Agri News - December 2022

UNRIVALLED EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN GREEN BEDDING

ROBOTIC FEED PUSHER ADDS 3 LITRES PER COW

DeLaval has launched a new model claiming the technology can add up to three liters per cow per day.

Following the 2018 launch of the OptiDuo™ feed pushing robot, DeLaval has launched a new model claiming the technology can add up to three litres per cow per day. Data from over 1500 OptiDuos has been collated to demonstrate the time and labour savings made by users. It also shows multiple improvements in cow health.

“Constantly refreshing feed encourages cows to eat more, which results in a more stable rumen and more milk. OptiDuo will run up to 10 times a day and customers tell us, that on every occasion, they see the cows return to the fence to eat more,” explains Ludo Bols, DeLaval feeding specialist.

The OptiDuo remixes forage to make it more palatable and reduce waste. A twin-spiralled rotating auger and adaptive drive function enables a variety of forage types to be mixed and made available to cows 24 hours a day.

Feeding concentrates is also an option with the latest model. A concentrate dispenser inside the OptiDuo can be filled whilst the machine is charging, enabling concentrates to be fed out and recorded throughout the day.

The new OptiDuo features an impact-resistant engineering thermoplastic cover made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is also used in car manufacturing.

Inside, updated software collects more data which is shared using DeLaval’s operating system.

Farmers with milking robots have reported that cow flow and robot visits have improved with OptiDuo. The addition of the feed pushing robot has increased yields and helped make more milk from forage.

“On farms that have chosen to invest in milking robots, we have seen milk yields increase by up to three litres of milk per cow per day. For those who have invested, OptiDuo has provided improved cow health, farm profitability, operational efficiency and milk yield,” concludes Mr Bols.

INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT SUPPORTS BAGGING SLURRY

DEFRA has announced the first round of ‘slurry infrastructure grants’ will be open for applications from December 6th 2022

DEFRA has announced the first round of ‘slurry infrastructure grants’ will be open for applications from December 6th 2022 to January 31st 2023. The application window will enable farms needing to extend slurry storage to meet the six-month storage target and gain up to 50% towards new storage equipment.

The grants are primarily aimed at reducing the impact of slurry emissions and agriculture’s contribution to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Advocated by DEFRA are bag tanks which will be supported by grant funding and offer a complete solution to storing, agitating and managing slurry.

Slurry specialist Tramspread has been installing bag tanks for 20 years and has welcomed DEFRA’s support for the technology. Tramspread’s John Tydeman says:

“Depending on location, bag tanks can often be installed without planning permission. The tanks sit low to the ground, have capacities up to 7500m³, feature integral

stirrers and suction/delivery pipes. We import and install Albers Alligator bag tanks which only need groundworks similar to a shallow lagoon with sloping sides and base. This design enables the bag tank to be easily filled and fully emptied at any time.”

The grants will also cover the installation of above ground storage such as steel and stainless steel tanks. These offer farms, with less space close to livestock housing, the opportunity to increase slurry storage and in some cases incrementally add to the size of the tank.

“Stallkamp tanks can be extended using additional stainless steel rings. A more

cost- effective option is the Agritank. Both are covered by the slurry infrastructure grant. However, unlike a bag tank, both will require planning permission,” adds Mr Tydeman.

To qualify for funding, all storage tanks must have an impermeable cover which will add to the cost of steel tanks that require a textile or floating cover.

“Textile covers can be costly whereas a floating solution like Hexa-Cover will be considerably cheaper. Whilst floating tile covers are not covered by the grants, it may still be a cheaper option for some farms,” he says.

The grant will also fund items necessary for the basic functioning of new or expanded slurry stores, such as reception pits, slurry pumps and agitators. A fixed contribution towards the cost of slurry storage will be calculated using DEFRA’s standard costings which see £19.27 per m³ contributed for a bag tank with liner and £31.50 per m³ for a steel tank.

BUOYANT MILK PRICES MEAN MAXIMISING LITRES OF MILK PRODUCED

Kubota (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that George Browns Ltd has opened a new depot

Buoyant milk prices but high costs make improving milk from forage a ‘no brainer’

Buoyant milk prices mean maximising the litres of milk produced is a ‘no brainer’ on UK dairy farms. But high input costs mean doing this cost-efficiently is set to remain essential in 2023.

That is the message from Volac silage specialist, Peter Smith, who says although milk prices have hit 45-50 pence per litre during 2022, dramatic cost increases for fertiliser, feed and fuel mean finding ways to produce milk more cost-effectively will be vital to stop these costs eating into profit.

“Feed costs account for a significant proportion of the overall cost of milk production,” says Mr Smith, “and fertiliser costs have gone through the roof, so it’s important to get a return on these increased investments.

“While purchased feeds are a key element in most rations, homegrown feeds will be the most cost-effective base to the diet. By making better silage, so that more of the cow’s nutritional needs are provided by silage, it can help to ease feed costs. And with milk prices having improved, certain steps to improve silage

that may have previously been considered marginal by some farmers could now give a much better return on investment.”

Pointing to ways of improving silage, Mr Smith says paying extra attention to cutting grass at its nutritional peak is key. Too many fields are cut when grass has already headed, he says, but digestibility falls by 0.5 D units a day postheading. By one week postheading, around 1.5 kgs more concentrate per cow per day will need to be fed to make up for this, he notes, in order to achieve the same milk yield.

Similarly, wilting grass rapidly, so that it can be clamped as soon as possible after cutting is vital, says Mr Smith, in order to minimise the losses in energy and protein that continue while cut grass is left in the field.

“Our research has shown that tedding immediately after cutting in the morning can reduce wilting time by as much as 80% from a standard 24-hour wilt,” says Mr Smith, “but another area where big gains are possible is from ensiling with a proven additive. Here, our calculations show that, as milk price has increased from 25 to 45 pence per litre, the return from using the additive Ecosyl has increased from

£7.50 to £13.50 per tonne of silage treated. This now represents about a 10:1 return on investment.

“This is based on independent dairy cow trials which have shown that feeding a range of silage crops preserved with Ecosyl boosted milk yield by an average of 1.2 litres per cow per day. So if one tonne of silage typically feeds 25 cows for a day, this extra 1.2 litres over 25 cows equates an extra 30 litres of milk produced per tonne of silage.”

Other silage-making operations to focus attention on, says Mr Smith, include clamp consolidation. Many clamps are still not consolidated well enough, he says, which increases risks from poor fermentation and aerobic spoilage.

“Grass of 30% dry matter being loaded into a clamp at 100 tonnes per hour typically needs 25 tonnes of machinery rolling it constantly to compact it properly. Also, don’t skimp on clamp sealing and weighting,” he adds.

“Yes, dairy input costs have increased. But with strong milk prices, for those farmers who can produce milk costefficiently, the next few years should be a very good time.”

FACTOR IN FERTILISER COST WITH SPRING CROP DECISIONS

Cereal growers deciding when to stop planting winter wheat so that fields can be put into spring barley may need to factor in continued high fertiliser costs as part of this decision.

That is the message from Syngenta seeds portfolio marketing manager, Kathryn Hamlen, who says this year’s kind autumn has seen good progress with winter wheat drilling, but as drilling shifts later there comes a point when deciding to drill a spring crop instead becomes more attractive.

Typically, this decision revolves around factors such as the declining yield potential of winter wheat with later drilling and concerns about crop establishment, says Mrs Hamlen. But with high fertiliser costs, she says the lower nitrogen (N) fertiliser requirement of spring malting barley has increasingly become part of the equation.

“Clearly, fertiliser doses need calculating on a field-by-field basis, taking into account factors such as location restrictions, soil type and previous crop,” says Mrs Hamlen. “However, compared with around 200 kg/ha of N fertiliser that might be applied to a winter feed wheat crop, trials have indicated that the optimum N fertiliser dose for the popular spring malting barley variety Laureate was between 125 and 150 kg/ha when targeting brewing or around 100 to 125

kg/ha when targeting malt distilling. This was based on achieving a good yield while not exceeding a grain N content of 1.75% for brewing or of 1.65% for malt distilling.”

Although a lot of winter wheat has now been drilled, Mrs Hamlen says many fields of winter wheat are planted later, after sugar beet and potatoes. As well as increased difficulty preparing seedbeds during wet winter weather, she says seed rates typically need increasing with later drilling to account for reduced plant establishment and tillering, and different winter wheat varieties have different latest sowing dates based on their vernalisation requirements, which growers need to check.

“If opting to grow spring malting barley, look for a variety that has shown consistent performance and that offers flexibility to target brewing and malt distilling markets to help manage risk,” says Mrs Hamlen, “such as Laureate.

“With any cereal crop, sowing into good seedbeds is also vital, and spring barley is no exception. However, spring barley has a wide drilling window – it can be sown through to April in appropriate situations, allowing plenty of time for preparing seedbeds.

“In suitable situations, it is also possible to drill spring barley in December, which can give a strong crop with higher yield potential. However, this increases disease risk, and it doesn’t suit every situation, so it may be better to delay into the New Year to allow soil and weather conditions to improve.

“Whichever crop is planted, be aware that certain restrictions on the use of crop protection products may apply, not only based on whether the variety is listed as a winter or spring variety but also depending on the crop’s planting date. This, along with fertiliser dose, is worth seeking qualified advice on,” Mrs Hamlen adds.

Cereal growers deciding when to stop planting winter wheat may need to factor in high fertiliser costs as part of decision

INCREASING NITROGEN USE - EFFICIENCY THROUGH IMPROVED PRACTICE

Tailoring fertiliser applications to match soil and crop nutrient requirements can help increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and maximise investment in fertiliser and nutrition products next season. This will be a key focus on Origin Fertilisers’ stand at CropTec, where recent trial work will be on show highlighting the importance of understanding how different nutrients interreact to increase fertiliser availability to the plant. Trials involving applying molybdenum as a fertiliser coating have delivered significant improvements to NUE.

Using molybdenum in this way has helped improve the sustainability of nitrogen –helping the crop take up more of the N quicker rather than losing it to the environment and increased the return on investment as growers are achieving more from the same inputs. Origin NUETrition products are key to this, aimed at helping users increase NUE and measure it more effectively to understand where gains can be made.

Origin will also be displaying the latest results from a trial involving Digest-It, a single application biological treatment that has been used in digestate for the first time. Results included a 20.3% increase in ammonium nitrogen and a 29% reduction in oven dry solids. Digest-It also improved the workability of the digestate, making it easier to pump and apply, reducing fuel use and wear on machinery. The results illustrate that the same amount of land can have 13% more digestate spread on it before NVZ limits are reached.

“Making current fertiliser strategies go further and being more efficient with applications will be essential this year, and targeted nutrition can play a big role in this,” says Peter Scott, technical director at Origin Fertilisers.

“If farmers are looking carefully at fertiliser spend, we want to be helping them to apply the right product, at the right time, in the right place and at the right rate and not leave the soil and crop lacking in nutrients that will have a detrimental effect on yield and quality.”

KUHN LAUNCHES NEW LIGHT-WEIGHT DRILL

Kuhn has unveiled an updated, lightweight Megant drill featuring new tine coulters and more

capable of holding 1200 kilos of wheat and drilling 60 hectares a day replaces a riveted hopper on the previous model. The new hopper also includes internal steps to improve access to the distribution head.

KUHN has unveiled an updated, lightweight Megant drill featuring new tine coulters, an updated terminal, and the option to add a second hopper. The Megant 602R shares functionality with the previous 600 model, but features half width shut off and can be specified with an additional SH 1120, 110 litre hopper to drill two crops in the same pass.

Due to its lightweight design, the Megant can be operated by tractors with as little as 150 horsepower. Three types of tines can be specified on the Megant, including reversible forward action, straight, and a new narrow 12mm straight tine coulter which reduces soil displacement through improved penetration and also reduces wear on the tine thanks to the addition of carbide plated points.

A new VT 30 terminal makes the Megant suitable for tractors with and without ISOBUS. Large buttons, a shock proof casing and ergonomic design make the terminal easier to operate and more durable. Compatibility with both KUHN CC1 8001200 and other ISOBUS terminals will make the Megant more accessible to all users and will offer the economy of not needing to purchase a second control terminal for tractors already fitted with a compatible model.

The 602R has inherited some features from the larger ESPRO drill including spring loaded nonstop track eradicators and side markers that are better suited to dry conditions. A new welded 1800 litre hopper

The improved hopper features a shut off door enabling operators to isolate the two compartments. This makes it possible to adjust the metering unit when the hopper is full and helps to prevent seed settling in the metering unit when the Megant is in transit.

The Megant has been fitted with KUHN’s VISTAFLOW valves which can be configured and controlled from the terminal. This enables operators to program the flow of seed with the option to save settings for future use. VISTAFLOW also records tramlining configurations such as the working width and wheel track to enable more accurate use of sprayers and fertiliser spreaders which will help to reduce input costs.

The Megant 602R is available to order in the UK with RRP’s starting at £42,760.

Southam Agricultural Fields Farm, Station Rd, Southam CV47 2DH t: 01926 813426 www.southamagri.co.uk

PRECISION BREEDING BILL WILL SUPERCHARGE INVESTMENT

NIAB - Precision Breeding Bill will supercharge investment in UK crop innovation

New legislation to be debated by MPs in Parliament on Monday (31 October) could help unlock the UK’s global leadership in plant genetic research, and encourage innovation in agriculture to address the most pressing challenges of today –developing crops that are higher yielding, more nutritious, more resilient to climate change and less reliant on pesticides or fertilisers.

Crop science organisation NIAB has welcomed the return of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill to complete its Commons stages, and is urging MPs to support the Bill’s ambition to drive innovation and investment in our agri-food sector, and to open new opportunities for research organisations and businesses.

NIAB CEO Professor Mario Caccamo said the introduction of the Bill had already led to positive conversations between NIAB and prospective research partners and commercial investors.

“We are already seeing increased interest in UKbased research investment and strategic partnerships

as a result of the Precision Breeding Bill and the signals it sends that Britain’s regulatory framework is set on a more pro-innovation trajectory. Importantly, that interest is coming not only from investors at home, but also from overseas.”

“This could mark a turning point for UK-led innovation in plant genetics. For the past 20 years or so, the direction of travel for investment in crop science has been one-way – out of the UK to regions of the world such as North and South America which have adopted more favourable regulatory regimes.”

“Over that time, remarkably, the UK has retained its leadership in fundamental plant genetic science and gene discovery research. This new legislation could help supercharge the private sector investment needed to unlock potentially significant advances for more sustainable farming systems, improved nutrition, and climate resilience,” he said.

Professor Caccamo highlighted to a number of ongoing NIAB research projects involving gene editing whose prospects of commercial application would be boosted by the

Bill’s provisions, including coeliac-safe wheat, enhanced nitrogen and water-use efficiency in wheat, and flowering time variation in strawberry to extend the domestic growing season.

He added that greater access to technologies such as gene editing would boost NIAB’s ongoing efforts to unlock the genetic potential of neglected pulse crops, such as peas, faba beans and soya, to provide a home-grown protein source with benefits for sustainable farming, healthy eating and climate change.

“The focus for gene editing research at NIAB is to help develop crops and farming systems which are less dependent on chemical pesticides and fertilisers, and which reduce the climate change impact of agriculture. These are all important objectives shared widely across the political spectrum for which new breeding technologies can offer tangible solutions,” said Professor Caccamo. “I would strongly urge MPs to support the Bill. Given the pace of climate change and insecurity of global supply chains, there is no time to waste.”

PROXIMA - UNIVERSAL TRACTOR NOT ONLY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES

“In the past, local farmers used to help us with some work, but they weren’t always available and the cost of specialised compaies was high”

The small village of Světnov is located just a few kilometers from Žďár nad Sázavou, surrounded by beautiful nature, typical for the Vysočina region. Even though it has only around 500 inhabitants, there is more than enough work here. That is why the municipality acquired a new reinforcement at the end of 2020. It was ZETOR PROXIMA CL 100. "In the past, local farmers used to help us with some work, but they were not always available and the cost of specialized companies was high. So, we decided to buy our own tractor for the municipality," explains Mr. Pavel Štefan, Mayor of Světnov.

Work of all kinds

So far, the tractor works mainly in winter. "The terrain in Světnov is very hilly. We have about 6 kilometers of roads in the village and they have to be gritted, otherwise, the garbage men won't even take the bins out. Sometimes we shovel snow from 5 am and the afternoon shift ends at 10.30 pm. So, with PROXIMA, it's up to whoever is on hand," says Mr. Štefan about the main job of the tractor. "We also sometimes use the tractor to pull out

cars stuck in the snow, because the winter here in Vysočina is hard and there is a lot of snowing," he adds with a smile.

Světnov Zetor Proxima CL 100 lukaskralphoto (3) Most often PROXIMA works with an arrow plow (which is highly praised by the locals because it plows snow on both sides) and a spreader in the back. However, PROXIMA is not only used in winter. In addition to the plow, the municipality has also purchased a container carrier, so that they can now take the containers away themselves, and a sweeper for cleaning the roads and pavements. "This is a really big help for us. The ZETOR also proved its worth last year when we asphalted the road to Stržanov and the PROXIMA helped to remove the cut trees," adds the mayor.

They are very satisfied with the tractor in Světnov. It handles all the work without any problems, is still under warranty, and has had no serious breakdowns. The village wanted the ZETOR from the very beginning. Mainly because of the favorable price and easily accessible service. After

all, the company Agrozet Havlíčkův Brod, where they bought the PROXIMA, is only 30 km away and it is easy to get there "on the wheels".

Světnov Zetor Proxima CL 100 lukaskralphoto (6) Plans for the future

In Světnov they are already thinking about how to use the potential of the new PROXIMA. The first step will be to add another pair of hydraulic sections forward and backward. In the future, they are considering buying a mowing arm to use in the maintenance of local roads and around Světnov. "We pay for the service now, so we would be self-sufficient in that as well. In addition, we can transport the mown greens to a nearby biogas plant and reduce our costs," says Mr. Štefan. Another possibility would be to use PROXIMA to take out the sludge from the local wastewater treatment plant. So far, they are outsourcing this service, but soon, it could be another way to save some money from the municipal budget.

And we wish the whole Světnov many satisfied motor hours and as much work well done with the ZETOR as possible.

START PLANNING YOUR LAMBING CHECKLIST + WIN £500 VOUCHER

“There isn’t another time of the year that is as labour intensive as lambing season and if you’re unprepared it can be more difficult”

“There isn’t another time of the year that is as labour intensive as lambing season and if you are unprepared, it can be difficult to keep up with everything,” says Nettex Area Business Manager and Scottish livestock farmer Jane Moodie.

In the weeks ahead of lambing season, Miss Moodie and fellow Nettex Area Business Manager and Wales livestock farmer Gwyn James advise sheep farmers and shepherds to set aside time to organise management schedules and take stock of lambing supplies.

Balancing full-time jobs with playing active day-to-day roles on their family livestock farms has been possible for them both by taking a checklist approach to pre-lambing preparation.

Lambing 200 ewes outdoors in mid-April, Miss Moodie is hands-on at her family’s farm in the Scottish Highlands. In Wales near Aberystwyth, 42-year-old Mr James has helped his father lamb their primarily commercial flock of 300 ewes for all but one season since he was old enough to work.

To keep things simple, the pair recommend splitting out two checklists – one for management tasks such as scanning dates, nutrition planning and pen setup – and one for equipment supplies that are on hand and that need to be purchased.

“Taking the time to prepare and be organised is ultimately a small investment into a huge time saver for the future,” says Mr James. “Especially when it comes to

having the right supplies on hand. It is also going to ensure you have what you need when you need it and that you aren’t purchasing anything in excess because you don’t know what you already have.”

To help sheep farmers with this lambing season, Nettex is giving away three £500 vouchers for Nettex products. Entries are open until March 31, 2023, and can be applied for here by taking a fourquestion survey.

Below, Mr James and Miss Moodie share their insight into what equipment supplies are included on their pre-lambing equipment checklists for their indoor and outdoor systems:

Pre-lambing equipment checklist

Boxes of gloves – long and short With a background as a veterinary nurse, Miss Moodie has seen the consequences when gloves aren’t worn and recommends wearing them to protect both the flock and the handler.

“Always wear gloves. I like wearing long ones that go up my arm when lambing because the mucous on lambs dries out and cracks skin, creating the perfect opportunity for bacteria to enter into your body and cause some serious issues,” she says. “It is also important to wear clean gloves between handling sheep, especially when doing something like trimming feet, to prevent the spread of infection from one sheep to another.”

Iodine – spray or dip

“I find the cup method for dipping navels to be very wasteful and messy and prefer to use 10% Iodine spray. This dries rapidly and if applied properly will give the same coverage as a dip,” says Mr James.

Colostrum

“Best practice is to always give a lamb colostrum from the ewe as its first feed as soon as possible post-lambing. However, there are always cases when that is not an option so it is necessary to have some powdered colostrum on hand,” says Miss Moodie. “Weather conditions and other factors will also have a significant impact on colostrum production so if a bad weather front is going to be moving in, definitely increase the amount of powdered colostrum you have available.”

Both she and Mr James recommend Ultra Concentrate for its high-quality full fat colostrum sourced from British farms.

Marker spray

“We use this for management notes for things like pairing twins or if they’re a male and have been banded,” says Miss Moodie. “Marksman spray works extremely well for us.”

CCTV

“We installed night vision CCTV a few years ago in the lambing shed and can monitor and zoom in on individual ewes from a smartphone. This has saved us a significant amount of time on night checks,” says Mr James.

JOY AS COUNTESS MARKS DOUBLE MILESTONE AT NEW BRITISH JCB PLANT

Countess of Wessex Patron of the NSPCC, was warmly welcomed to JCB for a double engagement

Countess of Wessex Patron of the NSPCC Donation News

The Countess of Wessex, Patron of the NSPCC, was warmly welcomed to JCB today for a double engagement – to officially open a new £100 million factory and to receive a £300,000 cheque for the children’s charity.

The Countess visited JCB Cab Systems, Uttoxeter, and during a tour, Her Royal Highness was given an insight into the hi-tech manufacturing plant complete with its computercontrolled production line and rainwater harvesting and heat capture systems. Her Royal Highness later received a cheque for £300,000 for the NSPCC after a successful employee fundraising campaign.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole welcomed The Countess to the plant and during the visit Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque on the shop floor to the applause of hundreds of employees who had gathered to watch the occasion.

Lord Bamford said: “Britain, and Staffordshire, is a great place to manufacture and investing in Britain is something we will continue to do. Investing in this plant has, quite literally transformed

our cab production business, bringing new levels of efficiency to our operations.”

The Countess of Wessex met employees on the shop floor including Ben Emery, who joined JCB in 2006 as a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice. He now works as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager at the factory and led the team that bought all the key equipment for the new plant. He gave Her Royal Highness an insight into the manufacturing processes at the site.

Ben, 32, of Burton-on-Trent, said: “It was fantastic to meet The Countess of Wessex and the whole team is very proud to have been able to show off our hi-tech workplace to a member of the Royal Family. She was very interested in everything we have done to make this a world class, efficient manufacturing facility which competes with the best in the world.”

Following the official opening, The Countess, attended a celebration to mark the culmination of JCB’s latest appeal for the children’s charity, which the Bamford Charitable Trust has supported for almost 40 years. Her Royal Highness met more than 50 employees from all over JCB who have played key roles in the JCB NSPCC Platinum

Jubilee Appeal, which was launched in 2021 with a target of £70,000. Employees smashed through the goalraising £150,000.

The Countess was presented with a cheque for £300,000 by Lady Bamford - after The Bamford Charitable Trust doubled the amount raised by employees. As she handed over the cheque Lady Bamford paid tribute to everyone involved in the Appeal.

JCB is a family business with family values, and it is those family values which have seen so many successful NSPCC appeals staged over the years. HRH The Countess of Wessex | Patron of the NSPCC

"JCB’s roots in Staffordshire are very deep, just like those of the many thousands of families who work here. There is so much more work to do to end child cruelty, which is why it is so important to us to support the work of the NSPCC in a way which directly benefits the children of this county.” An NSPCC spokesperson said: "We would like to thank JCB for their fantastic efforts during the Platinum Jubilee campaign. We are extremely grateful that JCB has chosen to donate the funds raised to the NSPCC and support our vital work with children and families in Staffordshire.”

YOUNG FARMER INTRODUCES SUCCESSFUL PYO BUSINESS

Ed Swan had made it a goal to further increase the self-sufficiency of Ffrith Farm amid removal of BPS payments

Ed Swan had made it a goal to further increase the self-sufficiency of Ffrith Farm amid the removal of BPS payments

A young farmer’s resolve to make his family farm selfsufficient and remove its reliance on subsidies has been the catalyst to a successful horticulture diversification.

Ed Swan had made it a goal to further increase the selfsufficiency of Ffrith Farm, with the Flintshire-based family already having a well-established farm shop.

With a land base of 200 acres and a need for Ed, and his parents, to make a living from it, further diversification beckoned.

“We didn’t want to go down the route of economies of scale, chasing high-value land, but to make what we already had earn more," Ed explains.

With that in mind he signed up as a Farming Connect focus farm, exploring options for building a farm destination experience around existing resources.

Ed’s unintentional inclusion of a high percentage of sunflower seeds in a herbal ley mix for grazing cattle in 2021 had already sparked one idea for achieving that.

we have here."

Three acres were planted with sunflowers on the Mold-based farm and this year alone, 2,500 flowers were sold.

That enterprise filled a summer dip in business in the farm shop – many of their regular customers are away in the summer therefore sales can be lower.

To bolster income in late autumn, when sales can also tail off before the busy Christmas period, the farm was also perfectly placed to offer ‘pick your own pumpkins’ for Halloween.

An area of land below the shop, previously wasteland, was drained and earmarked as the pumpkin patch.

Ed bought 4,000 pumpkins seeds and commissioned a local nursery to grow them on to plugs – the total cost for both was £700.

“We are 700 feet above sea level on heavy clay, I didn’t rate our chances of sowing the seed directly," he says. That approach yielded a 90% success rate after planting out.

for customers to collect their pumpkins.

Ed took charge of the weed management. “I mostly did it in the evenings, we didn’t need to get extra help in for that so there wasn’t a real cost to it."

When the crop was ready to be picked, customers came in their hordes, paying from £2 - £8 for a pumpkin, with many buying several.

In setting the price point, Ed struck a balance between being competitive and making a profit.

“As farmers, I think we often struggle with recognising the value of what we are producing," he admits.

Traffic – and people –management is another consideration he will take forward in his plans for the venture in 2023.

“Pumpkin and sunflower pickers stay a long time. Our farm shop customers might park for 15 minutes but, when people come to pick, they can be here for two hours. The car park was full all the time."

“It was a happy mistake," says Ed. “We looked at pick-your-own as it ties in with everything else

Potash applied at 200kg/acre cost £400 and £200 was spent on fungicide to tackle powdery mildew caused by the summer heatwave.

The business invested £200 in a fleet of 14 wheelbarrows

He plans to extend car parking facilities and may also open a café in the future, as a further diversification.

The income from the PYO business has added to farm profitability, and that gives Ed confidence as he looks ahead to the eventual removal of the BPS.

FORWARD-THINKING SCHOOL INVESTS IN FUTURE WITH NEW MACHINERY FLEET

A prestigious college with a history of producing elite sporting athletes has marked its 100th anniversary

Aprestigious college with a history of producing elite sporting athletes has marked its 100th anniversary with a significant investment in its groundscare.

Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire has completely renewed its machinery in order to maintain a huge area of sports pitches, running tracks and amenity grounds.

A GPS precision sprayer has been added to the fleet, and combustion engines have given way to electric wherever possible in line with the college’s sustainability ambitions.

Founded in 1912, Lord Wandsworth left a generous bequest in his will to educate the children of agricultural workers and children who had lost one or both parents.

“The outdoors is still at the heart of the school, although the emphasis on farming has been replaced by sport, with notable former pupils including rugby stars such as world cup winner Jonny Wilkinson and British & Irish Lion Ugo Monye,” Alistair Cotton, Grounds and Gardens Manager, says.

Other notable alumni include Squadron leader George Johnson – the last remaining member of the 1943

Dambusters raid – HelloFresh founder Patrick Drake, and Claudia Gwinnutt, who created the beauty brand Circla.

Out of the total 1,200 acres on the site, the team is responsible for 150 acres which includes 14 winter pitches ranging from full size rugby and football to touch rugby and seven-aside football pitches.

“There is also a full-size and half-size astroturf pitch and in the summer there are six grass cricket squares, two artificial cricket grounds and a grass 400m running track,” says Alistair.

“It would be enough to keep 13 people busy – at the moment, we only have a team of five.”

With staff recruitment an issue, a common problem at present in the industry, ensuring that the kit is up to speed and efficient is particularly important.

The grounds team upgraded its fleet of John Deere kit this year, to better service the sports fields, some of which have increased in size, and to contribute to the college’s overall aim to reduce carbon emissions.

“The school was passionate about cutting carbon

emissions even before the current issues with power prices,” he says. “Opting for electric TE Gators was just one element of that –they’re also about to install solar panels on all the roofs to try and offset the utility bills.”

So far, the team have been pleased with the performance.

“They last a day and we’ve had no issues with battery life,” he says. “Compared to the combustion Gators we had before, they are not as fast, but if you’d never had one of the older models, you’d wouldn’t know – they do the job just as well.”

A significant investment in solar panels across the college’s buildings will see the Gators charged by on-site renewable energy in the near future, but the team continues to run a diesel TH 6x4 Gator.

This new collection of kit marks the school’s third deal with John Deere through their local dealer, Hunt Forest, in Blashford.

“Each deal has grown year on year to the point we’re at now,” Alistair says. “We’ve been with John Deere for 15 years – they’re always very competitive on price and the reliability of the machines is as good as any.”

THE NEW 5ML TRACTOR SERIES FROM JOHN DEERE

John Deere introduces its most intelligent and powerful narrow tractors for use in high-value crops to date

Walldorf – With the new 5ML Series, which includes the flagship 5130ML, John Deere introduces its most intelligent and powerful narrow tractors for use in high-value crops to date. The 5ML tractors can be equipped with a comprehensive John Deere technology package for precision farming and deliver a maximum output of 134 hp.

Smart – Precision farming for high value crops

To make working with specialty crops easier, the 5ML offers a comprehensive John Deere technology package for precision farming. A unique feature is the integrated AutoTracTM guidance system. The AutoTracTM display has been integrated directly into the tractor's dashboard, eliminating the need for an additional activation or display. Above all, this saves additional costs. With its equipment, the 5ML makes it possible to combine different work steps. The integrated guidance system enables the driver to deliver a high quality of work even on long days. He can fully concentrate on the implements as the tractor itself

stays on track.

Due to political measures, farmers have to document their work processes in increasing detail, which means additional effort. With the optionally available

Gen 4 display on the 5ML, every step of the tractor's work can be easily documented and securely transferred to the John Deere Operations Centre, which is available free of charge. Here, all operations can be monitored, planned and analysed, enabling the farmer to make informed agronomic decisions. With 1ClickGo AutoSetup from John Deere, settings for the documentation and execution of the work steps, such as an application rate for a crop protection measure, can be set up via the Operations Center.

As soon as the tractor enters the respective field, the defined job appears on the display. All the driver has to do is confirm and start working.

1ClickGo AutoSetup thus saves set-up time and ensures error-free documentation.

Via the John Deere Operations Center, the 5ML can be connected to software

applications from partner companies that enable sitespecific farming specifically for high-value crops. This allows the targeted use of inputs, which reduces production costs. The 5ML is a pioneer in precision farming for highvalue crops.

Furthermore, John Deere's Connected Support can maximise the uptime of the 5ML. With the customer's explicit consent, machine data is analysed remotely while the 5ML is in operation. If an irregularity is detected, the local John Deere dealer is automatically informed. They then notify the customer of the impending malfunction before the machine's performance is affected.

Strong – The strongest of the narrow John Deere tractors

The John Deere PowerTech Plus engine in the new 5130 ML is a 4.5-litre four-cylinder with a solid torque rise of 30% and a maximum output of 134 hp. The mechanical PowerQuad Plus transmission has four of the optionally available Powr8 transmission eight power shiftable gears.

When range shifting the matching powershift gear is automatically selected. This and the no-clutch range shifting with the de-clutch button makes the tractor stand out in terms of comfort.

NEW BRUSHCATTM & LOG GRAPPLE ATTACHMENTS FROM BOBCAT

Bobcat:

New attachments are designed for Bobcat Small articulated loaders

Heightened weed burden could mean growers need to replace inundated crops

As a result of the summer’s prolonged drought, some early-drilled winter wheats are facing a heightened weed burden after the dry conditions have prevented pre-emergence herbicides from working effectively. That’s according to Mike Thornton, head of crop production for agronomy firm ProCam, who urges growers to assess affected fields to determine if the current crop should be retained or sprayed off and re-drilled.

“Despite being a distant memory, the summer’s dry and hot conditions are still having an effect on the new cycle of cereal crops,” Mr Thornton explains. “Some wheats which were drilled ahead of schedule or on lighter land have suffered from a lack of soil moisture, which has prevented soilacting pre-emergence herbicides from working to the best of their ability. As a result, some winter cereals are currently facing heightened competition from out-of-control weeds which, in the most severe

cases, could threaten the crop’s viability and profitability.”

Mr Thornton therefore recommends that each field should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to decide if the current crop, or part of it, should be sprayed off and re-drilled, either with a replacement winter crop, or with a subsequent spring crop.

“Where the weed burden is excessive or contains difficult-to-control competitors such as blackgrass, ryegrass and brome, it could be quite an easy decision to make. For example, if grass weeds have made it to the two-leaf stage or beyond, they will be very difficult to control as most contact herbicides have been rendered ineffective by mounting resistance.

“In the most severe cases, it will make sense to admit defeat sooner rather than later and to write-off the current crop so that weeds can be burned off ahead of a replacement crop being established.”

For many growers, Mr Thornton says it’s still

not too late to get a replacement winter crop into the ground. For others, deferring to a spring-sown cropping strategy might be the better option.

“In both cases, growers should be aware of the restrictions imposed by certain active ingredients on replacement crops. The best approach is to seek definitive advice from your agronomist and, where necessary, to implement a ‘plan B’ sooner rather than later.”

WALES TO INTRODUCE HOUSING ORDER IN FIGHT AGAINST AVIAN FLU

New biosecurity measures and housing placement will be implemented for poultry and captive birds in wales

New biosecurity and housing requirements will be implemented for poultry and captive birds in Wales, bringing it in line with England, which introduced a housing order on 7 November.

Interim Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Gavin Watkins, said these steps were being taken now to get ahead of a possible increased level of avian influenza virus in the environment and will come into force across Wales on Friday, 2 December.

From this date, it will be a legal requirement for all

bird keepers to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separated from wild birds. Keepers must also complete and act upon a bespoke biosecurity review of the premises where birds are kept. This is to minimise the risk of virus entry in bird houses, which usually results in high mortality.

These new measures are in addition to those in the Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which remain crucially important.

Dr Watkins is encouraging bird keepers to prepare for the introduction of the new measures, by making sure

housing is suitable, with the housed environment enhanced to protect bird welfare. Keepers should consult their vet for advice where needed.

“The latest data suggests a westward spread of avian influenza to Wales in the coming months, and increased risk of birds being infected outside, through increased viral survival times and a possible further spread in the range of wild birds carrying the virus. Having assessed the evidence, we are taking further preventative action to help protect poultry and kept birds. The biosecurity and housing measures we are introducing in Wales will provide additional protection for birds and resilience for our poultry sector. We will continue to keep the situation under constant review.

“I want to thank all keepers for the steps they have taken to keep birds in Wales safe from this devastating disease, steps which we know have protected birds. The additional measures announced today will build on that effort. If implemented rigorously, our birds will be protected.”

RADIOGRAPHY COULD TRANSFORM POULTRY BREEDING

A method of analysing bone density in hens could help poultry producers select the optimum birds with which to breed

Amethod of analysing bone density in hens could help poultry producers select the optimum birds with which to breed, to improve animal health and welfare.

Scientists at the Roslin Institute have developed a digital X-ray procedure that takes around 45 seconds to conduct, is practical for hens and poultry workers, and delivers reliable, reproducible results.

Their novel method enables breeders to consider bone density in their selection of laying hens, which are at risk of fractures from biological changes linked with laying eggs.

Recent advances in digital X-ray technology have enabled researchers to develop their technique to capture and interpret images relating to bone density.

Their method involves

quickly capturing digital X-rays of live hens, from which their leg bone density can be calculated, and data digitally shared.

The procedure, which takes about 45 seconds, offers a fast, practical alternative to conventional imaging techniques such as Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Digitised Fluoroscopy and CT scans.

Strong bones offer improved health and reduced risk of fractures in birds that have freedom to move around their environment. The keel bone, or sternum, of hens is particularly prone to damage and previous

research by the same team has shown that leg bone density is genetically related to that of the keel bone, and to fracture risk.

A practical way to measure bone density could also help reduce the number of animals needed for research into nutritional and management aids for bone health.

The study, published in British Poultry Science, was supported by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

“For many decades, poultry breeders have chosen which birds to breed according to a mix of many factors, but it has not been possible to account for bone quality in live hens, and a practical method of measuring bone quality in hens has been unavailable,” said Professor Ian Dunn, Personal Chair of Avian Biology, at the Roslin Institute. “Our method represents a major development to aid selection towards improving bone strength, and health and welfare, in laying hens.”

TESCO ANNOUNCES CLOSE TO £14 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Tesco has announced further support for its British egg suppliers and producers

Tesco has announced further support for its British egg suppliers and producers, as the sector continues to experience challenging market conditions brought on by price increases in key inputs such as feed and energy and the avian flu outbreak.

The support package includes £13.6m of support already provided to Tesco’s suppliers and producers since March this year, as well as a commitment to provide a further £13.9m of additional support until March 2023, with the support continuing after that date.

Earlier this year, Tesco announced five-year contracts with its five main British shell egg suppliers –Anglia Free Range Eggs, Glenrath Farms, Griffiths Family Farms, Noble Foods and Skea Eggs. The long-term contracts, which began in October, mean Tesco will continue to stock 100% British shell eggs in its stores, while helping to provide UK egg farmers with the confidence to invest and plan for the future.

Tesco has also confirmed the continuation of its poultry feed price tracker. Poultry feed represents up to 70% of the cost of production on egg and poultry farms. The model adjusts to price changes in the market, providing producers with the cost protection and security they need when buying feed.

The support package will be paid to suppliers to cover the cost of handling, processing and egg production, including any

increases in feed for farmers. Tesco will continue to work with its suppliers to ensure the additional investment gets passed to farmers as quickly as possible.

Dominic Morrey, Tesco Commercial Director for Fresh said: “We know the British egg sector continues to face acute market conditions with input costs continuing to increase, and avian flu causing disruption and adding complexities to farming conditions and the supply chain. We’re pleased to continue our support for UK suppliers and producers, as well as provide reassurance to our customers that we will remain 100% British on all our shell eggs.”

“With five-year contracts with our suppliers now underway, and our well-established feed model in place, we hope the support we’re providing alleviates some of the pressure being felt and provides the industry with confidence and protection during these uncertain times.”

Mark Williams, Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council said: “We are delighted that Tesco is investing in its supply chain to support British egg producers. We know that consumers want and expect the eggs on retailers’ shelves to be British and it is great to see Tesco publicly reinforcing its commitment to stock British Lion eggs. The Lion is not only recognised by consumers as a sign of quality, but it also shows that the eggs are approved by the Food Standards Agency to

be eaten runny by everyone, including vulnerable groups.”

Clair Bullen, Head of Sales & Marketing, Anglia Free Range Eggs, said: “We welcome Tesco’s ongoing commitment and support for our free range producers. Our farmers continue to face unprecedented inflationary costs and are now dealing with the devastating impact of Avian Influenza across the UK. Our goal is to continue to work closely with Tesco to create a truly economically sustainable model which will deliver for the future.”

Aled Griffiths OBE, Chairman, Griffiths Family Farms, said: “Recent unprecedented events have added extreme volatility to the supply chain which has added significant pressure to production costs. Griffiths family farms are pleased to be working with Tesco and welcome their ongoing support in addressing the structural changes needed to ensure sustainable UK egg production for the future.”

Harold Richmond, Agricultural Director, Skea Eggs, said: “At a time when egg producers are facing huge inflation-driven cost increases, with an overhanging threat of Avian Influenza to their businesses, Skea Eggs very much welcomes Tesco’s support package which will help support producers now and over the coming months. We must continue to work together to ensure we have a sustainable, secure supply base now and in the future.”

STEVE BIRCHALL: KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

Testimonial: This testimonial is supplied by P.R Starkie, Farm Manager at P.M. Ashburner Ltd

Being a small family run Poultry unit we need to have good reliable contractors to ensure our site has a good state of cleanliness and biosecurity.In order to achieve this we use another family run business, Steve Birchall Poultry Services Ltd.

As a business we have worked in relationship with Steve Birchall and his team for a long number of years and will continue to do so for many more. His team do a first class job washing and disinfecting our site. Nothing is too much trouble and they can accomodate our needs at the drop of a hat.

I can honestly say Steve and his team are excellent, reliable, thorough, tidy and hard working. They leave our site ready for action! I would recommend Steve Birchall Poultry Services without hesitation.

P.R Starkie Farm Manager P.M Ashburner Ltd

Testimonial from W. Bateman & Co

I would highly recommend Steve Birchall Poultry Cleaning Services, having knowing him for over 25 years and it has been an absolute pleasure to have him as my loyal customer and I look forward to many more years in business and wish Steve Birchall the continued success with his business and the good reputation he has gained over the years. We look forward to many more years in business with Steve Birchall.

All the best - All at W Bateman & Co

ABA Groundcare LLP

Unit 2, Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1ST Tel 01305 257952 jamie@abagroundcare.co.uk

Mike Pryce Machinery

Greenfields Farm, Four Crosses, Llanymynech, Powys, SY22 6RF Tel 01691 830308 mike@mikeprycemachinery.com phil@mikeprycemachinery.com

Off Road Electric

Stonesfield Manor, Combe Road, Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, OX29 8QB Tel 0773 453 0452 marc.monsarrat@off-road-electric.com

E. P. Barrus Ltd., Glen Way, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 4UR Tel: 01869 363665 Email: vehicle@barrus.co.uk www.barrus.co.uk

TWO MORE CORVUS DEALERS APPOINTED

In the continuing expansion of their dealer network, Boss ORV has appointed two near Corvus dealers

In the continuing expansion of their dealer network, Boss ORV has appointed two new Corvus dealers. David Taylor Garages and Campey Turf Care are the latest dealers who will be selling the European manufactured Corvus range of 4x4 utility vehicles.

David Taylor Garages has been a constant presence in Crickhowell, Powys, Wales since the 1960’s where the business grew and expanded to include haulage, recovery and several petrol stations. All three of David Taylor’s children joined the business. In 1988 Gene and his brother Scott, with a travel journalist, drove from John O’Groats to Land’s End in an Isuzu, believed to be the first time a 4x4 did this trip, to raise money for charity.

Boss ORV Managing Director Phil Everett says, “we are delighted to welcome our second dealer in Wales and extremely excited to have someone join the Corvus network with such a reputation for customer service in this region. Really looking forward to working with Gene, Chris, Katherine and all the team at David Taylor’s.”

Corvus arrived in Cheshire to coincide with the opening of the Campey Turf Care retail premises in Bosley, Cheshire. Richard Campey originally

detected an untapped market when he realised there was a role for a specialist supplier of high quality purpose built equipment that would enable turf managers to meet the increased demands placed on modern sports turf surfaces.

The business has now grown to be one of the leading UK’s independent distributors, with machinery available throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA.

“I’m excited to announce our latest Corvus dealer partner is Campey Turf Care,” says Phil Everett. “It’s great to have Richard, John and all the team join us at this exciting time in our development. Their expertise in the Groundcare market combined with our developing product line-up makes a dynamic combination.”

Both dealers will be stocking the Corvus Terrain range of side-by-side 4x4 utility vehicles, including the exciting new 100% electric Terrain EX4 UTV. Corvus is the first European manufacturer of off-road and homologated 4x4 UTVs vehicles.

For more information about the Corvus Terrain range, you can call 01597 810188 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

SERIOUS

ATVTRAC - PROVEN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RURAL CRIME

As farmers and landowners continue to fight the threat of rural crime, ATVTrac offers a proven and effective line of defence.

With multi-tier technology, ATVTrac offers real-time location information, using GPS, GPRS, GSM and RF technology to not only pinpoint vehicle location, but to inform owners of unauthorised movement via text, email and phone call.

With a 98% recovery rate and an

average recovery time of three hours, ATVTrac’s results speak for themselves, with additional features too.

ATVTrac’s extra features are designed to make life easier and safer, with live tracking and machine over, assisting with safety and duty of care, covering lone worker polices in the process.

On top of great safety features, ATVTrac offers other useful functions such as live battery information, with adjustable low-

level notifications and an all-new service notification facility, helping to keep track of oil changes and routine maintenance.

And if the unthinkable happens, the true benefit of ATVTrac’s service becomes apparent, thanks to the 24hr manned call centre, which tracks the device, directly liaising with police or Securitas for recovery, to recover the asset.

Preferential insurance rates available too. Find out more at www.atvtrac.co.uk

As farmers and landowners continue to fight the threat of rural crime, ATVTrac offers a line of defence

GAME FAIR WINNER PICKS-UP AN AWARDWINNING ISUZU D-MAX

Top clay shooter wins use of an Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. Competition takes place at The Game Fair celebrating the British countryside

Winner of the competition comes out on top for a fourth year in a row

24th October 2022 – As the proud Automotive Partner to The Game Fair, Isuzu UK supports the event in a variety of ways. One of which includes the sponsorship of the The Game Fair Challenge Clay Shooting Competition, with an award-winning Isuzu D-Max up for grabs.

For the sixth year running, Isuzu UK have continued their established partnership with The Game Fair, the flagship country event, which takes place in the grounds of Ragley Hall and celebrates the great British countryside. With the event being driven by the great outdoors, the partnership couldn’t be more on target.

Ashley Cooper, Head of Sponsorship at The Game Fair commented, “Having Isuzu as the Official Automotive Partner to the event has always been a fantastic pairing, with the capable D-Max range being the perfect companion to all who are fond of outdoor pursuits. The Game Fair

Challenge is a brilliant way for us to celebrate the skills of those who attend our event.”

Billy Baughan, winner of the competition, commented “I am really pleased to have won the competition at The Game Fair. Working for the family business, in the construction industry, the Isuzu D-Max is the ideal day-to-day workhorse

fully equipped facilities for new and used vehicle sales, servicing & repairs, M.O.T’s, body and paint repairs and genuine replacement parts. The dealership was crowned runner up in the Customer Care Dealer of the Year category at the 2022 Isuzu Dealer Awards.

Isuzu UK Head of Marketing, George Wallis commented, “We are proud to be supporting The Game Fair and their flagship competition. Our partnership promotes the Award-Winning Isuzu D-Max to a key audience and is the perfect prize for this fantastic competition.”

no doubt be used in my leisure time for country pursuits.”

The vehicle handover was conducted at Mr Baughan’s local Isuzu dealer, Adams Brothers, located in Aylesbury. Founded in 1943, the dealership is a third generation family-run business. Servicing the local community, they offer

The Award-Winning Isuzu D-Max range caters for every need, coming in single, extended or double cab body styles. With shift-onthe-fly 4WD, hill-descent control and a rear diff lock available as standard the Isuzu D-Max is the ultimate outdoors companion. The prize vehicle is a top of the range Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, which offers class leading safety spec along with proven off-road ability, SUV-like levels of specification along with a 1 tonne payload and 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

POLARIS: 0% FLATE RATE FINANCE

An exciting opportunity to put a Polaris to work for you at a low monthly cost and see a return on your investment

An exciting opportunity to put a Polaris to work for you at a low monthly cost and see a return on your investment.

Three-year 0% flat rate finance is available via Rural Finance Limited, a broker authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Finance is available on in-stock Sportsman 570, 570 EPS, 570 EPS AgriPro, 570 EPS Black Edition, 570 EPS Hunter Edition, 570 EPS SP, 570 EPS SP Öhlins SE and Ranger 1000 EPS, 1000 EPS Nordic Pro SE, XP1000 EPS, XP1000 EPS Hunter Edition, XP1000 EPS ABS, XP1000 EPS Nordic Pro SE.

The three-year 0% terms are 6+30 months. Finance is agreed on the final purchase price, including up to £1000 (excluding VAT) of Polaris accessories and minus any trade-in deductions.

*Terms and Conditions:

This finance offer is against the finance purchase price, including up to £1000 (exc VAT) of Polaris accessories, minus any trade-in deductions (excluding VAT) on in-stock Sportsman 570, 570 EPS, 570 EPS AgriPro, 570 EPS Black Edition, 570 EPS Hunter Edition, 570 EPS SP, 570 EPS SP Öhlins SE and Ranger 1000 EPS, 1000 EPS Nordic Pro SE, XP1000 EPS, XP1000 EPS Hunter Edition, XP1000 EPS ABS, XP1000 EPS Nordic Pro SE.

The offer excludes Sportsman XP1000 models, Touring, 6x6 and x2 models, All Youth, RZR, Scrambler and General Variants and all Ranger Crew, two-seat, Diesel and Electric variants. The finance offer cannot be used in conjunction with vehicle pre-orders.

The 0% offer is based on a 6 + 30 term agreement.

This promotion is available from 1st October 2022 – 31st December 2022. Alternative profiles are available on request.

Full VAT or VAT balance due on signing the finance agreement (hire purchase only), an administration fee will be charged at the time of signing.

Applicable for business purposes only based in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland (excludes Channel Islands).

All applications are subject to credit acceptance and approval. All products are subject to stock availability.

Financial agreement terms and conditions apply, further details and written quotations are available on request.

Terms are current at date of publication and available for a limited period only. Finance is provided through Rural Finance Limited, 5 Wilkinson Business Park, Wrexham, LL13 9AE. Rural Finance Ltd is an authorised credit broker and not a lender and can introduce you to several carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer finance for your requirements. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers and a commission may be received for this introduction.

Rural Finance are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct authority, FRN 630701

Full Terms and Conditions will be available from your lender via Rural Finance Limited.