Rodent Shield is a modular electric barrier system that protects valuable equipment from rodent damage.
From Cheetah Electronics Ltd. A trusted Irish, family-run business with over 50 years in electric fencing, now applying that expertise to rodent control.
Smooth, upright barriers and a 5-joule energizer create a live perimeter that stops rats & mice before they chew a single wire.
Free Shipping
Use the code Agrimart5 for a 5% discount on your order
Here at Glendale Engineering, we are proud to be able to say that we have over 35 years’ experience designing and manufactur ing Agricultural Buildings & Equipment.
• Special offers available on Cattle & Sheep Hurdles, Gates & Water Troughs •
Suppliers of:
Suppliers of:
-Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment
• Cattle Handling & Feeding Equipment
-Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment
-Sheep Portarace
• Sheep Handling & Feeding Equipment
- ATV Trailers
• Sheep Portarace
- Agricultural Buildings
• ATV Trailers
-Electronic Cattle & Sheep Weigh Systems
• Agricultural Buildings
- Large quantity of box section and pipe, Phone for special offers
• 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
Wooler : 01668 281464
Graeme Wilson : 07971 880275
Web : www.glendaleengineering.co.uk
John Common : 07981 890999
Bob Clapham : 07954 363979 info@glendaleengineering.co.uk www.glendaleengineering.co.uk
Cattle Feed Trailer
Cattle Feed Bunker
Galvanised Calf Creep
Rodent Shield™ Bundle
Agricultural Property Relief is Changing: What It Means for Farmers and Landowners Looking to Sell.
With key reforms arriving in April 2026, early planning could protect your assets and unlock maximum value.
Upcoming changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) are creating uncertainty for farmers and rural landowners considering a sale or looking to pass their assets onto the next generation. With reforms set for April 2026, understanding the tax implications is now even more imperative.
Fergus Thomson, Head of Rural Asset Management at Rettie, is leading the advisory team helping clients prepare. “The new rules could significantly affect inheritance tax relief,” Fergus explains. “Early strategic planning is key to protecting your assets”
Fergus is joined by Chris Hall and Emma McGregor, who bring decades of rural expertise.
“We’re seeing rising demand for valuations for tax planning purposes” says Chris. “Market conditions are currently favourable, so there’s a real window of opportunity before the APR reforms take effect.”
Emma adds: “We’re helping clients across Scotland and the North of England prepare properties for sale, maximising value and ensuring a smooth, discreet and efficient process.”
Thinking of selling? Now is the time to act.
Speak to our rural experts for tailored advice on how the APR changes could affect you.
FERGUS THOMSON
Tel: 01289 334 530 fergus.thomson@rettie.co.uk
CHRIS HALL
Tel: 0131 624 4074 chris.hall@rettie.co.uk
EMMA MCGREGOR
Tel: 01289 334 537 emma.mcgregor@rettie.co.uk
System
J.B COCKBURN LAND DRAINAGE & GROUNDWORKS LTD
J.B COCKBURN LAND DRAINAGE & GROUNDWORKS LTD
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
E: kbcockburn@gmail.com
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
T: 07976 618641 / 07710 817617
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
J. B. Cockburn are a long- established family run business based in Duns, Berwickshire. We cover the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians and further afield as required.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
Our highly skilled and experienced team specialise in land drainage, using our Inter-Drain 2032 GP Trenchless. All drains are installed using a modern GPS system.
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
J.B Cockburn oOer many other services including:
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Groundworks
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Forest Roads – both new and repair works
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Groundworks
• Groundworks
• Groundworks
• Silage Pits
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Site Preparation e.g. shed sites
• Ditching
• Silage Pits
• Silage Pits
• Silage Pits
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
• Ditching
• Ditching
• Ditching
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
Please contact us for a no obligation estimate.
• Fully stocked trade-counter & showroom
• Full range of machines to suit every need
• Mobile, static, reconditioned hot or cold pressure washers available
• Next day call-outs and service guaranteed
• Full authorised dealers for
•
•
•
OF SPEARHEAD MACHINERY
Exciting Online Farm Sales Autumn 2025
24th - 29th October
Ben Challum Ltd, Woodburn Farm, Crieff Livestock Equipment
A B Lang & Sons, West Ord, Berwick upon Tweed Livestock & Arable Equipment
6th - 11th November
Ellington Farms Ltd, Morpeth, Northumberland Extensive Range of Arable Equipment
21st - 26th November
James A Fullarton & Sons, Lumsdaine Farm, Coldingham Arable & Livestock Equipment
L P Kiteley & Son, Wellrig Farm, St Boswells Arable Equipment
The new JCB 4220 Fastrac iCON. Discover the most productive Fastrac yet. PUTTING YOU IN TOTAL CONTROL
ASK ABOUT OUR SUBSIDISED FINANCE OFFER PLUS FREE 3 YEARS / 3000 HOUR WARRANTY ON FASTRAC SUBJECT TO TERMS & CONDITIONS
TM320S Stage V Telescopic Wheel Loader THE ARGUMENT FOR BUYING ONE JUST GOT EVEN MORE POWERFUL
ON TOP OF BEING THE WORLD’S No.1 OUR BEST CAB EVER
UNIVERSAL SEED DRILL FOR ALL CONDITIONS
Olivia Wilmot, Laura Swinnerton, Laura Mitchell, Ellie Bryce, Sarah Hutchison & Morag Sutherland
The Old Smiddy, Graden, Kelso, TD5 8BS Telephone : 01573 430338
Lothians
Email : info@walkergroundworks.com
Our highly skilled and dedicated team are here to help with any of the following works Earthworks/Site Preparation/Roads Crushing Groundworks/Plotworks
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
• Ad Bl ue & ERG Sol ution s
• H GV Tr actor & Vehicle Tun in g
• Br ake Rol l er Testin g
• Pr eventative Main tenance In spection
• F ul l Se r vicin g facil ities
SALES ⋙ SERVICE ⋙ FABRICATION ⋙ PARTS
OCTOBER SPECIAL OFFER STOCK LIST DEALS THAT WON’T SPOOK THE BANK
NEW M-TEC 12X6 LIVESTOCK TRAILER SLURRY TANK, SHEEP DECKS £7950+VAT
2X NEW CF MOTO U10 PRO HIGHLAND THE UTV OF THE FUTURE, 90HP 3 CYLINDER ENGINE, ELEC FRONT & SIDE WINDOWS, HEATED CAB, HEATED SEATS, ELEC TILT BED, FRONT WINCH, METALLIC GREEN £22500+VAT
2X NEW CF MOTO U10 PRO HIGHLAND THE UTV OF THE FUTURE, 90HP 3 CYLINDER ENGINE, ELEC FRONT & SIDE WINDOWS, HEATED CAB, HEATED SEATS, ELEC TILT BED, FRONT WINCH, METALLIC RED £22500+VAT
NEW CFMOTO CFORCE 520 ATV POWER STEERING, CVT TRANSMISSION, FRONT WINCH ROAD LEGAL £6250+VAT
NEW CFMOTO CFORCE 450 POWER STEERING, CVT TRANSMISSION, FRONT WINCH, ROAD LEGAL £5950+VAT
NEW QUICKE 240SM+ BUCKET BOLT ON BRACKETS AVAILABLE IN ANY SIZE £750+VAT
NEW QUICKE SILOGRAB 210M+ ON EURO BRACKETS £2450+VAT
NEW LWC 3 POINT LINKAGE HYDRAULIC BALE CARRIER £1950+VAT
NEW LWC 1.5M MUCK GRAB ON EURO BRACKETS £1950+VAT
NEW AB WIGHT HEAVY DUTY 8FT 10 TINE MUCK FORK ANY TELEHANDER BRACKETS £2300+VAT
NEW AB WIGHT 60 DEGREE VEE DITCHING BUCKET 8 TONNE ANY BRACKETS £1150+VAT
NEW AB WIGHT EURO TO QFIT FIT ADAPTER FRAME £750+VAT
NEW FLEMING TOP4 4FT TOPPER £1250+VAT
NEW OXDALE 3 POINT LINKAGE HYDRAULIC LOG SPLITTER £850+VAT
NEW AB WIGHT HEAVY DUTY GALV 5X3 ATV TRAILER £850+VAT
NEW AB WIGHT HEAVY DUTY IBC TRAILER GALVANISED CHASSIS C/W DRINKING BOWL £895+VAT NEW McHALE R5 BALE GRAB ON EURO BRACKETS £1450+VAT
⋙ U S E D T R A C T O R S & M A C H I N E R Y ⋙
2021 McCORMICK X7.624 240HP VT DRIVE 50KPH TRANS, FRONT LINAGE & PTO, LED LIGHTS, ISOBUS, TOPCON STEERING SYSTEM 4800HRS £59500+VAT
1996 JOHN DEERE 6800, FRONT LINKAGE 7209 HOURS £15000+VAT
1995 JOHN DEERE 6400 10600 HOURS £12000+VAT
2013 JCB 536-60 AGRI SUPER TELEHANDLER £21000+VAT
2016 LELY WELGER RP160V BALER £15000+VAT
2016 LELY WELGER PR445 BALER £12500+VAT
2011 NEW HOLLAND B7040 BALER £7500+VAT
IFOR WILLIAMS LM106G DROP SIDE TRAILER £1950+VAT
HE MET VLAD’S COUSINS
There he is off again on another jolly leaving me at home to wile away the time thinking of the past and the fun I had in my youth. I hear he’s been behind the Iron Curtain riding a bike of all things, of course his has to have an electric motor. In my day it was either a push bike or a motorcycle not a hidden engine that makes it look as though all the effort comes from pedalling when in reality all he has to do is to push his knees round and round. What he did tell me when he got home was that he had met a number of Vlad’s relations. In fact he seemed to come from such a large family that almost every farm had one. You’ll remember Vlad was the Russian I had a dalliance with all those years ago during the Cold War.
I had a great excitement last month, I was asked to haul a mini digger up and let it down an almost vertical bank where a ground source heat pipe was being installed. Up and down four times it went, communicating through mobile phones the job went without a hitch and I am pleased to add another very satisfied customer to my long list of people I have worked for.
Casa de Mandeville
Villa located in Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal. Four en suite bedrooms, sleeps 8. Close to golf courses. 45 minutes from Faro airport. Private pool. Maid service, towel and bed changes included.
Enquiries to -
Douglas and Kirsty Mundell 07932 157573 / 07801 588665 themundells@btinternet.com
One of Vlad’s many relations in Armenia
• Micro Surfacing is a highly specialised process
• We are the only SME in the UK that owns and operates a truck-mounted Micro Surfacing machine
• Proven for decades internationally on:
• Highways, A roads, B roads and major carriageways
• Car parks, yards and farm roads
• Airfields and airports
• Acts as a high-quality, long-lasting surface treatment and preservation method
• Superior to surface dressing (tar and chip):
• No loose chippings
• Harder wearing and longer lasting
• Dense, tough black finish resembling tarmac
• While other UK contractors may offer surface dressing (including us), Micro Surfacing offers a better quality and longer lasting alternative at a similar price.
For more information contact your local sales representative
John Deere 6110M, 2018
John Deere 6120SE, 2003
John deere 6130R, 2020
John Deere 6145M, Choice
John Deere 6150R, 2012
John Deere 6155R, 2018
John Deere 6155R, 2018
John Deere 6155R, 2021
John Deere 6175R PG 3P, 2022
Kramer KT3610 Telehandler ex-demo
Kramer KT559 Telehandler ex-demo
COMBINE HARVESTER
John Deere T670 combine, 2017/22 choice
John Deere T560 combine, Choice
John Deere W650, 2012
Claas Tucano 430
John Deere 6175R, 2019
John Deere 6195R, 2022
John Deere 6630, 2010
John Deere 6195R, 2015
John Deere 6215R, choice
John Deere 6250R, Choice
John Deere 6900, 1996
John Deere 8400R, 2018
KL38.5 Telehandler
Manitou 627 Telehandler
VEHICLES John Deere XUV865M, 2023
Deere XUV865M, Choice
Deere XUV865M, 2021
Deere XUV865M, 2022
MACHINE OF THE MONTH
Deere XUV865M, Choice
Deere XUV865M, 2021
Kuhn Primor 3570M Bedders
PRIMOR 3570 M Key Features
Designed for versatility: Ideal for farmers needing a 3.5 m³ straw bedder and feeder.
Tractor compatibility: Works seamlessly with 50 HP tractors (70 HP required for haylage bales).
POLYDRIVE System: A patented feature that disengages the turbine from the rotor at startup, preventing blockages
Two-Speed Gearbox: Offers 540 rpm for straw blowing and 270 rpm for silage feeding, providing operational control.
Hydraulic Swivel Chute: Provides a discharge distance of up to 18 meters on the right and up to 13 meters on the left, with 300° of rotation for broad distribution.
High capacity: Handles 1 bale up to 2.00 m in diameter. Handles 2 bales up to 1.5 m in diameter simultaneously. Easily accommodates square bales up to 2.7 m in length.
Adaptable feed management: Adjustable regulating tines (standard) modulate the separating system to match feed properties.
Kuhn Mixer Wagons Key Features
Versatile capacity: Designed to handle a wide range of farm sizes, accommodating round bales up to 2.
Tractor compatibility: Suitable for tractors from 50 HP up to 150+ HP, depending on the model.
Efficient mixing: Vertical or horizontal augers provide thorough, consistent mixing of straw, hay, silage, and other feed types.
Adaptable feed handling: Adjustable tines, augers, and discharge doors allow precise control over feed flow and cutting length.
Durable and low maintenance: Built with highquality materials for daily farm use, easy cleaning, and long-lasting reliability.
Navigate change with confidence. Navigate change with confidence. Contact us today to arrange a post-budget review and ensure you're prepared for what's next.
All types of Brash, Gorse, Willow and Rhododendron mulched to 3 inches below ground level
High-Capacity Mulcher powered by 500 HP Fendt
Quickly clears large areas with ease ROBOTIC FORESTRY
Brash Chipping Site Clearances EXCAVATOR & MULCHING HEAD
Various sizes of machines For Hard to access areas
Biomass G30 and G50 Chipping
High-Capacity Chipping up to 300 cube per hour
MULCHER & FLAIL
Minimise ground disturbance
Slopes up to 55 degrees
High Performance Fixed Tooth mulching head
● 1.3m Cutting head with a variety of flails for grass cutting & Vegetation
TREE
Contact:
Connon Construction Ltd.
Construction of shuttered slurry tanks and silos (all built to SEPA requirements)
Christopher07843 208 544
Patrick07701 040 681
Contact:
Christopher07843 208 544
Slurry spreading available with umbilical, dribble bars and ferry tankers. Tractors on floatation tyres
Dung spreader hire or complete service
Complete silage service
All types of digger work undertaken
Patrick07701 040 681
Connon Farms / Connon Construction
Connon Farms / Connon Construction
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 & J Grant
Scotland’s Spreading Specialists
5 spreaders available to meet your precision spreading requirements
High output LGP machines to minimise soil and crop damage Weighing systems and auto steer fitted
We supply our own loader and fuel to minimise disturbance to the customer Blanket or variable rate lime spreading compatible with all mapping systems The following can be supplied and accurately applied Lime, Compost, Slag, Henpen, Fibrophos, FYM, Gypsum, other organic materials
Soil Mapping service
• correct variations across fields
• independent analysis
• 4 samples/ha for accurate pH maps
• all nutrients can be tested
• recommendations to suit your enterprise
Contact us to discuss how we can help reduce your costs with the use of organic products Tel 01875 320363 Mob 07703 113178 Email john@j-jgrant.co.uk
CONTRACTORS SERVICES
On Our Farm
October 8th 2025
Hugo Lee farms in partnership with his father, Guy, at Sandystones, near St Boswells. Arable crops of wheat, oilseed rape, malting barley and oats are grown, 500 Angus cattle are finished annually, 8000 organic hens produce eggs for Waitrose and 8,000 organic point of lay pullets are reared each year.
Farming in the Borders paused last Friday as we remembered and reflected the life of Jamie Tweedie of Middlethird. A husband, a father, a soldier, a farmer, a dear friend, a gentleman - the very best of humankind. They don’t make many like Jamie and how lucky we were to have known him. The memorial service at Melrose Parish Church was full to bursting and many a glass was raised in the lambing shed at Middlethird after the service. It has been one of the easiest Autumns to date. All crops went into really good conditions and have flown out of the ground. Driving around the country I don’t think I have ever seen such good and even establishment. Cereals look thick healthy and a lovely dark green in colour. They could not have got off to a better start and they can definitely withstand a harsh, cold winter that many are predicting.
Due to the issues with the malting spring barley I talked about last month we have not quite finished drying wheat. The last 50t is on the drying floor now which should be delivered by the end of the week. It means that our last few sheds are now cleared and we can house more cattle.
Unlike most years I am pretty relaxed with them still being outside. There is plenty of grass, ground conditions are fantastic and most importantly the cattle seem very content. They have done exceptionally well at grass this year with the best growth rates we have ever had. Strip grazing of grass intended for third cut silage worked exceptionally well and something we will certainly look to do more of next year.
I have been a little concerned by how slow some of our new grass leys have established. The organic fields that were ploughed and drilled following oats have been slow and very patchy. However conventional grass that was sumoed and drilled following wheat looks fantastic despite the large amount of trash that made sowing difficult. I think the organic ground lost a lot of moisture despite being ploughed, power harrowed and rolled all on the same day. Thankfully over the past week the grass has finally started to germinate and the bare patches are disappearing fast. A huge relief as one of the fields in question is right at our road end for all our neighbours to see!
The perfect weather has allowed some time off farm over the last few weekends which has been mostly spent at rugby, hockey or running festivals watching the children compete which has been great fun. Unfortunately, I have just realised that we will depleting, washing and moving one of our hen sheds over half term. This will not make me very popular with Jess however all the extra labour will be a great help!
Congratulations to Crop Services on winning Farmers Weekly Contractor of the year and well done to Gary Hogarth for making the final. I hope to see many of you at AgriScot which is always a great show.
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.
Trailer brake & Q/R couplings
BYREWALLS FENCING
All types of Agricultural Fencing, Garden Fencing and Decking
A & E Brown, Byrewalls, Gordon, Berwickshire TD3 6JU Contact: Andrew 07725 583737 Euan 07774 004622 Evenings 01573 410260
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.
CONTRACTORS SERVICES
The
www.billrae.co.uk
All General Contracting Services provided, including:
Two high capacity grain mills
Direct drilling / Pasture
Rejuvenation
Ploughing / Sowing
Fertiliser Spreading
Agri Haulage
Groundworks / Dump trailers
Topping & Mulching
Tubeline Bale Wrapping
Talking......Organic
Efficient Harvesting
High
Low
Great
Contact us to find out more
Simon Bainbridge farms in partnership with his wife Claire and his mother Elisabeth in Northumberland. They run suckler beef, sheep and laying hen enterprises across 650 ha of mainly SDA and moorland - organically.
Currently on the farm it’s a combination of farm maintenance, chipping away at capital works and preparing for Winter. As the weather is holding, despite Amy’s appearance, we are putting in more water troughs and water pipe across the farm. Fencing off the water courses has fast forwarded getting piped water across the farm. It’s one of those jobs that we should have done years ago, but a lack of time and investment has meant that it’s always been put on the backburner before. We are concreting the floor of the new muck store at Donkin Rigg this week, which sadly does not attract any capital works funding. The siting of this store will make mucking out very simple, so it will be great to have it ready prior to winter housing.
We have had our first set of lambs away, which is good, especially for the bank balance. Pre tupping jobs are getting ticked off as well as preparations for housing cattle. Calves have received their pneumonia vaccination and there’s a bit of maintenance on sheds and fences going on too.
The new hens are performing well at the moment, with production numbers really good at present, but as time never stands still we are now starting to work out the dates and details for the older hens and when they will depopulate. In theory the hatch date will be at the end of this month. That date sets the timescale for all the other events; depopulation, clean out, new hens’ arrival date etc. As these hens are doing ok, (there’s been no world records on production), their feather cover is still good and shell strength is fine, we can then look to keep them for longer so will adjust the hatch date if we can. However finding rearing space for the right time and the right amount of hens is quite a jigsaw, so we may well need to fit in with that.
It’s also that time of the year when the politicians gather in the towns and cities of choice to congratulate themselves on what a good job their doing, make promises about the things they’re planning to do, (whether they’re in power or hoping to be in power), and gloss over the great big crevices of poor decision making, abysmal planning and fiasco after fiasco, and lets be honest – that’s all political parties, not just the one currently pretending to run the country. Without watching any of the coverage, I think it would be a safe bet that the situation regarding our domestic agricultural policy and food production wasn’t mentioned and wasn’t even on any list to be mentioned. There might have been a bit of chat on climate and the environment, but farmers and farming do not make positive headlines at present. The current lack of information (and opportunity) about support, environmental schemes, grants etc is bewildering. This sadly means that many farms are now at the crossroads of how to farm and whether to farm. Production will inevitably have to become the model of choice again for many farms and countless environmental gains will be lost.
•
•
•
IRRIGATION
GARY HOGARTH
HEDGE CUTTING
DITCHING
TRACK/ROAD GRADING
FOUNDATIONS
AGRICULTURAL & COMMERCIAL CONCRETE WORK
DE-STONING
DRAINAGE
PONDS
FABRICATION WORKS • FENCING (WITH TRACTOR OR DIGGER OPTION)
SNOW CLEARING
AC FULLERTON LTD
Colin Fullerton: 07818 056 365
Alternatives
following the
The move ethanol domestic fuel
distillers’ ingredient.
Talking......Business with SAC Consulting
34–36% used in livestock rations, offline, and other domestic wheat distillers has sharply
Distillers’ Grains – Supply Shortages and Balancing Alternatives
The UK livestock industry is under pressure following the recent closure of the Vivergo bioethanol plant in Hull. The move comes after the UK removed the 19% tariff on US ethanol imports, undermining the competitiveness of domestic fuel production.
A major byproduct of Vivergo’s operations was wheat distillers’ grains, a valuable high-protein, high-energy feed ingredient. Containing approximately 13.4 MJ/kg DM energy and 34–36% crude protein (DM basis), these grains were widely used in livestock rations, especially for cattle and youngstock. With Vivergo offline, and other domestic distillers also scaling back, availability of British wheat distillers has sharply declined.
Across the country, other distillers have also reduced output, further curtailing domestic supply. To meet demand, the market has turned to imported wheat distillers, mainly from the EU. However, these come at a premium. Current market prices sit around £285/t for a 20-tonne load delivered within 50 miles (AHDB/KW Feeds), just £8/t under the cost of hipro soya. On a cost-per-unit-ofprotein basis, soya now presents better value, despite its higher upfront price.
Blended protein sources are starting to emerge as practical alternatives. These blends, combining various raw materials, typically range from 27% to 35% crude protein (as fed) and are being sold at similar price points to imported distillers. However, it is important to make accurate comparisons. Feed labels declare protein as fed, not on a dry matter basis.
reduced output, further curtailing turned to imported wheat a premium. Current market within 50 miles (AHDB/KW -per-unit-of-protein basis, upfront price.
For example, in a barley-based mix for weaned calves, the target protein content is typically around 16% as fed immediately postweaning. To reach that, the inclusion rate of a protein blend will vary significantly depending on its CP level.
Table 1 below shows that a protein at 27%CP as fed, would need to be included at a rate of 40% in the home mix concentrate blend, whereas a protein at 35%CP as fed would only need to be included at a rate of 27.5% in the blend.
practical alternatives. These range from 27% to 35% crude points to imported distillers. comparisons. Feed labels declare
Lower protein blends therefore require higher inclusion rates, which can affect both ration cost and energy density. Accurate formulation is therefore key to maintaining performance without overfeeding protein or pushing up costs unnecessarily.
These changes highlight the need to reassess feed formulations carefully, assessing alternative protein feeds on a cost per unit protein basis.
the target protein content weaning. To reach that, the depending on its CP level
With no immediate sign of domestic distillers’ supply recovery, flexibility and precision in ration formulation will be key tools for livestock producers heading into the winterfeeding period.
would need to be included at whereas a protein at 35%CP as in the blend.
rates, which can affect both formulation is therefore key to protein or pushing up costs
Having silage tested is the starting point of any ration formulation. We have seen some high protein silages coming through the lab this year, so your protein gap might not be as big as you think.
Please get in touch with us for further help or information. Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist 07796 615719 Lorna.shaw@sac.co.uk
These changes highlight the need to reassess feed formulations carefully assessing alternative protein feeds on a cost per unit protein basis
With no immediate sign of domestic distillers’ supply recovery, flexibility and precision in ration formulation will be key tools for livestock producers heading into
Tru-Test Systems
Calf Creep
Portequip Mobile Dipper
Bateman Bespoke Cattle Handling
Combi-Clamp
Bateman Squeeze Crush
26’ Trailer
Table 1: % inclusion of barley, protein, fibre and minerals for protein blends depending on % CP as fed
Table 1: % inclusion of barley, protein, fibre and minerals for protein blends depending on % CP as fed
Lorna Shaw
IPC RIDE ON SWEEPER
1050 RIDE ON SWEEPER
* POWERED BY 24v BATTERY OR PETROL ENGINE
* LARGE CAPACITY 70lt HOPPER
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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.
Wednesday 26th of November has been confirmed as the date for the next UK Budget Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves at time of writing...). Nobody outside of the Treasury (and maybe no one inside either) knows what will be announced. It is unlikely to contain any concessions for agriculture and probably nothing positive for anyone who works, saves, invests or runs their own business.
It is widely expected that private landlords will be in the firing line with National Insurance contributions being levied against rental income. There are valid arguments for and against this but it is really just another reason not to be a private landlord.
Owning rental properties is now a minefield of rules and regulations where the power lies far more with the tenant than it does the landlord (only malting barley contracts are more one sided than a tenancy agreement). Landlord Registration, EICR certification, legionella testing, EPCs, tenant deposit scheme, PAT testing, gas safety certificates, landlord insurance amongst others all have to be thought about and paid for before you even repair and maintain a property. So even when a tenant is paying rent there is a lot to consider.
I am not sure many people now would choose to be a landlord unless they had a penchant for bureaucracy, paperwork and dealing with tenants and tradesmen.
The problem with farms is that you often become a landlord out of necessity rather than choice. Those old cottages next to the steading at the heart of the farm can’t be sold off without devaluing the whole farm and risk having a NIMBY homeowner moving in and ruining your life. The rental income is undoubtedly a welcome boost to farm incomes especially if tenants are good and rents paid but it is an extra responsibility and burden with refurbishing, repairing and maintenance costs becoming terrifyingly expensive. Who enjoys getting a phone call on a Sunday morning, “the boiler/toilet/shower/cooker/septic tank isn’t working”?!
Maybe Reeves’s expected National Insurance raid on landlords will only decrease the amount of affordable rental properties in rural areas?
The past month has been spent dressing barley to reduce screening levels to an acceptable level to ensure movement. It’s been a long, slow process but finally we are through it. Another season spent questioning why we grow malting barley.
With no dresser on farm and no room to accommodate a contract dresser we bought a FlipScreen bucket. Built in Wagga Wagga, Australia they are primarily used for screening soil out of rocks or lumps out of fertiliser. We modified it with a 2.5mm screen and mounted it on the front of the JCB. The bucket would scoop up the barley, rotate for two minutes and then dump in a pile ready for the next lorry. My poor dad was the main operator and has spent more hours than we dare count, watching the bucket spin. It worked but not an exercise we would like to repeat. The Mzuri drill has now drilled all the rye (sown 12th to 17th September) and the majority of the wheat before the end of September. That only leaves wheat after potatoes to complete with the tatties scheduled to be lifted around the 10th October. The plan is to Sumo Trio the land and then straight in with the Mzuri. A good weather window is required!
Wheat sown 19th September, photographed 6th October
Flip Screen bucket dressing barley
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Talking......from the boundary
We have just returned home from a 7 day cycling holiday in Armenia, a country I knew nothing about and hardly where it is located. We had the most brilliant guide whose passion for his country, the history, the culture and the beauty of the highlands made every day fascinating. Avetis’ English was very good despite having never visited the UK or the US. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as the national religion some 300 years after the birth of Christ. It has been despised by its neighbours throughout history and is today a shadow of its former size having been the subject of aggression and an appaling genocide during the time of the Ottoman Empire, invaded by the Red Army in 1920, been part of the USSR from then to 1991 and most recently at war with Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
As always I am fascinated by the farming in any country we are lucky enough to visit. Agriculture in Armenia appeared to be based on self sufficiency, with land ownership in small strips preventing any economy of scale. There was still evidence of the state collective farms from the Soviet era despite it being the first of the republics to privatise land. Admittedly we were biking/walking in the Highlands which like any hilly area is restricted by geography, so my impression was of farming in challenging conditions with cold winters and short summers. I hardly recognised any make of machinery, mostly being Russian if old or Chinese more recently. We did see a few aged John Deere combines, but what I never spotted were round bales which I have always thought of as one of the great advances in technology. Every farm had a well built stack of small bales of hay, most often stored outside and without any form of cover so the wastage must be considerable. Cattle and sheep were grazed under the watchful eye of a herd and there was no sign of fences or boundaries. Our guide who was not of farming stock said he had heard that there are cattle without horns! I can understand now why organic cereals emanate from the Caucasus. It is not a decision to grow crops to such standards, they have just not had the education or investment for inputs we take for granted.
Our first full day of biking was riding across old Soviet built roads through Steppe like country, the weather was the most challenging I have ridden in with driving rain, cold wind and even snow on the land at the highest point. Luckily we had a support vehicle behind to pick up those who gradually succumbed to losing all feeling in hands and feet. Over the next days the weather improved and by our last day T shirts and shorts were the dress code. The hospitality we received from the locals was humbling with more food than we could possibly consume presented at every meal. The wine was excellent, which was not surprising as they have been making it for over 6000 years. Overall we had a great holiday being well exercised, fed and educated in a very interesting landlocked country.
The first meeting of our season is being held on Wednesday 22nd October, 7pm in the Lauderdale Hotel, Lauder ‘How I Farm’
Sponsored by Scottish Land & Estates
Speakers: Hamish & Gemma MacDonald, Southfield & Neil Ramsay, West Morriston
Guy Lee
No polled cattle
Full wet weather gear on our first day
Beautiful Armenian highlands
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Northbank Farm, Cameron, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8PE
Kelso Agricultural Discussion Society
Monday 27th October 2025 7.30 pm at the Cross Keys Hotel
The Future of Beef
We are delighted to invite you to the first of our winter meetings. We will be joined by two speakers who are truly driving the beef sector forward
Emma Hodge: Rulesmains Farm
Based near Duns, Emma runs Rulesmains Aberdeen Angus, alongside parents Andrew and Jill. The herd of 110 pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows sits alongside 1,100 acres of arable and was established in 2008 following their decision to go out of milking. In 2023 Rulesmains won the award for beef farm of the year at the Scottish Agriculture Awards.
Nikki Yoxall: Howemill Farm
Based in Angus, Nikki & James Yoxall are new entrants to farming who have set up Grampian Graziers in Aberdeenshire and now farm in partnership with Rottal Estate, running a suckler herd of Shetlands and pedigree native Aberdeen Angus cattle across 2500ha. They are certified organic and Pasture for Life, with about half their output being 100% pasture fed beef through direct sales. In 2024 Nikki became Technical Director at Pasture for Life and is just finishing a PhD
Admission Fee
Farmers £15.00 for the whole season (4 meetings) or £5 for a single meeting
Farm staff and under 18s £3 for the whole season or £2 for a single meeting
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www.ballofmadley-hereford.co.uk
Talking......New Zealand
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October 6th 2025
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.
It has been a cold dry spring. 3 months with no rain has dried out the farms and allowed the boys to get all the crop in the ground in pretty good order. Irrigation started early and concerns have been raised about the dry setting in for the long haul, but Canterbury’s dry spells tend to last about 3 months and then it reverts to rain. Almost on cue we’ve just had an inch of rain which will now hopefully get the spring going.
The boys have started to market the trading lambs. They drafted nearly a thousand last week at over $10/kg or about $280/lamb leaving them a healthy margin.
Beef prices are good as well. The wee fella has raised some 200 beef X calves from the dairy and he’s expecting $850/hd once they get to 100kgs LW.
Milk prices are up around $10/kg of milk solids so there is some optimism in the livestock industry.
Grass growth has been slow on the dairy farm. The cold dry spring after the very wet Autumn hasn’t allowed the pasture to recover from the damage done at the end of last season. We’ve been irrigating but bore water is cold and without warmth limits soil temperature. Now we’ve had a bit of rain and with the weather warming up we should expect things to heal and the grass to crank up. With milk, meat and grain prices all starting to look okay, a bit of spring would be welcome.
Angus & Charolais dairy X calves
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Talking......from Lincolnshire
October 5th 2025
Will Howe is an arable farmer from Sleaford, Lincolnshire. The soils are predominantly heavy. There is 1000ha of cropping including winter wheat, spring beans, spring oats and oilseed rape. He also manages a contracting business Thorpe Farming Ltd.
Having worried the farm’s moisture deficit was closer to the Simpson Desert than the usual UK conditions and the resulting effect on the cover crops and the oilseed rape. It turns out farming in Australia must be really easy….. The oilseed rape is half way up my shin and the cover crops look good. So good in fact that next year the seed rate will be reduced in a bid to economise and stop the cover getting too dense. We have completed winter wheat and barley drilling at the Ewerby farms, but I am currently in a game of poker with the weather as to when to drill Worths and Abbey Park farms. I am unsure as to who will blink first but with wheat following spring cereals there are plenty of volunteers still to come and the seedbeds won’t hurt from a little more weather.
While the last few months are fresh in my mind the harvest review has begun. Having wanted to move more soil, we have moved too much soil; and having needed a bigger tractor, I now want an even bigger one!! Where we were able to pull the cultipress in tandem with the SLD the subsequent cultivation passes were minimised, and the precious moisture was retained. Sadly though our “baby” quadtrac was on its knees and really struggled. I hope to make tweaks to our SLD to make it easier to pull, and having gone deep this year with the subsoiler legs the hope is to be able to be more shallow with this operation in the future.
This season reminds me of 2011 when we had a really dry summer/autumn and all winter cereals were planted in good time into dry seedbeds. The result was by harvest 2012 there was blackgrass everywhere and has been with us ever since. It pays to look back at history, something our embattled Prime Minister would do well to remember.
Whilst preening and fawning at the Labour party conference I could think of parallels with Nero when Rome “was burning”. Sir Keir is jaunting round the world trying to convince his acolytes that he is a serious statesman, where back home his electorate are watching the country disintegrate at an alarming rate. With a budget on the horizon where he and his intellectually stunted chancellor are yet again going to hammer the middle and working classes with a greater tax burden it is hard to see them coming up with a coherent solution to this mess. What is worse is that it is our children who will be picking up the pieces from the short sighted politics of trying to gain cheap votes. It makes trying to predict the weather in a fortnight look like farming in Australia!
Wheat drilling
Sunrise on the Fen
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