Agri News March2014 | Issue 29

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AGRI NEWS

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Issue 29 | March 2014

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M

arolin UK is the sole UK importer of Italian hedge cutters from Marolin. The quality hedge cutters have been built by the family run company for many years, and this year they celebrate 50 years of excellence. We are very proud to be able to offer their products in the UK. Marolin manufacture different types of machines for agricultural work. Their machines are constructed and tested with the highest accuracy, in order to satisfy the most demanding customer, and consequently, to grant a constant work functionality. They specialise in the construction of boom mower machines, the ideal solution for those who have to cut grass, shrubs, hedges or for ditch clean up. These machines have been successful throughout Europe, owing to the hard work from the Marolin team, allowing the customer to carry out their work to the highest standard.

Our motto is ‘reaching for the best cut’ and we feel these machines allow our customers to do just that.

There are a large range of machines, split into groups such as: Garden, Farm, Vineyard, Semi-pro, Pro, and Advanced. They have many features such as a Telescopic Arm, Rotation Arm, Advanced Parallelogram System, Proportional Electric Controls, and many more. Allowing the customer to build their own specialised machine is also available on request.

We are looking to expand our dealer network throughout the UK, and based in the Midlands allows us to be in the centre of the network, selling our machines through our first dealer Tractor Guard Ltd. For more details or if you are interested inbecoming a Marolin dealer please contact: Matthew Smith, Marolin UK Care of: Tractor Guard Ltd Manorial Farm, Hillwood Road Four Oaks, Birmingham ,B75 5QW Tel: Matt Smith 07743 221856 Tel: Bill Rushton 07815 796643

info@marolinuk.co.uk www.marolinuk.co.uk About Tractor Guard.

Tractor Guard is a patent-pending protection system for glass windows, doors, front windows, rear windows, bonnets, wheels and lights on agricultural vehicles (tractors and plant machinery).

It fits over the existing glass and prevents the glass from being smashed by flying debris whilst working (hedge cutting, etc). It is very easy to fit requiring no tools. It works with spacers and a high quality cord and hook system. The Guard is made from polycarbonate that is UV protected and 200 times stronger than glass, but with the same opacity. It is made to measure for each make and model of tractor and is entirely made in the UK and shipped around the world.

We started selling in the UK and Ireland in 2011 and since then have won The Inventors Award at LAMMA 2012 for best farming invention and expanded to distribute in the USA and Canada in 2012 and New Zealand and Australia in 2013.

With Tractor Guard there is nowhere for debris to get through. We have tested the product by shooting it with a shotgun at 10 yards and the shot did not penetrate the guard.

Quote from farmer John Griffin “ I couldn’t imagine farming without it now” Quote from Directors Matthew Smith and Bill Rushton “We feel driver safety is paramount and our guards help to prevent driver injury and prevent glass breakages which cost money and time for the working farmer” Tractor Guard is based in North

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Birmingham, UK. Run from a working farm owned by Bill Rushton.

He and his engineer/auto electrician friend Matthew Smith came up with the idea after farming friends complained about breaking rear windows and one of them hung a sheet of perspex over his back lights to stop the debris. Matt and Bill thought the idea was great and after many prototypes Tractor Guard Ltd

was launched in late 2011 and showed for the first time at LAMMA 2012 in January picking up the coveted Best invention Award 2012. Expanding into the USA and Canada in 2012 with their distributor US Farm Innovations and New Zealand and Australia in 2013. They have also sold guards though out the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and plan to expand though out Europe in early 2014.

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HAROLD JOHNS are pleased to invite you to their

OPEN DAY 2014 Friday 11th April from 11 am onwards

Harold R. Johns Ltd. Whitelye Farm, Catbrook, Nr Chepstow NP16 6NJ Telephone: 01291 689278

• CLAAS Tractor Line up • Hog Roast • Prize Draw PLUS a wide range of equipment on display from:

HAROLD JOHNS www.haroldrjohns.com

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EVENTS Ritchie Are Proud To Support Harold R Johns

S

“

afe stock handling” is a sector where the Ritchie name is r espected, having provided farmers with stock handling systems designed to make life easier and safer for over 140 years.

Time has proven that the Ritchie design team excels in providing products, which combine practical innovation with modern farming requirements. With the need for farmers to increase on farm stock handling for health and weight gain monitoring, Ritchie has approached this need with the introduction of a new, innovatively designed ‘Stock Cube’ handling system that substantially benefits farm health and safety. The number of injuries and deaths caused to stock handlers, partially through using out dated handling systems has seen a 10% increase in the last 10 years.

Self contained and moveable from site to site, the ‘Stock Cube’ unfolds to provide a freestanding stock pen with curved sweep area and a secondary gate that enables the stock person to be positioned

behind the stock.

Working in conjunction with either a fixed or mobile cattle crate, the ‘Stock Cube’ provides a safe, adaptable add on to up-grade existing farm units or as a standalone unit.

The 3.2m x 2.5m cube unfolds to a size of 3.2m x 5.5m and is capable of holding stock of various sizes and weights.

Designed to reduce stress to the animals contained and maximise safety to the operator, the collecting area features a curved sheeted sweep area so cattle move towards the exit naturally. Although ‘Cubic’ in design, the unit has no corner traps ensuring stock move willingly through the raceway, as curiosity to see what’s around the corner keeps them moving.

Twenty x 2.5 metre long hurdles can be stored and transported within the Cube, with the whole unit designed to be loaded and handled by forklift to ease site

set-up.

Incorporated within the penning area are fast exit side gates that enable a single operator to be in complete control of the system at all times while easily accessing a secured animal.

The heavy-duty steel construction and all galvanised, hot dipped finished maintain Ritchie’s high quality standards of long life expectancy.

N EW

SAFE CATTLE HANDLING, SIMPLY

RITCHIE CALVING GATE • Unique fold-up lower section provides protected access for calf and stockman RITCHIE CALVING GATE The new RITCHIE Calving and Suckling Gate provides a safe working environment for stockman and animals.

• Keeps cattle in a calm and secure environment • Removable rail allows generous access for caesarean section RITCHIE STOCK CUBE TM • No corner trap when operating sweep gate • Easy access to and from holding area • Operator safely behind the sweep gate

RITCHIE STOCK CUBE TM The new RITCHIE Stock CubeTM is ideal for both portable and fixed applications.

o Watch the vide

DAVID RITCHIE (IMPLEMENTS) LTD. See our web site or contact us for information on our product range Tel: 01307 462271• Email: info@ritchie-uk.com 8 | AGRINEWS | Issue 29 | March 2014

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Your local Valtra dealers Craggs of Conder Green Thurnham Mill Buildings, Conder Green, Lancaster, Lancashire LA2 0BD Tel: 01524 751405 Email: sales@craggsofcondergreen.co.uk Web: craggsofcondergreen.co.uk

Drews of Dinton Ltd Hindon Road, Dinton, Salisbury SP3 5EH Tel: 01722 716377 Email: sales@drewsofdinton.co.uk Web: www.drewsofdinton.co.uk

Go to www.valtra.co.uk or contact your local Valtra dealer 10 | AGRINEWS | Issue 29 | March 2014

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MACHINERY New Holland celebrates 50 years of tractors at Basildon

N

ew Holland’s Basildon plant will celebrate half a century of continuous tractor operations in 2014.

To commemorate this important milestone, exclusive Golden Jubilee editions of the T7.270 Auto Command and T6.160 Auto Command will be produced and a range of celebratory events will take place throughout the year.

These exclusive tractors were unveiled at the LAMMA Show for the first time. They will only be built during the Jubilee year, limiting their number to create two future Basildon icons.

In addition to these two celebratory tractors, all models produced in Basildon in 2014 will feature a special 50th anniversary decal, which recalls the elegant lines of the T6 and T7 tractor ranges.

“The New Holland plant at Basildon has been at the centre of our tractor operations for 50 years. Today it produces tractors in the 120 – 270hp range, which are helping farmers and contractors across the globe to farm in an ever more productive, sustainable and efficient manner.” Stated Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture.

He added: “These exclusive Golden Jubilee editions celebrate the unparalleled success of both the T7.270 Auto Command and the T6.160 Auto Command. The special events will also provide us with the opportunity to say thank you to the generations of

colleagues who have contributed to New Holland’s success.”

T6.160 and T7.270 Auto Command Golden Jubilee editions Exclusive Golden Jubilee editions of Basildon’s two flagship products will be produced. The T7.270 Auto Command Golden Jubilee is the most powerful tractor ever to be built at Basildon and the T6.160 Auto Command Golden Jubilee represents the future of multipurpose agriculture.

Both models will feature metallic Profondo Blue paint, a rich midnight blue shade, gold grilles, exhaust guard and model identification. Additional elements include a luxurious interior boasting an optional full leather seat, leather steering wheel together with a thick pile carpet and fully integrated IntelliSteer™ auto guidance is available.

Half a century of making tractor history The construction of a purpose built factory for the fully integrated production of tractors began in 1962, and the 15th May 1964 saw the very first tractors go down the production line of Europe’s most modern tractor manufacturing facility.

A quarter of a century later, in 1989, over two million engines had been produced and the now iconic Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee model was launched to commemorate this important milestone. Another key year for Basildon was the unveiling of the state-of-the-art visitors’ centre in 2012, the same year the plant achieved Bronze World Class Manufacturing

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status and the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited the factory.

Since 1964 over 1.6 million tractors and 3.1 million engines have been produced at Basildon. Today the plant employs more than one thousand people dedicated to producing industry-leading tractors. The facility can accommodate more than 10,000 different product specifications and 85% of total production is exported across the globe.

Modernising global agriculture Basildon’s tractors themselves have shaped modern agricultural history, dating back to the first Ford 1000 series models of the mid-1960s. They ushered in the era of modern agriculture, and they were completely new from the ground up: new engines and transmissions ensured this range was an instant hit across the globe.

The Ford 40 series were ground-breaking models in the early 1990s. They featured the renowned PowerStar engines, also built at Basildon. These tractors improved farming comfort, thanks to the SuperLux cab, which offered a quiet, roomy operating space, advanced closed centre load sensing hydraulics and the forerunner of the Electro Command™ semi-powershift transmission, the ElectroShift.

Following the impressive UK and European launch, sales of this 75120hp range reached the 100,000 unit mark.

Improving productivity and enhancing comfort whilst increasing sustainability

The TS series was launched in the late 1990s and was an evolution of the 40 series. This range was the first to feature New Holland’s distinctive styling, characterised by the sloping hood. It was also the very first range to benefit from Tier 1 emissions technology: signalling the start of New Holland’s unswerving commitment to reducing the environmental impact of farming.

The TM range, developing between 120-190hp, became synonymous with excellent performance and outstanding ease of use thanks to the introduction of Terraglide™ front axle suspension. It was also the first range to benefit from productivity enhancing Engine Power Management technology.

Basildon tractors have always been at the cutting edge of transmission technology. The T7000 range boasted the best powershift in its segment, in the form of the Power Command™ transmission. Multi-award winning Auto Command™, continuously variable transmission, technology came to Basildon in 2009 on T7000 series, as did the benchmark ergonomic SideWinder™ II armrest.

The plant’s latest ranges, the T6 and T7 are continuing this productive, efficient and sustainable heritage. They are equipped with state-of-the-art ECOBlue™ SCR technology to meet the latest emission regulations, which has reduced fuel consumption by up to 10% whilst simultaneously improving productivity.

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FLOODS FOR THOUGHT National Farmers’ Union Condemns Flooding Plans

T

he National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has condemned “ludicrous” plans to flood farms on high ground to prevent homes and businesses in towns from being hit.

Engineers have proposed creating ponds and bogs on high ground to prevent rainfall rushing down hills and causing flooding.

However, NFU president Peter Kendall said farmland was “far too valuable”.

He said: “We have to put lives and human safety first but we have to put a higher priority on agricultural land.”

A £10m farming recovery fund, announced earlier this month by the prime minister, will open on Friday.

Farming Minister George Eustice told the NFU Conference in Birmingham the money would help flood-hit farmers in key areas, such as restoring grassland, restoring access to fields and improving

field drainage.

All farmers affected by the floods would be able to apply for emergency funding of up to £5,000 under the scheme, covering up to 100% of their business costs, he said.

Experts say farmers in higher areas have contributed to recent flooding by straightening streams and draining bogs that used to capture rainfall.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) says rainfall should in future be captured in upland areas by felling trees into streams to make them overflow.

It claims the resulting wetlands would also benefit wildlife.

The recommendation comes after the Environment Agency admitted it “cannot protect all people and all properties”.

Back to nature However, Mr Kendall told BBC News: “For people to say that a

Picture: Mr Ben Aubrey

fallen tree is a way of managing water flows is ludicrous.”

He said some farms in Somerset had been flooded “year on year”, adding that water should not simply be “dumped on farmers’ land”.

Continue reading the main story Analysis Environment Analyst There will be strong resistance from water engineers to the NFU’s plea to protect more farmland from flooding.

Water experts say farmers are partly to blame for the UK’s flooded homes because of the way they manage the land.

They maintain that, in parts of the UK where flood defences have been installed to protect upland farms, it has shifted flooding elsewhere.

This debate will intensify as the government works out its response to the recent floods.

The farm lobby is extremely influential with the environment

department Defra but the Treasury may be persuaded that farmers should store water on their land in return for their grants from taxpayers. Farmers affected by the recent flooding will find out how the government will spend £10m set aside to help them at the National Farmers Union conference in Birmingham later.

Mr Kendall said the UK should follow the example of Holland and ensure that waterways were fully dredged to carry away water swiftly to the sea.

Experts point out that Holland has also recently begun to adopt a “back-to-nature” approach alongside dredging after deciding that it is financially and practically impossible to protect all farmland.

David Rooke, executive director of flood and coastal risk management, said the Environment Agency’s promise that dredging would take place on the Somerset Levels was only “part of the solution”.

Picture: Mr Ben Aubrey

Picture: Mrs West, Hereford

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He said “adapting to a changing climate is still a work in progress”.

“What we need to do is learn from across the world and indeed the world learns from our experiences, particularly in terms of all the flood mapping we do and the flood forecasting and warning systems that we have in place,” he said.

Around 6,500 properties have been flooded this winter, which has been the wettest since 1910.

[Source: The BBC, http://www. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26335155] As many of our readers will already know, Agri News is based in rural Herefordshire. Being in the thick of the agricultural community we also get the chance to speak and connect with local farmers and young farmers on a regular basis.

We have been lucky enough to be provided with a selection of images from a local farmer Ben Aubrey. You can see form the

photos how it was pretty much impossible for some local farmers to get a days work done. Obviously not being able to work hits the farmers hard in the pocket. Hereford was by no means one of the worst affected place, with much of the south west of England being hit the hardest.

You will see from the images, how extreme the flooding was, and how hard it is for the farmers to carry out any basic task. Just being able to access your cattle or flock is essential to a farmer and a large amount of farmers were cut off from their livestock.

After the rains stopped and the waters receded back into the rives, streams and ponds local farmers have been left with boggy, muddy unusable fields! The farmers have lost the fight against the elements with the score being 1:0 to the rain. With more rain and storms set for the coming weeks how are the farmers going to cope, one

Picture: Mr Ben Aubrey

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instance of severer flooding is bad enough, how many more will they have to endure this year.

Agri News view the UK farmers as the heart of the country, they provided us with many of our table foods as well as supplying many supermarkets and fast food chains, without them where would we be?

The year of 2014 will certainly be one to remember. We all hope the farming community does not have to endure weather like this again.

Picture: Mr Ben Aubrey

Picture: Wormelo w, Hereford

Agri News wishes all its readers, the UK farmers and anyone who has been affected by the floods a safe and speedy recovery. Lets hope that the rest of 2014 will be on the side of the farmers and we know they will come back fighting.

Picture: Mr Ben Aubrey

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Effective Poultry House Cleaning No poultry producer can afford to hinder flock performance by allowing a build up or micro organisms.

Even low disease levels drag profits back and skimping on the cleaning routine between flocks is false economy, says Lancashire based cleaning specialist Steve Birchall.

“There is no opportunity these days to rest buildings between flocks. Turnaround times are tight and it is, therefore, vital that buildings are not only thoroughly cleaned but disinfected as well, and if there has been a health problem the cleaning and disinfection treatment should take account of it” says Steve, who has been operating a nationwide poultry shed cleaning business for over 25 years.

His two teams are equipped to carry out whatever cleaning regime producers require and he suggests a good standard routine for anyone who wants the best safeguard. After the litter has been removed, the building and any

equipment either retained inside or taken out should be power washed at about 2,500 psi with a combined cleaner/sanitizer/deodorizer, which should remove

some 80% of micro organisms at this stage.

“Older buildings are often more difficult to clean than more

modern one”, Steve says, “however, if you are going to do the job at all then it is worth doing properly and you have to take sufficient time, particularly in breeder or laying units where nest boxes and equipment have been in place for

12months or more.

Broiler units with a six or seven day turnaround are less difficult.

However, people who prefer to do what is a rather

unpleasant job themselves often get rather jaded before it has been done properly. If there are other enterprises on the farm, they have to keep breaking off to soother work. Poultry buildings, whether they are broiler, breeder, layer or turkey units, not only need to look clean, they must be disease free.

The standard routine might, in the event of flock health problem be extended to include powerful virucide. All the products used should be biodegradable and safe should there be a run-off into a watercourse.

Anyone cleaning poultry units should also have regard for human health as well as that of the birds.

When disinfecting and fogging you should wear proper respirators and protective clothing and whether you own a site or are a contractor like myself, you should employees with the proper essential equipment.”

Increasing pressure is being put on poultry producers to improve hygiene standards but many

,

,

,

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simply do not have time to master the techniques. That’s why Steve Birchall Poultry House Cleaning Services aims to provide a top quality cleaning service at reasonable prices.

Established in 1985, Steve Birchall Poultry House Cleaning Services provides the ideal cleaning solution. All work is carried out by experienced poultry house operatives familiar with all types of buildings. Whether a farm specialises in broilers, breeders for free range, the Company has the expertise to complete the job to a farmers satisfaction.

Steve says “ Our work is carried out throughout the country”. His sales technique is simply making sure farmers know they are getting a quality service, references are available if required and we are happy to talk them through a procedure so they know exactly what is needed and what they are paying for”.

Many farmers find it helpful to discuss their requirements. When they ring Steve Birchall Poultry House Cleaning Services, they learn that the Company uses and

supplies three types of foam: Bio Gel, DM and CID-S. Trained

by Steve himself, the Company’s operatives wash buildings with 2,500 psi diesel washers.

“Talking through each case individually means we can prescribe the right course of action and take the headache of cleaning away from the farmer so he can get on with his day to day work,” Steve says, appending that his service was devised as a reaction to the comments of over worked farmers in the poultry industry.

The Company also sell disinfectants and cleaners to the poultry industry. A large section is always in stock and Steve is keen to point out that the Company can source

BEFORE

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whatever cleaner a farmer is looking for if they are not currently in stock.

All the washers are serviced, repaired and kept maintained by W Bateman Ltd and Steve points out that Bateman’s expertise in this field is second to none aid is pleased to recommend their quality service.

Steve Birchall Poultry House Cleaning Services covers the coun-

try, so a team of professional poultry house cleaning operatives are close at hand for all requirements. “If you are finding cleaning a strain, contact us for a price list or just a chat to discuss your needs” closes Steve.

“Associate with men of quality if you esteem your own reputation” - George Washington

AFTER

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-AGRI LINK-

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Tel: 01432 272025 the complete printing ser vice and more 126 Widemarsh Street • Hereford HR4 9HN • Fax: 01432 353962 Email: enquiries@printplushereford.co.uk www.printplushereford.co.uk

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SECURITY Are your security defences keeping your business secure?

G

arden Gates Stolen From Herefordshire Homes.

West Mercia Police are investigating a series of metal gate thefts from properties in Herefordshire.

A total of 12 metal gates were stolen from properties in Hereford City and the village of Lugwardine between Wednesday 22 January and Friday 31 January.

Thieves stole three metal gates from properties in Lugwardine, Herefordshire, overnight on Wednesday 22 January.

A Victorian wrought iron garden gate valued at £300 was taken from one property between 11pm and 23 January and 12.30am on Thursday 23 January while a cast iron gate valued at £100 was taken from another property in the village at around the same time.

Sometime between 11pm on the Wednesday and 10am the following day, a third property in Lugwardine was targeted and a white coloured wrought iron gate, valued at £400, was stolen.

Four metal gates were also stolen from properties in Whitecross Road, Hereford between 2.30pm on Tuesday 28 January and 11am on Wednesday 29 January.

Two gates were taken from properties in Edgar Street, Hereford, from 6pm on Monday 27 January and 6am of Wednesday 29 January.

Another two metal gates were stolen from Barr’s Court Road homes sometime between 6.30pm on Thursday 30 January and 11am on Friday 31 January, while a further gate was taken from a property in Grandstand Road between 6pm on Sunday 26 January and 9am on Monday 27 January. The gates in Hereford are valued from £30 to £200 each.

Sergeant Emma Freer from Police in Herefordshire said: “The thefts in Lugwardine all happened on the same night in the same area and we urge anyone who heard anything or saw any suspicious behaviour or an unfamiliar vehicle to contact us.

“The gate thefts in Hereford all

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happened within a week and we are linking these crimes.

“Any information that could help us to locate the stolen gates and track down those responsible can be passed on by calling the non emergency number 101 and asking for police in Herefordshire.”

Six Bee Hives Stolen From Herefordshire Orchard Police in Herefordshire are appealing to the public for help in tracing six commercial bee hives stolen from an orchard in the village of Staunton on Arrow, near Leominster.

The hives, valued at £4,000, were taken from an apple orchard sometime between 2pm on Friday 7 February and 11.45am on Sunday 9 February.

It is believed someone with a vehicle large enough to carry the six hives, drove into the orchard, loaded up the hives and drove off.

The police are asking anyone who saw a vehicle in an apple orchard in Staunton On Arrow over the weekend to contact them.

Anyone with information that could lead to recovering the hives and tracing those responsible for their theft is asked to call police at Herefordshire on the non emergency number 101 quoting incident number 280s 090214.

Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or completing its online form by logging on to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Police Investigate Burglary In Herefordshire Police in Herefordshire are investigating after a burglary at a farm in the county.

The burglary occurred at a farm that is being renovated in Felton sometime between 6pm on Friday 24 January and 10am on Monday 27 January.

Sometime over the weekend it appears thieves forced a padlock off a gate to enter the site and made their way to the site office – which is located in a disused barn.

They then forced a padlock off the office door and stole a number of items from inside.

Having left the office the thieves then forced their way into a steel storage unit by using a tool or machine of some sort to cut the padlock off the door.

They then entered the unit and stole further items before making their escape with all the property they had taken.

A police spokesman said: “It appears that this farm has been targeted deliberately because they know it is under renovation and that no-one is living there.

“It appears that several thousand pounds worth of building material and machinery were stolen by the thieves and police are therefore keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have information about this incident.

“Among the items stolen were four Makita Impact drills, a number of electricity extension cables, a Dewalt jackhammer breaker drill, a laser spirit level and accessories, and two Jewson wheelbarrows.

“Anyone who believes they may have information about this incident, especially anyone who may have seen any unfamiliar vehicles in the Felton area over the weekend, is asked to contact police in Hereford quoting incident number 141S 270114 Valuable Olive Trees Stolen From Ledbury Farm Police today appealed for information following the theft of seven olive trees worth around £10,000 from a Herefordshire farm.

The nine-foot trees, each weighing about 1.5 tonnes, were stolen from Argus Farm, Dymock Road, Ledbury between 12pm and 1pm on Wednesday, 29th January.

They were stored in large pots (see picture) at the farm and were seen being carried away from the farm on the Dymock Road towards Ledbury by a blue Volvo lorry with a 40-foot flatbed trailer.

Police Constable Dave Olczak, the investigating officer, said: “This is a high-value theft of some very distinctive property.

“Someone must have seen this lorry carrying the olive trees going past as the offenders left the area and I appeal to any witnesses to contact Ledbury police station on 101.

“I am also urging anyone with information concerning the current whereabouts of the trees, or if they have been offered such items for sale, to make contact.”

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GROUND CARE STIGA Park Compact 16 4WD with 105cm Deck

A

t only 92cm/37” wide, the Stiga Park Compact 16 4WD is our smallest 4 wheel drive mower and has all of the features required to make maintaining and improving your lawn a ‘drive in the park’.

Powered by a 500cc single cylinder Briggs & Stratton 4155 AVS engine, the hydrostatic 4WD transmission gives you infinite speed control in either direction from a single foot pedal.

The Park Compact 16 4WD is fitted with a 105cm width cutting deck which easily converts from mulching to rear discharge for longer grass conditions. The fuel

sorts of obstacles with no risk of the rear wheels dropping off the edge of

the back on fences or trees.

TheMulticlip cutter deck is positioned at the front of the machine where you can clearly see it and cuts the grass before the wheels have a chance to lay it flat.

Stiga’s unique articulated chassis design ensures that the rear wheels follow exactly in the path of the front cutter deck, and the simple and effective 4WD system eliminates any tyre scuffing on your lawn whilst turning.

All Stiga mowers are designed with functionality, reliability, comfort, quality and the environment in mind.

hills – especially when you’re towing a trailer. Ascending, you might lose traction so consider your exit routes carefully. Descending, select the straightest unblocked exit. Your engine will hold you at, say, 2mph with the throttle closed but if you end up in a slide, the only way to get your steering back is to accelerate and get the wheels turning at the speed you’re sliding.

You don’t want to be doing that with a big tree in your way!

“The front shape of an ATV is angled upwards and, in snow, it acts a bit like a snowplough. So, if you hit snow at speed, the ATV will try to climb it. At best, you could lose steering but at worst, you could end up sitting on a heap of snow with no drive – so, drive slowly!

Conditions: Frost and snow offer zero grip and because ATVs have low ground pressure footprints, the weight of the machine over deep, snowy surfaces can make it easy for it to sink down and sit on its undertray. If this happens, the wheels then won’t be touching

anything in order to propel you forward.

“Of all the weather conditions, I think that fog is probably the most challenging. It can descend quickly and leave you completely disorientated, taking away your usual reference points. If you can see the track in front of you, don’t deviate from it and take things slowly. If you can’t, call for help. Best of all, if fog is on the cards, stay close to home.”

Honda offers a range of bespoke accessories for its ATVs including a heated grip kit – for more information, give your local dealer a call to discuss you own requirements. Dealer locater at www. honda.co.uk/atv.

Honda offers a free EASI Rider Course® with every new Honda ATV. Ask your Authorised Honda dealer to register you for a course - it’s well worth it as it can qualify in risk assessments for PUWER or HSE requirements.

Contact your local Honda dealer today.

tank capacity is 6 litres and the machine is fitted with an adjustable comfort seat and mechanical servo steering.

This great little machine easily copes with soft wet ground conditions on a flat or sloping garden, manoeuvring quickly around all

the lawn or catching

Honda Offers Up Some Winter Advice

W

inter throws at us many different weather conditions – fog, frost, snow, sleet, ice – all of which have the capacity to significantly alter the terrain. Added to which, colder temperatures and shorter days make riding a real challenge. So, to make sure that you get through the season safe and sound, here are a few tips from Honda’s ATV riding expert, Lindsay Shields.

Power: “Batteries don’t respond well to cold temperatures, so check that both the battery on your ATV as well as the one that powers your mobile phone is fully charged.”

Keep in contact: “People knowing where you are is crucial, as is factoring in time for them to start

getting worried about you and actually get to you. All told, this could double or triple the time that you had anticipated being out.”

Clothing: “Make sure you’re dressed for the conditions you’re going out in and also, for what might come along. Weather turns quickly – make sure you’ve got extra layers to keep you warm.”

Attachments: “Snowploughs, winches and salt spreaders can all help make life easier and are easily fitted to your ATV.” Riding style: “In winter, traction won’t be great and stopping distances will be longer. Engine braking efficiencies are reduced because of the grip available to tyres on frozen surface so you need to think ahead when dealing with

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ATV’s & UTV’s Yamaha Viking Invades LAMMA for UK Launch!

Y

amaha Motor (UK) Ltd are launching the Viking, their latest utility vehicle, at LAMMA 2014 with updates to key ATV models also on display.

Since inventing the utility vehicle (UTV) category in 2004, the Rhino has offered the ideal blend of recreational and professional capability for UK customers. Now the UTV category has been revolutionised

by Yamaha with the introduction of the Viking, the new Yamaha UTV. This latest off road Yamaha vehicle features class leading load capacity, three independent seats in the cab, cutting edge off-road chassis technology and an enhanced Yamaha 700cc power plant. The entire design of the vehicle has been focussed around the driver, their enjoyment, comfort and safety.

The Viking project started by putting the driver and passengers figuratively and literally in the centre of the design. One of the main focuses is safety and comfort in order to give confidence when manoeuvring this new UTV through any kind of terrain. The Viking is based around a high-torque single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine housed in a rugged chassis, and every aspect of engineering - from power supply through to handling character - was focused on the people in the middle of the machine.

The driver and passengers have a lot of space on the Viking, and there’s also plenty of room for the cargo. A Euro-pallet size steel cargo bed offers practical loading whether transporting daily work tools & equipment or carrying camping and fishing gear for a weekend trip.

The end result is a well-balanced off road warrior that combines Yamaha’s well-known terrain ability together with usable and sensible power, as well as functionality and comfort. The Yamaha Viking will take you everywhere you need to go, whenever you want - and with space for three you can take who you want, as well as the equipment you need.

3-seat layout with a flat walkthrough floor One of the most significant and attractive features on the new Viking is its innovative 3-seat layout which features individual contoured seats for each of the occupants. To ensure great levels

of comfort on any terrain the three individual seats are designed to give support to each passenger’s lower waist. For added riding comfort the centre seat is inclined 5 degrees further back than the left and right seats, thereby helping to prevent the centre occupant’s shoulders bumping into their fellow passengers. Manufactured using durable yet comfortable urethane cushioning material, the water-resistant wipe-clean seats are designed to give a smooth and relaxing ride.

To accommodate different driving positions, the driver’s seat can be moved 45mm forwards or backwards from the standard position by adjusting the mounting bolts - and to prevent the centre seat passenger’s legs or feet from accidentally interfering with the driver’s foot controls on bumpy terrain, the Viking is equipped with a foot-space partition.

For increased comfort and security on bumpy tracks the Viking is equipped with an easy-to-adjust passenger grab bar on the dash as well as passenger footrests, and all three seats feature 3-point seat belts. There’s also a large glove box for storing personal items, and when it’s time for refreshment there are four cup holders - two on the left and two on the right.

Another feature which is sure to be appreciated by Viking users is the walk-through floor layout. Not only does this design make getting in and out of the Viking so much easier, it also allows the driver and passengers to access the vehicle from either side, which is a particularly useful feature in commercial and farming applications.

Conveniently-positioned controls Comfort, convenience and ease of use are the key themes running through this new 3-seater. The electric starter switch, the shift lever and the handbrake lever are all located to the right of the 4-spoke steering wheel. Together with its ultra-smooth CVT transmission and centrifugal clutch, these user-friendly features work together to make the Viking remarkably simple and enjoyable to operate.

Independent double wishbone suspension front and rear In order to ensure responsive handling together with a com-

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fortable and relaxing ride for all 3 people on board, the new Viking is equipped with independent double wishbone suspension at the front and rear.

Using the wealth of experience we have gained in building ground-breaking off road vehicles during the past half century, Yamaha’s engineers have created a sturdy and effective long-travel suspension system. Both the front and rear suspension designs utilise a proven double wishbone system, which together with the heavy-duty shock absorbers gives a smooth and comfortable ride over all sorts of surface conditions, from gravel fire roads through to rocky trails and muddy ruts.

High ground clearance and smooth steel skid plate The new Viking has been built to handle some of the toughest off road terrain, and features 300mm of ground clearance, enabling this rugged vehicle to negotiate tracks that many conventional 4WD vehicles would struggle to handle.

A smooth steel skid plate is fitted to the underside of the tough tubular chassis, allowing the Viking to glide over obstacles. It’s inevitable that even the Viking will one day get stuck on a rock or tree stump, and so to make it easier to free the machine from whatever is holding it back, the steel skid plate’s sides are angled upwards by 60mm. This allows the Viking to be rocked, pushed or towed off the obstacle with minimum time lost.

Light and natural handling feel When designing the new Viking, our engineers set out to create a vehicle which would respond instantly and predictably to every rider input, and deliver a light and natural handling feel. This has been achieved by, amongst other things, the use of a specific rack-and-pinion gear ratio which has been precisely matched to complement the suspension’s lever ratio. In addition to these factors, other technical specifications such as tyre sizes, suspension spring rates and damping characteristics have all been selected so that they interact positively in order to enhance the light and natural handling feel. Another advantage of this integrated suspension design is that the Viking’s predictable handling characteristics are relatively consistent, whether

driving solo or fully laden.

Electronic Power Steering The Viking features Dual Mode Electronic Power Steering (EPS) which makes the steering feel even lighter. This can be particularly useful for commercial users who use their machine intensively, as well as for those customers who plan to use their Viking regularly on heavy soils such as clay, or in boggy conditions. The EPS provides assistance in different driving conditions, whether 2WD or 4WD - and when in the 4WD & Diff Lock mode a second EPS mode takes over the power steering using a pre-determined installed programme. EPS is beneficial to any commercial or private customer who appreciates a more work-easing or relaxing ride.

Rugged and resilient body design The Viking’s exterior has been designed around Yamaha’s ‘Real Off Roader’ concept in which the overall look, feel and character is aimed at underlining its advanced off road capabilities.

The Viking’s tough bodywork has been specifically designed not only to prevent and minimize any potential damage caused by rocks and trees – it is also built in such a way that this rugged ROV will continue to function effectively even when it experiences a degree of accidental damage. Parts such as the front bar covers, side covers, rear fenders, doors and shoulder bolsters can be quickly and easily replaced if damaged beyond repair, which reduces down-time for commercial and leisure users.

For easy boarding and exiting the Viking is fitted with lightweight low-level doors which feature a light one touch operating system which is particularly attractive to commercial users making frequent stops.

The Viking has so much more to offer and so many more features we couldn’t possible list them all.

For more information please contact your local authorised Yamaha dealer today who will gladly assist you.

YAMAHA MOTOR (UK) LTD Units A2 & A3 Kingswey Business Park Woking Surrey GU21 5SA

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WELCOME TO THE COMFORT ZONE

The UK’s most extreme terrain and brutal weather lie ahead and you need to know that your ATV is up to the job. With innovative features such as independent suspension, selectable 4-wheel drive and powerful fuel-injected engines, our KingQuads are never out of their Comfort Zone. And with our exclusive T-shaped seat and user-friendly controls, you can ride confidently within your Comfort Zone, no matter where you find yourself.

terms & conditions apply visit the website

courtesy atv while yours is serviced*

free worKwear Kit with every atv*

experience the comfort Zone for yourself, find your local dealer at suzuki-atv.co.uk or call 0500 011 959

*Terms and conditions apply, visit the website for details

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