Anglia Farmer February 2023

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Farming ambassador: NFU role for Suffolk young farmer Tom McVeigh

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Anglia Farmer

EDITORIAL

Editor:

Johann Tasker | T: 07967 634971

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Anglia Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the eastern counties. To be included on the circulation list, a farmer must have a minimum of 70 acres of land, or 50 dairy/beef stock, or 50 breeding sows/250 growing stock, or 15,000 laying hens/broiler chickens. Intensive horticulture units are required to have a minimum of two hectares. Subscription is £18 a year (including postage). No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for the opinions expressed by contributors.

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OPINION Johann Tasker

Extra money welcome –but SFI detail still vital

The government's decision to pay an extra £1000 to farmers who sign up to its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme is welcome – but growers and livestock producers will rightly question the motive behind the incentive.

Many farmers have long maintained that existing payments are too low to make the SFI worth the effort. They argue that the work involved in return for little reward would leave them out of pocket.

Defra farm minister Mark Spencer has now effectively conceded as much by offering an extra £20/ha for the first 50ha to each farm which signs up. He says the additional £1000 will cover the administrative costs of participation.

Mr Spencer says the extra money will help attract smaller farmers – many of whom are tenants – who are currently under-represented in the scheme. The SFI is already paying farmers to improve soil and moorlands – and more standards for 2023 will be published shortly.

This ongoing lack of detail remains a problem for farmers yet to sign up. They find themselves unable to make an informed decision to join the scheme because they are

Contents

still waiting for full information about the standards they are expected to meet.

The specifics of how the management payment will be paid are yet to be confirmed, although Defra says those participating in the scheme will benefit. For the early adopters who joined the scheme, it is only fair that this is done as soon as possible.

As the NFU points out, Defra is still expecting farmers to make crucial long-term decisions essential to running viable and profitable businesses without the vital clarity needed on the scheme and the options that will be available.

Understandably, the union has vented frustration that only a handful of SFI standards are available – yet almost five years have passed since Defra’s Health and Harmony consultation which set England on a path towards the new scheme.

We have said it before and will say it again, if the government really wants farmers to join the scheme, it urgently needs to provide full details, rather than expecting would-be applicants to take a leap in the dark.

Johann Tasker Editor

Defra pledges extra £1000 for

Payments risk being 'too little, too late'

Industry leaders have welcomed the extra money – but warn that lack of information continues to put farmers off joining the scheme.

NFU vice president David Exwood said: “Farmers and growers are making crucial longterm decisions that are essential to running viable and profitable food producing businesses without the vital clarity needed on ELM schemes and options that will be available.

“It is hugely frustrating that nearly five years on from Defra’s Health and Harmony consultation, which set farming in England on a path towards public goods for public payments, we still only have three standards available for the SFI.”

Mr Exwood added: “It’s a sad reflection of

the scheme’s progress and development that NFU members know more about what they will lose in direct payments than what they will gain from taking part.”

To succeed, the ELM scheme needed to be simple, provide certainty and fairly reward farmers for taking part. This meant the SFI and other ELM schemes must be inclusive and available to every farm business – whether upland, lowland, tenanted or owner-occupied.

A range of practical and profitable options would ensure the high uptake needed so these schemes had the desired impact, said Mr Exwood. “Ministers must also demonstrate transparently how direct payments have been redirected to the ELM programme.”

tal Land Management schemes and think about what options and grants

“As custodians of more than 70% of our countryside, the nation is relying on its farmers to protect our landscapes as well as produce the high-quality food ing payment rates to ensure farmers are not out of pocket for doing the right thing.”

Mr Spencer added: “By increasing the investment in these schemes, I want farmers to see this stacks up for business – whatever the size of your holding.”

Defra says the new payments will be backdated and make the scheme more attractive, especially to smaller, tenant farmers. It said the SFI was already paying farmers to improve soil and moorlands – and more standards would be published shortly.

In addition, 30,000 farmers with an existing Countryside Stewardship agreement will see an average increase of 10% to their revenue payment rates – covering ongoing activity such as habitat management.

Mark Spencer at the Oxford Farming Conference

Morris Lubricants giveaway

WIN

Agrimax Tractor Transmission Oil

Following the successful launch of an informative video series fea turing Guy Martin, Morris Lu bricants is giving Anglia Farmer read ers the chance to win one of two signed 205ltr barrels of Agrimax UTTO 10w40 universal tractor transmission oil.

The video series provides end users and distributors in the farming and ag ricultural sectors with an insight into how oil is made and the factors that should be considered when choosing a lubricant supplier.

Guy is taken through the produc tion process by the company’s Tech nology Manager Adrian Hill – demon strating the key areas that should be considered when selecting oils and lu bricants to ensure maximum emission compliance by protecting after treat ment devices, greater component lon gevity, improved equipment reliability and reduced maintenance downtime.

A heavy goods vehicle mechanic by trade, but also well known in the farm ing community as a tractor enthusiast, Guy was eager to discover each stage of the manufacturing process and how oil is formulated to keep mechanical systems lubricated even in the toughest conditions.

The video series starts with Episode one and highlights the arrival of various high quality raw materials coming from the numerous suppliers based all around the world.

Episode two covers the processes that are conducted in the Quality Control Laboratory which conducts more than 5,000 tests a month.

Episode three explains the computer-controlled blending process and an eco-friendly ultrasonic technique which has cut blending time from 60 to 10 minutes. The company has the versatility to blend volumes from 200

formats are available to satisfy a di verse range of customers.

Episode five focuses on storing and shipping products which each have tamper-proof seals. The company ships oil and lubricants around the globe with 12 containers leaving Shrewsbury every week.

“After spending time at the factory in Shrewsbury, I now appreciate the science and skill that goes into the oil production process,” said Guy. “I didn’t realise the company produced so many different varieties of oil and lubricants.

“It blew my mind when Adrian said that Morris Lubricants ships 12 con tainers of oil a week to countries as far away as New Zealand, Iraq and China and how much trust their internation al customers have in the product being

WE HAVE TWO TO GIVE AWAY!

To be in with a chance to win one of two signed 205ltr barrels of Agrimax UTTO 10w-40 universal tractor transmission oil simply answer the question below and send to Anglia Farmer Competition, Micropress Printers, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ or email mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk (please put Guy Martin competition in the subject line). Please include your name, address and telephone number.

How many containers of oil and lubricant leave Morris Lubricants' Shrewsbury factory each week?

Closing date: Friday 3rd March 2023

with his comments and amazed by what goes on behind the scenes,” he said.

“He was excited by the prospect of trying something new and enjoyed filling a few barrels, capping them and putting the Morris Lubricants seals in place.”

The video series has been launched on Morris Lubricants website and Facebook and can be viewed at the Morris Lubricants YouTube channel.

signed by Guy Martin

Above: Morris Lubricants’ brand ambassador Guy Martin filming with the company’s technology manager Adrian Hill.

Ambassador role for Suffolk young farmer

ASuffolk farmer is one of 11 new NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors who will help promote the industry at a crucial time for agriculture.

Tom McVeigh, from Kenton Hall near Stowmarket, is an arable farmer who started his farming career after graduating with a degree in agriculture and business management from Reading University in 2018.

More than 70 young farmers applied to the ambassador scheme for 2023, hoping to play their part in highlighting the contribution made by British farmers and growers – as well as representing the voice of the next generation.

Huge changes

He said: “I live and breathe farming so I’m delighted to be selected as a farming ambassador and I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, engaging with MPs and

getting involved in helping to move agriculture forward.

“I believe the long-term future of farming depends on huge changes. We need new entrants in agriculture and to make the most of new technology and new ways of farming.”

Mr McVeigh said one of his aims was to find out as much as possible about new agri-environment policies. He added: I’m participating in the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot scheme and implementing my first agroforestry project.”

After a two-day induction at NFU headquarters in Stoneleigh, Mr McVeigh will attend this month's NFU Conference in Birmingham, before spending a day at the NFU regional office in Newmarket.

The programme also includes a visit to Westminster, helping to guest edit the NFU Student & Young Farmer magazine, representing the NFU at agricultural shows and events and

supporting the NFU’s Back British Farming Day.

Events finish in November when the NFU young ambassadors take to the streets of central London to showcase British agriculture during the Lord Mayor’s Show.

Youngsters find out about careers in farming

Thousands of youngsters will descend on the Norfolk Showground next month to find out about farming careers.

Organisers of the annual Norfolk and Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival – which takes

MBE for safety campaigner

Bedfordshire farmer and farm safety campaigner Jane Gurney was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list. Mrs Gurney, who farms at Manor Farm, Everton, near Sandy, founded the Tilly Your Trailer safety campaign after her son Harry was killed in a tractor and trailer accident in 2014. Her MBE is for services to the agricultural community.

The Tilly Trailer Pass offers the opportunity for trailers to be maintained to the legal standard. It involves an annual 18-point inspection carried out by authorised mechanics and a series of daily checks by the operator.

Upon completion of the test, a Tilly certificate is fixed to the trailer tailgate, clearly displaying a Tilly pass unique number. This is recorded with the trailer chassis number to form a thorough maintenance record.

place on 8-9 March – include the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Suffolk Agricultural Association.

The event is the largest of its kind in Norfolk and Suffolk. Some 7,000 youngsters aged 14-24 are expected to attend, as the festival seeks to bridge the gap between education and the workplace.

Holly Whitaker, of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, said it was important rural employers were represented at the festival to ensure careers in farming and land

management were showcased in the most engaging and inspiring way.

“Industry too needs this event to take place, to promote those sectors and trades that suffer from labour shortages, as well as to highlight the fantastic range of career opportunities that can be found locally.”

The skills and careers festival was vital in shaping the aims and aspirations for the future of young people in East Anglia, added Ms Whitaker.

For details, visit www.norfolkskills.co.uk.

Tom McVeigh: Delighted to be a farming ambassador

Attracting young entrants is vital to the future of farming

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Arable

10-point plan to maintain arable margins

Cutting costs as commodity prices ease could help protect net farm income

Arable growers are being advised to consider savings – with commodity prices easing back from last year's highs despite steep input costs.

Economic pressures, supply concerns and wider environmental issues are combining to give farm expenditure even greater significance, say experts. And the latest farm budgets now look quite different to those of a year ago.

A ten-point checklist devised by Tim Isaac, associate partner with consultants Ceres Rural, aims to help growers mitigate the impact of uncertainty – based on the firm’s experience of analysing numerous sets of farm accounts.

As well as helping to maintain margins, cost savings can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says Mr Isaac.

“The quest for net zero is not going to go away and a carbon audit before and after you make any changes will allow you to track any progress.”

1 Seed

Home-saving as much of your seed as possible will save money and guarantee sup ply, says Mr Isaac, even if it requires more planning at harvest.

2 Fertiliser

Timing of purchases is critical with the big increase in prices. But the practical part of reducing fertiliser costs is how much to ap ply. Soil, tissue and grain tests can in form the optimum application rate while everything should be done to maximise utilisation by the crop. Increasing the use of legumes

and organic manures in the rotation will reduce reliance on vulnerable bagged supplies.

3 Sprays

Each sprayer pass involves fuel, chemical, wearing parts and labour costs, so every application should be questioned. Make use of thresholds and forecasting, resistant varieties and weather tools to calculate the risk and return of each treatment and reduce the number of applications.

4 Agronomy

Tailored, technical and robust agronomy is key to saving costs, with independent advice usually resulting in a lower spend. Question every decision and discuss alternative options – many growers find becoming BASIS and FACTS qualified is a good investment.

5 Labour

Pressures on the labour market are making it difficult to save money unless you are obviously overstaffed. Make it a priority to recruit and retain the best staff and consider collaboration with neighbours to gain expertise and help spread costs.

6 Machinery

This is often where the biggest savings can be made – there is an average range of £200/ha between the best and worst performers. Experience shows a tendency to carry too much

spare for a tricky year, so matching capacity to cropped area is a good place to start. Another easy win is reducing cultivation intensity – providing it is done carefully and doesn't impact yields – while accessing grants can help to offset the cost of notill kit.

7 Property and energy

Make farm buildings and houses as energy efficient as possible, both to save heat and power costs and increase their value.

High energy prices mean renewable energy could be worthwhile. Most systems provide a good payback and allow you to sell any surplus to others.

8 Administration

Put your insurance out to tender at least every three years to attract the best deal, rather than simply renewing it.

Review insured values every year to make sure they accurately reflect replacement costs.

9 Rent

Rising costs and falling BPS payments mean that rent reviews should be considered on tenanted land, as the best farmers will be in a strong position to negotiate better deals.

10 Finance

The age of cheap money is over. Whether it’s hire purchase, an overdraft or a longer-term loan, shop around for the best rates and restructure or move any debt to keep finance costs to a minimum.

Reducing input costs can be good for business and the environment, says Tim Isaac

Soil biostimulant trials get under way on Suffolk farm

• Trials on two products over five years

• Goal is to determine strip-till suitability

• Aim to improve yield and soil structure

Two crop trials aim to determine whether soil biostimulants are suitable for an arable strip seeding system in Suffolk.

Keen to stay ahead on yield, Suffolk farmer and Claydon Drill chief executive Jeff Claydon is hosting trials on two Olmix biostimulant programmes this season. He believes they will be well-suited to his Claydon Opti-Till direct strip seeding technology.

The Claydon family has farmed the heavy Grade 2 hanslope clay land since the early 1900s. Brothers Jeff and Frank started out in 1970 and continue to farm 340ha of arable land at Wickhambrook, near Newmarket.

“We have always looked at innovations that can increase yield,” explains Jeff.

“The manufacturing side of the business began in 1981, when Claydon Yield-o-Meter was established to sell its yield monitoring system for combines. Olmix has encouraged me to host this biostimulant trial to see if they can bring more yield to the party.”

biomass activator, and Primeo S12, a soil nutrition stimulator, both of which are applied at drilling.

Plots will be harvested by a com mercial combine harvester. As well as yield, the team will measure crop de velopment, plant health and quality –including grain protein, says agrono mist Guy Gibson at Advanced Efficacy, who is running the trial.

The trials will run as two programmes over five years. One will include Neosol (150kg/ha) plus four foliar applications based on Olmix active biostimulant Elevate. The other will have Primeo S12 (150kg/ha) plus four foliar applications based on Olmix active biostimulant Bioman.

The final plot will be the farm’s own programme, used as the control, says Mr Gibson. “The farm’s soil is very healthy, so if we are going to see any effect of Neosol and Primeo S12 we will see it before the third application of foliar biostimulant around mid-April.”

The farm’s rotation is two wheats followed by an oilseed rape or winter

and everything is direct seeded using a Claydon Opti-Till drill,” he explains. “The drill’s leading tine technology loosens soil where necessary – in the rooting and seeding zone. The bands in between the seeded rows are left undisturbed.”

Recent growth in the trial plots has been checked because of cold temperatures and snow cover but all plots looked well in November, says Mr Gibson. “I am hoping to see differences between the trials in tiller count in March and April, compared with the farm’s standard programme.”

Return on investment

Repeating the trials over a five-year period is important to give a consistent return on investment, says Olmix manager Grant James. It also means the biostimulants will be tested over a range of different conditions.

“Biostimulants perform best in adverse conditions, so if you have a year where conditions are good, you may not see them performing at their maximum potential. Trialling over five years, you are less likely to have perfect conditions every year, and more likely to see their positive benefits.”

In a recent five-year trial in the Czech Republic, Neosol led to better soil structure and higher yields. This allowed crops to meet their genetic potential, says Olmix international soil expert Benoit Le Rumeur.

“These soil structural improvements provide better conditions for plant growth, allowing improved rooting and nutrient take up, as well as water availability.”

We have always looked at innovations that increase yield

“

wheat

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Varied drilling dates could increase disease risks

Amixed bag of winter wheat drilling dates this season could add extra pressure to regional disease risks, say agronomists.

Drilling dates have varied widely – from later in the east where persistent drought meant some crops weren't planted until November, to much earlier in north and west England where good soil moisture saw drilling start in the first half of September.

Come spring, this could create a double whammy as the legacy of these drilling dates combines with the usual disease risks experienced in these regions, suggests Syngenta regional technical manager Joe Bagshaw.

“Early drilling increases risks from the key wet weather disease Septoria tritici – and many earlier-drilled crops were in wetter regions, such as the north and west, where pressure from septoria tritici is already traditionally high.

“Similarly, we know when winter wheat is planted later, smaller plants tend to be hit harder by yellow rust. And this season’s later-drilled crops tend to be in the drier east of the country, which is traditionally a yellow rustprone region.”

Spring weather will also affect how diseases develop. But the impact of drilling date should not ignoreed.

A T1 fungicide – typically applied in April to protect the first of the top three yield-building leaves – could be pivotal for keeping diseases at bay.

Factors to consider when planning an effective T1 strategy include strong activity against rust, good preventative activity against septoria, and long-lasting protection. An appropriate dose of the SDHI fungicide Elatus Era at T1 can meet these criteria.

“It is generally much easier and more cost-effective to minimise disease establishing in the first place

Growers should plan an effective T1 fungicide strategy, says Joe Bagshaw

rather than trying to get on top of it once it’s built up. It will be important to remain vigilant and use the correct fungicide strategy.

“Winter cold snaps, such as those we had in December, will suppress yellow rust and other diseases, but will not remove the risk completely.”

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'Appropriate' decision to halt Cantley sugar beet processing

British Sugar has defended its decision to stop processing sugar beet at its Cantley factory for the remainder of the season following the failure of its limekiln facility.

The decision to halt processing was taken after an initial assessment and in the interest of safety during the run-up to Christmas. British Sugar said it was the appropriate course of action while a full investigation continued.

“Further to a significant plant failure at our Cantley factory on the 19th December, we have taken the decision not to process sugar beet at this factory for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign,” said a company statement.

“We're still very thankful that no-one was injured and we continue to work together with our agricultural and operational teams and growers to ensure that we minimise disruption as best we can to our growers and hauliers.”

British Sugar said sugar beet would continue to be diverted and processed at the company's factories at Bury St Edmunds and Wissington. Additional costs from these increased distances would be met and agreed by British Sugar, it added.

with its agricultural and operational teams to ensure that any disruption to local growers and hauliers was minimised. “This incident does not impact our commercial customers,” it said.

Investigation

The incident coincided with an unseasona bly cold December, with temperatures well below freezing across much of the region. An investigation to determine the extent of the damage was launched immediately after the in cident.

recent very low temperatures and heavy frosts have impacted some areas of sugar beet, which now need to be processed quickly, so the shut down of operations at the Cantley factory is of particular concern.

possible is being done to minimise disruption to growers and hauliers, with Cantley bound sug ar beet being diverted and processed at Brit ish Sugar’s factories in Bury St Edmunds and Wissington.”

Free app designed to make maize seed

Choose varieties suited to location

Maize growers can boost their bottom line by using a free maize manager app from LG Seeds to select the most appropriate varieties.

Suitable for Android and iOS phones, the app is designed to help growers maximise the performance of their maize crops and offset the cost of purchased feed – by selecting varieties best suited to their farm.

“When it comes to choosing which variety to grow, the first port of call should be to study the independent data provided by the offical Forage Maize Descriptive List,” says LG Seeds maize manager Tim Richmond.

“Beyond that growers can also use the free LG Seeds Maize Manager App to determine which variety or varieties are best suited to their specific location and to ensure their 2023 crop de-

livers a reliable return on investment.”

The app uses trials data and com pares the energy output and milk, meat or biogas production potential of individual varieties with a similar maturity date to simplify the decision about which variety to grow for forage, grain or anaerobic digestion.

Optimum variety

“The maturity manager tool within the app uses postcode-specific Met Office data to calculate Ontario Heat Unit accumulations for the specified loca tion and processes this information to recommend relevant varieties,” says Mr Richmond.

“In doing so, growers can select the optimum variety for their location and purpose.”

The app’s feed value manager tool enables users to calculate how much

Farmers can select the most suitable varieties, says Tim Richmond

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their chosen variety will save by offsetting purchased feed costs either as result of the variety’s ability to increase milk output from home-grown forage.

Beef rearers and farms with anaerobic digesters can use the app to help decide how much the chosen variety will contribute to improved daily liveweight gains or increased biogas output, says Mr Richmond.

The app features a tool which helps growers to calculate the optimum seed rate for their chosen variety – and one which determines the optimum date

It contains an LG animal nutrition tool which highlights the cost savings associated with using different varieties – either in terms of increased milk yields, higher liveweight gains or increased biogas production.

The app can be download free from the Apple and Google Play stores.

Spray coverage assessment tool launched

Aspray coverage tool make it easier to complete farm records. Called DropSight, the tool was launched by Meteos UK at last month's LAMMA event. It works with a mobile phone to give operators instant information on sprayer efficiency.

This information – with other sensors and trackers – helps improve crop protection performance while reducing the risks of spray drift, run-off, keeping within residue limits, and combating crop and sprayer damage.

First, crops are sprayed with a solution visible under ultra-violet light, then leaves are selected and photographed using a mobile phone. The tool then quantifies the deposition of solution on each leaf, and calculates the efficacy of the application.

By checking spray deposition during sprayer set-up, operators can optimise nozzle selection and calibration, water volume, adjuvant selection, boom height, and sprayer speed.

Why we must learn to live with drought

EXPERT VIEW

Last summer's agricultural drought has lessons for us all, says

In an uncertain world, drought is something all farmers can rely on – including those who irrigate. Which is why we must learn to live with lack of rainfall, even though we cannot forecast when the next drought will occur.

Summer 2022 was the worst UK agricultural drought since 1976 – and Europe’s worst in 500 years. Droughts are becoming more frequent and lasting longer as climate change increases temperatures and water availability becomes more unpredictable.

Sadly, we need a severe drought to put water for food security onto the front pages of newspapers, radio, and TV.

Drought’s biggest enemy is complacency. It sets in when the rain returns. It’s a global problem. Short-term emergency measures have helped some farmers, but they are not sustainable.

We need more robust solutions that enable farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns and minimise impacts on food security, farm incomes, and the environment.

We cannot eliminate drought – doing so would be far too costly. But we can mitigate its effects and learn to live with it.

Changing climate

It’s not all about global warming. We hear a lot about climate change as the driver increasing drought frequency and severity. But weather matters for farmers and growers in the short and medium term.

Climate change tells us that rainfall will be more erratic in the future and can help longterm planning, whereas weather tells us it

will be dry over the next week and whether we may need to start irrigating crops.

Many of the ups and downs in our weather are actually “normal” and not always due to climate change. Perhaps the world's most important weather-making phenomenon is the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) that sloshes back and forth across the Pacific Ocean every few years.

ENSO creates havoc with weather patterns far beyond the Pacific. It was responsible in 2022 for the horrendous floods in Australia and Pakistan and severe droughts across the USA and north Africa.

It impacts the jet stream, which is responsible for our weather too. Climate change is just a bolt-on to ENSO but just try separating them – it’s a scientist’s nightmare.

Different options

Copying with drought is hard. But there are some useful tools – like the Cranfield University D-Risk tool, which helps growers assess drought risks given certain storage, crops and licence options. The tool is able to include rainwater harvesting to help soft fruit, veg and salad growers to assess water available from glasshouses and tunnels.

Those equipped for irrigation have more water security, but those with a licence to abstract directly from rivers in the summer can only take water when it is available. They risk a Section 57 Notice, which makes it illegal to take water when rivers run dry. Those with a winter licence have the advantage of more plentiful river flows, but there is the high cost of the reservoir needed to store the water.

Farmers are encouraged to invest in reservoirs with government grants available to support construction costs. But the pathway to completion is a painful one at present. First, you need a winter licence, which can take up to six months, then clearance from Natural England and the local archaeologists and planning permission from the local authority.

But farmers are in a Catch-22. By the time they get agreement from everyone, the costs have risen and put the project out of reach financially.

There are many unhappy farmers out there who are stuck in this process. It needs streamlining if we are serious about producing more food at home rather than ‘letting others feed us’ mode.

Other options being explored include water-sharing schemes, which enable groups of farmers to take full advantage of water available within a catchment when not all abstractors are irrigating.

Melvyn Kay is executive secretary of the UK Irrigation Association. For more details, visit www.ukia.org

Are you ready for the next drought?

Take full advantage of expert advice on drought mitigation at the forthcoming UK Irrigation Association Conference on 1 March in Peterborough. For full details and other information on drought, go to www.ukia.org

Melvyn Kay .

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Bentall Rowlands the grain storage system and silo manufacturer

W: www.bentallrowlands.com

Dragonby Vale Business Park, Scunthorpe DN15 8XF

Bentall Rowlands the grain storage system and silo

Dragonby Vale Business Park, Scunthorpe DN15 8XF

Bentall Rowlands the grain storage system and silo manufacturer

manufacturer

We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of grain silos and storage systems. In addition to being CE Certified, our team of highly-skilled engineers manufacture all our products in-house in our dedicated manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, UK.We supply into worldwide agriculture and industrial markets, providing customers with Eurocode and ANSI designs, when required.

We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of grain silos and storage systems. In addition to being CE Certified, our team of highly-skilled engineers manufacture all our products in-house in our dedicated manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, UK. We supply into worldwide agriculture and industrial markets, providing customers with Eurocode and ANSI designs, when required.

We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of grain silos and storage systems. In addition to being CE Certified, our team of highly-skilled engineers manufacture all our products in-house in our dedicated manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, UK.

Gas cannon is 'most reliable' bird scarer

An Essex farm manager says he is saving valuable time and money by switching back to a simple gas cannon to keep birds off crops.

Nigel Clayson farms at RS & WR Gosling – a 607ha arable unit at Takeley, near Stansted Airport. He concedes that all types of bird scarers have their respective fan bases. But he says ultimately it comes down to reliability, price and performance.

Choosing the right option from a long list that includes pole mounted kites, traditional replica hanging crows or even sophisticated – and often expensive – bio-acoustic sound dispersal systems can be a time-consuming process, adds Mr Clayson.

Weather conditions

“Wind powered bird scarers are great when it’s windy, but not so great when there’s no wind, so reliability and investing in a deterrent that can consistently do the job in all weather conditions has to be a ma jor consideration,” he says.

Based on his experience, Mr Clay son favours the propane gas cannon as the best and most reliable solution – given they neither rely on wind nor visibility to provide reliable levels of protection against pigeons, crows and other pests

“I’ve tried many dif ferent gas cannon bird scarers over the years, but the one that stands out

was the Vari-Scary MKII I purchased at the LAMMA event in 2019.”

It’s lightweight, with an integral handle for easy transportability, has a tough weather-proof polyethylene plastic body with water-proof seals to protect the battery compartment, and takes about 10 minutes to set up using a simple control panel to Settings are limited to between 5am and 9pm to avoid anti-social night noise disturbance, and with good positioning, one Vari-Scary gas cannon can cover a decent field size of 13-16ha, explains Mr Clayson.

“The key is positioning the bird scarer with the wind following in the same direction, allowing the gun fire sound to carry as far as possible to achieve

GIBSON’S SEEDS

SEED GROWERS, PROCESSORS & MERCHANTS

Autumn 2023 Varieties

KWS Zyatt, KWS Extase, KWS Palladium, KWS Brium, DSV Champion, KWS Dawsum, KWS Cranium, LG Skyscraper

Winter Beans - Vespa, Spring Wheat – KWS Ladum, Peas – KWS Manager, Spring Beans – Lynx Suppliers of certified seed throughout East Anglia

The optional solar charger boosts battery life

Left: Gas cannons are simple but effective, says Nigel Clayson

maximum range.”

The Vari-Scary has electronic ignition which creates a multiple spark in the steel combustion chamber of the cannon’s barrel reducing any possibility of a misfire.

“This gives it a significant advantage over older gas cannons that often rely on a single spark from a spark plug. The older models are also far more susceptible to damp, making them vulnerable to multiple misfires.”

With normal daily use, the battery should last just over a month between charges - however, you can upgrade to a solar panel charger option that will trickle charge the internal battery, potentially doubling the battery life between charges.

Grain Handling & Milling Systems

KWS wheats add diversity and high value

Atop performing soft winter wheat, super clean all-rounder and three spring-sown milling varieties are adding diversity and opportunity to UK crop production, says breeder KWS.

“The total number of wheat varieties we have on the 2023/24 AHDB Recommended List stands at 13 and it is likely around 40% of the wheat harvested in 2023 will be a KWS variety of one type or another,” says KWS UK manager Will Compson.

“Our varieties span all four production groups be it premium specification Group 1 milling wheats like KWS Zyatt, varieties with high untreated yields like Group 2 KWS Extase, Group 3 biscuit making options or barn fillers like Group 4 KWS Dawsum.

“Our additions to the 2023/24 RL are very much part of this trajectory, combining high in-field performance with simplified crop management allowing growers to deliver the highest yields to a range of end-markets.”

KWS UK wheat breeder Mark Dodds says all five KWS RL wheat

additions add something new to the current range of UK cropping options.

“Group 4 soft variety KWS Zealum, for example, is a great example of a re silient wheat that delivers strong field performance with excellent yield po tential for growers, especially in the north of the country,” he adds.

Performance

KWS Ultimatum brings the high un treated yield performance growers have come to expect from the KWS Group 2 stable along with excellent grain and field performance.

"It achieves a yield of 101% of con trols for the whole of the UK, fraction ally behind KWS Extase, but this ris es to 103% for the North. In the second wheat spot, it achieves 102% of controls and it performs equally well on heavy and light soils."

Three KWS spring sown wheat va rieties added to the 2023/24 RL are KWS Harsum, a Group 1 variety in the same mould as existing RL varie ty KWS Ladum; and Group 2 options KWS Alicium and KWS Lightum.

Mark Weatherhead Ltd

Telephone: 01954 210 355

Mobile: 07885 202 005

Hardwick, Cambs CB23 7QL

Crop storage

Monitor farmers meet to discuss grain marketing

• Selling strategies and crop storage

• Marketing pools and forward selling

• Prospects for cereals and oilseeds

Grain marketing – and when to sell or store – will be discussed by analysts and growers at an AHDB Monitor Farm meeting this month.

Two AHDB market specialists will discuss grain marketing, the effect of input costs on margins, and what top performing farms do differently during the meeting on Tuesday, 21 February at Wainfleet, Lincolnshire.

Based seven miles inland from Skegness, second-generation farmers Gary and Debbie Willoughby oversee some 75ha of owned land, as well as some tenanted and contracted land. Arable crops include wheat, barley, oilseed rape, beans and peas.

Market outlook

The meeting will include discussions around marketing pools, contracts, forward selling and niche crops. Other topics will encompass the effect of high input prices on the cost of production and margins – and the market outlook.

Wheat and oilseed rape prices have eased since the highs that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February. But with many growers buying

inputs at 2022 prices for harvest 2023, good marketing will be vital to maintain margins.

UK feed wheat futures eased last month to around £232/t by mid-January. New crop contracts for November 2023 were also down, with competitive Russian wheat continuing to pressure European prices.

Despite increases in insurance costs for Russian ships, the AHDB says Russia's success in two major purchase tenders from Turkey and Egypt shows that the country’s grain remains competitive on the global market.

Domestic market

UK grain prices continue to track continental markets. But the domestic market has been hit by a dip in domestic animal feed production, which fell to 5.41Mt from July to November 2022 – a six-year low and 5% lower than a year earlier.

With a reduction in animal feed production comes a decline in cereal usage. The AHDB says wheat usage in total feed production fell 3% from July to November, while barley usage was down 27% on the year.

Monitor Farms are part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme – a network of farmers dedicated to driving the industry forward by sharing best practice. Regular meetings are during are free and open to anyone interested in coming along.

For details about the Wainfleet Monitor Farm meeting, please email judith. stafford@ahdb.org.uk or visit www.bit. ly/Wainfleet

New smart control system for Magna dryers

Opico has introduced a smart control system for its latest automatic Magna dryer models.

Developed over the last two years and tested on farms across Europe and the UK last season, the innovative system allows operators greater connectivity and remote control of their machine operations, via a mobile device.

An easy-to-programme control panel

gives greater flexibility and clarity, with a 9.7” HMI interface, user-friendly touch screen display designed to operate in harsh farm environments.

The new system works with any mobile network or wi-fi, with 4G speeds or above recommended for live data transfer. Remote monitoring and fault diagnosis support is available from Opico.

Opico aftersales director Angus Steven

said: “Operation, as well as technical support, can be actioned remotely - from general running to software updates. Real time information cuts downtime and keeps drying operations running smoothly.

“Setting the dryer off is straightforward as it is pre-programmed for a number of crops, although it can also be easily adjusted to each farmer’s bespoke requirements. I’m delighted with this new panel."

Monitor Farmers Gary and Debbie Willoughby

Planning changes make it easier to upgrade stores

• Larger buildings with less red tape

•

Easier to optimise farm productivity

• Permitted development rights eased

Farm businesses are taking advantage of changes in the planning system to upgrade grain drying and storage facilities.

Changes made in 2018 make it possible to construct an agricultural shed of up to 1,000sqm – a significant increase from 465sqm – without the need to submit a full planning application, says farm adviser Killian Gallagher of Gallagher Planning.

These permitted development rights are still subject to a prior approval process – but this involves considerably less red tape than a standard planning application.

The entire process is also cheaper, less complex and quicker.

Robert Huddlestone, of Huddlestone Produce, used permitted development rights to upgrade his continuous flow drier with square bin storage, which had been in place for more than 40 years at Groves Farm, Howden, East Yorkshire.

Mr Huddlestone says his old grain drying and storage system had become unreliable and unable to cope with modern harvest demands.

The time had come to upgrade and reap the benefits to the changes in permitted development rights, he adds.

Productivity boost

“We harvest around 200ha of wheat as a break crop to the swedes we grow for the wholesale markets,” he explains.

“It was key that a new grain-drying and storage plant delivered the efficiency and productivity we needed so that harvest could be completed as quickly as possible.

“We can’t hold up work around our main crop of swedes which take up most of our time and manpower.”

Mr Huddlestone worked closely with Scott McArthur, director at McArthur Agriculture, with input from BDC Systems, on the options for a new plant which was designed to take full advantage of the change in legislation.

Prior planning approval was ob-

tained to construct a galvanised steel portal framed shed (42m long x 23.5m wide x 11.75m to the apex) with pre cast concrete grain walls. The plant also had to operate with the existing 100Amp power supply.

Drying capacity

McArthur Agriculture and BDC Systems de signed the grain pro cessing plant to opti mise the permitted space, and deliver the required capacity to dry around 2,500t of wheat at 20tph when drying feed wheat down from 20% to 15% moisture content.

The shed is divided into seven 6m bays. Bays 1-6 are for grain storage and bay 7 houses the intake, Skandia Elevator AB grain handling equipment and a Svegma SVC 4/4 continuous flow drier, both supplied by BDC Systems.

“We chose a Svegma drier because we have to finish harvest as quickly as possible so is likely we will need to combine grain with a high moisture content,” says Mr Huddlestone..

Lateral fixings

The Svegma has a lateral fixing system which means there are no fixings or ledges inside the grain column to hinder the grain flow, which is really important if grain comes in wet.

Grain enters the plant via a Skandia KTIG 20/40 40tph trench conveyor fitted into a hopper recessed in a concrete trench in the wet grain bunker. The conveyor transports the grain to a pair of Skandia SEI 35/14 40tph belt and bucket elevators.

The drier feed elevator is fitted with a dust and chaff remover to pre-clean the grain before it reaches the drier. The dry grain is fed into the grain store by a Skandia KTIB 20/40 40tph curved chain and flight conveyor.

Build quality

“Skandia conveyors were chosen not only because of their build quality, but Skandia’s range of section lengths and curve options allows for the design of a compact grain handling solution without compromising on reliability,” says BDC sales director Andrew Head.

This was crucial for Mr Huddlestone’s plant as to keep to the 1,000 sqm footprint the drier, grain handling system and control room had to be housed in one bay.

The plant was completed within the timescales set despite Covid lockdowns, and has easily kept up with the combine.

“Before the installation of the new plant the previous five harvests had, on average, taken around 100 hours,” says Mr Huddlestone. “Last year we had our biggest yield yet and harvest took just 70 hours.”

This time saving has been solely down to the new future-proofed plant which allows us to dedicate resources to our other revenue generating business enterprises.

“I am confident that the plant will continue to meet our requirements for many harvests to come.”

We have to finish harvest quickly

“

The Skandia elevator conveyor fills the grain store. Inset: Handling equipment alongside the continuous flow grain drier

Grain co-ops to discuss energy price concerns

High energy prices mean drying grain will be hugely challenging in the event of a wet summer, says a group of farmer-owned stores.

Gas prices rose 128.9% in the year to November, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics. Electricity prices rose 65.4% over the same period, said an ONS update on 13 January.

Although whole gas prices have since fallen to levels last seen just before Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, gas and electricity costs remain high due to global price pressures and supply chain issues.

Relief scheme

Announced last September, the government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme is due to end next month. It has helped support businesses over the winter months by providing a discount on

wholesale gas and electricity prices.

In what is believed to be the first gathering of its kind for 20 years, representatives from nine farmer-owned grain storage cooperatives will meet on 22 March to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of high energy costs.

“All the stores face the same challenges,” said Philip Darke of Camgrain. “Times are volatile and we are all affected by energy costs. Last year's dry summer meant grain drying costs were minimal – but a wet year would prove extremely expensive.”

The meeting will take place on 22 March at Silverstone, Northamptonshire. Camgrain will be joined by representatives from Aberdeen Grain, Coastal Grains, Isle of Wight Grain, Lingrain, Trinity Grain, Union Grain, Weald Granary and Woldgrain.

Operational and safety issues will also be discussed at the meeting. With many stores constructed in the 1980s,

ing good brains together will help everyone get better value out of the supply chain.”

Crop drying, ventilation and storage systems specialists.

Flach

Email:

Air curtains good for farm business and environment

Improving the air flow in potato stores is helping to improve crop quality while lowering energy costs and reducing the impact on the environment.

The Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC) team, at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), is urging potato growers to monitor their energy consumption, to better address efficiency levels in their stores and keep on top of spiralling costs.

“Storing potatoes is a big cost for growers, particularly with increased energy costs the current economic climate has brought,” says SAC potato consultant Kyran Maloney.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty on energy prices and support for the coming year which makes forward planning a challenge. Growers cannot control energy prices, but they can get a handle on their usage and improve efficiency.

Daunting costs

“Costs of storage can be daunting to calculate, but there are a number of tools including a costing model we

have produced which can help. Growers should monitor their energy consumptions as surprisingly few stores are fitted with smart meters.

“The efficiency difference between a good and a poor store can be huge and areas which can be looked at include, uncontrolled leaks in stores, optimising airflow by fitting curtains and the basic servicing of refrigeration units.”

James Fairlie, who grows potatoes at Kirkton of Monikie, in Angus, recently had air curtains fitted to two of his stores. He says he is already noticing a difference in air flow, energy use and quality of his crop.

Mr Fairlie grows 160ha (400acres) of potatoes annually. Spiralling electricity and energy costs prompted him to take action, he says. His energy bill for October 2022 was £6500 compared to £9000 for the whole of 2021.

Right: James Fairlie had air curtains fitted to two of his stores and is already noticing a difference in air flow, energy use and quality of his crop

Below: Surprisingly few potato stores are

“We had air curtains installed at two of our four stores to improve air distribution through our boxes and recent tests found that air flow has increased from the standard recommended 0.3m per second, to 1.7m per second.”

Mr Fairlie says this should lead to a reduction in disease. Early indications are that crop quality has not deteriorated since being on site, he adds. By targeting air directly over the boxes, you reduce cooling times, improve overall efficiency.

“This has allowed us to reduce fridge running times by 30 per cent, which saves a big monthly bill,” says Mr Fairlie. Curtains are affordable and accessible, and his own investment paid off in the first month.

“Once I install the curtains at my two other stores, I’ll be looking at an energy consumption drop of 25% on farm, which is around 100,000kwh annually,” he said. “This is not only good for our bottom line and crop quality but can only be a positive for the planet.”

To explore different energy options for your farm, visit www.farmingforabetterclimate.org

Haith showcases wash and grade innovations at Potato Expo 2023

Vegetable handling experts

Haith showcased two washing and grading innovations at last month's Potato Expo in the USA.

The Haith Group has been designing and supplying innovative solutions for farmers, packers and food manufacturers for over 75 years. It exhibited its mobile water treatment system and PRO-Sort mobile optical grader at Potato Expo on 4-5 January at Aurora, Colorado.

The mobile water treatment system can be used on-farm or production factories. Haith has installed numerous systems in the UK and Europe – but complicated planning processes and transportation costs have often deterred American companies.

Haith's new modular system overcomes all of the issues facing potential overseas customers. The plant splits into multiple units for easy transportation by low loaders without special permits, and it can be assembled in less than two days using forklifts or a crane.

Organic matter

Once connected to a wash system, the dirty water flows into the Haith Mobile Water Treatment System, with a screen separating larger organic matter from the water. The effluent is then

arates the soil from the water.

Sludge drops to the bottom of the tank, from where it is pumped to a dewatering filterpress on the opposite side of the unit. The resulting soil cake can then be conveyed into a skip or soil trailer. Treated water is fed into a storage tank for returning to the process or discharge to sewer.

The company's joint project with Grimme UK – the PRO-Sort, was the second innovation to feature on Haith's booth.

Optical sorter

The mobile optical sorter automates the removal of stone, clod and foreign debris from potatoes and helps growers cope with labour shortages. At the heart of the machine is a Tomra 3A optical sorter which is capable of handling up to 100 tonnes per hour with high levels of accuracy.

The Tomra 3A employs Near Infra-Red multi-spectral sensors for an unobstructed assessment of every object 'in flight', seamlessly identifying between potatoes and foreign material. As well as debris, the 3A's colour sensors can also detect green potatoes.

This means poor potatoes and the debris can be removed at the end of the conveyor belt by intelligent finger ejectors.As the PRO-Sort is a modular

farm and easily integrated into a new or existing grading line.

In addition to the mobile systems, Haith will update people on developments made to its Pro-Line modular food handling solution. The Pro-Line combines all of Haith's class-leading machines in an incredibly effective way. Pro-Line installations in the UK have delivered the same throughput levels as lines featuring twice as many older machines.

"We are very excited about Potato Expo 2023 and are really looking forward to introducing our growing range of mobile washing, grading and water treatment systems to the United States," says Rob Highfield, Sales Manager, who represented Haith in Colorado.

"When we exhibited at Interpom in Europe at the end of 2022, the solutions were incredibly well received. With US growers and food producers facing similar issues to those in Europe, we expect a similar reception at Potato Expo 2023."

Established in 1947, Haith offers UK growers a range of vegetable handling solutions to fresh produce suppliers. Over the last decade, the company has replicated this success across the Atlantic, developing and installing efficient solutions for potato growers in

The mobile system can be used in the field (below) or in the

“

MAINTENANCE &

We know that as a business, you need reliable equipment that’s fit for purpose and going to work day in and day out to keep your business moving. That’s where a planned preventative maintenance program can be beneficial and where you need a supplier you can trust. At Cooks Blinds & Shutters we know you can’t plan for every eventuality, but with a service contract you can rest assured that your equipment will be maintained to a high level, by highly qualified and skilled engineers and at a cost effective price.

24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Storage cost concern for potato growers

• Ag-inflation fuels cost of storage

• Energy among biggest increases

• Correct cost structure important

Potato storage costs are under the spotlight for the coming season, with agri-inflation still driving up the price of farm inputs.

Storage costs are being forced up by rising energy prices, says the 2023 edition of the Andersons Outlook report. But boxes too are becoming more expensive at £100-130 each delivered depending on capacity.

The recent increase in demand for on farm commercial/industrial storage means there is a significant opportunity cost of these buildings, says the Outlook report. Analysts suggest this could be as much as £20-25 per tonne based on non-farming rents.

Adding box cost, plant maintenance, labour for management and outloading costs, comfortably brings the cost up to £40 per tonne. Weight loss, sprout control and the cost of capital are all further additional costs to factor in, before energy.

Storage arrangements

Energy cost varies according to store efficiency, electricity price and length of time in store, says the Outlook report. “The range here is significant, but as a grower, factoring in all of the above, storage could cost in excess of £75 per tonne for the season.”

The impact on third party storage will depend on individual arrangements, says the report.

Talks on contracts for the 2023 crop commenced early, with many growers unable to reach an agreement. This means a reduction in the UK potato area is both necessary and inevitable, says the document.

“A number of growers are choosing to exit – faced with the demand for ad ditional capital to grow the crop, re structure for a permanent reduction, or take a temporary holiday/short term reduction.”

Getting the resulting cost struc ture right is vital. In previous years, one option to help the numbers add up has been to let land to third par ties. But there may not be so many takers for 2023.

Other costs

“For many growers with irrigated crops, the standout memory of the 2022 season, after the overall dramat ic increase in cost, was the unrelent ing drought, and consequent demand on irrigation.”

This commenced early in the season and continued almost without break, through to harvest. For those with water available, the warm sunny weather produced some respectable yields. But others were not so lucky.

Last year was been saw irrigation costs escalate to record levels – well about £200/ha in some parts of the country. Labour, energy, equipment,

High costs are threatening profitable potato production

underground infrastructure and licence fees have all increased.

The creation of GB Potatoes as a successor to the AHDB Potatoes is in its infancy. But other than headline goals and a proposed levy rate of £10/a – which is significantly lower than old AHDB levy – the report says it is unclear how groewrs will benefit.

How 'high oxygen barrier' silage film can benefit farmers

• Reduce silage waste by over 40%

• Single sheet reduces plastic usage

•

7:1 return on investment possible

Asimple switch from multiple sheets of traditional black plastic to a single sheet high oxygen barrier (HOB) silage film could reduce silage waste. At a time when livestock producers are using more home-grown feeds, the approach could deliver significant productivity and en vironmental benefits – reducing waste from 15% to 5%, say experts.

“We’re seeing significant reductions in silage waste and improvements in feed quality across the UK with HOB films and this is supported by compre hensive trials across Europe,” says Tim Brewer of silage film specialists Silostop Agri.

One study of over 50 individual pieces of work had shown a reduction in waste of 42% in the top layers of clamps sealed with HOB film compared to clamps sealed with standard polyethylene film, adds Mr Brewer.

Better quality

“The proportion of silage judged to inedible by livestock was also reduced with material stored under the HOB film compared with the standard film covering system and the aerobic stability of the uppermost layer of silage under the HOB film was much greater too.

“These results correlate with work carried out at the INRA Research Centre in France where HOB film gave a total silage loss of just 7% compared to over 15% with traditional black polyethylene film."

Silage density was similar for both, but the total amount of silage DM removed for feeding was 17% higher with the HOB material, reflecting lower losses during the storage period, says Mr Brewer.

“Covering ensiled forage maize with a single layer thin HOB film has been shown to give large reductions in primary energy and greenhouse gas production compared to the normal practice of covering clamps with two layers of much thicker standard film.

“Work in the Netherlands has shown the total weight of plastic used in a 40m long by 12m wide clamp using standard film to be 241.5kg whereas with an HOB film it was only 43.4kg –just 18% of the standard film weight.

In terms of primary energy needed to produce the film at 78.1 MJ kg film this was 18.9 GJ for the standard film and 3.39 GJ for the HOB. This means it takes less than 20% of the energy to produce HOB film than it does to produce to standard polyethylene.

“At a time when everybody needs to produce their home-grown forages as efficiently as possible whilst limiting any harmful effects on the environment, HOB films have an awful lot going for them.”

Good investment

Jim Juby of Horizon Seeds, says modern HOB films make the ensiling process quicker and more reliable – and also deliver a significant return on investment.

“While use of thicker clamp plastics and clingfilm under conventional black Polyethylene has helped ensure good preservation of silage in recent years, many producers are increasingly concerned about the use of such materials.

“Using cling films and true oxygen barrier films can reduce wastage and ensure more of the forage energy clamped is available for milk or livestock production.

“Used properly, surface spoilage is virtually eliminated and top-layer shrinkage losses are reduced considerably with such an approach which means as well as being able to fed your cows better quality silage, you’re actually feeding more of it.

“All told, we believe that for every £1 spent on a HOB film such as Silostop Max, for example, you'll get up to £7 of extra silage as a result."

Clamp management

To make best use of such films, producers need to pay attention to consolidation of material in the clamp and keeping the top layer of forage as even as possible, he says.

“It’s easy to underestimate the speed at which material will enter the clamp but you need to match the speed of material entering the clamp with enough equipment to ensure all material is consolidated properly.

“It’s important, therefore, to make sure you have enough tractors consolidating fresh material as it arrives. It’s a false economy to have high work rates in the field that then lead to clamp management being compromised.

“The rule of thumb is that you want 25% of the number of tonnes being delivered into the clamp per hour as weight consolidating the silage. If a 16t trailer arrives every 10 minutes that’s 100t/hr, you will need another tractor alongside the buck rake.”

We’re seeing big waste reductions

Clockwise from above left: Tim Brewer; SilostopMax silage protection; and orange high oxygen barrier film

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Output down as ag-inflation bites

• Producers scale back production

• Farmers blame high input costs

• Focus on productivity not output

Beef and sheep farmers expect to scale back production over the coming months as they strive to remain profitable in the face of high input costs.

Some 40% of cattle keepers suggest they will be reducing numbers during 2023, according to an NFU livestock intentions survey, with 37% saying their numbers will remain the same and only 17% planning an increase.

The survey of 1011 livestock producers was carried out last September, although the results were only made available last month. Responses from all regions of England and Wales covered a range of beef and sheep production systems.

Beef producers

Reasons given to reduce beef numbers were largely predictable. Some 87% of respondents cited high input costs. This was followed by profitability concerns (72%), loss of the basic payment (51%) and lack of market confidence (43%)..

Other reasons included insufficient or unclear information about the government's new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme (42%), government regulartion (41%) and the impact of last summer's drought (29%).

Almost one third of producers said they expected the number of days to finish cattle would increase during 2023. Some 60% of producers said carcass weights would remain broadly the same, with 24% predicting lower carcass weights.

Market signals are driving producers to reduce weights below 400kgs because of processing efficiency and customer requirements on cut and pack size. Finishing cattle at optimum

weights also makes commercial sense when feed costs are high.

Sheep producers

Some 36% of sheep producers suggest they will reduce numbers during 2023, with 41% expecting numbers to remain the same. Only 17% intend to increase numbers with 6% saying they didn't know if numbers will go up or down.

Similar to beef farmers, reasons given to reduce sheep numbers included high inoput costs (76%), profitability concerns (59%), loss of the BPS (39%), lack of market confidence (44%) and lack of information about ELMs (32%) and weather (33%).

In terms of feed, 88% of beef and sheep farmers said they made forage in 2022, with 17% saying the quality of conserved forage was worse than usual. That said, 33% said the quality was better, with 44% saying it was about the same.

NFU livestock board chairman Richard Findlay said 2022 had been dominated by an unprecedented increase in production costs, combined with one of the driest summers on record.

“We have seen critical farm inputs of fertiliser, feed and fuel rise to unsustainable levels,” said Mr Findlay. There was an urgent need for policies

Livestock farmers are rightly focused on productivity, says Richard Findlay

that would help to drive productivity in 2023 and beyond, he added.

“We are focusing more on productivity and with the right support we can invest in our businesses, embrace technology and use data to inform decisions. We need support from our domestic customers and to grow exports.”

Warning against feeding spoiled silage

Dairy and beef farmers are being warned against feeding spoiled silage to their cattle this winter amid reports that some producers are short of forage.

“Making the most out of home-grown forage is more important than ever as feed prices continue to soar – but feeding spoiled silage can do more harm than good,” says Lientjie Colahan, technical sales support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

“Feeding spoiled silage, even in small amounts, will have a detrimental impact on how much the cattle eat and how their rumens function.”

One American study found that cross-bred steers fed only good silage had healthier rumens those that fed on spoiled silage. This

meant they had better fibre digestion, said Mrs Colahan.

“It also showed that as the percentage of spoiled silage in the ration increased, the animals ate less and the rumen mat, which stimulates the rumen to contract and mix feed together, started to disintegrate.”

Although it’s too late to influence the quality of silage available for the winter, Mrs Colahan says farmers can make a big difference to how forage – and bought-in feeds – are digested in the rumen.

Alongside the removal of visibly mouldy silage and regular testing of forage to ensure the ration is appropriately balanced, she recommends including a rumen-specific live yeast in the ration.

Why testing this winter is key to controlling liver fluke

• Low risk but time right treatment

• Some areas are worse than others

• Regular testing vital, say experts

Liver fluke levels are forecast to be relatively low for much of the UK this winter – but experts say the risk to grazing livestock ual farms is less predictable.

This means farmers should test to ensure they don’t treat for the problem too soon or unnecessarily, or get caught out and miss a vital treatment, say two livestock groups – the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sus tainably (COWS).

The mud snail is the intermediate host for the liver fluke. And last year's dry summer means there are fewer ar eas where the mud snail can survive. Without moisture, the flukes find it difficult to migrate to pasture.

But not all of the country was so dry, say livestock advisers. Even within a farm, wet, boggy areas may have allowed the liver fluke to complete its lifecycle, creating highly infected areas where the livestock may congregate to drink.

The implication for livestock farmers is that many will not need to treat while others will need to take action, says Diana Williams of Liverpool University. But the timing of any treatment may be later than expected.

“The only way ensure treatments are necessary and given at the right time is to test,” says Prof Williams.

Sentinels

For several years, regular blood testing has been seen as the best way to detect fluke infection in lambs (or calves). This is because young animals will only show a positive result if they have picked up fluke this season.

“They act as sentinels, telling us if and when they have picked up liver fluke,” says Prof Williams. “By continuing to test at regular intervals through the season, farmers can determine if they need to treat and when.”

Recent diagnostics underline the value of using blood testing.

Last autumn, less than 1% of the animals tested were positive, showing that most farms did not need to treat. This had risen to 10% by mid-November – still a small proportion of farms with the risk of treating too early if following traditional timings.

Rainfall

SRUC vet Heather Stevenson says: “Recent heavy rainfall and relatively mild conditions through into November mean levels may continue to rise during the winter, particularly in areas that were previously dry.”

John Graham-Brown at Liverpool University says: “A negative test does not mean you can sit back and relax. Plan to repeat tests in three to four weeks’ time to make sure you don’t get caught out.

“Sheep are most likely to be seriously affected by acute liver fluke disease in the autumn and early winter, which means they are the priority for testing and are also the best indicator of the presence of liver fluke on the farm.”

so you don’t get caught out

Mature

Sheep Veterinary Society vice-president Rebecca Mearns, who is a vet with Biobest, says the laboratory has seen the occasional faeces sample testing positive for fluke eggs this season. “This underlines the need to use the blood test,” she says.

“Most samples received so far this autumn have tested negative, but this does not mean liver fluke isn’t present on the farm, because most fluke inside the animals are not yet mature enough to be detected by a faecal test.”

Philip Skuce from Moredun has some practical advice too. He says: “This is year it is probably easier than most to fence off wet areas that may harbour liver fluke, because on many farms these are small and isolated following the dry summer.

“Feedback from the abattoir on liver rejections is also a very useful source of information and any unexplained deaths are always worth investigating, because a post-mortem examination will check for evidence of fluke in the liver.”

Regular blood testing best way to detect fluke infection in lambs and calves

“

Concern over impact of low scanning percentages

Sheep producers are being urged to optimise ewe nutrition to ensure as many healthy lambs are born as possible this spring.

Early scanning shows rates are 2030% lower than normal following grass shortages due to lack of rain and high temperatures last summer, says Wynnstay national sheep and beef specialist Bryn Hughes.

High input costs and low scanning percentages could leave farmers tempted to cut out feed in the run up to lambing – but this could do more damage than good, warns Mr Hughes.

“While there’s not much that can be done about scanning percentages now, you can work to keep the lambs you’ve got,” he says.

This includes using the month after scanning to increase body condition score without causing problems at lambing from overly large lambs. “A good starting point is to body condition score ewes now.”

Producers should take extra care of thin ewes by offering supplementary feed for a month after scanning. Proactive management is essential to retain lambing percentages and make sure ewes lamb are in good condition with plenty of high-quality colostrum.

“Your aim is to lamb lowland ewes at a body condition score of 3.5 and hill ewes between 2.5 and 3. An increase in condition score of 1 is equivalent to a 10% increase in bodyweight, so this is a big ask for thin ewes.”

Mr Hughes recommends that farmers split ewes into management groups after scanning, with thinner ewes and those carrying twins marked for special treatment. “These can be fed supplementary concentrate feed, fodder beet, or extra forage.”

Adequate colostrum

Feed blocks can also be beneficial. Farmers can offer half a kilo of concentrate feed to each ewe every day. “Reaching target body condition score at lambing will result in better colostrum quality, increased milkiness, and better survivability.”

Some 49% of lamb deaths occur within the first 48 hours of life, says

Emily Hall, product manager for animal health experts Nettex. This is largely due to inadequate amounts of maternal colostrum and lambs suffering from hypothermia.

A first feed should provide at least 50ml of colostrum per kilogramme of bodyweight. Within 24 hours they should receive 200ml/kg. “This means your average 5kg lamb will require 1000ml of colostrum – a high volume to consume in a short period of time.”

“The thick, creamy consistency of colostrum is from its high fat content,” says Ms Hall. “This provides lambs with a rich energy source which allows them to maintain their body temperature and bodily functions.”

How colostrum can help combat cold

Colostrum rates should be significantly increased for lambs at risk of hypothermia this season, says Emily Hall, of animal health experts Nettex.

Depending on management and genetic factors, some ewes will struggle to produce enough colostrum to feed their lambs. While this is common in triplets, 30% of twin-bearing ewes and 10% of singles do not produce enough colostrum.

Antibodies in colostrum will also be developed to fight against bacteria and disease pressures found on the farm. Because of this, the best practice when colostrum needs to be supplemented is to feed ewe colostrum harvested off of the farm.

While there are a large number of colos-

trum supplements on the market, farmers should select one based on quality. This should mimic ewe colostrum, with naturally high fat levels, growth factors, hormones, vitamins and minerals critical to lamb survival.

For lambs that have not received ewe maternal colostrum or require high energy, Ms Hall recommends a premium colostrum supplement that is easy to mix with added ewe milk and egg proteins.

When feeding a colostrum supplement, always follow label instructions. Colostrum should be fed with a bottle or stomach tube. Additional colostrum should be limited to 100ml per feed when feeding via a stomach tube to avoid distension of the stomach.

Colostrum supplements should be fed with a bottle or stomach tube

Twin-bearing ewes are often short of colostrum

A good start is to bodycondition ewes

Tackle mastitis with bedding sanitiser this winter

Dairy farmers housing cattle this winter, are being encouraged to incorporate a bedding sanitiser as part of a holistic mastitis prevention strategy.

Good udder health is vital to maintaining productivity and welfare but is particularly important for keeping somatic cell counts low over the cooler months – housing management is crucial for achieving this.

Timac Agro technical manager David Newton advises farmers to apply a bedding sanitiser, such as Actisan 360, to reduce the harmful bacteria that can cause mastitis.

“Actisan 360 is a disinfectant-free drying agent with the capability to absorb three times its own weight in moisture as damp bedding is a major risk factor for mastitis.”

Reducing moisture content, while creating a slightly acidic environment which is unfavourable for harmful strains of bacteria, can prevent them from multiplying, allowing for good species of bacteria to establish and grow.

“Strains of bacteria which commonly cause mastitis tend to thrive in more alkaline conditions,” says Mr Newton.

“Good bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, can thrive in more acidic conditions which can be cultivated by using a bedding sanitiser. Research has shown that several of these species can act as an alternative antibiotic-free mastitis treatment.”

Mr Newton explains that only a small

erally advised. This should reap rewards in terms of reduced cases of mastitis, as well as making bedding go further for longer.

“Mastitis control and prevention requires a multifaceted approach, so it’s essential to incorporate protocols that cover all aspects of the farm and herd. Farmers should consider housing environment, heifer management, teat hygiene in and out of the parlour and record all mastitis cases in the herd.

“While bedding sanitisation is a key element of this prevention strategy, the great-

A bedding sanitiser can encourage good bacteria – and good herd health

How to safeguard cow performance this winter

Farmers should take extra care when transitioning between different silage cuts this winter to ensure milk yield and fertility aren't compromised.

Regular sampling of silage this winter is more important than ever because of the variability in clamps and bales, says Robin Hawkey, nutritionist at Mole Valley Farmers. A ration transition plan will help to safeguard animal performance, he adds.

"Farmers can't simply switch from silage A to Silage B and expect they will maintain performance. It's essential to know the exact quality of your silage and balance it correctly.

"Many farmers are running out of first cut silage and moving on to very different second and third cuts, as well as moving onto new season maize silage. This needs careful consideration when balancing the ration.”

Monitoring cow intakes on the farm is key, says Dr Hawkey.

“This will give an insight into what is going on, which is particularly important in autumn block calving herds where accurate nu-

trition is required for the service period to maintain the calving block. Any impact on nutrition will affect fertility, which could have long-term implications.”

Good herd management and accurate feeding will help improve herd performance.

This can be achieved by continual mon itoring of silage quality, ration and adapta tion to meet herd requirements – especially during the early stages of lactation.

Dung analysis

Cows should be regularly condition-scored with dung analysed for consistency. If individual cows are not looking right, Mole Valley Farmers will then delve into more de tail to find the problem before it becomes a more widespread issue.

Dairy producers will benefit from monitoring first cuts diligently and using the higher value feed carefully through the winter to maximise milk from forage – offsetting the lower value of subsequent cuts.

Experts say it is important to know what

Anti-roost wire

is in the clamp and how to feed it out accurately over winter.

Only regular and accurate testing will achieve this, helping farmers be more accurate and get more milk from forage.

Monitor cow intake, says Robin Hawke

Farmers urged to sign up for free business advice

• Find ways to replace lost income

• Diversification among top choices

• Succession plans for many farms

Only one third of farmers are taking action to replace lost income as annual direct pay ments continue to be phased out, sug gests a survey.

Some 86% of farmers recognise they must make significant changes within the next five years, according to research by consultants Brown & Co, who are helping to deliver £32m of advice under Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF).

Within that number, 48% plan to diversify or increase productivity, while 25% plan to leave the sector. But only one in three are already making some changes – with environmental schemes a logical starting point for many.

The FFRF was established to offer free consultancy advice to businesses in the transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Farmers can access advice worth £32m from now until March 2025.

Free offer

Brown & Co recently hosted a series of webinars designed to provide farmers with an overview of the FFRF – and to help them understand how they can make use of the free advice on offer.

The consultancy has already delivered one-to-one on-farm support to more than 1,400 farmers – with many hundreds more through remote and digital engagements, says Brown & Co agricultural business consultant Greg Beeton.

Considerable restructuring has been identified with 80% of farmers planning succession or family changes within seven years, he says. “This aligns with the age profile of the project farmers, with 32% of the farmers

enough information to plan change.

“This has resulted in 80% of farmers now identifying diversification or change opportunities but only a third are taking any action yet.”

Tenanted land

Some 52% of respondents had tenanted land, either as full tenants or a mix of owned and tenanted land. But both tenants and livestock farmers face challenges as the BPS is removed and new markets and income streams develop.

“BPS represents on average 11% of turnover across all farm types but 68% of profits,’’ he says. Livestock and crops constitute 66% of income with the remaining third coming from di-

to diversify or increase productivity

To meet farmers specific needs, Brown & Co has scaled up its advice to provide a wider range of support. “In this phase we will deliver to 2,875 farmers across all of England starting from now up until March 2025,’’ says Mr Beeton.

“We will continue to offer our business review and follow up. These faceto-face on farm meetings will allow for discussion with farmers and families on how to prepare for and adjust to the agricultural transition period.’’

Following that meeting, each farm advisor will complete and share a report with an action plan and benchmark outputs. They will then follow up remotely with clients to support and encourage a focus on the plan.

Tailored support 'vital for success'

Support tailored to the needs of individual farmers is vital when devising a viable plan to ensure the future of a farm business.

“To enable this we will be offering farmers choices of support that could naturally follow on from an initial business review, or be delivered separately,’’ says Brown & Co consultant Greg Beeton.

The six packages of advice cover budgeting and business planning, technology adoption and collaboration, land and property, natural capital, greenhouse gas foot printing and

specific support for tenants.

Within all three there are sub-categories for farmers to choose from – for instance under technology adoption and collaboration there are four sub-sections ranging from performance benchmarking to machinery and labour planning and analysis.

Even if a farm business has previously taken advantage of the Future Farming Resilience Fund, it can apply again for a different offer or service including a follow-up business review, says Mr Beeton.

Greg Beeton: farming faces big changes

Resilience key to better business performance

• Best farmers try to anticipate change

• Adaptable approach vital for success

• Strive to tackle challenging situations

Growers and livestock producers are being urged to focus on five priority areas to build the resilience of their farm business.

Better adaptability means farms can more successfully anticipate change – and respond in a beneficial way, according to a new report launched by farm management experts Trinity AgTech at last month's Oxford Farming Conference.

Adaptive capacity is fundamental to success during an era described as a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA), says Khajeh-Hosseiny, founder and executive chairman at the Trinity Natural Capital Group.

“VUCA makes it impossible to confidently predict the future,” he says. “Yet, the unique framework we’ve developed for this report will support farmers to think honestly, rigorously and systematically about how we do business in a VUCA world.

Embracing change

“History has shown that success can be achieved by thoughtfully embracing change. But this report sets itself apart by launching a credible scoring system centred around determining farmers and their team’s adaptive capac ity to develop a resilience mindset.

“By considering how you objectively score across these five key areas, you can reveal to yourself where to develop your adaptive ca pabilities and assets,” adds Dr Khajeh-Hosseiny.

“Currently, there is a spotlight on the way we approach farm busi ness analysis, deci sion making, and farm manage

ment and the report aims to support farmers in making changes, creating buffers – and confidently tackling the most challenging situations.

“Shying away from change and striving for ‘business as usual’ is a natural characteristic, but more so today than previously, success comes from the ability to adapt to change and capitalise on the opportunities.

“We have to be honest and upfront about our business position and mindset,” he says. “We can no longer be complacent and hide behind inaccurate metrics if we are to capitalise on the opportunities that are currently present,” he adds.

Constant flux

“For UK farmers, inhabiting a world of constant flux is not a new concept, but it’s no less daunting or challenging, however, we know farmers have adapted and overcome challenging times before, they have the vision and ambition to survive and thrive.”

The concept of ‘farming a new future’ runs throughout the report and Dr Khajeh-Hosseiny states that farms have two options; build resilience into their Success comes from the ability to adapt to change, says Hosein KhajehHosseiny

business or refuse to adapt. Neither are easy but the latter won’t pay off.

“The risk is that some ‘business as usual’ approaches that may have worked previously, simply won’t work in the unpredictable future,” he adds.

Through a series of case studies and expert commentary, the report showcases how to examine options to leverage your farm as-

sets and natural capital and what the opportunities are to capitalise on these when you adopt the right mindset.

“There is no doubt that the agricultural sector is experiencing turbulent times and the future that lies ahead is uncertain, but if one thing you can be certain of is your business’ resilience, then the unknown is something to look forward to and embrace.”

Farmers are most proud of innovation – survey

Innovation is among the qualities farmers are most proud of about UK agriculture, suggests a survey.

More than 500 farmers and agricultural professionals from across the UK responded to the study by the Farming Help charities – the Farming Community Network, Addington Fund and Forage Aid – in the run-up to last month's LAMMA event.

Innovation, sustainability, high standards of animal welfare and a strong sense of community are among the key reasons farmers are proud of agriculture in the UK, according to the survey results.

The survey also asked if respondents would personally

speak to a farming charity if they felt they needed support. More than 70% said they would, but others were embarrassed asking for help or found it hard to talk about their feelings.

Farming Community Network spokesman Alex Phillimore said the survey sought to highlight the range of support available to people in agriculture – and understand the reasons why people might be hesitant to speak to a charity.

“We know picking up the phone and asking for help is often the hardest step; we hope to normalise speaking to charities before people reach a crisis point and before people have exhausted other options.”

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Some farmers benefit from market volatility – but others don't

trends for farmers to watch in 2023 7

Big challenges are likely over the coming year – but there are opportunities too, says Rhodri

Farm businesses face some huge challenges during 2023, with the sector braced for a period of accelerated change in terms of land management.

The good news is that new and exciting opportunities are also emerging – and land managers would be wise to be proactively thinking about their options to identify where the best opportunities might lie.

the financial feasibility of a new solar PV system will vary depending on how much energy is used on site.

An energy review will help determine whether a project is viable. Farmers who already have a solar array, but without an export meter fitted, should consider installing one. There are now some excellent rates paid for exported electricity.

Thomas

sis, but anyone with a property portfolio will also need to be particularly mindful about its impact on tenants. It is likely there will be commercial and residential tenants who may find themselves struggling to meet their rent.

Damp and mould in properties could also become more of an issue, because of people not being able to afford to heat their homes. Keeping the lines of communication open is vital. Get to know your tenants as well as you can, so you are aware of any early signs of stress.

Higher working capital requirements for Harvest 2023 will put a squeeze on profitability and have a big impact on cashflow.

Harvest 2022 was profitable for many arable growers who purchased the bulk of their inputs before huge increases in input costs. But input costs for Harvest 2023 will be significantly higher and commodity prices have also eased back from the highs seen last year.

Try to benchmark and budget to help navigate the financial challenges of the year ahead – and determine how much working capital you will need over the coming months. Assess how sensitive profit margins are to changes crop prices, fertiliser and diesel costs.

It’s not just about carbon when it comes to responsible environmental management. The issue of biodiversity loss is likely to become increasingly high profile following last year's UN Biodiversity Conference.

Climate and biodiversity are closely interrelated, and we are now seeing a concerted effort among environmental groups to push policy makers to recognise that nature recovery is just as important as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As we move forward, active habitat management will become more and more important. A big challenge that needs to be overcome is securing appropriate finance to enable this to happen – whether that is from the public or private sector.

Consider what happens to cashflow and profitability if a tenant leaves. Landlords also face the prospect of major legislative changes associated with improving energy efficiency and ensuring a fairer deal for tenants.

Where available, it makes sense to take advantage of grant support to future-proof your business.

The energy crisis is opening up significant opportunities for landowners in the delivery of both large- and small-scale renewable energy schemes.

Developers of large-scale solar projects are prepared to pay index-linked rents of around £1000/acre along with a percentage of turnover. Battery storage site rents are typically between £2,000/MW and £2,500/ MW.

Roof-mounted solar PV schemes are back in the spotlight as a way for farmers to cut elec tricity bills by reducing the amount of bought-in energy. But

Be mindful that there is strong research evidence to suggest farm profits can increase even if the area cropped is reduced, due to the positive effect on production from wildlife habitats,

A new Rural England Prosperity Fund is also on its way, which could be useful for farmers looking to diversify. This type of support can have a significant positive impact for individual businesses and the local rural economy.

Official government figures show rising levels of business insolvencies, so it has never been more important to know your customers and manage the risk of bad debts

Monitor any changes in business practices which might signal buyers are suffering cashflow problems. State terms of business clearly on invoices and set up reminders so you know when you need to start chasing for payment.

The effects of climate change are more obvious every day – we’ve had heatwaves, flooding and the disease risks seem to be increasing for the arable, livestock and forestry sectors.

Researchers from Oxford University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the Met Office and Bristol University recently published work showing that farmers have largely compensated for the impact of adverse weather conditions on wheat yields over the past 30 years.

But climate change will push the boundaries of what is achievable through crop management and the research team’s forecast for the next 30 years is that there will be much greater volatility in cereals and grass yields.

Everyone is feeling the effects of the cost-of-living cri-

Rhodri Thomas is head of rural at farm business advisors Strutt & Parker.

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Carbon farming

Government looking for big increase in biomass crops

• Scheme launch at carbon farm show

• Goal is to help reach Net

Zero target

• Farmers and environment to benefit

A£4.8m project to increase the area of UK biomass crops will be launched at this month's Low Carbon Agriculture Show.

Biomass Connect aims to showcase best-practice and innovations in biomass feedstock production at sites across the UK. Funded by the the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), it will be launched at the event on Tuesday, 7 February.

“Our project will act as a focal point for the biomass industry, supporting the expansion of sustainable biomass production in the UK, said project leader scientist Jeanette Whitaker, a principal scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).

“The Climate Change Committee indicates that expansion of biomass feedstock cultivation from 10,000 ha to 730,000 ha by 2050 is required to deliver net zero for the UK. This will require significant changes in agricultural land use over the coming decades.”

“Launching the initiative at the Low Carbon Agriculture show was the obvious choice to raise the profile of our project and discuss the challenges for the biomass sector at an event attended by individuals and organisations focused on decarbonising agriculture.

The project launch will include outline ways to do this, explain why more

sustainable biomass is crucial in the quest for Net Zero, and how it can benefit farmers. The goal is to support land managers to plant more sustainable biomass crops.

Energy security

A conference session on the second day of the Low Carbon Agriculture event will discuss the role of biomass in UK energy security and Net Zero plans. It will be chaired by Patricia Thornley, director of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute.

cal, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS). He will deliver a presentation explaining ways to burn biomass for electricity generation, while capturing the carbon produced.

Envirocrops project manager Callum Williams will explain how farmers can select and grow the most appropriate biomass crops for their farm business, with a further presentation by Dr Whitaker looking at best practice and innovation.

Biomass Connect is also represented in the show’s exhibition, with a stand for farmers to visit and understand which biomass crops could be suitable for them. There will also be a dedicated biomass area in the exhibition so farmers can speak directly with industry suppliers.

Two-day event to discuss carbon farming

Hundreds of exhibitors are expected at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show – which takes place on 7-8 February at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Held in partnership with the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the event incorporates four expositions.

They are the Environmental Business Expo, Farm Technology Expo, Energy Now Expo and the Low Emission Vehicles Expo.

Free to attend, the show features new conference sessions, including biodiversity, transitioning to regenerative farming systems, niche crops and managing energy use and costs. Separate sessions cover ways to maximis returns from existing clean energy assets.

A policy workshop, giving farmers a the chance to quiz experts on agricultural, energy and environmental policy has also been added.

New topics will talke place alongside already popular sessions, such as carbon farming, soil health, each renewable energy type and an open debate on reaching net zero in agriculture.

The show also features an exhibition of businesses supporting farmers in the agricultural transition, and a test track for low emission vehicles

For details about the show, please, visit lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk.

This requires significant

“

Claudia Harms-Warlies / Shutterstock.com

Carbon farming

How carbon farming stacks up for the arable grower

Carbon farming is proving to be a useful additional revenue stream for cereal grower Richard Davey

Anglia Farmer: Why did you decide to look at carbon farming?

Richard Davey: We looked at regenerative farming first. We were aware of the carbon market and had already reduced our insecticides and herbicides.

The AgreenaCarbon scheme was attractive because it provided a useful income to help fund our transition to regenerative farming andit didn’t require us to make any changes to our farming practices.

AF: What regenerative farming practices are you deploying RD: We use very reduced cultivations to establish crops and a proportion of direct drilling and are reducing fungicides and insecticides where we can. To help the crop stay healthy we use trace elements, rather than fungicides as a blanket approach.

We only use fungicides as a secondary action if we have something we can’t control. And we try to correct crop deficiencies by spraying trace elements to the leaf at different times of the year.

We are also reducing fertiliser usage by using humic and fulvic acids in our liquid fertiliser and are looking to apply more amide nitrogen, which is more efficient. We adopted precision farming and use variable rate technology for fertilisers and seed, and

are looking to do more when using fungicides and growth regulators.

A couple of years ago, we grew a crop of barley and a crop of wheat without using any fungicides, just applications of trace elements. So we know we

our agronomists is forward thinking around the carbon market, so we were already interested. We could see that it fits in with what we were already doing and it seemed logical to take advantage of this emerging market via the AgreenaCarbon program. For us, there weren’t any negatives in joining.

AF: What revenue will you obtain from selling carbon credits?

RD:AgreenaCarbon’s dashboard indicates that we will receive £20-£40/ha –although currently we don’t have an exact figure.

AF: How do you plan to use the income?

RD: Initially, the revenue was another source of income to fund an increase in our regenerative farming practices. It will be interesting to see how the carbon market develops and if we will need to retain

to disturb nothing at all or only the top 2”-3”, and it is not having an effect on productions. We get the same results.

It’s also having a positive effect on our profitability by reducing fuel usage, which in the long term will mean a drop in the horsepower requirement on the farm. I think that eventually it will even take less

Our soil was in fairly good health to begin with because we use a lot of organic material. The reduction in use of insecticides, where we can, is improving biodiversity across the farm and that will continue as we use less inputs.

Cover crops help cut leaching from the soil because it is not left bare. The soil is in even better condition, increasing absorption of rain water and hopefully will become more resilient when we have dry summers.

AF: Are you happy with the carbon scheme?

RD:Yes, more than happy. It’s relatively simple to join and doesn’t take long to enter the base data at the beginning, once you have worked out what information you need and where to find it.

It fits in with what we were already doing Richard Davey

“

It took us about half a day to input the original data and get the actuals done.

For us, transitioning to regenerative farming is the most logical way to farm and the AgreenaCarbon scheme sits alongside that by enabling farmers to benefit from the transition.

Initially, we thought it was going to compromise or complicate our method of farming but it has not. A new Agreena contract has helped –it is now more flexible. They’ve shifted from not allowing tilling at all to permitting reduced tilling every few years. But you don't receive certificates for the years you till.

The perception is that joining a carbon soil program means that you will have to farm in a certain way but with the flexibility of AgreenaCarbon this is not the case, it isn’t like other programs that have been restrictive and confusing.

Although carbon farming generates revenue for us, our first priority is making decisions that make sense for the farm.

AF: What, if anything, would make the

AgreenaCarbon program better?

RD: A higher price for carbon certificates. Seriously, though, the only thing that comes to mind is that integration with crop recording systems would make it even easier.

We use Gatekeeper which is the source of all the data we need to input into the AgreenaCarbon platform. If the two were linked it would be possible to import the data from one to the other.

AgreenaCarbon sits alongside what we are already doing. It complements how we farm, we don’t have to worry about fitting into a tight box where we must do this here, and that there. It is a question of just farming and the carbon certificates will come.

ABOUT THE FARM

Richard Davey farms

1,600ha in south Oxfordshire – including 488ha in an Agreena soil carbon scheme. Combinable crops include wheat, barley, oilseed rape, beans and forage maize.

Low Carbon Agriculture Show 2023 NARC, Stoneleigh FREE Carbon Audit

A carbon audit will give you the following information

• The level of greenhouse gases emitted from your farming and diversified businesses

• The greenhouse gas emissions split across the different enterprises on your farm

• The level of greenhouse gases sequested in your soils, hedgerows and woodlands

• How you compare to similar buisnesses

• Where you can make quick and simple changes to your business to reduce emissions

Please join us at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show on Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th February 2023

Stand 318

Through the Future Farm Resillience Fund you can recieve a FREE carbon audit and we are also providing a FREE review of your farming business.

If you cannot make the show but are interested in any of the above, please contact: newmarket@laurencegould.com

Carbon farming

Carbon efficient cowshed boosts productivity

ALincolnshire dairy farm aims to significantly increase its productivity after investing more than £1m in a carbon-efficient cowshed.

Zara Dorrington runs the business at White House Farm near Bourne alongside her father Ross and uncle Simon. The fourth-generation 800ha dairy and arable farm and its 300-cow herd produce milk for Arla.

“Slurry management was a key area we wanted to improve when designing the new shed,” said Ms Dorrington.

“We knew it was where we could significantly strengthen our sustainability agenda, turning what was historically a waste product into a useable asset with many benefits.”

Construction of the 2,700m² cowshed was supported by a £1.05m loan from Lloyds Bank. It aims to improve the farm’s natural slurry filtration by

using deep channels to move liquid manure below ground quickly and without the need for electric pumps.

Natural ventilation

The large, open-plan pitched-roof building uses natural ventilation and LED lighting in a further boost for the farm’s net-zero credentials. Passages are wide enough for a robot slurry scraper, helping to improve cow welfare by reducing mastitis cases and the need for antibiotics.

Animal welfare has improved since construction of the building

Investing in the new state-of-theart cowshed supports long-term sustainability goals on both the dairy and arable side of the business.

A new slurry separator has allowed the farm to move separated manure away more efficiently and use it to reduce the artificial fertiliser needed to grow the crops, with fields of maize grown entirely from slurry and solid

lengths to make sure its design and build is as carbon-efficient as possible, while also providing a comfortable and nurturing environment for our herd.”

Finance package

The finance package comes via Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Finance Initiative, which provides discounted funding to help businesses transition to a lower-carbon, more sustainable future.

Lloyds Bank agricultural relationship manager Steven Withers said: “Every industry is under pressure to improve sustainable practices, and with agricultural land making up 70% of the UK’s land area, farming has a particularly crucial role to play.

“Our Clean Growth Finance Initiative is designed to support businesses with their environmental and sustainability goals. The build of the new cowshed at White House Farm will not only improve efficiency and production levels, but allow Zara and her family to operate more sustainably.

“We will continue to be by the side

The openplan pitchedroof building uses natural ventilation

How adding manure reduces potent emissions from soil

More manure locks in nitrogen and improves soil structures

Emissions from soil of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide can be drastically reduced just by adding carbon-rich manure, new research shows.

Doing so essentially locks in nitrogen because it is no longer turned into as much nitrous oxide gas by microbes such as fungi and bacteria, say scientists at the Rothamsted Research centre in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

Nitrous oxide is roughly 300 times more potent that CO2 as a greenhouse gas – and fertilised soils are its major source. The gas also contributes to ozone depletion, and human-induced emissions of the gas have increased worldwide by 30% over the last forty years - mainly through an increased use of chemical fertilisers.

Findings from the Rothamsted-led study were published in the journal Nature Food. Arable soils receiving such inorganic fertilisers retained only half the amount of nitrogen compared to soils receiving farmyard manure, with the losses mainly in the form of nitrous oxide gas.

The data suggests this is because carbon and nitrogen are inexorably linked within soils – to a much greater extent than realised. Previous Rothamsted research showed how carbon plays a key role in determining the very structure of soil, and subsequently, how it functions.

Porous network

Rothamsted researchers led by Andrew Neal (pictured) found that increasing the organic matter in soils leads microbes to secrete sticky poly mers that produce a well-connected network of relatively small pores.

It is this structural feature of soil that also determines the fate of soil nitrogen, explained Professor Neal.

“Our latest findings shows that its organic matter’s impact on soil structure that influenc es how nitrogen is metabolised in soils. Greater pore connectivity in carbon-rich soil allows air to circu late and means microbes are me tabolising nitrogen in such a way as to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

“This means wider application of organic matter in arable systems has the potential to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and agriculture's contribution to climate change.”

Until now, this interplay between carbon and nitrogen in soils was not well known.

Wheat experiment

Using archived samples and new data collected from the 179-year-old Broadbalk wheat experiment, Professor Neal’s team compared a variety of soils, including those that had received nitrogen fertiliser inputs ranging from none up to 240kg per hectare per year, and those getting only farm-

They also looked at a soil from a woodland created in 1882, and a soil from another experiment under a

After nitrogen enters farmland soil it ultimately ends up in one of three places. It either remains in the soil; is taken up by crops – meaning it is removed at harvest; or it is ‘lost’ from the system – such as in nitrous oxide gas or as nitrate dissolved in

In soils with limited or no organic matter in-

puts, the arrangement of small, poor ly interconnected pores force microbes such as fungi and bacteria to switch to what is called anoxic – or oxygen free – metabolism.

Nitrous oxide

As a result, they produce much greater quantities of nitrous oxide rather than biomass in the form of proteins produced under aerobic, or oxygenated, conditions.

The legacy of the fertilisation regime can also be seen when comparing the microbial genomes across the different soil treatments.

Looking at the soil microbial genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, the team found two distinct groupings. One was associated with woodland and grassland soils and comprised of genes involved in helping microbes absorb nitrogen as a nutrient to build biomass.

Microbial genomes from soils receiving manure were most like this grouping.

The other cluster was associated with low carbon, inorganically fertilised soils, and were mostly genes responsible for the breakdown of nitrogen compounds solely to produce ‘energy’ – which results in nitrous oxide emissions.

Carbon has a key role in soil structure

Manure locks in nitrogen, helping to reduce emissions

TIMBER

CARBON UNITS

WOODFUEL

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

IMPROVE SOIL QUALITY

SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY

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Carbon farming

Framtrac's all-electric tractor at Low Carbon Agriculture Show

The first all-electric tractor from Farmtrac will be exhibited at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show –held on 7-8 February at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Launched two years ago, Farmtrac’s FT25G boasts zero emissions, minimal noise and vibration, high energy efficiency, and low operating and maintenance costs. Although small, it claims to be more than capable of equalling the performance of its diesel counterparts.

The FT25G is powered by a 22kwh battery pack, has a lift capacity of 450kg and incorporates world class components. These include transmissions designed by Carraro and hydraulic systems from MITA.

Cargo space is enhanced with the Ultimate Rack from BigToolRack. Providing organ-

ised, secure storage for a compact or sub-compact tractor or utility vehicle in seconds, the Ultimate Rack is described as a Swiss army knife of tool carrying attachments.

It features a large cargo area – with a load capacity of 272kgs and tailgate capacity of 113kgs – and space to securely attach tools out of the way of the cargo area. A counterweight option when moving heavy loads with a loader means there is no need to buy a separate ballast box.

A trailer hitch feature and telescopic wheel system convert the rack into a roll-away storage system to neatly store tools in the shed. There is a range of customisable add-ons and the tractor can be used all-year-round.

Reesink Agriculture sales manager Steven Haynes said:

“The FT25G offers the perfect clean energy option for farmers, landowners and industry operators looking to reduce their car-

bon footprint and with the addition of the Ultimate Rack attachment productivity and efficiency is only enhanced.”

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Farmtrac’s FT25G will be on stand LEV6 at the show

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FINAL SAY Fen Tiger

Who holds the purse strings?

A personal touch is best when borrowing money

especially in farming, says Fen Tiger.

When money is tight, what's the best way to secure adequate borrowing? With finances forever going upwards, how should farmers best ensure their requirements are met over the next few years?

Looking back, it was the traditional high street banks that once secured the lending to most farms. One particular bank I used – and still use today – seemed to have a production line of local managers. Most were well liked and easy to talk to.

During meetings, my bank manager seldom mentioned farming – which I always took as a good sign. One manager, who retained the job for many years, simply asked as he left the office: “Same overdraft facility again next year? 1% over base?”

Changing times

I was always grateful for his support. The thought of switching to another lender never crossed my mind. But talkin to a large potato grower recently, it seems times have changed – and perhaps not for the better.

A one-size-fits-all overdraft is no longer the norm. Instead, specific lending for specific jobs seems to be the trend. The names

of some lenders will be unfamiliar but some frequently top the best buy tables for savings rates and loans.

More importantly, they are covered by the financial services compensation scheme in the same way as the traditional high street banks. But for the old-fashioned farmers still out there like me, there are no annual visits or walk in appointments.

Their offers are often on sale for only a few days at a time. Often they are only available online – or worse still, need to be downloaded on a smartphone app. Some of these lenders do not even have a customer service number.

Savings and loans

The world is changing – and it is all too much of a concern for me – yet some people are prepared to invest their life-savings or run their business current accounts with these unfamiliar lenders.

At least one bank offers savings and loans to match the seasonality of the farming calendar – recognising that farm income is often spread unevenly across the year, rather than an equal amount each month. But they are not on the high street.

Farm credit is offered so farmers can buy inputs when they need them – and then pay

when their cash flow allows. You must meet certain criteria, and have successfully traded with approved suppliers for at least three years. But it seems a good idea.

Banks need to better understand how farming works – both from a business point of view and in practical terms. Some lenders at least appear to be doing so. But it is important farmers know their own obligations too when borrowing money.

No loyalty

With interest rates on the rise and land frequently used as security, it is important for many family farmers that land values hold their own. After all, the last thing they need is for banks to question their net worth start to call in loans.

Some larger farms – if indeed that is what they still call themselves – have found a way to secure lending without actually farming the land. They diversify and contract out any work – yet still make a living by going from one lender to another.

These days loyalty to one bank or allegiance to a single lender is no longer the case. That is perhaps unsurprising given that the one thing I know for sure is that my old bank has lost its personal touch.

Many familiar faces have gone and the only way to speak to a person is via the call centre. My local agricultural specialist has long gone – in fact there is no one local at all. And if you need to re-finance, the lowest rates are not always the best rates.

Banks need to understand farmers

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