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

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Time is right to finesse IHT plan

Good politicians know when to change their minds – and aren’t afraid to do so when the time is right. Especially when mounting evidence suggests that doggedly pursuing a policy will harm the very people it was designed to protect.

This is the challenge facing the government after a cross-party group of MPs recommended that Chancellor Rachel Reeves delays plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers – and comes up with a more appropriate tax proposal instead.

Off-ramp

The recommendation to delay is striking because the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee includes seven Labour MPs. Without their support, the commitee’s call for a delay wouldn’t have seen the light of day.

It provides the Chancellor with an off-ramp –an opportunity for the government to back down with dignity on its controversial proposal to levy 20% inheritance tax on farming assets worth more than £1 million from April 2026.

Should she choose to do so, the Chancellor can cite the advice of her own backbenchers and show that she is prepared to listen and rethink one of

the most damaging policies of Labour’s short time in government.

It is unlikely that the inheritance tax proposal will be scrapped completely. But as the Tenant Farmers Association has pointed out, it is abundantly clear to anyone who has scrutinised the plan that it is not fit for purpose in its current form.

Different approach

As TFA chief executive George Dunn has argued, the policy must be finessed before it is introduced so that it achieves the government’s stated aim of raising tax revenue and ensure that wealthy individuals cannot “hide” their wealth by buying farmland.

Farming organisations have proposed a number of ways that the government could tweak the policy to achieve its objectives while mitigating against the negative, unintended consequences of its current approach.

Time will tell whether the government will eventually listen. But huge damage will be caused to farming families should it fail to do so. It’s not only the right time for the Chancellor to back down – it’s long overdue.

Johann Tasker Editor

Delay inheritance tax plan, MPs tell government

• Vulnerable farmers most at risk

• Tax impact disputed and unclear

• More time to seek proper advice

MPs have called for a year-long delay to government plans to impose inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million from 2026.

The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee said a 12-month pause “would allow for better formulation of tax policy” and give government ministers the chance to convey a positive longterm vision for farming.

Delaying the plan – due to come into effect from April 2026 – would also protect vulnerable farmers who would have “more time to seek appropriate professional advice,” said the Efra committee.

Rebuild trust

Changes announced in the autumn Budget 2024 were made without adequate consultation – or a proper impact and affordability assessment, said committee chairman Alistair Carmichael MP.

This meant the impact of the changes on family farms, land values, tenant farmers, food security and farmers across the UK was “disputed and

unclear” – with a risk of producing unintended consequences.

Mr Carmichael said: “There is an opportunity here to rebuild trust and confidence in the farming sector and I hope that the government will take our recommendations seriously.”

A raft of announcements – including the sudden closure of capital grants, the closure of Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme and the faster phase-out of direct payments –had left farmers feeling they could not rely on the government.

“The government, however, seems to be dismissing farmers’ concerns and ignoring the strength of feeling evidenced in the months of protests that saw tractors converge on Westminster and up and down the country.”

Poor and confusing

Defra’s communications with farmers have been poor, with confusing and sometimes contradictory messaging, said Mr Carmichael.

He added: “Policies affecting farmers have been announced without due consideration or explanation of their impact or rationale.”

“There has been a lack of adequate consultation

Some 70% of farmers felt optimistic about their rural businesses before the Budget, suggested a March 2025 survey. But that number fell to 12% afterwards, said Mr Carmichael.

“Farmers urgently need clarity, certainty and advance notice of changes – they cannot be expected to rethink their businesses on a whim. It is essential that Defra focuses on rebuilding trust through good-faith communications with the sector.”

A government spokesman said 75% of estates would continue to pay no inheritance tax at all under the plan – while the remaining quarter would "pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay".

SFI scheme partially reopens to 3000 farmers

Defra is contacting thousands of farmers who were left in the lurch following the abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

It follows a government decision to reopen the scheme to 3000 farmers who had started an application but not yet submitted it in the two months before the SFI was suddenly closed on 11 March. The farmers had threatened legal action over the closure.

The decision to reopen the scheme came after the group of farmers, supported by the NFU, wrote to Defra secretary Steve Reed to inform him of their intention to legally challenge his decision to close the SFI to new applicants without notice.

New applicants

A notice on the Rural Payments Agency website had assured farmers they would

be given six weeks notice of any intention to close the SFI to new applicants. But the scheme was closed with immediate effect at 6pm on 11 March.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “While it’s good to see an acknowledgement that the decision to close the scheme was flawed, we are disappointed by the constraints imposed which will still leave many farmers unfairly disadvantaged.”

Tractors parked in Whitehall in protest at inheritance tax plans Mark

Anthony Ray / Shutterstock.com

Don’t bottle up your feelings, says agricultural chaplain

Farmers and farming families worried about the future are being urged to talk to somebody rather than bottle up their feelings.

Suffolk agricultural chaplain Graham Miles says the number of calls he receives from concerned farmers has tripled since the autumn Budget – and a raft of government announcements affecting farming families and businesses.

Challenges include the decision to impose inheritance tax on farming assets worth more than £1 million, the increase in employer National Insurance contributions and the accelerated phase-out of the basic payment scheme.

Finding solutions

In his role, Mr Miles champions mental health and wellbeing in the farming community – and encourages farmers to open up about their concerns. He is backing the NFU’s campaign to overturn the government's inheritance tax plans.

“I’m getting calls now every day,” said Mr Miles. “Most of them are about the family farm tax and other aspects of the au tumn Budget. “It’s a very worrying time for farmers out there.”

Mr Miles, a former livestock farmer who lives in Ipswich, highlighted the case of a farmer who declined cancer treatment months before his death due to the strain of facing an inheritance tax bill.

Building bridges on Open Farm Sunday visits

Members of the public will visit hun dreds of farms this month when Open Farm Sunday gets under way on 8 June.

The industry’s annual flagship initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for farmers to develop deeper connections with the pub lic, says event manager Annabel Shackleton, of the Linking Environment And Farming charity (LEAF).

farmers are left feeling this way. Politicians need to fully appreciate the pressures being piled on farmers by some of these new pol icies and work with the NFU and the farm ing community to find solutions.”

Alternative plan

The NFU is urging the government to en gage with them on its proposal for inher itance tax to only be applied to qualifying assets if they are disposed of within a sev en-year period after death – so tax is paid only when the money is available.

aims of raising revenue – but avoids penal ising elderly farmers and breaking up fam ily farms. It also makes it unattractive for wealthy people to buy land so they can use agricultural property relief to avoid tax.

Good to talk

Mr Miles is a qualified Church of England evangelist and unpaid lay minister. He was officially inducted as permanent Bishop’s Agricultural Chaplain for Suffolk by Bish op Martin Sealey in January this year.

Mr Miles added: “My main message to farmers out there who are struggling is that it’s good to talk to someone and not bottle everything up. I am available to talk to 24/7, 365 days a year.

“As a former farmer, I speak their language and I understand the pressures and

“Inviting people on farm, no matter how few or how many, is a surefire way to help put public perception of farming on the right track,” says Mrs Shackleton.

“Our farmers produce nutritious food that we can fundamentally trust by maintaining incredibly high standards, all while working

hard to farm sustainably and safeguard nature. These important achievements deserve showcasing.”

LEAF-certified dedicate at least 15% of their land to natural habitats that help restore ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of the environment and landscape – as well as producing food.

“By keeping farming front of mind, Open Farm Sunday helps foster lasting trust and

the challenges. Being outside the family unit helps as well for anyone who feels like they don’t want to overburden their immediate family with their worries."

To contact Graham, call 07413 683368 or email graham.miles@cofesuffolk.org

appreciation among consumers about the vital role farmers play in producing nutritious and safe food while working in harmony with nature,” adds Ms Shackleton.

“We know we can influence consumer attitudes,” she says. Survey data from last year’s Open Farm Sunday shows that 87% of visitors left with greater trust in British farming, and 91% felt motivated to buy more British produce as a result.

Miles is a former farmer himself

Earlier harvest set to follow dry spring

• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops

• Wheat and barley under stress

• Yield penalties on parched soil

Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years.

Reservoir levels remain low following the driest March in England since 1961. April received just half its normal rainfall – prompting some farmers to irrigate crops early, including cereals and sugar beet.

AHDB agronomy manager Emma Willis said: “Most cereal and oilseed rape crops were in fair, good or excellent condition at the end of April. A fortnight later and many more were showing signs of stress.”

Earlier harvest

With some wheat reaching flag leaf stage two weeks earlier than usual, growers on lighter land face an even earlier harvest than 2022, when combine harvesters rolled into barley before the end of June.

Cambridgeshire farmer Martin Lines said: “Every day without rain pushes crop yields backwards. Water

Water for irrigation is running low

for irrigation is already running low, and farmers are having to make hard decisions about which crops – if any – can be saved.”

A meeting of the National Drought Group – convened last month by the Environment Agency – was told that water companies must do more to cut leakage and encourage customers and businesses use supplies wisely.

The drought group includes Met Office representatives, industry regulators, water companies, farmers and conservationists.

No area is currently in drought –but there is a medium risk this summer without sustained rainfall.

Be prepared

Chairing the meeting, Environment Agency deputy water director Richard Thompson warned: “Drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.”

Plan ahead for risk of drought

Farmers growing forage are being asked to assess feed requirements now because of continuing dry weather.

With many cattle and sheep farmers relying on grazing during the summer, and harvesting silage for winter food stocks, now is the time to make plans to help mitigate against poor grass growth.

AHDB senior knowledge exchange manager Katie Evans said: “The lack of rainfall – particularly in the driest regions where it hasn’t rained for weeks – could significantly slow growth, reduce silage yields, and impact grazing availability.”

Contingency plans

Although good grass growth rates were achieved on some farms during early May, it was worthwhile farmers assessing both summer and winter feed requirements and building contingency plans, said Ms Evans.

“This might include reviewing silage stocks, being prepared to cut earlier than usual to prioritise feed quality over bulk and considering fastgrowing catch crops for summer or autumn grazing.”

“Rotational grazing can help protect residuals and reduce plant stress, and where pasture supply is tight, using buffer or supplementary feeding early can protect sward recovery later in the season.”

Small decisions now would help to maintain long-term resilience and avoid bigger challenges later in the year, said Ms Evans.

“It’s about being proactive: resting paddocks, avoiding overgrazing, and preserving pasture cover. ”

as working with farmers to help them plan for irrigating their crops.

Above: An old bridge is revealed at Baitings reservoir during the 2022 summer drought

The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England, acknowledged Mr Thompson. But he added: “The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades.”

The Environment agency said it was closely monitoring the situation – especially in high-risk locations – as well

Defra water minister Emma Hardy said: Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of under-investment. Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.

The government had secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund infrastructure improvements, said Ms Hardy.

This included nine new reservoirs to secure future water supply into the decades to come, she added.

Summer ‘ideal’ for low carbon fertiliser plan

• Think about sulphur – not only nitrogen

• Nutrient efficiency at heart of decisions

• Consider decoupling for more flexibility

Growers and agronomists are advised to think more broadly when devising their fertiliaer plans for next season.

A wider view when it comes to organic and inorganic fertilise will ensure crops get the right nutri ents, says Peter Scott, technical di rector at Origin Soil Nutrition.

The need to reduce the carbon foot print of food production and minimise potential environmental issues, means growers need to understand more than ever how to low carbon fertiliser prac tices, he believes.

"Use of inorganic nitrogen fertil isers is the single largest component of the carbon footprint of crop pro duction and any attempt to decarbon ise food production will need to ad dress this."

In a typical combinable crop, 50% of the carbon footprint is related to the production of the fertiliser in the first place and the other 50% is due to in-field emissions.

"But, around half of human die tary protein consumed globally is di rectly related to the use of inorganic nitrogen and in the west, this would be much more. The issue of nitrogen use goes to the very heart of sustain able food production.

"Green ammonia, where the hydro gen element of ammonia comes from water rather than gas, could play an important role in the future with re gard to reducing the carbon footprint of manufacture, but we must also ad dress in-field emissions."

Nutrient efficiency

The pH of soil together with its organ ic matter content and structure plus other considerations such as drain age all impact on emissions, so better management is essential in the future, says Mr Scott.

"One of the biggest things we can do, and one of the most important

Polysulphate fertiliser (top right) has a low carbon footprint, says Peter Scott (above)

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How to optimise nitrogen and protein in milling wheat

Growers seeking to achieve protein specification in milling wheat are being reminded to optimise nitrogen without overstepping or compromising economic thresholds.

Modern wheat varieties have huge yield potential – but growers must be realistic about whether these can be achieved on their own farms, say two advisers from agronomy company Hutchinsons.

A well-timed application of nitrogen after the flag leaf final-dressing will increase the amount of nitrogen available to crops during that crucial stage of protein development, says crop nutrition manager Tim Kerr.

Without a well-timed late application of nitrogen, crops may struggle to contain enough protein to satisfy yield and quality requirement. The later this dressing is applied then the more influence it will have on grain protein up to ear emergence.

Taking a Group 1 milling wheat targeting a protein threshold of HFN250, Mr Kerr and farm business consultant Leo Page say growers should pose three pivotal questions around late season nitrogen requirements.

1. What is the likelihood of achieving milling wheat specification?

This is an important starting point and should be based on the historical success of meeting milling spec weight with a particular variety. If regularly or even occasionally achieved, then it would be sensible to follow past nitrogen fertiliser strategies.

If not, don’t apply additional nitrogen, it doesn’t make economic sense. Recommendations also shift with low spring rainfall. If the weather stays dry, later applications of foliar urea at the milky ripe stage will become more important.

Be aware that some milling contracts prohibit the use of foliar urea. Instead, consider forms of methylene urea applied with the T3 fungicide which is now a well-established practice. It is crop safe and reduces the need for extra field passes.

2. Should I then consider a late nitrogen application to push for protein?

Use the protein prediction test to decide whether a late application of nitrogen is needed. Hutchinsons have been using this test since 2019 and Andrew Pitts at Helix National farm uses it routinely for his milling wheat samples.

The test involves digging up 5-10 wheat plants from across a field and then sending off to the lab. Samples can be taken from third week in May onwards. The test retails at £36.50 per sample.

3. How can I calculate the effect of more nitrogen on my break-even costs while accounting for uncertainty and volatility?

Milling wheat requires about 5kgs extra N/tonne of wheat – so a 10-tonne milling crop needs circa 50 kgs extra N than the equivalent feed wheat crop.

Taking into account the reliability of achieving milling spec and the fertiliser product bought, this is an additional variable input cost of £5-6.50/tonne of wheat. This is money well spent when the crop is sold for an additional premium.

Recommendations shift with low spring rainfall. says Tim Kerr

The Value of Shared Experience

When it comes to crop marketing, says Virgin Money Agricultural Director, Mark Schuurman, we can all learn from our shared experience.

The Value of Shared Experience When it comes to crop marketing, says Virgin Money Agricultural Director, Colin Aitkenhead, we can all learn from our shared experience.

As we head from Spring into Summer, I write this at the end of an almost completely dry April, another persistent weather pattern we would not expect from our traditional temperate climate.

In a period where there are already plenty of headwinds to challenge conﬁdence and optimism, particularly for arable farmers and cereal producers currently, I am taking the opportunity to talk about crop marketing and its potential impact on decision making for the next 12 months.

of focus for me – marketing strategy! I am considering learnings from producers who have been working very closely to the free market and without material reliance on BPS/SFI etc.

For the pig, poultry, dairy, and horticulture sectors the proportion of BPS/SFI has been signiﬁcantly lower for some time than for our arable and red meat producers. By nature, these sectors continue to be cyclical, but many of these enterprises have a laser like understanding of their cost of production and an agile grasp of their margins, overheads, and bottom-line proﬁt per unit of production. As much as pig, egg, broiler and milk prices vary, these businesses adapt rapidly with market conditions.

For cereal producers, preserving proﬁts demands a marketing strategy that has to be adapted through the year, and this is where I feel focus could be better enhanced. “Do I sell at harvest or later in the season?”… In some cases, storage is not possible or available and so this becomes a moot point, and over time selling oﬀ the combine becomes a default option where on average over time, you ‘do ok’.

There is still a sizeable number of farmers who have a fundamentally positive outlook, but with 80 years of subsidised food production now eﬀectively at an end, it has never been more crucial to ensure that resources invested will yield some form of positive return.

Recent conversations highlight one point

With potentially a two-year gap between commencing crop expenditure to when you sell, costs become very disconnected and if the market does not come back to you in Spring, then you can be exposed to added storage costs to compound the problem.

Arable farmers also have this focus, but there is a much greater gap in the relationship between expenditure and market returns for your produce. The sectors above have a crop or produce to sell on daily, weekly, monthly basis, so cashﬂows are much more predictable and income is more immediately linked to production costs.

As you head into harvest 2025, assuming that the crops are currently planted and awaiting some rain, it seems sensible to start making yield and input assumptions that would indicate where your breakeven point for each crop lies. As assumptions change this can be adapted through the season but will at the very least let you know if you are selling crops at proﬁt or loss.

Of course, the ideal plan is to sell all the crop at the high point in the market, and I hope you do, but working from a known break-even price will make decision making easier, and limit risks of trading deﬁcits. This is particularly important now there is less government support to insulate against a poor year, and a more conservative approach to marketing may be a better long-term strategy.

Every business is diﬀerent and there is no simple template, but I am conﬁdent that using your professional advisors appropriately, and allocating time previously allocated to SFI/BPS will allow you to de-risk, or at the very least make better predictions and minimise the impact to your businesses in low return years.

Virgin Money have huge conﬁdence in our food producers to adapt to what appears to be systemic change in our industry, and as a bank with over 180 years’ supporting in this sector, we base decisions on a long view.

As an agricultural ﬁnancing specialist with 20 years’ experience, my role involves working alongside customers to help them consider the long-term impact of decisions. It is a privilege to provide experience-based advice to sustain the resilience and agility which I know will deﬁne the most durable enterprises over the next decade.

New oilseed rape variety gives growers options

"It’s a combination of all these features that will make it a top performer in the field and one that will help growers not only simplify their management of the crop but also, help produce a profitable crop. "

• Resilience key to consistent yields

• Focus on essential traits

• New Domingos has huge potential

Anewly recommended oilseed rape is said to tick all the boxes by producing consistently high yields across a range of different growing conditions.

Yield potential without the builtin traits needed to give rape optimum resilience and yield stability is not enough anymore, particularly in areas struggling with the crop during recent years, says KWS UK oilseed rape product manager Rory Hannam.

"Strong vigour and a full set of key agronomic traits are now essential for growing oilseed rape in the UK with our new generation of hybrid varieties a significant step forward in future-proofing the crop."

Resistance

The highest yielding oilseed rape variety specifically on the 2025/26 AHDB Recommended List for the east-west region is KWS Hinsta. It combines the built in traits of TuYV protection and pod shatter resistance.

"The topline figures of 106% for gross output and 46.1% for oil content are also pretty impressive," says Mr Hannam.

These headline figures are eye catching but Hinsta has more to of-

fer, he adds. It's only when you dig beneath the headline figures that the strengths of the variety stand out.

"The RL shows that Hinsta has intermediate resistance to verticillium and our own private trials data would improve on this claim where during inoculated pot tests Hinsta performed as well as a variety classed as partially resistant across a couple of years.

"Pod shatter is an absolute necessity these days as the weather is so unpredictable and we are seeing more extremes in weather patterns.”

Protection

Having this built-in trait offers protection against pod shatter to help minimise potential losses when the crop is at its most valuable and after all the hard work has been put in throughout the season.

"It's the same with TuYV protection too. With growers using less, if there was a bad aphid infestation in the autumn having the trait in a variety is the best way to mitigate any risk of infection,” says Mr Hannam.

"Strong varietal resistance to TuYV is the best way to mitigate against this growing threat.”

" Hinsta also has a 7 for Light Leaf Spot (LLS) which again gives it ample protection against this disease which, although largely confined to the North of the country a few years ago, is now a problem in many parts of the country.

"With good standing power, lodging resistance and a height of 155cm, KWS Hinsta has the right type of plant structure to support high yields plus it suits both early and late drilling slots.

Breeder KWS says Hinsta (above) will be a top performer

Hybrid power

Underpinning the variety's performance is KWS' commitment to hybrid breeding, Mr Hannam points out. Hinsta is the latest development in our hybrid oilseed rape breeding programme, he adds.

“A full set of agronomic traits is essential

“ It's very much a modern oilseed rape variety and paves the way to a new generation of KWS oilseed rape that packages together the key traits of proven resilience, exceptional yield potential and outstanding hybrid vigour.

"That hybrid vigour is essential in helping a variety power through early season pest threats as well as helping plants get up and away after any adverse weather conditions over winter."

New candidate variety

Another new variety KWS Domingos is also ticking all the boxes with an East/West recommendation, a high gross output of 109% and an oil content 45.9%, he adds.

Built-in

traits have big advantages, says Rory Hannam

"Currently a candidate variety, KWS Domingos contains essential built-in traits with a strong disease package including a 7 for light leaf spot and an 8 for phoma.

This is combined with vigorous autumn growth and a quick spring growth habit, says Mr Hannam.

"Our internal trials have also shown that in low nitrogen conditions, KWS Domingos has particularly strong nitrogen use efficiency, too,”he adds.

"Taking all this into account, KWS Domingos is an exciting variety to try this autumn – and one to watch in future."

New varieties help fuel soft wheat resurgence

Popularity

is increasing among growers after an influx of new varieties from breeders

Abreeding revival in both Group 3 and soft Group 4 sectors is helping soft wheats make a comeback on farms.

Back in the day, nearly 50% of the UK wheat area was down to soft wheat varieties – including Claire, Riband, Robigus and Consort. But the percentage declined as those varieties fell out of favour – with only 8% of the total area growing soft wheat in 2024.

That should change with new varieties making soft wheat growing much more attractive again, believes Clare Leaman of NIAB. “We’ve had many years of new biscuit wheats coming, but none of them were a step forward in yield,” she explains.

“And there was such a big gap between them and hard feed wheats, with only a small premium available, that there wasn’t much incentive for growers unless you farmed very close to a biscuit mill.

“That’s now changed with the likes of Bamford, KWS Solitaire and KWS Flute because the yield of those varieties has jumped to be competitive with hard feeds and opens opportunities to a wider range of growers.”

Different options

quiring changes to agronomy. Distilling, milling and export markets are all possibilities, depending on location, says Ms Leaaman, albeit at relatively small premiums compared with traditional Group 1 milling wheat.

“Any premium is a bonus, even if you’re not growing it specifically for a market.”

Soft wheat premiums for last year’s crop have been particularly attractive for the past few months, according to soft wheat grower Sam Morris, who has been receiving £28-£30/t, rather more than the typical £10/t.”

Relative scarcity

Part of the explanation for the higher premiums lies in the relative scarcity of soft wheat alternatives, says Mr Morris, plus last year’s challenge with protein content. “This year is almost certainly going to be an outlier, but it’s been welcome.”

tor broke down to septoria as the ‘Cougar’ gene lost its effectiveness.

Market acceptance for a variety from the mill is a key requirement in his variety choice, along with yield. But he will also look at other characteristics to fit his system.

“Our rotation is three wheats on the bounce followed by a double spring break of spring barley and spring beans, which we find works well. So I’m looking for relatively high yielding second and third cereals.”

It’s not just Group 3s which have improved. options for soft Group 4 feed wheats are also keeping pace with hard feed wheats, with the likes of RGT Hexton and LG Redwald all but matching the top-performing hard feeds, such as Champion and LG Beowulf.

Mr Morris, who farms near Royston in Cambridgeshire, has been a long-term soft wheat grower, after switching away from Group 1, when the challenge and higher risk associated with making breadmaking specification became

The beauty of soft wheats lies in the additional market opportunities, without re-

Relatively close to a Whitworth Bros mill near Wellingborough, the typical premium was enough to keep the farm growing soft wheats even through recent difficult years when most of the sec-

He’s also happier to see varieties with better disease profiles available again, following the struggles with septoria.”

Top yielder

Another new variety is soft Group 4 RGT Hexton. It has many attributes, says Mr Morris. “We have a small block of Hexton in one of our fields to see how it performs.”

Clare Leaman: The latest soft wheat varieties have much to offer

Hexton is the top yielding second wheat on the recommended list at 108% of controls. RAGT arable technical manager Andrew Creasy says the variety is very competitive, scoring 105% across all trials.

RGT Hexton is among the varieties at the forefront of a soft wheat revival

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Late-season protection helps reduce disease build-up

• Risk to crops despite dry weather

• Green leaf retention remains key

• How to protect harvest potential

Growers who take action to protect cereal yields against unexpected increases in disease will reap the rewards at harvest.

Risk-modelling shows an increased threat from septoria spores across much of the country following the important flag leaf (T2) timing, says Syngenta fungicide technical manager Jason Tatnell.

Although this spring has been very dry, previous years have shown septoria can be a challenge later in the season – not least because septoria spores are spread by splashes after rainfall.

“You only need to remember 2019 –when June downpours sparked a sudden Septoria onslaught in what had previously been a low Septoria season – to realise this,” says Mr Tatnell.

Green leaf area

Syngenta’s new Miravis Plus fungicide technology set new benchmarks in septoria situations prior to its limited launch last season. Mr Tatnell says it has underlined its performance in trials ahead of its increased T2 availability this year.

“The key point to remember about T2 is its purpose is to protect crop green leaf area against disease during the critical yield-building phase.

“There might be 10 weeks between T2 in May and harvest, and every extra day that winter wheat flag leaf green area can be kept above 37%, yield increases by 0.15t/ha.

“For greater yield certainty, the T2 fungicide therefore not only needs to provide powerful disease control but also long-lasting protection.”

Extra confidence

In line with this, Mr Tatnell says when new Miravis Plus fungicide technology arrived on the scene last season, it set new standards for yield in septoria situations and in several key barley disease scenarios.

Now, new trials from 2024 in readiness for its increased availability in 2025 have underlined its responses, and should give growers extra confidence, he adds.

“

Green leaf area protection is crucial

Long-lasting green leaf areas pay dividends at harvest

The benefits of protection are clear when comparing untreated (left) and treated crops

“Pre-launch trials between 2020 and 2023 showed a Miravis Plus-based treatment delivered in 0.3-0.5t/ha over competitor fungicides, with this performance advantage confirmed in the most recent AHDB fungicide performance results.

A T2 application of Miravis Plus + Era (prothioconazole) in wheat has also resulted in reduction in fusarium head blight and in DON mycotoxin, says Mr Tatnell.

Targeted

protection

Using Miravis Plus + Era at T2 can make it more likely that a suitable T3 fungicide will keep the crop below a DON threshold.

If rust is a concern, this can easily be targeted by adding Amistar to Miravis Plus + Era,” he adds.

In barley, Mr Tatnell says a Miravis Plus-based treatment

has also given visibly improved green leaf area protection against net blotch and rhynchosporium, while ramularia control has been one of its standout benefits.

“Similar to the trend we’ve seen in wheat trials, results in recent internal and independent trials in barley in 2024 also confirm a yield advantage from a Miravis Plus-based treatment of up to 0.5t/ha over competitors,” he adds.

Potent and long-lasting protection is important, says Jason Tatnell

Lodge Works, Great Ashfield, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31

Highly recommended for all regions of the UK, this topperforming conventional variety boasts the highest yield. Featuring large pods and abundant seeds, it ranks as the No.1 choice. Developed in Britain specifically for British farmers, its superior yield, vigour, and establishment surpass even that of Campus.

Groundswell Pre view

Farming festival set for ninth year

Soil at heart of two-day event

Ajam-packed programme of exhibitions, demonstrations and talks will greet visitors to this year's Groundswell event.

Entering its ninth year, Groundswell provides a forum for farmers and everyone else interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of conservation agriculture –including no-till, cover crops and improving soil health.

Experts

The two-day event will feature talks, forums and discussions from leading international soil health experts. They will include experienced arable and livestock farmers, agricultural policy experts, direct-drill demonstrations and agri-tech innovators.

Aimed at all types of farmers, Groundswell was founded by the Cherry family on their mixed farm in Hertfordshire. Brothers John and Paul Cherry have farmed for more than 35 years, converting to a no-till system in 2010.

“We started Groundswell out of a sense of frustration that no-one was

putting on a summer show to which we might want to go,” says John.

A visit to the fabulous No-Till on the Plains Conference in Salina, Kansas showed what could be done. One of the most striking things was how hungry for information American farmers were about the soil and the ecosystems that lived in them.

Radical ideas

“A lot of the speakers were describing some fairly radical farming ideas and techniques and their audiences were lapping it up,” says John. “We thought that if the good people of Kansas were ready for this, we sure as hell ought to be ready in Europe.”

Groundswell continues to go from strength to strength – welcoming almost 8,000 visitors last year. This growth reflects increasing interest in regenerative agriculture – and the benefits of such systems in terms of carbon sequestration and flood prevention.

“Despite these other interest groups, Groundswell remains a show for farmers, by farmers. We aim to explore ways of working with nature

Tickets on sale – with discounts

Groundswell tickets are on sale for £108 including VAT (single day) and £162 (both days) – with discounts for students and group bookings of 10 or more.

The two-day event takes place on 2-3 July at Lannock Manor Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. As well as ﬁeld demonstrations and static exhibitions, the show includes speakers across nine diﬀerent stages.

Similar to last year, alongside ‘ﬁrst principle’ sessions for those at the start of their regenerative journey, the event includes a series of extended advanced sessions for those keen to dive deeper into the science and practical applications of regenerative farming.

For full details, visit groundswellag.com

to grow food in a profitable way,” explains Paul.

The event goes from strength to strength

“As the new saying goes: resilience is fertile – and profitability is one of the key factors that makes your operation resilient. It’s all very well regenerating your soil, but if you are not making money while you do it, you won’t be doing it for long.”

The Groundswell event is set to be another major crowd-puller when it takes place next month in Hertfordshire.

Soil health pioneer to speak at Groundswell

Influential soil health trailblazer

One of the most world’s most influential regenerative farmers will address this year’s Groundswell event, which takes place next month in Hertfordshire.

Gabe Brown, a pioneer of the soil health movement, will deliver a series of headline talks at the two-day festival. The best-selling author of the book Dirt to Soil owns and operates Brown’s Ranch in North Dakota with wife Shelly and son Paul.

Mr Brown will join more than 250 speakers and over 8,500 farmers who are expected to attend the regenerative agriculture festival – which takes place on 2-3 July at Lannock Farm, near Hitchin.

The Brown’s 6,000-acre ranch near Bismark, North Dakota showcases a remarkable diversity of crops and livestock. It is this integration which Mr Brown attributes to the regeneration of natural resources on the ranch.

Through innovative soil health practic-

es, the family have created a thriving agricultural ecosystem and annually welcome over 2,000 visitors, leading to Gabe being named as one of the twenty-five most influential agri-leaders in the USA.

Premier event

Mr Brown expressed his delight at being asked to speak at the worldwide renowned festival. “It is the world’s premier event for regenerative agriculture, and so it’s an honour to join such an inspiring lineup of speakers. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow soil health enthusiasts and expanding my network in this field.”

swell provides a forum for farmers, growers, and anyone interested in food production and the environment, to learn about

generative farming systems. It’s not all about learning. The

of pints poured every year in the Earthworm Arms Bar. Also confirmed as a speaker at the event is author Didi Pershouse, whose Land and Leadership Initiative is used in 95 countries, including in

"Our goal isn't endless expansion, but rather creating a meaningful gathering where farmers, scientists, consumers, and anyone else who’s interested, can genuinely connect around regenerative practices."

There will be 300 exhibitors on site, and over 200 sessions, along with 30 demonstrations and 20 safaris. “We believe it’s this dynamic approach that makes the event – there really is something for everyone.”

Travelling to the event from New Zealand is Jules Matthews, a coach and educator who applying regenerative practices to beef and sheep farming to reach optimum animal

“At a time when there is so much uncertainty, concern and dissonance in our world, I think it is vital we continue to come together to learn from one another and foster hope

Groundswell also promises a timely appearance for author, podcast host, and founder of The Transition Network, Rob Hopkins, as his new book ‘How to Fall in Love with the Future’ is released in the run-up to the event. Previously voted as one of the UK's top The Independent, Mr Hopkins said he was thrilled to be speak-

Gabe Brown (below left) joins a line-up of more than 250 speakers at Groundswell

Data-driven solutions for farm business resilience

Athought-provoking seminar series hosted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will take centre stage at Groundswell 2025.

The AHDB will host five seminar sessions on its stand each day – encouraging farmers and the wider community discuss the importance of independent, data-driven solutions for nature-based farming.

Each seminar will last about 30 minutes, with times and locations clearly displayed at key locations across the Groundswell site.

Session 1: Cultural controls – don’t let weeds take the lead

This session will tackle ways regenerative farming practices can shift the dynamics of weed management.

With the first case of glyphosate resistance confirmed in Italian rye-grass on a Kent farm earlier this year, the need to proactively manage herbicide resistance risks has never been greater, says the AHDB.

This seminar will unearth lessons from Strategic Cereal Farm East, including results from studying the farm’s weed seedbanks and assessments of non-chemical control – and a debate on the latest herbicide resistance management tactics.

Session 2: Food first – the ultimate nature-based solution

In the race to meet environmental and climate targets, the focus on offsetting others' environmental footprints

often overshadows a critical truth: food production is the ultimate nature-based solution.

This session challenges conventional narratives, arguing that natural capital investment on-farm is not just an environmental nicety but a business-critical strategy to secure resilient and sustainable farming businesses for decades to come.

Join the debate about whether natural capital markets can build resilience or if they risk becoming distractions from or threats to the long-term survival of UK farming businesses.

Session 3: Gene cuisine – serving up farm-to-fork

sustainability

Discover how innovation is providing a brighter future for farming and food production.

Hear directly from farmers and supply-chain leaders about game-changing developments in genetics, technology and supply chain efficiency – from farm to fork.

Experts will be on hand and on stage during both days

Learn about the pivotal role of genetics in advancing farming practices and how consumer marketing campaigns give consumers greater confidence in the quality and sustainability of food farmed in the UK.

This session will showcase AHDB initiatives including EnviroBeef, EnviroCow, Let’s Eat Balanced and the Recommended Lists.

Session 4: From run-off to resilience – land management for clean water

Farmers are under pressure to deliver food and protect natural resources, including waterways.

This session will dig into the latest developments in soil health monitoring and management. It will explore the innovative and practical ways that reduce nitrate and phosphate leaching risks and improve a farm’s bottom line.

Speakers and experts will discuss the unique approaches required in regenerative systems.

Session 5: Trials and tribulations – getting more

from on-farm trials

A panel of experienced farmers and researchers will discuss ways to turn data into decisions.

They will explore how farmers can ensure that trials produce meaningful results, what data should be collected to make informed decisions and how insights from individual farms can be shared to create broader industry change.

The panel will draw on the experience of farmers who have used data to shift their management approaches and researchers who assist in on-farm data collection, knowledge exchange networks and understanding leverage points for uptake of sustainable food production in the UK.

Cover Crop Clinic at the Earthworm Arms

Soil is at the heart of the Groundswell event

New for this year, the AHDB will host a cover crops and herbal leys workshop in the Earthworm Arms marquee at Groundswell.

AHDB and the Cover Crops Guide steering group will be digging into the practical aspects of species selection, establishment, grazing, nutrient dynamics and biodiversity.

This will be done with a strong focus on financial return and practically realising the benefits to farm rotations. The AHDB tipi is located at stand C40 in the demonstration field.

Harvest Preview

Camgrain well-placed to combat ergot – again

Huge investment combats toxic fungus

Grain cooperative Camgrain says it remains well-placed to remove ergot from cereal crops this summer – after winning praise for the way it helped growers deal with the problem last year.

The farmer-owned storage and processing facility invested some £500,000 in colour-sorting machines after ergot made an aggressive comeback during the 2024 growing season which brought ideal conditions for the fungus to thrive across the UK.

Many farmers found themselves facing unprecedented levels of ergot contamination. The black, hornshaped fungal bodies – toxic to both humans and livestock – meant thousands of tonnes of grain risked being downgraded or rejected outright.

Caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, ergot infects the flowering parts of cereals and grasses, replacing grain with dark sclerotia.

“It was a brave and proactive move

The presence of ergot renders grain unsafe for consumption if left uncleaned. For arable producers, it’s not just an aesthetic issue – it’s a food safety concern. Ergot is toxic and its presence results in severe financial penalties and rejected loads.

Stark challenge

With grain arriving at Camgrain stores showing contamination levels rarely seen in recent decades, the chal lenge last harvest was stark: how to clean large volumes of affected crops without passing the cost of losses back to farmers.

Camgrain chief executive Simon Willis says: “Ergot was present in about two-thirds of all wheat intake – and at unprecedented levels.

“If you calculate and consider that just five pieces of ergot found in a 1kg sample represents 145,000 pieces of ergot in a standard 29t lorry load, then

going to support members and maintain food-grade standards. So, we made the call – early and bold.”

Camgrain placed orders for two Cimbria CTN7 colour sorters – and built a brand-new colour sorting facility at its busiest site in Balsham, Cambridgeshire. The co-op also invested in a fully mobile colour sorting rig for its sites in Kettering and Stratford-upon-Avon.

“It was a brave and proactive move,” says Mr Willis. “If we’d waited, lead times for the machines would have gone through the roof – we’d probably still be waiting for them now.”

24/7 Response

Commissioned in January 2025, the new plant brought Camgrain’s total cleaning and colour sorting capacity to over 150 tonnes per hour.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, says Dan Parrott, Camgrain’s head of operations. “We’ve seen more ergot than anyone in the business can remember," he explains.

“We had to move to 24/7 opera-

Camgrain's timely investment last season paid dividends for growers unable to clean their own crops

Ergot was a huge problem last year

Scan Me

Harvest Preview

tions at our East Anglian sites to stay ahead—sorting, cleaning, and removing ergot continuously since harvest.”

The Cimbria CTN.7 machines have exceeded expectations. Designed for high-throughput environments, they use advanced optical sensors to detect and remove contaminants at speed, without damaging the grain.

Their efficiency has enabled Camgrain not only to process ergot-affected grain rapidly but also to reduce costs for its growers in the process –with any operating surplus returned to Camgrain members.

Member benefits

“Because of the speed and success of the new system, we’ve been able to reduce colour sorting charges significantly,” explains Mr Willis.

“Starting with Harvest 2025, our standard member rate for colour sorting will be just £4 per tonne.”

For the 2024 season, where higher sorting charges were initially necessary to recover costs, the co-operative expects to return any surplus directly to members in the form of an exceptional payment this autumn.

“It’s simple: our members are our shareholders,” says Simon. “Any profit we’ve made from helping them remove ergot will be redistributed fairly. That’s the co-operative model working as it should.”

Ready for harvest

Ergot remains a persistent threat. As climate conditions continue to shift, the frequency and severity of outbreaks could increase.

However, proactive strategies like those deployed by Camgrain are helping to safeguard both farm businesses and food supply chains.

Looking ahead to harvest 2025, Camgrain’s investments ensure that members will not face the same financial burden should ergot strike again.

The infrastructure is now in place, and the business has shown that rapid, decisive action can pay dividends, says Mr Willis.

“We hope for everyone’s sake that this year’s crop is cleaner,” he adds. “But if it’s not, at least we’ve built the capability to deal with it – and deal with it cost-effectively.”

Timely safety reminder ahead of another busy harvest

Poor trailer safety is being highlighted as a key contributor to farm fatalities during the busy harvest period.

Farmers and harvest workers are being urged to undertake daily checks and ensure trailers are well-maintained. They should also be serviced and in good condition ahead of one of the industry’s most dangerous times of the year.

“Good preparation leads to an efficient and professional business,” says Jane Gurney, of the Tilly Your Trailer safety campaign.

Being able to prove that kit has been serviced at suitable intervals by a qualified and competent person is important – especially in the event of an accident, says Ms Gurney. Trailers should also be serviced after incidents likely to jeopardise their safe performance.

“Not only is this the legal requirement and helps fulfil your duty of care as an employer, it is critical in lowering the mounting deaths and life-changing injuries within our industry.”

Of 27 people killed in farm accidents last year, nine deaths related to transport, including farm vehicles or machinery, runover incidents, rollover incidents and crush incidents.

Daily and periodic checks on your kit must be performed by the operator who has had suitable instruction, using only the relevant manufacturer’s checks.

These should include frequent checks of the condition of the towing eye. This should not be excessively worn, twisted, misshapen or repaired. A Tilly Pass towing eye measuring gauge is a simple portable device which can be attached to a keyring and used as a good guide to the minimum wear on a towing eye.

Trailer lights

Visibility on the road is important to make other drivers aware of your presence, says Ms Gurney. This is especially the case during the busy season and with bright lights and shadows obscuring vehicles and gateways.

Turning onto the road with front weights and bale chutes should be a particular concern, as these protruding have led to catastrophic crashes. Side marker lights and reflective tape are easily available and increase visibility.

Secure loads

Amber flashing beacons should be visible for 360°

Action plan

Proof of maintenance and risk assessment paperwork

Daily checks correctly recorded by trained operators

Sheeting bulk and strapping flatbeds - understand your 18 inch ullage

Flashing beacons and lights

Understand your trailer speed and weight limits

Developed in 1983 by a group of farmers, Camgrain provides a reliable, safe and secure co-operative grain storage facility to our farmer members.

Camgrain has changed

Looking to diversif y your farming assets and need somewhere to store your grain?

We can help with Industry beating drying, conditioning rates and ergot removal enabling access to premium markets.

New flexibility on short term storage

2025 Annual storage + Handling now £9.90 p/t Competitive drying charges

2025 Annual storage + Handling now £9.90 p/t

Competitive drying charges

Reduced Ergot cleaning charges now from £4 p/t

Arrange your own harvest haulage or pay actual cost to your closest store

Special ‘of f peak of fer’ to deal with remaining crop on farm with Ergot issues

Please contact the Membership team on 01638 57 2800 option 0 or email us at memberservices@camgrain.co.uk to see how we can help you.

How good storage can uphold grain quality

With almost 100,000 tonnes of grain storage capacity, cleanliness and biosecurity top the agenda at PX Farms in Cambridgeshire.

Grain storage cleanliness is a key driver for success at PX Farms – which grows and manages some 5000ha (12,500 acres) of arable crops in eastern England.

Founded in 2003 by James Peck when he took on his family farm, PX Farms is now a large business employing 32 full-time staff farming multiple units across Cambridge, Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire.

“We’re an agri-business managing arable land and grain storage for other landowners, but we also specialise in haulage and lettings too,” says Mr Peck, who is managing director.

The farm has steadily grown into an extensive arable business enterprise over the last two decades– but it very much retains the friendly feel of a family farm at its heart.

“When I took on the family farm, there were approximately 300ha of owned land and 60ha of contracted

land,” explains Mr Peck. “We’ve in creased the amount of land we own considerably in the last 20 plus years or so and diversified the business in multiple ways.”

Highest standards

With the capacity to store large amounts of grain, PX Farms works closely with both individuals and mer chants to commercially grow, store and clean grain.

“

It gives you peace of mind

protection is crucial to maintaining the highest standards of grain quality.

cused solely on storing its own crops, but even then, challenges quickly be came apparent.

Continued on p32

James Peck: Keeping the family agri-business feeling while storing almost 100,000 tonnes of grain (above)

GRAIN STORE HYGIENE

PRE-HARVEST PREPARTION

With all eyes on crop performance in the field, now is the time for Arable Farmers to prioritise grain store pest protection ahead of harvest 2025. Month’s of hard work can be undone by a hidden pest infestation or missed treatment - compromising grain quality, safety and impacting the market sale value.

Ken Black, Envu account manager, warns: “Insect control is no longer optional. Milder winters have removed the natural chill that kept pests at bay—now, insect pressure in storage is rising fast.”

WARMER WINTERS, BIGGER RISKS

Historically, colder winters acted as natural pest control mechanisms, however the new normal of milder winters are removing one of the natural factors that previously helped reduce pest pressure in grain stores. This shift means farmers must compensate with proactive treatment strategies to limit insect activity and lifecycles. Despite all the hard work growers put into cultivating crops, poor grain store preparation can lead to significant losses during storage.

Ken comments “Grain storage preparation is often the missing piece of the growing season jigsaw, but insect damage in stores can result in losses comparable to pests and diseases in the field. If you don’t get the storage environment as clean and insect-free as possible, you risk undoing all that effort.”

A THOROUGH CLEAN ISN’T JUST SWEEPING THE FLOOR

Grain stores should be cleaned out 6-8 weeks ahead of harvest. Remember to:

• Remove dust, debris and old crop residue

• Clean all machinery and handling equipment – even the combine!

• Access all hard to reach areas including roof spaces, underfloor voids, wall junctions, nooks & crannies

• Use insect monitoring traps to assess pest levels

Check every 7–10 days. If pests are present—as is often the case—a grain store protectant should be applied across all surfaces.

YOUR FULL BELT AND BRACES APPROACH TO GRAIN STORE HYGIENE

One of the most effective treatments for grain stores ahead of harvest is K-Obiol® EC25 exclusive to Lodi UK. Designed for application after cleaning and before new grain is stored, K-Obiol EC25 provides broad-spectrum protection against both primary and secondary storage insects. With up to two months of residual activity, it targets:

SAW TOOTHED GRAIN BEETLE GRAIN WEEVIL

WEEVIL LESSER GRAIN BORER

DON’T STOP THERE –TREAT THE GRAIN ITSELF

While K-Obiol EC25 handles structural protection, pairing it with K-Obiol ULV gives full-circle protection by treating the grain itself as it enters the store. This dual defence approach, treating the structure and the crop, provides peace of mind, safeguarding your yield, your revenue, and your reputation. At Lodi UK, we’re committed to supporting farmers with trusted grain storage solutions that are practical, reliable, and backed by years of success in the field.

READY TO TAKE CONTROL BEFORE PESTS DO?

Contact Lodi UK for advice on application, availability, and how our K-Obiol products can become the most important part of your pre-harvest preparation.

RICE

Harvest Preview

Continued from p30

“Back when I first started out, we had some issues with insects in older buildings, so we soon learned how much hardship grain pests can cause,” explains Mr Peck.

“That experience made us very aware of the importance of thorough shed preparation ahead of harvest.

“Now, we make sure all sheds are cleaned out properly and any potential risks are addressed before new grain comes in.”

He says he’s learned from experience that older buildings with poor ventilation, and those which have previously had issues with insects, are more prone to problems.

Harvest preparation

Mr Peck compares good grain storage protection to taking out insurance on your buildings.

“It's no different from paying for insurance to make sure your shed doesn't burn down – it’s a preventative measure put in place to protect your crops from damage and it gives you peace of mind,” he says.

For protection against grain insects, PX Farms has been using the

grain storage protectant K-Obiol EC25 since the early 2000s for its cleaning and preparation process.

“We’ve been using K-Obiol for many years and it now forms an inte gral part of our grain storage prepa ration protocol,” says Mr Peck.

“All our cleaning is done by a spe cialist team in-house who have all the kit to carry it out.”

He says adequate cleaning is a really important part of pre-harvest prepa ration and can have a big influence on the success of the harvest.

“Once sheds are empty, we thor oughly wash them down and then ap ply the product to the entire fabric of the building,” explains Mr Peck.

“It’s really important that this job is done thoroughly, because grain pests can hide in the cracks and crev ices of buildings, so making sure the product’s everywhere is key to its ef fectiveness.”

Grain protection

At PX Farms protecting the grain as it arrives in the stores is just as im portant as protecting the stores them selves.

“Grain protection requires a combi

Farm Facts

Farming 12,500 acres across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire/ Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire

32 full-time staff split across three sites, with an additional 19 staff during peak periods such as harvest

Capacity at Scotland Farm in Cambridgeshire to store nearly 100,000 tonnes of grain

12 different crop storage compartments with the ability to store between 8,000 and 25,000 tonnes of crops

Running a fleet of 12 haulage lorries

Accredited laboratory on-site at the Cambridgeshire farm

On-site Grain Hospital removes high levels of admixture and contamination to improve the crop quality

Combinable crop production is a key part of the business

Support harvest success with good preparation

As harvest 2025 edges closer, farmers are being reminded of the importance of prioritising grain store hygiene to prevent costly insect damage.

Ken Black, account manager at Envu, says thorough preparation of grain stores is more important than ever because milder winters no longer naturally suppressing pest populations, .

“Even with a good growing season, poor storage preparation can lead to losses comparable to pests and diseases in the field,” he explains.

Mr Black recommends grain stores are cleaned out six to eight weeks ahead of harvest, with attention paid to hidden areas like roof spaces,

nation of measures and not one measure alone will be the solution,” says Mr Peck.

“We’d previously used a wellknown broad-spectrum insecticide but following its ban in the 2000s, we had to look for an alternative solution for a grain protectant to complement the other work we were doing to keep grain insect-free.”

While protecting sheds with K-Obiol EC25 offers a great defence barrier to damage-causing grain insects, Mr Peck says all incoming grain is also

underfloor ducts, conveyors, and handling equipment.

“After thorough cleaning has taken place, monitoring traps should be used to check for insect activity,” he says.

“If grain pests, such as the grain weevil or sawtoothed grain beetle, are detected, an appropriate chemical treatment should be applied to all surfaces until wet, allowing time for it to take full effect.”

Aadopting a proactive approach to grain storage hygiene can safeguard grain quality and avoid the risk of infestations once new grain is moved into store, says Mr Black.

treated with K-Obiol ULV6.

“This is applied to crops going into store as a precautionary measure – we want to provide a solution to a problem which hasn’t yet occurred,” he explains.

PX Farms has a strong reputation for grain storage which it is keen to uphold, so taking a belt and braces approach makes sense.

“We’ve invested a lot of time and money into protecting grain from damage caused by insects, and it’s absolutely paid off,” adds Mr Peck.

High hopes at harvest for blockbuster wheat

EXPERT VIEW

Is game changing wheat Bamford still changing the game? Four experts give their verdicts.

Now in its second year on the Recommended List, Group 3 soft wheat Bamford came through a challenging first full commercial season in 2024.

Bred by Elsoms Seeds, the first year was dominated by serious outbreaks of both septoria and brown rust, as well as tough autumn establishment conditions. So has the variety continued to live up to its hype?

Clare Leaman, NIAB cereals variety specialist

It’s no exaggeration to say that Bamford has revitalised the Group 3 sector and has made the variety decision for many growers who moved over to hard Group 4 feeds a much more difficult one now than in previous years.

To see a Group 3 of Bamford’s overall quality is very welcome, and something we haven’t seen for some time. On agronomics, it has a high, competitive untreated yield –offering a good specific weight and a solid overall disease resistance profile.

Bamford has wide marketability and there were no red flags during a challenging 2024 growing season – so it’s absolutely up there. That said, 2025 is another big year and I think growers will know a lot more by next harvest.

Joe Wood, Wynnstay Group seed manager

Farmers in the west often encounter very different climatic conditions to growers in the east –including higher rainfall that often results in heavy septoria pressure.

Our customers need varieties with solid disease resistance scores supported by a high untreated yield knowing that key sprayer timings may not always be met

current Group 4 feed wheats.

As most of our customers are mixed farmers high straw yields are critical, and, with many of them rolling their own grain on-farm, a bigger, bolder grain such as Bamford’s is much more desirable than a smaller pinched grain.

Although I recognise and respect Bamford’s wide marketability, most of our customers are growing for feed so the emphasis is on yield and how easy the variety is to manage on fields that are often difficult to travel on.

Wheat varieties grown in the west need to be flexible and straightforward to manage, tiller well and, most importantly, not fall over. Bamford has also fully justified its solid scores on resistance to septoria and brown rust.

Ian Davy, national seed sales manager, Agrii Bamford achieved an overall treated yield of 110% to controls in Agrii trials across eight regions last year. On untreated yield it achieved 89% across the 8 trials, very much in line with its official RL rating.

With an untreated yield of 90% Bamford ticks that box. And with a treated yield of 107% in the west, it offers a higher potential yield than virtually all the

With solid agronomics, a wide drilling window and exceptional competitiveness, which enables it to compete against difficult grass weed burdens, it offers growers the triple reassurances of high yield, good quality grain and multiple end markets.

Bamford sold well with high demand coming from virtually every UK region, something which is not always the case. It’s one of our top five best-selling varieties.

Regardless of classification, Bamford is a great winter wheat in its own right and I see no immediate reason for its current popularity to diminish.

David Bouch, head of seed, Hutchinsons Bamford is delivering yields that are as good – if not better, than all the Group 4 feed wheats, holding its appeal and looking set to gain more area with an increased market share.

It’s arguably one of the best winter wheats on the current RL, regardless of classification, and is still a game changer for first-time growers who have only just begun successfully incorporating it into their rotations last autumn.

It can be grown as either a first or second wheat, performs well on all soil types, and during a very bad year for both septoria and brown rust its disease resistance held up very well from customer reports we’ve received.

It also carries the Pch1 Rendezvous resistance gene, widely recognised to be the best in terms of resistance to eyespot and that should enhance its credentials as a second or even third wheat.

With very few agronomic weaknesses, Bamford was one of only two recommended varieties to match or better its four-year average in 2024.

If anything holds it back, it would only be reluctance from growers to go back to a Group 3 following bad experiences from mediocre varieties prior to Bamford’s arrival.

A good-looking crop of Bamford basks in the sun at the T3 timing

Upgrade secures future for on-farm grain drying

• Auto-drying with remote alert

• Quieter, cleaner and efficient

• Easier to use and to maintain

ABedfordshire grower is reaping the rewards after replacing an ageing PTO-driven grain dryer with a state-of-the-art mobile machine.

Sandy Wade-Gery, who farms with son Will at Bushmead Farm at Colmworth, near Bedford, installed a new automatic electric Mecmar SSI 28T mobile dryer, supplied and supported by McArthur BDC.

“Our old mobile dryer was reaching end of life and we needed to upgrade to an automated solution providing larger capacity and improved energy efficiency,” says Mr Wade-Gery, who grows some 400ha of combinable crops.

The Mecmar SSI 28T stood out for its build quality and its ease of use, particularly the remote access capability of the dryer’s control panel, which sends an SMS notification to the operator when the dried grain is ready to be discharged.

Quieter drying

“There is no longer the need for the operator to be constantly monitoring the dryer,” said Mr Wade-Gery. “The old dryer tied up a tractor and the burners were driven by gas from a bulk tank. It was noisy, and dusty.”

The new electric Mecmar uses diesel from an onboard tank to power the burners. It is super-quiet and has an integrated dust extraction system – two features which mean it sometimes can’t be heard working.

The old dryer was precarious and difficult to maintain, whereas the Mecmar is much easier to look after as the grease points are positioned in one central location beside the control panel.

The Mecmar dryer is fully automatic, streamlining the entire drying cycle. From the field, grain can be tipped directly into the loading auger from the trailer. It can also be loaded with a telehandler via a portable hopper placed over the loading auger.

Using the Mecmar’s control panel which has pre-set drying programmes, configured by the operator at the beginning of harvest, the correct programme is selected so grain is dried precisely to the required moisture content.

Intake hopper

Once set, the grain is automatically fed from the intake hopper to the Mecmar and as soon as the mid-level sensor located inside the dryer is covered, the fan and burner starts and drying begins.

When the high-level sensor is covered the loading auger stops automatically. As the grain recirculates within the dryer, the Mecmar’s aspirator, located at the top of the central auger, removes dust and chaff, improving the bushel weight of the crop.

Once grain reaches the target temperature, the dryer then enters a predetermined cooling cy-cle. Once cooled, the Mecmar’s integrated moisture content meter checks the grain to deter-mine that it is at or below the pre-selected target moisture content.

If the moisture check is correct, grain is then automatically discharged.

When the low-level sensor is uncovered and the dryer is empty, the loading auger automatically starts, feeding grain into the dryer so that the next batch begins – making the dry-

The new dryer is light years ahead

ing process as timely and as efficient as possible.

Unloading grain

When the operator receives a notification from the control panel that the grain is ready to unload and, if a trailer is in place, he allows grain to be discharged and taken to the store.

“The Mecmar is light years ahead of our old dryer,” says Mr Wade-Gery.

“We wanted a dryer that delivered an auto-mated solution, was efficient, quieter, reliable and would meet our drying requirements well into the future," he adds.

“McArthur’s support, which was a significant factor in our choice of the Mecmar, has been excellent and the whole system fits perfectly with our forward-thinking approach to farming.

“To keep moving forward we are looking at relocating the Mecmar into a dedicated grain store and adding a colour sorter to further enhance how we process our grain”

The Mecmar dryer in operation at Bushmead Farm, near Bedford

EXPERTS IN AGRICULTURE

Working

Optimising the Future of Tillage

Sugar Beet

How to control weeds when conditions are dry and hot

• Dry spring slows crop growth

• Many crops at different stages

• Strategic approach to weeds

Lack of rain continues to create challenging conditions for sugar beet – with hot weather adding to the challenge of what and when to spray for weed control.

While the dry weather helped growers expedite drilling, with most finished by the end of March, it has slowed crop development and left plants at different growth stages, says UPL head of technical services Stuart Jackson.

“Continuing dry weather coupled with relatively high temperatures is leading to – in some cases – stressed, variable crops and difficult conditions to achieve successful weed control,” he says.

“It’s not in every situation. Where growers were able to get a good seedbed, drilled a little earlier, crops are generally looking healthy, and weed control has been good.”

Drought stress

Emerged weeds are generally pretty tough to control because they are waxed up and drought-stressed, adds Mr Jackson. In these scenarios, we need to load more contact activity into programmes.

“Typical residual mixer partners, such as Venzar (lenacil), are less effective in dry soils, where root uptake is restricted, and should be replaced by more contact-acting herbicides.”

“For example, you can look to add products such as Shiro (triflusulfuron-methyl) and/or Vivendi (clopyralid) to base mixes of Betasana (phenmedipham), plus Bettix Flo (metamitron) + Efeckt (ethofumesate).

A diligent approach is always best for sugar beet weed control

“Emerged weeds are tougher to contro

Tank mixes

Adding oil to herbicide mixes will help pep up weed control, but it can come at the cost of crop safety. Use the forecast maximum temperature on the day of application to help guide decisions, with anything over 21ºC as the cutoff for not adding it into tank mixes. Where growers want to use oil at their own risk in temperatures above 21ºC, rates should be cut to no more than 0.5 litres/ha and spray first thing in the morning or the evening, says

(flupyradifurone), all of which are compatible with the three-way mix of Betasana, Bettix Flo, and Efeckt.

“What we don’t know yet is the compatibility of Sivanto Prime with the bigger multi-way mixes where you add in Shiro or Vivendi. Insyst or especially Teppeki are better options if you’re looking to do that type of bigger mix.

Flexibility

“Obviously, you also need to consider advice around the sequence order of the insecticides, which says to avoid using two sprays with the same mode of action in a row.

“Shiro will be helpful on polygonum

“If crops have flagged or flopped during the heat of the day, avoid spraying in the evening and leave them until the morning.”

Depending on that, it may be the case of spraying the weeds first, waiting for a few days before spraying the insecticide to give more flexibility.

“If you are tank-mixing an insecticide, don’t add oil. However, it may be worth replacing the oil in these conditions with a biostimulant like Vitalroot to help the crop thrive.

With aphids arriving earlier than originally forecast at the beginning of May, many growers might need to tank mix an insecticide with their weed control spray.

The three insecticides available for use are Teppeki (flonicamid), Insyst (acetamiprid), and Sivanto Prime

contact are important

Vitalroot is seaweed extract with phosphorus and potassium. It can be used at 1-2 litres/ha in conjunction with a broadleaf spray programme.

It won’t pep up herbicide activity like an oil, but it will help with crop growth,” concludes Mr Jackson.

Stuart Jackson: Timeliness and

weeds and brassicas, while Vivendi is stronger on mayweeds and black bindweed,” explains Mr Jackson.

REVYSTAR UNBEETABLE

Care required for best weed control options

Significant cost implications for crops

Sugar beet growers looking to rationalise herbicide use should consider the pros and cons of alternatives – which may not suit all situations and seasons.

British Sugar’s in-house weed specialist and technical support manager Pam Chambers has been testing different weed control strategies at a site in Yaxley, Suffolk, for two seasons.

The inspiration for her work is the threat of herbicide withdrawals and the need to reduce reliance on chemistry.

Big losses include the loss of desmedipham in 2020 and recently, the European Union recent-

Going into detail about the Yaxley work, Ms Chambers and her team has been testing a range of weed control options available today, including traditional herbicide spray programmes.

The Conviso Smart system, which was designed to use ALS herbicide tolerant beet to control weed beet and reduce herbicide sprays to just one per season, is also on the treatment list.

Mechanical options include a camera-guided precision inter-row hoe, with or without a band sprayer that applies herbicide on the crop row. The hightech Ecorobotix 6m hooded spot sprayer completes the line-up.

Top: The Ecorobotix spot sprayer Right: Pam Chambers Below: The Yaxley trials site

tional follow up spray will be required and this is a scenario widely reported in commercial crops this year.

“Conviso has its advantages, but in seasons like this you may apply as many sprays as you would in a non-Conviso variety, particularly if you have ALS resistant weeds present. That would significantly increase cost,” says Ms Chambers.

Spot sprayer

Mechanical systems have pros and cons too. Plots treated with the mechanical hoe only has left plenty of Chenopodium species like fat hen within the row this year, which would need to be tidied up with herbicide.

Finger wheel attachments may help improve in-row control, but it’s likely an additional herbicide would be needed to avoid significant yield loss from weeds left behind.

A Lemken tractor hoe and band sprayer combination was added to treatments this year and Pam was impressed with its overall efficacy both between and within the crop rows.

However, such a combination requires significant investment, even with grant funding, and would be most viable where it can be used in other arable or hor-

sprayer have the potential to reduce reliance on blanket herbicide application, but work rates are relatively slow.

“In a wet year, large growers may struggle to get across their area and weed control is not as good as when its dry, so either system would still require backup,” says Ms Chambers.

Results with the Ecorobotix have been promising so far, but with a price tag of about £130,000, individual sugar beet growers will struggle to justify the investment.

Sharing cost

But growers and contractors are already making it work where high-value crops like onions are in the rotation and there are examples of local groups sharing the upfront cost.

“It uses significantly less water and chemical," she says.

"But I suspect in fields with a very high weed burden, you would need to apply a pre- or early post-emergence to with a conventional sprayer to reduce numbers before switching to an Ecorobotix.”

Ms Chambers urges growers to really understand the strengths, weaknesses, and economics of each before taking the plunge.

BTS 1915

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Tolerance: Rhizomania UltiPro is Betaseed’s new seed activation technology.

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For normal and late drilling

Enquiries@limagrain.co.uk www.lgseeds.co.uk/sugarbeet

UltiPro

Taking the ﬁght to Virus Yellows!

The earliest understanding of ‘Beet Yellows Virus’ (BYV) goes back c.90 years, but it wasn’t until the early 1950’s that the aphid species responsible for transmitting the virus were identiﬁed.

Since that time and up to the early 1990’s, controlling aphids with foliar insecticides was our primary line of defence against a virus that had the potential to reduce yields by almost 50%. Again in the 1950’s another less yield impactful virus was identiﬁed that we know as ‘Beet Mild Yellows Virus’ (BMYV). In the 1980’s to 1990’s a new virus was discovered, formally named ‘Beet Chlorosis Virus’ (BChV) in 2002, giving us the three virus complex we face today.

The ability for the aphid population to adapt and develop almost complete resistance to insecticides was of signiﬁcant concern and therefore the introduction of neonicotinoid (NNI) seed treatment offered growers and the sugarbeet industry almost season-long aphid control. The ban on this chemistry from 2019 due to environmental concerns left a void that returned us to foliar insecticides requiring frequent crop inspection to support timing based on aphid threshold.

The very high incidence of virus yellows in 2020 was valued at over £65M, equivalent to c.25% yield loss; leading our industry to seek Emergency Authorisation to use NNI on a risk managed basis using the Rothamsted Research model. This successfully permitted the use of NNI seed treatment between 2022 and 2024 with c.60% uptake each year. Now looking to the immediate future, aphicide sprays and varietal tolerance will be our defence options.

Anticipating that the reliance on NNI’s was under threat, Strube actively commenced breeding and ﬁeld trialling for virus yellow tolerance in 2015. This research focus and investment is now delivering the ﬁrst generation of virus yellows tolerant varieties to growers.

ST Tweed for virus yellows tolerance:

Results from the 2024 BBRO Goliath trial showed Strube’s ST Tweed to be highly tolerant to poleroviruses; BChV and BMYV when compared to the controls: (Graph 1 below)

• It’s well documented that the poleroviruses can reduce yield by c.24-27%, and this risk is increased by their greater prevalence in recent years when compared to the closterovirus BYV, that is generally more ﬂuctuating.

• Whilst Strube’s variety Morgan delivered the highest yield and performed well overall, ST Tweed retained c.88% and 95% of its yield against 100% inoculation of BChV and BMYV. This demonstrates ST Tweed’s tolerance to both viruses.

• ST Tweed offers a high level of protection in conjunction with aphicides applied at threshold, before the crop reaches ‘mature plant resistance’ at the 12-14 leaf growth stage.

• Furthermore, ST Tweed is very low bolting and has excellent canopy health scoring 8 out of 9 for Cercospora (2026 RL) and is also better than average for Rust and Powdery Mildew.

Strube Varieties for 2026:

In addition to ST Tweed, we offer Morgan for that is proven to be a reliable and consistent performer.

Button is again well proven and best suited as a Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) tolerant variety where it gives its best performance. Remember, the RL yield data is in the absence of BCN. (Graph 2 below)

Seed Treatment & Packaging:

Strube’s ‘3D+’ prime, pellet and seed pack was commercially available for the ﬁrst time in 2025, attracting new market share. This proven and constantly improved prime and pellet combination matches the Germains Enrich product for performance. These prime and pellet seed treatement options will be available again for growers to chose in 2026.

Additionally, a number of growers who tried our ‘3D+’ this spring commented favourably on the seed packaging and its ease of use in the ﬁeld. This will remain unchanged for 2026.

Looking to the future:

With RAGT’s recent acquisition of Strube, we have greater capability arising from increased investment and resource into sugar beet breeding. The next 10 years will see further signiﬁcant progress to support yield stability through resilient genetics from combinations of multi-tolerance traits. This will be the direction of our candidate pipeline into trialling for national (now VL) listing, then RL listing and commercial reality; breeding progress together.

For more information, contact: Richard Cogman, Strube UK Ltd 07983 314424

r.cogman@strube.net strube.net/en

Graph 1

Graph 2

Biofertiliser keeps drought-stressed beet growing

• Nutrient uptake in dry conditions

• Alternative to artificial fertilisers

• Helps crops reach yield potential

More growers are treating beet crops with nitrogen fixing bacteria biofertilisers to ensure plants have essential nutrients available during key growth stages in dry weather.

Early season applications of Vixeran lock nitrogen fixing capabilities into the plant and the soil biosphere through the growing season – even in dry conditions, says Syngenta technical manager Andy Cunningham.

Early nitrogen has been identified as especially important for the formation of a strong green leaf canopy in

sugar beet. Vixeran applications are seen as a good alternative where artificial fertiliser uptake is compromised.

Recent trials in Holland found that a single Vixeran application at the five to eight leaf stage in sugar beet, delivered a 4 t/ha yield increase and 0.7% improvement in sugar content over a standard140kg N/ha fertiliser input.

Applied before the crop covered the ground, the trial also demonstrated that Vixeran could more than compensate with decent yield and sugar content when the artificial nitrogen was reduced by 40kg/ha.

Resilience

The specific endophytic bacteria strain of Azotobacter salinestris in Vixeran has been selected to work effectively in typical weather conditions in the UK and northern Europe, as well as improving resilience against periods of climatic extremes.

Trials have shown that the opti-

Sugar beet plants benefit from biofertilser availability in dry conditions

Right: The target is to have sufficient leaf area, says Andy Cunningham

mum timing for application in sugar beet is at the four to eight true leaf stage (BBCH 14-18), says Mr Cunningham. In potatoes, it is around the onset of tuber initiation.

“The target is to have sufficient leaf area for uptake into the crop, but also where spray can reach the soil and colonise the root zone with the nitrogen

fixing bacteria, which will convert atmospheric nitrogen into available nutrient for the plant.

“That’s essential when the crops are going through rapid vegetative growth and setting the all-important yield potential for root development.”

With some areas receiving just 5-10% of average rainfall during March and the first three weeks of April, particularly in the primary root crop areas of eastern England, nutrient availability of applied artificial fertiliser was seriously limited.

Crop growth

Soil temperatures in most areas remained optimal for Vixeran biofertiliser activity, which quickly starts to generate readily available nitrogen to match crop growth – even in dry conditions, says Mr Cunningham.

For ease of application, Vixeran is tank-mix compatible with Priori Gold/ Angle disease control in sugar beet –and with blight fungicides including Revus and Evagio Forte in potatoes.

Viceran can also be applied at the same timing with Quantis biostimulant, to manage temperature stress in both root crops.

5 TIPS FOR A BETTER HARVEST

For many producers Harvest is the busiest time of the year. It is no surprise then, with so many other pressures converging on this narrow window, that the role played by material handling equipment is often something that gets overlooked or left until the last minute.

However, it is worth remembering that the machines that help lift, grade, transport and store the produce present a meaningful opportunity to increase the e ciency of the harvest process and can reduce overall cost.

Impact Handling, the leading material handling specialist, who has long served the UK agricultural sector, shares its top 5 tips to help farmers optimise the performance of their handling ﬂeet during this important time.

1) GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT

Space is often at a premium during the high volume production of harvest season, so how that space is used should be considered very carefully. Used well, it could be an opportunity to increase capacity, speed up throughput and reduce cost. Challenge your handling supplier to come up with better ways to use your space, including improving how you store and move boxes or pallets. The latest generation of equipment can, for example, stack higher and operate in tighter spaces.

Emissions, both in terms of their wider global impact and the more immediate working environment, are becoming increasingly important for producers and farmers. Today there are many innovative and capable solutions that allow companies to hit their green targets without compromising on their site productivity. Again, make sure your priorities are extended to your material handling partner. If they are not able to support you, there are others who can.

Always think about what you want your handling equipment to do, rather than what you can do with your handling equipment. Challenge your equipment supplier to ﬁnd better solutions that ﬁt around you.

2) SELECT THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

A good supplier will be able to o er you a very broad range of equipment from a number of specialist brands. As produce handling presents its own unique challenges, look for a dedicated or custom solution speciﬁc to your needs and ambitions, rather than a generic solution. You will be surprised how much advantage this can bring.

The latest generation of 3.5 tonne diesel machines from Cat® Lift Trucks, for example, are available with 6m triple masts able to carry two standard potato boxes at a time and stack seven high at a height of 6m, all within a remarkable aisle width of just 3800mm.

Attachment technology has come a long way too with versatile rotators suitable for box tipping and grading available for many machines. Think about future plans as well, such as moving to larger boxes, and make sure your equipment can grow with you.

When looking at your material handling you need to think about your end-to-end ﬂow, from the initial lifting of the harvested crop through to the loading and unloading of transportation. A good handling supplier will be able to identify areas for improved e ciency and cost reduction throughout the chain, or perhaps suggest a more e cient approach. At Impact, for example, we have worked with 100s of producers so have very broad real world experience of best practices and have created many ingenious solutions to handling challenges. Make sure you take advantage of your supplier’s expertise.

Sourcing all your handling equipment from one supplier can be a further opportunity to reduce cost and streamline your operation, not to mention outsource the maintenance of the ﬂeet. A good supplier should carry a full range of ride on and walk behind equipment, to cover all your needs.

3) CHOOSE THE RIGHT POWER SOURCE

This is the area where agricultural material handling is currently seeing the biggest change. Traditionally, diesel and gas have been the go-to power source for farming and largely still are. However, electric powered machines have ﬁnally come of age, often exceeding the performance of their IC counterparts, particularly in restricted space environments.

The latest Cat Electric 3.5 tonne machines, for example, o er useful additional handling capability, with a lifting capacity of 2.7 tonnes at 6.5m, when speciﬁed with wide stance tyres, enabling stacking of larger box sizes up to seven high, while lifting 2 boxes at a time. A useful advantage over the equivalent diesel model – itself a market leader in terms of its performance and lifting capacities.

Previously this lifting capability was only available by increasing the machines’ chassis to a 4 tonne size, which is inherently larger, more costly and less manoeuvrable.

Technological advances have also brought new intelligent electric charging solutions that can help manage shift patterns, charging schedules and maintenance –

removing yet further barriers. The machines also bring welcome fuel cost savings and carbon reduction beneﬁts too.

This is particularly beneﬁcial to indoor food production locations where the ‘no direct emmissions’ nature of electric machines safeguards air quality for both the produce and the operational team. Where sites have their own solar or wind energy generation, there are even further savings to be found.

Power supply to the site can in some cases be a challenge. At Impact we can advise customers through the process and structure contracts to help mitigate initial set up costs, be sure to explore your options.

While most of the limitations of electric machines have now been addressed, make sure your handling supplier responds to your individual needs and preferences, Diesel and LPG are still the right solution for many sites.

4) START PLANNING AT THE RIGHT TIME

Although the harvest season may be a few months away, it is never too soon to start planning. Remember, your handling ﬂeet can help you maximise your productivity, save

time and reduce cost. It is worth allowing extra time to get it right. Your handling supplier will also need time to explore – and even create – unique solutions to optimise your operation.

Bringing in short term hire equipment is a popular option during harvest, act early and you will be able to negotiate the best deals and access the widest choice of equipment.

5) FIND THE RIGHT PARTNER

Although your handling equipment won’t be your ﬁrst priority during your harvest season planning, it does have the potential to be one of the biggest headache should it not go to plan – If you are unable to move produce the whole production chain can grind to a halt.

This is why identifying and appointing the right handling partner, who has the infrastructure to respond rapidly, is critical to the e ectiveness of your operation during this time. The sooner this is in place the better.

At Impact, we take a consultative approach with our customers. Listening carefully to their priorities, we o er impartial advice and

conduct thorough site surveys to ensure that we recommend the most e cient possible handling solutions. Ones that are exactly right for the customers speciﬁc operation. We always aim to use as few machines as possible, designing and engineering bespoke solutions where necessary, to extract every last possible e ciency from the facility.

We hold a huge stock of machines speciﬁed to the unique needs of food producers ready for the harvest season, including customised lift trucks, attachments, pallet trucks and even cleaning equipment, almost all of which is available on a purchase, rental or short term hire basis, giving our customers the ﬂexibility to scale their needs, when they need it.

Not only do we help our customers achieve their commercial and sustainability goals but, through our training division, we can also ensure they meet their accreditation objectives too.

Whoever you end up choosing to work with, make sure they are willing to go that extra mile, you will reap the rewards come harvest time!

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• Improved nutrient use efficiency

• Creates the ideal conditions for soil microbes to thrive

• Calcium enhances soil structure and root development

to our expert team about LimeX

service 0800 090 2376

Livestock

Net zero beef ‘now a reality’

Four-year trial sees good results

Beef cattle reared on a grassrich regenerative farming system can store more carbon than they emit – helping to mitigate climate change, suggests a study.

Results from the McDonald’s-sponsored project at FAI Farms could see farmers and food companies to back up their net zero balance with solid scientific findings, says soil carbon specialist Agricarbon.

The four-year trial saw FAI Farms introduce switch its rotationally grazed 486ha organic farm in Oxfordshire to an adaptive multi-paddock grazing system.

Cattle became healthier, soil structure and biodiversity improved – and staff were happier, it said.

Carbon balance

The farm’s carbon balance was calculated to be beyond net zero (-49.7t of CO2e), thanks to a combination of relatively low emissions and carbon sequestration on permanent pasture.

“We’ve known for some time that healthy soil can sequester high amounts of carbon, and it’s fantastic that these figures can form part of the growing global evidence to back this up,” said Harry Kamilaris at Agricarbon.

“Our data supports companies like McDonald’s with their commit ments for sustainable sourcing from carbon-rich and healthy soils. It allows them to reduce emissions in their sup ply chain by supporting farmers to in troduce advanced grazing practices.”

Baseline emissions

Agricarbon undertook the sampling for the soil carbon baseline in May 2022 across three key fields, with re sults indicating a total carbon stock of 3,977t - an average of 107t/ha.

“When taken alongside our gross emissions, the results suggest that the farm as a whole is beyond net zero, which is in part due to low emissions, alongside carbon sequestration in our permanent pastures,” says Karl Wil liams at FAI Farms.

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing system sees cattle graze intensively on tall pastures for a short time before moving on. This means a longer recovery period for pasture to regenerate – increasing grass yields and the possibility of winter grazing.

The farm bought in a small amount of feed for its 90 dairy store animals. The 80 suckler cows and followers were sustained purely from grazing and forage produced on the farm, says Mr Williams.

Organic matter

Soil organic matter increased from an average of 7.6% to 9.2% at 0-10cm depth, and from 2.7 to 4.4% at 3050cm depth. Active carbon increased by an average of 5% at 0-10cm depth and 81% at 30-50cm depth across the three key fields.

Laboratory soil analysis over the four-year trial showed highlights the importance of measuring throughout the full soil profile to provide a complete picture of the soil carbon dynamics beyond the topsoil alone.

“As soil organic carbon builds rela

FOCUS ON BEEF & DAIRY

Scottish calf project aims to boost on-farm productivity

An innovative calf shed is helping to reduce respiratory disease in youngstock.

The shed is being developed by livestock specialists Galebreaker and researchers from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Funded by Digital Dairy Chain, the project promises cost savings and productivity improvements for the sector.

The new calf building is designed with a calf centred approach, meaning ventilation and the optimised environment is at the core of the design. It has been constructed on Ross Vance’s High Skeog Farm in Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway.

Daily liveweight gain and animal behaviour is being monitored through WellCalf sensor records. Lung scanning and farm treatments are also being monitored, with final results expected this autumn.

Dairy farms battling key livestock disease, study finds

Significant losses on many farms

Four in five UK dairy herds have experienced cryptosporidiosis – with significant financial and welfare implications, say researchers.

Some 84% of farmers surveyed by Harper Adams University said they had dealt with outbreaks of the disease, which causes severe watery diarrhoea. Nearly 60% rating the severity as 7 or higher, with 10 being the most severe.

The survey of 63 farmers from across the UK in spring 2024 highlighted financial losses ranging from £300 to £30,000, with 68% of respondents citing financial strain due to increased vet bills, extended rearing times, and lower sale values.

Almost three-quarters (70%) of respondents said affected calves were less profitable, with poor growth rates being the most common reason. Additional costs include increased labour for managing sick calves.

Understanding infection

This mirrors other UK studies, which show that calves infected within the first 16 days of life gained significantly less weight over six months, leading to a potential £161 reduction in sale price per calf.

Cryptosporidiosis occurs when calves ingest the parasitic protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), which produces vast numbers of encysted eggs (oocysts) shed in the faeces of infected animals.

Calves between five days and two weeks of age are most affected, with symptoms including colic (gut pain), reduced feed intake, watery scour and dehydration, according to the study by animal production science gradu ate Alice Powell.

Devastating disease

After witnessing the devastating ef fects of C. parvum firsthand, Ms Pow ell decided to work as a ruminant spe cialist at Massey Feeds – a company offering specialist feed and milk prod ucts to support calf health.

“On one farm I worked at, there were a lot of calf deaths – and the calves were severely dehydrated” she

“You could just smell it in the sheds. After testing, they found they had C. parvum, so they became very strict about cleaning, disinfecting, and colostrum management.”

Ms Powell says the farm even invested in new calf accommodation with non-permeable surfaces that were easier to clean and disinfect.

Her study revealed gaps in biosecurity and prevention. Some measures ranked as most important also had a high number of farmers stating they were not important, said Ms Powell.

Good hygiene

Some 28 farmers considered thorough cleaning of feeding equipment very important, while 18 disagreed, stating it was not important. But four in five farmers reported cleaning and disinfecting after an outbreak.

More than half of respondents were using preventive measures, with cleaning equipment, good colostrum management, and correct calving protocols ranked as the most effective.

One issue raised was that many farmers were either using the wrong disinfectant or unaware that only certain disinfectants are effective against cryptosporidiosis.

Having the correct electrolyte protocol is also crucial. Some farmers mentioned adding electrolytes to milk, but this can affect the osmolali-

“Electrolytes must be provided separately from milk feeds.”

Kat Baxter-Smith from MSD Animal Health highlighted the multifactorial nature of managing infectious calf scour. She added: “No single solution exists, but good biosecurity, vaccination, nutrition, and hygiene help minimise disease problems.”

Vaccine demand

The research also gauged awareness of Bovilis Cryptium, the first-ever vaccine for cryptosporidiosis. At the time of the survey, it was not yet available in the UK, having only been launched in late 2024.

But 81% of respondents who were aware of the vaccine said they would use it, citing better calf welfare, reduced mortality and improved productivity as key reasons for wanting ac-

Administered to pregnant cows in the third trimester, the vaccine requires two doses given 4-5 weeks apart, with the final dose completed at least three weeks before calving. For subsequent pregnancies, a single

nancy, antibodies against C. parvum cal signs of disease in newborn calves,”

giene, vaccination can significantly

ers interested in further information

Healthy calves mean healthier profits

Kat BaxterSmith: Take action to reduce infection

Pioneering Quality Feed Additives

Updated guidance aimed to protect flocks at shearing

New guidelines aim to reduce disease risks to sheep at shearing as the sector strives to maintain flock health this season.

As shearing gets into full swing, the National Sheep Association (NSA) and other industry bodies are reminding farmers that good biosecurity hinges on effective communication between different parties.

“There is a joint responsibility between farmers and shearers” says Nerys Wright, independent sheep consultant and technical adviser to the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group.

Disinfection plan

“If your shearer doesn’t know that your flock has been affected by a contagious disease, such as scab, they may unknowingly spread it”.

The first step is to be honest with your shearer and tell them if you have scab or something else contagious, adds Ms Wright. “They might decide to shear your farm last or agree a disinfection plan before they leave”.

Other sheep, shearing equipment, clothing, shearing trailers, and shearers themselves can all present a disease risk unless steps are taken by farmers and shearing contractors to reduce risks and ensure cleanliness.

Farmers are also reminded that applying pour-on products too close to

shearing can reduce their effective ness and absorption and pose health risks to shearers and wool handlers.

Handling procedure

Recommendations should be fol lowed to ensure safe and responsible handling and application relating to treatments on the wool to avoid un necessary waste and potential adverse reactions.

NSA chief executive Phil Stock er said: "It is vital that all involved in shearing ensure they are working at the highest possible standard and following best practice guidelines to ensure optimum health and welfare of both sheep and handlers is maintained.”

ease spread can be found in the Industry Guidance on Shearing, which has been recently updated to reflect an increased focus on animal health.

Best practice guidelines help to ensure good flock health and welfare

Detailed guidance on how farmers and shearers can share responsibility for animal welfare and avoid dis-

By following these guidelines, farmers and shearing contractors can cooperate to significantly reduce the risk of disease spread and ensure a healthier flock during shearing season.

Guidelines for sheep health at shearing

Health status - Agree on what steps will be taken to safeguard health status and prevent disease spread. Foot rot, particularly contagious ovine digital dermatitis, scab, lice, ticks and caseous lymphadenitis should be discussed.

Disinfect - Shearers should clean and disinfect combs and cutters, shearing trailers, and change clothes (including moccasins) after finishing with each flock. Remember to assist shearers by helping with any cleaning and disinfecting procedures where you can

Royal award for industry leader

Dairy industry leader Judith Bryans has received a royal award in recognition of her outstanding lifetime contribution to the dairy industry.

Dr Bryans, who is chief executive of Dairy UK, was presented with the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers Princess Royal Award during a special ceremony at Gatcombe Park, celebrating excellence and leadership within the sector.

The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the dairy industry. Selected by the RABDF board of trustees, Dr Bryans was chosen unanimously as this year’s winner.

Dr Bryans began her career as direc tor of the Dairy Council before taking the helm at Dairy UK in 2013. She has driven the Dairy Roadmap, which out lines the sector’s sustainability goals and commitments.

Life's work

Dr Bryans said: “The dairy industry continues to be my life’s work. I am in credibly proud of the progress we have made in strengthening the sector, im proving sustainability, and ensuring a bright future for the next generation of dairy farmers."

RABDF chairman Robert Craig said: "Dr Bryans’ contribution to the dairy sector is truly remarkable. Her

Reduce exposure - Shear younger, fitter sheep first, followed by older and less healthy sheep to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Personal hygiene – Everyone handling sheep should wash hands frequently and clean and disinfect boots.

Clean and disinfect - Sheep with obvious issues that could infect the handpiece, such as orf, scab, or lumps should prompt the shearer to stop, change/disinfect combs and cutters and other items. Wash hands where necessary.

leadership and vision have not only shaped the future of the UK dairy industry but have also had a far-reaching impact on the global stage.”

Royal presents the award to Judith Bryans

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Harnessing data for better flock management

Like it or loathe it, electronic identification in the sheep sector has made monitoring lamb growth rates easier than ever, writes Nerys Wright.

Although official aggregated data is unavailable – and much of the research is diet-specific – knowing the daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of your lambs is invaluable when it comes to improving crop performance.

Lamb weight gain can vary significantly based on factors such as age (as feed conversion ratio declines with age), grazing quality, feed availability, parasite burden, and overall flock health.

Additionally, ewe condition and milk production play crucial roles.

If ewes maintain condition from tup-

ping, mobilising body fat during lactation helps with milk production. However, ewes under condition at lambing will struggle to achieve optimum milk yield and may end up thinner by weaning.

Natural peak milk yield occurs 3-4 weeks post-lambing, after which milk production decreases, encouraging lambs to forage and develop their rumen. Keeping ewes well-fed during lactation maximises peak milk yield and benefits lamb performance.

It's easy to suggest a target, but it's not one-size-fits-all. Growth rates vary by management group, lamb age, weather, and diseases such as lameness, parasites, and trace element deficiencies.

Generally, we aim for lambs to reach 20 kg at 8 weeks and 30 kg at weaning (12 weeks). This can be adjusted according to past flock performance and individual farm conditions.

Monitoring worms based on daily live-weight gain al-

No one-size-fits-all for maximum growth rates

lows us to treat underperforming lambs. But you need to know how well wormers work on your farm throughout the year. If worming a proportion of the flock, use an effective product.

Nerys Wright is an independent sheep consultant. For more details, call 07891 187643 or visit sheepconsultancy.co.uk.

Blowfly warning for region’s sheep farmers

Sheep farmers are being advised to apply insect growth regulator to flocks amid an increased risk of blowfly strike.

The free Blowfly Watch service, run in partnership with NADIS, uses a combination of factors – including soil temperature and humidity – raised its blowfly strike risk warning last month.

Matt Colston, ruminant technical consultant at Elanco, says producers should consider early preventative action when the service issues risk alerts in your area. Farmers can protect flocks by applying an insect growth regulator, he adds

“Damage happens fast – it can take as little as 36 hours from an egg being laid on a sheep to maggots eating its flesh – so prevention is better than waiting to see a struck lamb before treating the whole flock.”

Mr Colston says the CLiK range of growth protectors provides options for all types of sheep, whatever the management system –with protection ranging from eight to 19 weeks, and meat withdrawal periods ranging from seven to 40 days.

Top tips

Mr Colston’s top tips for applying a preventative treatment include using an appropriate applicator gun with a fan spray nozzle. This should be carefully calibrate it before use, he says.

The correct dose should be applied to a

clean fleece, with any dirty animals clipped or dagged before application. The product should be applied in a band about 10cm wide, holding the gun about 45cm from the sheep.

Mr Colston says the efficacy of preventative treatment relies on the product being applied to clean sheep – aided by effective worm control, as well as actions such as dagging and timely shearing.

“Worm management plays a valuable role in preventing strike, because scouring, due to worms, can cause dirty backends and encourage flies. Regular faecal egg counting will help identify worm burdens early and prompt treatment before lambs scour.”

Preventative treatments should always be properly and carefully applied

Water system helps improve pig and poultry production

An innovative project aimed at boosting efficiency and productivity in the livestock industry through enhanced water technology is gaining momentum.

British agri-tech firm Oxcel has reported successful outcomes from Innovate UK-funded trials, confirming that its nano-oxygen-enhanced water technology delivers significant benefits for both farmers and the environment.

The trials were carried out with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Oxcel said its plug-in farm-ready solution yielded promising results for the UK’s the intensive livestock industry.

The system enhances dissolved oxygen levels in drinking water, helping to increase levels of animal welfare, productivity and carbon efficiency –all without requiring changes to farm infrastructure.

Better performance

Field trials with poultry producers reported reduced mortality, fewer abattoir rejections and increased carcass weights. Pig trials resulted in faster growth rates, improved feed efficiency, reduced feed intake and slaughter weights five days earlier.

SRUC’s research showed oxy gen-enriched drinking water signifi cantly improved broiler welfare indi cators, including reducing hock burns and white striping, better feather con dition and improved gut health.

SRUC professor of poultry nutri tion Farina Khattak suggested the system could offer a farmers a prac tical and scalable water supply. “Wa ter quality is vital for animal health, yet it is often overlooked,” she said.

“Our research demonstrated that oxygen-enriched water can signifi cantly enhance both welfare and meat quality, offering farmers a practical, non-pharmaceutical solution to im prove production standards.”

Simple system

At the core of the system is a simple, nanobubble delivery system that quadruples the amount of dissolved oxygen in drinking water. Commercial trials have shown that welfare improvements and profit increases can go hand in hand.

By enhancing gut health and resilience, this technology enables farmers to achieve higher animal welfare standards, greater liveweight gains and better farm economics without disrupting existing infrastructure.

The system enhances dissolved oxygen levels in drinking water

Oxcel said founder and chief executive Alex Leigh said the company engaging with investors to scale up the technology – delivering better profits for farmers while reducing the environmental impact of meat production.

Fiona Short, livestock innovation lead at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said the project was an excellent example of how Innovate UK funding could successfully bring industry and academia together to enhance livestock production.

Livetec Systems acquires Jonah’s Handling

Poultry handling specialist Jonah’s Han dling has been acquired by livestock bi osecurity and protection experts Livet ec Systems.

Jonah’s Handling has more than 18 years of experience across Norfolk and Lincolnshire, particularly in the turkey sector. The acquisi tion strengthens Livetec’s position with an ex panded portfolio, says Livetect managing direc tor Gordon Samet.

“Welcoming Jonah’s Handling into the Live tec portfolio is a major step in expanding our of fering to deliver an even broader range of ser vices to meet the poultry industry’s increasing needs,” he explains.

“This acquisition enables us to offer fully integrated, end-to-end depopulation and han dling services, positioning us to better support our clients in overcoming operational challeng es, enhancing efficiency, and improving over all resilience.

£50m grant fund opens for farm tech and equipment

• Latest launch of FETF grants

• Six-week application window

• Goal to boost farming profits

Amulti-million-pound fund opens for applications this month to boost farm profitability, productivity and food security.

The £46.7 million Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) offers three types of grant – each worth up to £25,000. It can be used to purchase machinery and equipment, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare.

The aim is to help reduce farm costs while increasing efficiency and sustainability. Examples include seed-drilling systems which cut costs, arable yield monitors, or slurry separator systems to reduce reliance on fertiliser.

A £5 million Investor Partnerships programme will blend government grant money with private investment to bring cutting edge technology to market, giving farmers faster and more widespread access to state-ofthe-art innovations.

Defra farm minister Daniel Zeich-

ner said: “Equipment and technology help drive farming forward and we will work with investors to fund more resilient, sustainable farms boosting profitability, productivity and food security."

Plan for Change

Mr Zeichner added: “This is the Plan for Change in action and these grants will help provide our farmers with the equipment necessary to adapt, compete, and grow no matter what challenges lie ahead.”

A successful pilot has already reduced reliance on seasonal labour through bringing high-yield broccoli harvesters to market and helped crops grow healthier and faster without chemicals by using new seed cleaning technologies.

The government has repeatedly said it wants to increase the profitability of the farming industry. Defra says the new grant will help to protect food supply chains – and also create a

Funding includes grants to help purchase arable machinery

“Technology helps driving farming forward

New leader for GWCT Allerton Project

Alice Mead has been appointed head of the GWCT Allerton Project, which researches the benefits of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment.

With a background in sustainable agriculture and regenerative practices, Ms Mead brings over a decade of hands-on experience helping farmers adapt to environmental change and adopt more collaborative approaches.

Alastair Leake, who over 25 years has been instrumental to the Allerton Project’s success, will continue as project director while extending his broader role as policy director for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Dr Leake said: “I am delighted to hand over the reins of management to Alice to take the project forward to the next stage at a both exciting yet challenging time for farming and the environment. There is no better person to take up this challenge.”

Before joining Allerton almost three years ago, Ms Mead spent seven years with the Linking Environment and Farming charity (LEAF). She said: “I look forward to driving forward our work—developing new initiatives, filling knowledge gaps, and enhancing communication so that our research leads to tangible improvements on farms and in the broader countryside.”

more sustainable agricultural sector.

The announcement follows £45.6m in funding to help drive the development of new inventions and technologies, helping farmers increase their profits, boost food production and help nature.

Defra has published a list of eligible items which can be funded using a FETF grant. Some items, scores and specifications in this list have changed from those available until the FETF last year. Some equipment may no longer be eligible.

The grant is competitive, which means applicants may not receive all the funding they apply for. Farmers are expected to part-fund the purchase of new equipment rather than receiving the total cost of a new machine.

The only application window for all FETF 2025 grants will open on Thursday 29 May and will close at midday on 10 July 2025. Applications submitted after this time will not be accepted, says Defra.

For full details, bit.ly/FETF2025

Alice Mead: an exciting yet challenging time for the UK farming sector

‘Partnership approach delivers best results’

EXPERT VIEW

FWorking together is a sensible strategy in challenging times, says Brian Richardson

arming has faced more than its fair share of challenges in recent times. Changes to inheritance tax and to support arrangements are just two major issues to mention. But individual farms will have seen many others as they look to future-proof their businesses.

Given the challenges and the increasing complexity around how farming businesses plan effectively for the future, it is essential farmers plug into their professional support to help them understand their options.

Good investment

Time spent with trusted land agents, accountants, solicitors and bank managers is

a good investment as it helps farmers better understand the challenges and the best solutions.

Recent inheritance tax changes will affect a significant number of farm businesses, with little time to plan for families getting to grips with the changes.

In many cases, I have seen farmers use their professional advisors to seek the views of the wider family and then use this feedback to refine plans, based on a clearer understanding and consideration of the family members’ ambitions going forward.

as a specialist consultant to the table, to have a fresh look at what’s happening.

The quality of professional support in the agricultural sector and the close, long standing relationships advisors have with their farming clients is well known.

With all the changes happening in the sector, farmers need to make time to plan for the future and involve professionals and advisors at an early stage to help with the process.

Sometimes to generate new ideas and inspiration, it also helps invite a new face such

We often find ourselves working together with other professionals to make sure the best outcome is achieved for the client.

This sharing of knowledge is important, as is the continuity it can bring, given the long term nature of the industry. Teamwork ensures the business’s strategy is undertaken efficiently and cost-effectively Brian Richardson, is UK head of agriculture at Virgin Money.

Trusted advisers are an important part of any successful team

Regenerative agriculture in spotlight

• More growers rethinking rotation

• How change rebuilds soil health

• Range of opportunities available

Soil health and economic pressures will be discussed at a dedicated Regenerative Agriculture conference at this month’s Cereals event.

Hosted by BASE UK and sponsored by sponsored by Tees Law, the conference will run across both days of the event – held on 11-12 June at Heath Farm, near Leadenham, Lincolnshire.

Speakers and farmers will discuss practical, resilient solutions to the challenges faced by arable growers – with an increasing number of producers rethinking their rotations and management systems.

“It is especially exciting as knowledge exchange is the foundation of our organisation, and the majority of our speakers are members,” explained BASE UK administrator Rebecca Goodwin.

“This highlights the wealth of knowledge, expertise and innova-

tion that exists within our network. Our members work with the system day after day and can provide practical insights and expertise to the industry discussions.”

BASE UK chairman Edwin Taylor believes the push towards regenerative methods is being fuelled by necessity, rather than ideology – although there is some of that too among regenerative farmers.

Mr Taylor said: “As a result of seeing a significant decline in the resilience and workability of their soils, many farmers are exploring changes to their farming practices to rebuild soil health.

Some may have investigated this option when the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) offered support for this transition, but even without such schemes there are still many compelling benefits and reasons to adopt regenerative practices.”

Range of enterprises

In a session called ‘Enterprise stacking – the regen way’, BASE UK member Seb Richardson will discuss how he uses different enterprises on his family farm to achieve multiple benefits.

A fifth-generation farmer, Mr Richardson farms beef and arable in partnership with his parents across 700ha of Northamptonshire. The farm has been regenerative since 2019, when the fam-

ily turned to a non-plough based system.

Regenerative farming offers an opportunity to stack enterprises in the same field, says Mr Richardson, who has introduced Sustainable Farming Incentive options, carbon credits, livestock integration and bi-cropping.

“We still focus on food production, but enterprise stacking allows us to do this while diver-

Resilience and prosperity are key farming focus

Norfolk farmer Emily Norton says strengthening the industry’s prosperity will be her focus as chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Speaking following her appointment last month, Ms Norton said she was proud to take on the role of AHDB chair at a pivotal time for British agriculture. She takes up the reins at the AHDB for three years from 1 June.

"My professional focus has always been on strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of the UK’s food and farming sectors,” she said. “I look forward to working with stakeholders across the industry to deliver on that mission.”

Experience

Ms Norton has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector. She is partner in an 80ha ar-

able farm and has previously held several executive roles – including head of rural research at land agents Savills.

Defra farm minister Daniel Zeichner said Ms Norton’s leadership and extensive experience across a diverse range of sectors would bring fresh perspective and strategic insight to the AHDB.

Mr Zeichner added: “I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to champion our world-class farmers and food producers – driving rural economic growth and strengthening food security.

Dedicated

Supported by board member and Cambridgeshire farmer Stephen Briggs, who has been appointed AHDB deputy chair, Ms Norton succeeds Nicholas Saphir, who is stepping down after more than five years as AHDB chairman.

Mr Saphir said: "I have served as AHDB chair for the last five years during which time it has been an honour and a pleasure to have worked with some amazing ly dedicated and knowledgeable board members and staff.

Together we have delivered a significant change in the way in which AHDB serves our levy payers. I leave AHDB, the board and team, well positioned to play their part in providing 'the key that unlocks the future of Brit ish agriculture’.

“I’m delighted that Emi ly Norton will be stepping into the role as Chair of AHDB. Emi ly brings a wealth of experience through her background in run ning a family farming business as well as her work as a highly re spected strategic and policy ad visor.”

Emily Norton: ‘fresh perspective and insight’

at Cereals event

Cereals offers a range of attractions for arable growers

No subsidy

Recently, Mr Aynsley has explored enterprise stacking as a way to plan for the future. “If you don’t prepare to work with no subsidy, then you may be on the back foot in a few years’ time,” he says.

“Food production is not at the top of this government’s priorities, so events like Cereals are important; as no matter how old you are there’s always something new that can be learnt.”

sifying the farm. We were able to join the SFI before it closed. Hopefully by the time Cereals comes around we will know more about the next SFI.”

Farm manager John Aynsley, who farms just under 1,600ha on the Skelton Estate in north Yorkshire, will also be sharing his journey at the conference, drawing on more than a decade of experience in conservation agriculture.

Stacking enterprises, like integrating livestock with arable rotations, is important for a farm’s profitability, says Mr Aynsley. It provides a more resilient income stream, which helps cashflow.

“It’s not always about directly grazing arable land but using livestock elements – such as applying manure – on arable land, although grazing can be a great opportunity for younger people with small flocks and mobile pens to get involved.”

Graham Wilkinson to step down as AHDB CEO

AHDB chief executive Graham Wilkinson is stepping down to join global food company Sofina Foods as group agriculture director.

Mr Wilkinson will leave his post towards the end of 2025 – little more than 18 months after he joined the organisation. He has pledged “business as usual” at the AHDB until his departure date.

“I am extremely proud of the team and what we have achieved together on behalf of levy payers,” said Mr Wilkinson. “The organisation is energised with a new vision and strategy that is laser focused on delivering value.”

Mr Wilkinson’s departure was announced just a day after the appointment of Norfolk farmer Emily Norton as AHDB chairman. But the two decisions are said to be coincidental, rather than linked.

Speaking about the next few months, Mr Wilkinson said: “Emily Norton will have my full support over the coming months in her new role as chair of AHDB and I remain fully committed until I leave towards the end of the year.

“For now, it’s business as usual. My leadership team and I will continue to deliver the ambitious plans that we have set out for levy payers.”

Graham Wilkinson: standing down

Farm of the Future initiative receives extra funding

Further funding has been secured for farmers wanting to introduce practices that enhance biodiversity, accelerate progress towards net zero and improve their business resilience.

Innovation for Agriculture has received funding to continue delivering the RASE Farm of the Future initiative in 2025 and 2026, which the charity delivers on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).

Running since 2023, the Farm of the Future initiative includes demonstration days, farm walks and study tours, all of which have been free to access for farmers. The additional funding was awarded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Innovation for Agriculture head of soils Deborah Crossan said the project had brought together more than 400 participants from a range of systems and farm sizes, to see and discuss technologies and in-

novative practices.

to see practices in action in a farm setting has proven invaluable in terms of providing real and relevant examples of how progress ing towards net zero or increasing biodiver sity can enhance farm business resilience.

Sparking ideas

“Having funding for another two years means we can reach more farmers and fa cilitate more discussions, which in turn will spark ideas for attendees of the Farm of the Future events to take home and apply to their own businesses."

2026, the project will deliver a further 12 events for farmers, taking place through out the UK. Events are free – but booking is essential because places are limited. For full details about the initiative, please visit farmofthefuture.co.uk.

Deborah Crossan: Turning ideas into action

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FINAL SAY Fen Tiger

Deal or no deal?

Like it or not, Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade agreements are bad news for British farmers, says Fen Tiger

What is it about us older farmers? Do we just not understand stuff? Has our thought process slowed down so much we are losing touch with reality?

Having briefly read the statement by Keir Starmer, I cannot for the life of me see how the UK-US trade deal announced by London and Washington will benefit British industry or farming – let alone consumers.

So far, details are lacking. Neither the Americans nor the British governments have published any worthwhile information about the agreement – or tariffs. At least not enough for us to make an informed decision on its implications.

Market access

The finer details are expected to be settled in the coming weeks, as politicians like to say. But it is already clear that anyone hoping

It is clear tariffs will remain “

Donald Trump will scale down his demands for more market access to the UK is likely to be disappointed.

The flat-rate across-the-board 10% tariff announced by Trump on UK goods imported into the USA remains. This is being lauded as a good thing – presumably because it is lower than the feared 25% tariff everyone else seems to be paying.

Rather than nothing, which would be sensible, the White House has – so it seems –merely agreed to scale down the levies it wanted to impose while claiming it has secured positive changes for sales of American beef into British markets.

And even though steelmakers and car manufacturers seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at the reduced tariff rate, it is still clear that tariffs will remain for some time to come. So everyone will pay the price for Trump’s political posturing.

Beef industry

The American Beef Association said it welcomed the new beef deal for America. But more work is needed. British beef farmers have not been so positive with many expressing concerns about the impact on our domestic beef industry.

Concerns voiced by farmers and consumers for a number of years centre on the food production methods used in the USA.

This includes hormone treated beef and chlorine washed chicken. Many agree that British farmers simply cannot compete with cheaper imports produced using methods that would be illegal here: hormone beef because of safety fears and chlorine chicken because it masks dirty farming practices.

True, the British public might want cheaper food. But sometimes people also lack the understanding of where it comes from. Yes, the price of beef from my local butcher is considerably more than the supermarkets but it is also far superior in quality.

Ethanol

It’s not just about meat either. The removal of UK tariffs on American ethanol could be the final nail in the coffin for many bioethanol plants here in the UK. And that has implications for UK growers who keep them fed with wheat.

A recent statement from AB Foods chief executive George Weston said the company’s bioethanol plant in Hull has already faced significant problems due to subsidised ethanol imports.

Now we face a flood of tariff-free ethanol imports that will only make the situation worse. It seems the British government's concessions on beef and ethanol were in return for favourable terms for steel and the car industry.

Once again, this government’s attitude and lack of understanding towards British farming rears its ugly head. No wonder a significant number of growers are warning that this harvest may be the final straw for many farms.