CEREALS SPECIAL
Issue 48 | Summer 2018
ADAM HENSON ENGAGES WITH OUR NEXT GENERATION Perhaps the best-known farmer in the UK, rural television presenter Adam Henson spoke to our Next Generation members recently at a special event.
adaptable
He talked passionately about his love for the industry, conservation and the countryside at the event, which was organised by Fram Farmers, and by Lloyds Bank, for whom he is Farming Ambassador. Together with business partner Duncan Andrews, Adam farms 5,000 acres of arable land, including the tenancy of the 650ha estate at Kineton near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire which he took over from his father, Joe, in 1999. Long-term friends, they also run the Farm Park that Joe started
in 1971, now known as The Adam Henson Cotswold Farm Park, which attracts 150,000 visitors annually. “Working as a farmer and TV presenter is exciting and rewarding", says Adam. Believing passionately that Britain produces some of the best food in the world, he emphasised that farming and the wider agricultural industry is now moving forward at such a pace that it needs to attract bright, innovative, forwardlooking individuals with a passion for our sector. Continued on page 5
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Changes ahead for CGT payment HM Revenue & Customs is proposing, in less than two years’ time, to rewrite the rules around Capital Gains Tax (CGT), following the disposal of a residential property. The current timescale for payment is going to be slashed to 30-days writes Jodie Tarbin. From April 6 2020, a payment-onaccount of CGT, will be required following the sale of a residential property. Draft legislation embodying HM Revenue & Customs proposals is expected this summer. The payment will need to be made within 30 days of completion must be accompanied by submission of a ‘payment-on-account’ return. Amounts paid on account will be credited against the tax due for the year. HMRC has published a technical consultation web-page considering the changes including: • how the amount will be calculated • administration of payments • changes to the current payment on account system for non-residents who dispose of UK residential property.
Are you affected? The changes will mainly affect those disposing of second homes and investment properties. If you make a loss or if no CGT is payable, for example if the sale of your home is fully covered by Main Residence Relief then no ‘payment-on-account’ return will be required. However, disclosure may still be necessary through the SelfAssessment tax return. If the property has not been occupied as the main residence throughout the period of ownership and therefore only part of the gain on a property is
covered by Main Residence Relief, an interim payment and return will be required in respect of the taxable element.
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The proposals affect overseas residential properties. However, an exception applies if the gain is also taxed in the other country and double taxation relief is available, or the gain is taxed on the remittance basis. The proposed revisions will not apply to companies.
• • • • • • • •
Concerns Under current legislation, taxpayers may have up to 665 days to pay the CGT due, depending on the date of the sale and the tax year into which it falls. This is hugely different to the proposed 30-day timescale. This may cause cash flow issues, particularly if a property is gifted - no proceeds received - and a chargeable gain arises. In these circumstances a ‘payment-on-account’ return and interim payment will still be required. Therefore, it will be important to ensure sufficient funds are available to pay the CGT instalment within the timescale in order to avoid both interest and penalties. One of the main concerns is the additional administrative burden. Each disposal may need to be reported on two returns; the new ‘payment on account’ return with a separate return for each sale and the self-assessment return. That’s a lot of form filling if there have been multiple property sales!
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CEO COMMENT
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2030 Richard Anscombe, Chief Executive Planning for the short, medium and long-term is vital for any business, so each year the Fram Farmers Board meet off-site to do just that. This year, our focus was on how the agricultural sector might look by 2030 and we invited Savills along at the start to share their thoughts and stimulate discussion. It’s clear that the Government is focused on an environment-led agenda post-Brexit and because of agriculture’s relatively small contribution to Gross Domestic Product it could be the sacrificial lamb when trade deals are being negotiated. Therefore, you should at least consider that outcome, review your business and think about what changes might be needed to remain viable. The Government appears to have no appetite to support farming, which leads us to question whether they will help to manage the inevitable volatility within the sector following Brexit. Our view is that farming businesses should plan to be on their own, without significant government support. The Top 25% will likely already be ‘Brexit proof’. Those who attended our Brexit workshops know, for example, that arable
farms in this sector spend 32% less than average on labour and 28% less on machinery per £100 of turnover, yet invest almost twice as much, £310/ha. Benchmarking is vital to understand where your business is positioned currently and where you need to be. A good starting point is the Farm Business Survey’s free benchmarking website (www. farmbusinesssurvey.co.uk/benchmarking), which allows you to compare your own financial and performance data with FBS averages.
CONSOLIDATION IS INEVITABLE
Clearly, there will be substantial consolidation and by 2030 many of today’s farming businesses will no longer exist. The trend is towards larger, more professional agribusinesses, but family farms which own their land and are debt-free will continue, although developing niche markets, diversification projects and off-farm income will become more important. Medium-sized businesses are likely to face the greatest pressures, particularly those which are tenants, have a high debt burden, or support several generations. The supply chain will also be affected as farm incomes fall and current input prices become unsustainable, so we are aligning ourselves with businesses that will be best placed to serve and benefit our members. In a changing world where suppliers and end-customers will become ever-larger, information will be a key currency. Fram Farmers will become
more important to members, not just in terms of purchasing inputs and marketing outputs, but as a trusted source of business-critical information and advice. To do so we must be alive to everything that could affect our sector, which requires the best infrastructure, systems and people. As knowledge brokers, we can help you to identify the best information, services and products, and signpost you to specialists who can assist with any area of your business. We can also bring together groups of farmers with a specific business, interest or goal, the Fram Farmers Pig Group being a good example of cooperation delivering mutual benefit. We work closely with independent agronomy groups, such as Apex Agronomy and Prime Agriculture, to help members benefit from completely independent advice and source inputs in the most cost-effective way. We are also looking at how we can act as a catalyst to bring members together to improve efficiency and profitability, such as by sharing labour/machinery or combining rotations. Of course, all of this relies on trust. Fram Farmers already invest huge time and resources in adding value and collating information to benefit members. As that increases it will be vital that we deal only with members who are willing to cooperate fully and respect our confidentiality rules. Finally, in a previous article I mentioned the growing importance of the millennial generation. For a variety of reasons, many of of them have a very different view of the world compared with previous generations, so in considering how your business might look by 2030 think what they might be buying and how you can supply them.
CF Fertilisers UK, the country’s premier fertiliser manufacturer, invited Fram Farmers to take a group of members to their head office and manufacturing site at Ince in Cheshire recently to see how Ammonium Nitrate (Nitram) fertiliser is produced. Richard Anscombe (Chief Executive), Annie Buckingham (Fertiliser Buyer) and Ross Dawson (Arable Inputs Specialist) accompanied 11 Fram Farmers members on the visit, some of them existing users of CF’s market-leading AN product Nitram (34.5%N), and others who use imported AN, urea and liquids, so some good discussions were had! CF Fertilisers were represented by Mike Buchan (Commercial Director), Alison Grundy (Agronomist), Clive Deeley (Eastern Regional Manager) and Ross Leadbeater (Eastern Technical Manager) who gave a technical briefing and market update following the plant tour. Located on 124 acres next to the Manchester Ship Canal, the Ince site produces one million tonnes of low carbon fertiliser per annum. CF’s iconic blue bags are the symbol of the highest quality, best performing products, including its signature offering Nitram, and its Nitrogen Sulphur fertilisers DoubleTop and SingleTop which are true granular compounds contacting both N&S in every granule to ensure accurate, even distribution and top performance. Fram Farmers visit CF head office
A significant investment programme has, amongst other benefits, resulted in CF now having full accredited carbon footprints for every product certified by the Carbon Trust.
Fram Farmers, Station Road, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9EE Tel 01728 727700 Every precaution has been taken to ensure that the material published in Farmers First is accurate at the time of printing. For further details about anything featured in this edition please call Sophie Clarke at Fram Farmers on 01728 727700, or Julian Cooksley and Charles Macdowell at Land Communication on 01473 353613.
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4 MEMBER PROFILE - ARABLE VENTURE LTD, ANGUS
About AVL Arable Ventures Ltd (AVL) is a joint venture business which was set up in 2014 by two long-established farming businesses. Lindertis Farms, owned by Alistair Hopkinson and his sons James and Tom, operates 480ha of owned and contract farmed arable land at Kirriemuir in Angus. Euan and Susan Walker-Munro own Walker-Munro Farms Ltd seven miles away at Kinnettles in Forfar and their 620ha had previously been contract farmed for 11 years.
SCOTTISH DISCOVER MANY Joining Fram Farmers is one of several initiatives taken by Scottish farm management company Arable Ventures Limited to cut costs and drive yields.
The two families decided to establish a joint venture company primarily to reduce their individual fixed costs by sharing labour and machinery. Though both continue to operate as stand-alone businesses, Arable Ventures Ltd, a 50:50 partnership, now owns all the equipment and carries out stubble-to-stubble management contracts across the two farming operations, while James provides farm management services for Walker-Munro Farms.
Cropping Winter wheat - 200ha for feed and distilling Winter barley - 100ha Winter oats - 70ha Spring oats - 60ha on contract to Oatco, the largest single supplier of milling oats to Quaker’s Uthrogle Mill, Cupar. Spring barley - 329ha Vining peas - 86ha Potatoes - 100ha Ecological Focus Area (EFA) – 50ha Raspberries – 12ha 200 – cow suckler cows
“When we started AVL, our two farming businesses were quite traditional in terms of crop establishment, but ploughing power harrowing, drilling and rolling was labour intensive and costly,” James Hopkinson of Arable Ventures Limited in Angus explains. “This system was ‘over-kill’ on much of our land because three-quarters of it is easyto-work sandy loam, while the remainder is sandy silt, organic or clay loams. “To enhance the benefits of reducing our fixed costs by sharing labour and machinery through AVL, I felt that we should move gradually to a more diverse rotation and a reduced tillage system of establishing crops, using cultural controls where possible to try and start reducing pesticide and fertiliser inputs. We are rapidly losing chemicals to the re-approval process and weed, pest and disease resistance, therefore different approaches must be taken to protect what we do still have left in the tool box! “We are using the latest precision agricultural techniques, such as GPS yield mapping to variably replace P&K, using Gatekeeper to create our own maps and sampling soils one year in four to manage our soil indices.
HYBRID APPROACH TO ESTABLISHMENT
“We purchased a John Deere 750a direct drill in August 2017 which we have used in full tillage, minimal tillage and zero tillage systems. At Walker-Munro Farms we establish 80 hectares of wheat following oilseed rape, after using a Claydon Straw Harrow to chit weeds and volunteers, then sprayed them off with glyphosate. The Straw Harrow worked exceptionally well and is a hugely important part of managing stubbles effectively. We are planning a “hybrid approach” for crop establishment, tailoring it to soil and weather conditions, but with the annual rainfall here circa 1200mm we need to know our parameters! “The power harrow was sold, and where the plough is still used we have become much more flexible in terms of seedbed preparation. On the lighter land, for example, we might just use a furrow press on the 6-furrow reversible to consolidate the soil, then go over with the 12m rolls and in with the JD 750a. After graduating from Gloucester University with a degree in Landscape and Environmental Studies, James Hopkinson returned to Lindertis Farms in Scotland, then established Arable Ventures Limited in 2014. FACTS-qualified and currently studying for BASIS, he is a strong advocate of Fram Farmers membership and believes it will assist in developing the business.
“Last year, we entered a field of Zulu Winter Wheat into the ADAS YEN (Yield Enhancement Network) and its 12.1 t/ha yield was in the top 20th percentile. The project provided a fantastic insight into our own farm constraints and, because it is a grower and industry-led network run by ADAS, I feel it has so much to offer in understanding how to maximise yield and gross output. AHDB are also involved, and through this I am intending on getting involved with the AHDB Farmbench benchmarking program.”
MEMBER PROFILE - ARABLE VENTURE LTD, ANGUS
NY WAYS TO REDUCE COSTS AN INDEPENDENT NATURE An advocate of independence when it comes to agronomic advice and product purchasing, James suggested that AVL move away from the package-deal approach of a major supplier previously used by Walker-Munro Farms. Instead, James teamed up with Scottish Agronomy, the country’s leading independent arable farming consultancy, and joined Fram Farmers, partly on the recommendation of his uncle, long-standing member Charles Hopkinson who farms at Occold in Suffolk. “Fram Farmers make life so much easier by eliminating much of the routine back-office work that any farming business has to do, and which can be so time-consuming. That is invaluable,” James states. “There are so many advantages to membership in terms of being able to contact their team of technical specialists for advice on both branded and generic products, order online at any time of the day or night, specify where and when
products are delivered and view invoices online. It’s a very neat system and a very timeefficient way for us to operate. “We currently purchase a wide range of farm inputs through Fram Farmers, from agrochemicals, fertiliser and seed to electricity, ‘phones and wearing metal, as well as 50% of our anticipated fuel requirement through the forward-buy pool, which reduces our exposure to market risks.
“Prices for inputs here are higher than they could be due to the lack of significant competition.” “As our relationship continues to develop, we see increasing benefits from lower input costs and are finding additional ways to gain from our membership. Having received various manufacturer rebates over the last three years,
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I am currently considering replacing one of our pick-ups with a new Toyota through the Group and looking at the benefits of Case IH tractors.
POTENTIAL FOR FRAM FARMERS
“There’s a lot of scope for Fram Farmers to develop its membership base in Scotland. The prices that many farms here pay for inputs are higher than they could be due to the lack of significant competition,” says James. “Certainly, I had not realised that the gap between what we used to pay and prices in some other parts of the UK, where competition is greater, were so significant until we joined Fram Farmers in 2014 and immediately saw the differences. The saving on liquid fertiliser alone in the first year more than covered our annual membership, with all the additional benefits essentially for free. “What I particularly like about Fram Farmers is that we pay an annual membership fee that covers the running costs of the cooperative. After that everything we buy through it comes at cost price, with no additional percentage mark-up added, as with some so-called cooperatives.”
Continued from front cover To help achieve that and ensure that the adults of the future have the knowledge to make informed decisions about the food they eat, Adam explained that he is driving forward an initiative to make available a GSCE in agriculture. He also stressed the importance of educating the educators, for example ensuring that careers advisors understand what an exciting industry farming is, the wide range of professions it involves and the exciting career opportunities that are available. Unfortunately, many don’t!
FARMING NEEDS TO SHOUT
Speaking in the relaxed style which has become his trademark, Adam said that the public has been left behind in their perception of farming and that needs to change. Honesty and integrity are paramount to the consumers who purchase what UK agriculture produces, so they need to know we are doing the right thing. The farming sector has failed to communicate that message and the results are now evident. One or two generations now have no connection with farming or understanding of it, no idea about where their food comes from, nor how it is produced. In a country which produces some of the best food in the world, to the highest standards in the world, the farming industry should be shouting that message from the rooftops. Switching to the actual business of farming, Adam emphasised that being profitable is essential to operate at a high standard and produce the high-quality food that consumers expect, while remaining financially sustainable. Running a successful business requires exacting planning, minute attention to detail and the ability to continually identify even the smallest incremental improvements to make it
more efficient and sustainable. Adam stressed the importance of adding value, of selling on contract to provide more predictable returns in increasingly volatile markets and of developing long-term relationships with suppliers so that they understand your business, its aspirations and requirements.
FLEXIBILITY IS VITAL
Farms also need to be flexible, become better at adapting and plan for future changes. Adam used a new 4,000-tonne grain/straw store and sheep building which has recently been constructed on the farm as an example. It was designed so that if, for instance, producing
cereals became unprofitable and there was no requirement to store grain the building could be adapted for other uses, from insect farming to storing cars or caravans. To remain sustainable and thrive in the future you must be able to focus on more than one thing, Adam stressed. Simply improving the efficiency of what you do now is unlikely to be enough. Instead, you need to consider how to develop additional income streams and what the market wants, then work back from that, not the other way around which has generally been the case in the past. For businesses that are correctly positioned Adam believes that exciting times lie ahead.
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CEREALS: UAVS AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE
DRONE TECHNOLOGY OFFERS MANY BENEFITS Drones have been making the headlines recently, and increasingly they are making their mark in agriculture, says Fram Farmers’ service provider Flyibot.
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Flyibot and Hummingbird Flyibot, a Civil Aviation Authority-authorised commercial aerial filming and photography company in Suffolk, was established in 2014 by Kevin Snell, who served in the British Army for 13 years as a helicopter avionics engineer. After working in finance he set up his own drone company, and is a keen photographer and qualified thermographer - the latter enabling interpretation and reporting of thermal imaging data for various industries. He is qualified to fly Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and has third-party liability cover to £5m. Clearly, Kevin knows his stuff; his company provides aerial geospatial solutions and analysis for various industries including surveying, planning, architecture, construction and agriculture. Flyibot also works closely with Hummingbird Technologies, a UK company which provides drone-based actionable precision farming data and mapping imagery to farmers and agronomists wanting a detailed and timely understanding of their crops. While most operators use low-cost, multirotor drones, Flyibot’s and Hummingbird’s professional-standard eBee fixed-wing drones are faster, more efficient, carry several sensors and can stay in the air longer, making them ideal for agricultural operations over large areas.
Through Fram Farmers, Flyibot and Hummingbird offer an extensive range of timely services which enable fast, effective action across a range of crops, including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet, potatoes, soy and peas.
“With this, members get a true professionallevel service at competitive prices” Crop Variability Mapping, for example, highlights problems such as soil pH, compaction, nutrition, weeds, pests (soil and foliar), and nematodes, while Variable Rate Mapping measures crop performance and nitrogen investment. The technology also measures Green Area Index to optimise Nitrogen-based fertilisers and growth regulators, as well as providing presymptomatic identification of key diseases in wheat, barley, oilseed rape, beet and potatoes so adaptive fungicide strategies can be implemented. It can even help you to decide the optimum time to desiccate rape, or to identify areas of high grassweed pressure in break crops where additional herbicide application will be needed in the following crop. The list of applications does not stop there. It can also identify the correct application
rate for late-season Plant Growth Regulators, detect late blight in potatoes, recognise and quantify Potato Cyst Nematode populations and estimate both the marketable yield of potato crops and the percentage at the correct tuber size on a given date. In cereals and OSR the service can predict pre-harvest yields to inform marketing, storage and logistics decisions. You might also use Flyibot for 3D computer-generated models of old buildings that you wish to restore, to inspect fixed structures or generate heat maps.
Kevin Snell – a thermal image
Flight timings depend on the season and type of crop, but are planned to maximise effectiveness and deliver actionable intelligence to mobile or web-based platforms within 24 hours, so you can make informed decisions quickly and implement a targeted response only when a problem has been identified, saving time and money. Ian Caley, Fram Farmers’ Group Accountant, states: “Part of our role as a member-owned cooperative is to highlight new technologies. With this service through Fram Farmers, members get a true professional-level service at competitive prices. What you pay will depend on the level of service, but a typical figure would be £2 to £5/ha per flight, which provides NDVI mapping, yield prediction, weather-based disease probability forecasts, bi-weekly satellite surveys and Gatekeepercompatible map reports.”
For further information visit www.flyibot.co.uk or contact Kevin Snell on 07730 261985 or E: kevin@flyibot.co.uk
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CEREALS: CROP MARKETING
INFORMATION IS KEY TO SUCCESSFUL CROP MARKETING This year’s exceptionally wet winter and spring in the UK might lead some to think that domestic production will be lower and higher prices will result. But with agriculture now a global industry, that may not be the case, says Darrell Yarwood, Trading & Logistics Manager for our crop marketing partner ADM Direct.
When looking at the supply and demand balance we must consider potential threats to production. World wheat stocks are good, and with supply and demand finely balanced the factor most likely to lift prices is a threat to production. Currently, these include drought in North America where most of the Plains are officially in this category. Four of the five key Hard Red Wheat (HRW) States reduced their crop ratings from December to January and in February Kansas crop ratings were the lowest for 12 years. What happens in the US doesn’t necessarily impact on world prices because their large stocks act as a buffer. However, the US markets, including Chicago, often trade in insular fashion, but if Chicago prices rise on the back of continued drought conditions this could provide a selling opportunity.
WORLD WHEAT PRODUCTION (MMT, Main Producers)
150
100 150
50
“It is vital to have a grasp of the fundamentals that drive today’s agricultural commodity markets, from crop plantings, growing conditions and weather, to currencies and politics. ADM’s in-depth knowledge and leading analytical, technical, economic and human resources go way beyond anything that even the largest farming businesses could contemplate, and are a major reason why Fram Farmers’ Crop Marketing Department is so effective. At the start of 2017 we advised clients that world demand was predicted to exceed supply, world stocks were not quite what they seemed, the UK balance sheet was likely to be tight, and quality and currency would play a major role in determining prices. All but one of those predictions proved correct. Going into harvest prices increased when it appeared – briefly that world demand would exceed supply, providing an excellent selling opportunity. However, when instead of the 70 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) wheat crop that Russia had been expected to produce, it was 85MMT, prices fell back from their July peak and continued down until the end of 2017. So, what lies ahead? The total world wheat supply has increased every year for the last five years, from 660MMT in 2012/13 to around 754MMT for 2017/2018. Currently, it is the greatest on record, while total demand continues on an upward trend and is likely to be slightly higher in 2017/18 than 2016/17. World wheat ending stocks have increased every year since 2012/13 and are predicted to rise further. Increased stocks generally lead to more market stability and lower prices.”
Canada
100
0 50
0
150
100
EU
USA
150
100
50
50
0
0
150
100
50
2017/18 Prediction
0
2017/18 Actual 2018/19 Prediction
Argentina
RUSSIA IS KEY “Russia remains the focus due to its large exportable wheat surplus which will keep global prices in check, so growers should monitor the pace of their exports for the rest of this season. From 2016/17 to 2017/18, the country increased wheat production by over 15%, and recorded the highest percentage increase in carryout, whereas in the US it fell by around 25% and in Australia by almost 30%. Looking ahead to 2018/19, world demand for wheat is likely to increase by around 10MT to 745MT, largely due to increases across the human, industrial and feed sectors in Africa and Asia. World supply is predicted at 740MT, with lower production in Russia and India, but higher levels in the USA, Canada and Australia, while exporting countries are expected to reduce stocks. When looking at the supply and demand balance we must consider potential threats to production. World wheat stocks are good, and with supply and demand finely balanced the factor most likely to lift prices is a threat to production. Currently, these include drought in North America where most of the Plains are officially in this category. Four of the five key Hard Red Wheat (HRW) States reduced their crop ratings from December to January and in February Kansas crop ratings were the lowest for 12 years.
Winterkill in Eastern EU and Russia earlier in the year is no longer a concern, but unusually wet spring weather in parts of northern EU, including Poland, Germany and the Baltic States has reduced the planted area by up to 30%, and the EU has revised its production estimate downwards by around 600,000 tonnes.”
In the UK, we estimate 2017/18 production at 14.5MMT, similar to the 14.46MMT in 2016/17, but lower than the DEFRA/ AHDB figures of 14.8-15.1MMT WHAT ABOUT THE UK?
“In the UK, we estimate 2017/18 production at 14.5MMT, similar to the 14.46MMT in 2016/17, but lower than the DEFRA/ AHDB figures of 14.8-
CEREALS: CROP MARKETING
15.1MMT. Demand is higher due to increased animal feed and industrial use, and with a high level of imports not readily available, the balance sheet is likely to remain tight all season, unless we see a large drop-off in prices in Northern Europe or a further rally in Sterling. Looking ahead to UK prospects for 2018/19, the AHDB Early Bird Survey puts the winter wheat area at 1.748 million hectares, 2% less than last year. Based on the average 5-year yield of 8.0t/ha, that equates to a crop of 14.00MMT, but demand is unknown and might change depending on the requirement for bioethanol use. With the bread wheat area unchanged we can expect a tight balance sheet and the 2018 planted area is 2% lower, so yield and quality will be key factors. As ever, currency will play its part.”
SUMMARY
“Markets are subject to constant changes, so it is important to stay in touch with what is happening globally and have current information at your fingertips on which to make well-informed decisions.”
100
50
Marc Ostwald, Global Strategist, ADM Investor Services International The global economy is the strongest in a decade, but UK growth looks sluggish and is forecast to remain below 2017’s level (1.7%) for at least five years. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook for 2017-2026 projects that global demand will grow more slowly, with future growth in crop production attained mostly by increasing yields, and growth in meat/dairy production. Agricultural trade is expected to grow more slowly but remain less sensitive to weak economic conditions than other sectors. Real prices are expected to remain flat or decline for most commodities.
It’s very surprising that the EU/Canada trade agreement is said to be the favoured model, even more so as financial and other services would not be covered by this and c. 80% of the UK economy comes from services.
0
150
The UK is not unique in having infrastructure challenges, but these are likely to be exacerbated by leaving the EU. Agriculture is very problematic, particularly given the rather delusional UK and EU suggestion that the existing WTO tariff could simply be divided up. The US, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand have already voiced very strong opinions, which hardly bodes well for non-EU post-Brexit Free Trade Agreements.
100
Ukraine
50
0
China 150
The Global View
Financial markets often ride roughshod over political risk, but the Brexit referendum and US election results provided a wake-up call. In terms of Brexit, time is now of the essence and visibility is low. The second stage of negotiations relating to the future UK/EU trade negotiation is underway, but there’s still too much talking ‘at’ rather than ‘to’ each other, both with the EU and within the Conservative Party.
150
Russia
9
India
How CPA payments are realigned is also not un-problematical, seasonal labourers are an issue and how will all of this be integrated with food quality and safety standards, and incorporate climate change and environmental sustainability issues?
150
100 100
50
Other problem areas, such as ‘Rules of origin’, add another layer of red tape for processors and industry, and while the transition agreement does buy time it’s creating major tensions in UK government.
50
0 0
Australia
UK SUPPLY AND DEMAND (MMT) Production
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
Carry in stock
2.453
2.812
1.767
1.600
Production
16.508
14.457
14.500
14.000
Imports
1.509
1.200
1.600
1.600
Total Supply
20.470
18.479
17.867
17.200
H & I Use
7.396
7.950
8.132
8.100
Animal Feed Use
7.097
7.250
7.396
7.396
Seeds & Sundries
0.371
0.354
0.355
0.355
Total Demand
14.824
15.554
15.888
15.851
Exports
2.845
1.300
0.390
0.300
Carry Out Stock
2.812
1.767
1.600
1.600
This table whilst not a prediction illustrates how tight the balance sheet situation could become.
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CEREALS: SUPPLIER UPDATE - CROP PRODUCTION
CLEARFIELD – BEYOND BRASSICAS The Clearfield oilseed area doubled this year to over 60,000 ha and for the first time, some of that area is being grown by Charles Mathieson of W. A. Howes and son of Crawley Hall in Suffolk. Mr Mathieson said, “The reason I have grown Clearfield is maybe not why other growers would choose to do so. I didn’t grow it to control charlock and I don’t have a problem with high erucic acid rape (HEAR) contamination on the farm. We are growing it because it is coming in behind spring barley which we apply sulfonyl urea (SU) herbicides to.”
“The reason I have grown the Clearfield system is maybe not why other growers would choose to do so” RAPID START
BASF’s business development manager, Clare Tucker said, “Clearfield varieties are tolerant of SU herbicide residues, which may be present in the soil from the previous crop. This, in addition to hybrid vigour, gives Clearfield varieties their rapid start, providing early vigour, which is key in a difficult autumn.
“An easier, more practical way of growing a reliable, high yielding rape crop” The Clearfield system is an easier, more practical way of growing a reliable, high
yielding rape crop. It combines high performing varieties with post-emergence herbicides, and is well known for delivering excellent control of problem weeds, but for many growers, like Mr Mathieson, it is becoming the system of choice for other reasons”.
SU RESIDUES
Mr Mathieson explained his move to Clearfield: “A few years ago we had spring barley and wheat in the same field, and we used SU herbicides on the spring barley. The next crop into the field was oilseed rape, and you could see the detrimental effect the SU residues had on the oilseed rape right to the line where the spring barley had been. I couldn’t believe the difference. It didn’t kill the crop, but it certainly checked it and it couldn’t get away, and then even though it was all neonicotinoid dressed, cabbage stem flea beetles (csfb) came in and devastated the whole crop. We are now growing more spring barley. Behind winter barley we were min-tilling the land and drilling, whereas after spring barley I’m direct drilling; we haven’t got that luxury of time to cultivate. With the SU herbicides that we are using now, it’s got to hang about in the wrong weather conditions. If it’s dry and you are not moving the soil, then it’s going to be there. So that’s what made me go to Clearfield; I had seen the SU damage behind spring barley.”
COMPANION CROPPING
Mr Mathieson does his own agronomy and takes a keen interest in the technical side of arable farming. This year he has tried companion
STAND 445
See BASF at Cereals 2018
cropping his Clearfield varieties, Phoenix CL and DK Imperial CL, with white mustard, after learning of positive results from NIAB TAG trials in Cambridge. He said, “It was worth trying as the white mustard is low cost and we can manage the companion crop using the Clearfield system. The idea being that the csfb prefer to feed on the mustard and then when the crop is established we remove the mustard by spraying with a Clearfield herbicide, in this case Cleravo (imazamox+ quinmerac), leaving the Clearfield oilseed rape. However, it was an ideal autumn last year so we got good establishment, and there wasn‘t the pressure on the rape from csfb in this area. The crop is very even and it’s been able to get away with no constraints.”
EASIER MANAGEMENT
Ms Tucker said, “Clearfield herbicides Cleranda (imazamox+ metazachlor) and Cleravo ensure optimum crop establishment and are unaffected by seedbed type or establishment system. They both offer very similar weed control, or in this case companion crop removal, and flexible postemergence spray timing. They work best when applied to small weeds (up to about 4 leaves), with good spray cover and allowing at least two hours to become rainfast.” Mr Mathieson said, “With Clearfield I have got a crop and it has made for easier management. I will continue to use the Clearfield system behind spring barley because you know you can direct drill it into something that has had an SU in the spring. It just takes one of the issues that can hold oilseed rape back out of the mix.”
An SU herbicide was applied pre-emergence of oilseed rape in this demo trial, to demonstrate SU residue tolerance of Clearfield varieties. Clearfield Variety
Cleranda contains imazamox+ metazachlor. Cleravo contains imazamox+ quinmerac. Cleranda, Cleravo and Clearfield are registered trademarks of BASF. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.agricentre.basf.co.uk
Non Clearfield
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Flexible broad-leaved weed control. New Zypar™ combines remarkable Arylex™ Active and trusted florasulam to set new benchmarks in controlling broad-leaved weeds in winter and spring cereals. But Zypar’s real power is it works whatever the weed growth or the weather. So if you can get on, Zypar lets you get on, giving you the flexibility to always keep everything in great shape. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. Dow AgroSciences Limited, CPC2, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: +44 (0) 1462 457272. ®TM Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. ZYPARTM contains halauxifen-methyl (ArylexTM Active) and florasulam. Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 | UKHotline@dow.com | uk.dowagro.com
CEREALS: VARIETY DAY PREVIEW
VARIETY DAY WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER
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“We specialise in high-yielding feed wheats, as they suit our Hanslope/Beccles series soils and there are good markets locally. Each season I assess which varieties for seed will work best and generally produce four varieties of wheat for seed, from which I select one or two for commercial production. Last year we grew 100 ha of KWS Kerrin for the first time, a big commitment for a new variety. It out-yielded Shabras by 3.5%, KWS Santiago by 7% and KWS Siskin by 11.5%, so it became one of our commercial varieties this season. “This is the first time that BASF have taken part in a variety day with Fram Farmers and we believe it will be beneficial for all involved. “Two years ago, BASF established trial sites on working farms in key areas of the UK as part of our Real Results Circle programme. This UK-wide agricultural knowledge network brings together experts and industry specialists to identify and overcome issues that erode profits, and generates real results through realworld trials.
James Forrest
The Fram Farmers/ Apex Agronomy/ Prime Agriculture Variety Day on 27th June, at the BASF trials site on R.H. Forrest’s Mowness Hall in Suffolk, will provide an excellent opportunity to compare 32 winter wheat varieties in one field. The event will attract two NROSO points and five BASIS points. Fram Farmers work closely with the independent agronomy sector and for this year’s Variety Day we are delighted to be collaborating with two leading independent agronomy groups in the east, as many of their clients are members. Apex Agronomy will co-host the morning session, while Prime Agriculture will be our co-host for the afternoon.
Matthew Keane, BASF Agronomy Manager Suffolk
applying organic matter and establishing crops under favourable conditions. “I work closely with my independent agronomist, Peter Riley, and keep things simple. We grow a limited number of varieties, have a significant area of each, get to know them in detail and really understand how to manage them, particularly in respect of fungicides. This enables us to push them hard and maximise their potential.
“This is the second year of trials at Mowness Hall, where visitors will be able to compare current fungicides and upcoming chemistry on 32 wheat varieties, treated and untreated. The event will also provide an opportunity to discuss other BASF products, including herbicides and the Clearfield system.” BASF announced recently that it is set to launch a new ‘blockbuster’ azole cereal fungicide. Revysol, an innovative, highly effective fungicide active ingredient from the triazole chemical class, will strengthen the company’s leading position in fungicides and will likely be used as a partner to help slow fungicide resistance. Revysol is an excellent example of BASF’s well-filled pipeline of innovations and fits perfectly with its successful fungicide portfolio. With Revysol, the company says it has developed an active ingredient with Continued on p.15
This year’s host farm has been a Fram Farmers member for more than 40 years and operates over 4,000 acres of owned, rented and contracted land, as well as providing contracting services. James Forrest, a former Director of our cooperative, states: “We take a long-term approach and operate a long rotation which includes winter wheat, winter and spring barley, sugar beet, oilseed rape, spring beans and parsley. A large percentage of our wheat, spring barley and spring beans is grown for seed. All cereal seed crops are hand rogued to remove volunteers and blackgrass, which helps keep the farm clean. We also look after the soil by minimising compaction, incorporating straw,
Ross Dawson, Fram Farmers’ Arable Inputs Specialist, has seen great interest in Gleam and says that the seed could be in short supply. RGT Gravity is also popular, while Elicit (Elsoms), which has biscuit and export potential, is generating significant interest.
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CEREALS: SUPPLIER UPDATE - CROP PROTECTION
FORMULATION CHOICE KEY FOR EFFECTIVE GLYPHOSATE APPLICATIONS Last December saw the re-Approval of glyphosate for a further 5 years. Farmers and growers will continue to have access to this important tool enabling effective weed and vegetation management on farms across Europe. As part of the re-Approval process a number of new restrictions were introduced. One of the most significant has been the restriction on the use of tallow amine in glyphosate formulations. This specific surfactant had been the mainstay of generic glyphosate formulations for many years, since the original Roundup® came off patent in the 1990s. It was largely effective, however sometimes it could be overly aggressive on the leaf surface limiting uptake and reducing control. This was largely due to leaf cell degradation impacting on the translocation and movement of glyphosate around the plant.
Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to assess plant health by measuring the reflection of red light (absorbed by the plants in full photosynthesis) and infrared light (absorbed by the sick plants but mostly reflected by the healthy plants). Using this specialist technique, the trial results revealed that the Roundup products were considerably more effective than all the competitor products tested, including six different APE-based formulations.
latest Roundup surfactant systems continue to deliver class-leading performance whether in terms of speed of activity or rainfastness, management of hard water or spray drift reduction. Clearly, not all glyphosate products are the same. ‘The trial compared Roundup formulations against new tallow-amine free formulations in OSR volunteer stubbles looking at speed and efficacy of kill’
With the loss of tallow amine glyphosate manufacturers have turned to a wide range of surfactant types in an attempt to fill the gap. The development of new formulations requires a fine balance between maximising performance and minimising hazard to operator and environment. The ideal is a clean label formulation, free of hazard warnings, delivering high levels of control of both annuals and perennials, grasses and broad-leaved weeds. Monsanto’s current formulations have managed to achieve this, often using new and novel surfactants, frequently in careful blends, delivering the optimum relationship between user safety and herbicidal action. By comparison, many competitor products have struggled to give comparable levels of performance. In the absence of tallow amines, the most popular new surfactant group appears to be the alkyl phosphate esters, or APEs. The use of these surfactants can deliver clean labelled products but end users have been commenting on reduced performance. To better understand these concerns Monsanto ran an experiment last autumn to assess the speed of performance of a range of new competitor products in comparison with Roundup products. A field of oilseed rape volunteers was divided into experimental plots and different glyphosate products were accurately applied, all at the same rate, using a small plot experimental sprayer. As many farmers will agree, glyphosate products can take quite some time to show symptomology. So, in order to better assess and understand the performance of the various products a novel approach was adopted. The plots were assessed using a specialist multispectral camera fitted to a drone. This can assess differences which the human eye is unable to pick up and uses Normalised
Novel multispectral image of glyphosate trial taken 32 days after application, Czech Republic. NDVI defines the health of the plant by measuring the reflection of red light (absorbed by the plant in full photosynthesis) and infrared light (absorbed by the sick plants but mostly reflected by the healthy plants).
Not only were the Roundup formulations more active, the speed of the activity was seen to be faster. This was demonstrated by assessing the trial on two different dates and looking at the speed of change in control of the oilseed rape volunteers during the intervening period. The superior activity noted with the Roundup products in the trial compared to the competitors helps explain why Roundup performance holds up even in more challenging on-farm situations, such as reduced time to cultivations or when rain unexpectedly falls soon after application. Glyphosate may have been around for over 40 years, however through formulation technology this important tool continues to evolve. The
Monsanto UK Ltd. PO Box 663, Cambourne, Cambridge CB1 0LD. For further information on Roundup® contact the Monsanto Technical Helpline on 01954 717575. Email: technical.helpline.uk@monsanto.com Web: www.monsanto-ag.co.uk Roundup is a registered trademark of Monsanto LLC. Roundup contains Glyphosate. USE HERBICIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. © Monsanto (UK) Ltd 2018.
CEREALS: VARIETY DAY PREVIEW
Continued from p.13 outstanding biological performance in a multitude of crops. Customers will benefit from a unique combination of fast action, long-lasting control and a favourable regulatory profile. In addition to the potential to maximize crop quality and yield in a sustainable way, the proprietary fungicide will play an important role in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
Rob Hurren, Apex Agronomy
“The Variety Day will allow our clients to view current and new winter wheat varieties growing on heavy soil, which is typical for many of them. This season I have highlighted three new ones to my clients, Gleam (Syngenta), Elicit (Elsoms) and Jackal (KWS). “We’ll be keeping a close eye on Gleam, a very high yielding, hard Group 4 feed winter wheat that was added to the Recommended List for 2018. It suits all soil types, performs well in all regions and on heavy land looks like being a very good fit. “Elsoms’ Elicit, a Group 3 candidate with biscuit and export potential, is generating
significant interest with those looking for premium potential, and may well take market share from KWS Barrel, the leading Group 3. Elicit has a highly competitive treated yield and, crucially, a robust disease resistance package - 6 for Septoria, 9 for yellow rust and 7 for brown rust. “Most of my clients grow hard wheat, but Jackal, a soft Group 4, might have a place on some farms. It’s the highest yielding soft wheat on the Recommended List, producing consistent yields across regions, soil types and rotational positions. It has good disease ratings, short-medium height with stiff straw, OWBM resistance and suits a range of markets, including bioethanol, distilling and soft milling. “KWS Siskin is a Group 2 which yielded 0.250.5t/ha more than any other variety across my client group last season, but lodging was a problem. We’re looking with interest at RGT Gravity and KWS Kerrin, a very consistent variety which performs well in the East. “That said, neither did too well last season because of lodging. Similarly, we will want to see Graham (Syngenta) do well this year to maintain interest.” The Fram Farmers Variety Day will be held at R. H. Forrest Ltd’s Mowness Hall, Mowness Hall Lane, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk IP14 5JJ from 09.00-16.30, with lunch at 13.00. The venue is just off the A140 at Stonham Aspal and approximately four miles from Junction 51 on the A14.
Confirmed Exhibitors Include: Fram Insurance/AT & A Gleadell Fertiliser Yara Fertilisers Ilex Envirosciences Premier Seeds Walnes Seeds Command Pest Control FlyiBot Hummingbird Needham Chalks Anglia Water CASE IH Pro Straw systems MDT RTK Pan Anglia AICC AHDB
Norwich
VARIETY WATCH Rob Hurren’s New Wheats to Watch Gleam - Syngenta Elicit - Elsoms Seeds Jackal - KWS
Further details BASF Crop Protection UK: T: 0845 602 2553 E: technicalhotline@basf.com W:www.agricentre.basf.co.uk Apex Agronomy: T:07766 104047 E: info@apexagronomy.co.uk W: www. apexagronomy.co.uk Prime Agriculture: T: 01603 881852 E: enquiries@primeag.co.uk W: www. primeag.co.uk
Your Nationwide Training Specialist
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CEREALS: FARM WALK - SHIMPLING PARK FARMS
INSPIRATIONAL VISIT TO SUFFOLK ORGANIC FARM Some 30 Fram Farmers members visited the 1,360ha Shimpling Park Farms Ltd in West Suffolk on the last day of April to hear owner John Pawsey discuss modern organic farming systems and tour the farm. John’s family have farmed at Shimpling for four generations, and inside a barn - converted specifically to host events - he outlined the reasons why the business converted to organic production in 1999. John explained how this was achieved, the challenges and benefits, as well as the opportunities which exist to fulfil an increasing appetite for UK-produced organic products. Then it was out to the fields to see his approach in practice. April 2018 was amongst the hottest on record, but it was also one of the wettest since Met Office regional records started in 1910. At Shimpling the temperature was just 5.5°C, but with the wind gusting up to 50mph and rain falling it was bitterly cold, so this part of the visit was cut short. To make the most of the opportunity, a return visit will be arranged.
With more emphasis on our wider environment, pressure on chemical inputs such as Glyphosate and Neo-nic seed treatments, it was of great benefit to see how some of the organic systems that John has introduced may be incorporated into the ‘conventional farming’ process. A full article on this fascinating business will appear in the next issue of Farmers First.
accounts software to the agricultural sector for over 30 years, with integrated or standalone property management and crop recording solutions to provide rural and agricultural clients with software tailored to their needs. Whether you want to record crop inputs with the new easy-to-use Geofolia software, need a simple accounts package like KEYPrime Intro to submit VAT digitally in 2019, or a more complex solution, Landmark can help. All their software can be purchased either as a PC install or hosted solution, giving the flexibility to work anywhere with 3G/4G or Wi-Fi.
NEW FEATURE ALLOWS INVOICE IMPORT TO LANDMARK KEYPRIME ACCOUNTS Building on our previous success with Farmplan, as detailed in the Spring 2018 issue of Farmers First, we are pleased to announce that, after several months of negotiation, Landmark Systems have launched a Fram Farmers invoice import module for KEYPrime Accounts.
receive their monthly statements only in electronic format, so the fact that CSV files can now be imported directly into software provided by the two large suppliers of farm-based accounting software is a significant step forward in reducing farm office administration.”
Ian Caley, Group Accountant for Fram Farmers, states: “Over 50 per cent of Members now
Landmark, an award-winning business that hold a Royal Warrant for software supply, has provided
Fram Farmers member Stevenson Brothers near Great Dunmow in Essex have used Landmark software since 2004. Anna Stevenson states: “I am pleased with the big time saving the import offers. It also eliminates the risk of making mistakes during the entry of countless invoices, giving me better quality data at the year-end.” Our contact is Annabel James on 01798 877100 or annabel.james@landmarksystems.co.uk
STAND 321
See Landmark Systems at Cereals 2018
LIVESTOCK: STUDY TOUR
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FARM TOURS The 2018 Study Tour also included visits to other fascinating farming and food-related businesses: Palmdale Dairy, where owner Andrew Farr’s 150 cows are leased from the cow bank. He intends to quadruple numbers in four years and then sell up.
PIG GROUP MEMBERS STUDY FARMING IN AUSTRALIA Australian agriculture is fascinating and innovative, says Fram Farmers’ Pig Group Coordinator Gary Pleasance. “Fram Farmers’ Pig Group study tours enable members to gain first-hand experience of farming in other countries. This year, we travelled to Melbourne, then 220 miles north to Rivalea’s feed mill and pig unit at Corowa.
Melanda Free Pork is a 150-sow outdoor breeding herd owned by Matt Simmonds in the Hunter valley, where no meaningful rain has fallen for 10 months. Matt purchased this former vineyard two years ago and whilst initially neighbours were concerned about pollution and smells, limits on pig numbers and compliance with a nutrient plan that specifies green paddock cover have negated
Piercefield Camel Farm trains rescued camels from Western Australia deserts to adapt to a farming system and sells their milk to health shops in the Sydney area for $25/litre. Elf Mushroom Company, the secondlargest mushroom producer in NSW with 27% of the Australian market, is investing $20 million to develop its business. Leppington Pastoral Company, a modern 2,000-cow dairy herd based on US-style farming, is one of Australia’s largest and leads in promoting the dairy industry to schools, colleges and the public.
A leading integrated Australian agri-food company, Rivalea employs 1,200 staff and has extensive agricultural, processing and marketing interests. It’s the largest pig production site in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 25,000-sow indoor unit and a 500-sow outdoor unit. Another 500-sow unit and 20 contract breeding/finishing units enable the company to produce over 800,000 pigs a year, 18% of the country’s output. Rivalea’s ethos is ‘caring for every animal every day’ and it works hard to promote pig welfare, while a new $2.5million bio-gas plant is expected to pay for itself in two years, with more planned. Travelling 280 miles north to Parkes, we visited the Kebby and Watson farming partnership which grows 3,500ha of arable crops, then met Jayce Morgan from the Department of Agriculture for an insight into the pig industry from the government’s perspective. She explained that current challenges include run-off from outdoor units, odours and feral pigs, while veganism and animal right activity are increasing.
Pukara Estate Olive Grove, a 300acre mixed enterprise in the Hunter Valley, demonstrates how controlling production, spreading costs and building additional income streams maximise profitability.
AUSSIE FACTS From our travels we learned that: Australian agriculture is well-respected, offers good career prospects and is pro-active in self-promotion and defending itself against criticism. High salaries attract quality applicants, and additional benefits for longer-term employees help to retain staff.
those fears. Evaporation losses in January and February can be 10mm per day, so irrigation is needed and purchasing water costs over $1,000 per month. Shelters fitted with sprinklers help to cool the sows, which average 12 piglets per litter, with 10-10.5 weaned at 28 days. We also visited Matt’s finishing unit at Ebenezer near Sydney. Weaned piglets come from his breeding unit every four weeks, and 65% are sold at 10-13kg as suckling pigs through more than 30 outlets.”
Animal rights and veganism are met head-on with discussion and education. Technologies used in other industries are embraced and are often at the forefront of innovations to address production and staffing costs.
Space in Farmers First was limited, but you can read Gary’s comprehensive report at www.framfarmers.co.uk
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STAFF PROFILE: NAOMI STURGES
NAOMI IS TUNED TO MEMBERS’ NEEDS Naomi Sturges has always been passionate about music. Brought up in Maldon, Essex, she studied at the University of York, achieving a degree in the subject. A classically-trained singer, Naomi came to Suffolk to work in the archives at The Red House, Aldeburgh, the former home of composer Benjamin Britten but now operated as a museum by the Britten-Pears Foundation. After two years there, Naomi took up a one-year post at the library and archives of Girton College, which is unique among the Cambridge Colleges for being Britain's first residential college for women offering an education at degree level. “All of that was a stepping stone to find out what I really wanted to do,” says Naomi, who began training to teach music at secondary school level but felt it was not right for her. Having always been the outdoor type, Naomi saw the role of Purchasing Administrator for the Livestock
and Animal Health Team advertised and was interested in what it might offer. “I started in December and love working here. Dealing directly with our farmer members and suppliers throughout the UK is really interesting,” says Naomi, who lives with her partner in the Suffolk village of Dennington, where they keep 30 pure and rare breed chickens, eight Appleyard ducks and two bee hives benefitting the surrounding environment.
Contact Naomi Sturges: T: 01728 727716 E: Naomi.Sturges@framfarmers.co.uk
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MACHINERY: MEMBER PROFILE - F.G TAYLOR & SON, SUFFOLK
PERFORMANCE AND PERSONAL SERVICE BEHIND 30 YEARS OF CASE IH TRACTORS Long-term Fram Farmers member F. G. Taylor & Son has purchased 30 Case IH tractors since 1987, the latest of which is a Magnum Rowtrac 380 CVX. In 1987, when 17-year-old John Taylor started work for his family’s farming business, the first of a long line of Case IH tractors spanning three decades was delivered to Grove Farm, Clopton in Suffolk. Five tractors of a different colour were part-exchanged with local dealer Framlingham Tractors, and five Case International 956s took their place. Since then, the family has purchased another 25 Case IH tractors, but one has stayed in John’s memory. “Back in the 1990s, Case IH auctioned a special Maxxum 5150 at the Royal Smithfield Show,” says John. “I told Graham Goodwin, Sales Director of Framlingham Tractors, that if they were successful in bidding for it we would buy it, which is what happened.
“Farming is all about dealing with people you like.”
FARM FACTS 1.450 Hectares Wheat OSR Sugar Beet Beans
Getting on the Right Track “Most of the land here is clay, so we must complete autumn cultivations and crop establishment when conditions are dry,” explains John. “Compaction kills our heavy soils and re-drilling a failed crop is not an option, so timeliness is vital. “Until last year we farmed 4,200 acres, but a five-year contract farming agreement we took on when wheat was £200/tonne finished and we decided not to renew; the returns were no longer there to justify significant reinvestment. I traded in a combine and 2008 Challenger 765B crawler against a new Magnum Rowtrac, having been impressed by how well a demonstrator handled our Vaderstad 4m TopDown 400 heavy cultivator, 8m RexiusTwin press and 8m Rapide drill. “We liked the CVX transmission and large, comfortable cab. The tight turning circle was very impressive and it didn’t scuff the headland like the Challenger, a major consideration when drilling. The four-year/ 3,000 hours maintenance package will allow us to budget accurately, and the Case IH AFS Connect telematics system means the dealer can tell us when it needs servicing.”
Case IH Fleet Magnum Rowtrac 380 CVX (2018) Puma 145 (2012) Puma 145 (2014) Puma 175 CVX with front PTO and linkage (2014) Puma 200 CVX, both with front PTO and linkage (2015)
“My father was always keen on the brand. The association started when Graham was at Framlingham Tractors and continued when Ernest Doe Power Framlingham took on the franchise. We’ve purchased many Case IH models, including the 1255, Maxxum 5140 and 5150, MX 120, MXC115 and MX175, up to the present-day Pumas. “Farming is all about dealing with people you like. Graham is very good, Ian Snowden the Service Manager does an excellent job, the service technicians go out of their way to help and the workshop facilities are very good. “Case IH products deliver excellent performance in the field, reliability, value for money and good residuals. Our staff are very important, so we provide machinery they like. Case IH tractors are very good in that respect, being easy and comfortable to operate for extended periods. We change every five years or 4,000 hours to keep up with technology and when they are still in strong demand, so trade-in values are very good. “The great thing is that I can sit with Graham Goodwin and negotiate a deal that I am happy with, then get the additional manufacturer’s rebate through Fram Farmers.”
John Taylor with the farm’s Puma 200 CVX, and his new Toyota Land Cruiser which was purchased at a substantial discount through Fram Farmers. John uses the cooperative to source crop protection products, fertiliser, electricity, fuel and most of the other items needed for the family’s large farming business
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MACHINERY: SUPPLIER UPDATE - OILS AND LUBRICANTS
AVOID UNPLANNED DOWNTIME THIS SUMMER WITH THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN LUBRICANT TECHNOLOGY Summer is one of the busiest times of year in the farming calendar, so you need to be confident that your machinery is in peak condition and operating efficiently. With the increasing pressure to reduce spend and increase productivity, farmers often look to cut lubricant costs, without consideration of the impact this can have on machine and engine performance. Using the right lubricant for your machinery helps prevent wear and tear, resulting in extended equipment life and less spend on spare parts. However, a recent study by Shell Lubricants revealed that only 29% of farmers surveyed understand how the protection lubrication offers against wear and tear can lead to cost savings. Not all lubricants are made equal, and so the best way to look at this is from a total cost of ownership point of view. Investing in high quality lubricants actually saves you money as these carefully engineered products generally give better protection for longer. Premium lubricants are blended using the best base oils and the proper additive packages in the correct quantities.
“58% of farmers acknowledge that their lubrication errors have led to unplanned downtime” The study also showed that 58% of farmers acknowledge that their lubrication errors have led to unplanned downtime. Any disruptions during the busy harvest period can be extremely costly and have a significant impact on productivity, so how can you avoid breakdowns this season? Offering manufacturer approved lubricants and engine oils from leading brands such as Shell and Gulf, Certas Energy works with you to keep your farm running smoothly and machinery in peak condition all year round. Certas Energy works in partnership with Fram Farmers to provide members with direct access to technical lubricants expertise for agricultural machinery, Shell products and member pricing. With dedicated technical support, our experts support you in choosing the best, rather than just the cheapest, lubricant to protect and maintain engines. ‘Growing profitably in agriculture’, Shell Lubricants, http://www.shell.co.uk
STAND 237
New engine oil categories As engine manufacturers begin to create a new generation of cleaner, more fuel-efficient diesel engines, they need a new generation of higherperforming diesel engine oils to protect them. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has recently created two new categories of heavy duty diesel engine oil specifications to improve engine performance and deliver fuel economy benefits for modern diesel engines, these new oil categories are API CK-4 and API FA-4. Shell Lubricants has played a leading role in the testing and development of these new next-generation low- and high-viscosity oils that will meet the new specifications without compromising oil life or wear protection. The new API FA-4 engine oils are designed primarily for next-generation engines to help maximize fuel economy without sacrificing engine protection. The API CK-4 engine oils will be a direct replacement for the engine oils you’re using now, and they’ll be ‘backwards compatible’ to all current vehicles. As API CK-4 engine oils get closer to arriving, you may hear the term High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) viscosity. API CK-4 oils are being referred to in the industry as “High HTHS” engine oils. API FA-4 oils are being referred to as “Low HTHS” oils. These Low HTHS API FA-4 oils are being designed to provide fuel economy above and beyond current CJ-4 and CK-4 oils through the use of thinner viscosity fluids. Certas Energy customers have access to the full range of Shell Lubricants for agricultural vehicles including Shell Rimula R4 L 15W-40 and Shell Rimula R5 LE 10W-30 which both meet the API CK-4 specification and are currently available in the marketplace.
Certas Energy will be at Cereals 2018 between 13th-14th June to showcase how we can keep your farm moving this harvest with local and reliable deliveries of fuels and lubricants. Visit us on stand 237 to find out more about how choosing the right lubricant and keeping up with the latest developments in engine oil technology can help you protect your machinery and reduce downtime.
Contact Certas Energy on 0345 609 9002 or lubricantsales@certasenergy.co.uk. www.certasenergylubricants.com www.shell.co.uk/agriculture
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BUILDING MATERIALS: MEMBER PROFILE, SCALTER ESTATES, SUSSEX
BREXIT SPURS INVESTMENT IN A NEW DAIRY The Brexit vote was pivotal for Sclater Estates, where the management quickly recognised the long-term implications and began planning for the future. “Our view was that arable farming, especially in the Weald of Sussex which is primarily a livestock area, would become more difficult and its profitability would be seriously jeopardised,” states James Wallis, who contract farms for Sutton Hall Farms, the farming division of Sclater Estates. James’ wife, Ruth, is Estate Manager for the Sclater family who have owned it for over 200 years. “The Sclater family have always looked to improve the estate and brought the land back in-hand,” James adds. “John Sclater is keen to future-proof the business and pass it to the next generation, through his son James, in good condition and thriving, so whatever course we decided upon had to be very resilient.
“The figures for the new dairy stacked up and with 30-year interest rates still very low it made
“A project such as this is perhaps once-in-alifetime, so how can we know what the right prices are?” ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE
“We spend three months considering the options. John was keen to have more cows and it made the most sense economically, so we decided to expand the grassland, halve the arable area from 800 to 400 acres and simplify the cropping. We can grow 3½ tonnes/acre of wheat, maize does well and having just two arable crops takes away the decision of what to grow as a third crop. We’re also investing in 100 acres of Christmas trees, which will be planted at 12 acres a year to ensure that that we have a crop for sale each year after that. “The Weald of Sussex is not an easy area in which to farm. One-third of our area is woodland, and deer pour down from Ashdown Forest. We cull a significant number, but they can cause 30% damage to crops, while rabbit damage makes arable farming even more difficult.
sense to progress as quickly as possible. Many estates have stagnated for lack of investment, so it’s exciting to be involved in introducing major changes to take the business forward.”
The new 300-cow dairy at Double Barns Farm at Newick will sit in 350 acres of grazeable land. Because the greenfield site is highly visible, the cubicle shed and silage clamp have been dug into the side of the hill, which meant removing 3000m3 of soil to give a maximum visible height of 3.5m. The buildings will be wood clad and soil bunds around the silage clamp will help it blend into the landscape, while existing buildings used to house the new dairy will be faced in oak produced on the estate. The Holstein Friesian cows consume a diet of self-feed silage and are autumn block calved over nine weeks, so it’s a very low input system. The business has been operated along those lines for 46 years and has all the performance and financial results of its other two dairies to draw on, such as a 22% replacement rate, 8,000-litres per cow annual production and good constituents. James is confident that the new dairy will also be able to produce milk for 21p-23p per litre, including rent and finance, which will make it very resilient.
Fram Farmers have played a big role in the new dairy, supplying a wide range of inputs, as James explains. “We’ve been a member for many years and belonging to a strong cooperative is invaluable for all inputs, particularly when dealing with a completely new project such as this, because it takes away the stress of ordering highvalue goods. For farmers, a project such as this is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking, so how can we hope to know what the right prices are for materials that we purchase so infrequently?”
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Confident in the best prices
“I don’t have time to learn all that there is to know about every aspect of the job and ‘phone around multiple suppliers, which makes it easy for them to take advantage. By ordering through Fram Farmers I can discuss our requirements with their buyers and be confident that the prices will be the best available, which has been proven time and again. One example was a lorry load of reinforcing material, for which £21,000 was the best quote locally, yet Fram Farmers sourced the same for £18,000. Since then, 1,000m3 of concrete, six loads of concrete panels on which we saved 25%, 4,000m of water pipe and a host of other inputs have gone through Fram Farmers.
FARM FACTS 2,000 acres Combinable crops: 800 acres Grass: 500 acres Woodland: 700 acres Dairy units - all Holstein Fresians 200 cows 300 cows Under Construction (300 cows)
“We obtained planning permission on 15 January this year and started work the following week, but February and March were very wet, so progress was delayed. We hope to house cows in the new buildings and start calving by the end of September.” Nick Millar, Building Materials Buyer for Fram Farmers, adds: “This has been a very interesting project for us and the savings we have been able to obtain over and above the best prices quoted to Sclater Estates confirm the benefits of ordering through the cooperative. Any member thinking of progressing any building project should talk to us first.”
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04/04/2018 17:18
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