshire and Dorset local people who had been furloughed or who were self-employed applied to work and underwent a rigorous period of training in the build up to harvest starting.

“We had a 10% drop out in the first couple of weeks but after that everyone else settled in and now appear to be loving it. For most it’s a

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complete change from their normal lives, while we haven’t had to train a fresh group of recruits for years, but I think we are learning a lot from each other.”

40 year old James Brice from Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset is one of the new recruits assisting with the harvest and irrigation of the land salad crops also grown by The Watercress Company.

He said: “Three months ago I would never have dreamed I would be standing in a watercress bed wearing PPE helping to bring in the harvest! It’s certainly very different to my normal role as a fitness instructor and it’s opened my eyes as to how our food is grown and gets onto the supermarket shelves.

“I originally saw it as a temporary role, offering to help because I recognised how important it is to harvest our crops, but I have actually found the work complements my own fitness business. It’s physically demanding so keeps you in good shape, and I can fit the hours around the zoom sessions I have been doing with clients. I’d definitely consider doing it next year to supplement my income.”

Sales in 2020 started slowly but The Watercress Company has put this down to several factors mainly connected to changing shopping habits over the last nine weeks due, of course, to Coronavirus.

1. People have been choosing to buy more tinned, frozen and brown goods that can be kept for longer without going off as they are shopping less often and tight on space in home fridges 2. Many people are buying for others who will tend to only ask for essentials so as not to be a burden with normal long lists 3. Loyal watercress buyers, tend to be older and so many of these regular buyers have not been going out, falling into the category requiring help with shopping

4. Shopping has not been a pleasant experience, and we have been asked not to go as often as usual. Salads tend to be something

you would buy on each occasion and therefore fewer occasions means less salad bought In the last 2 weeks, however, there have been signs of a sales uplift, aided in part by the sunny weather but also by an offer at Tesco reducing their 85g bag from £1.30 to 97p. This has been well promoted on line including via The Watercress Company’s virtual campaign to salvage the hugely popular World Watercress Eating Championships from the cancelled Watercress Festival and which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/LoveWatercress/ In Tom’s words: “We are a little below sales compared to last year but making ground daily. It’s definitely the weirdest UK season and sales environment I’ve ever experienced but maintaining supply of Fruit & Veg is vital to the nation’s health. Watercress has navigated choppy waters in the past with full uninterrupted supply for the last 120 years, even during the two World Wars. We are determined to maintain that record and so far, so good!”

Consistent Crusoe stays at the top of the table When margins are tight, growers have to keep a close eye on their costs of production. For those growing a Group 1 wheat, choosing the right variety can make a difference, says Keith Truett, NIAB's regional agronomist for the south-east. any growers are working to reduce their costs – this could be by moving to no-till operations, to keep labour and fuel costs down - but also by optimising inputs."

"Fertiliser is an important cost of growing, and has become more so as yields have increased over the years."

"The challenge of growing Group 1 wheats (which are principally aimed at bread-making), is the need to achieve a protein level of 13% to collect a bonus, as well as achieving high yields."

"Finding a variety with the best uptake of N and its conversion to protein is key."

"Crusoe is ideal because it really exploits and makes the most of applied nitrogen (N). It

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consistently delivers the required protein level and quality for bread making, and also always yields well."

Keith draws attention to the possibility of sustainability-based regulations, which are currently just beyond the horizon, and which would entail keeping applications within certain parameters (such as 180kg/N/ha).

As a result, wheat varieties able to make best use of nutrients – such as Crusoe - whilst achieving the high standards demanded by the sector, would become even more important to growers.

When Crusoe was launched in 2012, it set the standard for a new kind of milling wheat that offered very high yields with excellent grain quality, combining a stable high Hagberg and high specific weight, in addition to very good

agronomic characteristics.

Eight years later, and Crusoe is still wellplaced in the 2020 AHDB RL table for Group 1 wheats, and is one of only two bread wheats approved for export - thanks to its proven, exceptional bread-making quality.

Short and relatively stiff-strawed, the variety has high resistance to yellow rust, and a good resistance to Septoria tritici – a routine fungicide treatment applied for Septoria tritici control, should also be sufficient to keep brown rust at bay, says Keith.

In fact, in 2019 Crusoe was the highest yielding Group 1 wheat, demonstrating the variety's robustness in what was a high disease pressure season.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Arable

More biostimulants receive organic accreditation Organic producers now have a full armoury of biostimulant and nutrient combinations to boost plant health and productivity, following their verification by the Soil Association. he range of scientifically tested and proven products offer improved root development and early growth, better flowering and resistance to abiotic stress, ultimately resulting in higher yields and crop quality.

“Biostimulants can be of tremendous help in both conventional and organic systems, particularly when crops have faced the weather challenges that this year has thrown at them,” says Chris Gamble at Olmix MPH. “However, until now, organic growers have only had limited options available to them.”

Olmix designs and makes its large range of natural plant, animal and human care products at its state-of-the-art laboratory and bio refinery in France – but organic certification in the UK is more stringent than across the Channel, so the firm has been working hard to meet UK legislation.

“We’re delighted to have finally secured Soil Association verification for six highly technical and refined products, which organic growers can now use to protect and enhance their arable crops,” says Mr Gamble.

The first is Algomel Push – ideal for early growth stages in a wide number of crops, it contains refined seaweed extract which enhances root hair development, increasing nutrient and water uptake capacity. It also contains manganese, which is required for energy conversion and vegetative growth.

There are two other variations of Algomel, containing manganese and copper for cereals,

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and with zinc and magnesium to promote rapid growth and better rooting in maize.

Designed for application pre-flowering, Algomel Proact helps the plant to cope with the energy switch from vegetative growth to reproduction. It assists in hormonal and nutrient allocation shifts, resulting in homogenous, strong flowering while reducing the negative impact of stress. It can be used in a wide range of crops to improve stress resistance through drought.

Next in the armoury is Algomel Shield, which contains a copper formulation for cell strength and lignification, helping to protect the plant.

The formulation, with a natural organic plant complex, minimises the amount of copper ions required while also achieving a greener leaf for longer. It is ideal for use on fruit, potatoes, onions and cereals from times of rapid stem extension through to fruit, grain and tuber setting.

Completing the toolbox is Seamel Pure.

Designed for fruit and vegetable production, it is one of the purest refined seaweeds on the market and works to strengthen root development and speed up the uptake of macro- and micro-nutrients.

“Stress occurs in many ways throughout the crop growth cycle,” explains Mr Gamble. “This year we have had conditions that are too wet, too cold, and now too dry – plus there will usually be pest and disease attacks. Applying Seamel Pure before or at anticipated times of stress will boost the plant’s tolerance and help it to absorb nutrients, improving crop quality

and yield.”

The new certifications brings Olmix MPH’s total organic offering to eight – last year Organic Farmers & Growers approved C-Weed 50 and C-Weed AAA. Both products contain a highly concentrated extract of the algae Ascophyllum nodosum, which has unique marine-based compounds that alleviate stress and stimulate growth in land plants. C-Weed AAA also has additional plant-based amino acids which are essential for cell growth.

“All of these products can be used in a tank mix with micronutrients or other organic treatments, and can be used throughout the season to support the plant at different growth stages, from establishment and rooting to flowering,” says Mr Gamble. “With all growers looking to maximise productivity with minimal financial outlay, now is the time to add biostimulants to the mix, to make most efficient use of nutrient resources.”

Predictive AI could save farmers millions A UK Gov & Microsoft backed Agri-tech Centre has developed AI that predicts crops' shipment window 3x earlier than previously possible. The first proof-of-concept promises to save one leading farming business >£6m p/a, equivalent to 15% increase in gross profit. elayed harvests are an expensive problem for international farming. Overseas crops are grown to a specified shipment window, which provides retailers with a constant supply of fresh produce.

If windows are missed, growers are generally responsible for making up the shortfall.

Purchasing produce from a thirdparty supplier or airfreight are the most common ways to do this.

Both are expensive. Costs for one of the UK's leading food and farming business run to £120k per week – just for sweetcorn.

But these costs can be reduced substantially if a grower knows in good time that a shipment will be missed. The more time the grower has to source and negotiate alternatives, the lower the cost will be.

"This was the catalyst for

D

creating our Harvest Timing Prediction AI," explains Anna Woodley, Head of Sales at Agrimetrics. "We realised that increasing the notice period by even a couple of weeks would result in huge savings. To put this in perspective, one customer estimates savings of more than £6m per year. That's equivalent to a 15% increase in gross profit."

Agrimetrics are currently predicting the correct shipment window for sweetcorn crops with up to 93% accuracy, which can be done 4 weeks in advance. They claim that accuracy and timeframes can be increased given access to more data.

"Given the right data, we can improve the accuracy and widen the applications of our AI to cover more fields, more supply chains, more crops," concludes Anna.

20 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

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| Feature

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

Michael Tait

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 21

| Arable

Farming outside from inside the home Farmers have been labelled critical to the COVID-19 response, as they ensure our home-grown food continues to fill our vital supply chains. ue to the recent crisis, farmers who directly supply restaurants and cafés have faced a fall in demand of70-80 percent.

Farmers now have challenges with recruiting harvest labour and whilst there is no vaccine, they need to plan for a reduced workforce. Technology can support this.

A highly pressurised and isolated work environment has been amplified due to COVID19, and with anything but essential travel to farms stopped, advisors and agronomists have had to adapt.It seems the challenges and disruption agriculture has been faced with are set to stay for some time.

Farmers need tools to make their working ecosystem easier to manage and to support

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22 | Farming Monthly | June 2020

key business decisions.COVID-19 is making workers look at new and more efficient ways of making their businesses sustainable during turbulent times. Technology can also support this. With the pressure the industry is under, AgSpace’s agronomy clients are set to fulfil a vital role in the coming months. By assisting their own farming clients through the Contour platform, crop and soil advice can continue to be delivered in an accurate and productive way.

The ‘stay home’ message is impossible to meet for farmers. This problem can be helped by adopting remote sensing from satellite images and digital agronomy tools that enable a visit to the field from an office. From monitoring soil health, to satellite images that detects crop stress, to cloud penetrating radar that forecasts yield, our UK partner

RHIZA,offers tailored Contour packages to suit all farms and aims to increase yields and improve efficiency. Crucially, RHIZA’s packages transform essential travel to the fields into an unessential one. This helps to keep our critical industry of farming operating, but with the benefit of our farmers home and safe wherever possible, when not isolating in the tractor cab.

To ensure we continue to deliver, Agrii have ensured the nine Digital Technology Farms (DTF) continue to be monitored remotely on lockdown. The DTF’s were launched to view and test the value of digital agronomy and databased information systems, demonstrate their most profitable use, and provide the broadest base for future improvements. Agrii invests over £1 million annually into R&D with over 40,000 plots and 600 replicated trials, so farmers can

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| Arable

Observations from inside the home

save costs and time for the result of improving performance in every part of the field.

As a group, we also commit further to the future of R&D by partnering with University College Dublin and Science Foundation Ireland,through a €17.6 million, multi-year research project. CONSUS will provide cutting edge digital tools for future generations of farmers and agronomists,with the result of greater profitability and reduced environmental impacts.

Observations from inside the home Optimised nutrition trial monitoring farm standard nutrition plots, alongside optimised nutrition plots which are treated according to soil and tissue results (see images above).

These GCVI (Green Chlorophyll Vegetation Index) images from our Digital Technology Farm in Scotland for the 2019/2020 season, show the optimised nutrition tramlines highlighted in red. The left image was taken on

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Optimised nutrition trial monitoring farm standard nutrition plots, alongside optimised nutrition plots which are treated according to soil and tissue results

the 19th of March and shows a definitive line running down the third tramline from the left.

The right image from the 8th of April is showing the crop is under stress. During the three weeks between the two images the crop only received 6.08mm of rain compared to 89.95mm in the weeks leading up to the first image. What is evident,is the optimised nutrition tramlines have tended to remain greener under recent drought stressed conditions.

There is evidence of a positive correlation between the crop establishment and the RHIZA soil zones on both images. Broadly, the variation in the crop follows the zones to the line. As data is continued to be collected throughout the season for ground truthing,the collated and interpreted data will be useful for understanding zonal crop limitations.

“AgSpace has dedicated itself during these unprecedented times to support and keep our farmers on the frontline safe. Through satellite

imagery we have built a technological bridge between our farmers and their fields to ensure they will feed the nation whilst staying safe and staying home”, said Rachel Watling, Marketing and Key AccountManager.

As we thank our farmers, see also ‘Farmers tribute to NHS seen from space’.

ADDITIONAL During the lockdown period, RHIZA have already pledged to make many of their services open to their customers at no charge, providing the industry’s highest resolution satellite imagery and Septoria pressure models to farmers and growers. They would like to invite any farmers who feel they would benefit from this offer to get in touch with their local RHIZA team to find out how they can help them or contact them via their website. *After the pandemic, there is no contract for farmers to carry on using the free service.

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Hands Free Farm successfully completes first drilling operation The Hands Free Farm (HFF) team has successfully drilled a cover crop as the first major operation for the project. he HFF launched in May 2019 following the end of the awardwinning Hands Free Hectare (HFHa) feasibility study which was the first in the world to plant, tend and harvest a crop without a driver in the seat or agronomists on the ground.

The HFF is a three-year long project which scales up to 35 hectares and is run by Harper Adams University, Precision Decisions (a Map of Ag company), Farmscan AG and Agri-EPI Centre. By the end of the project, the team hope to have a fleet of autonomous small vehicles working in swarms which can be

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operated from the farm office, ready for commercialisation.

When the project started, the original plan for year one, had been to drill two winter crops and a spring crop across its five fields. However, due to the poor winter weather experienced by the UK, winter drilling was postponed in the hope that it would all be done in spring.

These hopes were dashed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. The team had prepared to start drilling before March 27, the day Her Royal Highness Princess Anne was due to visit the project, but on March 23, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown of the

United Kingdom.

However, the team were not deterred. They continued to work on the project from their individual homes, enabling them to be ready to drill when restrictions were relaxed.

The team have successfully drilled two of their fields with the cover crop, while abiding by social distancing guidance.

Kit Franklin, Senior Agricultural Engineering Lecturer, said: “Although drilling a cover crop wasn’t the original plan, nor even plan B or C, it will be good for the soils. It should also help the fields be flatter and more forgiving next year.

“This drilling has still provided a useful learning process; we’ve seen that the system is

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better than ever before and that we’ll be able to analyse the drilling performance when the crop emerges. This will enable us to improve the mapping ahead of working on combinable crops next year.”

For the first time, the team drilled the headlands. Operations Manager at Precision Decisions, Martin Abell, said: “The drill lifted a little too early on entry into the corners, so that’s somewhere we can improve. This happened because we decided to take a conservative approach to corners in the beginning to avoid potential problems caused by pulling the drill through tight angles.”

Callum Chalmers from FarmscanAg said: “We’ve seen how important it is for implement control systems to be flexible and seamlessly adapt for farming conditions this year at HFF. “It was excellent to see the new control

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system drilling the cover crop over headlands for the day completely driverless. The row spacings turned out great and we’re looking forward to improving the drill’s corner angle turns for the next run.”

The team hope to complete a harvesting operation later this year, on a field that has been drilled with a spring barley crop by the Harper Adams University Farm using conventionally sized manned machines.

“This option allows the testing of the combine harvester in a year when it would otherwise be impossible to work on a combinable crop within the Hands Free Farm,” said Mike Gutteridge, Mechatronics Senior Graduate Research Assistant. “The potential learnings from this are an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.

“However, for us to be able to harvest, we

are heavily reliant on specialist components being delivered from international suppliers which may not be possible this year due to the current situation.”

Mechatronics and UAS Researcher Jonathan Gill captured footage of the drilling by drone.

Videos, including live broadcasts, were shared throughout the three days on social media to keep all of the project’s followers and sponsors informed. Jonathan said: “The drone footage has more uses than just social media. It’s able to capture the full picture of our progress, and allows future analysis of our path planning, steering settings and timings for the tooling going in and out in the field. We’ll be able to look back on these and compare and improve if required.”

Follow the Hands Free Farm’s progress on Twitter, and YouTube.

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packing process, By measuring the G-forces that an apple is subjected to during the crate design the electronic apple intelligent logging device has enabled Brillopak to make their UniPAKer enhancements that will minimise damage and bruising to delicate fruit using robotic crate packer.

May the force not be with you: Electronic apple eliminates bruising Brillopak has come up with an innovative way of using an electronic apple to inform and assist development of its award-winning UniPAKer robotic crate packer for fresh produce. By measuring the G-forces that an apple is subjected to during the crate packing process, this intelligent logging device has enabled Brillopak’s engineers to make design enhancements that will minimise damage and bruising to delicate fruit. he electronic apple is a shock and temperature logger encased in a carrier shell that mimics the shape, size and density of a real apple. The ‘dummy’ apple is inserted into a pack in place of a real apple to monitor and locate sources of damage to apples during handling and transportation. Force and temperature measurements are recorded by the device and sent via bluetooth to an app that

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presents them in easy to read and analyse graphical or Excel formats.

Brillopak saw the potential to deploy the apple as a machinery development tool for its UniPAKer apple packing system. Using the instrument’s shock-testing capabilities, the trailblazing company has redesigned the UniPAKer’s reject system and optimised the picking and placing operation to reduce Gforce stress on fruit. By minimising damageinduced waste, these incremental

enhancements translate to improved economics for fresh produce customers.

Ejecting rejects: a delicate operation On Brillopak’s UniPAKer lines, flow-wrapped or pillow packs of apples are usually passed through a vision or checkweighing system prior to entering the pick and place system, to check that each pack contains the correct number of fruit and that no apples have been chopped up by the packaging machine. Reject packs are ejected from the line and any good apples are

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reintroduced into the process.

The UniPAKer was using a reject system that pushed apples 90° off the side of the conveyor, down a chute. However, this was resulting in bruising to fruit, preventing reworking.

Brillopak ran tests which involved inserting the electronic apple into flow-wrapped packs and running the packs through the system to record G-force measurements. This exercise revealed that the existing system was causing the apple to be subjected to forces of up to 26G in places, but if that G-force could be reduced to less than 6G, there would be no damage to fruit.

The company designed and tested a new gentle reject system that achieved exactly this.

The system uses tangential force to guide the rejected apples off the belt at an angle via a flexible polyurethane band mounted on an electronic servo motor controlled pusher.

Brillopak Technical Director Peter Newman explains: “The electronic apple allowed us to

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pinpoint where the maximum force was. Armed with that knowledge, we were able to redesign the system to reduce that force below the damage threshold. This is a major benefit to fresh produce packers, for whom waste as a result of bruising is a considerable and largely avoidable cost.”

Optimising the pick and place curve The other operation on robotic apple packing systems that can be a hotspot for damage is the pick and place system, with some rival robots dropping fruit from heights of 250mm. Brillopak has developed a new robot control system that has allowed it to optimise the acceleration/deceleration curve by enabling greater adjustability of parameters.

“When lifting a pack of apples, the robot arm accelerates strongly upwards into a curve, then decelerates down into the crate, so the pack is tightly controlled as it reaches the bottom of the crate. Other packaging machinery manufacturers might be able to design a

robotic system that picks and places apples into crates at high speeds, but what sets us apart is our ability to perform this task at high speed without bruising the product,” explains Peter.

Measuring the G-forces on the electronic apple during the pick and place process, Brillopak was able to verify the system’s ability to lift bags of apples and lower them into crates without subjecting them to force that would result in bruising.

Brillopak’s UniPAKer robotic pick and place cell was originally engineered for packing bags of potatoes and apples into crates. The UniPAKer has been specifically designed to improve productivity and improve pack presentation on shelf. Using a parallel arm delta robot on a compact footprint, it will load up to 85 VFFS, tray-sealed or flow wrapped packs per minute and is ideal for vegetables, fruits and salad up to 1kg.

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Webinar highlights why straight nitrogen isn't always the best option Why is straight nitrogen alone not enough? Mark Tucker, Agronomy Manager at Yara, during a recent webinar on the topic, said that many farmers asked how they can avoid being stuck with a shed full of straight nitrogen when salespeople come calling.

Mark Tucker

he key, as he outlines, is to have a plan in advance. During the webinar both Mark and Natalie Wood, Country Arable Agronomist, explained the different aspects worth considering before making your purchase.

Firstly, we need to manage sulphur effectively. "We can no longer rely on sulphur deposition in the atmosphere," said Natalie. "Since the 1970s, there's been a sharp decline due to industry clean-up. Most of the UK receives less than 10kg per ha of SO3. Crops require between 40 and 75kg per ha, so there's a shortfall that needs to come from fertilisers."

Sulphur is needed within the plant for effective development, including for regulatory, catalytic, and enzymatic processes. However, as Natalie points out, we also need sulphur to gain the full benefits of nitrogen applications. "Sulphur is important for nitrogen uptake and metabolism," says Natalie. "Without it, you can't utilise nitrogen effectively. We then see deficiency symptoms that include a pale yellow colour on the leaf. This is often confused with nitrogen deficiency and so overlooked. Unlike with nitrogen, sulphur deficiency results in the yellowing appearing on younger leaves at first."

Sulphur and nitrogen have a close relationship, each requiring the other to fully function. Some sulphur should be applied along with each application of nitrogen. In long-term trials, sulphur applications show an improved average yield of 0.3-0.5 tonnes per hectare, but responses of up to 1.4t/ha have been seen.

P and K also make a significant difference to yields and should be integrated into all serious crop management programmes. Traditionally, an application of these in autumn/winter has been the dominant approach, but a more crop-focused spring application will have a much greater impact.

"The greatest crop demand is in the spring, as the crops start to grow away," says Mark. "This is the time when growth starts to happen but is also when soil availability is at its lowest. This is when soils are cold and show limited biological activity. P coming through is going to be either slow or non-existent, and rainfall will result in K having moved down the soil."

A spring application helps circumvent these problems, topping up with P and K at the time when they're least available.

"We've performed many trials over the decades," says Mark. "The yield benefits from a spring application are clear and

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consistent."

Mark also made a call to incorporate minimising ammonia emissions as a key part of all nutrient management programmes. "88% of ammonia emissions come from agriculture with 23% of that number coming from fertiliser products," says Mark. "We need to take that into account when making our choices. Urea would emit the highest levels of ammonia therefore the easiest way to reduce your emissions would be to switch to AN." "The greatest crop demand is in the spring, as the crops start to grow away," says Mark. "This is the time when growth starts to happen but is also when soil availability is at its lowest. This is when soils are cold and show limited biological activity. P coming through is going to be either slow or non-existent, and rainfall will result in K having moved down the soil."

The discussion then turned to product characteristics – which is best for your farm, prills or granules? "There's a useful analogy," says Natalie. "We can compare a prill to a ping pong ball and a granule to golf ball – it's heavier and denser. It goes further when thrown and is less affected by external factors like wind." The question then becomes how far you need the spread to be. When spreading over 30 metres, a lot of force will be on the fertiliser particles, causing differing results in terms of their strength. It's best to investigate and choose an option that works for your individual farm, and not assume one option is better than another.

By integrating all of the above into a single programme, we can see a much more effective strategy that promotes more robust yields. "In terms of what you need, stop and think," says Mark. "You might only need 35% of straight N in your shed. Don't end up with a load of product that ultimately won't deliver at harvest."

For more information, insight, and advice on managing crop nutrition, visit www.yara.co.uk

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Testing decisions for black-grass viability Cereal growers are being urged to spray off patches infested with black-grass now, before more plants set viable seed.

The stress of hot dry weather has brought forward seed maturity, with viability set to accelerate over the next few weeks. iability testing of black-grass seed heads from the Syngenta Barton Black-grass Innovation Centre, near Cambridge, has shown up to 23% of seed is already viable in some heads, with an overall average of 7%. Some heads, however, have yet to show any viable seeds.

Patches of heavy black-grass infestation mapped for burning out with glyphosate need to be targeted quickly, advocated ADAS grassweed specialist, Dr Sarah Cook.

“Continued hot dry weather means we expect to see the results from viability testing accelerating,” she reported. “With the range of

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viability we’ve seen, growers can still have a beneficial effect, but don’t leave it too late.”

She believes that viability testing of the Barton black-grass population gives a good indication of the situation across the eastern counties.

The early timing of black-grass seed viability this season is also expected to have an impact on subsequent seed dormancy, warned Syngenta Technical Manager, Georgina Wood.

Whilst weather conditions around Wimbledon Week are typically considered to define rates of black-grass seed dormancy, it could be set two to three weeks earlier this year.

“With the forecast settled for continued hot

and dry weather for the foreseeable future, the early indications are for relatively low dormancy year – with the implications that has for cultivation, establishment and herbicide options,” she said.

Syngenta grass weed experts will continue to monitor and report black-grass seed viability with ADAS over the coming weeks, followed by dormancy testing of seed to give growers an inseason update of the challenges they are facing this autumn.

“Previous years of integrated weed management trials at the Barton Black-grass Innovation Centre have given a clear picture of what techniques can help growers manage

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difficult weed populations.

“In-season testing of seed dormancy enables growers to take appropriate action to better target black-grass in the autumn and help enhance long term sustainable population management.”

Burn out action Miss Wood added that where black-grass weeds are currently stressed and heading into senescence, growers need to focus on glyphosate application techniques to aid rapid herbicide uptake for more successful burn-out results.

“Pay attention to application rates, water volume, use of adjuvants and nozzle choice to hit weeds as effectively as possible,” she advised. “But above all, the key is timing to minimise the risk of viable seed set.”

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Georgina Wood

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Perstorp enters fertilizer market with chloride-free potassium product Perstorp, a global leader in the specialty chemicals market, is entering the fertilizer market through the launch of Amicult™ K42. his chloride-free potassium source is shown to have a high solubility and absorption rate, without increasing salinity or clogging foliar and drip irrigation systems. Amicult K42 is now being launched in selected markets.

“With high-salinity and arid agricultural land increasing, it’s time for more refined fertilizer options. Perstorp Amicult offers a chloride-free

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potassium based product tested and proven to have high absorption and solubility, without increasing soil salinity or causing clogging in foliar and drip irrigation systems. Amicult is the smart way to increase profitability, improving crop yield and water use efficiency,” says Claudio Gaino, VP BU Formates at Perstorp.

To have an optimal development, crops need nutrients at different growth stages. Being a liquid fertilizer component, Amicult K42 can be

applied at the right development stage where the crop needs an additional potassium source.

In agricultural regions where salination is an issue, high chloride levels have a negative impact on crop development. With Amicult K42, a low salt index product, the risk of adding new salination problems to the soil is reduced.

Further the high solubility of the product makes it a good choice for drip irrigation applications.

Potassium is proven to give crops a better

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drought and cold stress tolerance, however in dry regions the uptake of fertilizers through the root system is limited. Amicult K42 shows high foliar uptake efficiency at drought conditions.

And at times and situations when it is difficult to forsee frost, the quick liquid foliar uptake of Amicult K42 gives a means to protect crops against frost damage.

When using irrigation systems a fertilizer with low solubility can cause clogging of pipes and nozzles. As a result the fertilizer will be unevenly spread and crop will grow unevenly causing yield reduction at harvest. Amicult K42 has a high solubility minimizing clogging issues of irrigation systems.

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“Years of innovation work has led to the discovery of the positive effects with Amicult K42. We are excited to now offer the market a chloride-free fertilizer component that not only decreases salinity problems but has proven effect on higher yield and crop quality, and also improves drip irrigation efficiency,” says Martina Håkansson, Business Development Director Formates at Perstorp.

Amicult K42 is initially available in Brazil, Chile and US through Perstorp direct sales and in Europe through Perstorp direct sales and Perstorp’s storefront @ https://www.knowde.com/companies/perstorp-ab

Reader enquiries Perstorp Perstorp Holding AB Neptunigatan 1 SE-211 20 Malmö Sweden +46 435 380 00 perstorp@ perstorp.com www.perstorp.com @perstorpgroup perstorp-group PerstorpGroup

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Innovation and tech in action at Cereals LIVE There is nothing quite like seeing tech in action to understand how it works and how it can be beneficial on farm, which is why Cereals LIVE will be putting demos right at growers’ fingertips. rom state-of-the-art robotics, to autonomous tractors and electronic weeding, Cereals LIVE will have it all available in video demonstrations in the brand new Innovation and Tech Demo ring, says event director, Alli McEntyre.

“It’s a brave new world for farming, with innovation driving sustainability and efficiency.

Being able to see the most cutting-edge technology in action will give farmers an insight into where their businesses could be headed very soon.”

So what will growers be able to see online?

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The Small Robot Company will be demonstrating its robot weed mapping service, launched in November 2019. Hailed as a technical milestone, it is the world’s first service for individual plant mapping at broadacre scale and provides farmers with a per-plant view of their fields.

Delivered using its robust commercial robot Tom, it can cover 20ha per day autonomously and can distinguish plant details at submillimetre resolution, with less than one millimetre per pixel resolution on the ground.

Also demonstrating how far robotics in farming has advanced, FarmDroid will show just

what an autonomous field robot can do to help reduce costs for sowing and weeding crops, while additionally staying carbon neutral and organic.

Harper Adams University will be exhibiting its new drone sprayer, while Syngenta will be offering visitors a close-up view of different sprayer nozzles in action, alongside the new closed handling system which makes filling traditional sprayers easier and safer.

For those wanting to improve spray efficiencies, MagGrow could be worth a look – using magnetic technology it claims to increase coverage by 20% and reduce drift by up to 70%.

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| Cereals | Arable & Grain

Two new innovations from Joskin promise to grab growers’ attention: With John Deere, its NIR sensor can be fitted to slurry tankers in order to test the nutritional content of slurry as it’s being delivered. And for the machinery buff, its new EDrive will be of great interest. This distributes tractor power throughout the tractor-trailer combination, allowing for increased traction alongside reduced ground compaction, tyre wear and fuel consumption.

Another first of its kind, New Holland’s methane tractor will be on display. Offering the same performance as its diesel equivalent, with up to 30% lower running costs, this machine presents a look at the future of zero carbon farming.

When it comes to crop monitoring, there is plenty of choice, from DroneAG’s Skippy Scout

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app – which makes crop walking a doddle by linking a drone to field records – to Kisanhub’s new app - which links crop monitoring and traceability throughout the supply chain.

Weed control will also be under the spotlight, with various alternatives to chemical sprays.

Lyckegard will demonstrate its CombCut mechanical and selective weeding tool which has been designed for low power tractors. This works by cutting weeds either within crops or above branched crops, making it a suitable alternative for organic growers.

Mechanical weeding options will also be explored, while those looking for something completely new might be tempted by Rootwave electric weeding technology. A sustainable and no-till option, it uses electricity to zap roots, ensuring weeds are systematically killed.

Advancing technology opens many news doors and opportunities for farmers, adds Ms McEntyre. “Cereals LIVE will have a full shop floor for growers to explore, with plenty of ideas for them to take home and use to develop their farm for the future.”

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

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Special offers to thank and support British farmers With the sad news that all summer trade shows have had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Graham Heath Construction, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of steel framed buildings were thrilled when they heard that the Cereals Arable event was to be taken online to create Cereals LIVE 2020. raham Heath Construction is delighted to be taking part as an exhibitor in this virtual event for the very first time which takes place on 10th and 11th June 2020.

While the company unfortunately won’t be able to meet with farmers in person, it is an innovative alternative to the traditional event and a fantastic way for Graham Heath Construction to still reach farmers over these two days. Farmers will be able to discuss their building requirements and take advantage of some fantastic offers that Graham Heath Construction currently has running:

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“Our British farmers are essential in keeping the nation going. They work tirelessly throughout the year and are currently facing very challenging times” 1,500T Grain Store - 120 x 60 x 23ft with all steelwork, concrete panels to 3.5m, roof, end and side cladding, purlins and rainwater goods = £55,500* Optional extras: 100ft partition = £4,800 + VAT 20 x 20ft Fan House = £6,000 + VAT 1,000T Grain Store - 80 x 60 x 20ft with all steelwork, concrete panels to 3m, roof, end and

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side cladding, purlins and rainwater goods = £36,000* Workshop - 60 x 30 x 12ft with all steelwork, roof, side and end cladding and rainwater goods = £11,995* Straw Shed - 100 x 50 x 20ft with all steelwork, roof and end cladding and rainwater goods = £19,250* Livestock Building - 100 x 40 x 15ft + 4ft 6” Cantilever with all steelwork and timber purlins, concrete panels to 2m, roof cladding, roof lights and rainwater goods, end cladding and side cladding on one side = £18,000* *all offers exclude works, doors, VAT and delivery 5% off bespoke orders for our essential British farmers “Our British farmers are essential in keeping the nation going. They work tirelessly throughout the year and are currently facing very challenging times” commented Paul Hanson, General Manager of Graham Heath Group Ltd. “We wanted to thank them and show our support and appreciation by offering some of our very best prices on steel frame buildings.”

Graham Heath Construction will be taking part in the 2-day virtual Cereals event (https://www.cerealsevent.co.uk/) stand 129 on 10-11th June and offering some of their very best prices on steel frame buildings.

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| Cereals & Grain

BASIS points on offer for virtual Cereals event BASIS members joining this year’s Cereals LIVE event, taking place digitally on 10 and 11 June, can still collect the BASIS points they would ordinarily pick up at the show. tephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, explains that the organisation has been working hard to continue to support members keep up-to-date with the latest developments and industry issues, despite the current situation.

“A huge number of BASIS points are earned at Cereals each year, and we don’t want our members to miss out on the opportunity to advance their knowledge,” he says.

“So, we’re offering up to six BASIS CPD points per day, for completing a series of webinars and the online Knowledge Trail that the Cereals organisers are developing.

“There’s a fantastic line up of thoughtprovoking webinars on offer during the two days, including everything from climate change and ELMS, to sustainable crop health, soils and skills for the future.”

Stephen explains that each webinar will end with a short questionnaire before participants are required to input their membership number (starting with 20…) to be allocated with one BASIS CPD point per session.

For further information, please visit www.basis-reg.co.uk or contact help@basisreg.co.uk

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Protect your yield to protect your business, urges agricultural expert, after last autumn’s wet weather and summer droughts drive down crop yields After weather extremes led to the smallest winter cropping area in decades, an agricultural insurance expert is urging farmers to ‘manage risk better’ and protect themselves with a groundbreaking crop yield safety net. upert Wailes-Fairbairn, rural divisional director at Lycetts, said that the weather extremes witnessed in recent years have had a significant impact on arable farmers across the UK – the repercussions of which will be felt on future crops – and is urging farmers to take steps now to protect their businesses.

Last summer, the UK’s highest-ever recorded

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temperature of 38.7C was reached in Cambridge, which was followed by England’s fifth wettest November on record. We are now experiencing extremely dry conditions once again.

Lycetts’ latest insurance policy, Crop Shortfall Insurance, is designed to help farmers weather the storm by compensating for production shortfalls.

“In an increasingly volatile world, we farmers

need to manage risk better,” said WailesFairbairn, who has more than 30 years’ experience growing oil seed rape and cereals at his farm in Northumberland.

“Over the past few decades, we have seen enormous changes to normal weather patterns and as sowing and growing conditions continue to be less than optimal, so too will our output.

“Last autumn, relentless rain led to arable

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farmers planting the smallest winter cropping area in decades. Consequently, farmers were forced to turn to spring cropping on some soils that are not really suited to spring establishment. In turn, spring crops are shallower rooting and less able to tolerate moisture deficits and prolonged hot weather.

“We have the tools to manage price risk.

You can sell forward, you can buy an option, or take cover on the futures, but to date, we have never been able to cover the shortfall in output that we are going to produce.

“That’s why Lycetts developed the first index product in the UK to manage cereals and oil seed rape shortfall. It does what it says on the tin.

“The weather is, and will increasingly become, more unpredictable – now is the time to make sure the income from your crops is not.”

Crop Shortfall Insurance protects up to a quarter of the policy holder’s cereals and oil seeds output. Pay-outs will be triggered if there is more than a 10 per cent difference between

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the DEFRA regional yield data for the year, relative to the eight-year regional average.

The product can cover either a farm’s total crop output or individual crops, such as winter oilseed rape, winter barley, winter wheat or spring barley.

For example, if there was a crop shortfall in the region of 25 per cent, a farmer can expect a payout of 15 per cent of their output. If there was a 35 per cent shortfall, 25 per cent of your chosen output would be paid out.

Cover for the following year’s harvest must be taken out for winter oil seed rape by the end of August, winter barley by the end of September, winter wheat by the end of October, and spring barley by the end of February.

“Whether it be climate change, new pestilent diseases, such as the cabbage stem flea beetle, the withdrawal of certain plant protection products, or the challenge of staying profitable in a post Agricultural Act world, this innovative product gives you back an element of control in a volatile environment,” said Wailes-Fairbairn.

“Crop Shortfall Insurance enables your business to lock in the value of your expected production for the following year’s harvest at the price of your choice. Businesses can sell ahead with confidence, enabling them to take advantage of future commodity prices at a level which they know they can make an acceptable margin safe in the knowledge that however the yields in your region are affected, you have significantly protected the value of your output.

“At a time when long-term planning and business sustainability are becoming increasingly difficult for farmers, this simple, straightforward, affordable product can offer farmers some much-needed peace of mind.”

Click here for a short video from Rupert Wailes-Fairbairn on how Crop Shortfall Insurance works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnKveekl2ts Don’t miss Rupert speaking at the Budgeting and Risk Management webinar at Cereals LIVE 2020 on Thursday June 11 at 9.15am.

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NFYFC to launch new research project at Cereals LIVE 2020 Understanding the key issues affecting rural young people today and their views on what needs to change post-Brexit, is the aim of new research that is being launched by The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC). he survey, which is funded by Defra, will be launched on 10 June during an online breakfast reception at 9am at Cereals LIVE2020. YFC AGRI Chairman George Baxter from Cambridgeshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs will host the reception, which is supported by KUHN Farm Machinery UK. This new research, led by Rose Regeneration and the NFYFC, aims to ensure young people living and working in rural areas, next generation farmers and land managers have the opportunity to highlight their key concerns around accessibility of skills and services. The results of the survey will help to ensure rural young people's needs are recognised in post-Brexit rural policies and life beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

YFC AGRI Chairman George Baxter said: "If you're a young person living or working in a rural environment, do you have access to the

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essential opportunities, skills and services you need both now and in the future? These are important questions I'm proud that YFC AGRI is playing a key role in, giving rural young people the opportunity to have their say at such a critical time in all our lives. The survey will complement our AGRI Ambition paper and help us to share the concerns and aspirations of our many YFC members and supporters."

"As we have had to change this survey launch to a 'virtual' breakfast reception at Cereals, I'd love to see as many people as possible share their photos on social media of their breakfasts made using British produce and use hashtags #BritishFoodisGreat #CerealsLIVE2020 #YFCAGRI." NFYFC's breakfast reception was due to be held at Cereals in Cambridgeshire but has now moved to an online platform for a virtual event due to the Covid-19 crisis. YFC AGRI has been working with the organisers of Cereals to help develop an exciting young farmer programme

and YFC members will play an active part in the online sessions.

Cereals LIVE's young farmer programme offers a range of seminars and events including exploring future business opportunities and careers, business innovation and building your route into a tenancy.

The event is free for members to join and they can even visit exhibitors virtually.

Winding up the show on 11 June at 7pm, George and fellow agronomist and Somerset FYFC chairman Tom Pope join farmer and columnist Joe Stanley and RABI's Suzy Deeley for an interactive talk - What's on your mind? You can share questions with the guests beforehand and take part in a frank discussion about physical, mental and financial wellbeing – particularly pertinent during the current pandemic.

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| 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

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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.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 43

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Grain Industry makes moves to improve Health and Safety of grain sampling The grain industry has for some time been working to improve the safety of "on farm" grain sampling and how samples are taken. ark Worrell, Chairman of the AIC Crop Marketing Sector explains, "In advance of this year's harvest AIC are keen to help the industry improve the Health and Safety of 'on farm' sampling and ensure farmers are well prepared and supported to adopt improved ways of working."

"Industry developed guidance from the AHDB on grain sampling, by the grower at store filling, will become increasingly important.

Several AIC members have long ceased sending samplers to farm due to safety concerns, and this trend is expected to increase rapidly as we lead up to harvest 2020."

Currently merchants send members of their team, or summer students, to farm to take samples which are then tested at a laboratory.

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Not only does this method present numerous Health & Safety risks, it is not the most efficient or accurate way to obtain a representative and accurate sample.

The opportunity to send samples direct to merchants is increasing and this will also certainly help minimise any new risks which Coronavirus (COVID-19) has introduced. AIC members will have different approaches around drawing and collecting samples subject to their own internal Health and Safety policies and risk assessments.

In advance of harvest it is especially timely for AIC to help the farming industry be ready to adopt their own sampling. Grain merchants are keen to support growers and welcome discussion on managing this. In addition, the AIC will be working hard to gain support from all sectors including the NFU.

Mark Worrel

Graintab – the new and proven online grain marketing platform for independent insights and clear marketing advice Instant access to large volumes of information has ironically made grain marketing decision making harder and farmers are none the wiser as to what they should be doing, but there is now a solution. rain market disruptors CRM AgriCommodities have launched Graintab (www.graintab.com), a new online platform for farmers looking to manage growing price volatility, backed by the data and robust analysis CRM Agri provide. With a customer retention rate of over 95% for their current membership services and rapid growth in the UK, CRM AgriCommodities founder James Bolesworth says there is a clear mandate for easily accessible, independent advice and most importantly clear opinions to simplify decision making.

James says: “The average UK wheat price variation is 46% compared with just 7% for yield, and more farmers are realising that if they can manage both effectively, then it is only going to help them and their businesses during a period of change, uncertainty and great opportunities. Graintab is an advisory service supported by digital tools that will empower farmers and help them navigate these increasingly volatile markets, meaning that decisions can be made whether you are in the farm office or out spraying.”

James continues:” There is tonnes of information out there; Graintab is designed to focus on what is important for UK businesses and most importantly what they should do

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about it, through market reports, SMS alerts and video updates.’’

The new Graintab online subscriber platform will equip farmers with the opportunity to access clear and dedicated trading recommendations, completely independent opinions and insights, transparent ex-farm prices and an education element to upskill all business managers, all supported by CRM Agri’s clear results, having beaten the AHDB wheat market average by £9/T for the past six years. Members have access directly to analysts and advisors and access to supporting grain marketing courses - with the addition of the online platform to support clear and timesensitive decisions.

P R Wormell Farms, a 600ha combinable crops enterprise near Colchester, Essex have subscribed to CRM AgriCommodities’ strategies since 2016. Dan Wormell says: “With just myself, one full time farm worker and one harvest worker, I don’t really have much time to be in the office; so knowing that CRM Agri Commodities is watching markets and constantly analysing the situation takes some of the pressure away. A phone call from my advisor to say yes, now’s a good time to sell another 15%, means I can focus on other tasks knowing that side of things is taken care of as much as it can be.

“CRM Agri Commodities’ independence is

absolutely crucial in my mind. I need to be able to fully rely on the advice I take from them and that there isn’t a vested interest behind it.

Paying the annual subscription means that there is only one upfront fee, which helps with managing cashflow and budgets.”

Dan continues: “Without CRM Agri I wouldn’t have been able to confidently apply the strategy we now have in place, which is working very well for our business. The way that James has listened to some of my more progressive ideas and been able to adapt these into a workable plan for our business is impressive. Through this, CRM Agri has affected all areas of our business really because we have taken a different approach to risk, volatility and efficiency across the enterprise, in which they play a big part.”

James says: “Our analysis and insights set out a clear picture of the market, which, coupled with straightforward market opinions and actionable strategies allow businesses buying and selling grains and oilseeds to make better informed decisions without hesitation.

We are confident that the launch of Graintab will give farmers even more autonomy to take control of their income in volatile markets.”

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Fifty farmers to join fourth year of BASF Real Results’ wheat and barley field scale trials

Murielle Moille

Fifty progressive farmers from Cornwall to Aberdeenshire, have been included in the fourth year of BASF’s Real Results’ trials. Run in partnership with ADAS the trials are conducted on farmers’ own farms, using their own machinery, and are assessed using ADAS’ Agronomics field trials methodology, which fully statistically analyses each field and treatment. urielle Moille, BASF Marketing Campaign Manager, Cereal Fungicides, said: “The independent science that ADAS brings to Real Results’ trials is what has consistently appealed to the farmers involved, because it explains what agronomic decisions work best on their farms and why. And it is the statistical verification of the differences between treatments which validates the best options for each farm.

“And, whilst the BASF Real Results Circle allows growers to learn about their farm, it also gives them the opportunity to be part of something bigger that the network of other farmers provides.”

The fifty include farmers who have been involved from the start, including Toby Hogsbjerg who has moved farms to Norfolk, Richard Cockcroft from Northumberland and David Fuller-Shapcott from The Scottish Borders. New for this year are Stetchworth Estate Farms near Newmarket, Andrew Gloag from North Yorkshire and three Aberdeenshire famers, Sandy Norrie from AJ Duncan Farms near Turriff, Andrew Booth from Foveran and Scott Campbell from near Kemnay.

Commenting on why he was getting involved, Sandy Norrie said that their business runs on a high input, high output ethos, so they like to explore where the marginal gains come from.

“We have the scope to do trials here, because we have the staff and the kit, I think the Real Results network will be very valuable, and, to be brutally honest, the results compared to others will be very valuable.

“Our team is big on stats, what our costs are, and the detail of our returns on investment, and, for me, I like to see how varieties are performing, where yield potential is and how to get it.” They will be running Revystar® XE trials on

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spring and winter barley.

Susie Roques, ADAS Crop Physiologist, said: “The ADAS Agronomics approach gives a unique scientific credibility to the design, management and statistical analysis of tramline trials and split field trials, like those in the BASF Real Results Circle.”

Agronomics takes a raw yield map from the combine harvester, usually with between 10,000 and 15,000 data points, then cleans the data by excluding, for example, headlands and ends of combine runs, before running a statistical analysis.

“The methodology is about trial design, the way we analyse the data and about doing farm-scale research well. It is also about having a closer connection between researchers and growers, recognising that innovative ideas are just as likely to come from growers as scientists.”

Using Agronomics to design the BASF Real Results Circle trials has helped remove variance. “It is crucial to make sure that the comparison is fair from the start and that the two areas of the field chosen are comparable. We know that there is spatial variation in fields, and it is easy to come up with the wrong conclusion, which is why Agronomics is so important.

She adds: “last year Real Results trials` results is the strongest data set achieved yet in any series of Agronomics trials”.

In the 2019 Real Results trials, 51 farmers trialled BASF’s new cereal fungicide, Revystar® XE, on winter wheat crops against their chosen farm standard on fields of their choosing; 31 of which included applications at T1 and T2, and 20 applied it at just T2.

Significant yield benefit has been measured for Revystar® XE versus farm standard, either at T1 or T2.

When Revystar® XE has been applied at both T1 and T2, the yield benefit is even higher.

Mrs Roques says: “The results in 2019 were our most striking in any series of Agronomics trials so

far – a consistent pattern of significant differences in disease assessments, visible effects in satellite NDVI images, and significant yield benefits from Revystar; in previous years the results were much more even between the treatments.”

Ms Moille explains that: “in total, thirty-nine trials were statistically usable and twelve were excluded because trials were unbalanced or had no yield map data.”

Of the 39 trials, 31 yielded more with Revystar® XE than the farm standard and fifteen trials had a statistically significant difference

(90% confidence). In those trials, Revystar® XE yield benefit versus farm standard was an average of 0.56 t/ha.

She notes that: “The important findings across the vast majority of trials were that Revystar reduced Septoria severity and extended green canopy duration.

“As we face the continuation of a dry spring, combined with the hidden threat of latent infections, this finding could be very valuable to all the growers looking to maximise yield from the very variable crops in the ground this year.”

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| Cereals & Grain

Protect wheat yield potential from flowering through to harvest As wheat ears emerge in crops across the UK, Dr David Ellerton, technical development director at Hutchinsons emphasises the importance of careful planning of T3 sprays to maintain precious yield potential and grain quality in the run-up to harvest. he T3 ear wash spray serves three important roles which should be considered in any plans; controlling ear diseases such as Fusarium and Microdochium, topping-up foliar disease control and extending green leaf retention, ” says Dr Ellerton.

“When deciding the T3 strategy, varietal disease susceptibility, the challenges from yellow rust this season, T2 fungicide applied, and a forecast of unsettled conditions, must be considered to ensure that crops maintain their full yield potential through to harvest.”

Dr Ellerton expects most T3 applications will be spread over the next fortnight or so, but stresses that decisions must be made on a

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variety and field-by-field basis.

He points out that if unsettled conditions prevail then the disease risk will increase, if it stays dry, brown rust could become an issue, particularly in varieties such as Crusoe.

“The season has been a roller-coaster for many, resulting in a wide range of growth stages that could make for trickier timing of the final fungicide most crops receive, he says.

“Relatively settled weather during May meant that most T2 applications were timely. However some wind and rain did mean that there were some cases where this was disrupted, particulary in later drilled crops.”

The first thing to consider is the level of risk with regards to mycotoxin reduction and specific control of Fusarium. He recommends

that growers carry out the carry out the AHDB mycotoxin risk assessment for DON on the AHDB Fact sheet (www.ahdb.org.uk).

“This is in order to complete section 5 of the Combinable Crops passport assessing the risk of breaching the limits of mycotoxins in grain.”

When deciding T3 product choice, weather at flowering is key, he points out “If it’s warm and wet, this will favour the development of Fusarium species, so products should contain prothioconazole or tebuconazole which give good control of Fusarium spp leading to reduced DON. “ “There is also evidence that products based on phosphites eg Advance 66 or Phorce, when applied at ear emergence can reduce DON.” “Cooler weather at ear emergence however,

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| Cereals & Grain

T3 Advice Dr Dave Ellerton

will promote Microdochium nivale. Whilst not producing mycotoxins, it can have a significant impact on yield. In these conditions, include prothioconazole in the ear emergence spray.”

“Whilst its tempting to apply tebuconazole alone as a cheap disease control option, not only is it poor on Microdochium, but it is also less effective on DON reduction than when applied in combination with prothioconazole.”

“Where aphids or orange wheat blossom midge are present, think about including the adjuvant Wetcit with the fungicide, which significantly aids pest as well as disease control. This is particularly useful where grain pyrethroid resistance is suspected or powdery mildew is present.”

“Whatever product is chosen, timing and dose are critical, and a minimum of 50% of the recommended dose of fungicide for Fusarium control should ideally be applied as soon as the ears complete emergence and flowering is just starting (GS 63-65).”

“Delaying the application, even if the T2 spray has only recently been applied, will seriously reduce efficacy, particularly once flowering is well underway - delaying application even for a few days will result in

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• Apply at full ear emergence just as flowering starts (GS63-65) • Ear disease priorities include: fusarium (warm & wet), Microdochium (cool & wet), sooty moulds, yellow & brown rust, and Septoria nodorum • Top-up foliar disease control • Tailor treatments to disease risk, variety and earlier chemistry - maximum of two SDHIs or strobilurins per season • Consider strobilurins to boost green leaf area retention • Begin AHDB mycotoxin risk assessment before applying T3 https://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/mycotoxins

poor control of both Fusarium and Microdochium.”

[X-head] Top-up foliar disease control “Generally, there is less need this season to consider possible topping up of the T2 flag leaf emergence, for extended disease control, particularly for Septoria tritici, as disease levels have generally been low (apart from yellow rust), and most T2 fungicides (mainly based on SDHIs) have performed well given dry, settled weather around flag leaf emergence,” says Dr Ellerton.

“However, there may be cases where earlier failure to control Septoria or severe yellow rust in a wide range of varieties has resulted in inadequate disease control at T2. This is of particular concern where no SDHI was included at T2 leaving the crop exposed to later Septoria infection, particularly if heavy rainfall occurs as happened in summer 2019.”

“Where the T2 spray included a robust dose of SDHI and achieved good disease control, product choice at ear emergence should include triazole-based products with specific activity on ear diseases (eg: prothioconazole +/- tebuconazole or fluoxastrobin), as well as reasonable control of some foliar diseases.”

“Where the T2 did not include an SDHI and there has been some rain since, or where the flag leaf spray was delayed to cover both flag and ear, then the T3 should ideally include an SDHI such as bixafen or fluxapyroxad for Septoria. Also include an appropriate azole such as prothioconazole +/- tebuconazole or fluoxastrobin to cover the risk of Fusarium or Microdochium. Folpet could also be included where there is higher Septoria pressure.”

Yellow rust, which has been a major issue this season, may also influence choice of products at T3 with products containing tebuconazole being particularly strong options, he suggests.

“Strobilurins, such as fluoxastrobin or azoxystrobin, could also be considered for inclusion in the ear spray not only for improved control of rusts but also for Septoria nodorum and sooty moulds.”

“They also have the benefit of increasing yield through improved green leaf area retention and improved reaction to stress conditions. However, as with SDHIs, it should be remembered that strobilurins can only be used twice in any crop fungicide programme.”

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

Weetabix Supporting Farmers During Covid-19 Weetabix is working closely with its local farmers to keep production going for the nation’s favourite cereal during Covid-19. s part of its commitment to its Growers Group*, Weetabix is committed to sourcing all wheat for Weetabix Original from within 50 miles of its Burton Latimer mill. Weetabix has seen high demand for its products in recent weeks and is working closely with its farming partners to ensure they continue to safely deliver food to the nation.

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Hitesh Bhatia, Strategic Sourcing Manager at Weetabix said: “We’re very proud to use the high-quality wheat from local farmers within 50 miles of our site in every bowl of Weetabix, supporting the British farming industry. We have been working closely with our group of circa 350 approved growers to ensure they are able to safely maintain their operations.

Responsible production is a core focus for us, and our farming community is a core

foundation of our sustainability commitments.

Working closely with our Growers Group allows us to reduce food miles and fertiliser usage, as well as giving consumers consistent quality and complete transparency of where their food has come from”.

Jonni Henson, Grain Trader at Frontier Agriculture Ltd, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have started to see the effect of extremely high demand for product throughout March.

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

Our farmer partners until now have been relatively unaffected – their work is outdoors and usually with fewer workers, social distancing is a little easier to adhere to.

“Weetabix is a truly cooperative partner, which helps to streamline the process and ensures both farmers and hauliers can be flexible during this time. This flexible, open relationship means that when the company requires extra wheat, which we’re expecting in the coming months, both we and our suppliers are happy to oblige.

“Our Growers Group farmers often comment that they are proud to buy the iconic ‘yellow box’ Weetabix instore, knowing that their involvement from the ‘grain to bowl’ has been a truly collaborative one. Equally I find it a great privilege to have the partnership with such an iconic brand.

“For all suppliers and food companies,

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transparency of what’s required in the long term is key and Weetabix excel at this.

Particularly during this time of uncertainty, if we can continue to work together and have constant communication, we will ensure the nation can continue to enjoy its favourite breakfast.”

Jonathan Lane, Head of Grain Trading at ADM Agriculture Ltd, added: “We work as the link between Weetabix and the farming suppliers who make up the Growers Group, ensuring that Weetabix receive the right quality wheat in a responsible way. The wheat that Weetabix is currently using in production is from the 2019 harvest, kept in Red Tractorapproved stores, so there haven’t been any issues with wheat levels, even with high demand for product in recent weeks. While we have faced some challenges from a logistical and delivery perspective as a result of Covid-

19, our farming network is still working as normal, so we’re not expecting any demand issues looking ahead.

“The team at Weetabix is one of the few food manufacturers that take the time to directly engage with its farmers, helping them to produce high-quality wheat in a sustainable way for the local environment and also giving back value to farmers via its wheat protocol initiatives.

“Weetabix’s Wheat Protocol pushes beyond the requirements of Red Tractor Assurance and Entry Level Environmental Stewardship schemes to further reduce food miles and fertiliser usage, as well as supporting on environmental stewardship initiatives such as planting hedgerows and wider field margins to sustain local wildlife.”

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

Maximise protein levels in milling wheat to secure higher revenue A poor drilling window and prolonged dry spell this spring has resulted in many farms suffering from lower potential wheat yields this year. s a result, growers are looking to derive as much value as possible from every tonne of wheat. "Milling wheat premiums are worth shooting for if your yield expectations are lower," says Mark Tucker, Agronomy Manager at Yara.

"It does require a shift in thinking, however. You need to look closer at the price fetched per

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tonne. If you do that, it becomes possible to recoup a significant portion of value lost due to poorer yields."

Mark lays out the figures to demonstrate this: A good wheat crop will generally yield ten tonnes, at a price of £150 per tonne. This results in £1,500 gross revenue. If your wheat crop only reaches eight tonnes due to weather conditions, more value per tonne is needed to

reach that revenue target. In this example, it would require £187 per tonne rather than £150.

How can this be achieved? It's of course possible to sell tactically and get a better price – but this can be a gamble. Another approach is to secure a premium according to the produced wheat's quality. Boosting protein to high enough levels can procure a premium of roughly £15 per tonne. In a typical yield of 8.5

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

tonnes/ha, the milling wheat premium value would be worth about £127.50/ha. "How can growers ensure this result for their crop?" asks Mark. "Nitrogen management is the most surefire way to hit the required protein levels."

Mark advises applying an extra 40kg of solid nitrogen fertiliser (in a granule form) per hectare to lift protein levels. "Normally this should be added quite late in wheat terms," says Mark.

"Around growth stage 39 would be the ideal time."

Applying at these rates, Mark estimates, will cost about £27.50, which would add around 0.6% protein. Every 0.1% will add £1 extra value per tonne. So, this would mean an increased value of £6 per tonne. With 8.5 tonnes per hectare, the total would come to £51 in

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increased value. "That is the minimum of what growers could expect," says Mark. "Where most farms fall short is failing to get protein levels up to 13%. That nitrogen application can help get you over the line."

While the investment might turn some off due to the expense, the results more than make up for the cost. The premium value can actually rise above the figures shown – these are the minimum results to be expected. However, there are some caveats: "This is dependent on a solid nutrition programme," says Mark.

"Sulphur also needs to be applied during the season. If needed, this can be done via a late foliar application. Zinc is also fundamental for nitrogen metabolism and building protein. In any given year, 60% of crops are deficient in

zinc. Trials have shown that applications of zinc during T2 can increase grain protein by up to 1.4%" "Growers should ensure their overall nutrition is strong in order to maximise their chances of hitting their protein targets," adds Mark. "There are also smart precision farming tools available to aid application, if that works with your farm."

"The simple fact is that by making that small investment, you can get a £1.85 return for every £1 invested. That's almost double the return of investment – a huge increase in value, especially at difficult times like these."

For more information, please visit www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

Gillian Colman

Dr Jonathan Ronksley

New seed treatment option for barley shown to boost root growth and yield A new fungicide seed treatment option for barley that not only controls a number of key seed-borne diseases but which has also been shown to boost crop establishment, root growth and yield is being launched for use starting this autumn. ibrance Duo, from Syngenta, has been available for use on winter wheat seed since 2017.

In winter wheat it has become well-recognised for not only fulfilling the traditional role of a fungicide seed treatment, of controlling key diseases that threaten crop emergence, but also for other important advantages, says

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Syngenta seedcare marketing manager, Gillian Colman.

Among these are improved rooting, more vigorous establishment, especially in more challenging growing conditions, and improved yield.

“From this autumn onwards, Vibrance Duo will also now be available as a seed treatment for winter and spring barley,” confirms Mrs

Colman.

“Better root structures provide a key foundation for yield and are associated with improved access to water and nutrients and improved crop resilience.

“Importantly, as well as seeing benefits in trials from Vibrance Duo in conventional barley, we have also seen benefits in hybrid barley, which is already known to be a vigorous crop.”

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| Cereals | Grain & Grain

Improved establishment of hybrid winter barley from Vibrance Duo + ipconazole (right) versus standard seed treatment (left) in a wet autumn

Syngenta field technical manager Dr Jonathan Ronksley, who has been evaluating Vibrance Duo in barley, says independent results have shown a 32% improvement in the growth of primary roots in treated winter barley seed compared with untreated seed, as well as clear improvements in the number and length of lateral roots.

“Improved rooting becomes all the more important in difficult growing conditions,” says Dr Ronksley. “Surprisingly these include wet soils, because roots become lazy as they don’t have to grow far to reach moisture.

“In plot trials looking at establishment of hybrid barley in last year’s wet autumn, Vibrance Duo boosted plant stand to 246 plants per metre squared compared with 216 plants per metre squared from a standard seed treatment. It also boosted early ground cover

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from 8.5% to 11%. Glasshouse tests have also shown better barley establishment with Vibrance Duo in normal and drought conditions.

“We have also seen clear improvements in spring barley establishment, and spring barley yield across 24 sites over three seasons was boosted by an average of 0.11 t/ha compared with a standard seed treatment.”

Dr Ronksley says clearly the core reason for using a fungicide seed treatment is disease control. In barley, he says some of the key yield-reducing diseases that need to be targeted include leaf stripe; seedling blights such as Microdochium nivale, which cause poor establishment especially in poor seedbeds and with late drilling; and covered smut.

“Vibrance Duo has label approval against all

these diseases. However, whenever it is used on barley seed we are recommending that it is always co-applied with the seed treatment ipconazole, not least for added control of the disease loose smut, which is an increasing problem.

“Many of our trials have focused on this Vibrance Duo + ipconazole combination. It is highly cost-effective, has given excellent control of loose smut and, importantly, still maintains the other benefits of Vibrance Duo, including rooting and yield,” Dr Ronksley explains.

The active ingredients in Vibrance Duo include the specialist SDHI, sedaxane, and fludioxonil, which is also contained in the wellknown fungicide seed treatment, Beret Gold.

Crops that Vibrance Duo can now be used in include winter wheat, winter triticale, winter rye, spring oats and winter and spring barley.

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| Grass & Silage

Alkalise whole cereal crops this harvest to complement and bolster multi-cut grass silage yields Dairy farmers making multi-cut grass silage this summer can complement perfectly what ends up in the clamp by alkalising at harvest any homegrown whole (grain and straw) cereal crops to make Alkalage. hat’s the message from homegrown feed alkalisation specialist FiveF Alka, who points out that making astute decisions pre-harvest about feed crops already in the ground will certainly reap dividends during what is already being predicted as a challenging winter.

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“Essentially, this is a dual cash benefit and some farmers are even able to double or triple the standard cereal crop inclusion rate and still deliver the final feed protein level they require – all without causing any problems for the cow,”

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“The current trend towards making more multi-cut grass silage – which undoubtedly leads to more good quality, short cut, low fibre, low pH forage in the clamp – means milk producers really need something starchy, fibrous and alkaline (high pH) to go with it; so Alkalage actually ticks all the boxes. Unlike with grass silage, you also gain a winter dairy ration protein boost and don’t suffer any fermentation losses,” points out Rob Smith from FiveF Alka Limited.

In addition, the relative lack of rain during April and May means that some early silage cuts have been relatively disappointing yieldwise because of the very dry early season grass growth conditions.

“Some farms are already talking about having to open clamps early because they have

so little grass. This is another argument for boosting your winter forage stores by making Alkalage,” he says.

Mr Smith explains that through alkalisation you are also adding some highly concentrated protein (at 40kg per tonne) to stabilise and enhance the harvested whole cereal crop during storage. Alkalisation allows dairy farmers to feed more in the ration without triggering acidosis.

“Essentially, this is a dual cash benefit and some farmers are even able to double or triple the standard cereal crop inclusion rate and still deliver the final feed protein level they require – all without causing any problems for the cow,” he says.

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| Grass & Silage

Harvesting cereal feed crops whole and making Alkalage later this summer will help dairy farmers to complement and bolster their 2020 grass silage stocks.

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 55

| 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

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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

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| Energy

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 57

| Energy

Solar farm construction method to reduce dust and save ‘bonsai forest’ A new technique to preserve native vegetation and reduce dust is being rolled out during construction of a solar farm in South Australia. he method, developed by South Australian company Succession Ecology, involves the use of a roller to flatten vegetation ahead of panel installation rather than tearing up the landscape with a grader.

It will be used at the 280MW Cultana Solar Farm when construction begins later this year following a successful trial of the method at the 1100-hectare site in December 2018.

Solar farms in arid and semi-arid zones are notorious for generating large amounts of dust, which not only plague local communities but also lead to the reduced performance of panels and require large amounts of water and other suppressants to control.

Succession Ecology’s Glenn Christie came up with the idea after leading a project to revegetate the former ash dam at a decommissioned coal-fired power station at Port Augusta in South Australia in 2017 and 2018.

He said the use of a smooth 20-tonne roller in the solar farm trial flattened the plants and the ground without breaking the surface.

“It was a bit of lightbulb moment – it’s not just about revegetation and biodiversity, there can be really practical outcomes so applying it to a solar farm made sense,” Christie said.

“These plants such as saltbush and bluebush have such deep root systems that reach down metres and metres because they have to be able to withstand five-year droughts.

“The roller sort of stunts the plant and puts it into a kind of sleep mode for three to six months and that’s the time that you need to have all of the construction happening.”

The Cultana Solar Farm site is on an 1100ha site 10km to the north of the township of Whyalla, which is about 350km northwest of the South Australian capital Adelaide.

Although some western myall trees would have to be cleared from the site, Christie described the site as a “bonsai forest” because the majority of the native vegetation were “knee-highs” and “ankle-biters”.

He said flattening the ground with a roller instead of a grader was slightly cheaper and also reduced the need for water trucks to suppress dust and dump trucks to remove debris.

“Then there are the cost savings when it’s operating – if you’ve got less dust you’ve got more production from the panels, less cleaning costs,” Christie said.

“And if the bonsai forest works as we expect, it will lead to lower temperatures on the ground, which means the panels themselves will be cooler and will produce better.

“We really want to nail down the economics and then we can roll it out in any arid or semiarid area in Australia or elsewhere in the world.”

Construction of the Cultana Solar Farm could begin as early as July, pending final regulatory approvals.

The project is the first large scale project in

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billionaire industrialist Sanjeev Gupta’s plan to generate one gigawatt of dispatchable renewable energy in South Australia to aid his green steel production.

SIMEC Energy Australia is part of Gupta’s GFG Alliance and is delivering the project through an Engineer, Procure and Construction (EPC) partnership with Shanghai Electric.

SIMEC CEO Marc Barrington said final regulatory approvals and a transmission connection agreement were expected in the coming months with financial close on track for the July Quarter of this year.

He said the planned 13-15 month construction period could then commence straight away with potential completion by the end of 2021.

“All of our financing is sorted and our contracting structure is all sorted, really it’s just awaiting the outcome of the regulatory processes,” Barrington said.

“We’re already going to tender at the moment for a whole bunch of works – everything from perimeter fencing through to security service providers and we’ve undertaken many phases of early works so we can go very quickly once we get those final regulatory approvals.”

The site is to the north of GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks and is set to house 780,000 solar panels capable of generating 600GWh of energy generation per year, enough to power 96,000 homes.

Barrington said the rolling would be done in sections just ahead of where the panel installation was taking place and would not disturb vegetation between panel rows.

He said maintaining vegetation and biodiversity were not the only benefit of Christie’s rolling technique as the groundcover helped suppress dust, which had caused problems at other arid zone solar farms.

“We’ve trialled it on site and it certainly works – it creates a great environment for the flattened saltbush to regrow because there’s already vegetation that’s alive and growing but it’s also economically good for the project because you need to use less water for dust suppression and helps keeps the panels clean,” he said.

“Dust is a huge inhibitor to generation for solar panels so we think that’s going to give it dividends as well.

Barrington said the project would also be the first of its kind in Australia to use an automated robotic vehicle to clean the panels with

compressed air and brushes, helping to limit the use of water on the site.

“There’s a benefit to the environment we’re going to be occupying but also there’s a commercial benefit in the panels maintaining their efficiency and there’s a massive community benefit in making sure you’re not creating dust issues, which is not just about people’s washing, it’s about the habitability of the place.

“I really hope that Glenn’s work takes off and I hope it’s used not just in Australia but globally.

“There’s plenty of places in Texas and Nevada and other parts of North America with similar sorts of environments so there are plenty of opportunities for it to be rolled out.”

Christie presented a paper on his native revegetation techniques and seed collection practices to a mining rehabilitation conference in Perth, Western Australia last year.

He said former mining sites and degraded pastoral country were also suitable for his revegetation techniques and existing solar farms could be “retrofitted” with low growing vegetation to reduce dust.

“As far as we can tell we cannot find this practical ecology work being done on such a scale at solar farms anywhere in the world at the moment but it is an idea that once it’s costed and presented it should take off like wildfire and hopefully people will want to come and see what we’re doing here in South Australia.

“My big dream is to use these skills we’re learning at solar farms to rehabilitate mining sites, pastoral country and ultimately deserts.

“It’s also about planting plants that plant themselves. We put the initial seed in like a farmer and then the plants do the work from there on by seeding in the gaps and selfassembling.”

Succession Ecology team member Nathan Ball stands in a 'bonsai forest' of native vegetation near the Cultana Solar Farm site The roller technique was successfully trialled at Cultana in late 2018The solar farm site is on 1100ha to the north of the Whyalla Steelworks.

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| Fuels

Calor milestone shows UK industry committed to going greener Calor has recently celebrating taking its 1,200th load of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from National Grid’s import terminal on the Isle of Grain. The milestone marks just five years since the terminal opened, and equates to more than 24,000T of LNG being supplied across the length and breadth of the UK in that time. he truck loading facility on the Isle of Grain, which is located 43 miles east of London, opened in 2015, and Calor was the first LNG supplier to load and deliver to its extensive UK LNG customer base, which ranges from large off-grid industrial applications (including Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical) to vehicle refuelling, to name a few.

Mark Gilks, Calor LNG National Account Manager, comments: “Not only is this a great achievement which shows Calor’s commitment to continually delivering fuel to our customers, especially throughout the current crisis, it also shows the UK’s commitment as a whole to using cleaner, greener fuel sources.

“By using LNG instead of more polluting fuels such as oil and diesel derivatives, we have helped UK businesses cut their CO2 emissions by up to 25% over the past five years, based on

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the loadings from the Isle of Grain alone.”

LNG provides Calor’s customers with clean, reliable and cost-effective energy, for locations that are off the natural gas grid, making it ideal for commercial and industrial applications in need of heat, steam or process-energy. LNGpowered trucks have comparable performance to diesel vehicles in terms of power, acceleration and cruising speed, but can cut CO2 by between 10% and 20%, dependent upon duty cycle and vehicle type¹. LNG also takes up 600 times less space than conventional natural gas making it easy to transport and store compactly in its liquid form.

John Shingleton is the Calor driver who had the privilege of transporting the 1,200th shipment out of the Isle of Grain. He said: “I’ve been an LNG operative for more than 15 years now, five of those with Calor, and my job sees me travel over 100,000 miles a year, all over the country, safely supplying LNG to our

customers. These journeys have taken me on some of the most scenic routes in the UK, so it’s nice to think that while doing the job and distributing cleaner fuels, we are also helping to preserve these sights for many years to come.”

Mark added: “A huge thank you goes out from Calor to all of our dedicated operational team who have kept on going over the years – particularly over the last few months – to make sure we can keep our customers in the UK running on Liquefied Natural Gas. “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved and keen to see where the next five years will take us, as we do our bit to promote the use of cleaner energy sources, nationwide.”

For more information on how LNG can support your business to transition from oil based fuels to natural gas please visit https://www.calor.co.uk/lng

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 59

| Fuels

Making fuel go further on farms Katrina McDonnell, Head of Speciality Fuels and Services at Certas Energy. ith oil prices at a historic low, many farmers across the country are stocking up their gas oil, heating oil and diesel farm fuel supply.

Buying fuel in bulk - especially in the current market - can help to reduce costs today as well as save farms money in the long term. However, it's essential for farmers to take additional measures to ensure their fuel stocks stay healthy and to prevent the benefits of their up-front investment being cut short.

So how can farmers maximise the shelf life of their fuel stocks and protect their fuel from spoilage?

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What influences fuel shelf life?

Exposure to air, moisture or other contaminants in storage can reduce fuel shelf life, increase consumption and even damage vehicles and machinery. Water in particular is one of the most significant fuel contaminants, causing fuel to become no longer fit for purpose.

If fuel becomes saturated with water, this can cause emulsions to form that create filter and line blockages, and lead to water entering fuel delivering systems - resulting in eye-wateringly high maintenance bills for damaged fuel injectors.

What’s more, higher water content combined

with hot or cold temperatures can accelerate different kinds of fuel contamination beyond separation.

When the weather gets warmer, greater humidity paired with high water content may lead to an increase in microbial growth in storage tanks – also known as diesel bug. And when the bug bites, the consequences can be serious – blocking filters, corroding tanks and – in some cases – damaging machinery.

In winter, lower temperatures and higher moisture levels can cause the formation of wax crystals, resulting in fuel flow problems that can prevent farm vehicles from even starting at all.

Whether caused by fuel separation, waxing

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| Fuels

or diesel bug, contaminated fuel accounts for as many as eight out of ten diesel engine failures.

The problem with FAME The current warmer weather across the UK may also result in the re-emergence of issues already being caused by increased biodiesel (FAME) in fuels.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) regulations require a certain percentage of fuel to come from renewables.

As fuel suppliers must meet this obligation by law, many are blending a type of biodiesel called FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) into red diesel to achieve the higher targets.

Reports from farmers across the UK experiencing filter blockages in vehicles and fuel storage tanks, have coincided with this increase of bio content in red diesel. FAMEcontaining fuels absorb and retain moisture at a higher rate than conventional mineral diesels.

This means that bulk fuel stocks containing FAME – particularly those stored for extended periods – are more at risk of contamination.

Furthermore, as FAME is made from biological content, it has reduced storage stability - degrading more quickly than conventional fuels and leading to gum formation in storage and damage to machinery in operation.

Preventing disruption from FAME There are a number of measures farmers can take to protect their fuel supply from FAMErelated issues. Red diesel additives like Gas Oil Supreme help to directly counter the negative effects of increased FAME content in gas oil.

The additive builds increased water resistance in bulk fuel stocks to combat FAME’s higher moisture retention.

FAME-free fuels are also available to prevent

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the problem at its source. Cleaner burning diesel alternatives such as GTL (gas to liquid) fuel have zero biological content. For example, Shell GTL Fuel1 can be used as an immediate replacement for diesel; and is approved by John Deere and many other OEMs for use in farm vehicles and machinery.

Best practice tips for keeping your fuel healthy The first step to improving the shelf life of both conventional diesel and bio-containing fuels is making sure your farm’s fuel storage tank is in top condition. This means performing regular tank checks for signs of degradation in structure, material or coating, and inspecting and changing filters regularly - replacing them after two or three deliveries.

Farmers should also check fuel health inside the tank, removing any signs of water, dirt, mould or growth as they appear and being aware of any changes to the distinctive diesel smell - this could indicate fuel contamination.

However, it’s important to note that certain alternative fuels are odourless and have no instantly recognisable smell – such as the cleaner-burning diesel alternative, Shell GTL Fuel.

Beyond keeping a farm’s tank maintained, diesel additives play an important role in preventing and remedying issues caused by fuel contamination. Anti-Bug and Anti-Wax, for example, can help remedy microbial growth and prevent the formation of wax crystals in a farm’s bulk fuel supply. And beyond its waterresistant benefits, Gas Oil Supreme can also increase the cetane number of red diesel stocks and enhance fuel lubricity, helping to improve fuel performance, reduce deposit formation and protect against corrosion.

Getting the best from fuel additives To make sure preventative fuel additives

work effectively, it’s vital that the fuel stored in the tank is in good shape before introducing the product. Take samples from the top, the middle and the bottom of a tank to check for water, sludge and sediment. To prevent future issues, anything that isn’t clean fuel should be removed from the tank immediately through polishing or filtration.

Once the contaminants have been removed, the fuel should be tested again to ensure it is clean, water-free and ready to use. If high levels of contaminants are found – arrange for a professional deep clean of the tank by an OFTEC registered engineer for maximum peace of mind.

Now the fuel should be ready for the additive. Different additives have different treatment ratios, so farmers should check the appropriate dosage before introducing any additive.

If treating a full tank of fuel, be sure to mix the fuel and additive with a pump for the best results. Adding fuel on top of an additive can also ensure thorough mixing. If you do not have access to a pump to help mix the fuel and additive, it’s best to have additives introduced to your tank prior to a fuel delivery.

More than just fuel - getting help from the experts Certas Energy works with farmers across the UK to keep farms fully fuelled and help reduce issues through expert fuel advice and a reliable supply of lubricants, red diesel, gas and heating oil, as well as fuel management solutions including storage tanks, additives and FAME-free diesel alternatives.

For more information on how Certas Energy can keep your farm moving, visit https://certasenergy.co.uk/mybusiness/agriculture/fuelling-farming/

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 61

| Pig & Poultry

Nursery performance focus for new piglet app Producers can now plot graphs of average or batch performance and benchmark themselves against target data using a new app developed by Primary Diets. he app, which is free to download from both IOS and Apple app stores, offers both look-up tables to understand target nursery performance figures as well as showing weaning weight variability so that feed specialists can offer bespoke recommendations on how best to feed all piglets on the farm.

“By comparing nursery performance against data gathered as part of our extensive trial programme on commercial UK farms, we’ve made it very simple to see the focus areas where improvements could be made, which ultimately will influence lifetime performance and profitability”, Primary Diets’ nutritionist Dr Sadie Douglas explains.

The app concentrates on several key areas: Weaning weight distribution: Users input the number of pigs in a batch and average weaning weight. This generates a population profile of weaning weights, showing the range from smallest to largest. This function is helpful to suggest how to split pigs into pens by size and

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feed specialists can offer bespoke feeding advice to optimise each pen’s performance.

Growth curve: Users can enter average or multiple batch information into the app, which generates target nursery growth curves that include target top 10%, average and bottom 10% for comparison. This simple solution shows how performance compares to industry expectations for weaning weights and provides insight on where to focus attention for performance improvement.

Feed intake predictor: This function provides expected and target feed intake figures for the nursery period, allowing users to see how feed intake on their unit compares to the UK average. Differences will identify where there is room for improvement, for example is feed intake low immediately post-weaning, or is it stalling later on?

FCR look-up table: Providing typical FCR values from 10kg to slaughter, producers can see whether FCR performance is below, on or above target.

All graphs are produced using individual farm data (via user input), and the graphs can

then be saved as pdf files and/or emailed directly from the app to their Primary Diets specialist if required.

The app does not capture and keep data; it just uses it at that moment to create the graphs.

This gives a guarantee that a user’s privacy cannot be breached. “Because the app does not save data, it does mean it’s really important to save the graphs onto your device each time you use the app to make sure that the information remains at your fingertips for use in decision making”, Dr Douglas clarifies.

“The main benefits of using the app include continuous, up-to-date performance data in a format which allows producers to easily monitor interventions more readily, for example new feed regimes or changes to management practices, and being able to continually track performance on a regular basis”, she said.

This ‘go-to’ app for improving nursery performance can be found in app stores by searching ‘Primary Diets Piglet App’ and downloaded/used for free.

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| Pig & Poultry

Pig industry antibiotic results released The latest antibiotic usage figures for the UK pig industry show that levels remain unchanged last year, despite significant disease challenges. ccording to data collected using the electronic medicine book (eMB), antibiotic use in 2019 held at 110 mg/PCU. The data represent 95% of pigs slaughtered in the UK and equals usage in 2018, having fallen 60% in the three years prior.

Significantly, the use of highest priority critically important antibiotics (HP-CIAs) has seen a further decrease, down from 0.06 mg/PCU in 2018 to at 0.04 mg/PCU last year.

The use of Colistin represents only 0.002 mg/PCU, down from 0.004 mg/PCU. AHDB’s acting Head of Animal Health & Welfare, Mandy Nevel, said: “The latest antibiotic usage data demonstrate the sustained efforts that pig producers and their vets are making to use antibiotics responsibly, despite challenges from disease.

“The holding pattern we are seeing at the moment is almost certainly due to a spike of swine dysentery cases in 2019. Swine dysentery is a bacterial disease and, while there are a number of actions that can prevent disease spread, treatment with antibiotics is sometimes both responsible and necessary to

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safeguard animal health and welfare.

“It is disappointing that this may have prevented further reduction in our antibiotic use last year. However, it is right that we put animal health and welfare first and, having discussed the results with the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) and the wider industry, we can confirm that the consensus is the industry took the responsible approach and treated animals where necessary.”

Richard Pearson, PVS Senior Vice President commented: “AHDB’s eMB continues to be a hugely important resource, allowing us to review antibiotic usage at a farm and national level.

“Significant progress with antibiotic reduction has been made in the past few years and, as we achieve much lower levels of use, fluctuations in disease challenges can appear more dramatic in terms of the effect on usage.

This is what we have seen in 2019, with significant swine dysentery challenges on some farms resulting in the need to treat pigs to protect their health and welfare.

“Our experiences during the past year highlight the importance of antibiotics and the continued drive for good stewardship. Pig vets

and farmers remain committed to this, and confident that last year’s swine dysentery challenges can be overcome to achieve further progress with both healthy pigs and antibiotic reduction in the next few years.”

Dr Nevel continued: “'Despite three years of significant reductions, we will not be complacent about progress. We and the industry will continue to do everything we can to improve the health of pigs and minimise the need to administer antibiotic treatments.”

Professor Peter Borriello, Chief Executive Officer of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate said: “I commend the UK pig industry for their continued ambition to reduce the need to use antibiotics, and for their commitment to collecting and making public high quality data on antibiotic use in pigs.

“One of the purposes of this kind of monitoring is as a tool to understand the impact that disease challenges have on antibiotic use, and to use this information to review and, when possible, further reduce the need for use of antibiotics through targeting endemic disease control. It is pleasing to see the already low use of high priority critically important antibiotics almost halved.”

2020 Grand Prix Winners announced African swine fever (ASF), how to promote pork to consumers and strategies for dealing with piglets from hyper prolific sows are among the winning best practices of the 2020 EU PiG Innovation Group (EU PiG) Grand Prix.

The winning best practices from the 2020 EU PiG Grand Prix are:

ight pig producers from across Europe have been awarded the title of EU PiG Ambassador, to recognise their innovation in pig production.

The Grand Prix is an annual competition which aims to identify and share innovative practices in pig production throughout the European network of pig producers, and beyond.

EU PiG coordinator Ben Williams, of AHDB in the UK, said: “Congratulations to the 2020 EU PiG Ambassadors. The full details about how each of the ambassador’s innovations work in practice will soon be provided on the website (https://www.eupig.eu/).

“Fundamentally, this competition is about connecting pig producers, creating a European network where new information and experience can be shared directly. This aims to ensure an ever more efficient and competitive industry.

“Using the EU PiG platform, producers are able to learn about the ideas and techniques used effectively across Europe to help improve the efficiency and sustainability of their own farm.

“This year’s winning best practices should act as aspirational examples of innovative techniques used on pig farms to tackle each of the eight challenges.”

The EU PiG project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 63

| Pig & Poultry

Whole farm approach to combatting heat stress in pig production Heat stress could be limiting the productivity of UK and Irish pig units more than expected, so there are significant gains to be had by making simple changes to both the environment and nutrition. peaking at a recent webinar, Mark McFarland, feed additive product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explained that while being a well-known issue in tropical climates, heat stress in pigs is often overlooked in the UK and Ireland. However, with record temperatures over the past few summers, this is an issue the industry must be prepared for.

“Heat stress can have a significant impact on all ages of pigs with research showing that pigs start to show signs of heat stress from as low as 17-180C. “One of the most important impacts is a

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change in feeding behaviour, which has a significant knock-on effect for performance and can cause severe health problems. However, by paying close attention to the pig’s nutrition and environment, heat stress can be effectively managed,” he said.

Andrew Palmer, pork knowledge exchange manager at AHDB, explained that some units are more prepared to deal with heat stress than others, but producers with either indoor or outdoor units can manage this through adapting buildings and the environment.

“Pig producers will sometimes think their units aren’t affected by heat stress, however, when production dips are compared to weather

incidences, there can be a clear correlation,” he explained.

“Through making small changes, like painting arcs with white reflective paint and by carrying out a full spring MOT on vents, back doors of arcs, and pig sheds, producers can help to prevent production dips caused by heat stress,” said Andrew.

When looking at combating heat stress, nutrition is another key area which should be considered.

David Saornil, swine product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, covered this and explained that in the instance of heat stress, prevention is better than a cure.

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| Pig & Poultry

“We’ve seen fantastic results in maintaining feed intakes when pigs have been given probiotic supplementation in their diet, mainly in their ability to adapt their eating behaviour to the heat stress conditions,” said David.

“We have found that when using the specific probiotic live yeast, S. c. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (Levucell SB, Lallemand Animal Nutrition), normal feeding behaviour, feed intake and growth in fattening pigs, can all be maintained during a significant heat stress period.

“We’ve also had plenty of field experience using the probiotic to ensure sow performance

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under heat stress, with improved piglet growth during lactation and at weaning.”

He added that it is not just about what is in the feed but also when the pig consumes it.

“It’s far better to feed sows during the cooler periods of the day as they will be more likely to consume food. Producers could also feed sows smaller portions regularly throughout the day, as this can help limit a decrease in feed consumption,” he added.

“As we’re beginning to experience sustained levels of heat, producers should start preparations to prevent heat stress before peak

summer arrives. Managing the environment of pigs, combined with diet supplementation in feed, will help ensure that you are one step ahead when sustained high temperatures come along,” concludes Mark.

For more information on tackling heat stress in pigs you can watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEfXipYKieI The AHDB has also launched a new podcast on the subject which can be accessed here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7593451managing-heat-stress-in-pigs-are-you-ready-forsummer

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| Muck & Slurry

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| Muck & Slurry

Hi-Spec slurry tankers meet all needs Hi-Spec slurry tankers have long held a high reputation for their build quality and strength. he Hi-Spec tanker range includes a wide range of models with capacities from 800 gallons (3,600 litres) up to 5,000 gallons (22,700 litres), all available with numerous filling and other options, allowing you to tailor tankers to your specific needs.

All Hi-Spec vacuum tankers are manufactured using high quality British steel and incorporate internal implosion rings and a collared dished end as standard to ensure the strongest possible construction.

All tanks are fully supported by the complete chassis frame and models are available with both standard or stepped recessed axles. The recessed axle lowers the centre of gravity, which not only improves stability both on the road and on undulating ground.

A number of filling options are available, including on larger tankers a 11,000 litres/minute vacuum pump, filled via a 6 inch diameter Autofill arm hydraulically operated from the cab. The intake system can also incorporate a

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Vogelsang Rotacut 5000 chopping unit to avoid any potential blockage to the injectors caused by straw or silage in the slurry.

All the tankers can be supplied with a unique low profile spreading system with a spread pattern up to 12 metres wide. Alternatively they are suitable for use with a wide range of applicators, including the new Hi-Spec Trailing Shoe.

Available in working widths of 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 metres, the HiSpec trailing shoe features a robust chassis mounted mast which ensures that the tanker and shoe are perfectly balanced and that the shoe is properly supported to the tanker.

The 7.5m and 9.0m version feature double folding to reduce the overall height for transportation. There is also the ability to use both fill points and splashplate at the rear without any modifications.

The 9.0m trailing shoe also features a unique hydraulic selflevelling system, whereby each arm of the trailing shoe will lift as it passes over a side incline. This ensures that the shoe continues to work perfectly over the incline

without excess pressure being applied to the outer boots. The HiSpec trailing shoe can also be used as a dribble bar if needed without any contact with the ground.

Alternatively a wide range of disc injectors (Bomech), dribble bars (Vogelsang or AgQuip) and trailing shoe (Bomech or AgQuip) can be used in conjunction with the tankers.

Further information on the HiSpec tanker range, the wide range

of options available and local dealers can be obtained from either: Gordon Brodie (North of England & Scotland Area Manager) 07799 905130 or gordon@hispec.net or Edward Lewis (South of England Area Manager) 07876 4562698 or elewis@hispec.net https://www.hispec.net/slurrytanker/

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 67

| Livestock

Breedr and Tru-Test integration reduces weigh-time to <20 seconds and enables smarter decisions live at the Crush Weighing is the key to improved livestock productivity, however sending your herd through the crush can be timeconsuming and stressful, with cattle often experiencing a weight dip in the subsequent days. he Breedr app overcomes these issues, reducing weighing time by a third when integrated with Tru-Test weighing system, and providing data about the animal in realtime to enable informed decision-making and actions while the animal is still in the crush.

In a webinar on 3rd June, Breed, the free precision livestock app, and Tru-Test, developers of weigh scales, showed how their technology integration helps farmers weigh up

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to three times faster and make informed realtime decisions while the animal is still at the crush, improving individual animal DLWG and overall profitability.

Tom Exwood, a Sussex farmer who has been using Breedr for several months, has already noticed the difference: "It used to take three men a full day to weigh 230 animals, but with the Breedr Tru-Test integration it now takes just two and a half hours."

Information about health, weight loss or gain is available immediately for each animal via the

Breedr app on a phone or tablet, allowing critical decisions and actions to be taken in the crush.

As Breedr Founder Ian Wheal comments: "With many of our farmers we're seeing that as their cattle get used to regular weight sessions using the faster streamlined system, the postweighing weight dip becomes far less pronounced. This is great news for everyone and very encouraging when we start to see the productivity leaps that are possible with access to more frequent weight data."

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| Livestock

Better decisions at the crush with real-time animal data As the animal steps into the crush, the TruTest weigh scale looks for a steady weight, which is sent to the Breedr app to be matched to the correct animal either using a visual ID or by scanning its EID ear tag using a Tru-Test stick reader.

As each animal comes through the crush, Breedr's app displays the average daily live weight gain since their last weigh session, as well as signalling if their performance is increasing or decreasing.

Alison Fergus of Tru-Test comments: "With regular weighing you can ensure animals are gaining weight and quickly distinguish between the good performers that are doing well with less feed and the poor performers who might need medical treatment."

This information is invaluable when it comes to evaluating the impact of a new regime on a

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specific group, e.g. weaning or changing diets.

Being able to intercept a bad transition early, before the animal's performance starts going backwards, can mean the difference between a positive and negative margin at the point of sale.

With individual low performers you can view the animal health history in real-time on the app and, if appropriate, give a treatment while they are still in the crush. Logging a medicine against an individual animal or group will instantly appear in the animal's record, as well as updating the levels in your virtual medicine cabinet, keeping your Vet Med reports up-todate as you work.

High performers that meet pre-set weight targets can be drafted for sale on the app, with finished cattle able to be marketed direct to national buyers willing to pay a premium for animals with up-to-date weight data.

James Wright of Breedr briefly demonstrated

how regular weighing generates a range of powerful reports in Breedr's free web app to further help British farmers drive productivity and profit, including: • When to sell each of your animals using Breedr's predictive growth model, which identifies when each animal will be in-spec for maximum returns.

• Which Sires and Dams produce the fastest growing offspring, and which are limiting the profitability of your farm.

• Which source farms provide the healthiest and best performing calves and stores, and which should be avoided to keep herd health and productivity high.

Weigh faster video (24 secs): https://youtu.be/pj2CRfeCijM Weigh smarter video (3:22 secs): https://youtu.be/tk1L_3_ltRw

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Farmers urged ‘not to panic’, amid feed supply concerns Options and alternatives available to meet animal nutrient requirements.

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armers are being reassured that feed supply chains are fulfilling demands, with options available to meet nutrient requirements, amid concerns over access to raw materials

and price hikes.

“The overriding message to farmers is ‘do not panic’, be reassured that while there is a tightening in some supply channels of feed ingredients, alternatives are available,” explains KW Alternative Feeds market strategy manager, Andrew Willis.

There has been something of a knee-jerk reaction, similar to the ‘panic-buying’ witnessed in UK supermarkets, with initial fears of lack of availability of some raw materials, driving prices upwards.

“Raw material supply, particularly imports, remain under some pressure due to availability and currency challenges – however, these are improving from the initial ‘shocks’ due to COVID19,” adds Andrew.

An example includes the impact on midproteins caused by the lack of demand for the core product. With falls in crude oil prices, demand for bio-diesel, in which rapeseed oil is

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used, has been reduced significantly, resulting in a tightening of rapeseed meal and dried distillers grains availability.

Closer to home, some challenges have been experienced such as reduced brewers grain availability, with reduced demands for cask and keg beers due to the closure of bars and restaurants.

However, there is volume available due to supply from the beer canning and bottling brewing industry, and this will be useful as a forage extender, depending on rainfall over the coming weeks and months.

Despite these challenges, KW is confident in the supply chain, with options and alternatives available to meet animal nutrient requirements.

Georgie Croxford, KW head of technical ruminant, explains, “We have a range of options available encompassing straights, blends, moist feeds and liquids. Bespoke blends are formulated from a wide variety of raw materials, meeting specific requirements, and are available UK wide.

“There are some valuable moist feed and liquid co-products available from the starch and glucose supply chain,” she adds. “Molasses products, sourced locally and imported, are

Georgie Croxford

readily available to provide energy from sugar.”

Georgie explains that some high protein liquids, and limited amounts of moist grains from the brewing industry are also available.

“For those wanting to support milk constituents and high milk output, we have a ready supply of protected fats in stock, with more product arriving over the next few weeks, and no supply-chain problems anticipated,” says Georgie.

“A good option for those dealing with low milk price, or requests from processors for reduced milk volume, is to make best use of grazed grass for later lactation cows, whilst protecting early lactation cows with full total mixed ration, or appropriate buffer feed.

“Appropriate mineral supplementation, especially magnesium for those at grass, is essential for all animals,” she adds.

Andrew concludes, “As social distancing measures are eased, we expect those product supply chains that have been particularly affected to improve. We are optimistic that we have navigated the ‘low-point’ in supply and we can expect the situation to improve from here.”

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| Livestock

Government must focus on future food security, warns NBA National Beef Association (NBA) sends open letter to George Eustice MP.

n an open letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon George Eustice MP, the National Beef Association (NBA) has called on government to take food security seriously, and has asked for the fast-tracking of an objective study, after amendments to the Agriculture Bill to protect UK standards were not adopted, during its third reading.

The letter, sent to Mr Eustice’s office on Tuesday 19th May by NBA interim CEO Mr Neil Shand on behalf of NBA members, calls on government to confirm that existing EU law, preventing food imports from inferior production processes and animal welfare, will be fully adopted into UK law, effectively ‘slamming the door’ to hormone-treated beef imports.

The letter also states that government is not taking food security as seriously as it should be, or is sensible. It highlights that mid-

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pandemic, food shortages are still being experienced in supermarkets.

Mr Shand states that 2000 trucks a day come in from Europe to feed our country, and in the scenario that we were forced to close our borders, shelves would be empty of the majority of fresh food in less than ten days.

Never has home-grown and home-produced food been more important than it is now, and the NBA says it is vital that strong and stable frameworks are put in place to protect Britain’s home producers.

The letter also notes the provision within the new Agriculture Bill for a government-led survey to assess food security. The NBA asks for this objective baseline study to be carried out as the Bill is introduced, thus allowing the performance of the Bill to benchmarked at its first five-year analysis.

The NBA states that this would allow for any potential food security issues that may arise can be identified, and corrective measures can be taken at their infancy, rather than a further

five years down the line.

The NBA concludes by stating it would welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr Eustice to discuss the issues raised in this, and earlier letters, once the current crisis is stable.

New data show previous estimates of the climate impact of cattle grazing are off Scientists have shown that direct emissions of a powerful greenhouse gas from certain pasture types are lower than previously thought - meaning the climate impact of grass-fed cattle herds may be overestimated. he team from Rothamsted Research found urine from animals reared on pasture where white clover grows – a plant commonly sown onto grazing land to reduce the need for additional nitrogen fertiliser – results in just over half the amount of nitrous oxide previously assumed by scientists to be released.

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that is 265 times more harmful than CO2 and can account for 40% of beef supply chain emissions, and the group say these findings may help farming achieve its ‘net zero’ ambition by 2040.

In perhaps the most realistic re-creation of real farming practices to date, the researchers measured emissions from just one herd on their experimental beef and sheep farm in Devon, whereas most studies looking at the emissions from livestock arrive at their conclusions by combining data from a variety of experimental systems in addition to some estimated values.

Atmospheric chemist, nitrous oxide expert and co-author of the study, Dr Laura Cardenas said such estimates are currently provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to scientists wishing to include it in their calculations on the climate impact of our food supply chains.

She said: “Due to technical and logistical challenges, field experiments which measure losses of nitrous oxide from soils usually add livestock faeces and urine they have sourced from other farms or other parts of the farm, meaning that the emissions captured do not necessarily represent the true emissions generated by the animals consuming the pasture.”

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Writing in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, the team report how they created a near ‘closed’ system whereby the circular flow of nitrogen from soil to forage to cattle and, ultimately, back to soil again, could be monitored.

The research was carried out at Rothamsted’s ‘farm lab’, the North Wyke Farm Platform, a unique facility where all relevant environmental, agricultural and economic data related to livestock farming are collected 24/7.

For this experiment, herds of 30 cattle were grazed on either land that had long been pasture; a high-sugar grass commonly sown by farmers; or a high sugar grass and white clover mix.

Lead author of the study, Dr Graham McAuliffe and colleagues had previously discovered system-wide reductions of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the inclusion of white clover in pasture. This conclusion was primarily driven by a lack of need for ammonium nitrate fertiliser, whose production and application create greenhouse gases.

However, in the absence of evidence at that time, the team relied on figures provided by the IPCC which assume all cattle urine or faeces deposited to soils cause the same volume of nitrogen-based emissions irrespective of pasture type.

The most recent IPCC figures provided to scientists estimate this ‘emission factor’ as 0.77%. However, the Rothamsted team’s latest experiment found it was 0.44% on the white clover-high sugar grass mix, once the additional nitrogen captured from the air by clover was accounted for.

Dr McAuliffe said: “These differences might

not sound like much, but when used in calculations of the climate impact of beef, they have a considerable effect as nitrous oxide emissions can account for over 40% of entire supply-chain greenhouse gas losses.”

This new research is the first time Rothamsted scientists have quantified the climate-change related benefits of white clover, achieved both directly through lower nitrous oxide released at pasture, and indirectly by lower fertiliser requirements.

According to Dr Cardenas, further research is required to explain the detailed mechanisms behind the observed complementarity between white clover and high sugar grasses – but that the data points towards an effect of sowing clover on the soil’s microbes.

“The evidence suggests that including white clover amongst high sugar grass decreases the abundance of microbial genes associated with nitrous oxide production compared with microbial communities observed under just high sugar grass.”

As the UK strives to achieve cross-industry net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century, improving our understanding of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potentials has never been more important, she added.

“Although white clover is unlikely to be a ‘silver bullet’ for agriculture’s net-zero ambitions on its own, adopting combinations of multiple emissions-abatement interventions, such as increasing legume-inclusion in pasture compositions and utilisation of ‘low-carbon’ fertilisers, will be essential to maximise farming’s national and international contribution to a cooler planet.”

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Arla Farmers deliver more transparency and stronger climate actions To support Arla Foods accelerated transition to more sustainable dairy production, the cooperative has updated its farm management and quality programme Arlagården® to better reflect on-farm results and deliver the highest level of data yet. The revised programme gives consumers and customers even more insight to meet their expectations and build trust. he Arlagården® programme has been in place since 2003 and is key for ensuring the high quality that Arla's dairy products are known for. With the revised programme, Arla's audit methods and reporting will be fully aligned for all 9,700 farmers owners across seven European countries.

As one of the global leaders in sustainable dairy production, Arla Foods farmer owners are already among the most climate friendly dairy farmers in the world, producing milk with less than half the average of emission per litre compared to global dairy production. The cooperative has also set an ambitious goal to

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reduce carbon emission by 30 per cent by 2030 and produce carbon net zero dairy by 2050.

"It is vital to our cooperative's success and reputation that people can maintain their trust in us farmers. We have accelerated our sustainability journey because as an industry we need to do more and we need to do it faster.

With the new Arlagården® programme we will provide consumers and customers with more detailed knowledge about the way we produce our milk and treat our cows and how we closely monitor the ongoing development on our farms. At the same time, we give the individual farmer more freedom and flexibility in how he or she chooses to meets our standards," says Arla Foods chairman Jan Toft Nørgaard.

Audits ensure compliance and trust Going forward, the revised farm management and quality programme Arlagarden shifts its focus from how farmer owners improve performance on their farms to the results they deliver.

One of the major changes to Arlagården® is that Arla farmers will have to self-assess their farms on a quarterly basis. To help with this new task, farmers have been able to access a knowledge transfer programme to learn how to submit their data before the first deadline on 2nd June. This will create the highest level of data submitted yet, helping farmer owners identify opportunities within their own data and through the shared database.

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"The self-assessments will serve as a kind reminder to us farmers to confirm on an ongoing basis that we keep our cows in good health and maintain a high milk quality. At the same time, we as farmers can utilize the database as a source of inspiration for on farm benchmarking and improvements. It will also allow the cooperative to quickly spot if there is a need for further audits and support to help a farmer meet our shared standards," says Jan Toft Nørgaard.

On top of the self-assessment on farms, there will be three different types of on-farm audits, all conducted by SGS, a leading Swiss inspection, verification, testing and certification company. A basic audits will take place on farms at least every three years, while attention audits will be arranged if the basic audit or the data submitted from the self-assessment indicates irregularities. Finally, randomly selected spot check audits will take place with 48 hours' notice to the farmer.

"Since Arlagården® was introduced 17 years ago, it has been one of our core strengths and main competitive advantages. But we can't stand still. We know that consumer expectations for sustainable high quality food

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production continue to grow, and governments across Europe are looking to the industry to drive positive change. As the Institute for European Environmental Policy report commissioned by Arla demonstrated, partnerships and real solutions that work for farmers, the wider industry and consumers are essential to delivering that sustainable future.

This strengthened management programme is an important part of that solution to deliver our shared ambition for sustainable dairy production," says Jan Toft Nørgaard.

New Arlagarden® is a team effort Since early 2019, members across Arla's cooperative have been deeply involved in defining both the new standards and the new audit system. The following improvements have been made to the programme: Updated standards: All standards have been through a thorough revision to reflect customers' current requirements regarding milk quality, food safety and animal welfare, but also to increase their focus on sustainability.

A strengthened audit set-up and digital reporting: The new two-fold audit set-up consist of quarterly self-assessments and external audits on farms. In the self-assessments, the

farmer confirms the farm's level of compliance to Arlagården® by digitally submitting answers to 119 questions. The audits will verify the farmer's data and compliance to the standards.

More flexibility for farmers: Where possible, the standards focus on the results rather than the exact solutions. To a large extent, the individual farmers will therefore be able to find the solutions that suit their farms as long as the results comply fully with Arla's standards.

More transparency: As Arla's farmer owners are asked to digitally register their data, both the individual farmer and Arla will have greater transparency of the current compliance and the latest developments. The accumulated knowledge will be valuable to drive improvements and to promote the cooperative in Arla's dialogue with customers and consumers.

Due to the global corona virus pandemic a pilot test of the new audit setup, that should have taken place in April and May, has been delayed. The new Arlagården® programme and audit system is planned to be fully implemented by 1st August.

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More milk from more forage Dr Cate Williams: IBERS, Aberystwyth University

s pressure is placed on farmers across the UK to improve the sustainability and environmental impact of their farming practices, many dairy farmers are considering a move to pasture and forage-based systems. One of the key difficulties of a pasture-based system is the reduction in milk yield, particularly in highyielding cows, and sometimes a loss of body condition (Table 1). This stems from inconsistencies in the quality of grass and problems maintaining dry matter intake (DMI); even with ideal pasture conditions, grass naturally has a lower nutrient density than concentrates. However, pasture-based production systems are not without their advantages, when properly utilised, grazing can improve farm profitability, mostly through reducing bought-in feed costs (Table 1). In a pasture-based system, time and labour costs may also be reduced that would otherwise be needed to feed animals or harvest forage making the business more profitable and sustainable. Through this mechanism, greenhouse gas emissions stemming from the import and transport of bought-in feed are

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significantly reduced, as well as associated issues with land-use change and deforestation in the exporting country. There is also evidence that the fatty acid profile of milk produced by grazed cows is healthier compared to those fed a total mixed ration (TMR) (Table 1).

Changes in milk composition The link between the ruminant diet and the resulting products is well established and can be used to produce milk and meat with specific qualities. One of the key components of milk that is easily manipulated by diet is the fat profile which is also of interest in terms of human health. In grass the human health beneficial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) are of most interest. Grass is an excellent source of PUFA, however, because of its toxicity to the rumen microbes, they are saturated with hydrogen upon entry to the rumen. It is this action that determines the saturated fat (SFA) content of ruminant products like meat and milk.

Nevertheless, if the cow is fed a good supply of PUFA a certain amount will escape the rumen and pass through to the intestine where it may be absorbed and incorporated into meat and milk. Research comparing milk from cows on a

mixed diet versus pasture-fed has found significant differences in the fat profile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; after transitioning to pasture, milk produced contained double the amount of CLA when compared to those fed a mixed diet. Overall, the lipid profile of milk from grazing cows is more beneficial to human health than those fed silage or a total mixed ration (TMR), containing lower levels of SFA and higher levels of PUFA. Whilst a trend towards low-fat milk and milk products has emerged, there has also been a shift in consumer interest to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;healthierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; foods.

As such, milk with a healthier fatty acid profile may have the potential to be marketed at a premium.

There is contradictory evidence for differences in milk protein content from cows fed a TMR vs. pasture fed. Some studies find that pasture-fed milk contains higher protein and casein levels, whilst others report that a grazing diet reduces protein yield. Whilst grass contains a high level of crude protein and amino acids, it is low in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates which limits the supply of energy, possibly leading to lower milk yields and protein content.

The sensory characteristics of milk-based

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Table 1: Summary of the benefits and drawbacks of pasture-based dairy systems.

products such as cheese and butter in relation to diet have been investigated extensively. In grazing animals, milk contains a higher proportion of PUFA and a lower proportion of SFA which makes butter softer and more spreadable. Higher levels of β-carotene are also available in fresh grass which directly translates to butter and cheese that is more yellow in colour, softer in texture and generally more preferable. Other antioxidants, such as tocopherol and carotenoids, are also more abundant in grass than in a TMR, which are associated with better stability and shelf life of milk-based products such as butter. It is said that “people eat with their eyes” which is a fairly accurate statement, as many consumers make decisions based upon the appearance of the product. Delivering a more visually appealing product, therefore, will drive consumption.

Maintaining yields The main drawback of a pasture-based system is the reduction in milk yield, often as a result of reduced DMI. Reductions of up to 33% in milk yield have been observed in cows at pasture when compared to those housed and fed a TMR. Models predict that grazing at pasture could likely support medium-sized and

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moderately yielding cows, but that large or high-yielding animals may struggle to reach their full potential in terms of milk yield. Indeed, AHDB advises that up to 30 kg milk per day may be achieved on pasture alone, although higher yields require supplementation with concentrate feeds. There is also a tendency for reduced live weight gain in cows at pasture during lactation when compared to those on a TMR, likely because cows cannot eat enough additional grass to meet the increased energy demands of milk production.

Managing pasture Particularly for high-yielding cows, it is important to maximise sward quality to maintain DMI. Ensuring consistently tall (6-8 cm), dense (≥3,000 DM/ha), highly digestible and palatable mixed swards can drive DMI up to 18 kg/day/head. To maintain good sward quality, analysis is essential – making regular assessments of sward growth and implementing a good management strategy such as rotational grazing. A good understanding of individual swards, how to manage them and regular adjustment of grazing rotation length is essential to balance supply and demand. A recent Kingshay study

using high yielding spring calving cows found that it is possible to produce over 50% of milk from grass. The study maintained consistently high nutrient levels in the pasture with metabolizable energy (ME) ranging from 11.311.5 kg/DM and protein content at 20-26%.

Only towards the end of the season, when sward dry matter fell, was supplementation necessary. DairyCo studies using autumn calving systems found that using high-quality silage doubled milk produced from forage to 70% when compared to medium quality silage.

The study used an early turnout, rotational grazing system which also boosted milk from grazing and increased margins per cow substantially.

Farming Connect demonstration farm Erw Fawr is utilising new technologies to aid in their grassland management. With weekly use of a plate meter and regular input of data into a dedicated software platform, the farm aims to increase grass utilisation and yield from forage with their 250-cow all-year-round calving herd.

In addition, the Farming Connect demonstration farm, Nantglas, is also aiming to increase milk from forage by focussing on improving pasture management to maximise

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grazing and silage-making opportunities.

Particular emphasis will be given to the silage making process to improve quality and utilisation of the silage produced.

Strategic supplementation Strategic supplementation with a low-cost but high energy feed (e.g. grain-based, low protein) may well be sufficient to maintain high milk yields whilst grazing. Such a strategy would address the first limiting nutrient of grass, metabolisable energy, but success depends on the price relationship between milk and supplemental feed. Offering a low fibre supplementary feed helps to maintain good grass intake, whilst a higher fibre concentrate will fill the stomach and reduce the drive to graze. There is also contradictory evidence for the method of supplementation in terms of flatrate versus feed to yield. Some studies find better productivity using the feed to yield

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method, whilst others observe no significant difference in any performance parameters.

Regardless, studies suggest that supplementation at 0.45 kg/day is sufficient to boost milk yields and maintain grass intake as well as maintain a good profit margin when compared to lower and higher supplementation rates (0.25 and 0.65 kg/day).

Diverse swards The second most limiting nutrient in grass is protein. To increase protein content and ME value of pasture and promote DMI, a legume or plantain may be considered. Clover (red and/or white) or plantain mixes have been proven to increase milk yields and forage intake when compared to a perennial ryegrass (PRG) monoculture. These effects vary depending on the stage in lactation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in early lactation, PRG/white clover/plantain mix caused an increase in milk volume and protein, whilst in

mid-lactation an increase in milk fat was observed. When offered a diet of 25%, 50% and 75% clover pasture, DMI increased progressively by 8, 23 and 30% respectively.

Daily milk yield for those grazing 50 and 75% clover was similar, at 33% higher than those grazing a PRG monoculture. This research suggests that the optimum level for inclusion of white clover in pasture is around 50%, any higher does not confer further benefits.

Studies examining cows grazed on diverse, mixed swards (containing grass, herbs and legumes) have found that the inclusion of up to nine different species did not affect milk yield.

However, the changes in milk fatty acid profile described earlier are maintained on diverse pastures. Milk from cows on species-rich pasture contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly beneficial in terms of heart health and brain function. Further

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| Grassland | Dairy& Muck

benefits of a mixed sward are an increase in biodiversity, enrichment of natural habitats and a reduction of nitrogen levels in the urine (in some cases by up to 20%) which in turn reduces environmental pollution. When cut, diverse swards containing 12 different species produced higher yields od dry matter (approx.

25%) compared to a species-poor sward (three different species). The persistence of the diverse sward (10 or 12 different species) was also better than the species poor one, maintaining yields throughout the four-year experiment. This increase in productivity is likely due to different species utilising different resources, which reduces competition and increases vegetation density. For this reason, increasing species richness in grasslands can also increase the density of root vegetation below the ground. This mechanism improves carbon sequestration and storage, as more

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carbon is introduced to the soil via the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roots. This a key climate change mitigation strategy, as long-term storage of carbon in soils prevents itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorporation into harmful greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide Summary Many scientific studies have reported that pasture-based systems of milk production have an advantage over high input, housed systems: Better sustainability, increased product quality, improved animal welfare, reduced environmental impact and better overall profitability. However, the system is not without its drawbacks, the key issue being a reduction in milk yield when compared to housed cows eating a TMR. Due to seasonal fluctuations in grass which lead to inconsistent metabolisable energy and protein content, high-yielding cows often cannot eat sufficient grass to maintain outputs. Good grassland management using

rotational grazing and close monitoring of nutrient levels could be adequate to support moderate to high yielding cows. Targeted feeding of supplementary feed that is high in energy but low in protein and fibre will help to maintain milk yields whilst not affecting grass intake. Including a legume such as clover increases protein content which can help to maintain milk yields and DMI, whilst also offering environmental benefits. To further reduce environmental impacts, farmers may consider planting a species-rich, diverse sward containing herbs, legumes and grasses. These mixes offer a multitude of environmental benefits whilst maintaining excellent yields when cutting for silage and improving the fatty acid profile of milk.

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Palm-free alternative for optimum dairy performance Dairy farmers can tap into the positive focus on agriculture’s impact on the environment, says nutritional supplement manufacturer UFAC-UK, with palmfree fat supplements offering a beneficial alternative to meet the energy needs of high-yielding cows. ith the drastic fall in air pollution during the COVID-19 lockdown, while farming has effectively ‘carried on as normal’, the public perception is changing and farming is increasingly being seen as part of the solution to mitigating climate change, rather than the biggest contributor.

“Livestock farmers, and the dairy sector in particular, have long been portrayed as one of the main contributors to global warming, facing a backlash largely based on myths and mistruths,” says UFAC-UK national sales manager, Nigel Bateson.

This change in perception is very welcome, and offers opportunities for farmers to further demonstrate their environmental credentials.

“We always have one eye on environmental concerns, and the spotlight has been very much focused on palm oil production,” explains Mr

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Bateson. “Its impact on tropical rainforests is high on the agenda of retailers and consumers, making it one of the major environmental concerns facing UK feed manufacture.”

While palm oil-based feed supplements such as calcium soaps are used to increase energy density of dairy cow diets, UFAC-UK advises that Dynalac, with its more balanced fatty acid profile, will achieve greater benefits, while at the same time helping to reduce the impact on the environment.

“Dynalac is a palm-free fat supplement, and its unique combination of fatty acids is achieving the same and additional benefits of calcium soaps, while reducing the impact on the environment,” says Mr Bateson.

“Of course, the number one priority is to supply the specific nutrients required for optimum performance, particularly a time when intakes are suppressed,” he continues.

“At 27 MJ/kg DM, Dynalac has the same

Nigel Bateson

energy as a calcium soap (NRC 2001), so it increases energy density of the diet, crucial for high-yielding dairy cows, especially in early lactation.”

Dynalac also supplies C18:1 fatty acid, helping to reduce body condition loss, especially in early lactation. In addition, long chain Omega 3 fatty acids help support fertility and also gives the immune system a boost.

“The investment in Dynalac will look after the transition and early lactation cows, getting them back in calf more quickly,” says Mr Bateson.

“This will allow the farmer to cut costs and increase production from forage in later lactation, safe in the knowledge that the cows have been given the best possible start and will repay the investment made in this lactation and the next,” he concludes.

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Welsh Dairy Support Scheme set to open for applications Applications for the new Welsh dairy support scheme will open on 18 June, supporting farmers hardest hit by the recent exceptional market conditions due to Covid 19, Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has confirmed. he sector, which plays an important role in feeding the nation, felt the immediate impact of the pandemic with the closure of the food service and hospitality sectors.

The Welsh dairy support scheme, developed by working with the industry, has been designed to support dairy producers to maintain production capacity during this challenging period.

The scheme application window will be open until 14 August 2020.

Through the fund, eligible dairy farmers will need to demonstrate they have suffered a reduction of 25% or more in the average price paid for their milk in April and subsequently May, when compared to February 2020. Eligible farmers will be entitled to up to £10,000, to cover around 70% of their lost income to help them to continue to meet fixed costs and sustain production capacity without impacts on animal welfare and the environment.

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"Our Welsh dairy support scheme is there to support the hardest hit by market conditions resulting from this pandemic” Eligible farmers will need to provide their Milk Statement covering February, April and May 2020 as supporting documentation. The mid-June application opening period will enable eligible farmers to gather all their statements ready to support their application.

Online guidance will be available to support this

process.

Provided all of the necessary documentation has been submitted and validated, successful applications can expect payment within 10 days.

The Minister said: "Our Welsh dairy support scheme is there to support the hardest hit by market conditions resulting from this pandemic and ensure they can continue to operate without impacting on their high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.

"I would encourage this core group of dairy farmers to apply for this one off payment through RPW Online to help offset some of financial impacts they have experienced.

"I would also like to thank industry representatives on the Dairy Focus Group for their contributions in helping us develop the scheme. We will continue to work with the sector during these challenging times, so together we can ensure a resilient future for our Welsh dairy industry."

The opening of the scheme follows a series of announcements aimed at supporting the sector during these challenging times, including: • A new consumer campaign, led by AHDB, to increase consumer demand for milk by 3%; • The temporary relaxation of competition laws to enable greater collaboration so the sector, including dairy farmers and processors, can work closer to solve the differences between supply and demand; and • Opening of the EU Public intervention and private storage aid for skimmed milk, butter and cheese.

Double celebration for Gold Cup centenary year as July's event is postponed The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) is postponing the annual Gold Cup open day, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. he event was scheduled to take place this July on the farm of Bryce and Robert Sloan, Auchinleck, Ayrshire, winners of the 2019 NMR/RABDF Gold Cup. The Gold Cup open day, which has historically attracted more than 1,000 visitors, has been moved to spring 2021 when it is hoped the COVID-19 pandemic will be under control.

The Sloans were awarded the prestigious prize at this year's Dairy Tech Event in February.

Robert Sloan, with his parents Bryce and Anne and wife Emma, run the 180-cow Townlaw Holstein herd alongside the 60-cow Darnlaw Jersey herd.

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RABDF is planning to hold two Gold Cup open days in 2021; the 100th year of the Gold Cup Award, making the centenary year even bigger and better.

The 2019 winners open day at the Sloan's family farm will take place on 28 April 2021, and the 2020 winner, which will be announced at the 2021 Dairy Tech event on 3 February, taking place in the summer.

Commenting on the news, RABDF managing director Matt Knight said: "In light of the current pandemic we felt there was no other option than to postpone this year's event.

"It means the celebration of the 100th Gold Cup year will be even greater with two awardwinning farms opening their doors for all to visit.

"After a great deal of turmoil in the dairy industry this year, two Gold Cup open days in 2021 will be a welcomed opportunity for farmers to share and learn from each other experiences as well as being a fun day out," he said.

The Gold Cup is the premier national dairy competition, recognising efficiency in commercial milk production. It was first launched in 1920 to acknowledge excellence in the dairy industry.

Entries for the 2020 Gold Cup award are open from 22 June until 31st July. More details can be found at rabdf.co.uk/gold-cup-openday

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| Potatoes

The Jersey Royal Company Recognised as Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Farming The Jersey Royal Company has become Jersey’s first LEAF Demonstration Farm in recognition of its exceptionally high environmental standards and long-term commitment to delivering more sustainable farming. aunched 28th May 2020, by global sustainable farming organisation, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), The Jersey Royal Company joins a UK wide network as the 40th Demonstration Farm, showcasing sustainable farming practices and acting as centres of excellence for learning and knowledge exchange.

The Jersey Royal Company has a longstanding association with LEAF and were the first farm on the Island to become members in 1996. They went on to achieve LEAF Marque certification in 2005 – the gold standard for sustainable farming production. More recently, the business has been instrumental in driving forward a ground-breaking partnership with The Government of Jersey, which saw all the Island’s dairy and arable farmers becoming LEAF Marque certified at the end of last year – making Jersey the first LEAF Marque Island in the world.

The Jersey Royal Company is the largest farmer on the Island, farming around 8,300 vergées (1,800 ha) annually across 1,800 fields, and employing up to 450 staff. It is a completely integrated business, growing, harvesting, grading, packing and marketing Jersey Royal new potatoes to retailers, wholesalers, packers and processors. The company invests heavily in R&D to modify and continually improve growing techniques to get a better, more consistent potato to supply to the market. LEAF’s sustainable farming principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM) are integral to the business. Building soil resilience, careful water management, enhancing biodiversity, and employing innovative techniques for pest control such as cover crops and biofumigation are just some of

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the ways the business is responding to the challenges of producing the world-renowned Jersey potatoes at scale in an environmentally responsible way.

Speaking on the announcement, William Church, Director of Sales and Marketing Director at The Jersey Royal Company said: “Becoming a LEAF Demonstration Farm signals the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment to building the longerterm resilience of the business. We have a long tradition of being forward looking, innovative, open to trying new technology and ideas. Our aim has always been to develop a business that is robust, viable and sustainable.”

“LEAF very much reflects our business ethos of protecting and enhancing our natural resources like soil, water and biodiversity. We have got this incredible brand which people want but you have to maintain competitiveness and LEAF helps us to do just this.”

“We are hugely proud to become Jersey’s first LEAF Demonstration Farm and are incredibly excited about what it means to the further development of the business, the industry as a whole in Jersey, and more broadly, building on our role as champions of sustainable farming and strengthening our reach to other farmers to share best practice.

We are always learning; being part of a network of like-minded farmers, particularly as the Island looks to become carbon neutral by 2030, offers an exciting platform to share ideas, expertise and insights into more climate friendly, regenerative farming techniques.”

Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF added: “As we embark on an exciting new era for agriculture and as LEAF heads towards its landmark 30th anniversary next year, we remain as committed as ever to bold, ambitious,

creative and courageous approaches to delivering more sustainable food production.

Through our LEAF Marque environmental assurance system, we are working to ensure strong market incentives to drive uptake of regenerative farming. But we cannot act alone.

Our network of Demonstration Farms is absolutely central to how we will meet our objectives. They represent some of the smartest and visionary businesses in agriculture, committed to a world where agriculture is productive, efficient, and sustainable and where farmers are recognised and rewarded for their sustainability commitments.

“We are delighted to welcome The Jersey Royal Company as our first Demonstration Farm in Jersey. They have shown incredible drive and vision over many years. What they have achieved as a business and as a LEAF trailblazer on the Island is testament to their determination and pioneering approach. We greatly look forward to our continuing partnership.”

The official launch of The Jersey Royal Company took place on 28th May 2020 by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, Air Chief Marshal, Sir Stephen Dalton GCB. The event was attended by LEAF Chairman, Tom Green and Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond. During the launch event William Church and Mike Renouard from The Jersey Royal Company provided a virtual farm tour of the business and outlined how the farm implements Integrated Farm Management to achieve more sustainable farming, as well as sharing real life examples of how production and conservation go hand in hand.

If you’d like to watch the launch event video, then you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwrA7ditlmM

Potato Europe 2020 forced to cancel Uncertainties surrounding the exceptional health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic force us to cancel Potato Europe 2020 in order to protect the event's visitors and exhibitors. The next edition of Potato Europe cycle will take place in September 2021 in the Netherlands. ue to the international Covid-19 pandemic of recent months and the ensuing crisis, we have been forced to take the decision to cancel the potato sector's European exhibition planned for 2 and 3 September 2020 at VillersSaint-Christophe in France. The general level of uncertainty along with the ongoing health crisis, the measures of physical distancing imposed and the restrictions on international travel that persist put us in case of emergency and force us to make this difficult decision.

Safety first In the current context of health crisis, strict physical distancing measures are essential for everyone's security, even if their implementation

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is extremely difficult for an event of this size and nature.

For the event, Potato Europe had been planning numerous dynamic demonstrations, technical workshops and conferences. Four hundred exhibitors were preparing to welcome 15,000 visitors, one third of whom were expected to come from abroad. Welcoming such a large audience is now made improbable by the limit currently set by the French government at 5,000 people for outdoor events; moreover, international participation is obviously highly compromised due to current and future restrictions concerning international travel.

In making, with regret, this cancellation decision faced with this case of emergency, the

organizing committee of Potato Europe 2020, which brings together all of the partners in the French potato industry*, is also taking into consideration the 400 exhibitors and Arvalis teams. All were strongly involved and invested resources preparing for the event. The organizing committee sincerely thanks them. It therefore seemed reasonable to limit the financial risks. This major event for the image of the French potato industry, in France, in Europe and worldwide will be missed. The industry is thinking of other opportunities to promote its excellence and its influence.

Meet at Potato Europe 2021 in September 2021 in the Netherlands.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grassland | Potatoes & Muck

Gavin Prentice

Potato season progressing well despite challenges Potato growers have faced a myriad of challenges this season; Brexit, one of the wettest winters on record, covid-19, a particularly dry April and hard frosts in May. Yet the majority of crops have been planted in good conditions and are progressing well. lot of guys are finishing planting earlier than normal in Scotland; it bodes well for the season ahead," says Gavin Prentice, Agrico technical and procurement manager.

"April and most of May have been relatively warm with a little rain. It's dried previously saturated fields and provided near-ideal conditions for crops and pre-emergent herbicides. That was, until the recent night frosts."

"Most of the damage is to the growing apices or leaves," says Dr Mark Stalham, Head of NIAB CUF. "It's knocked some crops back a week or so, which will cause trouble for those aiming at an early market, but there are more severe cases or patches."

"Overall the growing season so far has been fairly typical," he summarises. "And planting records suggest growers have progressed as planned despite covid-19."

"The pandemic has certainly tested growers," adds Mr Prentice. "As well as dramatic swings in demand, growers have faced challenges in managing inputs and labour. At the beginning of the lock down, it became clear haulage was affected. Some growers pre-ordered more chemicals earlier in an attempt to secure supplies for the season ahead."

By the third week in April, Dr Stalham received reports of reduced demand for processing stock as well as, delays and reductions in plantings. Staff shortages and

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social distancing measures slowed progress on-farm.

Despite the challenges, cultivations and planting have caught up. Dr Stalham's returns from growers show that plantings scheduled for late March and April have been completed and have now emerged.

With crops emerging and pre-ems on, attention will soon be turning to virus control.

"Just with the normal aphid migration, levels of viruses - such as Potato Virus Y (PVY), Potato Virus A (PVA) and Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) - are predicted to be extremely high this year," warns Dr Stalham.

The withdrawal of neonicotinoids and hotter weather has enabled aphid numbers to rise and transmit virus in recent seasons, according to Mr Prentice. He expects to see little if any carryover of infection as seed is grown to strict protocols regulated by Science Advice to Scottish Agriculture (SASA). Each growing crop is inspected at least twice in Scotland. Tubers are also inspected before a seed lot is dispatched.

"We've still had a lot of samples tested with absolutely no virus this year," says Dr Stalham.

"These are from growers that send in seed every year. We also have samples sent in by growers with the hope that they might make the grade. They haven't treated the crop as seed with the associated spray programme and it shows â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some of these samples have anywhere between 70-90% virus."

A silver lining to last winter's rain clouds has

been the re-stocking of water sources. "Scab is less likely to be an issue this year," says Dr Stalham. "Seedbeds are good, if dry, and most of the abstraction licenses and aquifer levels are moderate-good despite the recent dry spell."

The removal of diquat is a focus for both Mr Prentice and Dr Stalham. "Killing off crops will be more difficult this year; our armoury is limited now," admits Mr Prentice. "We'll be reminding seed growers to flail and spray slightly earlier than they are used to. They need to bear in mind any regrowth will be susceptible to blight and virus too."

Dr Stalham co-ordinated AHDB's research into alternatives last year. "The PPO inhibitors Spotlight Plus (carfentrazone) and Gozai (pyraflufen) - were less effective at killing canopy but only 2-4 days slower in getting most potato varieties to skin set."

"There were a couple of exceptions. Very long season varieties, like Royal, which produces very long, thick stems, has always been difficult to desiccate adequately for skin set. It was slow with diquat in 2019, as well as the alternatives."

Despite the exceptions, Dr Stalham's takehome message is: applied in the right conditions, PPO inhibitors don't take as long as many growers think to desiccate potato crops.

This year, with AHDB's sponsorship, NIAB CUF's extensive trials of the new products will also assess the impact of reducing nitrogen applications on skin set.

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| Potatoes

Norfolk farmer chooses Tong Caretaker to take care of valuable crop When second generation farmer Wayne Garrett, of Norfolk-based RG Produce, needed to upgrade his potato handling operations to meet ongoing market demands, he turned to Tong Engineering in order achieve increased capacity and unparalleled cleaning with the company’s flagship Caretaker mobile grader. urrently farming over 1700 acres of arable crops on owned, rented and tenanted land, R G Produce grows 500 acres of potatoes destined for the Chip Shop trade. With equipment advances including increased automation and upgraded cleaning capabilities bringing potential for significant savings in labour and costs, Mr Garrett decided to invest in the latest potato grading technologies to ensure maximum efficiencies when grading the company’s own crop, as well as progressing the company’s contract grading capabilities.

“Our old grading system has proved very reliable for many years, but the new equipment on the market is capable of cleaning and grading crop at much higher capacities, and notably with much greater efficiencies and better cleaning results in all conditions,” explains Mr Garrett. “In order to benefit from these advancements, we decided the time had come to upgrade our grader.”

“Our initial search for a new grading system started at LAMMA in 2019, where we spoke to Tong and were not only very impressed with their knowledge and expertise in manufacturing proven cleaning and grading equipment, but we also wanted to buy a quality product from a British manufacturer who we knew had a heritage of reliability that we could rely on for many years to come,” said Mr Garret.

“Generally, you only look to upgrade your grader every 20 years or so, so making the right decision and buying the right machine is really important. We very quickly decided that Tong was the company, and the Caretaker with EasyClean was the machine for us.”

Featuring an 1800mm wide Infeed Hopper, the Caretaker grading system specified for R G Produce incorporates a 6-row model of Tong’s industry leading EasyClean separator, complete with full Auto-Touch HMI control, for unrivalled cleaning and control in all conditions. An adjustable PU coil unit is fitted after the EasyClean which gently transfers crop onto a 4-Man LED-lit inspection area before it passes over an 1800mm wide Tong EasyGrade screen grading module which if fully integrated on the

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Caretaker’s heavy duty chassis. The Caretaker is set-up to feed the company’s existing bagging line or their new Tong EasyFill Box Filler with trademark doorstop belt.

“As part of the design process we visited a number of Caretaker systems in operation at other grower’s sites, and we were extremely impressed with the performance of the EasyClean and the simplicity of the HMI controls,” said Mr Garrett. “In dry conditions, the combination of the EasyClean followed by the PU coil unit that we have on our new machine, will give me the flexibility to transfer the crop over the cleaner in the driest of conditions, and extract small hard clods and smalls out through the coils prior to inspection.

In wetter conditions, having the ability to extract on either 2, 4 or 6 Rows of the cleaner, and still having the coils to allow removal of smalls will be very effective. In addition, the HMI controls give me the ability to change the cleaner settings at the touch of the screen, which will prove invaluable to maintain capacity, whatever conditions we are faced with. That flexibility is

going to be massive after a season like we have just had!”

Richard Knighton, Sales Manager at Tong Engineering comments; “It has been a real pleasure working closely with Mr Garrett to design and manufacture an advanced Caretaker grading system to his exact specification. We’ve been faced with such an unprecedented pandemic situation over the last few months and our manufacturing departments have had to adjust their working practices significantly to keep production on schedule. However we’re very pleased to say that the new machine was complete and commissioned in time for Mr Garrett’s upcoming season.”

“From initial design and drawings, adjusting the configuration of our machine to suit our exact requirements, and right through the complete production process, Tong showed exceptional attention to detail, even down to the positioning of every plug and socket,” added Mr Garrett. “We are delighted with the new Caretaker system.”

Bud is back and taking to the small screen Hot potato Bud the Spud will make his television debut this summer as part of a £100,000 marketing push.

HDB has refreshed its successful More Than a Bit on the Side campaign to support retail sales of potatoes in the wake of COVID19.

It will target consumers through social media, digital displays outside major supermarkets and a television advert, which will broadcast on the ITV Hub. The tongue-in-cheek campaign, which features saucy character Bud alongside a range of suggestive slogans, aims to inspire home cooks to add an extra potato meal to their weekly repertoire.

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Running from May to July, the campaign highlights the ease, versatility and health benefits of potatoes by offering inspiration and knowhow with more than 150 recipes at Lovepotatoes.co.uk.

AHDB Potatoes Strategy Director Rob Clayton said: “We had a brilliant response to Bud the Spud’s suggestive meal ideas during the original campaign. With so many of us cooking more at home and looking for new ideas to keep mealtimes interesting, it’s time to remind people the humble spud can take centre stage.”

The campaign is part of a range of measures to support the potato industry through the

coronavirus crisis. Growers have been hit by the near-total closure of the foodservice sector, leading to estimated stocks at the end of March reaching 1.19 million tonnes, 20 per cent higher than the same time last year.

While #MoreThanABitOnTheSide is designed to drive demand via retail channels, AHDB has launched an online trade portal to connect growers with buyers and help address imbalance in the market.

It has also compiled storage advice for provide growers with additional information for those who need to store potatoes for longer than expected.

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| Sheep

NSA concerned with less than one month left to secure the basis of a trade deal with EU With the impacts of Covid-19 set to present massive economic challenges the National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling for reassurance and common sense on the remainder of the Brexit process as we enter the final stages of trade discussions.

SA Chief Executive Phil Stocker explains: "With everything going on, its been only too easy to forget about the ongoing Brexit negotiations, but forget we have not, because progress is moving along. With the final round of this stage of negotiations with the EU due to start in the next week, NSA is calling on the Government to consider the implications if the deal is halted at the following summit scheduled for the end of June."

"Agriculture has already had a number of major issues to deal with over the last few

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months, as we saw exports dry up and the closure of the hospitality and food service industry. While the sheep sector has managed to ride this out reasonably well so far, we know how fragile things will be in the coming months as the bulk of 2020 lambs begin to come through. If we end up facing a tariff or any disruption to lamb supplies going into Europe it will have a devastating impact on our trade and lamb values.

"Many European processors rely on British lamb and we rely heavily on the EU market.

Disrupting this relationship would be senseless and damaging to industry at a time when British

businesses will need all the help and support they can get. Remember those statistics, the UK exports some 35% of our production and 95% of that volume goes to the EU. That's some 88,000 tonnes and there is no other market that will step in and take that volume in the time we are dealing with."

NSA is appealing to the Government to recognise the risk this could have on industry and to consider, if necessary, to seek an extension to the process, in light of the unprecedented impact Covid-19 has had on our economy.

Rapid worm spike expected when rain arrives after prolonged dry weather Farmers are being urged not to be complacent when it comes to monitoring worms in lambs during the dry spell as a bout of wet weather could cause a rapid spike numbers, experts are warning. heep vet Fiona Lovatt says while the current risk of worms is relatively low across the country due to the dry weather, as soon as the rain hits, farmers will have to get onto worm control very quickly.

She said: "Worm risk will spike within a week after the rain. This means if you are monitoring worm egg counts on a fortnightly basis and have only just taken a count before the rain arrived don't assume that all is OK and wait for another couple of weeks before checking again as it could be too late then."

She suggested monitoring worm egg counts alongside growth rates to give a more accurate picture of the worm situation on individual farms.

She added: "Having the two bits of information can be very powerful. As a minimum, my suggestion would be to take a weight at between 6-8 weeks and again at weaning alongside faecal egg count testing every couple of weeks throughout the summer."

Farmers who were seeing high worm (strongyle) egg counts earlier on in the year should be particularly cautious as the dry weather will have stopped them from completing their life cycle, warns sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings.

She said: "If you were seeing high Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) earlier on and they have now gone low, the chance is quite high they will spike again. This is because those eggs will be lying dormant in dung on the pasture. When the rain arrives, these will hatch out into infective larvae very quickly completing their lifecycle.

"Initially, because there will be more infective larvae you may not see high worm egg counts for two-three weeks after the rain, however, that

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doesn't mean to say your animals aren't infected. Waiting until you see high egg counts could be too late in this situation so monitoring growth rates and general condition is key" .

"You need to speak with your animal health advisor about the best course action," she said.

Low worm egg counts are currently being reported on most farms involved in the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme. The network of 26 farms are monitoring worm, fluke, and flies every couple of weeks throughout the risk period with results uploaded in real-time to parasitewatch.co.uk.

Tom Carlisle who farms near Skipton, has seen exceptionally low worm egg counts compared to previous years. However, a FEC test taken after some wet weather at the end of

May did highlight a low level of Nematodirus in the lambs.

He said: "We have been quick to dose with a white wormer to keep on top of Nematodirus and will continue to carry out FECs to track levels, and to also check the worming dose is still effective."

"We are having to keep a close eye on the sheep now with the weather breaking. Not only is it a perfect time for worms it is also perfect conditions for flies and maggots. We have not found any fly strike so far," he said.

Real time Parasite Watch data can be accessed by either signing up to receive monthly updates or visiting the website www.parasitewatch.co.uk

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| Sheep

Improve flock management with new tupping crayons When it comes to tupping crayons, consistency and reliability are essential to determine which rams are working and which ewes are cycling, says Nia Williams, technical and marketing manager for Nettex. upping crayons are effective tools to allow shepherds to make flock management decisions for things like which cycle a ewe was bred in and if she didn’t hold a pregnancy,” explains Ms Williams. “This information can help forecast busier periods during lambing and offer huge cost savings by determining which ewes are barren and may be considered for sale.”

Combining quality with versatility, Nettex is

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launching Marksman Ram Crayons ahead of the 2020 tupping season. Manufactured and tested in the UK, Marksman Ram Crayons are available in all weather and cold weather formulations to fit any geographical and tupping season need. Formally on the market as Sure Sired Marker Crayons, Nettex redesigned the product to be compatible with any harness, including a cotter pin system or click in and out design. Available in six different colours and approved by British Wool, crayons last an average of two weeks depending on

temperature and ram prolificacy.

“Our unique formulations for the UK climate give shepherds product consistency throughout varying weather conditions,” explains Ms Williams. “While the Marksman Ram Crayons are available with specific Nettex harnesses, the design allows them to be utilised in any brand of harness a farm may already have.”

Tupping crayon top tips According to Ms Williams, crayon colours should be changed out every 17 days to

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| Sheep

differentiate between cycles. Marked ewes can also be drafted out every 8 days and run with a ram that has a different colour of crayon. To determine which rams are working, she also recommends each receives its own individual colour.

“By using crayon colours in sequence, it is possible to identify when ewes will lamb and group them in accordance. Paler coloured crayons are used first and then darker crayons for subsequent cycles. For example, start with yellow, then move on to red or orange, followed by green or blue, and finished with black,” she says.

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To fit harnesses to rams, secure it loosely at first and then tighten each buckle in turn until the harness is firmly positioned with the crayon sitting on the brisket. While shepherds should readjust the harness each time they change the crayon, Ms Williams recommends more frequent adjustments for rams rapidly losing body condition to avoid injury.

“Very prolific rams will lose body condition quickly, which increases the risk of chaffing or feet being caught in a loose harness, so adjustments may be required between crayon changes,” she says.

When best practice is used in conjunction

with a quality and diverse tupping crayon, shepherds can make strategic management decisions that can improve the profitability of their flocks.

“Crayon markings are a great early indicator of which ewes should be grouped together so that in conjunction with scanning, nutritional requirements can be effectively targeted leading up to lambing. They also help reduce any unnecessary expenses by showing which ewes and rams are unproductive,” she concludes. “All of this works together to optimise flock performance for improved profits.”

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| Education

Grass act Agriculture students at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) were challenged to be the ‘best in grass’ in a competition sponsored by fertiliser company Yara. he NC students at SRUC’s Barony campus, near Dumfries, worked in nine teams to produce the best grassland plot using one of seven fertilisers from Yara’s range of products.

As part of the competition, which started in early March before the Covid-19 lockdown, students marked out 25-square-metre plots on an established grass ley at Crichton Royal Farm.

They then took a soil sample, chose a fertiliser, and calculated the rates and whether to apply it in one or two applications.

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“They all got very involved with the practical aspects of the competition before the Covid 19 lockdown and it is great the competition could be completed, albeit not as originally planned.”

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After administering the first application, and with social distancing regulations in place, students handed their instructions over to Crichton’s research and farm staff who applied a second application of fertiliser as required in April, and earlier this month harvested and determined yields and dry matters for each plot.

Fresh weight yields ranged from 31.16 t/Ha on a treated plot to 15.40 t/ha on one of two untreated plots, and the dry matter ratio ranged from 16.78 per cent to 20.05 per cent on the treated plots.

Due to the circumstances, results were based only on t/Ha of dry matter rather than other factors such as nutrient quality and nitrogen use efficiency.

The competition was won by Hamish Carr and Alistair Craig, who applied 135 kg/Ha of Yara’s Amidas fertiliser in a single application giving 6.14 t/Ha DM. Second place went to Erin Greenhow and

Ben Mitchell, who opted for two applications of Actyva S, and Thomas Scott and Louise McLauchlan, who used two applications of Axan, were third.

Agriculture lecturer Gemma Waugh said: “The grassland competition has been really good for the students to put what they learn in the classroom into practise.

“They all got very involved with the practical aspects of the competition before the Covid-19 lockdown and it is great the competition could be completed, albeit not as originally planned.

“Well done to Hamish and Alistair as well as all the other Barony NC Agriculture students who took part.”

Philip Cosgrave, Yara’s chief grassland agronomist, said: “Well done to both Hamish and Alistair for their impressive result. Achieving DM yields of over 5t/DM in the first week of May is very good, but breaking the 6t is impressive.”

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| Education

Meet Farm491’s latest recruit Earlier this year Farm491 appointed Tara Dickinson-Barry as the new Marketing and Outreach Officer. Tara graduated from the Royal Agricultural University – where Farm491 is based – back in 2015, with a BSc Honours degree in Equine Management. ollowing university, Tara began working in marketing where she supported a vast range of businesses, including insurers, recruiters, solicitors and restaurants, which gave her a broad insight in to local business.

Tara has enjoyed using her equine and marketing knowledge to run a raft of events, including polo matches, point-to-points and running retail stands at consumer shows across the UK. Tara has spent the last two years working in the shooting industry, and has a particular interest in food traceability and consumer accountability.

The new recruit has been tasked with developing and delivering an outreach programme, utilising external resources to engage, inform and recruit prospective AgriTech SME’s and potential beneficiaries.

Tara will also be responsible for assisting in the promotion and delivery of the Inspiring AgriTech Innovation (IAI) Programme.

Tara adds, “As an ex-student of the RAC and local Cirencester resident, it has given me huge

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pride to watch the evolution of Farm491. When I attended the opening of the Alliston building in 2018, I could never have imagined I would be lucky enough to be joining the team here less than 2 years later. As well as working on promotion and marketing, I will be organising and attending events, managing the website and social media channels and working with the team to put a real focus on recruiting Gloucestershire businesses to the Farm491 community.”

“Now more than ever the public are asking more questions regarding the sustainability and traceability within food supply, so I am delighted to be in a position to be at the forefront of the discussion.”

Farm491 have recently taken their annual AgriTech season online with a series of informative webinars. At the end of June they are holding two four-hour webinars titled ‘Developing a Lean Business Plan as an AgriTech Entrepreneur’ for UK registered AgriTech and Agrifood companies to take part in. For more information visit farm491.com/events.

Tara Dickinson-Barry

Nuffield Farming is accepting applications for 2021 Scholarships The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) has announced that they will be awarding 2021 Scholarships and are still accepting online applications. he Trust will support Nuffield Farming Scholars to meet the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as they complete their Scholarship studies in the coming years.

"This crisis will undoubtedly affect how our Scholars study and travel for the next few years," said Mike Vacher, Director of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. "However, the Trust will be flexible and ensure that every Scholar receives the support and resources necessary to complete their study.

"Nuffield Farming Scholars are innovative and imaginative about the way they do things and we know candidates will step up to the new challenges posed by Covid-19. Our Scholars are leaders in the industry with an ability to change and make things happen in different ways.

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"This crisis will undoubtedly affect how our Scholars study and travel for the next few years, owever, the Trust will be flexible and ensure that every Scholar receives the support and resources necessary to

"Our Trustees continue to monitor this situation closely, and we will remain in close contact with applicants regarding questions and to make future announcements," he added.

Applications for 2021 Nuffield Farming Scholarship are available online at www.nuffieldscholar.org/applying-for-ascholarship/apply-now/.

Scholarship Eligibility · Applicants must work within the farming, food, horticulture, rural and associated industries or are in a position to influence these industries. · Applicants must be aged between 22 and 45 years (the upper age limit is 45 on 31st July in the year of application). · There is no requirement for academic qualifications, but applicants will already be well established in their career and demonstrate a passion for the industry they work in and be three years post-tertiary education. · Candidates must be resident in the UK and hold a UK passport or be working directly for UK agriculture. · Scholarships are not awarded to anyone in full-time education or to further research projects.

complete their study”

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| Finance

Farmers urged to plan ahead with continued dry weather on the horizon Following what has been considered one of the wettest winters on record, recent weeks have seen extended dry spells, with swathes of the UK basking in the hottest days of the year so far. ith little rain forecast in the coming weeks, Midlands water company Severn Trent is urging farmers to look ahead and plan for the potentially dry summer weeks to come.

“We rely heavily on water, and protecting its quality and availability is top of our agenda”,

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explains Dr Jodie Rettino, Severn Trent catchment and biodiversity lead. “For now, water levels remain consistent, but with the fair weather due to continue, we urge farmers to assess their water management systems early, to prevent shortages later down the line.”

Plan ahead With an increased demand on the network,

small changes can make all the difference, from changing a leaking tap to using rainwater storage bowsers.

Dr Rettino continues, “In times of water shortage, farms fall into the third emergency category, behind emergency services and residences, so those farms in areas that are prone to water related issues are encouraged

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| Finance

to build their own resilience.”

To aid this process, Severn Trent is inviting farmers to apply for the Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) funding through their extended grant scheme which is now open for applications. “With many farmers missing out on the winter round of STEPS applications, we are providing another opportunity to receive a £5,000 of match funded grant”, she explains. “The scheme is open to farmers in priority catchments who can choose from a specially selected pre-defined list of water quality options, inlcuding rainwater harvesting equipment.”

Applications are open now until 22 June.

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Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact their agricultural advisor to deem their suitability.

How to apply for STEPS: Find out if you’re in a priority catchment www.stwater.co.uk/catchment Read the STEPS options list to find out about the available options www.stwater.co.uk/steps If needed, speak to your local agricultural advisor for support Submit your application between 15 May and 22 June www.stwater.co.uk/steps What you should do in the event of a supply interruption: 1. Identify the source of the issue. Are you on

a public or private water supply system?

2. Find out if the issue is localised. Is it just your farm or the wider area?

3. Contact your water retailer to let them know, they should also contact us.

4. Contact Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444 our team will take some key information from you and then pass this to our Network Control team.

5. Be prepared to describe your daily water requirements. Use the AHDB Dairy Water Audit to help.

6. We will endeavour to prioritise your farm and call you back as soon as possible.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 91

| Finance

NFU Mutual increases use of remote, selfreporting video technology to help mitigate impact of lockdown and speed up customer claims Eviid’s secure video capture system playing ‘crucial role’ in supporting insurance and claims industry during covid-19. viid, the UK-based developer of patented, self-reporting and remote video capture technology, has seen a sharp increase in usage from across the insurance industry as claims handlers and loss adjustors address the challenges of home working and social distancing.

For example, NFU Mutual, the UK-based mutual insurance company, has increased its use of eviid’s Uploader technology to enable their claims handlers to quickly receive multimedia evidence from policyholders, and make faster liability decisions.

With NFU Mutual’s strong heritage in serving rural and farming communities, the ability to gather evidence of a claim remotely and speedily is of huge benefit to policyholders, allows the quick progression and settlement of claims.

NFU Mutual’s claims professionals and agents who have used the eviid Uploader system described it as “super-fast” and particularly user-friendly. 100% of testers also rated it as “quite easy” or “very easy” to use, while 95% described the technology as being incredibly helpful at this challenging time.

One NFUM claims handler commented: “On more than one occasion I was able to get a positive stance on liability very quickly using the eviid evidence - a massive benefit to NFUM and policyholders alike.”

Paul Branch, Head of Claims at NFU Mutual, added: “The eviid Uploader has really

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impressed the claims professionals in our network. It has made their lives easier, but most importantly, it has helped them settle claims faster for our members.”

The eviid Uploader is an intuitive, web-based system that generates a simple link which is sent to the policyholder via e-mail or text. It supports large files and automatically viruschecks, right-sizes and formats each file before sending them straight to the claims handler.

Uploader is part of a wider suite of eviid selfserving video capture and digital content technologies - developed specifically for the insurance sector - which are highly-secure, fully-verified and GDPR-compliant.

John Ridd, eviid CEO, said: “For clients like NFU Mutual, who were using our product long before the covid-19 outbreak - such as during the recent episodes of flooding and storms adopting such agile technology was always about working smarter and more efficiently for the benefit of their policy holders. But no-one could have anticipated that such an investment would prove to be as important as it is today with regards to processing customer claims effectively in the face of social distancing protocols.”

In addition to NFU Mutual, the covid-19 lockdown has seen many new and existing eviid clients ramp-up the use of their unique technology. In April alone, eviid trained an additional 1,000 claims handlers, loss adjusters and other insurance personnel - many of who were new to the eviid platform – which means they can continue to manage claims effectively,

Paul Branch

despite the lockdown and the need for minimal social contact.

Eviid CEO John Ridd said: “The lockdown has seen the insurance sector experiencing an unprecedented drop-off in claims in some markets, while other categories are experiencing sharp rises. In both cases, the need for social distancing means that loss adjusters and claim handlers are facing massive challenges.

“Our evidential ‘plug and play’ self-reporting video technology, which is fully secure, GDRcomplaint and verified from case inception to conclusion, is therefore playing a crucial role in supporting the claims process during the pandemic.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Finance

Lending continues despite virus Farmers are still able to access lending despite the disruption caused by Coronavirus, according to UK Agricultural Finance. here has been a regular flow of loans – with increasing enquiries in recent months and unlike other lenders we have been able to remain writing loans with secure funding lines,” explains Rob Suss, co-founder at UKAF. The ability to lend against agricultural land has enabled flexibility in the challenge of valuing properties during lockdown. “The nature of farmland and buildings make social distancing much easier to maintain. Indeed, some loans are proceeding based on a mix of a Red Book valuation on the land and barns, but an estimate on the farmhouse,” says Mr Suss.

UKAF recently completed a loan of £260,000 for a mixed farm in north England, where the main long-term lender would not offer any flexibility without high penalty charges. The borrowers own a substantial farm with acreage and woodland, tenanted cottages, 400 head of cattle, around 2,000 sheep and a good track record of servicing their debt.

“We designed a loan for 38% Loan to Value (LTV) and persuaded the main lender to release part of their security over a couple of fields for UKAF’s first charge, topped up with a second charge against the remainder of the farm,”

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Rob Suss

explains Mr Suss.

Despite the Covid-19 uncertainty, UKAF has maintained its constructive approach to providing loans. “We are able to do so without changing our lending criteria, since our

investors understand the long-term, attractive nature of farming.”

Farmers advised to review finances Farmers are being advised that lenders are still very much in the marketplace as businesses continue to be impacted

by Covid-19, eading property consultancy Fisher German has said that finance options are available for farmers and rural businesses to support their ongoing cashflow needs, even during the lockdown period.

Lenders have reacted quickly to ensure continuity of service moving to a fully electronic application process that can be undertaken remotely.

The national firm is advising agribusinesses to review their finances as some may find it a positive time to borrow or restructure existing debt due to low interest rates.

Holly Parry, Fisher German’s agent and valuer for the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC), based at the company’s Doncaster office, believes Government’s emphasis on banks helping clients more proactively during lockdown could help agricultural business stave off the worst economic impacts of the crisis.

Holly said: “Many businesses are being impacted by Covid-19, particularly if they have diversified into leisure and tourism.

“Cashflow fluctuations are happening, and early discussions with advisors and lenders can ensure the facilities are in place to manage the situation.

“Businesses may be impacted by interruptions to supply chains or high staff absences, so being able to access finance could be the making or breaking of a business.

“Farmers and landowners may find that it is a

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good time to borrow due to low interest rates, and securing these rates for terms of up to 30 years allows cashflow to be managed.

“Many lenders are also offering short-term capital repayment holidays for those impacted

by Covid-19.

“The government has asked lenders to do all they can to help businesses, and we have seen a lot of proactive steps taken so far in response to a very difficult and ever-changing situation.

“The government itself has also announced a number of stimulus measures and support packages for SMEs impacted by coronavirus.

“Prior to Covid-19 we were advising clients to undertake a business review to ensure they were best placed for the future changes brought about by Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the urgency to take action.”

Holly has spent 10 years as an AMC agent and also works with a number of other lenders, sourcing finance for clients as well as undertaking property valuations.

In her new role as a lead valuer in the Yorkshire and North Midlands region of Fisher German, Holly added that valuations in the sector have also been adapted to ensure they can continue to take place.

She said: “Revised valuation procedures have been adopted to ensure this does not hold up the drawdown of funds.

“Property and site inspections are undertaken after individual risk assessments and may take the form of desktop, external inspection, internal inspection where the risk

Holly Parry

assessment allows or a virtual tour.

“The technology available means there is a solution to most situations that arise and we can conduct valuations safely and in line with Public Health England Guidelines.

“All of this again ensures that rural businesses have access to the finances that they require to continue to operate.”

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 93

| Finance

Inheritance Tax: Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief may be cut after Coronavirus Tax experts say take action now to protect inheritance.

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hose looking to pass on farming or business assets need to act now to preserve full tax reliefs, which might be cut to help pay for the furloughing scheme, expert lawyers have

said.

The furloughing scheme supporting workers during the coronavirus crisis was recently extended to continue into October, with employees still receiving 80% of their wages up to £2500, and is said to be costing the Government around £14bn each month.

Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) are both ways of passing on assets without needing to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT). The reliefs can currently achieve up to a 100% tax saving, meaning assets that fall into these categories - such as family businesses, AIM shares, agricultural land and farm buildings – can be passed on to children tax-free.

Specialist lawyers at law firm Irwin Mitchell say that while focusing on increasing taxes on income would be unpopular, cutting the reliefs on how rural and business assets are inherited are easy targets – and could be reduced.

Kelly Greig, partner and head of Later Life Planning at Irwin Mitchell said: "At the moment we have the vital furloughing scheme supporting thousands of workers, with the bill being footed by the Government – but this is creating a gap that needs to be plugged, most likely through raising taxes.

"We've already had some savvy clients getting in touch looking to do any tax planning that they can because they're anticipating the aftermath of the furlough scheme will change things when it comes to personal tax.

"The Government has previously looked at APR and BPR reform as it's a very generous relief. They've already reduced the lifetime allowance for pensions and the tax-free bracket keeps increasing, plus income tax is already high, so I wouldn't be surprised to see this 100% relief reduced substantially perhaps to 50% for those assets currently qualifying for 100% or alternatively reducing the net that qualifies for relief.

"If they decide to keep those in place, we could instead see the Government take up the Office for Tax Simplification's recommendation from last year that ending Capital Gains Tax (CGT) uplift on death should go ahead."

Tax, trusts and estates experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell say there are some effective ways to protect these assets to bank the 100% reliefs now – delaying could cost thousands later down the line.

Kelly explained: "The advice is not to delay when it comes to making the most of the reliefs while they're still available. It's a good idea to review your circumstances and look to bank some of those reliefs now, as this could potentially save thousands of pounds in tax in the long run.

"For instance, if the CGT uplift does indeed get scrapped, there's all the more reason to gift to a trust or to members of a family working hard in the enterprise. It may be the case that market values may be lower in an uncertain market, so it's a good time to gift these assets because of less CGT that would be paid. Trusts are another option as well, but there are plenty of different ways to lock in the bonuses now.

"In these uncertain times it's best to prepare in any way possible, and getting ahead of the curve now will pay off in the long run should APR and BPR reliefs be reduced."

OnePay are delighted to continue supporting The NextGen Fruit Group The NextGen Fruit Group is an organisation that is dedicated to driving young people into the UK fruit industry. OnePay are committed to continuing our support for this fantastic group into 2021. lex Myatt from The NextGen Fruit Group said “OnePay have created a great, easy way to pay workers and we are thrilled to have their continued support.

We look forward to seeing the relationship between OnePay and our members develop over the next couple of years.”

The NextGen fruit group encourage and nurture bright, talented, and motivated individuals, that have a common goal of building a successful and sustainable future.

This group plays a pivotal part in the industry as they are building a global community through the power of young people. They are investing in the next generation as today’s students are the UK’s future leaders and innovators.

“OnePay are happy to be supporting The NextGen Fruit Group and their members, the work they do is paramount to the future of the UK fruit industry.” said Alison McPhail, Head of Client Relationships and Sales from OnePay. For more information about the NextGen Fruit Group visit https://nextgenfruitgroup.co.uk/ To keep up to date on all things @OnePay follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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| Finance

Farmers warned to plan now and focus on core business to stop income loss Farmers should be planning on how they are going to replace lost income from the Basic Payment Scheme and make the most of grants and alternative funding sources to support their business, a leading farm consultant is warning. n a Funding and Grants Webinar organised by the RABDF, farm consultant Simon Haley said in five years from now when BPS payments start to drop off the cliff, farmers need to plan for what they are going to do.

He said: “£79,700 is the average income on a dairy farm. But when you look at how that is made up a significant chunk comes from the BPS and that is propping up their income.”

Mr Haley said it is going to require farmers trying to enhance their income from their core farming business such as milk sales, young stock sales and culls. This will require farmers becoming more efficient and concentrating on costs, as well as planning and tapping into opportunities available now to help with focus on productivity and diversification.

He said the first thing farmers need to do is stress test their business to see how resilient it is. This can be done by playing out different financial scenarios such as the impact of any losses due to poor weather and milk price cuts.

Mr Haley highlighted that an all-year-round calving herd in the top 25% made 12.6ppl more margin than the bottom 25% and their costs were 10.5ppl lower.

“Chasing turnover is not the only way to increase profit, equal emphasis should be put on reducing costs also. Think margin, not yields and focus on the cost of production,” he added.

Mr Haley also encouraged farmers to

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capitalise on grants now before it was too late.

“If you are planning on doing any concrete work, hedging, stonewalling and tracks, for example, then apply to do it now. The Countryside Stewardship Scheme can help fund these sometimes up to 100% of costs covered. Although it is a postcode lottery as to whether you are in a high priority area, do not wait five years to look as they might not be available then- take advantage of them now.”

He also outlined other key steps farmers could take to help their businesses be more money savvy. They include: 1 Bounce bank loans scheme. Between £2,000-£50,000 available for businesses, capped at 25% of their 2019 turnover. No capital or interest repayments needed in the first 12 months and then a low 2.5% interest rate to follow. Mr Haley said: “If you have existing debts at a higher interest then this could be a way to reduce the sums you are paying. Or if you have capital works you are planning to do under a stewardship or productivity scheme then this Governmentbacked loan can give you a lump sum of money without affecting existing debt. “Remember though it is a loan not a grant so it will need repaying,” he stressed.

2 Defer any VAT payment due until 31st March 2021 3 If you are a dairy business with holiday lets or tourism focused enterprises, then you might be able to access some of the COVID-19 grant funds offered through your Local Authority.

4 Enterprise Answers This is a rural

community funding development institution providing an alternative form of finance.

5 Self-employment income support Scheme Available for sole traders and members of a business partnership to qualify for.

6 Job retention scheme for employees Limited company directors are eligible for salaries paid through PAYE but not on dividends.

7 Claim back statutory sick pay if any employees have been off ill or had to selfisolate because of COVID-19 symptoms or family members affected 8 Ask for a capital and or interest repayment holiday on any loans you have 9 Ask for a temporary overdraft increase 10 Review and restructure existing debts if possible – there has never been a better time to borrow money at a cheap rate 11 Ask for a repayment holiday on your hire purchase agreement 12 Prepare cashflows and budgets to support justification for any loans and grants and stress test for future scenarios 13 Benchmark regularly against similar enterprises 14 Go back to suppliers and review costs. Try and get better payment terms 15 Buy-in bulk/larger volumes and stretch payments out 16 Work together by machinery sharing, inputs purchasing, enhanced collaboration with neighbours

Kubota Finance – Supporting the farming sector during the change to 'new normal'; how Covid-19 has changed the landscape CHLOE ASHFIELD, General Manager, Kubota Finance. t a time when the world has seen unprecedented disruption, the agriculture market has been relatively resilient to the crisis. Demand for milk and beef has declined after the global closure of restaurants but for a majority of the farming sector it is business as usual. And this means access to a range of funding options for quality equipment. Kubota Finance are proud to provide market leading finance solutions for Kubota equipment. We know that long term relationships are important and farmers need to know they can trust funders during good times and bad. All of our customers who have been financially impacted

by Covid-19 have been offered a payment break and alongside this support, we are offering three and six month pause payment

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profiles on the Kubota M series; providing affordable access to new equipment when it is needed the most.

During the pandemic, we've seen a huge increase in demand for digital tools and it has been vitally important to keep business moving during these uncertain times. Our eSign functionality makes it simple for customers to sign finance agreements remotely and securely, from the comfort of the home office. Using eSign also ensures we can legally prove the origin of any agreement and highlight alterations made to any document. This gives the farming sector peace of mind and reassurance that they can continue to keep funding farming equipment and know that the finance solutions are not dependant on physical contact or meetings.

As we face into the 'new normal' we know

that ongoing support and relationships are important. We continue to offer a range of finance solutions that work for this sector; from Hire Purchase, Finance Lease or Operating Lease, there is a solution to fit most budgets and equipment requirements. There is also room for creativity with the funding of assets; for example, Sales and HP back to release capital in unencumbered assets.

So whatever is around the corner, we are confident that we can continue to support the farming sector for the future and provide access to funding and support to keep business moving.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 95

| Machinery

Keeping your diesel engine healthy Time waits for no man. While this old proverb may sound cliché, it is especially true in agriculture. Being unprepared in front of a crop ready for harvesting can lead to significant potential profits lost, throwing previous efforts to waste. To avoid this, farmers can keep their equipment in peak condition in preparation for the new season. Here Keith Brown, Technical Manager at DiPerk Power Solutions, the UK and Ireland’s Perkins engine expert, explains how operators can keep their tractor engine in good condition. o run reliably, farming equipment must be paired with careful maintenance and regular monitoring. Servicing is central in ensuring that, when needed, engines can power equipment central to a farmer’s job, such as tractors and harvesters. Failing to do so could lead to downtime, meaning potential loss in reputation and a definite loss in operational time and profit.

As the heart of these tools, the engine should be at the forefront of service surrounding reliable farming.

Regular care Keeping an eye open for early signs of engine faults can highlight a situation before it grows into a problem. Performing daily and weekly maintenance checks is a small but effective way to minimise repair costs.

Daily checks, such as cooling system coolant level, engine air cleaner service, engine air precleaner, engine oil level, fuel system primary filter and v-belts are routine habits that can both prevent or immediately detect faults. Other

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checks, such as in the fuel tank, for water and sediment or, if necessary draining, may be required every 50 service hours or on a weekly basis depending on how frequently the engine is used.

If the operator is unclear, they can search for training courses on factors like correct fluid usage, application specific maintenance or operating in extreme environments. Training can also help operators install partially automated maintenance checks to inform suppliers in real time in on the health of an engine.

Two steps ahead Automating maintenance is an example of how, with the right equipment and expertise, a healthy engine can be as simple as collaborating with your supplier. For example, Perkins’ Smart cap monitors engines in real time, minimising the quantity of checks operators are responsible for and providing immediate warnings if values are abnormal.

Regular care can also be aided by less frequent but more thorough outsourced checks.

For example sending a sample to a fluid analysis

lab, where specialists use state-of-the-art equipment to analyse oil, fuel and coolant samples to identify issues that could not be detected by routine checks.

Fluid analysis labs use infrared sensors to determine the overall health of the sample, by detecting nitration, sulphation, oxidation and soot levels. Specialists test the number and size of particles to determine how clean the sample is and vaporise it to test for the presence of trace metals. Fuel, oil and coolant health can drastically affect the efficiency of an engine, potentially leading to damaged bearings and system failure. With tailored reports informed by regular sample analysis, operators can perform repairs on internal components before symptoms of critical failure emerge.

Time won’t wait, and you shouldn’t have to — you need confidence that equipment will be ready when you need it. When farmers and suppliers collaborate, keeping an engine healthy can be simple. For expert help maintaining your Perkins engine, visit http://www.diperk.co.uk/

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| Machinery

Vaderstad innovation improves Tempo Planter performance Tempo planting performance has been improved due to the introduction of a unique stop wheel designed with rubber spokes to absorb external pressure, thus helping seed-to-soil contact at very high planting speeds.

äderstad ProStop stop wheel is designed to flex in its core so that the contact between it and the seed is never affected, whilst minimising sidewall compaction in the seed furrow.

“The result is an even emergence and greater yield potential over the entire field,” says Väderstad senior vice president sales and marketing Mattias Hovnert. “The main task of a

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stop wheel is to ensure an optimal seed-to-soil contact, by precisely placing each seed at the bottom of the seed furrow.

“When meeting external forces, a traditional stop wheel absorbs shocks by slightly flattening its outer wheel profile. This jeopardizes its ability to deliver seed-to-soil contact, while also creating sidewall compactions in the seed furrow.

“Since the ProStop wheel absorbs shocks

within its core instead of its outer wheel profile, it is able to increase planting performance even further. It seamlessly works together with the Tempo seed meter to give the seed optimal conditions for growth.”

The new Väderstad ProStop stop wheel will be available as an option for all Tempo planters, from June 2020, and will be available as a retrofit on all Tempo models from model year 2020.

Vaderstad invests in genuine parts factory expansion Väderstad Components, which manufactures all genuine spare and wearing parts for the company’s agricultural machinery, is expanding the factory site by a further 2,000 m2 to take account of growing demand.

anufacturing genuine parts has been a major focus for the Vaderstad Group in recent years, and includes a significant financial investment in a new production line. Along with its 50 skilled employees Väderstad Components aims to increase output, operator safety and product quality.

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“The investment is very positive for both us as a company and our customers. The addition creates even better conditions for us to increase the production of sustainable wearing parts, while the plant will have a better flow and an even better working environment,” says Väderstad Components managing director Dan Somlin.

Building works will start in autumn 2020 and

the new unit is expected to be ready for opening in spring 2021. In the long term, recruitment of new staff will also be considered.

“Together with the new production line that is already in place, this creates exciting development and growth opportunities that will eventually lead to an increased need for skills and recruitment,” says Mr Somlin.

June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 97

| Machinery

New compact tractors from John Deere John Deere has announced a number of updates to the company’s comprehensive compact tractor range for 2020, which includes 13 models in six Series from 25 to 66hp. he main change is prompted by the latest Stage V emissions regulations in Europe, which are designed to limit ultrafine particulate emissions in all engines above 25hp (19kW).

Ultrafine particulates are less than 0.1 microns in diameter, which is 700 times smaller than a human hair.

John Deere’s compact tractors rated at 25hp and below – the 1026R and 2026R, which remain unchanged, and the new 3025E – already meet the necessary standards. Other 2R and 3R Series models above 25hp get a new Yanmar 1.6-litre, three-cylinder TNV Series diesel engine that features a high torque reserve, providing plenty of power under heavy loads.

This uses the latest engine technologies to improve fuel economy, control and accuracy, while also reducing environmental impact as well as operating costs. It features a common rail system (CRS) and an electronic control unit (ECU), which continuously monitors engine conditions and adjusts fuel delivery to ensure optimum performance.

The engine’s new after-treatment system

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consists of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), similar to that used successfully on John Deere’s larger agricultural tractors. This operates automatically to produce lower levels of exhaust emissions and reduced noise levels, and meets all current requirements for Stage V emission standards.

At the top of the John Deere compact tractor range, the new 4052M and 4052R receive a larger 2.1-litre, four-cylinder engine with DPF. This is the same as the existing engine on the biggest 4066M and 4066R models, which remain unchanged, while several of the smaller 2R and 3R Series tractors are also given new model numbers.

In addition to the new engine, the 3R and 4R Series compact tractors will be equipped with a new eThrottle function integrated into the established eHydro transmission. This feature is designed make the tractor quieter and more comfortable to use, as well as more fuel efficient.

With the simple push of a button, engine speed is conveniently linked to the foot pedal position so that engine rpm and tractor speed can both be increased as the pedal is depressed.

The latest 4R Series models can also now be

equipped with a StarFire satellite receiver and AutoTrac Universal automatic steering system.

This is designed to help operators achieve higher levels of accuracy and input cost savings when working with implements such as amenity turf sprayers, seeders and spreaders.

On selected models, the award-winning Hitch Assist system makes coupling up implements and trailers to the tractor’s rear hitch or threepoint linkage quicker, easier and safer. Using this system, external switches mounted on the rear fender allow the operator to move the tractor backwards and forwards at a maximum speed of 12mm/second, and raise or lower the hitch as required.

Other advanced technology features on John Deere compact tractors include LoadMatch, MotionMatch and SpeedMatch operating modes for maximum versatility in a wide range of tractor applications, plus a choice of AutoConnect drive-over rotary mower decks.

Cabbed versions of John Deere’s new range of compact tractors for 2020 can be ordered now from UK & Ireland dealers, while open operator station models will be available from October.

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

www.andrewsymons.co.uk

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June 2020 | Farming Monthly | 99

| Machinery

LEDriving® working lights allow farmers to plough through the night A specialist range of LED driving and working lights have been launched to help the agriculture industry to operate safely 24/7, with total visibility at all hours of the day and night thanks to their intense levels of illumination. ith 57% of land in the UK used for agriculture and 280,000 farms, the agriculture industry is playing a major role in helping to ensure supermarket shelves are stocked during these unprecedented times.

Launched by automotive OE lighting specialist, OSRAM, the LEDriving® driving and working lights range offers a variety of performances, shapes and beam patterns, with various illumination profiles including spot, wide and combo to make light of hard work!

There are four series to choose from: Multifunctional, Functional, Slim and Value, with three LEDriving® working lights available within the Multifunctional series, which have been specially designed for off-road applications, allowing work to continue into the night.

The LEDriving CUBE MX85-SP and -WD versions combine two LED lighting performances: a working light and a stylish ‘X’ shape light.

The CUBE MX85 is available in a Spot (SP) version, which offers a far-field illumination

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beam of up to 110 metres with a 13.5° beam angle. There is also a wide-beam pattern (WD) version, which is specialised for near-field illumination with a light beam of up to 55 metres and a particularly wide-beam angle of 43.5°. These two products only work with 12V applications.

LEDriving LIGHTBAR MX140-WD can be used with 12V and 24V applications and offers wide beam patterns, producing a powerful far field illumination up to 60 metres. The product has a robust and compact design with a long lifetime of up to 5000 hours.

The LED light provides an extremely high optic efficiency, homogeneous light distribution and reduced glare to improve visibility, even during compromised daylight.

All OSRAM LEDriving® driving and working lights are rigorously tested under the most extreme environmental conditions to ensure premium quality light for any situation.

This includes testing for competence in the field of environmental simulation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025; fully adhering to ECE regulations; light measurement to ensure high

performance; vibration and shock testing to check for mechanical robustness; water resistance testing, achieving the highest IP protection class, IP4X; dust resistance testing, classifying as IP5X and IP6X; and salt spray testing to prevent chemical corrosion.

All the products in the range come with a five-year OSRAM guarantee, providing customers with complete reassurance.

For more information on OSRAM’s range of LEDriving® lights, visit www.osram.co.uk/ledriving-lights.

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| Machinery

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| Machinery

Vicon introduces high-capacity trailed sprayers Vicon has introduced two models of high-capacity trailed sprayer to join its existing iXtrack T3 and T4 versions. The new models are badged iXtrack T6, and are available with tank capacities of 6,400 and 7,400 litres, and the option of boom widths from 18m to 40m. hese two ISOBUS-compatible models now sit at the top of the Vicon range, and like their smaller stablemates use a single-spine chassis design offering high manoeuvrability, a low centre of gravity, and improved durability.

Specification includes a suspended parallelogram rear frame to carry steel or aluminium boom types. The rear frame also remains active on the road, offering a high degree of cushioning for booms when folded â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is a feature particularly suited to tractors with higher road speeds. In-field, this design combines stability with soft boom balancing, to minimise spray height deviation above the crop canopy. This affords improved application accuracy through greater boom stability.

Boom Guide manages spray height using ultrasonic sensors. Where Boom Guide Pro

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offers a three-sensor system with positive and negative lateral movement on each side of the boom, Boom Guide ProActive gains three additional levelling sensors on wider booms, allowing faster reaction to changes in ground terrain through a central slope correction cylinder.

Developed with operator-friendliness in mind, iXtrack T6 models are fully ISOBUS compatible and with new iXspray hardware and software, operators can take advantage of an intuitive touchscreen with smart electronics.

Plug and play compatibility is available with any certified universal terminal, including the Tellus GO and Tellus PRO terminals.

IsoMatch Grip is a multi-function joystick with 11 buttons, and four levels of colour-coded functionality, offering up to 44 fully customisable functions. ErgoDrive headland management is also part of the standard

specification, which allows spraying to start/stop, the boom to raise/lower and axle steering to be locked/unlocked, all with a single button press.

Nozzle control includes pneumatic or electric operation, suiting those using GPS for automatic section control and auto start/stop at headlands. The introduction of iXspray software affords individual nozzle control when choosing iXflow E. This also includes a mobile phone App for the remote control of nozzles when outside the cab. Such functionality simplifies nozzle flow checks and pattern testing, for example.

Liquid management includes iXclean Pro fully automatic valve management, allowing filling, agitation, spraying, diluting, priming, rinsing and tank cleaning can be controlled from the in-cab ISOBUS terminal.

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| Forestry

"Track and trace" of cows introduced in woods to boost biodiversity A small herd of cows will be tagged with GPS in a new scheme by the Woodland Trust to track their "moovements" and how they can boost diversity ix Dexter cows started roaming Avon Valley Woods, Devon, at the weekend. At least one of these will be fitted with a GPS collar, and visitors to the wood will be able to track online where the cows are.

The tracking system will allow the Trust to assess where the cows have been and what impact they've made in helping to regenerate the wood and its wildlife. It will also allow the cows' health and wellbeing to be monitored.

The cows will be grazing the young woodland and are part of the Woodland Trust's approach to managing it. Planted as a

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Millennium Wood in 2000 on what had been arable fields, the new trees are flourishing and the land is coming back to life, but the wood structure lacks the variety that would help it support a wider range of plants, insects, birds and other animals.

Conservation grazier John Severn, of Cows in Clover which has supplied the cows, said: "The trampling of cows' hooves will stir up the soil, releasing and encouraging seeds to germinate and new plants to flourish. Their dung will attract insects which will in turn provide food for birds and bats.

"The impact of these large grazing beasts on the woods will also be structural and

immediately visible -they will bash their way through, creating new paths and keeping glades clear of shrubs. The result will be a more diverse mosaic of open grassland, scrub, maturing woods and sun-speckled glades supporting a diverse range of wildlife."

He added: "Our Dexters have been reared to be comfortable around people and dogs, and are calm and steady creatures but some dog walkers may appreciate knowing where they are so they can walk in a different part of the Avon Valley Woods."

As part of regenerating this landscape, introducing large herbivores like cows, adds a whole new layer in the ecosystem and is

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| Forestry

expected to have dramatic benefits for wildlife.

Paul Allen, Woodland Trust site manager said: "Cows are instigators of dynamic change.

They will bring a wild influence to this landscape which will evolve as they browse, roam, and make it their home. I am very excited to see how the trees and wildlife develop. What is great about the tracking system is that we'll be able to see what parts of the wood they favour and then match that up to how it has changed. And of course, I can't wait to meet our new woodland workers: Denzil, Bisy Backson, Dumbledore, June, Bella and Berry."

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Dexters are often chosen as a conservation grazing breed as they are small but hardy mountain cattle, used to living on steep slopes and being outside in all weathers. John aims to keep a herd in the Avon Valley Woods all year round. The woods will offer much needed shade on hot days, while in the winter, they'll find shelter from the wind. The range of trees, grass and wild plants the cows can choose to eat also allows them to shape their own diets, self-medicating if needed or turning to certain plants for key vitamins or minerals.

TRACK the cows here: https://digitanimal.co.uk/cows-in-cloverdigitanimal/ or use the QR code on signs in the woods (signal dependent).

The Avon Valley Woods are spread across 139 hectares near Kingsbridge in South Devon and include newly planted woodland alongside steep wooded valleys. It is particularly special to the Woodland Trust as it includes the first site that the charity acquired in 1972.

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| ATV

Polaris

Trade in any ATV for a Polaris Ranger 570

.....Get £600 towards cab and accessories.

olaris Britain has announced a new trade-in promotion for customers looking to upgrade their current ATV to a new 2021 Ranger 570 side-byside.

Available to customers who buy a new Ranger 570 between 1st June and 31st July, if they trade in their existing ATV – no matter the make or model – Polaris will contribute £600 towards any cab and/or accessories purchased at the same time.

Amy Cahill, Marketing Specialist at Polaris Britain, said: “For many customers, buying a Ranger 570 side-by-side has been a natural progression from an ATV. It’s proven itself to be the ultimate workhorse for every job, in any environment and any weather.

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Now, we’re making it even easier to go further, carry more, do more and stay dry, all for the same price as a brand-new ATV.” The 2021 base-model Ranger 570 provides best-in-class utility side-by-side performance for unbeatable value. Providing power and performance for every job, the Ranger 570 features the reliable, purpose-built ProStar 570 engine that comes with True On-Demand All Wheel Drive to provide extra traction when it’s needed. For allday riding comfort, the Ranger 570 has 22.9-centimetres of front suspension travel and 25.4centimetres of independent rear suspension travel for an incredibly smooth ride, along with 25.4centimetres of ground clearance and 25-inch tyres to navigate with ease across rough terrain.

In addition to the Sage Green

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570 model, Polaris has also announced two Ranger 570 special editions for 2021; the Hunter and Nordic Pro special editions.

Joining the rest of the Hunter Editions in the Polaris lineup is the new Ranger 570 Hunter Edition; offering the dependability of the Ranger 570 with a premium Polaris Pursuit Camo hydrographic finish for a camo-style edge. The Ranger 570 Nordic Pro edition has been specifically designed for colder climates with a cab heater fitted as standard. Featuring 12-inch aluminium wheels, the Nordic Pro edition also comes complete with Polaris installed technology like the Engine Braking System (EBS) with Active Descent Control (ADC), which controls downhill braking for smooth, controlled descents on steep declines with or without a

load, no matter the terrain. The Ranger 570 Nordic Pro Edition is available in Black Pearl, finished with contrasting blue springs.

This promotion is available for any new 2021 Ranger 570, as below: Ranger 570 in Sage Green [EU] – starting at £9,790 Ranger 570 EPS Sage Green [Tractor T1a / Tractor T1b] – starting at £11,490 Ranger 570 EPS Hunter Edition in Pursuit Camo [EU] – starting at £10,260 Ranger 570 EPS Nordic Pro Edition in Black Pearl [Tractor T1a / Tractor T1b] – starting at £13,090 Please note, no finance offer can be combined with this promotion.

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| ATV

Suzuki ATV

Suzuki is the King of Quality ATVs

Suzuki ATVs are comfortable, reliable and hard-working. he proven capabilities and consistent build quality if Suzuki’s KingQuads is a direct result of an extremely meticulous and thorough testing process, including final visual inspection of the engine and chassis and full test rides, which include the use of all gears, speedometer and lights, as well as rider tests of the suspension and steering. If you’re spending long hours in the saddle, routinely riding over very rough country, towing large loads, or using heavy attachments then choose Suzuki.

Increased towing capacity Improvements to the chassis result in a superior towing capacity of up to 600kg with smooth power delivery and no lag. This means that Suzuki KingQuads can help farmers and land workers improve operational efficiency by enabling them to move heavier loads.

All day comfort Suzuki’s exclusive T-shaped seat delivers maximum rider manoeuvrability and all-day comfort you simply won’t find anywhere else.

This is a must-have when you spend lots of time out in the field. Estate manager and prominent Gamekeeper Paul Childerley said, “I

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have been using ATV’s throughout my career and have tried and tested every brand on the market but I have been running Suzuki quad bikes for over ten years with fantastic satisfaction and reliability for the job. I only put my name to products I truly believe in and this is definitely one of them. Suzuki ATV’s are always reliable, easy to drive and comfortable to ride. Childerley Sporting gamekeepers and guides all use the ATV’s as an essential part of equipment for everyday work.”

Also adding to rider comfort is Suzuki’s fully independent suspension system with 5-way spring preload adjustable shock absorbers, which offers superior ride quality. Whether you need to tread carefully or storm over obstacles, the selectable 2WD/4WD with optional differential lock is available at the touch of a button.

Styling Suzuki’s Handlebar-mounted headlight directly contributes to enhanced usability and practicality illuminating the path ahead even during tight turns.

Joyce Campbell, Scottish Highlands Sheep Farmer says, “We’ve been using Suzuki quads for over 17 years and I’ve never once been

disappointed with their performance, safety or reliability. They easily cover our 5800 acres of rough hill ground.” Reliability and performance are key to making time on the fields as efficient as possible.

With its tried and tested products, Suzuki has carved out an enviable reputation for being the ‘go to’ brand for the supply of ATVs into farming and agriculture, as well as achieving several notable fleet sales deals into the adventure and trekking market All Suzuki ATVs come with free EASI rider training Covering pre-ride checks, riding in different conditions, and negotiating obstacles, it’ll help keep you, and your ATV, safe and productive long-term. They also come with free CESAR Security System powered by Datatag, giving each ATV a unique ‘fingerprint’ with an identity that cannot be erased. This acts as a powerful theft deterrent and a tool for recovery should the worst happen, as well as reducing your insurance premiums.

In addition to Suzuki’s quality products, the brand is supported by a strong network of trusted and knowledgeable Dealers throughout the UK.

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| Motors

The new MINI Countryman The MINI Countryman, the biggest and most versatile member of the MINI model family, has an updated design, additions to the equipment range and new innovative technology. The latest version optimises space, versatility, functionality and ride comfort. he MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid ALL4 (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 – 1.7 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 – 13.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 45 – 40 g/km) combines efficiency and hybrid-specific allwheel drive with the option of pure electric driving.

In addition to plug-in hybrid drive, the new MINI Countryman is also available with two petrol engines and one diesel engine featuring the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. The engines have seen extensive development and cover an output ranging from 100kW/136hp to

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140 kW/178 hp. They already meet the emissions standard Euro 6d, which will not be binding until 2021. All three engines can be combined with the all-wheel drive system ALL4 on request.

The new MINI Countryman: Highlights.

• Distinctive front design with newly designed radiator grille.

• LED headlamps and LED fog lights now as standard.

• LED rear lights in new design.

• New body finishes, new Piano Black Exterior option.

• New light alloy wheels.

• Latest generation of engines, all Euro 6d emissions standard compliant.

• New digital dash display with 5-inch colour screen as standard.

• Newly designed central instrument in Piano Black High Gloss available as an optional extra.

• New range of leather trims and interior surfaces.

• New version of the MINI Yours Interior Style.

• Extended range of Original MINI Accessories. ngines with optimised MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology and emission control to meet Euro 6d emission standard.

An extensively developed engine portfolio allows the new MINI Countryman to achieve an even more favourable balance between driving fun and fuel consumption. In addition to

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| Motors

optimisation of CO2 levels, other aspects of the emissions performance have been consistently improved by including particulate filters for petrol engines and SCR with AdBlue injection for diesel engines. This means that all model variants of the new MINI Countryman now meet the particularly rigorous Euro 6d emission standard.

MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology is used in the 3-cylinder petrol engines of the new MINI Cooper Countryman and in the 4-cylinder petrol engine of the new MINI Cooper S Countryman. It now includes an exhaust manifold integrated in the cylinder head along with turbo charging, in highly effective cooling of the exhaust gases and the turbocharging system. At the same time, crankcase cooling can be reduced when demand is low in the partial load range by means of a new split cooling valve. In addition, petrol engine direct injection operates at a maximum pressure that has been increased from 200 to 350 bar.

Like the petrol engines, the diesel engines also have a new starter generator with optimised

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efficiency. In the 4-cylinder engines of the new MINI Cooper D Countryman, MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology consists of a turbocharging system featuring exhaust gas recirculation and common rail direct injection. The two-stage turbocharging system previously used exclusively in the most powerful diesel engine now also optimises the response of the 4cylinder engine in the MINI Cooper D Countryman, with the injectors feeding fuel to the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 2500 bar.

ALL4 as an option for four engine variants – and a standard feature of the plug-in hybrid model.

The ALL4 all-wheel drive system provides a noticeable boost in terms of traction, driving stability and agility. As an alternative to the brand’s hallmark front-wheel power transmission, this system is optionally available for four model variants of the new MINI Countryman. With its fast and precise electronic control, the system ensures need-based

distribution of power between the front and rear wheels in all road surface and weather conditions.

The new MINI Cooper Countryman Plug-In Hybrid ALL4 is fitted with a hybrid-specific allwheel drive system as standard. The system manages a precisely controlled interaction between the 3-cylinder petrol engine transmitting its power to the front wheels with an electric synchronous motor that acts on the rear wheels.

Together, the two power units produce a system output of 162 kW/220 hp. The latest eDrive technology available for BMW Group plug-in hybrid models also includes a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a gross energy content of 9.6 kWh, giving the new MINI Cooper Countryman Plug-In Hybrid ALL4 a maximum electrically powered range of 55 to 61 kilometres.

The new MINI Countryman is priced from £23,500 RRP and available to order now.

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The Bentley Bentayga 20,000 Pinnacle luxury SUVs

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| Motors

Bentley Bentayga 20,000 luxyury SUVs and counting...

Bentley Motors has built the 20,000th Bentayga since the start of production and customers deliveries in 2016. The Bentayga remains the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world, offering a true Bentley driving experience and showcasing unparalleled luxury combined with effortless performance and everyday usability. he multi-award-winning Bentayga set the luxury SUV benchmark back in 2016, offering customers the ultimate Grand Touring experience unrestricted by landscape or conditions. Go-anywhere driving ability and imperious luxury are the hallmarks of the Bentayga – powerful, individual and exquisite in equal measure, the Bentayga is for those who demand luxury without compromise. To summarise the car’s achievements, Bentley has today released a short film showing the car delivering on its promise of power, performance and luxury.

Driving growth of the luxury SUV market sector The first customers received their vehicles at the start of 2016 and in the four years since, 20,000 Bentaygas have been handcrafted by the skilled workforce at the Bentley factory in Crewe. Each one has spent more than 100 hours on a dedicated production line, where a team of 230 craftspeople meticulously assemble every Bentayga by hand.

Over the introduction of five derivatives and four different powertrains has provided greater opportunities for customers old and new to Bentley, to add to their portfolio.

Generating demand also creates opportunity for competitors, however the Bentayga’s diverse abilities means that it has outsold all of

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its key competitors over the last four years and cemented the acclaim of the pinnacle luxury SUV. Bentayga – The ‘Game Changer’ Recognition soon came after the launch of Bentayga winning the ‘Game Changer’ award from a leading automotive publication for setting new standards and defying convention, due to its unique combination of luxury and goanywhere ability.

The Bentayga’s interior set new standards for both luxury and precision, with meticulous tolerances between the exquisite veneered woods, leather and metal elements. This level of perfection is only achievable thanks to the exceptional craft and skill of Bentley’s colleagues in Crewe.

Never before had a vehicle so coherently combined genuine luxury with go-anywhere driving ability. The development programme for the Bentayga was the most exhaustive in the Bentley brand’s history, ranging across five continents. From the dirt and gravel of South Africa, the dunes of Dubai, the muddy fields of Cheshire, and from -30°C in the frozen North Cape to searing 50°C desert heat, the Bentayga’s ability to perform on any surface and even in the most extreme conditions was proven.

One of the key successes of the Bentayga was the introduction of Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 48V

system. The system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver classleading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.

While conventional anti-roll bars present a compromise between body control and ride comfort, Bentley’s adaptive and reactive system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the Bentayga to be both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times.

The pioneering use of a 48V system results in silent, instantaneous responses and sufficient power on hand to deal with all road surfaces.

It offers the widest range of

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| Motors on- and off-road drive settings of any vehicle via Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and optional Responsive Off-Road Setting. Up to eight modes are available, allowing drivers, at the simple turn of a dial, to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition.

Extraordinary adventures and past times The Bentayga enables customers to explore unimaginable places in exquisite luxury – an ability showcased with a Bentley ‘Extraordinary World’ drive across Chile and Bolivia with a number of customers in September 2016. The week long journey began in northern Chile, at Moon Valley where NASA tested the Mars Rover, then continued through the Atacama Desert, the highest in the world, and onwards across Chile’s expansive salt flats where the customers had the opportunity to use the full potential of the Bentayga.

By 2018 further adventures had unfoldeded; exploring Iceland in a fleet of Bentayga V8s, experiencing the luxury SUV’s incredible offroad prowess, fording frozen rivers, climbing ragged rock faces and navigating frozen trails.

Guy Smith demonstrated the pace of the Bentayga V8 on Rømø Beach in Denmark whilst racing two Kitesurfing World

Champions, while others enjoyed the comfort and technology on their way to the Faroe Islea to go surfing - all displaying the ability and ease to explore further in a Bentley than ever before.

For those staying closer to home, customers can personalise their vehicles in line with their pastimes, via Mulliner – Bentley’s bespoking

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and coachbuilding division. A number of limited editions have been commisioned for a range of outdoor pursuits including falconry, fly fishing, field sports and even horse racing - utilising the Bentayga’s significant 3,500 kg towing capacity.

Power, records and agility At the heart of the Bentayga is the powertrain, which delivers previously unseen levels of power and torque for an SUV. Whether the powerful W12, sporting yet efficient V8, future-focused plug-in hybrid or the technologically advanced triple charged V8 diesel -all of Bentayga’s powertrain provide the ability of effortless grand touring.

At launch an all-new twin-turbocharged 6.0litre W12 engine combined efficiency and refinement. With 608 PS (600 bhp / 447kW) and 900 Nm (663 lb. ft) delivered a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds) and a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h).

The innovative Bentley V8 engine was also calibrated to suit this exceptionally capable SUV. Powerful and efficient, with seamless power delivery, it provides an effortlessly engaging drive – both on and off the road. It delivers an impressive 542 bhp (550 PS) of power that can take it to a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h), accompanied by a potent V8 engine sound that reflects the car’s sporting capabilities. The V8 engine achieves its maximum torque of 770 Nm (568 lb ft) at 1,960 rpm and maintains this right through to 4,500 rpm, ensuring rapid acceleration at any engine speed and a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds).

The

24th of June, 2018 in Colorado, USA. Driven by two-time champion Rhys Millen, the Bentayga completed the 12.42-mile course in just 10:49.9 – taking nearly two minutes off the previous record by averaging 66.5 mph while climbing almost 5,000 ft through 156 corners,.

The Bentayga Speed is the most powerful and performance-oriented Bentayga to date. It builds on a long tradition of Speed models that was born with the Continental GT in 2007. The Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga’s extraordinary abilities to new levels, boosting maximum power from 608 PS in the existing 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged model to 635 PS (626 bhp).

With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed increased from 187 mph (301 km/h) to 190 mph (306 km/h), while the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.1 seconds to 3.9 seconds.

The first step to Bentley’s journey to electrification The Bentayga Hybrid represented Bentley’s first step towards full electrification, combining the serenity of silent motoring with exquisite comfort and effortless performance.

Offering the best of both worlds, the new plug-in hybrid model combines an advanced electric motor with a powerful and efficient newgeneration V6 petrol engine. The hybrid version of the world’s most luxurious SUV will be the company’s most efficient model ever with CO2 emissions of 79 g/km (WLTP).

The Bentayga Hybrid combines traditional Bentley values with the very latest technologies, giving customers the best of both wrlds engaging, effortless performance on the open road and silent, emission-free driving in the city, which will become increasingly important.

Following Bentley tradition, the Bentayga Hybrid pioneers a new automotive sector – the luxury hybrid – and sets Bentley on the path towards a sustainable electrified future.

[Bentayga WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 19.280.7 (14.7-3.5). Combined CO2 – 79-335g/km.]

Bentayga demonstrated its outstanding performance credentials by claiming the outright record for a production SUV at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday

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Isuzu announces offer to help Britain pick-up There’s never been a better time to upgrade your pick-up, thanks to Isuzu’s new and exclusive deal, which offers great discounts across its multi-award-winning Isuzu D-Max range. he professional pick-up specialist is giving potential owners up to a generous £2,000 extra towards the purchase price of a brand new Isuzu D-Max, which is capable of towing up to three-and-a-halftonnes and has the benefit of a five year / 125,000 mile warranty, plus 5 year UK and EU roadside assistance. The discount that applies is related to the model selected and clearly signposted on the Isuzu website.

Isuzu would like to say a huge thank you for keeping Britain working through the lockdown period. That’s whether that’s essential workers or people who’ve done their bit by staying at home. Isuzu UK are very keen to

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help Britain pick-up where it left off.

Isuzu UK Head of Marketing, George Wallis added: “This amazing Pick-up and Carry On campaign gives consumers the opportunity to get up to £2,000 extra towards the latest awardwinning Isuzu D-Max models.

We’re expecting huge demand to help things pick-up, hence why the offer is while stocks last. The combination of the most awarded Pick-up with an offer relevant for these challenging times, means there truly has never been a better time to buy an Isuzu D-Max.” The award-winning Isuzu DMax, has won WhatVan? Pick-up of the Year for 2020 (3rd year running). The award-winning Isuzu D-Max had a successful 2019, being crowned ‘Pick-Up of The Year’ at the Commercial Fleet

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Awards (2nd year running) and ‘Pick-up of the Year’ 2019 from Pickup & 4x4 Pro, ‘Best Working Pick-Up’ for 2019 by Professional Pick-Up & 4X4 magazine, ‘Best Workhorse Pick-Up’ for 2019 by Trade Van Driver (7th year running) and Van/Truck Brand of the year 2019 by On The Tools (2nd year running).

The offer is available until 31 July 2020 and only while stocks

last. It applies to retail customers only purchasing Business, AllPurpose or Adventure models. For more information on the terms and conditions and how to take advantage of the deal, please contact your nearest participating Isuzu dealer, which can be found at https://www.isuzu.co.uk/find-adealership

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| Motors

New Hyundai Santa Fe revealed featuring a range of enhancements Hyundai Motor has revealed first images and videos of the new Santa Fe. The enhanced version of Hyundai’s flagship SUV in Europe offers a range of premium updates and new hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. In addition, it will be the first Hyundai vehicle in Europe to utilise the company’s all-new third-generation vehicle platform, resulting in improved performance, efficiency and safety. hese enhancements arrive just in time for the 20th anniversary of Hyundai’s longest-running SUV. Sold in Europe since 2001, the D-segment SUV has been praised for its comfort and roominess, comprehensive standard features and functional cabin design. The latest series of improvements makes the new Santa Fe an even more premium choice for its customers. As well as offering the option of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time, the new Santa Fe features a bold and distinctive new design as well as a range of new technology and safety features.

“We modernized the New Santa Fe with premium features and appealing aesthetics that are sure to add value,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Hyundai Design Center. “The bold lines that extend from one side to the other and from front to back give Santa Fe a rugged yet refined look that SUV customers want. Besides, we have added numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.”

“With the range of new features, the new Santa Fe further progresses as a premium vehicle,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice

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President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. “It once again shows that we are listening to our customers and are constantly providing the latest features to serve their needs.

This is also the case regarding our powertrain line-up. With the introduction of our new Santa Fe, our whole SUV line-up will be available with electrified versions ranging from hybrid solutions to fuel cell.”

More efficient and new electrified powertrains Following the popularity of the Kona Electric and Hybrid, Hyundai’s best-selling subcompact SUV, Hyundai expands its electrified SUV line-up to its flagship SUV in Europe. The new Santa Fe is the first Hyundai in Europe to go on sale with the new ‘Smartstream’ hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain. More information on the new Santa Fe powertrain line-up will be released in the near future.

New platform for a better performance and improved safety The new Santa Fe is the first Hyundai model in Europe and first Hyundai SUV globally based on the all-new third-generation Hyundai vehicle platform. The new platform allows for significant improvements in performance, handling, fuel efficiency and safety.

By featuring a system that controls the flow of air, the new platform improves air movement

through the engine bay and allows heat to dissipate. This enhances stability in the lower part of the vehicle. Vehicle stability is further enhanced by the lowered position of heavy equipment within the platform, which reduces weight and lowers the centre of gravity.

Aerodynamics have also been improved so that air resistance is minimised to deliver excellent fuel efficiency, power and driving performance.

The fixed points for the steering arms have been positioned closer to the middle of the front wheels, allowing for more agile handling.

Meanwhile, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance is improved through reinforced sound-absorbing systems in vibrationsensitive parts.

The new platform also brings with it significant improvements in collision safety, thanks to improvements in engineering. Through the use of a multi-load path structure, hot stamping, and the integration of a super high-tensile steel plate, the platform will enable the car to better absorb the impact in the event of a collision while at the same time minimising the deformation of the passenger space.

The new Santa Fe will be available in Europe starting September 2020.

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