South East Farmer February 2024

6 MARCH 2024

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February 2024

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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 ADVERTISING & MARKETING Jamie McGrorty 01303 233883 jamie.mcgrorty@kelsey.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGN Jo Legg 07306 482166 jo.legg@flair-design.co.uk

18

FEB RUA RY 2024

CONTENTS

MANAGEMENT DIVISIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR: Steve Kendall PUBLISHER: Jamie McGrorty RETAIL DIRECTOR: Steve Brown SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Claire Aspinall PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Kelly Orriss

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DISTRIBUTION

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14

57 NEWS & REPORTS

04 Nature-friendly development sites.

05 Free help for farmers looking to add

resilience to their farm.

06 Challenges ahead.

07 Opening the doors to diversification.

10 Farmers and growers are struggling to cope with rising costs, labour shortages and low prices. South East Farmer brings you the latest news.

REGULARS

14 MONICA AKEHURST

Monica has only had to be rescued once.

18 NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS...

Falconhurst Estate to meet the Talbot family and their contract dairy farming partners, RC & JL Pickering & Sons, to find out how fresh ideas and regenerative agriculture are breathing new life into a traditional family run business.

24 NICK ADAMES

25 ADVICE FROM THE VET Calf health scoring.

26 ALAN WEST

29 SARAH CALCUTT 47 STEPHEN CARR

48 ANITA HICKSON 54 LEGAL

57 LAND AND FARMS

FEATURES

08 KENT FARMING CONFERENCE Addressing food security.

30 FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

The South East’s largest agricultural and machinery show, Farm Expo, returns for its fifth year at the Kent Showground, Detling, on 6 March 2024.

50 NEWS FROM THE VINEYARD

The view from the tasting room at Yotes Court Vineyard is simply stunning, and the more time that is spent at this Kentish location the more fascinating it becomes.

OP IN IO N ‘Double whammy’ for growers

4

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it doesn’t do much to keep creditors at bay.

Put another way, eating fruit may be good for you, but it’s not currently doing much for growers, who are facing the ‘double whammy’ of rising input costs and retailers who aren’t keen to pay the going rate for the produce on their shelves.

Smaller growers have been throwing in the towel for some time, but the news that Kent grower Bardsley England is stopping production should turn the volume knob on the alarm bells up to 11.

The investment group Camellia, which bought an 80% stake in the company in August 2021, has suggested that increasing labour and energy costs played a large part in the decision to end production.

While that’s undoubtedly true, it’s not the whole story.

The impact of Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have pushed up producer prices in many other areas, too, but in general the consumer has picked up the pieces by paying more for the product.

In the case of our fruit and veg, though, supermarkets seem determined to keep prices down, and have put the squeeze on suppliers rather than shoppers. So, while those doctor-def ying apples may be doing the customer good, they are increasingly putting the men and women growing them out of business.

Sarah Calcutt makes an interesting point in her column this month, pointing out that while supermarket buyers are highly trained in negotiating skills, those on the other side of the table may not have the same experience, particularly in the case of smaller, independent concerns.

It will be the consumer who loses out, of course, in terms of variety and quality. It would be naïve to suggest that if the squeeze continues we will end up with no apples on the shelves, as there will always be someone prepared to fill that kind of gap, but what variety and quality will we be left with if this war of attrition against growers continues?

It would be encouraging to see positive moves towards a fairer supply chain by one of the major supermarkets, but perhaps that’s equally naïve.

After all, it’s tough to lend a hand when your annual profits are in the hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds…

MALCOLM TRIGGS - EDITOR

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

NATURE-FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT SITES

Legislation requiring developers to leave sites more nature-friendly at the end of building work than they were at the beginning of the project will come in to play this month.

The Government has announced that the long-anticipated biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements will go live on 12 February.

In DEFRA’s own words: “From this date major development (unless otherwise exempt) will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers.”

The impact on landowners and farmers stems from the fact that if developers can’t achieve the necessary net gain in biodiversity on site, they can instead fund improvements on other sites.

It’s a policy which gives landowners a major opportunity to attract funding from developers looking to create wildlife habitats on alternative sites and has been welcomed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

President Victoria Vyvyan said: “Biodiversity net gain is an important policy to support ambitions for nature recovery and it is right that any development or infrastructure project should make up for any biodiversity losses.

“There is still work to do to fully establish the market for biodiversity units, with a need for greater transparency and more standard contracts to reduce the transaction costs.

“BNG is rightly encouraged to go onsite, but the CLA would also like to see a greater emphasis on offsite provision, which can be provided by landowners in the local area to help reconnect habitats over the landscape.”

BNG will be mandatory for new planning applications for major development made under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1990, with some exemptions. Major development includes residential developments with 10 or more dwellings, or where the site area is greater than 0.5 hectares.

BNG for small sites will apply from 2 April 2024 and includes commercial development where the floor space created is less than 1,000 square metres or the total site area is less than one hectare.

The CLA is working with Future Homes Hub and has launched a biodiversity unit finder where available offsite units can be registered.

See https://futurehomes.org.uk/biodiversityunitfindermap

NEWS Livestock farmers in Berkshire and Oxfordshire are among those who can now get free help on regenerative farming by accessing the Farm for the Future Programme delivered by Pasture for Life working with the Royal Countryside Fund.

The programme, funded by DEFRA’s Future Farm Resilience Fund, aims to help farmers improve the resilience of their business, enhance their farmed environment and adapt to climate and policy change.

Over the next six months the Pasture for Life team will deliver a series of free, interactive ruminant livestock workshops which will include time for farmer-to-farmer networking and learning, signposting and next-step planning.

The programme was launched at the Royal Agricultural University on 1 February, with Pasture for Life’s head of research Nikki Yoxall speaking on alternative farming practices for improving sustainability.

March will feature two half-day workshops focussing on using regenerative principles to enhance the farm business and the environment, run by agroecological farmer and facilitator Jonty Brunyee and regenerative mentor and adviser Russell Carrington.

Participants will then be invited over spring and summer to four topic-based Pasture for Life workshops designed to suit their specific needs.

Participants will hear from regenerative adviser Russell Carrington (centre)

FREE HELP FOR FARMERS LOOKING TO

ADD RESILIENCE TO THEIR FARM

Any tenant farmer or owner-occupier currently in receipt of basic payments in England can join the programme, even if they have already participated in one run by the

Royal Countryside Fund. As well as being able to access resources and ongoing support, they will benefit from a free year-long introductory membership of Pasture for Life, worth £120.

Email sarah.williams@pastureforlife.org.uk for more information

FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Pasture for Life has also recently expanded its Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes Programme in the Cotswolds, Chilterns and North Wessex Downs.

This gives free access for farmers in these protected areas with grazing animals or those looking to integrate them into their farming system, thanks to funding by the Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund (FiPL).

The programme, launched in December, will run until March 2025 and offers free innovative farmer-led mentoring and events programmes. Farmers wishing to be paired with a farmer mentor should apply as soon as possible as places are limited.

To find out more email ccnwd@pastureforlife.org

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5

NEWS

6

Outgoing NFU President Minette Batters looked back at successes but warned of challenges ahead as she delivered her final new year message to farmers across the country.

She began with a reference to the past year’s “unprecedented challenges”, including “soaring production costs, global turmoil from the Ukraine war, extreme weather and significant delays to the future of farm payments” but pointed to a number of “incredible successes”.

She pointed to the “landmark achievement” of the first ever Farm to Fork Summit held at Number 10 last summer, something she said had “secured government commitments to support British farming and protect our domestic food security and concluded with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recognition that food security should be taken seriously by the government”.

She said two “key causes for celebration” were the Precision Breeding Bill and Equipment Theft Bills receiving Royal Assent, pointing out that they would give farmers greater access to precision breeding tools for crops and livestock and give the Government greater powers against equipment theft.

“We campaigned hard on both issues and these bills are important steps forward to help farmers improve their climate-friendly food production and keep their businesses safer from criminals,” Ms Batters went on.

Public support for farming was highlighted, with the president pointing out that more than 27,000 people had supported the campaign to An international expert in food security has joined the board of East Malling Trust, further strengthening its focus on the advancement of horticultural research.

Professor Sarah Gurr is the Chair in Food Security at Exeter University. In 2023 she was listed, as she had been in 2019, amongst the world’s top 1% of most highly cited researchers

by Clarivate Analytics.

As a charity, East Malling Trust is tasked with advancing science for public benefit, mainly by supporting horticultural research and development.

Sarah, who grew up in Kent, has authored or co-authored almost 200 publications, including several high-profile papers in science and nature Journals and contributed to the Government’s Foresight report on biological hazards. She

Minette Batters

CHALLENGES AHEAD persuade supermarkets to add a Buy British button to their websites and that the NFU’s petition to ban sky lanterns had received over 100,000 signatures. In addition, more than 1,750 people had signed a letter urging political parties to address flooding issues.

Ms Batters also referred to the NFU’s “ground-breaking educational initiatives” which she said had seen more than 360,000 students across 5,000 schools nationwide participating in Live Lessons that saw agriculture support STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) learning.

She warned, though, that there was still “much to do”, pointing out: “Despite the progress made, the Government is still a long way behind on its commitments” and stressing: “As a matter of urgency, our national food security must now be embedded into the Sustainable Farming Incentive.”

The president added: “England is the only country in the G20 to be stepping back from a commitment to produce food, and the disparity of payment rates between grassland and arable land must be addressed. Urgent action is needed if we are to get the uptake needed to deliver DEFRA’s own legislated environmental ambitions.”

She went on: “We also continue to call for government to deliver on its priorities for growth in horticulture through a wellresourced producer organisation scheme, as well as focusing on policies to drive productivity investment, supply chain fairness and access to skilled labour.

“Our ambitions are clear. Food security must be a top priority for any government and investing in our farming and growing sector is essential for productivity, job creation, and economic and environmental delivery.”

NEW TRUSTEE WILL CHAMPION

HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH speaks frequently at horticultural science and industry events around the world. She said: “My career is dedicated to improving understanding of plant disease, and so I’m very pleased to have been asked to join the board of East Malling Trust, where I can share my knowledge in support of food security and the industry.”

Welcoming her to East Malling Trust, Chairman Oliver Doubleday said: “Sarah’s scientific track record and global reputation makes her an excellent addition to the board of trustees and our support for horticultural research and the industry.”

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Professor Sarah Gurr

NEWS

OPENING THE DOORS TO DIVERSIFICATION A farmers’ forum to discuss diversification and the planning process is being held at Ashford Market on Tuesday 27 February.

The Diversification Winter Forum is aimed at giving farmers and landowners a comprehensive guide to the opportunities on offer and the processes that need to be negotiated, with three expert speakers promising to explain how to secure the investment and planning permission needed to turn an idea into a profitable part of a farming enterprise.

The organisers point out: “Diversifying a farming business is a fundamental strategy for more and more farmers and landowners to help build a sustainable future, but many don’t realise the timescales involved, the amount of information required to put an application forward and the additional resources you need to consider.”

The speakers at the event will be • Charles Hesketh, regional policy manager east NFU, discussing current opportunities and trends.

• Steve Davies, associate director, Hobbs Parker Property Consultants LLP, outlining the route to planning permission.

• Justin Ellis, agribusiness manager, Virgin Money, with an insight into financial support and business planning.

“Hosting regular forums for the farming

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community is essential and really important to the team at NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden and Whitfield, said Doug Jackson, senior agent and NFU group secretary. “As the leading rural insurer, we recognise that farming diversification is important to our customers. Hobbs Parker and Virgin Money have been excellent collaborators on the forum, and we are pleased to be working with them to bring this exciting subject to an already engaged audience.”

Justin Ellis has been supporting farming businesses for Virgin Money across the South East region for 12 years. He explained: “Last year, in a detailed survey of 300 agricultural business customers, Virgin Money found that 26% had created some diversification during the previous 12 months. We have been helping all types of farming businesses with imaginative and bespoke funding solutions for generations, however, today, as the industry transitions away from BPS, diversification is becoming one of the most

7

important areas of investment planning. As a bank we are working closely with customers to help develop plans which will deliver successful long-term outcomes.”

The forum will take place from 9am to 11am, at Amos Hall, Invicta Business Centre, Ashford Market, Monument Way TN24 0HB. To book, phone Sue Porter on 01580 766174 or email sue_porter@nfumutual.co.uk

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2024 KENT FARMING CONFERENCE

STARK MESSAGE 8

“We need reward for the risks, and we can’t make progress without making a profit.” That was the stark message from the 2024 Kent Farming Conference, staged by the Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS) towards the end of January.

The warning came from Marion Regan MBE, managing director of Hugh Lowe Farms and one of three well-chosen speakers tasked with unravelling this year’s theme of Addressing food security: ideas for change.

No-one minded that the three speakers ran well over the allotted time, although KCAS President William Boscowen, who hosted the well-attended evening, felt he should apologise for a late finish which

simply reflected the speakers’ passion for their subject and the audience’s desire to hear their views.

It was Marion Regan, at the helm of a fifth generation family business growing strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, who stressed that growers needed a fairer cut from the supply chain in order to invest in the future.

She pointed out that the word “profit” comes from the Latin noun profectus, meaning “progress”, maintaining that if farmers and growers were unable to make money, they could not invest in the innovations needed not just for their own businesses but for society as a whole.

In her own business, she pointed out that

there were opportunities to innovate in areas such as genetics, automation, robotics, renewable energy sources, integrated pest management and people, all areas that could bring long-term benefits for all.

Such investment was hindered, though, by rising costs that were rapidly outstripping the price at which she was able to sell produce, a point she demonstrated with a slide showing that the hourly wage rate in 2008 was around £5, with the strawberry price just shy of £11. In 2024, the national living wage is set to rise to £11.44, while the price of the fruit has remained static.

Referring to a comment she said she had heard her father make often, she pointed out: “Every year we bet the farm”, stressing

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at the end of her presentation: “The market doesn’t recognise the cost of production.”

The conference, held at the Kent Event Centre in Detling, also heard from two other accomplished speakers, Andrew Ward MBE, Lincolnshire arable farmer and founder of Forage Aid, and Peter Greig, the founder of Pipers Farm and an advocate of short supply chains.

Their fascinating contributions to the debate often went against the perceived wisdom, with both men particularly sceptical about the drive to calculate carbon emissions and uncertain about what exactly constitutes ‘regenerative’ farming.

Andrew, who admitted that a ‘carbon audit’ of his farm had shown he was well off the pace, pointed out that with so many different carbon calculators to choose from, he could have emerged from the exercise with a wide range of answers. “I’m honestly not sure what else I can do to reduce it,” he said.

On ‘regen’ farming, Peter said his approach to ‘regenerative’ was to encourage the next generation to continue growing food sustainably for people to eat.

Again perhaps unusually, and following a seven-year trial, Andrew is reverting to a ‘deep mintill’ approach on his land, abandoning cover cropping after getting better results without it. He also pointed out that since grain locked up huge amounts of carbon, actions which were aimed at reducing carbon emissions could be counterproductive if they resulted in a lower yield.

Andrew spent some time outlining his successful approach to getting rid of blackgrass, based on not growing wheat and spraying off any areas that re-emerged.

“Don’t keep doing the same thing,” he stressed. “You can get rid of it.”

Peter Greig, who began with a fascinating look back at history, including his ancestor David Greig’s battle with John Sainsbury for supermarket supremacy, said the UK needed

to look at establishing food security “from the bottom up”, which needed growers to take more control of shorter supply chains.

He acknowledged that farmers could earn large sums by taking up Sustainable Farming Incentive payments or installing solar PV arrays but said that when it came to growing food, they had become ‘price takers’, asking: “How did we get here?”

Pipers Farm, run by Peter and wife Henri, butchers and supplies meat that is reared by 45 small scale family farms which produce grass-fed beef, lamb and mutton, free range chicken, pigs, ducks, poultry, wild venison and game.

Peter also picked out a number of ‘legends’ whose business approach he admired, including Archie Norman, who he said had “turned M&S around” by taking it back to its “timeless values” of quality, value, service innovation and trust, dairy company Arla Foods and Yeo Valley Organic, which he described as an “epic British business”.

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CHALLENGING TIME FOR GROWERS Farmers and growers are struggling to cope with rising costs, labour shortages and low prices.

South East Farmer brings you the latest news.

Martin Emmett

STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS 10

The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) wants farmers and growers to respond to its annual groceries sector survey by revealing how they have been treated by 14 of the UK’s biggest retailers.

The survey, run by the independent polling company YouGov, encourages suppliers to tell the GCA in confidence about their experiences. The questions cover individual retailer behaviour and issues affecting the industry, with the responses designed to help the adjudicator “understand which retailers are perceived as the most and least code compliant and how cost price negotiations and other issues are impacting suppliers”.

Groceries Code Adjudicator Mark White commented: “My last two surveys showed how inflation and cost price increase negotiations have strained relationships between retailers and suppliers. However, I know that suppliers have faced a wide range of other issues over the last 12 months, including de-lists and inaccurate forecasting.

“I want to hear from as many suppliers as possible about your perceptions of retailer behaviour and the key issues affecting the sector. Your input will help me to focus my engagement with the retailers to ensure they are treating all suppliers fairly and lawfully.”

The 2023 survey again attracted more than 2,000 responses, which highlighted supplier concerns around issues including the continued impact of inflation. Nearly a third (28%) of respondents complained about a retailer’s refusal to consider a CPI (cost price increase) or about an unreasonable delay in reaching a decision on a CPI request.

In addition: • 25% of suppliers said they had experienced inadequate processes and procedures in place to enable invoice discrepancies to be resolved quickly, up from 18% in 2022.

• 16% of suppliers said they had experienced data input errors (e.g. pricing) not resolved promptly (within seven days), up from 10% in 2022.

Despite this, perceived code compliance across the retailers improved compared to 2022, with the average compliance score across all 14 retailers reaching 92%. Marks & Spencer took the top

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

spot in 2023 with a record high score of 99%.

The survey closes on 25 February and will be followed by anonymous interviews with a select group of respondents to explore supplier concerns in more detail. It can be completed online at https://start.yougov.com/refer/vfntZLQF6njtyl

2023 RESULTS

The individual retailer results for 2023 are ranked by their reported overall compliance with the code. The percentage comprises those who rated that the retailer “consistently well” or “mostly” follows the Code.

2023

Retailer

2023 Score (%)

2022 Rank

2022 Score (%)

1

M&S

99

3

97

2

Waitrose

97

7

94

3

B&M

97

4

94

4

Sainsbury’s

97

5

94

5

Co-op

96

6

94

6

Tesco

95

2

97

7

Aldi

95

1

98

8

Asda

94

8

93

9

Ocado

94

9

91

10

Iceland

92

11

86

11

Home Bargains

91

10

87

12

Morrisons

90

12

86

13

Lidl

88

13

84

14

Amazon

59

N/A

N/A

CHALLENGING TIME FOR GROWERS A report commissioned by the NFU has revealed that growers in the horticulture sector have seen costs rising by almost 40% over the past two years.

The report by Promar International has led West Sussex farmer Martin Emmett to express concerns over the future of the industry, which has already seen a number of leading businesses shelve plans for growth in response to rising costs.

According to the report, costs of production have increased by as much as 39% in just two years, reflecting price hikes of 218% in energy costs, 47% in fertiliser costs and 24% in wage bills. The impact has been felt across much of the UK’s favourite fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, tomatoes, apples and lettuces.

The report also warned that these production costs, along with the impacts of ongoing global volatility, are seen as the ‘new normal’, with businesses not expecting the situation to change any time soon.

Martin, director of West Sussex-based Tristram Plants and NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman, said: “I am seriously concerned to hear from growers they are thinking about cutting production this coming season while they continue to face uncertainty with costs, uncertainty around a long-term plan for where their workforce will come from and

HORTICULTURE’S FUTURE

REMAINS UNCERTAIN increasingly challenging relationships within their supply chain.

“We are now facing the third year of unprecedented and highly volatile costs of production, coupled with ongoing uncertainty about the availability of permanent and seasonal workforce and supply chains that return little value back to growers.

“Growers are doing everything they can to make sure homegrown fruit and vegetables are on supermarket shelves, but as highlighted in the report, there is likely to be further consolidation in production and distribution.

If pressures continue as they are, it will be unsustainable for some businesses.

“The UK horticulture industry strives to be the best in the world and has the positivity and drive to match this ambition. As the NFU set out in its growth strategy in March last year, there are ten key building blocks which underpin the success of the sector. These include sustainable energy supplies, access to skilled labour, productivity investment, supply chain fairness and a range of other critical support necessary

to create growth in the sector.

“While it is positive that the Government consultation into the horticulture supply chain has now opened, many businesses are continuing to face difficult customer relationships, with prolonged contract negotiations and contract planning cycles out of sync with production cycles, making it tough for growers to plan long-term for their businesses.

This needs to change.

“To ensure we have a thriving UK horticulture sector, we need to see the Government back our fruit and vegetable growers with action and ambition as it set out in its own food strategy, and match our ambition for growth. It is crazy to think that, at a time when we want people to eat more healthily, we are only 50% self-sufficient in vegetables and 15% self-sufficient in fruit.

“As a start, we need to give our British growers certainty by having a consistent plan for seasonal labour, including a five-year rolling seasonal workers scheme, as well as sustainable returns and longer-term contracts with key customers, the retailers.”

INCREASING PRESSURE MPs are coming under increasing pressure to tackle supply chain issues facing British farmers and growers as a self-styled ‘grand coalition’ of organisations fighting for “greater fairness” continues to grow.

Spearheaded by the British Independent Fruit Growers’ Association (BIFGA) and Sustain, the coalition urged MPs to support action on “the mounting pressures faced by British farmers due to the unfair practices of supermarkets” by taking part in a parliamentary debate in January on the reform of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

A suggested letter for coalition members to forward to MPs pointed out: “With more than 95% of Britain’s food sold through just 10 retailers, farmers' options are severely limited when negotiating contracts. Recent research by Sustain has shown that producers often receive less than 1p of the profit for their produce.

“For instance, in the case of a four-pack of burgers, the farmer's share is a mere 0.03% of the profit – 70 times less than the retailer receives. It’s even worse for a kilogram of carrots, where growers' pay barely covers production costs.”

The coalition names the Agriculture and Horticulture Development

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Board, the British Growers’ Association, British Apples and Pears Ltd, Kent County Agricultural Society, the NFU and the Tenant Farmers’ Association amongst its supporters.

Its two priorities are to support the Get Fair About Farming campaign instigated by Riverford Organic Farmers and to encourage even more groups, businesses and individuals to join a sustained push for “greater fairness for farmers and growers in the British food supply chain”.

The parliamentary debate was triggered by a petition calling for the reform of the Grocery Supply Code of Practice which was signed by well over 100,000 people.

Those behind the fairness campaign want the code of practice to compel retailers to: • buy what they agreed to buy • pay what they agreed to pay • pay on time, without exception.

Organisers are urging “everyone who cares about the parlous state of many sectors of UK agriculture and horticulture to join the grand coalition and to use its collective strength to push for greater ‘fairness’ for primary producers”. Would-be members should email will@sustainweb.org

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

11

NEWS

£1.6 MILLION AWARDED FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND DRINK INNOVATION Gary Saunders

GRADUATE

DIPLOMA 12

Fruit agronomist Gary Saunders has become the first non-arable adviser to gain the Harper Adams University graduate diploma in agronomy with environmental management.

A member of the Agrii fruit team since 2014, Gary has specialised in fruit since completing a BASIS diploma in crop protection after graduating from Wye College with a BSc (hons) in horticulture in 2000.

Serving fruit and vine growers across the south-east of England, his career has spanned commercial production, research and agronomy.

Gaining the diploma, which builds on the certificate in crop protection (commercial horticulture) received in 2016 and the BASIS diploma in agronomy awarded in 2021, involved promoting a wider understanding of the farmed environment.

“Modern agronomy involves far more than just good crop protection and I am increasingly called on to advise on problems for which the solution cannot be found in a bag or can,” said Gary.

“The gradate diploma reflects the scope of the modern job with modules on soil and water management, conservation and waste to land, among others. As an adviser to some of the biggest names in the industry, I recognise that to best serve their needs I need to constantly develop my skills and breadth of knowledge.”

Growing Kent & Medway has awarded a share of over £1.6million to 13 businesses to fund projects aimed at sustainably transforming the horticultural and plantbased food and drink supply chain.

Funded through two separate grants, the projects were selected based on their innovative approach to tackling some of the major sustainability challenges facing the food and drink industry. They include using nextgeneration technology to recycle waste water and developing cutting-edge techniques to breed new varieties of fruit.

The ‘Business Sustainability Challenge’ grant offered up to £50,000 to address key sustainability issues and opportunities. Eight winners will share over £287,000 in funding for their short-term, high-impact innovative projects.

Successful applicants include Headley, Surrey-based Tensei Ltd, which will be investing its £50,000 in testing different agriwaste materials as polymer fillers to reduce the amount of virgin or recycled plastic used in packaging. As well as reducing the carbon emissions, the technique could create new revenue streams for farmers and growers.

Canterbury Brewers & Distillers are receiving over £13,000 to develop a new system that will

produce speciality mushrooms using the waste grain, water, carbon dioxide and energy from its new whiskey production facility.

Dr Nikki Harrison, programme director for Growing Kent & Medway, said: “We are investing in real-world business innovation and research projects that demonstrate how science-led, sustainable innovation can be deployed throughout the supply chain.

“This not only benefits the environment by helping Kent businesses become more sustainable but also stimulates economic growth. Fresh thinking can help create new revenue streams and new markets from waste by-products and processes.

“While these projects demonstrate the exciting innovation happening in Kent and Medway, we expect the knowledge that is gained to help transform our food systems throughout the sector.”

The second Growing Kent & Medway grant offer awarded £1.4 million to five businesses for large-scale collaborative research and development projects in partnership with one of the cutting-edge research organisations based in Kent and Medway. They include £222,477 awarded to Worldwide Fruit Ltd for research into next generation apple breeding for resilient UK production.

Strawberry crops being tested in GreenTech Hub for Advanced Horticulture

A full list of all the funded projects is available from www.growingkentandmedway.com

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

SEND YOUR VIEWS OR COMMENTS: SEF.ED@KELSEY.CO.UK X-TWITTER @SOUTHEASTFARMER facebook-square SOUTH EAST FARMER

POLICY CHANGE WELCOMED Dear sir, CPRE welcomes the changes to policy on five-year land supply as current policies have done little or nothing to provide the genuinely affordable homes needed to tackle the housing crisis.

Speculative development has wreaked havoc in our countryside, bypassed local democracy and led to unsustainable, unaffordable, car-dependent executive homes. It’s right to say that we can build the homes we need and protect the countryside and valuable farmland and nature around our cities at the same time.

We need a brownfield-first policy with teeth, coupled with targets on social-rent homes to deliver genuinely affordable homes close to where people live, work and go to school.

Our research shows that 1.2 million new homes could be built on brownfield land. We believe at least 60% of all new housing should be targeted on brownfield land and the government has missed the opportunity to set a meaningful target to deliver this.

If we want the right development in the right place, we need to stop planning for land use in separate boxes and introduce an integrated, spatial framework that tackles climate change, nature’s recovery, housing, energy, roads and other infrastructure.

The long-awaited Land Use Framework from DEFRA should be introduced and scaled across government departments. It makes no sense to build new homes in places that are already suffering water stress issues unless those issues are also addressed.

Roger Mortlock, CEO, CPRE the countryside charity

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Photo: Stepstone Imagery

TASTE OF KENT AWARDS 2024

Judges will be looking for the Kent Farm of the Year as part of the Taste of Kent Awards 2024, which were launched in January and will conclude with a glittering awards ceremony at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre at the University of Kent in June.

The well-established awards are judged by experts, with farms and food and drink businesses invited to nominate themselves in a range of categories, including Kent Cheese of the Year, Kent Meat Product of the Year and Kent Wine of the Year.

Entries close on 23 February. See www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

MONICA AKEHURST AT THE KITCHEN TABLE

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Good news. Our suckler cow, whose previous TB test was inconclusive, has been retested and is clear. A huge relief for all. The cow, a ten year-old Simmental x Hereford, hated being kept in isolation, so consequently a previously amenable animal turned cranky.

She calved recently and her maternal hormones went into overdrive; she became fiercely protective. Unfortunately, her newly born calf was convinced that the milk bar was situated between its mother’s front legs. When we ventured into the pen to nudge the calf in the right direction, the cow went for us. This was no idle threat – she meant business. It’s surprising, even at our tender age, quite how nimbly it’s possible to exit speedily over cattle hurdles when needs must.

It’s time consuming getting a halter onto an uncooperative, tetchy cow to safely assist the calf in getting that all-important colostrum feed. It took a couple of sessions to accomplish getting the calf to clue up. Cow and calf now look good. Today this cow was so happy when she was allowed to rejoin the herd, she frolicked around the shed and her calf was delighted to gain some playmates. It was a joy to behold.

With an inconclusive record she will remain on our holding, but that won’t change our management. It’s random how a cow reacts to one test but has no reaction to another.

At the time of writing this, we are enjoying colder, brighter weather. It makes a pleasant change from the incessant wet and gloomy winter in the lead up to 2024. It’s finger cold, but certainly makes checking sheep easier when you’re not stodging about in mud and water.

The sheep are doing better and look happier in cold, drier conditions. As the four-wheel drive has again broken on Shrek (ATV), I’m

I’VE ONLY ONCE HAD

TO BE RESCUED dreading the return of slippery slopes and boggy patches that require certain crazy driving skills to negotiate.

I’ve only once had to be rescued. After two failed attempts to get up a slope, I had the bright idea to try reversing up it. This was disastrous; Shrek simply slewed around and slid at alarming speed towards the river bank.

Not in the mood for a swim, I abandoned Shrek, seeking assistance which was not immediately forthcoming.

I put blocks behind the back tyres and trekked home. The step counter on my watch celebrated this activity, although I was less ecstatic. I was accompanied by three sheepdogs and a spaniel who walked perfectly to heel despite the surprising amount of traffic in the country lane (thanks to yet another road closure diversionary route). Luckily the dogs sensed my anxiety and realised the necessity of behaving.

On the subject of swimming, I found an old family photo of us swimming in the stream that runs through our farm when sluice boards were used during the summer, days long gone. Not long ago I learnt from someone who works for the Environment Agency that although they continue taking water samples from the river, the agency is no longer responsible for sampling at water treatment/ sewage works. I’m told this task is now done ‘in house’. I realise it’s probably a money saver,

Time for a move FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

but forgive my scepticism. Is this really for the greater good of the environment and water users or shareholders?

Going slightly off-piste, but definitely a topical conversation in most households, is the scandalous happenings within the post office. It’s totally wrong and so sad that it took a drama series on TV to highlight the failure of the legal system to get to the truth. Is the justice system for the ordinary person in this country fit for purpose?

I was truly shocked to learn how innocent sub-postmasters/mistresses had their lives ruined by this miscarriage of justice. I hope those who profited from this debacle are ashamed of their greed.

In the media Jeremy Clarkson shares his thoughts on farming with the urban population, his latest conclusion being that it is not possible to make a living wage from farming. He claims he’s 'screwed’ on Diddly Squat Farm. He points out that this is not exclusively a UK problem and that European farmers have been demonstrating, with protests being held in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Strangely no mention of the French farmers protesting which I thought unusual. I look forward to seeing the next Clarkson's Farm series.

I understand that Kaleb Cooper has done a rap about his dislike of sheep; it’s entitled I can’t stand sheep, and any profit will go to the

Shrek abandoned

Photo taken August 1957

January 2024, same bridge.

Swimming here is in the past

Looking towards bridge, note flooding damage

The swans are back on the marshes One happy cow and calf rejoining the herd

15 My work companions George forking up hay for cattle

Gloomy weather on the marsh Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. The RABI aims to provide financial guidance and practical care for those within the farming community so that no one faces adversity alone. Well done Kaleb for choosing to support the RABI, but really, did you have to pick on sheep? I feel sheep are unjustly maligned, I rather like them and am wondering if a positive sheep rap might be in order.

I don’t usually watch Countryfile because I end up feeling annoyed, but I enjoyed the positive spin highlighting female auctioneers. I hope we see more markets embracing this new trend; it wouldn’t do for male auctioneers to get complacent.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Five ewes at twilight I’m disappointed that I can no longer look up individual auction marts prices on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) website. It was quick and easy, with prices available on the evening of sale day. This was a useful guide if I wanted to take animals to market the next day. Getting this same information from the Livestock Auctioneers Association seems to be slower to access, unless you want to pay a monthly fee.

I’m told that the Government is keen to encourage people of a certain age to downsize.

I’m not inclined to move out of our farmhouse anytime soon, but I have downsized my chainsaw to a small electric one; so light and

handy to use. It’s brilliant, especially as we’re increasingly experiencing high winds that damage trees. I’ve kept my heavy two-stroke monster for the big jobs.

Our children bought us theatre tickets for Christmas, to see The world according to Kaleb in Eastbourne. It could prove entertaining; update to follow.

As South East Farmer was about to go to press, The Times reported that the Environment Agency would be taking over responsibility for monitoring how well private companies met their targets, rather than the companies themselves.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

FROM THE FRONT LINE

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

60% OF FARMERS RELY ON

TENANCY AGREEMENTS

60% of farmers rely on one or more tenancy agreements as an integral part of their farming business, writes John Marland, Chair of the NFU Tenants Forum.

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Having just experienced the wettest autumn I can remember – and I have a very long memory – I am writing this on the coldest day of the year. Bone chillingly cold, but it does mean the hedge cutter can travel without causing too much damage.

There is an advantage in everything if you look hard enough.

I have spent the past two days entering our farm into the SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive), ably assisted by Amelia Rome, farm business consultant from The Andersons Centre. We also looked into our long-term plans for the farm and family, two immensely difficult subjects that I wouldn’t have liked to deal with without extremely good professional advice, so thank you, Amelia.

I attended a meeting organised by the NFU after a DEFRA Call for Evidence on the subject of “Encouraging good practice in the tenanted farming sector". This was as a result of one of the recommendations in the Rock Review.

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FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

There is clear evidence of poor practice shown by some professional advisors such as rural surveyors, land agents, solicitors and arbitrators, who are usually members of one or more of the professional bodies that set standards of conduct for those professions. These bodies include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Where poor practice is found it should be called out and reported, but I believe good practice shown by professional advisors should be acknowledged and praised. We all deserve to be treated with honesty, integrity and respect. This could therefore be a good reason for the introduction of a Tenant Farming Commissioner to keep a watchful eye on the various professions.

I was asked to sum up this meeting, and apart from thanking the NFU team of Eleanor Griggs and Louise Staples for the immense amount of effort and energy they put into helping the NFU membership, I reminded everyone how vitally important to farming the tenanted farming sector is.

As I often say, 30% of farmers consider themselves a tenant, but 60% of farmers rely on one or more tenancy agreements as an integral part of their farming business, and when you think that each tenancy is counter-signed by the landlord, farm tenancies seem to be vitally important to nearly every farmer and landowner.

I would like to celebrate one of the most inspiring, motivating, hardworking, eloquent and dedicated farmers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with, our NFU President Minette Batters. As her time as president comes to a close and she steps down in February, I look back on some fond memories, one of which was to be present in the room when Minette was elected back in February 2018 as our first woman president. She had already served as deputy president for the preceding four years, having made a name for herself in campaigning initiatives Ladies in Beef and Great British Beef Week among others.

In her NFU role she has championed our industry to the highest levels of government and has never shied away from the difficult subjects and conversations, very much holding those in power to account and making our farming voice heard. She has campaigned on behalf of British food and farming and has appeared on Desert Island Discs, Question Time and many other programmes. It was no surprise that she was made Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2021. She will be missed as our president by me and many others, and I wish her a happy and successful future.

RURAL UNIVERSITY EDUCATION Daniel Martin receives his Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award

James Nuttall

Charlie Burrage

BUILDING FUTURES TOGETHER Explore apprenticeships at Hadlow College.

This month sees the 17th National Apprenticeship Week take place. This annual event, which runs from 5 to 11 February, showcases and celebrates apprentices, apprenticeship employers, parents, schools, colleges, universities and more.

At Hadlow College we are always keen to promote the apprenticeships we offer and the benefits they provide for both apprentices and employers, along with the exciting progression opportunities they present.

• Horticulture or landscape construction operative level 2 • Horticulture and landscape supervisor level 3 • Golf greenkeeper level 2 • Golf course manager level 5 • Sports turf operative level 2 • Advanced sports turf technician level 3 • Site carpenter level 2 • Architectural joiner level 2 • Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician level 3 • Motorcycle technician level 3

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN APPRENTICESHIP?

WHERE CAN AN APPRENTICESHIP TAKE YOU?

The benefits are numerous: • Statistics show around 90% of apprentices stay on after completing an apprenticeship.

• Apprenticeships are open to anyone in England aged 16 years old and above, whether employed, unemployed or leaving school. There is no upper age limit.

• According to the National Apprenticeship Service, 96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business.

• There is usually minimal financial outlay for businesses as the Government pays the vast majority of associated fees for apprenticeships offered by small businesses.

WHAT APPRENTICESHIPS DOES HADLOW COLLEGE OFFER? Hadlow College offers the following apprenticeships: • General farm worker level 2 • Crop technician level 3

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

An apprenticeship can take you pretty much wherever you want it to, and we have plenty of success stories here at Hadlow:

CHARLIE BURRAGE – LEVEL 2 AND 3 SPORTS TURF APPRENTICESHIP

Charlie’s career flourished after he completed his level 3 sports turf apprenticeship at Hadlow. It enabled him to win promotion from his position as a qualified groundsman at Millwall FC. After being made assistant head groundsman, he was offered the head groundsperson’s role two years later.

Charlie said: “The advice I would give new apprentices is to ask questions. You can never ask enough questions and we are all learning, so don’t be afraid to ask.”

DANIEL MARTIN – LEVEL 3 GOLF GREENKEEPING APPRENTICESHIP

Daniel is our most recent success story.

Just a few months ago he was named as the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year, winning a two-week, all expenses paid work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in the south of France.

Daniel is first assistant at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey.

He said: “My level 3 greenkeeping apprenticeship has been a massive benefit to me personally and for my career. Not least as it has allowed me to win Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year. But also it provides me with a credential to prove my knowledge in the industry.”

JAMES NUTTALL – LEVEL 3 CROP TECHNICIAN

James was the first student to complete our crop technician apprenticeship introduced in September 2021, gaining a merit for his course. He is now working permanently at Berryplants Ltd, the employer who put him through the apprenticeship.

He said: “I learnt valuable skills and experiences I wouldn’t have gained if I wasn’t working alongside learning. I’ve obtained both practical and theory skills which enable me to do my job and perform it to a higher standard.”

To find out more about National Apprenticeship Week visit www.nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk Call 01732 850551 or email apprentices@northkent.ac.uk to get in touch. Alternatively visit www.hadlow.ac.uk/apprenticeships WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

17

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: FALCONHURST ESTATE

CONNECTING THE DOTS This month Nigel Akehurst visits the Falconhurst Estate in Edenbridge, Kent, to meet the Talbot family and their contract dairy farming partners, RC & JL Pickering & Sons, to find out how fresh ideas and regenerative agriculture are breathing new life into a traditional family run business.

18

Falconhurst Estate is in the High Weald of Kent, an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) less than an hour from central London. Arriving along the Cowden Pound Road, I notice the smart signage and turn into a smart driveway with a cluster of traditional farm buildings at the top.

As I follow the drive, I pass the pretty farm shop and a lovely old barn with huge doors on my right. Further down is the main house, where I park up and am greeted by father and son Charles and George Talbot.

It’s trying to snow so we head inside for a cuppa. After a brief catch up – we had all previously met as participants of the excellent Prince’s Trust Farm Resilience Programme run by the High Weald AONB (now the High Weald National Landscapes) back in 2019 – Charles left George and I to talk shop.

To cut a long story short, George explained that his ancestor, John Chetwynd Talbot, made his fortune in London as a barrister and KC and decided to buy the land and build Falconhurst in the 1850s. The estate has remained in the family for six generations, with each generation putting its own stamp on it, he explained.

The mainstay of the income is generated through property, with 26 long-term residential rentals and a couple of holiday lets.

The estate also includes 550 acres of grassland and 200 acres of woodland, which the family decided to take back in hand in 2016 after previously letting the land out.

The family now works in partnership with local dairy farmers RC & JL Pickering & Sons on a contract share farming agreement. They run 210 mainly Friesian and Jersey organic cows, with about 320 animals on the estate in total.

George Talbot and Lucy Taylor FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Keen to learn more about George’s background, I discovered that, before moving back to Falconhurst in 2019, he had spent several years working in London for various butchery and food-related businesses, including a cheesemonger and restaurant.

When he first moved back, his brother Daniel and his wife Charlie were in the process of starting a farm shop at the top of the drive.

They converted an old stable building with the help of some local builders who carried out a simple renovation.

George took over Daniel’s previous role of property maintenance on the estate and spent a day a week helping on the farm. With the new farm shop scheduled to open in December 2019, his cogs were turning towards setting up a new venture. He identified an old unused farm building next to the shop as an ideal venue for events.

FARM FACTS

Lucy Taylor with a student Through his connections in London, George knew several chefs and decided to connect the dots and host a pop-up restaurant in the space.

With Covid-19 delaying the original launch date by a couple of months, his first event took place in July 2020 with Freddie Southwell, who runs local catering company Wild Seasoning.

They sold 40 tickets, and due to pandemic restrictions guests were seated on separate

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

trestle tables (rather than the long ones featured on Instagram). The space itself is very simple and rustic, with plastic windows that can be rolled up to provide access onto a courtyard and gardens beyond.

The event was a great success, and over the past few years the space has hosted numerous pop-up chefs, brunch clubs and private parties. Last year they ran 14 weekends of events, he said, adding that it was a formula that worked well. >>

• Organic and embracing regen ideas since 2000 • Estate land taken back in hand in 2016 • 550 acres of grassland and 200 acres of woodland • Organic dairy farm with 210 milking cows (320 animals), run with local contractor Pickering & Sons and supplying an Arla direct contract • Moving to ProCross cow genetics to create a herd of compact, robust cows with higher fats and proteins in the milk and better health traits • Trialing more herbal leys via Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship to increase productivity of grassland • Using soil sampling to analyse soil pH and spreading an enormous amount of lime.

• Doing more to ensure better use of farmyard manure and slurry • Working with farm consultants Anderson to improve business efficiency • Invested in a new 24 by 24 milking parlour in 2020 as well as a modern straw barn • Employs 3.5 people in the shop, four in the office, two in the garden and two on the dairy farm • Farm shop opened in 2019 • Started running supper clubs in 2020 • Hosts weddings in the garden • Has 26 long term residential lets

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

19

NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: FALCONHURST ESTATE

Stephen Busby, fishmonger at Veasey & Sons << George sells tickets through the events section of the website at www.falconhurst. co.uk, where there is also more information about the farm, farm shop, gardens, weddings and residential properties.

WORKING WITH CHEFS

20

Keen to understand more about the mechanics of working with chefs in practice, I asked George to explain the business model.

He typically works on a 70:30 basis, with 70% of the revenue going to the chef, who is responsible for buying the ingredients and ensuring they have enough chefs to prepare all the food.

George and another Falconhurst staff member make cocktails and help with serving. He typically includes a pot wash and accommodation on the estate for them too.

“The events are good fun and can be profitable,” he said, but ultimately George sees them more as brand-building exercises.

Most of the events are ticketed at around £55 to £80 per person and include three to seven courses and a customary garden cocktail on arrival.

ESTATE TOUR

Heading outside, George showed me around the extensive gardens, including a beautiful old walled garden. He explained that his mother Nicola was a keen gardener and advocate of Charles Dowding’s No Dig Method.

In the summer the grass is left to grow long, and a lot of the planting and style is inspired by Great Dixter, he added.

We walk up the drive to visit the farm shop and meet Daniel and Charlie. After a delicious coffee, a chat about Pevensey Blue cheese (which they sell from their Deli) and a tour of their commercial kitchen, where they make all their cakes and pastries, we pop next door to check out the big barn space.

On the barn doors are two huge blackboards with the 2023 supper dates on one and brunch dates on the other. It’s an impressive lineup featuring some well-known chefs and food artisans.

George explained he is scaling back the number of evening events this year and instead introducing a number of food truck and bar days, which are less operationally

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

taxing and thus allow him more time on other responsibilities across the estate.

In the medium to long term, he would like to turn the space into a more permanent café, but added that it would be a sizeable capital outlay to make the building suitable for year-round use.

ORGANIC DAIRY FARM

Moving on, we jump in George’s four-byfour and take a quick drive to the main cluster of modern farm buildings in the nearby village of Markbeech. Parking in the farmyard, we are greeted by Greg Pickering and his herdswoman Lucy Taylor.

They show me around the impressive cluster of barns that house all their 210 dairy cows and the 24 by 24 herringbone parlour installed in 2020. The estate also invested in a new straw shed as part of a sizeable investment in the farm.

Greg explained that he wants to push to the next level and go down the regen route, admitting the profitability of organic dairying hasn’t been very good lately due to lower milk prices.

Being organic, the cows are only fed and grazed on home-grown pasture and silage.

The leys are made up of various grasses, clovers and more recently herbs. He added that it meant the cows had to work hard at times of the year to eat enough.

They have tried reducing the time they keep them inside but have learned that turning them out too soon can be detrimental to their soils due to poaching.

“You’re better off keeping them in a bit longer,” he cautioned.

Looking to the future, Greg seemed optimistic and is implementing a number of improvements.

They have moved to autumn block calving from their previous system of all year-round calving. Cow genetics is another area they are improving, with Greg taking a trip out to Sweden last year to look at ProCross, a proven crossbreeding programme of Montbeliarde, Holstein and Viking Red. He has already started breeding ProCross replacement calves and showed me a pen of smart looking heifers in a calf-rearing shed next to the main barn. He hopes the new genetics will create a more robust, feed-efficient and ultimately more profitable animal for the organic low-input system.

They have also been doing more soil mapping on the estate and making better

use of their slurry and manure. Greg has also started composting the farm yard manure with wood chip and turning it with the telehandler. The aim is to create a fine compost that is easy to spread and is more easily taken down by the soil.

Lastly, to improve the productivity of their grassland, they have started reseeding some of their old rye and clover pasture with herbal leys using Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive funding.

PLANS

Wrapping up my visit, we head back to the house and chat briefly about George’s plans for the future. He said he would like to do more to improve the biodiversity of their woodlands, an area he feels is neglected at present.

The biggest problem they face in the High Weald is the huge numbers of deer, he said.

They work with local stalkers and use mainly wild venison at their supper club events, but said more needs to be done to educate the public and create more demand for the meat.

Heading home I felt inspired by my visit and will be keeping a close eye on their Instagram account (@falconhurstestate) for more details on their upcoming supper and brunch club events this year.

Daniel and Charlotte Bain

Lucy Taylor and Greg Pickering

George Talbot TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Mitchell Damota, chef, with sous chef Ben WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

21

AT COLCHESTER MARKET GRAHAM ELLIS FRICS FAAV FLAA

For and on behalf of Stanfords T: 01206 842156 E: info@stanfords-colchester.co.uk www.stanfords-colchester.co.uk

CATTLE TRADE HAS STRENGTHENED 22

Since Christmas we have continued to see strong demand from both wholesalers and butchers for sheep and cattle, with wellmeated animals regularly fetching over 300p/kg in both rings.

Demand for heavier stock continues to be strong, with both heavy lambs and cattle finding willing buyers.

The cattle trade has strengthened since the pre-Christmas trade,

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spurred on by lower numbers coming through the markets, with the best cattle regularly trading between 295p/kg and 310p/kg, although R grade cattle have consistently been over 280p/kg. We have seen a run of strong bulls over the past month, and these have also met a firm trade, regularly being over 285p/kg. Buyers are paying for finish, with O grade cattle finding a more selective trade and many being taken for further finishing.

The cull cow trade is once again seeing a post-Christmas boost, driven by the demand for processing beef, although again it is meat that is paying, with lean cows much harder to place.

The recent Bluetongue outbreaks in Kent and Norfolk are seeing some producers unable to move finished stock, which is making numbers shorter, although it is also seeing some producers near to the areas sending stock forward early to avoid being caught up in one of the zones.

As stated earlier, the sheep trade has started the year strongly, with 42+kg lambs in strong demand and lambs regularly over £135 a head for the best strong lambs. Some producers have consigned lambs averaging over 50kg and achieved £150 to £160 a head. Lighter lambs and those lacking finish have seen a harder trade as buyers are looking for meat and finish.

The wet weather experienced over the Christmas and early new year period has led to some stock being brought forward early as farmers need to move stock off some land. Many have been sold as short keep store lambs fetching between £80 and £100 a head, but longer keep stores are being sold between £40 and £50 a head.

The cull ewe trade continues to be firm, with the best-meated ewes £120 to £140, although these best ewes are in short supply, with average prices in the £85 to £90 range.

The pig trade continues to be stronger, with Christmas demand pulling forward pigs and resulting in lower supply in early January, which has kept prices up.

The Christmas poultry trade saw lower numbers of both birds and producers this year, although this did result in strong prices for the birds forward, with long-legged turkeys up to £90 a head and large chickens up to £75.

AT ASHFORD MARKET

NEW YEAR PRICES STRONG The new year is well underway, with wet replaced by cold for the time being, but most importantly the days are stretching out and prices in most livestock sectors are strong and looking to remain so.

All signs suggest that cattle numbers, beef and dairy in all age stages, remain in decline, so it is no surprise that buyers are out positively to secure cattle for grazing later this year as well as fiercely competing for the shortterm cattle to finish in the yards ready for late spring or early summer.

Candlemas, the traditional halfway point of winter, is just around the corner, so a little planning on cattle sales is a good thing, particularly with straw having gone so fast during the past three months of incessant rain.

Finished cattle remain a good trade, with the best up over 300p/kg, but with numbers tight sell them when they are ready and do not rush them out. You will be well rewarded for that extra cover and weight. Do not fear the 30-month threshold as cattle up to 36 months have little to fear, so you are better to have a correctly finished older beast than one squeezed out before 30 months.

If you have the age in your cattle but not the right food to get them there in time, please sell them as forward stores, with the specialist finishers desperate for cattle, with food aplenty, and ready to pay well.

Cull cattle are the beasts of the season, with the right cattle hard on the heels of finished prices and big cows grossing close to £2,000.

The live market offers the flexibility that allows the mix between prime and processing customers and feeders to drive prices higher.

If you are fattening, take the best from your yards but have patience with the others as the trade will stay strong.

If you are not geared up for the fattening role, sell live to the finisher who will yard grub them for the three months or so, or to the graziers who are already putting the older cows together in readiness for the spring grass to do its work before midsummer.

If you have not scanned, check your cows for pregnancy if necessary, and remember that however young and good looking an empty cow is, there is no point in carrying her for another 12 months with no output, just cost.

Please, also, think early about the cows that must not go to the bull this summer due to age, temperament or calving issues. That discipline now allows for culling at the right time without the complication of another pregnancy and another year.

Early sales of store cattle are upon us, and while bigger numbers will come later there are plenty of cattle that are right to seize the advantage and be sold now. Outwintered and open-yarded cattle with some age and coat can hold themselves together whatever the weather.

Many grazing men have the ground that can take cattle early and they are keenly putting groups of the tough hardy types together for early turnout.

Strong cattle for finishing are desperately wanted but in short supply, as they have been all autumn, so if you are fortunate to have a group this is the time to take advantage.

Moving on to breeding cows, only a small window of opportunity exists for in-calf cows or heifers to be sold, with cattle unable to be moved from their holding in their final month of pregnancy. Many farmers are keen for more in their herds so, please, if you are thinking of dispersing/reducing your herd do not leave that decision too late.

These comments apply also to breeding ewes; remember an April lamber must be sold by the end of February.

If you have the food, you will be fattening lambs and following market trends and advice closely. However, if you have store lambs running around, this is the time that they need to move to the bigger finishers; don’t wait for later in the season. Ramadan, Easter and Eid al-Fitr are all early this year and this, of course, will have a major bearing on the trade for prime lamb and cull ewes both at home and abroad.

Circumstances, of course, alter cases, but timing is always critical and with the live market the farming industry is fortunate in having the flexibility necessary to react immediately to market forces. All of us at Ashford want you to make the best decisions for your farm business. We are available on phone, on farm and on social media to give advice. Help us to help you.

PETER KINGWILL

T: 01233 502222 www.hobbsparker.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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23

NICK ADAMES WEST SUSSEX DIARY

24

Following the high profile felling of a lone sycamore in Northumberland, news of a proposed ban is no great surprise, but my hope is that any ban isn’t taken too far, with the usual gold plating by officialdom in government or local council offices.

There can be no defending the manner in which some developers have felled trees overnight to get round planning objections, although one wouldn’t think the felling of that old tree was done for that reason, although it’s quite hard to think of a reason!

Any farmer with trees on his land will always have to fell, or take limbs off, a number every year. It’s called land management. If a tree is leaning towards power lines, restricting farming operations or affecting someone’s property, it’s simply prudent to deal with it before it causes damage. If it’s just a matter of removing a couple of limbs, no one else should be involved. What no responsible farmer wants is to be filling in a mass of forms before doing any of these jobs.

Obviously, if disease attacks a species then it will be clear enough what’s required. Over the years we have had the sad task of felling hundreds of stately trees, starting with elms here in the 1970s and 80s. What a tragedy that was, for us and particularly for the rooks, who built their nests high in the treetops. Elm was never considered very good firewood because it didn’t burn well in open hearths, therefore much, including the roots, was buried.

Then we had the great storm of 1987 which took out hundreds of our majestic beeches on the South Downs, either just blowing them over from the roots and leaving huge chalk ‘tombstones’ as reminders for years after, or smashing the tops out and leaving us to fell what remained. Demand for firewood evaporated, so much timber had to be burned.

It changed views on the downs considerably.

More recently we have seen the third natural tree disaster in the shape of Ash dieback. We had so many of these, probably the loveliest British tree, lining the fields on the hill farm, along with many alongside a main road, leaving us no option but to get a specialist tree feller in to remove them before there was an accident.

In all these cases the last thing we needed would have been to be told we had to get permission from some office bound Tom, Dick or Harry. Generally speaking, farmers or landowners should need no permission,

FELLING TREES IS LAND MANAGEMENT

since they would be the last one to fell an ‘old friend’. So, all we can do is wait and see what this (basically sensible) idea turns into by the time it’s been through the various legislators’ offices. Over the past years my farming business has planted almost three million trees in West Sussex and Scotland, with plans now in hand to plant another 22,000 to 25,000 hardwood species here in Sussex.

During the years we have only had one serious ‘run in’ with local planners, over one large London Plane (Platanus Hispanica). It happened when a newcomer to my hamlet decided it should be left, despite the fact that it was starting to move the flint wall of a 500 year-old barn. Happily, after numerous meetings with planners and the inevitable time wasting, common sense prevailed and both the tree, and the aforementioned newcomer to the hamlet, went.

There is not a lot to commend February, although it has given me some of the best days of my life. Workwise, sitting on an old, cabless Fordson Major up on the hill farm, taking advantage of an early dry spell to get the first spring barley drilled. The sky full of gulls, peewits and curlew scavenging for worms and grubs in the newly moved earth under a clear sunlit sky as a fierce northerly wind swept across the Downlands. Work made better by the thought of the daily lengthening minutes of sunlight and thoughts of the warmth of the

NICK ADAMES Former dairy farmer

London Plane tree in 2011

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

spring to come. Soon after, the meadows were tidied and work would turn to early turnout of the herds, giving some break in the long and tedious winter monotony for the herdsmen.

Back then February also meant our annual holidays up in the high Swiss alpine village of Murren, a place I was lucky enough to go to for over 50 years with many great friends, skiing in places only relatively few skiers will ever ski on, or even see, reached by small, ski-fitted, fixed wing aircraft or, latterly, helicopters, and climbing close to the ‘north face’ of the Eiger, or Jungfrau, to reach those stunning snowfields above.

Sadly, but inevitably, most of those old friends have now departed but, my goodness, we had fun in those Februarys past. I remember on one of my earliest trips the guide told us that from our high vantage point we could see seven countries. On other days we would join less adventurous friends on the curling rink, with its associated competition and socialising, This year things are different; the land is still recovering from the seemingly endless recent flooding, although having made progress early in the autumn we had all seasonal jobs behind us before the deluge began in mid-October.

This February should be fairly quiet, before spring kicks off in March. So, “the wheel turns” – but the memories last a lifetime.

ADVICE FROM THE VET

CALF HEALTH SCORING Faye Heath, Westpoint Winchester, looks at detecting disease and improving welfare.

As technology continues to develop in the farming industry, cattle health software has become widespread and ever more sophisticated. Implementing this software on farm, however, can be a challenge and so app-based systems are increasingly popular.

One area of focus is calf health scoring, as maintaining good health and welfare in calves is vital to ensure healthy heifers enter the herd and strong calves are sent to market.

The Calf Health Scoring app was developed by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and is based on the scoring chart previously developed

by Dr Sheila McGuirk. It is a readily available software which allows for on-farm assessments of calf health using a range of clinical parameters.

These include: • Nasal and ocular discharge • Ear position and head carriage • Appetite • Demeanour • Coughing • Rectal temperature • Faecal consistency • Navel health • Joint appearance.

A point-based system is used, with each parameter scored on a scale from 0 to 3 for normal clinical signs to very abnormal.

Calves with two or more parameters scoring 2 or 3 are automatically placed on a ‘to treat’ or ‘recheck’ list depending on the clinical signs, as disease may be present.

An additional respiratory scoring app is also available from the University of Wisconsin. It uses the same interface to grade the respiratory status of a group of calves, as per the scoring method developed

by Dr McGuirk and Dr Theresa Ollivett.

This app focuses on a group-based approach and assesses nasal discharge, ocular discharge, ear or head tilt and coughing to evaluate respiratory disease.

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Where 25% of animals in the group have two or more abnormal parameters, the group is classed as at a high risk of respiratory disease.

This app can therefore be used in conjunction with the calf health scoring app to identify ‘high risk’ pens and facilitate individual calf scoring using the relevant app.

The calf health scoring app has a simple layout, with space to input herd identifier information as well as individual calf details.

Each parameter includes photographic examples or descriptions for each score, providing a guideline on how to categorise abnormal findings, allowing for consistency, as using the same scorer is not always possible.

After completing all required scoring, a report can be generated and shared via email at the touch of a button. Information on the number of abnormal scores (2 or 3) is presented, along with a disease summary with percentages for respiratory disease, otitis, diarrhoea and more. Other options include filtering calves which have been identified as requiring treatment or rechecking.

While calves can be health scored as required on farm, twice-weekly scoring allows treatment response to be monitored. Health scoring is often carried out routinely on farm, but keeping a record of findings offers stockmen the opportunity to monitor and assess disease. These apps allow for digital records of individual and group health to be recorded and assessed, meaning calf health can be more easily tracked and allowing for earlier interventions and improvements to overall welfare.

Convenience, ease of use and low costs mean that calf health scoring apps are likely to benefit calf rearers. Using this software may initially come at a cost, as more time is dedicated to calf observation and the number of calves requiring treatment may increase.

However, by identifying disease sooner, its economic impact can be reduced, with

earlier interventions, reduced mortality and a shortened disease duration. It also lowers the impact of disease on growth rates and lessens the risk to future health.

Particular problem areas on the farm or within specific groups can also be identified.

This information may then be used to influence pen and group management, stocking density and treatment protocols.

The apps discussed are currently available on Apple devices, with an Android version currently in development.

If you would like to discuss anything covered in this article contact your local Westpoint practice Westpoint Horsham T: 01306 628086 Westpoint Ashford T: 01306 628208 Westpoint Sevenoaks T: 01959 564383 Westpoint Winchester T: 01962 779593 Westpoint Chelmsford T: 01306 628489 E: info@westpointfarmvets.co.uk www.westpointfarmvets.co.uk

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25

ALAN WEST SHEEP TOPICS

A SOGGY START

26

What a horrible soggy start to the new year. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we would have been pleased to see a drop of rain; now we look forward to a dry day or two. Fortunately, a couple of weeks in we are now getting a bit of what many would refer to as “proper winter weather”, although I am not convinced that I know quite what that is anymore. A decent cold spell would certainly be useful.

In spite of the weather, the ewes have settled into that relaxed, mid-pregnancy mode and are looking remarkably well; they are also all beginning to swell noticeably as pregnancy advances into the third trimester, when lamb growth really kicks in. For various reasons I’ve forgone scanning this year.

It’s nice to know what to expect in terms of numbers and to pull out empties, but being away from home on a bit of new grazing (still on permanent pasture), things were getting a bit too complicated, added to somewhat by the almost uninterrupted rain.

From what I hear, scanning results appear to have been a bit variable this season, particularly for the early lambing flocks, but do seem to have picked up somewhat as we move into the late February/early March lambers, with a number of flocks seeing significant increases, (plus 8 to 10%), on last year’s results, so fingers crossed for decent lambing figures. I am reasonably reassured by the look of the girls (but could be wrong) that I have no empties, although percentage wise I really could do with them staying just where they were last year; a 10% increase at 220% would be rather too much and could generate problems at lambing, and I really do not need any added complications arising from lots of triplets, particularly lambing outside; the key to my system has always been simplicity.

Although the girls do have grass in front of them currently, I do need to give some thought to their feeding regime in the run up to lambing; the relatively warm winter to date has kept things growing and should provide a decent bite of grass for them to come home on to at the beginning of February and they are quite fit, but they do just need a bit of hard feed.

With the price of concentrates, nobody

wants to be feeding more than is necessary, but with prolific ewes I do need to feed a bit to ensure good lamb weights, strong lambs and to put milk under the ewes and, particularly, a good supply of colostrum. Although I believe in challenging my sheep, which is, in part, what has lifted flock efficiency, those that have responded well to challenges are those that have stayed with us and have produced the replacements; but the run up to lambing is really not the best time to challenge them.

I truly do find the prospects for the coming year quite difficult to gauge, as, it appears, do a lot of other sheep keepers; what we really need is a degree of consistency and some joined up thinking from DEFRA. The latest review of the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship proposals and simplification of applications may help a little and we can hope for some limited improvement in prices.

After ewe numbers fell by almost 2.5% last year, the national flock is at its lowest level since 2012; this, plus an increase in EU exports of some 4% over the same timescale, does offer some chance of a tightening of supply with a commensurate lift, if only a little, in prices. On the down side, input prices are certainly not going to fall significantly, and with consumers being squeezed just as much as the sheep sector, any real increase in price will simply do further damage to an already falling domestic demand; not wishing to be pessimistic, but I suspect it may be a challenging year, although I do hope that I am wrong.

To further add to our woes, Culiciodes midges, in vector mode, seem to be mounting a twin-pronged offensive just to make life a little more interesting for sheep keepers;

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

ALAN WEST Sheep farmer

to the west of the South East region, in Wiltshire and Hampshire in particular, quite a number of early lambing flocks appear to be experiencing considerable increases in lamb mortality due to Schmallenberg. Although these are flocks that would have been tupped in August when midges would have been particularly active, the warm weather persisted well into mid-October, raising the spectre of infections later into the season, so hope for the best, but we do need to be aware of possible complications.

The other prong has arisen in the east, with a potential threat in the shape of Bluetongue.

Since the new variant BTV-3 was first identified on 13 November last year, it has been ticking away steadily, with some 45 cases identified on 25 different holdings in east Kent and north Norfolk. Until now (9 January), interestingly, and somewhat oddly, no active cases have, as yet, been reported; all of those picked up so far have been as a result of routine surveillance, so I’m not quite sure what is going on!

Although various measures have been tried in the past, such as garlic licks and citronella, there is little that can be done effectively to keep Culicoides midges at bay; a decent spell of cold weather will help, but things will warm up eventually. Again we just need to hope for the best but be prepared. Both these threats are, however, a timely reminder to us all of the need to be vigilant and to critically review what we do in terms of our flock bio-security.

Notices and boot dips are not going to keep midges out, but biosecurity is 90% about attitude and will help with other potential disease issues.

VET DIARY RESEARCH PROVEN

SCHMALLENBERG AGAIN?

Unfortunately, it looks this year might be a big one for Schmallenberg. This virus circulates in the UK on a three-year to five-year cycle and, depending on when in pregnancy it infects the animal, crosses the placenta to cause abortion or stillbirths and deformed lambs.

Schmallenberg is a relatively new virus, first identified in 2011. It mainly affects sheep but is seen in cattle and goats, too. It is spread by midges, rather than directly from animal to animal. Transmission occurs mostly in the autumn in peak midge season but can in rare instances continue over winter. The length of the cycle means that herd or flock level immunity wanes between Schmallenberg years and that the virus is also more prevalent in warmer years.

Anyone with disappointingly low scanning results should contact their vet to discuss bleeding for the virus. The foetuses are most susceptible at 25 to 50 days; after this, they are likely to be unaffected and the ewes will have gained immunity.

Lambs born affected can be dead or alive. Most commonly, deformities of the limbs will be seen, along with neurological deformities of the spine or brain. Some live lambs may appear normal but have neurological deficits such as being blind, deaf or unable to coordinate their limbs. Sometimes only one lamb in a litter may be affected. The timing of the midge season, and the early foetal risk period, means that early lambing flocks are most likely to be affected.

In cattle the virus causes clinical signs in adults, unlike in the smaller ruminants. This presents as fever, decreased milk yield, inappetence, decreased body condition and scouring. It also causes abortion and foetal abnormalities as in sheep, particularly when cows are infected between 62 and 180 days in calf.

If your flock is affected, there is no need to cull barren ewes as they will have lifelong immunity. The decision is driven by whether or not you can justify keeping them for another year without them being productive.

PRECALVER THE PERFECT PRE-CALVING PARTNER.

 Reduces the risk of milk fever, difficult calving’s and retained placenta  Improves colostrum quantity and quality, promoting calf health and vigour (more “get up and go”)  Supports and maintains a strong healthy immune system to help withstand infectious challenges post–calving  Enhances post calving conception rates  Promotes rumen condition for easier transition into lactation  Low required intakes 200g/cow/day

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ELIZABETH KEOGHANE www.cliffefarm.co.uk

Cliffe Veterinary Group T: 01273 473232 E: elizabeth.keoghane@cliffevets.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Crystalyx UK

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27

EDUCATION

AGRICULTURE STUDENTS

COMPLETE THE AUTUMN

TERM ON A HIGH Alan Johnson, Agri-Food & Environment Curriculum Manager, reports.

It is always good to see so many of our students developing in confidence and progressing in their knowledge and skills, supported by the high quality of our teaching and learning; this continues to be one of our greatest strengths.

As demonstrated by this month’s diary inputs from our students, not only do they benefit from the excellent facilities at college and the farm, but all the students have been on some exciting trips to consolidate their learning. This will be followed up with further trips and external speakers in January.

28

FIND OUT MORE

At Plumpton College we have apprenticeships available at level 2 and level 3, with a potential start at any time of the year, and we are currently recruiting for both levels. Talk to our team to find out more by phone or email: Business@plumpton.ac.uk

ALICE HUDSON

This month at Plumpton on our practical day, Level 3 students had the opportunity to spend the day at the South Eastern Prime Stock Winter Fayre at Ardingly showground.

This opportunity was great for those who have a passion for livestock and are interested in potentially going down the route of showing.

Ardingly also had a range of breeds of sheep, from South Downs to pure bred Texel, and a section dedicated to cattle.

The cattle area had some fantastic quality cattle showing the best attributes of the breeds and what they can produce in their carcasses; there were Charolais, British Blue, Highland and many more spectacular breeds, all looking their best and showing off their potential.

The sheep had many different classes, such as conformation, which is judged on the sheep meat condition, and young handlers, in which children (one just one year old) showed off their sheep with pride while being assisted by their parents.

We helped by creating goody bags that were handed out to the eager children who participated in the showing and won prizes. I enjoyed having a day out and the opportunity to see and learn new things about showing, as I enjoy showing animals and would like to continue my passion for this in the future.

OLLIE MATTOCKS

We were fortunate enough to go on a farm trip to Edward Ford’s Lodge Farm this month.

We split into two groups, with one going around all the arable areas and the other around the livestock. I decided to have a tour of the livestock areas; we were able to see their young stock as well as their finishing stock.

Alice Hudson We also observed their feeding system, which consists of barley, nuts and silage. This helps to get their weight up for a better selling price.

We were also lucky enough to see their grading sheet returns, which had some interesting information such as the carcase weight, what live weight is required for each grade and the different prices paid for each grade.

The arable group had a tour of all of their farm machinery and some of their close fields. They also saw some of their larger machines, e.g. the New Holland T9, which is a very smart bit of kit; overall the farm trip was very good indeed.

Thank you to the college staff for taking us and to the farm for allowing us to visit.

Visit us at our next Open Event on Saturday 16 March. Visit www.plumpton.ac.uk to book your place FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

FOCUS ON FRUIT SARAH CALCUTT

SARAH CALCUTT Honorary Chair, National Fruit Show

CRISIS FACING

FRUIT GROWERS

The crisis facing fruit growers was again pulled into sharp focus with the announcement of the closure of Bardsley Farms. We know from the recent reports from British Apples and Pears that prices achieved by the sector are insufficient to make any meaningful impact on the cost inflation experienced over the past two years. One industry leader this week stated that the average grower has seen a margin erosion of 133%, something that is seeing average orchards being grubbed.

How often have we heard a top fruit grower from the South East state that they won't be planting more orchards, that they are moving into viticulture instead?

On 1 April the national minimum wage will rise by 9.8%, which, while it is needed for almost 20% of households across the country (and 25% in London) will seriously further impact on meagre margins for growers.

Top fruit costs, on average, have gone up by over 30% and sadly costs recovered from most retailers are low single digit.

Camellia said in its announcement about Bardsley: “While consumers had experienced significant food inflation, key retail customers have continued to resist any meaningful selling price increases.” According to Bardsley’s last two Companies House filings, it posted two years of big losses – £2.8m 2022/23 and £1.7m for the nine months ending 31 December 2021. These are losses that are clearly game ending and, in the light of insufficient margin forecasts for the year ahead, it’s not hard to see how they came to their decision.

Another conversation I was involved in this week was around training levels in our industry. When a buyer joins a department in a major retailer, there is an intensive training course on negotiation skills, then comes the in-depth knowledge of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice GSCOP, trading law, trading standards and a wealth of skills that position them well at the table. Do we do the same for our teams?

In the past I have written about the development of overseas markets for British fruit; key, red apple varieties that translate to other markets, reducing the dependence on the British market place. Come on everyone, there are a few exporters making a great job of it. Perhaps you need to give your marketing desk a prod, send fruit abroad and spread your risk.

We still have prices being driven down. Food is cheap, has to be cheap and therefore is seen as without value. Retailers are still competing to price match with the discounter, but from profits being posted, there isn’t a reduction in the return to their shareholders.

We have a rising health crisis. Aside from the 800,000 admitted to hospital in the past year suffering from malnutrition (a large proportion suffering from rickets, which an apple or two would have prevented) we have the 64% of the British population who are overweight or living with obesity.

We have a society which sees that healthy fruit and veg is worthless

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in financial terms and therefore they are seen as worthless in nutritional terms.

Just think of the £2billion value of the weight loss and diet sector of the UK, all the meal systems, supplements, books, apps and wafer thin gurus. Could we just have a meaningful fruit and veg guru who encapsulates all this for the 80% that can afford a healthy diet but don’t get the message?

There are number of reports linking obesity to education levels. From recent experience this isn’t about education but about income and where you live. The poorer the area, the less likely you are to live near somewhere that sells fruit and veg, and nor are you living somewhere that makes it easy to cook and prepare them. Health is a poverty issue.

It’s about income, location, job opportunities, aspiration and then some education.

Emily Norton, speaking at the National Fruit Show AGM last year, urged growers to say “no” and suggested top fruit growers needed to work together, build a broader variety of marketplaces, spread their risk and get trained so they could be strong in the face of well-trained negotiators doing their job and doing it well.

As a sector we are challenged by our market place, but we do really need to gear up, train our teams and work together.

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29

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

6 MARCH 2024

THE BEST OF FARM MACHINERY 30

The South East’s largest agricultural and machinery show, Farm Expo, returns for its fifth year at Kent Showground, Detling, near Maidstone on 6 March 2024. The event showcases the best of farm machinery, goods and services from national and international suppliers.

Launched in 2019, Farm Expo aims to connect merchants and buyers, providing a convenient opportunity for visitors to shop for all their farming needs. With more than 100 exhibitors in attendance bringing the latest in

innovative equipment and technology from all sectors of farming, land management and related businesses, this is a prime opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ and discover the latest releases from favourite brands.

There will also be many opportunities to see live demonstrations, view equipment and machinery up close and network with industryleading professionals.

NEW for 2024, the Demo Zone gives exhibitors the chance to show off their newest kit, offer test drives and demonstrate

Learn more about Farm Expo 2024 and register for your free ticket: www.kcas.org.uk/farm-expo/

Southern Farmers Ltd Your local farming co-operative

new features to a highly engaged audience, bringing an interactive element to the day.

Bookings for slots in the new Demo Zone are filling up fast, so make sure to stop by during your visit.

Now a firm fixture in the annual calendar of events for organisers the Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS), Farm Expo brings together farmers, farm workers, land managers, students and agri-businesses from all corners of the agricultural industry.

Julian Barnes, KCAS Chairman, said: “Farmers have never before faced as many challenges as they do now. With today’s society ever changing, new barriers are being thrown up continually, whether it be sustainability, an economic crisis or the challenges to food security. Farmers are having to constantly diversify and evolve.

ACS

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To learn more about KCAS membership or to become a member visit: www.kcas.org.uk/kent-county-agricultural-society/become-a-member/ “It is more important than ever that Farm Expo brings farmers the knowledge and innovation needed to help their businesses not just survive but thrive. With the range of exhibitors, networking opportunities and other resources on offer, Farm Expo is an important date in the calendar on which farmers can meet their peers and see developments in the industry.”

its charitable objectives each year.

Members receive tickets to society events and other benefits such as entry to exclusive show areas and access to other offers and discounts. They also receive a quarterly newsletter with information on the society’s latest news and events, while helping to preserve the rich agricultural heritage of the county for generations to come.

BECOME A MEMBER

THE KENT RURAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Kent County Agricultural Society became a registered charity in 1990, but has been around a lot longer than that.

It was in 1923 that the society was first formed. Throughout its history its mission has been embedded in endorsing agriculture, supporting improvements in breeding and rearing livestock and encouraging the invention and development of agricultural implements and machinery.

As well as holding the annual Kent County Show, the society holds five other events, The Kent Farming Conference, Farm Expo, the Heritage Transport Show, Living Land and Biddenden Tractorfest.

The society's Kent Rural Scholarship Scheme, introduced in 2015, has sponsored over 20 students of land-based degrees at a cost of over £60,000, and makes charitable donations each year to support the Kent Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, providing essential funding for materials and services.

Membership of the society contributes towards the continuation of the Kent County Show and helps the society continue to achieve

The Kent County Agricultural Society continues to support nine students per year through the Kent Rural Scholarship scheme.

Now in its 9th year and having so far supported 23 students, this scheme awards £1,000 per year for up to three years to students who wish to pursue a career in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, equine, veterinary and animal management.

DEMO ZONE

Our brand-new Demo Zone, launching for the first time in 2024, presents visitors with the opportunity to see the latest kit from big-name brands in action during their visit to the show. Find the Demo Zone outside by the Astor Ring.

Applicants must be a resident of Kent at the time of application and aged between 18 and 25. They should be studying in the UK in one of the fields listed, on a full-time college or university degree-based course.

Applications for the 2024 new entrants to the Kent Rural Scholarship will open soon.

KCAS would like to thank Brachers, our Headline Sponsors for Farm Expo 2024, for their ongoing support.

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Learn more about the Kent Rural Scholarship at www.kcas.org.uk/awards-grants/scholarship-scheme/

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

Farm Expo preview 93mm Wide x 133mm Deep.pdf 1 23/01/2024 12:35:52

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW FRUIT AND VINE SPECIALISTS

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This year marks NP Seymour’s 50th anniversary and 40 years since the fruit and vine machinery dealership started supplying UK growers with Fendt's range of specialist tractors.

On its stand at Farm Expo, NP Seymour will be displaying a frontmounted tool carrier frame designed and constructed by NP Seymour’s expert team of engineers at the company's Avon Works facility in Cranbrook, Kent.

The tool carrier frame, which will be mounted on the front of a new Gen 3 Fendt, can accommodate a variety of mechanical weeding tools from renowned manufacturers such as Braun and Clemens.

The Braun Vine Trunk Cleaner and Clemens MultiClean heads offer growers an environmentally friendly, chemical-free way to bud rub and control weeds effectively in the under-trunk area without interfering with the soil structure. Handy for the end of winter and early spring season, these strimmer-like heads can also clear prunings in preparation for mulching.

Each tool carrier frame is custom-built to the exact specifications of growers, who can choose the desired width, whether it is hydraulically or manually adjustable and whether it is single-sided or double-sided.

Claire Seymour, director at NP Seymour, commented: “Founded in 1974 by my father, Nick Seymour, our family-run business has grown and evolved tremendously over the past five decades and today we’re extremely proud to be the go-to specialist fruit and vine machinery dealership for UK growers.

“One thing that’s remained the same over the years is our commitment to providing growers with the very best tractor and machinery solutions. As well as partnering with leading suppliers such as Fendt, we also design and manufacture bespoke pieces of equipment when we feel there is something missing in the market.

“Many growers will recognise our custom-built table-top strawberry sprayers and we’re now excited to showcase our latest invention, the front-mounted mechanical weeding tool carrier, at Farm Expo.”

6 MARCH 2024

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ROOFING AND CLADDING

Southern Sheeting is a family run business with more than 40 years’ experience providing first-class roofing and cladding solutions for the agricultural and equestrian community. This specialist knowledge enables the team to understand the unique needs of farmers, equestrian owners and others involved in agriculture.

An overarching commitment to excellence has made Southern Sheeting a trusted name in the industry, and the company takes pride in offering a comprehensive range of products to meet all of its customers’ requirements, all year round.

The importance of maintaining farm and equestrian buildings cannot be overstated. Staying on top of repairs to roofing, rooflights and panelling to ensure outbuildings are in optimal condition for the challenges and opportunities the year will bring is integral to a prosperous agricultural operation. Southern Sheeting is here to support that success by providing quality products, expert advice and exceptional service.

Sometimes purchasing specialist materials can be complex, so Southern Sheeting is always happy to offer helpful advice. Registered businesses can also take full advantage of purchasing products at discounted trade rates.

Contact our dedicated sales advisors on 01342 590142 or email sales@southernsheeting.co.uk and a member of our friendly team will get in touch with you.

Learn more about Farm Expo 2024 and register for your free ticket: www.kcas.org.uk/farm-expo/ TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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Come and visit us at Farm Expo

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

6 MARCH 2024

DYNAMIC

SHOWCASE Crawfords Group comprises Crawfords, Agwood and Crawfords Automotive. Recognised as premium agricultural machinery and vehicle dealers in the South East and renowned for its commitment to excellence, the group is set to make a resounding mark at this year's Farm Expo.

This annual event serves as the perfect platform for Crawfords Group to unveil a dynamic showcase of cutting-edge machinery. The line-up includes an impressive array of machinery and equipment from industry-leading brands such as Fendt, Valtra, Massey Ferguson, Manitou, Isuzu and many others. These premium brands symbolise the group's dedication to providing farmers with the most advanced

35 and reliable tools for their agricultural needs.

Visitors to Farm Expo can expect to see a diverse range of machinery from Crawfords Group, ranging from powerful tractors and efficient sprayers to precision drills, cultivators and robust 4x4 vehicles.

In a rapidly advancing agricultural landscape, Crawfords Group stands as a beacon of progress, consistently delivering top-tier solutions to meet the evolving needs of farmers in the South East.

Crawfords Group’s participation in Farm Expo underscores its dedication to excellence and its pivotal role in driving innovation in the agricultural machinery and vehicle sector.

SFI ACTIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR

With DEFRA recently announcing further details on the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS), crop production specialist Hutchinsons is sharing advice on the options to look out for.

From summer 2024, farmers will benefit from a combined environmental land management offer comprising Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions with increased payments, plus over 50 new actions.

Countryside Stewardship and SFI payment rates have increased and will apply to existing

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

and new schemes, with an overall average increase of 10%.

Farmers could claim up to £27/ha for variable rate nutrient management, which is part of the ‘precision agriculture’ action.

Farmers can use TerraMap digital soil mapping and Omnia’s leading mapping tools for variable rate N, P and K maps to support their application.

There is up to £73/ha available for the ‘no-till farming’ action.

There will be a new suite of 21 ‘premium

payments’ which will offer payment for high priority actions such as agroforestry maintenance, 3D buffer strips and managing features for flood and drought resilience.

A separate capital grant scheme will also open to support the creation of grassland habitats and there will be better support for the management of existing habitats.

For more information and how it can benefit your business, visit the Hutchinsons stand at Farm Expo or email information@hlhltd.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

PRESSURE WASHERS

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QUICK AND EFFICIENT

Time, as they say, is money, and that’s why an increasing number of farmers are turning to three-phase pressure washers that can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Uckfield-based specialist Pressure Clean is seeing more and more farmers, particularly those who are running increasingly tight ships in terms of labour, investing in the more powerful machines.

“I’ve just delivered a new Karcher three-phase machine to a Kent farmer,” explained Gary Fielding, who runs the well-respected business with wife Donna. “He has had 240v pressure washers in the past, but he now has a smaller team on the farm and doesn’t want to spend four hours washing a combine.”

Three-phase machines give roughly double the water pressure of their 240v equivalents and the price difference is surprisingly small.

“You are talking about a couple of hundred pounds’ difference in return for what can be a substantial saving in time,” Gary explained. “In fact, the three-phase Nilfisk MC 5M-180/840 cold water pressure washer is cheaper than its 240v equivalent.”

Pressure Clean, which has been supplying, servicing and repairing pressure washers and other cleaning equipment across the South East for more than 50 years, has built up a reputation for working closely with farmers to recommend them the right machine for the job in hand.

The company has recently expanded its workforce by taking on another mobile engineer, and the nine-strong team had a busy 2023 – so much so that Gary is looking to take on another sales executive to meet the increasing demand.

Much of the demand currently is for three-phase, cold water

Pressure Clean Ltd Unit 4, 72 Bell Lane, Uckfield, TN22 1QL Tel: 0800 212328 www.pressureclean.co.uk FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

FEATURED COMPANY: fill machines, with Karcher’s uprated ‘Super Class’ range proving particularly popular.

The manufacturer’s ‘Classic’ machines are stripped back, farmfriendly pressure washers that are robustly built with an all-metal frame to deliver Karcher reliability and power but without some of the ‘bells and whistles’ that most farmers can do without, and at a price point to match.

The HD 10/25-4S Classic is a good example of the range, delivering an impressive 1,000 litres per hour at 250 bar and boasting “an on/off button and not too much else”, according to Gary. Importantly, though, “it does the job and does it with complete reliability”.

Alongside its steel frame and large wheels for manoeuvrability, the HD 10/25-4S boasts a high performance, highly efficient crankshaft pump with a brass cylinder head and ceramic-sleeved pistons. “It’s a sturdy, no-frills machine that does the job and will keep on doing the job,” said Gary.

For those looking for a few more frills, the HD 9/20-4SXA is a ‘Super Class’ machine that, amongst other ‘bells and whistles’, boasts an automatic retractable hose, a useful addition which only features on Karcher machines.

“Again, the retractable hose speeds up the whole process as well as keeping thing tidy,” said Gary. “It’s a niche feature that only Karcher provides and is popular with many farmers as it saves time and hassle.”

Nilfisk also manufacture three-phase hot water cleaners, with the most popular being the MH 4M-210/1000 PAX, a user-friendly, machine that delivers twice the power of its 240v equivalent (210 bar compared with 100 bar) for a relatively small extra outlay. Nilfisk claims the range delivers “performance, a long lifetime and ergonomics”, an observation backed up by feedback from Pressure Clean customers.

For the ultimate cleaning challenge, Nilfisk offers the MH 8P-1802000 FAX, which can deliver 2,000 litres of hot water per hour at 180 bar pressure, enough “to wash a tractor in no time”, as Gary remarked. The heavy duty machine is the biggest available outside specialist ranges.

As well as selling a broad range of equipment to satisfied agricultural customers across the South East, Gary and the team are also committed to keeping them running efficiently, offering annual planned maintenance contracts and a repair and service facility at the showroom on the Bell Brook Industrial Estate in Uckfield.

Pressure Clean will be displaying a range of cleaning equipment on its stand at this year’s Farm Expo event at the Kent Showground on Wednesday 6 March.

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WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

37

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

FIRST-RATE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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Wealden AM is always excited to attend Farm Expo. The company has been supplying and managing steel-framed building projects in the South East of England for nearly 30 years, during which time it has delivered projects to meet a wide range of needs for agricultural, industrial and commercial customers.

Wealden AM understands that there is more to a building project than just a building. It

puts together the team that is best suited to each individual project. This can include planning consultancy and groundworks, together with all building elements.

Wealden AM is located in East Sussex and serves a delighted customer base in Kent and East and West Sussex.

If you have a project in mind with which we may be able to assist, visit Wealden AM on their stand.

puts first-rate customer service at the heart of the business and is proud to offer a complete building package, from expertise and advice during the planning and design stages right through to the supply and management of the construction itself.

The in-house team provides the variety of skills and enthusiasm needed to give every project 100% focus from start to finish. Working alongside suppliers and contractors, Wealden

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With sixty years of service under their wheels, the experienced team at Watling tyres knows all there is to know about supplying and fitting agricultural tyres.

The family business, set up in 1962, has grown steadily over the years and now services farmers and farming businesses across Kent, Surrey and East Sussex from 14 well-sited locations across the region.

The highly skilled team, providing a 24/7 operation across the South East from a 50-strong fleet of specialist vehicles, meets or exceeds the industry standard response time of 90 minutes and can supply and fit a huge range of tyres.

Executive director Pat Laming said the strength of the Gravesend, Kent-based company was “in its excellent, well-trained and customerfocused staff”. While its focus was on service, Watling Tyres prided itself on offering competitive prices and could fit tyres for anything from a fuel bowser or fruit trailer to a tractor or combine harvester, he said.

Looking forward to 2024, Pat said that with the industry going through a great deal of change, Watling Tyres had ambitions to be a “key partner” with farmers and growers as the country moved towards providing more of its own food.

Watling Tyres will be exhibiting at Farm Expo, where Pat said the team was looking forward to meeting customers old and new.

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See our success stories

Is your business ready to grow?

At Oak Creative, we believe partnerships are the most powerful way to do business.

As a creative partner to businesses in Kent and beyond, we collaborate with you to deliver impactful results to grow your brand.

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WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024 9810 OAK FARM EXPO ADVERT 93x133_FAW.indd 1

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6 MARCH 2024

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

41

CULTIVATING GROWTH Oak Creative's partnership with NP Seymour.

In today's digital landscape, a compelling online presence is vital for agricultural businesses. As the UK's leading specialist in fruit, hop and vine tractors and machinery, NP Seymour is committed to delivering high quality products and services.

When the business owners recognised that they need to overhaul their online presence to ensure their website delivered the same experience, they appointed Kent branding and web agency Oak Creative.

Laura Bevan, studio director at Oak Creative, said: “Understanding the business goals and target customers is the first step to creating a successful website.”

The project has overhauled the website structure and optimised navigation. Non-user-friendly elements were streamlined, leading to clean typography, consistent spacing and clear calls to action.

Layout options were introduced for displaying news, products, and testimonials, utilising snippets to engage users effectively.

With a website that aligns with the company’s vision and is fully editable, NP Seymour is now able to manage the website content for customers. The site is primed for future development, with a strong

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creative partnership now formed with Oak Creative.

Victoria Rose of Vine Media Relations, on behalf of NP Seymour Ltd, commented: "Oak Creative understood exactly what we wanted and needed from the site and were helpful in advising us on what was possible. The team suggested a number of design and layout improvements which we had not previously considered and that have made a big difference. Everything was straightforward and completed on time."

A PROMISING FUTURE

The partnership between NP Seymour Ltd and Oak Creative underscores the power of partnering with a professional branding and web agency. It highlights the significance of a well-designed website in enhancing user experiences and ultimately contributing to a business's success.

Oak Creative operates as a creative partner to ambitious businesses in the food, drink, agriculture and leisure sector. The professional team uses its brand-building expertise to elevate its clients’ businesses, creating stand-out brands in Kent and beyond.

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schemes & grants

Call us on 01892 770339 Matthew Berryman 07710 765323 matthew@c-l-m.co.uk

17/01/2024 17:34

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH US.

Reach your target audience in 2024 by advertising your products/services in our popular titles.

VISIT US: www.southeastfarmer.net | www.farmmachinery.co.uk | www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk ®

Book now by calling Jamie on 01303 233883 or email jamie.mcgrorty@kelsey.co.uk

FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

6 MARCH 2024

FIRST CLASS SERVICE Quality equipment, an experienced team and a focus on reliability has seen Rhino Agricultural Services establish itself over the past 30 years as the first choice for farmers, landowners and organisations looking for a first class service.

Neil Morgan has grown Rhino Agricultural Services into a wellrespected company with an impressive fleet of machinery and an equally impressive client list that ranges from local farmers to the National Trust.

The business, based near Dover in Kent, now employs 12 people and serves farming, conservation and archaeology customers across the county and beyond.

The talented and experienced team provides a range of services including muck spreading, mowing, tedding, rowing, forage harvesting and drilling. Rhino Agricultural Services has also completed three large reservoir projects in the county.

The plant and machinery that handles the farming workload includes six John Deere tractors and one Fendt, together with a Claas forage harvester, JCB loading shovel and JCB telehandler. Two maize drills, a seed drill, round and square balers, a plough and cultivation equipment, including a 10-metre rake, complete the line-up.

Rhino Agricultural Services is now taking forage harvesting, dung spreading and baling orders for the 2024 season.

GUIDANCE ON KEY ISSUES We live in a time of great change. Add to this the probability of a General Election in the next few months and it has never been more important to look very carefully at your existing farming business and understand the new opportunities and threats that might affect you. The main parties are already starting to discuss their priorities, with some challenging propositions being put forward for the rural landscape.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Batcheller Monkhouse's team of land agents, agricultural and environmental experts, and planning consultants, will be on hand at Farm Expo to answer farmers' and growers' questions and provide guidance on key issues including: • ELMS and other environmental grants • Natural Capital – base line assessments, markets and opportunities • Tenancies and contract farming • Strategic land and development

• Glamping and other diversifications • AMC finance • Residential and commercial lettings.

Another issue that Batcheller Monkhouse is increasingly called in to assist with is succession planning. This might be to advise on tenancy succession or succession to the family farming business. Wrapped up with this is tax planning, where the threat to Agricultural Property Relief from Inheritance Tax needs to be considered carefully.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

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FARM EXPO 2024 PREVIEW

2024 – A POSITIVE VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF FARMING Birketts shares a few of the top trends which it expects to be working on with the farming sector in the coming year.

NATURAL CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES

Both privately funded and statutory schemes are a consistent source of enquiries as Birketts assists landowners with agreements relating to biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, landscape recovery projects, cluster groups and nature credit brokerage agreements.

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

With the continued drive to “net zero” and energy security, Birketts expects the resurgence in large-scale, ground-mounted solar projects to continue and anticipates an increase in onshore wind farm as planning policy shifts.

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When discussing inheritance tax risk with local farmers, some frequently occurring issues that arise are as follows:

FARMHOUSES

You may be able to secure agricultural property relief (APR) on the farmhouse if you actively manage and work on the farm. If the person running the farm also occupies the farmhouse, it maximises the chance of APR. Be aware that if the landowners occupy the farmhouse, but others carry out the daily management of the farm, APR is likely to be denied.

‘ESTATE’ CONCEPT

If you have rental properties on your land, consider establishing the ‘estate concept’. If it can be argued that your rental properties are part of your ‘whole’ or ‘country’ estate, and farming is the main activity, it will increase the possibility of obtaining APR or business property relief (BPR) on all the properties. If you are not farming actively day to day, consider making use of farm business tenancies to secure 100% APR

Agricultural and Farming Law Farm Sales and Purchases Conveyancing

Construction Law Landlord and Tenant Dispute Resolution

Divorce and Family Employment Law Wills, Estates and Tax Planning Accident Claims Medical Negligence Criminal Law Road Traffic Offences Commercial Property

Company and Commercial Law Health & Safety Prosecutions Business Defence Licensing Notarial Services info@gullands.com www.gullands.com

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FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

COLLABORATION

A growing trend over recent years has been an increase in collaboration between farming enterprises, and Birketts expects to assist clients with further collaboration projects relating to larger scale environmental projects, water sharing and machinery/technology sharing.

DIVERSIFICATION

In recent years there has been a growing move towards diversification to make businesses more resilient in the face of declining BPS payments, volatile commodity prices and higher interest rates. Birketts anticipates continuing to assist a range of clients with new projects facilitated through sales, purchases or refinancing.

Birketts are looking forward to meeting you at Farm Expo.

MANAGING

INHERITANCE TAX RISK FOR FARMERS with tight lines drawn around the farmhouse to ensure the maximum relief is obtained on the land and farm buildings.

GIFTS/TRANSFERS

Consider gifting assets now while 100% agricultural property relief is still available.

Speak to your local Azets advisor to find out more.

6 MARCH 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS 6 APRIL 2024 THE HERITAGE TRANSPORT SHOW

A display of over 1,000 vintage vehicles including classic cars, motorcycles, tractors, steam and stationary engines, joined by hundreds of buses from across the South East and beyond.

2 MAY 2024 LIVING LAND

DEFRA INTRODUCES NEW SOLAR GRANT Farmers in England who wish to install solar panels can now apply for financial support under round two of the Improving Farm Productivity grant.

Farmers and horticulturalists will be able to apply for the grant in early 2024. It will allow all farming businesses to apply for support to cover 25% of a solar PV system; the minimum amount of funding is £15,000 and the maximum is £100,000.

The funding can be used for roof-mounted or irrigation reservoirmounted solar arrays providing that the power is mainly used to run the farming operation. The funding cannot be used for ground-mounted solar systems, north-facing roofs or systems in heavily shaded areas.

Eligible items include solar PV panels (plus associated equipment such as the mounting system and inverters) and batteries, as well as certain grid connection costs and power diverters (systems which redirect excess solar energy to power storage such as heat stores, for example).

Items which are not eligible include ground-mounted solar arrays, replacement or reinforcement of roofs, construction of farm buildings or upgrading of existing solar panels.

To discuss a project on your farm call BeBa Energy today.

A free event teaching primary school children in years 3 and 4 about farming, food production and the countryside. Over 47,600 children have taken part in this event since it was started 18 years ago.

5, 6 AND 7 JULY 2024 KENT COUNTY SHOW

The society’s showcase event celebrating farming, livestock and rural crafts throughout the ‘Garden of England’

17 AND 18 AUGUST 2024 BIDDENDEN TRACTORFEST

A family friendly annual country fair with a focus on vintage, classic and modern motorcycles. Part of the event proceeds are donated back into the community.

To learn more about any Society events, or how you can get involved, head to www.kcas.org.uk Alternatively, email info@kentshowground.co.uk or call 01622 630975.

GOING THE EXTRA ACRE Independent, tailored insurance advice from farmers, for farmers.

FIND US AT FARM EXPO IN THE MAIDSTONE EXHIBITION HALL

CLEAR, CONCISE ADVICE FROM ACRES INSURANCE BROKERS

Contact: 01536 607070 hello@acresinsurance.co.uk

Stand 200 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

www.acresinsurance.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

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AGRONOMY

SPRING WEED CONTROL NEEDS EXTRA

CARE IN STRESSED CROPS Heavy rain and flooding throughout the autumn and winter have created some real challenges for spring weed control, says Hutchinsons agronomist Lizzie Batt, based out of the Canterbury office. She recommends carefully assessing crop condition and weed pressure before deciding on the most suitable strategy.

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At one end of the scale, there are those crops sown relatively early last September that established nicely in good conditions and received a timely preemergence spray that, in many situations, worked well in moist soils.

Conversely, there are later-sown wheats drilled after the weather broke, perhaps into sub-optimal conditions and without any pre-em herbicide. There are also crops that, regardless of drilling date, have struggled to establish or suffered rooting damage due to

LIZZIE BATT

T: 07812 771622 E: Lizzie.batt@hlhltd.co.uk Canterbury: 01227 830064 www.hlhltd.co.uk

severe flooding or waterlogging.

Where crops have experienced prolonged periods of waterlogging and anaerobic conditions, compromised root development is likely to increase crop stress, so great care is needed when planning spring herbicide applications.

Even if autumn weed control was compromised and you’re keen to get on with a spring herbicide once conditions allow, don’t apply anything if crops are showing stress or yellowing; it’ll just make a bad situation worse.

Accurate spray timing is going to be paramount this spring and key to not doing any more damage than the weather has already done.

ADDRESS CROP STRESS FIRST

Where crops are stressed, due to waterlogging or, potentially, in cases where pre-em has been washed into the rooting zone, it may be better to delay herbicide application, especially of stronger contact grassweed chemistry, and prioritise early nitrogen to stimulate growth and improve resilience to any potential herbicide effects.

If it looks stressed, sometimes allowing an extra week or two to get the crop into a stronger position is worthwhile. Phosphites can help stimulate roots to get the nutrition pumping around the plant system. Also consider nitrogen timing. Soil nitrogen reserves are very low, so a ‘little and often’ approach could be the way to go in terms of availability to the plant.

CONSIDER A RESIDUAL TOP-UP

Decisions must be made on a field-by-field basis. If, for example, it looks as though conditions will not allow travel until March to

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

apply residual chemistry, there could be more sizeable weeds by that time, so the focus may be better spent on contact chemistry rather than residuals. There needs to be an ongoing discussion between grower and agronomist about what’s best for each field, though.

Even where crops received a pre-em, heavy rainfall will have dramatically reduced the persistence of residual chemistry, so a spring top-up may be required to control any flush of problematic grass weeds like black-grass, ryegrass or brome.

In terms of residuals, flufenacet-based chemistry, with diflufenican, picolinafen or pendimethalin, are the go-to options for black-grass control. But, with evidence showing wider resistance levels to flufenacet in ryegrass species, care is required as to its use, and testing is important to understand the issues faced.

For crops drilled last autumn that did not receive any pre-em, immediate weed pressure could potentially be greater, especially where black-grass emerged late. There is likely to be more reliance on using stronger contact chemistry, such as iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium + mesosulfuronmethyl mixes, but ideally this should be accompanied by a residual partner to control later-emerging weeds.

Remember, in terms of black-grass and ryegrass in particular, a lot depends on the growth stage of the weed. Be realistic about the control you can expect to achieve, especially given the levels of ALS resistance out there generally.

Correct rates and timing will be more important than ever; otherwise this could compromise control and increase resistance risks. Avoid using products if it’s too frosty, as they aren’t going to work.

prod and

STEPHEN CARR

Offe in so serv your

WINNERS AND LOSERS

It was always going to be the case that a complete post-Brexit shakeup of the way in which UK agriculture is subsidised was going to produce major farming winners and losers. So it has proved. DEFRA’s recent announcement of the latest phase of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will please some farmers more than others.

Since Brexit, the main difficulty for just about all farm businesses has been how to cope with the impact of the withdrawal of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) by 2027. This payment, first introduced in 2005 as the ‘Single Farm Payment’, replaced a whole raft of subsidies like arable area payments (which paid us different amounts depending on which crops we grew), and livestock headage payments for beef cattle and sheep.

It’s hard to remember that far back, but when this flat rate payment was first introduced, it wasn’t supposed to last very long. Politicians and even senior office holders in the NFU told us that we should use this money to invest in better productivity, ready for a brave new world of ‘free trade’ that was coming in a few years’ time.

Personally, I never took those lectures remotely seriously. My arable farming was completely dependent on the arable subsidies that were available in 2005 and has remained just as dependent on the BPS that replaced them.

I’m not alone. Barely 10% of UK arable farmers are viable without the BPS and most of those are, surprise, surprise, on the very best land in the eastern counties of England. Crucially, as well as enjoying good yields from their wonderful land, these farms are also near to deep-sea grain export facilities and/or bio-fuel plants. Thus their transport costs for moving grain to a buyer are also remarkably low. Such farms are certainly not anything like mine, in other words.

The latest DEFRA SFI announcements, then, about how the BPS monies are to be redirected into a range of new financial incentives for arable farmers, is of great interest to me.

It is hard to overstate just how necessary some sort of boost to arable farmers’ cash flow is at the moment. Inflation in our growing costs in recent years has been rampant, while grain prices are currently low. I can’t get a bid of £180 a tonne for my feed wheat at the time of writing.

So, like most growers, I will be poring over the detail of the long list of new SFI arable initiatives for 2024. What do I have to do to “manage arable land for flood/drought resilience and water quality (£1,242/ha)?

What is “no-till action” (£73/ha) or a “multi-species cover crop” (£153163/ha)?

Should I invest in precision arable equipment if there’s going to be a payment of £43 ha for “remote-guided herbicide spraying” and a reward for “robotic weeding” of £150ha?

As usual, for an arable farmer like me who farms less good quality land, it will be those who most quickly adapt to the new subsidy regime who stand the best chance of economic survival.

Ultimate Soil Scanning – High definition in-field scanning of major field properties including pH, Organic Matter, Electrical Conductivity and Topography ⚪ Precision soil sampling and mapping – We have a Wintex automatic sampler which can accurately sample 47 to various depths and separate soil into 3 profiles, perfect for measuring soil carbon and deep core nitrogen ⚪ Biomass Imagery Soil smart sampling, GPS precision, ⚪ Standard Soil Sampling – P, K, Mg and pH VerisCyst soil scanning, N(PCN) Core, Ph, PCN ⚪ Potato/Pea Nematode Analysis ⚪ Deep Core Nitrogen Sampling ⚪ Manure, Slurry and Product Analysis ⚪ Lime supply and variable rate application ⚪

01233 740247 www.acsrecycling.co.uk

STEPHEN CARR Stephen farms near Eastbourne in East Sussex in partnership with his wife and four of his daughters.

The farm has a pub, the Sussex Ox at Milton Street, which serves the farm's pedigree Sussex beef, Southdown-cross lamb and fruit and vegetables from the farmhouse kitchen-garden.

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01233 740247 enquiries@farmimage.co.uk www.farmimage.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

ANITA HICKSON ORGANISED CHAOS

BLUETONGUE SAGA

CONTINUES TO RAGE

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Well, as I sit down to write this article the Bluetongue saga continues to rage on in East Kent while the rest of the country continues to trade as per normal. I will try not to rant, but it really is making our blood boil at the moment.

The Ministry came in force to blood test all of our cows at home. It’s now two weeks on and we haven’t heard a word; apparently no news is good news, so we can assume all our cows have tested negative, but it would have been good to have been told for sure. Despite this, restrictions remain in place and the laborious process of applying for licences for cattle/sheep to travel anywhere is a long-winded one. We can only hope that normal trading conditions will be allowed soon.

We have now been shut down for approximately 10 weeks or more and we have had pedigree sales fall through due to the restrictions, as well as being unable to sell cull cows as the abattoirs are either not licensed or cannot handle the volume. While these assets remain on farm, being unable to proceed with the sales has a marked effect on business cashflow. The cost of continually feeding the extra cows that we would otherwise have sold is increasing day by day.

While the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and DEFRA staff

Generate income from your distressed grains

ANITA HICKSON Farmer

say they have every sympathy with us, that unfortunately doesn’t pay the additional bills that are being incurred on a daily basis due to being in a temporary control zone (TCZ). Having spent many hours on the telephone or emailing them, I know the staff are trying their very best to enable us to move livestock under licence.

I know we are not the only ones affected by these restrictions and I appreciate the reasons for them, but I feel it rather unfair that the small minority of farmers in the TCZ should shoulder the financial impact of these restrictions without any assistance, as essentially we are protecting the rest of the country.

I have emailed our local MP but as yet have not had any response.

Frustratingly we are essentially a “clear” holding but must still comply with all the legislation. We are assured that the majority of blood testing has been completed, but no further guidance has been issued, nor have any restrictions been lifted or numbers publicised.

I am sure that as and when the time comes we will be informed, but I fear that if they do not lift the restrictions in the next few weeks, we could be under this TCZ for a further 12 months or more.

Changing the subject completely… I seem to struggle with what to cook for the family on most nights except on a Sunday, which is always a family roast dinner in the evening.

I was searching for some inspiration and stumbled across a website designed by farmer’s wife Milly Fyfe to help and provide tasty homemade recipes using seasonal ingredients. The recipes are generally ‘no fuss’, meaning they are quick to prepare or use honest, in-season whole ingredients. It has certainly been a game changer for me. I love it. www.nofussmealsforbusyparents.com. Until next time stay safe.

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FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

David McNaughton, Managing Director of Soya UK Ltd, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in agricultural science by the Institute of Agriculture of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences.

The award recognises Dr McNaughton’s “significant contribution to the development of national science” in Ukraine, as well as 25 years of commercial and scientific co-operation with the Institute in Kyiv.

He said he was “incredibly grateful and completely humbled to receive this unexpected honour,” adding: “Since 1998, we have worked closely with our friends in Kyiv and brought three new crops of Ukrainian origin to UK agriculture.

“This long-term endeavour has built a bond of friendship and scientific co-operation that I am extremely proud of. Obviously, it is particularly humbling to receive this honour at this time, when Ukraine is defending itself from the war of aggression that is being waged against it, and the Institute of Agriculture has been busy playing its part in the struggle.”

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

DEMAND FOR SPRING SEED HAS INCREASED

Welcome to an inspiring new column that is set to be contributed each month by Chichester Crop Consultancy (CCC).

This month's comes from Simon Roberts.

Hopefully we have seen the back of the wet weather and field work is able to be considered again. The first point of call is to review late-drilled and poorly established crops and fields destined for a winter crop that didn’t get drilled pre-Christmas. With the national wheat area planting down, demand for spring seed has increased, so availability will be an issue for anyone ordering at the last minute.

Although the safe sowing date has passed for most varieties of winter wheat, there are a few options that can be drilled until the end of February. Based on the AHDB vernalisation information on the 2023/24 recommended list, Skyfall, KWS Brium, RGT Bairstow and Swallow are safe to drill up to the end of February. There is limited yield data for these later-drilling timings and it is essential to establish in good soil conditions to limit any yield penalty.

cover crop gets too lignified it is slow to break down and can inhibit nitrogen availability to the following crop.

Grazing may well have already taken place, but care needs to be taken to avoid poaching and compaction during wet conditions.

If there are some harsh frosts (-8°C), and if the farmer is dedicated enough, rolling during the early hours has been shown to be a good way of killing the radish/brassica components, thus exposing the grassweeds and smaller broadleaved weeds to be controlled with glyphosate.

If relying on chemical destruction, robust rates of glyphosate (1440g) are required for the larger canopies, and where difficult to kill broadleaved weeds including clover are present, then formulations that include 2-4d should be considered. Note that it is important to ensure when using any 2-4d product that intervals from application to drilling are adhered to in order to avoid any potential following crop issues.

LATE DRILLED WINTER BEANS

BYDV RISK

LATE DRILLED WINTER WHEAT

Winter bean seed may well still be sat in the shed and can still be sown in February/March, but bear in mind that later drilling will lead to later harvesting and seed rates will need increasing to levels nearer to those for spring beans, as they will behave more like a spring sown crop with limited ability to tiller.

The deadline for applying propyzamide has passed, so difficult grassweed control scenarios will lead to compromised weed control. Fallow/cover crop options may be worth considering as an alternative in areas where grassweeds are a significant threat.

COVER CROP MANAGEMENT

With the increased planting of overwintered cover crops in recent years, preparation for the following crop needs consideration. Leaving the cover crop too long can have an impact on its management. If

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Turning attention to crops established before the wet weather in October, apart from the pre-emergence herbicide you may not have had the opportunity to travel since then. While the heavy rain seemed to keep visible aphid presence low, if conditions continue to be favourable for aphid survival, BYDV risk and yield reduction remains a concern. Monitoring for aphids is advised until the beginning of stem extension; where found, treat accordingly.

NITROGEN PLANNING

Judging the amount of residual nitrogen will be difficult this year, as the amount of excess rainfall has been significant over winter, with little or no crop cover in some fields.

It would be advisable to get deep nitrogen tests arranged to get a more accurate view

ARABLE NOTES INTRODUCING… CCC AGRONOMY

The farmer member-run co-operative agronomy service was set up almost 40 years ago by a small group of farmers based around Chichester who recognised a need for advice they could trust and which had their business interests at heart. CCC prides itself on delivering independent, research/ science led, agronomy advice with no commercial bias and has seen the business grow from a local service to one that supports farms across the south of England, from Kent to Somerset.

CCC works closely with crop advisors who coordinate independent group purchasing on crop inputs as well as sourcing cover crop /environmental scheme seed mixes.

The aim is to provide the best advice and source competitively priced products while saving members time and money.

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Simon Roberts of what is actually available on your farm to ensure the right amount of nitrogen can be planned to reflect yield and quality demands.

The first nitrogen applications will be needed to help tiller survival on winter barley and second wheats and encourage early growth on oilseed rape. Applications should be avoided if the ground is waterlogged or heavy rain is imminent or in frosty conditions, with soil temperatures ideally above six degrees.

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

NEWS FROM THE VINEYARD

™

FEBRUARY 2024

VINEYARD For Growers & Winemakers in Great Britain ™

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The view from the tasting room at Yotes Court Vineyard is simply stunning, and the more time that is spent at this Kentish location the more fascinating it becomes.

Owner Susannah Ricci and vineyard manager Tony Purdie have applied skill, imagination and hard work to turn Yotes Court into a flourishing vineyard business, offering a fantastic brand image and producing unique wines with a focus on individuality and exceptional quality.

Susannah and her husband purchased the Grade I listed Yotes Court more than a decade ago. Becoming the caretaker of such an important piece of history brings with it great responsibility and the house and gardens have been lovingly restored. When former orchard land adjoining Yotes Court became available Susannah wanted it to stay in agricultural production and in a sense connected with the original estate.

There are several ways that visitors can enjoy Yotes Court Vineyard. From March to October the vineyard is open Wednesday to Sunday, offering visitors the chance to book a vineyard tour followed by a structured tasting, while a self-guided tasting is also available. The cellar door at Yotes Court means visitors are always able to take home a bottle or two.

From the top of the vineyard looking down across the vines, with the Kent countryside and the Bidborough Ridge in the distance, it is

Courting unique excellence Yotes Court in Kent is building for the future from the soil up.

INSIDE Kirkland UK has an outstanding reputation The evolution of wine retail

COURTING Matthew Jukes reviews three excellent Bacchus wines

LAND & PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Expert advice for viticulture: • Site-finding • Sales & acquisitions • Planning applications • Environmental schemes & grants

Vineyard_02Feb24.indd 1

Call us on 01892 770339 Matthew Berryman 07710 765323 matthew@c-l-m.co.uk

17/01/2024 17:34

UNIQUE EXCELLENCE

Yotes Court in Kent is building for the future from the soil up.

Writes Rebecca Farmer, Editor of Vineyard magazine. easy for the visitor to become fully immersed in the experience. The website declares that the ethos at Yotes Court is “unfussy, inclusive and fun”, but beneath that is the sense that the entire team is striving for even greater excellence both in the vineyard and the whole experience of wine.

In 2016 over 95 acres were planted with 128,000 vines of Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. “There was a small bit planted in 2017 because that part of the land needed a little green manure to get it up to speed,” explained Tony. At the time this was the single largest planting of vines in the UK. After purchasing the land, Susannah sought the help of experts to help her bring the land into production and make the best possible use of it. “I knew I needed to get the right people and ask the right questions,” she said.

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

The ‘right person’ was Stephen Skelton MW, who declared the site absolutely perfect for vines.

“Yotes Court was, for me, an ideal site,” said Stephen. “It was below 100m above sea-level, a south-facing slope, well sheltered and frostfree. Added to that was the soil, which had a good ragstone content, aiding drainage and heat retention. The site was mainly divided up into sensible sized blocks for additional shelter.

It was planted with a high density of vines which both helps ripening and increases yield.

Results to date have been very encouraging.”

After advising on varieties and clone selection among other things, Stephen put Susannah in touch with vineyard manager Tony Purdie, who relocated from New Zealand to Yotes Court and has managed the vineyard since that initial planting.

AS FEATURED IN VINEYARD MAGAZINE For Growers & Winemakers in Great Britain ™

Susannah Ricci “Key to the operation at Yotes Court is that the site grows amazing grapes,” said Tony.

With this in mind Susannah realised that it was necessary to create a connection between the vineyard and the finished product. “I didn’t want Tony to get bored,” she said with a smile.

“I tried the still Pinot Gris and the Pinot Blanc from Stopham, and I thought they were so good,” said Susannah. The quality of these wines showed the possibilities for still wine production in England and led Susannah and Tony to begin the vineyard expansion at Yotes Court. In 2018 Pinot Blanc and Bacchus were planted and in 2019 Pinot Gris was also planted;

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Photos: Martin Apps, Countrywide Photographic

there is also a small parcel of Divico vines.

The new plantings expanded the area under vine by another 10 acres. This land had previously been planted in a maize and spring wheat rotation and there was also an area planted with apricot trees that were suffering from an infection. “This land is 148m above sea level but the land is too good for arable production,” said Tony.

The expansion has allowed Yotes Court to launch both still and sparkling wines under their own label. The branding is unusual in that each wine is individual but is also clearly part of the Yotes Court family. <<

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

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NEWS FROM THE VINEYARD For the branding, Susannah drew inspiration from the race horses she owns, which adds to the feeling of connection between the wines. “The sparkling wines are all named after winning horses and the still wines are all named after racing terms,” she said.

LiveLoveLaugh is an early release traditional method sparkling wine made from Pinot Gris grapes. First produced in 2021, Tony described it as a fruit-driven, easy drinking sparkling wine. It has proved very popular at the cellar door and is sold in pubs and restaurants across London.

For the 2022 season the vines required special care to ensure the grapes maintained the correct balance of sugars and acid while holding on to the fruit flavours that make this wine so noticeably different. The secret, Tony explained, was canopy management. The winemaker is Nick Lane at Defined Wine in Canterbury.

Yotes Court sits on the Greensand Ridge.

“The ragstone-based soil weathers down to sand and clay,” said Tony. “The clay soils contain colloids and this allows the soils to hold onto nutrients that are then plant available, but the best thing about Greensand soils is that they are free draining.”

Tony was instrumental in establishing the WineGB pruning competition which took place at Yotes Court in 2022 and 2023. The venue for the 2024 competition has not been decided but Tony will once again be part of the judging panel.

“In the formative years you have to be careful about competition from weeds and it is about letting the vines grow into their natural space, but once the vines are mature vine balance becomes the focus. We could

<<

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cause over vigour in the vines and reduce crop production. A vine can be tipped into a vegetative state which can be quite hard to get back from.

“One way to get this balance is to lay a few more buds per metre per vine row and spur pruning will achieve this. Spur pruning will balance the crop load and shoot production.

Spur pruning reduces the bunch size and bunch compaction while increasing the skin/ juice ratio for quality wine production. Other benefits are a more even bud burst and greater plant available reserves in the trunk and cordon,” Tony explained.

Spur pruning requires more intensive canopy management as this will determine the amount of heat accumulation in the canopy. “Heat is more important than light; the temperature of the bud influences whether bud primordia becomes fruit, tendril, leaf or bud. That is why it is trickier to get big crops in cooler climates,” Tony added. It’s not an easy solution. “In a really hot year it is possible to remove too much leaf which could expose the berries to sunburn, while leaving lots of leaf cover can keep acids high in the grapes.”

Tony has a major focus on producing clean fruit and walks through the vineyard every day. As he explains the processes across the vineyard with such an easy manner, it is clear to see why so many people have turned up to undertake pruning in the vineyard on a snowy January day. “People just love working for Tony,” said Susannah confidentially.

“We have a whole team of retirees who have an amazing array of past careers, and they help out at harvest and at pruning,” she added.

It is clear that as the vineyard matures, Yotes Court is also putting down deep roots in the community. The summer attracts university

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

students and people who are keen to get outside.

At Yotes Court the aim is for the vines to produce on average 10 tonnes per hectare, ensuring that the vineyard is producing enough fruit from a business perspective but also that quality remains exceptionally high.

When the vines were young, herbicides were used, “but now the vines are established we are heading to a regenerative style of viticulture,” said Tony. “I have been passionate about sustainable wine growing for many years and we are accredited under the SWGB scheme.”

Winter grazing sheep is part of the move to regenerative viticulture at Yotes Court. Tony was unwilling to use sheep amongst young vines but now the sheep are grazed within 25 hectares of the vineyard. “Being from New Zealand it is nice to see sheep in the vineyard; they are a great way of nutrient recycling,” he said. “The sheep also clear the ground over the winter, allowing for greater airflow which in turn helps protect against frost in the spring.”

Talking about pests in the vineyard inevitably raises the subject of spotted wing drosophila, but Tony pointed out that one pest not seen in the UK is grape vine mealy bug. “I spent 30 years in New Zealand panicking about mealy bug because it is a vector for virus. The whole world has mealy bug problems except the UK,” he said.

Regenerative methods can bring unexpected consequences. Tony explained: “We have found that cut worm caterpillar is now a problem. It doesn’t like bare ground and sterile soils so by planting cover crops and improving soil health, pests that haven't been on one's radar in the past suddenly become a problem.

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Tony Purdie

“Cutworm caterpillars come out in the spring and crawl along the wire and just eat the whole bud away. It is possible to attribute this damage to blind budding, which can be caused by many different diseases, or to other damage such as deer or birds, and because these caterpillars are nocturnal unless you go out at night you will not see just how destructive they are. It is just one more thing to be mindful about.

“One of the problems in the UK is downy mildew. If you lose your canopy to downy mildew you lose the ability to ripen the fruit.

It is important to keep on top of the spray programmes and to monitor."

Discussing the 2024 season and what this may mean for the vines, Tony said: “We had a cloudy, wet summer which produced quite big canopies, so the canes we are laying down are quite vigorous. We had above-average heat during flowering in 2023 which is around the time the bunch primordia set, so there is the potential for another good season.

“The vines are in their ninth season and that means that the root structure is well established, so we can be fairly certain if we

have a good initiation the year before we will get a good crop the following year, but there are numerous other factors that will influence this.”

As the snow falls on my journey down past the vines it is obvious that much has changed at Yotes Court since the initial planting. This beautiful countryside and those who are connected with this vineyard and this brand are taking every opportunity to grow with those vines as they move into maturity, taking each new step in a well thought out manner and looking to achieve excellence in every way.

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53

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

01227 763939 furleypage.co.uk

BLIGHTING RURAL COMMUNITIES

Farmers are picking up the pieces – and the bill – as illegal fly-tipping continues to blight the countryside.

54

Newly-released figures from DEFRA show that there were more than a million incidents of fly-tipping on public land in the past year, and more than 100,000 in the South East alone.

Councils in England dealt with 1.08 million fly-tipping incidents in 2022/2023, though these figures only account for waste illegally dumped on public land and reported to the authorities. The Country Land & Business Association (CLA), which represents around 27,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, believes these figures only tell a fraction of the story.

Many fly-tipping incidents occur on privately owned land, which the CLA believes paints an even more damaging picture of the financial burden and environmental impact of fly-tipping.

While the association claims the situation is so bad that one of its members pays £50,000 a year to clear up waste, the figures also show a 19% drop in the number of fixed penalty notices issued.

Regional Director Tim Bamford said the published figures “barely scratch the surface of a crime that’s blighting rural communities, with incidents on private land going unrecorded on a mass scale.

"Farmers and landowners bear the cost of removing rubbish and they pay on average £1,000 to remove waste. This is not a victimless crime - in some cases they have paid up to £100,000 to clear up other people’s mess or risk facing prosecution themselves.

“It’s not just litter blotting the landscape, but tonnes of household and commercial waste which can often be hazardous – even including asbestos and chemicals

– endangering farmers, wildlife, livestock, crops and the environment.

“While courts can sentence offenders to prison or unlimited fines, prosecutions are rare and criminals clearly do not fear the system. We are calling for local authorities to help clear fly-tipping incidents on private as well as public land, while the various enforcement agencies must be properly trained and resourced.

“Without more progress farmers, not the criminals, will continue to pay the price.”

Colin Rayner, who farms in Berkshire and Surrey and suffers fly-tipping on a weekly basis, said: “We feel we have been abandoned by the law makers and law enforcers.

Fly-tipping is a very expensive, ugly plague on the countryside and landowners.”

His concerns were shared by Tim Hayward, farm manager at Woolley Park, near Wantage in Oxfordshire, who commented: “We have consistent dumps of builders’ and household waste, car parts, tyres and furniture.

“We border two local authorities. One of these has more stringent measures at their recycling centres than the other, which leads to more dumping. Local authorities are also draconian in their responsibilities of clearing rubbish from the highways and not from private land.”

Laurie Wates said the Dunsfold and Cranleigh areas in Surrey suffered an “excessive amount” of fly-tipping, adding: “It is like there is absolutely no law enforcement around this in our area. This is meant to be the beautiful Surrey Hills and it is not.

“The government just does not seem to take this crime seriously. I have reported eight fly-tips since June on a few lanes in our area.”

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Kent Local authority

21/22

22/23

21/22 - 22/23 % Change

Ashford

1,514

1,177

-22.3%

Canterbury

2,198

27,50

25.1%

Dartford

3,082

1,995

-35.3%

Dover

1,087

985

-9.4%

Folkestone and Hythe

2,706

1,666

-38.4%

Gravesham

2192

2,148

-2.0%

Maidstone

3,418

2,391

-30.0%

Medway

4,569

4,664

2.1%

Sevenoaks

707

801

13.3%

Swale

2,482

2,129

-14.2%

Thanet

1,794

2,535

41.3%

Tonbridge and Malling

827

833

0.7%

Tunbridge Wells

857

721

-15.9%

TOTAL:

27,433

24,795

-9.6%

Sussex Adur

845

1014

20.0%

Arun

1,713

2,035

18.8%

Chichester

1,372

844

-38.5%

Crawley

1,732

1,449

-16.3%

Horsham

1,102

1,212

10.0%

Mid Sussex

420

325

-22.6%

Worthing

688

798

16.0%

Brighton and Hove

1,585

2,032

28.2%

Eastbourne

778

654

-15.9%

Hastings

574

1555

170.9%

Lewes

315

344

9.2%

Rother

928

890

-4.1%

Wealden

637

677

6.3%

TOTAL:

12,689

13,829

9.0%

Surrey Elmbridge

1,318

1,212

-8.0%

Epsom and Ewell

524

472

-9.9%

Guildford

1,347

1,212

-10.0%

Mole Valley

511

538

5.3%

Reigate and Banstead

7,470

7,887

5.6%

Runnymede

830

780

-6.0%

Spelthorne

2,062

1,642

-20.4%

Surrey Heath

463

588

27.0%

Tandridge

1,081

956

-11.6%

Waverley

755

750

-0.7%

Woking

1,261

1,220

-3.3%

TOTAL:

17,622

17,257

-2.1%

LEGAL

HOW TO RESOLVE A FAMILY LAW

DISPUTE WITHOUT GOING TO COURT Navigating divorce or separation can be extremely daunting. It is unsurprising that making decisions about the family’s future can sometimes feel impossible, especially when emotions are running high. Often there are difficult discussions about the children and disputes about complex financial matters, including family-run businesses and inherited land.

Many people will be aware that one way to resolve disputes of this nature is through the family courts. However, most family law specialists will tell you that court proceedings are timely, costly and involve a judge or magistrates making decisions about your future. For these reasons, the court system is often viewed as a last resort.

Help is, however, at hand, and learning about alternative dispute resolution, or “ADR”, is a good place to start your journey towards resolving the issues. ADR is the name given to various ways of resolving disputes other than taking the matter to court and includes: • Mediation – you and your spouse/partner will meet with a mediator to try to reach a solution. The mediator is impartial and will help you both to reach an agreement.

Though the mediator will not give specific legal advice, they will explain the legal

•

•

•

•

framework to help you understand how matters might be dealt with by the court.

Collaborative – you and respective lawyers work together around a table to resolve disputes. The aim is to achieve a fair resolution for the family unit and solicitors will work in a non-positional and non-confrontational way.

Arbitration – your matter will be referred to a skilled, trained arbitrator who will hear both sides of the matters in dispute.

The arbitrator will issue a decision that is legally binding on you both and there are usually solicitors who present the respective cases at the arbitration hearings. The arbitrators can generally hear cases more quickly than a court is able to resolve disputes.

Early neutral evaluation – an evaluator (often a solicitor, barrister or retired judge) will be appointed to give an independent and expert opinion on the merits of a case.

The evaluation is not binding, but it can be useful in narrowing or resolving issues.

Resolution together – this allows one lawyer to work with and advise couples jointly. This is a new way of working which reflects significant changes in the law, given joint applications to end a marriage can

SOPHIE READ

Partner in Family Law T: 01227 949548 E: SophieRead@brachers.co.uk www.brachers.co.uk

now be made by separating couples under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act. ADR is a great way of helping couples take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for the family. Speaking to a solicitor at the early stages of your separation will help you understand the best ADR option(s) for you and the family depending on the specific circumstances. At Brachers, our empathetic family lawyers offer a range of alternative dispute resolution methods, working closely with clients to identify the best way forward.

Sophie Read is a family law partner at Brachers and is collaboratively trained.

“Brachers has the personal touch, listening carefully to clients’ needs in a friendly, sensitive and helpful manner.”

Proud to be recognised for our agricultural expertise in leading directories, Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 Maidstone | Canterbury www.brachers.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

55

FOR SALE

Lye Green, East Sussex

Crowborough: 2.5 miles, Tunbridge Wells: 7 miles, central London: 46 miles Grade II Listed farmhouse in need of complete renovation. Dilapidated outbuildings with potential for alternative uses. Attractive mixed Wealden farmland. About 88.5 acres of pasture and 28.1 acres of woodland. Available as a whole or in four lots.

About 119 acres I Guide £1.785 - £1.95 million for the whole

Chris Spofforth Farm Agency 07812 965 379 cspofforth@savills.com

savills.co.uk | savills

Hannah Riches Farm Agency 07967 555 724 hriches@savills.com

Come and Say Hello!

We’ll be at Farm Expo 2024 Covering everything from BNG, Estate Management, Farm Sales, Planning, and more.

Visit batchellermonkhouse.com

LAND AND FARMS SPONSORED BY BATCHELLER MONKHOUSE TUNBRIDGE WELLS | KENT

119 ACRES

GUIDE PRICE: £1,785,000 - £1,950,000

FARMHOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS

FOR COMPLETE RENOVATION A rare opportunity to acquire a farmhouse and farm buildings for complete renovation set within 119 acres on the edge of the Ashdown Forest – Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood – has come to the market.

White House Farm is set in an exceptional rural position between the hamlets of Lye Green and Friar’s Gate, just seven miles from Tunbridge Wells. It sits on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, which inspired Hundred Acre Wood, the setting of author A A Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

The farmhouse, which is in a private setting with no near neighbours and a

beautiful and unspoilt outlook, dates back in part to the 17th century and formed part of the impressive Buckhurst Estate. Within the grounds is the footprint and remains of a single roundel oast, which is also Grade II listed, as well as several derelict outbuildings.

In addition, there is a modern concrete portal frame barn and area of hardstanding with potential, subject to the necessary consents, for alternative uses.

The land extends to about 119 acres,

i

including 88.5 acres of attractive mixed Wealden farmland, with 28.1 acres of deciduous woodland.

Hannah Riches of Savills’ rural agency team in the South East, said: “This is a rare and exciting opportunity to purchase a mixed Wealden farm with significant potential to improve, enhance and redevelop, on the edge of the Ashdown Forest.”

White House Farm has a guide price of £1,785,000 - £1,950,000.

For more information, contact Hannah Riches of Savills’ rural agency team on 07967 555724 or Chris Spofforth on 07812 965379

P O T TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

K C PI

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

57

LAND AND FARMS ALDINGTON | KENT

APPROXIMATELY 1.06 ACRES

GUIDE PRICE: OIEO £450,000

EXCITING FORMER DAIRY SITE WITH FANTASTIC VIEWS

58

BTF Partnership is offering for sale The Old Dairy, Ruff yns Hill Farm, Aldington, an exciting development opportunity with full planning permission to build a unique, architect-designed three- or fourbedroom modern house with stunning views across Romney Marsh to the south and the Kent Downs to the north.

Formally the dairy buildings of Ruff yns Farmhouse, The Old Dairy has full planning permission (Ashford Borough Council PA/2022/2099) for the demolition of the existing main building to create a stunning 260m2 (2,800ft 2) house and a 42m2 (450ft 2) detached garage designed by the awardwinning firm RX Architects. There is a further ragstone building on the site which would

be suitable for conversion to ancillary accommodation subject to the necessary planning permission.

The Old Dairy is south facing and located on the outskirts of Aldington village close to St Martin’s Church, with far-reaching views across the area of outstanding natural beauty and Romney Marsh to the south and the Kent Downs to the north. The site measures approximately 1.06 acres, with several mature fruit, nut and native trees, a large area of lawn and a pond.

The village has a popular pub, butcher/

i

grocery store, post office and primary school.

Alex Cornwallis at BTF Partnership commented: “Located on the edge of the village, this is a unique opportunity to build a modern home on a terrific plot. The popular coastal town of Hythe is six miles away and Ashford, with its high-speed rail link to St Pancras (37 minutes) is only six miles to the west. This is an exciting opportunity for a buyer looking to put their own stamp on an architect designed home which is ready to build.”

Full details can be found at www.btfpartnership.co.uk

P O T FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

K C PI

Farm Machinery Sale By Auction Thursday 14th March 2024

Smarden, Kent About 32 acres of level arable land in two enclosures Road and stream frontage in rural location The land is considered to have BNG & environmental opportunities

Guide Price: OIEO £300,000

Tractors, forklifts, vehicles and a large selection of field equipment, irrigation and packhouse items, small tools & sundries from an extensive soft fruit business, including:John Deere 5100 GL 4WD Tractor & Loader John Deere 5075 GL Tractor 2 x McCormick Tractors Antonio Carrario Articulated 4WD Tractor Landini Mistral 50 4WD Tractor 3 x John Deere 855M Gators 2 x Mitsubishi L200 Pick-up Trucks Merlo Telehandler Mowers, forklifts, sprayers and more A lotted catalogue will be available on our website in due course.

Auction to commence at 10am sharp.

Goodnestone Court Farm Faversham Kent CT3 1PH 01233 740077

59

Artists Impression

Aldington, Kent

Rushlake Green, East Sussex

Exciting development opportunity for a 3/4 bedroom modern home

Lot 1: 2-bedroom cottage (EPC:E) with outbuildings & pasture. In all 60.76 acres

Fantastic views over the Kent Downs and Romney Marsh

Lot 2: 4/5-bedroom bungalow (EPC:E) with outbuildings & pasture. In all 26.6 acres

In all approximately 1.06 acres

Both residential dwellings subject to AOC

Guide Price: OIEO £450,000

Kent 01233 740077 East Sussex 01435 864455 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

Lot 1:OIEO £1,000,000 Lot 2:OIEO £850,000

www.btfpartnership.co.uk

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

LAND MANAGEMENT

60

Increased payment rates, up to 50 additional ‘actions’ and a single application service for SFI and Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid-Tier payments were among the promises made by DEFRA Secretary Steve Barclay at the Oxford Farming Conference.

Putting aside the fact that no start date was given for these changes (and we all remember the SFI announcement in January 2023 which didn’t end up taking effect until September 2023), the speech was welcomed by farmers.

Some of the new payments represent huge increases and could present exciting opportunities for farmers in the South East. For those maintaining species-rich grassland on, for example, the South Downs or High Weald, the payment will jump from £182/ha to £646/ ha. Meanwhile, those opting to manage and restore wet grassland either for wading birds or for wintering waders and wildfowl (say, on Pevensey Levels, North Kent Marshes or in the Adur or Ouse river valleys) will see a similar rise in the payment.

In fact, these updated rates will take some farmers towards a position that environmental schemes previously couldn’t do – namely, fill the hole left by falling Basic Payments revenue.

For one client on the South Downs, it seems likely that, for the first time since 2020, his total subsidy payment (BPS plus stewardship of all types) will be more in 2024 than it was in 2020 when BPS peaked. As another example, take a 60ha extensive grassland unit which would have been receiving nearly £14,000 BPS in 2020. In 2024, although the BPS cheque will be about half that, putting the grassland into a ‘manage with very low inputs’ SFI – along with taking a couple of other actions – will net about £11,000/annum, before the diminishing BPS cheque arrives.

As well as those looking to enter an agrienvironment scheme for this first time, the increased money on offer through improved CS payments could also tempt people already in other schemes. One client has been receiving £23,000 a year from Higher Level Stewardship on 135ha. Every time the

SFI AND CS APPEAL WIDENS The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship have become considerably more appealing after the government released new information about the schemes. Kevin Jay digests the detail… agreement has come up for an extension opportunity, we have reviewed the figures with the latest payment rates, but it’s never previously been worth submitting a new application for CS. Now the revenue would more than double from £20,000 under CS to £43,000 under CS Mid-Tier, and that’s before adding any additional SFI actions.

Other interesting elements of the DEFRA announcement include a new action, ‘connecting river and floodplain habitats’, worth £1,242/ha, plus a range of work involving agroforestry – for example, maintaining high-density infield agroforestry at £849/ha. The full detail on these options is yet to be announced, but the payment rates alone make them potentially interesting propositions.

There are now opportunities for farmers – dairy producers, say – who traditionally struggled to see how agri-environment schemes could fit their system, with payments of £102/ha for incorporating clover into intensive grass leys. It's also worth noting the sums on offer annually for variable rate application of nutrients (£27/ha) and no-till (£72/ha). If they are approaches you are already taking, as many are, that’s nearly £100/ ha for no extra work.

Of course, as is so often the case with DEFRA, there are still many unknowns. When exactly will all this take effect? What do the actions

KEVIN JAY

CLM 01892 770339 Kevin@c-l-m.co.uk www.c-l-m.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

actually involve? Currently, there’s a distinct lack of detail.

The Government has suggested these changes could go live in the summer, but it’s not impossible we’ll have a May election (the Prime Minister’s hint it will be in the autumn could be a red herring to wrongfoot Labour) and, if so, there’ll be the pre-election period – formerly known as ‘purdah’ – during which the Government can’t make new announcements, which could cause a delay. And if Labour comes to power, they might not greenlight everything the Conservatives had lined up anyway.

My advice is to explore what SFI can offer your business right now and submit an application straight away if there are opportunities. If you wait for more detail, you could be waiting for months, if not longer, by which time you’ll have missed out on the payments. And because the money’s paid quarterly, you would have had it in your cashflow. It makes sense to take what you can now and then tweak your agreement as and when you can, and when you have a better appreciation of how it all fits with your system.

It could be that the Government has suddenly woken up to the value of the environment and realised it needs to pay farmers if all these beneficial changes are going to happen. Or it could be that the Government is simply trying to win the farmer-vote ahead of an election, with DEFRA desperately trying to spend its £3.1 billion agriculture budget so the Treasury doesn’t slash it in future. Either way, SFI and CS Mid-Tier are looking a whole lot more appealing and it’s well worth considering what this could mean for your business.

PLANNING

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY THE

LATEST PLANNING CHANGES? Amidst much fanfare, the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2023 following a year-long consultation. In addition, Michael Gove’s Written Ministerial Statement (WMS), “The Next Stage in Our Long Term Plan for Housing Update” (19 December 2023), summarised the changes to the NPPF. The Government originally planned the revised NPPF in Spring 2023 and the delays have added to the significant uncertainty created by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act (LURA), which received Royal Assent on 26 October.

Whilst both the recent WMS and NPPF largely focus on housing, the changes and strategies proposed have relevance to non-residential development. This article pays attention to the implications for farming resulting from the above.

NPPF CHANGES RELEVANT TO FARMING

Changes to the NPPF can have implications for farmers, landowners and rural businesses, depending on the policies and regulations included. The agricultural policies within the NPPF affect farming practices, land use, rural development, sustainability measures and other aspects related to the sector. It also refers to diversification opportunities for farming businesses and farm infrastructure guidelines.

In headline terms, the new NPPF: • gives greater protection to agricultural land through additional reference to the need to address food production, maintaining the emphasis on ‘best and most versatile’ land.

• provides greater support for energy efficiency measures through requiring decisions on planning applications to place significant weight on the need to support energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings.

In terms of textual changes, large scale changes have been applied to the NPPF as a whole, including amended and additional paragraphs and footnotes. This is applied to what was previously footnote 58, 62, in Chapter 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment). The footnote states that plans should allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, consistent with other policies in this framework. It has been expanded to say that the availability of agricultural land used for food production should be considered, alongside the other policies in the framework, when

DAN HOLMES MRTPI

deciding what sites are most appropriate for development. There is a danger that these two policies run contrary to one another. It remains to be seen quite how serious food security will be taken in this balancing act.

This reflects backbencher lobbying concerning the impact of the loss of farmland to other uses, including solar energy. An outcome of this is the heightened restriction on the use of high-quality agricultural land to agricultural developments.

Additionally, changes have been made to what was paragraph 222 (now 229) regarding policy on renewable and low carbon energy.

A fuller NPPF review is anticipated to make the changes set out in the LURA, including the introduction of National Development Management Policies and enforcement restrictions.

WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Much of Michael Gove’s statement concerns local planning authority (LPA) performance measures by aiming to improve the speed of decision making and Local Plan intervention. Measures proposed include the imposition of LPA performance dashboards, a focus on appropriate use of time extension agreements, an increase in planning fees – ring fenced for planning services – and a statutory consultee review.

Mr. Gove stated: “I am setting new expectations for faster delivery, strengthening accountability so poor performers can be better identified, taking further steps to enforce effective delivery of new housing where local authorities have failed most egregiously and putting other, failing, local authorities on notice of my intention to intervene if performance does not improve significantly.”

Recent times have shown, however, that LPAs are less likely to engage in proactive discussions with agents, owing to a lack of support. If there is a heightened focus on the issuing of timely decisions, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of refusals being issued, particularly concerning farming applications, where a distinct knowledge and skillset applies.

Perhaps the Government’s commitment to providing a £29 million planning development fund, allocating £14m to 180 LPAs and £13.5m to a planning ‘super squad’ will help ensure a functioning planning apparatus that improves local decision making, benefitting all sectors.

It remains to be seen how these measures are rolled out. It certainly pays to ensure any schemes you wish to progress are well considered and robustly argued.

Pulborough T: 01798 877555 E: d.holmes@batchellermonkhouse.com www.batchellermonkhouse.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

KIRSTY CASTLE MRTPI AIEMA

Tunbridge Wells T: 01892 509280 E: k.castle@batchellermonkhouse.com

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

61

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Industrial & Commercial | Structural Steelwork | Agricultural & Equestrian

G. J. ELGAR

CONSTRUCTION Ltd

Shufflebottom Agricultural Buildings Steel-frame buildings for your farm

62

+ Supply only or supply & erect + Construction all over the UK + Award winning company

• 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: office@gjelgarconstruction.co.uk

G.E.WHITE Based in Lewes, & SONS Ltd

East Sussex

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

formabuild.co.uk

 Office 01825 371500 � 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 Years experience

Site visits Call to arrange a site survey

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

All refurbishments & repairs undertaken.

Call for a free quote today.

Gary White 07812 599679 Jason White 07941 274751

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION AV DIS LA FA A C R RMSO IL O GE U ER UT ABL N M HER E T TS EM N O BE RS

CONSTRUCTION

Supplying profiled roofing products to contractors, builders and farmers for over 40 years Our main products off the shelf include: • Profiled steel sheeting • Insulated panels • Fibre cement • Rooflights • Onduline • Fixings and accessories

visit www.southernsheeting.co.uk for our full range or call 01342 590 357 to speak to our friendly sales team

OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR • EXTENSIVE RANGES IN STOCK CS3152 SS SE Farmers 190mm x 133mm advert 2023_NOV.indd 1

16/11/2023 14:20

FARM BUILDING REPAIRS 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

ALL WORKS KENT & SUSSEX Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT!

FREEPHONE: 01233 659129

from BT land-line

charlie.woodger@btinternet.com

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

®

CONSTRUCTION

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

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

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

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION

07864 823 476 07889 481618 Nextgen Cladding Ltd www.nextgencladding.co.uk

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

CLADDING

– Standing seam – Snaplock systems – Aluminium – Zinc – Copper – Composite cladding – Metal cladding – Fibre cement cladding – Timber cladding

ALL RISKS LTD ASBESTOS ROOF REMOVALS

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

Professional Services to the Agricultural, Industrial & Equestrian Sectors

CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT!

FREEPHONE: 01233 659129 New Builds

64

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

– Removal – Disposal – Surveys

New Builds Refurbishment Re/Cladding

from BT land-line

charlie.woodger@btinternet.com

Keen

STEEL BUILDINGS

Repairs Re/Cladding Demolition Demolition Groundworks

Refurbishment Repairs Groundworks

Clinton Keen - 07786 004045 keenbuildings249@yahoo.com

Clinton Keen - 07786 004045 keenbuildings249@yahoo.com

Quality of work Reliability and honesty Unbeatable on price

Specialists in the Agricultural, Industrial and Equestrian sectors Steel frame buildings.

Sheeting, cladding and oversheeting.

Gutter replacement, repairs and lining.

Steel frame, concrete frame alterations and repairs.

Asbestos removal.

Roof light and sheet changes.

Refurbishments and usage changes.

Demolition, groundworks and site clearance.

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

Roller shutters, sliding and personnel doors.

Condition reports and dilapidation work before solar panel installation Mezzanine floors Insurance and repair work On site welding and steel fabrication Solar panel installation ALL WORKS GUARANTEED

01227 918723

07784 619603

jez@JRJconstruction.co.uk

www.JRJconstruction.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Industrial Commercial Agricultural We are a Hampshire-based family run company specialising in the refurbishment, renovation, alteration and upgrade to the external envelope of buildings within the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.

Our services

Structural Steel Cladding Systems Roof Repairs Doors Gutter Maintenance Asbestos Removal Tel: 02380 617383 Email: info@symesindustrial.co.uk Web: www.symesindustrial.co.uk Units 6 & 7, Upper Norton Farm, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire SO21 3QF

CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION SHORTLAND STRUCTURES LTD

CONTRACTORS Land drainage with GPS controlled trenchers Sports field drainage

Sports Turf & Land Drainage Contractors

• STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS • CLADDING • ERECTING • • EXTENSIONS • ALTERATIONS • CONCRETE PANELS • ROLLER/SLIDING/PERSONNEL DOORS •

Groundworks: Farm tracks, concrete bases, large-scale earthworks Reservoirs, ponds, lakes, ditches Agricultural operations Rewilding and conservation works

Mobile: 07976 287836 Email: sales@shortlandstructures.com

www.shortlandstructures.com

CONTRACTORS

JPR ROOFING &

Tel: 01243 511337 - www.amscontracting.co.uk

CONSTRUCTION LTD

Professional Services to the Agricultural, Equestrian & Industrial Sectors.

LAND DRAINAGE, EARTHWORKS, GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION FULL LAND DRAINAGE SERVICE

Sportsfields, amenity and irrigation systems using Mastenbroek trenchers PONDS, LAKES & RESERVOIRS

Construction and maintenance

MOBILE: 07813 142 145

GROUNDWORKS & CONSTRUCTION

Primary excavations, aggregate sub-base, agricultural construction and concreting

Covering: Canterbury, Dover, Kent, East & West Sussex & London Roofing & Cladding - Strip & Re-sheet - Repairs Metal Profile - Fibre Cement - Insulated - Timber Boarding Asbestos Sheet replacements - New Roof lights New Roofs Projects & Insulated Over-Sheeting Valley Gutter repairs & Re-lining Asbestos Stripping & Environmental Waste Disposal Refurbishments & Extensions to existing buildings Change of Use & Rental Unit Conversions Insurance Claim Works for Fire, Flood & Storm Damage Same Day - Next Day, Site Visit, Inspection Service Making Building/Premises Safe - Secure Emergency Clear-Up Operations Asbestos Stripping & Environmental Waste Disposal Demolition & Site Clearance Works Ground Works, Roads, Drives & Drainage Works Re-Instatement Works ALL WORKS GUARANTEED

ENVIRONMENTAL HABITATS

Water course maintenance and improvement works

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

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

All aspects of agricultural and industrial construction - Steel framed buildings - Demolition - Plant hire - Groundworks - Asbestos removal - Concrete works - Retaining walls - Design - Planning

Drainage Contractors Working with farmers since 1947

● LAND DRAINAGE ● DITCHING ● POND WORK ● WATER SUPPLIES ● SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS ● GROUNDWORKS ● PLANT HIRE 360° EXCAVATORS FOR ESTIMATES & ENQUIRIES

(01622) 890884 Email: info@brownsdrainage.co.uk

www.brownsdrainage.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

®

J D RICHMOND & SON LTD

G & S BROWN

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

65

VINEYARD SERVICES

Trackways, access roads, parking areas, washdown bays and water harvesting

®

T 01403 266124 M 07880 746474 / 07921 123920 E richmond.46@btinternet.com www.jdrichmondandson.co.uk WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

CLASSIFIEDS

CROP DRYING CONTRACTORS

Competitive Direct Drilling Service Using our proven Simtech Aitchison direct drill we seed into all surfaces - grasses, clovers, 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).

This method saves time and money compared with more traditional re-seeding methods, Undertaking but is also capable of stitching and rejuvenating existing crops. all CSS

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

crop options

PELLCROFT

RTK Accuracy

www.pellcroft.com | sales@pellcroft.com | 01526 342466 Town Place Farm, Haywards Heath Tel: 01825 790341 Mob: 07970 621832 Email: Charlie@townplacefarm.co.uk

FENCING

PHILIP JUNIPER

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

PROPERTY

Fencing Services

www.philipjuniper.co.uk

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• • Specialists in agricultural, deer and equestrian fencing and gates • • • T: 01622 831 781 | M: 07710 179 600 enquiries@woodchurchfencing.co.uk | www.woodchurchfencing.co.uk •

Redhill Farm Services: Fencing Division

ALL TYPES OF FENCING & GATES

•SALES SALES&&LETTINGS LETTINGS

•EQUESTRIAN EQUESTRIAN •LAND LAND

•FARMS FARMS

HOUSES •COUNTRY COUNTRY HOUSES SERVICES •VALUATION VALUATION SERVICES

www.churchillcountry.com ||Tel: 700222 www.churchillcountry.com Tel:01403 01403 700222

®

STORAGE TANKS

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

Standing StandingSweet SweetChestnut Chestnut Wanted Wanted Standing Sweet Chestnut Wanted

Cleft post and Cleft post and railrail Cleft post and rail Cleft field gates Cleft field gates Cleft field gates Fencing stakes Fencing stakes Fencing stakes Straining posts Straining posts Straining posts Chestnut fencing Chestnut fencing Chestnut fencing

S Sm miit thhss ooff tthhee FFoorree sstt ooff D Deeaann The The Tank Tank and and Drum Drum Experts Experts

Tel: 07985 298221 colin@cwpfencing.co.uk 07985298221 colin@cwpfencing.co.uk Tel:Tel: 07985298221 colin@cwpfencing.co.uk

To advertise in South East Farmer telephone 01303 233883

COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN Sale and Letting ofofCountry && Equestrian Property Sale and Letting Country Equestrian Property

To advertise in South East Farmer

telephone 01303 233883

Supplied and erected & Repairs

CWP fenci f n ng

H U RC H I L L C

Specialists in Stock, Deer and Equestrian Fencing Covering the South East Tel: (01403) 700509 Mobile: 07836 219344

®

Buy from stock. Visit us to collect or same day dispatch Buy from stock. Visit us to collect or same day dispatch with nationwide delivery. New and recycled IBC tanks. with nationwide delivery. New and recycled IBC tanks.

Plastic and steel drums. Water tanks & plenty of fittings.

Plastic and steel drums. Water tanks & plenty of fittings.

®

FEBRUARY 2024 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET

Visit or

Visit www.smdd.co.uk www.smdd.co.uk or call call 01594 01594 833308 833308

CROSSWORD ®

VINEYARDS

COMPLETE OUR CROSSWORD TO WIN One bottle of Gribble Bridge Sparkling Rosé and five bottles of Red Love® apple juice

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ACROSS

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1 Making a commotion (9) 5 Metal alloy (5) 8 Score in American football (9) 9 Celestial body (4) 11 Conceal (4) 12 Interrupt legal proceedings with intention to resume later (7) 14 Procrastinating, wasting time (5,8) 16 Segregate (6) 18 Food cupboard (6) 21 The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment (7) 24 Change direction (4) 26 English Queen, daughter of Henry VIII (4,5) 27 A disease for which the cause is unknown (10) 28 Become flacid (4)

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Crossword by Rebecca Farmer, Broadstairs, Kent

PRIZE ANAGRAM: Disease of cattle, sheep and goats (8)

1 Sailing boat (5) 2 Circular (5) 4 Submerged with water (7) 6 Shakespearian title character (5) 7 Gradually wearing away (7) 10 Tug, haul, drag (4) 13 Biting insect (4) 14 Ignore (9) 15 Unit of length (4) 17 Strong alkali (3) 18 Brewed alcoholic beverage (5) 19 Flightless bird (3) 20 Start paragraph further from margin than main text (5) 22 Dissect (3,2) 23 Cover for container (3) 24 Hurl, launch, lob (5)

To enter, simply unscramble the

anagram (8) 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 February. The winner will be announced in the March edition.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01303 233883

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LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: 1

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VINEYARDS

Love is in the air! We’re offering readers the chance to win one bottle of Gribble Bridge Sparkling Rosé and five bottles of Red Love® apple juice. For more information about the vineyards, please visit www.biddendenvineyards.com or call 01580 291726. *Subject to availability

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Correct answer: Silver Appleyard LAST MONTH’S WINNER: Susan Goodwin from Eastchurch, Kent

WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | FEBRUARY 2024

West Country Farming & Machinery Show

The South West’s new farming event

View the latest machinery, meet with manufacturers and top dealers

FREE

to atten d

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Live farm machinery auction and seminars throughout the day

From the publishers of Agricultural Trader, Profi, Farm Machinery, Vineyard and Crop Production Magazine Devon Air Ambulance Registered Charity No: 1077998

Brought to you by

22 February 2023 at Westpoint Exeter THE PROFESSIONAL FARM MACHINERY MAGAZINE

www.daat.org

REGISTER TODAY AT

www.westcountryfarmmachineryshow.co.uk Interested in exhibiting? Call 07501 228882 or email: Rhiane.Easton@kelsey.co.uk for more information and to request a media pack.

Interested in exhibiting? Call 07501 228882 or email: Rhiane.Easton@kelsey.co.uk for more information AGRI & PLANT DIVISION

GDFS Gavin Dixon Finance Solutions WWW.GDFS.CO.UK

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