Agrimart February 2023 Issue

Enhance soil nutrition and remove carbon dioxide at the same time

Being ‘green’ needn’t be at the expense of your farming business, in fact, it can enhance it.

UNDO’s enhanced weathering fines remove CO2 from the atmosphere, but they also top up soil nutrients to support crop growth.

What are enhanced weathering fines?

Our enhanced weathering fines are crushed silicate rock such as basalt which is often a by-product of the quarry industry. They are approved for use in organic systems.

UNDO screens the by-product to ensure that it is safe for agricultural use and supplies it to farmers free of charge to spread on their fields using existing spreader technology

Why?

UNDO has an ambitious target: to remove 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere by 2030. So, we need your help!

What’s in it for farmers?

• Enrich your soil with nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, essential for crop growth. Our enhanced weathering fines are rich in minerals that release these nutrients.

• Basalt can lift soil pH which in turn improves nutrient availability.

Who are we looking for?

Did you know?

There’s a long history of the benefits in spreading crushed rock on soil: it boosts soil microbes, improves soil structure and increases crop yields.

Farmers and landowners in the Scottish Borders, central belt of Scotland and the North-East of England.

If you are interested in enriching your soil whilst removing carbon dioxide at the same time, get in touch with Joe Ritchie on 07400 858 333 or email Joe@un-do.com For more information, visit our website www.un-do.com

Your partners in property

There’s more to making your move.

We go further to offer the right property advice for you.

Let’s talk about what really moves you.

LAND DRAINAGESPECIALISTS

Specialising in drainage works large and small Providing free advice and quotations

LAND DRAINAGESPECIALISTS

Glendinning Ground Works Limited have been specialists in land drainageworks for the last 50 years. We carry out small repairs to existing drainage schemes and install large scale drainage schemes using our trenchless system.

GGW – Upgrade private or mains water supply systems to meet the current legislation

GGW – Construct farm and forestry roads and ground works for new buildings

Glendinning Ground Works Limited have been specialists in land drainageworks the last 50 years. We carry out small repairs to existing drainage schemes and install large scale drainage schemes using our trenchless system. We have just invested in a new Inter-Drain 2040 GP Trenchless Plough which is capable of installing up to 150 mm drainage pipe at various depths. Drainage systems are installed with a gravel infill to underside of topsoil for maximum effect. The Inter-Drain is mainly designed for land drainage but can also be utilised in other sectors such as cable and pipeline laying.

GGW – Carry out all types of flood prevention works

The machine also incorporates a Topcon laser system which allows us to laydrainage systems wheregradientsare flat.

GGW – Are currently involved in the installation of large and small hydro electric power schemes

We have just invested in a new Inter-Drain 2040 GP Trenchless Plough which is capable of installing up to 150 mm drainage pipe at various depths. Drainage systems are installed with a gravel infill to underside of topsoil for maximum effect. The new Inter-Drain is mainly designed for land drainage but can also be utilised in other sectors such as cable and pipeline laying.

Our experienced team offer professional advice and free quotations on all aspects land drainage.

GGW – Build all shapes and sizes of ponds and reservoirs

The machine also incorporates a Topcon laser system which allows us to laydrainage systems wheregradientsare flat.

T: 01896830487 T: 01896831264

Our experienced team offer professional advice and free quotations on all aspects of

T: 01896 830487 T: 01896 831264

E:eileen@ggw.demon.co.uk www.glendinninggroundworks.co.uk

E:eileen@glendinninggroundworks.co.uk www.glendinninggroundworks.co.uk

T: 01896830487 T: 01896831264

E:eileen@ggw.demon.co.uk www.glendinninggroundworks.co.uk

Members

of

Members of

Members of

ESTATE ACCOUNTANT

ESTATE ACCOUNTANT

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Accountant to join the team at Lothian Estates.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Accountant to join the team at Lothian Estates. This is a full time, hands on position, with a wide ranging role as part of the management team for the estate.

This is a full time, hands on position, with a wide ranging role as part of the management team for the estate.

Applicants must have strong communication skills, working knowledge of Xero accountancy software and the ability to work in a small team.

Applicants must have strong communication skills, working knowledge of Xero accountancy software and the ability to work in a small team.

The successful applicant will have extensive accountancy experience and will be preferably qualified or part qualified.

The successful applicant will have extensive accountancy experience and will be preferably qualified or part qualified.

Please Contact Ben Burbridge for more information on this opportunity ben.burbridge@lothianestates.co.uk 01835 862201

Please Contact Ben Burbridge for more information on this opportunity ben.burbridge@lothianestates.co.uk 01835 862201

Octopost is a Swedish manufactured product, octagonal shaped to differentiate its unique properties, starting with very slow grown Swedish pine, kiln dried, square pointed and pressure heat treated with creosote. This provides a life expectancy often in excess of 40 years with a manufacturers guarantee of 25 years. The posts undergo the same high ality process as the companies main core production of telegraph poles

KNIGHT

KUHN HR3004 POWER HARROW c/w packer, done little work, 2015 SUMO

FENDT ROTANA RB160V 2022 model c/w 2.4m pick up, 17 knife cutter, 26300 bales

LELY 4160V ROUND BALER c/w 13 knife, 34500 bales, brakes, 2017 VGC

MCHALE V660 ROUND BALER c/w chopper, net wrap, 33800 bales WELGER RP245 ROUND BALER c/w 17 knife, 26000 bales, 2013

BROUGHAN 18T 32FT FLAT BED TRAILER c/w easy sheet, box pusher, hyd side walk ROLLAND 32FT FLAT BED TWIN AXLE TRAILER c/w sprung drawbar BROWNS GRASS AERATOR 3M DATUM ROAD SWEEPER telehandler mounted

CONSIDERING MY OPTIONS

As I enter my 68th year can I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you had a better celebration than I did. Mine was as dull as ditchwater, I was left staring into a heap of Barley, there were no fireworks, no Auld Lang Syne, not even a ticking clock counting down the minutes to 2023. I don’t recall even seeing anyone the next day, out of sight, out of mind is the way he operates. And then he will suddenly jump in and expect me to fire up. Well I can tell you he can’t go on treating me like that. I have had a word with a Mr M. Lynch of the RMT, he has given me invaluable advice of how to manage a boss that treats you badly. In a word he said ‘STRIKE’. So I just might take his advice if working conditions don’t improve. All that has happened in the 10 days since New Year is I have been backed in and out of the shed by that nice young man from Romania, Bogdan, I think is his name, so that he can process the barley for cattle feed. I did pull two houses near Yetholm just before Christmas, one into position for a new flock and one off the muck for washing. The next booking I have is for the end of this month on this farm pulling a shed that was only put together here a year or so ago. Being at least 20 years old the first pull is always a nerve racking experience with the worry of the bolts holding or half a shed split in the middle. A full report will be filed in February. Thank you for all the entries that were sent in for the competition I organised in the last issue. I was overcome with the responses, my closer friends were pestering me for the answers which I assure you I did not disclose. The differences were subtle and hard to spot. Congratulations to Robert Neill from Perth & Kinross who was the first correct answer pulled out of the hat.

A New Year brings fresh business ideas and potential opportunities

As the agricultural industry continues to face uncertainty, it is vital to be open minded about potential new business opportunities. Get the right team on board to help you with key financial and tax planning strategies so you are in the best position to adapt and grow throughout the New Year.

Contact Victoria, Head of Agriculture, at victoriai@dhco.co.uk

VICTORIA IVINSON, DIRECTOR

TRACTORS

John Deere 3140, C Reg S

John Deere 6110M, 2017 J

John Deere 6110RC, 2014 J

John Deere 6115M, 2013 He

John Deere 6125R, 2013 A

John Deere 6130R, choice 2013/17 Ha

John Deere 6130R, 2017 C

John Deere 6135R, 2020 A

John Deere 6140M, 2016 A

John Deere 6140R, 2013 J

John Deere 6145R, 2018 J

John Deere 6140M, 2016 A

John Deere 6150M, 2015 He

John Deere 6150R, 2015 A

John Deere 6155R, choice 2017/20 A

John Deere 6155R, 2020 choice C

John Deere 6155R, choice 2016/19 Ha

John Deere 6155R, choice 2017 He

John Deere 6155R, 2018 J

John Deere 6170R, 2012/14 A

John Deere 6175R, choice 2016/18 A

John Deere 6175R, 2019 He

John Deere 6195R, choice 2017/20 A

John Deere 6195R, 2016 Ha

John Deere 6195R, 2017 C

John Deere 6210R, 2012 A

John Deere 6210R, 2014 Ha

John Deere 6220SE, 2007 S

John Deere 6215R, 2016/17 choice C

TELEHANDLERS/WHEELED LOADERS

Claas, Scorpion (Kramer) 6030 Telehandler S

Manitou MLT634-120 Telehandler, 2004 C

Manitou MB26NC masted forklift Ha Manitou 735-120PS telehandler, 2013 J Manitou 737 telehandler A

TRACTORS

John Deere 6215R, 2016 A

John Deere 6320, 2002 S

John Deere 6330, 2009 He

John Deere 6330, 2012 S

John Deere 6430, 2008 He

John Deere 6600, M Reg A

John Deere 6930, 2010 A

John Deere 7310R, 2017 C

John Deere 7530, 2012 C

John Deere 7930, 2008 A

John Deere 8370RT, 2018 Ha

John Deere 8400R, 2018 Ha

Case/IH 3220, P Reg S

Claas 650, 50K, 2018 A

Case/IH Maxxum 190, 2003 He

Case/IH PUMA 240 CVX, 2021 C

Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 105, 2003 He

Fendt 720 Profi Plus C

Fendt 828, 2015 A

Fendt 828, 2014 He

Massey Ferguson 5713 J

Massey Ferguson 6480, 2008 A Massey Ferguson 6718S, 2017 J

New Holland TM130, 2005 Ha

New Holland T7.210, 2017 S

Valmet 6300 Tractor, K Reg A

Valtra N121, 2012 A

Valtra N92, 2008 He

Valtra N124, 2016 He

TELEHANDLERS/WHEELED LOADERS

Matbro TS270 J

JCB 526 Telehandler, 2008 He

JCB 530-70 Telehandler, R Reg A

JCB 531-70 Telehandler, 2016 C JCB 535/95 Telehandler, 2012 C

GRASSLAND/BALERS

John Deere 1360 MoCo A

John Deere 331 MoCo A

John Deere 572 Baler A

John Deere V451R round baler C

Kuhn BPR305 PRO Flail Topper Ha

Kuhn FC303YGC MoCo A

Kuhn GA4121GM Windrower A

Kuhn GA6501P twin rotor Windrower J

Kuhn VB2260 Round Baler S

Kuhn VB3160 Round Baler C

Bomford 4.6m trailed topper Ha

Bomford Farmtrim 435 hedgecutter Ha

Claas Rollant round baler A

Claas Volto 770 Tedder A

Fransguard TI 6000 Combi Rake C

Kverneland KV202 Bale Wrapper A

Kverneland Taarup 3021 Mounted Topper He

Lely Hibiscus 855CD grass rake A

New Holland Pro Rotor 450 windrower J

Opico Sward slitter GBL-3 A

Pottinger NovaCat 301 MoCo A

Spearhead 460 batwing topper A

Spearhead 9ft Topper A

Teagle TA200 offset flail mower C

Teagle TBM 250 offset flail mower He

FARM TRAILERS

Stewart low-loader, GX22LL C

Bailey 12 ton tipper trailer A

Bailey 12 ton tipper trailer C

Herbst 30ft tandem axle bale trailer He

Herbst 32ft tri-axle bale trailer He

Marshall 10 ton tipper trailer A

Marshall S10 ton dropside tipper trailer J

Marshall BC28 Livestock trailer Ha

Marston 10T tipping trailer Ha

Marston FF8 tipping trailer Ha NC 16T low-loader trailer S

CROP CARE

John Deere 512 Mounted Sprayer A

John Deere 840i Sprayer C

John Deere M732i Sprayer J

John Deere M740 Sprayer C

John Deere M952i Sprayer C

John Deere R732i, Trailed Sprayer Ha

John Deere R962i sprayer A

Kuhn Axis 30.1D Fertiliser spreader S

Kuhn Axis 30.1Q Fertiliser spreader A

Kuhn Axis 30.1Q Fertiliser spreader C

Kuhn Axis 40.1W Fertiliser spreader Ha

Kuhn Axis 40.1W Fertiliser spreader, choice A

Kuhn Axis 40.2 Fertiliser spreader C

Knight 3000L trailed sprayer24m A

Lely Centerliner spreader 24m discs C

Sulky DPX1505 fertiliser spreader He

CULTIVATION

Kuhn HR3003D Power Harrow A

Kuhn HR3502D power Harrow A Kuhn HR4030/32 row drill combination unit C

Kuhn HR5004DRC Power Harrow C

Kuhn HR6003 Power Harrow, choice A Kuhn LC302/HR3004 Combination Drill C

Kuhn Multi Leader semi mounted plough 8f C Kuhn Vari-Leader semi mounted plough 8f Ha

Kuhn VM122 plough 4f A

Kuhn VM122 plough 5f C

Kuhn VM152 plough 6f Ha Kuhn VM153 plough 6f Ha

Amazone AD-P 4003 drill combination J

Amazone Cayros XMS V 5 furrow plough Vari-Width J Amazone KE302 Power Harrow A Amazone KG4000/ADP4000 special drill combination A Amazone KG6001-2 Power Harrow A

DAL·BO 12.3m hyd folding rollers He

DAL·BO 6.3m 3 section folding rollers Ha

DAL·BO Levelflex 4m front press Ha

Kverneland 4M combination unit S Drill Ha Kverneland 5f plough slatted boards A Lemken Opal 7X 5f plough A Maschio/Sulky 3m combi drill unit He

NRH 6.3m hydraulic folding rollers Ha

NRH 6.3m hydraulic folding rollers S Ovlac 130/95 5f Plough Ha Simba Unipress 5.5m Ha Vaderstad 6.3m hyd vertical folding rollers Ha

MISCELLANEOUS

John Deere 6ft bucket c/w Euro brackets S

Kuhn Euromix 1060 diet feeder A

DR Road Grader, tow behind J Logic Multi – electric feeder A

Lucas 20R Mounted bedder c/w electric controls Ha

Lucas Castor 30 RUC Bedder A

Standen 400/200 Bedformer Ha

Triffit rear discharge Muack Spreader 9T Ha

Volvo EC45 tracked excavator C

Watson 10ft x 30in Ballast Roller C

Watson 10ft x 30in Ballast Roller S

ATV/UTILITY VEHICLES & ATTACHMENTS

John Deere 6x4 TH J

John Deere XUV855D Gator, choice 2016/17 A

John Deere XUV855D Gator, 2014 Ha

John Deere XUV855M Gator choice three 2018/19/20 A

John Deere XUV855M Gator choice two 2018/19 S

John Deere XUV865M Gator, 2018 Ha

John Deere XUV865M Gator, 2018 S

John Deere XUV865M Gator, choice three He

Can Am 550 Quad Bike A

Honda TRX250 Quad Bike Ha

Honda 300 ATV Quad Bike Ha

On Our Farm

Hugo Lee farms in partnership

his father, Guy,

oilseed rape, malting barley, oats and rye are

Angus

hens produce eggs for Waitrose and 14,000 organic point of lay pullets are

January 10th 2023

We have become more and more accustomed to warm, wet mild winters. Defrosting water pipes, diesel waxing up and steadings turning into ice rinks were all a thing of the past, or so I thought. Mid December bought some of the coldest weather I have experienced for at least 10 years. For a week night time temperatures regularly got down to -16°C with daytime maximums of -8°C. Initially all the machines worked well and hardly any water troughs were frozen. However, as the week went on machines started to stop working, water pipe defrosting was a regular morning activity and the steading became dangerously slippery despite our best efforts to keep it regularly gritted. A few good lessons were learnt during that week. The older tractors (Ford 6610’s) are absolutely bullet proof and never freeze up. The newer machine’s fuel filters become blocked/wax up very easily and only work if kept in a heated, insulated building overnight. Defrosting water pipes and machinery takes all day - thank goodness it is not like that every week! The New Year seems to have bought a return to the mild and very wet weather. Crops on the whole look really well, helped by the very warm back end. Hopefully the ground will dry up sufficiently to allow for the first round of early nitrogen in February. As cereal prices continue to fall I have decided rightly or wrongly to sell 60% of the coming harvest for £231/t. Hopefully, unlike last year, when I sold a very similar amount for £200/t the market will not make me look like fool again. Once a month Jess, my parents and I have a farm meeting where we discuss each enterprise in detail. I admit to being rather sceptical at first and thought it was all a waste of time as everyone knew what was happening anyway. Four years later and I honestly think I would struggle to run the business without these monthly meetings. They are a fantastic environment to not only review the current situation but also bounce new ideas around. I believe they are also crucial to ensure both our families get on well with each other. Living only 200m apart, going through succession, swapping houses and running a complex all-consuming business can be very stressful at times and good communication is crucial. It is not until something goes wrong that you really appreciate how good your staff is. Sadly, Alan who has worked at Sandystones for a long time slipped on the ice at home last week and has cracked a number of ribs. He is in significant pain and could be out of action for a couple of months. Bogdan, Diana and Davie have done an incredible job seamlessly filling in for Alan whilst he is off. It has really made me appreciate, even more, how lucky we are to have such a great team at Sandystones. Happy New Year to you all and I wish you all a very prosperous and successful 2023.

with

at Sandystones, near St Boswells. Arable crops of wheat,

grown, 400

cattle are finished annually, 8000 organic

reared each year.

Are you a short-term let provider or looking to set up a new short-term let business?

As of 1 October 2022, the law around short-term lets changed and as a result, all short-term let hosts and operators will be required to apply for a license.

EXISTING OPERATORS

Those who have already provided short-term lets before 1 October 2022 will be required to apply for a license by 1 April 2023. This date has now been extended to 1 October 2023 (subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament).

NEW OPERATORS

Those who were not operational as of 1 October 2022 are encouraged to apply for a short-term let license as soon as possible. New hosts must apply for a license before accepting bookings.

All hosts are required to have a short-term license by 1 July 2024.

Our team of Chartered Surveyors can assist you with your application and ensure you are compliant with the new legislation.

Talking......from the boundary

January 11th 2023

It is really encouraging to see so many young on farms and in agricultural businesses around the Borders. Of our immediate neighbours almost all have the next generation at home and it is assuring to know that not one of them has had pressure put on them by their parents. They are all at home, having gained experience elsewhere and have made the conscious decision that this is where their future lies. It is healthy for the area as it gives the atmosphere a buzz of enthusiasm and hope. Farming is a fickle business at the best of times and needs the energy and hope of youth to ensure that new opportunities are sought out and one does not get stuck in a repetitive rut of production. As labour is scarce and not as willing as in the past to be available to work the seven days a week that the job often entails it is becoming harder to find the younger generation willing to give up their time for local show and discussion society committees, as well as local politics such as the NFU. Family time has also become more important as the value of a balanced life is appreciated by all parties. The realities of the horrors of Motor Neurone Disease were bought home when we attended services on consecutive days of two highly regarded and inspirational people who lived less than 20 miles from each other. Doddie Wear and Joe Scott-Plummer were almost 30 years apart in age, followed different careers but they both succumbed. Their services were very memorable, similar in their love for the Borders, the people, the countryside and everything it has to offer. Philly and I have downloaded the Doddie Aid app on which we record our daily activities. It not only encourages me to get off my backside and clock up the miles so I can record an increasing amount of exercise each day, it also serves as a daily reminder to keep up the fight for research into the cause and treatment for MND.

Welcome to Doddie Aid 2023

Doddie Aid is a virtual mass-participation exercise event founded by former Scotland captain, Rob Wainwright, that lasts for 6 weeks from 1 January 2023. Any exercise counts, with the winning district being the one with the most miles at the end of the event. All participants also receive a free snood for taking part. The event raises funds for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which invests in research to find meaningful treatments for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Over the last 2 years, the event has seen over 30,000 participants cover 4 million miles and raise over £2 million for the Foundation.

Guy Lee

Talking

......New Zealand

January 9th 2023

Ian Mackenzie is an arable and dairy farmer from the Canterbury Plain in the South Island of New Zealand. He runs a number of fully irrigated intensive cropping farms, producing grain, vegetable and grass seeds with some stock finishing.

Despite a couple of weeks of volatile weather; 30°C days followed by thunderstorms rolling across the plains; the crops are still looking ok as we drift into harvest. Luckily we missed the worst of the rains and I haven’t heard of any hail damage from those who did get wet.

We got some early flowering ryegrass seed harvested and the straw baled in between thunderstorms, and I see some neighbours have done some early barley, but most of the harvest is still a few weeks away. Hopefully the weather has had its hissyfit and will now settle down.

Unfortunately there is no rest for the wicked as international tourism has come back with a vengeance. We host mainly small groups (16-18 guests) for lunch for a tour company that does a 23 day tour of NZ. They come to us from Kaikoura on their way to Mt Cook, 2 or 3 times a week. It is a long day for the guests in a coach, but we ply them with NZ wine, encourage them to relax and then feed them up on fresh food from the Boss’s garden; and ham, beef and lamb from the farm. They tend to enjoy themselves, especially the Americans, but we’ve even coaxed smiles from stuffy Englishmen!

We discovered a few years ago that the lunch here at Akaunui is the highest rating activity on their 3 week tour, which seems extraordinary since they do go to some pretty cool places. This sort of explains why when we thought we’d wean them off us by charging them outrageously, they keep coming (and in greater numbers!). Perhaps if we are serious about retiring one day (it is quite a lot of work for the Boss) we may have to introduce botulism to

MOBILE ENGINEERING SERVICES

Fabrication

Fabrication

MOBILE ENGINEERING SERVICES

Machinery Repair  and  Maintenance

MOBILE

Fabrication

Machinery Repair  and  Maintenance

Plasma  cutting,  arc  welding Mag  drilling  &  threading

Plasma  cutting,  arc  welding

Mag  drilling  &  threading

Machinery Repair  and  Maintenance Plasma  cutting,  arc  welding Mag  drilling  &  threading

ON-SITE CAPABILITY

ON-SITE CAPABILITY

ON-SITE CAPABILITY Self  contained  mobile  workshop Off  road  access

Self  contained  mobile  workshop Off  road  access

Self  contained  mobile  workshop Off  road  access

Contact: Gavin  S.  Murray  Threipland Agricultural  Engineer

Hawick

Contact: Gavin  S.  Murray  Threipland Agricultural  Engineer

Hawick

Contact: Gavin  S.  Murray  Threipland Agricultural  Engineer

Hawick

Phone:  (01450)  379  885  (evenings) Mob:    07802  201 612 e mail:

Phone:  (01450)  379  885  (evenings) Mob:    07802  201 612 e mail:   threngineering1@btinternet.com

Phone:  (01450)  379  885  (evenings) Mob:    07802  201 612

e mail:   threngineering1@btinternet.com

Talking......from Lincolnshire

Will Howe is an arable farmer from Sleaford, Lincolnshire. The soils are predominantly heavy. There is 500ha of cropping including winter wheat, spring beans, spring oats and oilseed rape. He also manages a contracting business Thorpe Farming Ltd.

The main theme running through the last month, other than over indulgence, is water. Whether it is falling from the sky, coming up from underneath or pouring out of burst water pipes; it is water.

The cold spell ended on the day of our disastrous shoot at home. I was in a terrible mood given the effort and expense that goes into a farm shoot only for there not to be a bird on the farm. As I was wandering down to the yard to thank the beaters, I could hear a hissing emanating from the loading bay of The Farm Kitchen. Closer inspection revealed a fine mist covering everything in a semi frozen haze. The isolator was turned off and forgotten about for another day.

The rain has not fallen in any particular volume, but it has been regular and our IDB maintained waterways have never been so full. This warranted a phone-call to enquire as to why the “resting” level was so much higher than normal.

I know the background is that we are in the highlands, 11m above sea level to be precise, and our drainage water has to flow through Boston which has a nasty habit of flooding. The problem is not that the Environment Agency controlled waterways so skilfully dug by Irish Navvies are silted up beyond recognition, nor that Boston once a quaint market town of muddied carriage tracks is now 800ha of concrete, tarmac and roofs, but that of us pesky farmers and dare I say it, climate change. The theory is that we should hold water here to help Boston. This makes sense, but they are now holding our water levels artificially high all the time, which means when it rains we have even less capacity to hold water. You really couldn’t make up the ineptitude of the EA!

Thankfully I got hold of one of the “practical” ones at the IDB who informed me of the thinking and said he would see to it that the water was returned to its normal level.

As part of the contract agreement at Worth’s Farm, I negotiated a budget for land drainage maintenance as I had noted drain ends were blocked and there were puddled areas. Subsequently I have inherited an A4 sheet with the whole farm drainage plan on it. Sadly since this plan they have planted 3 woods and 5 wind turbines through the drainage with it appears no replacement scheme. This would certainly explain a puddle or 2.

In my pursuit for machinery efficiency I found a like-for-like replacement drill being advertised on Christmas Eve. Well being a polite Englishman I thought better of disturbing the vendor over Christmas so phoned on the morning of the 27th to arrange a viewing only to be told a Scotsman had sneaked in and bought it. Whilst licking my wounds I found another drill, which second hand are rarer than an honest politician only to be beaten to the post by another farmer. It appears I am always just too

Talking

Business with SAC Consulting

National Test Programme – Preparing for Sustainable Farming

January 2023

Many farming businesses in Scotland are still not fully aware of the Preparing for Sustainable Farming scheme which offers funding for carbon audits and soil sampling. These options are available to farms with a business reference number and is rural payments and services online registered.

Carbon Audits

If you have never had a carbon audit, have a carbon audit over 3 years old or have made a significant change to the business you are eligible for a standard cost payment of £500 for a carbon audit. The carbon audit must align to PAS 2050 standards and have recommendations from an FBAASS advisor. SAC Consulting use Agrecalc which is a recommended carbon auditing tool, and our consultants are FBAASS advisors and we can help you get your carbon audit started and provide the necessary report with mitigation actions.

Soil Sampling Farmers can receive cost price funding up to this maximum allowance, whether soil is sampled in the traditional W pattern or GPS soil samples. Soil analysis must include pH, P, K, and a carbon test like Loss on ignition (LOI) as a minimum. To calculate your maximum allowance for the year: Region 1 BPS claim area X 20% X £30. Claims also cover soil sampling charges up to the maximum allowance, or if you sample the fields yourself you can claim £4 per sample. The first year you claim soils you will also be eligible for a £250 payment to improve nutrient management planning. To be able to claim for soil sampling you must have completed a carbon audit in the past 3 years. For 2022 claims, carbon audits dated from 1st January 2019 will be accepted.

Claims

• Claims should be made annually for work that has been completed between 1st January and 31st December each year 2022 claims

• Carbon Audits and soil sampling must be completed by 31 December for 2022-year claims.

• Invoices and Payments must be made before the claim is made, all claims must be submitted by 28 February 2023 for 2022 carbon audits and soil samples.

• A separate claim may be made for a carbon audit and soil sampling, or both can be claimed at the same time, but only one claim can be made per option, per claim year.

2023 claims

• Claim window for the 2023 PFS year (1 Jan – 31 Dec 23) opens on 1 March 2023. The good news is if you sampled your whole farm during 2022, a claim up to your maximum allowance can be made in 2022 and a 2023 claim can be made using the same soil sampling results, invoices, and payments. Claims can be made online at https://account.ruralpayments.org/claims/application/PSF/welcome For further assistance or advice please contact your local SAC Consulting office.

Donald Dunbar at SAC Consulting St Boswells

Talking......Organic

January 11th 2023

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. Happy New Year. New year, new starts, renewed energy and positivity? Those sentiments are there, however weighed down by a layer of exhaustion. This Christmas has mostly been about the hens. We de-populated sheds 5,6,7,and 8 of hens just before Christmas, which meant two weeks of mucking out, cleaning, washing, and disinfecting. We then shoehorned in Christmas and some social activity, before ramping up again to be ready for the hens. Fossil shield gets sprayed on to protect the birds from red mite, wood chip gets spread throughout the shed, water drinkers checked, feed tracks filled. The list of preparation feels a bit endless. It is definitely easier with hens in, than out. The pullets arrived on Monday evening at 9pm. Fortunately, there were no outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the area that they were reared, nor in our area, as that would have resulted in more paperwork in order to move birds through restricted areas. The modules that they travel in are transported into the building and the birds are left to settle and sleep overnight in them. Lights up at 7am in the morning and our team set about taking them from the modules and placing them on the system. The system has all the feed, water, nest boxes, perches and muck belts on it, so for the first few days and weeks its all about getting the hens to find their way round the system. Naturally they go up and down the system, effectively like a tree, in order to sort the pecking order, but also scratch and dust bathe on the floor. We need to make sure that the birds that get themselves to the top, come down, as there’s no water on the top, also those that are on the floor, find their way back onto the system in order to find feed and water. For the first few weeks we have to put the birds to bed, which means any birds that have settled to sleep on the floor need lifting up and placing on the system. This is for many reasons, mainly because the food and water are on the system, but also when they come into lay, we want the hens to lay their eggs in the next boxes, rather than on the floor. Floor eggs mean manual collection and invariable dirty eggs. Last night was the first night putting the hens up, and there wasn’t enough of us doing it. Two people, a couple of thousand hens to lift, took about two hours. Hopefully each night there will be less and less birds. The rest of the farm has been ticking along. Tups off, cull ewes and a few cull cows away, feeding and bedding. The usual winter routine. The new mixer wagon has finally arrived and making Michael’s morning routine simpler as it chops the straw in the ration better and is much quicker to mix and also holds more. It is bigger which has sadly meant a couple of gateposts have had to be repositioned in order to get round corners.

Fat lambs are slowly going away and we will hopefully have fat cattle away in the next six weeks. Weaned calves are receiving their fluke dose, and Bravoxin vaccine this week and cows are due a fluke dose and Bravoxin booster. By the time of our next article, we will hopefully have more energy and also have eggs!

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Talking......North of the Forth

January 9th 2023

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. Turkey season passed in the usual frenetic blur. Our plucking, gutting and boxing team were fantastic, with all birds processed in record time. We are extremely fortunate to have the same guys back year after year and their speed and skill in the job are truly appreciated. In the last few days before Christmas our attention turns to the logistical challenge of distributing the turkeys to all our individual customers. This relies heavily on all the family labour we can lay our hands on. One day we had our nine-year-old son working alongside his granny and two of his great aunts (combined age of 255 years)! We also had our merry band of students helping with collection days. They were brilliant and kept the show on the road with youthful energy and enthusiasm. The turkey enterprise is so reliant on good labour for a very short period of time. Without them the job would be near impossible. I was even more grateful for our workforce as I heard of pubs closing early and hotels turning bookings down in the cities of Scotland this festive period as they simply did not have enough staff to work. At what should be their busiest time of year businesses were closing their doors because nobody wanted to work! What is happening?! Forestry works have resumed with a harvesting team starting in mid-December. Work includes clear felling four compartments that were badly damaged during Storm Arwen and thinning a block of mixed conifers. Thinning is important if we wish to harvest a good commercial crop in the next 10-15 years. Timber markets have fallen back since we last sold wood, however, I am ever hopeful that the felling, thinning and resulting replanting should at least wash its face. Watching the forestry harvester and forwarder at work is incredible. These monsters of the forest combine state-of-the-art technology with rugged brute force. Brilliant!

Wheat was loaded in the week between Christmas and New Year. This is sold into a Pool scheme with the merchants selling wheat throughout the year for movement October, November and December. I also use a January, February and March Pool for further tonnage. I have used these Pools for a number of years for a proportion of the overall tonnage. They are useful to take the pressure off my own trading decisions and as a benchmark for the wheat I have sold myself (using a mixture of guesswork, hunches and gut feeling). They are unlikely to hit the top or bottom of the markets but should hit average returns. It will be very interesting to see how they fair in what has been a remarkable trading period.

A long-over-due family holiday was snatched over New Year with everyone enjoying a well deserved break. We have come back refreshed and ready for 2023.