CLAAS HarvesTimes May 2017

HarvesTimes The journal for agricultural professionals

Farms reinforce the CLAAS relationship with UK agriculture SHREDLAGEÂŽ technology Success at the iF Design Awards

05.17

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Harve sTimes The journal for agricultural professionals

05.17

4 Farms reinforce the CLAAS relationship with UK agriculture SHREDLAGE® technology Success at the iF Design Awards

Cover story The Claas family’s special relationship with UK agriculture.

Contents CLAAS Farms cover feature Farms reinforce the CLAAS relationship with UK agriculture............ 04 CLAAS News............................................................................... 08 FOCUS on Wales The future looks green.................................................................... 10 SCORPION 7030 – A driver’s machine........................................... 12 ARION 450 – Champion racer........................................................ 14 ARION 640 – A business built on first class service......................... 16 JAGUAR 870/860 – Ideal size forager............................................. 18 ATOS 350 – Compact powerhouse................................................ 19 ARION 650 – Champion ploughman............................................... 20 AXOS 320/ELIOS 220 – Boss of the job......................................... 22 Customer Focus ARION 640 CEBIS – Easy to operate ARION.................................. 24 JAGUAR 860 – Cost saving JAGUAR............................................. 26 JAGUAR 890 – Good service sells.................................................. 27 ARION 650/550 – Like driving a car................................................ 28 CROP SENSOR – You turn it on, it works....................................... 31

Come and see us at GRASSLAND The Grassland & Muck event returns to Stoneleigh on May 24th/25th and as usual we will be displaying equipment from the CLAAS green harvest and tractor ranges on our demonstration plot.

Grassland will provide the first opportunity to see the new VARIANT 400 round baler and QUADRANT 5200 big square baler in action. Both these balers incorporate key new features designed to enable higher operating speeds and improved intake feed while at the same time increasing bale density.

Completing the line-up will be the DISCO MOWER range, from the smaller mounted models to the largest triples and, for the first time for many years, a trailed DISCO 3150TC will be displayed.

Following these will be models from the VOLTO tedder range and single, twin and 4-rotor LINER rakes. Finally for harvesting, in addition to the ROLLANT, VARIANT and QUADRANT balers will be the CARGOS forage wagon and the ever-popular, crowd-pulling JAGUAR 800 and 900 series foragers.

FOCUS ON Shredlage® CLAAS buys Shredlage® technology......................................... 32 Award winning Shredlage®........................................................ 32 Yield boost from Shredlage®...................................................... 33 Impressive results........................................................................... 34 General News and Features

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Engineer your career....................................................................... 35 Clearing the way with CLAAS......................................................... 35

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Digital HarvesTimes........................................................................ 36 Vitual Reality tractor cab................................................................. 36 CLAAS UK headquarters................................................................ 36 Farm Manager of the Year.............................................................. 37

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Dealer News................................................................................ 38 Product News EASY – New turn in automatic headland guidance......................... 30 SCORPION updates....................................................................... 40 New NEXOS................................................................................... 42

Contact us on: 01284 763100 Email: cuk.reception@claas.com or visit claas.co.uk facebook.com/CLAASUK

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FARMS REINFORCE THE CLAAS RELATIONSHIP WITH UK AGRICULTURE Added complexity This exclusive feature on the Claas family and their farming operation in the UK is reproduced by kind permission of Farmers Guide and appears in their May issue.

Adding Hengrave and Stanton changed the farm’s dynamics, as the cropped area increased to 1,200ha, including significant heavy clay. The decision was made to bring management of the farm’s five blocks inhouse and advertisements were placed for a farm manager.

A Suffolk farmer’s son, Edward Vipond, was one of many who noticed the adverts. “I grew up on a 40ha family farm at Kersey,” he explained.

“I was keen to go into farming and my parents sold the Suffolk farm, intending to purchase a much larger farm in Scotland using the proceeds, allowing me to remain involved. However, the Scottish farm purchase didn’t proceed, and I joined Velcourt; managing progressively more complex farms for 14 years including units in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Lincs, then returning to Kent and Lincs to run larger farms.”

Edward left Velcourt to run a complex farming operation across four estates; two in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds and two in Scotland, with additional responsibility for commercial sporting enterprises and a 2MW AD plant. “I enjoyed my time at Velcourt and left on good terms but the position I took included additional challenges with the complex operation over a large area,” he said. “However, early in 2015 I noticed a farm manager position advertised which intrigued me, so decided to find out more,” he added. The advertisement gave no clue to the farm’s ownership, or its precise location, simply describing it as an East Anglian farming business.

Edward Vipond | 1,200ha | AXION 950

The Claas family’s special relationship with UK agriculture goes beyond the range of high performance machinery it supplies to the country’s farmers.

David Williams reports.

In 1946 the first CLAAS combines were exported from Germany to the UK and in 1980, the company established its official UK head office at Saxham, Suffolk. But between those key dates a farm 9 miles from Saxham, at Troston, was bought by the Claas family in 1961. With 400ha of Breckland light soils, it was farmed in-hand, but later managed by Sentry with a similar farm nearby.

More recently, other farms in the area were added including at Hengrave, just a few miles from Saxham, plus smaller parcels of land at Langham and Conyers Green and, in 2015, Park Farm at Stanton.

“I applied and was selected for interview at which I met Cathrina Claas, CLAAS Group supervisory board chairman, who was to become my boss,” he explained.

Edward started in June 2015, and was immediately impressed by Cathrina’s attitude to the farm and her obvious interest and enthusiasm in its operation. “I was told to manage the enterprise as it if is my own and, although we hold regular farm meetings and I refer to Cathrina regarding major investment or strategy, I am trusted and left to get on with everything day-to-day,” he said. “The key requirement is that everything is done properly, but that is how I like to farm anyway.”

Management plan The land is in 5 blocks, just 15 miles from end to end, and Edward’s first task was to review the whole operation, identify priorities for improvement and put together a plan for the future.

As for most eastern-county arable farms, black-grass was an increasing concern and other key areas for consideration included the rotation, the mix of soil types, farm infrastructure and land rented out for vegetable production.

Major capital expenditure within months of Edward starting included new machinery. “We needed equipment capable of carrying out field operations at optimum times, allowing for weed control and the various soil types,” he explained. “We purchased a CLAAS XERION 4000, a CLAAS AXION 950 and a Lemken Europal 7f on-land/in-furrow

CLAAS FARMS plough, and traded in 2 smaller tractors for the AXION. We bought an Agrifac 36m, 5,000-litre, self-propelled sprayer through the company’s approved used scheme replacing 2 trailed sprayers, and are moving to liquid fertiliser for all applications replacing granules through a disc applicator. Harvesting is by a LEXION 760TT tracked combine with a 35ft header.”

Asked about the purchase of the 400hp XERION, Edward explained that its power rating is similar to the AXION’s, but the two tractors complement each other with very different operating characteristics.

“They perform differently in the field,” he said. “The XERION’s weight distribution - especially with the wheels in crab mode for top work, is superb and the difference this makes to the finish has to be seen to be believed. This autumn, with our Vaderstad Rexus cultivator behind, we created ideal drilling conditions despite the lack of soil moisture which wouldn’t have been possible without the combination.”

The XERION’s 850/75R38 flotation tyres perform well but meant extrawide bodies were needed for the plough. “Working our heavy land on those tyres we achieve similar performance to a tracked machine, but with better weight distribution and easier movement between farms,” Edward commented; “It’s an excellent alternative to tracks.”

Farmed by soil type Land across the blocks is farmed in joint rotations, by soil type. Most land at Stanton is heavy clay loam and at Hengrave it ranges from sandy loam to clay loam from field to field. The Troston land tends to be Breckland sandy loam, so light it can blow, and the smaller parcels are mainly medium loams.

Four or five-course rotations are practised at Troston and Hengrave on the lighter land, including winter barley, winter rye, maize, forage rye and sugar beet. The maize is grown for two local AD plants as is some of the rye, with the rest of the rye sold to Ryvita.

On heavier land, crops are first wheat, spring beans or a second wheat or oilseed rape, with the cropping decision made with considerable regard to black-grass.

Wheats are for the quality market, with Group 2s trialled this year as part of the strategy to move from Group 4s.

Crop establishment techniques are season dependent, but ploughing is always used ahead of beans, sometimes for second cereals as well as for sugar beet and maize.

The two AD plants supplied are within a few miles of the farm boundaries; one at Saxham, next to CLAAS UK’s headquarters and one at Euston, a few miles from Stanton and Troston. “Inclusion of crops for the AD plant helps our rotation and assists our fight against some weeds as the whole plant is removed,” he said.

Ground has to be right “Our heavy land, in particular, is susceptible to compaction,” he continued, “and I will prioritise soil condition when deciding on field operations. We must tackle black-grass and delay drilling as far as practical, but we also have to carry out field work in a timely fashion, when soil conditions are suitable, otherwise we compromise future cropping.”

Edward regards the two pig enterprises on the farm’s rented land as beneficial to his soil improvement efforts and commented that maize grown on fields following outdoor pigs does especially well. Slurry and manure from an indoor finishing unit at Hengrave is applied, providing nutrients and increasing organic matter.

Staffing includes Edward, a farm foreman, a tractor driver and two additional part-time harvest workers. An office administrator looks after farm paperwork and assists Edward in the management of more than 20 properties between the five farms. “Like other farms, we find it difficult to recruit students with the skills and enthusiasm needed,” pointed out Edward. “In the past, farms could choose from large numbers of applicants, but now there aren’t enough to go around and there is competition between farms to attract the best.”

Average field size across the farms is 10–12ha and there is woodland in 4 main blocks including 3 SSSIs at Stanton and one on the Breckland at Troston. Hengrave also has several smaller areas of woodland.

Countryside Stewardship applications for 3 of the 4 main blocks have been made recently for the mid-tier category including particular emphasis on the preservation of stone curlews.

A very unusual feature at Stanton, which is protected, is a centuriesold, hand dug gorge. Local folklore explains its presence by the need to keep members of two villages separate and, although Edward isn’t convinced by the explanation, he is proud of the earthworks and enjoys the interest they create.

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It’s important the farm is treated like any other similar enterprise otherwise comparing our performance against industry standards would be difficult. However, if an opportunity arises to have any new machinery or technology to test here I would be keen to get involved.

It’s a commercial unit, producing crops for a profit while respecting the environment and using good farming practises,” he added.

While the farm is treated like any other CLAAS customer, Edward said the direct link to the brand adds pressure. “People in the area are aware of the farms’ ownership and we know everything we do reflects directly on the CLAAS reputation,” he explained. “All the farm staff feel the same, knowing things have to be done properly, within industry guidelines and regulations. For example, I have just taken a course and exam so I can transport diesel out to the fields. Most farms transport fuel to machines in the field from time to time, but if the bowser holds more than 1,000 litres and is towed by anything other than a tractor then the driver should be appropriately trained and licenced. For many though, this probably isn’t top of their ‘to do’ list.”

Priorities for investment Public perception “We are keen to work with the public to increase understanding of what farms are about,” he said. “We took part in Open Farm Sunday last year and were delighted to attract approximately 250 people on the day, including 60–70 from the local village. I will be working with local schools during this year, engaging with younger children to help them feel involved in what we do. I think getting school and college children on the farm when we can is very important and Cathrina feels the same and supports our efforts. Having had a successful 2016 event, we aim to build on its popularity this year.”

CLAAS products ideal During the months following the Claas family’s purchase of the Stanton farm, the new ownership was kept under wraps but when the new XERION and AXION started field work, rumours regarding the CLAAS link were all but confirmed.

“Obviously if I hadn’t opted for CLAAS tractors and the combine, this might have raised a few eyebrows with the owners,” said Edward, “but my previous experience of CLAAS products had always been positive and those we operated performed well and were reliable. I saw the company link as a big benefit, with models like the XERION offering potential advantages for field performance and transport.”

Edward stressed that good dealer back-up is essential. “We operated CLAAS combines in my previous management position and their reliability was good, but if there was a breakdown it was attended to promptly by the dealer. Wherever I have farmed, I have only ever heard good reports of excellent after-sales service from the CLAAS network.

So far, my experience at Troston has been just as positive and I know I’m treated no differently to any other farm manager by the team at MANNS. There is certainly no Troston-Saxham hotline,” he laughed.

While deciding on the farm fleet Edward visited Agritechnica to look at various options. “I met Helmut Claas there and he said not to compromise on power, and I didn’t. Having said that, I have to buy all my CLAAS equipment through my local dealer MANNS, negotiating the deal with the area salesman like every other farmer. I get no special favours although I am sure local farmers would imagine I receive everything on free loan.

Having inherited a group of farms, Edward said he had to decide how to make the most of the new machinery fleet’s performance. The XERION has GPS steering through an Egnos/Glonass signal and the AXION, which tends to carry out precision tasks such as drilling cereals and sugar beet, has RTK. The sprayer has section control using Egnos guidance and Edward says he will monitor performance this year and is prepared to invest in RTK for all machines if the cost is justified. None of the machines has TELEMATICS currently but this might be an area for future investment.

“There are lots of ways we might improve farm performance and efficiency, but starting with the basics is the best way forward,” he emphasised. “First we need to address soil issues and optimise conditions for yields and quality. This will contribute the greatest profitability improvements, then we can look at fine-tuning the operation.”

FAMILY FARM

David Williams caught up with Cathrina and Helmut Claas at Troston Farms Ltd in late February, to find out more about how the family farm ties in with the family machinery business.

Cathrina was asked if the farm experience influences decision making for the machinery business. She explained that having studied economics she is drawn to data rather than trends when analysing performance. “Opinions change with cropping and the weather, and no two years are the same,” she observed. “When we look back at a particular year we might forget what influenced events, but the figures don’t alter and accurate data allows fact-based decision making.

Data from our farms helps me understand issues facing other farm managers.”

On-farm experience Helmut added that his hundreds of hours spent operating combine harvesters during their development on UK farms provided an understanding of what was needed – far more useful than anything that could be gained in research and development simulations. “There is no substitute for practical experience and testing in real working situations,” he said.

CLAAS FARMS A daughter company, 365FarmNet, aims to combine the best features of all systems and Cathrina said the intention is for it to become a completely open platform. “Devices optimising machine capacity will be key to improving productivity, including machine-to-machine communication. For 2018 we will start unlocking the software to work with other systems including Trimble automatic steering, for example.

This means whatever the brand of tractor or its age, it can join the linked fleet.

“It’s better to team up and encourage partnerships,” she continued.

“365FarmNet is actually a data exchange platform allowing users to integrate and work on data. Using one cloud-based data management platform compatible with all other systems will benefit users everywhere.”

“We try hard to recruit people with agricultural experience into all company positions, including accounts,” explained Cathrina.

“Depending on the role it might not be the main requirement, but if we take on new staff without an understanding of farming, then we often include some practical tractor operation on a farm so they gain an appreciation of what we and our customers are about.”

Helmut was asked if he had any regrets regarding machinery developments that didn’t get as far as being offered for sale. He pointed out firmly that the CLAAS Apollo grass dryer, developed in the 1970s, did everything hoped of it during development. It dried and pelleted large amounts of grass quickly; a useful tool for UK farmers. “But it was 8m long and 3m diameter and had a big engine, a large heater and consumed large quantities of diesel,” he added. “While we were completing development oil prices rose dramatically and its operating costs became hard to justify, so we never brought it fully to market.

Oil prices continued rising so it’s a decision we definitely got right at that time.”

Future developments The farms provide valuable practical experience of the industry and Helmut added that, for the future, maximising productivity of powerful tractors is a priority, including developing new methods of getting power to the ground.

Various modules and apps can be added, including dedicated livestock management programs. “A farm isn’t just a collection of fields where something happens,” she emphasised. “Only thinking about machinery is the wrong approach. We need to integrate all types and sources of data to optimise the operation. Potential benefits range from making sure a contractor goes to the correct field, to improving crop health management. We already have a successful agreement with Agrovista to provide agronomy advice to CLAAS customers using the CLAAS CROP SENSOR, and we are working with Farmplan too. We are in discussions with Trimble and our aim is to increase benefits to farmers from data already available. Data technology isn’t physical - it’s a much quicker process and we can use it to benefit all types of farm operation.”

CLAAS is adaptable So what sets CLAAS apart from other agricultural manufacturing businesses? Cathrina said she feels the company is big enough to matter, but small enough to care, while its success and operating sectors bring challenges. “We are a family company, but our main competition is from global brands,” she said. “We produce farm technologies which match or exceed performance of machines from these bigger brands. Most of our customers are families - and we speak their language.”

The subject of Brexit was raised during the conversation and Cathrina was asked how it is likely to affect CLAAS; with its headquarters in Germany and the significant UK division. She responded that it is hard to plan for the future until the mist has cleared, but she is convinced CLAAS is flexible enough to do whatever is needed to maintain the successful UK business.

Cathrina believes efficiently managed large-scale machinery is the best means of improving farm productivity. “Our experience is, that a large machine, capable of completing the operation quickly is usually far more efficient, requiring less operator time and it can be quickly moved to the next field to work there. Nevertheless it is worthwhile looking into different technologies like driverless machines or swarm robotics.

But this only makes sense if it offers clear economic advantages and solutions to practical challenges, like how to get them on and off the field or what to do if there’s a technical problem. Safety also is a big issue, but the most important precondition is the business logic behind it. Therefore we must remain close to the farmers and their challenges to judge whether a specific application solves problems better or not.”

Efficient data use essential CLAAS is heavily involved in developing practical farm management software and Cathrina is enthusiastic about its potential.

Cathrina Claas | Helmut Claas

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Double success at the iF Design Awards 2017 CLAAS machinery design has again been recognised at this year’s internationally renowned iF Design Awards, held recently at BMW Welt (BMW World) in Munich, where around 2,000 guests celebrated along with this year’s award winners.

The iF Design Award is a worldwide highly recognised brand and have been held for over 60 years and this year saw 5,575 entries from 59 countries put forward for consideration.

CLAAS was recognised with two awards. The first was an iF Design Award in the “Product” category for the high-performance CLAAS JAGUAR 900 forage harvester, while the new mobile RTK FIELD BASE GPS transmitter, won a coveted iF Gold Award.

According to the verdict of the jury, the JAGUAR’s contours follow the flow of material and epitomise performance and power right down to the chopper units. The high-quality machine provides a reliable and comfortable workplace with a good field of vision.

With regards the RTK FIELD BASE, the jury said that; “with this mobile base station CLAAS is not only setting standards in terms of technology. The device is a winner because of its outstanding operation and ability to adapt perfectly to operating conditions.”

Dr. Jens Foerst takes charge of CLAAS’ global tractor division Dr. Jens Foerst has joined the CLAAS Group Executive Board and from June 1st, will assume responsibility for the CLAAS Tractor division in addition to CLAAS’ industrial division, CLAAS Industrietechnik. Based in Paderborn, this manufactures both cabs and a wide range of transmission, hydraulic and electrical components for CLAAS, such as the TERRA TRAC track unit and the ARION EQ200CVT transmission, but also for other agricultural and automotive manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz.

Jens Foerst has held numerous international management positions at EvoBus and MAN and most recently headed a global production network at BMW. He will be taking over from Lothar Kriszun, who will remain speaker of the CLAAS Group Executive Board and also continue to manage the Group functions of strategy and corporate communications until his retirement at the end of the CLAAS financial year on 30th September.

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Helmut Claas awarded Diesel Medal Helmut Claas has been awarded the Rudolf-Diesel-Medaille by the German Institute for Inventions (Deutsches Institut für Erfindungswesen) in the category “most successful achievement in the field of innovation”.

“It’s certainly very special to be able to receive such an honour in one’s nineties. But this is less about me than about our strong team at CLAAS, and how, together, we’ve been able to combine a love of invention with financial success,” said Helmut Claas at the award ceremony in the Hall of Fame of the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

Helmut Claas has always focused on developing pioneering products and mass-producing them economically, and has initiated or co-created a whole series of innovations. A notable development in the early 1970s was the DOMINATOR, based on a modular or platform construction concept. The DOMINATOR became one of the most successful combine harvester models in the world and its successor, the LEXION, is still considered the most advanced and capable combine harvester

worldwide. The development of the JAGUAR self-propelled forage harvester was also a success story, and one that enabled CLAAS to dominate global markets.

Many internationally prestigious universities in Hungary, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Bulgaria and Germany have awarded honorary doctorates to Helmut Claas. In 2009, the Republic of France appointed Helmut Claas “Chevalier dans l’Ordre de la Legion d’honneur”, honouring his services as a pioneer of Franco-German cooperation.

Personal awards, such as honorary citizenship of his home town of Harsewinkel, Germany, the Medal of Merit of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, as well as the Order of Merit of the French Agriculture Minister, round off his life’s work.

The Diesel Medal is considered the “Oscars for Inventors” and is Germany’s oldest innovation award. Eugen Diesel, the son of Rudolf Diesel, initiated the award ceremony in 1953. It places a special emphasis on honouring not just scientific achievement but also the entrepreneurship based on the inventions. The selecting board of trustees consists of more than 40 board members and managing directors who bear significant entrepreneurial responsibilities within technology companies.

After the award ceremony, from the left: Wolfram Eberhardt (Head of CLAAS Corporate Communications), Dr. Theo Freye (Speaker of the CLAAS Executive Board until 2014), Thomas Böck (CLAAS Executive Board, responsible for Technology and Systems), Helmut Claas, Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser and Carl-Albrecht Bartmer (President of the German Agricultural Society – Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V.) who hold the laudation.

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The future looks With its high percentage of livestock farms, and dairy in particular, it’s fair to say that the last couple of years have been tough in Wales. But the green shoots of recovery are there to be seen, and this is being reflected in an increased level of business that CLAAS dealers throughout the principality are seeing.

HAROLD R JOHNS

MORRIS CORFIELD

“Farmers here have been through a tough time, but business is looking far more positive on the back of the rise in milk prices, and we have seen a considerable increase in enquiries and sales of tractors over the last couple of months,” reports Nicola Jones, Managing Director of RIVERLEA, which is the full line main dealer that covers south and west Wales.

“We certainly are benefiting from the strengthening in milk price, but the increase in the Single Farm Payment and the fact that in Wales it was paid in full on December 1st, instead of being split like last year, has certainly helped,” adds David Bray, the CLAAS Regional Sales Manager with responsibility for southern Wales.

“We are seeing a lot of interest in tractors from farmers and contractors who are new to CLAAS, because they can see that the reliability is there, backed up by extended warranty. That reliability is also being reflected in the residual value of the tractors and as a result our share of the market is definitely on the up.”

Continuity is also important for buyer confidence, knowing that the dealer will be there in the future, and that dealers are investing in their businesses to ensure that they will continue to provide the high level of sales, service and support that buyers of CLAAS machines expect from the brand.

The company has been a CLAAS dealer since the early 1960s and the excellent reputation the company has is reflected in the market share it has for CLAAS machinery.

Alongside these are a number of single branch dealers that provide a more localised service for tractors and smaller green harvest machinery.

Based at Catbrook near Chepstow, HAROLD R JOHNS was a well respected Renault dealer before joining the CLAAS family and their success has continued today.

Further north at Three Cocks near Brecon, REES AGRI is another dealer retained by CLAAS from Renault. Here, James Rees is building on the excellent reputation his father Brian has built up. By working closely with, and talking to, local farmers he is taking the business forward and winning sales from many new customers attracted by the way the company operates.

Another dealership that is steadily expanding is S & B ROBERTS at Sarn on the Lleyn peninsula in north Wales, who also cover Anglesey.

Steve Roberts took on the business following the retirement of Robin Williams and again has enjoyed considerable success in this traditional livestock area, not only with smaller horsepower tractors, but more recently the higher powered ARION 600 and AXION 800 models.

This continuity is evident in the succession plan of many CLAAS dealers today, some of which are now being managed by the next generation, having been a long established part of their communities.

Completing the dealer network is P R THOMAS based at Dolgellau in Gwynedd, who also came to CLAAS having been a successful Renault dealer and who cover an area that extends from Bala in central Wales up to Harlech in the north.

In addition to RIVERLEA, MORRIS CORFIELD is the other full line main dealer for the northern half of Wales and the Welsh borders.

As in any industry, dealerships cannot stand still. They have to look to

FOCUS ON WALES

looks green the future and how they can invest and adapt in order to meet not only the current and future needs of their customers.

In addition to a progression in management with the next generation coming through, dealers are also investing in modern communications and tools, plus the training in service personnel. The dealerships are also strategically located to enable future growth.

In west Wales, RIVERLEA recently announced the closure of its Crymych branch, transferring business and staff to its Whitland branch 17 miles away. “As a business we cannot stand still and this is part of a plan looking forward for the next 10 years,” explains Nicola Jones. “With modern communications, the internet and flexible methods of working, our customers won’t see any difference in the service and support they receive. And the confidence they have in us is reflected in the fact that we have customers from that area looking to actively buy from us.”

“People are prepared to travel these days, and we will have service engineers that will still be based and operate in that area, and longer term we are also looking to open satellite service points.”

In the Welsh borders MORRIS CORFIELD, who currently have four branches reaching from Tarvin in Cheshire which also covers north Wales, to Docklow in Herefordshire, is in the final planning stages for a new branch near Ludlow.

“The changes that have been made within our dealer network locally, the continuity they offer and the fact that these are family companies which represent another family owned company, is respected by customers and definitely evident in the increased market share that CLAAS is achieving for tractors throughout the region. The future looks very positive,” concludes Colin Arnold, the CLAAS Regional Sales Manager covering the northern half of Wales.

RIVERLEA

REES AGRI

“We are seeing a lot of interest in tractors from farmers and contractors who are new to CLAAS, because they can see that the reliability is there, backed up by extended warranty.”

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A DRIVER’S MACH With around 400ha of cereals, 500 cattle and 250 ewes, it’s hardly surprising that the two busiest machines on Julian Ratcliffe’s farm are his two telescopic handlers, which will each clock up over 1000 hours a year.

The first telescopic handler to arrive on the farm was a Matbro in 1988 and since then Julian has run a number of different makes, and the latest being a new SCORPION 7030 VP. Having previously run 6.0m reach machines, the arrival of the new SCORPION 7030, which can lift 3.0 tonnes to 7.0m, represents a step-up in size and it’s fitted with a Cherry cone and pin headstock in order to take all his existing attachments.

In all, the farm at Penmark alongside Cardiff Airport runs to 587ha, growing wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape and beans, some of which is retained to go through the farm’s mill and mix plant for use in the cattle’s TMR ration. The farm is also the AHDB Cardiff Monitor Farm for South Wales and regularly hosts meeting for up to 40 farmers from across the region.

The farm is home to around 500 Charolais X cattle, which are bought as suckler calves mainly from the same breeders at the Sennybridge and Raglan autumn sales, and then taken through to finishing at 480kg at around 24 months.

Also there is a flock of 250 Welsh mule breeding ewes and a further 300 ‘teg’ sheep are overwintered each year.

“The telehandlers are the first machines to start in the morning and the last to stop at night. We couldn’t manage with just one machine,” states Julian. “They are on the go non-stop. In addition to all the muck and general handling work around the farm, we bale around 7,000 round bales each year which all have to be moved. Then, during harvest, once the continuous flow drier is full, the trailers tip on the floor and one machine will be kept busy loading the drier and for loading out, we have a 2.0 tonne grain bucket so that lorries are filled in just 16 bucket-fulls.”

Julian Ratcliffe | 587ha | Glamorgan

FOCUS ON WALES

HINE “I have used RIVERLEA ever since they opened the Llandow branch and it was James Bramhall who suggested I try the SCORPION, but also put forward a good deal and I also spoke to some other users. He described the SCORPION as being a driver’s machine and it certainly is. If you put the two handlers side by side, the guys would jump on the SCORPION first The layout is good, it’s easy to use, has plenty of power, visibility is excellent and it’s a strong, well made machine.”

“The extra reach allows us to stack the round bales six high, so saving

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SCORPION 7030

space and the (VARIPOWER PLUS) transmission is good for towing our bale trailers which can take up to 32 bales, giving an 8-tonne load.”

This summer will also see a new LEXION 650TT arriving on the farm.

This will be the third LEXION to be run by the Radcliffes, who have used CLAAS combines since 1988. The LEXION will be mainly operated

by Julian’s 82-year-old father and this year will be his 66th harvest.

He started combining using a trailed Allis Chalmers with a 1.8m wide cutterbar.

“The telehandlers are the first machines to start in the morning and the last to stop at night. We couldn’t manage with just one machine,”

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champion racer It’s not only a love of farming that’s in Edward Jones’ blood, but also a love of motorbikes, in particular Enduro where he raced semi-professionally for 10 years at a world class level.

Over a 10-year period, Edward Jones raced in 26 countries and was the British Enduro Champion seven times, the Welsh Champion seven times and also won seven gold medals at the International 6 Days event, considered to be the World Championship or Olympics of Enduro racing.

Enduro racing involves riders having to negotiate different obstacles and challenges on cross-country, off-road courses, with stages often against the clock, so the family farm near Llanidloes in central Wales proved an ideal training ground.

“My father, uncle and grandfather have all been involved in bikes, and competed in both local scrambles and Enduro,” says Edward. “My uncle, Geraint, was 10 times British Enduro champion and he and my cousins also now run an off-road biking school on their farm nearby.”

And it’s Enduro that has resulted in Edward taking delivery of another new vehicle – a 130hp CLAAS ARION 450 Plus with an FL100 loader from local CLAAS dealer REES AGRI.

Edward Jones | 200ha | Powys

“I have known James Rees for years through racing bikes, but had never bought anything off him before,” explains Edward, who with his wife Kate and father Gareth, farms 200ha spread across four parcels of land within a seven mile radius.

“REES AGRI has a good reputation in the area and I know two other farmers in the village who have changed to CLAAS and like them, so approached James about what he could offer, and then had a good look at the tractors at the Royal Welsh Show. We hadn’t really considered buying new, but with the deal that James put forward and the finance that CLAAS was able to arrange, it made sense.”

The new ARION 450 Plus is the main tractor on the farm, which ranges from 1,000ft up to about 1,200ft and supports a flock of 850 Welsh mules x Texel and a 45-cow suckler herd. The Jones’ breed all their own replacement ewes and 80% of the lambs are sold through a local abattoir to Waitrose.

FOCUS ON WALES ARION 450

Former British and World Enduro championship competitor Edward Jones with his current bike – a KTM 2-stroke 250EXC.

The Jones’ try and do as much as possible themselves, so the ARION will be used for a variety of jobs such as fencing through to mowing and raking up grass for silage, which is baled by a contractor, then loading and hauling bales back to the main farm where they are stacked using a telehandler.

With this wide-ranging workload in mind, the standard specification for the ARION 450 Plus includes CIS and a higher capacity 110 l/min closed centre hydraulic system. The tractor will also have to do quite a lot of roadwork, so has been fitted with PROACTIV front axle suspension. Other additions from the options list include pivoting front mudguards and larger Trelleborg 600/65R38 tyres to provide grip and stability on steeper ground without using dual wheels. They also opted for hydraulic self-levelling on the FL100 loader.

“It’s not often we are going to be buying a new tractor, so we wanted to get it right,” states Edward. “For me, one of the best features and a really strong selling point is the multifunction control and having the loader and main controls all on the same joystick. Nobody else offers that but it’s brilliant. It’s a really comfortable tractor. The transmission is good and the cab is very quiet, but its small things like the toolbox built into the steps and having a foot pedal to move the steering column out of the way which make all the difference.”

“The ARION has plenty of power and with the front suspension is very smooth on the road. Also for loader work it’s very good, as apart from the joystick control, the swivelling mudguards mean the tractor is very manoeuvrable and the higher capacity, closed centre hydraulic system ensures the loader is never short of power.”

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A business built on first class service Kyle Bray | Contractor | Powys

FOCUS ON WALES

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ARION 640 Starting up in contracting is not easy, but at just 23, Kyle Bray already has seven years of business behind him, working for both local farmers and contractors.

“I bought my first tractor when I was 17 and at college, starting doing small jobs for local farmers and hauling silage for another contractor, and I have built it up from there,” says Kyle, who is based near Talgarth in Powys.

“Once people get to know about you it’s surprising what’s there. I have been lucky that I have not had to go out and chase work, it has found me.”

Just as Kyle looks to provide his customers with a high level of service, he likewise also expects this from his suppliers and this is one of the main reasons why he has bought an increasing amount of machinery from local CLAAS dealer REES AGRI. “I have been very impressed with the service that REES AGRI offer.

James has always been there for me, which as a contractor is what I need. Because of my age, some other local dealers have not necessarily been sure I am being serious. But James has always been very approachable and when you ask him for a price, he will be straight back to you, no messing about. There is nothing more frustrating than having to chase a dealer for a price, especially when it’s you wanting to spend money with them! You want someone that you trust and will work with you.”

One of the main purchases to date from REES AGRI is a new 177hp ARION 640 CEBIS which was delivered last May and has now done over 1,000 hours. Other purchases include a slurry tanker, a DISCO 3150 mower and new for this season is a ROLLANT 374RC round baler.

“I had previously run two different makes of tractor, but had a demo of an ARION 640 two years ago and really liked it and felt it would be the right way to go. As a tractor, the ARION 640 is very comfortable, with good power and plenty of weight and grip, yet at the same time is not too big. I am glad I opted for the CEBIS version as the CMOTION control is very nice and easy to use. The CSM implement management system makes it very easy to set up tasks on the F buttons. For instance I use just the F buttons to operate the push-off buckrake on the front linkage, which makes it easy to do everything without my hand leaving the CMOTION control. It was certainly worth having.”

The ARION is also fitted with the ELECTRO PILOT joystick which, says Kyle, is ideal for more refined work, for example when raking to feather the arms slowly down, or to control the steering axle on his flat bed trailer.

“The cab is a very nice place to be over a long day, and the suspension system, in combination with the front axle suspension, is brilliant. Also fuel usage is good – the ARION certainly isn’t thirsty and is far better than my previous tractor.”

“Overall I can’t fault REES AGRI or CLAAS, as the backup they provide has been excellent and they are there to help you out. A year on I certainly have no regrets about changing to the ARION and nothing would persuade me to go back to what I had previously.”

“As a result, I am planning on getting a second tractor later in the year and was really impressed when I had an AXION 830 on trial, but I may just opt for a smaller ARION 400 initially and then go for the AXION when the ARION 650 is due to change.”

“I have been very impressed with the service that REES AGRI offer. James is always been there for me, which as a contractor is what I need.”

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JAGUAR 870/860

IDEAL SIZE FORAGER Running two silage harvesting teams based around CLAAS JAGUAR 870 and 860 foragers not only makes sense practically, but also financially, contractor Alyn Pierce believes.

“We don’t have any AD plants around here on any farms,” says Alyn, who is based at Holywell near Flint in Clywd, running the business with his wife Julie, son Gareth and son-in-law Phil Williams. “Our largest first cut is about 200ha and the smallest is 14ha so having two smaller foragers suits us better.”

“This is a very typical dairy farming area. We have about 75 customers all told, some of whom we have done silage for since 1984, and over the years they have grown with us and us with them.”

The two main foragers are a 2014 JAGUAR 860, and new for this season a JAGUAR 870. Alyn also has an older 830 that comes out for the peak first three weeks of the season. They then drop down to two for the rest of the grass and maize harvest, before using just one for whole crop, using a new DIRECT DISC header. Between them the foragers will clear around 3,000ha of grass, 380ha of maize and 240ha of whole crop silage.

“As a family we have been dealing with MORRIS CORFIELD since 1970 when my father bought his first 4-wheel drive tractor and Norman (Duppa) came here in an Escort van to service them as a young fitter,” says Alyn. “So when I started contracting it was natural to start dealing

with them as well. We bought our first CLAAS forager, a JAGUAR 40, in 1984 and then progressed through the JAGUAR 60 and 62, before running a used SF70 and then a used JAGUAR 680 that we bought in 1987 for £44,500.”

“The great thing about the JAGUAR is its reliability. For instance the new JAGUAR 870 has replaced a JAGUAR 900, that was 5 years old when I bought it and have harvested over 12,000ha with it. In all, it did 5,070 cylinder hours and about 7,000 engine hours, but still held its value well.”

“One of the best inventions ever on the JAGUAR has to be ROCK STOP. On one farm alone it stopped at least three potential blow-ups so having ROCK STOP really comes into its own!”

Supporting the JAGUARS are two sets of DISCO 3200C front and rear mower conditioners and LINER 3500 and 2900 rakes, all of which are replaced every two years.

“I don’t like depreciation. By running smaller foragers, we don’t need large triple mowers, which are not only more expensive, but there is not great demand around here for that size of machinery. By running smaller mowers and tedders, there is a ready market for these when we look to change, so they retain a good resale value which in turn means the cost to change is minimal. And by changing every two years we get to keep on top of the latest developments.”

“However the key is the relationship with MORRIS CORFIELD whose service is even better than excellent. The team at Tarvin are extremely good and James and Phil Baldini who mainly look after us are superb; their attention to detail is fantastic.”

Gareth (left), Phil with son Thomas, and Alyn take delivery of the new JAGUAR 870 which was delivered with Phil’s new ARION 440 PANORAMIC.

The two JAGUARs overlook the Dee Estuary, the Wirral and Liverpool.

Alyn Pierce | Contractor | Green Harvest

FOCUS ON WALES

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ATOS 350

COMPACT POWERHOUSE “The little ATOS is ideal for the size of fields and yards around here, as it can be baling in fields as small as a quarter of an acre and leave without having dropped a bale. I have no need for a more advanced tractor, I did consider the ARION 400, but even that is getting too big and I could not justify the extra cost,” states Glyn.

“I used to run JAGUAR 60 and 62 foragers, as well as a ROLLANT 44, which never had any problems and that is the reason why I looked to go back to CLAAS again. I have known Steve a long time and I like the fact that ROBERTS is a family company and when you go there all the mechanics will chat with you. Also nothing is ever a problem. Last year I had a pipe blow on the baler on a Saturday evening and Steve came straight out having made up a new pipe for me. You don’t forget service like that.”

The main operation Glynn offers, and why a lot of his old customers were asking him to start-up again, is round baling, making about 5,000 bales a year using a new ROLLANT 374 baler. For mowing, he has a 2.45m cut DISCO 250 and for this season has added a 5.2m VOLTO 52 4-rotor tedder.

Glyn Roberts | ATOS 350 | Gwynedd

Having retired from contracting due to a bad back a few years ago, pressure from customers has resulted in Glyn Roberts starting up again – but not before he had bought a more comfortable tractor.

“The ATOS is the quietest tractor I have ever been in; I can’t understand how something so small can be so quiet, and with the air-seat and airconditioning the cab is a very nice place to work. For baling and loader work, its ideal as most farmers only want about 100 bales done in a day and then for them to be wrapped and stacked at the farm as soon as possible, because we do have a problem with crows, seagulls and pheasants pecking the film.”

“For loader work the ATOS is very well balanced and the joystick control, soft-ride and the REVERSHIFT reverser make it very easy to use. And SMART STOP is brilliant for baling if you hit a lump and want to stop in a hurry. Also the 4-pillar cab means that visibility is very good, especially for hedge-cutting.

“For jobs like ploughing it’s quite happy. Fuel economy is extremely good and the engine has a lot of torque at the bottom end so will just keep pulling and doesn’t wince if you hit a stone.”

Based near Pwllheli on the Lleyn Peninsula in north Wales, comfort was a major priority for Glyn when he was looking to buy a new tractor, together with it being the optimum size and not too big for jobs like round baling, ploughing and hedgecutting.

Having considered a number of makes, this time last year he took delivery of a new 109hp ATOS 350 fitted with an FL80C loader from local CLAAS dealer S&B ROBERTS. Standard features such as an air seat and air-conditioning ticked the comfort box, while the 20/20 TWINSHIFT transmission and electro hydraulic REVERSHIFT reverser allows the tractor to be driven without needing to keep using the clutch.

The specification also includes SMART STOP, which automatically de-clutches the transmission when the brake pedal is pressed, so is especially useful for jobs such as baling or for loader work.

Plenty of power for ploughing. In the background is Yr Eifl, where granite used to be quarried to make curling stones.

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CHAMPION PLOUGHMAN

FOCUS ON WALES

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ARION 650 Next December Rhodri George, the current All-Wales Ploughing Champion, will be packing his passport and plough and travelling to Kenya. Here he will be representing Wales in the 64th World Ploughing Contest in the conventional section, the third time he has represented Wales, having also competed at the World Contests held in France in 2014 and Canada in 2013.

And with a Champion Ploughman as your father, it’s hardly surprising that in addition to Rhodri winning the Semi-Digger–World Style class at the All Wales Ploughing Championships last September, that his son James should complete the ‘double’ by also winning the Under 26 Semi-Digger-World Style class.

When not competing, as part of the range of contracting services that the Georges’ offer, they keep their hand in by ploughing around 1,000ha a year, plus they mow around 1,800ha using two sets of DISCO 3200 front and rear mower conditioners.

However the main operation which can see them working up to 60 miles from home is the application of liquid nitrogen using either 6.0m-wide spiked injectors that cover around 1,600ha a year or two 4,000l Chafer Sentry sprayers with 24m boom that cover up to 3,600ha.

“I was originally approached by Britag in 1981 as they were looking for contractors and it has snowballed from there,” explains Rhodri. “I started applying liquid nitrogen in 1988 applying aqueous ammonia but for the last 18 years have been using a controlled release nitrogen from Yara, and in all we will get through about 175 artic loads a year.”

“As the agent, we buy on behalf of the farmer and have complete control over the operation, which James manages using an iPad in the tractor. The benefit for the farmer is that generally one application will last the whole season, plus there is no handling or bags that have to

Rhodri George | Contractor | ARION 650

be disposed of. Also the nitrogen is placed where it’s needed, right by the roots and being in a high rainfall area it avoids leaching.”

The injector units are used on two CLAAS ARION 650 CIS tractors which are also fitted with 1,000 litre tanks on the front and rear. The ARIONs are the latest in a long association with CLAAS tractors and RIVERLEA dating back to 2005 and Rhodri also runs a larger AXION 850, which has just been traded in for a new 235hp AXION 830 CEBIS. “The first tractor was an ARES 697 and I have just carried on from there. I must have had about 12 tractors over the years with no issues at all, changing the tractors every 3-4 years by which time they will have done about 5,000 hours,” says Rhodri. “I have never regretted changing to CLAAS as you will never find a more comfortable tractor, which is important as it doubles as our office, plus they hold their value very well.”

“The ARIONs are ideal for what we do. Having airbrakes and 50kph makes them ideal for getting around quickly between jobs while their 50/50 balance means that the tractors have plenty of grip and will travel anywhere. The transmission is beautifully smooth and I really like the design of the DRIVESTICK control and the fact that it’s always right to hand regardless of where you have the seat.”

“Combined with that is the service that RIVERLEA offer, which is second to none. You know that someone will always answer the ‘phone, even on a Saturday or Sunday, which as a contractor is reassuring and very important.”

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boss of the job Moving static holiday caravans that measure up to 13.5m long and can weigh in the region of 14 tonnes calls for a vehicle that in itself is both highly manoeuvrable and ‘boss of the job’, and one of the reasons Pencnwc Holiday Park moved away from using Land Rovers to CLAAS tractors.

Pencnwc Holiday Park near New Quay, south of Aberystwyth is managed by Daniel Davies and his brother Tomas, and was started by their Grandfather. The site accommodates 327 static caravans that are mainly privately owned and also has space for touring units. The facilities on-site also include an indoor swimming pool, a club house that offers bar food and live entertainment.

The company also owns a smaller 185-caravan site, New Minerton, near Tenby, while an additional company, I&S Davies, run by their parents Ian and Stella, specialises in buying, transporting, refurbishing and selling static caravans throughout the UK and Europe.

“The vast majority of the caravans on the parks are privately owned and they rent the pitch from us. On average, owners tend to upgrade or replace their caravans every seven years, and having sold the new caravan we will remove the old unit from the pitch and replace it with the new,” explains Daniel. “The road layout around the site is quite tight so manoeuvrability is important and it was for this and Health & Safety reasons that we decided in 2013 to change from the Land Rovers to tractors.”

The first tractor to arrive was a 78hp CLAAS ELIOS 220, which is used

by I&S Davies, and it was quickly joined by two 87hp AXOS 320s for the holiday parks. Each of the tractors has front linkage which is fitted

Pencnwc Holiday Park | AXOS 320/ELIOS 220 | Ceredigion

FOCUS ON WALES AXOS 320/ELIOS 220 “The road layout around the site is quite tight so manoeuvrability is important..” with a hitch fabricated by a local company that has three hitching points. This not only makes it easy to lift and lower the caravan drawbar, but by using the outer hitch points to turn caravans at up to 90 degrees into pitches.

“We have dealt with RIVERLEA for many years and one of the reasons for buying the CLAAS tractors from them was the quality of service they offer and the knowledge that anything we need is only a phone call away. The ELIOS and AXOS are ideal as they are manoeuvrable but also strong and heavy enough to move heavy weights as there is a lot of weight on the drawbar,” says Daniel.

Typically the AXOS tractors will be used to move up to 100 caravans over the course of a year as caravans are bought and replaced.

With I&S Davies handling anything up to 500 units a year, the smaller ELIOS is also kept busy not only moving the caravans around their main yard, but will often be transported to other caravan sites around the UK to retrieve caravans that the company has bought.

“For instance, we recently bought 100 caravans from another site, so by transporting the ELIOS to the site we had complete control over depitching the caravans and loading them onto our lorries for transport back here,” says Daniel.

“Overall we have been very pleased with the tractors and they also look the part. The vehicles that the owners see around the site are an important advert and part of the overall impression of the business, so it is important that the tractors look modern, clean and well maintained.”

The ELIOS is ideal for moving caravans that can weigh 14 tonnes and are up to 13.5m long.

Daniel Davies

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easy to operate arion

Crop Production Manager Alex Stephens (left) with Workshop Supervisor Phil Vane.

Riverford Organic Farmers | ARION 640 CEBIS+ FL120 Loader | Devon

ARION 640 CEBIS

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In 30 years, Riverford Organic Farmers has grown from a 1.2ha vegetable plot equipped with a wheelbarrow and a Citroen 2CV for deliveries, to a nationally recognised business processing around 50,000 vegetable boxes a week.

Not wanting to supply direct to the supermarkets, but wanting consumers to have access to high quality, fresh organic vegetables, the backbone of Guy Watson’s business was the development of a franchise model in 1999.

“The relationship with HAMBLYS is really good and I am really impressed with their mechanics, who are excellent,” adds Workshop Supervisor Phil Vane. “This was a major selling point and extremely important to us.”

As the business has grown, in addition to the main pack house near Buckfastleigh in Devon, two other pack houses at Peterborough and in Yorkshire handle crop grown both directly by the company itself, together with a network of other growers. From the pack houses, lorries supply distribution centres, from which the network of over 60 franchisees collect their boxes each day.

As the most powerful tractor on the farm, as well as the only offroad materials handler, the ARION is used for a wide range of jobs.

Vegetables take a lot out of the soil, so in addition to general cultivation work, the loader is also used to move all 3,000 tonnes of manure that’s sourced locally and brought back to the farm, where it’s composted for 12 weeks prior to spreading.

The range of products has also increased considerably. In addition to offering a wide range of vegetables, there are optional extras available such as wine, dairy products or chocolate. In 2010 Riverford added organic meat boxes and in 2014 recipe boxes, and the company also owns the UK’s first organic pub, the Duke of Cambridge in London and the award-winning Field Kitchen restaurant.

Riverford is new to GPS steering and use it to accurately mark out beds ahead of planting. Being Devon, none of the fields at Riverford are square and vary considerably in size, so the GPS is used when power-harrowing to mark out the beds which the module planters can then follow.

64ha of vegetables are grown on the farm in Devon and working alongside a co-operative of 13 local growers, mechanisation has developed considerably since Guy Watson’s wheelbarrow.

Heading the assortment of tractors used for various operations is a year-old ARION 640 CEBIS, fitted with a FL120 loader and GPS steering using Egnos, controlled using an S7 terminal.

The ARION was bought after the team at Riverford looked at three different makes. “We are not specific about the make of tractor we run. It’s more down to the deal available and the support and service we get from the dealer,” explains Crop Production Manager Alex Stephens. “HAMBLYS have a very good reputation, so we had no fears there, so it really came down to the deal and the finance package available. We also opted for a 6,000-hour warranty so we know costs.”

“For such a technically advanced tractor it’s extremely easy to operate,” states Workshop Supervisor Phil Vane. “The cab and front axle suspension is second to none, and the cab is really comfortable, which is important in helping keep driver fatigue to a minimum. This was another reason for having GPS and also for going for the higher CEBIS specification. We use the hydraulics a lot, so having everything at your fingertips and being able to alter the flow rates, etc is far easier.”

“Because it would also be doing a lot of loader work, we opted for the ELECTROPILOT joystick, which is ideal and the tractor is very well balanced. Our previous tractor was very nose heavy and had to have a lot of weight on the back.”

“I also really love the CMOTION control. It’s perfect, everything falls to hand, very well thought out and it’s easy to set up headland sequences using the F buttons, so again is more relaxing.”

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JAGUAR 860 R&G McKnight | Contractors | Co Antrim By guest writer Darren Bailey

cost saving jaguar R&G McKnight are a father and son Agricultural Contracting team based in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland which was established back in the 1960s by Robert McKnight, and today harvests between 1,0002,000 ha of grass each year.

Then in 2016 firstly a new CLAAS DISCO 3200C rear mower arrived into the yard to work alongside the baling and wrapping enterprise while the reliable JAGUAR 870 was replaced with the latest 516HP JAGUAR 860.

After operating numerous different brands of machinery, today CLAAS machinery dominates the yard, the first of which was a JAGUAR 870 bought from local dealer ERWIN.

“ERWIN offered me a good deal to update the forager into the new shape, and the way I looked at it was by running a new forager you are eliminating any downtime, keeping servicing costs to a minimum and also adding the benefit of a manufacturer’s warranty, it really was an easy decision for us to make.”

“We changed to CLAAS after hearing numerous good things about their performance and reduced operating costs, which having run the JAGUAR 870 I can agree with. The CLAAS is not only easier to maintain than our previous machine, but also between £5000-6000 cheaper to run per year – that’s a significant saving for us.”

The McKnights where so impressed with the performance and reliability of the JAGUAR that they purchased a set of DISCO 8550 butterfly mowers in 2007 which was followed soon after by a DISCO 3100 front mower to complete the combination.

After a few seasons the DISCO 8550 was replaced by a DISCO 9200 to achieve a wider cutting width of 9.1 metres. “We cannot fault the mowers to be honest. We have never had to spend any money on them other than common wear parts. On hilly ground where we operate they contour and clean the ground very well and are easy to set up and use. By switching to the larger 9200 we can achieve better output while reducing costs, only burning 2-3 litres of diesel per acre.”

To match the DISCO 9200s increased output, a CLAAS LINER 3100 and VOLTO 800 Maxi Spread were added to the fleet in 2014.

“Customer demand for quality grass silage made us look at ways to effectively and efficiently improve dry matter content. By using the VOLTO we can spread the grass out on the flat and allow it to wilt increasing DM. The LINER then utilises its complete width of 33ft and makes a uniform swath ahead of the JAGUAR 870 which was also updated in 2014. It reduces forward speed but ultimately increases throughput.”

In 2014 McKnights extended their services to include harvesting whole crop silage having purchased a DIRECT DISC 520 head to match the new JAGUAR 870.

“The JAGUAR 860 just fits our system perfectly. Everything fits together nicely, from the DISCO mowers to the VOLTO and LINER it all just clicks together. The JAGUAR 860 is even nicer to operate than the previous 870; the cab offers much better visibility and CEBIS is a very welcome improvement. Our running costs have been reduced even further and the 860 performs better in lumpy grass because of the improved pickup, which is fitted with a larger auger and extra tine bar.

“For us CLAAS is the machine to have. We cannot fault the machines or the dealer service we get from ERWIN. There is always someone at the end of the phone to sort out any issues which is vitally important in our business. The future’s bright for us; the future’s CLAAS green”.

JAGUAR 890

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GOOD SERVICE SELLS

Kyle Beacom (left) with Adrian Wilson (ASHFIELD & WILSON), John Beacom and Ian Beacom.

Fermanagh in the north of Ireland is renowned for its intensive dairy industry, with top quality grass resulting in high milk yields.

John Beacom runs a substantial dairy enterprise in partnership with his brother Will milking over 1,000 cows, spread across three farms in Fermanagh and one in the south of Scotland, totalling almost 485ha all of which is in grass. “Milk production is our business, it’s what we do, and one of the most important aspects here is grass quality in order to produce quality milk and keep yields up,” comments John.

To cover such a large area of land requires a small army of machinery and looking around the farmyard one brand is definitely predominant - CLAAS. “We were first introduced to CLAAS back in 2003 when we purchased a LINER 880. This machine was a big step forward as it allowed us to make 30ft swaths to cover the ground faster.”

To compliment the larger swaths the trailed forager was replaced with a self-propelled machine in 2004. However, in 2011 this was destroyed in a fire, which proved a turning point for John who was in Scotland overseeing the silage harvesting, which was being carried out by a local contractor. “The grass was exceptionally heavy, and he had just purchased a new JAGUAR 870 off RICKERBY. I was so impressed with its performance devouring 30ft swaths.”

“For me the butterfly mowers have to be one of the best machines we’ve ever bought. Its performance and how well it cuts cleanly to the ground is very impressive, coupled with the fact that it can be taken on or off the tractor in under 5 minutes made it a step in the right direction for us.” John also found using a larger mowing combination helped considerably in fuel saving. “We can now cut 40 ha of heavy first cut grass using only 190 litres of diesel, which helps reduce costs.”

To further improve the silage quality, a VOLTO 800 tedder was added to the fleet in 2015. “This allows us to improve the quality of our silage by raising dry matter content and removes the weather risk to a certain extent. When you are harvesting over 600 ha of silage a year it’s vital that it’s made right. Bad silage is the most expensive thing we can have on the farm.”

The most recent arrival is a SCORPION 7055 purchased in 2016 from ASHFIELD & WILSON. “We took a demo of the 136hp SCORPION 6030 and were very impressed with its 6.0 metre reach and 3.0 ton lift capacity. But after talking to Adrian Wilson we opted for the larger 156hp SCORPION 7055 for that bit more power, performance and stability.”

John returned home and went straight to his local dealer ERWIN where he purchased a used JAGUAR 870. “This was a milestone for us, the JAGUAR was a far superior machine than our previous forager, the performance was outstanding, and we have never looked back.”

The following year the JAGUAR 870 was traded for a new 890. “After some careful consideration we decided to go for a slightly more powerful machine which comfortably covers 6ha/hour, saving us time which is vital due to weather pressures and commitments elsewhere on the farm.”

To compliment the new JAGUAR, in 2012 a LINER 3100 was purchased off local dealer ASHFIELD & WILSON, followed the next season by DISCO 9100 C rear mowers and a DISCO 3100 FC Actifloat front mower.

“I cannot fault CLAAS or their dealers whatsoever, ERWIN who look after the forager are top notch and the same goes for ASHFIELD & WILSON who look after the rest of our machines. Service is what sells machines and I can confidently say that I am a loyal CLAAS customer.”

John Beacom Farms | 485ha | Co. Fermanagh | By guest writer Darren Bailey

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Like driving a car Next time you tuck into a glass of Westons Cider, there is a fair probability that the apples for it will have been harvested by contractor Chris Webb.

Apple picking is one of the more specialist services Chris Webb offers and between September and the end of November, over 4,500 tonnes of windfall apples will be picked-up using two Pattenden Grouse selfpropelled harvesters. For the rest of the year, more conventional work includes hedgecutting, haymaking, baling, arable and potato work including 18ha of his own potato crops.

Having run a number of different makes of tractor over the years, the latest additions to his machinery fleet have been two CLAAS ARION CMATICs – a 184hp 650 that arrived in June which was joined by a 163hp 550 in September.

“The ARION 650 replaced a 160hp tractor. We have never really dealt with MORRIS CORFIELD in the past, but approached them about having an ARION on demo, liked it and the price was right,” explains Chris’s nephew Stuart Ratcliffe who drives the tractor. “The ARION 650 has gone very well and we have been extremely pleased with it, so when another tractor was due to be replaced in the autumn the deal was done for the smaller ARION 550.”

Both the tractors have been specified with the EQ200 CMATIC CVT transmission, which was designed by CLAAS and is built by CLAAS Industrietechnik in their Paderborn factory. Unlike other CVT transmissions, the EQ200 uses a unique design that allows it to automatically change from the lower to the higher speed ratio, without the driver needing to do anything.

“All the main tractors have CVT transmissions, but we have been really impressed by the ARIONs,” states Stuart. “It’s something else. With the combination of the transmission and the cab and front axle suspension, it’s so smooth it feels as if you are driving a car. I really like the ARION and the transmission is so easy to use which is good.”

One of the main jobs for the bigger ARION 650 is hedgecutting and between September and March, the tractor will clock up around 600 hours cutting hedges using a 6.5m reach McConnel PA6570T with a 1.5m head. Other jobs include running a set of front and rear mowers, ploughing and big baling.

“Chris has always done hedge trimming. We only do farm work and although there is plenty of competition, we are lucky that our customers are very loyal and also within Herefordshire there are more than enough hedges to keep us busy,” says Stuart.

“Not being able to start trimming until September is not ideal, because we are also starting to lift spuds, the apple picking is getting under way and we are still baling, so September is a bit of a nightmare!”

Using CEBIS, the EQ200 transmission gives Stuart the option of controlling the transmission using either the foot throttle (Automotive mode), the CMOTION hand control (CMOTION mode) or in Manual mode where gear changes are made conventionally using the CMOTION control.

ARION 650/550

Stuart Ratcliffe “Having the different operating modes is good and they are easy to set-up and use. For hedgecutting I will always use the throttle (AUTOMOTIVE) mode as that makes it easy to slow down and speed up, but for something like baling I prefer using the CMOTION control. Also the CMOTION control itself is excellent – I really like it. Everything you need is there to hand and you can set it all up how you want.”

“Overall I have been very impressed by the ARION. The cab is great and having the separate screen for ISOBUS avoids having the cab cluttered with separate control screens. CEBIS is also very easy to use. I suppose it took me about half an hour of playing with it to get to grips with it, and I do use it a lot to match the tractor to the job. For instance for hedgecutting I have it set so that the tractor is just revving at 1500rpm. Generally the ARION seems to have plenty of power for heavier jobs like ploughing and is extremely good on fuel,” concludes Stuart.

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“All the main tractors have CVT transmissions, but we have been really impressed by the ARIONs, they’re something else.”

TECHNICAL PROFILE The CLAAS EQ200 CMATIC transmission is based around two multi-plate clutches, a stepped planetary transmission and two wide angle Danfoss hydrostatic units, and it is the intelligent interconnection between the mechanical transmission and the hydrostatic units that gives the EQ200 its unique characteristics.

As the tractor accelerates, the two clutch shafts gradually adjust their speed and eventually align at the moment when the transmission automatically changes from the lower to the higher speed ratio. As it changes to the higher speed ratio, the characteristics of the two hydrostatic pumps change, with the unit that was pumping changing function to being a motor, and the unit that was the motor becoming a pump.

The result is a completely seamless automatic range change and avoids the need to manually change range, so giving the ability to go from 0 to 50km/h without any interruption in tractive power, combined with high, constant efficiency at any speed.

Using CEBIS, the operator has the option of three transmission modes. In the Automotive mode, acceleration is controlled using the foot throttle. The engine and transmission are automatically controlled for optimum fuel economy and when going downhill, the CMOTION control can be pulled back to provide engine braking.

In CMOTION mode, the CMOTION control is used to control the speed and the engine and transmission are automatically controlled, making this ideal for where a precise ground speed needs to be maintained. In Manual mode, the engine speed can be controlled using either the foot throttle or the CMOTION control, whilst the transmission ratios can be changed manually using the CMOTION, independent of engine speed.

The operator also has the option to set and save up to three cruise control speeds in both forward and reverse, and using CEBIS they have the ability to alter the engine droop under load over a range from 5% to 40% in 1% increments.

Chris Webb | Contractor | Hereford

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HarvesTimes

New TURN IN automatic headland guidance

The importance of precision farming is evident in the recent development by CLAAS of a new dedicated electronics development centre for CLAAS E-Systems.

The benefits of GPS steering systems are now well recognised and the potential it offers to reduce production costs by around 5% cannot be ignored.

CLAAS offers a whole range of guidance and steering options, ranging from the GPS COPILOT manual guidance system through to fully automatic steering systems using terminals such as the S7 or the latest S10 using either third party GPS signals or RTK signals via the CLAAS RTK network or via the new tripod-mounted RTK FIELD BASE transmitter.

Two particularly useful functions available with both the S7 and S10 terminals are the AUTO TURN and the new TURN IN options.

TURN IN During field work without fixed reference points, such as when cultivating or harvesting, it is often difficult to line up with the optimum next track at the headland. TURN IN overcomes that by automatically guiding the tractor or harvester into the next bout much more accurately than would be possible manually.

Starting at an angle of up to 120° to the new bout, TURN IN suggests a recommended line for turning into the bout. All the driver has to do is activate the steering system, after which the machine will be guided quickly and accurately into the next bout. TURN IN therefore allows extremely fast manoeuvring at the headland while also reducing the driver’s workload The system anticipates the bout to be selected, automatically taking account of all current conditions such as speed, steering lock and

machine alignment, and uses this data to identify the optimum path to take. The driver retains full control of bout choice at all times. For example, if TURN IN suggests a path which the driver does not want to take, a new path is automatically suggested as soon as the driver changes the speed, steering lock or other factors. If necessary, a path can also be selected manually, completely independently of the system.

TURN IN is available for all automatic CLAAS steering systems using an S7 or S10 terminal. Existing steering systems can be retrofitted by means of an activation code.

AUTO TURN The AUTO TURN function takes control of the whole headland turning operation, leaving the operator free to concentrate on implement settings, etc. AUTO TURN ensures that not only is the tractor and implement perfectly lined-up for the next pass up the field, but that headland turns are conducted quicker, especially at night.

AUTO TURN will show how wide a headland will be required for the turn, and can be set-up to either turn straight back in adjacent to the previous pass, or there is the option to enter how many bouts they would like to skip. To complete the set-up, the operator simply has to select which way the tractor is to turn, after which the turning manoeuvre is simply activated at the press of the ‘Go’ button.

On the S10 terminal, there is also the ability to define a headland line, which when crossed will automatically trigger the turning sequence AUTO TURN is integrated into the S7 and S10 terminal and so can be activated quickly and simply using a licence code.

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Arable Manager Richard Watson and operator Roger Venton have been impressed by the CROP SENSOR’s ease of operation, and even when not applying fertiliser will use it to get a general overview of crop nutritional status.

‘You turn it on, it works. Simple.’

M H Poskitt Ltd have seen both considerable agronomic and cost benefits since changing to a liquid fertiliser based system two years ago, with application rates determined using a CLAAS CROP SENSOR,

“Basically so long as a crop has biomass and is green, the CROP SENSOR will read it. In addition to cereals, I have tried it in grass and even used it in carrots.”

The company has been using roof mounted crop sensing technology for quite a few years, but made the change to the front-mounted CROP SENSOR following the decision to completely change over to liquid fertiliser.

“However, one of the biggest benefits is that it does not have to be recalibrated. With the old system, by the time in each field you had set it up for the headland and the inner field, you could easily lose 20 minutes which over a large number of fields is an awful lot of lost time.

By comparison with the CROP SENSOR you mount it on the tractor, turn it on and it works. Simple. It’s there all the time, ready to go.

Anytime – any crop.”

“Due to the wide range of crops that we grow and area we cover, logistically liquid fertiliser is far easier. It involves far less handling, allows us to apply fertiliser in more difficult conditions than would be possible with granular fertiliser, and application is far more accurate, especially at the crop edges compared to a headland disc,” states Arable Manager Richard Watson.

“We decided to change from the roof-mounted system to a frontmounted sensor because personally I feel that having the sensor further in front, it gives the system more time to react. Also being vertically over the crop and closer to it, it is more accurate and it will read over a broader spectrum.”

“I chose the CLAAS CROP SENSOR on account of the excellent service and support we get from SEWARD, who are fantastic and the back-up from Agrovista, both of whom we know and work with. You have two of the biggest players in agriculture backing it up.”

The CROP SENSOR is used in combination with an Amazon UX4200 sprayer with 24m booms that is operated by Roger Venton, who is responsible for applying liquid fertiliser to the wide range of crops grown.

“The biggest benefit of the CROP SENSOR compared to the roof mounted system is that it gives you realtime data, will work in a far wider range of crops and is not limited by speed,” explains Roger.

Poskitts | CROP SENSOR | Yorkshire

In operation, basically anytime he is in a field, Roger will turn on the CROP SENSOR even if only to see how much residual nitrogen there is left after a crop. Generally cereals will get two splits of nitrogen. For instance in wheat, initially a general flat rate 180kg is applied. Then working to a total target rate of 220kg for feed wheat or up to 300kg for milling varieties such as Skyfall, the CROP SENSOR will be used for the second split with the remaining 40 or 120kg set as the top limit.

“It’s this second split where we are getting the savings, which in oilseed rape have been up to 40% at maximum dose,” says Richard. “Even compared to the old sensor, with the CROP SENSOR we are achieving far more even crops. Each year is different, but overall we are achieving savings while getting a far more accurate picture of our crops needs.”

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HarvesTimes

FOCUS ON SHREDLAGE®

claas buys SHREDLAGE® technology CLAAS has acquired the SHREDLAGE® technology, patented and made famous worldwide by the eponymous US company.

“We are convinced that SHREDLAGE® delivers a clear benefit to the customer. By taking over this well-known brand, we are now adding the finishing touches to our technology concept as international market leaders for self-propelled forage harvesters”, explains Hermann Lohbeck, responsible for the Forage Harvesting Division on the CLAAS Executive Board.

SHREDLAGE® is a pioneering form of maize silage treatment that involves chopping the maize into unusually long sections of 26 to 30 millimetres. This is then intensively conditioned to enlarge the surface area of the chopped product many times over in a way that is designed to significantly improve bacterial fermentation after ensiling and above all during digestion in the cow’s rumen.

The aim of this process is to substantially increase the structural effects of maize silage in the rumen while simultaneously adding to the availability of the starch contained in all plant parts. This could lead to an increase in milk yields and is also believed to improve the health of the herd.

The CLAAS MULTI CROP CRACKER concept (MCC) with uniform cracker housing and three quick-change corn cracker rollers (MCC CLASSIC, MCC MAX and MCC SHREDLAGE®) delivers a one-stop solution to treat chopped crops in short-cut silage, long-cut silage and even SHREDLAGE®. Like the familiar saw tooth profile rollers, the SHREDLAGE® rollers are manufactured

by CLAAS Industrietechnik in Paderborn, Germany.

SHREDLAGE® offers dairy farmers other benefits as well, besides greater milk yield and improved animal health. Its optimum starch conditioning allows for a reduction in the use of concentrate while still improving the milk yield. The need to supplement with highly structured fodder such as straw can be reduced or even eliminated altogether, producing even more savings.

award winning SHREDLAGE® CLAAS was awarded the Special Jury Prize for the JAGUAR fitted with SHREDLAGE® crop processing technology at the “Machine of the Year 2017” awards ceremony held at SIMA. The awards honour the world’s best innovations in agricultural technology. A jury of journalists from several European countries specialising in agricultural machinery select winners in the competition’s 17 categories. This year some 70 applications were received for consideration by the jury.

Left: At SIMA: SHREDLAGE® corn cracker with “Machine of the Year 2017” sticker

Award ceremony for “Machine of the Year 2017”, left to right: Guillaume Feys (product management, CLAAS France), Hermann Lohbeck (CLAAS Group management, responsible for forage harvesting), Dr. Philipp Eustermann (corporate development), Bernd Ludewig (CLAAS Group management, responsible for sales), Bob Armstrong (Vice President Product Management, CLAAS of America), Thomas Schumacher (market development manager) and Dieter Dänzer (“Machine of the Year” jury member).

FOCUS ON SHREDLAGE®

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Yield boost from SHREDLAGE® Since adding SHREDLAGE® to their ration mix, B M Coombes & Sons have seen improvements in both milk yield and quality, but at the same time feed cost has been reduced by removing straw from the mix and reducing the amount of C16 used.

B M Coombes & Sons | Holstein herd | Somerset The Coombes’ 230-cow pedigree Holstein herd at Blackford in Somerset is housed all-year round and is currently averaging 12,600 litres, with the aim that 4,000 litres of that is from forage with a feed rate of 0.3.

“The aim is that virtually all the forage is home-grown and in addition to grass silage, we grow 52ha of maize, 5.5ha of fodder beet and 18ha of wheat that’s caustic treated,” explains Jack Coombes. “To us the concept behind SHREDLAGE® made a lot of sense, so we were keen to see if it would work in practice.”

To test the difference, half of last year’s crop of Fieldstar was harvested using a conventional corncracker and the other half harvested using a forager fitted with a SHREDLAGE® crop processor. The whole crop was harvested on the same day at 28.5% DM. “The two samples are noticeably different,” says Jack. “The SHREDLAGE® is more broken up. You can just pull the stalks apart and it’s noticeable that the cows don’t try to sort it at all. Overall it looks far more appealing, is far softer and smoother which has to be good for the cow’s gut. We did have concerns about compaction in the clamp but they used a loading shovel and it’s as tight as anything and there’s been no wastage or heating.”

“The SHREDLAGE® has allowed us to completely remove straw which adds nothing to the ration and we have replaced it with an extra 2.5-3kg of maize,” says Barry Coombes who looks after the ration.

“Previously we would also use 0.4kg of C16, but have cut that to 0.3kg and could probably cut that further to 0.2kg.”

“At present, since starting feeding the SHREDLAGE® we are 3.0 litres/ cow up and for the first time ever we have cows yielding above 70 litres and as high as 76 litres, and we also have heifers that are yielding over 50 litres. At the same time butterfat has crept up to average 3.9% and proteins to 3.1%.”

In general, the Coombes’ comment that the cows are definitely happier, lying down more and always chewing the cud and seem more relaxed.

Overall herd health is better resulting in less use of antibiotics and fertility is improved. Since changing to SHREDLAGE®, dung scores have improved and are more consistent, with no bits of stem coming through the digestive system.

“Our nutritionist was initially sceptical but the facts are there,” says Barry. “I am always tweaking the ration to just try and get that little bit more, so it will be interesting to see how much further we can push it.”

Crop Facts; Variety – Fieldstar, drilled mid-April and harvested mid-September at 28-30% DM

Crude protein

D value

ME

pH

Starch

ND

27.7

7.7

76.2

12.1

3.7

33.2

44.3

Samples were also sent to the USA where they were assessed for their Corn Processing Score, which measures how well the sample has been processed. The sample is dried and passed through a series of screens. Scores above 70% are Optimum and 50-70% is average.

The Coombes’ SHREDLAGE® recorded 74.1% and their normal silage 67.6%.

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HarvesTimes

FOCUS ON SHREDLAGE®

Impressive results A JAGUAR 870 equipped with TELEMATICS and a SHREDLAGE® crop processor is the latest in a long line of CLAAS forage harvesters run by David Foot Ltd. Starting with a JAGUAR 690, the company has since run a JAGUAR 820, then a JAGUAR 850, which was replaced eight years later by the JAGUAR 870 last year.

Based near Weymouth in Dorset and run by brothers Joe and Sam Foot, the company farms a total of 2,500ha.1,400ha is cereals, which will be harvested using a new LEXION 780 this year, and 500ha maize.

The remainder is grass for the Foot’s own 1000-cow dairy herd and they supply forage for a neighbouring 600-cow herd.

“Overall we have been very pleased. Last year was a good season.

All the forage has been top quality and the JAGUAR 870 has certainly given us the ability to harvest more in a day,” says Joe. “I like the simplicity and proven reliability of the JAGUAR 870. Things like the micro applicator are very good, as are the auto-lube system and autosharpening, which means there’s very little daily maintenance. Added to that, the service and back-up from CLAAS Western and CLAAS themselves has always been excellent.”

“We are currently changing to a solids based milk contract so looking to increase butterfat,” explains Joe. “We opted for the SHREDLAGE® processor partly because we are looking to totally smash the kernel, but also liked the whole concept of SHREDLAGE®. As there was no UK data being new, we spoke to users in the US and Germany who were all very positive about the benefits.”

“Its early days and we have made a few other changes, but so far we have been really impressed with the results. Yields are currently averaging 11,500 litres and butterfat has risen to 4.15% with protein at 3.28%. We also used to incorporate chopped straw into the ration, which has been dropped, and have seen no consolidation issues in the clamp. The fact that the processor totally obliterates the kernel is a great step forward, which has to be better as nothing is going through the cow, and the longer chop is keeping it in the cow for longer – the difference is phenomenal.”

Overall the new JAGUAR 870, supplied by CLAAS Western at Dorchester, will harvest about 2,000ha of grass, 600ha of maize and 100ha of whole crop. The JAGUAR is fitted with a 28-blade V-CLASSIC chopping cylinder and uses half blades in order to achieve a longer chop length in grass and maize.

In addition to TELEMATICS, the JAGUAR is fitted with the QUANTIMETER yield monitor and the dry matter sensor. “The real time data TELEMATICS provides is really impressive and has definitely enabled us to improve machine efficiency and overall logistics,” says Joe. “Having TELEMATICS takes all the guesswork out and gives you accurate output figures to work to. If you can measure it you can manage it.”

“I have also been amazed by how accurate the weighing system is.

We calibrate it to our weighbridge regularly during the day and over the course of a whole day’s foraging it will only be about half a tonne out.”

As would be expected, going from a JAGUAR 850 up to the 870 has had a positive effect on productivity, with daily output in maize using an ORBIS 600 8-row header going up from 25ha to 40ha a day. However, thanks to the latest Tier 4F Mercedes engine in the JAGUAR 870 this has not been at the expense of fuel consumption, which has remained at 0.7 litres/tonne.

David Foot Ltd | JAGUAR 870 | Dorset

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Engineer your Career CLAAS UK received considerable interest following the launch of their ‘Engineer your Career’ campaign last year drawing attention to all the opportunities and benefits there are with a career in the high-tech agricultural machinery service industry.

there was considerable interest in the opportunities available within the CLAAS UK dealer network for both trained service engineers and also to join the 4-year CLAAS Apprenticeship scheme based at either Reaseheath in Cheshire or SRUC Barony near Dumfries.

The initiative was launched at the Farmers Weekly AG Careers Live event last autumn, which this year is being held on November 2nd at the Telford International Centre.

View our new ‘Engineer your Career’ video either on the CLAAS UK Facebook page or via the official YourCLAAS channel on Youtube.

At the end of March CLAAS also attended the Agri Careers Fair organised by the Irish Farmers Journal held in Dublin, where again

Clearing the way with CLAAS R Jenkins & Sons Ltd, tree surgeons, specialises in utility arboriculture clearing and trimming trees away from the electricity poles for Western Power Distribution. Based at Hilltop, Hay on Wye, the family has been involved with timber for a long time; the business is now run by Marcus Jenkins whose father, Richard was also in arboriculture and before him, his grandfather, George, who used to take timber by horses from Hayon-Wye to Machynlleth, North Wales. Marcus uses two CLAAS tractors an ATOS 340, purchased this year and an ARION 410, both bought from REES AGRI based at Three Cocks; situated only a few miles away they are convenient for back up support and service. The ATOS 340, they say, is an ideal size for running their Jenson A340 wood chipping machine, and for accessing awkward places where the powerlines run across.

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HarvesTimes

digital HarvesTimes Were you aware that a digital ‘flipping book’ version of HarvesTimes is available on the CLAAS UK website – claas.co.uk and also on individual CLAAS dealer websites?

The digital version can be viewed on a computer, tablets or smartphones, making it ideal reading for quiet moments over a ‘cuppa’ in the cab!

A particular benefit of the digital version is that each of the main articles or product news stories includes either weblinks to the appropriate product page or links to product video or animations hosted on the Your CLAAS YouTube page, so providing far more information on the products featured.

Digital copies of previous HarvesTimes issues can also be accessed via the ‘Customer Magazines’ section of the CLAAS UK website, accessed via the ‘Fascination CLAAS’ tab on the main home page.

Virtual reality tractor cab CLAAS has developed an ‘app’ that uses virtual reality and augmented reality to provide tractor operators with a quick and easy way of learning about the various operating functions available on their CLAAS tractor.

Say, for instance, the operator wants to learn more about using the CSM Headland Management system, instead of needing to find the relevant section in the operator’s manual, having downloaded the free CLAAS Tractor Interactive Guide app, all they need to do is use their smartphone to take a photograph of the relevant tractor controls.

Using augmented reality technology, the app will locate the required control and after the operator has clicked on their smartphone or tablet, it will bring up an illustrated explanation of the function and how to use it.

The app can also be used without even needing to be in the cab. Using VR goggles, it’s possible to create a virtual experience of sitting in the

cab, in either 2D or 3D. This option means that it is possible to quickly and easily learn about all the functions, before putting them into use in the field and to get the most out of the tractor.

The new app is initially available for all ARION 600/500 and AXION 900/800 tractors with CMATIC infinitely variable transmissions.

The app is available from the App Store (iPad and iPhone) or on Google Play (Android).

CLAAS UK headquarters An updated computer generated image of the proposed new CLAAS UK and MANNS headquarters building planned for Saxham.

A central feature of the new three-storey building, designed by Cambridge architects Barber.Casanovas.Ruffles, will be the full height Technoparc machinery showroom, which will serve as both a display area for MANNS, and a striking entrance and welcome area for CLAAS UK.

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Farm Manager of the Year 2016

Tim Pratt | Award Winner | Suffolk

What started as a holiday job on a neighbouring farm resulted in Tim Pratt becoming manager of Wantisden Hall Farms 10 years ago, and subsequently last October winning the Farmers Weekly ‘Farm Manager of the Year’ award, sponsored by CLAAS. A graduate of Harper Adams, Tim hails from a dairy farming family in Devon, but during his 10 years at Wantisden Hall Farms, near Woodbridge in Suffolk, he has built up a highly diverse arable and vegetable farming business spread over 1,351ha.

“I had always been interested in reading about the award winners and learning about what they have done with their businesses. The awards evening was great fun and brilliantly done, although it was funny seeing my picture up on the big screen. We had two tables and had a great evening. Also CLAAS looked after us very well and it was great to go to Saxham, meet the other finalists and see what they do.”

“Winning the award has been great for the whole team as everyone puts a lot of work and effort into what we do. I am very lucky that William and Jane Kemball who own the farm leave me to it, so it is great for them that their faith in me has been rewarded,” states Tim. “As a business and for the marketing of the produce that we grow, the award also highlights what we do and are good at.”

“Personally, yes, it’s a great experience and gives credibility to what I have done, the decisions I have made and that all that effort one has put in has been recognised. Generally farmers are not good at selling themselves and what they do. Winning the award opens a lot of doors to influential people you otherwise might not meet, and you suddenly find that a lot of people want you to give talks and get involved in other things. And yes, you also get a lot of good hearted banter from your friends!”

Under Tim’s management, the area farmed by the company has doubled and the main emphasis on the farm’s predominantly light, sandy soils is the production of early potatoes, carrots, onions and swede, and hardly a week goes by without a crop being sown or harvested. To add organic matter, outdoor pigs and sheep have been introduced and considerable investment has been made in irrigation.

Growing vegetables is one thing, marketing them is another and with this in mind that Tim has also been instrumental in setting up a vegetable marketing company, 3 Musketeers with five other growers, and it was the managing director, Ed Blanchard, who put Tim forward for the award. In addition, in 2013 he was one of eight investors in a new 4MW AD plant, the digestate from which has considerably reduced fertiliser costs.

“The judging process is intense as you don’t really have that long to try and get over to the judging panel the type of person you are, the passion you have for the business and what you have achieved.”

“It does make you stop and just look at what progress you have made.

We have done a lot over the last 5-8 years quite a lot of which I had forgotten about. Also it makes you look forward to where you want to go next. A lot will be going on in the next few years and it’s important that we build a business that’s resilient to whatever change does come.”

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HarvesTimes

CLAAS Eastern named ‘Dealer of the Year’

DEALER NEWS

CLAAS Western take on Abbey CLAAS Western has added Abbey Machinery to the range of franchises, which will be available through all its branches at Cirencester, Evesham, Winchester, Frome and Dorchester.

The addition of Abbey gives CLAAS Western an extensive range of farm equipment for dairy, beef & sheep farmers, along with other industrial applications. Abbey Machinery are leaders in the manufacture of precision diet feeding technology, high output tankers & applicators, large capacity agitators, multi-purpose muck spreaders, accurate grassland toppers and fertiliser spreaders – Abbey Technology caters for the ‘Total Cow’.

Right: Colin Blow receives the ‘CLAAS Dealer of the Year’ award on behalf of the management team from CLAAS UK CEO Trevor Tyrrell during the recent CLAAS dealer meeting in Ireland.

Richard Vaughan, Director CLAAS Retail remarked that “we were looking for a partner to complement our existing fleet of machinery and Abbey Machinery fit the bill with their high quality tankers, diet feeders, side spreaders etc. The things that impressed us most were Abbey’s agility to respond to our needs, the energy & focus of their staff and the quality of their machines”.

CLAAS Eastern has been awarded the highly prestigious “CLAAS Dealer of the Year” award, for 2016.

CLAAS on show

The award recognises the high overall level of performance by a CLAAS dealer in the UK and Ireland, in three key areas; finance, dealer performance and customer feedback and CLAAS Eastern scored exceptionally well in all three categories.

The Dealer of the Year Award is in addition to the GOLD Dealer Excellence Award CLAAS Eastern received earlier in the year. Both awards are a great credit to not only the CLAAS Eastern team, but as importantly, to their loyal customer base.

New dealer for Derbyshire CLAAS UK has expanded its coverage in Derbyshire and north Staffordshire with the appointment of Alkmonton Tractors, which is a third generation business owned and managed by John Ayre and his son James. Based at Alkmonton near Ashbourne they will cover an area roughly bounded by Leek, Stoke, Uttoxeter, Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Matlock, Baslow and Buxton, selling the full range of CLAAS Tractors, SCORPION telescopic handlers, green harvest machinery and balers.

LAMMA. This spring has seen both CLAAS and its dealers attending a number of shows and events throughout the UK and Ireland.

The show season kicked-off with LAMMA, which is the only major show that CLAAS attends and as ever the CLAAS stand in its central location proved to be a popular stopping-off point for visitors not only from the UK, but also Ireland and further afield.

YAMS. First held in 2014, the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show (YAMS) now attracts over 100 exhibitors including CLAAS Eastern.

HAMBLYS expand South west dealer HAMBLYS has reinforced its presence in north Devon with the addition of a new depot at Torrington.

This brings to six the number of HAMBLYS depots throughout the south-west of England and results from the company’s take-over of Richard Mann Agricultural Services, who mainly provided workshop services to local farmers. All the team at Richard Mann have been retained and will be expanded in due course.

FTMTA. The CLAAS stand at the biennial FTMTA Show held at the Punchestown Racecourse, Ireland in February saw plenty of visitors interested in the CLAAS product range, but particularly tractors which are proving extremely popular in Ireland.

RICKERBY SHOW. For farmers and contractors in the north of England and southern Scotland, the beginning of March means the RICKERBY Show and as ever there was plenty for visitors to their Carlisle branch to see.

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CLAAS partners with Horsch in East Anglia and the South East CLAAS dealers MANNS & KIRBY in East Anglia and CLAAS Southern in the South East, have partnered with Horsch to provide their customers with the full range of cultivators, drills and sprayers.

Horsch equipment will be available exclusively through the two dealers.

MANNS & KIRBY, which operates six branches in East Anglia and Leicestershire, has made strategic appointments of both sales and service ‘Horsch Champions’ to enhance customer support at each dealership branch and a dedicated service team will assist with after sales support. CLAAS Southern, which serves farmers in the South East, has added Horsch sales and service specialists to their branches at Ashford, Kent and Petworth, West Sussex.

“This exciting new partnership brings together two premium brand German family companies, and will open up further growth opportunities for both businesses,” said Richard Vaughan, Director of

Retail Operations at CLAAS UK. “With the new Horsch partnership, MANNS & KIRBY and CLAAS Southern are well positioned to supply and support quality farm equipment into the future, to our valued customers.”

Stephen Burcham, General Manager at Horsch UK, highlighted the natural product balance of the two businesses. “Both Horsch and CLAAS are focused on delivering innovative farming solutions that offer the highest levels of performance and reliability. When supported by professional dealers, like MANNS & KIRBY and CLAAS Southern, our customers can be sure of the very best service.”

Wedding Belles...

Congratulations to Ryan Scott, and his bride, Viki Scott, who were married in Oxnam Church near Jedbugh in June 2016.

The reception was held in the local rugby club where two CLAAS machines were there to greet them on arrival.

Ryan Scott and his wedding party. Ryan works at RICKERBY Ltd, in their Cornhill branch as a Combine Engineer.

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HarvesTimes

SCORPION UPDATES | 2017

SCORPION UPDATES

Greater comfort and easy handling Telehandlers are crucial for materials handling on today’s farms and with lift heights that range from 6.15m to 8.75m and lift capacities from 3.0t to 5.5t, the SCORPION range has proved particularly adept.

Powered by a TIER 4 four-cylinder Deutz engine, the SCORPION also incorporates well proven features such as SMART ROADING and SMART HANDLING for added comfort and ease of operation in all work environments.

New bucket shake function The new bucket shake function makes it far easier to empty the bucket when working with damp or sticky materials such as manure, compost or soil. This function is engaged via a key combination on the joystick, so that the driver can easily switch it on or off at any time during work operations. When engaged, the boom itself can still be moved around as normal.

With SMART HANDLING, the driver can easily switch between the bucket, stacking with vertical lift and manual mode. Another new automated feature is the bucket return function, which allows the

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A range of new functions and added features for even greater comfort and better handling are now available on the SCORPION telescopic handler range. These include a new bucket shake function, a MultiCoupler for fast attachment and removal of implements, and additional tyre options. driver to programme a bucket return position at any time, and then automatically return the bucket to that position at the press of a button.

New MultiCoupler The new MultiCoupler is now available as an option for all SCORPION models, and along with the push-button pressure release switch on the headstock, it makes the task of connecting and disconnecting hydraulic connections faster and easier. The MultiCoupler is already proven on the CLAAS FL tractor loader range, and CLAAS is the first manufacturer to now offer this option ex factory for telehandlers. The new MultiCoupler is available as either a double or a quadruple variant.

Other new options for the SCORPION include rugged Michelin BibLoad tyres and the proven CLAAS TELEMATICS performance analysis and documentation system. The new BibLoad tyres are particularly suitable for operating telehandlers on hard surfaces such as asphalted areas around the farm. Depending on the model, Michelin 460/70 R24 or 500/70 R24 tyres are also available.

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HarvesTimes

CLAAS has introduced a new version of its tried and tested CLAAS NEXOS narrow-width fruit and vineyard tractor. Key features on these new models include practical solutions for front- and rear-mounted implements, a new transmission and optimum cab comfort.

Powerful engines The new NEXOS range includes 14 models, all powered by smooth-running FPT 4-cylinder engine which features a high torque and extremely low vibration. Engine output ranges from 75 hp to 112 hp, or up to 103 hp in the NEXOS VE which is designed for use in particularly narrow vineyard rows.

In the top 250 VL and 250 F models with CLAAS POWER MANAGEMENT (CPM), the 103 hp engine delivers a boost of up to 9 hp during PTO and transport work and achieves a maximum torque of 440 Nm. This makes the new NEXOS series approximately 10% more powerful than the previous series.

Engine speed adjustment at the touch of a button With electronic common rail injection, the NEXOS now has an engine speed memory as standard and a second engine speed memory is available as an option. The engine speed can be adjusted accurately at the touch of a button. For work with PTO-driven implements, this guarantees the right speed and high efficiency at any time. In these new engines the service interval is also extended from 500 to 600 hours.

NEXOS engine data Model

Max. output* (kW/hp)

Max. torque* (Nm)

NEXOS 250 (F and VL only) 112 (including 9 hp boost with CPM**)

440

NEXOS 240

103

406

NEXOS 230

92

366

NEXOS 220

85

334

NEXOS 210

75

309

*in accordance with ECE R 120 **CPM (CLAAS POWER MANAGEMENT): Additional engine output (boost) available in CLAAS tractors in certain operating situations.

Compact dimensions with optimum emission control technology Overall widths for the NEXOS range from 1.0m on the VE model for narrow rows, to 1.26m for the VL vineyard and 1.45 m in the F orchard version. Despite their compact dimensions, the different models all have engines which are equipped with the latest emission control technology such as a diesel particulate filter, diesel oxidation catalytic converter and external, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and satisfy the EU Tier 4i exhaust emissions requirements.

Narrow waist for greater manoeuvrability All the new models include the characteristic indentation in front of and behind the front axle which has become an established feature of larger CLAAS tractors. This allows a higher steering lock angle,

resulting in a reduced turning radius. The front overhang has been reduced by 88 mm and the wheelbase extended by 50 mm to make the tractors even more manoeuvrable and give maximum directional stability. An optionally available automatic four-wheel drive system with steering angle sensor, which automatically switches off the four-wheel drive function above a certain steering lock angle, for example at the headland, contributes to the outstanding manoeuvrability of the new NEXOS tractors.

More comfort for the driver The much lower transmission tunnel, optimised layout of the controls and digital colour display in the instrument panel afford more space and greater comfort for the driver. In addition to the cable feed through at the rear, the new NEXOS now has a cable feed through to the front as standard so that front-mounted implements with their own control systems can be operated without opening the cab window.

NEW NEXOS

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New generation NEXOS New transmission A new transmission is also available, in which a mechanical splitter with 24 forward and reverse gears is combined with the REVERSHIFT clutchless reverser. This is operated by an electronically controlled, extremely low-wear multi-disc clutch. The five different transmissions available in the NEXOS also include the 24 F / 12 R transmission with REVERSHIFT and TWINSHIFT (two powershift speeds) in the top-of-the range model.

New solutions for front-mounting The new front-mounting option offers many detailed solutions for greater flexibility. Additional hydraulic connections for a spool valve and a free-flow return line directly on the front linkage are optionally available in all models. As an alternative to the conventional PTO with 1000 rpm,

an economy PTO with 540 ECO rpm for front-mounted implements is also available on the new NEXOS.

Hydraulics for any situation The new NEXOS is available with two different hydraulic outputs. A hydraulic pump with a delivery rate of 60 l/min provides an efficient supply to all hydraulic consumers. For demanding hydraulic drives and combined applications, a hydraulic system with a 60 l/min pump for the spool valves and a 27 l/min pump for the rear linkage is available.

Up to four mechanical spool valves are possible and four electronic spool valves can be also be installed to extend the range of spool valve capabilities. They are operated by two electronic rocker switches and the ELECTROPILOT four-way control lever. All the electronic valves come with flow control, and the rocker switches also have time control.

Clear Vision

ARION 400 The totally practical tractor for your everyday farming operation. With 6 models ranging from 90 - 140hp to choose from and the optional panoramic cab offering an uninterrupted view of the loader from floor to full height.

The PANORAMIC cab provides floor to roof full loader arc visibility, perfect for front loader work.

Cast frame and sump means no loader reinforcement brackets are required, providing superb manoeuvrability.

Multifunction control lever takes control of transmission, front loader and rear linkage, all at the touch of your thumb.

Options of PROACTIV independent front suspension and/or cab suspension providing unrivalled levels of comfort.

CALL YOUR LOCAL DEALER FOR A DEMONSTRATION. Or call the CLAAS Hotline on 01284 777666. claas.co.uk