Farmers First | Issue 55 - Spring 2020

Issue 55 | Spring 2020

PAGE 12

GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE

PAGE 14

INTRODUCING THE LIVESTOCK TEAM

PAGE 20

FRAM FARMERS FINANCE LAUNCH

Now, for tomorrow

rewards I’ve reaped from their “ The advice have changed my business

“

T: 0330 024 0888 larking-gowen.co.uk

Speak to the Agricultural Accounting Specialists... “They [Ensors Chartered Accountants] have a depth of knowledge and understanding of farming and related issues within a family farming partnership.�

Neville Smith, W A Smith & Sons

Our specialist agriculture team has unrivalled experience in dealing with the needs of farming and rural businesses of all types and sizes. We pride ourselves on a personalised approach, getting to know our clients and, hopefully, becoming not just accountants, but trusted family advisors and mentors.

Come and talk to us!

As auditors to Fram Farmers we are happy to provide members with a free one hour meeting.

Graham Page

Neil Meekings

Jonathan Wingfield

Danny Clifford

PARTNER

PARTNER

DIRECTOR

CAPITAL TAXES & TRUSTS PARTNER

01284 722300

01284 722300

01728 440579

01473 220083

graham.page@ensors.co.uk

neil.meekings@ensors.co.uk

jonathan.wingfield@ensors.co.uk

danny.clifford@ensors.co.uk

www.ensors.co.uk/agriculture

EnsorsAgri

BURY ST. EDMUNDS SAXMUNDHAM IPSWICH CAMBRIDGE HUNTINGDON

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

UTILISE THE COOPERATIVE BENEFITS Welcome to the first issue of Farmers First in 2020, a year that promises to be a busy and exciting one for our cooperative.

This year Fram Farmers are proud to be celebrating their 60th anniversary, one of the few true farmer-owned cooperatives to have reached this milestone. In the 1960s, a board of farming founders had the foresight to recognise the benefits farmers could achieve by pooling their purchasing power, the concept still holding true today.

Fram Farmers now operates as one of the UK’s leading farmer-owned inputs, purchasing and crop marketing cooperatives working on behalf of 1,400 farming businesses. This is a huge achievement and credit to all the staff and members. In recognition of this, we are holding a celebratory event in November for all of our members and it would be great to see you all there.

Over the last 60 years, we have built up a strong reputation with our members, as well as long-standing supplier, manufacturer and dealer partnerships.

This issue features the livestock team and highlights the range of products and services this team offers to our members.

Fram Farmers appreciates the changing landscape within the farming industry and has had to adapt accordingly. We are constantly looking at ways in which we can help to make your business more efficient.

The search for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead Fram Farmers forward

into the next 60 years continues. We of course will endeavour to keep you informed as soon as possible when the appointment has been made. In the meantime, the new appointment of Barry Howard as Commercial Manager is a great addition to the team and the article on page 9 will look at how he will work in the business for you. We are also investing in a major new IT system to enable our teams to deliver even more efficiencies to members, which

“Fram Farmers appreciates the changing landscape within the farming industry and has had to adapt accordingly.” you can read about on page 5. Lastly, but by no means least, we are extremely excited to announce the launch of Fram Farmers Finance, the first cooperative buying group to offer this service, helping our members manage capital and cash flow demands which you can read more about on page 20.

Opportunities to attend events, meet other members, hear updates from the Fram Farmers team and listen to industry speakers, is another benefit we

Andrew Read, Chairman, Fram Farmers

offer. Pages 4, 12 and 13 report back on just some of the recent events. I encourage members to try and get to future events as it can be educational, as well as motivating, to hear from other members and experts in our industry.

There are so many benefits of belonging to Fram Farmers and I encourage each and every member to utilise the services we offer. Even small discounts, across many purchases, can make a huge difference to the bottom line, and when there are so many uncertainties in our industry, it’s important to work with the certainties to improve farm performance.

CONTENTS: News..........................................................4-5 Grosvenor Farms.......................................6-7

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 Fram Farmers on 01728 727700, or Juliette Tompkins at Kendalls PR and Marketing on 01502 475110.

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

Operational Update............................................9

Micron Bio-Systems....................................11 Global Market Update .........................12-13 Livestock Team ....................................14-15 Building Materials .......................................17 Arable Team / Agronomy Update ...............19 Fram Farmers Finance.........................20-21 3

NEWS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY… School Farm and Country Fair 23 April Trinity Park, Ipswich Essex Young Farmers Show 17 May Boyton Hall, Roxwell Suffolk Show

MEMBERS VISIT IMPRESSIVE INDOOR GREENHOUSE BUSINESS

27 - 28 May Trinity Park, Ipswich

Essex School Food and Farming Day

Members were given the privilege to tour Sterling Suffolk near Ipswich in February; a hightech greenhouse tomato operation which cultivates more than 150 million tomatoes per year by hydroponics.

A special thanks to Richard Lewis and Steve Wright who gave up their time to show us the huge Dutch-style glasshouse which has firmly put Suffolk on the map as a major producer of vine tomatoes.

Horticultural director Richard Lewis said it is the only semi-closed glasshouse in the UK and is designed to produce more fruit using less energy. The vine tomatoes are harvested and supplied to supermarkets and the restaurant trade. The first greenhouse was up and running within twelve months, and is phase one of a three-phase project, costing around £30m in all, over the next three years. This proved to be a fascinating farm tour and highlighted the innovation within UK farming.

PIE AND PINT EVENT

9th June Writtle College

Cereals Show

10 - 11 June Chrishall Grange, Duxford, Cambridge

Royal Norfolk Show

1-2 July Norfolk Showground, Norwich

East Anglian Farming Conference with MHA Larking Gowen

6 October Trinity Park, Ipswich

60th Anniversary Celebration Black Tie Dinner 7 November Trinity Park, Ipswich

Over 45 members attended our winter Pie and Pint evening at The Queens Head in Hawkedon, near Bury St Edmunds in January.

Thank you to everyone who attended – a great evening was had by all!

Please come and visit us and meet the team. It’s a great opportunity for both existing and prospective Members to understand more about what we do and the extent to which we carry it out on your behalf.

Look out for future events near you.

SARK ADVENTURE A

OUR NEXT GENERATION COMMUNITY

AA

A

A

A AA

AA

AA

Fram Farmers members, Jason and Katherine Salisbury are set to become the new – and only – dairy farmers on the island of Sark, in the English Channel, following a worldwide search.

A

I

Becoming a member of the Fram Farmers NextGen group provides a platform for professional development and the opportunity to socialise with other members and forward-thinking people within the industry.

I

I

We hold a number of events throughout the year from educational talks and training sessions to farm walks and fun social events that bring our young farmer members together.

This is a great opportunity to get involved, visit incredible industry businesses* and* hear * from experts. If you are interested in joining one of our NextGen events contact* * sophie.clarke@framfarmers.co.uk.

The couple currently run a herd of pedigree Guernsey and Jersey cows at Whitegate Farm near Ipswich as well as producing a range of award-winning cheeses, and other products. They plan to continue managing this business from Sark.

A new state-of-the-art dairy at a new site on the island is planned for early 2021. We wish them every success in their new venture!

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP APPLE IPHONE OR ANDROID 4

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020 &

NEWS

IT UPDATE To keep apace of new technology, we have, and continue to, make improvements and upgrades to our IT systems, for the benefit of both our members and staff.

What’s been happening…

What’s coming up…

As you may have noticed we have changed the format of our emails to improve the way we communicate with our members, giving you the opportunity to update your preferences and receive information that is relevant to you. If you haven’t already done so, we would encourage all members to update their preferences by clicking the ‘update your preferences’ link at the bottom of any Fram Farmers email.

The new Future Farm Fuel app amalgamates geographical orders into a single delivery for suppliers, passing on the saving to members. This app will be live within the next 6 months and we will be updating members with information as it develops.

Following feedback, we have introduced a new automated telephone system that enables members to speak to the people they need quicker. All direct numbers are still in use and can be found at the bottom of all Fram Farmers emails.

Considerable strategic investment has been approved by the Board to improve internal purchasing platforms and the Fram Farmers website. After a thorough tender process, we have chosen the agencies that we will be working with to deliver the project; Blue Rock will be building our new internal purchasing system and 7Dots will be building our new website and mobile app. The new Fram Farmers public website will be live before the end of the year.

We’ve listened to you…

In order to ensure that the project adds value for our members, we have undertaken explorative feedback sessions and conducted surveys to ensure we meet your requirements. The outputs of these activities will help us shape the future of the business - we would like to thank everyone who has given us their time and taken part!

We always welcome feedback, so if you have any ideas as to how we could improve the applications you use or how you interact with us, please email: projects@framfarmers.co.uk

Zypar® controls broad-leaved weeds in winter and spring cereals.

Combining the remarkable Arylex™ active and trusted Florasulam, it sets the new benchmark in cereal weed control. The power of Zypar® working whatever the weed growth or the weather.

Relax.

It’s Arylex.

Flexible broad-leaved weed control.

So if you can get on, Zypar® lets you get on, allowing you complete flexibility.

Always keep your cereals in great shape, talk to your advisor or find out more at corteva.co.uk

Keep in the know corteva.co.uk/signup

@CortevaUK

Discover more at corteva.co.uk Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 E-mail: ukhotline@corteva.com 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.

Corteva Agriscience, CPC2 Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: 01462 457272. ® , ™ Trademarks of DuPont, Dow AgroSciences or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or their respective owners.

Zypar® contains halauxifen-methyl (ArylexTM active) and florasulam.

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

5

SUPPLIER UPDATE

MEMBER PROFILE - GROSVENOR FARMS

INVESTING IN SILAGE MANAGEMENT Lucy Johnson, from Silostop, talks to Charlie Steer, the Arable Farm Manager at Grosvenor Farms, to see how they have been getting on with Silostop Max. Lucy Johnson, Silostop

In 2019, Grosvenor Farms harvested approximately 36,000 tonnes of silage, split into 1,300 acres of maize, 660 acres of grass and 900 acres of whole crop to feed 4,000 dairy cows.

“The sheets have worked well for us - we are using a multi-cut system and opened clamp around 6 times. It’s so much easier only having one layer, you can see there is no waste at all on the top or sides.”

Charlie is using Silostop Max on the walls and top of clamps. He commented that the sheet is much 6

easier to use, which the staff in the yard agreed with. “It saves us a lot of time, at least 1 hour per clamp. When you’ve got 8 clamps and 8 people that’s at least £2,000 a year saved in time and wages for sheeting up, that is before the time saved in forking off mouldy silage once you open it up.”

By only using one sheet of plastic, Grosvenor Farms have been able to reduce their plastic usage on their clamps by 50% compared to a standard black PE sheet at 125-micron and a cling film at 40-micron. The Max sheet is UV stable, so it only requires a protective net to deter pests. “We are going to save the top sheets and use them on the walls next year so we are recycling everything.” Charlie adds.

Because Silostop Max is strong it can be taken on and off the clamp in a multi cut operation and it maintains its oxygen barrier properties.

The clamps in the yard are in excellent condition; they have been consolidated and managed extremely well. Charlie explained that they had put an additional 2 tonnes of weight on when compacting, which showed in the open clamps, as there was no wasted silage on the shoulders or sides. The clamps all had an even spread of weight on the top to keep the Max sheet and protective net close to the silage, ensuring the oxygen barrier seal was maintained.

Silostop sheets come in a variety of different sizes starting at 8 metres width, going up to 27 metres, with lengths of 35 and 50 metres, and then 150 or 300 metres. “Silostop do great sizes that actually fit the clamp, rather than just a limited range of standard sheets you have to cut up”. The larger sheets are marked at metre intervals so the team sheeting up can pull out what

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020

MEMBER PROFILE - GROSVENOR FARMS

SUPPLIER UPDATE

is needed and know how much they have left over.

In 2019, Silostop launched the new SupaCova Pro protective cover, made of a tightly woven HDPE and has full UV protection. This means it can be used over the thinnest 45-micron Orange film, eliminating the need for a thick PE top sheet, enabling farmers to reduce their plastic usage by 73%. The cover has a lifespan of 5-10 years depending on climate and storage.

Silostop are also offering a pack of 50 free gravel bags worth £50 + VAT to all Fram Farmers members who purchase a SupaCova Pro. The gravel bags hold 17kg of pea gravel and are easily stored and stacked on a pallet.

They eliminate the need for tyres and remove the risk of tyre wire related illnesses. They all come with a fill line and tie handles, and by not filling to the top of the bag they are able to follow the contours of the silage and maintain the oxygen barrier seal.

Silostop film reduces visible losses by eliminating waste silage, which is typically 10% of the top 1m of the clamp, and invisible losses by an additional 20% through loss in DM through shrinkage.

There will always be a degree of shrinkage as the top layer can’t be compacted as well as the bottom of the

clamp, but Silostop can reduce this to 10%, providing an additional 20% of valuable feed in that top 1m.

The reduction in DM loss also results in a higher retention of nutrients, and more uniform nutritional value throughout the clamp profile. The return on investment is 4 to 1 when switching from conventional sheets, and the aerobic stability is also increased by 2 days once the clamp has been opened, making the silage more palatable at feed out.

Silostop is the leading UK manufacturer of Oxygen Barrier Film (OBF) and operates globally in providing the ultimate silage protection system made up of OBF, protective covers and gravel bags.

Unlike standard Polyethylene (PE) sheets, Silostop film is made up of a unique composition of 9 different layers containing Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) binded and extruded together with a built-in oxygen barrier.

Silostop Orange 45-micron film is our original underlay film, needing UV protection from a PE top sheet, or ideally a UV cover complete with physical protection. Silostop Max film is an 80-micron one-layer film for use in conjunction with a protective net or UV cover.

Both films cling to the surface of the silage and provide an impermeable oxygen barrier, which is supported by validated published trial work across the world.

WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRAM FARMERS. KEEP GROWING.

Learn more at corteva.co.uk Keep in the know corteva.co.uk/signup @CortevaUK

Improves silage quality Unlocks energy Crop speci c solutions

®

, ™ Trademarks of DuPont, Dow AgroSciences or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or their respective owners.

www.micronbio-systems.co.uk

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

Get more from what you grow 7

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

DELIVERING PLANT HIRE & TRANSPORT ON TIME, EVERY TIME TOGETHER PLANT

AGRICULTURAL

ACCESS

TRANSPORT

OVER 3,000 MACHINES, TRAILERS, ATTACHMENTS AND SITE ESSENTIALS AVAILABLE: PLANT HIRE Compressors Agricultural Machine Hire Dozers Site Dumpers Tracked Dumpers Dump Trucks Excavators Wheeled Excavators Fuel Bowsers Static Bowsers Forklifts Loading Shovels Rollers Telehandlers Tower Lights

TRACTOR & TRAILER HIRE CASE, John Deere & Valtra from 115hp to 310hp.

Silage, Root, Grain & Flat/Pallet Trailers, Dump Trailers, Vacuum Tankers and Spreaders.

ACCESS HIRE Artic Booms - Bi Fuel Artic Booms - Diesel Artic Booms - Electric Scissor Lifts - Diesel Scissor Lifts - Electric Niftylifts Vertical Masts SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS Articulated & Rigid Vehicles

ATTACHMENTS Breakers Excavator Attachments Telehandler Attachments Compactors 3 Point Linkage & Fork Mounted Road Brushes SelectPS Grabs Grapples Hand Breakers Man Baskets Power Washer Bowsers Hydraulic Pulverisers Ripper Tooth Riddle Buckets Tipping Skips V Buckets

Please call the FRAM Hire Desk on: 01728 727719 Or call one of the ASHBROOK Team now quoting ‘FRAM’ on: AMLWCH & BANGOR: 01248 364944 CONGLETON: 01260 270817 WARRINGTON: 01925 599080

www.ASHBROOK.Ltd

ASHBROOK run a fresh and modern fleet of machines providing the benefits of the latest technology and the highest levels of reliability.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

BARRY HOWARD RETURNS TO FRAM We speak to Barry Howard, the newly appointed Commercial Manager, to hear his thoughts on the need for innovative solutions to reduce costs.

“It’s great to be back with Fram Farmers after 14 years away and I am looking forward to the exciting challenges and opportunities ahead.

“My time with ADM gave me a great insight into the workings of a major global agribusiness and I hope to use some of this experience to benefit Fram Farmers.

“All we can ask is for members to give us a try; supporting the cooperative is in your interests.”

“Looking ahead, the need for a strong cooperative is as great as it has ever been. We continue to see significant consolidation on both the supplier of goods and services to farmers and the buyers of their crops.

“The cooperative should be the counterbalance to the increasing strength of farmers trading partners. In

Fram Farmers Pools

All sales credit insured and competitive advance payment available.

Barry Howard, Commercial Manager, Fram Farmers

addition to the increased volume that we can offer through collective buying and selling, we need to identify areas where we can work with both suppliers and customers to take cost out of the supply chain through innovative solutions. If we do not work on these collaboratively, Farmers will not share in the savings created.

margin trading companies will struggle to secure the adequate tonnage to be profitable. Members will need to be vigilant in checking the credit rating of their buyers to avoid situations that we have seen in recent years, where farmers have been left being owed money from companies that have ceased trading.

“We can only develop these initiatives with the support of our members and whilst we would not expect members to buy their inputs or sell their grain through the group if we are not competitive, the business is owned by them and so we should always be the first port of call. All we can ask is for members to give us a try; supporting the cooperative is in your interests.

“This coming season will be a particularly challenging year for the whole industry. Farmer members will need to be careful who they are selling their crops to as high volume/low

“In the grain marketing department, we offer a comprehensive range of options including pool marketing, conventional ex farm trading, buy-back contracts, storage deals etc. with all sales credit insured.

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

“Members can access competitive advance payments and our experienced logistics and admin team provide a first-rate service. So I encourage every member to get in touch and see how we can help them.”

For more information please call 01728 727720.

9

NEW GOVERNMENT POLICY AND FARMERS RIGHTLY REQUIRE BETTER SOIL HEALTH NOW

Designed, perfected, trialled and used for over 10 years on millions of acres in the US, UK & EU to improve soil biology and enhance nutrient availability

(5-0-4-2S Weight/Volume)

KEY BENEFITS

L-CBF BOOST™ is a high-density complex carbon-based feed with balanced crop nutrients designed to feed your soil microbes.

• Increased soil nutrient availability and efficiency of applied fertilisers including FYM and slurries • Increased disease resistance • Promotes early plant growth for faster emergence • Reduction/elimination of scorch when applied with fertiliser and ag chem applications • Improved efficacy of all inputs • Ability to reduce inputs including glyphosphate, fertiliser, fungicides etc • More accurate applications with less drift • Safe, simple and easy to use

L-CBF BOOST™ mimics crop exudates by feeding the microbes and fungi that in turn improve plant health and performance. As well as increasing yield, improvements in forage quality are also seen in starch, ME and NDF. Organic variant also available: TM

QLF Agronomy’s aims are to maximise your farms margins and increase soil fertility

Example of 4 years of MGA trials on maize showing yield and starch responses.

Note: In 2019 L-CBF BOOSTTM and L-CBF BOOSTTM with biological product achieved ROI of £144/ha and £176/ha.

Yield

Starch Ave

Control

10.1t/ha

Ave

9.6t/ha

Control

2017

Ave

2018

20.1t/ha

Control

19.6t/ha

+10%

Pre Em

Control

2019

+4.6%

18.4t/ha

+12.3%

+10%

Ave

17.0t/ha

Control

17.3t/ha

Ave

Ave Biological Treatments 16.0t/ha

Control

Control 15.8t/ha

Ave + Biological

+1.3%

+2.4%

+8.2%

+9.8%

5.8t/ha

2016

6.4t/ha

2019

5.9t/ha

2018

6.6t/ha

2017

3.0t/ha

3.3t/ha

2016

All trials in 2018 cancelled due to drought but L-CBF BOOST™ had the best early vigour of all plots – Neil Groom

CONTACT QLF NOW TO RECEIVE TRIAL DATA AND DISCUSS THIS LOW COST AND EASY SOLUTION TO IMPROVE YOUR SOIL HEALTH

Telephone: 01952 727754

Email: web@qlf.co.uk

Orders can be placed through your merchant or direct - ask your agronomist to get on board with QLF



WINNER YEN best % of potential Yield (West) 2018 Used by Soil Farmer of the Year 2017 & 2018

www.qlfagronomy.co.uk  

SUPPLIER UPDATE

MAKING GOOD SILAGE AND THE ROLE OF ENZYME-BASED INOCULANTS We talk to Mike Steele, Technical Director at Micron Bio-Systems, ahead of this year’s silage season, to discuss how enzyme-based inoculants can benefit silage quality.

We are what we eat This applies as much to our livestock as it does to us. None of us would eat spoiled or contaminated food if given the choice.

The natural instinct is to avoid such offerings and seek out a better source, and ruminants are no different. As livestock keepers, we can do a lot to give our cows the best nutrition from the moment we begin caring for them.

If we want more milk from forage, then we need to consider how we manage each step in the process, from field, to feed, to face. Using an inoculant on forage is just one of a number of important steps in achieving good feed, and in return, more milk.

Time should be given to developing a quality sward of the right species, enabling it to grow well with optimum soil nutrition.

This can be tricky to do, but you should aim to cut at the right point of growth, using appropriate and well-maintained harvesting machinery. Avoid picking up soil contamination into the forage on cutting and collection and add a good inoculant.

Sheet the sides of the pit wall then consolidate well, paying particular attention to the sides and ends, following

up with effective sheeting including, if possible, clamp film.

Why use enzymes in silage inoculants?

Good silage inoculants can enable you to get more from what you grow, unlocking more energy potential from the fibrous portion of ensiled forage, supporting increased milk production and growth.

and fungi can help to break down these molecules without costing the rumen flora in energy themselves. Different combinations of enzymes can be chosen, which act together to break down fibrous material and provide more readily available energy to rumen flora.

Plants store energy as sugars and make long chains of sugar molecules in many patterns that support the plant and transfer nutrients from the ground to the leaves.

Some simpler sugars are easily available to rumen flora and are converted quickly to energy. These are commonly from the soft parts of the plant, such as the leaves and from the insides of plant cells. Other sugars are ‘locked away’ in complex structures that form the tougher parts of the plant, such as the stem, flower stalk or cell wall. These need to be broken down by the rumen flora before they can get access to the smaller molecules. Breaking down these sugars can cost the flora in energy, which ultimately means less energy efficiency of the rumen and less milk potential. Common, complex plant sugar molecules are forms of fibre, such as xyloglucan, cellulose and lignin.

Micron Bio-systems’ Advance range of silage inoculants contains a uniquely selected combination of Xylanase and Cellulase enzymes, which have been proven to break down fibre in forages and provide more potential energy to rumen flora.

Not all forages are the same Grasses, maize, wholecrop and legumes all have very different structures and functions and therefore have different compositions and amounts of fibre. For this reason, each of the species-specific Advance range of inoculants have different combinations and amounts of xylanase and cellulase, tailored for its specific purpose. Each product has been tested to ensure that each enzyme contributes to the ensiling process in a positive way.

Natural enzymes produced by bacteria

Trial Results Micron Bio-Systems carries out regular silage trials in real farm settings to test its Advance range of crop specific silage inoculants. Like the process of ensiling, the results are not immediate, allowing for the process of ensiling and for the laboratory analysis to take place. They are also independently analysed by a third party.

The results of the 2018 silage trials of Advance Grass have recently been published, demonstrating that the product still delivers great results to farming. Specifically, the results demonstrated that Advance Grass silage inoculant does the following:

1.0 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 -2.0 -2.5

Untreated

Advance Grass

Fig 1. Advance Grass provides +3.48% more digestible NDF (dNDF) compared to untreated silage at 90 days +240hrs

51.0 50.5 50.0 49.5 49.0 48.5 48.0 47.5 47.0 46.5 46.0

% DM Loss - Rodway Farm

% DM Loss

Lactic Acid - Moorshard Farm

1.5 Lactic Acid (g/kg)

NDF Digestibility at 240 hrs (%DM)

NDF Digestibility at 240 hrs - Rodway Farm 2.0

Untreated

Advance Grass

Fig 2. Advance Grass generates more lactic acid

51.0 50.5 50.0 49.5 49.0 48.5 48.0 47.5 47.0 46.5 46.0

Advance Grass Untreated

0

Time (days)

90

Fig 3. Advance Grass reduces dry matter (DM) losses **Images supplied by Micron Bio-Systems

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

11

GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE

GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE In February, Fram members attended a breakfast meeting at Fynn Valley Golf Club, near Ipswich. Here we summarise what the key speakers had to say.

Marc Ostwald Chief Economist and Global Research Strategist at ADM Investor Services International Limited Brexit, Trade, Political Tensions and Economic Challenges for 2020

“Let’s kick off by looking at the global growth outlook. This year the outlook is much more optimistic, in contrast to the start of 2019 when the mood was very much ‘half empty’; now it’s ‘half full.’

And yet, fundamentally, the key issues are the same; the differences are subtle and nuanced.

“The most significant boost for the global economy, albeit modest, has been the ‘phase one’ China/USA trade deal. However, there are still several key risks very much holding markets and global economy back, especially the EU/USA trade concerns, Brexit and weak Eurozone growth.

Others include: • broader trade tensions and protectionism; • popular discontent across the world; • populist rhetoric and this year’s US elections; • geopolitical tensions above all in the Middle East; • and now there is the uncertain impact of a pandemic?

CHINA’S IMPORTANCE NOW AND IN 2003 China’s Annual Consumption As % Of Global 2002 Crude Oil Consumption

2019 6.6%

13.5%*

Crude Steel Consumption

22.6%

47.5%*

Copper Consumption

17.8%

53.3%**

Aluminium Consumption

16.5%

57.3%**

7.2%

53.3%**

Zinc Consumption

21.0%

48.4%**

Iron Ore Imports

21.0%

64.3%*

5.0%

34.6%**

Nickel Consumption

Semiconductors Sales Smartphone Sales

11.2% ***

29.2%

Personal Computer Sales

2.4%

20.0%

Passenger Car Sales

7.3%

34.5%*

*THE DATA IS FOR 2018; **THE DATA IS THE SUM OF DECEMBER 2018-NOVEMBER 2019. ***THIS WAS FOR CHINESE MOBILE PHONE SALES. NO MODERN SMARTPHONE YET IN 2002

12

Looking around the globe at the outlook for growth and inflation, it’s expected that the US, China and Japan growth to slow a little, and to remain lacklustre in the Eurozone. The key concerns are Germany, India and Latin America (which are also key drags in 2019), and the UK outlook remains very uncertain.

Inflation outlook remains muted by technology, globalisation and demographics.

MARCH BUDGET

“We have had a decade of downward pressure on commodities and I don’t expect us to experience that to the same level for the next decade, but we must consider a rapidly changing economic environment. We are seeing protectionism which threatens the tech sector, climate change and trade related supply chain disruptions, for example, Donald Trump taking trade tariff action that threatens established supply chains in all sectors of the economy.

The Coronavirus outbreak provides a case in point example of how China’s importance in the global economy and consumption has grown enormously since the SARS pandemic of 2002/03.

It underlines how important China is as a voracious consumer of raw materials (commodities and energy), its pivotal role in the supply and production of intermediate and finished goods, and demand for a broad spectrum of discretionary and non-discretionary consumer goods, not to mention China’s tourism spending. The quasi shutdown of the Chinese economy due to the epidemic therefore has a fairly immediate impact on the global economy, and the longer it takes to contain the spread, the more profound will be the impact around the world, particularly as it is already contending with the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) and a longer-term transition from an investment and production to a services and consumption led economy.

The March 11th budget will be the most important budget in the last 30 years. It must address many of the UK’s ‘home grown’ problems. It also needs to prepare the UK for Brexit related disruption, especially in agriculture. We don’t know the specifics at this time, but the end of CAP subsidies and the measures taken to mitigate the impact of the transition will be one key element.

“As far as the trade negotiations are concerned those details will be key for farming and more broadly industry. As negotiations get under way, the magic phrase is not ‘alignment’ but ‘mutual recognition’.

“We shouldn’t focus on tariffs. We need to look at regulations and standards; production and product, environmental, sustainability and labour, as well as ‘rules of origin.’ The first key deadline is early July and markets will be watching for this, as well as how Japan, as one of the UK’s biggest external investors and creditors over the past 50 years, reacts.

“All non-EU countries with existing trade agreements with the EU will watch to see what materialises. Outside of the US and Canada, most will not be willing to conclude any deals until a UK/EU deal has been reached.

“There’s a lot to consider but taking everything into account, it is quite likely that UK agriculture will see some disruption, but an array of opportunities should open up in the medium to longer term.”

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020

GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE

£/t FOB Egypt

Mark Tucker

“When looking at fertiliser, the market forces can be described by one word, Asia.

More specifically it is the production figures in China and their level of export, as compared to the demand that comes from India. Global supply and demand is always fairly tight so pure economics comes into play, and sets the urea value which establishes the general farm price. Local issues can have an influence, but with the UK market at around 3 -3.5 milion tonnes it is tiny compared to global demand.

Policy makers see more urgency required to tackle some of the big issues being associated with agriculture and fertilizer use and nitrogen management is no longer just about the optimum nitrogen rate for the crop.

Ammonia is clearly the #1 issue, with farmers being urged to keep emissions low by either continually using nitrate fertilizers or switching away from urea.

Green House Gas management closely follows, with a need to be using low carbon fertilizers from western European factories, as opposed to the higher carbon products from Russia

Freddie Humfrey National Feed Wheat Trader at ADM Agriculture Ltd Wheat Market Update

“There’s no doubt it’s been a very tricky winter planting season throughout the UK, for wheat in particular. As such, we’ve seen considerable appreciation versus other origins.

“London Nov20 futures have moved from a c £20/t discount, to Matif Dec 20 wheat futures, to the current £2-3/t premium, and this exemplifies a market in short supply and trying to source additional stocks. From this perspective, it would be easy to think that UK wheat values will continue to

240 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 14th April 2016 5th May 3rd June 8th July 5th Aug 1st Sept 6th Oct 4th Nov 2nd Dec 5th Jan 2017 2nd Feb 2nd Mar 6th Apr 11th May 1st June 6th July 3rd Aug 7th Sept 5th Oct 2nd Nov 7th Dec 4th Jan 2018 1st Feb 1st Mar 5th April 3rd May 7th June 5th July 3rd Aug 7th Sept 5th Oct 2nd Nov 7th Dec 4th Jan 2019 1st Feb 1st Mar 5th April 3rd May 7th June 5th July 2nd Aug 6th Sept 4th Oct 1st Nov 6th Dec 3rd Jan 2020 7th Feb

Business Development and Agronomy Manager at Yara Fertiliser Outlook and Market Update

and China. Water quality is still an issue and requires improvement. The focus here is using best available technology to minimise loss, improving nitrogen use efficiency. The uptake of technology, e.g. the Yara N Tester, Sensor and satellite imagery (atfarm) becomes a MUST to ensure ‘decision justification’.

These tools really help to fine-tune nitrogen recommendation and move nitrogen use efficiencies from 40-50% towards the desirable 80-90%.

legacy with us for this year, so as the season progresses, an appropriate crop nutrition strategy should be adopted, e.g. little and often nitrogen/sulphur, and consider foliar applied nutrition. Secondly, grains/ear or pod, where biomass is compromised, needs to be more in focus to recover yield.

“For the 2020 crop, there’s two areas of focus. Firstly, roots will have a different structure; shallow adventitious roots will be dominant, as the extended waterlogging is likely to have killed the deeper, seminal roots. This will be a appreciate unless the planting picture (unlikely given the time of year), or quality of planted crops domestically sees a considerable improvement.

“Unfortunately this is no longer a reasonable expectation. With the considerable appreciation we have seen in UK domestic wheat values, we are now at a point whereby imported wheat, and also corn, compete on a delivered mill basis and thus cap the potential upside in domestic wheat values.

“A global picture of comfortable ending stocks and a strong stocks-to-usage ratio of c. 39% gives little optimism for global wheat prices, therefore capping the UK upside further. There are a few ifs, buts and maybes that do offer a glimmer of hope though; dryness and unseasonably warm temperatures in the FSU and S Russia bring concerns

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

for a late frost kill episode and potential spring drought in a large exporting area of the world. These, however, are whatifs and, unless they come to fruition, look little more than a hope.

“The combination of good global stocks on wheat and a weak corn value indicates little upside potential, despite the dire situation for UK wheat plantings at the moment. Positive price moves are not beyond the realms of possibility but require a weather or production issue in one of the major exporting areas elsewhere in the world. The UK is now at the mercy of global price fluctuations as a result.

“Over-yearing wheat from this season to next shows a good return on the carry and where possible will help prop up budgets in an otherwise tricky marketing season going forward.”

13

STAFF PROFILES

LIVESTOCK TEAM

INTRODUCING ‌ THE LIVESTOCK TEAM A huge part of the success of Fram Farmers is down to the strong working relationships between our members and our staff. Here we get to know the people behind the scenes that work on your behalf.

Jodie Allen Dip RN Role: General Farming Inputs and Livestock Manager Jodie joined Fram Farmers in 2012 as a specialist supporting Tim Styles as Feed Buyer, having previously worked 10 years for an agricultural marketing company. The livestock membership grew, and as a result, so did the team, with Jodie expanding her knowledge and responsibilities. Jodie completed a two-year ruminant nutrition diploma in 2016 at Harper Adams and was promoted to General Farming Inputs and Livestock Manager in 2017. In her time at Fram Farmers, Jodie has worked hard to build relationships with suppliers and provide the members with the service they require.

Jonathan Woollatt BSc Role: Trainee Feed Buyer Jonathan, better known as Jono, joined the livestock team in November.

He studied Agricultural Business Management at Reading University achieving a 2:1 bachelors degree. In 2018/19 Jono spent time in Western Australia working on a 34,000ha arable farm.

His responsibilities will include working closely with Jodie in the procurement of all feedstuffs, proactively updating the membership on day fees and market movements, and producing the weekly feed raw materials update. Jono will also be building upon and expanding on his knowledge of all commodity markets, spending time with Barry Howard (commercial manager) in the grain marketing department.

Lubricants

14

Tanks

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020

LIVESTOCK TEAM

Jessica Frost BSc, R-SQP (QR15664) Role: Animal Health and Livestock Specialist

Naomi Sturges Role: Purchasing Administrator Naomi has been with Fram Farmers for 2 years. She speaks directly to our members taking general orders, dealing with queries and chasing up deliveries.

Naomi’s attention to detail is valuable when checking invoices and contracts.

In addition to bedding, sundries and dairy consumables, she also deals with compound feed prices, game feed, harvest products, livestock equipment and grant schemes. Naomi is currently studying to become an R-SQP and is looking forward to specialising in animal health later this year.

STAFF PROFILES

Lorraine Allum Role: Purchasing Administrator Lorraine has also been here for 2 years and is very quick to answer calls from our members. She spends her time placing orders on a wide variety of products the livestock team deals with, as well as checking invoices. She is also responsible for updating prices on a number of key products on a monthly basis.

Lorraine deals with member queries, chasing up suppliers and looks after the bulk tank contract, breeding supplies, harvest products, bedding and game feed.

Jessica has been a buyer on the Livestock team for 6 years and heads up the Animal Health part of the team. A key responsibility is to build relationships with suppliers in order to get the best agreements possible for our members.

Jessica primarily deals with animal health products to POM-VPS level, arranging special terms for early worm and fly control for cattle and sheep, pig medicine tender and other veterinary medicines. POM-V medicines are an area of particular interest, along with dealing with minerals and bulk dairy chemical orders. Jessica is also qualified to order rodenticides.

And Good Luck to…Kerry Cumbley BSc Dip AVN RVN R-SQP (QR95001) Kerry, who worked as our Animal Health and Livestock Specialist, has been a valuable and very popular member of the team for the last two years. Kerry married in September 2019, and her and husband Joe made the decision to move back to the Midlands to be nearer family. Luckily, Kerry will still be working alongside us as a supplier to Fram members and we look forward to working with her in her new role.

PIG MEDICINES GROUP As part of Jessica’s job, she is also fully responsible for the management of the Pig Medicines Group - which provides members with the opportunity to benefit from some substantial savings on their animal health products.

This group was formed in October 2003 when a group of local pig farmer members felt if they pooled their veterinary medicine requirements together, they would also be able to improve their buying power.

This group includes the majority of our local pig farmers, however within the last few years has extended its reach far beyond East Anglia, now including; Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall too. There are in the region of 195,000 pigs within the group. The group’s estimated annual Pig Meds requirements (POM-V and POM-VPS) are collated and put out to tender annually, the value being worth ~£1.5M p.a. (Your pig vet would need to be open to writing prescriptions for POM-V products).

This agreement saves our farmers in the Pigs Meds Group significant amounts of money on their inputs every year (ranging from 20-40%), sometimes amounting to thousands of pounds, therefore improving profitability. One farmer in particular saved over £9K per year.

This group has extremely strict confidentiality terms.

If you are interested in joining the pig medicines group or for further information please speak to Jessica Frost on 01728 727 716.

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

15

SOME KITCHENS ARE DESIGNED TO FIT A SPACE OURS ARE DESIGNED TO FIT A FAMILY With over 100 years of experience, we pride ourselves in being a company that is dedicated to creating kitchens that are part of the family. For us, quality comes first, which is one of the reasons that we have been named first and second place in the recent Which? Kitchen Brands review for both our Factory Assembled and Simply Ready to Assemble kitchen cabinets.

To start your dream kitchen today, visit your local Magnet Store and quote: FRAM FARMERS – ACCOUNT NUMBER 4071705 You will also need your Fram Farmers member code or member card to hand.

By quoting Fram Farmers, you will have access to exclusive offers and discounts!

Ask in-store at the Magnet Trade Counter to find out more.

Working with the

MEMBER PROFILE – HIGH ELMS FARM, STOWMARKET, SUFFOLK

BUILDING MATERIALS

MEMBER BENEFITS – MORE THAN YOU MAY REALISE If you are considering installing cupboards or appliances to the farm office, kitchen or storage areas, we recommend looking at the considerable savings that can be made at Magnet through Fram Farmers membership.

Malcolm Owers, from High Elms Farm, near Stowmarket in Suffolk, has been a member of Fram Farmers since 1977, and alongside more usual purchases of animal feed, fertilisers and general building materials, has just taken delivery of a brand-new kitchen with up

to 40% discount.

“Price was obviously a big factor, but the service has been first class. Leigh from Magnet came out to the farm, worked with us to plan the layout, provided us with a 3D virtual model so we could discuss any changes and scheduled the installation within a timeframe that worked for us. I’ve also been really impressed with the quality of the products, including the appliances.”

In recent years, Malcolm has diversified into renting out workshops in addition

to arable farming and has found that his main purchases through membership are now building materials. “Its worth a call into the office to discuss any inputs you may need as it can be surprising which suppliers Fram Farmers work with to offer discounts,” he concludes.

For more information please call Nick Millar, Building Materials Buyer on 01728 727718.

MEMBERS’ ONLINE SHOP AND FUEL CARD SCHEME Our online shop has now been open for a year and the system is going from strength to strength as members find the convenience and range of products a great addition to our services. Have you had a look at the Fram Farmers Online Shop?

In January 2019, Fram Farmers was the first agricultural co-operative to launch an online parts store, aimed to help members purchase items quickly and conveniently at competitive prices.

Access to over 550,000 products The system, which is provided in association with Kramp and MDT, is often referred to as the ‘Amazon of agriculture’ and provides access to over 550,000 products.

It has proved popular with members,

offering a service 24/7, 365 days a year, with all items supplied by trusted sources and with next day delivery in most instances if ordered before 6pm. The account is easy to use as it is linked to your Fram Farmers account, and it’s also free to members, with no hidden costs.

Purchases include everything from machinery parts to tools, clothing, and hoses to name a few.

If you wish to take advantage of this service, forms are available on the website, or please contact the office for more information.

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

Savings to be made with the Fram Fuel Card Scheme Many members purchasing diesel already benefit from the Fuel Card Scheme, but it is worth reminding those that don’t, to consider signing up. The Scheme is run in association with UK Fuels, giving you access to a wide range of networks including Shell, BP, Esso and UK Fuels which also opens up Tesco, Morrisons and Coop forecourts.

The fuel card is in a credit card-style format, and it is linked to members’ Fram Farmers accounts. They have simplified the system enormously from what was previously available, so all family fuel can be logged to one account. An email is sent out weekly to advise members of the prices for that week (no discounts for higher grade fuels or petrol).

It’s really simple and convenient to use, and has the added benefit of producing registered invoices, so there’s no need to keep receipts.

Members can apply for fuel cards via the Fram Farmers office.

17

REVYSTAR XE. A NEW FUNGICIDE YOU CAN RELY ON. ®

THE REVYLUTION IS HERE

Farming is about to change. Now, we have a solution that puts you in the driving seat. New Revystar® XE is a long-lasting cereal fungicide that is temperature independent and reduces the risk of rain or UV light compromising disease control, which means you have a wider spraying window. To feel confident in minimising risks from adverse weather conditions – join the revylution.

basfrealresults.co.uk/revylution

NEW FUNGICIDE

CARE

SIMPLICITY

CONFIDENCE

HIGHER, CONSISTENT YIELD AND INCOME

SIMPLIFIED DECISIONMAKING AND PLANNING

LESS RELIANT ON PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS

REVYSTAR XE ®

IS NOW AVAILABLE

Revystar ® XE and Revysol ® are registered Trade Marks of BASF. Revystar ® XE contains Revysol ® and Xemium. Revysol ® contains mefentrifluconazole. Xemium contains fluxapyroxad.

Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols, you can refer to agricentre.basf.co.uk.

ARABLE TEAM / AGRONOMY UPDATE

SUFFOLK ARABLE UPDATE Robert Hurren, Independent AICC Agronomist and a member of Apex Agronomy, gives us an update on field conditions in Suffolk and the challenges ahead for crop in 2020.

It’s certainly been an interesting year so far, with many regions seeing record breaking rainfall and horrendous field conditions, the impact of which will be felt for many months ahead. When looking at Suffolk specifically, crops are currently poor to average but are still better than many other parts of the country.

Early to mid-August drilled rape crops look quite respectable and they have now started stem extension. At this stage, yield potential looks promising but many crops have high cabbage stem flea beetle larval infestations so we will see what impact these have over the coming few weeks. Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done now, apart from providing the crops with good nutrition to help them try to fend off the pest.

Several later drilled rape crops have been written off due to poor establishment (it was too dry at time of establishment) as well as flea beetle pressure, leaving growers with no crop, and limited opportunities (so far) to plant an alternative. Other crops are quite backward and will be managed according to yield expectation.

Cereal crops range from quite good to poor, depending on when, and how, they were established. On the whole, October-drilled crops look to have reasonable potential and will be managed as so, but November onwards drillings are struggling, particularly the headlands, and these will have to be treated sensibly going forward.

Fields remain saturated, making any land work difficult-to-impossible, but things can soon change, and it is important to have a plan in place in order to take advantage of every half chance.

Early nitrogen is absolutely key this season. Some backward crops have already had their first split of around

40kgN/ha, either as straight nitrogen or with some phosphate in the form of DAP to encourage tiller retention and also rooting. As soon as it dries out again, all other crops will want their first split of nitrogen and this should be viewed as a priority.

Ideally, if the weather ever dries out, it would be beneficial to roll all cereal crops before stem extension to again promote tillering and to level out the uneven seedbeds, but in reality this is not looking likely.

Early use of plant growth regulators can also help crops retain tillers by suppressing the main stem and encouraging tillers to develop.

There is a lot of noise about the use of biostimulants on late-drilled crops to promote tillering and rooting without independent data to back this up.

These products are not cheap and, as with all inputs, it is important to see a return from them, otherwise they are just another cost.

Many cereal crops are unsprayed, so we are currently making herbicide decisions. Blackgrass and broad leaf weed pressure is high in many fields due to no residuals being applied. We will see a reliance on contact materials for grass weed control this Spring but I am preparing my clients for poor results, particularly with blackgrass. In some cases, the best option would be to spray off crops with glyphosate and start again, but there will be little appetite for this for obvious reasons. It is a great shame as we have been working hard over the last few years to gradually clean fields up and I fear that we will potentially be back to square one after this year.

Light leaf spot infection is prevalent in rape crops this year, so a fungicide application will be planned soon to control this, along with a herbicide to

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

control any weeds present, provided the crops are not at or beyond the green bud stage.

And then, of course, there is all the spring drilling to do.

So, once we have a dry few days, the biggest decision will be what to do first...

Commenting on the current conditions, and with consideration of Robert’s report, Annie Buckingham, Fram Farmers Fertiliser Buyer, adds, “If you haven’t already bought your fertiliser requirements for the current crop then this year is one of those lesser spotted years when waiting has paid off.

“If you haven’t already bought your fertiliser requirements for the current crop then this year is one of those lesser spotted years when waiting has paid off.”

“The UK Fertiliser market is depressed, mainly because import stocks were booked pre 31st Oct in anticipation of tariffs. Other factors include the record high UK production and wet weather slowing purchasing. Uptake of all nutrients will be less efficient with small root systems and poor root architecture so an application of P and K, as well as N, as soon as crops start to move will be essential. Coupled with the current low P and K prices, this is even more reason not to be tempted to take a holiday from application of these key macro nutrients.

Keep in touch with the Arable Team as we head into the spring. We are here to guide you through your buying decisions”

19

FRAM FARMERS

FINANCE

NEW FINANCE INITIATIVE WILL HELP MEMBERS TO BETTER MANAGE CAPITAL AND CASH FLOW DEMANDS

Fram Farmers has responded to enquiries from members by developing a service which assists with access to finance, helping farming businesses overcome the inevitable capital demands and spikes in cash-flow that occur throughout the year. Following approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the initiative is about to be launched to members.

Nick Hindle, Financial Controller, outlines below.

Following the recent launch of the input cost manager scheme, as outlined in the Winter issue of Farmers First, Fram Farmers are delighted to announce this new finance initiative, aimed at assisting members with their cashflow requirements.

Securing access to finance is a major issue for many businesses and likely to become even more critical for those in the farming sector as Brexit impact begins to take effect and financial institutions tighten their lending criteria.

20

However, with the addition of new finance-related options, there are now six ways in which members can improve their cash-flow position: • Financial advances against grain committed to our crop marketing pools • Delayed payments for crop protection products • Fertiliser pools which offer split payments • Input Cost Manager Scheme • Input Loans – Funds can be used for agricultural chemicals, feed and seed purchases made through your Fram Farmers account and itemised on your monthly statement • Asset Finance – Finance for a wide variety of agricultural assets, such as, tractors, combines, telehandlers, sprayers and the full range of agricultural and plant machinery.

Nick Hindle, Financial Controller, Fram Farmers

Being a not-for-profit-organisation, members have the reassurance that these and all the other facilities we offer have been created specifically for them by an organisation they know and trust.

To enable Fram Farmers to negotiate the best deals with suppliers we thoroughly assess members’ likely requirements, plan product volumes and guarantee prompt payment. In turn, a condition of membership is that members pay their invoices by Direct Debit and on time to avoid penalising fellow members who otherwise must bear the cost of late payments.

We appreciate that some do occasionally experience a tightening of their cash-flow position and may either be forced or feel compelled to deal directly with suppliers because of that.

However, the arrangements now

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020

FINANCE offered by some suppliers are not transparent, lock farmers into revolving credit and end up costing them much more, as well as being restrictive and potentially difficult to exit.

Fram Farmers Finance is one way that the cooperative can help members maintain a prompt payment record, continue to source everything they need through their cooperative and benefit from significant savings on their input purchases. This is very important, because we have rigorously benchmarked Fram Farmers prices against those available in the wider market and demonstrated a 9.76% saving across 15 key inputs.

FRAM FARMERS FINANCE Developed in conjunction with FlexiFunding, a Leeds-based and FCA authorised credit broker and Hitachi Capital Business Finance, one of the UK’s leading asset finance lenders, members may benefit from expertise and reputation in this market.

FRAM FARMERS

HOW DOES FRAM FARMERS FINANCE WORK? 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Member contacts Fram Farmers Fram Farmers will introduce you to Simon Shepherd at Flexi-Funding Simon Shepherd will contact you to discuss your finance requirements A finance application will be submitted to Hitachi Capital Business Finance Once approved by Hitachi Capital Business Finance, an agreement will be signed by the member via Simon Shepherd 6. Agreement will be sent to Hitachi Capital Business Finance for processing of payment 7. Member receives Fram Farmers statements in the usual way

As a large, well-known and trusted business-to-business lender with excellent processes and understanding of the farming and food sector, Hitachi Capital Business Finance is an obvious choice to enhance the service we offer our members. This relationship allows Fram Farmers Finance to help members maximise the benefits and financial savings they derive from belonging to the cooperative.

We are delighted to be able to offer this service and are confident this will be of great benefit to our members.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Fram Farmers office on 01728 727700, or email nick.hindle@framfarmers.co.uk at your earliest convenience.

Fram Farmers Finance is a trading style of Fram Farmers Limited authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a credit broker.

Registered Office: Station Road, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9EE. Fram Farmers Finance will act as an introducer to Flexi-Funding which is a trading style of Flexi Finance Limited authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a credit broker. Finance is provided by Hitachi Capital Business Finance which is a trading style of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The agreement may or may not be regulated under the consumer credit act, dependent on your circumstances. Subject to status and affordability.

THE KEY TO SPRING ESTABLISHMENT FOR CEREALS PHOSPHITE POWERED AMINO ACID CHARGED

Tel: 01673 885175

WWW.CROPROOTER.PLUS FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

21

LIFE SCIENTIFIC

ADVERTORIAL

Dublin based off-patent manufacturer Life Scientific brings quality crop protection products to market, providing farmers and agronomists with better options to meet their plant protection needs.

This spring, Life Scientific will launch their very own off-patent prothioconazole fungicide, Aurelia, onto the UK market.

Aurelia contains 250g/l prothioconazole and is a broad spectrum fungicide with erradicant and protectant activity for use in many different crops.

In an emulsifiable concentrate formulation, Aurelia is suitable for use alone or in combination with a wide range of other pesticides to provide effective control of key diseases.

Jonathan Blake

“Life Scientific’s approach is based on the very strong scientific concept to reverse engineer a product from the original to produce a product accepted as the same by the regulatory authority,” explains Ruth Stanley, Life Scientific’s technical manager.

“This means we can offer off patent products to agronomists and growers earlier than any other off patent company – which is what we have done with Aurelia,”

% CONTROL vs. UNTREATED 100

Results shared at the 2019 AHDB Agronomists Conference by Mr Blake, showed that in trials over the last three years at full label rate in a protective programme, prothioconazole still contributed as much as 35-45% of control of Septoria tritici.

He added to this the importance of the role of prothioconazole in stabilising and protecting new chemistry within programmes this spring, as newer fungicides come on board.

80 60 40

Mr Blake also confirmed good results from prothioconazole in controlling Fusarium ear blight; in inoculated trials, prothioconazole reduced levels of DON by as much as 50%.

20 0

Aurelia L1 - Sep

Proline 250/275 L2 - Sep

PRODUCT PERFORMANCE In order to assess the comparability of Aurelia against the reference product Proline, Life Scientific carried out a series of eight separate field trials, across both the UK and France.

“The aim of the trial was to compare the performance of Aurelia against the reference product Proline, in controlling Septoria tritici and Brown rust in wheat,” Mrs Stanley says.

She explains that to encourage the development of disease, no T1 treatments were applied. “Crops then received a single application of Aurelia

It also provides good control of powdery mildew.

L1 - B.Rust

or Proline, between the growth stages 39 and 45. We carried out disease assessments on leaves 1 and 2 for 3-4 weeks after application.

The results were as we had hoped; the performance of Aurelia was exactly the same as Proline.”

Prothioconazole remains a key corner stone for valuable disease control, as part of an integrated approach to disease management, points out Jonathan Blake, principal crop research scientist at ADAS.

In barley, ADAS trials showed that prothioconazole-based products are very effective for controlling Rhyncosporium and Net Blotch, although higher doses are required for effective Net Blotch control.

There is also good activity to be had both for mildew and tan spot in barley from prothioconazole.

Aurelia in OSR Aurelia is also approved for use in winter OSR, providing moderate control of Light Leaf Spot, Stem canker and Sclerotinia stem rot. In AHDB trials from 2015-2017 prothiconazole performed consistently well in controlling Sclerotinia, as shown in the graph (left).

For more information on Aurelia see the life scientific website lifescientific.com/products/ 22

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 5 - S P R I N G 2 020

SupaCova Pro Re-usable cover that lasts at least 5 years. Protects from physical damage and gives effective all-over weighting. Provides strong protection from UV.

Gravel Bags Eliminate tyres for an easier and safer environment

Silostop Orange Oxygen barrier film 45 micron.

Strong & stretchy, stops surface spoilage and increases aerobic stability

www.silostop.com

SILAGE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Whatever the year, whatever the weather,

Ascra boosts your wheat yields Judge For Yourself...

Since 2016 Bayer’s Judge For Yourself trials have tested AscraXpro against over 50 farmers’ standard.

Yield difference t/ha

1.5

71%

1.0

of farmers saw better

yields using AscraXpro over 106 farm comparisons*

0.5 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5

On average farmers benefitted from

+0.2 t/ha extra yield

-2.0

using AscraXpro

Discover more at cropscience.bayer.co.uk/ascra

* Based on 106 farm comparisons, 2016, 2017 & 2018. Ascra 1.2-1.5 L/ha vs on-farm standard.

Ascra Xpro contains prothioconazole, bixafen and fluopyram. Ascra is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2020

FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 55 - S P R I N G 2 0 2 0

23

Find out how Nitram Will help your farm. www.cffertilisers.co.uk