Essential Farm Machinery

Essential Farm

covering East Anglia and the Midlands

BALING & WRAPPING

At KUHN, we have been innovating for over 190 years to preserve the feed value of your forage

KUHN offers the most versatile range of balers and wrappers available on the market. Our balers are built with field performance, quality and density in mind, while our wrappers perfectly complement KUHN’s cost-efficient, ecologic and ergonomic bale wrapping solutions

ROUND BALERS

ROUND BALE WRAPPERS www. co.uk

BALER-WRAPPER COMBINATIONS

LARGE SQUARE BALERS

6% rise in farm contracting prices

Farm contractor prices are set to rise following increases in national insurance and rising costs.

Average prices are expected to rise by 5.7% – although individual operations could rise by more, according to annual survey results published by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).

For the first time, the NAAC asked its members if they put up their prices annually by a percentage to reflect increasing costs. If so, they were asked what percentage rise they would introduce to cover inflation and labour increases this year.

The average increase is 5.7%, although there was a wide var-

Editor:

Johann Tasker | T: 07967 634971

E: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Advertising sales:

Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862

E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk

Advertisement production:

Jade Soanes | T: 01502 725840

E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

Essential Farm Machinery is published monthly for farmers and growers in the eastern counties and the Midlands. It is mailed with Anglia Farmer and Midland Farmer magazines and is also available at selected farm machinery and supplies outlets.

Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suﬀolk IP18 6DH

T: 01502 725800

Printed by Micropress Ltd, Suﬀolk T: 01502 725800

iation of predicted rises from 2-12%. The survey has shown a range of price changes reflecting a similar margin, in a general upwards trend.

Trusted partnership

NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt said: ‘A trusted partnership between a professional contractor and farmer will be essential this season to successfully and safely look after the soil, environment, livestock and cropping.”

Many contractors would have vast knowledge working on different soil types, with different cropping and cultivations, explained Ms Hewitt.

Contractors investing in machinery, staff and technology brought huge benefits on farm.

But professionalism came at a price and 2025 prices had generally gone up to take account of inflation and employment costs – although carefully calculated costs on both sides of a partnership would ensure everyone could benefit.’

NAAC members are encouraged to use the NAAC costings tool. As machinery expenditure continues to climb, prices should be calculated to ensure businesses kept pace with depreciation and replacement costs, said Ms Hewitt.

Price increases reﬂect inﬂation and rises in national insurance

Hugh Pearl Lane Drainage has over 60 years experience of contracting, and can supply all of your drainage and trenching requirements from design to construction.

Open days attract visitors from far and wide

Farmers from across the UK attended a series of open days hosted by agricultural machinery manufacturer Claydon at its factory and arable farm in Suffolk.

The events provided the opportunity for farmers and dealers to learn more about Claydon’s Opti-Till system of direct drilling technology and crop establishment to improve soil health, yields and profitability.

Lower cost

The Claydon system is said to reduce the cost and time involved in crop establishment to a fraction of ploughbased or min-till systems. Each session featured a behind-the-scenes look at the Claydon’s manufacturing facilities and a farm tour.

Visitors viewed the latest Claydon machinery, including Hybrid and Evolution direct drills, front hopper and drill toolbar, NutriSeeder, Straw Harrows, TerraBlade inter-row hoe, TerraStar light rotary cultivator and Cambridge rolls.

The advantages of using a standalone farm management system were explained by agronomist Dick Neale, from Hutchinsons; and digital servic-

shows visitors a crop of winter wheat

Visitors see where seed drills are assembled in the Claydon factory

from Sea2Soil.

The Claydon team have been fully focused since the Covid pandemic on developing new products to meet increasing demand from farmers throughout the world and expanding its global network of dealers and distributors.

tive response,” said Claydon company founder Jeff Claydon.

Soil health

“Visitors travelled from all over the UK to learn more about improving soil health and reducing ‘per-tonne’ production costs, while maintaining or increasing crop yields to maximise income.

“These aspects are critical during a challenging time for the farmers and the businesses which supply them. The future of the sector will depend on growers embracing more environmentally and financially sustainable crop production systems.

Soil health is key for farming businesses to survive and thrive in an increasingly uncertain global market environment. To achieve that while containing costs, most will have to change the way they establish crops and look after soils.”

Latest land forming technology showcased at Cereals event

rainage experts Mastenbroek will showcase the latest in land forming technology at this year’s Cereals event – due to take place on 11-12 June at Heath Farm, Leadenham, Lincolnshire.

Visitors to stand 513 will be able to see PTx Trimble’s next-generation WMFieldForm water solution for complex land forming, grading and levelling projects. The system is said to improved crop yields by up to 30%.

WM-FieldForm provides single-scraper control for forming field surfaces into optimal shapes. The water management system allows improved visualisation and additional enhancements for improved accuracy, says Fred Clarke, Mastenbroek’s technical director.

“We have been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing agricultural drainage trenchers for 60 years and have always looked to incorporate the latest innovations into our machines,” he says.

“In the last five years or so, we have seen the benefits that land forming can deliver, and it is something that is increasingly being utilised by British contractors and farmers looking to maximise yields.”

Fred Clarke: Good drainage achieves higher crop yields

Triton is now accepted as the goto direct and conventional drill for extending the drilling window in catchy conditions whilst increasing yields through deep soil release. The Triton uses the patented self cleaning side presses to close the seeded slot in all conditions. As one heavy soil farmer said ‘If the ﬁeld will hold the tractor the Triton will drill’ The Triton gives the grower the ability to grow the most proﬁtable crop sequence which is vital in the current climate.

Continuous Winter Wheat with occasional early drilled spring wheat for grass weed control is the most proﬁtable simple low cost cropping solution.

Please call us to discuss why we are so sure of this ‘rotation’ and why the Triton is essential to getting the spring wheat tillering by mid March to ensure a yield more akin to to winter Wheat and less vulnerable to spring seed bed drought.

Machines available for latest grant funding

Several Kuhn machines are eligible for grants under the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

Applications opened at the end of May and close on 10 July. Funding contributes towards the purchase cost of the machines, helping farmers and growers to justify the investment and increase farm productivity.

Grants between £1,000 and £25,000 are available for single items within each theme – productivity, slurry management, animal health and welfare. The government says that £46.7m will be available across the three themes in a competitive process.

The Kuhn machines are in the productivity theme, which is designed to improve farm efficiency and profitability. Kuhn arable specialist Edd Fanshawe says the grants could be ideal for farmers to justify investments at a tough time.

“Any financial support towards purchasing a machine that can improve efficiencies, increase productivity, or allow greater flexibility is worth considering,” he explains.

funding. These include 6m interrow hoes (item FETF7) and air drills for establishing cover crops (FETF207). Both items are eligible for funding worth up to 50% of the purchase cost (capped at £25,000).

Kuhn’s Rowliner interrow hoe with Rowlink camera guidance meets uses live camera imagery to distinguish between row crop and weeds. The mini-

The SH models can be fitted to cultivators and drills from Kuhn and other manufacturers

the maximum funding, depending on the purchase price.

Models in Kuhn’s SH range that comply are the SH402, SH4080 and SH600. Stipulations of the funding include electronic metering – and models that can be mounted to various makes of cultivators or drills.

For the latest FETF grant details for 2025, please see the Defra website.

MOULDBOARDS (Kverneland)

Prices vary

LED WORK LIGHTS

7,200 lumens

£40 each

SHORT AXLE STANDS

20 tonne

410mm-600mm

£220 each

50 tonnes

£1,068 each

WHEEL MOUNTERS

£660 each

Prices vary

TALL AXLE STANDS

29 tonne

665mm-1,090mm

£246 each

FILTERS

Variety available

COMPRESSORS

50ltr

£150 each

REAR LED LIGHTS

Dynamic direction

£30 per pair

Prices vary

Slurry separation and handling demo day

Aslurry separation and application demonstration day takes place on 18 June at Callow Hill Farm in Rugeley, Staffordshire.

“Garth Farming is an excellent example of how technology can be implemented to make better use of slurry,” says Andy Hayhurst, of slurry handling specialists Vogelsang.

The Vogelsang team will demonstrate the popular XSplit separator using a trailer mounted unit. They will also showcase the new XSplit compact – the first separator available with a 240-volt power connection.

By separating slurry, farmers can reduce the volume sent to storage by up to 25% and improve its nutrient value of stored slurry. Dry matter can then be used as a soil conditioner or a

Compact grassland loosener to be launched at Cereals

Farm machinery manufacturer Grange Machinery will launch its latest innovation at this month’s Cereals event.

The 2.5m Grassland Loosener Lite (GLL Lite) reduces soil compaction while protecting the surface of the field. It is specifically designed for lower horsepower tractors.

The new implement is based on Grange’s popular 3m Grassland Loosener but is built on a more compact scale to accommodate tighter spaces and smaller tractors. It will be unveiled at Cereals on 11-12 June at Heath Farm, Leadenham, Lincolnshire.

Available with three or four front discs and low disturbance loosening tines, the machine is aimed at livestock farmers and mixed farms. But is could also prove popular with direct drillers wanting to lift and loosen soil without another pass.

Gap in market

Grange Machinery managing director Rhun Jones said there was a gap in the market for the machine.

“We’re launching the GLL Lite due to demand from farmers for a compact grass loosener suitable for pasture and grazing land.

“Whereas a lot of farmers really liked our 3m Grassland Loosener –which was the template for the GLL Lite – they wanted something that was easier to pull. Early feedback we’ve had from testing has been extremely positive.”

The grass loosener is aimed at livestock and mixed farmers

“By alleviating soil compaction and shattering and removing the plough plan, root development is enhanced, more air can reach the crop roots, and drainage issues are resolved, leading to healthier, higher yield pastures.

Full lift

“Thanks to our low disturbance legs and points – which provide a full width lift with minimal surface disturbance – it is able to achieve all this while ensuring the precious grass swards are protected.”

cost-effective and sustainable bedding material, says Mr Hayhurst.

“The XSplit is designed and engineered to be both economical to run and easy to maintain,” he explains.

“The drive is arranged on the solid matter outlet side, which gives the XSplit an excellent cost-benefit ratio with no need for an extra shaft seal. This reduces both the cost of spare parts and the time required for maintenance work.”

Garth Farming also runs Vogelsang’s BlackBird trailing shoe applicator. The Blackbird is offered with working widths of 12, 15, 18 and 30 metres. It is designed to fit all tanker models thanks to a compact design. For more information visit www.bit.ly/slurryday

The GLL Lite is available with three or four front cutting discs which enhance the loosening element of the leg and eliminate surface tension. This reduces the potential for soil boiling in front of the leg and eases trash flow through the machine.

Options include either shear bolt or hydraulic reset protection, an LED road lighting kit and a 2.5m toothed packer roller. “We listened to what farmers wanted, designed it, and have put it into production in a very short period of time,” said Mr Jones.

“We’re expecting it to be popular among livestock and mixed farmers –and arable growers wanting to loosen soil for direct drilling or those repairing headland ahead of larger cultivation and drilling units.”

The Garth family will host the on-farm slurry handling event

Grants offer funding for slurry equipment

Arange of equipment from slur ry and digestate management specialist Tramspread is eligi ble for grant aid under the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Tech nology Fund (FETF).

Under the scheme, funding of up to 50% is available to eligible farmers and contractors. It aims to encourage investment in the latest market-leading slurry management and application solutions.

benefits, both of which are integral to the Tramspread philosophy. The company can provide advice on applicable products and grant applications.

Eligible Tramspread products include umbilical and tanker-mounted dribble bars. Tramspread’s Suffolk range matches the grant criteria including trailing shoe and shallow disc injectors, mounted random wrap and segmented hose reelers.

The scheme promotes improved slurry management and environmental

Tramspread is the UK importer for Stallkamp slurry separators. A range of parts – made in Germany – are kept in stock. Two basic ranges are offered, the PSS and PSG. Both are available in fixed and mobile versions.

The Tramspread Suffolk range of dribble bars have working widths from 6m to 24m and a 25cm inter-out-

let spacing. All are designed to accommodate flowmeters and NIR sensors with Isobus connectivity for accurate application and record-keeping. Roelama trailing shoe applicators and disc injectors are also offered. Tramspread’s mounted randomwrap hose reels have hose capacities from 600m to 1400m, while trailed compartmented hose reels can hold 1600m or 2000m. All can be supplied with drag hose from Gollmer & Hummel or Mandals.

Tramspread’s dribble bars are eligible for grant funding

Offering a range of agricultural and commercial trailers for sale, including:

• Low Loaders

• Dump Trailers

• Multi Purpose Trailers

• Pallet/Bale Trailers

• Dropside Tipping Trailers

Trailers

• Half Pipe Tipping Trailers

• Hydraulic Beavertrail Trailers

• Fuel Bowsers

• Dump Trailers

• Multi Purpose Trailers

• Pallet/Bale Trailers

• Dropside Tipping Trailers

• Half Pipe Tipping Trailers

• Hydraulic Beavertrail Trailers

• Fuel Bowsers To discuss your next trailer, contact us today & 028 8776 7410

To discuss your next trailer, contact us today & 028 8776 7410 ) info@pftrailers.co.uk www.pftrailers.co.uk 8

Direct drills on demo at Groundswell

A range of direct drills will be put through their paces at Lannock Manor Farm

The latest direct drills from a range of manufacturers will be on demonstration at next month’s Groundswell event.

The annual two-day festival of farming takes place on 2-3 July at Lannock Manor Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Drills and minimal tillage systems will be on demonstration on both days.

Over the past decade, Groundswell has become the place for farmers, contractors and anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of the latest regenerative farming systems.

The event will also feature talks, forums and discussions from leading international soil health experts, experienced arable and livestock farmers, as well as agricultural policy experts and agri-tech innovators.

Drill manufacturers and machinery companies will be showcasing their latest offerings in a series of static displays and live demos. They include a mix of familiar and well-known names:

Claydon

The Claydon direct drilling technique was developed in 2002 to increase profit margins and yields while improving soil health and plant rooting. It is central to the Suffolk-based manufacturer’s Opti-Till range of machinery for sustainable crop establishment including straw harrows, light cultivators and inter-row hoes.

Dale Drills

Lincolnshire-based Dale Drills manufacturers one of the best contour-following tine no-till drills on the market. Its low disturbance drilling assemblies provide excellent depth control and adjustable row spacing from 12.5-2550cm. The 20hp per metre power requirement reduces fuel consumption and weight over the field.

Fentech Agri

Simtech machinery is simplistic in design, rugged and reliable. This enables easy set up into a variety of soils and surfaces. Moving parts are limited to reduce maintenance costs, depth control is simple but effective. Horsepower requirements are kept to a minimum allowing smaller tractors to perform drilling operations.

The DSX no-till disc drill was designed and developed with the specific aim of overcoming the challenges of seeding with a no-till disc drill. Horizon says the DSX enables farmers to accurately place seed in the perfect growing environment with minimal soil disturbance. A compact mounted version is also available.

Horsch

German manufacturer Horsch says its Avatar SD universal direct drill performs well in all conditions. It features the SingleDisc seed coulter – one of the most precise coulters on the market – equipped with depth control roll directly beside the coulter for precise seed placement resulting in even establishment and plant populations.

Sumo

Focusing on conservation agriculture and putting soil at the heart of farming, Sumo’s DD system allows crop residues to be left in the field. The DD coulter helps incorporate residue into the soil profile, adding organic matter to the soil which aids structure and the

demonstrations will include expert commentary

live within the soil.

Tuckwells

With over 70 years of experience, family-run Tuckwells is dedicated to supporting farmers and turf professionals with a range of machinery. A major John Deere dealer representing the brand across south-east England, Tuckwells will be supported at Groundswell by its Kverneland and Ryetec franchises.

Väderstad

The Väderstad seed drills combine highspeed cultivation, drilling and reconsolidation in one pass. In combi-versions, fertiliser is placed with precision in the same pass as drilling. By reducing passes, the universal seed drills save fuel and ground moisture, contributing to a better germination and perfect emergence of the crop.

Sumo will be among the manufacturers showcasing their drills

Weaving Machinery

One of the leading UK seed drill manufacturers, Weaving’s products include the popular GD disc drill and Sabre tine drill as well as a complementary range of low disturbance cultivators. Alongside their own brands, they are also the UK stockist for European farm equipment brands including Agrimaster, Aguirre and Mammut.

More than 8,000 visitors are expected at Groundswell year – reflecting increased interest in regenerative agriculture – and the benefits of such systems in terms of carbon sequestration and flood prevention – as well as the cost benefits.

For full details and to book tickets, visit www.groundswellag.com

Regenerative farming event set to woo crowds

Tickets are now on sale for this summer’s Groundswell festival, which takes place on 2-3 July at Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire.

American farmer and writer Gabe Brown – a pioneer of the regenerative farming movement – will deliver a series of headline sessions at this year’s two-day event.

Mr Brown’s 2,400ha ranch showcases a diverse range of crops and livestock near Bismark, North Dakota. He attributes this integration to the farm’s ability to regenerate soil and other natural resources.

Through innovative soil health practices, the family have created a thriving agricultural ecosystem and annually welcome over 2,000 visitors, leading to Mr Brown being named as one of the twenty-five most influential farmers in the USA.

He said: “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.”

Spread over two days, Groundswell provides a forum for farmers, growers, and anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and

practical applications of regenerative farming systems.

There will be 300 exhibitors on site and over 200 sessions – along with 30 machinery demonstrations and 20 farm tours. There will also be more than 250 speakers, live music and overnight camping.

The event has experienced steady growth since it began in 2016, when it welcomed just 500 attendees. With a new glamping site and

reshaping of the site, last year’s festival accommodated 8,000 visitors.

Organiser Alex Cherry said: “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.”

For full details and to secure your tickets, please visit www.groundswellag.com

A new dimension in handling

The JCB Folding Grass Forks are perfect for the handling of silage or any loose material. Extensively tested to ensure efficiency and productivity and maximised for your machine, available in 12ft, 14ft and 16ft wide models. Scan the QR code for more information and to request a price.