Midland Farmer August 2021

August 2021

Midland

Farmer Serving the farming industry across the Midlands

Harvest 2021: Combines roll into crops as temperatures soar across the region

Arable ‘Boom and bust’ septoria warning Post-harvest Be clever about cultivations Soil health New scheme to reward farmers Farm safety How to take care this summer Livestock Bold plans to eradicate disease

Clarkson’s Farm...

TV star gets farming message across

Water Why better management is vital

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Midland Farmer

OPINION Johann Tasker

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

Design: Mark Shreeve | T: 01502 725839 E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

Advertisement production: Jade Soanes | T: 01502 725840 E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

ADVERTISING SALES Chloe Miller | T: 01502 725844 E: chloe.miller@micropress.co.uk Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862 E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk Alistair Bailey | T: 01502 725854 E: alistair.bailey@micropress.co.uk Daniel Rice | T: 01502 725858 E: daniel.rice@micropress.co.uk Adam Gunton | T: 01502 725813 E: adam.gunton@micropress.co.uk

Midland Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the Midlands (Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) or companies supplying goods and services to the sector. 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.

If you no longer wish to receive this magazine, please email your name, address and postcode as it appears on the wrapper to annie.fish@micropress.co.uk © Countrywide Publications 2021 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

Jeremy Clarkson delivers for farmers

M

any farmers were naturally nervous when they heard Jeremy Clarkson was making a TV show about farming.

Clarkson has a reputation for creating good television. But he also has a reputation for being boorish, deliberately contrary and – literally – punchy in his quest to deliver some of the best viewing figures in the world.

But anyone watching Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video (see page 46) will see it is none of those things. Instead, it is a gritty portrayal of the trials and tribulations faced by farmers every day as they feed the world.

The eight-part series follows Clarkson for a year as he takes on the management of his own 400ha farm in the Cotswolds. Yes, there are times when it seems contrived. But it is also heartfelt as well as entertaining.

Farmers and anyone connected with agriculture have been crying out for a TV series like this for years. Something which tells their story to the masses – and gets the farming message across to the general public.

Some farmers have said that Jeremy Clarkson has done more to promote a positive public image

Contents

SHORT OF STORAGE SPACE?

It is a gritty portrayal of the trials and tribulations faced by farmers every day

It is also a celebration of agriculture. Despite all the mishaps, the missed tramlines and the constant battles against bureaucracy and the weather, Clarkson recognises that farming is still the best job in the world.

Following this success, it is no surprise that a second series has been commissioned. Like many other views, we can’t wait to see it.

Johann Tasker, Editor

UK Dairy Day .................................................. 35 Farm safety ......................................................41 Machinery ....................................................... 45 Final say ........................................................... 46

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News .................................................................... 4 Arable ...................................................................7 Soil health .........................................................19 Water .................................................................. 27 Livestock ...........................................................31

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for farming than our industry leaders have done in more than 25 years. While there may be some truth in that analysis, it is also rather unfair.

Few people – if anyone – can pull in viewing numbers like Clarkson. But there is no denying he has done a fantastic job in creating a TV series which has shown just how hard farmers work, often for little or no reward.

RIDBA

Rural & Industrial Design & Building Association

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 3

News Safety plea after 41 people killed in farm accidents

A

shocking rise in farm accidents has seen 41 people killed while working in agriculture during the past year.

Being struck by a moving or overturned vehicle was the most common cause of death during the 12 months ending 31 March 2021, according to figures published last month by the Health and Safety Executive.

It means agriculture continues to have the worst fatality rate among all main UK industry sectors. Farming employs less than 1% of the population but has an annual death rate some 20 times higher than the average nonfarming occupation.

More than half of all workers killed on farms last year were aged 60 years or older. But people much younger also lost their lives. The youngest person killed was a two-year-old child, said the HSE. HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said: “While the working world in which we now live has created new health challenges for workers and for those who have a duty towards them, safety must also remain a priority.”

She added: “Every loss of life is a tragedy. We are committed to ensuring that workplaces are as safe as they can be – and that employers are held to account and take their obligations seriously.”

The Farm Safety Partnership, which represents more than 30 organisations working across agriculture, said effective risk management

and preventative measures could go a long way to reducing farm accidents.

NFU deputy president and partnership chairman Stuart Roberts said: “As an industry we are always learning from each other and we need to follow that learning mentality when it comes to health and safety.”

Action needed now Mr Roberts said it was important for farmers to share their own experiences, ideas and examples of tried and tested safety measures. Doing so could help find solutions to a problem which wouldn’t go away on its own, he added.

On his own Hertfordshire farm, Mr

Roberts said he was providing high visibility clothing to all staff and ensuring all workers were able to take sufficient rest breaks – including during harvest – to avoid fatigue.

He added: “I have also found it really useful to look at safety from a business perspective. We are the most valuable asset to our businesses, so our safety should be the priority.

“It’s time to turn the tide on farming’s poor safety record – with words, with actions and with change. So let’s use this week as an opportunity to inspire and learn from each other, to protect our businesses and, ultimately, to protect ourselves.”

For more on farm safety, see pages 60-64

Moving or overturned vehicles were among the biggest causes of accidents [Photo: Tim Scrivener]

‘Come home safe’ should be farming message The farming industry has a woeful safety record, which stubbornly shows little sign of improvement, says CLA deputy president Mark Tufnell. Writing at the start of last month’s annual Farm Safety Week (19-23 July), Mr Tufnell said the industry faced sobering statistics every year. Agriculture had the worst fatal injury rate of the main industrial sectors, he added.

“There is no getting away from the fact that farming can be dangerous. The

4 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

most common causes of death include falling from a height, struck by moving vehicle, trapped by something collapsing/ overturning and contact with moving machinery.”

Farmers were often short on time, rushing from one job to the next, which could lead to shortcuts or the neglect of safe practices, said Mr Tufnell. Some farmers also took a perverse pride in the number of overtime hours they worked.

“We need to change the industry attitude to safety and make sure it is built into the mind-set of every farmer, who continually assess and evaluate the risks they and others are exposed to as they go about their day.

“Farm safety is not just important on one week of the year but should be central to everything on every day of the year.

‘Come home safe’ should be the message all farmers give themselves as they leave the breakfast table.”

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Areas of black grass shown from our aerial photos.

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Black grass thrives on wet land, the drainage is all part of a plan by the client to eradicate it from his land.

Unfortunately there is no “quick fix”,

land drainage is a very good tool to help prevent

blackgrass and keep it under control as heavy soils remain dryer. It is hoped that our drainage, along with herbicide treatments from the land owner and leaving the land fallow for a season, will bring about the demise of this pest. DW Clark were very pleased to be asked to play its part with this and will be keeping an eye out as things progress.

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Arable Decent harvest prospects as combines roll into crops • Hot temperatures buoy hopes for harvest • High disease pressure on cereal crops • Some confidence returns for oilseed rape

E

arly reports suggest decent cereal yields on many farms this harvest despite a challenging season and high disease pressure.

Combines rolled into barley in the third week of July with crops coming off the field at less than 14% moisture in Suffolk. Oilseed rape followed days later on some farms although yields have again been variable this year.

With much wheat yet to come, agronomists said achieving yield potential would be dependent on the spray programme used following another year of lumpy weather which made it hard to get on top of problems at the best of times.

A wet May brought high foliar disease pressure to cereal crops – with winter wheat experiencing the highest level of septoria tritici since 2012.

Yellow rust has also been a problem although easier to control.

Changing outlook BASF agronomy manager Andrew Smooker said: “Visually it did appear to be lower disease pressure at one stage of the season, but then the weather changed markedly and so did the outlook in the field.

“As ever it is a mixed picture now, especially because there are a range of drilling dates and fungicide timings and some growers with bigger spray intervals than others. But there is certainly an aggressive disease pressure out there.”

Agronomist Matt Keane reports that the varieties expected to get yellow rust in got it at various stages throughout the season. But in many cases on most farms it remained very controllable, he added.

Growers saw much more Septoria in their crops but most managed to control it with their fungicide programmes. There was certainly good control on farms where T1 and T2 were robust, he added.

Air of optimism “Our trials have given growers the opportunity to see the level of disease on untreated plots and on plots with differing spray programmes, as on farm they have nothing to compare their programmes to.”

Buoyant prices – especially for oilseed rape – have leant an air of optimism to harvest. Mr Smooker said, “In this area it is probably the best oilseed

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Rape crops looked well podded ahead of harvest after an extended flowering period where many growers protected the potential with two Sclerotinia sprays during some wet conditions.

Mr Keane said: ”The plans are there to drill oilseed rape, but growers will only do so if there is moisture in the soil; whether that is in August or September, it doesn’t matter, you have to hang on for the moisture.”

Weather has been extremely variable again this season

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Arable

Network aims to tackle arable carbon footprint

A

new arable network is bringing farmers together to help the sector meet the industry’s target of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Launched last month, the YEN Zero network was initiated by ADAS. It involves the entire food supply chain – from food and drink manufacturers and supermarkets to fertiliser companies and growers.

Calculating carbon Arable crop production contributes to farm greenhouse gas emissions primarily through the use of artificial nitrogen fertilisers and cultivation choices.

Currently, there is no standard for measuring emissions in crop production. This makes it difficult for those further up the supply chain to quantify the agricultural contribution to their total emissions.

ADAS head of agronomics Daniel Kindred says: “We are really excited to have such strong support from organisations across the supply chain

to bring our YEN approach to tackling carbon emissions.

“By working together, we can develop a shared understanding of the issues, and share ideas and experience of ‘what works’ for the industry’s journey towards Net Zero.”

YEN Zero will undertake the analysis and benchmarking of combinable crop carbon footprints on a field-byfield basis with the near-future aspiration of growing this to carbon accounting on a whole-farm scale.

Benchmarking crop emissions will enable fair and easy comparisons to be made among farms, fields and crops. From there, it will be possible to see what agronomic practices drive these emissions – and which mitigation strategies work best.

A series of ADAS-hosted workshops will help YEN Zero members gain and share knowledge about issues such as soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation and ways to calculatecarbon footprints for their crops.

ADAS says successful strategies will then be shared with other net-

work members. Researchers will also work directly with growers and their supporters to help optimise their production with reduced inputs.

For more details about becoming a YEN Zero member, email christina.baxter@adas.co.uk.

The network will research ways of optimising arable production

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Arable

Brighter future beckons for oilseed rape

H

igh prices and deeper insights into cabbage stem flea beetles suggest oilseed rape is recovering after falling out of favour.

The future for the crop was discussed during a recent BASF webinar. It featured Thomas Wilkinson from ADAS, NIAB break crop specialist Colin Peters and grower Adrian Joynt. Price prospects were explained by Martin Farrow from ADM. “We’ve seen record prices for both new and old crop – but it’s not just oilseed rape,” said Mr Farrow. “Soya, sunflowers, palm oil prices have all risen. Worldwide we’re forecast to produce 10 mil-

lion more tonnes of oils and fats this next year than last. Yet that only increases stocks by 1.5 million tonnes. There’s not a lot of room for any-thing to go wrong.

Mr Farros said he was closelywatching the USA, Australia, Canada and Ukraine. “It looks good at the moment but there’s still a lot of volatility in the market with covid, politics and weather all playing their part.

Although cabbage stem flea beetle has driven a reduction in area, new field-trials confirm that drilling early or late can avoid the worst damage.

Supported by BASF, the trials are one aspect of an on-go-

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Demand for oil has seen rape prices soar during the past year

ing three-year ADAS project. It aims to minimise the impact of flea beetle by improving understanding of pest phenology and biology – as well as testing control methods.

Cooler conditions Drilling early means plants are larger and better placed to survive when beetles move into crops; while drilling later means adult beetles have a shorter window to lay eggs. The cooler conditions also hinder egg hatch leading to fewer larvae in crops.

One of these trials took place on Adrian Joynt’s 600ha farm in east Shropshire. With more than 100ha of rape in his rotation, Mr Joynt says flea beetle pressure has been increasing year-on-year.

“This year we lost a crop for

the first time,” he says.

Three fields with the same cropping history were involved in the trial. Initially there were three drilling dates: 26 August, 6 and 15 September. Rape drilled on 6 September was lost to flea beetle and was redrilled on 1 October. This crop also failed.

“The crop drilled on 6 September came up quite well but immediately after drilling, we went into hot dry spell with a drying wind and the flea beetle attacked,” says Mr Joynt. “Lack of rain didn’t help and subsequently the crop failed.”

Visually, the field drilled on 15 September was easily the best.The crop emerged evenly, it had the best plant counts and least grazing by adult flea beetle.This crop and the earlier drilled crop will now be assessed for yield at harvest.

Industry joins forces to combat flea beetle NIAB break crop specialist Colin Peters has issued an emphatic call for growers and agronomists to help combat cabbage stem flea beetle.

The CSFB Smart initiative is an on-farm monitoring and trials programme bringing together farmers, agronomists, researchers and the supply chain, with the aim of testing management methods and tools.

“There is no blueprint for combating flea beetles,” says Mr Peters. “Each farm and each season is unique.

Yet across the country many techniques are being deployed with some success. We want to

learn from those people.”

The initiative aims to find out which varieties are less susceptible to flea beetle. It is also seeking information about which fertiliser rates, seed rates and drilling dates work best – and which varieties recover after grazing?

NIAB already has a large bank of data from its annual survey. But Mr Peters says there is still much to learn about flea beetle. “A big part of this project is about developing the tools farmers need to make effective management decisions,” he adds.

For more information, visit www.niab.com/csfbsmart.

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Arable

New biscuit wheat has much Merit

season,” says Mr Hammond.

The crop had 220kg of nitrogen with the last split at the end of April. Mr Hamond says he was particularly impressed with its stiff straw. After 52mm of rain over a single weekend in June, it was still standing strong.

F

ive new biscuit wheats mean there are eight Group 3 varieties to consider on the 2021/22 Recommended List – marking a resurgence in their popularity.

Sitting in the middle of the group for yield is Merit. Bred by Elsoms, it scores 8 for yellow rust and 6.6 for septoria tritici. With a specific weight of 76.5 kg/hl and a Hagberg Falling Number of 255 seconds, protein is respectable at 11.7%.

With a special recommendation for the east, Merit has a yield of 103% of controls for the region. And a strong untreated yield of 80% of controls marks it out as one of the standout varieties for the area.

Lincolnshire farm manager Brian Hammond grew a seed crop of Merit at Westmoreland Farms, Heckington. Drilled into a good seed bed at 170

kg/ha in mid-September, it received a standard fungicide programme of T1, T2 and T3.

“It has stayed impressively clean, despite the yellow rust pressure of the

Merit stayed impressively clean, says Brian Hammond

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Reassuring “It’s been a robust variety and never looked like it needed more fungicide than other wheat crops on the farm. In a season where yellow rust has been the disease to watch for, Merit stayed clean until through to T1 which was reassuring.”

Although promoted as being suited to a late drilling slot, Mr Hammond was reasonably early by modern practices. Despite scoring 3 for mildew, there was no disease to note and it looked sound heading into the winter, he adds.

“Given how well it looks and based on our field history, I’m optimistic it will yield between 10 and 11 t/ha. If it fulfils this expectation and given its broad market appeal, including suitability for export, then I would have to give it serious consideration.”

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Arable

Two wheat candidates to catch your eye in 2022

S

LG Farrier and LG Typhoon have very different characteristics

uffolk-based Limagrain UK has two Group 4 hard wheats on the AHDB Candidate List for 2021/22. The varieties – LG Farrier and LG Typhoon – offer growers different agronomic characteristics for on-farm positioning and performance, explains Limagrain arable technical manager Ron Granger.

LG Farrier (Evolution x Costello) is of medium height and maturity. It sits at 105% of treated yield control, alongside competitors from DSV and KWS. It moves fast in the spring (similar to LG Skyscraper), so PGR timings will need to be watched carefully.

A strong agronomic package sees Farrier ranked 7 for mildew, 9 for yellow rust, 8 for brown rust and 5 for septoria tritici. The grain quality is excellent too, says Mr Granger, with a specific weight of 78.9 kg/hl, along with a Hagberg of 279.

These characteristics are one of the main reasons that Farrier’s par-

ent Costello was recommended and successful for so long, says Mr Granger. This year will separate Farrier from the competition and shows who is top dog for yield, he adds.

LG Typhoon (LG Garrus x LGW88), has a lower yield and specific weight.

But its characteristics offer growers more on-farm security. They include 7 for mildew, 9 for yellow rust, 7 for brown rust, 8 for septoria tritici and OWBM resistance.

“LG Typhoon has produced high yields in the testing environments of the west and north so will be of particular to growers in those areas. It has the agronomic attributes desirable for earlier drilling situations.”

Group 4 hard wheats accounted for around 30% of the UK market in 2021.

But it has been a few years since Limagrain had Group 4 hard wheats on the AHDB Recommended List. The last two varieties were Evolution (2014) and Stigg (2011).

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Arable

‘Boom and bust’ warning over septoria resistance • Higher levels of disease reported • Varieties have Cougar parentage • Growers urged to monitor crops

S

cientists are analysing reports of higher than expected septoria levels affecting winter wheat varieties with the common parent Cougar.

Some winter wheat varieties in trials overseen by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board appear to show higher levels of septoria than would be expected from disease ratings published in the 2021/22 Recommended Lists.

AHDB list manager Paul Gosling said: “Our trial inspectors have observed that some soft wheat varieties have unexpected-

ly high levels of septoria tritici – certainly more than the current RL disease ratings would otherwise suggest.”

Tremendous variability Mr Gosling said it was not easy to say which varieties were affected until disease data had been validated. As a precaution, growers should monitor disease levels on all varieties carefully, he added.

Varieties with Cougar as a parent are LG Prince, LG Illuminate, LG Quasar, KWS Fireflay, Merit, LG Astronomer, RGT Saki and Swallow. All are Group 3

wheats apart from Saki and Swallow which are Group 4 (soft).

“Across trials, there is tremendous variability,” said Mr Gosling.

“This will need to be statistically analysed before conclusions are reached.”

Cougar was added to the Recommended Lists in 2013, with a septoria tritici disease resistance rating of 7. It stood apart from the majority of varieties that had moderate levels of resistance (ratings of 5 or 6).

It showed high levels of resistance until 2015, when moderate disease levels were observed. The variety was removed from the 2016/17 list. A later study concluded that the resistance loss was limited to Cougar, with other varieties unaffected.

Wheat breeder Bill Angus, of

Septoria is the UK’s most damaging foliar disease in winter wheat.

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Choice of variety can make or break rotation Growers need to feel confident when introducing any new variety to the rotation because genetics can make or break a profitable year.

“Resilience has been high on the agenda for growers – with yellow rust and septoria resistance a key part of this,” says NIAB cereal variety specialist Clare Leaman. “It has been a difficult few years for crops, with significant pressures from weather extremes, pest and disease challenge, and changes in policy. But no one size fits all so it’s important that growers look at individual profiles.”

The right varieties can reduce risk. “They increase the choice and range of crop profiles, which

Angus Wheat Consultants, said the demise of resistance on Cougar was highly predictable. “If we are not careful, we will follow the same ‘boom and bust’ cycle which has existed for yellow rust for over 60 years,” he added.

“Breeders have done a really good job by accumulating minor genes for septoria resistance and this has the potential to be undone by utilising major genes – often introduced from related species.”

Mr Angus added: “There has been a migration by growers to varieties with high levels of disease resistance – but many of the resistances being deployed present high risks of variety breakdown, and sadly we are now seeing this in the field.

“We are likely to see variation in resistances within the Cougar derivatives as we discover just which minor genes have been carried through. A look at the pedigrees will help as just crossing Cougar with an already susceptible variety is a high risk strategy.”

Growers needed to select diversity when it came to choosing varieties, said Mr Angus. To help them do so, there needed to to be a return to publishing variety pedigrees on the Recommended List.

allows growers to select varieties which are better suited to their conditions, as well as expanding their marketing options.”

AHDB senior field trial manager Mark Bollebakker says: “There are some exciting new varieties on the list this year – but growers need to be looking at their own specific disease pressures and crop challenges rather than focusing on yield.”

Four out of five newly listed Group 3 wheat varieties were on display at last month’s Cereals event in Lincolnshire. “A development for this group is a notable improvement in Septoria resistance,” says Mr Bollebakker.

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FUTURE PROOF FARMING

Soil health Farmers to be paid up to £70/ha for healthier soils F armers will be able to earn up to £70/ha to improve the health of their soil under the government’s forthcoming Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

Defra secretary George Eustice confirmed the payment rate following a speech at last month’s Cereals event.

Farmers would receive £21-70/ha depending on the measures they undertake, he told reporters at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire.

Mr Eustice said: “Soil health is the key to delivering our targets on the environment and improving farm profitability. Well managed soils can lead to increased biodiversity, improved water quality and reduced carbon emissions.”

The SFI is due to open next year following a pilot version this autumn.

Mr Eustice said it would eventually be open to all farmers in England – encouraging more sustainable soil and grassland management.

Forming the entry-level tier part of the forthcoming Environmental Land

Management (ELM) scheme, the SFI will include actions to improve soil health and water quality, enhance hedgerows and promote integrated pest management.

Defra says the SFI will include three different soil health standards: one on arable and horticultural soil, one on improved grassland soil, a third on moorland and rough grazing. More modules will be added later.

Green fertilisers Mr Eustice said: “I’m also interested in whether we can do more to incentivise the use of green fertilisers, whether there can be more on min and no-till systems and also whether more can be done on companion crops.”

The ELM scheme is being phased in as the basic payment scheme is phased out. Mr Eustice said he had always been clear that the quid pro quo for moving away from the BPS was to reward farmers properly for looking after the environment.

The scheme will include three standards to improve soil health

Scheme payment principles The Sustainable Farming Incentive will be rolled out next spring – following a pilot version due to get under way this autumn.

It will form the entry-level tier of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. Two further tiers will include local nature recovery projects to boost biodiversity and broader interventions such as landscape recovery initiatives.

The government has committed to maintain farm support at its current level of £2.4bn per year for the duration of this parliament. By 2028, it says spending will be split evenly across the three ELM tiers.

Defra has now published four guiding principles setting out the approach to environmental scheme payments. It says payment rates will be set to encourage wide participation – fairly and effectively paying farmers for achieving these outcomes.

The principles are that: • Payments should provide good value for money and achieve ambitious environment and climate change outcomes.

• Payments should, as far as possible, pay for environmental outcomes by recognising and rewarding the full range of activities that achieve environmental and climate outcomes • Payments should recognise the value of existing natural assets and do not unfairly disadvantage those who are already achieving good environmental and climate outcomes • Payments should form part of a market for environmental outcomes where scheme participants can earn income from public and private sector sources Information on how and what will be paid through each scheme will be shared when each of the schemes is launched.

“We need to start to have payment rates attached to the Sustainable Farming Incentive that better reflect the cost associated with those options which are set at a rate which genuinely creates an incentive for farmers to take part.”

The SFI would also help to accelerate the widespread adoption of more sustainable approaches to agriculture.

These include enhancing the natural environment, reducing carbon emissions, and improving animal health and welfare.

Mr Eustice said: “We’re starting with soils because farmers understand the importance of their soils and soils health. If they get these things right it will improve their profitability.”

Defra says it is designing the scheme to attract the widest possible range of farmers. It hopes at least 70% of eligible farms will take part by 2028. More than 2000 farmers have already expressed an interest in joining the pilot..

Some standards – schemes within the SFI – will be made available from next year alongside existing schemes like Countryside Stewardship. It will see more farmers rewarded for bringing land into environmental management.

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 19

Soil health

Collaboration aims to combat soil compaction

T

yre maker Continental has teamed up with ADAS and John Deere to highlight ways technology can improve soil health.

Farming practices must change to protect the productivity of UK agriculture, says Continental tyre specialist Richard Hutchins, who has been working with David Purdy from John Deere and ADAS principal soil scientist John Williams.

Up to 30% of UK soils are said to be severely degraded – costing around £1bn annually. Degradation is linked to the loss of organic matter which accounts for 47% of the total cost, while compaction is 39%.

“Where soils have been placed in this category, there is very little porosity and the soil has become grey and com-

20 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

pacted, making it difficult for crops to root and for the land to drain,” says Mr Williams.

Avoiding damage Continental’s new research and development facility in Portugal is producing tyres to help offset potential damage from heavy machines. They include very high flexion (VF) tyres with a single bead wire that can be run at lower pressures.

VF tyres carry 40% more load than a standard tyre at the same pressure.

Alternatively, pressure of VF tyres can be lowered by 40% in the field compared to standard tyres, even when carrying the same load.

“This spreads the weight of the vehicle over a larger surface area and reduces soil com-

paction,” says Mr Hutchins. The weight of farm vehicles and the tyre pressures chosen are a major contributor to soil compaction.”

Increased axle weights, caused by heavy implements and more powerful machines, should be offset by tyres that can spread this weight. Damage to topsoil is caused by incorrect tyre inflation, while heavy axle loads causes subsoil compaction.

“Both should be addressed to minimise the impact farming has,” explains Mr Purdy.

Continental’s recently introduced ContiPressureCheck sensors monitors the pressure and temperature of tyres to provide the operator with the information to prevent tyre related issues such as underinflation or overloading.

Farmers are being warned to tread carefully on wet ground

Soil health unlocked by new analysis

N

ew soil testing aims to help farmers and agronomists understand soil in a more detailed way than ever before.

The tests from Eurofins Agro have been launched in the UK and Ireland to provide chemical, physical, and biological insight, offering farmers a better way to monitor, manage and improve the health and fertility of their soil “Three new products – Fertilisation Manager, Soil Crop Monitor and Soil Life Monitor – are now available to UK and Irish farmers. They offer the most comprehensive way to analyse and improve soil health, says Eurofins Agro managing director Dan Robinson (right).

“This includes the chemical values of macro and micronutrients,” says Mr Robinson. “Soil pH and the overall structure of the soil is also analysed in conjunction with biological components such as fungi and bacteria,” he adds.

Microbial biomass from the sam-

ple will help farmers to understand sensitivity of the soil to farming methods such as ploughing. Bacteria in the sample will enable the accurate calculation of what nutrients need to be added to optimise plant health and growth.

Soil Crop Monitor analyses both the soil and the plant. This measures the plant available nutrients and the nutrients absorbed by the crop. It also identifies some physical characteristics such as pH and the quality of organic matter.

Soil fertility is a central factor in our fertilisation advice. Soils capable of properly binding nutrients provide significantly higher yields. Analysis results provide insights, enabling growers to improve and retain soil quality.

Phospholipid fatty acids found in soil can be measured to provide a fingerprint of soil content, says Mr Robinson. They degrade quickly in the soil, so the analysis gives an indication of the amount of living

biomass, he adds.

“This is the most detailed routine analysis of soil life available and has countless applications for agriculture. We are excited to make all of these tests available to farmers and growers across the UK and Ireland.”

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Soil health

How ELMs will support soil health

F

EXPERT VIEW Looking after soil will become an important income stream for farmers, says Honor May Eldridge.

ds.qxp_Layout 1 16/05/2019 09:06 Page 16

urther details about next year’s launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) were made by Defra secretary George Eustice at last month’s Cereals event.

Mr Eustice confirmed that soil health will be at the heart of Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. The aim is to reverse soil erosion and degradation – and pay farmers to improve soil health, he said.

Two of three SFI standards to be rolled out next year by the government aim to restore soils. They are the arable and horticultural soils standard; and the improved grassland soils standard.

Farmers will be paid £26-70/ha for practices that improve soil health.

Long overdue Recognition of the importance of soils to agriculture is long overdue. Healthy soils are essential for food security. Yet almost one third of the world’s arable soils have been lost to erosion and pollution over the last 40 years.

In the UK, we lose an estimated 2.2 million tonnes of topsoil each year, costing around £45 million per year, of which £9 million is in lost

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production and lower yields, reducing the profitability of UK farms.

Increasing soil organic matter – and by extension soil carbon – through methods such as cover-cropping and min-till, will also help meet Net Zero targets, something that the government is keen to deliver against.

“

Recognition of the importance of soils to agriculture is long overdue Improving UK soil health will also increase its water holding capacity – helping to reduce flooding. This will become increasingly important as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change.

As the SFI is rolled out, further measures to support soil health are likely. Farm consultants are well positioned to help growers and livestock producers adopt the most appropriate standards for their own situation.

Honor May Eldridge is an environmental consultant for Wilson Wraight. Call 01284 334483 or visit www.wilsonwraight.co.uk

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Edwards Advanced Seaweed is a proprietary blended bio-stimulant that has been developed following 30 years of working with soil and evaluating data from Soil analysis. By treating the Soil and the plant you are creating an efficient healthy environment within which to grow healthy disease resistant plants, minimising the need for additional external inputs.

Seaweed has been long established as a bio-stimulant for plants. Edwards Advanced Seaweed contains cold extract Ascophyllum nodosum from the waters of the North Sea. It is a bio-stimulant that is directly beneficial to both plant and soil.

Edwards Advanced Seaweed incorporates within the blend additional humic substances obtained from naturally occurring leonardite. By blending these two ingredients together, Edwards Agricultural Supplies have created a product that works in synergy with the plant and soil. Acting as an organic catalyst it stimulates plant enzymes, increase’s proliferation of desirable soil micro-organisms, stimulates root growth and increases root respiration and formation. It also increases the germination and viability of seeds and promotes the development of chlorophyll, sugars and amino acids in plants which support photosynthesis, it assists in the thickening of cell walls in fruits which will prolong their storage and shelf life.

Edwards Advanced Seaweed increases plant production and enables plants to absorb more of the nutrients. Application improves soil structure and increases the crops yield and nutritional value.

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Soil health

Conservation agriculture trial yields pr

A

dopting a minimum tillage system and moving less soil can increase profitability despite crop establishment challenges, suggest interim trial results.

The impact of differing cultivation types has been assessed for the past three years by the Syngenta Sustainable Farming Initiative in partnership with NIAB and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project.

Interim findings from the half-way point of the five-year project – which aims to quantify the effects of a move

towards conservation agriculture – were presented at last month’s Cereals 2021 in Lincolnshire.

The trials are on heavy soil at Loddington, Leicestershire, and on a lightland farm at Lenham, Kent. A ploughbased system is being assessed against minimum-cultivation and direct drilling across a rotation of barley, oilseed rape, wheat, beans and wheat.

Financial data shows that direct drilling has resulted in reductions in fuel usage of between 50-65%, while work rates over the ploughed system

Belinda Bailey: positive results

“

The effects of yield penalties are largely mitigated

are around 50% improved. This has driven operational cost improvements of some £8-£10/ha.

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Yield reduction But crop establishment has suffered – especially in the challenging soils at Loddington – with a drop of around 8% helping contribute to an overall reduction in both yield and grain margin/ha of 9%.

Even so, net profit per hectare has so far increased by 5% at Loddington and by 18% at Lenham. Soil greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 1617% at both sites, and the measured carbon footprint of the cropped area fell by some 10%.

Syngenta head of sustainability Mark Hall said: “The research has proven the potential for conservation agriculture techniques to hugely cut greenhouse gas emissions, by around 16%.

“With these results, when you combine the environmental gains with the improvement in net profit, of 18% on light land and 5% on heavier land, there is clear direction for a more sustainable farming system.”

The two contrasting soil types has identified some key challenges for growers moving to conservation agriculture systems – but also pinpointed potential for future research to address those issues.

Syngenta project manager Belinda Bailey said: “Over the course of the trial yields have been slightly lower with the direct/light till establishment, down by around 3% on lights land and 9% on heavy land.

“That would appear to be primarily due to correspondingly reduced crop

romising early results “Add in the savings in the farm’s overall machinery required for the direct-drill establishment, and the net profit in both farm situations is extremely positive,” saidMs Bailey.

GWCT Allerton Project head of partnerships Joe Stanley said: “On the environmental front, bird sightings at both farms were seen to double in a direct-drilling system, while earthworm numbers were also up.

establishment on both farms.

“However, when you factor in the cost savings of up to 65% fuel saving, 10% reduction in operating costs and over 50% improvement in work rate, the effects of yield penalties are largely mitigated.

Resilient farming With the Basic Payment Scheme due to be phased out by 2028, and given the challenges of an increasingly extreme climate, Mr Staney said it had never been more vital for farmers to reduce costs and boost the resilience of their farming systems.

“Furthermore, the dramatically improved work rate of the reduced tillage system offers a clear attraction to farm businesses needing to capitalise on increasingly narrow weather windows,” he said.

The key metric in the report is the net profit/ha which improved at both

Direct drilling is more profitable although yields are lower, suggests the study

sites despite decreased yields – although this wasn’t to deny the greater challenges represented by heavy land in this transition.

Consideration must also be given to the costs of replacing existing equipment, said Mr Stanley.

The story was similarly positive on the environmental front, with biodiversity increasing, the worm numbers moving in the right direction under reduced tillage to help improve soil health, and the carbon footprint of the food produced declining.

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Water Water management ‘will boost resilience to climate change’

B

etter water management is needed to increase resilience to drought and climate change, says a new report.

The Country Land and Business Association says the impact of climate change is clear and here to stay. The first few months of 2021 saw one of the driest Aprils on record – followed by one of the wettest Mays.

Some farms were submerged in water for over three months this past winter. This left many farmers unable to plant crops for an entire year. And the Met Office predicts that the risk of floods has increased by at least 20% and up to 90%.

The CLA’s Water Strategy: a vision for the water environment to 2030 ssays landowners could play a key role in improving the wider water environment by harnessing low-cost nature-based solutions.

Responsibility for flood defences is currently shared by the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities (LLFAs), alongside landowners and farmers. But the CLA says the agency is often too slow to respond to essential maintenance.

This leaves rural communities vulnerable to serious flooding, says the CLA. Many landowners are already stepping-up to protect their local communities – but they are often uncertain whether they are allowed to undertake maintenance work.

Community supported organisations like internal drainage boards, are often far better placed than the Environment Agency to maintain main rivers. And the CLA argues these organisations should be allowed to take

over responsibility for them.

Landowners have proven to be extremely successful at using their land to mitigate flood risks through Natural Flood Risk Management (NFM) projects.

These projects can involve creating wetlands and saltmarshes, or planting trees to stabilise riverbanks, slowing the flow of water and helping it to be absorbed, while also improving biodiversity, water quality, water availability and carbon storage.

More support To support landowners in their desire to protect local communities and mitigate flood risk, the government needs to have a proper policy, says the CLA. It wants the Environment Agency to make the rights and responsibilities of landowners clear to allow for effective and flexible flood defence work – helping to avoid any unnecessary flooding of rural properties.

Maintaining flood defence assets – £75m of funding per year for maintenance of existing flood defence assets, on top of the funding already earmarked for new flood defence assets, that would provide cost effective flood defences while improving the environment.

Catchment-focused flood management – government to allow for regional approaches and flexibility, including the effective use of Natural Flood Risk Management projects to transfer flood risk responsibilities to the best-placed body to do so.

CLA president Mark Bridgeman said: “Many of these land managers already play

Farmers should have a bigger role in river maintenance, says Mark Bridgeman.

a crucial role in using their land to prevent local communities and businesses bearing the brunt of flood damage.

“Of course, this needs to come with the right government support and funding. But the solution to flood defences is sitting right on our doorstep at the fraction of the price of new infrastructure: natural flood risk management.”

Work together to secure fair share of water – NFU

T

he NFU has filmed a mock weather forecast to highlight the importance of a fair share of water for crop and livestock production.

The forecast for 11 July 2050 highlights the impact of climate change – including scorching summer temperatures – that growers and livestock producers can expect to experience on their farms.

The Met Office predicts UK summer heatwaves every other year by 2050. The forecast – on YouTube – is presented by farmer James Johnson. It predicts temperatures of 45ºC and a widespread risk of standing crop fires.

The NFU forecast warns farmers to maintain air conditioning units in their sheds amid serious concerns about animal heat stress.

And it suggests planting Mediterranean drought-resistant trees to help provide shade for livestock.

Integrated strategy The NFU released the forecast to emphasise the need for a national integrated water management strategy. Doing so would help farmers achieve their goal of leading the world in climate-friendly food production, it said.

NFU president Minette Batters has repeatedly called on the government, water companies and farmers to invest properly in water management. A collaborative approach was essential to secure an adequate water into the future, she said.

“We cannot underestimate the importance

of food production as we chart a course through our climate challenges.We can deliver on our net zero pledge while retaining, if not growing, our agricultural capacity, but adopting a new approach to water is vital.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change already accepts that climate change is affecting food security, predicting that food supply could well become more unstable as extreme weather leads to greater disruption of supply chains.

“We must make far better use of abundant winter rainfall, rather than simply pumping it out into the North Sea as we currently do,” said Mrs Batters. “This will require a collaborative approach involving both public and private sector partners ­and farmers.”

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 27

Water

Success for scheme that pays farmers to reduce pollution

O

ne of the UK’s biggest water companies has seen a big return on investment after paying farmers to reduce pollution.

Severn Trent’s Farming for Water initiative saves up to £20 in water treatment costs for every £1 it spends in support for more than 5,000 farmers across the Midlands, says Jodie Rettino, the company’s catchment and biodiversity lead.

“When it comes to water, farmers and Severn Trent have common goals.

Ultimately, we both need water to be in the right place at the right time and it needs to be good quality. That’s why it makes sense for collaboration to improve water quality upstream.

“The grants offered to farmers in the Midlands have multifaceted benefits. They improve water quality for our customers, enhance the wider environment and have numerous productivity benefits for producers.”

Amazing results In the last five years, more than £5.7 million has been invested in Severn Trent’s environmental protection scheme (STEPS). It helps farmers change their practices to enhance water quality, farm productivity and the wider farm environment.

Dr Rettino says: “We’ve seen amazing results which include a 90% reduction in pesticide peaks over the last five years. This milestone has been achieved by farmers recognising the value of the mutual benefits

28 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

Other areas where collaboration is working Over the past six years, Severn Trent has worked with over 4,000 farmers as part of the Farm to Tap scheme, – which paid farmers up to £5/ha to reduce watercourse pollution by avoiding metaldehyde slug pellets.

To date, the scheme has been very successful. Dr Rettino said: “We’ve seen a 68% reduction in metaldehyde peaks and there’s been no metaldehyde failures at treatment works for the last two years.” that match-funded grants offer.”

Many producers invest the money from STEP grants into marginal land to avoid taking valuable land out of production. This includes planting buffer strips or building beetle banks, which bring biodiversity benefits as well as water improvements.

“About ten years ago we were looking to install a treatment plant, specifically to remove pesticides at the treatment works in Tittesworth, which would have cost several million pounds,” said Dr Rettino.

Through catchment management work and investment with farmers, we reduced pesticide contamination to a level that meant treatment equipment wasn’t required.”

Although a lot of progress has already been made in reducing pesticide levels, Dr Rettino says there is still more work to be done when it comes to reducing nitrates and cryptosporidium in watercourses.

Grant recipient and farmer James Kent said equipment purchased through the scheme had helped him reduce fertiliser usage. Water quality had improved through precision ap-

“

She added: “Ultimately, farmers need to start thinking about pesticide use in a different way, so that they implement an integrated approach, using cultural options first where possible. Pesticides should be a last resort.”

Farmers can make applications to join the Farm to Tap scheme until 15 September.

To find out if you are eligible, visit: www. stwater.co.uk/about-us/environment/ catchment-management/farm-to-tap/

A 95% reduction in pesticide peaks over last five years

plications and the farm is using less fertiliser – a big cost saving.

“We were already saving 5% a year on fertiliser costs using GPS guidance equipment purchased from our Severn Trent grant. But with a further grant, we now have variable rate application and section control, which has saved us more than 10% a year.”

Funding available Dr Rettino is encouraging more farmers to apply for STEPS funding, with the application window open for another six months. Getting involved would help farmers make the shift towards farming with the wider environment in mind, she says.

Although change brings opportunities, Dr Rettino says farmers should still use Severn Trent advice to ensure they are prepared to take the leap – and see what postive change can do for their business.

For more information and the full grant eligibility criteria. visit www. stwater.co.uk/steps. Alternatively, contact your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser. Applications are open until 31 January 2022.

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SKIPTON AUCTION MART

east midlands depot network update

‘5,000 – 10,000 STORE LAMBS’ Wednesday 11th August – Show of Beltex Lambs Wednesday 25th August – Show of Mule Wether Lambs Wednesday 8th September – Show & Sale of Top Draw Gimmer Lambs & Show of Masham Wether Lambs

British Wool has a comprehensive nationwide depot network, and with the opening of our new Drop Off locations we’re making it easy for producers to send their wool to us.

For more information, please contact your local site below:

Stamford Drop Off

-------------------------------------------------------------

British Wool, Potters Hill, Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire, NG33 4SP Contact: Amanda Knighton Tel: 07977 021975

‘BREEDING SHEEP’

Newark Drop Off

Wednesday 11th August – Lingfields Summer Sheep Fair Friday 20th August – All classes of Halfbred & Suffolk Ewes Tuesday 24th August – Annual Show & Sale of Shearling Gimmers

JW & WM Baugh, Woodside Farm, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0EJ Contact: Richard Baugh Tel: 07815 740155

Leicester Drop Off R.F. Harrison, Smeeton Road, Sunnydale Farm, Saddington, Leicester, LE8 0QT Tel: 07772 551694 or 07790 077761 Other Drop Off Locations

Address

Caistor Drop Off Amanda Knighton – 07977 021975

Nettleton Service Station, Caistor, Lincolnshire, LN7 6AW

Stanton on the Wolds Drop Off Amanda Knighton – 07977 021975

Bank Farm, Melton Road, Stanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire, NG12 5PJ

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‘400-800 STORE & BREEDING CATTLE’ Craven Cattle Marts Ltd, Gargrave Road, Skipton, N. Yorkshire BD23 1UD. Office: 01756 792375 Jeremy Eaton: 07740 780481 Ted Ogden: 07855 958211 Kyle Hawksworth: 07538 539077 www.ccmauctions.com

Head to our website for a full list of drop off locations and hauliers: britishwool.org.uk/depot-network *Deliveries to British Wool drop off locations or grading depots incur no onward carriage charge.

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Livestock Bold plan aims to eradicate BVD and sheep scab by 2031 • Goal to eliminate two key diseases • Benefits across all four UK nations • Big help for beef and sheep sectors

T

he livestock industry has set out bold ambitions to eradicate two key livestock diseases within 10 years.

Plans to eliminate sheep scab and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) by 2031 were announced by the Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) group after more than 70 farmers, vets and other industry stakeholders attended an online workshop.

RH&W chair Nigel Miller said setting the eradication target underlined the determination of participants to create a new high-health environment across the UK. It would elevate animal welfare and help to secure export markets, he said.

Extraordinary change “We need this health platform to elevate animal welfare and play a part in securing export markets,” said Mr Miller. “We are going into a period of extraordinary change; we have got to push back on the accepted boundaries of health and production.

“World class economic efficiency and the building pressures of low carbon production demand a higher national flock and herd health status.

Mapping out clear change targets is a vital step to secure that goal.”

Sheep scab is now endemic in the national flock. It affects 10-15% of farms with some 8,000 outbreaks each year costing up to £202 million. The disease was one of the most popular topics selected for debate.

Stewart Burgess, from the Moredun Research Institute, said a new vaccine would help. But interim goals like notifiable or reportable status would create a traceable, sustainable framework for success.

“The reality is that there are imminent threats and the status quo is

not working, Modelling studies have shown that focussing control on disease hotspots not only makes gains in those targeted areas, but can also have a significant impact on sheep nationwide.”

The sheep scab ELISA blood test had potential to be a real game changer, said Dr Burgess.

“It can detect scab in the first two weeks of infestation and before clinical signs – a new version is in development and will offer on-farm results in under 20 minutes for less than £5.”

A future vaccine was also under development at Moredun. “In its current form it has up to 80% efficacy and will offer sustainable control of scab.”

Kate Hovers, from the Wales Veterinary Science Centre, said disease control schemes and health certification would benefit the sector – both in controlling disease and offering a premium for certified stock.

Mandatory controls BVD eradication, another priority for the group, is already in progress through different statutory and voluntary efforts in each UK nation. Introducing mandatory control will be the next step with co-ordinated messaging and approaches.

Sam Strain, chief executive at Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI), was heavily involved in establishing a compulsory BVD programme – and strongly advised that legislation was critical for eradication.

Re-engagement was high on the list of interim goals. “Any control programme needs to have co-ordinated messages between the four nations – being cognisant of international requirements such as the EU Animal Health Law.

Thousands raised for Bulls Out for Cancer

B

eef and dairy farmers have raised over £1,000 for testicular cancer – while improving their herd genetics as part of Breedr’s Bulls Out for Cancer campaign.

It coincides with the launch of new breeding reports in the free app – which align with AHDB Key Performance Indicators and help beef producers identify the best genetics to improve their herd.

“We’re encouraging farmers to log when they turn their bulls out with the cow – and when females are bulling – so the app can generate alerts for returning cows and calving dates,” explains Suzy Wheal, cofounder of Breedr.

“By inputting simple data like that, as well as the sires, dams, calving ease and weaning weights, the app can automatically generate reports showing which bloodlines produce the best calves, whether that’s as replacements or for finishing.”

For every bull logged in the app in May, June and July, Breedr donated £10 to the OddBalls Foundation.

An extra 10p was added for each bulling activity or artificial insemination added.

Share photos and videos Farmers who share their photos or video on Twitter with the hashtag #BullsOutForCancer earned another £1 for the charity. The campaign aims to raise £5,000 for the OddBalls Foundation.

“Around 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, and the OddBalls Foundation is all about raising awareness and getting men to check themselves regularly,” said Ms Wheal.

“Healthy balls are vital to farmers, whether that’s their own or their bulls’ – they’re clearly a vital part of any breeding system.”

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 31

Livestock

Trials highlight benefits of hybrid rye in pig diets • Big improvements seen in performance • Reduces fat depth at P2 position • Added welfare and gut health benefits

H

ybrid rye can be included in finishing pig diets at rates of up to 60%, according to UK trials to evaluate its use as an alternative feedstuff.

The trials were conducted as part of a collaboration between plant breeder KWS and feed manufacturer ABN. They focused on the value of hybrid rye in feed for finishing pigs from 36kg to 115kg live weight.

Starting in early 2020 and involving about 4000 pigs, trials saw three different diets fed during three distinct growth phases: 36kg-65 kg, 65kg-85kg and from there to finishing at 115kg live weight.

Full results are expected after the trials conclude in September. But early results are significant at a time when the sector is searching for sustainable raw materials, says ABN senior pig nutritionist Steve Jagger.

“The results look very encouraging,” said Dr Jagger, who is leading the trial.

Growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion showed no any significant differences between treatments. But a significant effect was observed for the measurement of fat depths at the P2 position, which reduced at the rate of 0.2mm per 20% inclusion of rye.

There was no notable effect of treatment on deaths and mortality, but these were lower when fed rye. Energy and protein levels compare well with wheat and rye’s fibre content is associated with additional welfare and gut health benefits.

“Rye has slow release of energy from the large intestine and increases satiety, which is why it has been associated with positive behavioural effects in finishing pigs and gestating sows,” said Dr Jagger.

Proven benefits This effect may also be of value over the farrowing process where a continued supply of energy may help reduce the number of stillborn piglets, he added. Rye has also been associated with a reduction in ulceration.

“Its structure can improve gut health and lower skatol, reducing car32 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

cass taint. It gives rise to high levels of butyric acid which can reduce the incidence of salmonella as well as increase the antibody levels in colostrum.”

KWS feed product manager Richard Grone is a qualified veterinarian.

The benefits of feeding rye have been proven by pig producers all over the world, he said.

“Major improvements in performance, health, behaviour, and welfare have been recorded in pigs from five weeks of age to fatteners, both in controlled conditions and commercial situations.

“This latest UK trial represents an exciting development for producers at a time when the industry is aiming to reduce its environmental impact and the focus on animal welfare and health is increasing.”

“Previous trials to assess how the inclusion of rye in pig diets affects performance have shown promising results on growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Although not yet been included in compound feeds, there is increasing interest.”

Hybrid rye can be substituted oneto-one for wheat and barley, so it offers

many possibilities for feed compounders and producers. The amount which can be included is not fixed and can range from 20-70% – but most producers start using it at 30%-40%.

“Hybrid rye also fits in well with the requirements of the UK’s new agriculture bill by delivering nitrogen and agrochemical savings without compromising yields, while its straw acts as a novel stimulus and helps to further reduce aggression.”

Increasing interest Frontier Agriculture regional seed manager Chris Piggott said the results were encouraging because interest in growing hybrid rye is high among from arable farmers. The crop had significant agronomic and economic benefits in certain situations, he added.

“To establish rye as a viable option in the rotation, it is essential to ensure that it works for the whole supply chain, from growers and the trade to the feed industry and other end-users,” said Mr Piggott.

“Frontier’s role is to facilitate that and our investment in these areas could help to bring about a significant increase in the UK rye area, if market conditions allow. New varieties play a key role in achieving that goal. For example, KWS Tayo has PollenPlus technology which provides effective protection against ergot in rye.”

Rye has many benefits as an ingredient in pig feed, suggests the study

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#morefromgrass Data Source: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

cm

Spring

Summer

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(May - Aug)

(Kg DM per ha)

15

3,250

14

3,130

3,740

13

3,010

3,550

12

2,880

3,350

11

2,750

3,150

10

2,620

2,960

3,930

9

2,470

2,750

8

2,320

2,540

2,330

7

2,150

6

1,980

2,110

5

1,780

1,880

1,580

1,650

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1,340

1,400

1,050

1,120

680

800

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UK Dairy Day UK Dairy Day all set for welcome return to Telford • Final preparations made for event • Cattle classes and national shows • Full programme of dairy speakers

N

ext month’s UK Dairy Day will go ahead with additional Covid safety measures in place following the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions.

The annual one-day event dedicated to all things dairy will be held on Wednesday, 15 September, at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire.

The UK Dairy Day team says it is doing everything possible to stage the event responsibly with additional Covid measures in place to ensure that visitors, staff and exhibitors feel safe following the easing of lockdown restrictions earlier this summer.

Support and reaction Arrangements include changes to layouts and crowd management to avoid a build-up of visitors in popular areas, additional ventilation systems for exhibition areas and an enhanced cleaning regime. Hand sanitiser will be available across the site.

Behind the scenes, event organisers have been working on all elements of

the event. Trade stand bookings were being finalised earlier this month before publication of the full exhibitor listing and layout plan.

UK Dairy Day director Sue Cope said: “We have been overwhelmed with support and reaction from the industry to make the event happen. The team has already planned and implemented additional measures to safeguard and reassure exhibitors and visitors.

“It is unmistakably clear that vaccines are working and the sheer scale of the vaccine roll-out has supported the freedom to enable the event to happen. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to UK Dairy Day at Telford.”

This year’s UK Dairy Day will go ahead with Covid safety measures

Insight and learning Demonstrations and seminars would return to the event, said Ms Hope – providing an opportunity to hear from the experts and take home insight and learning about the latest developments in the dairy sector.

Principal sponsors for 2021 include Holstein UK, NWF Agriculture, Crys-

talyx and Fullwood Packo. Speakers will cover key topics related to farming without subsidies, climate change, market conditions and breeding the right dairy cow.

Dairy cattle will also return to the event which will host the National Shows for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Holstein breeds – along with classes for Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey. The deadline for cattle entries is Friday, 3 September.

A leading line-up of judges will cast their eye over the breeds. They include include John Suffern (Ayrshire), Stuart Williams (Brown Swiss), David Booth, (Holstein), Owain Harries (Dairy Shorthorn), Dawn Coryn (Guernsey) and Ben Etteridge (Jersey).

Youngstock key to dairy sustainability – study

B

etter youngstock management is key to dairy farm sustainability, suggests a national survey.

Some 83% of UK dairy farmers say investment in improved genetics, genomics, nutrition and vaccination is vital to better quality heifer replacements so animals have a more productive and profitable life.

The Herd Futures survey was conducted

by Cogent UK, MSD Animal Health and Volac. Some 247 farmers completed the survey which canvassed their views on the pathway to a more sustainable future.

When thinking about the future of their herd and their youngstock rearing system, farmers were asked to rank the areas where they will prioritise their focus and investment over the next five years.

Colostrum management emerged as the number one priority, closely followed by investment in better genetics, facilities and farm equipment. Improved pre-weaning calf nutrition and better use of vaccines were also recognised as important.

Ben Hogg, national business development manager with Cogent UK, said it was

important for farmers to invest wisely to produce the best quality heifer calves – and to do so as efficiently as possible.

“There was wholehearted agreement – among 90% of the sample – that being able to guarantee a greater than 95% chance of a heifer calf through the use of sexed semen will be a real game-changer.”

When asked how farm advisers can best support their drive for better youngstock productivity, improving colostrum management and calf nutrition were second only to preventing disease problems.

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 35

UK Dairy Day

Silage variability prompts concerns over protein energy balance

M

ore first cut silage samples are testing higher in energy than protein – raising concern that dairy rations may become imbalanced this winter.

Challenges with low silage protein levels were first flagged in early first cut silage analysis results. But later first cuts suggest the picture is becoming more extreme – translating into even lower average crude protein levels.

Average crude proteins are now 13%, according to an analysis of 163 silage samples, including later MayJune cuts, by Mole Valley Feed Solutions. This is down from around 14.5% for early first cuts. The range runs from 8.2% to 21.6% crude protein.

Mole Valley senior nutritionist Robin Hawkey says the fermentable energy and protein balance (NFEPB) is of particular concern. “Left unaddressed,

this could negatively impact on milk output,” he explains.

Normally, crude protein levels to be higher than metabolisable energy at about 14-16% crude protein and 11MJ/kg DM. But this season NFEPB has been reversed with some silages analysing at 10% crude protein and 11MJ/kg DM. Dr Hawkey, says such a pattern is unusual. “I think that’s linked to the very cold, dry spring. It suggests that applied fertiliser wasn’t taken up, so the plant didn’t produce as much protein.”

Farmers that cut very early appear to have been impacted less. Those most affected appear to be farmers who planned to cut in the second or third week of May and then had to delay due to the weather and cut in late Mayearly June.

The issue is not just with crude pro-

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36 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

tein, but how that protein is made up.

Rumen fermentable protein (RFP) and total fermentable protein (TFP) levels are both particularly low, says Dr Hawkey.

This “raises flags over rumen function,” he adds. RFP and TFP are needed to promote rumen function, maximise nitrogen efficiencies and optimise production of microbial protein.

To address the protein and energy imbalance and protect milk production, Dr Hawkey advises feeding rumen fermentable protein sources such as rapeseed.

Protein and energy imbalances must be addressed, says Robin Hawkey

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Dairy farmers pay high price for lameness

E

arly detection is key for dairy farmers to stay on top of lameness cases and prevent lower milk yields, particularly for producers on a robotic system.

Lameness remains one of the highest costs to a dairy business – despite a range of industry initiatives to reduce it being a top priority in UK herds, says Wynnstay dairy specialist Beth May. “A lame cow will stand more, eat less and ultimately have less energy left over for milk production,” explains Miss May. Moderately or mildly lame cows produce about 4-9% less milk than a healthy cow – a daily loss of about 1.5 litres. With the average 200-cow herd running at 30% lameness, this is equivalent to 48,500 litres of lost milk worth £13,600.

Miss May says: “This is not con-

sidering the other long-term impacts lameness has on fertility, culling rate, number of replacements needed onfarm, additional labour, trimming and vet’s bills.”

For robotic herds, Miss May says it is critical to keep a close eye on early cases. Lame cows in a robotic system are likely to need fetching more for milking, so it will impact the average number of visits and therefore milk yield.

A proactive approach to lameness is important, says Bethany May.

Visual inspection “As you don’t see the cows walking to the parlour on a daily basis, there’s less visual inspection of the cow’s mobility and hoof condition. To get on top of cases requires an early, proactive, preventative approach rather than reactionary cures.”

Miss Mays explains a few ways to keep cases at bay. “Consider month-

ly locomotion scoring or mobility scoring sessions with a ROMS accredited scorer to assess your current level of lameness and help pick out any cows for early treatment.”

Wynnstay advises recording at least 10% of the herd on a monthly basis, near the exit of the robot, where they can be observed walking to a cubicle or feed fence. Results should be tracked to monitor problem cows and those who may be borderline.

“Assessing in low pressure areas of the shed, such as loafing areas or wide passageways will allow you to assess cows walking freely and will give a more accurate record,” suggests Miss May. When it comes to trimming, Miss May notes this is only done because of overgrowth or trauma to hoof. “They’re only overgrown or damaged because something in the environment is not right,” she explains.

“This could be because of inadequate flooring, sharp corners and/or turns in sheds or the parlour, inappropriate cubicles impacting lying times or even inadequate nutrition. I would recommend working with an independent consultant.”

This can make it easier to assess where the cause or problem areas are – and review where any changes can be made. “This could include alterations to floors with rubber matting or simple tweaks to rations.”

When it comes to nutrition, zinc has been proven to support hoof structure, to prevent lameness risk. Availa Zinc is the a proven performance mineral to reduce incidence of hoof lesions, such as digital dermatitis, ulcers or white line disease, by up to 30%.

“As well as lameness prevention, by supporting keratin production in the hoof, Availa Zinc is also proven to support against mastitis and reduce cell counts – due to its role in the formation of the keratin plug closing the teat canal after milking.”

Micronutrition is crucial part of prevention Farmers looking to support hoof health are being encouraged to consider trace element and vitamin supplementation.

Appropriate micronutrition and a suitable trimming strategy can support the hoof horn and help prevent lameness and its costly consequences, says Tom Butler, group technical manager at Brinicombe.

Trace element and vitamin supplementation can play an important part in helping to reduce the risk of hoof diseases, including digital dermatitis and

sole ulcers. Biotin and zinc as particularly crucial, says Mr Butler.

“Biotin is essential for keratinisation, which is a key process in the healthy composition of the hoof horn, but this vitamin is often lacking in cattle diets. Zinc is also incredibly important for hoof health.”

Severe nutritional deficiencies in biotin and zinc can make a hoof more susceptible to cracks and bacterial infections, increasing the risk of lameness. Mr Butler says routinely trace elements and vitamin

supplementation can reduce this risk.

EnduraBol Biotin is a good way to ensure a consistent and long-lasting supply of micronutrients to help support hoof health – as well as general cow health and performance, he says.

“During the summer, lameness can be increasingly noticeable as cattle are more likely to be walking further to the parlour, often on sharp, stony tracks, which can cause wear and tear on hooves,” says Mr Butler

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 39

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Farm safety Take care during summer harvest, farmers urged

F

armers and contractors are being urged to take care this harvest after a year which has seen 34 workers killed on farms.

The warning follows an NFU Live event to discuss how farmers can prepare for a safe harvest – both on and off the road. It was held in partnership with the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).

The event was billed as an opportunity for farmers to delve into road safety compliance expectations – and find out how contractors can better work with growers to improve safety and efficiency during harvest.

NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “Harvest is one of the busiest periods in the farming calendar. This often means we’re tired and stressed, so it is absolutely critical that we, and our employees, take extra care when it comes to safety.

“It’s also vital that we look out for each other. While it might be uncomfortable to point out a safety risk to a colleague or friend, we cannot be afraid to highlight where improvements can be made. It may well save a life.”

Long working hours, poorly maintained trailers pressure to get the job done means there is often an increase in road accidents around harvest-time.

Heavily laden trailers driven by inexperienced casual workers can also be a risk factor.

Mr Roberts said: “While we are reliant on patient, responsible driving from other road users, we must do what we can to stay safe and legal which can

Trailers must be properly maintained and roadworthy to be legal

be as simple as making sure we – or any workers – are not too tired.

“It’s important to recognise that safety does not have to mean a huge investment in time and money – it is about adopting simple measures, practices and processes that we embed into our everyday work.”

Working alone Mr Roberts said staff on his farm were encouraged to follow the Safe Stop procedure, ensure colleagues knew of their whereabouts when working alone and communicate regularly with other employees during the day.

NAAC chairman Matt Redman said: “Clear and efficient working between farmers and contractors is so important when it comes to getting the job done quickly and getting it done safely.

“Having a log of daily checks and maintenance is really useful and regu-

“

It is absolutely critical that we take extra care

lar communication between the farmer and contractor can go a long way to keeping everyone safe. This can include providing information and maps of any hazards.”

Contact details for someone on site for each party and emergency processes should also be agreed, said Mr Redman. Workers should refrain from using mobile phones while on the move – including celebrating unsafe activities on social media.

Mr Redman said: “Too often we see improper uses of machinery or people using mobile phones on roads being promoted on social media and we need to make this something that is socially unacceptable.”

Health and Safety executive figures show that 34 workers were killed on farms in the year to 31 March. The figure compares with a low of 21 deaths seen in the previous year.

Campaign shows benefit of daily trailer checks A farm safety campaign is highlighting the importance of daily trailer checks harvest – and the need to make sure they are roadworthy.

The #CornCart21 was launched by NFU president Stuart Roberts on behalf of the Tilly Your Trailer farm safety initiative. It is raising awareness of the free Head toTow app, which is available at www.tillypass.co.uk.

The app gives all farmers, farm workers

and harvest casuals the opportunity to access daily machinery checks and operators manuals either from their smartphone or by printing them out and using in a more traditional way.

UK trailer manufacturers have signed up to promote trailer safety since the Head toTow app was launched last year. Campaign founder Jane Gurney said: “There has been a huge uptake by operators looking to safeguard themselves while towing.

“It would be good to think that all employers had the correct knowledge when it came to farm machinery checks – at both the beginning of a shift when trailers are changed between tractors.”

Ms Gurney started the campaign after her son Harry suffered fatal injuries in a trailer accident in 2014. She added: “A much wider understanding of the help available must be achieved if we are to see a decrease in farm fatalities at harvest.”

AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 41

Farm safety

Raising the bar in farm safety and security

are at an increased risk of livestock rustling so measures should be taken to ensure fields, hedges, fences, walls and gates are well maintained and livestock are carefully monitored.

Livestock should always be tagged to aid identification and an accurate and up-to-date record of all livestock kept. Ensure the value of the full herd or flock is covered by insurance, not just a proportion, to avoid the possibilities of a shortfall in the event of a loss.

Finally, criminals wish to be swift in their actions, so creating obstructions, such as padlocked gates and doors with reinforced hinges, boulders or ditches on boundaries, and immobilising vehicles can help deter would-be thieves, as can visible security and signage at key access points and perimeters.

Farm Watch schemes can be extremely valuable to farmers by helping to improve the intelligence flow between agricultural communities and the police, and farmers may also find Farm Security Self-Assessments, available from police forces and insurance companies, are a useful resource.

EXPERT VIEW Bolstering farm security and safety during harvest shouldn’t be ignored, says Anderson Fossett

A farm sign warns visitors they are being monitored by CCTV 42 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021

and an alarm triggered if a vehicle enters or exits the property.

Other measures include anti-tampering devices, such a clear gel that transfers onto criminals’ hands and clothing, as well as fitting tracker devices and forensically marking machinery.

Farmers can register valuables on immobilise.com, a free online service that helps police identify owners of recovered property.

For hired machinery, ensure that anyone operating the machinery complies with the insurance requirements, as failure to do so could result in a shortfall or failed claim.

Inevitably, the value of buildings’ contents may rise at this time of year, due to the storage of machinery and other commodities. So ensure that insurance is up-to-date and offers sufficient cover.

It is also vital that all farm hands are aware of the security procedures and that they are on the look-out for suspicious behaviour and know to report anything that raises concern.

With livestock now out to pasture, farms

collins photography uk / Shutterstock.com

T

his month is the peak of harvest for cereal growers. It is a hectic time, with crops, weather and yields at the forefront of farmers’ minds.

A good harvest can make or break the farming year – but it remains imperative that farmers do not lose sight of their safety obligations and security requirements.

This helps to keep farm workers and farm assets safe – and is critical in preserving the long-term viability of the farm business.

Thieves – both organised and opportunist – rely on a lack of vigilance at harvest to make off with their ill gotten gains. So make life difficult for them.

Where possible, machinery should be stored in secure sheds. Window and door alarms should be fitted, alongside security cameras and light sensors. If machinery needs to be left overnight in the field, it should be hidden from view and keys removed.

Many farmers are turning to more hightech forms of security, such as geo-fencing, which allows for a boundary to be created

Reducing the death toll There were 34 fatal injuries in agriculture during 2020/21, an increase of 13 from the low of 21 seen in the previous year.

The agricultural sector is notorious for high injury and fatality rates. During harvest season, with an influx of farm hands and temporary workers, that risk is further compounded.

Health and safety fines remain high and we have seen farmers fork out hundreds of thousands of pounds for breaches every year.

The best way for farmers to mitigate safety risks and protect their business is to ensure that they are fully compliant with health and safety law and have all the necessary protections in place.

Farmers can take simple, practical steps to improve safety standards. Firstly, they should identify the risks posed by their business and create health and safety policies aimed at reducing these risks. Robust risk assessments and health and safety training will help ensure standards do not slip.

All farm hands should be trained and qualified in operating machinery, where necessary, and records of relevant paperwork should be up-to-date and stored securely, such as Employers’ Liability insurance and certifications. Farmers should be wary of ‘calling in favours’ from younger members of the family or inexperienced family friends.

Farmers who are hard-pressed for time should consider appointing someone within the business to look after health and safety policies and procedures, ensuring they have the training and knowledge required, or seek support from an external expert, who can identify gaps and missed opportunities, as well as make recommendations for improvements.

Anderson Fossett is an account executive with rural insurance broker Lycetts. For details, visit www.lycetts.co.uk

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Machinery Opico launches 8m EasyDrill from Sky • Drill targets larger area arable farms • Higher work rate increases efficiency • Separately places seed and fertiliser

S

ky Agriculture has introduced an 8m model into its EasyDrill range – available via Opico following the success of its 3m, 4m and 6m machine.

The W8020 Fertisem EasyDrill follows the same exacting standards and design principals as the 4m and 6m pneumatic drills. It also shares the same coulter line, multi hopper capacity and sophisticated electronic system.

UK Sky product manager Glenn Bootman said: “The 8m EasyDrill delivers for the larger acreage farm, where higher powered tractors are generally available from previous crop establishment systems.”

With up to four hoppers, the drill is capable of drilling product at two different depths. This means is is possible to accurately place multiple combinations of seed and/or fertiliser at two different depths too.

Separating the placement depth of seed and fertiliser increases the efficacy of applied nutrients and eliminates the risk of shoot burn with certain fertilisers. Mr Bootman said: “The additional width allows a higher work rate for this most versatile of drills.”

The main hopper is split between grain and fertiliser, each with its own pneumatic distribution. In addition, the option of up to two separately metered PRO hoppers can be integrated so that seed or microgranules can be introduced via either distribution circuit.

Many possibilities “The ability to seed from four hoppers at once allows so many possibilities – with mixed cover crops/companion cropping/small seeds/slug pellets added as desired. It also combats the risks of seeds of different sizes settling out in the hoppers.’

The 8m drill is ISOBUS ready and supplied as standard with Sky’s Quartz 800 control box. E-Drive premium can be specified, offering left and right section control as well as electronic row shut off for each individual outlet.

This means that the drill can be set to seed with a number of row configurations from the touch of a button. The ability to shut off individual rows also means that whatever the width of the sprayer or spreader it no longer needs to be a multiple width of the drill.

This function allows farmers and contractors to change sprayer/spreader width without having to renew the drill.

With row spacings of 16.6cm the 8m drill services forty-eight coulters, each with seed and fertiliser outlets.

A 250kg coulter pressure provides the versatility to drill straight into hard stubbles, cultivated soil and direct, and through cover crops.

An additional feature of the coulter line is the ability to transfer weight hydraulically between the front press wheels and the rear press wheels.

This feature comes into its own when, under damp and/or loose soil conditions, weight is transferred onto the front press wheels, but in dry seeding conditions the weight can be moved to the rear press wheel for improved slot closing.

Typical working speed is between and 6-12km/hour depending on conditions. The drill weighs in a touch under 10 tonnes with a transport width of 3m. Loading height is 3.2m and prices start at £151,624.

The W8020 Fertisem EasyDrill shares many features with its smaller siblings

Kuhn UK appoints non-inversion specialist for central England

K

uhn Farm Machinery has appointed non-inversion establishment and spraying specialist Rupert Greest to cover central England and Wales.

Mr Greest has 17 years of experience in the agricultural machinery sector, progressing through roles in technical support and sales management for both dealers and manufacturers.

“These are exciting times to be involved in agricultural machinery, with technology advancing rapidly to meet a range of challenges, and particularly in areas like crop protection and soil health,” he says.

“Kuhn is a company that takes the lead

in key areas of technology and has great reach through its strong dealer network, so is a great opportunity at this point in my career.”

Kuhn UK managing director Siân Pritchard said the expansion of the company’s specialist sales team was in response to the firm’s continuing growth in minimal tillage equipment and its increasing reputation in crop protection.

“We created specialist sales roles in 2015, to enable Kuhn UK to provide greater expertise in the areas of non-inversion establishment and spraying, and also in feeding and bedding equipment,” she says.

Rupert Greest: min-till establishment and spraying AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 45

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Clarkson’s Farm TV star Jeremy Clarkson has shown the public what farming is all about, says Clodhopper

G

o farming, claim subsidies and buy a new Range Rover every year. That’s what Jeremy Clarkson thought it was all about. Until he started farming himself.

How refreshing it has been to watch Clarkson’s Farm – his new TV show on Amazon Prime Video – truly reflect the trials and tribulations of farming and how difficult it can be to make a living.

For anyone who hasn’t seen it, the eightpart show follows Clarkson as he takes on the management of his own 400ha farm in the Cotswolds. It’s grittily realistic – but peppered with his trademark humour.

Clearly Clarkson didn’t take the farming life too seriously at first. But he was soon bitten by the bug and the serious side gradually dawns on him – alongside the potential for huge losses his mistakes can bring.

Although well-supported financially from his media work outside of farming, Clarkson’s understanding of the importance of off-farm income will strike a chord with all of us real farmers out here. He gets it.

Having only made £144 profit during his entire first farming year, he begins to understand what all like-minded farmers have said for years: most farms – including his – cannot survive without diversification.

Hence Clarkson starts a farm shop selling a multitude of home grown products and anything else that is edible. As well as some overpriced T-shirts, tea towels and dubiously named scented candles.

In his words, he has to make the farm work and pay. Just like the rest of us.

Battles with conservationists and planning officers reveal the everyday frustrations many of us have to endure all too often. And there there are the countless pointless rules and abundance of petty red tape.

Farmers have been bogged down for years, hampered by ill-advised agri-environment schemes, out of date rules with no common sense and local councils or indeed governments that fail to understand our needs.

He admits that his natural instinct when presented with a rule is to break it. It is something we all feel too. Yet somehow over the last 20 odd years we’ve all been brain washed or just battered into submission.

Bad at business He makes great TV but Clarkson openly admits he is the world’s worst businessman. Yet some of the mistakes he makes on screen are maybe the same as ours – only they have been caught on camera.

Hands up everyone who has bought a piece of machinery at auction that was falling to bits? I have certainly paid over the odds for something that looked good at the time but later turned out not to be. The term “sold as

seen” has a lot to answer for.

The show challenges the (all too often) public view that farmers are either destroying the planet or filling food with poisons. And Clarkson naturally asks where all these crazy stories come from.

It is a TV show that questions the rules and untruths that circulate within our industry.

And the daft things too. So it is no surprise when Clarkson – like many farmers – raises his eyebrows at being paid to leave land fallow or simply do nothing at all.

New regime Increasingly during the series, he becomes more aware of his surroundings. And there is a gradual realisation that nature needs us just as much as we need it. Like all of us, he will have to change his business plan and adapt to this new regime.

Regenerative farming seems to be the latest buzz phrase – used to balance conservation alongside a farming system that stops using insecticides and uses minimum tillage and cover crops to enhance soil health.

Clarkson harks back to the basic days of farming where it was all about sitting on a tractor seat, hard work and trying to keep things as simple as possible. Not too much different from today – although some might say it was much easier back in the day.

A second series has now been confirmed.

Let’s hope it is as good as the first. Things can only improve for Clarkson as he begins to understand modern day farming. For us, let’s hope he continues to get the farming message across.

“Like the rest of us, he has to make the farm pay”

46 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021