South East Farmer Janaury 2022

®

Est 1982

January 2022

MAKING MONEY FROM STANDING TIMBER

CONSTRUCTION

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS...

Invest in farm buildings for a healthy return

Wealden Game Farm at Court Lodge Farm to learn more about a flourishing game business

Farming is changing like never before.

The opportunities are out there.

CLM offers new ideas with traditional values.

• Farm business & estate management • Subsidies & grants • Land sales & acquisition • Planning & development • Natural capital & ecology 01892 770339 www.c-l-m.co.uk

DON’T MISS - BY FAR THE LARGEST AGRICULTURAL, CONSTRUCTION AND GROUNDCARE DEALER SHOW IN THE UK

E N N LI IO N T OAUC

WE’RE BACK!

THE 62nd DOE

SHOW

AT ULTING, MALDON CM9 6QH

FEATURING OVER 150 TRADE STANDS • Latest innovations in machinery • Case IH marquee • Working demonstrations • New Holland marquee • vintage tractors • Clearance bargains • Groundcare pavilion • Construction zone • Parts and showroom offers • NRoSO and BIGGA CPD points • Machinery auction • country clothing store and much, much more ...

• FREE refreshments, parking and entry

www.doeshow.ernestdoe.com

#doeshow2022

Ulting, Maldon Essex CM9 6QH Tel 01245 380311 | ernestdoe.com

®

www.southeastfarmer.net SOUTH EAST FARMER Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL 01959 541444 EDITORIAL Editor: Malcolm Triggs Email: sef.ed@kelsey.co.uk Photography: Martin Apps, Countrywide Photographic PUBLISHER Jamie McGrorty 01303 233883 jamie.mcgrorty@kelsey.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGN Jo Legg 07306 482166 jo.legg@flair-design.co.uk MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Steve Wright CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Phil Weeden MANAGING DIRECTOR: Kevin McCormick PUBLISHER: Jamie McGrorty RETAIL DIRECTOR: Steve Brown RENEWALS AND PROJECTS MANAGER: Andy Cotton SENIOR SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Nick McIntosh SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING DIRECTOR: Gill Lambert SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Kate Chamberlain PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Georgina Harris PRINT PRODUCTION CONTROLLER: Kelly Orriss DISTRIBUTION Distribution in Great Britain Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9AP Tel: 0330 390 6555 PRINTING Precision Colour Print

Kelsey Media 2022 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers.

Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the author and not previously published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received.

The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties.

Kelsey Media takes your personal data very seriously. For more information of our privacy policy, please visit Kelsey Media takes your personal data very seriously. For more information of our privacy policy, please visit https://www.kelsey.co.uk/privacy-policy/ . If at any point you have any queries regarding Kelsey’s data policy you can email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@kelsey.co.uk.

www.kelsey.co.uk Cover picture: South East Forestry ©Martin Apps, Countrywide Photographic

16

JA NUA RY 2022

CONTENTS

18 04 06 08

NEWS & REPORTS

SFI launch greeted with muted welcome.

Call for tougher action on hare coursing.

Farm fined after employee crushed.

REGULARS

14

MONICA AKEHURST

18

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS...

Mother nature is awe inspiring.

Nigel visits Wealden Game Farm at Court Lodge Farm in Burwash to meet founder Paul Smith and his wife Yvette and learn more about their flourishing game business.

27 35

SARAH CALCUTT NICK ADAMES

37 39 40

ANITA HEAD STEPHEN CARR ADVICE FROM THE VET

44 46 49

ALAN WEST LEGAL LAND AND FARMS

Farming needs real political support.

14 16

FEATURES

WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Jon Davies of South East Forestry explains how managing woodland can earn significant sums for the landowner as well as being good for the environment.

22

KENT FARMING CONFERENCE

29

CONSTRUCTION

32

ORCHARD COOLING

Preventing twin lamb disease.

New to the annual calendar of agricultural events, the Kent Farming Conference premieres on 26 January 2022.

Poor performance could be due to a lack of investment in buildings. Those who complain that they don’t have the money to invest need to look at examples that show a healthy return on such investment.

Company's success reflects its innovative approach to refrigeration systems.

NEWS

SFI LAUNCH GREETED WITH MUTED WELCOME

4

A lack of detail and a failure to recognise the costs of switching to ‘sustainable farming’ prompted a muted welcome to the launch of the Government’s flagship new subsidy scheme.

While farming and countryside organisations generally welcomed the release of further details on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) – the entry level strand of the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS) – there were significant concerns around the detail.

Environment Secretary George Eustice provided a significant update on the SFI, including the longawaited payment levels, and stressed that the new policy would be “optional, but open to all”.

Referring to the “modular” nature of the SFI, he went on: “Farmers will be free to choose which elements work for them. In some landscapes and in some sectors, some businesses may decide to embrace it extensively. For others, the scheme may be a smaller part of their business model, but they may make space for nature on less productive parts of their holding.

“It is not the role of the government to tell farmers what to do, but rather to offer marketbased payments to willing participants in order to incentivise the uptake of schemes on the scale required to deliver the policy outcomes that the government has set itself.”

Emphasising the role of domestic food production in food security, Mr Eustice made the point that areas of food production that enjoyed the highest levels of self-sufficiency – including poultry, eggs, carrots and swedes – tended not to be areas that had traditionally been subsidised.

He commented: “For most of these successful sectors, Direct Payments are a largely inconsequential part of their business model.”

Mr Eustice also highlighted how emerging techniques such as regenerative agriculture could reduce costs and improve profit margins while helping the environment.

Stressing that government policy would “support and incentivise” such techniques, he went on: “Those who embrace these sorts of sustainable practices

will not only see the agronomic advantages inherent in them and the reduction in their costs, but they will also qualify for payments and incentives for the benefits their approach delivers for nature and the contribution this makes towards the Government’s policy objectives.”

The long-awaited detail revealed three initial standards to which farmers will be able to sign up.

They are: • Arable and horticultural soils – offering between £22 and £40 per hectare and including activities such as testing of soil organic matter • Improved grassland soils – offering between £28 and £58 per hectare for activity, including producing a soil management plan or herbal leys on at least 15% of land • Moorland and rough grazing – offering £148 fixed per agreement per year plus an additional variable payment rate of £6.45 per hectare.

As to the thinking behind the scheme, Mr Eustice said the Government’s policy outcomes were to: • Halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Plant up to 10,000 hectares of trees per year in England • Improve water quality • Create more space for nature in the farmed landscape • Ensure a vibrant and profitable food and farming industry which supports the Government’s levelling-up agenda and helps safeguard food security.

Mark Tufnell, President of the Country Land and Business Association, said the announcement marked “a major milestone in the development of England’s new agriculture policy”, adding: “The Environmental Land Management schemes have the potential to be the most progressive and environmentally responsible schemes of their kind anywhere in the world.”

The response from the NFU was less enthusiastic, and while President Minette Batters welcomed the additional information and the commitment to food security and self-sufficiency, she stressed that

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

farmers needed “a detailed scheme that works on farm, that is economically viable and really does give [farmers] a fair return for those goods that are provided”. In a video message to members, she said she still didn’t see “enough of that”.

NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw said: “While it is good to finally have some more clarity on the scheme offering, ultimately more detail is needed for farm businesses to make informed decisions.”

He went on: “It’s clear that DEFRA has taken on farmers’ feedback on the pilot scheme, and we can see that meaningful changes have been made to the final offer, including much-needed flexibility for tenant farmers to participate and the introduction of a more flexible approach to inspections.

“However, it is vital that the SFI recognises the significant costs farmers could incur in delivering public goods and fully recognises that in the payment rates, at a time when direct payments are phased out. We have concerns in this area, and it is vital that these are addressed in order to attract the participation DEFRA envisages and that is required to deliver the environmental ambition of the scheme.”

With nearly 1,000 farmers signed up to the pilot, the scheme will now be rolled out to farmers who farm more than five hectares of land and are eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme next year.

Tom Fyans, head of campaigns and policy at countryside charity CPRE, said that while farmers were “willing to embrace change”, they needed the right support to improve the biodiversity of their land and remain in business.

He said the SFI was “an important start”, but added: “This is very much a taster. When the full Environmental Land Management scheme rolls out in 2024, it will need greater ambition still, more detail to guide farmers and to show clearly how the government plans to deliver major objectives for nature and climate change, as well as sustainable food production."

Information on the Landscape Recovery and Local Nature Recovery schemes – the other two ELMS strands – will be provided in the new year.

O PI NI O N Good job I'm not a betting man

70-ACRE WOODS TO MARK THE QUEEN’S

PLATINUM JUBILEE Landowners are being asked to support a plan to create dozens of 70-acre woods in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The woodland initiative, which is part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, a wider scheme inviting people across the UK to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”, is being led by the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

It wants landowners to provide sites for up to 70 Platinum Jubilee Woods to help mark Her Majesty’s 70-year reign, while at the same time helping to tackle the climate crisis.

“This is an exciting and ambitious project that will be a fitting way to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service,” said Dr Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust.

“We want landowners to play a crucial role in this incredible initiative, which will not only be a fantastic living and growing legacy for Her Majesty but will also help fight climate change and create essential new woodland habitats.”

Colonel Dan Rex, chief executive of The Queen’s Green Canopy, said: “We are delighted that our partners, the Woodland Trust, are leading this significant and ambitious contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy.

“We appeal to all landowners who may have land available to support this important initiative.”

As part of its 70-acre woods plan, the Woodland Trust will offer expert advice on planting the right trees in the right place, as well as guidance on management, financial support and grant applications. The trust is aiming to establish at least 50 million new trees by 2025.

Dr Moorcroft added: “We remain one of the least wooded countries at 13% woodland cover, compared to an average of 37% in the rest of Europe. But we can all play a role in increasing tree numbers to help nature recover and to help tackle the climate crisis.”

Landowners can find out more by emailing QGCWoods@woodlandtrust.org.uk, sending a brief description of the planned wood along with the location and a map.

I first sat in this figurative chair the day after Boris announced the first lockdown, with the inevitable consequence that ‘my’ first edition contained news of cancelled events across the region.

Stories were collected almost exclusively over the telephone or, within a few weeks, via something called ‘Zoom’, then a novelty.

Back in March 2020 I would never have guessed that almost two years on I would still be keeping readers informed about events being cancelled because of coronavirus, later Covid-19 and now Omicron. We expected six months to a year of problems, but vaccinations, then just a challenge facing scientists, would set everything straight.

But a betting man would have lost money. As this edition reveals, organisers of The LAMMA show, not a South East event but one which many of the region’s farmers attend, thanks to its scale and reputation, have pushed the event back from January to May 2022 in what may well be the forerunner of other postponements or even cancellations.

It’s another example of the uncertainty that farmers and growers are facing as we stumble from a challenging (to put it mildly) 2021 into a 2022 that is already losing its new year gloss.

Rising input prices, the weather, ongoing challenges around labour recruitment and ‘free trade’ deals that seem to favour overseas producers are just a few of the challenges we face.

Without the exceptionally good prices being achieved for beef, lamb and cereals over the past year, farmers would be facing even bigger problems, but most remain sanguine in a way that pays tribute to the mental fortitude of those working in agriculture.

As Anita Head points out this month, though, while farmers have traditionally kept a stiff upper lip, they are increasingly vulnerable to mental health problems caused by the stresses and uncertainties of farming, and those vulnerabilities certainly aren’t helped by the loneliness many of them face even without lockdowns. Her call for people to help charities such as the RABI if they possibly can is a valid one.

The other thing that would help farmers would be more clarity and – frankly – more generosity from the Government over the Sustainable Farming Initiative. As stage one of the much-vaunted Environmental Land Management scheme, this needs to work, and at the moment it seems short on detail.

With basic payments steadily declining and no guarantee that prices will stay high enough even to stay ahead of fertiliser and feed costs, farmers need to know that the new scheme will work for them and will provide the support they need to underpin their other activities. With agriculture promising to deliver carbon neutrality a decade ahead of the rest of the country, providing a decent payback for the work they do doesn’t seem like much to ask.

Here's to better days ahead.

MALCOLM TRIGGS - EDITOR

EMAIL YOUR VIEWS, LETTERS OR OPINIONS TO: sef.ed@kelsey.co.uk or write to the address on page 3 ®

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

5

NEWS

6

Three leading countryside organisations have called for tougher action on hare coursing in a bid to provide greater protection for farms and rural communities.

The NFU, Countryside Alliance and CLA have written to Peers in the House of Lords urging them to support an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill tabled by the Bishop of St Albans.

The amendment would enable financially stretched police forces to recover the kennelling costs incurred when dogs are seized, allowing them to take more dogs away from the gangs involved.

Given the high value of the dogs, supporters of the amendment believe it would act as a significant deterrent to poachers. It would also enable courts to ban convicted offenders from having dogs and strengthen penalties by lifting the existing limit on fines.

The letter, signed by NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts, Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Tim Bonner and CLA President Mark Tufnell, pointed out: “Evidence is increasingly showing that hare coursing is closely connected to organised criminals and involves enormous sums of money changing hands through high-stakes illegal betting.

“As it stands, the law is simply not strong enough to tackle this crime effectively. Crops

CALL FOR TOUGHER ACTION

ON HARE COURSING continue to be ruined, brown hare populations impacted and rural communities threatened and intimidated by illegal hare coursers.

“We believe that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill provides an excellent opportunity for the Government to take action in this area.

The amendments proposed would deliver almost everything the government has indicated it wishes

to do in terms of legislative change, and they are supported by all rural organisations and the police.”

The Bishop of St Albans, referring to “terrible and frightening stories of the rural communities who have been subject to illegal hare coursing”, stressed: “I do not believe we can wait any longer before legislating to support our farmers and rural communities on this issue.”

ACCESS TO AMERICAN MARKET One welcome Christmas present for the South East’s lamb exporters was news that the UK has again won access to the American market, worth an estimated £37m over the first five years of trade.

After more than three decades of restrictions following the first outbreak of BSE in 1989, US authorities have removed the small ruminant rule in a move that allows imports of lamb into the country from 3 January 2022. The US has more than 300 million consumers, and the market for lamb is said to be growing.

US President Biden committed to lifting the ban on British lamb during the Prime Minister’s visit to the White House in September, and the change follows an easing of restrictions on British beef exports earlier this year.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the news followed years of negotiations and “builds on the success of securing the resumption of UK beef exports to the US," adding: "UK lamb is renowned for its high quality, food safety and welfare standards.”

DEFRA will now work with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and UK food safety authorities and their counterparts in the USA to complete the detailed paperwork that will allow exports to resume.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan described it as “fantastic news that brings UK farmers a step closer to putting their first-class lamb on American menus for the first time in more than 20 years”.

She added: “The UK exported £436.4 million worth of lamb to the world last year and over £29 million worth of meat to the US. We want those numbers to grow and this win will help achieve that.”

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB|) International

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley commented: “Gaining access to the US further cements our reputation as being world renowned producers of high quality lamb and we look forward to seeing our products on US plates in the New Year.”

The news was welcomed by NFU President Minette Batters, who said: "It’s excellent to hear that the work of the UK government and levy boards has finally helped secure access for British lamb to the United States. British lamb is a fantastic, sustainable product that is recognised around the world for its quality and we know there is demand for it in the US. “This is exactly the sort of export opportunity we need to see the government pursuing and is something we strongly support. This is a positive step for Britain’s lamb producers.”

The National Sheep Association (NSA) also welcomed the change, with Chief Executive Phil Stocker, pointing out that it was good news not just for sheep meat producers but for exports of British sheep genetics, which he said would “help both the UK and USA sheep sectors”.

He paid credit to the AHDB, which he said had been working on the issue for many years, as well as the UK Export Certification Partnership, the Government and the DIT. On genetics, Mr Stocker commented: “Many British sheep breeds are present [in the US] but are numerically too small to have an adequate gene pool, so the demand for our genetics is strong and is already being asked for by USA sheep breeders. This is also the case for our commercial meat breeds and for many of our heritage/native breeds and will be of benefit to the global sheep farming sector.”

Better people Best placed SEASONAL LABOUR PLACEMENT

FRED PERRY

7 8 0 6 78 9 0122

ag re cr

PREMIUM BRAND

tm ui

u| t.e en

LAUNCHES BRITISH

WOOL COLLECTION In another boost to British Wool’s efforts to improve the return on fleece, the iconic Fred Perry tennis brand has launched a new knitwear range using the product.

The company founded by triple Wimbledon champion Fred Perry in 1952 has announced three knitwear items made using British wool in its Q4 2021 collection: the Fair Isle Jumper, the Panelled Jumper and the Cable Knit Jumper, all made in a new, state-of-the-art factory in Haringey, North London.

Graham Clark, Director of Marketing at British Wool, commented: “We are delighted to have worked with such a prestigious brand as Fred Perry on this exciting new range of 100% British wool products. It is a great example of genuine British wool being used by a premium brand on the high street.”

LAMMA POSTPONED AMIDST

COVID-19 UNCERTAINTY

LAMMA has been postponed until May in response to the ongoing confusion around the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Just as South East Farmer was going to press, organisers announced that the show, planned for the NEC, Birmingham, on 11 and 12 January, would move back to 4 and 5 May 2022. There will be no other changes to the 40th anniversary edition of the show, which is expecting more than 600 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees.

Sanjeev Khaira, who has been heading up the organising team, said: “Over the past few days, we have seen a significant increase in the uncertainty of Covid-19 regulations. With distribution and supply chain challenges and the potential lockdowns or restrictions, we are all uncertain about how the situation will look in January. After speaking with many of our exhibitors and attendees, we have taken the challenging decision to postpone.”

LAMMA Event Manager Kate Walsh said the team was “saddened”, adding: “The past few years have been challenging for the farming community and we had hoped LAMMA in January would be a great way to start off the New Year and spur momentum in the industry.”

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

7

Hedging and Woodland Plants Plant health and quality assured English Woodlands Tree Nursery are leading suppliers of healthy, high quality plants to landowners and farmers across the South.

• • • •

Fast quotations Expert advice Excellent service and delivery Full range of accessories

T. 01435 862992 sales@englishwoodlands.com www.englishwoodlands.com Plant Healthy certification is awarded to organisations

that can demonstrate that their plant health management systems and practices comply with the Plant Healthy Standard. The scheme makes it easy for customers to identify organisations that handle plant material in a manner that promotes plant health and biosecurity. English Woodlands is among the first organisations to receive this certification, following an independent audit in 2020.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

NEWS

TRUST GRANTS £1 MILLION FOR

HORTICULTURE RESEARCH

8

Horticultural research charity East Malling Trust has unveiled a £1m fund to support scientific work.

The new Director’s Grant will enable NIAB EMR, part of NIAB Group, to support five years of scientific research aimed at developing new varieties of soft and top fruit, as well as looking at how to best help UK and international growers mitigate the impact of climate change.

The research will also focus on improving plant health and resistance to disease by undertaking controlled trials in crop production, breeding pathology and entomology.

Dr Oliver Doubleday, Chair of East Malling Trust, said the grants would “continue a century of support by the Trust for the horticultural industry”, adding: “We are delivering on our promise to sustain highlevel industry-led research here at NIAB EMR.” Research projects receiving funding will be overseen by NIAB chief executive Professor Mario Caccamo, who will work closely with his senior management team and the Trust. He said: “This grant scheme further cements our already strong partnership, and we look forward to delivering on the Trust’s confidence in our scientists.”

Dr Celia Caulcott, who chairs the Trust’s Science and Impact Committee, added: “Thanks to their longstanding relationship with the industry, NIAB EMR scientists are perfectly placed to deliver projects

that can make a real environmental and economic difference.

“The Director’s Grant will enable NIAB EMR to push the boundaries of strategic and applied horticultural research which will support the development and innovation of the industry. The funding decision is testament to the quality of the organisation’s management and the international significance of the research being undertaken by the scientists.

“The research focus is on helping the industry increase the production of affordable and nutritious food while reducing its consumption of water and energy in order to help the UK get to Net Zero.”

The funding commitment by East Malling Trust has been made possible by selling land no longer required for horticultural research on the 500-acre estate and securing planning permission for approximately 400 new homes.

> Dr Oliver Doubleday and Dr Celia Caulcott

FARM FINED AFTER EMPLOYEE CRUSHED A Tonbridge, Kent, farming partnership has been fined following an incident in which a 21 year-old employee was killed while dismantling a redundant piece of farming equipment.

Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 30 April 2019, employee George Murrell was crushed by a grain drying tunnel at Fishpond Farm in Tonbridge, sustaining fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that J & D Foster Farms LLP did not ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of two employees, and that the system of work in place was intrinsically unsafe.

The work involved dismantling the grain drying tunnel, which had heavy aggregate across the upper walkway, while working underneath it.

The court was told that the partners failed to ensure the structural integrity of the tunnel was not compromised during the work, putting themselves and their employees at significant risk. When the structure concertinaed and fell, it crushed Mr Murrell under the heavy aggregate and the framework.

The partnership, of Fishponds Farm, Upper Hayesden Lane, Tonbridge, pleaded guilty to a breach of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

1974. The partnership was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,731.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Joanne Williams said: “This incident has resulted in a young man losing his life in what was a wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to identify their own competencies in what was basically demolition work.

“All too often those working in the agriculture industry take on tasks which they are not competent to do. As in this case, this work can and does result in serious and even fatal injuries.

“Every year many people are killed or seriously injured within agriculture.

Those working in the agricultural sector need to ensure they consider their competency when undertaking unusual activities on farms such as dismantling and demolition. Agriculture accounts for 1% of Britain’s workforce but 20% of worker deaths, which is an extremely grim statistic.

“Abnormal work on the farm needs to be assessed as to whether the job is within the capability of the farm workers. For demolition work, as in this case, it will likely be safer and more efficient to contract out to professionals who understand the risks associated with demolition and dismantling and can properly plan and carry out the job using the correct equipment.”

NEWS

REUNITED WITH HISTORIC PIECE

North Kent farmer Bob Gagg has been reacquainted with a historic piece of ploughing equipment he thought had gone for scrap more than 60 years ago.

Bob Gagg, whose first world war, horse ambulance featured in last month’s issue of South East Farmer, supplied this photograph of an old horse-drawn plough and press drill that used to be housed alongside that same ambulance in an old laundry building at Pinden End Farm, Longfield.

“I had last seen the plough and press drill used on the farm in 1954,” he recalled. “Interestingly it was a one-pass bit of kit – we have gone full circle since then.

“The only drawback with it was that it would only do about two acres a day because the operator had to keep stopping to fill up the drill because the seed box was so small. A ten-acre field could take a week to drill, allowing for changes in the weather and suchlike.”

Bob recalled that the plough and press drill was converted by a local blacksmith so that it could be used behind a Fordson E27N powered by a P6 Perkins diesel engine – the ‘Rolls Royce’ of tractors at that time. “That meant it could do about two-and-a-half acres as you still had to keep filling the drill up!” he commented.

When Bob returned to the farm in 1960 as foreman/manager, he cleared out the laundry building – a hangover from the days when there were two brickworks on the land – and sold a lot of old machinery, including the plough and press drill, at a vintage farm equipment sale held by Hobbs Parker.

“It went to an unknown bidder for almost scrap money and I always assumed it was no longer around,” said Bob. “Recently, though, I was chatting to a chap called Ian Day, who does some work for us here at Pinden, and he told me that his father had bought the kit and still had it in the back of a barn at his farm in Hextable.

“He was kind enough to take it out of the barn and photograph it. It was remarkable to see it again after more than 60 years.”

Collection & Recycling of... > Left: James Cook O’Connell. Right: Thomas Baker

TWO NEW RECRUITS Two enthusiastic young men seeking a career in auctioneering and livestock marketing have joined the team at Ashford Market.

James Cook O’Connell has already taken charge of the cull ewe section, while Thomas Baker is working alongside Mark Cleverdon and learning all about the work necessary to ensure the smooth running of the market.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

All types of Farm Plastics Redundant Agri chemicals No Membership fees

Farm Waste Recycling Experts

s rd yre oa eT t s rdb a a C W Workshop Wastes Veterinary Waste

Tel 01264 736733 Providing waste solutions to Agriculture, ian.kitson@kitsonrecycling.co.uk www.kitsonrecycling.co.uk Horticulture & Equestrian

Waste Oil Waste Tyres

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

9

NEWS

Photos: Lucy Carnaghan Photography

FIERCE COMPETITION 10

It may have felt like the coldest day of the year so far when the 152nd South Eastern Prime Stock Winter Fayre took place at the end of November, but that didn’t affect the heat of the competition.

With lots of live cattle, sheep and pig classes, a well supported carcass and poultry show and even a sausage and pie competition, there was lots to play for and competition was fierce.

All classes were well supported, while those taking part also enjoyed a spectacular display of well turned-out hounds and horses thanks to the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt, which again supported this year’s show.

The winter fayre team would like to thank everyone who attended and pay tribute in particular to the outstanding work done by long-standing outgoing secretary Mary Masters during her past 13 years of loyal service.

WINNERS

CATTLE SHOW • Champion Heifer: J&S Wareham • Champion Steer: J&S Wareham • Supreme Champion: J&S Wareham PEDIGREE CALF SHOW • Native Champion: Shadwell Estate • Continental Champion: Thorndean Farms • Supreme Champion: Shadwell Estate SHEEP SHOW • Native Champion: Wakeham Dawson Harmer • Continental Champion: The High Weald Academy Farm • Supreme Champion: The High Weald Academy Farm PIG SHOW • Modern Champion: Wakeham Dawson Harmer • Modern Supreme: Wakeham Dawson Harmer • Traditional Champion: HMP East Sutton Park • Traditional Supreme: Moss Brothers CARCASS SHOW • Native Champion: Wakeham Dawson Harmer • Continental Champion: Dr & Mrs Winchester • Supreme Champion: Dr & Mrs Winchester

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

NEWS

BUILT ON STRONG

A new rural insurance brand built on wellrespected foundations promises to connect local experts more closely with farmers, landowners and estate managers.

The rural division of the established RK Harrison brand has transferred into A-Plan Insurance to form A-Plan Rural, registered in Witney, Oxfordshire.

RK Harrison provided insurance solutions to the agricultural and rural community for more than 40 years, and was well volume and improved market influence for agriculture and private client known for providing quality, service and competitive premiums. It was also the lines,” he added. insurance partner and broker for the Country Land and Business Association Esther concluded: “We strongly believe that offering face to face advice (CLA) for more than 16 years. and being close to clients is important for rural businesses and communities.

A-Plan Insurance, founded in 1963 and now part of international insurance They want to talk to people who understand the often-complex insurance group Howden, plans to invest in and build on the expertise of the RK Harrison needs of farms and/or estates, and we are absolutely committed to meeting team as it grows its rural insurance offering. A-Plan has several specialist rural that need.”

A-Plan Insurance is a trading style of A-Plan Holdings who are authorised and regulated by the Financial insurance centres, including one in South East England, along with more than Conduct Authority. Registered office: 2 Des Roches Square, Witney, OX28 4LE. Registration number 750484.

100 regional A-Plan branches across the UK. RUH211004 The combined A-Plan Rural team is led by Esther Kane, Head of Rural, who has worked in the rural insurance sector for more than 16 years and said the new relationship was “good news for rural clients because it gives them greater choice, both in terms of products available and how they want to access advice”.

She said that while “nothing changes” for existing clients, who would be dealing with the same people, they would enjoy an added benefit. “Our farm and estate experts will now be closer, giving our clients more choice in how they want to interact with us, either in person, by phone or digitally. This is so important given the workload of farmers.”

Richard Easterbrook, Director of Commercial and Rural Insurance at A-Plan Group, said the business was committed to building a growing presence in rural communities by developing specialist rural hubs.

“Bringing A-Plan and RK Harrison together will also lead to greater insurer

FOUNDATIONS

Farm and Equine

Plastic Recycling Scheme 32 sites across England 01793 842062 farmxs.com The professionals in rural recycling TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

THE

GREEN TRACTOR SCHEME

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

11

SEND YOUR VIEWS OR COMMENTS:

SEF.ED@KELSEY.CO.UK twitter @SOUTHEASTFARMER facebook-square SOUTH EAST FARMER

FUTURE OF THE AHDB

12

Dear sir, I am writing regarding the consultation on the future of the AHDB. The Growers’ Better Levy Group (GBLG) strongly believes that research and development into horticulture sectors is something the UK government should invest in to allow these already thriving and innovative sectors to further flourish and grow.

The group believes: • Research, innovation and development remains important to the sector, and the critical work must continue.

• Critical work is defined as horizon scanning for priority pest and disease threats, for appropriate crop protection tools and for the application of on-label, emergency and Extensions of Authorisation for Minor Use. • This work is essential for horticultural crops to thrive. The fairest way for this work to be funded is for every grower to pay. This requires a statutory framework in legislation which exists today. We believe DEFRA should retain the discretionary power to raise a statutory levy and work with the industry to change the statutory instrument to make it fit for today’s industry and define what money is raised and how it is spent.

Our group believes that critical work should be undertaken by a new body, ideally one that achieves collaboration across all horticultural crops to deliver economies of scale.

We do not believe that AHDB should lead this work because the organisation needs radical reform and will need a new and meaningful grower governance in place that provides value for money and full cost transparency.

Our group estimates that the costs should be somewhere in the region of 10-15% of the previous statutory levy being raised.

We also believe that the industry should be allowed to set out the R&D priorities in a five-year plan, with growers given the opportunity to vote on it. If a majority votes in favour, the money will be raised by everyone. Otherwise, this work will be funded by a voluntary levy and only those growers paying will benefit from it. Each sector should be allowed to vote on the amount of the levy and how it should be spent.

The GBLG includes businesses from all relevant crop sectors: tree and soft fruit, protected edibles, mushrooms, field vegetables and ornamentals, as well as crop associations and research organisations.

Philip Pearson, Chairman GBLG

REFLECTIONS

Dear sir, It is perhaps easy to forget that so much has happened over the past 12 months and how the rural sector – not for the first time – has had to adapt and change to the challenges and opportunities posed.

While farmers have continued to feed the nation and care for the environment, there have been issues around labour shortages and supply chains. Those who have diversified into hospitality, weddings and events may have enjoyed high levels of bookings in the summer but are still experiencing difficulties and uncertainties as we continue to live with the impacts of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the pace of post-Brexit agricultural transition has quickened over the past 12 months, and the CLA – which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses – has been working hard to ensure members are

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2022 supported and involved as DEFRA rolls out its Environmental Land Management scheme.

Shifting from a system based around direct payments to one that pays for public goods is a good ambition, but it must be done carefully. New schemes must successfully sit alongside existing ones as they remain the main sources of funding for now.

Other areas the CLA has been working on include connectivity, which varies so wildly depending on where you live or work, and managing public access, especially in light of the pandemic and growing numbers of visitors to rural areas.

To that end we have been involved in the relaunch of the Countryside Code earlier this year and created resource packs alongside LEAF Education for schools to use.

Fresh policies are needed to simplify the tax and planning systems for businesses wishing to diversify, while investment in skills and training is required to support local job creation. And with climate change at the top of the agenda, particularly in the wake of COP26, the focus for our industry will be on how to grow the economy, mitigate climate change and reverse biodiversity decline at the same time.

As part of our Rural Powerhouse initiative, the CLA estimates that if rural productivity per worker were raised to the national average, an additional £43 billion could be added to national income every year. The creation of the new Ministry for Levelling Up under the leadership of former DEFRA Secretary Michael Gove, therefore, represents a big opportunity for change in 2022.

Despite lockdown restrictions, 2021 still proved to be a busy year for the CLA team in the South East, with more than 30 physical and virtual events, AGMs and conferences arranged and attended. We hope to organise many more in-person events in 2022.

The regional office, which represents members in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, is committed to championing rural communities and businesses and believes that next year has the potential to be an exciting one for the sector, especially if we all work together.

Tim Bamford, CLA South East Regional Director

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

FROM THE FRONT LINE

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REAL HIGHS AND LOWS David Exwood, arable, beef and sheep farmer and farm shop proprietor, Horsham, tackles the tricky question of how farmers are going to make a profit during what could be a challenging year.

How are we going to make a profit in 2022?

That is the question facing most farmers as they look forward to the new year. Reeling from a year of high prices, high inflation, Covid-19, Brexit, volatile weather… most famers are feeling punch drunk from a series of challenges that are way beyond their control and almost impossible to predict.

What will the next 12 months bring?

At Westons we have had, on balance, a good year, but there have been some real highs and lows and I wish I could say the success was down to my good management but in reality it was a spread bet that worked. It could so easily have worked out differently, and comfortable it was not.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

What do we know about the year ahead?

Well, the high energy prices that are fuelling so much of agricultural inflation are not a UK-only phenomenon. They are just as bad right across Europe and beyond, with fertiliser and fuel costs very similar to ours.

Inflation is never a good thing, but it does mean that we are on something of a level playing field and a flood of cheap food imports from across the Channel is unlikely. I attended the NFU Food Summit in London recently and on a platform alongside President Minette Batters was a significant group of major processors and retailers alongside the Secretary of State.

It was very impressive and rewarding to be

part of the conversation, but the cynic in me says that if they thought they could buy the food or raw ingredients they need from abroad they would, and the British farmers could go hang.

The only thing bringing them to the table was the knowledge that the panacea of cheap imports might not be such a certain bet.

British consumers continue to be very loyal to UK produce. They have not bought into the free trade policy of this government, and as long as the major supermarkets are committed to buying British, the demand for UK food will continue.

The Government, any government, as ambitious as it might be, is never going to be agile or affluent enough to keep up with the market place. The bureaucracy and the treasury will always slow them down, and with one-day swings in the price of wheat far exceeding the gross income from the Sustainable Farming Initiative, it is very clear to me that the greatest returns for farmers will come from the market place and not from ELMS. There is, of course, a place for environmental goods being encouraged and delivered but they will run alongside productive farming and not dominate it.

There are clearly large sums of money available for offsetting carbon and nitrates but these offer as many threats as opportunities. Keeping that potential money in farmers’ pockets is one of the great challenges of this year and we will have to be very careful not to be outbid or sidestepped in the race for that money or just give it away for free with every lorry-load of food that leaves our farms.

This can all sound so complacent and as if we as farmers just need to sit back and watch the cash roll in. Nothing could be further from the truth and we will need to be better businesses than ever and be right on top of a fast-moving world.

However, if we stay in the game and work together, be careful stewards of the countryside and produce a great product at a competitive price we may, just, be well rewarded. The demise of farming has been predicted many times in my career and it hasn’t happened yet. The world is a hungry place and only farmers can feed it.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

13

MONICA AKEHURST AT THE KITCHEN TABLE

14

Our family is starting the new year surrounded by new life, which is always exciting. Both Hannah, my daughter-in-law, and Brie my sheepdog were due to give birth this week.

They both looked uncomfortable and the lead-up to these events is naturally an anxious time for all concerned.

Brie went first, suddenly rushing around, huffing and puffing, scrabbling up her bedding and pleading for me to stay with her. So I sat in the corner of her whelping box and started to write this column. I labelled the file, whereupon Brie promptly vomited all over everything, necessitating a complete change of bedding. Brie wagged her tail apologetically. I set the washing machine going and turned around to discover a tail and two back legs suspended within a sac. I abandoned writing and set about supervising puppy deliveries. This turned out to take 12 hours and included a trip to the vet to get some oxytocin to aid with contractions.

When we got to eight puppies I thought we were done, but I was wrong; she had 10 (eight bitches and two dogs). It was marvellous to witness how Brie instinctively knew to lick and remove the sac, clearing the airway and massaging life into them.

She immediately chewed off the navel cord, leaving about two centimetres, which by morning had shrivelled to neat little stubs. She is being so careful and loving with them, ensuring that they are all fed and kept clean. Mother Nature is awe inspiring.

My reasoning for breeding from her is because she is the best sheepdog I’ve ever had and I wanted to keep her line. The father of the pups is also a good working dog, so I look forward to working with her offspring. My goal is to try my hand at some trials

MOTHER NATURE IS AWE INSPIRING

one day. Meanwhile I’m under no illusions that this large litter equates to a lot of work; puppies are terrible time wasters and such fun. Choosing which one to keep is going to be difficult as they are all so special.

Today, Hannah and Nigel became parents; luckily they didn’t have 10, but just one potential shepherdess. Mother and baby are doing well. Nigel is a proud dad. I’m keen to hand over shepherding skills to the younger generation, but due to Covid-19 restrictions we’ve yet to meet our granddaughter.

I’m eager to start with baby cuddles. An overload of cuteness all in one week.

I’ll be glad when the days start lengthening out; it seems there are not enough daylight hours to get the work done. The ground is getting pretty wet now, Shrek (ATV) is beginning to leave a mark.

Annoyingly our air source heat pump has gone wrong again; error code 21. New technology is great when it works, but if it goes wrong and you can’t fix it with a spanner or a hammer it’s beyond our capabilities.

The engineer opened the fan unit to reveal an alarming array of electronics. Apparently the motherboard needs replacing, so we’re waiting for the part, and an engineer to fit it. The unit is exactly

> Exploring the woods

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

two years old; they’ve already replaced this part once before. Thank goodness we kept our massive wood burner in situ and cook on an oil-fired Nobel (similar to an Aga) during the winter months which keeps the kitchen warm and is excellent for drying wet clothes.

Good drying facilities are a ‘must’ in any farmhouse, especially when you get in after a day spent working with the spaniels. The early part of the season has been so mild it’s been difficult to gauge what clothing to wear. Look at the sky, it’s grey, so you add an extra layer, but once outside working you discover it’s remarkably warm.

When you’re beating your way through brambles in the woods it’s positively hot despite drizzling rain.

Last year the shooting was cut short due to Covid-19, so everyone (dogs and humans) is making the best of this season while it lasts. I’m surprised not many of all those pheasants left in January 2021 made it through to autumn, but I was glad to see Jeeves the Reeves who must be three was an exception, clearly not only a handsome bird but also tough and wise.

A dozen of our Sussex dry cows due to calve in the spring are out wintering in the parkland and woods surrounding Herstmonceux castle. So far they appear to be very content; we are monitoring their

> Dinner condition carefully. It’s certainly a beautiful setting to go lookering in and is providing extra space for our housed cattle.

These cows will need to come home in early February, but by then we should have used enough hay and bedding to clear extra space for them.

We await planning approval for improved cattle facilities. Unfortunately, bureaucracy doesn’t make higher welfare standards easy to attain.

Fortitude and patience are required as not everyone understands the practicality of farming.

Nigel is keen to push our farming enterprise in the regenerative direction, so this year we have been interested to follow the progress of mob grazing cattle at Springham farm, Chiddingly.

We were invited by the High Weald AONB team to look at the set-up during the summer and I requested a revisit in the autumn when it was wetter. I was impressed by how well the system worked. The High Weald AONB team is a useful resource and has some grant funding available for anyone farming in the area.

Wishing everyone prosperous farming, good health and happiness in 2022. Perhaps my New Year’s aspirations are a touch optimistic given the turmoil in our world these days, but I like to live in hope for better things to come.

I’m not naive enough to think that the new year will be without challenges, but I remind myself there will be opportunities to explore as well. At any rate, reflections on last year’s failures and successes will make us one year wiser. Making plans is fun.

Regardless of whether they come to fruition or not, it’s all part of life’s adventure.

Stay safe in 2022.

> Our farm at the end of the rainbow

> Herstmonceux castle grounds

> Nigel and Hannah's new born potential shepherdess

> Jeeves the Reeves is still going strong > It’s going to be difficult choosing one

> Weighing newborn pups

> Tilley waiting to flush out the maize

> Granddaughter is looking attentive, while grandma explains ‘shepherding’

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

> Brie is a superstar mum

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

15

WOODLAND MANAGEMENT > Harvesting ash dieback

FEATURED COMPANY:

THINNING WOODLAND BENEFITS

THE TREES > Sawn oak

16

Everyone knows you can tell the age of a felled tree by counting the growth rings visible across the exposed trunk – but that’s not all you can tell.

Looking more closely at the spacing between the rings will also reveal when the tree was growing most vigorously, allowing the experienced eye to tell when the woodland around it was thinned.

For Jon Davies, who runs South East Forestry with business partner Dave Holmes, it’s clear proof of the benefit of regularly thinning woodland and allowing the trees left behind to benefit from increased sunlight and less competition.

“You see wide rings early on when the young tree is growing strongly, and then they get narrow as it gets crowded out, but then the rings widen again for a time – that’s when the woodland was thinned and the tree really had an opportunity to grow properly,” he explained.

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

But while Jon and the long-established South East Forestry team are keen to regenerate areas of woodland for the sake of biodiversity and to encourage better carbon sequestration, they also appreciate that for farmers, woodland is – or can be – a cash crop.

That’s why South East Forestry has a unique approach to woodland management that can deliver a surprisingly good return to landowners.

They have the experience, the skills and the machinery to assess areas of woodland and thin it in a way that will create maximum value for the harvested timber. With their own, sophisticated equipment, a yard where more valuable timber can be stored for later use and an eye for detail, the team can create value for the landowner while also managing an otherwise choked and unhealthy wood.

S

“We thin the woodland to allow the stronger trees better access to light and to allow new growth below them,” said Dave. “I am always pleased when we go back to a site a few years later and the owner talks about all the butterflies that he or she has seen – although we know that’s not just a coincidence.”

When working in a mixed woodland, Jon will be careful to take oak, cherry or other valuable hardwoods back to South East Forestry’s yard at Hawkhurst, where sawyer Andrew Turner can put it to the most productive use.

“We work hard to make sure that as much of the timber as possible is used for construction, furniture or fencing,” said Jon. “This locks up the carbon contained in the wood, adds value to the timber and helps create and support rural jobs – and because we have our own yard we can store good timber until we find the right outlet for it.”

That focus on adding value and the ability to hang on to potentially saleable timber allows South East Forestry to offer landowners a better price for their standing woodland than other companies who may

just need to turn it all into woodchip – something that Jon sees as a last resort.

“Clearly there is some timber which can only be burned, but that’s our least favoured option,” he explained. “Trees, particularly young healthy trees, sequester carbon, but as soon as you burn the timber at the end of its life you release all that carbon back into the atmosphere.

South East Forestry also has a good relationship with the Forestry Commission and will organise all the necessary felling licences.

When a landowner approaches South East Forestry, Jon will walk the land with the owner, using his trained eye to spot potential uses for the trees within it so that he can offer the best price.

“We can generally balance poor areas that just need thinning to restore their vitality, and have very little value, with better areas that contain higher value hardwood or softwood,” he explained. “We then offer the landowner a good price while also helping his woodland to regenerate – it’s a real win-win situation for them.”

UTH

EAST

FORESTRY ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE LARGE QUANTITIES OF STANDING TIMBER

Before

After

17

Unmanaged woodland?

Overstood coppice falling over?

Timber growth stopped due to too much competition?

South East Forestry can provide financial returns from unmanaged and neglected woodland.

We are looking to purchase large volumes of woodland grown standing timber.

• All hardwood and softwood species sought • Species of particular interest: Oak – Ash – Sweet Chestnut Walnut – Hornbeam –Sycamore...

• Felling licences arranged by ourselves • Grant assisted work carried out

> Unthinned oak TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

> Thinned oak

South East Forestry: We buy – We fell – We sell timber

Call John Davies on 01580 819179 or 07759 567801 www.southeastforestry.co.uk

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: WEALDEN GAME FARM

PAST, PHEASANT

AND FUTURE This month Nigel Akehurst visits Wealden Game Farm at Court Lodge Farm in Burwash to meet founder Paul Smith and his wife Yvette and learn more about their flourishing game business.

18

I met Paul Smith and his wife Yvette at Court Lodge Farm, located just off the Etchingham Road on the outskirts of Burwash.

The 95-acre mainly grassland farm is home to their two businesses; Wealden Game Farm – a well-established and successful pheasant rearing operation – and Wealden Game, a venison enterprise set up more recently after the couple bought the farm in 2018.

In addition to game, Paul keeps a small herd of 30 Pedigree Sussex cows, which he says are more of a hobby "as they make no money".

The main enterprise is the “pheasant job,” he said. It’s a business that has grown significantly over the 12 years since he founded it. On average Paul and Yvette now rear and supply around 225,000 game birds to customers in the South East (Sussex, Kent and Surrey) along with a few highprofile estates in Yorkshire and Dorset.

BACKGROUND

Before starting the business, Paul spent 25 years working in the game industry, firstly as an under keeper in the late 1980s and then going on to be head keeper and shoot manager on a number of prestigious shooting estates. He learned the trade from egg production through to incubation, rearing and release.

With a wealth of experience and knowledge under his belt, he set up Wealden Game Farm in his late thirties. This turned out to be a shrewd move.

According to the Game Farmers’ Association, more than 60 million birds are bred for shooting each year on Britain’s 300 game farms, in an industry that is worth more than £2bn annually.

WEALDEN GAME FARM

With good connections, Paul soon had customers knocking on his door to order

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

pheasants. He rented land locally to set up his rearing field, erecting brooding sheds where the birds are initially kept inside before being given access to the outdoors in netted pens.

“It’s a very seasonal job, which typically starts in April and finishes by early August. All pheasant orders for the coming season are taken

by February,” he said. Eggs are then bought and hatched in a specific hatchery in Cambridge.

In mid-April his team starts the job of setting up the rearing field, a military-like operation that involves erecting dozens of brooding sheds and netted pens. It’s an impressive operation that when fully built covers 15 acres.

The first batch of day-old chicks arrives at the end of April and it takes on average between six and a half to seven weeks to rear the poults, explained Paul.

Looking after the birds is a highly labour

> Paul Smith

intensive, 24/7 job, with Paul, Yvette and a team of staff working long days to keep them fed and watered.

In July they start delivering the pheasant poults to customers in three specialist trailers, each of which can carry up to 3,000 birds.

When they finish, the whole rearing field is taken down, disinfected and packed away. It is then re-seeded and a different field selected for the following year. This helps prevent any chance of disease.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

COVID-19

I asked Paul how they managed with Covid-19 restrictions last year, when many shoots were unable to go ahead.

“We went into February 2020 with a full order book, wondering how we were going to cope with the orders. We were having to turn some people away. Then a month later we were down 40%,” he replied.

He explained they had no choice but to keep the business running. They kept all their staff >>

FARM FACTS

• Pheasant-rearing business at Wealden Game Farm – rearing between 200,000-225,000 pheasant poults from day old chicks to supply to shoots mainly in the South East (www.wealdengamefarm. co.uk) • 95-acre deer park with herd of around 280 fallow deer • 30 Pedigree Sussex cows predominantly from the Mayfield herd (offspring sold as stores) • Shoot 150 wild deer and 100 deer from the park. Total throughput 250.

Own on-farm cold room and butchery • Majority of venison sold to wholesale customers but also offering individual cuts and meat boxes direct to customers via www.wealdengame. co.uk • Manage around 4,000 acres of wild stalking with own team of full-time employed stalkers • Offer guest shoot days to clients on some estates • Pluck and dress local pheasants

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

19

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: WEALDEN GAME FARM << employed and ultimately worked the year “for nothing” he said.

"On the flip side, it didn’t affect the sucklers and the venison sales were up as a lot of people were cooking at home,” he added.

WEALDEN GAME

20

When they bought Court Lodge Farm in 2018, Paul and Yvette saw an opportunity to start a second business – Wealden Game – dedicated to venison.

To begin with they created their own deer park: “We decided to have a deer park because we had a lot of grass and there is more money in the venison job,” said Paul.

They set about fencing the perimeter of the farm with six-foot deer wire and sourced Swedish fallow deer from Gunton Park in Norfolk. The herd has since grown to around 280 fallow, "with a few reds, which are too heavy for the clay soil and can be a little too aggressive on the red stag rut,” he said.

“In terms of labour requirement there’s very little to do; they faun themselves and feed themselves,” he said.

He added that they do walk the fence every day and have recently started supplementary feeding, now the grass has stopped growing. They also bring the Sussex cows in early in the autumn to help protect grass cover.

Culling fallow in the park begins in September with the males first and then, from 1 November, the females. They are culled from around 18 months of age, he explained, with numbers typically around 100 each year.

Everything is hung and processed onsite in their farm butchery and processing unit, located in a converted ex-dairy building.

Another key part of the business is managing other estates. They employ three staff, two of whom are full-time stalkers.

“With a rapidly growing population, wild deer are a big problem, but it’s a problem we’ve made a business out of helping to solve. Many people

treat them as a hindrance, but we want to educate farmers and landowners that they can make some money back from them,” he said.

Paul has different arrangements with landowners: “On some estates we pay for the right to cull the deer and on others they pay us for dealing with what they see as a problem,” he said.

They shoot around 150 wild deer a year. Again, everything is processed through their butchery and sold to their wholesale and retail customers.

“Every animal we cull is tagged and inspected; we know where it was shot and when it was shot.

We know the sex of it, the weight of it - all that information is collected,” he explained.

PAYING GUESTS AND DEER IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

His own stalkers shoot around 95% of the deer in the wild but they do take paying guests with them.

“If we’re paying for an estate, to offset the payment we’ll bring some clients in. We might have some Danes come over and that final 5% helps pay for the Land Rovers and the buggies,” he said.

In total they currently manage around 4,000

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

acres, mainly in the South East, but they are always looking for more, with Paul encouraging anyone who might have a suitable estate to get in touch to talk about the options.

“We can offer deer impact assessments for woodland grant schemes and work in association with local forestry companies and the AONB authorities”, he said.

RISING DEER POPULATION

I was interested to hear Paul’s take on the rapid rise in the UK deer population, which is estimated to total around two million and increases 30% a year.

“A lot of recreational stalkers don’t have an outlet,” he said. “When the game dealers stop taking venison, the culling stops. We’re lucky that we have our own outlets, we have our own butchery and chilling facilities – so we’ve carried on.”

Without indigenous predators, the role falls to humans to keep the population viable and protect habitats from being destroyed, along with farm crops.

He is proud of the venison they supply: “It’s a great product – it’s naturally free range and very

healthy, providing more protein and less fat than other red meats,” he commented.

They also only pick the best animals, he said: “We’re not a plumber or a builder going out on a Saturday. We are out every day, so we’re on the ground all the time.”

I ask if there is any difference between the deer shot in the park and the ones in the wild.

“Not in terms of taste,” he replied. “The main difference is weight – we are able to keep a continuous product in the park, whereas the wild stuff depends on what we can shoot.”

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL CUSTOMERS

They sell all their venison direct, supplying both wholesale and retail customers under the Wealden Game brand. Their modern website www.wealdengame.co.uk has an online shop, allowing customers to order a variety of individual cuts, burgers and sausages as well as venison boxes. The business supplies a number of high-end restaurants in the area.

The site also caters for farmers and landowners

interested in deer management, with a page outlining the range of services on offer.

PASSION FOR HUNTING AND FUTURE PLANS

Paul has hunted all over the world, he said, and is often in Germany, where he sat his Jagdschein, a degree in hunting, two years ago. It normally takes two to three years, he said, but he took a two-week crash course and is one of a few Englishmen to hold the qualification.

I asked what aspect of the game businesses he enjoyed the most.

“I enjoy it all, though sometimes when you’re spending 18-hour days with the pheasants you wonder why – it’s tough. When it’s pouring down with rain every day and you’re in a quagmire like this year. But that’s farming and you have to get on with it. We’re in the lap of the Gods when it comes to the weather. You enjoy it when it’s sunny,” he replied.

On plans for the future, he said they would like to expand the venison operation and hope to buy another farm locally to replicate what they’ve done at Court Lodge Farm.

21

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

NEW KENT FARMING CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE TO FOCUS

ON REGENERATIVE PRACTICES New to the annual calendar of agricultural events, the Kent Farming Conference premieres on 26 January 2022 at the Kent Showground, Maidstone.

The organiser of this new event, the Kent County Agricultural Society, is the county’s leading agricultural charity, supporting education and improvement in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and related industries since its foundation in 1923.

As well as its headline event, the Kent County Show, the society organises free educational and trade events throughout the year and supports farmers and rural education through its various grants, awards and the Kent Rural Scholarship Scheme.

In the past few years, the Society has successfully established Farm Expo, a free trade show and networking event for the farming industry, showcasing national and international providers of machinery, supplies and services for the agricultural trade.

The one-day event also hosts seminars on the industry’s trending topics, such as diversification, sustainability and the future of farming. In its first

22

KINDLY SPONSORED BY:

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

year, Farm Expo welcomed over 2,500 visitors from the county’s farming community and its exclusive seminars attracted large crowds, often leaving standing room only.

Hoping to build on the success of Farm Expo, the Kent Farming Conference will draw further upon key industry topics faced by farmers today, including regenerative farming, the Environmental Land Management scheme, the Basic Payments Scheme and reducing carbon footprints.

James Forknall, Chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, said: “The UK farming industry contributes £120 million to the British economy and produces 64% of the food eaten here, but it’s been a very turbulent couple of years for those with farming businesses.

“Farmers have had to deal with everything from post-Brexit labour shortages through to the Covid-19 pandemic, increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and this year’s CO2 and fuel crises. Meanwhile with the cost of fertiliser, diesel, and electricity at an all-time high, input costs for farmers can only be described as crippling.

“On top of the current unpredictable state of affairs, farmers must also

navigate debates on sustainability, environmentally friendly practices and emerging new technologies. Now, more than ever, we need to lend our support to Kent’s agricultural workers and business owners, and I hope The Kent Farming Conference will be a valuable annual resource.”

General Manager of the Kent County Agricultural Society, Nikki Dorkings, said: “The Society is committed to delivering new ideas and innovative technologies to the farming and agricultural industry and is delighted to be able to add The Kent Farming Conference to its charitable remit. This is an exciting new opportunity to connect with the agricultural community and revolutionise the future of farming in Kent.”

The evening will kick off at 6pm at the Kent Showground, with guests being welcomed with light refreshments from local producers. For those unable to attend inperson, the conference will also be streamed online.

The Kent Farming Conference is a free event for farmers and agricultural workers. More information and registration details can be found at: www.kacs.org.uk/the-kent-farming-conference >> See the list of speakers on the next page

Talk to an expert You can depend on our experts to guide your farm towards a more sustainable future.

• Carbon Auditing • Environmental Impact Assessment • Ecological Assessment • Environmental Land Management • Natural Capital • Nutrient Neutrality & Biodiversity Net Gain

Contact Charlotte Pearson-Wood MRICS FAAV 01892 509280

c.pearson.wood@batchellermonkhouse.com

batchellermonkhouse.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

23

My Farm is my R&D Lab

The Society is delighted to be joined by a panel of exclusive guest speakers who are experienced in the farming industry:

We do the work. You get the credit.

ANDREW BARR – PARTNER AT A&A BARR FARMS AND KCAS DIRECTOR

PROUD SPONSORS OF

Kent’s Farming Conference

Andrew, a recent finalist for Arable Farmer in Farmers Weekly, is a regenerative farming pioneer who has slashed his costs without seeing a dip in yields. Two years ago, Andy’s combine harvester recorded double digit yields on a block of land no one else wanted to rent. Andrew will be speaking about his journey and the results he’s achieved.

26th of January 2022 Kent County Showground

up to 230% tax relief on qualifying R&D costs Call our team today

01233 653002

Get the credit you deserve

RIFTresearch.com

®

M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

NEW FACES IN

E

OUR JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & DESIGNERS ARE READY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

YOUR TEAM?

NOUNCE? METHING TO AN DO YOU HAVE SO

24

TO ADVERTISE IN SOUTH EAST FARMER 01303 233883

When the only certainty is change

JOHN PAWSEY – CHAIRMAN OF SHIMPLING PARK FARMS LTD

John’s family has farmed in Suffolk for four generations. In 1999, John started converting the family farm to organic production. Now the family's aim is to use modern technology to control weeds, pests and diseases without the use of pesticides and build fertility naturally using legumes and green manures, keeping soil in good heart for future generations.

Uncertainty is part of life, but the world has changed so rapidly that finding creative ways to keep pace is a huge challenge.

We provide farmers and land owners with pragmatic advice to help them adapt.

www.ts-p.co.uk 01892 510000 @Pragmaticlawyer

J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | W W W . S O U T H E A S T F A R M E R09/12/2021 .NET

Advert-South East Farmer-2021-Certainty-teal.indd 1

16:08

JAMES SMITH – MANAGING DIRECTOR, LODDINGTON FARM

In 2016, James was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship, enabling him to discover ways to grow fruit for the UK market that could be profitable. James was later encouraged to start a programme of self-education to see how growers can produce better food. It was the beginning of a journey in food production using nature instead of chemistry in farming systems.

www.kcas.org.uk/farm-expo/ info@kentshowground.co.uk 01622 630975

Trade Stands, Seminars, and Networking Opportunities

MACHINERY, SUPPLIES, AND SERVICES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

2 March 2022

REGISTER FOR FREE

Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, ME14 5AJ

FREE TO ATTEND

25

GRACE O’DWYER – HSBC REGIONAL AGRICULTURE DIRECTOR

Since completing her Masters’ degree in crop production, Grace has spent 25 years working alongside food and farming businesses, working for agribusiness Syngenta, the NFU, food safety business NSF and now HSBC Bank UK. Grace joined HSBC in 2017 to work in a well-established agriculture team across the UK. She now leads HSBC’s activities in the agriculture sector in the South of England. @KCASFarmExpo

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

WYN GRANT

LOOKING BACK ON A YEAR OF UNCERTAINTY

26

If one were to select a theme for 2021 it would surely be uncertainty. There was uncertainty about the course of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the hospitality industry and hence on the demand for food. There was uncertainty about the implications of Brexit for the agriculture and food sector. There was uncertainty about the environmental payments that will partially replace the declining basic payments scheme. There was uncertainty about the implications of the COP26 climate change conference for agriculture. There was uncertainty about the availability of labour to harvest soft fruits and field vegetables. In the latter part of the year increasing inflation created a new source of uncertainty.

Various forms of uncertainty will continue into 2022. Of course, uncertainty is nothing new for farmers; the weather itself is inherently uncertain. Part of the resilience of the sector arises from its ability to cope with uncertainty and to seize the new opportunities it creates.

The introduction of full import checks at dedicated border posts has been delayed three times. The current timetable is: • 1 January 2022: pre-notification of products of animal origin, low risk animal by-products and high risk food not of animal origin; • 1 July 2022: Pre-notification for low risk plants and plant products. Documentary checks and physical checks introduced on animal products, high risk food not of animal origin and high risk plants. Checks at border animal posts will take place on live animals and low risk plants and plant products.

Wyn Grant is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Warwick and author of books and articles on agriculture including The Common Agricultural Policy.

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

A National Audit Office report issued in November found that the food industry had been particularly affected by Brexit because of higher export costs and limited preparation for new checks. Exports of food and live animals suffered the greatest decline in January 2021, falling 73% on the previous month.

Although they recovered throughout the first half of 2021, a number of issues made exporting these products more time consuming and expensive. The extended UK exporting process and EU importing process can take more than 20 separate steps, compared with two before Brexit. There have been problems with the groupage process by which smaller traders share heavy goods vehicles. The cost of export health certificates was also a concern.

Climate change is a major challenge for the food chain. It is apparent that emissions beyond the farm gate are becoming more significant than those on the farm itself. A FAO study found that of the 16.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from global agri-food systems in 2019, 7.7 billion tonnes came from within the farm gate, 3.5 from land use change and 5.8 billion from the supply chain.

Methane emissions from enteric fermentation in the digestive systems of ruminant livestock continued to be the largest single component of farm-gate emissions. Methane disperses quicker than carbon dioxide, but it is a very potent greenhouse gas and its warming effect in the short run is much greater.

It also has to be borne in mind that some of the suggested solutions involve higher costs for farmers which may not be compensated for by higher yields or growth rates and therefore reduce the profit per animal, while some recommended practices may have animal health implications.

In terms of nutrition strategies, the careful selection of feed ingredients can make a contribution to minimising methane. Another approach is to focus on the quality of forage and grazed grass. Feed additives can work by inhibiting the growth of methane-producing bacteria and getting rid of hydrogen in the rumen, but they can increase costs for the farmer and some of them face regulatory obstacles. At the COP-26 climate summit, food and agriculture were largely missing from the negotiations. The terms do not appear in the final agreement from Glasgow.

The hike in natural gas prices had implications for the cost of a range of inputs used by farmers. The Anglia Farmers' Agricultural Inflation Index showed that the cost of inputs increased 22% over the year to September. Five of the nine input classes saw double digit inflation, with fuel and fertiliser prices rising by 80% and 51% respectively.

Since September, there has been a further 50% rise in fertiliser prices and big increases in the cost of some agrochemicals and farm machinery. There have also been severe supply chain problems; how far these are due to Covid-19 or Brexit is difficult to work out. Arable farms that grow combinable crops are hit particularly hard as they use so many inputs derived from fossil fuels, such as fertilisers, diesel and agrochemicals. Whether these price increases will be sustained in 2022 remains to be seen, but they are unlikely to fall back to earlier levels.

The continuing reductions in direct payments make it even more important that farmers undertake strategic reviews of their businesses. A free consultant-led business review is available through the Future Farming Resilience Fund provided by 19 organisations including AHDB. There is more information at https://defrafarming. blog.gov.uk/2021/07/13/the-future-farming-resilience-fund-providers-named/ The objectives are to help farmers understand the changes that are happening; identify how, what and when they may need to adapt their business models and access tailored support to adapt. That is one practical way of reducing uncertainty.

FOCUS ON FRUIT SARAH CALCUTT

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” – Albert Einstein.

We are in the midst of a new agricultural revolution. Everything about the way we farm, and are regarded, is changing at a rate never seen before. Policy, politics, social pressures, cost increases, return decreases, it’s all adding to the continual pressure on growers.

For a sector that has enjoyed rapid growth and the support of an intelligent and able foreign workforce, our biggest adjustment is going to be to the rapid integration of technology. This will both lighten the load on our permanent workforce and make it easier for those who join the business seasonally to get it right.

The bottom line is that we simply cannot afford to grow a dessert apple that isn’t within the 63-68mm size band. Almost anything outside that will lose money (there are exceptions). What we need is greater knowledge of what is going on in the orchard; we need to ensure that when we talk about that productivity heat map/digital twin of an orchard, it has all the information we need and growers are able to act on it.

How do we make this technology affordable at a time when margins are at their most squeezed?

I was part of a webinar this week on behalf of the Agri-EPI Centre. The panel was talking about the use of drones and AI and their role in improving the quality of the product and tree health, as well as reducing environmental impact. You may have gathered that I’m not in the camp that subscribes to the ‘tech is bad, we need to do what our grandfathers did’ school of fruit growing at this time.

So – Outfield seems to be getting it right more

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

CAN DRONES IMPROVE TREE HEALTH? SARAH CALCUTT Executive Chair, National Fruit Show

often than not right now. They had a stand at the National Fruit Show and are at the forefront of developing a more affordable way of delivering information. They’re part of the Helios project managed by Hutchinsons, working with Innovate UK both through Catapult and EPI-Centre initiatives, giving them access to work on systems to analyse and interpret the data from the imaging technology.

Machine learning systems, conditional automation – when a human isn’t needed – is here and delivering fantastic insight. Starting with blossom management; there is variation in blossom density that just isn’t visible from the ground, even if you could walk all the rows in all the orchards.

Driving homogeny in fruit set delivers the optimum number of fruits on the tree, giving better returns. A good map delivers a layer of data showing where money is made or lost. The

Outfield blossom mapping app delivers data to inform chemical thinning, instructing intelligent sprayers where treatment is required and where not.

‘In-fruit growth’ shows the size of trees, the canopy density and the volume of fruit set.

Layering this information week on week produces a robust predictive model that shows the average fruit size by harvest. All the better for organising bins, storage and informing your marketing team of your really accurate crop estimation; by size not just by bin number.

Other speakers in the webinar shed light on how close we are to those autonomous sprayers, informed by soil, leaf canopy, blossom density, weather and pest threshold model data. There were discussions about ‘drone in a box’, with no operator required, solar powered and with a daily plan of flights, uploading information automatically.

There have also been great strides towards the availability of disease spotting through the use of multi-spectral cameras – being able to tell where mildew is starting before it’s visible to the naked eye. The majority of those who attended the webinar were the technicians who will be adding this technology to their range of support services, making them available to all growers.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

27

formabuild.co.uk

 Office 01273 492404 � info@formabuild.co.uk  www.formabuild.co.uk

STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS, RECLADDING, REPAIRS AND GROUNDWORK Thank you to all our 2021 customers during this challenging year.

To everyone, have a safe, happy and prosperous 2022.

100% British designed & built

Over 35 Year’s experience

7

Site visits

Working days for quote submission

Call to arrange a site survey

Forma offer a range of commercial and agricultural services and all our buildings are fully CE marked. Our buildings are galvanised unless another finish is required.

Industrial buildings conform to BS EN 1993 and agricultural buildings to BS 5502-22-2013 and fabricated in accordance with EN1090 Execution class 2.

@formabuild.co.uk @info_forma

CONSTRUCTION

HEALTHY RETURN ON INVESTMENTS Climate change has been foremost in our thoughts for much of 2021, with the COP26 event that began in Glasgow on 1 November focusing the world’s attention on the environment and how we human beings are affecting it.

For many, the doom and gloom around higher global temperatures, heavier rain and more extreme weather events in general provided more ammunition for the anti-livestock lobby, with a multitude of voices calling for global meat and dairy consumption to be greatly reduced.

While, regardless of the often misjudged and ill-informed criticisms it faces, the meat and dairy industry is not about to capitulate, there are good reasons why it needs to look carefully at how it operates and modernise its approach in order to

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

reduce its environmental impact.

A recent article published by the Rural & Industrial Design & Building Association (RIDBA) pointed out that the UK livestock sector “has world class nutrition, genetics, tech, management and personnel, but the average productivity is dragged down by a very long tail of below average productivity on other livestock farms”.

The article, by Livestock Consultant Jamie Robertson, said one of the reasons behind the poor performance was a lack of investment in buildings, and said those who complained that they didn’t have the money to invest needed to look at examples that showed a healthy return on such investment.

Mr Robertson backed up his point by suggesting some farms “look equivalent to a haulage business

in 2021 trying to compete using a Ford Anglia van and a Bedford TK”.

The article suggested investment in buildings would only proceed if the farmer, the builder, the lender and the planning consultant lined up the arguments and delivered a convincing case, adding: “The building sector has a major role to play in getting the other parties invested in a more sustainable future, not least because many of the other parties do not have the required knowledge to set out a project plan that is convincing to detractors.”

Any new building, particularly in the current climate, should improve food conversion efficiency – a measure of how effectively animal feed is converted to human food. According to the well-respected RIDBA, “a standard, measured >>

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

29

Retaining Walls

01206 982260 www.npclimited.co.uk Unit 6, Martells Quarry, Slough Lane, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex CO7 7RU

30 SEF NPC.indd 1

14/12/2021 16:11

“Building the Future of Farming and Industry”

Wealden AM have been supplying and managing steel-framed building projects in the South East of England for over 25 years.

Offering a complete package to customers who are looking for a carefully thought out, well-designed agricultural or industrial building.

Contact: Robert Kendall • Sean Chaplin • office: 01323 833086 • email: office@wealdenam.com www.wealdenam.com

PLAN

DESIGN

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

BUILD

CONSTRUCTION << improvement will be at least +5%, and where current systems are creaking, a lot more”.

As well as helping to make the case for sustainable agriculture in the face of the vegan lobby, such improvements also benefit the farmer’s bottom line.

A new building will also improve a business’ carbon footprint by making the operation more efficient. Better livestock facilities will help reduce environmental pollution which is important when attempting to comply with increasingly high retailers’ and legislative standards as well as boosting the farmer’s ‘feelgood factor’.

Another issue that has concerned the public in the past is antibiotic use. It’s something that has dropped significantly per unit of UK livestock in the past decade, due in no small part to investment in new buildings. RIDBA points out: “There is still progress to be made, but it is not going to materialise by using buildings that are hard or impossible to clean, or where stress on animals is contributing to current losses.”

Climate change is also impacting on existing buildings, with heat stress in cattle one of the areas forcing a rethink on ventilation and on the need for insulated roof sheets.

RIDBA, again, has pointed out that as cattle become more productive they process more energy and need to dump more heat. They also

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

drink more water, with a high-yielding dairy cow consuming more than 100 litres per day. This means a building with 200 dairy cows will have a throughput of more than 20,000 litres of water a day, with at least 16,000 litres being excreted back into the system.

Another issue is that with cows increasingly likely to be housed all year round, livestock buildings have to operate at ambient temperatures above 15°c.

The latest data on thermal humidity index (THI) figures for the UK – a better measure of heat stress than air temperature – suggests that with climate change increasingly affecting the environment in which animals are housed, insulated roofing sheets are increasingly likely to be a good investment in terms of increasing efficiency by reducing stress.

RIDBA also points out that with the wind playing such an important part in managing ventilation, and thereby energy and moisture management in a cattle building, individual buildings should be carefully located. It also suggests mechanical ventilation – fans – can help reduce heat stress.

COP26 also highlighted the need for the greenhouse gas emissions relating to buildings (estimated at 17% according to 2019 figures) to be reduced if the Government is to meet its target of net zero by 2050.

Buildings are responsible for ‘embodied carbon’

– the amount of CO2 associated with the fabric of the building and its construction – and ‘operational carbon’ – the amount associated with the use of the building during its lifetime. The relative values of these figures will vary depending on the use and longevity of the building and whether it is, for instance, heated.

Changes to building regulations such as improved insulation and airtightness and more efficient lighting have significantly cut the operational carbon of buildings, which makes reducing the amount of embodied carbon increasingly important.

For a semi-open sided livestock shed, the use of more efficient lighting and ventilation will reduce this, but an even greater benefit can be realised by good building design that maximises the use of natural daylight and ventilation, something that will also benefit the livestock.

With the UK Government now committed to net zero, RIDBA technical consultant Dr Martin Heywood believes “it is safe to assume that an even greater emphasis will need to be placed on the environmental design of buildings in future”.

This will include improved energy efficiency, better use of more sustainable materials and greater use of renewable energy devices, while heavier rainfall may require us to rethink the design of gutters and drainage systems.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

31

INNOVATIVE

CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE

APPROACH TO CREATING REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

32

Teamwork and respect are two critical factors in the success of top refrigeration company Orchard Cooling, which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

Although still relatively young as a business, Orchard Cooling brings together a number of well-respected names in the refrigeration world, but as refrigeration director Sean Macoy pointed out, the rest of the staff are just as important to the company’s growing success.

“At Orchard Cooling we work as a team, and by that, I mean that our engineers play just as important a role as we do as managers,” he said.

“Because we are all trained electrical or refrigeration engineers ourselves, we understand the issues they are dealing with and we work together to deliver the best possible outcome for the client.

“That shared knowledge means our engineers can communicate with us on the same level, with respect being shown both ways, and it also helps us run a tight

> Swegon chillers on site ready for installation

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

ship, keeping costs down.”

The company’s success also reflects its innovative approach to creating refrigeration systems for growers and, increasingly wineries, that are economical to run and less harmful to the environment.

The company’s unique cooler defrost system produces a 75% saving on energy, thanks to a warm fluid defrosting method that uses air source heat pump technology as part of a secondary cooling system. Figures show the system can save growers thousands of pounds each year by reducing energy consumption.

“We will be using this tried and tested, energy-saving defrost design on all projects in the future as it has proved to save our customers huge amounts of energy over the older-type systems that use electric heater defrosting,” Sean explained.

“This system, with a few modifications, can be retrofitted to older secondary systems using glycol to reduce energy consumption and that

FEATURED COMPANY:

FUTURE PROOF COOLING SOLUTIONS

Excellence in Electrotechnical & Engineering Services

> Orchard Cooling had a strong presence at the Vineyard & Winery Show

Expertise where it counts is critical in providing the right cooling system to ensure produce is kept in tip top condition during storage.

Orchard Cooling has many years experience in the field: Specialists in controlled atmosphere stores Rapid chilling systems soft fruit and fresh produce Secondary cooling systems with minimal defrosting Energy saving solutions, gas leak detection systems Electrical engineers and contracting Mains power solutions for distribution and installations Testing and certification to NICEIC Service and Maintenance, breakdown cover Refrigeration Service and Maintenance, breakdown cover

Dave Reynolds Director

Sean Macoy Service Director

Electrical advise on mains and distribution, power network installation

For all service

07418 005959

07872 557934

Rob Burbridge Director Electrical installations and testing

and maintenance

Paul Kennett F.Inst.R Refrigeration systems For sound advice, full design quotations

“Ec olo

g

07858 195633 l” oo ic

Refrigerat i on

ms ste Sy

important CO2 figure.”

The new system is being incorporated into two high-profile projects due to be finished early in 2022. The first is a 32-store block being built in Kent for a prominent top fruit grower which will feature five Swegon secondary chillers using glycol.

Swegon chillers are also being used in a racked arrival and despatch area being fitted out by Orchard Cooling as part of another controlled atmosphere store being built in the county. On this project, as with many others, the highly trained team is also doing the electrical work.

While focusing on alternative solutions, Orchard Cooling still installs the DX refrigeration systems that remain popular with some smaller growers, but uses modern, more efficient refrigerants. It can also offer complete project management, including all health and safety requirements.

Orchard Cooling also attended this year’s highly successful Vineyard and Winery Show, capitalising on the increasing interest being shown by winemakers in the company’s efficient and environmentally friendly energy saving refrigeration systems.

“By designing efficiency into every system, we don’t just help growers and winemakers meet or exceed increasingly important environmental standards, but we also give them the lowest possible running costs,” Sean explained.

“With wine-making becoming increasingly popular across the South East we are making sure we can support new entrants to the industry as well as helping the more established players upgrade their facilities.”

Based at Langley, near Maidstone in Kent, the innovative team offers a complete design and installation service for all types of cooling application and has an in-house service and maintenance team that can provide out-of-hours backup when required.

Despite the inevitable upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Orchard Cooling has maintained a full order book and continues to go from strength to strength, with Sean again putting that success down to customer service from a focused team. “We develop good relationships with our clients, not least because we always give honest advice on the best solution for the customer, whether we are discussing a new project or an existing building,” he said.

“Next year will be our five-year anniversary and although the last year has been challenging for everyone, for obvious reasons, we continue to go from strength to strength and we are looking forward to completing some major projects in 2022.”

The strong team of engineers is headed up by Sean and fellow directors Dave Reynolds and Rob Burbridge, plus Paul Kennett, who looks after system design and sales. Heather Borland takes care of the accounts and, in Sean’s words, “countless other duties”.

“It’s an effective, stable team that our clients know they can depend on,” he concluded.

07903 462933

Heather Borland Admin Office administration/ accounts

01622 861989

TEL: 01622 861989 www.orchardcooling.co.uk info@orchardcooling.co.uk

Rumwood Green Farm, Sutton Road, Langley, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3ND

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

33

a £7m investment to further enhance facilities at the farm and beyond to ensure students are exposed to the latest cutting edge technologies, including robotics in the dairy and a brand new state of the art high welfare and RSPCA assured pig unit. Coupled with this, the college’s new farm shop and café open in Brighton this summer, providing the perfect opportunity to demonstrate and educate students in every aspect of the supply chain relating to British produce.

Up to £35k per annum

UNDERSTANDING AGREED TARGETS

So whether your area of expertise is livestock, arable, machinery or agri-business, we’d like to hear from you.

Find out more & apply: plumpton.ac.uk/our-college/vacancies

Agricultural students are focused on working hard and learning as much about the industry as possible, reports Alan Johnson, curriculum manager at Plumpton College.

34

To study agriculture at Plumpton College, you don't need to be from a farming background.

Students come from a variety of backgrounds and locations. Not only do our Agriculture and Land Management courses give students the practical skills to manage livestock and crops, but they also develop knowledge and understanding of agriculture as a bigger picture, exploring the environmental impact of farming and ways to improve farming techniques for the future.

We continue to invest heavily in our agriculture and food resources across the college and offer students the opportunity to put theory into practice and gain valuable experience in livestock, crops and machinery to embed into work experience and employment opportunities.

Here is what the students say about their experience in the past month or so...

MIA

So far, Plumpton College has been a fantastic opportunity; I've recently finished my dairy routine. I'd never worked on a dairy before.

It was a fascinating experience to work with Scott and George at the college campus farm, understanding their methods and the ins and outs of milking. I've gone from feeling timid to feeling more confident around the cows, and would be more than happy doing dairy again.

The other week we also had an opportunity to experience how the cows get their feet trimmed and repaired if they suffer from bruises underneath, with a lesson from Ian, the farm manager.

Of note is a recent practical; every other Wednesday we get the chance to learn and make fences. Making fences was particularly new to me as I had never been taught these estate skills

before. Phil, a lecturer in agriculture, is brilliant in supporting students to learn new skills.

I can confidently say I can lay a fence when I need to. In my theory lessons, we've been finishing our assignments. I've proudly received my results from my first assignment on farming methods with a distinction. It's safe to say I've learnt a lot in lessons and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to experience this.

BEN

In my studies at Plumpton College, I have been engaging with my courses intently, thoroughly willing to extend my learning in all directions of farming.

In mid-November, I undertook my first routine week which was centred on calves; waking up at 4:30am each morning ready for a day's work with the dairy cows and calves. I learned how the milking parlour functions, frequently asking the staff questions about general cow care and health.

For example, I expressed interest in learning about the treatment of the animals’ feet and the different types of bedding that are tailored to foot health. Here I learned about green bedding, whereby dry faecal matter is recycled as bedding, providing a hygienic environment for the cattle to lie on.

I also learned how difficult green bedding is to produce and keep sterile, as the smallest quantity of moisture will permit bacterial infection. It is also an alternative to spreading the manure as slurry, which causes environmental issues, such as compaction and air pollution.

This took my interest because I aspire to see a more sustainable farming system where the environment is better aided, not impaired.

I built on this interest by studying on a PA1 spraying course, where I learned about the effects of conventional farming methods, specifically pesticides in general. I also learned how drift reduction technology can prevent drift while spraying, as drift is the main factor for environmental damage when using pesticides.

Visit www.plumpton.ac.uk to study a range of fantastic land and environment courses

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

NICK ADAMES WEST SUSSEX DIARY

Does anybody who still listens to the once reliable BBC News ever stop to question what they hear? Do you ever count the number of times the words “could”, “might” or “maybe” are used?

When younger I was told such words signified speculation rather than fact, so if I wanted the truth I should just believe the BBC. No more! With the exception of their speculative weather forecasts, today’s news is seldom reported truthfully but always with a ‘slant’, increasingly slewed towards the bitter ‘remain’ brigade.

There seem to be rather too many self-proclaimed ‘experts’ around these days, reporting their views as fact with pre-formed ideas and unable to see clearly the issues they should be reporting on.

This is also certainly the case with almost every article seen, particularly regarding subjects one knows something about. The result is that we are fed a diet of half-truths or distortions, that colour the way viewers or listeners are encouraged to think. There is actually some good news out there, but it’s damned hard to find in any of today’s media offerings. Much is actually not reported, or is simply ignored Farming needs some real political support and quickly. The old single farm payment scheme is going to be greatly missed in a couple of years, and if they think it can be replaced by all this ‘airy fairy’ (arty farty) low carbon, tree planting, greening ‘bunkum’, the Government has another think coming.

Given present fertiliser price trends, the viability of growing many food crops in the UK is diminishing rapidly. While it might be OK to import food from the Antipodes, I wouldn’t be too sure about most other places, like the US, or even our closest non-English speaking neighbour France; increasingly irritated by our ‘out of Europe’ vote, they are no more to be relied upon than in the past, ignoring the fact that their own intransigence was chiefly responsible for the UK leaving that ‘little club’.

Still no firm decision on the 2022 cropping here.

FARMING NEEDS REAL

POLITICAL SUPPORT

It would be good to feel we were actually helping local farmers by growing maize, a real feed for local cattle, but those herds are rarer by the week.

That aside, planting is nearly complete in the new forest up in Argyll. We are investigating the infant carbon credit scheme, although how the UK can absorb all the carbon emissions from China, Russia and India I’m uncertain.

Nitrogen prices have almost trebled within the past year, putting the cost of crop production up to a level which, on many farms, will certainly render the growing of cereals, and subsequently some of our most basic feedstuffs, totally uneconomic. Many farmers simply won’t grow anything and will fallow their land. Those who purchased their fertiliser early, before the supply crisis exploded, will be fine for the 2022 season, assuming they have taken their deliveries, but if they have not yet been delivered they will surely be concerned.

We are lucky this time around in that there will only be some 50 acres unplanted, and I am quite prepared to take the pain of leaving that fallow, as opposed to the greater pain of planting a crop and knowing that if we do it properly we will almost certainly lose money on the operation. With basic payments still operating, although reduced, the blow is softened, making for an easier choice. It could even be miscanthus now there is a market for it.

I don’t think we will be the only ones thinking this way and I wonder if ministers, who presently seem unable to see beyond all their totally unachievable ‘Glaswegian eco hype’ have any true idea of what’s happening. Or, indeed, care?

Don’t they see the problems looming if the

country continues on its present path? Here in Sussex, they seem oblivious to the spread of new housing on true ‘green field’ land, the destruction of natural habitat and huge losses of our small songbirds, whilst blabbering on about things the rest of the world is clearly not going to be doing, whatever the leaders may agree to on our TV screens. I am afraid I’m fast losing faith in Boris Johnson being the leader we hoped for, since he appears to be wife Carrie’s poodle. The man needs to remember his manifesto pledges… and quickly.

We still have major ongoing problems with Southern Water and their release of semi-treated sewage across our land after heavy rains. They still obfuscate, yet we wetland farmers all know they do it.

I quite understand their problem, fully accepting that properly treated sewage has little option but to go out to sea, but to get it there it has to be correctly treated, and the Environment Agency simply has to get off its backside and clean our neglected rivers so the stuff goes to the sea instead of coming back inland. This idea does now seem to be getting some traction.

On a sad note that I’m sure will be shared by farmers the length and breadth of Sussex, Peter Payne, of the well-known family firm Paynes Southdown Bee Farms at Hassocks, died back in October. I had seen Peter tending his hives on our hill farm every year since the late sixties. He was always so enthusiastic and so cheerful, and we always had a natter about his little workers. He was a true countryman, a great tonic to meet, and he will be greatly missed by many people.

NICK ADAMES Former dairy farmer

> Camis from top TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

35

SEED

FERTILISER

GRAIN

STORAGE

T: 01264 321 595 www.openfield.co.uk

ELVED PHILLIPS ARABLE NOTES

36

When I wrote my last article at the end of November, UK wheat had already hit its peak on the May futures of £244 in store and it was beginning to fall away as the first warning clouds of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were appearing.

Since then, £20 per tonne has haemorrhaged from the wheat market. Most of this fall has been caused by non-grain market events. I mentioned the spectre of “demand destruction”; as this new variant has spread, so the levels of fear have also spread among the global hedge funds. They have been bailing out of long commodity positions but also out of equities and oil, which have taken a big hit.

This was exacerbated by the US Federal Reserve announcing that inflation was here to stay. It forecast that interest rates would be increasing on a regular basis over the next three years. This was coupled with their intention to stop or taper down the support they had been giving to the equity and financial markets in terms of buying in Government bonds, which facilitated quantitative easing or the printing of new dollars.

Faced with this, the hedge funds quickly moved to a “risk off” position which meant selling futures, shares and equities. The US dollar also fell in value. The US Federal Reserve would have been doing some of this anyway to control inflation.

The latest Covid-19 outbreaks happening at the same time have made everyone more worried about the effects of another major lockdown and what it would do to our economy. So, all world grain futures also took a big hit, but by mid-December the USA CBOT had recovered about half of its losses whereas the UK and French futures had not.

As often happens, the USDA

£20 PER TONNE HAS HAEMORRHAGED FROM THE

WHEAT MARKET

added a bit more bearish news by suggesting that world wheat production has increased by 2.6m tonnes and that, despite its harvest weather problems, Australians are talking about another 2m tonne increase as well. That’s irrelevant as they don’t have the port or logistics capacity to export any more.

At home, as I have predicted many times, barley has become more difficult to sell to compounders as wheat has fallen by £20 per tonne. But it is still at amazing price levels. The UK has now confirmed the crop size at 6.96m tonnes, so the surplus still remains at up to 1.3m tonnes of feed and malting barley.

Less than half had been exported by the end of December, so my constant advice is to keep selling it – you may not see the like of this feed barley price again.

Malting barley is still commanding huge premiums.

It really should be a criminal offence for a malting barley grower to allow his barley to go out of condition because of high moisture or bugs with such enormous premiums at stake.

Repeating what I have said before, imported maize will still ELVED have a big part to play in the PHILLIPS UK/EU feed wheat and barley Openfield markets. The removal of the 25% tariff on US maize imports has

IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR SOIL

not opened the flood gates yet.

There are ‘special event’ conditions which could allow EU compounders to use US maize, albeit potentially being genetically modified. This involves the identification of some varieties which are non-GMO; well good luck with that one. I expect if feed wheat and barley remain at current levels, a way to use cheaper US maize will be found, GMO or not.

The UK wheat crop has also been confirmed at 13.9m tonnes. With the already known exports (providing we don’t have a national lockdown causing demand destruction), I reckon we will run out of wheat

by April, so imports will be required.

So, I hold to my long term view, that if it happens, the change from export to import parity will add £15 to whatever the ex-farm price of UK wheat is. So, while you have had ample opportunity to sell your wheat at better money than it is today, hold it now if you can for the late rally, but please cash in your barley.

I think the last harvest has turned out to be a lot better than anyone could have budgeted for. Even with average yields, some will have received the equivalent of one and a half times their expected income from grain sales – well done.

I hope your new year has started in a healthy and happy way.

Spreading service available NEW RICHARD WESTERN SPREADER GPS GUIDED 20 TONNE CAPACITY 20 METRE SPREAD PATTERN www.gcgsplanthire.co.uk

FARMERS & CONTRACTORS | Call Steve 07747 827901 | www.groundcaregeneralservices.co.uk JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

ORGANISED CHAOS ANITA HEAD

GLIMMERS OF HOPE

We see glimmers of hope in the recent milk price/lamb price, but is this sustainable? Over the past few weeks I have investigated the future challenges that we may face within the farming sector. Among these obstacles are price rises; the fact that with no subsidy, food prices will have to rise substantially. Is the general public ready?

We have seen some crops left to rot because of labour shortages caused by the lack of migrant workers and a lack of HGV drivers. Not as well documented is the lack of workers in the food manufacturing sector, with many companies having vacancy levels between 15% and 20%. It would be fair to say that the food sector in general is in a very bad state. A trend that has been observed over the decades is that when food costs increase, the party in power loses votes. We shall await to see what becomes of the current government.

There are, of course, other factors involved in food price increases. The pandemic has caused chaos in some supply chains, especially around logistics. The cost of freight is rocketing and this has a knock-on effect on the cost of our food.

The worldwide urea shortages mean that, with AdBlue in short supply, even the newer tractors will grind to a halt. The obvious solution to this is to grow more food closer to home (shop locally), reducing the need for transport, but as a nation we waste so much food. If we all shopped locally and reduced our wastage by 5% to 10% we wouldn’t even be having this discussion.

Farming can be a tough life, but equally it can be so rewarding. In December we took four in-milk cows to Exeter Market, having not been to Devon in some 20 years, I have now been twice in two months.

Ted managed to sneak into the truck with us and we had a lovely 24 hours. Ted’s face was a joy

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

ANITA HEAD Farmer

to behold; he was so excited, breakfast in another market and no school was amazing. Seeing how different markets operate was a great experience (three rings running at the same time); interestingly the calf trade seemed to be back on Ashford, but the cow trade was good so the journey back home with “Grumpy” was full of good humour. It seemed like a long journey, but when you live in the furthest part of the South East anywhere seems like an eternity.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and rested when you could. Sadly, we were unable to watch Ted’s nativity play in person due to the new Omicron variant, but we still loved seeing it on the parent portal online.

We had a relatively quiet Christmas in terms of numbers, although it is a little difficult to have a quiet Christmas with a four-year-old in charge (thankfully mother made it to the USA to see my brother for Christmas). Christmas was a mixture of work and play, with the pace of life seemingly 100mph.

Christmas morning is always a joyous affair (especially when you are four). Stockings are opened at “stupid o’clock” followed by the feeding of all livestock etc and then main presents are delivered.

Always practical presents, sheep hurdles, workshop heater, saddle etc... Christmas dinner arrives when all the work is done and the day is nearly over.

Then we moved swiftly onto Zara’s 13th birthday on Boxing Day. Another fun-filled day including a trip to the pantomime. Oh, how we love a trip to the

pantomime (“Oh no you don’t.” Ed). I may be biased, but she’s amazing and we are incredibly proud of the young lady she’s become. Unfortunately, before Christmas she became the target of a bullying campaign from an older child in her form at school, and that got me thinking about farmers and the bullying campaign that they endure from supermarkets and the like.

Farming charities see the volume of calls double through the Christmas period, with various pressures increasing, including finances and target deadlines getting tighter and the middle men (supermarkets) seemingly changing the targets daily.

Farmers struggle to cope with all the new rules and regulations etc. These charities are always in need of financial support so please help if you can. They have helped so many country people over the years. www.ahdb.org.uk, www.dpjfoundation.co.uk, www.yanahealth.org, www.rabi.org.uk are just a few farming charities that need help.

So, before I wish you all a very happy new year, if you have any spare change please donate.

Happy new year to one and all.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

37

AGRONOMY

MANAGING NITROGEN WITH A REALISTIC EYE ON YIELD POTENTIAL

38

With nitrogen prices at an all time high, it is more important than ever that growers realistically evaluate the true yield potential of their crops. Chris Hoskins, Hutchinsons’ Digital Farming Manager for the South, shares his views on how best to approach spring fertiliser applications to ensure a viable return on investment.

We have seen massive variations in the price of fertiliser over the past three months, depending on when it was bought, with a tonne of nitrogen ranging anywhere between £280 and £700/t – a difference of £242/ha between early and late purchasing.

Indeed, some fertiliser is now costing as much as £2/kgN, so to apply 200kg could cost anywhere between £162 and £404/ha. At these levels it is more important than ever to look at how to reduce or manage applications in the spring as efficiently as possible.

The starting point in this process is to be realistic about the yield potential of crops, as this will help to decide where fertiliser will have the most impact and return on investment. Yield maps provide a real and historical picture of the best and worst performing parts of a field; even one year’s worth of data can help you visualise this.

Within Omnia, it is possible to use several layers’ worth of yield data to build a yield performance map, providing a clear picture of which areas of the field perform consistently, or not. In this way, management decisions can be made based on this sub-field information; it may be that a higher yielding area of the field has shown itself to be potentially inconsistent, so it may not be worth pushing this area, whereas if another area delivers an average yield and is potentially consistent, it could be worth investing in it.

At the end of the day, the crop needs to be making money or there is no point in growing it; this season more than ever, it is important to take into account the cost of nitrogen and the selling price of the crop as well as yield potential.

There is a new tool within Omnia, the break-even ratio ( BER ) tool, that does this for you. Based on the cost/tonne of nitrogen and the average wheat selling price, it gives a nitrogen break-even ratio, allowing for suggested nitrogen rates for each crop to be calculated which can then be adjusted, suiting both flat and variable rate applications.

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

BUT HOW DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH TO INCREASE OR DECREASE NITROGEN?

There needs to be a realistic appraisal of the yield potential to justify feeding the crop where it will yield.

If using a variable rate approach, a break-even ratio will provide a reference point throughout the spring to refer back to in order to see if certain parts of the field are economically viable to grow. Constantly evaluating biomass through the season, either through tractor mounted sensors or NDVI satellite imagery, can help to identify and answer the questions: should I apply more to poor areas to even up the field? Or less to these areas as the potential is low?

Trials show that after GS30 in cereals, tiller number and yield potential are set, so the question that must be asked is if applying more to poor areas is only worthwhile early in the season. This year it might be easier to justify. When it comes to the final application, revisit the same questions again looking at in-season crop data.

Even at this stage, ask yourself the question: “Is there the potential for 10t/ha crop or are the break-even ratios economically justifiable, or would it be more realistic to aim for 8t/ha?

Historically it has been the practice to apply more nitrogen to poor areas in with the aim of evening up crops, but this year, in light of the high fertiliser prices, a more accurate ‘feed to potential’ ratio may become more common practice.

CHRIS HOSKINS

Hutchinsons Digital farming Manager (south) T: 07890 067228 E: Chris.hoskins@hlhltd.co.uk Canterbury: 01227 830064 www.hlhltd.co.uk

prod and

STEPHEN CARR

Offe in so serv your

SCHEMES NOT LIKELY

TO BE SIMPLE OR CHEAP As we head into 2022, arable farmers face volatile and changing times.

Our costs are soaring, the value of arable commodities is rising, our industry stands accused of being a major driver of climate change and our BPS payments face further heavy cuts. We even have a new subsidy to claim, and a new set of initials to learn, in the form of the ‘Sustainable Farming Initiative’ (SFI).

We’ve long understood that our beloved BPS is for the chop. I say ‘beloved’ because however daft the subsidy was (it effectively paid UK farmers £2.5 billion a year whether or not we grew any food, carried out any wildlife conservation or reduced greenhouse gas emissions), it was very important to us financially. The reason it was so helpful to our profits, of course, was precisely because we didn’t have to do much to earn it – other than fill in an annual claim form.

The SFI, by contrast, looks like it will require quite a bit of work. To earn between £22 and £40 per hectare, arable farmers will have to ensure that they establish green cover on “70% of bare soil over winter”, ‘test’ soil, and “produce a soil management plan”.

SFI agreements will last only three years and tenants will need to show that they have a least two years’ management control of land before they can enter the scheme. Farmers will also have to fill in an annual claim form to show that they are ‘complying’, and the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) will carry out ‘inspections’ and ‘remote monitoring’ (presumably by spy satellite). Payments will be made in four quarterly equal instalments.

The government also still has to announce two further schemes. The ‘Local Nature Recovery’ scheme and the ‘Landscape Recovery’ scheme will start national trials this year and be ‘fully launched’ by 2025. Both will be compatible with the SFI. We have yet to see much detail on any of these schemes, but two things already seem quite clear: collectively they won’t replace the BPS financially and they’re not likely to be simple or cheap for farmers to engage in.

The Government already seems to have recognised that the SFI may not be that attractive to many farmers – particularly small and medium sized businesses that will worry about the cost of drawing up agreements on their smaller hectareages. To soften concerns, the RPA has said that, instead of punishing agreement holders for not complying, it will at first ‘support’ farmers to make the necessary changes in how they farm their land.

But, ominously, DEFRA is also waving a big stick by making it clear that if farmers don’t engage with the SFI, the Treasury will ‘divert’ the funds elsewhere.

For my part I’m sure I will enter the SFI for no other reason than that climate change and loss of biodiversity have become emergencies than none of us can ignore. But I’m under no illusions that the SFI will repair the financial damage done by the withdrawal of the BPS. So, let’s hope that grain prices continue their recent strength. Otherwise, I can’t see how 2022 is likely to be a happy new year for any of us.

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR DEEP CORE NITROGEN SAMPLING

With Nitrogen prices at an all time high can you afford to over apply nitrogen?

We can sample to a depth of 90cm and spilt into profiles of 0-30cm, 30-60cm & 60-90cm Make the most of Nitrogen reserves in your soil For more information or to make a bookingplease email enquiries@farmimage.co.uk or call 01233 740247.

39

Soil smart sampling, GPS precision, Veris soil scanning, N Core, Ph, PCN

Other Soil Sampling Services

Providing a truly independent bespoke soil sampling service, from basic field average sampling to precision grid sampling.

We offer a quick turnaround for all results.

• pH Sampling

• Grid Sampling

• Standard Sampling 01233 740247 • Organic Matter • Full Soil Carbon Check Service • Nitrogen Sampling • EC Scanning www.acsrecycling.co.uk • Zone Sampling

• Organic Matter Scanning

STEPHEN CARR Arable farmer

Our SoilSmart system offers the ability to view, download, and create variable rate application files from your soil results and optionally layer satellite Imagery and yield mapping enabling a complete view of your field.

Durlock Bridge Farm, Durlock Road, Staple, Kent CT3 1JU t 01233 740247 e enquiries@farmimage.co.uk w www.farmimage.co.uk TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

ADVICE FROM THE VET In the run up to, and during, lambing we have all noticed the ewe that stands back at feeding time, looking a little starry eyed and vacant – the tell-tale signs of twin lamb disease or, officially, ovine pregnancy toxaemia (OPT), writes Sharminda Lockwood BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS. We dose her with an energy rich tonic, of which there are many available, and mark her up so we can keep an eye on her and treat her again if needed. But what is OPT? Why does it occur? While there are many effective treatment protocols that can be used if the disease is caught early, how can we prevent OPT in the first instance? And what is the consequence on flock production?

WHAT IS OPT

40

OPT is a metabolic syndrome of ewes during the last six weeks of pregnancy and occurs when the ewe’s energy intake does not meet the requirements of the growing foetuses. The last six weeks of pregnancy is when the lamb foetuses double in size and the ewe’s mammary glands start to develop. Her energy requirements increase exponentially, but her ability to eat enough becomes limited by the growing lambs reducing space for her rumen.

This negative energy balance causes hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose level), and the body starts breaking down fat reserves, producing ketone bodies as an alternative source of energy.

The combination of low glucose levels and increased ketone bodies results in the clinical signs typically observed.

SIGNS OF OPT

• Standing away from the rest of the flock • Not coming up for feeding • Depression • Star gazing • Blindness • Muscle tremors • Eventually collapse.

If you would like to discuss anything covered in this article contact your local Westpoint practice

ANDY RICHMOND Westpoint Horsham T: 01306 628086

JACK BALKHAM Westpoint Ashford T: 01306 628208

EMILY PHIPPS

Westpoint Sevenoaks T: 01959 564383 E: info@westpointfarmvets.co.uk www.westpointfarmvets.co.uk

PREVENTING TWIN

LAMB DISEASE Ewes are at increased risk of developing OPT in the last six weeks of pregnancy if: • They are carrying multiple lambs • They are under or over conditioned • They are receiving a diet that does not meet energy requirements • Stress or housing causes a sudden change in their feed intake • They have concurrent disease eg, foot disease.

Most commonly we see OPT in ewes carrying twins or triplets or those of a low body condition score.

THE IMPACT OF OPT

Individually, ewes that have had OPT are more likely to have a slow birth and retained placental membranes as well as lambs which are less viable.

Flock-wise, the provoking factors, such as undernutrition, will have a significant effect on overall flock production. Lamb health is significantly influenced by ewe nutrition in the last six weeks of pregnancy. Nutrition directly affects both colostrum quality and quantity and thus the immunity provided to the lamb for the first few weeks of life.

Remember, the transfer of antibodies to disease on the farm, for example watery mouth, and diseases you have vaccinated against, such as clostridial disease, are passed passively to lambs via ewe colostrum only. Foetal growth and birth weight, as well as lamb wool deposition, are also influenced by ewe nutrition. Low birth weight and less wool will predispose lambs to hypothermia.

PREVENTION

OPT is a condition of the energy deficient ewe, so ensuring adequate nutrition is essential. It doesn’t necessarily mean the ration is wrong; sometimes it can be the inability of the ewe to get to the ration. So, it is important to assess the whole feeding process.

The nutritional requirement of the ewe will depend on several factors – number of lambs, body condition, type and quality of forage, type of concentrate being fed and the number of weeks before lambing.

Scanning the ewes will allow splitting of groups according to litter size, and feeding singles, twins and triplets accordingly.

Body condition scoring (BCS) regularly will not only help monitor the ewes’ condition but also enable you to split off the low BCS score ewes and

feed more appropriately.

Forage analysis will help determine the amount of concentrate required to bridge the energy gap.

Plan your feeding regime for the last six weeks in kg/head required for each group each week.

Assess feeding logistics – is there enough space to reduce stress and competition for food? Ideally 45cm/head trough space and 15cm/head forage space.

Monitor ewe nutrition with metabolic profiles four weeks before lambing to ensure it is adequate and make timely changes.

METABOLIC PROFILES

A metabolic profile is a blood test used to assess the supply of energy and protein in the last trimester of pregnancy. Three parameters are tested, betahydroxybutyrates (BHB), albumin and urea.

• Beta-hydroxybutyrate levels are an indicator of energy status. It is a ketone, a byproduct of fat metabolism, and elevation above the reference range is an indication of an energy deficit.

• Albumin is an indicator of long-term protein supply. Low levels are seen with prolonged protein deficient diets but also in protein losing diseases such as Johne’s disease and when burdens of liver fluke and gut worm are present.

• Urea is an indicator of the short-term protein supply to the ewe and low levels are consistent with inadequate effective rumen degradable protein.

Six ewes from each management group should be tested to give a realistic picture of nutrition of the whole flock (singles, twins, triplets). Subsidised testing is available for some commercial flocks, so speak to your vet to arrange an appointment.

Treating OPT involves correcting and stabilising the ewe’s glucose levels and reducing her BHB levels.

Twice daily oral dosing with a glycerol/propylene glycol is an effective way of achieving this. Twenty per cent of ewes with OPT will also have low calcium, so giving oral calcium is beneficial. Some ewes will not respond to treatment if the energy deficit is prolonged. In these cases speak to your vet about prognosis and further treatment options.

In summary, plan and monitor flock nutrition to prevent OPT and ensure healthy lambs to maximise flock productivity. #planpreventprotect

Further information on feeding the ewe during pregnancy can be found on the AHDB website https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/managing-ewe-lambs-during-pregnancy

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

> Champion sheep: Vendor Scott Horton, from Chess Valley Livestock, with buyers George Debman and Annie Jones and judge John Coleman

AT COLCHESTER MARKET > Reserve Champion Beast: Vendor Amy Kinge with buyer Allman Fowler from Fowler Bros, Burnham on Crouch, and Stephen Ellis, Stanfords

> Champion Beast: Vendors Andrew, Gerald and William Ketley with buyer John Coleman and Stephen Ellis, Stanfords

PRIME STOCK SHOW REFLECTS

EXTRAORDINARY YEAR

With 2021 having been an extraordinary year in many ways, the record prices achieved for cattle and sheep were reflected in Stanford’s 2021 Prime Stock Show and sale.

Judge Colin Byford, of Little Clacton, Essex, was impressed with the quality of the 29 cattle entered into the show. After due deliberation he awarded the Overall Cattle Championship to a home-bred Limousin heifer from W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe, the defending Champions. After strong competition it was sold to John Coleman, Boxted, for his shop at 490p/kg (£2,606.80). The beast was also awarded Best Home Bred Beast in Show, the Eric Stanion Memorial Trophy and Best Limousin Sired Heifer in Show.

The Overall Reserve title was awarded to Amy Kinge, Kenninghall, Norwich, for a Blonde Heifer which was also awarded the Arthur Chalke Perpetual Trophy for Best Heifer in Show over 551kg. This beast sold to Allman Fowler on behalf of Messrs Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch, at 370p/kg (£2,220).

W A Ketley & Sons were also awarded the Roy Brazier Memorial Trophy for Best Steer over 551kg, selling again to Fowler Brothers at 340p/kg (£2,046.80). This beast was also awarded the Best Limousin Sired Steer in Show.

Regular vendor Lee Byam was rewarded for his and his family’s commitment to live selling, being awarded the Broad Oak Farm Perpetual Cup for Best Butcher’s Beast under 550kg, selling to Chas Bowers, Holland on Sea, at 445p/kg (£2,376.30). A British Blue X heifer, it was also awarded the Best Butcher’s Heifer under 550kg. The Best Butcher’s Steer under 550kg was awarded to W A Ketley & Sons and was purchased by Fowler Brothers at 400p/kg (£2,200).

The Best Home Sired Steer was awarded to Rita Parker of Honingham, Norwich, selling at 320p/kg (£1,657.60) to John Coleman, Boxted.

The Unhaltered Show Cattle overall prize was awarded again to W A Ketley & Sons for a steer selling to C J Byford & Sons, Little Clacton, at 290p/kg

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

(£1,516.70), with the Best Unhaltered Heifer awarded to Richard Criddle, Kenninghall, and again selling to Fowler Brothers at 282p/kg (£1,758.86).

A tremendous trade for all show cattle, with the 14 steers averaging 320.21p/kg and 15 heifers 330.43p/kg and 325.5p/kg overall.

The sheep and goat show classes attracted 68 forward in pairs which came before Judge John Coleman of Boxted, who commented on the quality in front of him with pen after pen of strong lambs forward.

After due consideration, the Overall Championship was awarded to Scott Horton of Chess Valley Livestock, Amersham, selling after strong bidding to George Debman for his shop in Ipswich at £345 a head (683p/ kg). The pen of lambs was awarded the William Gray Perpetual Trophy for Best Pen of Lambs in the Market and the Wiston Trophy for Best Pair of Texel Sired

GRAHAM ELLIS FRICS FAAV FLAA For and on behalf of Stanfords T: 01206 842156 E: info@stanfords-colchester.co.uk

www.stanfords-colchester.co.uk Lambs, the same vendor having a clean sweep in the class.

The George Debman Trophy for Best Continental Sired Lambs of any other breed than Texel was awarded to Will Griffin of Rutland and purchased again

by George Debman at £180 a head (360p/kg) the pair being Rouge X. The class for Best Pen of Traditional Breed Lambs was also awarded to Will Griffin for a pair of Suffolk Mules which again sold to George Debman at £162 a head (321p/kg).

CLASS

VENDOR

BUYER

P/KG

£ PER HEAD

Overall Champion Beast and OLIVERS PERPETUAL CUP

W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe

John Coleman, Boxted

490

2,606.80

Reserve Overall Champion Beast

A Kinge, Kenninghall

Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch

370

2,220

CLASS 1: ROY BRAZIER MEMORIAL TROPHY Best Steer 551 kg or over

W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe

Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch

340

2,046.80

CLASS 2: ARTHUR CHALKE PERPETUAL TROPHY Best Heifer 551kg or over

A Kinge, Kenninghall

Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch

370

2,220

CLASS 3: DEREK ABRA PERPETUAL TROPHY Best Butcher’s Steer 550kg or under

W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe

Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch

400

2,200

CLASS 4: DEREK ABRA PERPETUAL TROPHY Best Butcher’s Heifer 550kg or under

Lee Byam, Swilland

Chas Bowers Butchers, Holland on Sea

445

2,376.30

CLASS 5: Best Home Bred Steer

Rita Parker, Honingham

John Coleman, Boxted

320

1,657.60

CLASS 6: Best Home Bred Heifer

W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe

John Coleman, Boxted

490

2,606.80

CLASS 7: Best Unhaltered Steer

W A Ketley & Sons, Fingringhoe

C J Byford & Son, Little Clacton

290

1,516.70

CLASS 8: Best Unhaltered Heifer

Richard Criddle, Kenninghall

Fowler Brothers, Burnham on Crouch

282

1,756.86

Overall Champion Pen of Two Lambs and WILIAM GRAY PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP

Chess Valley Livestock, Amersham George Debman, Ipswich

690

345

CLASS 9: WISTON TROPHY

Chess Valley Livestock, Amersham George Debman, Ipswich

690

345

CLASS 10: GEORGE DEBMAN TROPHY

W & J Griffin, Rutland

George Debman, Ipswich

360

180

CLASS 11: COLCHESTER DISTRICT MEAT TRADERS’ PERPETUAL TROPHY

W & J Griffin, Rutland

George Debman, Ipswich

324

162

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

41

AT ASHFORD MARKET > Champion Beast : Limousin x heifer owned by Miss Pippa Marsh, Dover, shown by Miss Kiri Bass and judged and bought by Mr George Watson, Norwich.

Sold at auction for 410p per kg (£2,273)

ASHFORD PRIMESTOCK SHOW: Christmas 2021

> Champion Sheep: Beltex x lambs shown by Miss Amy Hedges, Robertsbridge and judged and bought by Mr Andrew Head, Dover. Sold at auction for £210 a head

> Champion Pigs : Welsh gilts shown by Mr David Finch, Benfleet and judged by Mr Andrew Laver, Horley. Sold at auction for £120 per head

SELL AT LIVE AUCTION AND THRIVE

42

2021 was a terrific year for beef and sheep producers, with prices at unprecedented levels and records continually broken. A year when demand far outstripped supply, with a positive impact on returns.

The trade for all finished stock has been strong throughout and this has been reflected at all store sales. Compared to 2019, annual average prices for all cattle rose 23%, with an even greater increase in the sheep sector; finished lamb up 42%, store lamb up 50% and cull ewes up 66%.

With trade at such bullish levels, the valuation of stock has become increasingly difficult. How often have store cattle achieved £50 to £100 or more, and store lambs some £5 to £10 or more, above expectations? Under such circumstances the live auction system really comes into its own and the arguments for selling in the live market become even stronger. Why enter into private negotiations with powerful buyers and risk a transaction that undervalues your stock?

At Ashford Market competition between multiple buyers has never been

westpoint farm vets

100% Farm Vets Supporting British Livestock Agriculture Since 2000

New client visits are FREE - book yours today!

Our teams of experienced, highly-qualified vets are focused on driving farm efficiency and animal health across the South East Westpoint Horsham

Westpoint Sevenoaks Westpoint Chelmsford

covering Surrey & West Sussex covering North Kent & East Sussex

01306 628086

01959 564383

covering Essex

01306 628489

Westpoint Winchester

Westpoint Heathfield

Westpoint Ashford

covering Hampshire

covering East Sussex

01962 779593

01435 869047

covering Kent & East Sussex

01306 628208

Westpoint Farm Vets Dawes Farm, Bognor Road, Warnham, West Sussex, RH12 3SH info@westpointfarmvets.co.uk | westpointfarmvets.co.uk westpointfarmvets.co.uk

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

stronger across all sectors. Yet more fresh buyers have been in attendance, ensuring highly competitive prices throughout and good premiums for the best quality stock on offer.

Finished cattle numbers in particular have increased, with several finishers attracted back to selling live as opposed to dead weight alternatives. With the lack of adequate supplies of clean stock, increased numbers of buyers have competed on the cull sections, both cattle and sheep, sourcing leaner types for further finishing and regularly outbidding the slaughter outlets.

Ashford Market continues to be the major store lamb centre in the South East, with 60,000 head traded this autumn attracting regular buyers from the west country, Wales and the eastern counties. The improved quality of store cattle on offer has attracted fresh faces around the ring, notably from the west country and the north.

This favourable trading position for both beef and lamb producers is driven by tight supplies across all sectors, with a significant reduction in breeding stock.

This situation is unlikely to change any time soon due to the time scale, availability and cost of replacements and the appetite amongst producers to expand again so soon. For the foreseeable future we can look forward with a degree of optimism to continued favourable returns.

Recent highlights at Ashford Market have included an average for finished lambs in excess of 290 p/kg and market averages of £126 for all weights – the highest ever for this time of year. Best quality lambs are selling readily in excess of 300p/kg and smart continentals to £178 (324p/kg) from A Town, Sittingbourne.

Store lambs towards the end of the season are averaging in excess of £90 and the best £100 plus.

In the cattle section, the best clean cattle have attracted prices around 250p/ kg and up to £1,520 (275p/kg) for a top quality Limousin cross heifer from Mr S Marsh, Dover.

The pick of the yearling stores have sold for around £1,000, with stronger cattle to finish short term up to £1,450 for smart Limousin cross steers from RJ and BA Newington, Etchingham.

The first week in December saw a massive entry of 160 cull cattle, with 12 individual buyers competing well for all on offer. Smart young cows to feed up around 200p/kg and fleshed sorts to kill regularly over £1,200, while the best fleshed black and whites around 130p/kg and grossing regularly in excess of £1,000.

Livestock auction markets provide the farming industry with transparency and confidence that prices truly reflect current supply and demand. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year from ]the livestock team at Ashford Market.

ELWYN DAVIES

Reporting on the sheep market at Ashford T: 01233 502222 www.hobbsparker.co.uk

WILL JAMES

Cliffe Veterinary Group E: will@cliffevets.co.uk www.cliffefarm.co.uk

INTERESTING CASE OF AN OUTBREAK OF PNEUMONIA

What’s new in the world of farm vetting? Well for starters a woolly hat is now firmly on my head, and I look like the Michelin man with how many layers I am wearing! But maybe that was the Christmas break?

We welcome two new members to the team, Leanne and Catherine. They are currently getting up and running with their new roles as Approved TB testers, so you will be seeing them out and about on farm.

Introductions over and back into vetting, I recently had an interesting case of an outbreak of pneumonia in a group of 30 Aberdeen Angus X calves. The calves had been bought in two weeks previously, vaccinated with one dose of Rispoval 4 in July (should have been two doses) and been in the same pen since moving, along with one other Holstein-Friesian X calf. This particular calf had not thrived so had been held back in this pen. On presentation most of the Angus X calves were coughing and had high temperatures.

For a diagnosis I took nasopharyngeal swabs from six calves that were actively coughing and pyrexic. The swabs were sent off for PI3, RSV and IBR. Also, after examining the Holstein calf it was decided to test to see if it was a BVDV PI calf.

The swabs all came back as negative for the viruses tested but the calf which was tested for BVDV antigen came back as positive. So, what does this tell us?

Well, for this group of 30 calves, the stress of moving, poor vaccine protocol and change in diet/environment would have lessened the immunity allowing ‘shipping fever’ as we call it (pneumonia), to take hold. This, together with the presence of a PI in their midst, was the perfect recipe for a pneumonia outbreak.

Therefore, the question to ask yourself is? If there are any calves being held back for various reasons, poor doers, scouring, pneumonia etc… is it a good idea to keep them back with younger age groups and possibly spread disease to them.

Also, taking what we know from this case study, there is also a high chance this could be a BVDV PI. Thus, BVD testing these type of poor calves is recommended and removal if confirmed positive.

The treatment of these calves included antibiotics (Alamycin or Nuflor), pain relief (Metacam) along with a vitamin injection (Introvit) to help boost their immunity. Removal of the PI was also carried out and the rest of the calves were looking better two days later.

MEGASTART LAMBING AND CALVING SUPPLEMENTS

The best START in life you can give  Promotes easier lambing and calving  Contains a unique MOS designed to improve colostrum quality  High in Vitamin E and Selenium to provide for a healthy immune system  Available in 20kg/80kg tubs and 25kg powdered minerals

For more information call

01292 280 909 or contact your local merchant

Follow Scotmin

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

43

ALAN WEST SHEEP TOPICS ALAN WEST Sheep farmer

WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR

44

We enter the new year on a relatively positive note, with all of the indicators pointing towards a continuation of the robust trade in sheep meat experienced in 2021 and with fingers crossed that they are correct.

In spite of a significant decrease in the volume of exports last year, there was strong domestic demand, due in no small part to many of our customers rediscovering proper home cooking during lockdown, sourcing quality ingredients and cooking meals from scratch. If you are looking for quality ingredients, what could be better than a nice bit of grass-fed, locally produced lamb? This, combined with the reopening of restaurants, certainly helped sustain domestic demand during last year and hopefully into 2022.

A strong domestic demand and tight supplies throughout 2021 gave rise to a much-welcomed and needed hike in prices, which finished the year some 20% above their position 12 months previously. The post-Covid-19 impact on labour availability at abattoirs may also have contributed to restrictions in supplies at a retail level. Buoyed by high prices for breeding sheep last autumn, some ewe lambs may have been drawn into the market, but I suspect that some producers have kept their options open and held back ewe lambs originally destined for slaughter in the hope that breeding stock prices will be as strong this autumn.

Solid hogget prices this spring may still tempt some of these into the market.

Even the global impact of Covid-19 has helped UK sheep producers; supplies of Australian and New Zealand lamb are down by some 4%, and enduring, Covid-19 related, problems within the shipping industry have given rise to a further contraction of supplies from the Antipodes.

Sadly, it’s not all positives, but that’s life; things do not look quite as bright on the other side of the equation as input prices rise. With ammonium nitrate rapidly approaching £500/tonne and urea significantly the wrong side of £550/ tonne as we approached the end of 2021, I suspect that many sheep keepers will be reappraising their fertiliser use. Rather fortuitously we all have ready access to both the raw material and the facilities to substitute some of the fertiliser that we might otherwise purchase, something that may also tick some environmental and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme boxes.

Of the air that surrounds us, 70% provides the raw material, completely free of charge. The facilities, in the form of a bit of legume seed, cost a little more but are still not expensive, I say legume quite deliberately. Clover is not the only nitrogen fixer; other legumes are available. There is an increasing abundance of alternatives that all do very much the same job; take a look at any good seed catalogue to see what is available for almost any situation. Legumes have, as additional bonuses, the capacity to improve soil health (ticking more boxes) and provide a supply of good quality, relatively high protein feed, reducing the demand for purchased feed (still more boxes).

Many people have lost their lives to Covid-19, a number of sheep keepers amongst them. This is something I know we all lament, but without wishing to diminish the personal tragedies, the impact on the wider sheep sector has not been as bad as it may have been. We have fared (relatively) lightly; having sheep in need of attention exempted producers from many of the movement restrictions imposed in the first and subsequent “lockdowns” and in general we were able to carry on as ‘normal’. But sheep farming can be a lonely and isolating business at the best of times, a factor that was brought into sharper focus with restrictions on the access to auction markets and other opportunities for face-to-face social interaction. This has no doubt been difficult for some, depriving many of those important opportunities just to catch up with other producers and see how their friends and colleagues are faring.

Auction marts provide an often overlooked, useful social function, possibly not

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

so much in the South East as in some of the more isolated areas of the country; I am sure that the opportunities they provide for social interactions make a valuable contribution to the mental health of many producers; certainly not an issue that many are willing to discuss or admit to, but simply having the opportunity to share a problem often makes things just a little easier. Farmers in general, and livestock keepers in particular, tend to bear loneliness and isolation with considerable tolerance and stoicism, but there are times when we all, as sheep producers, would benefit from being a little less forbearing and long-suffering.

I’m sure that there have been many shepherds that have conversed almost as much with their dogs over the past couple of years as they have with other people, immediate family excepted, of course. We are fortunate in having intelligent and thinking working dogs for company as we go about our daily routines. But for the whims of Edward I, it is quite possible that we would have livestock guard dogs to accompany us, and I suspect that they would not provide quite such good companionship.

Had Edward in 1281 not commissioned Peter Corbett to hunt down and eradicate wolves from England, we may by now have been working in a completely different sheep industry and we almost certainly would have had different canine companions. Corbett and his bands of hunters cleared the country of the last major predator by the end of the 13th century, although some probably remained in the wilds of northern England a while longer and considerably longer north of the border. This action effectively removed the need to guard flocks against animal predators, leaving the shepherds of the time to focus their attention on breeding dogs for herding and droving.

The ancient origins of the dogs of the time, based almost certainly on a combination of droving and guard dogs brought to Britain by the Romans, a Spitz type herding dog introduced some eight to nine hundred years later and a few local dog strains added to the mix, led to the development of a range of herding and droving dogs. These hard-working dogs would have served shepherds and drovers for hundreds of years. A Dr John Caius, in his 1570 treatise on dogs, describes herding dogs and a manner of working that would

LIVESTOCK be familiar with many shepherds today. It was a long process that eventually resulted in the development of the Border Collie that we know today (other shepherding dogs are available).

The modern Border Collie largely owes its origins to a dog by the name of Hemp; bred in Northumberland in 1893 out of a pairing of black and tan dog Jack and a black and white bitch called Meg. A good, strong and very skilled working dog, Hemp was very popular and much in demand as a sire within the region, producing quite a number of litters. The Border in the name arose from the border regions of England and Scotland and the Collie from a long-used term for working dogs north of the border; their popularity rapidly spread within the area and they quickly achieved a national and international reputation.

As average flock size has increased over the past few decades, so has the reliance of shepherds on their dogs. Many shepherds simply could not operate effectively without their working dogs being part of the team. Border Collies are tough, high-drive, sometimes obsessive and hard-working dogs; sadly, this possibly contributes towards one of their weaknesses, the incidence of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) within the breed. A disorder with no known cause (idiopathic), IE in dogs has an incidence of 0.6% to 0.7% across all breeds, with some breeds, including Border Collies, being rather more predisposed than others.

Regrettably we recently lost our last collie to IE. She was just over four years old when she had her first seizure, having shown no signs of the disorder beforehand. In spite of ever-increasing tiers of medication, her seizures became progressively more difficult to control, resulting eventually in her going into status epilepticus, effectively a continuous seizure that resulted in her sad demise.

As is often the case, IE is one of those disorders that few people know anything about. After 50 years with collies we had never come across, or even heard of it, before. It is only when faced with the problem that one suddenly begins to discover other people who have experienced the same issues; over the past year or so I have come across a significant number of shepherds who have been through the same experience, but it’s a bit like sheep scab, nobody wants admit to it or talk about it, which really is unfortunate, particularly as there is a strong possibility that there is a genetic link to the disorder.

We were lucky in getting our collie onto the Royal Veterinary College (RVC)’s Big Brainy Border Collie Study; not that it was able to help her, but at least she made some small contribution to a study leading to a better understanding of the disorder. The RVC is a world leader in the study of IE, and although the Big Brainy Border Collie Study has finished, its work goes on with the RESET (Reducing canine Epileptic Seizures and improving Emotional state with behavioural Therapies) trial, a study that aims, hopefully, to develop therapies to reduce the impact of IE on both dogs and their owners. The RVC is recruiting owners and dogs for this study, seeking dogs that have been diagnosed with IE aged between one and 10 years of age. Taking part is relatively easy and not at all challenging, but simply involves keeping seizure and behaviour diaries for six months, two video calls and following advice for three months (in either a six- or nine-month period). All participation is carried out remotely.

Taking part will certainly not cure your dog but will help to develop a greater understanding of this horrible disorder and may just help develop strategies and therapies to make life a little easier for both dogs and owners, both now and in the future; it’s your opportunity to contribute.

Further information about the trial, including what is involved and more detailed eligibility criteria, can be found at https://rvc.uk.com/canine-epilepsybehaviour-therapy-trial Questions can be emailed to epilepsyreset@rvc.ac.uk One final note, for anyone who may get involved in any ‘discussion’ of a meat versus vegetable diet, here is a link to a balanced piece, by a US nutritionist, that may provide some useful defence of our sheep industry against some of the myths and mis-information: www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/red-meat-ascapegoat-for-health-and-climate-change-concerns-rodgers/

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

CORRECT

NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL Whether it is beef, sheep or dairy, the success of a breeding enterprise is measured by the number of offspring successfully reared; no pregnancy means no calf, no lamb and no milk.

Getting an animal pregnant is only the start of the journey. Pregnancy can be split into three phases – early, mid and late. Management, especially nutrition, during each phase has an impact on the breeding female and the foetus, an impact that can have lifetime effects.

In the eight weeks before birth there are significant changes in the nutritional demands from the growing foetus, and the mother’s ability to supply this growing demand is stretched. A host of variables influence the future of the foetus, with unmet demands having lifelong negative impacts on the new-born.

Fading away in the last 20m of a 100m race is no use. Correct nutrition in late pregnancy is not only essential to the health and vitality of the progeny but affects the volume and quality of the colostrum that gives ruminants immunity. Energy dense and containing essential growth factors plus the important immunoglobulins, enough colostrum has to be fed soon after birth since both the animal’s ability to absorb IgG and the quality of colostrum available decrease rapidly within 24hours.

The correct balance of minerals and vitamins fed in late pregnancy directly affects the quality of colostrum, which is where the Megastart range comes in. Megastart Ewe & Lamb, Megastart Pre-Calver, Megastart Dry Cow and Megastart Suckler are designed to be fed in the final four to six weeks pre-birth. All contain a high grade MOS (mannanoligosaccharide) and a specific mineral/trace element pack.

Megastart is research proven to increase colostrum volume in cows by 35% and increase IgG in ewes by 15.2% grammes per litre.

GRAZING WANTED FOR SHEEP In East Sussex long or short term.

Call Dan 07772 869645 WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

45

Legal services for farmers & rural businesses Call us today or visit our website:

01227 763939 furleypage.co.uk

NEW FIGURES SHOW IMPACT OF

FLY-TIPPING ACROSS SOUTH EAST

46

As landowners continue to struggle with the costs of illegally dumped waste, DEFRA has released detailed figures showing its impact on boroughs across the South East.

The figures show that incidents of fly-tipping on public land increased by 16% across England in 2020/2021. Councils dealt with 1.13 million fly-tipping incidents during this period as recycling centres shut during the pandemic and enforcement staff in many areas were furloughed.

Significant though the figures are, the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) believes they only tell half of the story, as they only account for waste illegally dumped on public land and then reported to the authorities.

The CLA points out that the majority of fly-tipping incidents occur on privately-owned land, painting an even more damaging picture of the financial burden the practice brings. It says one of its members has been so badly affected that he is facing a bill of over £100,000 to clear up after one particularly shocking incident.

Supporting the rural community for over 230 years We have a real commitment to the rural sector, providing responsive and accessible legal advice to farmers, producers and their suppliers.

If your business needs help with: • Contracts and transactions • Diversification • Property purchase and lease negotiation • Equine law • Employment If you would like help with: • Family law and divorce • Residential conveyancing • Tax planning and trusts • Wills and estate administration

Contact us today Canterbury 01227 643250 Maidstone 01622 698000 Tenterden 01580 765722 enquiries@whitehead-monckton.co.uk www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in England & Wales.

Registered office 5 Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3EN Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279.

SEF1220

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

The CLA, which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, says the situation “highlights the need to change the current fining and imprisonment laws, which are not enforced and do not deter criminals”.

Regional Director Tim Bamford said: “These figures do not tell the full story of this disgraceful behaviour, which blights our beautiful countryside.

“Local authorities tend not to get involved with clearing incidences of fly-tipped waste from private land, leaving the landowner to clean up and foot what is often an extortionate bill. The government figures do not reflect the true scale of the crime because increasing reports of fly-tipping on private rural land are not included.

“Fly-tipping continues to wreck the lives of many of us living and working in the countryside – and significant progress needs to be made to stop it. It’s not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.

“Although the maximum fine for anyone convicted in a Magistrates' Court of fly-tipping is £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, this is rarely enforced.

Unless tougher or more realistic action is taken to combat this kind of rural crime, it will continue to wreak devastation across rural communities. This is why it’s crucial that tougher punishments are imposed by the courts.”

The CLA has produced a five-point action plan to tackle fly-tipping which called on local authorities, the Environment Agency and police forces to commit to stronger action against the increase of fly-tipping on private land.

The CLA believes that each local authority should have a dedicated lead for fly-tipping to aid partnership working.

DEFRA’s detailed figures are available at www.gov.uk/government/ statistics/fly-tipping-in-england/fly-tipping-statistics-for-england2020-to-2021

LEGAL

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL BUSINESS

THE HOT TOPICS FOR 2022 As a new year begins, we take a look at the themes that are likely to be the hot topics in the agriculture and rural sector over the next 12 months. What do rural business owners need to consider as we look ahead to 2022?

SUSTAINABILITY AND SUBSIDIES

The issue of sustainability is not a new one, and we have already seen an increased emphasis on the use of natural solutions such as renewable energy and natural capital in agriculture. This is likely to continue to gather traction in 2022, particularly as we look to world leaders to deliver the outcomes of the recent COP26 summit. The Government has also set out policy changes to support sustainable farming practices in its Agricultural Transition Plan (ATP), which is now entering its second year. The plan directly links sustainability and subsidies, a framework which will affect all farmers.

Spending on Direct Payments will reduce by 15% this year. To alleviate the impact, farmers who currently get payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) may want to take advantage of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which launches as part of the Environmental Land Management scheme. The scheme will pay farmers to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way.

This is one of a number of funding schemes the government is implementing between now and 2027 in its drive towards supporting sustainability.

Rural business owners will need to consider the impact of these new payment schemes and use the ATP to inform future business planning and mitigate the impact of the phase-out of the BPS.

Techniques such as hydroponics and technologies such as vertical farming have already been successfully adopted by some in the sector and are growing in popularity. It is likely that we will continue to see innovation linked with incentives such as these, and again this should inform future business planning.

Business owners who embrace the introduction of new technologies will need to consider the wider implications as well: health and safety, data protection and the impact on their current or future workforce, for example. While there are strong arguments for incorporating AI and automation, there is also a clear argument that introducing new technology without being able to use it to its full capacity is of limited benefit in terms of improving productivity. It is therefore important to recognise that investments in technology need to be accompanied by investments in the workforce, whether that be through training or external recruitment.

RECRUITING FOR THE FUTURE

The combination of Brexit and Covid-19 has hit recruitment across all industries, with few immune to recruitment challenges. Agriculture, in particular, has felt the pinch this year, with the impact of Covid-19 combined with new immigration requirements postBrexit resulting in many foreign workers deciding to return home.

Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, rural business owners need to consider the changing priorities for their workforce. For some time there has been a need for more young people to take up

FARMING TECHNOLOGY AND ‘AGRICULTURE 4.0’

agricultural jobs. The government is addressing this, to some extent, with financial incentives; this year, as part of the ATP, an exit support scheme will offer payments to older famers looking to retire, to allow younger generations to enter the industry.

Alongside government incentives, agricultural employers need to ensure they understand their workforce demographic. Young people entering the job market have different priorities to older generations, with value placed on more than just their pay packet.

There is a need to improve employee wellbeing support across the sector; RABI’s Big Farming Survey in 2021 found that one-third of the farming community is likely to be possibly or probably depressed, with over half experiencing anxiety as well as poor physical health caused by pain and discomfort.

Historical challenges also still need addressing; skills gaps and lack of training, for example, a priority for younger people, who place more importance on personal development. More emphasis on the growing use of technology in agriculture could be one possible solution, showcasing the potential for more highly skilled employment.

While the points above will be familiar to those in the agriculture sector, it is important that they remain high on the agenda for those who want to ensure the longevity of their rural business. A robust and informed business planning process is key to futureproofing a business against potential challenges and is also vital to take advantage of the opportunities that are likely to present themselves over the next 12 months and beyond.

SARAH WEBSTER

Partner, Brachers LLP T: 01622 776458 E: sarahwebster@brachers.co.uk

With the focus on the sustainability agenda comes a focus on new technologies and techniques, including an increase in cross-industry initiatives.

www.brachers.co.uk

Legal services that deliver long-term solutions to support the future of farming Maidstone 01622 690691 Canterbury 01227 949510

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

www.brachers.co.uk hello@brachers.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

47

LAND AND FARMS

48

The government’s long-awaited Environment Bill finally became law in November 2021, nearly three years after the draft legislation was first published. The new Environment Act 2021 stipulates that all new development must deliver a net gain in biodiversity of 10%, either on-site or via offsetting. This is a hugely significant move placing major new duties on landowners, developers and local authorities.

By making net gain a legal requirement from 2023, the Act goes significantly beyond the National Planning Policy Framework, which already calls for plans to deliver biodiversity net gain where possible but sets no target.

Other provisions of particular interest to planning in the Act include: • Setting environmental targets for air quality, water, biodiversity, resource efficiency, waste reduction and soil health and quality.

• A 'policy statement on environmental principles' explaining how the environmental principles should be interpreted and proportionately applied by ministers when making policy.

• Establishing the Office for Environmental Protection, which describes its duty as to "protect and improve the environment by holding government and public authorities to account".

• Local nature recovery strategies covering the whole of England.

• Species conservation strategies and protected site strategies.

• A power for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to amend general duties within the Habitats Regulations.

The environmental targets will be set by regulations, which will specify the standard to be achieved and the date by which it is to be achieved.

DEFRA has consulted on the draft policy statement on environmental principles “which sets out how those five internationally recognised environmental principles should be interpreted and proportionately applied” and a response is now overdue.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN – HOW WILL IT WORK?

From November 2023 all planning permissions larger than household permissions will be required

ENVIRONMENT ACT

GAINS ROYAL ASSENT – WHAT DOES IT MEAN

FOR LANDOWNERS?

to guarantee delivery of 10% biodiversity net gain. There will be a targeted exemption for some brownfield sites. A “mitigation hierarchy” is designed to ensure that damage to the most valuable habitats is avoided, rather than simply offset.

Councils will decide whether or not biodiversity net gain plans proposed by developers are adequate, with gains to be guaranteed for 30 years.

Where there is not scope on site, developers will be able to deliver compensation through local habitat creation, which will carry extra weight if designed in accordance with the local nature recovery strategies also being created by the Act. Delivery of this offsetting provision is to be enforced via conservation covenants, with the Government establishing a publicly available register of compensatory habitat sites.

Where suitable local projects are not available, the Act allows developers to invest in government biodiversity units, nationally created “strategic habitats” managed for biodiversity.

The number of biodiversity units needed for development will depend significantly on the starting state of a site. Brownfield sites and agricultural land have fewer biodiversity units than grassland, woodland and shrub, for example.

Landowners will have an opportunity to sell biodiversity units to developers providing and managing biodiversity enhancements on their land.

In due course DEFRA will consult on regulations underpinning the Act, which will determine the regulation and governance of offsetting and the precise functioning of the proposed conservation covenants.

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

POLICY BEFORE LAW

Many local authorities are already stipulating mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements in bespoke planning policies in advance of the national requirements coming into force. Of those that do, some require no net loss of biodiversity, some require up to 20% net gain and others require additional S106 payments.

Therefore, in many instances those promoting land and gaining planning consent for development already need to factor how they are going to deliver the biodiversity enhancements and the costs involved.

Equally, developers are already considering how much biodiversity will need to be provided on the sites they buy and reflecting it in the price they pay for land.

As an experienced land promoter, Catesby Estates has established partnerships with ecologists and technical consultants and already has extensive experience in ensuring that both existing and emerging biodiversity net gain criteria are appropriately achieved as part of our planning promotions.

Could your land have development potential?

Find out more about land promotion.

ED BARRETT

Associate Director, Planning T: 01926 836910 E: edb@catesbyestates.co.uk W: www.catesbyestates.co.uk

Selling a farm or land?

Contact our experts for accurate & professional help Matthew Braxton 01424 775577 or Russell Parkes 01798 872081 sales@batchellermonkhouse.com

LAND AND FARMS SPONSORED BY BATCHELLER MONKHOUSE

PROPERTIES ATTRACT INTEREST Watsons of Heathfield, like everyone else, saw each property marketed in 2021 attract a huge amount of interest as supply simply did not meet demand, fuelled by factors such as the Stamp Duty holiday on some properties and the desire of many to move to rural areas after lockdown, as well as the pent-up demand it caused.

Although attracting a great deal of buyer interest is not unusual for Watsons when it comes to marketing rural properties and land, last year had an extra level of enthusiasm and competition. The latter was an essential ingredient in achieving the maximum value with any sale, whatever the market conditions.

Despite the problems experienced in 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and landowners wanting to see what, and how, funding will be made available in the future before deciding how to move their business forward, Watsons were again instructed to market an interesting range of rural properties in Sussex and Kent. These included two grassland farms, an attractive Grade II listed farmhouse, two blocks of land of over 60 acres and a farmhouse with an adjoining range of traditional barns.

The first of the farms was a 60-acre holding in a superb rural location near Blackboys and comprised a very well-presented bungalow, good-sized steelframed agricultural barn, large pond, woodland and fields bordered by mature hedges. The second, near Heathfield, totalled 110 acres and comprised two standalone components; the main holding featured a bungalow positioned to take full advantage of the outstanding panoramic views, an attractive traditional dairy building with residential planning permission and about 45 acres of land.

The second part, located within half a mile of the farm, was a south-facing block of 65 acres of primarily grassland, including a former polo field, with views over the Dudwell Valley.

Another much competed for property was a very attractive ‘chocolate box’ Grade II listed farmhouse with stables and pasture in a rural setting on the outskirts of Etchingham, within a mile of the railway station.

Although the property required a considerable amount of work, an extensive and successful advertising campaign by Watsons generated great interest, resulting in multiple offers from cash buyers and an excellent result. A further unusual opportunity presented itself with a 19-acre holding near Berwick overlooking the South Downs, including the iconic Long Man of Wilmington.

The property is approached via a long sweeping drive and the sale comprised a very well presented five-bedroomed character farmhouse set in about half an acre of garden and an adjoining range of traditional barns with residential planning consent for conversion to three further dwellings.

Over the border, near Speldhurst in Kent, was the sale of a block of 63 acres of land that comprised pasture, large areas of woodland and a stable yard.

Available as a whole or in three lots, a considerable amount of interest was shown from those in the neighbouring villages of Speldhurst, Langton and Rusthall, as well as from much further afield. A well-managed sales campaign by Watsons led to a very pleasing result for the vendor.

In addition to other successful sales of both property and land throughout the year, Watsons negotiated a number of off-market sales and purchases for clients. While the demand for property in 2021 was well documented in the media, the already high demand for land/woodland also grew further.

This not only came from the familiar groups of buyers, those wishing to make

> 110 acres at Heathfield

a purchase for agricultural, equestrian or private use, as an extension to or for the protection of their property, but also came from people aiming to capitalise on the increased demand created by the pandemic for uses such as camping/ glamping sites, outdoor event venues and the rapidly expanding number of commercial dog walkers seeking a base for their business.

Bespoke Planning Advice

for your planning journey

CRANBROOK 01580 201888

P O T

CIRENCESTER 01285 323200

office@therpp.co.uk TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

K C I P

www.therpp.co.uk

Chartered Town Planner

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

49

SOUTH EA AST ST FA R M L A N D REVIEW 2 0 2 1 / 2 0 2 2 A SNAP SHOT OF 2021 National Overview

Local Overview

Rural property historically has been seen as the country cousin to the residential and commercial sectors, but the climate change agenda and the growing concerns over food security mean it is now the focus of attention for more buyers than ever.

During 2021 the supply of farmland marketed dipped considerably below the normal national average, but there has been a huge number of new buyers in the market. Launches in the late spring and early summer have taken some time to sell, but in fact the final sales prices have been well in excess of expectations. Interest for the land and farms available has come from a range of potential buyers with wide ranging motives, including lifestyle, rollover and also the environment. By the end of the year our stock levels will be much depleted, but we are busy seeing new properties for launching next year knowing there are still many potential buyers out there.

The numbers of people and businesses now registered with us, with a view to purchasing farmland and forestry, are at unprecedented levels and the simple economics of demand versus supply has led to an increase in values.

Over the next five years we see no reason for this to change and, if the economic headwinds of rising inflation and interest rates play out as expected, farmland’s tendency to act as an inflationary hedge will only add to the interest in this finite asset.

Overall across the South East our buyers have tended to be lifestyle motivated, although depending upon the property there is also interest from the commercial farmer and investor.

As ever, land and farm sales are still taking an enormous amount

-1% supply

£/acre

In the South East of England 5,141 acres of farmland were marketed* during 2021 (to end Sept) compared with 5,194 acres in 2020 (end Sept), an decrease of 1%.

The Savills Farmland Value Survey shows that during the first nine months of 2021 the average value of prime arable land in Great Britain rose by 2.7% to £9,050 per acre. rose by 2.7% to £9,050 per acre.

of time to go through the series of hoops that are necessary when selling a farm and the legal aspect to a sale is now more important than ever. We find that engagement between the selling agent, accountant and solicitor at an early stage, which can be months before the launch date, saves so much time at the other end.

We anticipate 2022 to be a strong year with a greater choice of property available to buy. A likely rise in inflation is going to be a challenge to the property markets in general, but historically the farmland market has often been contra-cyclical to general financial markets.

“The numbers of people and businesses now registered with us, with a view to purchasing farmland and forestry, are at unprecedented levels”

8% of farmland The South East of England accounted for 8% of farmland marketed* in England during 2021 (to end Sept).

* Source: Savills research - Lowland farms/farmland over 50 acres with VP marketed in national/regional press and online (since beginning 2013)

26% In 2021 (to end Sept) Savills had a 26% market share in the South East of England having advertised* 1,355 acres of farmland.

Savills Sevenoaks 01732 879050 sevenoaks@savills.com

SAVILLS ADDING VALUE

SOLD

SOLD

Bramling Court Farm, Wingham, Kent 514 acres | Guide £6.2 million

SOLD

Owletts Farm, Ashurst Wood, West Sussex 223 acres | Guide £1.9 million

UNDER OFFER

SOLD

Barelands Farm, Bells Yew Green, Kent 178 acres | Guide £3.6 million

Land off Sedgwick Lane, Horsham, West Sussex 59.84 acres | Guide £475,000

UNDER OFFER

Ansty Farm, Ansty, West Sussex 97 acres | Guide £2.25 million

Sandhurst Farm, Lamberhurst, Kent 223 acres | Guide £5.25 million

For a free market appraisal, with no obligation, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team.

Chris Spofforth Director 07812 965379 cspofforth@savills.com

Richard Mann Associate 07967 555862 rmann@savills.com

Stacey Wait Rural Agency Assistant 01722 426839 stacey.wait@savills.com

Geoff Jones Associate Director 01962 857441 geoffrey.jones@savills.com

David Cross Head of Rural Agency - South 01722 426813 dcross@savills.com

Alex Lawson Head of UK Rural Agency 020 7409 8882 alawson@savills.com

savills.co.uk

LAND AND FARMS

FLEXING YOUR EASEMENTS With building plots in ever short supply and developers increasingly dependent on sites owned by third parties for services and access, the ability to affect an alteration of rights over neighbouring land could be vital, says commercial property specialist Alex Walsh.

Alex, a partner at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, says failure to tackle ‘easement’ issues – the right of one landowner to make use of another nearby piece of land for the benefit of his own land – could prevent or hinder a proposed development.

He says not affecting the alteration could affect access over the land, or access to lay and use services such as gas, water, and electricity.

“In the first instance, the party proposing to develop should check the Deed of Grant or Transfer which created the rights and discover their extent and who might exercise them,” said Alex.

“It is important to consider all potential beneficiaries as there may have been a sale of part of the benefiting land creating more parties using the rights.

“Where such rights exist, but are not exercised, it may be possible to negotiate the release of the right with the owner of the benefiting land. This will usually require the payment of a sum of money in exchange for the release.”

Alex says it is also prudent to consider incorporating a so-called lift and shift provision within the agreement that would require the land burdened by the rights to require the ‘benefiting landowner’ to alter the right where the ‘burdened landowner’ requires it.

“This could be varying the right of way for example with a temporary access route while the new access is being constructed, or the payment of

compensation to the ‘benefiting landowner’ for any temporary loss of amenities.

“In the absence of a lift and shift provision, a decision needs to be made whether the site is adequate for the proposed development with the existing rights in place. If not, this may be a reason to withdraw from a purchase.”

If negotiations are successful or a lift and shift provision exists and is exercised, the right must be amended formally and noted at HM Land Registry either by a surrender of the original deed and regrant of the right, or by a deed of variation which would vary the existing deed.

WATSONS COUNTRY PROPERTY AGENTS AUCTIONEERS

CHARTERED SURVEYORS VALUERS EST. 1873

CLEAR AND RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT BERWICK LD

ETCHINGHAM LD

SO

SO

19 ACRE FARM

SO

11 ACRES

HEATHFIELD D OL

HEATHFIELD D OL

S

110 ACRE FARM

60 ACRE FARM

SPELDHURST/LANGTON D OL

S

BLACKBOYS LD

S

63 ACRES

65 ACRES

THINKING OF SELLING - CONTACT US NOW FOR A FREE MARKET APPRAISAL

Tel: 01435 865077 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

The Estate Office - Burwash Road, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8RA www.watsonsestates.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

53

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Industrial & Commercial | Structural Steelwork | Agricultural & Equestrian

G. J. ELGAR

CONSTRUCTION Ltd

Shufflebottom Agricultural Buildings Steel-frame buildings for your farm + Supply only or supply & erect + Construction all over the UK + Award winning company

• • • • • • •

54

Steel frame buildings Sheeting and cladding Guttering and repairs Groundworks and drainage Demolition and asbestos removal Refurbishment and change of use Concrete frame and steel frame repairs • Insurance and general repairs • Concrete floor and block paving

Strength, Security, Style Contact us for a free quotation 01269 831831 enquiry@shufflebottom.co.uk www.shufflebottom.co.uk Shufflebottom Ltd Cross Hands Business Park, Cross Hands, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA14 6RE

www.gjelgarconstruction.co.uk For more information contact us: t: 01233 623739 m: 07860 414227 e: simon@gjelgarconstruction.co.uk

G.E.WHITE & SONS Ltd

Based in Lewes, East Sussex

AGRICULTURAL, EQUESTRIAN & INDUSTRIAL STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS We supply CONCRETE PANELS – Any size to suit your needs

formabuild.co.uk

 Office 01273 492404 � info@formabuild.co.uk  www.formabuild.co.uk We specialise in the supply and construction of steel framed buildings together with the repair and refurbishment of existing farm buildings.

Based in the heart of Sussex, covering the South East.

Sussex builders since at least 1605.

Forma offer all aspects of steel framed construction and cladding together with groundworks and electrical fit out if required.

All our buildings are

marked

“You tried the others, now try the brothers”

All our panels are marked

All aspects of steel work, cladding & groundwork.

Family run business with 45 years experience.

100% British designed & built

Over 35 Year’s experience

Site visits Call to arrange a site survey

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

All refurbishments & repairs undertaken.

Call for a free quote today.

Gary White 07812 599679 Jason White 07941 274751

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION Supplying profiled roofing products to contractors, builders and farmers

ĺѴ-m;v1omv|u 1ঞomĺ1oĺ h -m;v omv|u 1ঞom bv - =-lbѴ u m 0 vbm;vv b|_ o ;u ƓƔ ;-uv o= ; r;ub;m1; bm |_; bm7 v|u ĺ ); -u; 0-v;7 bm -bѴv_-lķ -v| " vv; -m7 1o ;u -ѴѴ o= |_; "o |_ -v|ĺ

visit www.southernsheeting.co.uk for our full range or call 01342 315 300 to speak to our friendly sales team NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

•

LARGE RANGES IN STOCK

We are specialists in: ]ub1 Ѵ| u-Ѵķ ;t ;v|ub-m -m7 Ѵb]_| bm7 v|ub-Ѵ 0 bѴ7bm]vĺ mŊ_o v; =-0ub1-ঞom -m7 rѴ-mmbm] v;u b1;vĺ

Call us today: 01323 848684 Or send an email: denis@lanesconstruction.co.uk

ENWARD

S3111 SS SE Farmers ad 93x60mm.indd 1

17/12/2020 15:27

ALL RISKS LTD ASBESTOS ROOF REMOVALS

Kenward Construction based in Horsham, West Sussex offer a full design and build service for your next steel framed building including composite cladding, concrete panels, roller shutter doors and bespoke designs to meet individual planning conditions.

Kenward Construction also offer a wide range of services offering a truly one stop shop for your next farm building project. Demolition, plant hire, access roads, drainage, sewage treatment plants, rainwater harvesting, biobed wash downs, paving, concrete foundations / slabs, walling and site landscaping.

Arrange a site visit with one of our contracts managers to discuss your project in more detail by emailing enquiries@kenwardgroundworks.co.uk or call 01403 210218

www.kenwardgroundworks.co.uk

Asbestos roof sheeting removals Asbestos encapsulation Asbestos fire damage, clearance & re-instatement works Asbestos clearance & de-contamination Asbestos disposals by licenced registered company New metal roofs installed over old asbestos roofs Roof light & sheet repairs Gutter repairs Gutter replacements & re-lining Strip & refurbishment works Change of use projects Demolition & Groundworks

55

Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT!

FREEPHONE: 01233 659129

from BT land-line

charlie.woodger@btinternet.com

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

®

CONSTRUCTION

Agriculture ~ Cold Storage ~ Equestrian ~ Industrial ~ Waste Recycling • Agricultural Buildings • Cold Store Buildings • Equestrian Buildings • Industrial Buildings • Waste Recycling Buildings TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

01323 890403 www.danddconstruction.co.uk info@danddconstruction.co.uk

• Structural Steel • Drawing Services • Design Services • Mezzanine Floors • Custom Steelwork

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION

JPR ROOFING & CLADDING…

SHORTLAND STRUCTURES LTD

Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

• STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS • CLADDING • ERECTING • • EXTENSIONS • ALTERATIONS • CONCRETE PANELS • ROLLER/SLIDING/PERSONNEL DOORS • Tel: 01732 460912 Mobile: 07976 287836 Email: sales@shortlandstructures.com

www.shortlandstructures.com

FREEPHONE: 0800 756 9886 MOBILE: 07813 142 145

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

from BT land-line

Covering Kent, East/West Sussex and the South East

®

NEXTGEN CLADDING LTD ROOFING & CLADDING

…

Specialists in: FIRE,FLOOD & STORM DAMAGE

Including:

56

• Sheeting & Cladding to New & Existing Buildings • Roof repairs, Replacements and over sheeting • Insulated or single skin plastic coated sheeting in a wide range of colours • Concrete fibre sheeting, Big 6 profile etc • Asbestos sheeting removal & disposal, using registered waste carrier • Valley gutters, concrete or metal, repaired or re-lined • Roof lights replaced or covered • Maintenance Programmes to avoid the problems that occur with neglect • Conversions & extensions to existing buildings • Groundworks, Access Roads, Drives, concrete bases, Drainage etc

…

Including: • • • • •

24 Hour Call out service Making site/building/premises safe Structural safety assessment Emergency clear-up operations Emergency procedures to reduce impact on your business or premises • Demolition/site clearance • Asbestos removal/clearance & disposal, using registered waste carrier • Re-instatement works • Insurance Claims ALL WORKS GUARANTEED

Penfold’s commercial, agricultural and residential building specialists with over 40 years experience METAL ROOFING

Quality of work Reliability and honesty Unbeatable on price

Specialist in the Agricultural, Industrial and Equestrian sectors.

CLADDING

– Composite cladding – Metal cladding – Fibre cement cladding – Timber cladding

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

– Removal – Disposal – Surveys

07864 823 476 07889 481618 Nextgen Cladding Ltd

Website coming soon

Steel frame supply and erect or just supply.

A1 Installations

Sheeting, cladding and oversheeting.

ALUMINIUM GUTTERING SPECIALISTS

Gutter replacement, repairs and lining.

Steel frame, concrete frame alterations and repairs.

Asbestos removal.

Roof light and sheet changes.

Refurbishments and usage changes.

Demolition, groundworks and site clearance.

24 hour call out in the event of fire or break in.

Roller shutters, sliding and personnel doors.

01227 918723

07784 619603

jez@JRJconstruction.co.uk

www.JRJconstruction.co.uk

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

– Standing seam – Snaplock systems – Aluminium – Zinc – Copper

LEAKING GUTTERING? Seamless aluminium guttering and gutter linings for all concrete, asbestos and metaI valley gutters. Ideal for Atcost, Crendan and Tyler type barns.

t: t:01787 01787474217 474217 07900920023 920023 m:m:07900 a1dave@hotmail.co.uk e: e: a1dave@hotmail.co.uk

WE OPERATE NATIONWIDE

The material has a life expectancy in excess of 30 years.

Please call or email for a free quote.

www.a1installations.co.uk

DOMESTIC • INDUSTRIAL • NEW BUILD • AGRICULTURAL

S W ATTWOOD & PART

LAND DRAINAGE

   

FIELD MAPPING CONSTRUCTION

 FIELD MAPPING CONTRACTORS  DRAINAGE SURVEYING  DESIGN SWA  DRAINAGE S W ATTWOOD & PARTNERS FROM £220 PER ACRE LAND DRAINAGE

DRAINAGE SURVEYING DESIGN DRAINAGE

FARM BUILDING REPAIRS FROM £220 PER ACRE

LAND DRAINAGE CLASSIFIEDS SW ATTWOOD & PARTNERS

S W ATTWOOD & PARTNERS

REFURBS, BIG 6 ROOF SHEETS, ROOF LIGHTS, RIDGES, VERGES, VALLEY GUTTERS, BOX GUTTERS, BOUNDARY GUTTERS, ASBESTOS, SHEETING Single Sheet To Whole Roof Roller Shutters Accidental or Storm Damage Works Demolition Refurbishments Waste Clearances

LAND DRAINAGE

   

FIELD MAPPING DRAINAGE SURVEYING DESIGN DRAINAGE

FROM £220 PER ACRE ALL WORKSFOR KENT & SUSSEX FURTHER INFORMATION

Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR

CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT! WEBSITE:

FREEPHONE: 01233 659129 PHONE: 01795 880441

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION • FIELD MAPPING • DRAINAGE SURVEYING PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR • DESIGN • DRAINAGE EMAIL: james@swattwood.com WEBSITE: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION from BT land-line

charlie.woodger@btinternet.com

www.attwoodfarms.com CONTRACTORS PHONE: 01795 880441

PLEASE CONTACT JAMES OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TOM: 01795 880441 or 07943 192383

EMAIL: james@swattwood.com EMAIL: james@swattwood.com GRAIN STORAGE & TESTING

 G & S BROWN 57  LANDwww.swjfattwood.com DRAINAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Drainage Contractors  PLANT HIRE OUR PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT Working with farmers since 1947 INERT TIPPING WEBSITE:  ● LAND DRAINAGE  GRAIN STORAGE & ● DITCHING  CLAY SALES ● POND WORK PHONE: 01795 880441

www.attwoodfarms.

POST BANGER  4 way tilt. Quick fencer will take 2x 500m

● WATER SUPPLIES ● SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS ● GROUNDWORKS ● PLANT HIRE 360° EXCAVATORS

rolls of stock netting and 2x 200m barbed EMAIL: james@swattwood.com wire. Hire separately or together.

  

LAND DRAINAGE PLANT HIRE

POST BANGER £75 PER DAY INERT TIPPING www.attwoodfarms.com QUICK FENCER £70 PER DAY

FOR ESTIMATES & ENQUIRIES

(01622) 890884

Call Chris on 07930 410722

CLAY SALES

 GRAIN STORAGE & TESTING  in South LAND To advertise EastDRAINAGE Farmer telephone01303 233883 PLANT HIRE  INERT TIPPING CROP DRYING  CLAY SALES

Email: info@brownsdrainage.co.uk

www.brownsdrainage.co.uk

LAND DRAINAGE, EARTHWORKS, GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION

®

FULL LAND DRAINAGE SERVICE sportsfields, amenity and irrigation systems using Mastenbroek trenchers PONDS, LAKES & RESERVOIRS construction and maintenance GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION primary excavations, aggregate sub-base, agricultural construction and concreting

ENVIRONMENTAL HABITATS water course maintenance and improvement works

For all enquiries call 01233 860404 07770 867625 (Harvey) or 07768 115849 (Dave)

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Manufacturers of centrifugal, low volume and portable fans, air tunnels, drive over floors, grain stirrers and gas burners ®

PELLCROFT www.pellcroft.com | sales@pellcroft.com | 01526 342466 WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

CLASSIFIEDS

MACHINERY FOR HIRE

HIRE SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST • Toilets & Showers for hire • Large range of Temporary canteens, stores & welfare units • Effluent Tank Emptying

Battle Mowers Ltd ALLETT

R

NEW AND SECOND-HAND MACHINES AVAILABLE

Servicing to all makes of machines and parts supplied.

• Events also catered for with chillers & toilets

FOUR JAYS GROUP

Tel: 01622 843135 Fax: 01622 844410 enquiries@fourjays.co.uk www.fourjays.co.uk

FENCING

Unit 15-19 Vinehall Business Park, Vinehall Road, Mountfield, East Sussex TN32 5JW

01424 773096

www.battlemowers.co.uk

PRESSURE WASHERS

Manufacturers of Chestnut Fencing Products Hardwood gates

58

Cleft post and rail

SALES

Stakes and posts

SERVICE

Chestnut fencing

CWP fenci f n ng

Tel: 07985298221 www.cwpfencing.co.uk

HIRE 01825 705777

Redhill Farm Services: Fencing Division

ALL TYPES OF FENCING & GATES

Supplied and erected & Repairs

Unit 4, 72 Bell Lane Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1QL enquiries@pressureclean.co.uk

ties and long term relationship with the leading manufacturers

STORAGE TANKS KING

Tel: 01737 821220 Mob: 07768 931891 Email: redhillfarmservices@gmail.com

STORAGE TANKS Don’t run short of fuel this Winter!

Buy or Hire a storage tank from Kings.

HAULIERS 07860 728204 Hay & Straw Merchant | Machinery Haulage

We are a leading supplier and an approved repair centre With 50 years trading in the cleaning industry. With our strong

4500L – 38,600L Bunded Fuel Tanks c/w cabinet, gauge and alarm 2730L – 54,500L horiz/cyl Water Tanks single or twin comp. with cradles

Tel 01638 712328

tanks@thekinggroup.co.uk

®

HAY & STRAW IN STOCK | ROUND & BIG SQUARE BALES

Find us on Facebook

JANUARY 2022 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

CLASSIFIEDS FROM £65 To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

CROSSWORD ®

VINEYARDS

COMPLETE OUR CROSSWORD TO WIN Booze free Biddenden box

1

2

3

4

5

8

6

ACROSS

7

9 10

11

12

13

16

14

15

17

18

22

23

24

26

27

What is left (9) Fabric (5) In large quantities (9) Noise made by chickens (5) Extinct flightless bird (4) Exhibit (7) Propose (3,3,8) Someone who attacks a ship (6) Promise (6) Gourmet (7) Sticky substance (4) Crustacean (9) Wooden board fixed to internal wall (8) Fencing sword (4)

1 2 3 4 6 7 10 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24

Move back (6) Small motorcycle (5) Metal (4) Hate (7) Electrical device (5) Type of tomato (7) Hint (4) Outer finish of a vehicle (9) Rubbish (3) Garden building (4) Beer (3) Receptacle for money (5) Hair product (3) Interfere (6) Operator of an aircraft (5) Metal milk container (5) Prickly bush with yellow flowers (5)

DOWN

19 20

21

1 5 8 9 11 12 13 16 18 21 24 26 27 28

28

Crossword by Rebecca Farmer, Broadstairs, Kent

PRIZE ANAGRAM: Required nutrients (5,8)

To enter, simply unscramble the

anagram (5,8) using

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: 1

VINEYARDS

If dry January is on the cards we’re

the green squares.

offering readers the chance to win a

Email your replies with your name,

booze free Biddenden box. For more

address and phone number to

information about the vineyards,

sef.ed@kelsey.co.uk Correct entries will be entered into a draw which will take place on 24 Janaury. The winner will be announced in the February edition.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

59

S

C

C 8

A

D

G R

*Subject to availability

I

E

V R

A

V

N L

F

I

S

G

17

R I

L

G

I A

P

S

T

E

I

I

N

D

10

T

S

T

O

E R

H

I

I

R

N N

G

T

A

7

E

S

X T

Y

R

G

E

N

T

S

U

23

18

O

L

B 22

S

M 15

C

K

L

E

V

19

S

H

B

O

R

N

T

O M

I

S

A

A

L

T

N 27

A

6

L

O 21

S P

A

9

O

E

26

H

5

S

T 12

Y

4

T

S

P

call 01580 291726.

G

3

13

16

www.biddendenvineyards.com or

B

R

14

please visit

A

N

L 11

2

E

R

I P

D

E

20

E 24

C

L

S

B

E

I

S

H

O

N

E

I

N

V Y

28

E

P

G A

S

E

Correct answer: Leptospirosis LAST MONTH’S WINNER: Liz Kempner from Lingfield, Surrey

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | JANUARY 2022

2022

For viticulturists in Great Britain In association with

2 2 0 2 N I S U N I JO

23rd November 2022 Kent Event Centre, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF

FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE TEAM:

Event Director Sarah Calcutt 07827 642396 Booking enquiries Jamie McGrorty 01303 233883

Sponsored by

Vitifruit Equipment Sales and Hire