Agrimart June 2023 Issue

There is currently no specific guidance from HMRC on the tax treatment of carbon credits. However, there are arguments for whether it should be defined as exempt, income or capital.

With the current taxation rates varying hugely from nil to 46%, depending on what the income is classified as, in the eyes of HMRC, the cost of getting the structure wrong can be significant.

For further information take a look at our blog or email Douglas Home & Co Director, Victoria Ivinson, victoriai@dhco.co.uk, to seek early advice on effectively structuring your business to utilise tax advantages.

Eyemouth Summer iFarm Event

Never has it been more essential to take a holistic view of crop production. Please come along for the opportunity to hear the latest findings from our trials and discuss your requirements, to help planning for the 2023/2024 season.

Tuesday 20th June

Bee Edge Farm, Coldingham, Eyemouth, Berwickshire, TD14 5TJ

9.30am for 10.00am start, until approx 2pm Refreshments provided

For more information, and to confirm your attendance, email lorraine.christie@agrii.co.uk or call Lorraine on 07966 556 248

Here at Glendale Engineering, we are be able to say that we have over 35 experience designing and manufactur Agricultural Buildings & Equipment.

Suppliers of:

-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Portarace

• Special offers available on Cattle & Sheep Hurdles, Gates & Water Troughs •

- ATV Trailers

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.

- Agricultural Buildings

Here at Glendale be able

-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh

- Large quantity of box section and pipe, Phone for special offers

Suppliers of:

Suppliers of:

-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

Wooler : 01668 281464

-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Portarace

Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

- ATV Trailers

Sheep Portarace

- Agricultural Buildings

ATV Trailers

Hexham : 01434 603078

Email : info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems

Agricultural Buildings

Large quantity of box section and pipe, Phone for special offers

Web : www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems

Here at Glendale Engineering, we are proud be able to say that we have over 35 years’ experience designing and manufactur ing Agricultural Buildings & Equipment.

• 9”x3” Timbers & 6”x3” Timbers In Stock

• Big Six Fibre Cement Sheets In Stock

Wooler : 01668 281464

Hexham : 01434 603078

Suppliers of:

-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

-

Wooler : 01668 281464

Email : info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

Graeme Wilson : 07971 880275

-Sheep Portarace

Web : www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

John Common : 07981 890999

- ATV Trailers

Bob Clapham : 07954 363979

- Agricultural Buildings

-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh

info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

- Large quantity of box section and pipe, Phone for special offers

Wooler : 01668 281464

Hexham : 01434 603078

Cattle Feed Bunker

Free Tracker with every New Honda

Approved Dealers for Honda ATV, Kawasaki Mules and Logic Equipment

Sales (New & Used) - Keith Robertson - 07920 747 057 Service - Robbie Robson - 07918 558 180

Storage Tank Sales & Hire UK-Wide Service

Now doing repairs across a wide range of trailers - livestock, horsebox and flatbed

Midburn Oxton TD2 6PG

Office: 01578 750 618 www.quadcare.co.uk

Ewan Mcgeorge Forestry and Plant Hire

What we will do, so you don’t have to:

• Apply for felling licences

• Contacting planning authorities. e.g. badger licences, road closures

• A11 environmental needs

• Compliance with all health and safety regulations

• Hazard and risk assessments

• Welfare facilities

• Site / woodland management

• Track and loading bay creation

• Ash dieback clearances

• Reinstatement (if needed)

Specialising 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

We also purchase tanks - please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Andy mobile: 07853 905018 Tel: 01334 827 090

info@best-tanks.co.uk www.best-tanks.co.uk

Northbank Farm, Cameron, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8PE

We are excited to welcome you back to AgX Kelso to see the exclusive trial work taking place.

Key topics on the day

• Comparing the best existing and new wheat varieties

• Improving overall nutrient use efficiency through innovation

• Changing landscape of fungicides and bioscience in winter wheat

• Talks on Precision Farming and the techniques used

• A discussion on environmental land management with Agrovista Rural Consultancy

Lunch and refreshments provided. Basis and NRoSO points available.

With thanks to Mr Jack Parsons

How to find us

Ploughlands, St. Boswells Melrose TD6 0RP

Book your place

www.agrovista.co.uk/agx-kelsoreg Kelso depot: 01573 224131 enquiries@agrovista.co.uk

WHEN FARMING MEANS BUSINESS

SALES - SERVICE - FABRICATION - PARTS

MCCORMICK X7.624 RED POWER

240HP WITH FRONT LINKAGE, 360 DEGREE MY LED LIGHTS, 12 DSM, AUTO STEER, ISOBUS, TELEMATICS, FLEET MANAGEMENT

2 Years Warranty

McCORMICK X5.085 RED POWER FPT ENGINE NO ADBLUE. 12X12 40K TRANSMISSION, LED LIGHTS £44,500+VAT

SPECIAL DEALS

SPECIAL DEALS

Only £33,500* RRP £65,986

McCORMICK X7.418 P6 RED POWER

175HP 4 CYLINDER, 50K TRANSMISSION, FRONT LINKAGE, 9.5T REAR LIFT,HYDRAULIC TOP LINK, 360 DEGREE HD LED

WORKLIGHTS, 12” DSM & ARMREST,AUTO STEER READY, MY 5 FUNCTIONS, 6 ELECTRIC SPOOLS £99,500+VAT

McHALE V6-750 VARIABLE CHAMBER 15 KNIFE CHOPPER BALER, 2.1M HIGHINTAKE PICK-UP WITH GALVANISED BANDS, 15 KNIFE HEAVY DUTY ROTOR, 15 KNIFE CHOPPER UNIT, DOUBLE DRIVE SYSTEM, EXPERT PLUS CONTROL SYSTEM, CENTRALISED GREASING BLOCKS, OPTIONAL CAMLESS PICK-UP

McHALE F5500 FIXED CHAMBER BALER, 2.1 METRE PICK UP, DROP FLOOR UNBLOCKING SYSTEM, 15 KNIFE CHOPPER SYSTEM, HEAVY DUTY ROLLERS WITH A SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED SEALING SYSTEM, HIGH QUALITY CHAINS AND BEARINGS, PROGRESSIVE GREASING AND OILING, USER FRIENDLY ELECTRONICS

McHALE PRO GLIDE R3100 REAR MOWER, SUPERIOR FLOATATION, SELF ADJUSTING CUTTER BAR ANGLE, CONSTANT CUTTER BAR GROUND PRESSURE, ENHANCED CUTTER BAR PROTECTION, OPTIMUM CONDITIONING, CLEAN UNIFORM SWATH, HIGHER OUTPUT, OPTIMUM TRANSPORT POSITION, GREATER VISIBILITY £14,350+VAT

McHALE PRO GLIDE R310 NON CONDITIONER REAR MOWER PATENTED 3D GROUND TRACKING, HEAVY DUTY DRIVE LINE ONLY £10,500+VAT

McHALE 991LBER LINKAGE WRAPPER FULLY AUTOMATIC WITH REMOTE CONTROL £9,950+VAT

MASCHIO GIRAFFA FULLY OFFSET FAIL ON ARM 2.3M CUTTING £9,750+VAT

MASCHIO BISONTE FRONT/ REAR MOUNTED FLAIL 2.8M CUTTING HEAVY DUTY £7,600+VAT

MASCHIO BUFALO FRONT/ REAR MOUNTED FLAIL 2.8M CUTTING SUPER HEAVY DUTY £8,900+VAT

CF MOTO CFORCE 450 2023 MODEL, COMPACT ALL ROUND 4WD LOADED WITH FANTASTIC SPECS ON THE ROAD FOR ONLY £5,500+VAT 2 YEARS WARRANTY & FINANCE INCLUDED

McCAULEY 10 TONNE DROP SIDE TRAILER WITH REMOVABLE GALVANISED SIDES, OIL BRAKES £9,950+VAT

WEST 10T GRAIN, SPRUNG DRAWBAR, ADR AXLES, LED LIGHTS, HYDRAULIC BACK DOOR, GRAIN CHUTE SPECIAL OFFER £13,950+VAT

McCAULEY 27FT BALE TRAILER, HIGH SPEED COMMERCIAL AXLES, SPRUNG DRAWBAR, LED LIGHTS Only £13,250+VAT

Superior Forage Solutions

McCAULEY GP14 DUMP TRAILER SPRUNG DRAWBAR 10 STUD AXLES MAGIC BACK DOOR £13,950+VAT

LEADING THE FIELD

We know the challenges and complexities of the agricultural industry and have insider knowledge of all aspects of farming businesses - from subsidies and environmental law through to tenancies and contract farming agreements. Whether you’re a farmer or a landowner, our team are well placed to help you achieve goals and maximise returns.

Renewables

We help our clients in tendering new sites for onshore wind farms, solar farms, battery storage and negotiating heads of terms for leases and for options, as well as negotiating between third party access/export cables agreements for landowners

Valuations – RICS Registered Valuers

Valuations for a variety of purposes including lending, tax (returns), probate, internal business reorganisations, tenancy assignation, sales, and purchases.

Agricultural Landlord & Tenant

Sale and purchase of landlord’s heritable interest; rent review negotiations, dilapidations claims, way-go valuations and ongoing tenancy matters.

Get in touch with your local property experts.

Fergus Thomson MRICS FAAV

Tel: 01289 305 158

fergus.thomson@rettie.co.uk

Chris Hall MRICS

Tel: 0131 220 4160

chris.hall@rettie.co.uk

Hugh Rettie

Tel: 01896 824070

hugh.rettie@rettie.co.uk

George Forrest MRICS

Tel: 0131 624 4061

george.forrest@rettie.co.uk

The benefits of liquid:

The use of liquid fertilisers can help your farm be more efficient, productive and sustainable. Quickly absorbed by the plant, the optimum mix of ammonium, ureic and nitrate sources in our fertilisers allows crops to get a head start in cooler or adverse ground conditions.

The nitrogen remains available for longer so your crops reach their full potential.

- Leading sustainability

- Easy conversion

- 2 tank options (30m3 & 50m3)

South of Scotland and Border Valuers’ Association

Established 1921

Open Farm Evening

The Border Valuers are holding a training evening at Kerchesters Farm, Kelso TD5 8HR on Thursday 25th May 2023 at 5.30pm.

This will be an open evening displaying the farmer ’s various enterprises comprising; livestock, crops, environmental and renewables.

There will be an opportunity to learn valuation techniques with groups moving around the different enterprises throughout the evening

There will then be a period of discussion before a presentation of answers to set questions. Members, non-members and guests are all welcome Teas and coffees will be provided.

Please contact our Secretary Charlotte Playfair-Hannay Charlotte.Playfair-Hannay@rspb.org.uk to book your space

Main Office:

WINDMILL WAY WEST, RAMPARTS BUSINESS PARK, BERWICK UPON TWEED TD15 1TB TEL: 01289 331904

PINNACLEHILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KELSO, TD5 8AS TEL: 01573 225213

MACMERRY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, EAST LOTHIAN, EH33 1EP TEL: 01875 617323

EAST HOUSE FARM, OLD SWARLAND, NE65 9HZ TEL: 01670 343822

21 Reg 980 hrs, c/w hyd. top link, 4 ccls spools, front linkage, ’12 Reg, c/w 8500 hrs 4 rear ccls spools

’16 Reg, c/w 5250 hrs, front linkage, 5 rear spools

’19 Reg c/w 3800 hrs, 5 ccls spools, wheel weights, LED

VALTRA 234, 57kph ’69 Reg c/w reverse drive, front PTO, full spec

CLAAS ARION 420, 40 kph ’67 Reg, c/w 3000 hrs, F180C loader, 2 rear spools

JOHN DEERE 6210R ’12 Reg c/w 9250 hrs, front linkage, suspension all round

JOHN DEERE 6830 ’10 Reg c/w 10500 hrs, loader Q66, front linkage

MERLO TF35.7-140CS ‘20 Reg, c/w 1400 hrs, air con, full spec

MERLO TF42.7-140CS ‘67 Reg, c/w 5500 hrs, boom suspension, air con, air seat

CHALLENGER ROGATOR 645 ‘16 Reg 32m c/w approx. 3900 hrs, VGC

SECONDHAND MACHINERY

HONDA PIONEER 520 ATV ’71 Reg c/w 86 hours

MAJOR 800SM ROTARY TOPPER side-mounted, 2008 model

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

KVERNELAND 11 LEG CLC PRO CULTIVATOR c/w discs and packer

SUMO 3M TRIO c/w 6 leg auto reset and packer. Straight leg model

NRH 3 SECTION 6.3M HYDRAULIC FOLDING ROLLERS c/w 24” rings and breakers, 2011 model

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

FENDT 1290XD TANDEM AXLE SQUARE BALER c/w air brakes EX DEMO

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

MARSTON 8 TONNE TANDEM AXLE TRAILER c/w rear door

ROLLAND 32FT FLAT BED TWIN AXLE TRAILER c/w sprung drawbar

STEWART 26FT FLAT BED TRAILER c/w air brakes, good condition

KUHN PRIMOR 2060M MOUNTED STRAW BEDDER c/w swivel chute, 2011 model

TEAGLE 8100 TRAILED STRAWBEDDER c/w swivel chute, 2012 model

BROWNS GRASS AERATOR 3M

HE-VA GRASSLAND REJUVENATOR c/w seeder kit. Built 2022, never been used

DATUM ROAD SWEEPER telehandler mounted

RECO are pleased to announce their new partnership with Ancroft Tractors Ltd, covering Northumberland, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders. From July, Ancroft Tractors Ltd will supply machinery from the following RECO franchises:

Fertilizer Spreaders/Grain Drills

drills, power harrows & fertiliser spreaders

forage wagons, mixer wagons & muck spreaders

Kennetsidehead Farm, Kelso

Bee Edge Farm, Coldingham

Willowford Farm,

Nether Kidston Farm, Peebles

Agriparts Borders Ltd

We have a small selection of Cropper (or Baler) trousers and boilersuits in stock at silly prices, Trousers @ £15 and Boilersuits @ £20 both inluding vat. Remember, Rodent poisons need either a certificate or a QC number or similar. Whole wheat, Blocks, Sachets and Cartridges in 4 different poisons. Traps, boxes and tyre baiters in stock.

CASE IH

Mark Garrick Ltd, Brookfield House, Birnie, Elgin, IV30 8SW

Tel: 01343 860556

NEW MACHINERY

6M BEDNAR VERSATILL 6000 CULTIVATOR

DEMONSTRATOR CASE IH PUMA 165MULTICONTROLLER

CASE IH MAXXUM 145 ACTIVEDRIVE 4

LWC BUCKET C/W GRAB, EUROHOOK

MARSHALL BC25 BALE TRAILER

MERLO TF35.7 140

MERLO TF33.7 115

EX DEMO MACHINERY FOR SALE

CASE IH PUMA 165 MULTICONTROLLER

CASE IH RB344 ROUND BALER

USED TRACTORS AND MACHINERY

145

ACTIVEDRIVE 4 & PUMA 165

MULTICONTROLLER

BOMFORD B65M R/H ARM HEDGE CUTTER

JOHN DEERE 6420 C/W QUICKIE Q45 LOADER

SUMO TRIO 3 A/R C/W RAPE SEEDER

We are a local company with over 20 years of experience. Call us for a free estimate on work in planning, grant work & any other projects before taking the package deal as our prices are very competitive.

Agricultural & industrial concrete floors. Professionally laid by laser. All types of finish. All types of groundworks & building work can be undertaken.

Regrooving of old concrete

Heb 07977 765 529 Paul 07854 969 471

Jason 07714 022 741

H.E.Builders Ltd

Kincraig, 9 Broompark, Kelso TD5 7SN

6M BEDNAR VERSATILL 6000 CULTIVATOR

MAXXUM

NOT ME, OFFICER

What a month, a party, 4 sheds in East Lothian, a journey home with air leaking from the brakes, a shed moved near Peebles and a visit to the rugbystore.co.uk.

The Ukrainian Cultural evening was undoubtedly a huge success judging by the noise coming from the St Boswells Village Hall and the laughter as they came home. The event raised over £8500 which is a fantastic result. The plan is to buy two used pick ups with the balance being spent on drones. There are a number of willing drivers who will cover the cost of fuel, accommodation and ferry fees as well as return air flights to take the vehicles to Lviv. The real challenge is finding second hand pick ups at a reasonable price. The problem is exacerbated by the delayed delivery of new vehicles. If anyone has or knows of a pick up that is for sale do please let me or him know.

Three Border farmers drove donated vehicles out in the last convoy in April. They came back full of enthusiasm saying it was one of the most moving experiences they had experienced. Will Ramsay gave a very good address saying how he was happy to give his time and money to the cause as his farm accounts had never been so healthy as a result of Putin’s invasion and the soaring grain prices last year.

I won’t write in detail about my hairy drive back from East Lothian but I did get home safely and the problem is now fixed. What really frightened me was the notice he received two days later. All I could think of was life behind bars and all due to his negligence – no doubt in my mind I was to be the victim of mistaken identity. It turned out to be a joke at my expense - not very funny Peter Scrope – you may be a friend of his but certainly not mine.

And then the visit to the Rugbystore in Peebles, we had gone to pull a shed nearby. On the way back he dropped in at the invitation of Antony Barlow. As soon as Ant saw me, he thought I could be a potential model. It’s obvious, the growth in women’s rugby, my looks, the image. I’m ready – what’s the fee?

Dear Mr Lee, Your registered vehicle Reg NTY 498M was recently observed and reported driving erratically in East Lothian District.

You are required to present your registration & MoT details at Jedburgh Police Station at Castlegate, Jedburgh, TD8 6AR within the next 7 working days Please ensure you bring your own driving licences and a utility bill for address verification purposes. You should be aware that your vehicle may be subject to impound.

Dear Mr Lee, Your registered vehicle Reg NTY 498M was recently observed and reported driving erratically in East Lothian District.

You are required to present your registration & MoT details at Jedburgh Police Station at Castlegate Jedburgh, TD8 6AR within the next 7 working days Please ensure you bring your own driving licences and a utility bill for address verification purposes. You should be aware that your vehicle may be subject to impound.

Dear Mr Lee, Your registered vehicle Reg NTY 498M was recently observed and reported driving erratically in East Lothian District.

You are required to present your registration & MoT details at Jedburgh Police Station at Castlegate, Jedburgh, TD8 6AR within the next 7 working days Please ensure you bring your own driving licences and a utility bill for address verification purposes. You should be aware that your vehicle may be subject to impound.

Dear Mr Lee, Your registered vehicle Reg NTY 498M was recently observed and reported driving erratically in East Lothian District.

Dear Mr Lee, Your registered vehicle Reg NTY 498M was recently observed and reported driving erratically in East Lothian District.

You are required to present your registration & MoT details at Jedburgh at Castlegate, Jedburgh, TD8 6AR within the next 7 wo Please ensure you bring your own driving licences and a utility bill for address

should be aware that your vehicle may be subje

You are required to present your registration & MoT details at Jedburgh Police Station at Castlegate, Jedburgh, TD8 6AR within the next 7 working days Please ensure you bring your own driving licences and a utility bill for address verification purposes. You should be aware that your vehicle may be subje pp Tim

Will Ramsey, Will Galbraith and Henry Trotter in Lviv with the most recent convoy of pick ups

pp

AVAILABLE AT GMARSHALLTRACTORS.COM

GRASS DEMONSTRATION DAY

Time: 10am to 4pm

Sales | Service | Parts George Marshall Tel: 07703 535222 David Watson Tel: 07772 539104 David Marshall Tel: 07929 167819 G. Marshall Tractors Ltd Charlesfield Industrial Estate St. Boswells Roxburghshire TD6 0HH 01835 823240 sales@gmarshall-tractors.co.uk www.gmarshalltractors.com Book your On Farm Demonstration today...

It is our pleasure to invite you to join us at our working demonstration day where you can view and experience the full range of Krone grass equipment, as well as the latest Case IH tractor range.

Complementary refreshments and hot food available all day.

Giveaways and goodie bags throughout the day.

By kind permission of Messrs Orr

Rumbleton Law, Greenlaw TD10 6XS

A6105

Case IH Puma 185

Case IH Puma 175 CVX

Case IH Maxxum 150

Case IH Maxxum 125

Case IH Farmall 100

Case IH Vestrum 100 CVX

Plus more…

Krone BigX 980 Forage Harvester

Krone BigM 450 Self Propelled Mower

Krone MX 330 Forage Wagon

Krone GX Transport Wagon

Krone VariPack 165 Plus Baler

Krone EasyCut B Triple Mowers

Krone Swadro Rakes

Franchise dealers for:

Plus more…

KEITH T ROBERTSON RURAL SERVICES

Scottish Borders

@KTRruralservices

FULL CLEAN UP SERVICE AVAILABLE

CLEAR FALLEN TREES/BUSHES/SHRUBS/HEDGES

✓ WOOD CHIPPER ✓ MOBILE LOG BENCH

✓ MOBILE LOG SPLITTERS

✓ HARDWOOD LOGS AND KINDLING SUPPLIED

✓ CONTRACT LOG SPLITTING SERVICE

✓ WOOD CHIPPER HIRE

✓ LOG SPLITTER HIRE

www.keithrobertsonruralservices.co.uk

Home: 01578 740248

M: 07826 042491

Email: info@keithrobertsonruralservices.co.uk

M: 07894 008786

We have 4 vans with 4 squads working covering all of Scotland and north England. All carry out all roofing works and roughcasting which includes:

• SLATING & TILING

• BUILT UP FELT SYSTEMS

• GUTTER REPAIR & RENEWAL

• VELUX SUPPLIED & FITTED

• ALL LEAD WORKS

• RENDER & HARLING

• MEWP WORKS

• ROPE WORKS

We are members of Safe Contractors, Confederation of Roofing Contractors and Federation of Small Business. (See above) Fully insured for all working at height, gas and rope works.

10% discount with this advert

We have IPAF and PASMA certificates.

07738 659 959 or 0131 364 4212

All tradesmen are City and Guilds qualified.

george@clelandroofingsolutions.co.uk www.clelandroofingsolutions.co.uk

George Cleland - Managing Director

Head office: 6A Lothian Street, Bonnyrigg EH19 3AD Office: 146/2 Turnhouse Road, Edinburgh EH12 0AD

We have over 100 years combined experience in the trade

Keith Robertson

Craig Robertson

SCOT

The new JCB Fastrac iCON. Discover the most productive Fastrac yet. PUTTING YOU IN TOTAL CONTROL

HORSCH EXPRESS AND PARTNER FRONT MOUNTED TANK

MF 7s I from 155hp - 210hp

ROADEO CURVE TRAILER WITH SILAGE SIDES

MACHINERY RING BENEFITS!

BY YOUR SIDE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCOTTISH MACHINERY RING MEMBERS

Since the legendary Farmall was built in 1923, Case IH has been by your side bringing you innovative products and market leading agricultural solutions and services. Scottish Machinery Rings are working in partnership with Case IH dealers to provide an exclusive rebate on Case IH products purchased by its members. The process is simple; visit your Case IH Dealership to select your new Case IH tractor, combine or baler and complete a deal. Then, ask your local machinery ring for claim details or visit www.scottishmachineryrings.co.uk

DEALERS (MAIN DEPOTS)

AL Agri, Forfar, 07709 215713

Davidson Tractors Ltd, Newton Stewart, 01988 840272

Everitt & Marshall Ltd, Hexham, 01434 603194

G Marshall Tractors Ltd, St Boswells, 01835 823240

Glenside Tractors Ltd, Campbeltown, 01586 553624

J & W Tait Ltd, Kirkwall, 01856 872490

J Low Agri Services Ltd, Kelty, 01383 830220

Mark Garrick Ltd, Elgin, 01343 860556

Paxtons, Alnwick, 01665 605577

R C Dalgliesh, Lockerbie, 01576 202422

Ramsay & Jackson Ltd, Mauchline, 01290 550329

WM Rose Ltd, West Linton, 01968 660777

MACHINERY RINGS

Borders, 01896 758091

Caithness, 01955 608865

HBS Ring, 01463 811603

Lothian, 0131 339 8730

Orkney, 01856 879080

Supplying dependable and powerful generators in the North of England and Scotland

If you require dependable, plentiful source of power, our fantastic generators won’t let you down.

Marshall Green’s expert team offer generators for sale to a diverse range of clients through out northern England and Scotland. We are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to make sure you have all the power you need, when you need it.

SALES SERVICE HIRE

Our services are unique to the region, we can access the remotest of areas, from steep gradients to small entrances to paddocks or sites for all your vegetation requirements.

Capabilities

• Bracken cutting & crushing

• Paddock maintenance

• Site clearance

• Gorse mulching

• Heather cutting

• Woodland ground clearance

• Cut & collect (Wildflower Meadows, Golf Course Rough)

• Drone Services (Mapping, Surveying, Video, Photo)

For all

Proud to sponsor Event riders: Olivia Wilmot, Laura Swinnerton, Laura Mitchell, Ellie Bryce, Sarah Hutchison & Morag Sutherland

Machinery Grass

Contact a member of our sales team:

Ian Chalmers: 07793 589 678 ic@hendersongm.co.uk

Allan White: 07501 088 177 apw@hendersongm.co.uk

William Smith: 07793 589 661 ws@hendersongm.co.uk

Graham Scott: 07793 589 680 gs@hendersongm.co.uk

Haddington Selkirk Kinross 01620 823171 01750 725725 01577 865733

Machinery For Sale

Kverneland Spreaders

● TL1875 Exacta Geo Spread, hydraulic drive, 3225Ltr capacity, full ISOBUS, section control variable rate, 12m – 45m spread

● TL1500 Exacta Geo Spread, PTO drive, 2800Ltr capacity, full ISOBUS, section control variable rate, 12m – 45m spread

● CL1300 Exacta Geo Spread, PTO drive, 2300Ltr capacity, full ISOBUS, section control variable rate, 10m – 24m spread

● CL1100-P Exacta Geo Spread, PTO drive, 2000Ltr capacity, 10m – 24m spread

● EL1400 Exacta PTO drive, 1400Ltr capacity, hydraulic controls 9m – 18m spread

New Kverneland Ploughs

● ES250 85cm 5 Furrow

● 3400S 100cm 6 Furrow

● ES250 100 5 Furrow

Demonstration Kverneland Ploughs

● ES250 85cm 5 Furrow

● 3400S 100cm 6 Furrow

● 3300S 100cm 5+1 Furrow

Used Ploughs

● Kverneland ED85 5 Furrow

● Kverneland ES200 95cm 5 Furrow

● Kverneland EG300 85cm 5 Furrow

● Kverneland EG200 100cm 5 Furrow

● Kverneland ED300 85cm 5 Furrow

● Kverneland ED160 85cm 4 Furrow

Kverneland Drill

Machinery For Sale

● Maxiplus 3m, grain and fertiliser, ISOBUS, S Series power harrow with 12 Rotors, 575 Packer Roller

Kverneland DTX300 Subsoiler

● 5 leg, 600mm spacing, hydraulic reset, 24 discs in two rows, DD600 Packer roller, hydraulic depth control

Kverneland Mowers and Tedders In Stock

● TAT8452 5.2m Rotary tedder, 4 rotor with 6 tine arms

● 2628M Mower 2.8m, 7 disc and 14 knives

ATV

● New Suzuki LT-A500XP and LT-A750XP red and green models in stock

● Demonstration LT-A500XP in Red and LT-A750XP in green

Swaledale ATV Trailers

● In stock, model ST503, 5 x 3 with 36” sides and full ramp door

Logic ATV Feeder

● LMF570, 320kg capacity with electric controls

Nugent Trailers

IN STOCK NOW!

● General purpose

● Utility

● Plant

● Flatbed

● Livestock

Agriculture | Horticulture | Servicing | Parts www.hendersongm.co.uk

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CONTRACTORS SERVICES

Owengillard@yahoo.co.uk

Multi-disciplined groundworks company, covering the Scottish Borders, North Northumberland and the Lothians. We specialise in the following:

• Mobile/on site crushing & screening

• Earth works

• Drainage

• River works

• All types of concreting

• Paving/slabbing

• Foundations

• Roads

R L SMITH & SONS LTD

HAULAGE AND SPREADING CONTRACTORS

Poultry Manure, Digestate, Compost, Lime, Gypsum etc. All products supplied & spread

Variable Rate Spreading for Lime and Manures

Organic Certificated Manure Spread onto growing crops.

STRAW FOR SALE

KENNY HALL & SON Agricultural Engineer • Roof & Sheeting Repairs • On-site Welding • Grain Machinery Repairs • Kit Sheds Supplied & Built

PLUS

•

Manure can be delivered by Tractor & Trailer Manure mixed with a high DM product, perfect for stockpiling and increased organic matter Call Richard 07971 580 888 info@murrayofredden.com|www.murrayofredden.com

JW & MA SCOTT Agricultural Contractors

Full silage/wholecrop service available. We have specialised in clamp silage for over 30 years and can tailor contracts to meet farmers requirements, complete/part job available. All other general contract work undertaken. Please call to discuss what suits you best.

BM EXCAVATIONS LTD

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

MOBILE - 07788 242 638

EMAIL - bmexcavations@outlook.com

ROAD CRUSHING AND GRADING SERVICES

On Our Farm

May 10th 2023

Hugo Lee farms in partnership with his father, Guy, at Sandystones, near St Boswells. Arable crops of wheat, oilseed rape, malting barley, oats and rye are grown, 400 Angus cattle are finished annually, 8000 organic hens produce eggs for Waitrose and 14,000 organic point of lay pullets are reared each year. Spring so far has certainly bucked the trend of the past few years with little sunshine and plenty of rain. We managed to get all of the spring barley drilled by the third week of April into a good seedbed. Cool weather following drilling slowed establishment but it is growing away well now. Cattle are all out and there is lots of grass, hopefully it doesn’t get away from them. Unfortunately we had to re drill the grass we established in September. We used a Moores Unidrill to stich in the new seed and flat rolled it immediately afterwards. Not all of the field is drained so there are a few wet patches. I took over from my dad half way across the field and was told that it was pretty dry and that he had managed to roll through 90% of the wet areas no problem. A couple of hours later with the field almost finished and confidence high having sailed through the remaining wet areas without a problem I approached the only area my dad had driven around. The first pass went smoothly, despite the ground being rather spongy, the second pass was slightly more risky. The third and final pass was always going to be a bit touch and go (however I had not been stuck in a tractor for years and it would be fine I told myself) - then disaster struck. The roller sunk in, why at thirty nine after all these years do I still not listen to the old man’s advice?! To add insult to injury it is right beside the A68. I was determined to get myself out and not suffer the absolute humiliation of having to call on Wendy. News travels fast around here and the old man was quickly on the phone informing me that Wendy was on operational standby. Thankfully being an end tow roller I managed to get the tractor and roller out. Embarrassed by my mistake and being a bit of a perfectionist I tried to repair some of the mess I had created. After getting stuck a further three times I eventually admitted defeat and as a punishment spent 2 hours washing half the field’s topsoil off the tractor and roller!

Winter wheat and barley have had their T1 and look well. Half the oilseed rape has had its second flowering spray the later drilled/pigeon damaged fields will hopefully be sprayed next week if ground conditions allow.

We are about to deplete another hen shed. This is something we have got down to a fine art however we have never had to deplete and wash a pullet shed as well. It is an extremely busy time of year on the farm and labour is pretty stretched already. We will get all the birds moved and sheds washed but it will be a very manic couple of weeks. A good dry spell would really help.

J.D. GILROY & SONS

• All types of muck handling & spreading

• Fertiliser/lime spreading (variable/flat rate)

• Ploughing

• Combination drilling

• Direct drilling/pasture rejuvenation

• Silage & whole crop (clamp)

• Round baling & wrapping

• Mowing, tedding & raking

John Renton Agricultural Engineer Tel 07774 163899

Also on-site hydraulic hose repairs 1,2,4 wire hose from 1/4” - 1”

BSP, JIC, ORFS, metric & flange fittings etc.

Posy’s new pony

Second flowering spray

DAO FARMS LTD

Farmers and Contractors

COVERING THE BORDERS, EAST LOTHIAN

CONTRACTING SERVICES

• Triple Mowing

8.4 metre Triple Claas Mowers with a John Deere 6250R, RTK GPS and JD Link for full traceability and unrivalled fuel efficiency

• Full Silage Service

John Deere 8600i Self Propelled Forager with Full JD Harvest Lab and running on operations centre to provide real time silage analysis such as dry matter and sugar levels, providing full field yield mapping for the customer so they know exactly what’s in the clamp! JCB 435s on the clamp with a range of 18T trailers! Full or part jobs undertaken

• Round Baling

McHale Fusion 3 Plus combination balers with Film on Film technology or standard net

• Grass Harrowing over-seeding with 6m air seeder

• Full Muck Spreading Service

240hp tractors and spreaders with a JCB 435s loading shovel for unrivalled output and fuel efficiency. Also the choice of 6 x 14t K-Two spreaders for self drive hire

• Ploughing 2 x six furrow ploughs

• Cereal Drilling 4m Kuhn combination drill

• Cambridge Rolling

• Fertiliser Spreading

• Square Baling

2 x 8x4x3 balers with weighing tailgates and moisture meters with additive application. Also with a 21 knives chopper unit can be engaged to chop the straw down below 18mm which is ideal for those winter months when straw is added to feeding rations which can usually add huge costs such as time, diesel and machinery wear waiting for straw to break down in the feeder wagon

• Rowing up with 4 rotor Claas rake

HIRE

• 18T dump trailer

• 18T grain/silage trailer

• 32FT flatbed trailer

• Tractor & man only

• Labour only

Efficient Harvesting High Nutrient Retention Low Dry Matter Losses

All agricultural feeds and Anaerobic Digester feedstocks can be stored:

Grass Silage

Wholecrop Silage (wheat, barley, oats, arable mixes)

Maize Silage

Brewers Grain & Grain feeds

Pressed Sugar Beet Pulp

Great Flexibility

There are many benefits of using the Ag-Bag system, both in the way it works and the results that it produces

Crop compaction - quickly lowering pH

Low storage losses (typically 2-3% compared with sometimes >20% using other methods

Small feedout face - 10Ft or 12Ft diameter bags

Complete flexibility and scalability

30 years Ag-Bag experience with Bill Rae

Contracting

MOIST GRAIN CRIMPING & DRY ROLLING SERVICE

"Why not save on expensive drying costs this year, crimp and Ag-Bag your feed grain"

"Less plastic used per tonne of forage stored, versus baling & wrapping"

CONTRACTORS SERVICES

J.R.W. MONTGOMERY Agricultural Contracting

Full silage service

Forage wagon pit silage

full or part job

Mowing, tedding, raking & buckraking

Round bale silage with McHale Fusion 3 plus fixed chamber with film on film technology or net, also fitted with weighcells & job printout for weights & totals. Bales can be left on their round or bean can Round bale silage with Massey Ferguson belt baler wrapping in the field or at the stack Erth Agriseeder direct drill for stitching in grass to rejuvenate existing pastures. Can sow forage crops, grass, clover & cover crops

Opico 6m Grass Master for sowing grass into worked ground using GPS

Fertiliser spreading using weighcells & spraying up to 24m using GPS

Muck spreading full GPS automatic spreading with weigh cells. Can spread variable rate. Can load with 360 digger or loading shovel

All other general contract work undertaken

Contact James: 07446 652 526

Talking......Business with Edwin Thompson

May 2023

Jack Frater is an Agricultural Consultant at Edwin Thompson, based in their office in Galashiels. Jack specialising in Farm and Estate Management.

Early last year the Scottish Government passed new licensing legislation for short-term lets, covering holiday cottages, bed & breakfasts and shepherds huts. This legislation came in following concerns about the availability of housing in cities like Edinburgh, where a significant percentage of properties are being used as Airbnb style accommodation. However, this has had a knock-on effect as rural holiday lets come under the same umbrella. So, if your farming business has diversified into providing short-term accommodation then you will require a licence to do so going forward.

Applications for a licence need to be submitted to your local council before the end of September 2023. Previously the deadline had been the end of March but was extended following concerns raised by several different bodies.

The basis of the application is to ensure those providing the accommodation have the required paperwork in place, this includes up to date gas and electrical safety certificates, legionnaires assessments and smoke alarm systems that comply with legal requirements. Businesses who are already members of quality tourism accreditations will already have most of these in place.

The licence fee does appear to vary significantly depending on the size and type of property and which council is issuing the license. Initially it had been suggested that fees would be around £400 for a three-year period, but in some cases, councils are charging over £3,000 for larger properties.

Established businesses providing accommodation prior to the 1st October 2022 can continue as normal as long as they submit a licence application before the deadline. However, any business looking to start a new diversification, or started operating after the 1st October 2022 are not allowed to take bookings or host guests until a licence has been approved. Furthermore, if an application is rejected then that business must stop operating within 28 days of notification until a licence is approved.

Local councils have until July 2024 to process applications, a backlog is highly likely so any unprocessed after the deadline will be told to cease operating until their application has been approved. My advice to you is to get on with your application as soon as possible to minimise any risk of disruption.

It is also worth noting that each local council will have the option to impose their own conditions depending on local needs and issues. This could include such things as putting time restrictions on the use of hot tubs if they are within a certain proximity to a residential property, or requesting annual safety certificates if the use of bikes is offered as part of the let. Councils will also be able to inspect properties annually should they so wish.

With this added cost and administration, on top of the already raising cost of utilities, some lets may not appear to be viable for much longer. Now is a good time to review the value your diversification has to your farming business and possibly to reassess the tariffs being charged. To discuss further please get in touch.

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SERVICE & PARTS

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Lloyd Ltd KELSO

Hunters Hall, Kelso TD5 8BQ 01573 227 400

Agricultural Sales:

Billy Fortune 07971 491 059 billy.fortune@lloyd.ltd.uk

Stuart Dodsworth 07971 491 058 stuart.dodsworth@lloyd.ltd.uk

Marshall Dow 07810 409 635 marshall.dow@lloyd.ltd.uk

Alex Wight 07721 333 828 alex.wight@lloyd.ltd.uk

Lawncare Sales:

Iain Benton 07971 491 062 iain.benton@lloyd.ltd.uk

– 30/06/23. Profile of 3 + 33 monthlies with 0% finance. For all promotions: Finance offer is subject to a maximum balance to finance of 50% (based on RRP) excluding T5 offer. Minimum deposit 10% (plus VAT) required. First payment, full VAT and a documentation fee of £50 are all due on signing. An option-to-purchase fee of £50 + VAT will be collected with the final payment. The customer will own the machine when all payments have been made. Terms and Conditions apply. Alternative finance options are available. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Finance is provided by CNH Industrial Capital Europe Limited. Registered England: 3420615.Registered office: Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3AD. Limited stock availability. Lloyd Ltd may be paid a fee or other remuneration by the funder, to whom they introduce business; please contact them if you require more information. Lloyd Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for consumer credit activities under FRN 669526 – we are a credit broker not a lender.

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CHERRY PICKER HIRE

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TRACKED ACCESS PLATFORMS

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• WILL FIT THROUGH AN 800MM GAP

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FOR MORE INFO AND BOOKING PLEASE CONTACT US: 07789 715572 • (01289) 332978 INFO@BORDER-ACCESS.COM

For more info and booking please contact us on: info@multifuelstovecompany.com or 01289 385033

Talking......from Lincolnshire

May 8th 2023

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.

A couple of weeks ago Vicky and I decided to take a few days away in Mallorca. It seems the only way to switch off is to leave the parish, which is what we did. The holiday got off to a flying start with an amazing Lebanese lunch in Stanstead airport. Sadly, it appears a minority of Ryanair’s 15:30 to Palma had spent lunchtime in somewhat less salubrious surroundings. What has happened to peoples’ manners and general courtesy? My one pet hate is the minute a plane hits tarmac everyone has to turn their phone on and make a big song and dance about the message from the dog sitter of “Dave the dachshund” doing his business on the pavement. I didn’t see many CEO types on board, so what is so important? The straw that broke the camel’s back was when one girl came rushing from the back of the plane when we were hardly stationary. We were in row 9 so I had to quickly to stand up with my cross-aisle neighbour to block the rest of her mates. Curmudgeonly of me? Possibly. Did I feel better? Definitely. Just wait your turn.

I returned to a frightening level of blackgrass in the spring oats at Worths Farm. I have never seen anything like it in spring crops. One option was glyphosate, the second was to try inter-row hoeing. I didn’t have a hoe which was slightly problematic, new ones are crazy money, but a couple of hours on the phone found a 6m heavy duty sugar beet hoe in the back of a dealer’s yard. 4hrs later after a trip across the Cambridgeshire fens, which incidentally have rougher roads than their Lincolnshire counterparts, the hoe was in the workshop getting the A-Team treatment. There is a bit more to hoeing than I thought. Our forefathers had patience, guile and incredible eyesight. Having waited for sufficient moisture, poor Colby had to concentrate on one line of wheat and not quiver for over 1km on the longest run. He managed with ease and has done a fantastic job (50% of the blackgrass has been removed which is all that can realistically be expected) and he regained his clear 20:20 vision after a few days. The reports in the press and on WhatsApp groups are of this being the worst disease pressure year since 2012. The disease that year cost us 3.5t/ha but I am not currently seeing those levels of infestation but a robust T1 has just been applied and the last of the nitrogen has been spread.

Having taken the group chairman (Dad) on his first farm tour since the shooting season yesterday he was pleased to report all looks well and the farm is full of potential. My timing was exquisite as the blackgrass is not showing above the crops yet, and I am hoping the crops fulfil their promise so perhaps next time I can fly business class…

Spot the hoeing miss…

It beats looking at the rain

The Old Smiddy, Graden, Kelso, TD5 8BS

Telephone : 01573 430338

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

• In house Welding Engineer/Steel Fabricator

• In house setting out engineer/surveyor

BORDERS

SPROUSTON

Talking......from the boundary

There is no article from New Zealand this month as Ian is away on holiday and has taken a break from his journalistic commitments, he’ll be back in the July issue.

We have two electricity supplies to the farm, a more recent addition is an 85 kva three phase connection on a half hourly meter which was on a very good contract of 14.6p/kw day rate and 10.7p/kw at night. This ended last September and the rate jumped to 95p/kw day and 38p at night. Fortunately this was offset by 40p/kw Government support which meant we were actually making a gain of 2p/kw for every kw used at night! The standing charge was £3/day until September 2022, then it jumped to £7/day. We have just entered into a new contract of 29p/kw day rate and 22p night which is more acceptable but the standing charge has increased by over 500% to £16.40/day. The recently installed solar panels will offset some of the day usage but will do nothing for the standing charge. The cost of doing business has just soared exponentially.

Having said all that I am a great adopter of electrical power propulsion with an electric car, electric bike and an electric robot mower. These are all charged by electricity generated by the original solar panels. The value of home produced electricity is 9p/kw which is the recently renewed export tariff. The car does 3.5 miles to a kw so on home produced power that is 2.5p/mile which is cheap. There is a plan to drive it to Cornwall at the end of the month, a rapid charger on a motorway will cost 79p/kw which will cost over 22p/mile and is considerably more expensive than filling up with fossil fuels. Nonetheless we are up for the challenge of making the first trip away from home. The other great change we have made recently is to go all digital in the office. No more folders full of invoices and paperwork, every document is now scanned and stored in the cloud. Retrieval of information is easier and can be viewed from any location. As Shaun has observed my time spent in the office at Sandystones is now minimal as I can work just as easily on my laptop from the kitchen at Sawmill Cottage. The expense of buying lever arch files, reams of paper, and cupboards has been replaced by expenditure with dropbox for more megabytes. That’s all fine until we have a cyber attack and the internet collapses but then life would be impossible anyway so why worry!

ARMCO CRASH

ARMCO CRASH BARRIERS

PLENTY IN STOCK - SO MANY

each, 51-100 @ £24.50 each, 100+ £23.50 each

Prices are collected and subject to VAT - Delivery can be arranged Mob 07703 571291 Tel 01835 830507

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Prices are collected and subject to VAT - Delivery Mob 07703 571291 Tel 01835

Bull fertility testing

Identify sub-fertile bulls with routine pre-breeding examinations from £40+VAT per bull

(including full semen analysis and written report) Also certification of pedigree bulls pre-sale.

Heifer pelvic measurement and

Pregnancy scanning from £2.25+VAT per head

Tel: 07970 754 436

Email: allen.david1@talk21.com

Quality Steel

Framed Buildings

Providing the complete package for all steel framed building requirements

Guy Lee

Charging the mower, the bike and the car on home produced power

Quality Crop Ensiling & Preservation Products

Silo2Block - 7 Layer Oxygen Barrier Silage Film

Oxygen barrier silage film works by creating a barrier between the silage and the outside air. This barrier prevents oxygen entering the silage, which can cause spoilage & reduce the nutritional value of the feed. The film is made from a special blend of materials that are impermeable to oxygen, such as polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and nylon. The film is applied to the silage as tightly as possible, creating a seal that prevents air from entering. This helps to preserve the quality and nutritional value of the silage, making it more valuable feed for livestock. The application of SIlo2block all in one oxygen barrier film is faster and more efficient than traditional vacuum film and top sheet, especially applicable to multi-cut systems.

Costings

Average density of silage clamp = 750kg/m3

Average density of silage on top 1m = 600kg/m3

Value of 1m3 of top layer = £35 x 0.6 = £21/m3

Silo2Block reduces DM losses by 50% approx (no waste across the top 50cm of the clamp)

Therefore 1m2 of Silo2Block can reduce silage clamp losses by up to £10.50 /m3 for an investment of +/- 48p/m2 of Silo2Block Oxygen Barrier Film

On a 25m x 10m clamp that’s a £2625 saving in wasted feed

Available in sizes:

Also available from www.agrisile.com

150 mic standard pe silage film

gravel bags

vacuum film silage rings

black sidewall pe film - 120 mic

transparent sidewall Pe film - 150 mic

film dispenser frames

protective covers - 220g/m2

LOCAL COMPANY WITH OVER 45 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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

East Preston Farm, Duns

Sandystones, Jedburgh

Spittal-On-Rule, Denholm

St Boswells Biogas

The Coft Farm, Roadhead

Talking......North of the Forth May 8th 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.

There has been a rabbit population explosion on the farm this spring. The little blighters have popped up in various locations and are doing what rabbits do best – breeding and feeding! We’ve not really had rabbits for years with only the odd one or two spotted hopping around. I don’t seem to be the only one in the area noticing a resurgence in numbers. One countryman, wiser to the ways of the world than me, considers it is because buzzards have been badly affected by bird flu due to their opportunistic ways leading them to feast on the carcases of affected birds. With the sharp decline in buzzard numbers the bunnies have bounced back. I think he’s onto something. There is a marked decline in buzzards in this area in the last couple of years. Nature is certainly quick to adjust to allow one species to flourish where another flounders. Buzzards themselves were a rarity in Angus until around the mid to late 1990s. In fact my dad had never seen one before until the ploughman excitedly arrived to say a large eagle like bird had hit the powerlines above the field and dropped stone dead in front of the tractor. Having no idea what this was, Dad consulted a bird book and sure enough this exotic was a buzzard. Fast forward just a few short years and these birds were a common daily sight to the extent that, on one day, eleven buzzards followed the plough displacing the usual gulls. But in the past year they have once again become a rarity.

Conversely, I have seen more and more magpies and jays around (goodness knows how the songbirds will survive with these egg thieves around) and up the Glen, red kites are now common along with the odd osprey. Back in the arable fields I am heartened to see numerous pairs of grey partridge (again I hope they can successfully rear broods with so many corvids around). Along with rabbits I am also concerned that badger numbers seem to be on the rise. Dead badgers at the side of the road are now often seen and I am hearing of badgers in new areas. I hope we don’t end up in a similar situation to farmers in the south west of England where badgers are prolific. Protected by law and seemingly beloved by general public, brock is on the march. At time of writing spring has still not sprung and fieldwork has been a stop-start affair. Spring barley was all sown by 21st April and potatoes planted by 3rd May. Fert, fungicides, growth regulators and herbicides are going on when conditions allow but only snatching the odd day here and there. The first deer calf was spotted on the 7th May but hopefully the rest of the herd hold off until things warm up and the grass finally starts to grow. Nature’s a funny thing.

Ridging ahead of potatoes. Planting has been slow progress this year across the region

A brief dry weather window allowed late sown wheat after potatoes to get rolled

IMPROVE SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP YIELD WHILST REMOVING CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE ATMOSPHERE

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

We spread crushed basalt rock on agricultural land, enriching soil health whilst locking away CO2 via enhanced rock weathering.

WHAT IS BASALT ROCK?

Basalt is a mineral-rich volcanic rock that has been applied as a top dressing for hundreds of years due to its benefits for soil fertility, soil biology, crop yield and health.

It is a locally sourced by-product of the aggregate industry which is screened to ensure it’s safe for agricultural use. Crushed basalt is suitable for all crops including pasture and has been approved for use in organic systems.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR FARMERS?

Our basalt is supplied and spread free of charge or heavily subsidised, using local contractors who know the roads and the land.

Basalt releases magnesium, calcium, potassium and other nutrients, reducing the need for fertilisers. Basalt can help raise and stabilise the pH of your soil, improving nutrient availability.

An initial trial with The University of Newcastle showed an increase in crop yield following the application of crushed basalt.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

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

WHY?

UNDO has an ambitious target: to remove 1 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2030. So, we need your help!

If you are interested in enriching your soils whilst removing CO2, contact Joe Ritchie on 07400 858 333 or email joe@un-do.com. WWW.UN-DO.COM

Talking

Organic

May 10th 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.

We have just returned from a short break to France after visiting our daughter, who is at school in the south of the country for six weeks. We were in the Gers County, the home of Fois Gras, Armagnac and farming on a large scale. Barley, wheat, lucerne, maize to combine and sunflowers. Steep, rolling countryside; a deep shade of green with exceptionally large fields full of forward crops. Everything looked well and whilst we were there, farmers were busy drilling sunflowers and the first cuts of lucerne were being taken. There were plenty of trees, in woods, avenues over many roads or should I say Rues, alongside growy roadside verges. The countryside looked stunning, with farms actually farming, producing food at scale. There was little sign of a French equivalent Countryside Steward scheme – no six-meter margins, no fallow and no sign of min till anywhere. However, nothing was suffering and there was plenty of wildlife… including plenty of insect life… as the number of bites I have will prove. I am hoping this implies I’m tastier than others!?

Black Sheep Farm Health Vets are here today offering a Bull Testing workshop to other vets from different practices. We have provided the facilities; meeting room and large screen, cattle handling facilities, bulls and treats for lunch from our bakery, Greenwells in Rothbury.

We are starting to get prepared for the next depopulation of hens from one of the sheds… lining up clean down teams, hiring equipment, replacement parts, booking service engineers etc. Trying to piece together this particular jigsaw is always fun! We are also saying goodbye to one of our team at the end of this flock. She has been amazing… working two days a week and doing holiday cover, but an absolute star. We will be very sad to see her go. I am hoping she might miss us so much, that she changes her mind (fingers crossed).

Since being away for only three days (feels like a week) the grass has jumped, however I think given the amount of rain that has fallen and warm temperatures it looks like we now, finally have plenty of grass. We’re busy starting to talk to Natural England about our replacement Countryside Stewardship scheme to replace our Higher-Level Stewardship scheme. There seems to be quite a bit of pressure from these schemes and also the National Trust to take sheep off certain types of ground, which now means we’re struggling to have ground to put the ewe lambs on to. If anyone has a bit of grazing that they want to let, please feel free to give me a call.

Lambing has been successful. Fortunately, we didn’t have too much cold weather and no howling gales, so without serious incident, thank goodness. Calving continues, mostly without incident, however the last few heifers have decided to calve last thing in the evening, which puts the pressure on everyone in terms of sleep deprivation, especially Michael when we were away. Thanks to the team for enabling us to get away at the wrong time of the year.

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Northumberland Bred TB4

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