Here at Glendale Engineering, we are proud to be able to say that we have over 35 years’ experience designing and manufactur ing Agricultural Buildings & Equipment.
• Special offers available on Cattle & Sheep Hurdles, Gates & Water Troughs •
Suppliers of:
Suppliers of:
-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment
• Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment
-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment
-Sheep Portarace
• Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment
- ATV Trailers
• Sheep Portarace
- Agricultural Buildings
• ATV Trailers
-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems
• Agricultural Buildings
- Large quantity of box section and pipe, Phone for special offers
UK farmers can now be paid for their carbon savings thanks to Maden Eco Ltd offering from Voltua
If you’ve invested in renewable energy infrastructure such as solar panels and wind generators on your farm, you’re already cutting costs and doing your bit for the environment. But what if your clean energy could earn you a new revenue stream, alongside your existing revenue you’re already receiving under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)?
Thanks to a new platform from Voltua, we can turn the carbon savings from your clean energy into verified carbon offset credits — which are then sold to companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Where does your income come from?
When Voltua converts your generation data into certified carbon credits, those credits are sold to UK businesses working toward sustainability goals such as Net Zero.
How much income do you earn?
You keep 60% of the revenue, as the verified energy generator. The remaining 40% goes to Voltua for handling verification, certification, and brokering — making the whole process seamless for you. This equates to approx 7.5p per kWh that you generate and yes it is on the 100% total of your renewable energy generation as read from your production meter.
The bigger your system, the more credits you generate — and the more you can earn.
Use our online rewards calculator to see what your setup could unlock at Voltua.io
How do I onboard with Voltua ?
Contact your local agent Maden Eco Ltd who will arrange an appointment with you to survey your plant room set up and cost up the electrical components and ensure connectivity is available at the location or what is needed to facilitate an installation of the Power Block.
Are there any major costs to installing Power Block
No - the equipment is practical but not expensive and our company philosophy is not to profit from the installation, the installation cost will be based on man hours of work done, cost of materials and commissioning the system to get the Power Block paired to your system and get you onboarded. This will also include an interactive online dashboard which you can access from anywhere and see the carbon being tokenised. Everything operates seamlessly in the background: your energy generation is securely logged, validated, and converted into carbon credits.
Get Started
If you have already invested in clean energy infrastructure, visit Voltua.io to book a free demo and see how much your system could earn.
Join us at the Border Union Show
Come and chat with us 25th - 26th July at the Border Union Show. We’d look forward to exploring how Voltua can help you earn a new revenue stream from your renewable energy.
Important Disclaimer
The amount of carbon offset credits or revenue you receive depends on market demand and the current carbon offset price, both of which can fluctuate. Earnings are estimates and not guaranteed. Carbon credit values can vary due to supply and demand, regulations, project type, and verification timelines. No warranty—express or implied—is made regarding projected or historical values. Actual revenue may differ and is subject to market conditions.
Contact Simon Maden simon@madeneco.co.uk | 01289 333110 | 07801 634632
JMTHonda
Tel: 01555 811645
Your Local HONDA ATV Specialists Serving the Agricultural Community For over 40 years
108 MAIN STREET, FORTH, LANARK ML11 8AB E-mail: jmthonda@outlook.com www.jmthonda.com
• ALL GRADES OF AGGREGATE PRODUCED
• DELIVERY
• COLLECTION
• READY-MIX CONCRETE
• AGRICULTURAL MIXES FOR ALL PURPOSES
• DELIVERY AND COLLECTION
FOR SALES AND ORDERS CALL BLINKBONNY WEIGHBRIDGE: 01573 460200 or 07974 968148
PART OF BREEDON GROUP– FOR OTHER LOCATIONS PLEASE VISIT: https://www.breedongroup.com/location-finder
3 Year Warranty 3 Year GPS Monitor 3 Year 0% Finance Built to last. What an offer...
J.B COCKBURN LAND DRAINAGE & GROUNDWORKS LTD
J.B COCKBURN LAND DRAINAGE & GROUNDWORKS LTD
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Groundworks
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Groundworks
• Groundworks
• Groundworks
• Silage Pits
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Ditching
• Silage Pits
• Silage Pits
• Silage Pits
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
• Ditching
• Ditching
• Ditching
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
Are you having problems with your Fixed line Broadband speeds?
We have launched 100gb, 200gb and 300gb data bundles to complement our range of mobile routers.
This finally let’s you cut loose from the fixed line network. Call the team at Scotphone to discuss your requirements.
Plan for Posterity
Inheritance tax planning may require changes to title deeds or registration of land with Registers of Scotland:
With over 20 years of experience, Landmaps specialises in creating detailed, precise land registration and title deed plans tailored to meet its customers needs.
Other services include:
• GIS Mapping Solutions
• Custom Mapping Services for Farmers & Landowners
• Land Registration Plans
• Single Farm Payment Areas
The Future Farm Investment Scheme (FFIS) is a capital grant scheme designed to help farmers and crofters in Scotland improve the environmental performance of their agricultural business.
The scheme offers 100% upfront funding to ensure access to capital support to carry out your investments.
With an indicative budget allocation of £14 million, this scheme will be very competitive. You can find a full breakdown of eligible items and application guidance through the QR code below.
Applications must be submitted between July 14 and August 22 , our team are available to support you through the process. th nd
Stuart Dodsworth: 07971 491 058, stuart.dodsworth@lloyd.ltd.uk
Alan Renton: 07974 797 604, alan.renton@lloyd.ltd.uk
Alex Wight: 07721 333 828, alex.wight@lloyd.ltd.uk
Alan Renton: 07974 797 604, alan.renton@lloyd.ltd.uk
Alex Wight: 07721 333 828, alex.wight@lloyd.ltd.uk
in the supply of high quality used storage tanks and bowsers for sale and hire throughout the UK. We keep a varied stock of fully bunded and singleskinned mild steel, stainless steel, plastic and GRP tanks and bowsers ideal for storing fuels, oils, water, effluents, fertilisers and feed products
info@best-tanks.co.uk www.best-tanks.co.uk
USED 2021 McCORMICK X7.624VT 40HP, VT 50KPH TRANS., AIR BRAKES, FRONT LINK., FRONT PTO, CAB & AXLE SUS., LED LIGHTS, HEATED MIRRORS, 4600 HRS, ISOBUS, TOPCON AUTOSTEER, 6 ELEC. SPOOLS £72,000+VAT
USED 2014 LELY WELGER RP445 BELT BALER 43K BALES
USED 2016 VALTRA T144 155 HP, POWERSHIFT 50KPH TRANSMISSION, AIR BRAKES, FRONT LINKAGE, FRONT PTO, CAB & AXLE SUSPENSION, MANUAL SPOOLS, 6700 HOURS £44,500+VAT
USED 2020 McCORMICK X7.690 225HP, POWERSHIFT 50KPH TRANS., AIR BRAKES, FRONT LINKAGE, CAB & AXLE SUS., 6 ELECTRIC SPOOLS, ISOBUS, AUTOSTEER READY, 5800 HOURS £49,500+VAT
TURNOVER CYLINDER WITH MEMORY / SEQUENCE VALVE TWIN STAYS ON BODIES 18” REAR DISC
320/60-12TT COMBI WHEEL
KVERNELAND SPECIALS
ES 250-85 6 FURROW
NEW STYLE 2300S VARI-WIDTH 5 FURROW NEW STYLE AEROPROFILE LEGS CENTRAL ADJUSTMENT OF SKIMMERS
SPRINGS HYD SIDE SHIFT FRONT FURROW 320/60-12TT COMBI WHEEL
3300S 85CM 5 FURROW VARIOMAT NEW STYLE AERO-PROFILE LEGS CENTRAL ADJUSTMENT OF SKIMMERS HD SPRINGS HYD SIDE SHIFT FRONT FURROW WITH TRAILER TRANSPORT
3300S 85CM 6 FURROW VARIOMAT
NEW STYLE AERO-PROFILE LEGS CENTRAL ADJUSTMENT OF SKIMMERS HD SPRINGS HYD SIDE SHIFT FRONT FURROW WITH TRAILER TRANSPORT SOLUTION AND A 420/55-17.5 MECHANICAL COMBI WHEEL LIST PRICE £61,751 SALE PRICE £43,250
CASE JX1090U NEW HOLLAND T5.110 DEUTZ DEUTZ AGROTRON
I don’t understand why he is driving out to Ukraine and leaving me at home. He has absolutely no experience of conflict and war zones, what to do when an air raid siren goes off, how to avoid blown up vehicles etc. Whereas it’s in my DNA, it comes as naturally to me as him brushing his teeth. Yet he chooses to leave me at home and he goes with his best mate, who happens to have served in Her Majesty’s Forces but that was over 50 years ago and I am sure he has forgotten everything he ever learnt. I wish them luck, safe travels and give the Ruski’s a punch in the eye from me. I never liked them from the time I served in BAOR (British Army on the Rhine), we were taught not to trust them, be wary of them at all times and never makes friends with Russian vehicles however attractive they might appear.
I have to confess I did break the rules and had a secret liaison with a GAZ 66 similar to this one. He was called Vlad and we used to meet up behind his compound. He was not enjoying his time with the Soviet forces, the drivers were rough, maintenance was poor to non existent and the fuel was dirty. One day we were caught, I managed to sneak back across the Border, he was sent back to the homeland. He was stripped down and sent to work in the woods where poor chap came to a very sad end. Before he was sent for recycling he managed to send this last photo of him. Poor Vlad- a story I have never confessed to before. We don’t know how lucky we are living in the democratic West.
Good luck Boys I am with you in spirit but sadly not in steel and rubber.
CRUSHER, GRADER & COMPACTION EQUIPMENT FOR ROAD RESTORATION WORK
CRUSHER, GRADER & COMPACTION EQUIPMENT FOR ROAD RESTORATION WORK
CRUSHER, GRADER & COMPACTION EQUIPMENT FOR ROAD RESTORATION WORK
CONTRACT WORKS
CONTRACT WORKS
PUBLIC & PRIVATE WATER MAINS
PUBLIC & PRIVATE WATER MAINS SPRING SUPPLIES
SPRING SUPPLIES
SEPTIC TANKS/PUMPING STATIONS
TREATMENT WORKS
SEPTIC TANKS / PUMPING STATIONS
DEEP EXCAVATIONS
TREATMENT WORKS
DEEP EXCAVATIONS
EARTHWORKS/GROUNDWORKS
THRUST BORING/UTILITY WORKS
360 / 180 TRACKED/ WHEELED EXCAVATORS
D61PXI (GPS) DOZER
MOLE PLOUGHING
Industrial Estate, Earlston, Berwickshire TD4 6FA
REAR TIPPING DUMP TRUCKS
FABRICATION / ENGINEERING WORKS
TRACTORS & DUMP TRAILERS
SNOW CLEARING SERVICES
PRIVATE WATER MAINS SPRING SUPPLIES
TANKS/PUMPING STATIONS WORKS
EXCAVATIONS
CRUSHER, GRADER & COMPACTION EQUIPMENT FOR ROAD RESTORATION WORK
CRUSHER, GRADER & COMPACTION EQUIPMENT
EARTHWORKS/GROUNDWORKS
BORING/UTILITY WORKS
DRAINAGE
CEMENT STABILISATION FOR ROAD RESTORATION WORKS PLANT HIRE
360° / 180° TRACKED / WHEELED EXCAVATORS
PROTECTION/REPAIRS RESTORATION WORKS
D61PXI (GPS) DOZER
JETTING/CCTV FABRICATION/ENGINEERING WORKS CLEARING SERVICES
REAR TIPPING DUMP TRUCKS TRACTORS & DUMP TRAILERS
STORES
TRACKED/ WHEELED EXCAVATORS DOZER
DUMP TRUCKS
DUMP TRAILERS
GRADER & EQUIPMENT RESTORATION WORK
• Safety Boots & Clothing
• Tools and Accessories
• Chrome North West Cleaning Products
Here at Davidson Land Services Stores, we have a wide range of stock including:
• Consumables (Sprays, Paints, Nuts & Bolts Ect)
• Exol Oil, Grease, Brake Fluid Ect
• Viking Johnston Fittings
• Philmac Water Fittings
• Drainage Coils, Twinwall, MDPE & Soil Pipe
SGN Approved Contractor
Scottish Borders Council Approved Contractor
Scottish Water Approved Contractor
Mill Ind Est, Mill Road, Earlston, TD4 6FA
HYDRAULIC HOSE SERVICE
We also offer a hydraulic hose repair service. We hold a wide range of hose & fittings in stock from 1/4” to 1 1/4” 4 Wire.
We have recently upgraded our machine and are now able to crimp up to 2” 4 Wire.
DIRT DRIVER HOT/COLD PRESSURE WASHERS. BUILT IN THE UK
4 MODELS IN 110, 240 & 440V, FROM 90 TO 200 BAR and 12 TO 15 LPM 25LT DETERGENT STORAGE, INTERNAL WRAS COMPLIANT WATER TANK, EFFICIENT THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED BOILER, TIMED SHUT DOWN. OPTIONS INCLUDE STAINLESS STEEL OR PAINTED HOOD. **************************************
OTHER MACHINES IN THE DIRT DRIVER RANGE INCLUDE COLD PRESSURE WASHERS AND ‘TAMPERPROOF’ CABINET PRESSURE WASHERS, SINGLE AND THREE PHASE. *************************************
LOTHIAN & BORDERS PRESSURE WASHERS ARE DISTRIBUTORS OF QUALITY CLEANING EQUIPMENTFOR ALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS.
ALL TYPES OF PRESSURE WASHERS AND FLOORCARE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING SCRUBBER DRYERS, SWEEPERS AND VACUUMS ALL MAKES SERVICED AND REPAIRED REFURBISHED HOT PRESSURE WASHERS ALWAYS IN STOCK.
The Old Smiddy, Graden, Kelso, TD5 8BS Telephone : 01573 430338
Our highly
Lothians
and dedicated
Email : info@walkergroundworks.com
Walker Groundworks are a long-serving company, established in 1996, covering a working area including but not restricted to the Scottish Borders, Northumberland and the Lothians.
Our highly skilled and dedicated team are here to help with any of the following works:
• Earthworks/Site Preparation/Roads
• Crushing
• Groundworks/Plotworks
• Deep Drainage
• Field Drainage & Ditching
• River Works
• Concrete Flooring for Agricultural/Industrial Shed (Laid with highly accurate Laser Screed, with finish to meet clients' requirements)
• All Timber work undertaken – including Harvesting, Hand Cutting, Thinnings & Clear Fell
• Haulage including Heavy Plant Movement, Timber Haulage & Hiab Hire
• Public sewer connections • Adoptable sewer installations
• Pumping mains/stations installations
Tel: Kelso 01573 225249 Mobile: 07793 361023
e-mail: enquiries@gwcwateranddrainage.co.uk
UStor Business units, Unit 8/1 Spylaw Road, Kelso TD5 8DN
John Gray Contracting Services
Contracting Services
•
•
•
We run a FR 9050 New Holland forage harvester with a whole crop header. With 5 high speed trailers on low ground pressure tyres.
•
Our new McHale Fusion Vario Plus is a fully automatic variable chamber baler wrapper which can apply film or net wrap to the barrel of the bale. Delivering optimum bale shape and a high density with a 25 knife chopper unit. The advantages of a chamber film system are:
~ Acts as a wrapping layer for silage,straw or hay keeping them dry up to 6 foot diameter
~ Results in better shaped bales
•
~ Delivers high quality silage
~ Makes recycling easier
Should net wrap be required for hay or straw, this can be done with a simple changeover.
Perfect to bale your herbal leys
Other jobs include:
Topping grass
Muck spreading
Combining
Direct Drilling
Grass drilling
Cultivating
Subsoiling
John Gray Contracting
Slurry spreading
High density round baling
Our new Roc 880 crop merger offers widths of 20ft, 30ft, 40ft and 50ft. With no unwanted field contamination into your crop.
John Gray Contracting Services
MF 2170 baler with automatic preservative applicator attachment
Mowing with triple mowers,GPS
Raking
Merging
Tedding
Buckraking
Bale wrapping with front mounted tanco s200 wrapper.
Spraying 12, 24, 36m
Our new McHale Fusion Vario Plus is a fully automatic variable chamber baler wrapper which can apply film or net wrap to the barrel of the bale. Delivering optimum bale shape and a high density with a 25 knife chopper unit. The advantages of a chamber film system are:
Other
Topping
• Acts as a wrapping layer for silage,straw or hay keeping them dry up to 6 foot diameter
• Results in better shaped bales
• Delivers high quality silage
McHale Fusion Vario Plus is a fully automatic variable chamber baler wrapper can apply film or net wrap to the of the bale. Delivering optimum bale and a high density with a 25 knife unit. The advantages of a chamber system are: as a wrapping layer for silage,straw or keeping them dry up to 6 foot diameter Results in better shaped bales Delivers high quality silage recycling easier net wrap be required for hay or straw, be done with a simple changeover.
• Makes recycling easier
to bale your herbal leys
Should net wrap be required for hay or straw, this can be done with a simple changeover. Perfect to bale your herbal leys
Other jobs include:
• Topping grass
• Muck spreading
• Combining
• Direct drilling
• Grass drilling
• Cultivating
• Subsoiling
• Slurry spreading
• High density round baling We run a FR 9050 New Holland
Due to further expansion we have a number of both seasonal and longer term vacancies available - please call for further information.
MULCHING
All types of Brash, Gorse, Willow and Rhododendron mulched to 3 inches below ground level
High-Capacity Mulcher powered by 500 HP Fendt
Quickly clears large areas with ease
EXCAVATOR & MULCHING HEAD
Various sizes of machines
For Hard to access areas
BIOMASS CHIPPING
Biomass G30 and G50 Chipping
High-Capacity Chipping up to 300 cube per hour
Brash Chipping
Site Clearances
ROBOTIC FORESTRY
MULCHER & FLAIL
Minimise ground disturbance
Slopes up to 55 degrees
High Performance Fixed Tooth mulching head
● 1.3m Cutting head with a variety of flails for grass cutting & Vegetation
TREE HARVESTING
● Clear Felling & Wind-blown trees
● Thinning’s
● Timber Forwarding
● Felling Licences
● Brash Recovery
GARY RENWICK
MULCHING
• Woodland clearance • Gorse • Willow
• Brash • Trees upto 30cm dia.
TILLING / GRINDING
• Tree roots & stumps upto 30cm dia.
• Willow stumps
Choice of bale size, either; 8’ × 4’ × 3’ or 8’ × 4’ × 2.5’ Also 2 x 32ft bale trailers can be supplied if required to clear fields. Substantial quantity of barley/wheat straw in the swath required. Cleared by bale chaser where possible. For
www.billrae.co.uk
All General Contracting Services provided, including:
Two high capacity grain mills
Direct drilling / Pasture
Rejuvenation
Ploughing / Sowing
Fertiliser Spreading
Agri Haulage
Groundworks / Dump trailers
Topping & Mulching
Tubeline Bale Wrapping
Low
R. WOOD & SONS
u
OFFICE : 01890 840 251
MOBILE : DAVID 07971 409 367 KENNY 07971 409 371
E.MAIL : rwoodandsons@btconnect.com
WEBSITE : www.rwoodandsons.co.uk
Contact:
Connon Construction Ltd.
Christopher07843 208 544 Patrick07701 040 681
Slurry spreading available with umbilical, dribble bars and ferry tankers. Tractors on floatation tyres
Dung spreader hire or complete service
Complete silage service
All types of digger work undertaken
Connon Farms / Connon Construction
Connon Farms
Connon Construction
CONTRACTORS SERVICES
On Our Farm
July 9th 2025
Hugo Lee farms in partnership with his father, Guy, at Sandystones, near St Boswells. Arable crops of wheat, oilseed rape, malting barley and oats are grown, 500 Angus cattle are finished annually, 8000 organic hens produce eggs for Waitrose and 8,000 organic point of lay pullets are reared each year.
Running a heavily diversified business means that there is never really a quiet time. We always try and get away for a week as a family before harvest kicks off. I have made the mistake in the past of going on holiday mid to late July and leaving the old man to get the winter barley cut. This has happened on more than one occasion, and I hated it. I love the start of harvest, the smell of freshly cut straw, the sound of the combine and the sight of recently combined field brings back that excitement I had as a child. I confidently said to Jess at Christmas that there would be no way that we would combining in the second week of July. So we booked a holiday in France with three other families and their children! It is looking very likely that combines in the Borders will start rolling this week which must be one of the earliest starts on record! Our winter barley will have to wait till I get back as the old man is heading off to Ukraine on Wednesday.
Spring barleys have really picked up since the rain in late May and June. They have thrown lots more tillers which are now in ear and should make harvest. It will certainly not break any records but a least it won’t be the complete disaster it was looking like in mid-May. Having had a good walk around the crops before I left, Winter barley and oilseed rape are looking like they will perform well. Wheats are looking ok, but I would have ideally liked them to be a little thicker. If the Spring barley gets anywhere near our 5-year average, I will be ecstatic. I certainly can’t see any yield records being broken this year. We do desperately need grain prices to improve.
After a month of having to feed silage to grazing cattle we took the last of the feed trailers away last week. I was amazed how well the cattle had grown when we weighed them recently considering how little grass they had. 80 cattle averaged well over 1kg a day off old parkland grass which is pleasing. The heaviest 40 cattle have now been housed and the remainder will be housed in the Autumn. I hope the fat cattle price has stabilised as we cannot afford to drop much more considering how expensive stores were in the Spring.
The next few weeks are looking very busy with harvest, second cut silage, RSPCA and Lion Code hen inspections as well as our two local shows. I hope to see you at the St Boswells show on Saturday 19th and the Border Union show on 25th and 26th July. This year we have a great new location beside the main ring. Please come over for a drink and some food. Good luck with harvest, I hope the weather is kind and most importantly stay safe.
BYREWALLS FENCING
Looking like the earliest to start to harvest ever
IF YOUR FARM TRACK OR FOREST ROAD NEEDS SOME ATTENTION, WE HAVE THE SKILLS, MACHINERY AND EXPERIENCE TO DELIVER A LASTING SOLUTION.
• REDUCES OR ELIMINATES THE NEED TO IMPORT MATERIALS.
• IMPROVES DRAINAGE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.
• QUICK AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTION THAT MINIMISES DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS.
J & J Grant
Scotland’s Spreading Specialists
5 spreaders available to meet your precision spreading requirements
High output LGP machines to minimise soil and crop damage
Weighing systems and auto steer fitted
We supply our own loader and fuel to minimise disturbance to the customer
Blanket or variable rate lime spreading compatible with all mapping systems
The following can be supplied and accurately applied
• recommendations to suit your enterprise Contact us to discuss how we can help reduce your costs with the use of organic products
01875 320363 Mob 07703 113178
CONTRACTORS SERVICES
R & S Nixon & Co
• Complete combining service in any crop with 4WD Montana combine
• Big square baling & wrapping, pit silage complete or part Job
• All slurry & work with an umbilical cord or with tankers
• Muck spreading team with a loading shovel to load
• Stubble to stubble contracts
• Grass sowing, with combination harrow, roller & seeder in a one pass set up for new grass lays or over seeding old lays
All Agricultural work under taken Contact Paul on 07768 273589
www.rsncontracting.co.uk
Follow us on facebook rsncontracting
Talking......from Lincolnshire
Will Howe is an arable farmer from Sleaford, Lincolnshire. The soils are predominantly heavy. There is 1000ha of cropping including winter wheat, spring beans, spring oats and oilseed rape. He also manages a contracting business Thorpe Farming Ltd.
What does one need in times of need? Three wise men. If it worked for Jesus I can see no reason why it would not work for a morally upstanding chap like myself. Having received a phone call from my senior editor, I always try to sound cheery when answering his calls as I think it would make it harder to sack me if I am being nice, I was delighted to hear he was coming down to Norfolk with a couple of friends and they hoped to pop in for supper. Arrangements were made, delays were had on the A1 and when Guy, Peter and Hendo arrived they drank their first beer so fast I assume they hadn’t had any liquid since the Borders… What followed was a riotous evening which can only be described as a curious hybrid between The Hangover and Last of The Summer Wine! As we stood looking over the farm with my barley dying on its feet almost as quick as a Labour government, a wise sage said “when you think the barley is ready, go away for a week”. I took him at his word which was enough to convince me that Corfu was more important than a barley crop I am going to lose a hatful of money on. So speedboats rather than Lexions has been the weapon of choice for the last week.
With harvest being 2 weeks earlier than anticipated all harvest planning has been a little rushed. Sheds still need sweeping as the harvest team aren’t fully assembled yet. But Colby was excited to try the Quadtrac on a customers fallow field by way of a trial run. I am pleased to say she ran beautifully, the only shame is you will not hear the noise with only a still picture to look at. I must confess to not looking forward to harvest this season. Substandard crops at poor prices will not only dent the bank balance but also my pride. Coupled to the fact that I have 30 lonely days sat on a combine to look forward to and I have an attention span shorter than a toddler at Sunday Mass so goodness knows what crazy business/life plans I am going to come up with. Currently there is a strong suspicion they will revolve around a villa, olive grove and speedboat in Greece… May I wish everyone a harvest which is pleasantly surprising, and should it feel all too much just remember we get to have another go next year; and the most important thing is to ensure despite the workload, lack of sleep, heat and irritations of working long hours that everyone gets home safely each day. Good luck.
Just perfection
10ha done, 990ha to go…
Main Office:
WINDMILL WAY WEST, RAMPARTS BUSINESS PARK, BERWICK UPON TWEED TD15 1TB TEL: 01289 331904
MASSEY FERGUSON 124 CONVENTIONAL BALER in good working order
SULKY 3M GRAIN & FERTILISER COMINATION UNIT full spec EX DEMO
SUMO 3M TRIO c/w 6 leg auto reset and packer. Straight leg model £9,500+VAT
SUMO 3M FRONT MOUNTED MULTIPACKA c/w tines
Valtra T195D 145 hours, Front PTO, 2 front Valves, 4 Rear Valves, Hydraulic Top link, 650/75R38 –600/65R28 Trelleborg
£128,850
SUMO LDS 4M FOLDING 2023, c/w Stocks seeder unit & Sumo SDO units
TEAGLE 8100 TRAILED STRAWBEDDER c/w swivel chute, 2012 model
3 POINT LINKAGE WEIGHTS selection of new and used
NEW / EX STOCK
FENDT FORMER, SINGLE ROTOR RAKE 351
FENDT 160 V COMBI EX STOCK
NEW NC FORK MOUNTED YARD BRUSHES 2.5m & 3m EX STOCK
NEW TEAGLE 8500/9500/1010 STRAW/SILAGE BEDDER FEEDERS EX STOCK
MERLO TF42.7CS Cab & Boom suspension, LED work Lights, Full Spec EX DEMO
MURRAY 4CUBIC GRAIN BUCKET c/w Q Fit Brackets and Bolt on Wear Plate
SKY X40+ ECONOV FERTILISER SPREADER weight cells
SKY X30+ FERTILISER SPREADER
SUMO 5 & 3 LEG SUBSOILERS c/w auto reset EX STOCK
SUMO 3M TRIO EX DEMO
TEAGLE DUAL 280 & 300 FLAIL TOPPERS
NEW SUMO FRONT WEIGHTS 1000kg, 1500kg, 2000kg EX STOCK
SURFACE DRESSING WITH NATURAL STONE FINISHES
SILAGE PITS, FARM ROADS, DRIVEWAYS, ESTATES
BLOCK PAVING OF PATHWAYS, DRIVEWAYS & CAR PARKS
SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS, PATHWAYS, CAR PARKS
TARMACADAM, ASPHALT, PATCHING & POTHOLE REPAIRS
DRAINAGE, KERBING, GROUNDWORKS
PRIVATE & COMMERCIAL WORK UNDERTAKEN
Warreners House, Morpeth
The Stiel, Yarrowford
Broad eld Farm, Symington
Langtonlees Farm, Duns
Talking......Organic
July 8th 2025
Simon Bainbridge farms in partnership with his wife Claire and his parents, Ivan and Elisabeth in Northumberland. They run suckler beef, sheep and laying hen enterprises across 650 ha of mainly SDA and moorland - organically.
This week David Smith MP of North Northumberland, met with a group of farmers and invited the Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner along. By all accounts it seems to have been a positive meeting where they discussed a wide variety of current issues including the SFI, IHT, trade and various other matters. Many of the farmers present brought along their produce to showcase and give to the minister, ranging from milk, oil, crisps, potatoes, ice cream, cheese, soap, beef, lamb, wool and honey. It is extremely positive to see farmers getting round the kitchen table because the reality is we have to engage and work with this labour government, to be able to enact any sort of change, however much we agree or disagree with their chosen policies. Apparently at the end of the meeting the minister was asked two succinct questions: Are the lines of communication between us and government still open? And do we still have time? The answer to both was Yes.
I must congratulate David Smith, Farmers Unite and any others that enabled the Farming Minister to travel North to us and hear first hand the challenges being faced by farmers and farming businesses in England’s most Northern County, most sparsely populated, coldest and therefore its most rural. It is a great shame that the Hexham MP Joe Morris will not meet in similar circumstances. If someone could please hand this article on to Joe Morris MP, it would be appreciated, and we would welcome a meeting at any time.
On the farm, the first cut silage is in, but sadly due to the drought it is two bays short from last year. Fields varied from yields being fifty percent back to almost normal... perhaps we should have built a smaller silage pit!? The planners are continuing to frustrate us on the new muck store, everyone appears to want it, except Northumberland County Council!
Ewes are being sheared as we speak. Lambs have had a white wormer due to nematodirus having shown to be relatively high in some faecal egg counts. The team are doing a great job with the sheep and we are really pleased with ewes, lambs and progeny from the new tups we bought in the Autumn. Muck spreaders are in putting on farmyard muck and hen manure. We have just finished wash down of the hen houses 5, 6, 7 & 8 and it will be disinfected in a couple of days time. Red Mite prevention will go on the following day. We are looking forward to new pullets arriving soon.
We are having a day off tomorrow and taking the children to the Yorkshire Show for the day. Hopefully an opportunity to catch up with a few people. These last few months the team have pulled together really well in all parts of the business, and it is only due to the team that we can get away on days out and also take the business forward like we do.
AR M CO CRASH BARRIERS
Talking......North of the Forth July 7th 2025
Tom Pate farms 240ha of arable on a tenanted farm in Angus. Cropping includes wheat, spring barley, rye and oilseed rape along with land let for potatoes and vining peas. Additionally, around 6500 pigs are reared annually under contract and 600 Christmas turkeys sold directly to the public under the KellyBronze franchise. On his wife’s 380ha family farm in the Angus Glens they also run 200 red deer hinds plus followers for venison production, along with developing a forestry enterprise.
New arrivals on the farm have meant a particularly busy month for me. A fresh batch of pigs required a deep clean of the sheds including vacuuming the feeders, power washing and disinfecting walls, floors, gates, feeders, drinkers and the outdoor handling area. It is a really big job, especially on your own. The workload between batches is more than when the pigs are in residence. Luckily, I had a longer than normal period between batches allowing the work to be done.
Turkey poults also arrived which required even more power washing and disinfecting. Attention to detail is vital in brooding turkey chicks and hygiene is a number one priority. Any health problems have to be addressed rapidly and Inchcolm Veterinary Services in Dunfermline have been brilliant in offering specialist poultry health advice when required. Great peace of mind knowing who to call if the wheels fall off!
The turkeys usually arrive on the first day of the Highland Show meaning I haven’t been able to go to the show for about eight years. Thankfully this year a change in date allowed me to venture once more to Ingilston. I was delighted to find the show had a good buzz and the showground appeared to be as full as ever with exhibitors and visitors alike. I was particularly impressed by the strong showing of machinery stands, demonstrating that the Highland is still viewed by the big manufactures as an important showcase. Long may this continue.
I did, however, find myself not fully engaged or excited by the plethora of equipment on sale. Knowing too well that everything was well beyond my budget, even tyre kicking seemed futile. The cost of kit has escalated so rapidly and is particularly out of kilter with the diabolical state of the cereals markets. The Iran/Israel crisis did see markets rise briefly but quickly dropped to even lower levels when tensions eased. I did manage to fix a small amount of barley at the “top” of the market but not enough to make the gross margins look any more exciting.
The malting barley outlook is pretty grim with even harvest movement and payment now in doubt with one maltster informing growers that movement may not be until March 2026. Drying and storing malting barley, especially at these price levels is not great. Why do I continue to grow the stuff?!
The Labour government (don’t worry only four more years…) have also scuppered the domestic wheat prices. A bodged trade deal with America appears to have torpedoed the UK bioethanol industry. An absolute scandal. Unfortunately, with Starmer, Reeves and co. I guess this won’t be the last time our industry is sold down the river by a party that shows little care or understanding of the UK farming sector.
An early harvest is imminent. Time to go and clean out the grain store and dust off the combine.
The second-hand mower I bought, ex Heathrow airport, now tackling some steeper ground around the deer farm
The new brood
Fresh batch of pigs arrive at their immaculately clean shed
Talking......from the boundary
Over a year ago I told a friend I would buy his Jeep Cherokee as soon as he found a replacement. This he did in March and in April I paid a very fair price for this 18 year old vehicle always with the intention of driving it out to Ukraine and donate it as part of a convoy through the charity P4P – Pick-Ups for Peace. I have been unable to join convoys in April, May and June and thought I would be stuck with an unwanted car here which was costing tax and insurance until last week when I discovered there is a convoy leaving this Wednesday, July 9th. So in a rush and with little planning we are booked on the 1700 sailing from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The unfortunate thing is I have not given sufficient time to publicize this trip and raise awareness so we can fill the vehicle with donations. This is the 22nd convoy to leave the UK. With the 29 vehicles booked in, it will take the total number handed over to the Ukrainian forces to 700. It is conservatively estimated that each one saves a minimum of ten lives. A number of Borderers have already made the journey and they all speak of a very rewarding experience, so much so that some have driven out with more than one convoy. I have always been fascinated by politics and the trials and tribulations of democracy. This fascination is quickly turning to increasing frustration as we are constantly told lies by whoever is in power. The truth cannot be told because it is too unpalatable for the voters, and if the politicians were honest about the real state of the nation they would never be elected so we live in a world of fantasy. This was so starkly demonstrated last week when the Government climbed down from their proposed reforms to our unaffordable welfare state because their own MPs refused to back them. In power the Executive is exposed to hard truths about the state of the countries finances but is too frightened of its own supporters to tell them this. So the backbenchers, inexperienced of business and the realities of income and expenditure, think that there is this ‘money tree’ that will forever fill the gap in the nations finances. I write this as a receiver of the State Pension, free prescriptions, support payments for agriculture and subsidies for renewable energy investments. I don’t make or break the rules but maybe I criticize with my mouthful. I do fear that the thinking that raising taxes will sort out the nations ills will only put us on a downward spiral of less investment, lower growth and a ruined economy. At heart I am an optimist and believe in human nature to do the right thing, I just cannot identify the humans who know what the right thing is. I am sure that it is not Nigel Farage!
• Our grass mixtures only include SRUC 1st choice varieties certified to HVS (Higher Voluntary Standard) ensuring the highest possible purity standards are met.
Ian is unable to contribute an article this month
July 8th 2025
Will Orpwood and his wife Jenna run a 125ha stock farm in the Northern Southland of New Zealand together with a large scanning business. Will was brought up on a farm in Northumberland and has been living and working in New Zealand since 2012.
We are currently in winter mode here in the Deep South of the South Island of New Zealand. Dairy Farms are dried off and are due to start calving in the next few weeks, while sheep and beef farmers are feeding stock behind the wire (electric fences), either on grass or mostly on winter feed/supplementation which includes a variety of crops such as swedes, kale or fodder beet.
I don’t know whether I am lucky or unlucky here as my winter role is off farm & involves running our sheep scanning business alongside our cattle scanning business which sees me off farm from end of January until end of May. At this time of the year I am travelling the lower southern and central Otago region to scan ewes (ultrasound scan for pregnancy) from start of June until mid August. I see lots of the countryside and catchup with many farmers. This season scanning has been going very well and farmers are seeing great results due to a great Autumn here in the South. Ewes are in better condition than the previous season that’s for sure and the NZ mutton market seems to be holding pretty steady with winter lamb contracts for September around the $9.70/kg and word of this possibly getting over the $10/kg price range. This we think will be a record lamb schedule and one that we hope will remain for a few seasons. While I am in my little black box that I transport on the back of my truck my wife Jenna who nurses’ 2 days a week in Gore and wrangles our 2 boys Toby (9) & Jack (5) is running our farm. Pyramid View is 125 ha. Situated in Wendon, Northern Southland we run 750 Romney/Perendale ewes, 200 replacement ewe hoggets and we finish our lambs over the Summer on grass and Summer crop. We have a handful of Angus beef cattle (20) which calve and follow behind the ewes cleaning up. Jen is in full swing of moving the MA (mixed age) ewes every other day on farm at the moment onto grass breaks before they will head onto kale (winter crop) this weekend. Winter has been pretty kind to us so far, fingers crossed that it stays that way and average rainfall is on target for this time of the year. Jack Frost has been present but paddocks that have already been grazed are greening up; especially the young grass paddocks we have on the property preparing for the ewes to be set-stocked for lambing come the 6th of September. Hopefully we experience a few snowfalls soon so we get dealt a kinder hand than last Spring which saw us record one of the wettest Springs/lambings in Southland for some years.
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Enhanced greening measures for 2026 will mean a greater number of businesses will require EFA management for 2026. There are also significant changes which have been made to the seven existing EFA management options, as well as the introduction of four new EFA options.
Removal of the 75% exemption
Business’s which were previously exempt from EFA’s because more than 75% of the area claimed for BPS was grass, will now no longer be exempt from manging EFA’s unless the total area of arable land, which includes Temporary Grass (TGRS) is less than 15ha. This change will mainly impact livestock farmers who grow a field of barley for feed or grow forage crops as a break crop before establishing new grass. Businesses which are 100% organic continue to be exempt from EFA management.
How much EFA is required?
Businesses claiming more than 15ha of arable land (including TGRS), will be required to manage at least 5% of this land as EFA to fulfil their greening payment requirements. For example, a farmer in 2026 with 100ha comprising of 80ha permanent grass (PGRS), 5ha of Spring Barley (SB) and 15ha Temporary grass (TGRS 1 – TGRS5), will be required to manage at least 1ha of EFA in 2026 (5% of 20ha arable).
A common misconception is that more EFA will equal more payment. Although this is not the case, I would always encourage farmers to manage more than the minimum, just to be on the safe side!
EFA Weightings
There are 11 EFA options available each with a different weighting. For example, EFA margins carry a weighting of 1.5, which means that 1ha of margins will equate to 1.5ha of EFA.
Changes to existing EFA options
Changes to EFA will come into effect on 1st January 2026. If you have existing EFA make sure you check the updated guidance as there have been changes made to some of the options. Don’t get caught out and assume the existing options have the same requirements.
Top Tips for EFA management 2026
Existing options
EFA Option
EFA Margins
EFA Fallow
Nitrogen -fixing crops
Catch Crop
Green Cover
Agro-Forestry
Hedges 100, where 100% of the hedge is eligible (m)
Hedges 50, where 50% of the hedge is eligible (m)
• Check your existing EFA management meets new requirements. For example, the minimum width of a margin has increased from 1m to 3m.
• Utilising existing hedges and margins is a great way to make up your 5%, however, be aware of requirements.
• Start planning now and don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you are new to EFA in 2026.
• It is anticipated that the minimum EFA requirement will increase from 5% to 7% in 2027, so it is worth thinking about this now.
EFA Option
Low input grassland
Herb & legume rich pastures
Agro-forestry low density planting
Border Chainsaw, Earlston
Thorburn Group, Duns
Lower Mansfield Road, Hawick, TD9 8AW
Willowford Farm, Jedburgh
Thorburn Group, Duns
Fishwick
• Full Harvesting, Marketing & Restocking Services available
• Assistance in Obtaining Felling Permissions given
• Buying all Grades of Standing and Roadside Timber
• Suppliers of Biomass Timber
SAS Mobile Seed Cleaning
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Our full time staff are employed from the local community
We will be processing wheat, barley & oilseed rape this Autumn with:
Signal - wheat bulb fly control applied with/in addition to other seed treatments
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Vibrance Duo - a single purpose treatment for winter wheat, triticale, rye, spring oats & spring barley controlling fusarium & septoria with the ability to greatly enhance root growth.
Trace Elements - Winter Crop, manganese, phosphite
