Agrimart May 2023 Issue

PRIESTON FARM

Melrose, Scottish

An exciting opportunity to acquire an excellent mixed farm in an easily accessible location in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

Modern 4 bedroom farmhouse. Extensive traditional and modern farm buildings. Arable, temporary grass, permanent pasture and woodland extending to approximately 149.67 hectares (369.83 acres) in total.

Leader House Mill Road Earlston, TD4 6DG

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

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

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

Suppliers of:

Suppliers of:

-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

• Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

• Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment

-Sheep Portarace

- ATV Trailers

• Sheep Portarace

- Agricultural Buildings

• ATV Trailers

-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems

-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems

• Agricultural Buildings

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

Wooler : 01668 281464

Hexham : 01434 603078

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

• Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems

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

• Big Six Fibre Cement Sheets In Stock

Wooler : 01668 281464

Hexham : 01434 603078

Email : info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

Email : info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

Wooler : 01668 281464

Graeme Wilson : 07971 880275

Web : www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

John Common : 07981 890999

Web : www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

Bob Clapham : 07954 363979

info@glendaleegineering.co.uk

www.glendaleengineering.co.uk

Octoposts

Snacker

Calf Creep

Cattle Feed Bunker

Cattle Feed Bunker

ATV Trailers Sheep Snacker

Creep

Cattle Feed Bunker

ATV Snacker

Mobile Cattle Crush

Cattle & Sheep Ring Feeders

We are a forestry machinery and plant dealership with expertise in excavator attachments and woodchippers. We deliver specialist equipment to clients in the UK operating within a range of different sectors.

Field and Forest Machinery Ltd pride ourselves on supplying the highest quality equipment supported by our industry knowledge and a customer first approach. Our business is based on our strong relationships with our customers and suppliers.

ANDREW FROST FARM SERVICES

WOOLER - 01668 281710

ATV Sales - Service - Repair

Can-am & Quadzilla authorised dealer

STOCK AVAILABLE

please ring Andrew on 07860 836173 for details

Competitive Prices on New & Second Hand

Brewery Farm, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6QG. Tel 01668 281710 email:andrewfrostfarmservices@btinternet.com

BORDERS MAIN DEALER FOR FIRESTONE AGRICULTURAL TYRES

We supply any brand of Agricultural Tyres and Wheels at Competitive Prices

FULLY EQUIPPED SERVICE VANS FOR ALL YOUR ON-SITE TYRE MAINTENANCE

For quotation and technical advice phone Rob Hastie on 01573 225454 (day) 07971 697673 (mobile)

C & R TYRES LTD. STATION YARD SPROUSTON ROAD KELSO

Tel: 01573 225454 www.candrtyres.co.uk

5 WARRANTY

COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND

ssangyonggb.co.uk/peaceofmind

4

YR YR SERVICING FOR £400

ST MOT 1 º for Korando e-Motion, which attracts a 7-year/90,000-mile D S DALGLEISH & SON www.dsdalgleish.co.uk

YR3 † ROADSIDE COVER

D S DALGLEISH & SON www.dsdalgleish.co.uk

Financial Services, a trading name of Northridge Finance, BT1 5LR Finance subject to status, availability, and terms and conditions. Applicants must be 18 or over. Offer only applies in the UK (excludes Channel Islands & I.O.M). Offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time. SsangYong Motors UK Ltd is a credit broker not lender. Commission may be received. The 6% APR representative HP offer is available independently of the other offers listed. Alternative finance options are available. ††Includes an additional 2-years RAC breakdown cover above the 1-year standard, totalling 3-years, free of charge. ºIncludes the vehicle’s first MOT, free of charge. The 4-year service plan, 3-years RAC breakdown over, and 1-year MOT is administered by EMaC, Electra Way, Crewe CW1 6GU. This offer is available and redeemable at SsangYong participating dealers. All offers valid until 31st March, 2023. For full details, terms and conditions, please contact your SsangYong dealer or visit www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/peaceofmind.

YR +2 †† warranty. **The special offer price of £400 (inc VAT) covers a comprehensive 4-year SsangYong Service Plan for all models/derivatives in the SsangYong range with services to be carried out at a SsangYong dealership. †6% APR representative Hire Purchase finance minimum deposit 35% available, at participating dealers until 31st March 2023 through SsangYongFinancialServices, a trading name of Northridge Finance, BT1 5LR Finance subject to status, availability, and terms and conditions. Applicants must be 18 or over. Offer only applies in the UK (excludes Channel Islands & I.O.M). Offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time. SsangYong Motors UK Ltd is a credit broker not lender. Commission may be received. The 6% APR representative HPofferisavailableindependentlyoftheotherofferslisted. Alternative finance options are available. ††Includes an additional 2-years RAC breakdown cover above the 1-year standard, totalling 3-years, free of charge. ºIncludes the vehicle’s first MOT, free of charge. The 4-year service plan, 3-years RAC breakdown over, and 1-year MOT is administered by EMaC, Electra Way, Crewe CW1 6GU. This offer is available and redeemable at SsangYong participating dealers. All offers valid until 31st March, 2023. For full details, terms and conditions, please contact your SsangYong dealer or visit www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/peaceofmind. SsangYong 54321 Campaign Advert Half Page.indd 1 19/12/2022 14:44

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

black/white - 150 mic standard pe silage film

gravel bags

vacuum film silage rings

black sidewall pe film - 120 mic

film dispenser frames

protective covers - 220g/m2 kevin@agrisile.com

transparent sidewall Pe film - 150 mic

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

LWC Rotary Topper 2019, 9ft working width, 540 PTO, 3 point linkage, very little use £2,250

NRH Front Press steel ring packer, levelling paddles, 3m working width, excellent condition £3,000

Claas Arion 430 2017, 3450 hours, 40kph, 4 speed PTO, X3 mechanical spools, 540s/440s £38,500

Bobcat TL34.65 Telehandler 2017, 2600 hours, 40kph, 130 hp, pickup hitch, manitou headstock, new 460 tyres £48,000

Case IH Maxxum 125 w/ loader 2017, 4200 hours, 40kph, cab & front axle suspension, LRZ front loader, 600s/480s £53,500 +

Case IH Farmall 105U 2015, 2400 hours, 40kph, X3 mechanical spools, 3 speed PTO, big pump, 420s/340s £35,000

Bateson Livestock Trailer 2002, 20ft, tandem axle, hydraulic brakes, side door, good condition £5,575

Can-Am Traxter HD8 2020, 15,600 miles/ 1855 hours, premium cab, heater, road registered, warranty £14,500

From left: Jamie Brett (Trioliet) & David Marshall (GMT)

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

PARTY TIME

We’re going to a party. Not just me, he’s invited as well. It should be a great night celebrating all things Ukrainian with food, music and drink demonstrating the best things about that devastated country. It is being held within 4 miles of here at St Boswells Village Hall on Saturday 29th April and I do hope I will see you there. I have been reserved a special parking place in the Bus Stop (don’t tell Mr Border Buses please). The ‘Pick ups for Peace’ initiative is going really well. As a result of the mention I made in last month’s Agrimart four Border farmers have very generously donated vehicles that have now arrived in Lviv. The original target of 100 pick ups has very nearly been met with 81 already there or on their way, and the promise of another 20 due to go out next month.

Will Ramsay of Bughrig is driving his pick up out this week and he is coming on the 29th to tell us of his experience. Angus Seed, one of the instigators of the project who farmed in Ukarine for four years, and many others with close ties to the country will be there. It should be a great evening, sadly I will have to listen from the Street being of too wide girth to enter the doors of the village hall.

Workwise I have done one pull this month, in a boggy field moving a shed uphill. Having done the job I then needed a tractor to pull me out, I saw a photograph being taken but luckily it’s not published. It’s one thing doing the pulling but being towed oneself is not good for my street cred. As I write a good job has just come in, four sheds to move in East Lothian.

I look forward to seeing you at St Boswells Village Hall. For tickets email: ukraineevening@gmail.com

DISTRIBUTERS OF QUALITY CLEANING EQUIPMENT FOR ALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:-

ALL TYPES OF PRESSURE WASHERS AND FLOORCARE EQUIPMENT INCLUDING SCRUBBER DRYERS, SWEEPERS AND VACUUMS

ALL MAKES SERVICED AND REPAIRED

REFURBISHED HOT PRESSURE WASHERS ALWAYS IN STOCK

MUNGO G RIDDELL

07836 637638 • MungoGRiddell@live.co.uk

OXDALE PRODUCTS

TM400 Wide Base Linkage Mounted Hydraulic Log Splitters available from stock for prompt delivery AERWORX

Large Drum Trailed Aerator available for hire, remove pasture pan & improve sub surface soil structure in one pass, improve plant root development & sward growth, call too book your 2023 Season Requirements

CROP BOOST SEAWEED EXTRACT BASED PLANT STIMULANT LIQUID FOLIAR FEED

Good for the crop, soil & environment

SURE SILE MAX BIOLOGICAL FORAGE TREATMENT

Suitable for clamp silage & baled haylage

FEROBIDE

Weldable Tungsten Tiles, all popular sizes available from stock, prolong earthwearing parts life & reduce down time changing parts WARTHOG

Warthog Machinery Loader Mounted Big Rectangular Bale Shredder, simple, robust & reliable, ideal for busy livestock producers

ALL NEW & SECONDHAND EQUIPMENT ENQUIRIES WELCOMED

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

Ford and Etal Sawmill

Quality timber supplies for all your agricultural fencing needs

Creosoted Machined Rounds:

1.65m x 90mm

2.4m x 100mm

2.4m x 150mm

2.4m x 180mm

Storage Tank Sales & Hire UK-Wide Service

Call us 01890 820304

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

www.best-tanks.co.uk

info@best-tanks.co.uk

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

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

Ford & Etal Sawmill, Letham Hill Farm, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland TD12 4TP forestry@ford-and-etal.co.uk

Front Weight / Toolbox

Calf Creep Feed Hopper

Bateman Bespoke Cattle Handling

Ritchie Calving Gate

Mobile Sheep Handler

Bale Trailer

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

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)

INVITATION

2023 CROP CARE EVENT – Friarshaugh, Kelso

Thursday

25th May 2023

This will be the third of our annual Crop Care Events where you can come along and spend some time getting to see/drive the latest range of sprayers from John Deere and meet our Technology Team who support our crop care equipment in the field. For more info, follow our social media pages or check our website; www.thomassherriff.co.uk

TRACTORS

TRACTORS

TELEHANDLERS/WHEELED LOADERS

TELEHANDLERS/WHEELED LOADERS

There’s a John Deere Sprayer in our range to meet your requirements – For more information, call your local outlet.

GRASSLAND/BALERS

CULTIVATION

FARM TRAILERS

CROP CARE

MISCELLANEOUS

ATV/UTILITY VEHICLES & ATTACHMENTS

Combine Harvester

CONTRACTORS SERVICES

R. WOOD & SONS

~ STAINRIGG MAINS, LEITHOLM ~

GRASS SILAGE • WHOLECROP ARABLE MIXES

USING 2 X SELF PROPELLED FORAGERS

Fitted with

WHOLECROP HEADERS & GRAIN PROCESSING MILL

PART or WHOLE JOB, AG-BAG or PIT

MOWERS, TEDDER, RAKES

TRAILERS, FRONT BUCKRAKES

H BIG SQUARE BALING H (Bale Chaser available)

u ALL ARABLE CULTIVATIONS

u DRILLING

u HIGH DENSITY ROUND BALING

u DGPS LIME & FERT SPREADING

u HEDGECUTTING

u SMALL SEEDS DRILLING – Einbock 12m (grass/kale/oilseed rape)

CONTACT:

OFFICE : 01890 840 251

MOBILE : DAVID 07971 409 367

KENNY 07971 409 371

E.MAIL : rwoodandsons@btconnect.com

WEBSITE : www.rwoodandsons.co.uk

J K LAUDER & SONS

GRASS HARROWING

SMALL SEED SOWING; GRASS, CLOVER, HERBS

PLOUGHING & POWER

HARROWING

MOWING, TEDDING & RAKING

SILAGE WRAPPING & STACKING

STRAW BALING 4 TO 5.5ft

HEDGE & VERGE CUTTING

TRACTOR & DRIVER HIRE

CONTACT BILLY

MOBILE: 07774 226 372

EMAIL: wtlauder60@gmail.com

• Mobile/on site crushing & screening

• Earth works

• Drainage

• River works

• All types of concreting

• Paving/slabbing

• Foundations

• Roads

John Gray

We have a fusion 3 plus baler, benefits include:

*Efficient system

*Higher stretch ratio than net wrap or twine leading to tighter, better bale shape

*Expels more air producing better results in silage quality

Our recently acquired keltec bale transporter is perfect for saving fuel, and time. With only using one machine it reduces soil compaction and mess in fields.

We run a 9050 New Holland forage harvester whole crop header. With trailers on ground pressure tyres.

Other jobs include:

Topping grass

Muck spreading

Combining

Grass drilling

Cultivating

Subsoiling

Slurry spreading

High density round baling

MF2170 baler with automatic preservative

applicator attachment

Mowing with triple mowers,GPS

Windrowing

Tedding

Buckraking

Bale wrapping with front mounted tanco s200 wrapper.

Spraying 12, 24, 36m

CONTRACTORS SERVICES

On Our Farm

April 12th 2023

CONTRACTORS SERVICES

BRYCE GROUNDWORKS

• Foundations

• Sitework

• Ponds

• Arenas

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. With ten different enterprises on the farm life can get pretty busy at times. It has always been our ethos at Sandystones to make the most of the resources we have. Being a relatively small farm with a modest arable acreage we have had to look at other methods of generating an income away from so called ‘traditional farming’. This began in the early nineties when we bought Sandystones and Agrimart was started. We employed nobody and I remember many a school holiday spent packing Agrimart on the kitchen table with my sisters. We now employ four people fulltime and a further five seasonally. Since I came back in 2018 we have doubled the size of the egg business, bought the pullet rearing back in hand and built a treehouse for high end holiday accommodation. Good staff is absolutely key to being able to run our business successfully. We are very fortunate to have Shaun, Bogdan, Diana and Yurii working for us. Like any business when everything is running smoothly it is great however, being so diversified something always seems to go wrong. Broken feed motor in hen shed, damaged hire topper, treehouse guests can’t light the wood burner… I do occasionally question if we over stretch ourselves sometimes and whether the business should be more streamlined. Then we add another enterprise!

NEW SERVICE AVAILABLE

Concrete laying and blockwork can now be undertaken no matter what size of job

Contact: Office 01573 440314 Stuart 07970 450720 or Jock 07970 730567

The wet spring has meant that field work has been a real snatch and grab affair. All winter crops have now had their final dose of fertiliser and the winter barley/wheat have just had a T0 spray. Travel conditions in March have not been great and there are some pretty ugly tramlines in places which will need addressing post-harvest. Unfortunately the very wet spring has really hampered drilling. Our contractor is understandably behind due to the weather. I have decided to increase the seed rate from 400-450 seed/m², with a thousand grain weight of 57.5g. This has meant that I have had to order an extra 1t of seed and I am only drilling 25ha this year!

We have been busy buying and turning out store cattle this past week. As has been well documented the store trade is very strong at the moment due to a reduction in national herd numbers and a high fat price. We have never paid so much for store cattle; I really hope that the fat price stays high this winter otherwise we could get our fingers seriously burnt. Grass growth has been slow due to the cold, wet weather but should really kick on next week if the forecast warm weather arrives. My first attempt at reseeding a grass ley on the new land has been a bit of a disaster. A combination of leather jackets, frost heave and water logging has resulted in very patchy establishment. We are going to have to reseed the bare patches as soon as the field dries up. Not ideal, especially when we are tight for silage ground!

HAULAGE AND SPREADING CONTRACTORS

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

I hope despite the weather lambing and calving is going well and spring does arrive very soon!

Variable Rate Spreading for Lime and Manures

Organic Certificated Manure Spread onto growing crops.

STRAW FOR SALE

PLUS

Also on-site hydraulic hose repairs

Manure can be delivered by Tractor & Trailer Manure mixed with a high DM product, perfect for stockpiling and increased organic matter

Agricultural Engineer Tel 07774 163899

1,2,4 wire hose from 1/4” - 1”

BSP, JIC, ORFS, metric & flange fittings etc. Trailer brake & Q/R couplings

Call Richard 07971 580 888 info@murrayofredden.com|www.murrayofredden.com

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.

Sandystones Treehouse

Easter day walk up the Eildons

CONNELL F ARMING & CONTRACTING CONTRACTING

•

full/part job,

• Trailer hire • Class triple/front back mowers • 2x twin rakes

• 2x 6 rotor tedder • 2x high density balers • 2x twin spool wrappers

• 5/6 furrow ploughs • 3m/6m grain/fert seed drills

• Moore Uni drill • Vari rate fert spreading • 24m spraying (trailed or mounted with front tank) • 2x John Deere Hillmaster combines, 4x4, 25ft+ • Massey Ferguson 4x3 square baling

• Complete muck spreading service

Contact Craig Connell 07969 080765 connellhome444@hotmail.co.uk

Contact Neil Little 07920 008726 agrifieldcontracting@gmail.com

R & S Nixon & Co

• Umbilical cord slurry spreading with a 24 meter dribble bar in crops

• 12 meter trailing shoe in grass

• Slurry tankers fitted with trailing shoes

• Muckspreading

• All silage work under taken, grass & wholecrop - complete or part job

• Square baling & wrapping

• Ploughing & sowing including grass seeds

• Stubble to stubble contracts

All Agricultural work under taken Contact Paul on 07768 273589

• Flatbed Trailer hire www.rsncontracting.co.uk Follow us on facebook rsncontracting

CONTRACTING

John Deere SPFH,

C/W 20ft Zurn wholecrop header

CONTRACTORS SERVICES

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

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"

Talking

......

For more information on new & used farm machinery, contact

Alnwick Tel: 01665 604555 I Stuart Allen Mobile: 07770 736778

Carlisle Tel: 01228 536331 I Steven Hunter Mobile: 07768 031666

Carnforth Tel: 01524 730915 I Mick Hall Mobile: 07595 281741

Dumfries Tel: 01387 255328 I Chris Higgins Mobile: 07920 793180

Newcastle Tel: 0191 264 7000 I Stuart Allen Mobile: 07770 736778

scotagri.com

Organic

April 12th 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.

This morning’s first phone call was a chap from the RPA announcing that we have a sheep inspection in the next 48 hours. To say I’m pi**ed off is an understatement. We are slap bang in the first cycle of calving and lambing starts in 5 days time. Asked whether we wanted him to come on Thursday or Friday – we opted for Thursday, as Friday is always such a s busy day here. Typically, he’s too busy Thursday, so the inspection is on Friday. We’re relatively on it in terms of paperwork and having an inspection isn’t the issue – it’s the timing of it. Setting up pens, pulling off 60 sheep, assisting the inspection all takes time, and it’s time that should be spent checking and assisting stock especially at this critical time. Surely there is a calendar in APHA’s office that says March and April in the North East are a very busy time. Surely there’s the ability to look back at previous inspections and see there were no problems. Apparently, we keep coming up for inspection due to size – so that increases the risk element, and therefore we need to be inspected more frequently… it just doesn’t make sense.

Back in 2011 the Richard Macdonald report was published and in its executive summary it states:

“The key strategic message from our report is that Defra, its agencies and delivery partners need to establish an entirely new approach to and culture of regulation; otherwise the frustration that we, farmers and food-processing businesses have felt will continue. The essence of this approach is about strengthening the partnership between Government and the farming and foodprocessing industries. Government must trust industry, must involve it in the development of non-regulatory and regulatory solutions, and must set the framework for industry to take responsibility. Where regulation is used to resolve a problem, the Department, its agencies and delivery partners must change the focus from process to outcomes; from the ‘culture of tick-box regulation’ to delivering real results. Government inspection and enforcement must become more efficient and more effective. The competent authority remains key, but it must adopt a tighter, tauter, risk-based approach to regulation. Critical to this is for Defra, its agencies and delivery partners to establish a system of ‘earned recognition’ that enables regulators to reward good practice with less frequent inspection”.

On reading the above, I feel that very little has been learnt. Part of the report also looked at whether other inspections were taking place. As we are organic, we probably have more inspections than most. We’ve just had our annual Organic inspection in March, we have Red Tractor inspections, we also get a whole raft of inspections through the hens… Lion code, RSPCA etc. Inspections are necessary, but the frustration for me is the fact that we are doing it all right, yet we all know of farms that aren’t doing it right, yet they seem to slip through the regulatory cracks.

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Talking......from the boundary April 12th 2023

We took six grandchildren to Bamburgh beach yesterday. It was a typical East Coast day, cool offshore wind, warmer in the sun and very cold sea. The beach is a fantastic stretch of hard sand, ideal for games of all sorts. With an age range of 4 to 11, keeping them amused in the car is always a challenge. As it was a dry sunny day I thought we would see a great deal of agricultural activity in the predominantly arable fields we drove past, considering that we are all behind with spring sowing as well as other land work. I came up with the idea of ‘I spy’ a tractor with one child looking out for green tractors, another blue, red etc. I imagine it would keep them fully occupied and cease from pulling and poking each other for at least part of the journey. I couldn’t believe how few machines we saw, the total count was 7 tractors on the 40 miles we drove. It came home to me the scale of arable farming today and just how much land one operator and large machine can cover. It is of no surprise that the consumer is so disconnected from how the food on their plate is produced. The initiative of RHET (Royal Highland Agricultural Trust) the purpose of which is to bring farming and the working countryside and its practices to life for young people is crucial to showcase the industry. Agricultural shows and farming programmes on television all play a really important part in the PR exercise as yesterday showed me you are never going to gain any understanding from driving through rural areas.

The three great ‘Saints’ of the Western world namely Jacinda in New Zealand, Sanna in Finland and our Nicola of Scotland who were all held in such high regard through Covid and before for their very ‘Woke’ way of governing have all come to the same end at similar times. Is this the end of ‘Wokery’? I very much doubt it, but their ‘progressive’ policies aimed at a small but loud minority have fallen out of favour with the wider public. The diversity of talent and success in the UK is one to be proud of, we now have a Muslim of Pakistani heritage in Scotland as our First Minister and a Prime Minister who is a Hindu and of Indian origin in Westminster. Breed, creed, colour and origin are of no barrier which showcases just how we have embraced a multicultural society.

Readers of Agrimart may remember Atty who lived with us at Sandystones for 9 months from July 2007 to March 2008. She helped us raise funds and awareness for Nserester - the school and farm we support in Uganda. 15 years later she is back with us for another visit with the same mission. Since the time she was last here we have sent out over £250,000 for capital projects, mostly buildings and teaching resources and on some occasions we have helped with salaries. It is wonderful to see her again and be part of our families for a short time.

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Talking......Business with SAC Consulting

Mhairi Dalgliesh is an experienced agricultural consultant in our Perth office.

April 2023

On 1st April 2023, an update to the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Order came into force which increases the minimum hourly rate that agricultural workers must be paid. It is vital that farming businesses ensure pay rates and other policies comply with the order.

Workers who hold a qualification in agriculture or production horticulture at Level 3 (SCQF 6/7) or above, where it is relevant to the work being carried out, are entitled to a £1.55/hour top up to the minimum hourly rate. SCQF 6 qualifications include Modern Apprenticeship Certificates and National Certificates (NC) while a Higher National Certificate (HNC) is classed as SCQF 7. Workers who hold a ‘Certificate of Acquired Experience’ are also entitled to this top up. These certificates would have been awarded before 1997.

The dog allowance has increased to £8.00/week/dog for up to 4 dogs. It is mandatory to make this payment if a worker needs to keep and feed dogs to effectively do their job and the sum is non-taxable.

From 1st April 2023, any deduction an employer makes from a wage in respect of accommodation other than a house shall not exceed £9.50/ day. Qualifying accommodation would be caravans or static homes, but the deduction must only be made for each day in the week that accommodation is provided.

As a reminder of other recent changes, all workers beginning employment after 16th April 2020 should be provided with a written statement of terms and conditions on or before their first day of work. There are exceptions for terms relating to pensions, training entitlement and disciplinary and grievance procedures which must be given no later than 2 months after their employment started.

Also from April 2020, holiday pay will be calculated using a 52-week average and not a 12-week average. This ensures that those who do not have a regular working pattern are not disadvantaged by having to take their holiday at a quieter time of year when their pay will likely be lower.

Top tips

• Familiarise yourself with the other aspects of The Agricultural Wages Order such as holiday entitlement, sick pay, provision of weather protective clothing, working long hours and timesheets and ensure that all business policies are meeting the regulations.

• The ‘Agricultural wages: A Guide for Workers and Employers’ is a useful reference document on pay, working hours and other benefits for agricultural workers. Copies of this guide can be sourced from the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board on 0131 244 9750 or e-mail sawb@gov.scot.

• If you need any assistance in understanding what your requirements as an employer are, please contact your local SAC Consulting office.

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Talking......North of the Forth

3000 RPM

April 10th 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. Writing this on the 10th of April and still not a single barley seed in the ground. We are now looking at a late spring campaign with a mixed weather forecast ahead. Considering how dry things were in February it is interesting how wet and cold it has been since. Some drilling has been happening in the area into lighter soils but most of Angus remains stubbornly and frustratingly just off ready. I believe better progress has been made further north into Aberdeenshire and the Black Isle.

My trusty old sprayer spent an overly long stay at the mechanics getting a few oil leaks and routine maintenance jobs done. The most important upgrade to the cab was a new seat. The old seat was pretty much done and had lumps and bumps where you really don’t want lumps and bumps. I’ve not had the invoice for the new seat yet but I can guarantee you it is worth every penny! Having the sprayer sitting up at the garage for so long I fell behind a bit with liquid fertiliser applications however I have since caught up and also applied growth regulator to oilseed rape which is romping on. Rye is due it’s T0 with growth regulator being crucial at this timing but catchy weather is also frustrating this effort. T0 on wheat next on the list before another circuit of liquid fert. Many hours on the new seat lie ahead.

On the whole crops look well apart from the worst frost heave in wheat I can ever recall. We suspect the damage was done in the first week in December when temperatures plunged after a mild and wet period. Incredible how this has popped plants completely out of the ground. Some have withered to nothing with others clinging to the ground with the flimsiest of roots which I think will be unlikely to make it through to harvest. I may try and roll these areas when ground conditions allow but I doubt this will do much to save what remains. Luckily the damage is confined to patches in certain fields but it looks horrific.

On the livestock side we have just taken delivery of a new batch of pigs after a swift and efficient turnover following the last batch. Deer are starting to find fresh green grass to eat but it will be end of April before I can stop feeding silage and turnout the yearlings. This is the first year for a while that we haven’t had our small flock of sheep to lamb after the last of them were sold in the autumn. Whilst I miss seeing them in the field, the joy of a successful lambing and healthy lambs frolicking in the spring sunshine I have in no way missed the sleepless nights, prolapses, reluctant mothers, bottle feeding, lameness, mismothering and all the rest of it. To those of you who are lambing at this time I salute you!

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Talking......New Zealand

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.

The 1st of April this year marked the end of my formal active farming after some 45 years. We divided the farming operation in 2 last year, with William taking on 280ha (arable) and his trucking and contracting business. While Hamish bought the dairy cows and became our 50/50 sharemilker, as well as running the home farm (200ha) for me until the end of harvest. He has now officially taken over the home farm in his own right… I think this means among other things, I stop paying him and he might start paying me.

All this coincides with the mokopuna (look it up) stepping up to new responsibilities. Margot on her pink motorbike has become head shepherd, Eloise the welfare manager and crop agronomist, Walter the tractor driver and pig overseer, and Charlie manages the cows’ winter resort and offers sound advice to his grandfather. Olive and Primrose have yet to establish clear agricultural positions while Isabelle’s role is assisting her brother Charlie. That may not last.

As for Di and I? I think this is an evolution rather than a revolution. I’ll have to ask Charlie and Eloise.

April 11th 2023

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