South East Farmer April 2021

®

Est 1982

April 2021

CHEMICAL FREE IS “NO SACRIFICE” HOW A NEW APPROACH IS HELPING A KENT FRUIT GROWER BOOST PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVE QUALITY AND REDUCE COSTS

WHAT COULD YOUR LAND BE WORTH?

INSIDE

• Transition: 7 years to change?

• Nigel Akehurst visits Knepp Estate

Join our webinar on 22 April.

See page 10

• Drying grain quickly and efficiently • AHDB latest

Farming is changing like never before.

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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

A PRIL 2021

CONTENTS

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

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PRINTING Precision Colour Print

Kelsey Media 2020 © 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.

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Cover picture: Loddington Farm © Martin Apps

NEWS & REPORTS

SFI pilot scheme latest.

AHDB levy roundup.

Good news from the budget.

Could your land have development potential?

REGULARS

FEATURES 22

LODDINGTON FARM Drastically cutting back on the use of chemicals on his land has not only improved the health of James Smith’s soil but has done wonders for his own vitality, too.

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PRESSURE CLEAN

12 16

ANITA HEAD MONICA AKEHURST

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STEPHEN CARR

attention to detail, is keeping one of the

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ADVICE FROM THE VET

cleaning equipment as busy as ever.

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50 www.kelsey.co.uk

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the same focus on customer service and

Cow cuddling is the new goat yoga.

MARKET REPORTS ALAN WEST

Lambing time and new life.

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NICK ADAMES

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LEGAL

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New premises and new models, allied to

Enough to make farmers give up.

LAND AND FARMS

South East’s leading suppliers of premier

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TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

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HARVEST INSTALLATIONS Being able to dry grain quickly and efficiently is vital, particularly when changing weather patterns are making harvests unpredictable at best.

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OP IN IO N

Transition?

I’ll drink to that

4

Over the past couple of decades I have been surprised to see that CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale, but I guess you all knew that) still exists, and, indeed, is thriving.

With virtually every pub in the land selling real ales (albeit outside and not before 12 April, as things stand), it seems odd that we still have a campaign to save it. Not that I have anything against CAMRA. As a real ale enthusiast who is old enough to remember the likes of Red Barrel, Trophy Bitter and Double Diamond, I fully support its fantastic achievement.

The resurgence of real ale, in large part due to the 50 years of campaigning on its behalf, is one of those things that, in time, became inevitable. I’m not sure at what point in the past half century it happened, but the moment arrived when we all realised that finding a pub not selling real ale (not that anyone would want to) was virtually impossible.

That same inevitability now seems to be affecting the way farmers work the land, at least here in the South East, with the move towards reduced inputs, minimum tillage and the other hallmarks of ‘regenerative’ (but as James Smith from Loddington Farm suggests in this edition, let’s not get bogged down with terminology) farming.

The writing was perhaps on the wall when the NFU voluntarily undercut the Government’s own net zero carbon aspirations by ten years, announcing that agriculture would meet the deadline by 2040.

In this issue we highlight the changes made not just at Loddington Farm, where James is heading rapidly towards chemical-free orchards, but at Knepp Estate in West Sussex, a pioneer in ‘rewilding’ that has been so successful that the husband and wife team behind it now plans to open a companion regenerative farm.

The good news, at least in James’ experience, is that farmers that are adopting this new approach aren’t doing so purely because their conscience tells them the soil needs a break, or because of some airy-fairy philosophy.

In James’ case, cutting back on chemicals and changing his practices has boosted productivity, improved quality and reduced costs.

So why isn’t everyone doing it? Well, perhaps they soon will, just as we all drink real ale these days.

This edition of South East Farmer looks at the whole issue of ‘transition’ and how farmers will need to adapt over the coming years as the Basic Payment Scheme is replaced by funding that supports a broad range of public goods, beginning with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, also highlighted in this issue.

It contains much food for thought and focuses on a number of areas of ‘new’ thinking that may well turn out to be mainstream practice within a very short MALCOLM TRIGGS - EDITOR while. Cheers!

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

COMMITMENT TO STANDARDS

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has again stressed his commitment to defending the UK’s world-leading standards on animal welfare and the environment.

During a video address to the NFU’s annual conference he offered “heartfelt thanks” to farmers and growers for keeping the nation fed during the previous, pandemic-hit, 12 months before promising that “in all our trade negotiations, we won’t compromise on high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards”.

He concluded by announcing: “Now is the time to embrace a new modern age for farming, building on what we do best, with high quality produce made to a high standard, while at the same time harnessing all that farming can do to protect nature and tackle climate change as we look forward to COP26 in Glasgow this November.”

CHECK EU WORKFORCE

HAS SETTLED STATUS

Dairy farmers have been reminded that they must make sure any EU citizens they employ have applied to stay in the UK under the Settled Status Scheme so that workers don’t find themselves unlawfully resident and deported.

Following Brexit, all EU Citizens must apply under the scheme by 30 June 2021 for the right to continue to live and work in the country – or risk being deported.

Applying for settled status is free and open to nationals from the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who are already resident in the UK. Successful applicants will be given settled status if they have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period or pre-settled status if they have been here for less time than that; this can be converted into settled status once they have passed the five-year mark.

Receiving settled or pre-settled status allows applicants to work in the UK, access health care, social services, study and claim any benefits for which they are eligible.

Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers Managing Director Matt Knight has encouraged farmers to check their foreign workers have applied for the scheme sooner rather than later.

“It is important that dairy farmers employing EU nationals make sure they have applied for the scheme by 30 June. It is expected there will be a big rush of applications over the next few months and there could also be a backlog because of Covid-19, so I would encourage you to do that now.

“If one of your EU workers fail to apply by the deadline, they will become an unlawful resident in the UK and could be asked to return back to their home country.” www.gov.uk/eusettledstatus

NEWS

DEFRA is inviting farmers to bid to take part in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot due to begin this October.

The SFI is the first level in a tiered system of Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMS) that will pay farmers for producing public goods such as cleaner water, cleaner air and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

With expressions of interest opening in mid-March, the department has confirmed that the pilot will combine a payment for land management actions with a participation rate for the work and costs associated with taking part in “learning activities”, paid monthly in arrears.

The initiative will be piloted with an initial group of “several hundred” farmers and then rolled out to farmers who currently receive Basic Payments in March 2022.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told the NFU’s annual conference in October that the SFI pilot would build on what the department had learned through the ELMS test and trials which started in 2018.

DEFRA said it wants the SFI “to be straightforward enough that a farmer can make an application and start their agreement just by using guidance on www.gov.uk, rather than needing separate advice”, adding: “An important point of piloting will be to test whether this is true in practice.”

Pilot scheme farmers must receive Basic Payments and be registered with the Rural Payments Agency, enter fields that are not covered by an existing agri-environment agreement and have management control of the land for the duration of the pilot.

DEFRA has said: “Pilot participants will be asked to take part in a range of co-design activities, providing rapid feedback on their experience of all aspects of

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PRODUCE PUBLIC GOODS the process - from pre-application to implementing their agreements. This will ensure the scheme is fully workable and user-friendly once fully rolled out from 2024.”

George Eustice commented: "The ethos at the heart of our future policy is to support the choices of individual farm enterprises.

“The Sustainable Farming Incentive will support the environment and promote animal welfare. It will reward approaches to farm husbandry such as encouraging integrated pest management, improving soil health and enhancing hedgerows.

“Assets that were previously dubbed ‘ineligible features’ will finally have their value recognised and rewarded. I would encourage farmers to engage in this pilot to help us design the new scheme."

Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers Managing Director Matt Knight encouraged his members to sign-up, stressing: “The pilot must contain a mix of farm types and … we must have a fair number of dairy farmers from a mix of different systems represented.” He added: “This is our one chance to help shape how future support payments will work.”

The NFU has said it wants the SFI to be taken up by most English farms and “looks forward to seeing further details as soon as they are available to ensure potential applicants for the pilot are able to make informed business decisions”.

It added: “This first phase of the pilot only includes

eight standards, so it is important that further development phases include areas such as net zero and animal health and welfare. It’s also crucial that these standards are not too prescriptive. Every farm business is unique and the scheme needs to be structured so that it offers something for every farmer.

“Most importantly of all, the scheme needs to enable farmers to run profitable businesses. The pilot must be used to ensure the scheme is engaging, simple to enter and deliver and operates effectively alongside productive food production.

“We understand the pilot is very much a work in progress and it is imperative that DEFRA uses it to work with farmers to test and develop a scheme that works and is accessible to all farm businesses.”

Farmers who aren’t eligible for, or don’t claim, BPS, are set to be included in a later phase. DEFRA has said further information on the other two ELM schemes, focusing on local nature recovery and landscape recovery, will be shared later this year.

The National Sheep Association also greeted last week’s announcement with enthusiasm and is encouraging eligible sheep farmers to sign up.

Chief Executive Phil Stocker said: “NSA has been working with DEFRA, alongside a number of organisations involved in agriculture and the environment to reach this stage and will continue to work tirelessly to support the development over the coming months and years.”

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

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AHDB LATEST

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A group of growers that previously called for AHDB Horticulture to be reprieved but restructured is now calling for the seemingly doomed organisation to be replaced.

With the recent vote going against the continuation of the levy and Environment Secretary George Eustice promising to ”respect the outcome of that ballot”, the Growers’ Better Levy Group (GBLG) is determined to ensure it is replaced with a modernised but similarly levy-funded organisation.

The group, which includes Kent growers Tom Hulme, of AC Hulme & Sons, and Marion Regan, of Hugh Lowe Farms, is calling for “a world leading service which returns significant and measurable benefits to levy paying investors in the challenging and fast evolving horticultural sector”.

GBLG members are particularly concerned that growers – particularly smaller businesses - will struggle without a centralised organisation that can fund, promote and share research and development and support growers across the country.

Tom Hulme pointed out: “Research is critical to the future of the industry”, adding that the fruit sector’s experience in tackling the threat posed by the spotted winged drosophila, which appeared in 2012 and attacked healthy fruit, was a good example of the need for co-ordinated, well-funded research.

REPLACEMENT LEVY

GROUP ESSENTIAL “We are now facing a similar threat from the brown marmorated stink bug,” he went on.

“Without centralised research and a reliable delivery mechanism I fear for our ability to cope as an industry. Some of the larger growers may feel they can deal with these challenges themselves, but smaller ones will miss out.

“The other problem is that without a well-funded central organisation paying for research to be carried out, the bodies that currently carry out this research will simply disappear, and then even the larger growers will have nowhere to turn. We need to protect our existing research capabilities and we need to do this via a centralised organisation.

“The GBLG respects the outcome of the vote but feels that the ballot became a vote on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board itself, rather than being about the levy. We believe that a properly structured new body with a similar remit but with more input from growers is essential

to the future of the sector.

“The levy system needs modernising and it needs to be flexible. Any new organisation needs to be grower-led and transparent, but we have to find a way forward and we have to do it quickly. This is a critical period and we have to keep our research capability in place. We also need to continue business-critical work on plant protection products and services.”

The GBLG, which sees itself as providing “independent, strategic thought leadership to unite the industry,” has suggested using a Statutory Instrument to create a body that can “deliver a system of co-operation for the benefit of all growers” and “inspire the wider industry to meet the enormous challenges that lie ahead”.

It plans to canvass fellow growers and other stakeholders, including crop associations, research providers and government bodies, to evaluate views and identify a consensus position.

DECISION ON FUTURE ROLE The AHDB potato levy faces a similar fate to the horticulture levy after the sector also voted against its continuation.

The yes/no vote on the continuation of a statutory levy in the sector began in mid-February on the basis of one levy payer, one vote. UK Engage, which again administered the process, has now revealed that the vote against continuing the levy was 66.4%, compared with 33.6% of growers and buyers who wanted it to continue. The overall voter turnout was 64 %, with 1,196 eligible votes cast.

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

AHDB Chair Nicholas Saphir said he was “deeply disappointed”, adding: “The voting information reported by UK Engage shows that a clear majority of the potato industry feels they are not getting enough value from the current levy set-up.

“It is now down to Ministers to weigh up all the various factors about the GB potato industry and make a decision on the future role of a statutory potato levy.”

AHDB LATEST

Campaigners who rallied fellow growers to vote against the compulsory levy on horticulture have reacted angrily to suggestions that growers could still be charged a levy for the 2021/22 financial year.

The so-called AHDB Petitioners are concerned at industry speculation that the amount of Parliamentary time required to amend the statutory instrument means that the legal basis for the compulsory levy may not be repealed before the end of the current financial year.

One of the three, Simon Redden, commented: “Despite receiving an income from growers of around £7 million last year and sitting on reserves of £5 million, AHDB Horticulture is now suggesting that it needs another £7 million from hard-pressed growers to wind-up its operations, at a time when some of the largest names in horticultural production are sadly closing their businesses or completely changing their cropping patterns to cope in an increasingly cut-throat sector.

“It is not as if AHDB have not been aware that the vote could see the abolition of the levy. If they don’t have contingency plans to this effect, it further questions the validity of an organisation

Environment Secretary George Eustice appears to have sounded the death knell for AHDB Horticulture, despite efforts by board chairman Nicholas Saphir to throw it a lifeline.

The national ballot on the future of the compulsory levy by which the horticulture arm of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is funded produced a 61% to 39% vote in favour of scrapping it.

Poll organisers UK Engage, though, then analysed the vote according to the value of levy paid, suggesting that by this measure 57% of those taking part wanted it to continue.

While Mr Saphir said that this different interpretation highlighted “a very complex picture”, Mr Eustice made his position clear when he told the annual National Farmers’ Union online conference

ANGER TOWARDS LEVY SUGGESTIONS that continually lectures farmers and growers on becoming more commercial.”

Vegetable grower Peter Thorold described it as “no more than a cynical ploy by the AHDB to try and cling to power for another year when growers have voted to abolish their sector.

“The fact that AHDB waited for 3½ months from our request for a ballot before instigating the ballot was just a foot dragging exercise, and this latest action suggests that AHDB is simply unable to accept the clear ‘no’ vote by levy payers.”

DEATH KNELL SOUNDED that the vote against the levy had been clear.

He told delegates he would be making “a swift decision” on the AHDB ballot “in the coming weeks”, continuing: “It is pretty clear there is a very straight result. Some of the larger horticultural producers were more supportive of maintaining the current turnover levy, but there was a clear majority against, so we will respect the outcome of that ballot.”

Spalding-based flower grower Simon Redden, one of the growers who called for a no vote on the horticulture levy, welcomed Mr Eustice’s comments.

“It is refreshing to hear someone agree with us that the result of the ballot, in which 61% of growers

voted to abolish the levy, is straightforward,” he said. “Since the result was published, too many people have tried to spin the result based on the amount of levy paid, something which we are pleased to see DEFRA has not tried to do.”

Mr Eustice confirmed that while some AHDB services may be retained for those who want them, the current compulsory levy on all horticultural businesses would end. He said: “There are things that the AHDB does that are widely valued by the horticulture sector, particularly their work on authorisations. We’re exploring a range of different options so we can keep those elements.”

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7

The budget unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the beginning of March brought good news for farming businesses and landowners.

While those who have diversified into tourism and hospitality will have welcomed news that the 5% reduced rate of VAT is to stay until September, farm businesses with an eye on the future face a favourable tax regime if they choose to invest over the next two years.

Meanwhile the decision to keep Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax at their current levels until 2026 will have come as a relief to those with assets to dispose of.

Catherine Vickery, associate director at Old Mill agricultural accountants, explained that the super deduction and loss relief schemes announced in the spring budget gave agricultural businesses “a prime opportunity to invest” over the next two years, ahead of increases in Corporation Tax that will affect those making significant profits.

“From 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023, limited companies investing in new kit – be it a new piece of machinery or a parlour - will be able claim 130% super-deduction capital allowance,” she said.

Ms Vickery added that while farmers investing in integral features such as plumbing and electrical installations in agricultural buildings would still be able to claim up to £1 million under the Annual Investment Allowance each year at 100%, “under the new super-deduction, everything over and above that is now also eligible for a 50% first-year allowance for these special rate assets – up from 8%”.

While welcoming other aspects of the announcement, NFU President Minette Batters said it was “disappointing that the super-deduction on machinery investment is only applicable to limited companies and not available to all businesses, especially when significant investment in new farm technology is required”.

The Tenant Farmers’ Association has since announced that it is working with the NFU, County Landowners’ Association, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and accounting bodies to ask why the limitation has been put in place.

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NEW FACES IN

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Photo: ©HM Treasury/flickr.com

NEWS

GOOD NEWS “The aim will be to raise concerns through debates on the Finance Bill as it progresses through Parliament,” a TFA statement explained, encouraging its members to lobby their MPs on the issue.

Alongside the super-deduction, the budget introduced new temporary loss relief rules which will apply to sole traders, partnerships and companies and allow businesses to backdate losses by three years to reclaim tax.

“This means anyone who has suffered significant losses or who will be investing heavily using the super deduction – and therefore making a loss – can now carry this back three years to reclaim tax paid in that time,” explained Ms Vickery.

Ms Batters said diversified farm businesses would welcome the extension of the reduced rate of VAT for retail, hospitality and leisure until September, followed by an interim 12.5% rate until April 2022.

She said the industry would also benefit from the Chancellor’s decisions to extend business rates relief, offer further grants for the self-employed, introduce

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a new recovery loan scheme and make restart grants available for tourism and hospitality businesses.

She added: “The announcement of the UK Infrastructure Bank to finance green investment could be a crucial tool in stimulating investment and driving green economic growth. The launch of the Levelling Up Fund could also be positive for rural areas.”

Tim Jones, Head of Rural at Carter Jonas, said farm and estate businesses would particularly welcome the Chancellor’s decision to freeze Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax until 2026.

“Agriculture is going through a period of transition into a new era of policy and regulation. Major decisions – including whether to sell or pass on assets such as land and property – have been delayed by those waiting for clarity from the Government on the tax implications of such a move,” he said.

“Businesses will now have more confidence to make those decisions, and it will be a catalyst for some to set plans in motion.”

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Thursday 22nd April at 5.00pm

You will hear from a range of experts in land, planning, technical deliverability and public consultation, helping you make informed future decisions about the development potential of your land.

Topics featured will cover: • The planning system and the risks • The benefits of strategic land promotion • What makes a good development site • Maximising the value of your land

Find out more and register for your free place: www.catesbyestates.co.uk/webinar

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10

A top strategic land promoter is teaming up with South East Farmer to offer landowners in the South East vital advice and information on making the most of land that might be suitable for housing development.

Catesby Estates has put together a team of top speakers to highlight the risks, issues and options available to farmers and landowners looking to maximise their return from sites that could help to solve the housing crisis while earning them a good return.

With the Single Farm Payment being phased out and farming facing a number of challenges, selling a suitable parcel of land for housing is something that many farmers may be considering.

As a land promoter, Catesby Estates works

collaboratively with landowners to bring land to the market with planning consent for new homes.

At no cost to the landowner, Catesby Estates uses its in-house expertise and financial resources to fund the promotion of land through the planning process.

Once planning permission has been achieved, the site is then sold for the highest possible return, maximising the value of the land. Catesby Estates’ return is based on a pre-agreed split of the sale proceeds, giving them a vested interest in helping the owner achieve the best possible return.

To do that it has land, planning, technical and communications experts in house, all of whom combine to help ensure land sites have the best possible chance of obtaining planning permission.

SPEAKERS FROM CATESBY ESTATES MYRON OSBORNE Chief Executive

Myron joined Catesby Estates in March 2012 and became Chief Executive in May 2020. He has a significant track record in land acquisition and planning promotion on both brownfield and greenfield development sites across the country. He is experienced at handling large planning applications, strategic land promotion, bringing forward large scale housing association schemes and working on urban regeneration schemes.

As our speakers will point out, taking expert advice at an early stage really can make all the difference.

South East Farmer and Catesby Estates are expecting demand to be high for the webinar, which will be held at 5pm on Thursday 22 April, so those interested are encouraged to book their place now.

Just visit www.catesbyestates.co.uk/webinar and follow the live link to register.

Joining the webinar is completely free – but the information gained is likely to be priceless.

The webinar will cover: • The planning system and the risks • The benefits of strategic land promotion • The features of a good development site • Maximising land value

WWW.CATESBYESTATES.CO.UK/WEBINAR

DAVID MORRIS

VICTORIA GROVES

KATIE YATES

STEVE O’GRADY

David joined Catesby Estates in January 2013 having worked in house building, planning consultancy and property development across a broad range of mixed use projects throughout the UK. He has worked as a planning consultant for CBRE in London and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Home Builders Federation (HBF) National Planning Committee and the Land Promoters and Developers Federation (LPDF) Technical and Policy Committee.

Victoria is a Chartered Surveyor and member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) with over 14 years’ planning experience in the private sector. She has a wide range of experience promoting land and delivering planning consents on green field sites in the South East ranging from 30 to 500 units. She has worked for Barton Willmore on projects including housing, retirement living and commercial development and for Bewley Homes as Senior Planning Manager.

Katie is responsible for corporate communications and supporting the land and planning teams with site specific marketing requirements including public consultation and supporter mobilisation. Before joining Catesby Estates, Katie spent 15 years with the London and Cambridge Property Group. She is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and a member of Women in Property.

Steve is responsible for all technical matters relating to the viability, sourcing and delivery of new land as well as supporting the planning team during the planning application process. Steve has 25 years’ technical experience in the private sector, having worked for national housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon Homes and Redrow. He more recently headed up the technical departments at Bewley Homes and Bovis Homes, managing challenging developments from inception to completion.

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APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

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Plans to change the rules around animal transport could cause livestock more harm, not less, farming groups have claimed.

DEFRA’s consultation on Welfare in Transport has been sharply criticised by both the Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), with both pointing out that the proposals could increase welfare distress.

They say that preventing animal movements when the temperature drops below 5°C could stop movements for much of the winter, potentially causing what the NFU has described as “serious delays and disruption [and] potentially damaging welfare outcomes”.

The TFA went further in its response to the consultation, pointing out: “This could lead to issues of potential food shortages but also huge animal welfare concerns for animals left on farm without adequate feed, accommodation or grazing space.

“These measures would also risk shutting markets and abattoirs for several days and could cause livestock to be marooned at markets without access to adequate care and management, including lack of facilities for milking dairy cows. This proposal has no demonstrable impact on improving animal welfare and could in fact lead to animal welfare concerns.”

The NFU said the proposals would have a “significant impact” on livestock and poultry farmers while “failing to deliver any meaningful benefit to animal welfare”.

It believes “the main priorities should be the animal’s fitness to travel, loading and unloading and driver training and experience, rather than the length of journey or the external temperature at the time of transport”.

NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts said changes to vehicle requirements would “add significant costs and lead to many more journeys being made, increasing greenhouse gas emissions which work against both farming’s and the Government’s net zero targets”. He went on: “These are serious issues, especially when no evidence has been provided to suggest they would actually benefit animal welfare.”

Pointing out that the export of live animals for slaughter and finishing is already the exception rather than the rule, the TFA said it “rejects the emotive language contained within the consultation document that animals are exported ‘unnecessarily’ on ‘excessively long’ journeys”, adding: “No evidence is presented to authenticate these statements.”

With abattoir capacity under pressure, the TFA called for “a full review of abattoir capacity domestically, and consideration of where unnecessary rules and regulations are adding costs to the abattoir sector, leading to an undersupply of the necessary facilities required”.

The Sustainable Food Trust (SFT), however, has welcomed proposals to phase out live exports. Its head of communications, Megan Perry, said shipping meat on the hook rather than on the hoof would improve welfare, reduce fossil fuel use and create jobs.

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11

ANITA HEAD ORGANISED CHAOS

CONSUMERS ARE ILL-ADVISED

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It seems the children have only been back at school a few days and now the Easter holidays are upon us. My workload has increased back up to full capacity with the dreaded school run and trying to cram a week’s worth of work into a day.

I feel incredibly privileged to have spent the past year at home with all four children. When they all disappeared off to school aged five, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have the opportunity of home schooling and enjoying their company. I am very aware that we have lost some friends and family close to our hearts throughout this pandemic and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Silaging will soon be upon us and turnout is imminent. Lambing time has now arrived and they seem to be appearing thick and fast. So far it would seem trouble free, but who knows what will be lurking behind closed doors! Having the cows calve all year round doesn’t seem a formidable task, but lambing sheep all at once seems like a never-ending task.

Modern farming is a complex, unpredictable and individual business. Farmers must meet the changing needs of our planet and the expectations of regulators, consumers, food processors and retailers alike. Farmers are coming under increased pressures from climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss and from consumers’ changing tastes in food and the way in which it is produced.

Plant-based food is becoming more popular, but

consumers are ill advised as to the sustainability of this food. Dairy farmers are being told to reduce the amount of palm oil and soya used in feed, due to claims of deforestation, but palm oil is used in the production of pizza, cake, chocolate, biscuits, margarine, cosmetics, soap, shampoo, cleaning products etc. Half of all products sold in a supermarket contain palm oil.

It would appear that the more you eco-logicise the planet the less food you grow, the more houses you build the less land you farm, and the greener the energy you produce the less food you grow.

We must find a middle way in which we can be environmentally friendly and continue with the original purpose of agriculture...to produce food and feed a nation. This now appears to be becoming increasingly unbalanced.

As demand rises, global milk production is increasing and the UK dairy industry is having to manage that rising demand. Plant-based milk alternatives have become very popular in the UK over the past decade, although milk drinkers are a very loyal bunch, judging by a recent report. It reveals that 87% of dairy customers still drink cow’s milk, while 94% buy cheese and 78% yoghurt or crème fraiche.

The growth in volume poses challenges for suppliers and producers alike. Their margins are squeezed to the limit by powerful customers like supermarkets, who use dairy products as a loss leader to entice the general public into their stores.

In 1995 there were 35,741 dairy farmers in the UK, in

2019 there were 12,209, with a further reduction of 400 in 2020. This is a 67% reduction. If farmers keep leaving the industry at this speed, by 2030 we won’t have any dairy farmers in the UK.

DID YOU KNOW?

• That 70% more food will be needed to feed a growing population by 2050.

• That 80% of food produced in the developing world is produced by smallholders.

• That 700% higher crop yields are produced in North America than in sub-Saharan Africa.

• That 180,000 people leave rural communities every day to live in cities.

• That only 12% of the world’s land can be used for farming.

• That 70% of the world’s water is used for farming.

• That farming generates 12% of greenhouse emissions every year.

We have to find a balance in food production. If we continue along this trajectory we run the risk of having lots of wild flowers, bugs and badgers but no food. A dilemma I don’t wish to have.

ANITA HEAD Farmer

TUCKWELLS ACQUIRES BURDEN BROS AGRI LTD East of England John Deere dealer P Tuckwell Ltd has completed the acquisition of Burden Bros Agri Ltd. The agreement between owners James Tuckwell and Dale Burden will see all employees and the three existing branch locations at Stockbury and Ivychurch in Kent and Framfield in East Sussex retained.

The acquisition of Burden Bros Agri Ltd, which was founded in 2007 to take on the John Deere agricultural franchise for north Kent, has the support and approval of John Deere Ltd and does not involve any other businesses in the BB⁴ group of companies.

Subsequent expansion of Burden Bros Agri Ltd saw the business take on additional territory in East Sussex, parts of Surrey and the remainder of Kent. The John Deere Turf franchise was added following the acquisition of the Godfreys

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

business for the area.

Tuckwells was established in 1954, became John Deere dealers in 1965 and now operates from seven locations across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, employing more than 200 people. The business also runs Tuckwell Farms, a 1,500 acre working farm in Suffolk.

“Dale and his team have built a strong agricultural and turf business throughout the South East of England since the company began in 2007,” said James Tuckwell.

“We are excited to be given this opportunity to expand our business and to build on their success. We welcome the Burden Bros Agri team to the Tuckwell family and look forward to working together with them and their customers.”

Dale Burden said he was “confident that the business is in safe hands and is well placed to continue its development and growth”.

NEWS

MAJOR EVENTS POSTPONED responsible” decision to postpone them. The move follows the cancellation of all the association’s 2020 events, including the flagship NSA Sheep Event planned for last July.

The NSA still plans to hold five annual ram sales in 2021, including Eastern Region sales in August and September.

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The National Sheep Association (NSA) has made “the difficult and disappointing decision” to postpone its major regional events for 2021.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said the “ongoing risk and uncertainty surrounding large events” had led to the “difficult, but we consider

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13

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AGRICULTURAL APPRENTICESHIPS

Plumpton College offers a wide range of career and personal development opportunities in agriculture and farming; whether you’re a recent school leaver, a career changer, or employed in the sector.

Sitting alongside their popular accredited industry courses, Plumpton College has a selection of agricultural apprenticeship programmes, including Stockperson and Crop Technician.

Apprenticeships are an ideal way for employees to gain industry qualifications while gaining the most up-to-date and relevant skills and knowledge, all of which can be applied immediately in their job role. This style of learning suits many people, having the advantage of being delivered alongside their full time job.

Given the ever-increasing average age of farmers, there is a need to develop and support the next generation of farm owners. Plumpton College is looking to build a community of farms across the South East that are interested in employing an apprentice to support the need for future agricultural employees to enter the industry.

Leighton Snelgrove successfully achieved his Level 3 agriculture apprenticeship at Plumpton College in 2019. Here he talks about the benefits the programme offered him and his employer.

In the first of a new series in which South East Farmer hears from students at Plumpton College, we find out more about what it’s like to study there.

14

> Leighton Snelgrove

LEIGHTON SNELGROVE, ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER, BLACK VEN FARM

“I really enjoyed my apprenticeship. It worked well for me and suited how I like to learn, as well as enabling me to have an income while I studied. I had a supportive employer who took an active role in ensuring that I had the opportunity to develop my skills. This was something that not only benefited me professionally but also them, as I was able to take on more responsibilities as I progressed through my apprenticeship.

“Looking back, the apprenticeship gave me the confidence to further my career and I’m now assistant farm manager at Black Ven Farm, suppliers of top quality meat for the Waitrose Dutchy Organic line. I also own my own flock of sheep and herd of cattle and sell my own lamb and beef meat boxes via my Boringwheel Mill Farm Meat Boxes page on Facebook.

“I completed my apprenticeship studies alongside my full-time job. I was spending four days on the farm and one day a week at Plumpton developing my practical understanding and testing my theorical knowledge. My apprenticeship programme manager would visit me regularly in the work place to check everything was running smoothly, and liaised with my employer to ensure that I was developing my skills and knowledge.

“If you’re thinking of taking up an apprenticeship, I would suggest approaching your local farms directly and setting up trial days to make sure that you can work well with your potential employer. As with any form of employment, you’ll need to have a strong work ethic, be reliable and be good at building relationships.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN APPRENTICESHIPS WITH PLUMPTON COLLEGE

There are many advantages of apprenticeships for employers. It’s a costeffective way of providing a workforce with up to date skills and knowledge to improve productivity, but also to fill specific skills gaps now or in the future.

With financial incentives of up to £3,000 available to employers who recruit a new apprentice, this is an ideal time to explore how apprenticeships can play a key role in supporting and growing your business. For further information contact the Plumpton College Business Services team on 01273 892073 or email business@plumpton.ac.uk. Further information can be found at www.plumpton.ac.uk/business-services/apprenticeships-for-employers/ If you are looking to undertake an apprenticeship but have not yet found an employer, Plumpton College can help you in your search. The free Apprenticeship Talent Bank service will provide you with hints and tips on searching for the right opportunity as well as alerting you to suitable apprenticeship vacancies.

Visit the website for further information on how to sign up: www.plumpton.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-talent-bank/

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

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MONICA AKEHURST AT THE KITCHEN TABLE

COW CUDDLING IS THE NEW GOAT YOGA

16

What’s trending? In answer, £55 an hour per cow; that sounds good. What could possibly go wrong, I’m wondering as I try to rein in my imagination. I’m informed: “Cow cuddling is the new goat yoga”. But I’m relieved the headline states “a cuddle with a calm cow banishes the moody blues”. Perish the thought that a footpath walker, seeking a comforting cuddle, might wander into a bunch of freshly calved suckler cows, because they might get more than they bargained for.

Apparently, work-stressed Americans suffering from loneliness are finding that cuddling a cow increases happiness and lowers stress levels.

Allegedly cows are good at keeping secrets, (that’s a huge relief) and animals love you to be honest; always good to know.

Youngest daughter is doing some mathematical calculations, and asks if we could increase the size of our herd. I imagine she is envisaging a cuddle festival. Do you think some of these cow cuddlers would mind (or realise) if we substituted a cow for a heifer or steer? If so we could potentially increase our cuddling viability, maximising our

profit margins and increasing efficiency. This might boost our bench-marking kudos and be one way of combating the demise of basic payments, and rising machinery prices and running costs.

I did ask the family to come up with some innovative ideas as to how to take the farm forward. Research on the internet reveals people will willingly pay £12 an hour for an online experience of meditation with sheep. A 90-minute walk with alpacas/llamas will cost you £33. I see now that in the past I’ve missed a trick. Not many years ago I used to let Gertie (Gloucester Old Spot) and Clementine (Saddleback) accompany me on walks around our farm. Unfortunately it was when they started taking unaccompanied walks that they heralded their own demise. Sausages, bacon and pork chops just taste so good, especially if they’re free range.

When shopping in supermarkets people expect to pay low prices, which undervalues food. In fact supermarkets often sell products, for example milk and eggs, at loss leader prices. Consumers have little knowledge of the cost of food production as realities are distorted. Cheap food is, of course,

> Expectant ewes always hoping for some goodies

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

politically convenient. In these challenging pandemic times the availability of affordable food is a necessity. Many people appear to begrudge paying for essentials, but happily spend large sums on life experiences and entertainment. Has today’s society got its priorities right?

If people understood the work and effort taken to get food ‘from field to fork’, perhaps they would be more willing to pay a fair price. That is why it’s so important that farmers should grab every opportunity to share the realities of country living with the urban population. The upside of the pandemic has been more people looking to source their food locally, and our beef boxes have been popular. Receiving positive feedback is a good morale booster, especially during tough times.

I’m determined that our grandchildren learn where food comes from. I spotted an advertisement for a complete patio potato kit; no digging, no effort, no garden required, harvest in just 10 weeks from planting. Three varieties: Swift (early) Desiree (main crop) Charlotte (salad), supplied with heavy duty 30 litre pots and organic potato fertiliser. Hopefully my grandsons and I will

have some fun growing potatoes. The boys have ferocious appetites so doubtless they’ll enjoy the eating part of the process.

Everyone loves a bargain, myself included.

On a whim I bought myself a chainsaw and a special gadget for sharpening it. My husband’s saws are well known makes but they are often temperamental about starting. When I triumphantly revealed my purchases, the reaction I got was disparaging. No matter, I was happy as this saw is easy to start and I can now use it when I need it, instead of adding to other half’s list.

Don’t worry I’m very safety conscious because I well remember patching up chainsaw injuries. I’ve recently noticed someone else is using my saw.

I’m not gloating, I promise, and guess what, blunt chains are now a thing of the past; turns out my gadget gets the thumbs up too.

One of my favourite and most useful possessions is an old crook which I inherited from my father; he had the blacksmith make it up. It’s attached to a drain rod, which seems quite a good idea. If you need to use it to recover a sheep from a river, you can add extra rods. It’s served me well.

Nigel, however, has given me a ‘super crook’ which has a clip on it to stop them pulling their leg out. I am looking forward to trying it out when we start lambing in mid April, and will give you an update.

The ewes have been immunised with heptavac p. I’m checking them morning and evening, as we’ve had the odd one getting stranded on its back. Good preparation before lambing is essential and can make all the difference.

Typically my shearing equipment decided to go slow just as I need it. I’m impressed by Horner Shearing’s service; they have been very efficient at fixing and returning it.

Stocking up supplies is important, not only for the sheep, but for ourselves as well. I’ll do some batch cooking because rewards for our hard work always go down well. The house is receiving some TLC as no doubt it’ll get short shrift once we get busy. Family members have all booked ‘holiday/lambing leave,’. It’s so lovely to have reinforcements on hand; much appreciated.

They’ll be happy to get back to work after their restful break.

Red Tractor won’t like my responses to their consultation. I support the red tractor concept but I’m sceptical about the benefits for farmers, considering costs, time spent on paperwork and enduring inspections. I strongly object to wasting time documenting explanations as to who and why we are treating animals. Do they think we don’t know? In farming, time is precious. Will Red Tractor bureaucracy make me a better farmer?

No. I’d rather get on with farming.

To all those lambing and calving, wishing you luck and kind weather.

> Ladies in waiting, due to lamb mid April

> Team work, having fun with compost

> Super crook versus my old favourite

17

> Potatoes chitting prior to planting

> Not so keen on cuddling but listening attentively to secrets

> Grandsons preparing the tubs ready for planting TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

LETTERS

HAS THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGED?

18

Dear Sir, I, too, miss Richard Wood’s honest, down to earth approach, and wonder if the demographic of South East Farmer readers/letter writers has changed in the past year. Reading the last few issues’ letters page, I miss letters from real farmers.

January had the CLA’s Michael Valenzia advertising – what else? – the CLA. February’s only letter was from a vet promoting an idea for the Government to fund a farm-based abattoir to stop live exports.

I will add my name to those who feel that the desire by the French consumer to have a sheep eat French grass and then be slaughtered for the plate and called French lamb is not defensible. Had the EU (then the EEC) not put our UK small abattoirs out of business via the red tape route, this may not have developed into that particular trade.

I’m not sure what the message was in Mike Kettlewell’s long March letter, but since the majority of farmers supported Brexit against the preaching of their own NFU and CLA, we farmers are with the majority – out. The EU’s handling of the Covid-19 vaccine for its citizens, compared with the UK’s efforts, confirms the wisdom of that decision.

Mike talks about young farmers preferring metric and old farmers being stick in the mud and not embracing change, forgetting that the average age of a UK farmer is 60 years old (I wish I was that young) and able to quickly visualise measurements in imperial.

During my farm career, since the 1970s, I have planted many thousands of trees; English and evergreen oaks, London Plane, horse chestnut, field maple, holly, sycamore and hedging to name a few. Many of those trees now top 30 feet (or 9.23 metres in Napoleon speak).

He says: “Aliens are damaging”. Since ‘alien’ can mean “a foreigner, not naturalized citizen”, I’m not sure if he means we should re-introduce Neanderthal man and go the whole hog.

He suggests introducing predators to help balance nature. Any observer of garden wildlife who has watched a pair of magpies strip a hedge of eggs and young birds would agree that the scales are already firmly weighted in favour of the predator.

To suggest that the average farmer (yes, he is aged 60) is not enterprising and just after a fast buck suggests he actually believes the fictitious story lines of radio’s The Archers, “an everyday story of country misfits”. To suggest that forward-thinking farmers have just appeared on the scene shows an ignorance of the actual industry he is insulting.

David Steed, Manston, Kent The editor responds: No, the demographic has not changed, but with a pandemic, Brexit, loss of BPS and a few other issues to think about, it’s just possible that farmers have been a tad busy. Enjoy this edition’s bumper harvest of letters.

SHORT SURVEY

Dear Sir, As DEFRA sets out its roll-out of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, it is important that agri-environment schemes work for the farmers challenged with using them.

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2021 Without a strong uptake, they remain good ideas with little impact on our landscape. That’s why the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is encouraging all arable farmers across the South East to complete a short, anonymous survey in order to share their views.

The findings will be put to Natural England and we are keen to learn what motivates you to join agri-environmental schemes, how advice and advisors fit into this, and how AES options could be improved.

For the sake of giving us less than 20 minutes of your time, you can get your opinion in front of those who are making the decisions that will shape the future of farming subsidies. Please take the opportunity at www.gwct. org.uk/arablesurvey.

James Swyer, Press & Publications Manager Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

twitter SMILE

This made me smile so I thought I would capture it to make you smile too.

Hannah Jackson @redshepherdess

SEND YOUR VIEWS OR COMMENTS:

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

RISK TO BEES IN NORTHEN IRELAND Dear sir, I read with interest your recent article about a Kent beekeeper who is seeking to import bees into the UK mainland via Northern Ireland. I myself am a beekeeper who has lived in Kent and now lives in Ireland.

I would like to bring to your attention that this article did not address a very significant issue in this scenario. That issue is the risk to bees in NI and on the island of Ireland as a whole due to the potential importation of diseases/pests along with the said millions of bees.

As I understand it, the bees Mr Murfet has ordered will originate from Puglia in Italy, very close to recent outbreaks of the small hive beetle, Athena Tumida.

The arrival in Ireland of this parasite would be the equivalent of the Black Death for all bees – bumble bees, stingless bees and native honeybees.

Within a few short years, our currently surviving species would be utterly decimated beyond recovery.

There is precedent for this kind of pest importation in the introduction of the varroa mite with bee imports in the past, with devastating consequences which all beekeepers on these islands continue to battle.

Even If these bees do not carry the small hive beetle parasite, the risk of devastation is focused solely on our native Irish honey bee. This bee is predominantly used by commercial and hobby beekeepers in Ireland, is adapted for our climate and is a native species worthy of preservation.

Given the numbers proposed by Mr Murfet for importation, there are significant risks of our local bees suffering from genetic dilution. Beekeepers in NI would not, I am sure, welcome their years of work breeding hardy, local, productive bees being destroyed by a massive influx of imported Italian bees in transit for the mainland. A genetic ingress of this scale would be utterly tragic for Irish bees and for global bee diversity.

All beekeepers should develop the competence to propagate their own bee stocks from local bees. There is no reason why honey bees should be imported to any part of the UK. Kent is a wonderful county for keeping bees and there should really be no shortage of good Kentish bees available with a little effort.

Aideen Day, Kilkee, Clare Editor’s note – Mr Murfet responds: My company has sold significant numbers of hives in Northern Ireland for many years. Our imports are from a professional beekeeper and are health checked by state appointed inspectors. I have inspected the bees and they will be made available to NI bee inspectors as well as to DEFRA-appointed regional inspectors, with the names and

addresses of the sold hives being supplied to the department.

Puglia is almost 400 miles from our supplier, the equivalent of Canterbury to Gretna Green.

Native Irish bees consist mainly of Buckfast bees, developed almost 100 years ago

by Brother Adams at Buckfast Abbey and brought into the UK from Italy, Turkey and many other countries.

I can only add that if it were not for the incompetence of training bodies in the UK, beekeepers would be able to breed them. Data from the British Beekeepers’ Association and DEFRA shows that the number of hives in the UK fell from 264,000 in 2019 to 224,000 in 2020 – and that has nothing to do with disease.

HEADLINE GRABS ATTENTION Dear Sir, I refer to your article in the News Section of the March edition of your magazine on operating a ‘pop-up’ campsite. The quote “all the landowner needs to do is hire portable toilets and showers” grabbed my attention.

Those who run permanent camping/glamping/caravanning sites have had to jump through many expensive hoops (planning permission/local council licence/waste collection/business rates etc) and now face big competition from ‘pop-ups.’ The competition is far from ideal, but business is business.

I write really in reference to the countryside issues that have been magnified during lockdown, including fly-tipping, wild swimming, livestock worrying and a disrespect for farmers and their livelihood. These ‘pop-up’ campsites are not licensed and they do not have to provide full facilities or waste collection points.

Is a countryside littered with unlicensed campsites really what the custodians of the land want?

Pitch Up are a powerful presence and have been doing some excellent PR. My concern is that at the end of summer 2021, Pitch Up will walk away with an increased income stream and the countryside will be left cleaning up the debris.

Rebecca Corbett, Hampshire

RECRUITMENT

Time for a career change? Vacancies across the region.

Reach thousands of potential candidates by advertising here.

Get in touch: jamie.mcgrorty@kelsey.co.uk or call 01303 233883

WORKING FARM MANAGER We are looking for an ambitious, energetic and experienced individual to take lead responsibility for grassland and forage production at our 400 acre farm in the Surrey Hills.

We are growing our Hay and Haylage enterprise and require a farm manager who is honest, straight talking and gets things done. KPI’s are throughput, inventory management and operational cost control. Farm machinery and equipment expertise is necessary.

You will be working in an operations team, reporting to company directors. You shall have an important role to play in developing a great business. Package includes market salary, farm cottage and vehicle.

All applications are in the strictest confidence and should be sent to admin@surreyhillshay.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

General Farm Worker and Stockperson For a cattle and arable farm in Mid-Sussex, with 150 single suckler herd plus followers and arable.

The successful candidate must be an experienced tractor driver, have a good knowledge of calving and an all-round high standard of stock welfare.

Great prospects for the right candidate.

This is a full-time, permanent position on a 700-acre family farm, part of a larger estate. A competitive salary will be provided along with an attractive 4-bedroom house on the farm, a mile from the village centre, which has a shop, school and main-line station.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter to sandrac@rhrwclutton.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

19

LETTERS twitter SELFIE TIME Time for a selfie. @MallingLleyn @lleynsheep Alan West @MallingLleyn

FIG LEAF TO HIDE BEHIND

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Dear Sir, I’m concerned that the Trade and Agriculture Commission report, launched 2 March 2021, is merely a fig leaf for the UK Government to hide behind. In the meantime, the UK’s agricultural industry faces being eviscerated by a lack of meaningful support and risks being left increasingly vulnerable to the whims of an unstable, imbalanced world food market.

The UK Government and the Commission should be supporting sectors ‘of strength’ in UK agriculture; those that deliver added value, have

clear standards set in international law, represent export opportunities, support rural jobs and deliver environmental stewardship, such as organic – a proven system which is by and large overlooked in the report.

Sadly, on closer scrutiny, the platitudes presented start to unravel. The report appears to support maintaining standards and liberalising trade through the reduction of tariffs, as long as the food imported is equivalent to UK standards.

It states, however, that the Government is continuing to negotiate a number of free trade agreements, such as with New Zealand, Australia and the US, and that changing course with these negotiations would create challenges, so the aspiration to ensure imports are produced to an equivalent standard to those produced in the UK has to be a medium to long-term goal.

This is simply a case of ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’, given that the US is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters with wildly diverging standards, in some cases, to ourselves, and shows how hollow the whole thing is.

It’s a thinly veiled attempt to suggest food import and export standards will be maintained in the longer-term. The insistence on UK farmers maintaining standards and competing globally without any trade protection appears to be

throwing UK agriculture to the wolves.

Roger Kerr, Chief Executive, OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers)

SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

Dear sir, I read the column by Peter Kingwill in the March edition of South East Farmer with a real sense of disappointment. His comments about Arla imposing blanket rules on our members which prevent them from using livestock markets for older animals are simply untrue. It is also wrong and unfair to imply that Arla farmer owners are not fully committed to playing their part in a thriving agricultural sector.

The truth is that the relatively small number of our farmers who are part of our Arla 360 programme have agreed not to sell barren cows through livestock markets. This arrangement has been made with retailers who are willing to pay for elevated welfare standards under the programme.

Fewer than 10% of all of our farmers are involved in Arla 360; no farmer is compelled to join the scheme, and if they do they are rewarded via a premium paid for their milk. There are no blanket rules and there is no compulsion.

Moreover, in many cases livestock markets

01536 607070 www.acresinsurance.co.uk PERSONAL SERVICE AND ADVICE AT THE RIGHT PRICE

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of our clients renew with us the following year.

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

SEF.ED@KELSEY.CO.UK twitter @SOUTHEASTFARMER facebook-square SOUTH EAST FARMER are now running collection centres to support the logistics of getting Arla 360 cows direct to the abattoir. This means that many farmers who are taking part in Arla 360 are continuing to support their local market.

Perhaps most disappointing of all is Mr Kingwill’s lack of understanding of how Arla’s cooperative model works. There is no suggestion that ‘Arla’ forces its members to follow rules that it arbitrarily imposes from the top down. Instead, all major decisions are made by farmers via the cooperative’s Board of Representatives and Board of Directors.

Our farmers live and work in the countryside and as a cooperative we are deeply committed to a successful, dynamic and sustainable rural economy.

Alice Swift, Director of Members and Commercial Agriculture, Arla Foods UK

When NFU Mutual agent Philip Cornish spotted a fire engine heading towards a blaze on the horizon, the location of the fire made him wonder if it could be at the premises of one of his clients.

“I was leaving a farm in Iden when the engine shot past me, having come from Rye,” he recalled.

“I clearly couldn’t keep up with it, but I could see what direction it was headed in, so I followed it to Tenterden, where my fears were realised.

“A winery building belonging to one of my clients was on fire, and while they probably didn’t really want to see me at that time, I was at least able to reassure them that the agency was standing by and ready to sort out the claim once the smoke, quite literally, had cleared.”

It wasn’t the sort of rapid response that most insurance companies generally provide in these days of ever-larger agencies staffed by ever more remote call centres, but Philip believes it is the kind of response he provided and which highlights the NFU Mutual’s close connection with the farming community in the South East.

For Philip, who has now moved on after 30 years heading up the NFU Mutual in and around Romney Marsh and Tenterden, building such close links with clients who often became long-term friends was the most rewarding part of the job.

“I’ve worked with some fantastic farmers over the years,” he recalled. “It’s been a privilege to support their efforts, get to know them and, in some cases, support them through difficult times. It’s an industry that’s based on trust and mutual respect and it’s the people that I will miss.”

Philip, now 61, joined the NFU 30 years ago as a group secretary, a role which involved providing the usual range of services to NFU members while also liaising with MPs and other stakeholders in the industry. “The job came with a token salary of £150 a year, but it also included the NFU Mutual agency

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

COMMONSENSE APPROACH Dear Sir, The Ramblers agree that we need a well-connected network of paths which enable the public to access our wonderful natural landscapes (Countryside and Rights of Way Act, March 2021). While our Don’t Lose Your Way campaign has identified over 49,000 miles of potential lost rights of way, we are not looking to put every single one back on the map – or to reinstate paths that no longer make sense – ‘simply because we can’.

We are taking a commonsense approach and will be prioritising the paths identified so we can focus on those which would bring the most benefit to the network and the people who want to walk it.

This certainly includes paths that will connect people to open spaces and other towns and villages, as well as those that resolve dead ends or complete circular walks, enabling more of us to enjoy the benefits of walking and being in nature.

We are also calling for the rights of way provisions of the Deregulation Act to be implemented as soon as possible to enable a more collaborative approach to recording rights of way and an easier process for all – users, local authorities and landowners.

We want to work wherever possible with farmers and landowners – many of whom do a fantastic job maintaining paths and welcoming walkers on their land – to reinstate paths that make sense and help to build a better network for all.

Jack Cornish, Project Manager, Don’t Lose Your Way, The Ramblers

CLOSE CONNECTION WITH THE FARMING COMMUNITY and the training needed to take on that role,” Philip said.

His clear people skills and friendly nature saw the business take off, with the result that he and his team increased the agency’s gross premium income over the past three decades from £680,000 to just under £20 million now.

Before joining the NFU, Philip worked for Sentry Farm Management and then ran three dairy farms in Somerset, all of which gave him a good background in farming and a shared interest with his growing client base. In what is a considerable career shift, he will shortly be starting work as bursar at a local village prep school.

While Philip is saddened by the number of smaller farms that have become part of bigger units, he is impressed with the diversification successes that so many have achieved. “The farms that have grabbed new opportunities have gone from strength to strength,” he said.

“It’s been an eye-opener to see how some of them have moved into areas as diverse as film set construction and anaerobic digestion plants.

Farmers in general are adaptable, intuitive and hard-working – and they certainly know how to roll with the dice.”

While Philip felt it was “too early to tell” what impact Brexit would have on his former clients, he felt that their adaptability would again come into play. “It was much the same with the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “It was challenging to the country as a whole, but farmers rolled up their sleeves and carried on. They have no choice but

21

> Philip Cornish

to keep looking after their crops and feeding their animals.”

Of his time at the helm of the NFU Mutual locally, Philip, who lives in Hawkhurst with wife Samantha and two daughters, both currently at university, said the agency’s success was rooted in the “uniquely personal service” he and his loyal staff had offered.

“Farmers appreciate personal business relationships and they like talking to the same person every time they call,” he said. “My receptionist would often greet callers by their name because she recognised their voice. I always felt it would be the thin end of the wedge to go down the route of ‘push button one, two or three’.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the NFU and NFU Mutual and it is with a heavy heart that I am moving on, but the things I will miss most are my loyal staff and the personal business contact with so many clients.”

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

IN DEPTH

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

WITH NATURE but he is anxious not to get bogged down with terminology. “I am farming with nature rather than fighting it and trying to improve the soil, the environment and the product,” he explained.

His ambition is to be completely chemical-free within five years. “On the way I will probably become organic, but that’s incidental. I won’t sign up to prescriptive rules and regulations because that’s not what it’s about. I will pursue my goal of chemical-free, nature-friendly growing because it’s the right way to farm, not because I feel the need for a particular label.”

James is also keen to point out that there was “no sacrifice” involved in making sweeping changes to his growing practices. “This isn’t just better for the planet,” he said. “Farming in harmony with nature

can also boost productivity, improve quality and reduce costs. It’s a commercial decision as well as an ethical one.”

Towards the end of last year he added another string to the farm’s bow when he took over the popular Owlet fruit juice brand before moving it – and the whole of the “incredibly committed” workforce – lock, stock and barrel to Loddington Farm.

James took over the day-to-day management of Loddington Farm from his parents, Alan and Mary Smith, although they still contribute to the operation. The business grows top fruit on about 100 hectares out of a total site covering around 160 hectares.

In recent years the farm has supplied the

Photos: ©Martin Apps, Countrywide Photographic

22

Drastically cutting back on the use of chemicals on his land has not only improved the health of James Smith’s soil but has done wonders for his own vitality, too.

A complete switch in his approach to growing fruit at Loddington Farm, near Maidstone in Kent, has quickly taken him from wanting to quit to embracing the future with a new vision.

“Two years ago I was ready to exit the business, rent out the land and do something else,” he admitted. “Now I am more passionate, driven and motivated than ever before, with a long-term vision to produce the best quality fruit by working in partnership with nature.”

James, the fifth generation of the farming family, is essentially practising regenerative agriculture,

> James Smith

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

SOUTH EAST FARMER TALKS TO JAMES SMITH OF LODDINGTON FARM

> New fruit trees supermarket trade, but the tight margins, insistence on uniformity and, importantly, lack of connection between the grower, the fruit and the customer had begun to leave James frustrated and ‘out of love’ with the growing process.

In 2018 it became so bad that he seriously

considered exiting altogether. “I had had enough because I didn’t think it was possible to survive as a medium-sized grower with increasing debt,” he said. “Growing was no longer fun.”

For James, the answer was to completely revise his approach to farming, ditch the reliance on

expensive chemicals and begin to work with nature rather than fighting against it.

“If you had looked around the farm a few years back it would have been ‘look, there’s a modern, intensive orchard full of bright red apples, there’s another intensive orchard full of bright red >>

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23

IN DEPTH > New buds are starting to appear on the fruit trees

24

<< apples and there’s another one’.

“Now you still see the apples, and they are more important to us than ever, but you will also see cherries and apricots, cover crops and lambs, grafted orchards and new varieties. It’s more exciting and it’s more rewarding than focusing solely on growing a commodity.”

With Owlet at Loddington now part of the stable, James can make good use of all the apples he grows, and while a large proportion of the 2,000 tonnes of fruit he produces each year still ends up on the supermarket shelves via Bardsley England – where his brother Paul is chief operating officer – he is increasingly selling apples through local wholesalers and small, independent retailers.

“I feel like I am back in control,” James said.

“Because we now grow without artificial fertilisers or herbicides, we are helping nature, contributing to a greener environment and producing nutritious fruit – as well as reducing our costs. “I feel I can put my hand on my heart, look people in the eye and say ‘this has been grown without damaging the

environment and is as nutritious as we can possibly make it’.

“Supermarket-bought Galas are great apples but they are just a name. There is no real identity, story or reference to the efforts made by the grower to deliver an outstanding product. We want to make the link between the soil the fruit is grown in and the taste and nutrition that it delivers.”

While the “fundamental change” at Loddington Farm happened around the end of 2019, the seeds had been sown in 2016 when James won a Nuffield Scholarship that allowed him to study the potential of medium-sized growers to make a successful business out of growing fruit in the UK. He met and shared ideas with Ben Taylor-Davis, who farms and advises on regenerative agriculture all over the country, but initially felt that soil health was more relevant to arable farming than to fruit growing.

Over the next few years, though, following a lot more research and after learning from microbiologist Graham Salt and others, James

realised that he was taking goodness out of the soil without putting anything back and depending too much on chemical additives.

“Our herbicide strip was bare and the grass between the rows was flattened by vehicles and regularly mown,” James recalled. “There were no roots or plants feeding any goodness back into the soil. We simply weren’t covering the first principle of working with nature but were instead trying to fight it with chemicals. I decided it was time to get off the merry-go-round.”

James first tried chemical-free farming in 2020, and while he accepts that the pear orchard he selected was relatively poor performing to begin with, he was amazed to find he increased the yield by 60% while reducing his costs at the same time.

It was a pivotal moment for Loddington Farm and one that has not just changed his approach in the orchards but has fed through into his marketing message.

“We are now helping the environment, doing our bit to reverse climate change and improving our soil

Supporting the rural community for over 230 years Whitehead Monckton has a dedicated team of corporate and employment lawyers who are able to assist you with any purchase of a business. If you are thinking of buying a business then please discuss it with your professional advisers as soon as possible.

We have a free consultation service if you want to have an initial discussion about your plans for the future.

Contact Nicholas Johnson Associate Solicitor Direct Dial: 01622 698036 nicholasjohnson@whitehead-monckton.co.uk www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk

“Whitehead Monckton provided a prompt and professional service when we acquired Owlet Fruit Juice.

They provided clear guidance and advice which made for a smooth and amicable transition.”

James Smith Managing Director Loddington Farm Ltd

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.

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

SEFLOD 321

SOUTH EAST FARMER TALKS TO JAMES SMITH OF LODDINGTON FARM

> Bottling machine

> Thomas Pointing, Sales Manager

> Paul Coles, bottling and juicing assistant, oversees the juicing

25

> Labelling machine while growing more nutritious fruit,” he said. “And we are showing that there is no conflict between loving nature and farming profitably.”

James said changing his approach had meant “unlearning everything, including my university studies in crop science” but he pointed out that being a medium-sized independent grower meant he could be “nimble” in pursuing his new dream.

Having started the process, he has moved quickly, and he believes other farmers and growers will follow suit because the sector is increasingly coming to realise that the old systems are no longer fit for purpose. “There’s something in the air. We are running out of natural capital and people know things have to change,” he said.

As if changing his entire approach to fruit growing wasn’t enough, in November last year James bought Owlet from Susie and Colin Corfield, having worked alongside the popular Kent juice producer for many years.

The move has added value to James’ lesser crop and allowed him to enter the juice market without starting from scratch, something he thinks would have been virtually impossible. The purchase and the transition to Loddington Farm were supported by professional advice from Whitehead Monckton, BTF Partnership and chartered accountants Chavereys.

James commented: “We have received advice from BTF Partnership on all sorts of matters >>

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IN DEPTH Land & Property Experts

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APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

<< over the years, including through their horticultural employment arm, which once again provided a professional and practical service to help us navigate the issues around employment law relating to the transfer. All of the employees moved across as ownership changed and now form part of a great team at Loddington Farm.”

With 150,000-plus litres of Owlet fruit juice made and sold each year, the venture has complemented the Loddington Farm business, helped diversification and added value. With farm shops and independent retailers already keen buyers of the juice, James is now looking forward to the re-opening of the hospitality trade.

The business re-roofed, upgraded and modernised a former packhouse in order to house the Owlet production team, with pressing, bottling, labelling and despatch all carried out in house. Other new ventures include an interesting collaboration with a company called 58 Gin. A new member of James’ team is Thomas Pointing, who had been travelling around the world when the Covid-19 lockdown stopped him in his globe-trotting tracks. He came back to the UK but had rented out his house and, thanks to a mutual friend, ended up living in one of James’ static caravans.

“I found him some work but soon realised that, as a former estate agent, he had a lot of potential,” said James. “He is now sales manager for Owlet at Loddington and a valued member of my team.”

Another new member of staff is livestock manager Grace Twyman, who is looking after the flock of sheep now grazing land at Loddington on a trial basis as part of the regenerative approach. James is also now looking at introducing poultry to the business.

James now grows cover crops for mulching between the fruit trees, adding nutrients and protecting the soil, while a Plantex fertigation system delivers plant-based nutritional supplements supplied by Engage Agro under advice from Mike Stoker.

With fungicides, herbicides and insecticides being written out of the script, unwanted plants that would compete too strongly with the trees are now mown using a mechanical weed strimmer supplied by Kirkland UK. As well as re-inspiring his own love of growing, James believes that working with nature has an important part to play in the country’s future. “We are facing a number of problems – climate change, environmental challenges, the pandemic to name a few – and we need a change in direction,” he said.

“Farming can deliver on so many fronts. It has a huge part to play.”

SOUTH EAST FARMER TALKS TO JAMES SMITH OF LODDINGTON FARM Pursuing a chemical-free future doesn’t stop unwanted plants competing with the trees, and so James Smith at Loddington Farm turned to Kirkland UK for advice on a mechanical alternative.

Kirkland suggested a mechanical weed strimmer from Orizzonti, which offers a wide range of different tool heads that mount quickly and easily onto its frames, making it the ideal choice for fruit growers looking for a variety of robust and reliable pruning and cultivating equipment.

The range includes trimmers, leaf removers and pre-pruners, shredders and flails, inter-row cultivators, subsoilers, pruning sweeps and mounted forklifts.

The impressive mechanical weeders range from a single-sided, mechanically sprungcontrolled tool to a double-sided hydraulic sensor-controlled model with an independent oil tank that can run up to four motorised tools (two to each side), which means there is a suitable frame for any set up.

The universal joint to which the different tool heads fit is again simple; just one bolt and main pin allows the user to swap from one tool to another in under a minute. All hydraulic pipes come with quick couplings as standard, which also helps with the ease of changing tools.

A TAILOR-MADE MECHANICAL WEEDER

With more than 20 tool heads that fit the frames, growers can tailor the Orizzonti weeder to their needs, soil type and ultimately their

desired finished result. The frames are easy to maintain, which helps keep maintenance costs down.

Energise soil health and nutrition with Engage Agro Bio-Chel Initiate™

-Chel Ca Bio-Chel Initiate™ Bio-Chel Initiate is a multi-function liquid lignin complex, providing growers and farmers with a new organic biostimulant to aid the establishment of plants and crops in both soils and substrate by rapidly generating a healthy and energetic rootzone.

Organically Powering Soil Energy

Crops Brassicas, leafy salads, potatoes, carrots/ parsnips, legumes, fruiting vegetables, top fruit, soft fruit, stone fruit, vines and ornamentals.

Recommendations

❱ Naturally stimulates root activity

❱ Complexes nutrients to maintain availability

❱ Metabolisable energy for soil microbes

❱ Rich in Essential Carbon

Drip irrigation for substrate grown crops | Use 10-20 litres per Ha per week from sowing or planting for the first four weeks of production and then repeat every 2-4 weeks through to end of harvest for fruiting or production for flowering and other ornamental crops. Apply alongside normal feed regime.

Vegetable crops | Apply an initial application at planting or sowing at 20 litres per Ha through the liquid feed tanks and repeat every 3-4 weeks as required through to harvest.

Soil application | Use 20 litres per Ha as a base dressing at planting to promote nutrient absorption and reapply every 4 weeks as required. Apply in 400-800 litres of water.

For more detailed application rates and timings for specific crops please contact your Engage Agro advisor. Bio-Chel Initiate is a rootzone amendment product and best results will be achieved by root application.

Precautions Always read the label and follow instructions when mixing Bio-Chel Initiate with other fertilisers and pesticides.

Bio-Chel Initiate is compatible with most products however when mixing with multiple products or new products for the first time a simple jar test is recommended.

Store Bio-Chel Initiate in temperatures above 5oC and below 30oC. Keep out of the reach of children. Operator should wear face mask and gloves when handling concentrate. Dispose of empty container safely.

Avoid infiltration of large quantities into drains, surface water, groundwater and soil.

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and maximise yield potential.

Cypher™

Unlocking Soil Potential ❱ Unlocks bonded nutrients to increase availability

❱ Aids soil aggregation to support productivity

❱ Increases soil bioactivity to ❱ Stabilises soil pH increase nutrient uptake

Cypher™ 100% Organic Acids Unlock nutrient potential for increased crop growth and yield.

Benefits

Crops

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Cypher is a modified organic acid blend derived from the plant active portions of lignin and leonardite ore. It is a patented product designed to condition soils and substrates, which have lost momentum, become compacted or overloaded in bonded salts.

Cereals, Vegetables, Salad Crops, Fruit, Ornamentals and Hardy Nursery Stock, Sports and Amenity Turf.

❱

Cypher can be applied alone or can be formulated with basic and acidic fertilisers

❱

Cypher is can be irrigated to or sprayed over any growing substrate to aid nutrient availability and stimulate increased rootzone activity

❱

Cypher meets all the requirements of sustainable agriculture and offers farmers and growers ‘natural’ way to improve rootzone health and productivity.

Application Cypher is intended to be applied with other fertilisers and rootzone applied products. Best results are achieved from regular applications of 0.5-1.5 litres per ha. For more details see rear label. It is not advisable to apply high levels of Cypher over young plants. Please adhere to recommended rates of application.

Compatibility Cypher is compatible to tank with all fertilisers and a wide range of agricultural products however it is advisable to conduct a jar test within multiple product mixes and for new products.

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WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

27

PRESSURE WASHERS

BUSY AS EVER WITH IMPRESSIVE RANGE 28

New premises and new models, allied to the same focus on customer service and attention to detail, is keeping one of the South East’s leading suppliers of premier cleaning equipment as busy as ever.

Pressure Clean, now based in Bell Lane, Uckfield, is more conveniently sited for many of the farmers who make up a large part of its loyal customer base.

With a bigger warehouse, a more user-friendly layout and room to stock more machines, the site is also closer to the farming heartland around Bexhill, Hastings, Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough than was the company’s former Crawley headquarters.

The new location makes it easier for customers to drop off machines for servicing or repair, although the company’s three mobile technicians are still on hand for those who would rather have any issues dealt with on site.

The range of machinery on offer is impressive, covering the whole range of hot and cold water machines, powered by diesel, petrol or, for a really powerful

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

clean, three-phase electricity.

The three-phase machines are currently in demand, according to owner Gary Fielding. “We have seen a recent upturn in demand for these washers, which give double the pressure and benefit from increased water flow compared to their 240v counterparts,” he said. “They deliver more effective cleaning in much less time, which all boosts efficiency – and the difference in price can be minimal.”

This year marks the fiftieth year in business for Pressure Clean, and the twenty-second year since Gary joined the team as a 16 year-old on work experience. Since then he has played a major part in creating a well-respected business that supplies a wide range of cleaning machines to farmers.

“My mother, Dawn, was working for the business back then and arranged for me to spend a week there on work experience,” he recalled. “Six months later I left school and went back to Pressure Clean, initially working in the office and

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helping with the admin side of things.”

Gary then had a spell in the workshop and the stores before becoming service manager, a route that gave him a thorough overview of the operation, something that was to come in handy when he bought the business three years ago, having managed it for the past ten years.

After setting the whole thing in motion 22 years ago, Dawn recently returned to help out in the office for a short period but has now been allowed to retire again. Gary is now supported by wife Donna, who is in charge of credit control and looks after marketing and social media for the business.

Gary’s approach has always been to check out exactly what the customer wants rather than going for an easy win. With a wide range of machines on offer, he helps makes sure they make an informed decision. “Even when a customer thinks they know what they want, I will always take a couple of other models with me on a demonstration just to make sure they have checked out the options,” he explained.

He also makes a point of not over-selling. “It’s not good long-term business to persuade a customer that they should buy a bigger machine than they need, or to sell them a hot water model when they could do the job just as well with a cold water machine,” he explained. “Creating a loyal and trusting customer base is much better in the long run.”

With many of those loyal customers currently looking for three-phase machines, Gary is seeing considerable interest in Nilfisk’s MH4M -210/1100 PAX, a mobile 210 bar hot water machine that is equally at home cleaning grease and muck from machinery or sanitising a dairy parlour.

Complete with a built-in hose reel holding 15 metres of high pressure hose and benefiting from the Nilfisk EcoPower diesel boiler, renowned as one of the most efficient on the market, this easily manoeuvred, four-wheeled machine promises to make short work of the toughest on-farm cleaning challenges.

Equally popular with those who need three-phase power but don’t need hot water is the Karcher HD 10/25-4 SX, a premium class, cold water fill pressure washer that also comes with a built-in hose reel. “If you don’t need hot water but do want performance that matches that of a petrol engine model, this is certainly one to look at,” said Gary.

The HD 10/25-4 SX also comes with Karcher’s new EASY!Force Trigger Gun, which the company claims means the trigger can be operated with ‘zero holding force’ thanks to some clever technology. The system “prevents hand and finger strain and in turn muscle cramps, enabling continuous operation”, according to Karcher’s website.

Pressure Clean has also upgraded its in-house range of petrol-powered machines, uprating the frame and providing on-board storage for the wand and hose for the first time. This popular, lower-cost option is based around the reliable Dual pumps and is also taller than the previous model, making it easier to move. Both the PC14/150 and PC15/250 provide an impressive power output but are more mobile than an electric pressure washer while being cheaper than their diesel counterparts.

The company remains very busy with servicing and repairs and has used an improved website and social media to boost business, although word of mouth referrals are still the main driver of new customers as Pressure Clean celebrates 50 years of looking after the needs of farmers across the South East.

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WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021 pressureclean Super Summer Offer 93x270.indd 1

21/06/2017 18:04

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

DON’T GET CAUGHT SHORT Do you and your business have a robust and flexible strategy to get you through to 2027 and beyond?

When I think of transition it is often within the context of moving from one place to another.

Watching Top Gear on Sunday, while Freddie Flintoff was in his dad’s Ford Cortina, Paddy McGuinness in his dad’s Ford Fiesta and Chris Harris in his dad’s rather swanky BMW 323i, I was taken straight back to my parents Austin Maxi 1750 (a quite dreadful machine), as we set off in the middle of the night to Ivybridge in Devon on the family holiday spent helping on a small dairy farm during hay making season.

With no sat nav or mobile phone, and nothing more than the occasional garage and Little Chef to rely on, every nook and cranny of that car was stuffed to the gunwales with considered essentials to ensure we made it down to Devon and back again, whilst (harmoniously...) living all together in a large family

room in the farmhouse, temporarily vacated by the farmer’s son who slept in the airing cupboard during our stay.

Planning for the trip was meticulous, made well ahead of the event, and involved the writing and re writing of long lists as the weather forecast changed and mum added places and attractions she had read about or been told of and wanted to visit.

Without realising it I had been given an early introduction to the art of creating and delivering a cognitive strategy to enable a smooth and enjoyable transition, with almost every eventuality, gleaned from both good and bad experiences of the past, catered for in one way or another.

With inevitable changes on the horizon following Brexit and Covid-19, do you and your business have a similarly robust and flexible strategy to get you

30 ANDREW SAMUEL MSC MRICS

Managing Director T: 01435 810077 E: info@samuelandson.co.uk www.samuelandson.co.uk

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

through to 2027 and beyond and if not then why not?

The end of the Basic Payment Scheme, which has propped up rents and profit margins for some time now, will without doubt prove to be a reality check for many. Some will have prepared budgets without this income and will be banking on New Environmental Land Management schemes to plug the hole, but for some it might not be quite that simple and be more of a worry.

More efficient precision farming, involving the deployment of cutting edge or emerging technologies, could be the answer. Especially if businesses are suitably liquid and looking to take advantage of both generous tax incentives and attractive research and development grants.

For others, enhanced diversification might be the way forward, by either adding value to core

INTRODUCTION BY: products, via the likes of direct marketing, or looking at peripheral assets that might have been ignored or overlooked in the past. Carbon and environmental offset opportunities, whether utilised in hand or sold to assist others, could be one relatively simple option, but only when a suitable calculator and trading platform is established.

As we continue in this transition it is a nagging conundrum for sure, however, as expressed in my article in February, I am certain that opportunities are out there, but only for those who are brave and can boldly identify and deploy resources to harness the same. Sitting on your hands and waiting for change until you make your move is potentially dangerous so, like my dad, sit quietly, consider where you are heading, and what you are hoping to do when you get there and make a list of what you might need along the way, being fairly confident that at some stage during the transition the environment, situations and circumstances you find yourself in are likely to have changed.

When looking at my own business and advising others on theirs, this holistic approach tends initially to ask more questions than give answers but it is a healthy and thought-provoking process ahead of

making concrete decisions and implementing them.

Sometimes, if your preferred/seemingly best direction of travel involves dramatic change, it is natural to be cautious and seek reassurance and a second opinion. Taken from a disassociated third party this can be advantageous and, while at times expensive, can be an invaluable deployment of resources in the short term.

Indeed, sometimes asking for collective professional advice might well prove to be the most advantageous. A socially distanced meeting in a Sussex Barn with clients, a well known specialist accountant and lawyer discussing transitionary change following the sale of a lucrative asset was a highlight of works in recent weeks.

Put succinctly, I really do not want any of you reading this article to get caught short as I did halfway across Dartmoor and my dad whipping out the Portaloo ahead of the Polaroid, only to recount the story and the image at my 21st birthday some years later! I hope this has at the very least stimulated some immediate, long term and lateral, thinking and that some of the articles to follow save you similar embarrassment as you plan your own onward journey and transition.

INSIDE THIS FEATURE 32 THE END OF BPS – A REALITY CHECK?

The reductions in BPS are deeper and more progressive than originally anticipated.

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants LLP

33 REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

The debate is no longer about how farming might need to adapt in the future but how it needs to change now.

Batcheller Monkhouse

34 UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF DATA AND AGRI-TECH

If we can tackle the challenges to unlock the potential of data and technology, then the future of fruit farming is a bright one.

Outfield Technologies

35 WHAT DRIVES YOUR BUSINESS?

Does your business have soul? Will the changes that are coming towards us in business mean that your operation will have more soul in five years?

Sarah Calcutt

37 KNEPP ESTATE

Nigel Akehurst visits Knepp Estate in West Sussex to find out more about a pioneering rewilding project and new plans to start a companion regenerative farm.

Nigel Akehurst

40 HOW FARMERS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE DOG OWNERSHIP BOOM

The importance for dogs to have a large area of private, safe open space to explore and run free is crucial to healthy development.

Bruce’s Doggy Day Care TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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31

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

THE END OF BPS – A REALITY CHECK?

32

With 2021 well underway, we are officially at the beginning of the end of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) era. The transition to the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) has started.

The reductions to BPS are deeper and more progressive than originally anticipated. By 2024, all BPS claims will be cut by a minimum of 50% and larger farms will see about two thirds of their current BPS payments removed.

The table opposite illustrates the confirmed BPS cuts between 2021 – 2024, which operate like income tax bands.

By 2028 BPS receipts will have been removed entirely.

DEFRA confirmed that the average English farm made a turnover of just over £50,000 in 2019. Of this, direct payments contributed £27,300, or 55%.

During the transition, Countryside Stewardship remains open for new applications until 2023 and ELMS is launched from 2022. These payments should not be seen as a direct replacement for BPS income. These cuts have been on the horizon for the past four years, but there is an understandable tendency to concentrate on the day job, especially since commodity and livestock prices are currently high, and perhaps not worry today about what might happen tomorrow.

The time to plan for 2028 is now. Leaving it too late could mean cashflow pressures increase. To thrive, many farm businesses will need to adapt. Every

Payment Band

2021

2022

2023

2024

Up to £30,000

5%

20%

35%

50%

£30,000 – £50,000

10%

25%

40%

55%

£50,000 – £150,000

20%

35%

50%

65%

£150,000 +

25%

40%

55%

70%

business is unique and several approaches will be required to manage this change: • Farm business review. Undertake a detailed business review. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and analyse threats and opportunities, alongside budgeted cash flows, sales and marketing strategies. Review contracts and suppliers to ensure you are getting the best deals. Be prepared for the transition to 2028 and beyond. A farm review provides an indication of what works and what doesn’t, as well as future proofing the business. Alternative farming structures like contract farming might be appropriate in some circumstances, as this may allow the spreading of costs or reducing machinery costs.

• Asset review. Are your property assets working for you, or are you working for them? There may be opportunities to add value through planning permission, change of use or permitted development. Likewise, could parts of the yard or farm buildings generate non-farming income, or accommodate renewable energy generation?

Assess whether your ownership structure works for you, and importantly for your successors.

Consider the current and longer-term tax implications, and whether your business could withstand Agricultural Property Relief being abolished, or higher rates of CGT; both of which are being talked about within government.

• Finance review. Review your borrowing and HP agreements to ensure they are well-structured and competitive. A profitable, well managed and financially robust business is much better placed to borrow money on competitive terms. Lenders such as the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC), will require previous years’ accounts and all will need to establish serviceability. This applies to existing borrowing and future borrowing. As AMC agents we regularly submit applications

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

on behalf of clients and will need three years’ previous accounts along with additional information to begin preparing an application.

A business review may lead you to consider an early retirement, which might involve renting out your land, or potentially selling. Both options require careful planning and a considered marketing strategy to achieve the best result.

For those nearing retirement age, making such radical changes to your businesses could be a challenge, which is one reason why DEFRA has proposed to “de-link” BPS payments and offer a one-off lump sum payment from 2022 to give farmers a chance to retire.

The end of BPS will have an impact on all farms.

In some ways subsides have not helped farming businesses and have resisted change. The transition gives a time window to review, adapt and future proof your business to remain competitive and profitable.

For confidential discussions relating to anything in this article, please call us today.

T: 01233 506 201 www.hobbsparker.co.uk

MATTHEW SAWDON

Director E: matthew.sawdon@hobbsparker.co.uk

VICKY PHILLIPS

Director E: vicky.phillips@hobbsparker.co.uk

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE? I sense that we have entered a new era in British Farming. Perhaps the seismic lifestyle and work changes that Covid-19 forced us to adopt have also triggered a more open discussion on how we farm. The debate is no longer about how farming might need to adapt in the future but how it needs to change now.

The phrase “regenerative agriculture” stirs up a lot of emotion. Like it or not, regenerative farming is already influencing UK agricultural policy and the momentum is building. But what is regenerative farming? In simple terms it is a system designed to reverse climate change, improve the sequestration of CO2 and improve soil health and water management. It is a lot of other things too, of course.

What it is not is an abandonment of the fundamental need for a viable arable and livestock industry here in the UK. While some lobbyists and commentators might hope for that, all it would do is to export our carbon and environmental footprint to other parts of the world. It would also destroy our landscape and lead to huge rural and social upheaval – something that seems to be forgotten by some policy makers.

To date many of the leading exponents of regenerative farming have been motivated by their interest in the environment. I would, however, argue that the time has come when all farm businesses need to look at and understand this system. It may not suit you in its entirety but there are positive measures for most farming systems.

The fundamental question for many of our clients is: How are they going to survive with the loss of the BPS income? Step one must be to review the farm budget and see what impact the loss of BPS will have. Quite simply the status quo cannot and will not be maintained. How is one going to adapt to the changing economic climate?

For those on less productive soils, the answer is likely to be a lower input/output farming system. Even those on grade 1 and 2 land will need to think about how best to reduce inputs.

REGENERATIVE

AGRICULTURE If properly implemented, regenerative farming can substantially reduce fixed costs and inputs without any significant impact on the bottom line. The leading exponents report huge saving in machinery, diesel and labour costs, for example, and a reducing reliance on chemicals.

What are the key components of a regenerative farming system?

• Increasing diversity through crop rotation • Keeping soils covered • Limiting soil disturbance • Integrating livestock.

The theory is simple – healthier soils lead to healthier plants. Putting theory into practice is where things get complex.

For arable farmers, the first major change is often a move from winter to spring sown crops, with cover or cash crops following autumn harvest. The last few winters have shown quite how fraught this can be on much of the land here in the South East.

One seldom quoted issue for arable regenerative farming is a reliance on glyphosate, but in general exponents do report a significant reduction in the use of chemicals, especially fungicides.

The first step must be to conduct an audit of your farm. There are several tools here to help, such as the Farm Carbon calculator, but you will also need to look at the more fundamental issues of soil structure and compaction, soil fertility, fencing and water supplies and weed burden. Also, have you got the right equipment? For arable farms, the first issue is your means of drilling – much here will depend on your soil, but low-till or min-till is only the starting point for this lively debate. What about

sowing variety blends to increase resilience? For the livestock farmer it may require an investment in fencing and water systems. There has been some fascinating research on leys and legume mixes.

The arable farmer will need to decide whether to establish their own livestock enterprise or come to an arrangement with a neighbouring livestock farmer.

Regenerative farming should not be confused with a ‘low tech’ approach. To get it right requires a much higher degree of management and investment in technology. Yield mapping is key, as is a move to a more accurate – and thus reduced – application of nitrogen. For the livestock farmer it will most likely mean a move to rotational grazing and a closer monitoring of both animal growth rates and sward recovery. Manure management and application requires care. One interesting example is a farmer composting a mix of manure and woodchip.

A more difficult question for many is whether or not you will continue to farm the entire acreage.

What about the less productive land? Might this be better put into a Stewardship or woodland scheme, or future ELMS scheme? Whatever decisions are taken, working out your farming system to optimise the availability of such payments will be key.

These are challenging, but fascinating times.

There are no simple answers, and this system will not suit everyone. I, for one, will be taking the opportunity post-lockdown to get out and about and visit those farmers already leading the way.

We all have a great deal to learn.

To discuss regenerative agriculture please contact:

LEO HICKISH FRICS MBIAC

Chairman and Partner E: L.Hickish@batchellermonkhouse.com www.batchellermonkhouse.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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33

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF

DATA AND AGRI-TECH

34

It’s 2028, and it’s a beautiful summer’s morning on a fruit farm in Kent when the farm manager arrives to start her day. Her first job is to check yesterday’s orchard scans. There is a drone hive in the main farm yard, and the drone inside deploys itself automatically several times a day to scan a different orchard.

The farm manager opens the farm data system and looks through the latest scan maps. Two of them look fine, and she converts them to spray applications: one for fungicide and one for foliage nutrition. Those maps will be uploaded to the driverless sprayers in the farm depot, which will then trundle out to the orchards to carry out their spray tasks. Each tree will be dosed individually according to its risk level and foliage area, so field inputs are minimised and the amount of chemical going into the surrounding environment is reduced.

One of the orchard scans requires more attention, though. The farm manager calls up more data to compare against: soil maps, satellite imagery and drone scan maps from earlier in the season. The response from this orchard just doesn’t look right, so she assigns a task through the farm productivity app for one of her team to go and take some pictures of the trees. With another button she sends the data to her agronomist to look at later.

Next, the marketing desk has asked for improved yield forecasts. The farm manager looks at the yield predictions given to her by the system, comparing the predicted sizes to the weather forecast for the next two months. Happy with the numbers, she sends the forecasts to the marketing

team. It’s now 10 o’clock, time for a coffee break.

This might be a slightly fantastical vision of the fruit farm of the future, but it’s not all science fiction. All the technologies I’ve just described are being demonstrated today and will be coming soon to a fruit farm near you.

The arrival of data-driven systems in agriculture is sometimes referred to as the “fourth agricultural revolution”. Drones, satellites, mobile apps, 5G, the ‘Internet of Things’, soil sensors, GPS-guided machinery; these are the technologies that are digitising farming across the world.

There is a real need for this revolution. It is predicted that the world will need to produce 56% more food by 2050 to feed the growing global population. This food needs to be grown sustainably, all while the cost of labour continues to rise and the range of available chemical agents shrinks.

The array of new technologies on offer can be quite bewildering. One way to think about them is to worry less about the specific technology and instead consider the challenges that technology can tackle on the farm. Digital farming in the top fruit sector holds many promises.

YIELD MEASUREMENT

There are several technologies on the market today (including Outfield) that measure crop yields across your orchards. This data helps you reduce variability, improving yield quantity and quality.

Better forecasting can also help you manage storage and packing, as well as helping you avoid nasty shocks in your sales process.

CROP HEALTH

Systems to monitor the health of your crop can allow you to catch pests and diseases early, but can also help you to be more precise with your irrigation and chemical inputs. There is potential here not simply to reduce costs but also to help you achieve your environmental goals.

CARBON TRACKING

There are several systems currently being developed in the UK and beyond to track the carbon being locked up on farms in the form of soil and tree biomass. By tracking the carbon your farm is taking from the atmosphere, there is potential for additional revenue streams as farms become recognised as carbon sinks.

PRODUCTIVITY

There are a wide range of tools out there to improve the productivity of your farm’s workforce, through sharing data, managing tasks and monitoring progress. As labour costs continue to rise, data can help you get more out of a smaller, better trained and more informed team. There are also some very easy wins here, such as logging data in cloud-based spreadsheets with systems like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365.

Are your farm records still kept in a filing cabinet?

There is still more work to do in the agri-tech revolution. Farm data systems need to talk to each other by default – perhaps we need an ‘Isobus for the digital world’? More work needs to be done on accurately identifying diseases from remote sensing data, and on digitally modelling crop growth in response to environmental changes.

There also needs to be more training and support for farmers to adopt these technologies, especially as data and robotics become a standard part of a farmer’s day to day work.

But if we can tackle these challenges to unlock the potential of data and technology, then the future of fruit farming is a bright one.

OLI HILBOURNE

Operations Director at Outfield Technologies T: 07531 109895 E: oli@outfield.xyz www.outfield.xyz

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

> Solar array at Cottage Farms

WHAT DRIVES YOUR BUSINESS? Does your business have soul? Will the changes that are coming towards us in business mean that your operation will have more soul in five years? Is the current direction of travel driving the soul out of the food production chain?

No, not off to a commune but just pondering the wise words of Angus Davidson, a worthy recipient of a Fruiterers award at our virtual banquet this week. He assured us that he would be a very happy man if he wasn’t remembered for the excellent polytunnel business he has built up, nor for the early adoption of the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) approach to business. He would like to be remembered for the new fourth bottom line, that of soul.

What are the ethics that drive your business?

How do you care for your people, the environment, the future? Are they your initiatives or have they been imposed upon you by audit and customer requirements? Are they adding to your traditional bottom line as they should?

I was reminded of his words today by Rachel Nutt of MHA, when she spoke about ELMS, with its focus on air, water and carbon capture but not on energy.

As all of agriculture moves away from the Common Agricultural Policy and stewardship schemes, is there not something missing that helps with the bigger picture? In order for the nation to achieve its targets for carbon and emission reductions there is a need for a comprehensive cultural change. Every vehicle needs to change and where would we be in food and farming without a diesel engine?

The development of electric farm machinery is still in its infancy; big tractors with big load power

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SARAH CALCUTT Executive Chair, National Fruit Show

would need an epic volume of batteries that would make them sink, in simple terms. The chilled food supply chain is still utterly dependent on diesel, which isn’t pleasing the Mayor of London or any environmentalist.

Will food service be unable to deliver until the technology for electric-chilled load bearing vehicles arrives? How are we going to generate this power? Is there the tech out there that will allow farming and food businesses to be selfgenerating? This bit I do think we are making serious progress on. Even without the tariff deals that have ended, the technology is so much better and it is British businesses that are driving development.

Look at the array that Chris Browning, managing director of Horsmenden, Kent-based Cottage Farms, has been busy installing on the roof of the business. Using the latest tech, Chris, who is also chair of Avalon Growers, has added 200KW and then a further 161KW of generation to his roof. Super-efficient PV technology will mean that he is generating a significant proportion of his consumption needs. Delivered by a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement contract (someone else owns the kit, it didn’t cost him anything), it is delivering

his business a 5p/kwh saving over the cost of buying from the grid.

The current double whammy of Brexit and Covid-19 means that financing big steps forward is harder than at any time in the past 20 years. Asset finance is still really the way to go for farming, but we are going to bear the consequences of the rising number of CBILS loans that are going bad; the knock-on effect of this is an increasing reticence to lend.

Clearly the impact on the wider financial sector of Brexit and the changes in the flow of financial products is also contributing to the rise in interest payable for loans; gone are the days of 2% over base rate.

If you read the NFU’s Levelling up Rural Britain report, it is pretty clear the countryside and a pioneering approach to carbon neutral food production can help the nation meet some of these big challenges. It’s the rural/urban divide that starts throwing a spanner in the works. Hands up those reading this who have superfast broadband… nope… you’re not alone with the problems it causes.

Planning; again, your business progress is paused whilst you wonder if planting orange houses might be better. Public money for public good – well, doesn’t that warrant a proper discussion about the value of food in Britain? What are consumers going to say when they realise that the food on their table, from anywhere in Europe not just Britain, has been subsidised throughout their lifetimes?

That subsidy is now ending as the living wage rises, along with diesel prices, and the incentives to use alternative generation methods are ended.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

35

TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

36

Knepp is a 3,500 acre estate, just south of Horsham, West Sussex. Since 2001 the estate, which is owned by husband and wife Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree, has been home to the UK’s largest lowland rewilding nature conservation project.

The remarkable ‘letting go’ of the previously conventionally farmed land has created a flourishing habitat of previously imperilled species such as turtle doves, nightingales and purple emperor butterflies. The journey from intensive arable and dairy farm to rewilded conservation habitat and tourism business has been widely publicised in the mainstream media and cited in the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan.

The project is also the subject of Isabella Tree’s award winning book Wilding: the return of nature to a British farm that describes the creation of Knepp Wildland (the name given to the rewilding project).

The environmentalist couple are now excited to announce the establishment of a companion regenerative farm, shop and cafe at Knepp, headed up by ex Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) general manager Russ Carrington.

The new project will utilise land adjacent to the southern and middle block of rewilding and will encompass mob grazing cattle, pastured poultry and a market garden. It will also include a farm shop and 60-seat cafe housed in a collection of converted farm buildings.

WILD FOR REWILDING Nigel Akehurst visits Knepp Estate in West Sussex to find out more about a pioneering rewilding project and new plans to start a companion regenerative farm.

MODERN FARMING WAS UNSUSTAINABLE

For those readers unfamiliar with the conservation project at Knepp, it’s interesting to look back at its recent history.

Charlie inherited the estate in 1985, aged just 22.

Having trained at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, he seized the opportunity to modernise, scaling up the dairy and arable farming enterprises.

Together with his wife Isabella they invested heavily in the latest machinery and modern breeds of high

> Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell in front of Knepp Castle in 2018

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

yielding dairy cows.

They also added value by diversifying into own-brand yoghurt, cheese and ice cream. However, by the late 90s it was becoming increasingly clear that the farm wasn’t financially sustainable. With the threat of bankruptcy looming large they decided they had to make a radical change.

LETTING GO

In 2000 they began their rewilding experiment, laying off 11 staff and removing 70 miles of internal

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: KNEPP ESTATE FARM FACTS

fences. They introduced English Longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies, fallow and red deer and allowed them to roam freely.

The experiment was supported with a Countryside Stewardship Scheme grant. More recently the whole estate has benefitted from Higher Level Stewardship funding.

At the heart of the Knepp experiment is the influence of Dutch ecologist Dr Franciscus Vera’s ground-breaking book Grazing Ecology and Forest History, which was translated into English the same year as the project began.

Vera identifies grazing animals as a fundamental and necessary force of natural disturbance. Before human impact, animals like wisent (European bison), elk, tarpan (the original wild horse), European beaver and the omnivorous wild boar, together with red deer and roe deer, would have been present in huge numbers - similar to the numbers we see in Africa today.

Charlie and Isabella describe the switch to rewilding as a gradual “letting go” and while they don’t produce as much food as before they are still raising livestock for meat.

“It’s always been a struggle to farm here. With the Wildland Project we’re still raising livestock, only now it’s extensive rather than intensive farming – more like ranching, really – and the animals are driving the great positives of biodiversity, habitat and soil restoration,” explained Charlie.

WILD RANGE MEAT

• 3,500 acre family estate • Knepp Rewilding project began in 2001 • Knepp Castle • Employs 38 full time equivalent employees (80 people in total) • Tourism – nine units and field camping • Business lets • Knepp Regenerative farm launched in 2021 and a new shop and restaurant scheduled to open at Old Swallows Farmyard in 2022 • Rewilded areas in Countryside Higher Level Stewardship

37 > Purple Emperor

Knepp manages the free roaming populations of Old English longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs, red and fallow venison by selective culling. This meat (totaling around 75 tonnes live weight annually) is used to produce a range of organic, Pasture for Life-accredited roasting joints, sausages, steaks, burgers and more adventurous cuts. All the meat is sold frozen, with limited year-round availability via courier or click and collect at their campsite shop.

This side of the business is led by Ian Mepham and Ned Burrell, Charlie and Isabella’s son, and a new state-of-the-art butchery is being developed to increase capacity.

COMMERCIAL LETS

The majority of the estate’s redundant farm buildings have been converted into business lets, adding to the large portfolio of properties for rent, including cottages, houses, offices, light industrial units and stables.

WILDLAND SAFARIS AND CAMPING

In recent years the rewilded landscape and diverse flora and fauna at Knepp has also enabled Charlie and Isabella to develop a thriving tourism business that employs 30 people part-time, plus volunteers. In 2020, they received nearly 40,000 visitors. >>

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TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

Vintage 1960s Austrian troop carriers are used to transport safari tour << groups around the three rewilded blocks. The tours are led by specialist guides, many of whom are trained ecologists, taking in sights such as Knepp’s “big five” - Tamworth pigs, English longhorns, Exmoor ponies, red deer and fallow deer, as well as the harder to spot “small five” - purple emperor bufferflies, turtle doves, Bechstein’s bats, peregrine falcons and nightingales.

Knepp also offers on-site accommodation including three shepherd’s huts and two tree houses, with nine glamping units in total. They also have field camping with 15 pitches. Children under 12 are not allowed, but campfires are permitted.

IMPACT OF COVID-19

38

I asked visitor manager Rachel Knott about the impact of Covid-19 and their plans for re-opening. She answered that while Covid-19 had adversely impacted their business in 2020, they were able to operate last season when permitted and were feeling optimistic for this coming season.

She added they planned to re-open some of their safaris on Monday 12 April, with tours being restricted to walking groups rather than their safari vehicles.

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

The campsite will be re-opening on 17 May in line with government guidance.

KNEPP REGENERATIVE FARM

Curious to learn more about the exciting new regenerative farm and plans for a new farm shop and cafe, I met Russ Carrington at the site of the new project.

He explained that the farmland bordered the estate’s rewilding project and that he planned to achieve Countryside Stewardship backing. Physical features on the land such as hedgerows and wildflower meadows will be managed and placed so as to create nature corridors that connect wildlife with existing and new habitats.

“Baseline surveys are already underway to identify the condition of the soil, species abundance, water quality and other natural assets from the outset.

These will then be monitored for improvement as the project develops,” he said.

“At the heart of the new scheme are soil health and food production.”

WHAT IS REGENERATIVE FARMING?

Regenerative Farming is a relatively new approach to farming that seeks to regenerate the land, soil and water, as well as enhancing the wider environment

and improving the nutrient density of food produced. However, the prescriptions are not rigid, as every farm is different, with its own set of unique circumstances, soil type and geography.

REGENERATIVE AND REWILDING WORKING TOGETHER

Knepp hopes to demonstrate how rewilding and regenerative agriculture can work together, building a resilient, productive, biodiverse countryside for the future.

The farm will initially host organic pasture-fed cattle, a pastured poultry enterprise and a market garden. At the time of writing, Knepp is looking for a knowledgeable grower to help establish an organic horticultural business on a 2.9 acre south facing site. More details are available on the Knepp website (www.kneppestate.co.uk).

Central to the regeneration of the existing pasture will be mob grazing cattle. Russ carried out some trials last summer with some of Knepp’s Longhorn cattle and after much debate they have decided to select native pedigree Sussex cattle for the farm.

Initially they plan to buy in around 50 suckler cows and build from there as the soil improves. They will be using mobile electric fencing as well as trialing ten GPS collars supplied by Norwegian tech company No Fence.

I ask Russ his views on regenerative farming and the challenging economic climate facing farmers.

“Farming in a regenerative way is more about farming in a particular direction and following core principles rather than being defined by specific end goals,” he said.

“Farmers are facing a challenging economic climate with many uncertainties, but there is increasing clarity about the direction of travel.

The vision of this project is to deliver multiple public goods for the local community and wider society – healthy food, of course, but also better soil, clean water, clean air and habitat for wildlife – while sequestering carbon to help combat climate change.”

NEW FARM SHOP AND CAFE

Key to the success of the new regenerative farm venture is the new farm shop, where customers will be able to buy their pasture-raised meat, eggs and fresh produce from the farm along with other goods sourced locally.

Russ and I visited the site, Old Swallows farmyard, which will have a new direct access road onto the busy A24. Construction of the buildings is already underway but we managed to pop into the old Sussex barn which will eventually be converted into a 60-seat cafe and farm shop. It’s a stunning oak-framed space and will be an impressive venue.

IS KNEPP A MODEL FOR OTHER FARMS?

Knepp is a fascinating example of an estate that is constantly evolving and has garnered global fame for its pioneering rewilding project and nature safaris. It’s interesting to note that there are now a number of large estates in the UK following Knepp’s lead.

The ideas being explored at Knepp are not just applicable to large farms and estates. There are other local farming cluster groups working together to deliver public goods; from creating nature corridors to moving towards regenerative farming practices to improve the land. I’m told even gardens can be rewilded (sounds like a great excuse not to mow the grass) - with the formal croquet lawn at Knepp Castle being transformed.

On a more serious note, as Russ pointed out, there’s increasing clarity about where the direction of UK farming should be heading. It’s about producing multiple public goods – healthy food as well as better soil, clean water, clean air and habitat for nature.

You can follow the progress of the Knepp Estate on instagram (@kneppregenfarms) as the regenerative farming enterprise gets off the ground. I look forward to visiting the new shop and cafe next year.

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TRANSITION: 7 YEARS TO CHANGE?

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Since opening its doors in 2008 on an unused five-acre field of farmland split by the M25, Bruce’s Doggy Day Care has established itself as a market-leading, multi-award-winning dog day care provider. Since then it has witnessed first-hand the blossoming of a vibrant £1.7 billion (Pet Business World) industry that few farmers and landowners are aware of, including the benefits it could bring to them.

The growth of the pet sector within the UK has dramatically increased since Bruce’s Doggy Day Care first opened, with current predictions suggesting this increase will only continue and suggesting the UK’s pet care sector is likely to be worth close to £2.1 billion by 2023 (Pet Business World).

The number of dog owners in the UK has risen to over 10 million, with the average UK dog owner (PDSA) spending £3,000 per year on their fourlegged friends (Bark.com) and demand for dogs increasing since the pandemic lockdown began.

The RSPCA noticed a 600% increase in online visits to its puppy fostering pages, while the Kennel Club reported a 180% increase in enquiries from potential dog owners.

“Dog ownership throughout Covid-19 has sky-rocketed as people have increasingly spent more time at home due to the work from home measures,” noted Bruce Casalis, founder of Bruce’s Doggy Day Care. “Already we are starting to see

HOW FARMERS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE

DOG OWNERSHIP

BOOM

increased anxiety amongst pet owners as to how their relationship with their dogs will change once the lockdown period ends and workers begin to return to the office.”

Bruce added: “Many people have gone out to find companionship throughout this period by adopting

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

a dog, which is great. However, the potential consequences once things return to normal could be devastating for many dogs. It is important that dog owners recognise that there is a safe environment for them to send their dogs to so they can be cared for and return home after an enriching experience.”

FEATURED COMPANY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR FARMERS?

Having first opened on a farm, Bruce’s Doggy Day Care is looking to work with more farmers and landowners to potentially provide a new revenue stream by becoming a tenant on their land.

The importance for dogs to have a large area of private, safe open space to explore and run free is crucial to healthy development and something Bruce Casalis was acutely aware of as he opened the first Bruce’s Doggy Day Care centre. This was driven, in part, by his frustration over the lack of control over other animals and people in public parks during his time as a professional dog walker.

The demand from dog owners for safe, private and enclosed spaces for dogs has soared and their nursery style model of splitting the dogs into ‘classrooms’ based on age, size and personalities has resonated with dog owners in need of effective doggy day care.

“The demands on the pet care sector continue to grow every year and there has never been a better opportunity for landowners to take advantage of this without needing to be directly involved,” said Bruce.

Government plans to scale back agricultural subsidies over the coming years has increased pressure on the need to diversify farming revenue BDD FLYER 190x133 New_Image.pdf

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streams. The pet care sector and services such as Bruce’s Doggy Day Care could offer a solution to support those in the agricultural sector.

“The ‘quirky’ nature of the dog day care concept might surprise many, but the rapid increase in the sector highlights the tremendous opportunities for landowners, private landlords, farmers and large country estates,” commented Ed Daniell, Head of Property at Bruce’s Doggy Day Care. “Our aim is to work collaboratively with landowners to build long-term tenancy agreements with those who have suitable sites.”

When it comes to defining a suitable site, Ed added: “We are not prescriptive when it comes to determining what land could be suitable; I would rather meet and discuss the options with

19/03/2021

13:30

the landowner or farmer in person. Regardless of whether you meet our stated requirements, if you are looking for a long-term opportunity to add a diverse stream of reliable, non-seasonal income, we can discuss how doggy day care might work on your site. We have the opportunity to scale our offering up or down on parcels of land anywhere between three and 25 acres.”

From a farmer’s or landowner’s perspective this is an ideal partnership. There is no doubt that the pet care sector is growing and there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this without needing to be involved directly. Even if you are not a pet owner, Bruce’s Doggy Day Care is a very appealing, viable long-term tenant option.

Bruce’s is actively looking for new sites Get in touch to find out more

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M

Here’s your chance to take advantage of the recent puppy boom.

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Criteria 3 acres of grass minimum Existing building over 1,750 sqft (if within the greenbelt) Good road access Hardstanding for parking Power and water

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Within 30 minute drive from Guildford Windsor Gerrards Cross St Albans Cheshunt Brentwood

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Contact Ed Daniell Head of Property on 07840 379 618, email ed.daniell@bruces.dog or visit bruces.dog

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SEED

FERTILISER

GRAIN

STORAGE

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

ELVED PHILLIPS ARABLE NOTES

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For most of February and March so far, the grain market has moved down and sideways at best. Compound feed demand has slowed down and flour millers, having filled their books with imported German grain, don’t want anything until July. There is very little grain left on farm and that is the same in the EU and America, where end of season stocks of wheat, maize and soya will be very tight indeed.

We have no up-to-date figures, but the UK still needs to import a lot of maize and wheat between now and July. Stronger sterling has helped this, but still the price at the port for wheat and maize is high compared to the technical value of ex-farm wheat.

End users are still buying hand to mouth as they are expecting a rebound in demand when the Covid-19 lockdown is relaxed, yet no one knows exactly when that will be.

China continues to confuse us all. One minute it is saying that it aims to feed 95% of its people by home growing 95% of its cereals, then this week it’s back again buying another two to three million tonnes of maize for April shipment and so is well on the way to importing 25 million tonnes plus, as opposed to the 7 million tonnes anticipated. The debate goes that having re-stocked their pig herds, which are now living in comfortable high rise stys, they must keep importing to maintain them. Others say it’s all cosmetic ahead of trade talks with the USA and that they may just walk away and cancel their contracts later, but I cannot see that. Whenever the price drops, China always seems to have room to buy and import.

Russia is equally perplexing. It’s high export tax on wheat has frightened off

CHINA CONTINUES TO

CONFUSE US ALL most buyers, so in the short term it achieved its aim of keeping wheat in the country to reduce wheat and flour prices. Only it hasn’t really reduced flour and bread prices yet.

Russia has an election in September, so the brief is to reduce price inflation at any cost by then. Their ‘floating tax’ is so open ended, with all the risk for the export buyers account, that forward business has stopped. Apart from the obvious question, how will they manage their harvest if they cannot export in August and September? Russia is the barometer for the world feed wheat price, so who is going to support that demand instead, and what effect will it have on harvest wheat prices around the world?

From this September the UK can increase its ethanol inclusion rate in petrol from 5% to 10%. By January 2022 we will return to two plants producing ethanol. At its last peak in 2017, 1.4 million tonnes of wheat was used in these plants. They can use maize as well as wheat, so this must increase demand on the balance sheet whatever happens.

However, with most initial estimates suggesting an exportable surplus of only 1.5 million tonnes of new crop UK wheat at best, we may already be looking at balanced ELVED PHILLIPS supply and demand. Back in 2017 this meant that wheat in the south Openfield of England had to be moved by lorry or boat to the deficit area

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created in the north, and this could happen again.

Spring barley plantings have now caught up and are finished in France and well on their way in Germany. In the south about 75% has been done on the better land, but even on the chalk some farmers are waiting for the soil to warm up a bit more yet.

The UK will have an exportable barley surplus, so some feed barley is being traded forward. Prices are closer to wheat than they have been this year, with malting premiums of £20 to £25 per metric tonne.

Apart from the weather in Argentina and Brazil, which has not been good for the maize crops, we have not yet had a proper weather story anywhere in a major producing area. My instinct tells me that we will get one somewhere. Most big weather problems happen between May and July in places like Russia and the Ukraine or with maize plantings stateside in May and June. So, on that basis alone I’m keeping my powder dry for now.

Nor do I think we have seen the last of spikes in old crop prices, with world maize stocks at new lows, ongoing Chinese demand and maybe UK demand for ethanol. I think maize will hold the key to new crop grain prices, and as we all know, where maize goes wheat and barley follow.

Oh, in case you missed it, Wales beat England to win the Triple Crown although the Grand Slam eluded them following a very, very late try in France.

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STEPHEN CARR

STEPHEN CARR Arable farmer

Any arable farmer could be forgiven for feeling giddy with excitement when spot ex-farm milling wheat is trading at 216p/tonne and oilseed rape at 430p/tonne. If current crop prices do continue into the 2021 marketing season and beyond, it would certainly ease any anxieties arable farmers currently have about the financial impact of the proposed gradual withdrawal of the BPS over the next six years.

But are such hopes realistic?

Most EU member state governments are unapologetic about their determination to ensure that domestic food production is kept at high levels.

This often involves imposing tariffs to keep cheap imports at bay, and undoubtedly these measures are central to the Common Agricultural Policy.

Post-Brexit, those certainties are gone for British farmers, with food trade policy now decided in a volatile Westminster, where a change of governing party or even a change of Trade or DEFRA Secretary could quickly cause a radical change in UK food trade policy.

Many Conservatives, including many cabinet members and the prime minister, like to talk about ‘Global Britain’ now that Britain is free of the EU. But there are obvious dangers in a ‘Global Britain’

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

AGRICULTURAL | GROUNDS MAINTENANCE | EARTHWORKS

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

for UK farmers.

The last time British farmers were exposed to global competition in food trade was in 1921, when Lloyd George repealed the ‘Corn Production Act’.

The Act had been introduced four years earlier to boost domestic grain production during the middle of the First World War, as German submarines were threatening British shipping. But with the war over, cheap North American wheat could be freely imported. Lloyd George therefore abandoned previous promises to farmers that he would give them at least four years’ notice of any repeal of the Corn Production Act. Lloyd George’s ‘great betrayal’, as it was called at the time, quickly plunged arable farmers into a crisis as grain prices plummeted.

My own father was eight years old at the time the Act was repealed, and as he grew up as an impressionable teenager on a farm near Lewes in East Sussex through the 1920s, he observed the alarming consequences of Lloyd George’s about face.

The slump in grain prices brought about a collapse in land values, which in turn prompted

COMPOST

the banks to withdraw their support as farmers’ collateral evaporated. Insolvency and foreclosure stalked many. Indeed some were so quickly drained of cash by trading losses that they could not find the money to convert their farms to livestock production.

Entire holdings were abandoned and this contributed to a crisis in domestic food production during the Second World War. So great was the problem that my father spent much of his farming career in the 1950s clearing scrub from land left to go derelict 30 years earlier.

Let’s hope that 100 years later, Boris Johnson does not engage in his own ‘great betrayal’ of British agriculture, now that Brexit has given him the opportunity to do so, if he is so minded.

Whatever he does, like the arable farmers of the 1920s, all we can do is plough (or min-till) on regardless. But, if we do learn in the coming months or years that ‘Global Britain’ has decided to allow cheap food imports with ruinous consequences for farmers, we shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, it would only be history repeating itself.

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AGRONOMY

APP TAKES CROP WALKING

TO NEW LEVEL

A new version of the Omnia Scout app has been launched to make it easier for growers and agronomists to share crop walking information and update field records remotely, explains Hutchinsons digital farming manager Lewis McKerrow.

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The iOS app is a complete rebuild of the original Omnia Field Scout app that allows growers to view the various layers of data stored within their Omnia account from an iPhone or iPad and also update field records with notes, pictures, operational inputs or other information.

Providing there is a data or Wifi connection, the app will automatically sync with the associated Omnia account as soon as information is added, giving instant access to field notes and observations.

It also features an offline function whereby crop records can be downloaded before going into an area with limited or no data connection, with any changes synced as soon as a connection is available.

The Omnia Scout app provides a more professional, standardised way of making, recording and sharing crop notes from the field. It is especially important in this Covid-19 world, where agronomists and farmers aren’t necessarily able to meet face-to-face, so it should help strengthen these relationships.

With increasing scrutiny of all crop inputs, particularly insecticides, the app also provides a digital record to help demonstrate the rationale behind input decisions and potentially allow more targeted treatment of crops.

Location markers can be tagged to any notes or pictures manually or by using the phone’s GPS, allowing that area to be revisited and monitored over time and targeted management plans to be developed in Omnia if required.

Likewise, users can analyse data, such as satellite biomass imagery or yield maps, in Omnia and highlight specific areas for further investigation and “ground-truthing”.

Field information can be accessed and edited in a variety of ways through the app, such as by viewing all diary notes for a particular field, fields, variety or crop type. If, for example, you find yellow rust present in one variety, the app allows this to be added as a note to all fields affected.

The Omnia Field Scout app is available for iPhone and iPad from the app store.

LEWIS MCKERROW

Hutchinsons T: 07522 945318 E: lewis.mckerrow@hlhltd.co.uk Canterbury: 01227 830064 www.hlhltd.co.uk

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

FEATURED COMPANY:

HARVEST

Being able to dry grain quickly and efficiently is vital, particularly when changing weather patterns are making harvests unpredictable at best.

One company that has been consistently providing farmers in the South East and beyond with effective on-floor bulk drying and storage solutions is Harvest Installations, which was set up in Faversham back in 1979 and has since built up an impressive reputation for its products.

The company supplies, installs and services its own burners, stirrers and tunnel systems, and while the majority of sales are through a nationwide network of dealers, the company can supply just the drying plant or act as a main contractor in an area where there is no dealer.

It was in this guise that Harvest Installations was asked to design, build and fit out an impressive new grain store for Hinxhill Estate at Wilmington Farm, just outside Ashford in Kent.

“By being actively involved in the early stages of the process we can design the store around the equipment that we are planning to include > Lewis Harvey

CROP DRYING

INSTALLATIONS

DRYING GRAIN

QUICKLY AND

EFFICIENTLY within it and make sure that everything comes together neatly and efficiently,” explained Harvest Installations’ managing director Lewis Harvey.

The Wilmington Farm store, which holds 4,500 tonnes in two large bays, includes a series of air doors that allow specific areas of the store to be dried to the required moisture level and keep the air pressure at an optimum level for drying. ‘Clean out’ doors at the far side of the drying floor make cleaning the store a very simple process..

The store uses Harvest Installations’ own Maxi Stirrers and Constant Humidity Controllers and has an all-hardwood Challow floor. “We like to specify Challow because the quality reflects our own standards,” said Lewis. I have seen some of the company’s floors that are 40 years old, and they are still looking good.”

The building itself is equally impressive and was supplied and erected by Norfolk company A C Bacon, again Harvest Installation’s partner >>

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www.harvestinstallations.co.uk APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

FEATURED COMPANY:

HARVEST

<< of choice when it operates as main contractor.

The electrical installation was carried out by DGM Electrical in Sittingbourne.

Because Harvest Installations designs and installs its own equipment, it is able to keep a close eye on quality and ensure everything is running smoothly and at maximum efficiency. “And when the job is finished we don’t just walk away,” Lewis added. “We like to come back to make sure the farmer is happy with the way it is operating and knows how to get the most out of the kit.”

Lewis is unapologetic about the fact that the company does not operate at the budget end of the market and is proud that it attracts a loyal following amongst farmers who recognise quality, and value reliability and longevity when investing in a new bulk drying and storage facility.

Hinxhill Estate’s Jonathan Houchin asked Harvest Installations to design and build the new store because the company came up with “the right price backed up by the right reputation for quality” – and was delighted with the result.

“There is nothing about this building or the equipment inside it that we aren’t totally happy with,” he commented. “Any minor issues were sorted immediately, everything was built exactly to spec and for the agreed price and it was delivered on time, despite us asking for it to be finished within

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CROP DRYING

INSTALLATIONS

just nine months.”

Jonathan said the building had increased the farm’s efficiency and helped the business’ goal of producing top quality grain. “At the peak of harvest, using two combines, we are loading 1,000 tonnes of wheat a day into this shed, covering a range of moisture levels. This building allows us to get on with the job because we know we can then selectively dry it to the moisture level the merchants need.”

Lewis pointed out that grain stores with on-floor drying were more cost-effective and flexible than using separate dryers. “Continuous flow dryers have a fixed capacity, which can mean holding back trailers and delaying combining while earlier loads are being dried,” he said. “And the farmer still needs to store the grain anyway, so it makes far more sense to combine the drying and storage operations in the same shed.

“That way the farmer can just keep harvesting and load the crop straight into the barn with no delays or hold ups. The calculations show that it’s a more economical way of doing things in terms of both cost and time management.”

Delivered in the last week of June 2019, the store at Wilmington Farm was the last major project that former managing director Mike Wilson worked on, but while his family essentially took over the reins during the build, he still provides regular, much-

valued support.

“I have to say that Mike and Lewis made a fantastic job of it,” said Jonathan. “Everything was managed well and the fact that Harvest Installations shares our own focus on attention to detail shows through in the finished build.”

The set up at Wilmington Farm, with Maxi Stirrers and larger burners, can be used for both relative humidity drying – for grain with a moisture content up to 18% or 19% – and temperature drying, which can comfortably handle anything up to and beyond this and is popular with farmers in more northerly areas of the country.

Harvest Installations was set up by Colin Hales but was then taken over by Michael Wilson, who has developed it into a well-established family business.

His son Matthew Wilson runs the engineering side of things, son-in-law Lewis is now managing director and looks after sales and his daughter Lisa – Lewis’ wife – is the office manager and generally keeps everything running smoothly. David Elliott is the company’s technical manager.

The company, which moved its headquarters from Faversham to Bury St Edmunds last June, has a strong market in the South East and a growing presence internationally, with kit in New Zealand and Germany. It offers sales, servicing and repairs through its national dealer network.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

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AT ASHFORD MARKET

THRIVING LIVE TRADE

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A recent press release by the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) reports throughput figures of well over 11 million animals sold through the live sales rings in England and Wales during 2020, with turnover topping £1.8 billion. The figures represent an increase in almost every sector over 2019 numbers, despite the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 and a drop in production numbers in some categories. Up from 10.7 million across all species in 2019, the latest figures include just under 10 million sheep and over one million cattle sold through the live system as farmers turn to the livestock market to maximise returns.

Total cattle sold increased by 30,000 over 2019 and overall sheep sales were up 370,000 year on year.

Significantly, despite DEFRA figures revealing a 3.7% drop in overall mutton and lamb production and a 15% drop in slaughter numbers for ewes and rams, slaughter stock numbers for sheep sold through the market have increased by almost 5% to over 6.8 million. The increased throughputs have been phenomenal, and this is in large part due to the support, understanding and patience of vendors and buyers and of course the support and collaboration from hauliers and all the hard work of enthusiastic market staff.

The live markets have pulled in more small and medium sized retailers and butchers during the challenges of the pandemic by ensuring that the right stock is in place for them. While the livestock fraternity continues to value the importance of the auction system in achieving competitive and fair prices, reflecting the demand against availability, the past 12 months have really demonstrated this strength of the live sales rings.

Similar positive results have been achieved at Ashford Market, with record returns in both the cattle and sheep sections in recent weeks. During the first three weeks of March, demand for finished cattle remained at exceptional levels, and although numbers have been up by 27% on the year, many more could have been sold at favourable returns with fresh buyers at ringside. Average gross returns of £1,260 are up 25% on the year, with the very best beef bred cattle attracting prices in excess of 240p/kg and £1,500 plus. Our regular vendors have been well rewarded with record returns, notably Parthenais cross steer and heifer £1,472 (250p) and £1,690 (257p) respectively from S Marsh, Dover; British Blue cross heifer £1,495 (254p) from D W Ferguson, Dover; Limousin cross steer and heifer £1,505 (246p) and £1,363 (253p) from W Alexander (Shoreham), Sevenoaks; Limousin cross steer £1,535 (233p) from

Upturn in throughput, numbers and turnover

ELWYN DAVIES

Reporting on the sheep market at Ashford T: 01233 502222 www.hobbsparker.co.uk G L Boulden & Son, Aldington; and Limousin crosses with weight grossing well with steer £1,606 (235p) and £1,602 (227p) and heifer £1,463 (238p) from W S Furnival (Brookland). The best of the beef x dairy bred cattle have not been too far behind, with Limousin x Friesian steer to £1,319 (227p) from A J Down, Sellindge, and the pick of the native bred cattle have made around 215p, notably purebred Sussex steers grossing £1,455 and £1,427 from J G & D G White, Canterbury, and Lincoln Red steer £1,412 (223p) from A & M Lyon, Dover.

The improvement in finished beef returns over the past 12 months, to the point that we are now seeing record returns, is resulting in tremendous store cattle prices. Two quality shows of store cattle in early March, comprising 900 head in total, have attracted a good attendance of buyers from home and away with the West Country, Midlands, East Anglia and north of England buyers all taking stock.

Outstanding shows of yearling continental cross cattle have met a superb trade, with the best steers making over £1,000 and some high flyers breaking through £1,200 and best heifers generally making £900 to £1,100. Top yearling prices have included Limousin cross steers and heifers making £1,240 and £1,060 from H J Emery & Son, Staplehurst; Limousin cross steers and heifers £1,200 and £975 from G Bates Ltd, Sutton Valance; Limousin cross steers £1,180 from A J Thompson & Sons, Romney Marsh; £1,170 from R Wade, Sandhurst; £1,150 from M J Ashworth Ltd, Romney Marsh; £1,160 from P J S Farms Ltd, Dover; and £1,110 from L Palmer & Son, Egerton.

Although native bred cattle have been in shorter supply there is plenty of demand and more are

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

wanted every week. Aberdeen Angus crosses have been keenly sought after, with the best of the yearling steers £1,130 from F Pearce & Sons, Wickford, Essex and £1,035 from J Prior & Sons, Romney Marsh, while older 18-month purebred Sussex steers have looked well sold at £1,170 from J C & C Lewis, Sheerness and 18-month Hereford x Friesian steers £1,000 from Mrs J Jackman, Godalming. Generally, trade is brisk throughout and more cattle of all breeds, age and quality are wanted.

The situation is similar in the sheep section, where tight supplies nationally are pushing prices to record levels. In recent weeks hogget numbers have levelled at around 2,500 head per week. Our most recent sale produced an exceptional average of just short of 300p/kg and a gross average of £130, around 24% up on the year. Best heavy weights have made over £140 and plenty are over £150, topping at £170 for 70kg Beltex from Miss M Friend, Deal. Best handy weight export types have attracted good premiums of 315p plus with the pick 38kg Beltex £130 (342p) from A Neaves, Staplehurst; 39kg Texel cross £133 (341p) from P Ashlee, Woodchurch; and 43kg Beltex cross £142 (330p) from P Gorringe, Henfield.

In a single recent week Ashford recorded 104 buyers from 20 counties and 155 sellers from six counties. This clearly demonstrates the value and support for the live sales ring where, even through the challenges of Covid-19, it provides the platform to meet the demand of the retailer and consumer while achieving a competitive and fair price for the producer.

ADVICE FROM THE VET

Few things get to me like flies do. They seem to have an arrogant, brazen, vindictive attitude; as if to say: “I’m here to make you miserable, and there is nothing you can do about it.” More annoyingly, they seem to be right about that.

To start with, there is simply the stress and irritation they instil, just by the mere presence of a single fly, and it’s worse if they land on you.

I cannot imagine, then, how terrible our livestock must feel, given the vast numbers that can sometimes gather around a herd or flock.

Then there are the biting varieties, just to double the stress. We know that this alone can reduce the productivity of a livestock unit, as yield, growth and fertility may all be affected. Welfare is certainly compromised where flies are not well managed.

As a vet, flystrike (or myiasis) remains the condition I most dread to see. It’s almost a euphemism for being literally eaten alive.

Predominantly, but not exclusively, it is an issue for sheep. It takes hold so rapidly that, unless caught early, it frequently leads to euthanasia.

The signs start very subtly, but progress inevitably. Above all else, pay close attention to scratching, tail shaking or ‘air-nibbling’, teeth-grinding, inappetence, and dullness. On individuals, look for darker, moist areas of fleece – which when parted will reveal the presence of maggots feeding on the flesh below. You can then see anything from raw areas oozing serum like a graze through to full thickness wounds with cavities full of maggots below the skin. This will lead to toxaemia and death.

Time is crucial. Even the most experienced farmers have animals affected sometimes, but the responsibility is to catch it early and treat immediately. You can use the weather patterns to predict the highest risk periods. When a warm day follows a wet spell, you know to be on the look-out.

When these occur, I would recommend at least twice daily inspection of even grazed sheep.

Flies spread bacterial disease, including New-forest eye disease, caused by Moraxella bovis, and summer mastitis, which can lead to severe udder damage and therefore a higher chance of culling, as well as the impact on yield and welfare. A different type of fly, the midge is also something we would like to control. It is known to be a vector of viral diseases such as Bluetongue, which remains a present threat from Europe, and Schmallenberg, which infected a number of animals in the UK in 2020 on confirmed testing.

For all these reasons, chemical control of flies is an important part of our strategy, though I commonly find that reports on the effectiveness of the products, or the duration of satisfactory effect, seem to dwindle year on year.

I think there are two or three reasons for this.

Resistance amongst flies to these chemicals is known to occur. Just as we have seen the

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GO AWAY AND

DIE, FLIES 49 > Flystrike – darker areas of foul-smelling moist wool are commonly seen around the backend, chest and feet effectiveness of wormers and certain antibiotics reducing with the level of use, fly control products are also vulnerable to this effect. And for the same reason, we all need to work as a community to reduce our reliance on them, which is certainly not easy, so we must work on what is in our control.

Another reason for a sense of reduced efficacy is the impact of bad weather in the period after dosing. With spells of rain throughout the summer seemingly the norm these days, reapplications may need to be considered sooner than intended.

Thirdly, because so much is not in our control, it is important to ensure we are dosing according to the data sheet, in terms of dose, weight of animal, application pattern and therefore use of the right nozzle. Please be aware of the impact on withdrawal periods with any variation from the

IAN ROPER

BVetMed MRCVS

data sheet and speak with your vet to confirm.

Another relatively new approach to reducing fly control is to release a population of ‘friendly flies’, a species of parasitic wasp which specifically targets biting and nuisance flies and can suppress their breeding colonies. Beneficial insects in the environment are not affected.

This can be a cost-effective strategy and has the benefit of treating the entire region, not just those flies directly on the animals. It can be even more so if a group of neighbouring farmers acts together.

However, it should be used in conjunction with other control mechanisms to ensure optimum performance. Ultimately, we can do something about this unrelenting issue, and do not need to accept it as uncontrollable, or something outside our responsibility.

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

ANDY RICHMOND KATHY HUME

Westpoint Horsham Westpoint Ashford T: 01306 628086 T: 01306 628208 E: info@westpointfarmvets.co.uk www.westpointfarmvets.co.uk

EMILY OZOLS JACK BALKHAM

Westpoint Sevenoaks T: 01959 564383

ALAN WEST SHEEP TOPICS

LAMBING TIME AND NEW LIFE

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Lambing is for many now underway at last; it is that slightly nervous time of year when sheep producers wait, apprehensively, for the first few lambs to hit the ground. It is a time that brings a conclusion to all of the hard work and planning that has been invested in flocks since weaning last summer; the sorting out of the flock, ensuring that they are in the correct condition for tupping, selecting the best rams and ensuring their condition, making sure that nutrition suits the requirements of the ewes at any point in time during tupping and pregnancy, in particular the critical final trimester as lambing approaches…

The list is endless. It is this list that represents a lot of commitment to flocks, with lambing presenting the final opportunity to see the results of those efforts.

If everything has been planned and implemented correctly, the hope is that the results show plenty, but not too many, lambs (too many triplets can present all sorts of problems), lambs that are a good birth weight, but not so big as to generate too many lambing problems, and ewes with plenty of good quality colostrum and milk, the latter two being things you cannot have too much of. The six or seven months between weaning and lambing are always a bit of a balancing act; a combination of wanting to get everything correct but not wanting to overdo it, and it is only when we have the evidence there on the ground that there is any degree of certainty that the correct balance has been achieved.

My ewes certainly played a waiting game this season, seemingly reluctant to part with their precious cargoes; they hung on as long as they could. I knew exactly which date the tups went in and, changing crayons at seven and 17 days, was fairly confident of when individual or groups of ewes were tupped.

Scanning results certainly indicated that (at that point in time) there were no empties, a fact reinforced by the ever increasing girth of all of the ewes, particularly those that happen to carry their lambs sideways, like a pair of over-stuffed saddlebags. All the indications were that things were proceeding very much as expected.

Experience has demonstrated that my ewes will normally lamb fairly close to the average 145 to 147-day gestation length, and as a result I was well prepared and full of expectation for some action at 145 days, but nothing. At 146 days, the first ewe lambed, a lovely pair of Suffolk cross ram lambs, a good weight and mum full of milk. Great, thumbs up, here we go.

And then nothing for the best part of a week, although I knew there was a group of ewes that had taken the ram in the first few days of tupping.

I’m convinced that, with the combination of returning home for lambing onto some really good

grass and a spell of nice warm and sunny days, they were just enjoying (not wishing to be too anthropomorphic) their last opportunity to relax for a bit longer before their new families arrived, with some going to 150 plus days, really quite unusual for my ewes. But that is sheep for you, full of surprises, part of their raison d’etre; any opportunity to either drop dead or catch you out. True to character, they decided, just as the weather changed for the worse, that it would be a really good time to up the pace of lambing; not that it seems to bother them, although, from a personal point of view, it is more pleasant doing the rounds on a nice dry, sometimes sunny, if crisp, morning, midday/ evening or night than it is in the wind and rain.

Happily, now that they have decided to get on with it, the encouraging signals and hopes from the first arrivals have been fully justified, with a steady stream (more of a trickle really) of good strong and lively lambs arriving, lambs that are up and suckling in no time, with attentive mums absolutely full of milk. As for the weather, lambing outside it might not bother the ewes and lambs, but I for one really do appreciate the luxury of a small shed with mothering pens. With new arrivals, once they are licked dry and their mums are drifted out and penned up for 24 to 36 hours, being under cover certainly makes all of the routine tasks, navel treatment, weighing, tagging, tailing, etc. nice and easy, with the additional benefit (to me at least) of being carried out in a warm and dry environment.

At lambing time in particular, we do need to look after ourselves, something that maybe we are not very good at. There are many sheep keepers, currently lambing or about to lamb, who operate on their own and who would, if anything untoward should happen to them, be in real trouble, or their lambing ewes would be. I know one case of a shepherd who had a positive Covid-19 test in the middle of lambing.

Having tested positive he was ordered, under threat of prosecution, to self isolate even though he had

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no cover and was only visiting his lambing ewes.

Nevertheless he was ordered to stay at home, which unfortunately was not where his flock was lambing.

How many others, not necessarily due to Covid-19 but possibly other health issues, could be in the same position?

Sheep farmers are generally busy people due to a range of factors, and are often times poor, along with others within the sector; a situation that is exacerbated at certain times of the year when there is a lot to be done within relatively narrow windows of opportunity, windows that are often constrained by factors completely beyond our control. We have all been there. Sadly some of those time pressures are to a certain extent self imposed; as an industry we do have a tendency to make rather too much of a virtue of hard work, sometimes to the point where we feel an element of guilt if we are not busy. In addition, our working practices often reflect that obsession with hard work; we have forgotten, particularly when in work mode, how to make the most of a bit of down time.

In reality if the opportunity arises there is nothing wrong with taking a bit of time out to reflect and relax a little; it may not be easy to find the time, but it is a lot easier if a conscious effort is made to make the time. There is also nothing wrong with looking critically at some of our working practices; there is no point in working hard simply for the sake of hard work (it happens). “Work smarter, not harder”, as the saying goes. Mental health amongst farmers has been relatively high profile recently and for good reason;

ALAN WEST Sheep farmer

VET DIARY we have as an industry been experiencing relatively difficult and uncertain times, but simply taking a bit of time to reflect and relax can really help put problems into some sort of context and perspective. I have frequently heard it said of young entrants to the sector, and I’m sure I have been guilty of it myself at times, “they just don’t see work”. That may be a fair criticism if there are obvious tasks that need to be addressed, but maybe, just maybe, if they have completed their work satisfactorily, it is simply that we have an issue with them still having the capacity to enjoy a bit of down time, something that many may have forgotten how to do.

The concept of being busy at all times is very much a product of the industrial revolution; sayings such as “the Devil makes work for idle hands” were simply attempts to justify what amounted to exploitation of factory and mill workers in the 18th and 19th centuries, but it is a concept that has sadly stayed with us. Pre-industrial agricultural workers were not idlers, they were not lazy. It was not an easy life; they worked hard, very hard when required, but they also knew how to enjoy time doing nothing. Shepherds, in particular, were often paid relatively well (when compared with other agricultural workers), for their skills not their time; for much of the year they would have spent hours alone with their flocks, keeping an eye out for problems but also taking time to enjoy their environment. Many were very good countrymen, understanding and enjoying the countryside they lived and worked in. But they were fully prepared, when required by circumstances such as at lambing, to commit to long and demanding hours (both physically and mentally) applying their skills in the care of their flocks.

I recognise that I am now, having retired, in the fortunate position of not only being relatively timerich, but also able to a certain extent to determine my own timetable. In spite of this there are still those occasions when I wonder how I am going complete all that I need to do on a particular day and I still have a lot that I want to do (even if I don’t need it). As a child of the forties I have also reduced flock size to rather more manageable proportions (a somewhat roundabout way of saying that tasks, for some reason, seem to take a little longer than they used to); the net result is that I am now able to enjoy my sheep more. Along with this I have also learnt how to enjoy time doing nothing of note, something that took a while and did not come that easily. For example, I am now quite happy to spend time when I can, simply watching the flock, learning from my sheep. Animal behaviour has always been a particular interest of mine and spending time simply watching is a calm, relaxing time, but it also has its benefits.

Having a greater depth of understanding of the flock and of individuals within the flock can make moving and handling sheep much easier and stress free for both the sheep and myself, so maybe it is not really wasted time.

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AVOIDING CALVING PROBLEMS

As I enter my first spring as a graduated farm vet, I didn’t believe my colleagues when they told me how busy we were going to be over the coming months. How naïve I was to think that they were exaggerating!

Something that I’ve noticed when talking to the other vets is just how many problem calvings we’ve seen this spring. This had me wondering how I could advise our clients on managing their herds to avoid losses associated with difficult calvings.

Replacement heifer selection is vital to ensure you have a fertile and easy calving herd. A heifer with a small pelvis giving birth to a large calf is the perfect recipe for dystocia. Performing “pelvimetry” between 12 and 15 months of age can help identify heifers with abnormally small pelvic measurements that are not ideal candidates as replacements.

Management of replacement heifers starts when they are born to achieve 65% of mature weight by first service and 85% of mature weight at first calving. For a mature cow weight of 650kg, this equates to a minimum of 420kg at service and 550kg at calving. Hitting these targets to calve down at two years will increase their lifetime economic efficiency, as opposed to calving at three years. Onset of puberty is largely related to bodyweight so feeding good quality silage at weaning, supplementing with concentrates and early turnout to spring grass should allow your heifers to reach target weight by service at 15 months.

Sire selection for easy calving is important in heifers. Using AI will allow selection of the best genetics from maternal sires to breed your replacement heifers. Cliffe Vets are now offering AI services to our beef clients,

from bull selection right through to pregnancy diagnosis. Synchronised AI allows you to frontload your calving block with heifers from whom you will be drawing your replacements, meaning their calves will be older and heavier at first service.

Farmers also need to look at nutrition and body condition score (BCS) from housing onwards. Spring calvers should calve down at a BCS of 2.5, meaning they should be at target BCS at least four weeks pre-calving. If the BCS is low, then she will produce poor quality colostrum and have a slower return to service. A high BCS will result in dystocia and a slow return to service. Over-restrictive diets to reduce BCS will result in weaker calves, uterine inertia and dystocia.

Choosing the right replacements and managing your herd for easy calving is multifactorial and starts from the moment your heifer calves hit the ground. Calving at two years old is a major driver of suckler herd profitability.

However, this needs careful management and requires some attention to the finer details to ensure that they meet the necessary targets, and crucially get back in calf in good time.

ISABEL FIELD

BVetMed MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon at Cliffe Veterinary Group T: 01273 473232 E: Isabel@cliffevets.co.uk www.cliffefarm.co.uk

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With spring now upon us, the grass beginning to grow and crops looking better by the day, it is pleasing to report that the sheep trade continued to go from strength to strength during the past month. It is remarkable how dear the sheep have become, with week after week of old season lambs increasing per head at levels which would not have been dreamed of at the back end of 2020.

Lambs are averaging approximately £20 per head more than 12 months previously, and as this report was being written in the second week in March we hope the anticipated usual increase in trade will bring sheep to even greater levels. One word of caution – sheep meat is now very expensive in real terms, comparing dead weight prices of £6kg plus to pork prices in the region of 130p/ kg to 150p/kg.

Certainly the live markets have been pulling the sheep prices up, proving the positive nature of the livestock markets to react to the trade.

Plenty of lambs are being seen at £140 to £155 per head and averages of over 300p/kg liveweight. On the back of the old season lamb trade, the cull ewe trade

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also increased substantially.

New season lambs are coming forward in very small numbers, although these numbers are likely to increase as Easter approaches; it will be interesting to see what the Easter trade is. With an anticipated large number of hoggets already cleared, there is a possibility that there will be a shortage of sheep meat at the end of April and the beginning of May, which may also affect trade.

The prime cattle trade is also seeing prices well above 12 months ago; indeed, numbers are totally inadequate for current demand in all sections. More cattle could easily be sold to advantage in the live rings at all markets. Colchester Market is seeing strong demand for all best butchers’ beasts and even heavy cattle are selling at levels well above 12 months ago with 240p/kg to 250p/kg and £1,500 to £1,600 regularly seen.

The cull cow trade is extremely good and again is increasing weekly. With the demand for processing meat becoming more likely with the hopeful reopening of retail outlets following the Covid-19 pandemic, we look forward to an increased demand throughout.

Again, the live markets are leading the way with pricing.

Store cattle are desperately short again and more could be sold to vendors who have sold their prime cattle well. We look forward to a continued buoyant trade for beef and lamb.

Hopefully the pig market will also see a lift. Due to the very short numbers of pigs sold in live markets it is difficult to give indications of trade, although selling dead weight pork has not been a great pleasure over the past few months. Trade has been lacklustre to say the least, and indeed supplies are well exceeding demand. As stated above, with pork trading at about 25% of the level of deadweight lambs, surely there must be a case for a substantial increase in pork prices.

With the extremely high cost of feed inputs for pork, an increase is desperately needed by pork producers. Again, with the hope of the lifting of lockdown restrictions, the catering trade will see a buoyant rise which will hopefully also benefit the pork trade. We are, after all, nearing the barbecue season.

The cull sow price is seeing a steady increase at the time of writing, with more demand as numbers tighten. A welcome sign of better things to come.

With the better weather in mid-March, it was good to see land work on the arable farms progressing well. The first sugar beet is due to be drilled in late March, but there were still quite large areas of sugar beet to be lifted. The extreme wet weather had not helped.

To finish on a positive note, we are moving forward with increasing sheep and beef prices, pork hopefully on the lift and arable crop prices looking good with the weather improving to allow normal work to proceed.

WEST SUSSEX DIARY NICK ADAMES

ENOUGH TO MAKE FARMERS GIVE UP Recently I discovered that our decision to get out of milking cows was a forerunner for several more herds in West Sussex to follow suit, for whatever reason. One feels that at the root of almost every decision to quit milking remains either effluent problems or DEFRA’s lack of control of TB, which seem to have finally hit home.

It’s annoying to have the occasional reactor, but it’s incredibly stressful when it goes on and on, disrupting dairy farms, their finances, staff morale and the farmers own morale. Just as important was the stress of holding, feeding and rearing young calves on farm because the alternative was killing them at birth. Then to find all post-mortem tests for TB are negative and, often, dozens of healthy adult cattle have been killed for no good reason. It is enough to make even the most dedicated dairy farmer give up.

Now we hear an influential woman in Downing Street has persuaded Boris that the time has come to rely on vaccination to control the plague, rather than culling badgers. So culling licences are run down while badgers are going to be ‘called in’ annually and vaccinated, but with a vaccine that hasn’t yet even been developed!

Even were there a proven vaccine, I fail to see how there can be a reliable method to ensure all a region’s ‘brocks’ present themselves for vaccination, certificated or not. But I am sure Ms Symonds and her friends have the solution. The lady needs reining in, hard and fast, and then told to stick to what she knows, as opposed to what she thinks she knows…

While this TB menace no longer affects us here, it still hurts that so many good stockmen, (were I politically correct and ‘woke’ I would of course say stock persons), with all their years of experience, coupled with some very good herds, are gone. So much of the country’s less valuable land has been well utilised by cattle for so many years, and the landscape shaped by them.

I am thinking of the river valleys along the south coast and the less workable areas of the South Downs in particular, but there are many more similar areas across the British Isles which have developed into what they are today with the strong influence of the many dairy and beef herds the land has traditionally supported.

At the speed we dairymen and our grasslands are departing, there will be much change, and not for the better, when it comes to preserving the natural environment and its many reliant species.

Just look at the huge reduction in flies, caused mainly by the lack of muck dropped on the land by cattle. So the swallows, swifts and martins fly elsewhere in summer. Does Ms Symonds take this

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NICK ADAMES Former dairy farmer

into her calculations as she presses her boyfriend to save the ‘top of the food chain’, the disease carrying badgers? The herds go, the landscape changes for ever and the limp, deluded, ‘veggie types’ make another gain.

This has been a difficult spring around West Sussex for many arable farmers to find a profitable crop to grow. The problem has been the demand for maize, which has ebbed and flowed a bit for the past ten or more years.

Years ago the maize need was based around dairy farmers and their herds’ winter feed. As dairy farms dwindled so that need reduced, and then anaerobic digesters (AD plants), using maize as their feedstock, took up the slack. One plant had a very chequered career, detrimentally affecting the cropping on many nearby farms before closing. The plant’s operators seemed to have little understanding of the need for farmers’ forward planning and cultivations. Or indeed, the law.

We have a 50-acre block of mainly grade one land, all old meadows, which grew maize in 2000.

It was lined up for the same crop this summer, but suddenly we, and other local farmers, were told, months too late, in mid-February, “maize isn’t wanted this year”, and so we were faced with fallowing the land or finding an alternative.

It is not that easy to change cropping just as one is getting ready to start cultivations and has the seed booked. It has certainly caused a number of problems. It will be interesting to see how many growers return to this particular AD plant next time

they come looking for maize.

Cattle farmers in the south lost a very good friend in late February with the death, after a difficult and debilitating illness, of Arundel farmer/cattle dealer Arthur Harriott.

Arthur was a wonderful judge of cattle, spent many hours every week at cattle markets from Kent to Somerset and had a well-earned reputation as a really fair man to deal with. Auctioneers would often delay a sales start for him to arrive and lead the bidding.

He bought many thousands of cattle a year, many to finish himself, fulfilling orders for a long list of customers wanting animals, or collecting cull cows from many dairy farmers in the area, He had bought my old cows for some 35 years and I never had cause to be anything but satisfied with the returns.

Arthur and his wife Anne loved their horse racing and had one or two very good animals trained by Lady Herries at Angmering Park. He managed to get to Goodwood most summer meetings despite rushing back from markets, such as Frome, after fulfilling his orders. Business before pleasure.

We also learned, some years ago, that Arthur and Anne were married on the same Saturday in September 1967 as my wife and I – well before we knew each other.

Arthur will be very sorely missed by so many, a true Countryman and ‘as straight as a die’. And always with a twinkle in his eye.

Editor’s note – perhaps it’s me, but Nick’s regular criticism of ‘veggie types’ seems to imply that vegetables are part of some hideous 'woke' plot, rather than being grown by farmers. And with a strapping 6’7”, far from limp or deluded, vegetarian in the family, I dispute his caricature. Feel free to contribute to our Letters Page to join the debate.

> A summer scene that’s getting rarer by the month, the old herd at grass

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FARMERS NEED TO GET THEIR AFFAIRS IN ORDER

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Farmers are being urged to ensure they have up-to-date succession plans in place following the launch of the Agricultural Transition Plan following the UK’s departure from the EU. Tom Chiffers, from national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, said that in “a period of great change”, farmers needed to be ready to deal with the consequences in order to avoid future costly disputes over succession.

The government’s Agricultural Transition Plan (ATP) outlines a timescale to change the way farming is funded, managed and incentivised, which will have a significant impact on the income of farms and the industry.

Tom, a partner in Clarke Willmott’s Private Capital team, referred to the phasing out of Basic Payments, pointing out: “All direct payments will be reduced progressively, but with bigger reductions on the higher payment bands”.

“Direct payments will be replaced by a new universally accessible Environmental Land Management scheme that will reward farmers, growers and land managers for delivering public goods, with an anticipated 50 to 60% drop in funding in real terms by 2030.

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TACKLING UNAUTHORISED

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The Government has said it will strengthen police powers and create a new criminal offence to tackle unauthorised encampments.

This new offence will specifically target trespassers who cause disruption to local communities and use vehicles to reside on land. Police will be given the powers to seize vehicles and arrest offenders.

Mark Bridgeman, President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), said: “For years, farmers and landowners have been severely affected by the damage that can be caused by unauthorised encampments.

“From their businesses being disrupted and their families being threatened, getting the situation resolved is a stressful and time-consuming process and costs thousands of pounds in legal fees and clear-up costs. The new powers, which the CLA has strongly supported, will be welcome by rural communities.

“Police will now have more powers to deal with unauthorised encampments, so it’s vitally important they use this authority to tackle incidents head-on and take the pressure off landowners.”

The criminal offence, due to be introduced as part of a major new criminal justice bill, will apply in cases where: • A person is aged 18 or over and using vehicles to reside on the land (ensuring occasional campers are not affected) • The trespassers are residing or intending to reside on land without the consent of the occupier (ensuring unintentional instances of trespass are not affected, such as ramblers or hikers) • They have caused or are likely to cause significant damage, disruption or distress • They fail to respond to a request from the occupier or police to leave the land and remove their property or they return to the land within 12 months of that request with an intention to reside with a vehicle.

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“While there is still much uncertainty and lack of clarity as to what the new payment schemes will look like, that there is an expectation there will be a significant drop in funding for all farmers at the end of the transition plan in 2027.

“In addition to the ATP, the Government has been applying greater scrutiny to both inheritance tax and capital gains tax, and there are concerns that the generous inheritance tax reliefs currently available to farmers in the form of Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief could be cut or even abolished at some point in the future.

“All of this means that farmers need to be in a state of financial and legal preparedness, with a robust succession plan in place which should include the right kind of will.”

Clarke Willmott has developed a free, online ‘Which Will?’ tool that prompts the user to think about what is important to them when making a will and recommends which will best meets their needs.

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LEGAL

LANDOWNERS, LOCKDOWN

WALKERS AND THE LAW Your duty of care as a landowner to keep people on your land safe.

Farmers and landowners may have noticed an increase in the number of people accessing their land over the past few months. Lockdown restrictions and limitations on travel have meant more people are exploring their local area and enjoying the great outdoors on their doorstep.

What if someone having a socially distanced walk with a friend on your land is injured by tripping over a protruding tree trunk or deteriorated pathway? Would you, as the landowner, be liable? Are you required to carry out regular checks on rights of way across your land?

The short answer is no. The House of Lords (now Supreme Court) decided in the case of McGeown-v-Northern Ireland Housing Association (1994) that a landowner owes no duty under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, in respect of nonfeasance, to maintain a public right of way passing over his land – in other words, allowing the path to deteriorate naturally is acceptable. On the other hand, there could be liability for misfeasance, for example if a hole is dug in the middle of the right of way.

With people walking in their local area more than they may have previously, some may not be fully aware of the designated paths or be familiar with the area. This could see them trespass on to land. Where does the law stand on trespassers?

There may be a potential liability under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 (OLA) which states that an occupier of a property owes a duty to a person who is not a visitor (i.e. a trespasser) if he is aware of a danger or has reasonable grounds to know that one exists. Clearly the 1984 Act recognises it would be unfair to hold occupiers liable for injury to trespassers whom they do not know are present or are likely to be present.

So, if you were the owner of private land and have had cause to stop people from entering the land, then this would arguably arm you with knowledge that, although not invited to be there and therefore not visitors, people are likely to trespass. The duty is to take care as is reasonable in all the circumstances, so setting traps to ward people off would probably see you fall foul of the act, as could unguarded machinery or defective premises.

A High Court decision of Buckett-v-Staffordshire County Council (2015) dismissed a claim where a young boy who had trespassed on school grounds was injured when he jumped onto a skylight. Although it was foreseen that children were likely to trespass, the skylight’s “structure, makeup and location” did not constitute

a danger. The case did highlight the importance of keeping good maintenance records because the claimant in this case was unable to establish that the skylight was defective. Had he been able to do so then the duty arising under Section 1(1)(a) of the OLA would have likely been triggered.

Further, there is not likely to be any liability for premises that were not dangerous in themselves but where misuse by the visitor caused an injury. So, if a walker decides to climb a wall instead of using the gate right next to it, then no negligence on behalf of the landowner should be found.

However, if you are aware of particular dangers on your land, such as poisonous berries that children might eat or deep ponds obscured by foliage, then the duty is to be specific with your warnings. A sign saying “Warning! Might be dangerous!” is unlikely to absolve you of liability for a danger you are aware of. Warnings must be specific and clear. So in our examples one would expect the poisonous berries to be fenced off, with a sign saying “Poisonous – do not eat” and hidden dangers clearly highlighted.

Finally, if you embrace the much-needed collective stretch of the legs post lockdown and happily invite people on to your land, then your duty would be under the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957, which is to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the reason which he or she is invited or permitted to be there.

Take particular note that the act specifically refers to children being less careful than adults and, as can be seen in the above examples, a good recorded system of inspection and maintenance and, if appropriate, adequate warnings assist in showing compliance with the act.

MARK GORE,

Senior Associate, Brachers LLP T: 01622 680409 E: markgore@brachers.co.uk www.brachers.co.uk

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Rural & Commercial Sales, Lettings & Planning Acquisitions Land/Farm required for fully retained, Property Development Valuations ready, Employment willing and able purchaser.

Arbitration & Expert Witness Consultancy 150+ acres with areas suitable for viticulture.

Basic Payment Property & Estate 1-2 hours from London.

Scheme Advice Management BudgetCompulsory circa £3.5m.

Farm Machinery & Purchase Dispersal Sales & Compensation Please contact Christopher Linton Landlord & Tenant Property Investment in confidence Advicefor an initial discussion. www.btfpartnership.co.uk www.btfpartnership.co.uk Christopher Linton – Buying Agent E challock@btfpartnership.co.uk T 01233 740077 E heathfield@btfpartnership.co.uk T 01435 864455 T 01233 740077 E canterbury@btfpartnership.co.uk T 01227 763663 M 07423 656274 E christopher.linton@btfpartnership.co.uk

56

WATSONS Battle, East Sussex

An exciting opportunity to acquire a most attractive woodland holding comprising a six bedroom farmhouse, a well-established equestrian centre with a superb range of facilities, pasture land and woodland, all offering significant potential for enhanced income generation and diversification (subject to all necessary consents).

EPC: F

COUNTRY PROPERTY AGENTS AUCTIONEERS

CHARTERED SURVEYORS VALUERS EST. 1873

ETCHINGHAM

BERWICK

IN ALL ABOUT 190 ACRES (TBV) Guide £2.5m

T 01435 810077 E info@samuelandson.co.uk

www.samuelandson.co.uk

Grade II Listed Farmhouse +

Character Farmhouse +

Outbuildings + 11.4 Acres

Traditional Barns with PP + 19 Acres

• Period farmhouse requiring refurbishment

• Five bedroom farmhouse

• Rural setting with views

• Barns with pp for three dwellings

• Stabling and outbuildings

• Elevated location with views

• About 11.4 acres

• About 19 Acres

• MLS one mile

• A27 half a mile

Offers over: £750,000

Offers over: £1,250,000

Tel: 01435 865077

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

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

Contact:

Battle Haywards Heath Pulborough Tunbridge Wells

01424 775577 01444 412402 01798 877555 01892 509280

Permitted Development

Are you missing an opportunity? Download our free guides at www.batchellermonkhouse.com/permitted-development

VIEWS TO THE SEA PEVENSEY | EAST SUSSEX

ABOUT 87.3 ACRES

GUIDE PRICE £425,000 - £475,000

On the market with Batcheller Monkhouse is Rock House Bank Farm – about 87.3 acres of pasture located to the west of Normans Bay with direct road access, views to the sea and partly bordering Wallers Haven.

The land is situated in the parish of Normans Bay, within walking distance of the popular Star Inn public house, and the sand and shingle beach is

about one mile away.

Pevensey Marshes are renowned for their abundance of wildlife and flora, and the land is laid to pasture.

There is direct access from the road, and glorious views in all directions and to the sea. Part of the land borders the Wallers Haven.

Vacant possession available on completion.

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Battle office: 01424 775577

57 BATTLE | EAST SUSSEX

GUIDE PRICE £2.5 MILLION

Samuel & Son are delighted to offer Petley Wood for sale, a diverse 190 acre holding comprising a farmhouse, a well established equestrian centre, pasture land and a beautiful ancient woodland located in the heart of 1066 country on the edge of the historic town of Battle with excellent transport links to London and the south coast.

The generously proportioned six bedroom farmhouse offers modern family accommodation, set in attractive gardens with a wonderful outlook over the property. The current owners have developed the equestrian centre over a number of years and it now boasts a superb range of facilities including 33 stables, an outdoor arena of about 0.95 acres, a 50m x 25m indoor arena and further all weather 40m x 20m manège and circular horsewalker together with extensive hard surface parking areas that can accommodate a large number of cars and heavy vehicles. The centre is regularly used for competitions and shows throughout the year and is popular for livery.

Pasture fields surround the equestrian facilities, providing about 15 acres of grazing, and beyond is a most attractive ancient broadleaf woodland covering about 168 acres providing acres of safe on site hacking and walking.

The property’s diverse make up and location

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

190 ACRES

i

Horam Office: 01435 810077

A DIVERSE HOLDING

holds significant potential for enhanced income generation though the existing equestrian enterprises and may appeal to a buyer with an interest in woodland conservation as well as

investors seeking income from sporting, leisure and tourism uses (subject to all necessary consents).

The property is offered for sale by Private Treaty, as a whole, with a guide of £2.5m.

P O T

K C I P

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

Kent | West Kingsdown Guide price: £825,000 Two good sized arable fields straddling the M20 with possible long term strategic potential Sevenoaks: 8.5 miles Dartford: 9.8 miles City of London: 24 miles About 106 acres (43 hectares) Available as a whole or in two lots

National Estates & Farm Agency 07884 866 275 will.whittaker@struttandparker.com 07469 154 771 liza.howden@struttandparker.com

58

/struttandparker

@struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Over 50 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

ZB319 South East Farmer Half Page.indd 1

TH & Co

19/03/2021 12:27

TED HANDLEY & Co

BACK IN BUSINESS!

LIMITED

Property Consultants and Advisors LD

SO

PEVENSEY 56 acres Prime fattening land in the centre of Pevensey Levels BUXTED 15.21 acres Excellent road frontage adjoining the village

HORLEY, SURREY Coming soon 25 acres Grassland and woodland.

Close to Horley Centre & Gatwick Airport

WANTED Sussex/Surrey Borders 100 -180 Acres If with a house great otherwise just land and buildings.

URGENT NEED

WANTED East Sussex/West Kent 70 – 300 Acres 1,2 or 3 Houses Grass or Arable Buildings important

PEVENSEY 53 acres Excellent renowned grazing in the centre of Pevensey Levels

THE ESTATE OFFICE • HIGH STREET • MAYFIELD • EAST SUSSEX • TN20 6AB TELEPHONE: 01435 692058 MOBILE: 07483 108078 EMAIL: th@tedhandley.co.uk APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

LAND AND FARMS HASTINGS | EAST SUSSEX

i

Battle office: 01424 775577

An attractive, Grade II Listed, period Farmhouse set in a rural location with panoramic views over its own land and beyond to the Doleham valley, Maxfield Nature Reserve and the Brede Valley in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Weald of Sussex is on the market with Batcheller Monkhouse.

The farm includes an Oast House and former stables, both with residential consent, and 46.4 acres of pasture and woodland. Available as a whole or in five Lots.

Doleham Farmhouse sits in a perfect elevated position with panoramic views. To the west of the house is a terrace and an orchard with a selection of fruit trees. To the north of the house is an outbuilding with 7.35kW of solar panels. This building was formerly used for agriculture and now for general storage, and extends to 1,053 square feet.

The land is divided into two pasture fields, one of which has been planted as a wildflower meadow, and there is an area of ancient bluebell woodland surrounded by more recent planting comprising a selection of deciduous trees including oak, ash, apple, hawthorn, hornbeam, maple, etc. Within this area is a lovely pond.

The gardens and grounds extend to about 13.15 acres.

Lot 1 – Doleham Farmhouse: Doleham Farmhouse is Grade II Listed, dating from the 16th century. There are many original features including exposed oak timbering and large inglenook fireplace. The majority of the rooms enjoy exceptional views over the surrounding countryside.

Lot 2 – Doleham Oast: Doleham Oast comprises a traditional twin roundel

RURAL LOCATION WITH

PANORAMIC VIEWS

oast and barn. This has consent reference number RR/2014/1591/P to convert into a four-bedroomed residential dwelling. The property will have wonderful views, along with gardens, paddock and a woodland plantation extending in all to about 6.77 acres Lot 3 – Doleham Stables: Doleham Stables comprises an attractive brick two-storey building beneath a slate-effect roof with planning consent reference number RR/2014/1592/P to convert into a spacious property.

Lot 4: To the west of Doleham Lane is an area of pasture and ancient bluebell woodland with an area of mainly oak and ash trees, planted in 1993/94 with two separate accesses onto the lane, and lovely views over the surrounding countryside. This extends to about 18.76 acres.

Lot 5: 7.58 acres of grassland can be approached from either Lots 1 or 2 but also with a separate access from the lane, and comprises a beautiful area of marshland adjoining Doleham Ditch, with two wildlife scrapes.

INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL Watsons of Heathfield have been instructed to market two interesting, unusual and highly desirable types of rural property. Although very different in nature, design and location, both offer the opportunity to acquire rural properties where there is potential to enhance value.

Underwoods Farm is situated in a country lane on the outskirts of the much sought-after village of Etchingham and has excellent views.

The property is an attractive, listed and archetypal 17th century timber framed farmhouse, in need of modernisation and refurbishment, with great character and having a feature catslide roof to the rear.

The living accommodation is on three floors and includes a large kitchen/ breakfast room and separate dining area, an unusually spacious sitting room, five bedrooms, family bathroom and two shower rooms. The farmhouse overlooks the majority of its 11.4 acres of south facing pasture and the Dudwell Valley beyond.

There are two stable yard areas and a detached former oast house/granary, accessed directly from Borders Lane. To the west of the property is the main yard area, comprising a row of stables, block built stables, hay store with tack and feed rooms and, to the rear, an adjoining stable block.

Another rarely available development opportunity is Stonery Farm near Berwick. Included in the sale is a well-presented spacious family home, a range of traditionally built flint and brick farm buildings with planning permission for three dwellings and about 19 acres. The farmhouse has accommodation on three floors with large sitting and dining rooms, fully 01435 865077 fitted kitchen and five bedrooms.

i

> Stonery Farm

Bespoke Planning Advice

for your planning journey

Now recruiting!

Seeking a rural planner or surveyor for Cranbrook

www.therpp.co.uk CRANBROOK 01580 201888

> Underwoods Farm

CIRENCESTER 01285 323200

office@therpp.co.uk

Chartered Town Planner

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

59

LAND AND FARMS

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE CREATES ADDED VALUE Housing delivery is a critical part of the economy, and central government has been keen to ensure planning consents are turned into houses quickly and efficiently. Land promoters do not build houses and therefore it is imperative for them to demonstrate that their planning permissions can be turned into ‘real homes’ quickly.

The Government introduced the ‘housing delivery test’ to ensure local authorities grant consent for schemes that are deliverable. Ensure you select a land promoter who is known for their ability to provide housebuilders with implementable permissions.

The plethora of technical challenges and constraints on a land site, the constant evolution of innovative technology and building methods and the ever changing government regulations and requirements mean it’s a challenge to build the 300,000 new homes needed every year to help solve the housing crisis.

Housebuilders and local authorities must have confidence that any planning permission obtained by a land promoter is deliverable.

IN-HOUSE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

As innovators within the land promotion sector, Catesby Estates was one of the first companies to recognise the importance and added value that in-house technical expertise can deliver to both landowners and housebuilders. We nurtured and developed our own in-house technical team, making our skill set unique amongst land promoters.

Our technical team has a strong track record, having worked for major housebuilders, and through their knowledge and experience are able to bring forward sites with comprehensive technical background work that has already

been completed, offering value engineered solutions to any site constraints.

This means there is less of an upfront risk for a housebuilder than would come with a land site that has not been fully considered from a technical and deliverability perspective. This in turn increases the speed of housing delivery, with housebuilders able to get on site and start construction quicker.

The technical team is involved in all stages of land promotion, from site acquisition and planning through to the final sale process. The team looks at the deliverability and constraints of sites, which drives the evolution of the constraints plan and the final illustrative masterplan. It addresses issues such as gradients, ground investigation, access, highways, utilities, flood risk and drainage. This comprehensive technical input at the early stages reduces the possibility of expensive delays later in the final sale and legal process of the land.

CREATING ADDED VALUE FOR HOUSEBUILDERS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES

An in-depth understanding of the housebuilders and their end product offers added value to housebuilders looking to purchase new sites from land promoters.

By constantly assessing and dealing with technical issues which can affect site deliverability, they give local authorities and other stakeholders at planning committees confidence in the planning consent they are granting and the quality of the development coming forward.

As a landowner, choosing your partner carefully means you will be maximising your land value through a successful combination of strategic land promotion and detailed technical approach.

Could your land have development potential?

Find out more about land promotion

JONATHAN BABB

Technical Director, Catesby Estates plc T: 01926 836910 E: JonathanB@catesbyestates.co.uk W: www.catesbyestates.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

61

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

• • • • • • •

62

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

 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

APRIL 2021 | 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

FARM BUILDING REPAIRS We will continue to work through coronavirus, and we will be available to attend site and estimate customers projects and/or insurance repair/works.

We have now insisted that our employees wear suitable personal protection equipment on any such works until further notice.

LET’S KEEP WORKING!

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

63

We are available to carry out ESSENTIAL REPAIR WORKS to AGRICULTURAL LIVESTOCK/STORAGE BUILDINGS etc 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

SOUTH EAST CLADDING LTD Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT!

FREEPHONE: 01233 659129

from BT land-line

MOBILE: 07813 142 145 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 | APRIL 2021

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

JPR “ROOFING” & GUTTERING INSTALLATIONS LTD

Fully insured and licensed. 23 years family run business.

Covering all KENT & SUSSEX We will continue to work through coronavirus, and we will be available to attend site and estimate customers projects and/or insurance repair/works.

We have now insisted that our employees wear suitable personal protection equipment on any such works until further notice.

Penfold Profiles

Asbestos removal Sheeting Guttering RAMSA K M

M

B

E

R

Specialists in agricultural and industrial buildings

LET’S KEEP WORKING!

ASBESTOS

Asbestos Sheet removal Roof & gutter repairs New roofs & cladding Refurbishments Roller shutter doors Demolition & clearance

64

E

Survey Removal Disposal

GUTTERS Aluminium liners PVC liners Accessories

SHEETING Complete buildings New roof system for conversions Repairs – Rooflights

07864 823 476 07889 481618 penfoldprofiles@btinternet.com www.penfoldprofiles.co.uk

We are available to carry out ESSENTIAL REPAIR WORKS to AGRICULTURAL LIVESTOCK/STORAGE BUILDINGS etc

Contact: Chris, for a no obligation quotation: Tel: 07813 142145 or 01233 659129 (7 days) www.jprmaintenance-construction.co.uk

Penfold Profiles. Lees Paddock, High Halden, Ashford, Kent

CROP DRYING

SHORTLAND STRUCTURES LTD

• STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS • CLADDING • ERECTING • • EXTENSIONS • ALTERATIONS • CONCRETE PANELS • ROLLER/SLIDING/PERSONNEL DOORS •

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

PELLCROFT

Tel: 01732 460912 Mobile: 07976 287836 Email: sales@shortlandstructures.com

www.shortlandstructures.com

www.pellcroft.com | sales@pellcroft.com | 01526 342466 DESIGN • PLANNING • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • DEMOLITION • GROUNDWORKS • CONSTRUCTION • FIT-OUT • LANDSCAPING

RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL tom.bower@salamandergroup.net / 07507 639 560

Salamander is focused on delivering high quality sustainable developments within the residential, agricultural and industrial sectors. We offer the full range of services from planning through to completion, providing a unique perspective on how to get the most value from your assets.

www.salamandergroup.net

APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

john.houlton@salamandergroup.net / 07813 747 361

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Contact Maurice today 07468 429409

LAND DRAINAGE, EARTHWORKS, GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION

O’Reilly Oakstown Ltd Atlantic Way, Barry Port, Barry, Wales, CF63 3RA, UK info@oreillyoakstown.com

O’REILLY

concrete

FULL LAND DRAINAGE SERVICE sportsfields, amenity and irrigation systems using Mastenbroek trenchers

S W ATTWOOD & PARTNERS

L Walls & A Walls Grain Storage Walls Precast Storage Tanks Prestressed Wall Panels Agricultural Precast & Storage

PONDS, LAKES & RESERVOIRS construction and maintenance

S W ATTWOOD & PART LAND DRAINAGE GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION primary excavations, aggregate sub-base, agricultural construction and concreting

   

FIELD MAPPING DRAINAGE SURVEYING DESIGN DRAINAGE

FROM £220 PER ACRE

LAND DRAINAGE ENVIRONMENTAL HABITATS water course maintenance and improvement works

   

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

DRAINAGE SURVEYING DESIGN SWA DRAINAGE SW ATTWOOD & PARTNERS

S W ATTWOOD & PARTNERS FROM £220 PER ACRE LAND DRAINAGE

S W ATTWOOD & PARTNERS LAND DRAINAGE

   www.oreillyoakstown.co.uk 

FIELD MAPPING DRAINAGE SURVEYING DESIGN DRAINAGE

To advertise in South East Farmer FROM £220 telephone 01303 233883 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ®

65

PER ACRE

PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

CONTRACTORS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PHONE: 01795 880441 • FIELD MAPPING • DRAINAGE SURVEYING PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR • DESIGN • DRAINAGE EMAIL: james@swattwood.com

G & S BROWN

WEBSITE:

Drainage Contractors

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JAMES OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.attwoodfarms.com PHONE: 01795 880441

Working with farmers since 1947

● LAND DRAINAGE ● DITCHING ● POND WORK ● WATER SUPPLIES ● SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS ● GROUNDWORKS ● PLANT HIRE 360° EXCAVATORS

TOM: 01795 880441 or 07943 192383

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

  LANDwww.swjfattwood.com DRAINAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION  PLANT HIRE OUR PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT FOR ESTIMATES & ENQUIRIES INERT TIPPING WEBSITE:  (01622) 890884  GRAIN STORAGE & Competitive Direct Drilling Service Email: info@brownsdrainage.co.uk  CLAY SALES Using our proven Simtech Aitchison direct drill we seed into all surfaces - grasses, clovers, PHONE: 01795 880441

www.brownsdrainage.co.uk

www.attwoodfarms.    

LAND DRAINAGE

brassicas, cereals, pulses, maize and all mixtures. The unique T-slot boot allows a perfect

environment for the seeds to germinate, along its 3m sowing width with 20 rows (15cm).

EMAIL: james@swattwood.com

• land clearance

• windbreak removal

• excavations

• timber extraction

• cultivations

• fallen tree removal

• pond dredging

• ground contouring

• reservoir construction

W.H.Skinner & Sons

01622 744640 - 07711 264775 www.whskinnerandsons.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

PLANT HIRE

INERT TIPPING www.attwoodfarms.com

Grubbing, timber & groundwork services • orchard grubbing

This method saves time and money compared with more traditional re-seeding methods, but is also capable of stitching and rejuvenating existing crops.

CLAY SALES

 GRAIN STORAGE & TESTING  LAND DRAINAGE  PLANT HIRE Town Place Farm, Haywards Heath  Mob: 07970 INERT TIPPING Tel: 01825 790341 621832 Email: Charlie@townplacefarm.co.uk  CLAY SALES

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

CLASSIFIEDS

HAULIERS EVENTS

HIRE SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST

07860 728204 Hay & Straw Merchant | Machinery Haulage

• Toilets & Showers for hire • Large range of Temporary canteens, stores & welfare units • Effluent Tank Emptying • Events also catered for with chillers & toilets

HAY & STRAW IN STOCK | ROUND & BIG SQUARE BALES

Find us on Facebook

FOUR JAYS GROUP

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

FENCING

PHILIP JUNIPER Fencing Services

Specialists in Stock, Deer and Equestrian Fencing

PRESSURE WASHERS SALES, SERVICE & HIRE OUT of Pressure Washers, Vacuums, Scrubber Dryers, Sweepers & Dry Steamers from the leading manufacturers!

Fully Stocked mobile engineers with full manufacturer training.

Over 45 YEARS in trading!

Covering the South East Tel: (01403) 700509 Mobile: 07836 219344

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www.philipjuniper.co.uk

Manufacturers of Chestnut Fencing Products Hardwood gates

WWW.PRESSURECLEAN.CO.UK WWW.PRESSURECLEAN.CO.UK

STORAGE TANKS

Cleft post and rail Stakes and posts Chestnut fencing

CWP fenci f n ng

TEL:01293 554750 TEL:01293

Tel: 07985298221 www.cwpfencing.co.uk

KING

STORAGE TANKS Horizontal Cylindrical Tanks From 54,500 litres to 27,250 litres (12,000 - 6,000 gallon)

Redhill Farm Services: Fencing Division

Single and twin compartments, with cradles

Bunded Tanks

ALL TYPES OF FENCING & GATES

From 27,000 litres to 10,000 litres (6,000 - 2,000 gallon) With cabinet, guage and alarm

Supplied and erected & Repairs Tel: 01737 821220 Mob: 07768 931891 Email: redhillfarmservices@gmail.com

All suitable for fuel, water and effluent Call today for details

Tel 01638 712328

www.thekinggroup.co.uk/tanks

SMITHS

of the Forest of Dean Ltd.

The Tank and Drum Experts ®

CLASSIFIEDS FROM £65 To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883 APRIL 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Buy from stock. Visit us to collect or same day dispatch with nationwide delivery.

New and recycled IBC Tanks. Plastic and Steel Drums. Water Tanks, IBCs & Fittings.

VisitVisit www.smdd.co.uk www.smdd.co.uk

Or telephone on 01594 833308 for more information.

Or telephone on 01594 833308 for more information.

CROSSWORD ®

VINEYARDS

COMPLETE OUR CROSSWORD TO WIN Three bottles of Dry, three bottles of Medium and two bottles of Sweet Strong Kentish Cider

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Reaped (9) Turn away (5) Plants that take two years to complete cycle (8) Abdominal pain (5) Job that needs doing (4) Tiny pores in a leaf (7) Fungal plant disease (7,6) Suffering from a lack of interest (7) A condition that is not harmful (6) Missive (7) Frozen water vapour that falls in flakes (4) Meat eater (9) Pest that damages foliage (9) Identification placed in ears (4)

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Mannerism (5) Marsh plants (5) Farm machine (7) Stringed instrument (5) Colours displayed in an arch in the sky (7) Hired vehicle (4) Breed plants from cuttings (9) Faulty (3) Narrow rural road (4) Organ of sight (3) Give a false impression (5) Spirit (3) Turns (6) Geometric figure (5) Implement for eating (5) A loud cry (5)

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8 9 10 12 15 17 20 23 25 26 27

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Crossword by Rebecca Farmer, Broadstairs, Kent

PRIZE ANAGRAM: A way to prevent pests (10,7)

To enter, simply unscramble the

anagram (10,7) using the green squares.

Email your replies with your name, address and phone number to sef.ed@kelsey.co.uk Correct entries will be entered into a draw which will take place on 20 April. The winner will be announced in the May edition.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: 1

U

VINEYARDS As we come out of lockdown we are offering readers the chance to win three bottles of Dry, three bottles of Medium and two bottles of Sweet Strong Kentish Cider. Biddenden Vineyards is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard producing award winning wines, ciders and juices. For more information about the vineyards, please visit www.biddendenvineyards.com or call 01580 291726. *Subject to availability

N

R 8

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N

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E 10

2

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V

I

A U

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3

P

I

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A

11

A

R

G

Y

17

N

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I

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20

P

U

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N M C

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N

B

A

C Y

9

G

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G

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12

B

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S

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U H

7

N

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18

K

S

22

L

L

O R

N O

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K 21

6

N 15

T

N

U

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W

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I 26

S

A

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Q 25

14

5

D

I 13

W

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A

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16

D Y

E E

4

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L E

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Y 24

I 23

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27

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19

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Correct answer: Haulm LAST MONTH’S WINNER: Pamela Brise from Ridley, Kent

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | APRIL 2021

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SMALL FARM INSURANCE THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO At NFU Mutual we understand what it takes to keep a smaller farm running. That’s why our Farm Essentials policy provides specific cover for livestock, hill farms and simple diversifications.

To see how we can help farms of all sizes contact your local agency, or search NFU Mutual Small Farm.

The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No.111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratfordupon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers.