Farmers First issue 52 - Summer 2019

CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY SPECIAL

Issue 52 | Summer 2019

HOST IS READY FOR ‘FIRST CLASS’ TRIALS DAY The 2019 Fram Farmers Trials Day on 25 June will be bigger and better than ever, with proceeds going to local charities and visitors able to collect two NROSO points and five BASIS points.

Our Trials Day host James Forrest and son Charlie

R. H. Forrest will host this year’s event at their farm, Mowness Hall, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk.

The business has been a Fram Farmers member for over 40 years and farms over 4,000 acres of owned, rented and contracted land, as well as providing local contracting.

“We do not know what will happen in the future, so we operate to the highest standards,” James Forrest states. “We are well placed, with the farm in very good condition, up to date machinery and a loyal, skilled workforce. All inputs are purchased through Fram Farmers and we use the crop marketing department, so it’s nice to do our bit by hosting the Trials Day.

The family takes a long-term approach and operates a wide rotation which includes winter wheat, winter and spring barley, sugar beet, oilseed rape, spring beans and parsley. A large percentage of the wheat, barley and beans is grown for seed, with cereal seed crops being hand rogued to remove volunteers and blackgrass.

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“The current Fram Farmers team is first class and they have huge enthusiasm for this event.

The number of suppliers is encouraging and I hope that visitors get something out of it, including a taste of locally-sourced beef burgers from our Red Poll cattle.”

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Serving the Eastern Region for 90 Years

Manufacturing and Change

Whiting & Partners offers core accounting services with specialist expertise in:

How can my manufacturing business respond to change?

That’s the question frequently asked of Keith Day and other members of the Whiting & Partners specialist Manufacturing Group. Among the answers – take a close look at farming.

Of the largest innovations in the manufacturing industry, the concept of the ‘internet of things’ or IoT is reshaping how entire industries function. The term applies to the connectivity of any devices of every type and size by an invisible network enabling them to interact.

In itself, the IoT is not new. The internet was born 30-years ago and, in its embryonic days, the first internet-connected toaster was revealed. Consumer connected devices are commonplace today including smart TVs, smart speakers, toys, wearables and smart appliances. Smart meters, commercial security systems and smart city technologies - are examples of industrial and enterprise IoT devices.

Manufacturing, in parallel with agriculture, are industries which embrace change, indeed often drive it. For manufacturing we’ve seen new industries continue to rise and play an even bigger part in our lives. Two examples are 3D printing and drones. They each have a multitude of uses and both have become very accessible and affordable to the average person.

Agriculture was quick to spot the opportunities offered through IoT. Remote climate monitoring, crop management, greenhouse automation, cattle monitoring and over-arching farm management systems, make up the top five places.

Advances in manufacturing have improved Small Medium Enterprises access to IoT thanks, in the main, to the fall in costs for technology like software platforms and other tools which assist with operations and efficiencies. The result should be a saving in time and resources.

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Agriculture Construction Contractors Manufacturing Property Retail Road Haulage Technology

Bury St Edmunds Office Greenwood House, Skyliner Way, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. IP32 7GY Telephone: 01284 752313 bury@whitingandpartners.co.uk Information on which this article is based is correct at the time of publishing.

Any updates are available on our website whitingandpartners.co.uk

Many small businesses have implemented IoT in a number of ways: • Digital twins – replication of developing products in a digital form.

• Supply chain management – tracking and tracing of the inventory system.

• Self-dependent systems – self-healing automated systems.

• Workshop mirroring – automation of the production process.

• Smart pumping – sensor metrics.

Given the current situation surrounding “Brexit” an element of uncertainty remains in this sector as it does in many others with concerns around rising production costs and workforce recruitment and retention. Our Manufacturing Group can help. We meet on a regular basis throughout the year with representatives from our offices across the region discussing current matters impacting on the manufacturing sector, as well as ensuring we are up-to-date with any legislative changes.

For more information about our services for manufacturing businesses visit our website or call your local office for a FREE initial consultation.

whitingandpartners.co.uk Bury St. Edmunds | Ely | King’s Lynn | March | Mildenhall | Peterborough | Ramsey | St. Ives | St. Neots | Wisbech

CEO COMMENT

Richard Anscombe, Chief Executive The contribution which agricultural secretaries make to the success of farming businesses is often under-estimated and under-appreciated.

Fram Farmers gains invaluable feedback from this sector and it’s one we want to work more closely with in the future, so on 9 March I was delighted to Chair the Saturday session of The Institute of Agricultural Secretaries (IAgSA) National Conference.

It was one of the best I’ve attended and what struck me was how cohesive a group they were. There were no big egos, everyone was friendly, supportive and sharing, with positive input which encouraged debate, ensuring the 130 delegates got the most from the event.

It demonstrated that when individuals work together everyone benefits. If only the politicians in Westminster would adopt that approach!

A key speaker was from YANA (You Are Not Alone), a charity which promotes mental health awareness amongst the farming community. Whether employer or employee, I encourage everyone to talk openly about this sensitive subject to help eliminate the stigma often attached to it. Fram Farmers invests in

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promoting good mental health amongst its staff and I believe that members should do the same. You don’t need to know how to deal with mental health issues on your own because expert help is available.

benchmarking shows, we save members an average of 9.6% on key input purchases as well as labour and time, enabling them to focus on dealing with major changes that really matter.

The conference also highlighted the importance of good communication and if you encourage an environment in which it flourishes don’t be surprised if great ideas are forthcoming and your business benefits. If it’s difficult for you to do this yourself, then bring in a professional to facilitate the discussion.

The Fram Farmers Board met recently over two days to discuss farming’s future and develop actionable take-aways, both for the cooperative and members. The event was professionally facilitated by Carl Atkin of Terravost, which provides management and consultancy services to the agribusiness sector.

At a recent Savills breakfast meeting, Emily Norton, a Director and Head of Rural Research, pointed out that farmers have a wealth of ‘natural capital’ assets, such as land, water and woodland, but often do not recognise or appreciate their full potential. She encouraged farmers to think how their ‘natural capital’ could be used to develop new enterprises and additional income by providing facilities which the paying public might want to utilise to enhance their physical or mental health.

One of our members, James Parrish, profiled in the last Farmers First, did just that and has developed several outdoor-based businesses which now generate more income than farming.

The choppy waters ahead will accelerate the move towards a new generation of farmers and managers taking over the reins and consequently Fram Farmers will invest even more resources in our Next Generation programme to encourage this transition and utilise the valuable input from this sector.

We will also be investing more time and resources into developing relationships with professional advisers, such as accountants, farm management specialists and independent agronomists, because as farming businesses go through fundamental change, they will need sound professional advice.

Emily said farmers will need to generate 17% more income from commercial activities to stand still once the Basic Payment Scheme ends. Membership of Fram Farmers is a positive first step because, as our

My feeling is that most farmers are waiting to see what will happen in respect of Brexit.

That’s the wrong approach, because it won’t be ‘business as usual’. That’s not what the future holds so, if you’ve not done so already, now is the time to plan and take effective action.

APPRENTICESHIPS APPRECIATED Fram Farmers won ‘Ambassador of the Year’ at the Easton & Otley College Apprenticeship Awards 2019 recently. Our HR Manager Sarah Snell (centre) received the award from Mark Pendlington, the College’s Chair of Governors and Jayne Townsend, College Principal.

“We have put significant effort into apprenticeships over the last 4 years,” says Sarah. “We see the value they offer, and the results for us as a company have been excellent. We have gained two valuable employees who have a great future. As a company we offer above average apprenticeship wages, continued development and further education and qualification opportunities, helping ensure they are continually motivated.”

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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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: TRIALS DAY

TRIALS DAY: MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN EVER Fram Farmers are delighted to be collaborating with BASF, Walnes Seeds, Apex Agronomy and Prime Agriculture to stage the 2019 Trials Day on 25 June.

The event will provide an excellent opportunity to compare 32 winter wheat varieties, there will be a dedicated machinery area where you can see some of the latest farm equipment and a test area to try out certain vehicles and cars. You’ll also be able to meet our Arable Inputs Team, electricity specialists and npower, Fram Farmers Insurance and suppliers.

A new attraction will be two panel discussions, ‘Life After Brexit’ and ‘Life After Neonicotinoids’. Chaired by Fram Farmers’ Chief Executive Richard Anscombe they will include panellists Carl Atkin of international agribusiness management and consultancy Terravost and Dr Alan Dewar of Dewar Crop Protection.

Exhibitors are donating to four charities: the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), You Are Not Alone (YANA), East Anglian Air Ambulance and Farm Safety Foundation - Yellow Wellies.

Amanda Owen, Fram Farmers’ Seed Specialist

CHOOSE THE RIGHT WHEAT

"Choosing which wheat varieties to grow always requires careful consideration, but this autumn will be even more challenging", says Amanda Owen.

With the loss of Deter as an insecticide seed treatment for winter-drilled seed in 2018, farmers have a very limited choice outside Single Purpose Dressings. Therefore, the only control available for BYDV this season will be through crop protection sprays and this new challenge will be covered in the panel discussion, with experts available to answer your questions. With the revocation of Chlorthalonil, members considering new varieties this autumn with the view to home-saving seed for the 2020 drilling season should consider strongly Recommended List Septoria resistance ratings.

“Choosing which wheat varieties to grow always requires careful consideration, but this autumn will be even more challenging.”

Last year’s Trials Day at Mowness Hall Farm

There are no new additions to Group 1 this autumn, and for our members the biggest-selling variety in this category for 2018 was RAGT Skyfall - the only one with OWBM resistance and a respectable disease package.

“Members should consider strongly Recommended List Septoria resistance ratings” New to the RL, KWS Extase (Group 2) has generated much interest and by mid-April most suppliers had sold out. KWS Extase has the highest score on the AHDB List for Septoria resistance and a good rating on Yellow Rust.

However, it has no OWBM resistance, which in recent years has been a key consideration.

KWS Firefly has taken its place at the top of the Group 3 wheats, with the highest treated yield, OWBM resistance, a respectable 7 on Septoria and good all-round disease resistance.

There are two new faces to the RL in the Soft (Group 4) category, LG Skyscraper and LG Spotlight. Both are at the top of the list and both have OWBM resistance, but are lower (5.2) on Septoria resistance. Skyscraper and Spotlight have good overall disease packages.

These are a brief selection of the varieties at our Trials Day. Choosing which to grow is a very personal decision, but we suggest that you seek the advice of your agronomist because they know your land, cropping and conditions.

Winter Wheat Varieties at the Trials Day

Variety Breeder Group

Crusoe Limagrain 1 Skyfall RAGT 1 Zyatt KWS 1 Lili KWS 2 Siskin KWS 2 Detroit Limagrain 2 Extase KWS 2 Barrel KWS 3 Basset KWS 3 Elicit Elsoms 3 Rhythm Limagrain 3 (s) Firefly KWS 3 (s) Leeds KWS 4 (s) Revelation Limagrain 4 (s) Elation Elsoms 4 (s) Sundance Limagrain 4 (s) Motown Limagrain 4 (s) Skyscraper Limagrain 4 (s) Jackal KWS 4 (s) Spotlight Limagrain 4 (s) Santiago KWS 4 (h) Diego Senova 4 (h) Evolution Limagrain 4 (h) Costello Senova 4 (h) Crispin KWS 4 (h) Kerrin KWS 4 (h) Graham Syngenta 4 (h) Gleam Syngenta 4 (h) Dunston Elsoms 4 (h) Shabras Syngenta 4 (h) Gravity RAGT 4 (h) Jigsaw Limagrain 4 (h)

CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: TRIALS DAY

Matthew Keane, BASF Agronomy Manager, Suffolk BASF’S LATEST CHEMISTRY ON SHOW

“Last year’s Trials Day was very successful, and this will be even better,” Matthew Keane states. “BASF established trial sites on working farms in key areas of the UK as part of our Real Results Circle programme three years ago.

Mowness Hall is an excellent venue, so visitors and exhibitors will get the most out of their day, while the trial plots will allow them to compare current fungicides and upcoming chemistry from BASF on winter wheat.

“We will clearly demonstrate the impact of different types of chemistry through targeted trial plots to highlight PGR activity and fungicide efficacy on a range of diseases.

They will demonstrate the effectiveness of BASF’s innovative new Isopropanole-azole fungicide ‘‘Revysol®’. The active ingredient has been registered in Europe and the product is scheduled to go on sale in the UK at the beginning of 2020, so our goal is to ensure that farmers and agronomists understand its potential.

“With Revysol, the company has developed an active ingredient with 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. Revysol is the first Isopropanol-Azole in the market. Its unique chemical constellation allows the molecule to assume different conformations easily and to be extremely flexible. Revysol binds to the target site, for example Septoria tritici, up to 100 times more powerfully than conventional triazole fungicides, also where target site mutations have developed.

“We will clearly demonstrate the impact of different types of chemistry through targeted trial plots .”

“The new product is a highly effective tool to help growers better protect their crops, manage resistances, increase yields and maximise quality in a sustainable way. It will also play an important role in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, and provides a cost-effective partner to protect higher-risk single site-acting fungicides such as the azoles and SDHIs to control troublesome wheat diseases such as Septoria and yellow rust.”

BASF will also demonstrate the ezi-connect™ closed transfer system for agrochemical products. BASF Digital Solutions will demonstrate new app-based solutions, while the benefits of the company’s new InVigor hybrid oilseed rape portfolio will be highlighted.

Confirmed Exhibitors Include: AHDB AICC AMAZONE Anglia Water Case IH/ Ernest Doe Command Pest Control FlyiBot Fram Insurance/Scrutton Bland Gleadell Fertiliser Honda/ MKM Agriculture Hummingbird Ilex Envirosciences MDT Needham Chalks Pan Anglia Premier Seeds Pro Straw systems Richard Western RTK Spaldings TysonCooper Walnes Seeds Yara Fertilisers

Norwich

FURTHER DETAILS

Fram Farmers: T: 01728 727700 E: seed@framfarmers.co.uk W: www.framfarmers.co.uk 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

The 2019 Fram Farmers Variety Day will be held at R. H. Forrest Ltd’s Mowness Hall, Mowness Hall Lane, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk IP14 5JJ on Tuesday 25 June from 09.0016.30, 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.

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: SUPPLIER UPDATE : SEED TREATMENT

IS IT WORTH LEAVING WINTER WHEAT SEED UNDRESSED? The crop emergence phase for winter wheat seed is stressful enough.

Putting seed in the ground unprotected against establishment diseases can make that worse. Is it worth the risk?

Dr Jonathan Ronksley, Syngenta Field Technical Specialist There’s a whole range of diseases that can jeopardise winter wheat establishment, says Syngenta Field Technical Specialist, Dr Jonathan Ronksley – most notably Microdochium and Fusarium.

The problem is, even if you know the seed is free from these, you don’t necessarily know whether these and other diseases are lurking in the soil, he says. Moreover, as drilling shifts later, planting into colder, wetter soils further increases the risk of establishment losses, he adds.

“A big unknown factor whenever you plant winter wheat is how kind the weather will be to the crop going into winter,” explains Dr Ronksley. “The aim should be to get the crop up and through the vulnerable establishment phase as quickly as possible.

“Just because we can’t use a neonicotinoidcontaining insecticide seed treatment anymore, it doesn’t mean a seed treatment should be ruled out altogether. Many of these important establishment diseases haven’t been seen in crops for years because fungicide seed treatments have been keeping them under control.”

“Vibrance Duo brings an extra level of benefits” That said, when deciding on a seed treatment, what you don’t want is one that delays crop emergence, believes Dr Ronksley, particularly if drilling later.

Later drilled wheat is slower-growing and more susceptible to seedling diseases anyway, he says, plus it has less time to develop root structures and tiller numbers than earlier planted crops, so further growth delays can have a significant impact.

To give winter wheat crops a rapid start, he suggests considering a seed treatment based on the active ingredient fludioxonil – as in Beret Gold or Vibrance Duo. Both of these treatments are non-triazoles, he says, which helps to reduce the number of triazoles applied over the season. Importantly, they don’t delay crop emergence, he adds.

“Beret Gold contains straight fludioxonil, and is a well-recognised industry standard against key

Seed treatment Vibrance Duo (right) has given clear improvements in crop emergence in soil inoculated with Microdochium compared with untreated seed (left)

establishment diseases. It also controls seed and soil-borne common bunt, a disease which can be incredibly damaging and lead to unmarketable grain if not controlled.

“Meanwhile, Vibrance Duo contains fludioxonil combined with Sedaxane, an SDHI active ingredient developed specifically as a seed treatment, so it brings an extra level of benefits.”

As well as controlling important seed-borne establishment diseases, trials have shown Vibrance Duo to give excellent crop establishment in soils inoculated with Microdochium and Fusarium. It also controls Loose smut in winter wheat.

However, one of the biggest benefits seen with Vibrance Duo is improved rooting, adds Dr Ronksley, with root mass increased by 30% on average to that seen with a standard triazole seed treatment.

“Improved root health, generally, is associated with rapid, strong crop establishment, improved access to water and nutrients, and improved plant resilience,” says Dr Ronksley.

“With these benefits, Vibrance Duo gives reassurance across a wide range of winter wheat drilling situations, but can be particularly useful in more challenging conditions – such as when drilling later against BYDV or black-grass problems, as well as on lighter land, and as part of second wheat management.

“Last season, results on Vibrance Duo showed that its yield benefit over a standard triazole fungicide seed treatment increased from 0.21 t/ha for crops drilled before the first week of October to 0.34 t/ha for crops drilled after the first week of October.

“It also averaged around 0.4 t/ha extra yield compared with the standard seed treatment on light land. When we think back to the drought conditions of last summer, and the lack of moisture that many farmers are already experiencing this season, additional rooting to scavenge for moisture is invaluable.

“We also saw nearly 0.6 t/ha extra over the standard treatment on heavy land split-fields drilled after the first week of October for grass weed management and had a 0.5 t/ha yield advantage in second wheat situations. Vibrance Duo does not have fungicidal activity against Take-all but is an excellent partner for silthiofam. All in all, Vibrance Duo offers the best start in multiple scenarios and provides an excellent crop insurance.”

Vibrance Duo is approved for use on seed of winter wheat, winter triticale, winter rye and spring oats.

Beret Gold is approved for use on seed of winter and spring wheat, winter and spring barley, winter and spring oats, rye and triticale.

Beret® Gold and Vibrance® Duo are Registered Trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

Beret Gold (MAPP No. 16430) contains fludioxonil.

Vibrance Duo (MAPP No. 17838) contains sedaxane and fludioxonil. 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.syngenta.co.uk

CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: MACHINERY

MACHINERY SHOW WILL ADD TO TRIALS DAY EXPERIENCE The addition of a specific machinery area will help to extend the appeal of the 2019 Trials Day, attract more visitors and enable those who attend to get more out of their visit, say Gordon Cummings, Fram Farmers’ Strategic Machinery Partnerships Manager.

TIME FOR A TEST DRIVE? The 2019 Trials Day will provide a great opportunity to see what’s on offer through Fram Farmers’ vehicle discount scheme, a partnership between Fram Farmers and vehicle sourcing specialists TysonCooper, and benefit from exclusive show offers.

The scheme provides members with a hassle-free way to secure the best deals in the market quickly and simply, with exclusive discounts and offers across a wide range of cars, pick-ups and vans for personal and business use. TysonCooper has an excellent reputation for specialist expertise and outstanding service, which allows members to benefit from highlyattractive fleet-level terms on a wide range of vehicles, delivered through the outlet of their choice, enabling the maximum discount possible even when buying a single vehicle.

Gordon is helping to grow Fram Farmers’ Machinery Department alongside Tom Mountain, Machinery Buyer. They are seen here at LAMMA 2019 on the stand of one of our suppliers, Claydon Drills, European market leader in strip seeding technology.

“Agricultural machinery is critical to the smooth running and efficiency of any modern farm” “The Fram Farmers Trials Day is a superb event, held on a superb farm, so we wanted to use it to highlight the developments taking place in Fram Farmers’ Machinery Department by providing visitors with more to see and experience,” Gordon states. “Agricultural machinery is critical to the smooth running and efficiency of any modern farm. Visitors will be able to see the latest equipment and talk to some of our key suppliers who they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.”

A wide range of companies have been invited to exhibit and inevitably the list will grow but, at the time of writing at the start of May, it was confirmed that the event will include a display of Case IH products by dealer Ernest Doe Power, which has the brand as its major franchise at nine branches across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex.

Also attending will be Amazone, a leading manufacturer of arable farming implements in the soil tillage, sowing technology, fertilisation and crop protection sectors. Honda dealer MKM Agriculture Ltd, based at Ixworth Thorpe in Suffolk, will show the latest Honda ATV and UTV models. RDS, a market leader in on-board machinery electronics for the agricultural, industrial and municipal markets, will be there, together with Richard Western, which manufactures trailers, manure spreaders, grain chaser bins and drill fillers. Parts and equipment specialists MDT, Spaldings and Pan Anglia will also have stands.

If a part-exchange is involved, the scheme’s experts can value the existing vehicle in person at the company’s office in Suffolk, or conduct a valuation online using digital images and a detailed description.

A key-for-key delivery service ensures a seamless switch between vehicles, enabling your current vehicle to be taken in part-exchange against the new one (mainland UK only) in one easy process. From enquiry to delivery, TysonCooper takes care of every detail, keep you informed, and ensure maximum value and ease for as long as you have the vehicle.

TysonCooper also provide access to preferential finance rates and payment options that are not available to normal retail customers. In most cases the significant discounts they negotiate can be applied to all funding methods, including cash purchases, hire purchase, personal contract hire, personal contract purchase, business contract hire and finance lease.

The company will be bringing a wide range of demonstrator vehicles to the 2019 Trials Day, so do bring your (valid) driving licence to test drive a selection of models from leading manufacturers, including:

Further details from the Fram Farmers Machinery Department on 01728 727719

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: AGRONOMIST MARION SELF

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INDEPENDENT AGRONOMIST HAS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS “At a very difficult and uncertain time for farmers the role of the agronomist is vital - and will become even more so” NEW CHALLENGES

“Huge challenges lie ahead for the farming sector. It’s difficult to say how the future will pan out and in the short term there are many frustrations. Complying with the three-crop rule has made life harder for some growers with land over a wide area, as has the revocation of actives such as chlorothalonil, a backbone of fungicide programmes for decades. Now we must do everything possible to protect remaining actives and take even more care over varietal selection. Fortunately, plant breeders have worked hard on improving rust and Septoria scores, and new varieties with strong disease resistance are coming through.

Marion Self

Highly-respected independent agronomist Marion Self operates in East Anglia as part of Prime Agriculture, the largest independent agronomy partnership in Eastern England. Her clients are mostly Fram Farmers members, she sits on the RL Committee for OSR, teaches BASIS foundation and contributes to Farmers Weekly.

There was never any doubt that Marion would work in agriculture. Raised on her family’s 600 arable acres in Suffolk, she loved farming but, with no role available, her father encouraged her to pursue a career in agronomy. Marion enrolled at Nottingham University, graduated in 1994 with a BSc in Agricultural Science, then spent 15 years in independent research and advisory roles with NIAB TAG and Morley Research Centre.

“Huge challenges lie ahead for the farming sector” Being an on-farm agronomist always appealed, and in 2009 Marion joined Prime Agriculture, which she had dealt with while at Morley and always wanted to work for. Marion specialises in the agronomy of combinable crops, sugar beet and vining peas, her clients being mainly in mid and east Suffolk. When not visiting them with trusty black labrador ‘Basil’ she

helps on the family farm. Marion states: “I was fortunate that several farmers were looking for independent agronomy advice and they have been very supportive while client numbers have increased, so now I have the best of both worlds, living and working at home on the farm and as an agronomist.

“I think of myself as a key part of their onfarm team. Recommendations are made on a field-by-field basis giving the reasons for each product and why correct application timing is critical, so everyone understands how to get the best results. I enjoy being part of Prime Agriculture and I’m not sure I could do the job without that umbrella of support. We are a close, supportive team whose members train together, meet manufacturers together and work together to develop programmes and strategies that deliver optimum effectiveness and value for clients. We even have a WhatsApp group to share information - and the odd laugh!

“It’s difficult and frustrating to accept that current products are sometimes not as good as those we’ve used in the past, but we must embrace cultural changes and manage clients’ expectations over what can realistically be achieved. In my area we continue to battle against black-grass with increased spring cropping and, with the recent loss of Neonicotinoid treatments in cereals and beet we must combine new and old strategies to control aphid spread, BYDV in winter cereals and virus in beet.

“Complying with the threecrop rule has made life harder for some growers” FLY BEETLE IN OSR “The loss of Neonicotinoids has been a body blow for OSR growers. Increased levels of CSFB have forced some to stop growing it, but currently there’s no comparable replacement for this break crop. Where CSFB populations are high the lower seed rates of hybrid varieties make me nervous in terms of poor crop establishment and the impact of this pest. Growing OSR alongside CSFB is an increasing challenge.

“At a very difficult and uncertain time for farmers the role of the agronomist is vital - and will become even more so as we embrace new actives, strategies and technology. Being independent means that the advice I give is purely in my clients’ best interests and free from any influence from product manufacturers, much like in France where product advice will be decoupled from sales.”

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For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: SUPPLIER UPDATE : OSR

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ERUCIC ACID CONTAMINATION OF DOUBLE LOW OILSEED RAPE VARIETIES Over the last three years, higher than expected levels of erucic acid have been found in oilseed rape seed which has been grown from doublelow varieties. This has resulted in growers incurring penalties on consignments, or having consignments rejected.

Volunteers flower ahead of the planted crop.

With the announcement by the European Standing Committee on Plants, Animals Food and Feed on February 8 this year that the legal limit for erucic acid (EA) in rapeseed oil is to be reduced from the current 5% to 2%, there is real concern that the number of loads rejected due to EA contamination will increase.

A recently concluded NIAB project, funded by the AHDB (PR602), which looked into where the high EA contamination was coming from, identified the main source to be oilseed rape volunteers.

Mr Simon Kightley, who led the project, said, “We have come to the conclusion that the problem is coming from OSR volunteers that have lain in soil, for a long time in some cases, not necessarily dormant but regenerating every time that OSR comes back into that field.

The volunteer seed germinates, if the field is cultivated to the right depth, when the new crop is planted. These volunteers are virtually indistinguishable from the sown crop and will grow and set seed which is harvested with the crop. Volunteers also cross pollinate with the farmed crop. This happens all the time in rape crops but if the volunteers are high EA then

the seed they produce will be high EA and a proportion of seed in the harvested crop will become high EA which will have an immediate impact on EA levels.”

Seed rates today are much lower than they were historically, with growers now targeting populations as low as 40 plants/m2. Mr Kightley added, “These populations are fine, but it does mean that when volunteers emerge in the field they become a significant part of the crop.

"Put very simply one fully high erucic acid seed at 50% erucic acid, in 50 seeds at harvest can raise the level in the sample by 1%, and broadly speaking, one high erucic plant per square metre will do the same.”

Mr Kightley said, “Volunteers can be minimised by three main approaches: • direct drilling to minimise soil disturbance • creating stale seedbeds and the removal of volunteers before the crop is drilled • growing a Clearfield hybrid and spraying off the volunteers with a Clearfield herbicide once the crop is established.”

Volunteers between planted variety strips.

It is imperative that growers control their volunteers, especially if they know there is a background of high erucic oilseed rape (HEAR) cropping, and they control the charlock. Mr Kightley said, “I don’t think for a moment that it is just volunteers causing this problem, there is always the threat of poorly controlled Brassica weeds like charlock, which has 42% EA. You don’t need many seeds in a hundred to suddenly start pushing up to the limit. Clearfield varieties and the chemistry used with them are the ideal solution to both parts of this problem.”

Sarah Middleton, BASF Campaign Manager for Oilseed Rape, added, “Clearfield is the only weed control system that controls volunteers within the oilseed rape crop. Growers with concerns over high EA volunteers should be looking to the Clearfield system to give them the confidence to continue to grow rape in those fields, knowing that volunteers will be sprayed out in the autumn.

When growing Clearfield hybrids, the field must be treated with the correct herbicide, either Cleranda®, (imazamox & metazachlor) or Cleravo® (imazamox & quinmerac) to gain the full benefit of weed and volunteer control and remove sources of erucic acid.”

She added, “Knowing the history of fields where OSR is the planned crop helps to identify areas which could be EA hotspots; if HEAR was previously grown, or if there have been previous EA claims on-farm, then this knowledge can inform the choice of variety and the husbandry of the crop.”

Most double low (00) varieties have levels of EA less than 0.1%, which are virtually undetectable, and the project found crops grown from hybrid seed, and from Clearfield varieties in particular, had the lowest EA values.

For further information or any queries on BASF products, please do not hesitate to contact your local BASF Agronomy Manager Matthew Keane on 07901 611115 and Matt will be delighted to help you.

12

CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: ARABLE TEAM

MEET THE FRAM FARMERS ARABLE INPUTS TEAM Fram Farmers’ Arable Inputs Team has developed increasingly strong relationships with stakeholders, is very successful in securing key inputs and negotiating very competitive deals, while adding value to the independent agronomy sector.

The team works together seamlessly across the different product areas and at peak times is supported by Grain Buyer Tom Coulter, and Katya Wilkinson, who normally works alongside Becky Bower, Business Development Manager (South) but has a wealth of arable inputs experience.

The Arable Inputs Team will be at the Fram Farmers Trials Day, so do come and meet them.

LAURA BUCKINGHAM

ANNIE BUCKINGHAM

Responsible for crop protection products, Laura studied Agriculture and Countryside Management at Aberystwyth University. She worked as an agronomist in Suffolk for eight years before joining Fram Farmers.

She holds a BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Agriculture), BASIS Soil & Water Management Certificate, BASIS BETA Certificate, the BASIS Plant Protection Award and is FACTS trained. An AICC member, Laura is in constant communication with members, manufacturers, agronomists and distributors. She also carries out some independent agronomy work to maintain a current practical knowledge.

Annie joined Fram Farmers 12 years ago, working in grain marketing and crop protection, during which time she studied with the Open University. After working with Frontier Agriculture’s farm trading team, Annie returned to Fram Farmers five years ago as Fertiliser Buyer, since then she has successfully managed the fertiliser pools and increased the Group’s tonnage. FACTS trained and a qualified BASIS Seed Seller and Crop Inspector, Annie has been on maternity leave since January and will return to work soon.

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: ARABLE TEAM

AMANDA OWEN SEED SPECIALIST

Originally from Essex, Amanda relocated to Suffolk in 2014 with her two children and joined Fram Farmers in April 2015, initially in telecoms. In 2016 she joined the Arable Team to take on the Seed role and recently gained her BASIS Seed Seller qualification.

Amanda spearheads the organisation of our annual Trials Day and is responsible for securing a broad range of seeds, (including organic options), together with trees, shrubs and hedges, plus vegetable and herb seeds.

JESS BODEN

CROP PROTECTION PURCHASING ASSISTANT Jess comes from an arable background in Essex and is married to member David Boden, who farms in Suffolk. Jess previously worked for John Harvey Engineering, manufacturers of outdoor pig equipment, and joined in 2015, initially in our fuel department. She works closely with Laura Buckingham, dealing with members’ crop protection requirements and assisting the Arable Team. The role also involves dealing with agronomists, manufacturers and distributors as well as organising technical briefings and NRoSO training courses. Currently studying for her BASIS Foundation in Agronomy, she is your contact for rodenticides.

CATHERINE COE ARABLE SPECIALIST

Growing up on her family’s arable farm in Burgate in Suffolk, Catherine Coe has always been interested in farming and studied Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural University. After graduating in 2014, she joined AF Group and spent four years working across the crop inputs sectors.

Having completed her BASIS Foundation Award in agronomy, BASIS Seed Sellers and FACTS Qualifications, Catherine moved to Fram Farmers as Arable Specialist in October 2018 to work alongside Annie Buckingham on fertiliser, and support seed and crop protection.

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: MEMBER PROFILE - MJ & SC COLLINS, SUFFOLK

FOCUSSED ON THE FUTURE

A dynamic, forward-thinking family business Fram Farmers member MJ & SC Collins is an inspirational example of farming and diversification.

“We see significant potential going forward but the days when opportunities fell into your lap are gone – now you have to seek them out and take the initiative,” enthuses Peter Collins, the third generation of the Collins family to farm on the Essex/Hertfordshire border and a partner since 2017. A long-term member, MJ & SC Collins purchases a wide range of inputs and materials through Fram Farmers, including all crop protection products, fertilisers, building materials and electricity.

“During the last five years we’ve hugely improved our attention to detail,” Peter adds.

“We know exactly our costs and a huge information database allows us to analyse every decision before taking action, so

we’re at least 90% certain of the outcome.

We constantly expand to dilute fixed costs and remain very competitive in relation to benchmark figures we work hard to achieve with external advisors.”

Attention to detail has characterised the business since it was formed by Michael and Christine Collins in 1961. Both came from longstanding farming families that migrated from south west England in the 19th century to gain greater access to London markets. Following the compulsory purchase of their farm where Harlow now stands, they moved to Kingstons Farm, Matching. By the 1980s, the business had expanded from 250 acres to over 1,000, growing cereals and potatoes, together with 28,000 chickens, a 250-sow breeding herd and 650 beef cattle.

redundant farm buildings into business units and high-grade offices, while 10 farm residential properties have been refurbished to a high standard for residential lettings. MJ & SC Collins currently let and manage over 80 properties.

In the early 21st century the agricultural business grew rapidly with the purchase of Lysander Park Farm, Sawbridgeworth and now produces all four groups of wheat, barley, soya beans and sugar beet across 1,200ha on three main sites, most of the land being owned. It also operates a large contracting division and lets grassland for equine and livestock use.

CONTINUING TO DIVERSIFY

Simon and Jane Collins continued to build on earlier successes and although by the 1990s livestock production had ceased the arable area had increased to over 1,700 acres, including a 550-acre potato enterprise.

Peter’s involvement continues the forward momentum, crop marketing being a key area of his focus. There’s little point, he emphasises, investing a great deal of time and money to produce crops then ‘flogging them to the first trader who ‘phones up’.

Diversification has played a major role in shaping the business. Given its fortunate location within the M11 corridor and close to Heathrow and Stansted airports, Simon and Jane took the opportunity to convert

Instead, he works very closely with Farm Manager John Haynes and spends a minimum of 15 hours a week to develop a carefullyconsidered strategy to market all 18,000 tonnes of crops produced each year, working with CRM

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CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: MEMBER PROFILE - MJ & SC COLLINS, SUFFOLK

Peter Collins (left) with Farm Manager John Haynes who joined MJ & SC Collins in 2011 after working for Velcourt on the Suffolk Coast. BASIS and FACTS qualified, he is responsible for all aspects of the farming side of the business and is a member of Fram Farmers’ Next Generation Council.

Agri to manage risk exposure. These include Group 1 milling and Group 2 hard wheats, Group 3 soft biscuit wheat which averages £5-£10 over feed and 50ha of German E wheat (KWS Montana) which commands a £25/t premium over Group 1.

Every load is tested going into store and store maps used to identify its exact location, enabling maximum value to be achieved and

15

allowing for more specific placement of certain high specification pockets within the store when it comes to marketing. Peter has also introduced various financial instruments such as options, futures and currency hedges to help the business operate efficiently and achieve returns in the top 5% of UK farms.

information automatically over a 4G network allowing quick, easy management analysis.

Agronomy is provided by Prime Agriculture and overseen by John Haynes to ensure that the most up to date agronomic science and technology is applied in exactly the right place.

Peter’s father Simon oversees the agricultural and commercial sides. He has a dynamic approach and experienced several business cycles over three decades. Providing help from the office, including cropping decisions and variety choices to getting 'hands on' during busy harvest periods, he remains an active partner.

MJ & SC Collins view improving soil health as the cornerstone of their future agricultural development and key areas of their thinking are the incorporation of treated bio-solids to improve nutrient status, soil organic matter and workability, improving soil drainage, using GPS RTK technology to align machine widths in the field and adopting a Reduced Traffic Farming (RTF) approach based around 36m tramlines.

To make the most of economies of scale and optimise efficiency each farm is split into 160ha blocks to compliment the high output machinery and ensure that work is carried out quickly, at the right time. Each farm has its own grain drying and storage facilities with enough capacity to hold everything that is produced, which enables the business to be in more control of harvesting and marketing.

To maximise production, the best traditional farming practises are combined with high quality management and the most advanced technology and production techniques, including margin mapping. It also embraces all aspects of modern technology from machines and tyres to guidance and input application as well as the creation and installation of land drainage systems. Most machines are equipped with an iPad which uploads

Agricultural contracting is a key area for development. MJ & SC Collins already undertake a range of ground works and drainage development using wheeled and 360° diggers, while other contract services include road and field-side hedge cutting, topping, estate maintenance, drainage surveying and full scheme installation, mole draining, tillage work and ditching.

“When the Basic Payment Scheme goes, many farms will have to reduce their costs and this represents a great opportunity to grow our contracting business significantly, while aiding smaller farms with their operations. We have a lean, efficient machinery fleet which has more than sufficient capacity to cope with our own work as well as that for our contract customers,” Peter states.

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Kuhn AGT 36m Claas Lexion 770tt Claas Scorpion 9055 Diggers Mastenbroek 30/20 Trencher

Implements include:

This 530hp tractor carries out all primary cultivations / drilling operations.

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These 237hp tractors perform various duties throughout the year.

This 396hp tractor was bought to replace a short-term hire tractor and provide more flexibility throughout the year. Its main roles are ploughing and drilling.

The 8,000-litre tank and high road speed have increased output by 20%.

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High-reach telescopic handler maximises the utilisation of grain store capacity.

The wheeled digger and tracked 18T 360° machines are kept busy throughout the year.

This self-propelled machine installs the business’ own land drainage pipe and stone.

Twin and single-leg mole drainers, 4m and 6m subsoilers.

7m Vaderstad Topdown, 6m Vaderstad Rexius Twin Press.

8m Vaderstad Rapide and Horsch Sprinter drills, 6m Kverneland tine drill.

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16

CEREALS AND TRIALS DAY: SUPPLIER UPDATE - FERTILISERS

SUSPENSION FERTILISER COMBINES TAILOR-MADE NUTRITION WITH MORE EFFICIENT BLACKGRASS CONTROL Fram Farmers member Plant Larter Farms derives significant financial, efficacy and labour-saving benefits from using OMEX autumn suspension fertilisers to apply maintenance levels of P and K, alongside Avadex Excel 15G to help stay on top of blackgrass.

“Mark Riches at OMEX suggested incorporating Avadex in suspension fertiliser, which we’d been using on sugar beet, so we tried that and it worked well, until beet was removed from the Avadex label.”

MOST EFFICIENT SYSTEM

Combining Avadex Excel 15G with OMEX suspension fertilisers tailormade to field and crop requirements offers single-pass application of a highly-effective blackgrass control product and autumn fertiliser. These concentrated thixotropic liquids remain gelled when static and fully flowable when pumped, ensuring that the high concentration of nutrients remains homogeneous and the Avadex granules are distributed evenly. Being held on the soil clods maintains 100% soil cover and they are activated by moisture in the fertiliser.

Ben Larter “We’re always looking to operate more effectively,” states 35-year-old Ben Larter, who farms with his father and mother, John and Julie, at Framlingham in Suffolk. BASIS and FACTS qualified, he adds: “With just myself, my father, two full-time and one parttime employees we must work efficiently the main reason for applying Avadex in suspension fertiliser.

“Blackgrass is something we’re very mindful of, and with the loss of actives and the lower efficacy of remaining products we must ensure we do not sacrifice percentage control by poor timing. Three years ago we began to apply more Avadex, but putting it on behind rolls requires dry weather, and doing so during sowing would have meant buying applicators for all three drills, made more work for the operator and reduced output.

“We operate 36m tramlines, so didn’t want to apply Avadex at anything less as it would cause unnecessary damage to soils and crops if the weather turned wet. A 36m boom spreader would have been very expensive and we wanted to remain with liquid nitrogen.

I considered adapting our 36m Amazone Pantera sprayer to apply Avadex at the same time, but the cost was significant and output would be compromised.

“The beauty of the OMEX system is that Avadex is applied when it is best for the crop alongside a base dressing of 60kg/ha P and 60kg/ha K to maintain our indices, which are 2 or 2+,” Ben states. “OMEX take care of everything, so it requires only limited involvement on our part. Once Mark and I have agreed a plan in May, the next thing is that a tanker containing the fertiliser is dropped off in the autumn. We simply take the Avadex to our OMEX contractor, Rob Cannell; he does everything else and each season applies 665kg/ha of 0-9-9 suspension fertiliser containing Avadex across 650-700 hectares of wheat and barley, about 65-70% of our cereal area.

“Last year I compared the cost of applying Avadex and P and K separately against mixing Avadex in the suspension. There was little difference, but huge advantages because we don’t have to store product, risk it being damaged, have any waste or have a man, tractor and loader tied up applying P and K at a busy time. It’s also massively more convenient and flexible from a management point of view, and distribution of product to 36m is far more accurate than with a granular product applied with a spinner.

"OMEX work around our requirements and do what they say they will, when they say they will do it, which allows us to plan our work accurately. We are only charged for what is applied and have full traceability because OMEX supply a plan of work before any product goes on; when it has, we receive confirmation with the invoice. Unless there is a reason for us to stop using Avadex, I see no reason why we will not continue to operate this system.”

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NEXT GENERATION

SAFETY FIRST AT NEXTGEN MEETING Ten years ago, Jim Chapman’s life changed forever when he lost his left arm in a farming accident.

“As a 3rd generation farmer you could easily say it’s in my blood,” says Jim. “Brought up with three brothers on a small council dairy farm, I got involved in contracting after college, and started my own business before losing my arm.” His YFC career started in earnest after the accident, as County Chairman, area Chairman and finally the first Warwickshire National Chairman. He was awarded the Farmers Weekly Farming Champion in 2011, then an MBE for services to farm safety.

“Despite all efforts, agriculture remains the most dangerous industry to work in,” he explains. “This has led me to apply for a Nuffield scholarship to visit other countries, get some understanding of the problem and make a real difference. I hope to discover the main reasons for most accidents to see if they could have been avoided through training, or if it’s an attitude issue. My aim is to bring together all the good work that has been done around the world into one project, and hopefully bring change not only in the UK but around the world.”

NEXTGEN NEXT

Planning is in hand for a Renewable Energy Farm Walk in the autumn. The Next Generation group is also in discussion with Agri-Tech East about a forum to bring young scientists together with young farmers.

If you are interested in joining the NextGen group, please contact Tom Coulter: Thomas.Coulter@framfarmers.co.uk

Ten years ago, Jim Chapman’s life changed forever when he lost his left arm in a farming accident. Since then he has used his experience to help promote farm safety for the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), the Farm Safety Foundation and Young Farmers Clubs. He spoke to NextGen members at a breakfast meeting at the Stoke-by-Nayland Hotel, Colchester on 6th March.

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CROP MARKETING: MEMBER PROFILE - HELMINGHAM HALL FARMS, SUFFOLK

19

CROP MARKETING DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A 5-STAR SERVICE

For 29 years all combinable crops produced by Helmingham Estate Farms in Suffolk have been marketed through Fram Farmers to benefit from the comprehensive service and numerous benefits which the cooperative provides.

This year Helmingham Hall Farms will channel over 3,600 tonnes of wheat, barley and oilseed rape, the entire production of combinable crops from 525 hectares of in-hand arable land on the Tollemache family’s Helmingham Estate, through the Fram Farmers Marketing Department.

“Marketing all of our combinable crops through the cooperative means that I can delegate this aspect of managing the business to a dedicated team in the Fram Farmers office, who are constantly in touch with the markets and have access to the latest global information,” states Glenn Buckingham (left). County Chair of the National Farmers Union in Suffolk, he has managed Helmingham Estate Farms since 1990.

When appointed, Glenn realised that although the business had been a member since the cooperative was formed in 1960, combinable crops were still being sold through various merchants and significant scope existed to

improve the way in which sales were managed and the financial returns.

“Marketing all of our combinable crops through the cooperative means that I can delegate” “Traders from numerous merchants would call in or ‘phone up wanting to buy grain, which took up considerable time and was a distraction.

Having seen the benefits of cooperative membership and the Fram Farmers Grain Marketing Department in my previous position, I realised that none of the merchants offered anything like the same advantages, such as forward payments at very favourable rates Continued on page 20

20

CROP MARKETING: MEMBER PROFILE - HELMINGHAM HALL FARMS, SUFFOLK

Continued from page 19 against committed grain. I sold the remaining grain from the previous harvest through Fram Farmers and have done so ever since.

FARM FACTS TOTAL AREA : 800 Hectares ARABLE AREA : 525 Hectares SOIL TYPE Beccles and Hanslope series CROPPING Winter wheat

225 ha / Average 2018 yield 9.0t/ha (First wheats) Skyfall (RGT), Gleam (Syngenta), Gravity (RGT)

Winter barley

100 ha / Average 2018 yield 8t/ha Infinity (KWS)

Spring barley

100 ha / Average 2018 yield 5t/ha Planet (RGT)

Oilseed rape

100 ha / Average 2018 yield 3.1t/ha Campus (KWS), Barbados (KWS)

Other

300 ha Grassland Parkland HT Stewardship

“Farmers in the UK have historically been very independent, but I think that will have to change. Helmingham Estate Farms are committed to the ethos of collaboration and as an example we share certain machinery with a neighbouring farm, the Styles Farming Partnership. The ability to market all our combinable crops through an organisation which is member-owned and dedicated to working in our best interests is very appealing.

Because our crops are marketed alongside those of other participating members, this helps Fram Farmers to achieve critical mass in dealing with end-customers and helps to generate consistent, excellent returns.

“Fram Farmers provides a very significant time saving for this business, because making a purchase or marketing crops can generally be accomplished with a single ‘phone call to one of their sector specialists. We also use the cooperative to purchase almost all inputs and services, from mobile ‘phones, electricity and fuel to building materials, spare parts and even combine hire. Making the best use of time is very important, because there are just two staff, plus part-time help.

“Fram Farmers pools allow us to be in the market at harvest without constantly having to watch prices, which is impossible. I try to

avoid having to move grain at harvest as it is such a busy time and prices are generally at their lowest. The cooperative enables us to achieve a good average price for each crop and we saw that clearly last year, particularly with oilseed rape. Fram Farmers marketed a significant tonnage in September and shortly afterwards the market fell, so pool members benefited.”

EARLY COMMITMENT TO THE POOLS Yields at Helmingham Estate Farms in 2018 were approximately 8-10% down on the fiveyear average, reflecting the national picture, and by mid-January 2019 the last crops had been marketed through Fram Farmers with a view to all being off the farm by the end of March.

At that time, the business had committed 40% of the expected tonnage from the 2019 harvest to Fram Farmers’ October-December pool which, like the others, provides a simple, insured, safe method of marketing crops and generates consistently above-average returns without the considerable risks of ‘spot’ selling.

This enables spot sales to be made as the market becomes established post-harvest.

Plans are in place now to enable grain storage capacity to be increased from 3,500 to 4,000 tonnes, 85% of which has underfloor ventilation. The business will then be able to store the entire year’s production, which in 2018 would have increased income by £9,000.

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CROP MARKETING: MEMBER PROFILE - HELMINGHAM HALL FARMS, SUFFOLK

That which is not marketed through the pools will be sold ‘spot’ through Fram Farmers’ CropTrade service.

ADVANCE PAYMENTS “I speak frequently with Thomas Coulter and Barry Howard in Fram Farmers’ Marketing Department to get information and advice, which works very well as part of the five-star service,” Glenn states. “The advance payments at attractive rates against grain committed to the pools help significantly with our cash-flow, which is an important consideration, as for most businesses.

“I like the fact that Fram Farmers sales, contract management and logistics teams are in the same office so everyone knows what is going on, rather than being in different locations as with some larger organisations. I also like being able to go online and instantly see all the information relating to our grain marketing activities on-screen, and track movements. It is a great benefit and saves a lot of time compared with paper statements.

“Even the largest UK farms are tiny in comparison with some in other parts of the world, and individually we are insignificant in an increasingly globalised agricultural sector.

I believe that whatever eventually happens in respect of the UK’s relationship with Europe, farmers here will have to cooperate to a much greater extent to achieve the critical mass and influence now required to compete - or be consigned to becoming park keepers.”

WHY USE FRAM FARMERS POOLS? • Pool committee of farmers and industry experts sets strategy and monitors performance • Comprehensive choice of pool periods • Individual payments based on quality • Opportunity to add value, with premiums where applicable • Choice of payment dates • Advance payments available at competitive rates There are many excellent reasons to use Fram Farmers Crop Marketing Pools, says Thomas Coulter, Fram Farmers’ Farm Grain Buyer.

They include:

• Competitive marketing fees • Fully audited • Storage option • All sales are credit insured

• Consistent, reliable market leading performance

• Locally managed with global input

• Wide range of combinable crops: wheat, barley, oilseed rape and pulses

• Competitive Marketing Fees

• Locally managed by grain marketing professionals with global input and information from ADM, our grain marketing partner

• Competitive advance payments available • Fully compliant with the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)

Further details from the Fram Farmers Crop Marketing Department on 01728 727712

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22

CHARITY FUNDRAISING

SLEEPLESS IN THE SADDLE Richard Anscombe "On 13-14 July 2019 I will be joining 100 other cyclists in The Worshipful Company of Farmers’ Charity Cycle ride from the Farmers’ and Fletchers’ Hall in the City of London to the beach at Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. Leaving London at 7pm on Saturday evening, we will cycle 118 miles through the night without sleep to raise money for the educational courses and agricultural charities which Worshipful Company of Farmers supports.

"At Hackney, we will join other cyclists taking part in the iconic Dunwich Dynamo event and arrive at Dunwich on Sunday morning. Participants will be given a meal before departure and have access to food stops stationed on members’ farms along the way.

"We are very grateful to the companies who are sponsoring this event, namely our keynote shirt sponsor Corteva, alongside fellow shirt sponsors Fram Farmers, RED Design Agency, Procam and Payne Crop Nutrition. We are grateful too to Bayer Agrosciences who are sponsoring our food stops. Our sponsors have made sure that every penny raised will go directly into our charitable fund. If you would like to join us for the ride please let me know, or to donate to my ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ campaign go to my fundraising page on uk.virginmoney.com by searching for Richard Anscombe, or click on https://bit.ly/2HKpFZj".

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MACHINERY: SUPPLIER UPDATE – FUELS AND LUBRICANTS

23

KEEPING ARABLE FARMS MOVING WITH STRESS-FREE FUEL MANAGEMENT Fuel, lubricants, AdBlue‌ the arable industry depends on a steady supply of all three to keep farms moving. But at peak drilling, spraying and harvesting times, fuel management is just one item on a long list of considerations for farmers.

As a gold sponsor of Cereals, Certas Energy is proud to offer a range of stress-free solutions that free up time for farmers to focus on the things that matter most. So how can the right fuel management solutions maximise productivity and profitability for farmers?

EXTENDING MACHINERY UPTIME Whether drilling, planting, spraying or harvesting, farmers must be able to rely on their equipment to operate at peak performance come rain or shine. High-quality lubricants support enhanced equipment productivity and availability to save farms both time and money.

By protecting components from wear and tear under all conditions, lubricants extend the window between costly maintenance periods and help farmers avoid unplanned downtime when time is of the essence. In fact, combining high performance lubricants with best practice management processes can extend oil drain intervals by up to 160% and reduce hydraulic oil consumption by up to 25%.1

FUELLING CLEANER FARMING As the NFU outlines its ambitions for net-zero emissions from farming by 2040, environmental concerns remain top of the agenda for the agriculture sector.

AdBlue reduces harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that contribute to air pollution.

For vehicles and off-road machinery that use selective catalytic reduction, AdBlue is an operational requirement. Without it, vehicles

can exceed legal emission limits - resulting in hefty fines.

Making smarter fuel choices is another proven first step when it comes to reducing emissions from farming operations. Alternative fuels play an important role in the transition to a low emission future in industries such as farming, where machinery often cannot otherwise be easily switched to other energy sources.

Exclusively supplied in the UK by Certas Energy, Shell GTL Fuel is a readily-available, cleaner-burning diesel alternative that is approved by many OEMs. The fuel has been proven to reduce emissions of NOx, particulate matter and carbon monoxide.

As a drop-in solution that does not require modifications to existing equipment, Shell GTL Fuel can be introduced to machinery and tanks to immediately improve air quality in farming without impacting productivity.

SAFE, SECURE STORAGE No matter what type of fuel a farm uses, staying topped up is a priority. Many farms rely on fuel storage solutions to maintain a steady supply. But even with a tank in place, over 50% of farmers admit to struggling with fuel monitoring.2 The latest fuel tanks and monitoring solutions help take the pressure off farmers when managing their fuel supply. Designed to control, monitor and accommodate the efficient storage of fuel, monitoring systems offer total visibility and traceability to ensure farms never run out.

Rural crime can also be a concern, with 22% of farmers3 having fallen victim to fuel theft. For added peace of mind, locks and fobs can help keep fuel secure. Telemetry systems are able to monitor fuel levels and alert to any sudden drops, helping to indicate spillages or theft. To guarantee a reliable and plentiful fuel supply, the technology can also automatically trigger a delivery from a local supplier when stocks dip below a certain level.

When running a farm, it can be difficult to juggle competing responsibilities. Effective fuel management requires full control over logistics to ensure a steady supply when a farm needs it most.

More than just a fuel supplier, Certas Energy is committed to taking the stress out of fuel management for profitable, productive farming.

With a national network of 150 depots, our specialist local teams work closely with arable farmers to provide bespoke solutions to suit individual fuel management needs.

To discover how Certas Energy can keep your farm moving with a reliable supply of fuel, lubricants, AdBlue and fuel management solutions, call 0345 600 4040 or visit www.certasenergy.co.uk/agriculture.

1. Shell Lubricants. From Increasing Productivity To Nourishing A Nation.

2. Survey carried out by Certas Energy of 133 farmers who attended LAMMA 2018. 3. Ibid.

Centium 360 CS

®

NO BUFFER ZONE RESTRICTION KEEP THE WHOLE FIELD CLEAN

Centium® 360 CS Herbicide • • • •

No buffer zone restriction Unique encapsulated formulation Reduced drift and volatility Controls cleavers, chickweed, shepherds purse, hedge mustard and more

USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, TRADEMARKS WITH ® OR ™ ARE TRADEMARKS OF FMC. CENTIUM® 360 CS CONTAINS - 360G/L CLOMAZONE