Anglia Farmer - November 2023

November 2023

Anglia

Farmer Serving the farming industry across East Anglia for over 40 years

Industry answers: Delegates flock to autumn farming conference in Suffolk

Arable Free tool to plan pest management Professional services Where next for farmland market?

Fen Tiger ‘My bank suspects me of money laundering’ CropTec preview Opportunities and advice for growers Midland Machinery New machines galore at flagship event

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Anglia Farmer

OPINION Johann Tasker

EDITORIAL Editor: Johann Tasker | T: 07967 634971 E: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

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ADVERTISING SALES Wes Stanton | T: 01502 725866 E: wes.stanton@micropress.co.uk Daniel Rice | T: 01502 725858 E: daniel.rice@micropress.co.uk Mat Roffey | T: 01502 725854 E: mat.roffey@micropress.co.uk Mark Tait | T: 01502 725803 E: mark.tait@micropress.co.uk 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.

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Visit our website for all the latest farming news

Red Tractor scheme is due for major service

F

ew things frustrate farmers more than needless form-filling, inspections and red tape without any obvious benefit.

Little surprise then that so many growers and livestock producers are up in arms over plans by the Red Tractor assurance scheme asking farmers to demonstrate their environmental credentials by carbon footprinting their businesses.

The Greener Farms Commitment will also see farmers asked to track their progress across four other key areas: soil management, nutrient management, waste management and biodiversity.

Getting it right Red Tractor bosses argue that the move is vital because retailers are under increasing pressure to disclose how their farmer suppliers promote positive management of soil, water and biodiversity – both to consumers and investors.

They say farmers in other countries are already embarking on similar schemes and argue that the Red Tractor scheme puts British farmers in the driving position to demonstrate their green credentials to British consumers.

Many farmers are understandably less convinced. They see it as more cost for no benefit – or at least a move that will involve more on-

Contents

farm expense to the sole benefit of big supermarket chains rather than food producers.

The situation has been handled badly by everyone involved. It’s easy to see why growers and livestock producers feel Red Tractor has gone too far – planning to introduce a new module which farmers feel will cost both time and money.

Truly independent Under-fire NFU leaders – who are represented on the Red Tractor board – have now promised two independent reviews examining the future for farm assurance and whether it offers good value.

Due to report by the end of January, it is vital that these reviews are truly independent – and seen to be so. It is also vital that assurance benefits primary producers, rather than merely lining the pockets of Britain’s big retailers.

For the Red Tractor assurance scheme to be successful, it has to have integrity and the confidence of everyone in the supply chain – from beginning to end. This includes farmers, processors, retailers and consumers themselves.

At the moment, confidence is sadly lacking.

Johann Tasker Editor

Vol 43 • No 11 • November 2023

News .................................................................... 4

Professional Services .................................. 55

Arable .................................................................. 9

Autumn Farming Conference ...................61

Potato and root crops ..................................31

Midland Machinery Show .........................64

Crop technology .......................................... 45

Final Say ...........................................................66

Livestock............................................................ 51

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News Red Tractor scheme faces 'value for money' probe

Many farmers say the scheme involves costs but no benefit

• Review follows widespread criticism • Scheme accused of 'mission creep' • Impact on mental health examined

T

he NFU has commissioned an independent review of farm assurance schemes – including the Red Tractor – and whether they offer value for money.

It follows accusations that the union waved through a “greener farm commitment” by the Red Tractor scheme which will see farmers asked to prove their environmental credentials. The union denies the claim.

Growers and livestock producers have accused the Red Tractor of “mission creep” – arguing that the move threatens to pile costs on farmers while benefiting Britain's supermarket chains and retail giants.

Reviews Following a heated meeting between NFU Council and the union's officeholders last month, two reviews will now scrutinise how farm assurance schemes operate in England and Wales, and whether they provide value for producers.

The reviews will be asked to report by the end of January. The first will examine the governance of the Red Tractor, which many farmers say has overstepped the mark by demanding more from producers. The second will look more broadly at farm assurance.

Terms of reference for the Red Tractor governance review include examining the scheme's decision-making procedures and transparency, including who is consulted when scheme standards are developed.

Effectiveness It will look at how Red Tractor engages with farmers, examine the effectiveness of these processes and identify obstacles which need addressing.

The second review – called Revolutionising Farm to Fork Assurance – will deal with wider and deeper issues around assurance. It will examine whether producers get fair value from assurance – and look at the relevance of assurance to different sectors.

Minette Batters: a 'difficult few days'

Red Tractor chief writes open letter to farmers Red Tractor chair Christine Tacon (pictured left) has written an open letter to assurance scheme members – saying she is listening to farmers and keen to 'find ways to move forward'.

Responding to criticism that Red Tractor's “greener farm commitment” is a step to far, Ms Tacon insisted she was working hard to protect the interest of farmers. And she added: “We understand the pressures facing farmers in all sectors.

“We want to offer a positive contribution and the views of our members matter to us very much. In the past couple of weeks, we have been having numerous daily conversations about the range of opinions expressed and continue to do so.”

Ms Tacon said she would continue to listen carefully to farmers’ feedback and work hard to better understand their point of view. “We need to explore every option for achieving as much flexibility as possible for farmers, without diluting the common industry approach.”

4 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

In an acknowledgement of the effort many producers go to when meeting assurance standards, this second review will also consider whether the “one size fits all” model is fair and correct. It will also examine the impact on farmers’ mental health.

Assurance NFU president Minette Batters said: “I’m very happy indeed that, after what’s been a difficult few days for all of us, the review into Red Tractor governance can now begin and we can start to build this second, far bigger, review into assurance as a whole.

“It’s time for that to happen, so we can look at what works and what doesn’t, and to make sure assurance is fit for purpose in the years ahead.

“It’s critical that this involves a wide consultation with NFU members through their boards, both regional and sector, and also that it is a collaborative review, undertaken across all the farming organisations.”

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News

Eastern region conference to tackle industry’s leading concerns • Big issues affecting region's farmers • Real beneficial impact on farm • Key topics and industry advice

A

jam-packed day will see rural crime, farm safety and mental health among the topics at this month's East of England Farming Conference.

Organised by the East of England Agricultural Society, a range of top speakers and industry experts have been lined up for the conference on Thursday, 16 November, at the Holiday Inn West, Peterborough.

Arable farmer and conference committee member Will Oliver said: “Getting off-farm in our industry is crucial; getting off the treadmill of everyday life and meeting other people across the sector is hugely valuable.

“You may learn something that can save your business money or come up with your next diversification project – who knows. But put yourself out of your comfort zone and you’ll be amazed what you can achieve.”

Expert advice East of England Agricultural Society events manager Ruth Trolove said the goal was to deliver attainable advice for delegates, as well as facilitating peer-to-peer conversations that could have a real benefit on farms.

“We have consciously moved away from an over-arching theme this year, listening to members about the issues that matter to them, and speaking to leaders in our sector about how we can come together to help solve some of those problems.”

The morning programme will include a session on communicating with consumers. It will be led by digital marketing expert Milly Fyfe. Other sessions will include ways to combat rural crime and the importance of professional development.

The conference will include a trailer screening for the documentary film Six Inches of Soil; a farming case study with Johnny Wake, of the Courteenhall Estate; and a mental health check with the You Are Not Alone (YANA) rural mental health charity.

This year's conference takes place at the Holiday Inn West, Peterborough.

“

Getting offfarm in our industry is crucial

Current affairs An afternoon current affairs debate will be chaired by Joe Stanley, of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's Allerton Project. The panel will include NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw and Natural England chairman Tony Juniper.

Tickets include a hot lunch and refreshments throughout the day, a goody bag featuring items and gifts from the sponsors, trade stands and networking opportunities.Sponsors include British Sugar, Brown & Co, the Forestry Commission, Oakbank Game & Conservation, Roythornes, and Yagro. Representatives from these companies will be on hand throughout the day.

Tickets can be purchased at www. eoefarmingconference.co.uk

Farm charity celebrates 250th student milestone

T

he Marshal Papworth Fund is celebrating a landmark milestone: welcoming its 250th student from a developing country who is now studying at a UK agricultural college.

Established in 2001, the charity helps students from overseas to develop life changing, land-based skills and sustainable farming methods which can they can then take back to rural communities in their home countries.

The latest cohort of seven programme scholars arrived in the UK this autumn.

6 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

They are studying at Bangor University, Cranfield University, the Royal Agricultural University, the University of Reading, and Writtle University College.

Students are studying for qualifications including degrees in agriculture and development, conservation and land management, food sustainability, horticulture, crop production and food security.

Scholar Yetunde Durojaiye, who is studying at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, said: “Your generosity and dedication have made an immeasurable difference in

our lives. The Marshal Papworth scholarship has opened doors to a world of knowledge, growth, and possibilities.”

Managed by the East of England Agricultural Society, the charity fund was established with monies bequeathed by well-respected Huntingdonshire farmer Marshal Papworth. Scholarships include access to a bespoke 10-week short course in sustainable agriculture.

For details about the charity programme, visit www.marshalpapworth.com

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Arable New tool makes it easier to plan pest management • All main outdoor arable crops covered • Helps control pests, weeds and diseases • Includes proven and effective methods

A

new online tool makes it easier to create Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans – and receive payments under the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

The free IPM Planning Tool covers all the main arable and outdoor horticultural crops. It offers easy access to information about proven methods available for controlling relevant pests, weeds, and diseases.

Already tested by more than 100 farmers and agronomists, the tool has been developed by experts ADAS, NFU, SRUC and the Voluntary Initiative (VI) to help growers create crop specific IPM plans.

Practical support Project lead and ADAS technical director Neil Paveley said: “Thousands of farmers have created plans for Red Tractor using the VI IPM Plan – and we have worked closely with the NFU and VI to provide this alternative, more crop specific, IPM tool.

“This tool gives those who are completely new to IPM practical support to get started. For the majority of farmers who are already practising IPM to some degree, the tool could open doors to alternative techniques that may be more effective or suit their farm better.”

Farmers who sign up to Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme must implement a number of IPM methods. They include creating habitats for natural pest predators, using companion cropping to suppress weeds, reduce diseases and provide protection from pests.

Creating an IPM plan through the tool typically takes an hour. For agronomists, the tool allows IPM plans to be completed and easily updated for

multiple farms. Although it was created to support growers applying for the SFI, it can also be used to support Red Tractor requirements.

Deeper dive The tool is based on a combination of research and practical experience.

For growers who want to delve deeper into each topic, it includes links to guidance provided by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board, the British Beet Research Organisation and other organisations.

Voluntary Initiative chairman Phil Jarvis said: “Providing tools and knowledge allows growers to make informed and important farming decisions. This tool complements existing entry points, such as the VI/NFU IPM Plan, and assists farmers on their IPM journey.

More growers are practising Integrated Pest Management methods Left: Neil Paveley led the project to develop the online IPM tool

NFU vice-president David Exwood said the tool helped meet the need for support software that could help growers address the ongoing loss of plant protection products and increased levels of pesticide resistance on farm businesses.

“Now, more than ever, we need to explore every tool in the box to ensure farming businesses can be resilient in the months and years ahead. One of those core tools is optimising our use of IPM to maintain effective control of pests, weeds and diseases.”

Positive response for easy-to-use system Growers have given the thumbs up to the IPM Planning Tool – describing it as easy to use with an easy-to-follow format.

Norfolk farmer Christopher Rutterford is among those who have tested the tool. He said: “I was most impressed with it as a way of formalising our IPM actions and being able to present the results in a recognisable and acceptable way.”

Mr Rutterford, who farms near Swaffham, said the tool made it easier to demonstrate the responsible nature of his crop protection procedures. He added: “I see it as a valuable means to systematise our own actions and to present these actions to others.”

The IPM Planning can be downloaded free at www.bit.ly/IPMtool

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 9

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Arable

High hopes for candidate soft wheat on recommended list

N

ew feed wheat Bamford continues to generate high levels of interest just weeks before the launch of the latest cereals Recommended List (RL).

Bred by Elsoms Seeds, Bamford is the highest yielding RL Group Three soft wheat candidate variety this year, says Rodger Shirreff, national seeds business manager for Agrii, which has conducted extensive trials.

“We test varieties to identify those that offer the best return on spend for growers – not the varieties which simply offer the best gross output. Across all Agrii trials, Bamford has been the highest yielding wheat, regardless of group classification.

With Moulton in its parentage, Bamford offers solid disease resistance, says Mr Shirreff. This includes yellow rust (8) and or septoria tritici (7) – both scores which help growers plan spray programmes while protecting the crop in the periods leading up to applications.

“With an average specific weight of 78kg/hl Bamford more than makes the grade on its bushel weight and that contributes to the consistently high yields it achieves.

“On end use, growers have plenty of options in which to achieve premiums with the variety meeting the specifications for distilling, Group 3 biscuits and as a UK soft wheat for export,” he concludes. This type of flexibility suggests that Bamford will be easy to market."

Boston-based first-time Bamford grower Danny Anderson, of P & N Anderson, says a challenging season for septoria was a good test for Bamford’s disease resistance credentials and the variety proved equal to the test.

Even emergence “We drilled on 31 October last year into silty loam soil at a seed density of 180kg/ha. Bamford followed a crop of sugar beet, so we ploughed and established it using a Sulky Combi-drill. We were rewarded with even crop emergence and a relatively low weed burden to challenge the new seedlings.”

Bamford wintered well, despite some hard frosts, and it looked very forward so Mr Anderson went with just one split of liquid nitrogen applied at 840l/ha on 22 February.

“On advice from our agronomist

He added: “The crop showed good early vigour, but there was also an impressive second kick in early spring following its only application of nitrogen. The variety looks extremely robust. Its yield potential initially draws the eye, but its diverse genetic background could be a key to its future success.”

For insurance, P&N Anderson applied two plant growth regulators, opting for 1l/ha of Chlormequat at T0 with a litre of Chlormequat again plus 150ml of Trinexapac-ethyl applied at T1, given that the crop went into a very fertile soil.

“In my experience, growers now prefer to spread their risk across two or three different varieties, but that can often be compromised if all the popular high-yielding types have similar parentage.

“We saw what happened in 2021, when wheat varieties with Cougar parentage were identified as having potentially weaker resistance to septoria tritici, so a very high yielding variety like Bamford with a different genetic background could be a major positive for winter wheat.”

Dan Hutson, we went with a fourspray fungicide program applied between 19 April and 5 July. Despite a bad septoria outbreak which hurt some of our other feed wheats, both Bamford fields remained remarkably clean.

“We saw no signs of septoria in the crop. There was also a lengthy dry spell between April and June where we saw virtually no rain in three months, but again the crop stayed green showing no signs of stress.”

The crop was combined on 10 August. It yielded over 10t/ha with a bushel weight of 75.1kg/hl. “I’d have to say it was one of the easiest crops I’ve ever managed. It was robust, it stood well with no laid-over grain and appeared to have no real weaknesses.”

Clean crop Agrii agronomist Dan Hutson has worked with P&N Anderson for 4 years. He also recalls the crop being one of the cleanest he walked during a challenging Septoria year.

Bamford will be easy to market, says Rodger Shirreff

Positive feedback Toby Reich (pictured left), head of agricultural sales at Elsoms, says he is delighted with the feedback. Mr Reich describes Bamford as a significant milestone in the company's 11-year wheat breeding programme.

“From seed merchants, advisers, influencers and the early adopter growers who’ve trialled the variety and multiplied seed for us, the feedback has been universally positive so far.

“I believe Bamford will establish itself as the winter wheat most likely to deliver the best return on investment in terms of its consistency to perform on-farm in all type of soils and rotations.

“It’s market flexibility, highlighted by Rodger, gives growers so many options for end markets, with a nice fall-back option for those who simply want to grow it as a barn-filler,” says Mr Reich.

“Widening the choice for growers by introducing a very high-yielding variety with a diverse genetic background can only be a positive for the whole supply chain.”

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 11

Arable

Consider boron in your rape crop this autumn

C

hallenging conditions for oilseed rape are making it increasingly important to maintain the momentum of established crops this autumn.

Crop nutrition expert say growers should pay special attention to foliar nutrition – and in particular boron – to ensure oilseed rape is sufficiently robust ahead of winter months and has the best chance of withstanding cabbage stem flea beetle.

“Larger rape plants are much more likely to withstand the adult grazing and larval phase of flea beetle attack and will be more robust when it comes to freezing temperatures,” says Chris Bond, product manager for crop nutrition and plant health at FMC.

Boron deficiency levels creeping up, says Chris Bond

Nutrient deficiency FMC carries out annual tissue testing to monitor trends in crop nutrients. In recent years, it has identified declining levels of boron in rape. In 2021, 26% of tested crops were deficient. This year it jumped to 42%.

“Over the past three years we’ve seen boron deficiency creeping up,” says Mr Bond. The micronutrient is particularly important after the fourleaf stage because it influences crop growth and frost resilience over winter by strengthening cell walls.”

“

We’ve seen boron deficiency creeping up

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Foliar nutrition vital for robust crop (photo credit: Blackthorn Arable)

Boron also has a part to play in flowering, explains Mr Bond. “Although flowering is quite a way off, the rape starts to develop florets at the base of the plant as early as the autumn – so making sure the plant has enough boron to influence this is important as it ultimately could impact yield.”

'Good choice' Mr Bond recommends an autumn application of boron mixed with other micro-

nutrients to optimise Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and give the crop a boost.

“Bo-La is a mixture of boron and molybdenum, which can address boron deficiencies but also help boost NUE as in order to take up nitrogen, molybdenum is needed,” he says.

“If you’re looking for a ‘multi-vitamin’ for your crop, Stoker is a good choice. It contains boron and molybdenum but also manganese and magnesium, which support photosynthesis,

and sulphur which is another important element.

Rape crops come under heavy fire in the autumn and winter months – but a small investment in foliar nutrition can give crops a boost and help them emerge from the winter in a competitive state, adds Mr Bond.

“These products can be applied with other crop protection products, such as autumn fungicides or grass weed programs,” he explains.

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 13

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steps to tackle serious autumn slug threat

High slug numbers mean extra vigilance is needed to protect newly sown cereal crops this autumn, says Dick Neale.

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14 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

Arable

lug populations have increased significantly after a wet summer, says Dick Neale, of agronomy company Hutchinsons.

Continued moist conditions this autumn have been in stark contrast to the past two years which were both much drier and lower risk.

“Continuous growth, breeding and egg laying, along with rapid volunteer growth and catch and cover crops have all combined to generate a significant population in almost all situations, not just after winter oilseed rape.”

Such high numbers make control more challenging. They require extra vigilance from growers and agronomists – especially during the crucial early stages of establishment when just a few minutes feeding on an individual seed or seedling can destroy the plant Post-emergence the above ground leaves can tolerate far more grazing and still survive.

“Ultimately, we will never control slugs,”says Mr Neale.

“The objective is to reduce the feeding population sufficiently to allow the newly sown crop to establish successfully.”

With this in mind, Mr Neale highlights five steps to help manage the risks from high slug populations this autumn.

1. Consolidate seedbeds Ensuring seedbeds are firm and well consolidated is the first step in reducing slug activity.

This makes it harder for them to move around and reduces the number of safe resting places compared with cloddy soils.

Doing so also improves seedto-soil contact, which will help crops establish faster and grow past the most susceptible stage for slug damage.

2. Monitor crops With high slug numbers in many fields, it is vital to check newly-sown crops frequently - possibly daily - to look for signs of damage, assess slug activity, and decide on pelleting requirements. Leave it too long between inspections and there may be no crop left to protect.

Ferric phosphate pellets work differently to metaldehyde, as slugs feed and crawl off into the soil to die, so are not visible on the soil surface.

This can make it harder to assess the effectiveness of pelleting strategies, other than through a reduction in crop damage, or the fact that all applied pellets have been eaten.

3. Ensure there are enough baiting points Slugs are generally random feeders. With higher

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Late drilled rape needs nurturing

populations, it is imperative there are sufficient baiting points per square metre.

This increases the chances of slugs finding a pellet before the crop. In wet years like this, there acan be hundreds of slugs in a single square metre. This means one application of 40-50 or even 90 pellets may not be enough.

4. Repeat applications Equally, where pellets are being consumed very quickly, repeat applications may be necessary in order to maintain sufficient baiting points throughout the crop’s most vulnerable stage. Label restrictions vary, but many products cannot be reapplied within one week, so if a repeat application is needed before that, then products will have to be alternated.

5. Choose pellets wisely Pellet choice is not really an overriding issue when it comes to controlling high numbers, although in continuously wet conditions and frequent rainfall, pasta based pellets are more resilient than dry or steam processed pellets.

Recommended doses and the number of baiting points that dose will deliver do vary though, so consider options carefully. Some products also have limits on the number of applications that can be used, so always check the label carefully and consult your agronomist.

Slugs remain a concern on later drilled oilseed rape crops, with investment needed to get through the winter.

“The variable nature of oilseed rape makes it quite difficult to manage, especially in the autumn,” says Tom Astill of Bayer Cropscience. “You’ve got to manage it; it needs appropriate investment, but you don’t really know if you’ve got a crop until the spring.”

As well as slugs, cabbage stem flea beetle and rape winter stem weevil are also a risk, says Mr Astil.

“We’re trialling the use of Magic Traps in Lincolnshire and elsewhere around the country, which remotely monitor pests by taking photos of a trap and automatically evaluating what pests are present.”

Mr Astill says it will be interesting to see if the traps pick up any rape winter stem weevils – which could support insecticide decisions.

Disease risk in rape depends on variety, drilling date, weather and growth stage.

Later drilled crops will have higher risk from phoma, while light leaf spot will be more of a risk in earlier drilled crops. If you suspect light leaf spot, put leaves in a plastic bag and incubate in an airing cupboard for a few days to confirm.

“There could be higher risk of phoma this season with wetter weather, but varietal resistance on the whole is good, and larger crops should get away,” says Mr Astill.

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Arable

Study suggests slug damage reduced with silicon improved wheat Treated seed means plants are stronger and healthier

W

heat seed enhanced with silicon means plants are stronger and more resisilient to slugs, suggests a study.

Trials by i2L show that applying the biostimulant Sirius boosts the natural level of silicon in wheat seed and strengthens the plant. Seedlings from this silicon-enhanced seed are stronger and more resilient to attack, it found.

Silicon is a natural element which plants actively take up to improve cell strength, cell adhesion and increase cuticle thickness – all of which improve plant health, making crops more resilient to pests such as slugs.

New benefit Previous trials using silicon to strengthen oilseed rape showed a reduction in cabbage stem flea beetle, whilst a similar study showed aphid reduction in sugar beet when silicon levels were increased.

“Silicon improves plant resilience to environmental stress and the trial data showed that plants treated with Sirius also accumulated more silicon in seed,” says James Kennedy, managing director of manufacturers Orion FT. “The resulting increase of silicon in the seed translates to more silicon in the crop grown from that seed,” adds Mr Kennedy. “This is a major breakthrough and will offer a new benefit for those using Sirius.”

In the trial, seedlings grown from

wheat treated with Sirius that had higher levels of silicon, were compared to an untreated sample. Slug feeding reduced from 65% to 45%. The emerging crop was also sprayed with silicon to create a physical barrier.

“This reduced feeding on the untreated seed sample to 32%,” says Mr Kennedy. “But the seed taken from the previous crop with higher silicon levels reduced slug feeding to just 23%, almost a third of the damage seen in the untreated crop.”

Drilling seed from a crop treated with Sirius, and subsequently spraying it post-emergence with silicon,

More silicon in the seed means more silicon in the crop

“

This is a major breakthrough

showed the greatest benefit to early season crop management when slugs were a threat, said Mr Kennedy.

Application rate “We recommend applying Sirius at a rate of half a litre per hectare, at an approximate cost of £20 per application.

To benefit in the early autumn, apply soon after crop emergence at growth stage 11-13, follow-up applications can be beneficial.

“Sirius does not alter the pH of a solution, so it is easy to tank mix, which eliminates the necessity for multiple spray passes.”

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Arable

Autumn polysulphate boosts yield Extra uptake of important nutrients for wheat crops

A

multi-nutrient fertiliser to help supplement conventional spring applications can boost wheat yields and reduce leaching, according to new trials.

An autumn application of ICL polysulphate can increase yields by 0.3t/ ha and significantly decrease leaching of nitrogen and phosphate over the winter months, suggests the threeyear trial carried out in conjunction with independent field trials specialists Envirofield.

The results show better nutrient utilisation efficiency and increased root development, says ICL agronomist Scott Garnett.

"Previous trials in winter wheat have shown a 5-8% increase in yields from spring-applied polysulphate by itself, but this latest work shows a further significant response from an initial application of the product in the autumn.

Carried out in Suffolk on loam soil with winter wheat Skyfall, the trials yielded an average of 10.49t/ ha over the three years from a single 100kg polysulphate/ha application in the spring to provide around 50kg SO3/ha.

When this was preceded by a supplementary polysulphate application of 100k/ha, the previous autumn, an average yield of 10.79t/ha was achieved – an increase of 0.3t/ha.

"At current values, the cost of the extra application of polysulphate would be more than covered by the additional grain income plus there are significant environmental benefits to factor in too."

More efficient Polysulphate's prolonged release action which comprises 48% sulphur, 14% potash, 6% magnesium and 17% calcium s, was key to achieving the results seen, he believes.

"Optimum levels of sulphur are essential in driving nitrogen utilisation but practically all soils in the UK are deficient in this vital element now, so no matter how much nitrogen you apply, without sulphur you will never get the most out of it.

"Polysulphate's 48% sulphur content rapidly builds sulphur to the optimum level in the soil and the prolonged release nature of the product keeps levels topped up as plants develop through the autumn.

Caption: Plants show big benefits when polysulphate is applied (right) Below: Potassium is essential to maximise nitrogen use efficientcy, says Scott Garnett

“

Optimum levels of sulphur are essential

"In fact, Nottingham university trials have shown over 50% of the sulphur contained in polysulphate is available in the first 12 days after application with the remainder released over the following 6 - 8 weeks.

"Potassium is also essential in maximising nitrogen use efficiency and the potassium in polysulphate plays a vital role alongside the high level of sulphur contained."

Early root mass Creation of early root mass is another yield-building benefit of autumn-applied polysulphate, says Mr Garnett.

"We have done a lot of work on how polysulphate affects establishment of crops and there is clear evidence the calcium and magnesium it contains encourage greater phosphate uptake by the plants and significant development of roots.

"Trials in winter cereal crops show 34% greater phosphate uptake by plants receiving the autumn application of polysulphate and this is directly proportional to the extra root mass seen.

"This aligns with other trials across a range of crops showing a consistent 30 - 40% increase in phosphate uptake from polysulphate.

"With an autumn application crops are, therefore, able to build a strong root network ahead of the winter and this helps with establishment and nutrient uptake as well encouraging better plant health and overall resilience."

These trials have also shown the additional ni-

trogen uptake from autumn-applied polysulphate to be 36%, equivalent to 10kg N/ha more nitrogen been taken up by crops over the winter period, he points out.

"This combined with the increased phosphate uptake means the potential for loss of key nutrients from the soil over the winter period is considerably reduced.

"Not only are we getting vital extra nitrogen and phosphate into the crop, there are environmental benefits too, plus the extra root mass means the plants are much stronger and healthier overall and will get away quicker following the winter.

"This sets plants up perfectly to make full use of nitrogen in the spring and all adds up to the crop being able to produce the 0.3t/ha yield increase we have seen in the trials."

Options Growers wishing to take full advantage of these benefits have two main options regarding applications.

"Polysulphate can be applied up to before Christmas either as a straight or in a blend as part of a grower's autumn fertiliser programme," says Mr Garnett. "It can be broadcast using conventional fertiliser spreaders or direct-drilled with the seed."

It is also a naturally occurring fertiliser mined by ICL from under the North Sea requiring only minimal processing to make it an easy-to-apply product with excellent physical properties and performance right up to the widest spreading widths of 36m and more."

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 19

Advertorial

New Blackbird herbicide targets awkward broad-leaved weeds in Cereals Blackbird (42g/l pyraflufen-ethyl) is a contact herbicide for use in winter wheat, winter barley, winter rye and winter triticale. Typically applied at the early-post emergence application timing, Blackbird offers control of a wide spectrum of broadleaved weeds. It can also be applied as part of the pre-emergence programme offering an additional boost of control where broad-leaved weeds are beginning to emerge and offers a slight uplift in grass weed control.

For best activity, it is advised to apply when targets are at cotyledon to 2 true leaf stage and will offer control of difficult weeds such as cleavers, charlock and chickweed at this timing. Blackbird has also shown evidence in trials to suggest control of groundsel at early emergence providing spray coverage is good and well timed.

With a well-known and effective active ingredient historically used in potato crops, Blackbird has been reformulated

by Nichino into a suspension concentrate, making it safe for use on winter cereals.

Stewart Woodhead, Technical Manager for Sipcam UK says “We are delighted to bring pyraflufen-ethyl to the cereal market, with good spray coverage you can expect strong results. Blackbird also provides a good fit in herbicide programmes, adding a unique mode of action for broad-leaved weed control.”

Blackbird is available to growers this Autumn and will hopefully provide a valuable addition to the early post emergence application timings or in combination with autumn insecticide sprays.

For more information on this product visit www.sipcamuk.co.uk

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Arable

How stacked spray programme can tackle resistant ryegrass • Trials shed new light on solutions • Weed can be managed successfuly • Use all available tools in the field

A

stacked and sequenced spray programme applied accurately in favourable conditions can help combat resistant ryegrass, says an agronomist.

Rob Adamson of Procam says a careful balance of cultural controls, herbicide choice and adequate soil moisture will help growers get on top of the troublesome weed – despite increasing concerns of it spreading.

Ryegrass can be tricky to control even in a good eyar. Resistant strains are becoming increasingly common and ryegrass produces a huge number of highly dormant seeds which germinate continuously throughout the year.

Worrying levels “Last year’s warm and dry conditions, paired with a migration back towards early drilling, meant many pre-emergence treatments ran out of steam and were ineffective against later germinating seeds,” says Mr Adamson.

“Across the country, we saw worrying levels of ryegrass because of a lack of soil moisture which prevented herbicides from working as they should.

This is a perfect storm in areas worst affected by resistant ryegrass, including Essex.”

But Mr Adamson says there is hope.

Despite a diminished toolbox of effective herbicides, ProCam trials show that even high populations of ryegrass with tough resistance profiles can be managed in winter wheat.

The trials purposely targeted challenging ryegrass populations to determine how various herbicide stacks perform under the worst pressure possible. They reinforced the importance of stacking herbicides with different modes of action.

“Historically, flufenacet has been the core component of ryegrass programmes – but there are increasing instances of poor efficacy. A diversity of other molecules used in mixture or sequence is therefore essential.”

Diverse mixture Mr Adamson says diverse mixture can effectively overcome the resistance. The registration of Luxinum Plus (cinmethylin) last year provides a useful alternative and gives growers and agronomists a reprieve from the reliance on flufenacet.

“Our trials – which are also being carried out next year – clearly showed that cinmethylin is inherently the strongest molecule on ryegrass. However, a lot still depends on the availability of soil moisture to enable cinmethylin to be effective.

“Because ryegrass germinates continuously, one application of one active ingredient will not provide season-long protection. An over-reliance on cinmethylin will also expose it to the risk of resistance developing, which we must work hard to avoid.”

Growers should therefore consider a sequence of treatments – utilising both this new molecule alongside other modes of action. And when conditions are dry, Procam trials suggest preserving the strongest tool in the box until moisture is available.

This doesn’t mean that pre-emergence treatments should be excluded, but that actives with good levels of perContinued overleaf

“

It's a perfect storm in worst-affected areas

Procam trials purposely targeted challenging ryegrass populations

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 21

Arable Continued from previous page sistence such as diflufenican and alconifen (Proclus) should be deployed at this timing instead.

“That way, the stacked programme will get off to an early start, with cinmethylin still available to be used when soil moisture is more readily available,” says Mr Adamson.

At post-emergence, when moisture levels were improving, the trials indicated that Luxinum Plus and Parade (pendimethalin and picolinafen) gave good levels of control as a follow-up to Liberator (flufenacet and diflufenican) and Proclus.

Alternatively, where Luxinum is deployed first, the three-way combination of chlorotoluron, diflufenican and pendimethalin in Tower provided a robust follow-up. In both scenarios, programmes benefitted from using five or six actives.

Pre-emergence Avadex was also shown to have a good benefit at the pre-emergence timing, taking the total number of active ingredients available to seven.

“Even in high-pressure scenarios, deploying a stacked and sequenced programme of cinmethylin used alongside a diverse range of other modes of action enabled the two trials to achieve 94% and 99% control of ryegrass populations,” says Mr Adamson.

“A lot hinges on how the season unfolds, with the decision on when and which actives to use dependent on when rain falls and when subsequent flushes of weeds are likely to emerge,” he explains.

If the season starts off dry, the strongest active should be preserved.

On the other hand, if conditions are wet from the outset and weed germination is likely to happen sooner rather than later, the strongest option should be used first.

“Either way, a stack and sequence is critical to maximise the duration of activity, and minimise later flushes of troublesome grass weeds.”

Cultural controls help get most from herbicides The chemical toolbox is only part of the story for successful ryegrass management, says Rob Adamson (pictured above). “Success is judged on the number of grass ears and subsequent seed return in the summer,” he adds.

Preventing any ryegrass weeds that successfully establish from tillering too heavily is essential to the protection of subsequent crops.

This comes down to ensuring the current crop is as competitive as possible.

Seedbed preparation, crop nutrition and drilling date all important considerations, says Mr Adamson. “The protracted germination of ryegrass means that, unlike in a blackgrass situation, delayed drilling is not as useful.

“Although this tactic will still give an

opportunity for a stale seedbed to be established, it could be counter-productive if the crop is drilled too late, as this would allow competitive ryegrass plants to overpower the weaker and thinner wheat seedlings.

“Thankfully, recent weather conditions mean there’s good soil moisture available this year, which means there should be the opportunity for growers to remove the first flush of ryegrass and to drill wheat into a clean seedbed.

Any subsequent weed growth should then be nearer the pre-emergence application.

“In the worst affected regions, it will make sense to use cinmethylin – the strongest active – pre-emergence to get ryegrass control off to the strongest possible start.”

DNA loops provide blackgrass resistance clue

S

cientists say a new discovery could help explain why blackgrass can rapidly develop resistance to herbicides.

Blackgrass prevalence is largely due to widespread multiple-herbicide resistance.

Now a study has shown that whether blackgrass will become herbicide resistance depends on more than its chromosomes.

Working with researchers at Clemson University in the USA, scientists form Rothamsted Researchers have found that the weed 22 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

contains small loops of DNA that are outside the plant’s chromosomes.

Genetic structures These loops, called extra-chromosomal circular DNA, are not inherited in the same way chromosomes are. Instead, they evolve separately from the main genetic structures in the plant and could explain how blackgrass quickly develops resistance.

Compared to blackgrass that are herbicide

sensitive, the DNA loops of herbicideresistant blackgrass have extra copies of genes known to confer herbicide resistance, including genes related to herbicide detoxification, says Dana MacGregor, who was part of the Rothamsted group.

“These [loops] may contribute to the genetic diversity we see in blackgrass and explain how it has adapted to man-made and abiotic stresses, including herbicide treatment,” she explains.

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Arable

High vigour wheat varieties could combat blackgrass Variety choice is the key to success

D

rilling high-vigour winter wheat varieties in the New Year could be a viable option for producers battling to get blackgrass problems under control this autumn.

With 2023 being a particularly bad year for the weed, drilling until as late as February could allow for cultural and chemical weed controls to work to their best advantage, says Sarah Hawthorne, of seed breeder DSV. But variety choice for the subsequent crop is critical, she warns. "Last year was almost perfect for blackgrass to take hold and there are real concerns over high seed burdens carried over in many parts of the country.

"While many have managed to drill much of their land as planned, others have stubborn areas where spring cropping is being considered. But latedrilled winter wheat crops have a lot going for them with varieties that can drilled as late as February with very little drop in yield.

"Spring crops can also affect planned rotations for several years, whereas with a later drilled winter wheat crop, as long as you pay correct attention to management, conventional harvest dates should not be affected too much."

Latest harvest results Group 4 wheats DSV Champion and DSV Oxford have mid-February as their latest safe drilling dates on the latest AHDB recommended list. In fact, DSV Champion delivers a yield of 107% and DSV Oxford 105% of con-

Right: Variety choice is always important, says Sarah Hawthorne Below: DSV Champion: perfectly suited to later drilling windows

“

It has the highest scores on the list

trols when drilled after 1 November.

"Champion is the highest yielding Group 4 hard wheat when drilled after 1 November and the second highest overall on the list in this drilling slot,” says Ms Hawthorne.

AHDB recommended list harvest results for 2023 show DSV Champion achieved the joint highest yield overall with 106% of control for the season and five-year average. DSV Oxford is not too far behind at 105% of controls for 2023 and 104% for the five year average.

When it comes to late-sown performance in the harvest results, DSV Oxford achieved a yield of 108% of controls when drilled on the 27th of January, at the trial site at Terrington, Norfolk. And both DSV Champion and Oxford yielded 106% of controls at Framlingham, Suffolk – the second highest score for the trials site – from plots drilled on 2 December.

Disease pressure The high vigour and robust agronomy packages that suit both varieties to the later drilling slot are the direct result of the location of DSV's UK breeding station in Wardington, Oxfordshire, says Ms Hawthorne.

“Wardington-bred varieties experience higher disease pressure than many others in the UK, so new wheat varieties emerging from it have greater exposure to more testing growing conditions and associated diseases.

"DSV Oxford's yield of 104% of controls on the current RL sits just behind DSV Champion’s 106%, with

particularly strong performance seen in the West at 105% and a very strong overall untreated yield of 89%.

Protein content is 11.3% which is exceptional for a such a high yielding Group 4 and specific weight is 76.0 kg/ hl which is acceptable for this type of variety, particularly when considering its outright yield.

“On the disease resistance front, DSV Oxford scored a 9 for yellow rust resistance in the new recommended list. This is complemented by a sound overall agronomic package including 6 for mildew and fusarium resistance with the added benefit of OWBM resistance.”

Development speed DSV Champion is the highest yielding Group 4 feed wheat on the 2023/24 RL with a yield 106.3% of controls, says Ms Hawthorne.

"When it comes to later drilling, it has the highest scores on the list, being five days ahead of the average in terms of speed of development to growth stage 31.

"It's also the top variety when drilled on heavy soils and second on light soils which shows its versatility and suitability to a wide range of sites.

"It has a medium length straw, with very little lodging seen over five years of trials in the UK and it boasts some of the best scores for yellow rust and Septoria on the RL with orange wheat blossom midge resistance, too.

"All these contribute to it achieving an untreated yield 93% of controls."

Openfield's Duncan Durno says DSV Champion is perfectly suited to later drilling windows.

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60

Arable

How to choose SFI options that fit your farm • Look at what you're already doing • Be clear what you want to achieve • Don't choose options for payment

A

rable growers are being encouraged to make sure they choose the right options available under the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

More than 150 growers attending a recent open day in Cambridgeshire examined the latest opportunities within the SFI – and ways to select the options that deliver the greatest benefits to individual farm businesses.

Organised byagronomy company Hutchinsons, the event was hosted

by PF England & Son on the family's 180ha farm at Warboys. Growers were advised to approach the SFI by keeping it simple at the start and build things up gradually.

“There are many SFI options that can help mitigate the loss of BPS, but you have to do what’s right for your farm and not just chase the payments on offer,” explained Hutchinsons environmental services specialist Matt Powell.

“Begin by looking at what you are doing on the farm already, and then

identify where it might be possible to integrate options that align with the aims of the business, whether that’s soil health, the environment, or crop productivity.

“Be clear about what you’re doing it for, and what you want from it, rather than simply doing the bare minimum to tick a box that will get you the most money.”

Easy wins There could be some easy wins though, especially where SFI options cover things that farmers are – or should be – doing already. Red Tractor standards, for example, require an Integrated Pest Management Plan to be in place.

“The SFI offers £989 per year towards this,” said Mr Powell. “Likewise, for farmers already assessing soils on a regular basis and doing a soil management plan, there’s £5.80/ha, plus £95 per agreement, available towards that.”

Mr Powell acknowledges that the

Select options that deliver the most benefits, says Matt Powell Left: Notice boards at the open day outlined advice for growers

“

Do what’s right for your farm

soils payment has been reduced from previous rates. But he says it is still worth doing, not least because understanding soils is fundamental to growing productive crops.

“Don’t forget, payments are often designed to subsidise the cost of doing various options, rather than being set at a level where it’s a money-making exercise.”

While some payments would go towards things that farmers are doing already, other options could be used as a catalyst for change, to deliver wider benefits for soil health, the environment, or crop yields.

Careful thought is needed though, to select options that maximise these wider benefits, said Mr Powell.

Weighing up options Cover crops are a prime example of why it is important to target measures to individual situations.

Multi-species winter cover crops Continued overleaf NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 27

Arable Carbon is crucial for healthy soils, says Dick Neale

Continued from previous page are likely to be a popular SFI option among arable farmers. they attract an annual payment of £129/ha under the 2023 scheme. But again care must be taken to decide the most appropriate eligible mix.

“If you’ve not grown cover crops before, it’s worth trying a small area first, and maybe experiment with two or three different mixes to see what works in your soils and growing conditions “Multi-species mixes are best, because if you compromise on the number of species, there is a greater risk that you don’t achieve the cover required if there are problems during establishment.”

Hutchinsons technical manager Dick Neale says anyone considering SFI cover crop options must be clear about what they want to achieve – and their own growing conditions – before deciding on the most species mix and management approach.

Cover mixes Leguminous plants, for example, often struggled to perform immediate-

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ly on soils that had not grown legumes for a number of years, due to the lack of rhizospheric bacteria needed for nitrogen fixing symbiosis in the soil, says Mr Neale.

This has been seen at the Warboys site. It features field trials of several cover mixes eligible for SFI options, such as legume fallow, which is worth £593/ha.

In such cases, Mr Neale says it is better to introduce legumes slowly to let bacteria populations build, rather than going all-in with a legume-based option that may then struggle to establish, potentially jeopardising the payment.

There are also key differences within individual plant species that areimportant to recognise. Mustard, which is in many cover crop mixes, is just one example, explains Mr Neale.

“Both brown and white mustard are brassicas, but brown mustard produces softer stems that generally snap easily when you drill into the cover; whereas white mustard produces more lignified, upright stems that can be problematic if not managed correctly.

“Nutrients in brown mustard may

also be released more readily than in white mustard due to the latter taking longer to breakdown. Both have a place, but must be used appropriately.”

Fodder and tillage radishes are another example, added Mr Neale.

Both produce a punchy tap root that could penetrate the soil profile, but tillage radish generally has a shorter growth habit than the tall stems of fodder radish Tjos could pose issues for those looking to direct drill into cover with a tined machine.

“Again, these examples highlight the importance of taking your time to get any SFI option right, rather than just doing the minimum to chase the money available,” said Mr Neale.

Other benefits The annual payment available via the SFI is just one of many wider benefits that cover crops can offer to soil health, nutrition and following crops.

Quantifying these is challenging, but a cover crop assessment can give a valuable insight.

Analysis of a MaxiCatchCrop mix grown at Warboys found that it had

“

Multi-species cover crop mixes are best

put on 22.8t/ha of freshweight between the end of July and September, equivalent to 5 t/ha dry weight.

This contained 1.6 t/ha of carbon, equivalent to around 20 t/ha of farmyard manure, said Mr Neale.

“It just shows, that even with a relatively short-lived catch crop, it is possible for an arable farm without livestock to grow large amounts of its own carbon, which is so crucial to feeding healthy soils.”

The analysis also revealed that the cover contained 143 kg/ha of nitrogen, 115 kg/ha potassium and 15 kg/ha phosphate. Mr Neale says the plants took a lot of that nutrition out of the soil – but it isn't being lost.

“It’s surprising how quickly that material will breakdown and release nutrients back into the soil, providing you’ve chosen the right mix and manage it correctly from sowing through to termination.

“The economic value of cover and catch crops can be significant, but it’s difficult to demonstrate, so if you’re growing a cover crop, it’s worth getting it assessed to see what the cover is delivering.”

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 29

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Potato and root crops Event organisers gear up for British Potato extravaganza • Industry showcase welcomes visitors • Two-day exhibition of latest products • Networking opportunities for farmers

F

inal touches are being put to this month's British Potato event, which takes place on 22-23 November at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

The two-day industry extravaganza brings together thousands of visitors with scores of businesses from across the potato sector – making it an important networking opportunity for everyone in growing, handling, processing and retailing the crop.

Exhibitors will include Pace Mechanical Handling, which designs and installs robotic and automated packing lines. The company has already confirmed that 2023 will be its best-ever year, with interest from the potato industry playing a significant part in its success.

Record turnover "Orders from potato growers and packers represent about a third of our sales in 2023, so it's a very important sector for us, and we're looking forward to exhibiting at the British Potato event," says Pace managing director Nick Cesare.

"We've had an excellent year so far, and in the first eight months of 2023, we have beaten our previous best year, which was 2018, when we saw turnover reach seven figures. I think we've benefited from several factors.

“Potato packers and growers are looking for ways to cope with labour shortages, and they're looking to pack more quickly and effectively. Automation and robotic packing and palletising are therefore increasingly popular with them.”

One potato grower who has benefited from installing a bespoke Pace packing line is Lincolnshire-based OGE Chapman & Son, which supplies potatoes to fish and chips shops.

It uses the system to grade and pack potatoes into 25kg sacks, which are then placed on the pallet.

"We installed the Pace palletising system five years ago, and it was one of the best things we've done," says Jamie Chapman.

"We needed to reduce our labour costs, so, with Nick's help, we installed a sack placer and stitch line. ”

Reliable machine By installing the sack placer, the company no longer needed a man there to do the job, says Mr Chapman.

"As that person was checking the quality of the stitching, we installed a stitch line too. Stitching can be temperamental, but the machine never lets us down."

As well as reducing labour, the Pace system has increased Chapman & Son's capacity and throughput.

"On a good day, we can have up to 100 tonnes being packed. Before we automated the process, this would have been two days' work.”

New products Meanwhile, potato handling experts Haith Group will launch several new products at this year's show. They will include the company's new potato dryer and the latest version of its Queen's Award-winning Rota-Tip. Visitors will be the first to find out about the Haith ProDry, which uses an innovative fan and belt system to speed up potato drying time.

The event brings together all the major players from the British potato sector

“

It's a very important sector for us

As well as being quicker than conventional sponge dryers, the new new system eliminates any potential bacteria build-up.

Haith's 2024 version of its market-leading Rota-Tip box tippler has been enhanced by introducing an infeed and out-feed box stacking and de-stacking functionality, which speeds up the box emptying process and dramatically reduces forklift movements.

Haith sales manager Rob Highfield said: “Our new potato dryer and the 2024 version of the Rota-tip have been developed in response to customer feedback and so should attract a great deal of interest from people looking for the latest innovations in potato handling."

Advance tickets for the British Potato event are free and give visitors fast-track access on the day. To register for your ticket, visit www.bp2023.co.uk.

Packing specialist celebrates double milestone One of the UK's leading manufacturers of packaging machinery will celebrate two significant milestones at this year's British Potato event.

GIC will mark 30 years of producing intermittent vertical form fill and seal packaging machines machines. It will also celebrate 20 years of manufacturing continuous motion machines when it attends the event at Harrogate.

"This year's British Potato Show coincides with two very special milestones for us,” says GIC

managing director Andy Beal. "The design of both machines has changed considerably over the years, but our focus on manufacturing high-quality machines that offer efficiency, longevity and reliability has not wavered.”

The company's latest machine will be taking centre stage on Stand 230 in Hall 2 at the show. It is a high-speed continuous motion vertical form fill and seal packaging machine capable of cycling at 100 packs per minute.

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 31

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Three-year plan to make potatoes sustainable • Goal to reduce carbon footprint • Save costs but maintain output • Improving soil organic content

R

esearchers are investigating ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the UK potato sector – helping to ensure an environmentally friendly future for the crop.

Funding by Innovate UK, the three-year project is exploring innovative approaches to revitalising soil organic matter.

It is also seeking ways to tackle the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions – especially carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

Farming partners Led by Dyson Farming, the project brings together a consortium of key industry, academic and farming partners – including Bangor University, Emerald Research, the James Hutton Institute and Light Science Technologies.

Called Transformative Reduced Inputs in Potatoes (TRIP), the goal is to reduce fertiliser and agro-chemical usage while continuing to produce crops that meet commercial quality and tonnage requirements.

Richard Meredith, head of Dyson Farming Research, said: “A more regenerative approach to potato production will help us to maintain the efforts we take to improve our soils while also potentially reducing our production costs.”

As well as Dyson Farming, other farming partners involved in the three-year project – which includes a series of farm trials – are SDF Agriculture, FG Pryor and Son, Colwith Farm Potatoes and CP Richards & Son. Tackling emissions The carbon footprint of conventional potato production current comprises: fertilisers (55%, including nitrous oxide from nitro-

gen fertiliser), storage energy (29%), seed (9%) and transport (5%).

Researchers are focusing their efforts on tackling the 55% of greenhouse gas emissions that come from soil applied nitrogen, inefficient use of, and pollution from, phosphates and the elimination of the need for soil or foliar fungicides.

“

We're excited about the potential Emerald Research managing director Simon Fox said he believed substantial reductions in emissions could be achieved through the development of foliar applied nutrients and an array of innovative natural bioactive products.

“We believe that this project has the ability to fundamentally change the soil tillage and input regimes used to produce potatoes in the UK,” said Mr Fox. “We are excited about the very real potential not only to reduce the carbon footprint of UK potato production, but to do so in ways that are practical and economically rewarding for the farmer.”

Input reductions Results from the first TRIP field trials will be published at this month's British Potato event, held on 22-23 November at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. They have assessed the impact of various input reductions.

Trials included different approaches to base nutrition pro-

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One goal is to improve soil organic content while maintaining output.

potatoes grown as part of a “regenerative rotation”.

Further field trials will assess different nutrient recommendations and product formulations.

These will be evaluated against standard farming programmes and a number of different nitrogen and phosphate regimes.

For more on potatoes and regenerative agriculture, see page 41.

Experts focus on range of low-carbon options New breeds of disease resistant potatoes, soil mulches and nutrients could all help reduce the crop's carbon footprint.

“Many farmers are seeking ways of producing their crops more sustainably,” says Christine Jones, of Dyson Farming. “But the particular requirements for growing a potato crop can make it a challenge to incorporate potatoes into a sustainable rotation.”

Trial results are expected to offer potato growers a range of methods to reduce crop inputs, says Dr Jones. This is likely to include different sources of crop nutrition, alongside alternative methods of controlling pests and diseases.

The project will also test on-farm testing of a new greenhouse gas measurement sensor, says Dave Chadwick, of the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University.

“There is an urgent need to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including agriculture. This Innovate UK project will allow us to assess the potential of these novel strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining potato yields.

“The project has been designed to compare both greenhouse gas emissions and crop yields from conventional and novel production methods, in replicated plot-scale experiments and at the field-scale on commercial farms.”

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vided by farmyard manure, green waste and a reduction in nitrogen of 50%; different fungicides and biological products; foliar nutrition applications; and blight programme strategies.

Visitors to the British Potato event will be asked whether they believe potatoes can be grown regeneratively on a commercial basis. Alongside “yes” and “no” answers, a third response could see

www.ilex-envirosciences.com/crop-rooter-plus/ NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 33

Potato and root crops

New chief executive for British potato growers

A

n independent organisation set up to represent growers following the demise of AHDB Potatoes has appointed its first chief executive.

Former NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker took up the new role with GB Potatoes last month.

With some 25 years of experience in the farming sector, he brings a wealth of experience to the new body.

Strategic plan GB Potatoes was established after growers and processors voted to abolish AHDB Potatoes – the sector based body run by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The board of GB Potatoes said it was delighted to welcome Mr Walker to the organisation and looked forward to working with him to develop the organisation's strategic plans and day-to-day activity to benefit members and the industry at large.

34 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

The part-time role of chief executive at GB Potatoes complements Mr Walker's other part-time work with the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, where he leads on engagement with government bodies, the supply chain and business leaders..

Delighted "I am delighted to be joining GB Potatoes,” he said.

“It has achieved a lot in its first year and I am eager to use my experience to build on what has already been accomplished. It is important that the potato industry has its own strong clear voice and I look forward to making the industries voice heard.”

The objective for GB Potatoes was simple, added Mr Scott.

“We are here to ensure a viable future for GB potato production. For anyone who has been sitting on the fence about joining GB Potatoes I urge them to get on board.

Scott Walker: Securing a future for British potato producers

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Potatoes and root crops

Progress in quest to lower potato carbon footprint

P

otato supplier Branston says it is making good progress in reducing the carbon footprint of the crop – from growing through to storage and transport.

Climate change, increasingly unpredictable weather events and consumer expectations are focusing the attention of the potato supply chain on the transition to net zero, says Andrew Blair, field technical manager at the UK’s largest potato supplier.

Funded by Innovate UK, Branston is mid-way through a three-year net zero project – working with growers as well as agritech firm B-hive Innovations, the University of Lincoln, and crop storage technologists Crop Systems.

The goal is to establish a production process that will achieve the lowest possible greenhouse gas emissions while still producing a commercially viable crop, says Mr Blair.

In this year’s Net Zero field trials – undertaken with David Armstrong Farms in Lincolnshire and Arbikie Farming in Scotland – our main focus is on optimising crop nutrition. Nitrogen fertiliser is an essential element in growing a crop of potatoes, but has a significant carbon footprint.

“As with most other conventional field crops, a good dose of fertiliser is needed to encourage plant growth and boost production,” says Mr Blair.

“We are looking at the potential to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers through of different trials – from nov-

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el fertilisers as well as the potential for reducing fertiliser inputs and recycling nutrition in the field.”

In both these trial fields, researchers established a base-line plot with no nitrogen applied. They then set up further plots with varying levels of nitrogen application, from both conventional and novel sources.

“We’re already noticing differences in the colour and vigour of the canopies, and it will be interesting to see what variation we get in yield at harvest,” says Mr Blair.

Reductions in emissions are possible across the supply chain, says Branston.

This has the potential to save the cost of lab analysis and allow growers to respond immediately by feeding the crop what it needs when it needs it.

“The carbon footprint of producing synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is already well documented. What we’re Nutrition levels particularly interested in for the Net Scientists are also assessing how much Zero project is what happens as the crop nitrogen can feed through the leaf as grows and the fertiliser breaks down the crop is growing. New technoloin the soil. gy such as R-leaf has the potential to “On this project we’re working change the way growers, agronomists closely with Lincoln university lookand scientists think about crop nutriing at soil health and gaseous emissions tion, says Mr Blair. at field scale throughout the growing Developed by Crop Intellect, this season.” photosynthetic catalyst is sprayed onto oxidemachinery – a greenhouse has Service & Repair of root Nitrous crop handling the leaf – turning atmospheric gases 265 times more potent than carbon such as nitrous oxide, nitric oxide and dioxide – is released from the soil as Service & Repair of root crop handlingfertiliser machinery nitrogen dioxide into nitrate that can synthetic nitrogen-based be used by the plant. is broken down.

Lincoln universiService & Repair of root crop handling machinery ty is measuring this greenhouse gas Real-time analysis throughout the growing season across “R-leaf could enable growers to reduce all the fertiliser plots. the fertiliser application at planting “They are also collecting and anaknowing they can top up through the lysing the CO2 and other gases that are growing season,” adds Mr Blair. released from the soil, across the fer“We’re evaluating a new system tiliser trial and the range of different from Piketa, which will give in-field, retypes of cultivations that are also part al-time nutrient analysis via the leaves. of the net zero field trial.”

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Potato and root crops

How computer system cuts storage costs

P

otato growers are optimising the use of home-generated energy for crop storage – thanks to a new computerised system.

Launched by Crop Systems, SmartSola enables users to make optimal use of their use of home-generated energy, while minimising their use of boughtin power – reducing their exposure to high energy costs.

The system monitors the energy generated from all available sources – solar power, hydro, wind or biomass – and then deploys and monitoring it to ensure optimum benefit across up to 10 potato stores.

Low running costs Kent-based potato grower Philip Smith says SmartSola helps keep 3,500 tonnes of his crop in just-harvested condition at Monkton Court Farm, near Ramsgate. The system performs excellently and delivers low running costs, he says.

“We use around 300,000 kWh of electricity every year across our four stores,” says Mr Smith.

38 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

“With costs so high, we need to ensure we make best use of home-produced solar energy as possible.

The farm usually stores crops at 2.7ºC with a 0.2ºC differential.

When the solar panels are producing enough power in the day, Mr Smith takes the opportunity to over-cool to 2.5ºC – using SmartSola to intelligently control the store run times.

Solar panels “Stores are switched on as the solar energy becomes available. On many days,

The best storage systems keep crops in justharvested condition

stores run entirely on the energy generated by our own solar panels, avoiding imported energy completely.

“Then if the next day is dull and the panels cannot produce enough power we can avoid using mains electricity because the energy we need to run the store is effectively stored in the potatoes.

“The programme offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing the store manager to prioritise stores or set different parameters for each store. It has worked extremely well and has become an important tool in our store.”

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Potato and root crops

Potato processing giants switch to regenerative agriculture – we must act now and further transition towards farming practices that protect the future of our planet.”

Ms Forster said the ambition was to unite the agriculture industry with a common goal – a resilient and productive food system that will revitalise natural ecosystems and improve the quality of farmers’ livelihoods.

ABF Sugar group director Katharine Teague said: “The framework is an exciting opportunity to drive outcomes and further build collaboration across the food and agriculture industry to make a more resilient, sustainable food system.

• Benefits for farmers and growers • Aim is to reduce farm input costs • Food security is among key goals

S

ome of the world's biggest food giants – including potato processors McCain and PepsiCo – have pledged a bigger focus on regenerative agriculture.

The companies have committed to a new global framework which they will use to transform agricultural practices to ensure future food security by implementing regenerative farming practices.

Thhe Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform ‘Regenerating Together’ – programme offers a global definition of regenerative agriculture.

It is being used by over 20 food companies and farmer cooperatives across their global supply chains.

Supporters say consumer expectations, the challenge of climate change and a growing world population make it imperative that agricultural practices are transformed to ensure future food security.

Developed in consultation with farmers, academics and non-government organisations, the Regenerating Together programme will assess, monitor and verify farm practices to as the companies involved make the switch to regenerative methods.

The programme identifies four key

areas which companies must focus on as part of their transition: water, soil, biodiversity and climate. In each case, it outlines what steps should be taken and which regenerative practices should be implemetned.

It aims to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change, improve soil health, support biodiversity, retain water in the soil and reduce its consumption while keeping farmers’ business viability central in a just transition approach.

Common goal SAI Platform director general Dionys Forster said: “Regenerative agriculture is the way forward to ensure productivity and farm ecosystem viability

Processors say regenerative practices benefit farm businesses and the environment

“

Regenerative agriculture is the way forward

Impact on farmers “We are looking forward to a framework that delivers long-term impacts for our farmers and value chain. By coming together, we can find workable solutions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and reducing soil health.”

McCain global director for ustainable agriculture Yves Leclerc said: “The framework launched today will enable farmers to take action and implement regenerative practices, and crucially support the measurement and verification of progress.

“Having piloted the resources with our growers, I see the potential this can have to provide clarity and consistency on what regenerative agriculture means and the outcomes we are looking to achieve.

“The potential impact is huge and the development of this global Framework through cross-industry collaboration is a key step towards scaling the transition to more sustainable farming practices.”

Ambitious goal for potato processor McCain Processor McCain has pledged to implement regenerative agricultural practices across its entire potato area — estimated to encompass some 150,000ha worldwide — by 2030.

It defines regenerative agriculture as an ecosystem-based approach to farming that aims to improve farmer resilience, yield, and quality by improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing the impact of synthetic inputs.

Minimising soil disturbance remains a big challenge for root crop growers. But benefits can include lower input costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved biodiversity.

Soil health can improve with increased water-holding capacity, says McCain , which is encouraging growers to keep intensive tillage to a minimum across the rotation..

Reliable supply The company also wants farmers to ensure at least 30% of their soil surface is under cover crops or crop residue all-year-round.

Both these targets will be introduced gradually. The transition to regenerative agricultural practices and systems will help secure the quality and quantity of potato crops into the future, explains McCain.

"That means we should be able to access a reliable supply of the very best potato products for our retail customers and consumers.”

To measure the quality of the land, McCain is assessing soil health across a representative sample of its UK growers annually. It says regenerative practices are helping to improve soil organic matter and biology.

The £25m McCain Potato Farmer Pledge was introduced by the company in 2020.

Since then, McCain has committed a further £50m to British farming – including contract price increases for its growers and a supplementary energy support package.

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 41

Potato and root crops

Expansion plan for potato monitoring device

A

monitoring device which measures potato size, shape and variability as the crop is lifted is set to gain more customers thanks to a new appointment.

The company behind HarvestEye has appointed sales and marketing expert Harry Tinson as its new general manager – bringing global experience in B2B sales to the team from the engineering and transport sectors.

Mr Tinson has several years of experience in aftermarket sales and marketing, having overseen JCB’s international network of 750 aftermarket dealers. He later moved within the Bamford group to lead on the strategic development of global aftermarket sales and operations.

At HarvestEye, Mr Tinson will be responsible for ensuring that the business continues to innovate its harvest insights technology, enhance grower experience and expand the company's presence in both domestic and international markets to drive revenue.

Fitting to harvesting or grading equipment, HarvestEye provides growers with whole-field visibility on the size, shape and variability of their crops. This helps growers target agronomic performance – ultimately leading to a more marketable yield.

Mr Tinson said: "HarvestEye is dedicated to advancing the agri-tech sector and, following a tremendous six years since the company launched, I can see it has phenomenal potential to accelerate its growth even further.

“With HarvestEye having started to establish significant presence in a selection of global markets, particularly in Western Europe and through its partnership with Elders in Australia, I’m looking to spot opportunities where we can make the biggest impact to support more customers on mass.”

The HarvestEye system helps growers achieve more marketable yields Left: Harry Tinson: global experience

HarvestEye managing director Vidyanath 'Vee' Gururajan said: “Having an understanding of the territories where we are looking to grow – such as North America and Europe – will play a vital role in our day-today operations to make sure we can achieve our ambitious growth plans.

“We want to reach more growers and packers, as they face increasing challenges to maximise profit from their produce, and Harry will be key to establishing this network.”

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Crop technology How to meet arable challenges and maximise opportunities • Focus on better business resilience • Ideas to generate additional revenue • Fertiliser costs and climate change

F

orward-thinking arable farmers can access exclusive updates and insights from industry leaders and innovators at this month's CropTec event.

Top speakers to tackle the sector’s most pressing topics have been lined up for the two-day show. It takes place on 29-30 November at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

The first session of a packed seminar programme will focus on ways to improve business resilience by breaking down access to new markets.

Speakers will discuss Defra policy, emerging support schemes and environmental markets.

This first session will be chaired by NFU chief economics advisor Rohit Kaushish on day one of CropTec. Mr Kaushish said: “Farmers are looking for new diversified income opportunities to manage market risk and uncertainty and are increasingly being approached by project developers in environmental markets about new potential income streams.

He added: There are a lot of questions being asked at the moment on the potential of such markets at farm level. It is therefore a really good time to be exploring these markets in detail.”

The session will be repeated on the second day, when it will be chaired by NFU vice-president David Exwood.

Changes to government policy and the high costs of production made this topic particularly pertinent, he said.

“In a fast-changing world, having more opportunities to provide new and diverse income streams for farms is vital.”

Former NFU president Sir Peter Kendall will chair the second semniar which will delve into issues around crop nutrition. Experts will explore

A packed seminar programme will run during the two-day event

“

New income streams are vital

Specialist knowledge on hand at show

T

his is the first year Croptec has been held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre – and organisers say it promises to be a special event.

“With the arable sector facing such historic changes, our seminar programme is designed to equip growers with the knowledge they need to meet the challenges head on and maximise opportunities,” says CropTec event directore Verity Hyland.

“Our seminar programme brings together the specialist knowledge of scientists, plant breeders, agronomists and policy makers with the ‘boots on the ground’ expertise of some of the country’s most innovative farmers This will create a unique learning opportunity.”

Experts will discuss the latest developments in agritechnology

the importance of low carbon crop nutrition, while looking at the future of fertiliser policy in a changing climate.

Panellists include Mark Tucker, business development and head of agronomy for session sponsor Yara; and independent agronomist David Boulton, from Indigro.

Input costs Sir Peter said: “Anyone who has lived through the last 12 months of fertiliser prices will be considering really carefully all available options for plant nutrition in their system. Now is a great time to plan for the future.

“I am looking forward to being part of this year’s CropTec at its new location. The show comes at a great time of year when we have the chance to review our previous harvest and plan for the spring season ahead of us.”

Session three will focus on the experiences of three innovative farmers – and what others can learn from success and failure. Chairman Andrew Francis, from Team Ag, said: “It's always good to chalklenge how you go about doing the day job.”

The final session of the day will tackle crop protection techniques amid changing regulations. Speakers will include David Schaffer (RAGT), James Bairstow (Strutt & Parker), and Dave Bench (CropLife UK).

For full details and your free CropTec ticket, please visit croptecshow.com NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 45

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Crop technology

How drone technology is transforming UK crop production

D

rones are set to transform UK crop production – helping farmers keep a lid on costs at a time when growers are keen to optimise profitability.

Although drones have been used to monitor crops for a number of years, the benefits they could bring to increased productivity, cost reduction and the environment are only just starting to be understood, says Agrii's lead pilot and technology trial manager Jonathan Trotter.

While initially the biggest steps forward are likely to be in the area of research and development, these could soon translate into an extended range of services and field applications with drones at their heart, he believes.

Huge potential "The potential is huge. We are already starting to use drones with our customers to effectively identify early indications of potential localised problems such as nutrient deficiency or pest infestations before they become a major problem.

"As well as leading to more precise applications of fertilisers and pesticides, these are saving growers' time, money and labour as well as delivering significant environmental benefits. But it really is just the tip of the iceberg.

"There are so many possibilities including swarms of drones applying specific agrochemicals to crops as well larger individual machines capable of carrying larger payloads, all controlled remotely and working with real-time data at an individual plant resolution.

"The issue moving forward is not really the potential of the technology, but ensuring it aligns with the legislation surrounding it and, to a degree, helping shape this."

Future policy Agrii is putting itself at the very centre of this process, says Mr Trotter. It is working closing with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other key bodies to establish safe working practices and operational strategies for the future, he says.

"We want to explore what is going to be possible and make sure it complies with all guidelines and legislation so growers and the wider industry can get the most benefit out of it.

"Such developments are likely to start on a trial-plot scale but we would then be looking at how we can take these forward to see if they would be viable options on a field scale.

"Data-driven decisions are the future of effective and resilient farm management practices and the more data our agronomists have at their fingertips, the better the advice they can give in the field."

“

It's really the tip of the iceberg

One agronomist already using drones to help clients get a clearer picture of their crops' requirements is Agrii's Andrew Lowe (pictured above).

"We've been developing various systems over the last two to three years and we're starting to see some real benefits for producers now," he explains.

"For the last 12 months, in particular, we've been concentrating on developing systems that can create an accurate green area index (GAI) in both wheat and oilseed rape.

"It's much more accurate than satellite imagery as this can only distinguish

between brown and green, so if you have blackgrass in there or other weeds, it will say it is all crop. The drones allow us to filter all this out to give as accurate a GAI as possible.

"These GAI results are then taken in by the system together with soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) results and, combined with a realistic target for yield, an accurate assessment of nitrogen requirement is produced."

Other advantages But there are already many other advantages to drone use in agronomy other than better nutrient management, he points out.

"It's really useful in oilseed rape for the timing of the flowering spray for sclerotinia, for example, and also for the timing of glyphosate pre-harvest timing.

"Walking through a rape field when it is fully podded is almost impossible. You get about 5m in and that's about as far as you can go, whereas the drone can tell you how far podded the crop is or how flowered it is.

It means you can time glyphosate application much more accurately.

"Another example is early plant counts in wheat just after the crop has started establishing. If you identify a thin crop you can decide to put some growth regulator on to try and help it tiller, roll it or make the decision to put some early nitrogen on.

"We're also using the drones to develop a wheat yield prediction system that, once a crop has headed up, will estimate what the yield of that field is going to be.

"You can also use drones to find disease or pest hotspots in the field that you would otherwise not see and that might be the start of something bigger emerging. That way you can get in there and take some early pre-emptive action."

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 47

Crop technology

Knowledge hubs are 'great opportunity for farmers' • Training and development points • Agritech showcase and discussion • Practical information and advice

T

hree specialist Knowledge Hubs at this year’s CropTec event will offer visitors a deeper dive into the arable sector’s most pertinent subjects.

Farmers will be offered unique insight and understanding of water, technology and smart farming at the two-day show, which is being held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre in Stoneleigh Park on 29-30 November.

CropTec event director Verity Hyland said: “The Knowledge Hubs organised by our sponsors and partners are a great opportunity for farmers to get an in-depth understanding of these key issues and to come away with practical information and advice on next steps.”

She added: “CropTec continues to deliver amazing opportunities for knowledge exchange for the arable sector. As before, CPD points will be available for BASIS and NRoSO members who just need to register their attendance at the appropriate stands to claim.”

Catchment advisors Anglian Water is inviting farmers and agronomists to visit its Water Hub to learn about support available from its eight catchment advisors. Experts will be on hand to answer questions during two panel discussions held at 11.45am and 1.15pm on both days.

Lincolnshire catchment advisor Julie Jackson said she was looking

forward to meeting as many farmers as possible. “We have a brilliant lineup for our panel discussions with experienced farmers, agronomists, scientists, seed breeders and policy experts bringing different perspectives.”

The panel will include Guy Smith, whose farm at St Osyth in Essex is believed to be the driest in the country; Lincolnshire growers Andrew Ward and Andrew Laughton; contractor and farmer Martin Williams, AH Worth farm manager Simon Day and Tim Harper of Blankney Estates.

Other panellists will include Alice Cannon (Farmacy), Pam Chambers (British Sugar); Ron Granger (Limagrain); Professor Tim Hess (Cranfield University); and Kelly Hewson-Fisher (Savills).

The CropTec knowledge hubs help farmers get in-depth understanding of key issues

Discussion chair The panel discussion will be chaired

by Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors.She said: “The team is looking forward to an exploration of the issues and how we can work with farmers to find a way forward.”

Agri-technology start-up funders Innovate UK will showcase the successes of its £90m Transforming Food Production programme, which has been running for the last five years – and look ahead at innovation funding available for the future.

Programme deputy challenge director Tom Jenkins said: “We’ll be covering two exciting areas at CropTec.

We have a brilliant line-up

“

Innovate UK works closely with Defra and delivers their Farming Innovation Programme, and the opportunities available will form one area of focus.

“Secondly, a new programme was launched this year called BridgeAI. We will be exploring how artificial intelligence is being used within the agricultural industry and raising awareness of the opportunities for the sector through the BridgeAI programme.”

The Defra-funded Farming Innovation Programme aims to bring benefits to farmers by increasing productivity, sustainability and resilience on their farms. More information will available from Defra at the event.

Smart-farming hub A smart-farming hub will be hosted on the UPL stand. Visitors will discover more about the Natural Plant Protection (NPP) range of biosolutions, allowing farmers to reduce reliance on traditional chemical pesticides without compromising efficacy or yield.

Looking ahead to spring agronomy programmes, bio-fungicides Thiopron (sulphur) and Iodus (laminarin) will feature prominently. Agronomists will be available to explain how to best use them in combination with conventional chemistry for cost-effective disease control.

Part of UPL’s OpenAg Network, NPP offers growers a comprehensive portfolio of biosolutions with naturally derived agricultural inputs.

“Together with our impressive programme in the seminar theatre and busy exhibition halls, “We are very excited to be not only be exhibiting but also sponsoring a hub at CropTec this year and sharing information with the industry. Sustainable farming is here to stay and UPL is delighted to be part of it,” said the company's Bertha Spangenberg.

For further details and for tickets, visit croptecshow.com NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 49

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Livestock Warning to UK as bluetongue virus spreads across Europe • Disease sparks fear for UK sheep flocks • Keep a close eye out for deadly virus • Care needed when buying livestock

B

ritish sheep farmers are being urged to remain vigilant following confirmation of a new bluetongue strain spreading rapidly in the Netherlands.

Concern about the proximity of the BTV-3 virus to the UK – and eastern region sheep flocks in particular – prompted an emergency meeting of representatives from more than 40 key industry organisations last month.

Sheep Veterinary Society president Joseph Henry said: “What we are advising is three-fold. Farmers need to beware when buying animals in, especially from Europe, take action to report any signs of the disease, and at all times, remain vigilant.”

BTV-3 is transmitted by biting midges which affect all ruminants.

The existing BTV-8 serotype vaccine will not offer cross-protection against the new strain, making any likely

outbreak difficult to control, said Dr Henry.

“It is so important that we follow the advice to take action and prioritise good biosecurity measures while remaining extremely vigilant to the disease at this stage. It remains extremely difficult to protect against midges and a vector borne disease.

“There is always a role for good biosecurity and insecticides – but it’s important to differentiate between products licensed for use on animals, and those designed for use on building and vehicles.”

Symptoms of BTV-3 can vary across ruminants. In sheep, they include drooling, mouth lesions, high fever, lameness, swollen heads and sudden death. Cattle can showsimilar clinical signs as well as teat, eye, coronary band and nose lesions.

Increased risk NFU chief animal health and welfare advisor Cat Mclaughlin said the disease had reported on hundreds of farms across the Netherlands. It had since been reported in Belgium, she added.

“Due to the nature of bluetongue’s ability to spread via infected midges, and current warm weather conditions,

The risk of bluetongue reaching the UK is increasing, say experts

“

Be aware when buying animals

the risk of it reaching the UK is increasing, so we must adhere to advice and do all we can to keep it out.”

National Sheep Assocaition chief executive Phil Stocker said: “We’d strongly advise farmers to beware when buying livestock from Europe, and to request pre-movement testing of animals prior to departure.”

“All imports of live animals are subject to post-import testing with restricted movements until a negative post-import test result has been confirmed, so caution is key.”

Norfolk specialist shortlisted for vet of the year

A

Norfolk poultry specialist has been shortlisted for the British Veterinary Association's Young Vet of the Year Award.

Early career vet Henry Lamb is one of three finalists – alongside Rebecca Hampson and Camilla Church – competing for the prestigious award which celebrates vets in the first stages of their professional career.

Judges selected the finalists based on their inspirational work which includes supporting clients and colleagues; providing outstanding and consistent care for patients; and going beyond the call of duty.

Mr Lamb is a commercial poultry and gamebird veterinarian. He was nominated for his work tackling out-

breaks of avian influenza and encouraging other young vets to take up roles in the poultry industry.

After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2018, Mr Lamb started work at Crowshall Veterinary Services, Norfolk. He provides dedicated veterinary consultancy and provision to the poultry and gamebird industry across the UK and beyond.

Mr Lamb said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been nominated, let alone be shortlisted as a finalist, especially knowing the outstanding level of commitment and skill [possessed by] so many different members of the profession.”

The BVA Young Vet of the Year will be announced on 16 November.

Henry Lamb: nominated for his work and supporting clients NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 51

Livestock

Good harvest yields reported for maize • Crops yield 'surprisingly well' • Late-drilled crops perform best • Simpler to clamp and manage

E

arly indications suggest a bumper harvest for maize production this year with high yields of good quality material that should clamp and feed well.

Fears that the relatively cold, wet spring and challenging drilling conditions could result in later maturing crops for many growers have been largely abated, says KWS UK maize specialist Andrew Cook.

"The anticipated later harvest has not materialised for the main part and there have been some really good crops taken,” he explains.

Starch content Mr Cook says he is seeing yields of up to and just over 20t/acre (50t/ha) freshweight, harvested at a target dry matter of 32-35% and with more manageable starch contents than last year’s 35% plus levels.

“Last year's summer droughts reduced yields significantly and this in turn concentrated the starch in the smaller cobs which presented quite a few problems for producers and nutritionists trying to balance high inclusion maize rations in order to avoid acidosis.

“This year’s crop should not only be simpler to clamp, it should be much easier to manage in rations with more usable starch contents of 30-35%.

This should make it the perfect partner for the large quantities of grass silage cut in most parts of the country this year.”

Drill timings Later-drilled crops seem to have been the ones that have produced the best results, says Mr Cook.

“Maize producers who decided to drill early are probably the ones seeing the most variable results in the field and ultimately in the clamp. Cold soils hampered germination and establishment and this poor start has been carried through the season.

“Those crops that were sown into warm soils romped away. This was helped by the relatively warm weather in June and September which helped bring harvest dates back on track.

52 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

"Growers choosing ultra-early varieties drilled at the correct soil temperature – about 8ºC in lighter soils and 12ºC in heavier soils – have generally achieved good results.

"There's a growing school of thought that energy-boost varieties drilled 7.5cm deep at conventional timings are the most reliable and consistent way to produce consistent maize crops against a backdrop of increasingly variable conditions.

"Early and ultra-early maturing varieties take less time, heat units and light exposure to mature and produce higher levels of starch than later maturing varieties."

High performance Two KWS varieties have delivered particularly strong performances in 2023, says Mr Cook. They are Temprano, which is one of the earliest maize varieties available in the UK; and moderate starch variety Papageno.

"KWS Temprano has delivered strong yields and quality this year, particularly in regions with less than optimum maize growing conditions, while the clamp-filling variety Papageno has done particularly well in the more favourable areas.

"Feeding wise, Temprano has the potential to produce starch contents approaching 40% so if you're growing these varieties, regular forage testing will help identify the best inclusion rate, but in general this should be below 50% of rations.

"In contrast, Papageno typically contains about 32% starch, making it more suited to high levels in TMRs and other rations."

While high starch maize varieties can offset the high protein content of predominantly grass-based rations, high maize inclusion diets should generally contain some later-maturing types.

"A variety like Papageno is a good choice for this as it delivers high energy yields Anticipated later harvest has not materialised, says Andrew Cook

Growers are reporting high yields and good quality for the 2023 crop

“

There have been some really good crops

with only moderate starch content, thereby reducing acidosis risk.

"Generally speaking, however, we're seeing higher volumes of optimum drymatter cobs and plants with more manageable starch levels, that will ensile relatively safely and reliably and balance this year's grass silage very well."

Weed control Specific lessons from 2023 and the importance of varietal choice and balancing maize types in rations, are around weed control decisions "With later drilling often resulting in larger numbers of weeds in seedbeds being seen, I am more convinced than ever that pre-emergence herbicides are a very worthwhile investment. " Wider window "Young maize plants do not like competition so a pre-emergence spray will not only help deal with that, it will provide a wider window for the application of a post-emergence spray subsequently."

KWS continues to see a bright future for UK maize, says Mr Cook. “The increased investment we have made in breeding and screening trials recently has resulted in some very exciting varieties being added to the portfolio for 2024 with a strong portfolio for subsequent years too.”

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Professional services Farmland market levels off, but outlook still positive • Average arable land values plateau • Market outlook remaining positive • Forecast for period of stabilisation

F

armland values have plateaued following eight successive quarters of sustained growth, suggest the latest estimates.

Arable land prices have averaged £10,900/acre so far during 2023, according to Strutt & Parker’s farmland database, which records sales of farms, estates and blocks of publicly marketed land larger than 100 acres.

This is slightly lower than the £11,100/acre during the first six months of 2023 – but the same as the 2022 average, which itself was 15% higher than in 2021, says Matthew Sudlow, head of Strutt & Parker's farm agency.

Interest rates “Despite rising interest rates and a squeeze on farm profitability, the farmland market remains extremely resilient. Although it appears the growth in values has slowed in some locations, this is only because there have been fewer sales at £12,000/acre or more.”

In other words, the market remains robust. “Some 60% of the arable land traded in England this year has still sold for more than £10,000/acre,” says Mr Sudlow. This compares to 33% in 2021, highlighting the continued strength of the market, he adds..”

Prime farms The feeling among agents is that demand is more variable than it was a year ago. But prime farms in popular areas still sell well. Buyers include farmers with rollover money to spend, private individuals, the investment sector and green investors.

Traditional farmer buyers have accounted for around 40% of transactions so far in 2023. Historically, this figure tends to be 50-60%. But this year some significant purchases are being made by a handful of overseas buyers.

Matthew Sudlow: Demand is more Right: A 197acre block of land in Suffolk, marketed by Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £2m, sold in September 2023.

“

The market remains extremely resilient

“They like the fact it is easier to buy at scale in the UK than in some other European countries,” says Mr Sudlow.

“The UK’s appeal is being enhanced by our industry’s enthusiasm for adopting regenerative farming.”

Drill timings The amount of land brought to the open market during the first nine months of the year stood at 65,600 acres – some 9% above the five-year average. There also continues to be plenty of activity on the private market, but overall supply remains constrained in historical terms.

Mr Sudlow says the outlook remains positive, but greater polarisation in values is a possibility. “With demand becoming more variable, location is once again becoming an increasingly important factor in determining the price.

“The expectation is that the market is set to remain buoyant in perennially popular areas of the country, such as the Cotswolds and counties close to London. But traditionally less popular regions focused on productive farming may struggle to achieve the same level of interest as they would have seen last year.”

End of bull run 'no reason for concern' Lower levels of farmland coming onto the market remain a talking point with questions about a possible rise in the amount of land available – especially if farmers choose to sell up in the face of a challenging harvest, high input costs and falling Basic Payment receipts..”

Solid investment “While this is clearly a possibility, there is little hard evidence it is happening yet,” says Matthew Sudlow of Strutt & Parker. Overall, the sentiment is that farmland remains a solid investment, with a proven track record of capital growth.

“The value of arable farmland has risen by 29% over the past 10 years and by 351% over the past 20 years. Since 2000, arable farmland has outperformed the commercial and residential property sectors, and equities, delivering an annualised return of 7.8%.

The return from gold (8.9% per year over 20 years) has been slightly higher, although gold started from a very low base in 2000.

“While it feels as if the bull run in the farmland market might be over for now, our forecast is that we are in a period of stabilisation, rather than facing any significant decline in values.”

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 55

Professional services

Farmers can apply for free advice from the Future Farming Resilience Fund

Free business advice helps with financial planning • £32m fund available for farmers • Good time to apply during winter • Budgeting vital throughout year

W

ith a new cropping season underway, farmers and rural businesses are being urged to apply for free advice to help with budgeting and cashflow forecasting.

Support is available through the Future Farming Resilience Fund – and on offer to any farmer registered with the Rural Payments Agency.

Tim Frost, associate director in the food and farming team at Savills Good understanding is important for farm business success, says Tim Frost.

in Cambridge, says it has seldom been more important for farming businesses to keep an eye on cashflow.

“While many arable farms may have received good returns from last year’s harvest, this has been partly offset by rising input costs – namely fertiliser – and the continued phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme,” he says.

“Selling forward earlier in the year may well be a saving grace for those who capitalised on wheat prices in the region of £200- 250 per tonne. But this typically only accounts for 20-50% of crop sales – highlighting the need for continued financial planning throughout the year.

Keeping a clinical eye on cashflow and regularly updating costs within existing budgets enables farmers and rural business managers to make sound strategic decision.

Organic farmers better off with new schemes Organic farmers can combine Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship payments to deliver a 50% increase in revenue above the old basic payment scheme.

Roger Kerr, chief executive of Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), says it is vital to promote the ‘easy win' financial benefits highlighted in a new technical leaflet, which has been prepared by William Waterfield of the Farm Consultancy Group.

"The outcomes of this independent research reflect the high environmental status of organic and demonstrate how existing organic licensees can capitalise on the

56 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

opportunities available to them by stacking SFI payments on top of existing CS agreements," says Mr Kerr.

The leaflet shows the income comparison between old BPS and the combined CS and SFI payments. It reveals an increase from £48,510 to £68,671 for the livestock farm. Arable farm rates would rise even more, from £48,510 to £73,061, which equates to a 50.6% increase.

Mr Kerr says: "There'll be many farmers both organic and non-organic who'll wholeheartedly embrace the new schemes and their approach, while others will reject the environmental principles and go all out for increased yield by foregoing the schemes."

“The use of breakeven spreadsheets has allowed a number of farms to not only understand the cost of production per ton but also ensure sale prices are considered carefully alongside required profit/returns.”

The Future Farming Resilience Fund runs until March 2025 and includes everything from new funding streams and new farming techniques through to successional changes within the business.

Previous advice has resulted in businesses changing the enterprise mix, adopting Countryside Stewardship, altering the management structure, identifying diversification opportunities and developing business plans for new investment.

Defra support Defra has committed £32 million to provide support to farmers as they move through the agricultural transition away from the Basic Payment.

Savills is offering free advice via the Future Farming Resilience Fund in partnership with NIAB and AKC. “Sound financial planning will ensure clear management decisions that give rural businesses the best chance of navigating whatever lies ahead,” says Mr Frost. “We’ve already helped a number of farmers through the FFRF but there is still plenty of time if anyone would like further support.

“Lower fertiliser costs and reasonable wheat prices mean that income is forecast to be more stable for 2024’s harvest. However if the last few years have taught us anything it’s that a lot can happen in the space of just a few months.”

The advice allows businesses to have one-to-one advice via a Farm Business Review and access to online tools, resources and industry expertise to help guide the business into the next phase of agricultural policy.

Professional services

First early payments made under Sustainable Farming Incentive

T

he first early payments have been made to farmers who signed up to Defra's revised Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agri-environment scheme.

Early payments, worth 25% of the annual value of SFI agreements, were made in mid-October – just one month after the start of applications. Defra said the money would help to improve cashflow and make sure SFI works for their farm business.

The SFI pays farmers to take action that supports food production, farm profitability and resilience – while protecting and enhancing the environment. Defra said more than 14,000 farmers had registered interest in the scheme, with almost 1,000 applications submitted.

Easier applications Rather than registering first, most farmers can now apply directly online, simplifying the application process. But farmers on commons should continue to express their interest with the Rural Payments Agency ahead of a full application later.

Defra secretary Therese Coffey said: “I am delighted by the number of agreements already in place for the 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive and that farmers are now being paid. I encourage all farmers to get involved and see what the scheme can offer your farm business.”

She added: “We are engaging with farmers and taking onboard their feedback to continually improve the scheme, including delivering on our commitment to introduce early payments and taking steps to simplify the application process.”

Defra says revising the scheme earlier this year means the SFI has something on offer for every type of farmer. It says will be processing applications as quickly as possible to get more payments into pockets this year and help farmers improve their cash flow.

Rural Payments Agency chief executive Paul

Defra secretary Therese Coffey says she is pleased with progress under the SFI scheme (Editorial credit: I T S / Shutterstock.com)

Caldwell said: “We understand the importance of cashflow for farmers and hope the measures we have taken will assist in making a difference at an important time.”

The SFI is the entry level of the government's Environmental Land Management scheme. The target is for 70% of farmers to join the SFI, says Defra. Mr Caldwell said: “We are continuing to work hard on getting more and more farmers involved in SFI.” Improvements would continue to be made to ELM schemes to ensure they work best for farmers, said Mr Caldwell. This would include bringing forward early payments in a way which would not have been possible under the Common Agricultural Policy.

The 2023 SFI offer has been expanded and made more flexible in response to farmer feedback. It now includes more than 23 paid-for actions – such as hedgerow improvements, nutrient management, farmland wildlife and low input grassland.

Other improvements mean farmers can choose what combination of actions are right for them – unlike previously where actions were grouped into standards.

Farmers can earn money for actions which benefit the environment

Additional income from carbon farming Farmers are being invited to join a soil carbon programme – and create a new revenue stream by adopting regenerative practices.

The soil carbon programme for harvest year 2024 has been launched

by AgreenaCarbon, Europe’s largest soil carbon platform. Now open for its fourth year, the scheme helps farmers finance their transition to regenerative agriculture.

More than one million hectares have been registered with the programme. AgreenaCarbon says it has already paid farmers more than EU6 million, with UK farmers earning EU36 per carbon certificate from their regenerative farming practices.

“Through regenerative practices — such as no-till, min-till, and the growing of cover crops — farmers can play a key role in the delivery of climate change mitigation services,” says Agreena commercial director Niels Vittrup.

Farmers in the programme agree to undertake a range of measures, such as optimal use of cover crops and reduced soil disturbance.

Mr Vittrup said: “Farmers need to be financially rewarded for providing these vital services and AgreenaCarbon does just that.”

Agreena’s internationally accredited and third-party validated programme quantifies the farm’s greenhouse gas reductions and carbon removals and issues the verified CO2e certificates.

Farmers can keep the certificates, trade them on the voluntary carbon market (VCM), or let Agreena sell them on their behalf. An early payout option is also available for farmers, with funding provided by Agreena before certificates are issued.

Agreena says UK farmers are facing unprecedented challenges, including economic and political uncertainty, changing weather patterns, and the reduction and eventual disappearance of the Basic Payment Scheme.

Cover crops have a role to play in climate change mitigation 58 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

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Autumn Farming Conference

Experts address major issues facing region's farmers • Opportunities despite uncertainty • Need to ease pressure on farmers • Lack of clarity from government

D

elegates from across the farming sector attended the Larking Gowen Autumn Farming Conference, held on 10 October at Wherstead Park, Suffolk.

Organised in conjunction with the Country Land and Business Association, the event provided advice and information on a range of subjects of relevant to eastern region farmers and land owners – as well as other rural businesses.

A straw poll of delegates saw 40% of attendees saying they were optimistic about of the future of farming – a 10% drop on the same question at last year's conference. Some 44% chose the “it’s complicated” option (40% in 2022), with 8% “not confident” (10% in 2022).

Uncertainty Larking Gowen partner Bruce Masson said: “The pressures on agriculture have been acute and when combined with a complete lack of clarity from our government it’s fair to say that there’s an awful lot of uncertainty in the sector.”

The conference aimed to demonstrate the direction of travel for the farming industry and how the requirements of the environment and food production can be mutually compatible, added Mr Masson.

The emphasis was on delivering practical information which delegates could use in their own businesses going forward. This included advice relating to core farming enterprises as well as diversifications and other business opportunities.

Matt Ryan, head of farmer relationships at Oxbury bank, said: “Keep it simple and focus on the things that

Conference speakers (left to right): Back row: Charlie MacNicol, John Patrick, Bruce Masson, Steven Rudd, Andrew Marriott, Matt Ryan. Front Row: Chris Robinson, Sarah Kerkham, Emily Norton, Cath Crowther, Henry Welham.

you can control, like the cost of production, risk mitigation and efficiencies within your business. Everything else is influenced by something else or someone else.”

Environment The issue of the environment and sustainability in relation to agriculture-

was addressed by Norfolk farmer and independent rural policy advisor Emily Norton, who has a particular interest in natural capital influences on land, food and farming.

She covered the evolution of environmental and sustainability policy as it impacts on customers and supContinued overleaf

CLA East director Cath Crowther chaired the conference

NOVEMBER 2023 • ANGLIA FARMER 61

Autumn Farming Conference

Emily Norton tackled issues around the environment and farm sustainability

Continued from previous page ply chains – as well as looking ahead to what this might mean for farming businesses when navigating the choppy waters ahead.

Farm data Henry Welham, partnership manager for Yagro, which exists to transform the food and farming industry through accessible and advanced analytics, highlighted the increasing importance of more effectively utilising farm data and information.

Emphasising that in many cases this valuable resource is already being heavily recorded on most farms, but often in many non-integrated ways, he demonstrated through case studies how a coordinated approach could add significant value.

Diversification With diversification uppermost in the minds of many farmers, the first afternoon presentation was delivered by Ian Evans, who developed Copdock Hall as a events venue alongside a vineyard.

He outlined the challenges, vision and determination needed to launch a successful business.

Therese Coffey addressed the conference through a video message

'We recognise challenges faced by farmers'

D

efra secretary Therese Coffey acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers – and insisted that the government continues to support the industry.

In a video message to the conference, Ms Coffey said government policy meant agriculture was in transition from an area-based subsidy system to support based on sustainability for farming and for the planet.

“I am conscious that many of you are facing challenges unique to this part of the country compared to the rest of the UK. That’s why in our Plan For Water, for example, I mention the Felixstowe hydrocycle project four times.

“The government is aware of the challenges which you have been facing, whether it’s

“

Pressures on agriculture have been acute.

about cash flow, whether it’s about the weather this summer that made it more difficult for you to get the harvest in. We recognise that in government.

“That’s why in terms of basic payment scheme payments we moved to make that twice a year and in terms of the Sustainable Farming Incentive we have opened many more options which are now available.

“Anybody who gets their agreements agreed and started, I’ll make sure you get you first payment within a month of you starting your agreement. It’s those sorts of things where I want to make sure that farmers are helped on this transition to sustainable farming.”

A highlight of the day was the presentations and subsequent interactive discussion focussed on making the best use of water – an increasingly precious resource – through more effective management.

Chairing a panel of experts, John Patrick of Sustainable Water Solutions, was joined by CLA adviser Andrew Marriott, Charlie MacNicol of

Stody Estate, Norfolk farmer Sarah Kerkham, and Chris Robinson of Reclaim the Rain.

Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the event raised £1,630 for charity. It will be split between the Farm Safety Foundation and the YANA (You Are Not Alone) charity which provides mental health support for the farming community.

Far left: Henry Welham stressed the importance of using farm data Left: The water panel addressed making the best use of water

62 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

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Midlands Machinery Show

New machines galore at flagship farm event • Product launches and upgrades • Multi-function machines popular • Something for everyone at show

On the Chandlers stand, there will be three new pieces of kit for visitors to see – the Fendt 728 tractor, the Valta Q series and the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster pickup.

The Valta offers improved precision technology and driver comfort, while winner of Tractor of the Year 2023, the Fendt 728 includes a new six-cylinder engine, optional 60in track width and a new generation of the Fendt Cargo front loader.

V

Double cab The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is the pickup version of the Grenadier SUV; with its similar boxy looks it has been designed as a double cab to seat five people. Stretched by 305mm compared to the SUV, it has a maximum payload of 760kg.

BA Bush and Son will be unveiling the new VDR 900 VF Technology tyre, which is designed to handle 40% more load than a conventional radial tyre, or the same load at 40% lower pressure.

The VDR 900 also features stronger lugs with a larger contact patch to give better traction, which decreases slippage, reduces fuel consumption and increases overall productivity. This not only enhances the tyre’s self-cleaning ability but also allows for better grip in the field.

isitors will be treated to a range of freshly launched products at this month's Midlands Machinery Show in Nottinghamshire.

Aimed at an ever-evolving market, the two-day event takes place on 8-9 November at the Newark Showground. “It’s great that so many exhibitors find the show the best place to launch their new products,” says show organiser Elizabeth Halsall.

As farmers attempt to do more with less and find equipment which has multiple functions, one new product that will be exhibited at the show is a new model of the Arcusin Multipack machine – the Multipack E14.

“This machine will collect and tie conventional bales into packs which can then be transported mechanically, eliminating the manual work previously associated with the handling of small conventional bales,” explains Arcusin director Stephen Gillman.

“The main differences to previous models are; when the bales are fed into the machine, they are now compressed horizontally as well as vertically, this machine has five knotting twines for a pack, using bales of up to 1.2m in length, and it comes with a new touch screen control panel.”

A vital cog in farming operations is fuel, and a new app from MeritAgCheck aims to help farmers keep a handle on fuel management by tracking and monitoring fuel consumption.

64 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

Destoner “The VDR 900 benefits from Ascenso’s unique Mudbreaker technology, which consists of a vertical cleat on the lug which breaks down the soil and stops it sticking to the tyre,” says Matt Smith of BA Bush and Son. New to the UK market is the Husarya stone picker, which removes stones with a diameter of 2.5-50cm, has a working depth of 20cm and is up to 5.5m wide. It launched in Poland to address a common problem in both Poland and the UK – to remove stones from fields prior to cultivation.

Clockwise from above: This month's show will include a range of new tractors, machines and four-wheel drive vehicles

“It’s exciting to have such a range of new products at the show, once again demonstrating the innovative nature of agriculture,” says Mrs Halsall.

“One of the brilliant things about the show is that it brings together the relevant people, businesses, and organisations to create two focused and dynamic days.”

Registration and parking are free but pre-registration is required for the Midlands Machinery Show. NRoSO and BASIS points are also available.

For details and tickets, please visit www. midlandsmachineryshow.co.uk

About the show Organised by the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (NNAS), the Midlands Machinery Show showcases the latest range of tractors, machinery, services and technology to farmers, machinery operators, contractors and landowners.

NNAS is an agricultural charity; its objectives include promoting and organising the show, as well as supporting young people with careers in agriculture, through its annual Education Awards and Midlands Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship awards.

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FINAL SAY Fen Tiger

Banking fiasco It's seldom good news when the bank gets in touch, says Fen Tiger

I

t's a familiar theme – and one that makes my blood boil: you've likely heard about celebrities and dodgy politicians who have had their bank accounts closed or denied. We might even smile at their misfortune. But when it happens to you, it is no laughing matter.

So some background. Our farming company has had a business account with the same bank since early 1950. Various associated accounts and business loans have been added and settled and a long and successful working relationship has evolved.

But the role of the local agricultural manager has long been made redundant, so I have had no real contact with my bank in recent years. My business bank account just ticks along, quietly in the background. That's until just a few weeks ago.

It started with a sudden call from a 0345 number and a voice message asking me for my account information. I didn't play ball – including when the gentleman on the end of the line informed me that my account would be closed unless I contacted the bank within the next few weeks.

I assumed by the tone of the call and the pronunciation of some of words that it was in fact a scam. But after a week of calls and other in-

66 ANGLIA FARMER • NOVEMBER 2023

quiries, I decided to visit my local bank branch and played the voicemail to the assistant.

The call turned out to be genuine – much to my surprise. I then received a letter through the post confirming as much. So I rang the number in the letter, passed the security checks and was then asked questions about my income and investments.

These were not questions I was comfortable to answer on the phone. So I requested they be sent to me in a letter. No letter arrived and a few days later my phone rang with another call from the 0345 number.

The person on the end of the line asked me the same questions again – and I gave the same answer: please put your request in writing. I am still waiting for a letter from the bank, probably to the annoyance of the young man from the 0345 number who had to apply for an extension.

Money laundering The inquiry had apparently been triggered by a sudden spike in my income. Being of a certain age and with no interest from the children in the business, the spike in income was because I had sold some of my investments.

It was this that raised the bank's suspicions.

They suspect me of money laundering. Yet

“

no-one at the bank, it seems, is interested in my business. I still await this letter – assuming, of course, that in the age of email there is still someone working there who knows how to properly address an envelope.

I have, of course, been a loyal customer for decades. I have a good agricultural history of paying off my various debts on various land and property purchases. But apparently all this counts for nothing. I am guilty until proven innocent.

What happens if I simply don't answer their questions? Why are my investments outside the bank any of their business? I could switch banks after 50 years but it would be a hassle. And in any case, I assume a new bank would ask me very similar questions.

It seems old established family farming businesses such as mine are no longer good business for banks. Yet the youngest daughter of a good friend was offered a credit card with the click of a mouse after she passed her driving test. It had a large credit limit too.

It also seems to me that the banks which us poor folk bailed out a few years ago are up to their old tricks. Older, more sensible employees have gone and only the jobsworths remain. But don't forget – they are always by your side.

They suspect me of money laundering

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