Midland Farmer - December 2023

December 2023

Midland

Farmer Serving the farming industry across the Midlands

Celebrating success: Rising farm stars prepare for agri-engineering awards

News Autumn statement falls short for farms

Pigs & Poultry Big reduction in antibiotics use

Professional services Diversification 'vital' for farm incomes

Arable How nutrition can build crop resilience

Livestock 'Maize silage slump' warning this winter

Farm performance Highs and lows of crop input costs

Clodhopper Farm schemes are too heavy-handed

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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

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ADVERTISING SALES Wes Stanton | T: 01502 725866 E: wes.stanton@micropress.co.uk Danny Lewis | T: 01502 725862 E: danny.lewis@micropress.co.uk Dan Rice | T: 01502 725858 E: daniel.rice@micropress.co.uk Mat Roffey | T: 01502 725854 E: mat.roffey@micropress.co.uk Mark Tait | T: 01502 725803 E: mark.tait@micropress.co.uk

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 gemma.mathers@micropress.co.uk © Countrywide Publications 2023 Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd T: 01502 725800

Clear vision – and investment – needed for farming

T

he absence in last month’s Autumn Statement of any significant measures to benefit agriculture is a timely reminder that the government has what it believes are bigger things on its mind.

Chief among these is the forthcoming general election. Little surprise then that the Chancellor was keen to cut taxes – or at least appear to be doing so. The reality is that Jeremy Hunt’s reductions in national insurance will be more than offset by previously announced tax rises.

Similarly, few family farms will benefit from the Mr Hunt’s £11 billion corporation tax giveaway. Why? Because most of the UK’s farm businesses operate as family partnerships or sole traders rather than as limited companies.

Farm leaders have been quick to point this out.

They are right to do so. Unlike politics, farming is a long-term game. It requires long-term planning and investment – not headline-grabbing gestures or giveaways doled out in a bid to woo voters at the ballot box.

Despite the Farm to Fork summit hosted by Rishi Sunak at Downing Street earlier this year, it is abundantly clear that this government still has no clear long-term vision when it comes to agri-

Contents

culture – or UK food security.

Ministers sometimes make the right noises, but mostly they don’t even do that. What is lacking is a coherent strategy that gives farmers the confidence to invest in their own businesses – confident that the government has their backs.

Instead, we have a situation where growers and livestock producers too often can’t see a clear future for farming. There is no clear strategy to ease the labour shortage in agriculture, no clear targets on domestic food production – and no sign of the much promised land-use strategy either.

And all the time direct payments to farmers continue to be phased out much faster than the phasing in of the environmental land management scheme – making a mockery of government pledges that support for farming will be maintained for the duration of the current parliament.

The government might be able to appease some voters by cutting taxes. But farmers are less likely to be taken in so easily. When the time does come to go to the polls, most producers will think very carefully when choosing who they vote for.

Johann Tasker Editor

Vol 12 • No 12 • December 2023

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

LAMMA 2024 ................................................. 27

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

Professional services .................................. 39

Livestock ..........................................................19

Clodhopper ..................................................... 46

Pig & Poultry ....................................................21

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News Investment needed to realise rural potential • Autumn Statement has little for farms • Many businesses miss out on tax cuts • Infrastructure must be pump-primed

I

ndustry leaders are calling for targeted investment in agriculture following a disappointing Autumn Statement for the sector.

Many farmers will miss out on an £11bn corporate tax incentive unveiled by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month. Reductions in national issurance will be a benefit – but previously announced changes mean the overall tax burden will rise.

In a give-away for groups including “farmers who kept us fed” during the pandemic, Mr Hunt confirmed a 2% cut in National Insurance, the abolition of Class Two National Insurance and a reduction from 9% to 8% in Class Four National Insurance.

But NFU president Minette Batters said many farmers would miss out. “While we acknowledge the announcement of full expensing, most farmsare ineligible as the vast majority are unincorporated businesses.”

Rural potential In a letter to the Chancellor ahead of the statement, Ms Batters said farmers were facing higher input costs and cuts to direct support payments while new environmental schemes were yet to offer similar levels of support.

She added: “Farm businesses form the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – food and drink.

To make a real difference, the Chancellor’s focus must be on targeted investment incentives to stabilise, grow and decarbonise our sector.”

“

The tax system must be simplified

Farm businesses are the bedrock of the food and drink sector

Country Land and Business Association president Victoria Vyvyan said the autumn statement failed to recognise the potential of the rural economy, with thousands of rural businesses excluded from what were largely urban-centric measures.

“Rural businesses have suffered a very high tax burden at the same time as high costs. While some measures, such as cuts to self-employed national insurance, are welcome, they will not help businesses in the countryside to grow.

“The tax system needs to be simplified and designed to modernise the sector, driving productivity growth.

This means extending the full expensing regime beyond large corporates to include unincorporated businesses as well buildings and infrastructure.

“We welcome measures to help speed up the planning system and provide extra funding for house-building – but government has been talking about planning and housing reform for decades. It now needs urgently to deliver on its promises.”

Living wage Mr Hunt also accepted aLow Pay Commission plea for the largest-ever increase of the National Living Wage.

This will rise almost 10% to £11.44 from April – and apply to 21- and 22-year-old workers for the first time.

New Defra secretary 'backs British farmers'

N

orth-east Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay has pledged to back British farmers following his appointment as Defra secretary.

Mr Barclay was given the role in last month’s cabinet reshuffle which saw his Defra predecessor Therese Coffey leave government. He is the ninth Defra secretary in just nine years and was previously health secretary.

First elected as an MP in 2010, Mr Barclay was brought up in Lancashire. He did a shortservice commission with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and read history at Cambridge

4 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

University before working in various financial roles.

“Backing British farmers is one of my top priorities,” he said, following his Defra appointment. “As an MP for a rural area I know how important these issues are to many people up and down our country.”

Mr Barclay met NFU president Minette Batters on the first full day in his new role.

The two leaders discussed food security, ensuring the government’s farming schemes work for farmers, and delivering fairness in supply chains.

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News

Wolds Produce joins

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T

he AKP Group, one of the UK’s biggest vertically integrated potato supply chain specialists, has completed the acquisition of Wolds Produce.

Established in 1999 by Richard Arundel and Bruce Kerr, the AKP Group is a North Lincolnshire potato grower and supply chain specialist, delivering potatoes to the retail, processing and food service sectors in the UK and overseas.

Wolds Produce was founded as a potato trading business in 2004 offering crops from the Yorkshire Wolds to packers. Today, it trades over 50,000 tonne of potatoes – making it a major potato supplier to the crisping, chipping and potato seed sectors.

17-18 LAMMA 2024, Birmingham NEC www.lammashow.com 17-18 AICC agronomists conference • www.aicc.org.uk February 7

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Expertise By combining the expertise, resources and experience of the two companies, the AKP Group aims to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain, ultimately contributing to the growth of the UK potato industry.

AKP Group managing director Richard Arundel said: “By scaling up our operation across storage, washing, grading and distribution, we can help our growers and partners to minimise risk, reduce their costs and make it happen for UK farming.”

Mr Arundel said the acquisition

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was a strategic step towards the goal of becoming the go-to partner within the UK potato industry. “We are excited that Wolds Produce shares this focus and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring.”

Wolds Produce will continue to operate independently under AKP Group.

Road signs proclaiming motorists are entering ‘Weetabixshire’ are being used to highlight that only locally grown wheat is used in the breakfast cereal.

All wheat used in Weetabix is grown within a 50-mile radius of the factory at Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. As a marketing ploy, the company is calling for the area to be designated as a new county.

Three 7ft tall ‘Welcome to Weetabixshire’ signs were erected in Burton Latimer, to mark the centre of Weetabixshire, and on the edges of St Neots and Rutland to mark the new proposed county lines.

Weetabix said it hoped to gather enough signatures to make the idea a reality.

As part of the promotion, the company said 100 people who declare themselves as a ‘Weetabixshire’ resident would be randomly selected to win a free breakfast.

Local farmer and Weetabix wheat grower Jim Beaty, said: “It shows how much the community values us for the jobs we do on a daily basis, and I can’t express my gratitude enough towards them.”

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Arable Best chance of survival for waterlogged cereal crops Prolonged rain puts crops at risk

E

xceptionally wet weather this autumn means time is running out for growers still unable to drill winter-sown cereals.

Winter wheat can be drilled until January. But leaving it too late can result in reduced germination and plant populations. This is due to lack of warmth and suboptimal moisture levels for establishment.

As Christmas approaches, many farmers still aren’t drilled up. Some still have a considerable area to sow following early winter storms which caused localised flooding and left standing water on fields.

Growers with waterlogged soils will already be facing major challenges, says Adam Bartowski, eastern regional product manager at Timac Agro.

“If crops are drilled after November, average establishment rates tend to fall below 50%,” he explains.

The season has reached a critical point, with many farmers having to decide whether it’s worth proceeding with late drilling of winter wheat in oversaturated soils or delaying until spring, says Mr Bartowski.

A total soil temperature of 150°C should be reached between sowing and emergence, suggests the Agriculture and Horticulture Board wheat growth guide. This can take a month in crops drilled late into cold, wet soils.

Excessively wet soils run the risk of hard freezing as temperatures drop, which can also induce a stress response in plants. This leads to elevated ethylene levels from poor ventilation, causing crops to mature too early or shut down entirely.

Crop management “If growers are still looking to capitalise from winter wheat, the best approach to encourage establishment is to combine increasing seed rates with applying a soil conditioner or starter fertiliser,” says Mr Bartowski.

A microgranular starter fertiliser can be added with the seed at drilling.

Phosphorous and zinc can stimulate

germination, early root growth and nutrient uptake where there’s been less natural microbial activity to provide soil nutrition.

For growers who lack the specialist equipment to apply microgranular fertilisers, Mr Bartowski says another option is to apply a soil conditioner in preparing the seedbed just before drilling.

Correctly formulated soil conditioners can help neutralise acidity when applied at suboptimal pH levels, which can be an issue in prolonged wet soils, particularly those that have had manure applied.

For more on winter crop management, see pages 10-12

Above: Winter cereals face challenges on many farms this season Left: Time is running out to drill winter cereal crops, says Adam Bartowski

How nutrition can build resilience

F

oliar nutrition can help storm-hit cereal crops alleviate potential nutrient deficiencies going into winter.

Persistent autumn rain means soil nutrients are in short supply due to leaching and lock-up, says Chris Bond, crop nutrition product manager at FMC. Building crop resilience is vital for strong growth in the spring, he adds.

“Building a robust canopy before winter is key, it keeps the plants active and ready to hit the ground running for the crucial growing season in spring,” says Mr Bond.

Nutrients could be in short supply after extreme autumn rainfall which left soil saturated

At the same time, it’s important to foster strong root development. Foliar nutrition is one way growers can support crop resilience.

“Many nutrients can be locked-up in the soil during cold and wet conditions. Foliar application can eliminate these risks.”

Manganese, magnesium and copper are some of the key nutrients for cereal crops this winter for building above-ground resilience.

These nutrients all help with maintaining photosynthesis and cell wall integrity.

Root systems Zinc encourages strong active root systems, which is key for cold stress resilience. But deficiencies are on the rise, with 66% of tissue samples in 2022 showing lack of zinc, escalating to 75% in 2023.

For growers considering a foliar application of nutrients, Mr Bond suggests products containing magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc.

Applications can be made at any time after the three-leaf stage when foliage is able to absorb the nutrients.

“By building resilience now with the help of nutrition, crops have a much better chance of weathering the winter and withstanding any further harsh winter conditions, ready to get away during the spring.”

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rgent steps are needed to safeguard the future of the UK’s horticulture sector, says a hard-hitting House of Lords report.

The £5 billion industry – focusing on fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants – is at a crossroads, says the study. It is underprioritised and unappreciated by policymakers – threatening to leave holes in UK food security and net zero targets.

Rising costs The stark warning follows an inquiry by the cross-party House of Lords horticultural sector committee. It examines the policies and investment needed for the horticulture sector to thrive.

Growers have been hit hard by rising fertiliser and energy costs due to the impact of Brexit, the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine, says the document. The sector is struggling to attract talent and is perceived as unattractive and inaccessible, it adds.

Committee chairman Lord Redesdale said: “Horticulture is a multi-billion-pound industry employing over 50,000 people, but it is too frequently overlooked by policymakers.

Farm leader demands fast response to report NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett has urged the government to respond quickly and thoroughly to the report – and to several others

10 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

“In the face of a cost-of-living crisis, supermarkets are battling to keep prices down, but this squeezes UK growers out of the market in favour of cheaper imports. This fundamentally threatens food security and the domestic market for ornamentals.”

Published last month, he report calls on the government to publish the “world leading” horticulture strategy it promised over a year ago. And it calls on ministers to press ahead with their review of fairness in the horticulture supply chain.

“

This fundamentally threatens food security When it comes to seasonal labour, the committee heard evidence of discrimination and exploitation of migrant workers, including the non-payment of wages and over-crowded, substandard accommodation.

While the sector must do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the report says horticulture can help to mitigate the imaffecting horticulture that are still awaiting responses.

Mr Emmett said: “While soaring costs and supply chain challenges are significantly impacting confidence within the sector, British growers have an ambition for growth. But we cannot do it without government support.”

Published in 2022, the government’s own food strategy shares this ambition, said Mr Emmett. But it was vital that words were backed up with tangible

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Policymakers fail to appreciate the horticultural sector, says the report

KNOWLEDGE

Right: Lord Redesdale: The government must deliver on its promises

pacts of climate change through improving biodiversity, carbon capture and urban greening.

But it warns that the adoption of exciting new technologies to support the transition to more environmentally-friendly, less labour-intensive growing methods will depend on effective research and development – and a secure, skilled, labour supply.

Supermarkets The committee was particularly damning on the role of supermarkets, whose loss-leader strategies it says squeeze growers in favour of low prices for consumers, and which prioritise cheaper imports over UK-grown produce.

Lord Redesdale said the government should secure the skills actions for the horticultural sector to realise its potentiual.

Food security “In its food strategy, the government promised to deliver a longterm strategy for the sector and highlighted the many benefits of increasing UK fruit and veg production, both for the health of the nation and for its food security.

“Yet we continue to see a contraction in the sector due to soaring costs rather than

pipeline by boosting the place of horticulture on the curriculum, draw up a clear workforce strategy – and urgently address reports of exploitation linked to the seasonal worker visa.

“Amateur and professional horticulturists alike must be supported to transition towards more environmentally friendly practices, and the research and development landscape must be reviewed to ensure it backs British growers to innovate.

“With the confidence and support of government, the horticulture sector can realise its limitless potential.” government action which will give growers the confidence to invest and boost production.”

It was clear that British shoppers wanted more home-grown produce and plants, said Mr Emmett. British growers could produce more if the right political and supply chain policies in place, he added.

“The government needs to show that it champions this vision and set out its plan for overcoming the many barriers that are holding UK horticulture back.”

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Arable

Bitter sugar dispute ‘could be resolved by government’

T

he government says it will intervene unless British Sugar and beet growers resolve their increasingly bitter price dispute – but only as a last resort.

It follows deadlocked price talks for the 2024 beet crop which saw the processing giant bypass formal negotiations with NFU Sugar representatives and issue a unilateral contract offer of £38/t direct to farmers.

British Sugar agriculture director Dan Green said: “As well as a high fixed price element, we have built in a mechanism which allows us to pay a market-linked bonus and share any possible upside if sugar prices remain high.

“This would deliver over £40/t in today’s sugar market. “We are confident that this offer is extremely competitive, making beet the most profitable crop on farm and will ensure it remains an attractive crop for growers across the East and East Midlands.”

Outrageous NFU Sugar chairman Michael Sly said he was outraged, accusing British Sugar of

circumventing the negotiation process. He added: “NFU Sugar has not agreed this offer, leaving the validity of any contract made in relation to this offer in doubt.”

Calling for an urgent intervention by Defra farm minister Mark Spencer, Mr Sly said the government should make it clear that contracts formed on the basis of British Sugar’s unilateral offer would be invalid.

In response, a Defra spokesperson said:

“Defra has had further discussion with all parties. The government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production.

“We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain, with risk and reward being properly shared. That includes seeing a price agreed for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors, in the context of the global market.”

Despite British Sugar’s unilateral contract offer, it remained important that both sides continued to follow the formal negotiation process and reached a mutually acceptable outcome, said the Defra spokesperson.

British Sugar and NFU Sugar must reach an agreement, says Defra

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I

ntegrated Pest Management (IPM) is no stranger to most growers. But it should not be seen as just a tick-box exercise, warns Caroline Corsie, agronomist and senior land adviser for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

Through the Defra-led Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, Ms Corsie has been supporting a network of growers in the Midlands to reduce pesticide use onfarm, by working hand-in-hand with nature in a combination of ways.

She outlines the fundamental principles of each farm’s IPM plan.

“It’s all about making use of natural pest enemies, including predators, parasites, and pathogens, to stay on top of pest populations.

“Farmers should also factor in that many insect species have stages in their life cycle where they are pollinators, so there can be multiple benefits.”

An IPM plan should be based on minimising chemical inputs, she says.

“This approach can help cut pesticide costs, plus with funding available for work that helps prevent soil and water pollution, the finances should stack up in your favour.”

Helping predators thrive Within a farm’s IPM plan, Ms Corsie recommends taking time to build habitats for insects that are natural predators of crop pests.

This can help maintain balance in the farm ecosystem and safeguard yields from pest

Caroline Corsie: Focus on the ‘big four’

threats.

“For example, the 7-spot ladybird is one hunter of pests that threaten cereal, potato, and sugar beet crops,” she explains.

“Just one of these ladybirds can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, so it’s well worth growers looking after populations of helpful predators such as these.”

‘The big four’ – practical tips To help achieve more nature-friendly pest management on-farm, Ms Corsie advocates focusing on the following factors.

“We term shelter, food, habitat and low stress as the ‘big four’,” she explain.

“By fostering these key elements within an arable system, farmers can encourage the presence of pest enemies and help beneficial populations thrive.”

1 Shelter Ms Corsie explains that providing safe shelter throughout the year for natural defenders is a crucial place to start.

“It’s great to see many farmers already creating and enhancing sheltered habitats for farmland wildlife, in the form of hedges, woodland, or tussocky grassland, for example, providing vital protection for pest predators.

But she says it is not just about maintaining sheltered margins. >>

Funding for grassland margins on arable land • Priority item for pesticide and nitrate catchments • £2,255/ha (5 years) or £902/ha (2 years) • Minimum of six metre margin, which can be added to pre-existing margins • May be topped, mown and baled after 16 July In pesticide priority areas, there is also funding available for using alternative weed management techniques, says Ms Clarke.

“Mechanical weeding techniques can greatly reduce herbicide use, a key element of the IPM approach, to help protect predator populations.

“This also means there’s less potential for chemical inputs to enter watercourses and groundwater, while reducing runoff from capped soils.

“It’s a positive outcome all-round – minimising input costs, benefitting wildlife and protecting water quality,” she adds.

Funding for non-chemical weed control equipment for arable crops • Priority item for pesticide catchments • 50% match funding of up to £10,000 for equipment purchases • Equipment options include inter-row weeders, rakes, comb harrows and hoes

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 15

Arable >> “The best IPM results can be attained when farmers create sheltered spaces such as beetle banks within fields, not just at their edges.

“There are certain predatory insects, like the carabid beetle, that may not travel further than 100 metres to source their prey.

“So creating sheltered places across fields helps to ensure natural defender populations are evenly distributed, rather than just being effective in one place.”

2 Food Within the field, Ms Corsie says creating an environment rich in diverse food sources, as well as shelter, is vital to entice the helpful predators in, so they are closer to pests such as aphids, fly larvae and slugs present in a crop.

Food can also be provided in the form of a companion crop or wildflower meadow, for example.

“Wildflowers are brilliant for providing nectar, drawing in beneficial insects, such as the European Hornet, Parasitoid Wasp and Hornet Hoverfly, which are all highly efficient aphid predators,” she says.

Minimal tillage also encourages a healthy earthworm population and organic manure application helps feed soil microbes too.

“No single system is a panacea,” she adds.

“However sensitive soil management practices are especially valuable for creating suitable conditions for detritus feeders, which break down organic matter in the soil, benefitting nutrient cycling and overall soil health.”

3 Habitat Beyond food, beneficial predators require a suitable microclimate for dormancy, foraging, and breeding.

To complete their full lifecycle and be as helpful as possible to growers, Ms Corsie explains that natural pest controllers need a habitat that is managed throughout the year to provide them with cover for each life stage.

“This vegetation should be as diverse as possible to help encourage a variety of natural enemies that feed on a range of pest species,” she says.

“For example, grassy field margins serve as great shelters and vital corridors for many invertebrate species, offering a safe space for overwintering and pupation – the stage when larvae develop into an adult insect.”

They also create barriers that help impede pest movement between crops.

4 Low stress As for us humans, Ms Corsie explains a low

stress environment is critical for natural defenders to thrive in an arable system.

“It’s incredibly important to be mindful of pesticide use, especially insecticides and certain fungicides,” she says.

“Growers can be nervous about reining back on insecticide application, especially in light of new pest outbreaks, such as the recent turnip sawfly attacks threatening oilseed rape and stubble turnip crops.”

This nervousness can understandably lead growers to be tempted to spray pesticide when a pest risk threshold is still relatively low.

Ms Corsie urges farmers not to react too swiftly when there are reports of pest outbreaks in UK crops.

“Always discuss the risk level for your crop with your agronomist to weigh up whether spraying could do more harm than good, e.g. by affecting beneficial predators, and aggravating the development of pesticide resistance.

“Consider the impact of other key factors such as rotations and drilling dates too,” she advises.

“If it’s necessary to use some pesticide within your IPM plan, grassy margins provide protection against drift for pest predators, amongst a wide range of wildlife.

“These margins can be further protected by using low drift nozzles, or evaluating the potential for unsprayed crop headlands.”

Romane Clarke: Match funding

How to apply for STEPS Through its tailored funding options, STEPS provides a solid foundation for farmers to embrace IPM. Follow these steps to find out which funding options you could be eligible for:

Funding for soil health and water quality To support growers in reducing pesticide use and implementing more nature-friendly pest control methods, Severn Trent provides a variety of funding for eligible farmers via the Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS).

Depending on the priority issue identified in each catchment area, there is a range of grant options available to help Midland farmers implement IPM, explains Romane Clarke, Severn Trent agricultural adviser.

“Farmers in priority catchments can apply for match funding of up to £30,000 to invest in IPM solutions that help improve soil health, reduce water pollution risk and protect nature, while 16 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

supporting crop productivity,” she says.

In catchments particularly affected by pesticide or nitrate pollution, Severn Trent provides match funding to support farmers in establishing grass margins of at least six metre width along arable field boundaries.

Not only do these buffer margins help create beneficial predator habitats, but Ms Clarke also explains the water quality benefits delivered too.

“Grass margins intercept run-off pathways and capture nutrients from fields, preventing these from reaching watercourses,” she says.

“These buffer zones also help keep nutrients and soil in the field to feed each crop.”

1. Check you’re in a priority catchment here: www.stwater.co.uk/steps 2. To increase your chances of a successful application, seek advice from your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser on what options would best suit your farm and make the greatest positive impact on the environment.

3. Fill out your application online: www. stwater.co.uk/steps 4. Make sure your application is in by 31 December 2023, bearing in mind that you will have 12 months to complete the work after you have been accepted.

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Livestock 'Maize silage slump' risk when opening clamps early • Forage shortage prompts warning • Ruminant health can be vulnerable • Taking action can avert problems

F

armers forced to open maize silage clamps earlier than expected this year are being warned to keep a close eye on livestock.

A challenging season for grass growth has seen more farmers than usual feeding maize silage straight after harvest due to tight forage stocks. But doing so can lead to rumen problems,say animal health experts.

When maize silage is fed too early, inadequate fermentation time can affect rumen balance and digestion. This can lead to a maize silage slump for the animal, says Mole Valley Farmers nutritionist Kerensa Hawkey.

This can result in decreased milk production, inability to reach production targets, reduced feed intakes and loose dung, says Dr Hawkey.

New crops should be in the clamp for at least a month – and ideally not be opened until the new year.

Quality issues “The longer the crop is in the clamp, the higher starch degradability you’ll get, leading to higher levels of fermentable carbohydrates (starch) to be utilised by the rumen in production of volatile fatty acids.

“When there is low starch degra-

dability, there is reduced fermentable carbohydrates (starch) and increased bypass starch.

Fresh new crop maize is often high in fermentable sugars, this can lead to acidic conditions in the rumen and can contribute to sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA).

“The switch between old crop and new crop can put the rumen under a lot of pressure, which can result in

Clamps should remain closed until the optimum time if possible

reduced rumen function,” says Dr Hawkey, who advises farmers to introduce new crop into the ration gradually where possible.

Rumen activity warning signs

• Drop in milk yield or milk quality • Reduced cudding, The target should be for 60 to 70% of cows to be cudding at any one time, with a cudding rate of about 60 to 70 chews per cud

• Reduced rumen fill. Check the

‘hunger triangle’ on the left of the cow. If it’s hollow or full, it indicates if cows are being adequately fed

• Change in dung consistency.

Dung or slurry which is too thick or thin could indicate a rumen imbalance. So too can slime.

“

The switch can put the rumen under pressure

Reprieve for maize seed treatments

E

mergency authorisations have been granted for three seed treatments for the 2024 growing season.

It follows a submission from the Maize Growers Association which argued that the seed treatments were critical for the industry. The move means growers can plan for the coming season in the confidence that drilled seed will be protected.

The three seed treatments involved are bird repellent Korit, fungicide Redigo M and wire-

worm product Force ST. Their use as seed treatments in imported maize seed would have been illegal at the end of 2023 had the authorisation not been granted.

MGA agronomist Jon Myhill said: “We were able to successfully convince policy makers of the importance of maize production to the livestock, dairy and biogas industries, and we can look forward to a vibrant maize growing industry for years to come.”

Test silage “Look carefully at the ration to ensure the energy and protein are balanced well, with enough total fermentable carbohydrates.

“Testing new crop silage for dry matter and nutrient composition is vital to ensure ration is supplying what you think it is.”

Additional sources may be required to balance energy within the rumen, says Dr Hawkey. Feeding yeasts such as X1-LIVE can help support the rumen bugs and improve fibre digestion.

“Yeast helps to enhance digestibility and stabilise rumen pH when transitioning onto new crop maize.

“I’d also recommend farmers consider a mycotoxin binder such as Rumi-TOX as an insurance policy in case of a mycotoxin challenge,” she adds.

As maize silage can represent a major part of the ration, understanding the degradation of maize silage is vital. Adjusting the diet accordingly using precision nutrition can increase milk production by around 1.5 litres per cow per day.

“Always monitor silage regularly and make gradual ration changes when changing silage clamps,” says Dr Hawkey.

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 19

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‘Driving the poultry industry forward’

Pigs & Poultry Producers make great strides in reducing antibiotics usage • Farmers ahead of meeting targets • Sectors have strength and resilience • Achieved despite huge challenges

P

ig and poultry producers are at the forefront of efforts to reduce antibiotics in UK livestock production, confirm the latest figures.

UK livestock sectors continue to make positive progress towards antibiotic use targets for the years 20212024 – with some sectors reaching goals early, according to the RUMA Targets Task Force report.

Pig producers continued to prioritise herd health and welfare during 2022 – the latest year for which figures are available, says the independent industry body, reducing antibiotics usage by 20% to 72mg/kg of bodyweight at the time of treatment.

The continuing low use of Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics fell again to 0.01mg/kg PCU with no use of colistin – further demonstrating the ongoing responsible approach to the health of pigs in the country.

Pigs and poultry The 2022 data shows the pig sector has reduced antibiotic use by 74% since 2015, taking the sector below the RUMA Targets Task Force 2 target. Meeting the target early reflects the extended use of zinc oxide manufactured before its withdrawal.

“The supply of zinc oxide is close to depletion and it is anticipated that some producers will be unable to find a solution for post-weaning diarrhoea that works for their unit with the current tools available,” said RUMA. “These producers are likely to be compelled to manage the health and welfare of their pigs post weaning through the use of antibiotics to treat clinical disease, as has been the case in some EU countries that have already lost the use of zinc oxide.”

Poultry producers have also made strong progress. As with pigs, the sector remains below antibiotic target usage levels: broiler chickens are

The pig sector has reduced antibiotic use by 74% since 2015.

“

Antibiotics remain a key medicine

at 14.05mg under the 25mg target, with turkeys 35.36mg under the 50mg target.

“Any fluctuations demonstrate the sector’s treatment in real time, only using antibiotics when necessary,” said RUMA. It added: “Of particular note, no fluroquinolones were used in chicken meat production in 2022.”

Challenging time The reductions come at a challenging time for both sectors.

Pig production costs remain high and significant debt needs repaying before infrastructure investments can be made on many farms. UK pig numbers have contracted by about 25% over the past two years – leaving the smallest sow herd for some time.

For poultry producers, rising production costs, ongoing labour shortages, the impacts of avian influenza and burdensome EU-UK trade barri-

ers, mean British poultry businesses are being pushed to capacity.

RUMA chairman Catherine McLaughlin said: “UK agriculture is proud of its work to date on tackling antimicrobial resistance and, as we look ahead to the future, we will naturally start to see a shift in focus from reduction, to maintenance of the targets.

“It is important to highlight that zero use of antibiotics, be that across animal or human health, is neither viable nor responsible. People and animals do get sick at times, even with the best health care and preventive plans in place.

“Antibiotics remain a key medicine in the treatment toolbox to help people and animals recover. In those situations, antibiotics are rightfully needed and should be delivered under the mantra of ‘as little as possible, as much as necessary’.”

Achievement comes despite 'perfect storm' UK agriculture continues to play its role in tackling the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance – and protecting the efficacy of these medicines for human as well as animal health.

Despite the fallout from the global pandemic, challenges around Brexit, rising production costs, labour shortages, climate change, ongoing trade negotiations, avian influenza, supply chain issues, and we are now firmly in the midst of the cost-ofliving crisis.

“Each one of these is a huge challenge but combined, it makes for a perfect storm,” said RUMA chairman Catherine McLaughlin. But this had not deterred the commitment of producers to reducing antibiotics usage, she added.

“The sectors we represent at RUMA Agriculture have a strength, determination, and resilience that we should all be incredibly proud of. A resilience that is reflected in the continued efforts and achievements that this latest RUMA report presents.”

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 21

Pigs & Poultry

Poultry producers pile on pressure for egg sector inquiry • Goal to secure fair supply chain • Broiler inquiry 'must follow eggs' • Food security being threatened

F

arm leaders have called for a poultrymeat supply chain inquiry after Defra announced an review aimed at ensuring a fairer market for the egg sector.

The NFU said a Defra investigation should also be launched into the broiler sector because poultry producers face similar challenges to egg producers when dealing with meat processors and retailers.

Focused on ending unfair practices in the egg supply chain, the egg sector review was launched earlier this autumn. Producers are being invited to make submissions on transparency, clarity of contractual terms and conditions, and supply chain data.

Issues include whether contractual arrangements within the sector currently function correctly – and whether further legislation is needed to oversee the relationship between producers.

Retail reluctance Defra said the views of egg producers, packers, processors, retailers and other stakeholders involved in the egg supply chain would be considered as part of the review which runs until 22 December.

Egg producers have experienced a series of challenges in recent years – including soaring energy and feed costs. But some retailers have proved reluctant to increase UK egg prices, preferring to import supplies from countries like Poland and Italy.

The government acknowledges that creating fairer supply chains will help to ensure UK producers can operate with greater confidence while protecting consumer choice and access to high-welfare British eggs.

Robert Gooch, chief executive of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association said: “Consultation on the workings of the egg supply chain is needed to provide further stability for the sector and to ensure that there is no repeat of egg shortages.”

22 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

Other sectors Similar work is already underway to improve fairness in the pork, dairy and horticulture supply chains. But NFU president Minette Batters said told Defra farm minister Mark spencer that an inquiry should also be launched into the broiler sector.

Speaking at last month’s Egg & Poultry Industry Conference, Ms Batters said poultry producers were being treated as “poor relations”. She added: “We need the minister to commit to the same review for the broiler sector.”

Many producers were locked into energy contracts that meant they were getting poor returns for their poultry meat. The NFU’s farmer confidence survey showed it was at an all time low, added Ms Batters. “Short term confidence levels are down 34%.”

Poultry producers face similar challenges as egg producers

Mr Spencer said the review would help ensure fairness. “It is critical to highlight unfair practices,” he said.

“We want transparency and fairness.

Defra is committed to supporting the egg and poultry sectors.”

Market is failing farmers, say industry leaders

H

igh production costs are not being recovered in the marketplace, say poultry producers –jeopardising food security, business viability and economic growth.

“Without a fair market price that prioritises the value of supply for both producers and consumers, it is only a matter of time before British poultry sees empty shelves of our own during this cost-of-living crisis,” says Richard Griffiths, of the British Poultry Council.

Mr Griffiths says it is the government’s responsibility to ensure mechanisms are in place to support business viability. The government’s own buying practices should ensure safe, affordable, nutritious British poultry meat is widely available, he says.

‘Price trumps supply’ “As a society, we should be promoting British food and the quality it represents into our care

homes, schools and hospitals with a view to investing in public procurement as a driver for a food system based on fair returns.

“Unfortunately, price trumps supply and instead of setting a good example for the broader marketplace, we have a bad example that is driving British food producers out of business.”

Farmers find themselves in an ever more hostile operating environment, says Mr Griffiths. “We need measures that prioritise supply, support producers, feed the nation, and ensure the marketplace respects the true cost of food.

“Otherwise, it is only a matter of time before we see British poultry meat producers undercut by cheaper imports, shrinking domestic production, and pricing consumers out of British food and the quality it represents at a time it matters most.”

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Pig & Poultry

Pig levy hike 'vital' for producers • 20% rate rise 'first for 20 years' • Call to support planned increase • Exports and marketing are key

T

he Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has defended proposals for a 20% hike in the pork levy – arguing that it is vital to deliver value for money to producers.

Announced in October, the planned increase would be the first for more than 20 years. It follows a challenging three years for the sector which has seen pig prices tumble, sow numbers plummet and producers leave the industry.

The proposal would see the total pig levy rise by 21p to £1.26/pig from April 2024.

This would comprise a 17p increase in the producer levy to £1.02/pig and a 4p increase in the processor levy to 24p/pig.

The AHDB says the increase would raise a further £1.5 million annually, taking the total levy to around £8.6m.

The additional funding will be used to enhance services across priority areas including exports, promotion and marketing.

Spending power AHDB Pork sector council chairman Mike Sheldon said: “The levy rate is the same today as it was over 20 years ago, and its spending power has dramatically reduced since then. We need

The increase would raise a further £1.5 million annually

[Picture Roy Strutt Photography]

Below: Mike Sheldon: securing a future for the sector

“

We need the levy to do more

to act together to face huge challenges and optimise the future of the sector.”

An increase of 21p/pig would allow AHDB to keep delivering vital support, whether through promoting the high integrity of British pork, pursuing export sales to underpin UK prices or by pushing back on mistruths around nutrition and production, said Mr Sheldon.

'Highlights show what can be achieved' The AHDB says its achievements over the past year show what can be achieved by using the levy wisely and investing in key areas that benefit producers. It says those achievements include: Marketing: Boosting consumer attitudes to British pork A Mix Up Midweek TV campaign reached 27 million adults, while the AHDB’s latest social media campaign was seen 68 million times.

The last independent review in 2020 for the Midweek Meals campaign showed it help increase sales by £37.3m in three years.

The AHDB says post-Brexit changes mean itcan now champion British pork specifically – enabling it to be even more supportive of the sector.

Exports: Promoting British pork overseas British pork was sold in over 91 countries during 2020-2022. Last year, 370,000 tonnes of British

24 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

pig meat were sold overseas, generating an extra £624m in revenue.

The more markets that are opened, the better protected we are from losing ground in any one of them, including our home market, says the AHDB. Reputation: Protecting and promoting the reputation of British pork This ‘hidden’ work is not often seen by levy payers.

But the AHDB says it is vital to counter mistruths and address concerns over the impact of pork consumption on human health, animal health and welfare, and the environment.

The AHDB has publicly challenged the credibility of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, published in The Lancet, as well as raised issues regarding impartial reporting of facts relating to the pork sector by the BBC. The AHDB says it also collects and uses data it to quell concerns over antibiotic use in the sector.

“As the stakes rise, we need the levy to do more to regularly remind consumers and governments of the high integrity of British pig meat, to ensure optimum sales and appropriate policy-making.

“We need ever more clever and impactful marketing campaigns to continuously inspire consumers to enjoy pork, at home or when out, and to target those who are more likely to question meat eating.”

Shape the future The increase follows an AHDB Shape the Future consultation with levy payers. It found that independent research, activity to identify new export markets and domestic marketing are all seen as vital to levy payers.

AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir acknowledged there was never a perfect time for a levy hike. But he said.”It must be noted that it has been at least 12 years since a levy rate was last increased.”

The AHDB was right to explore the option of increasing current levy rates. But they were doing so responsibly and taking into account the impact of the current economic climate on farmers, producers and processors.

“I do recommend that you fully support the proposed increases,” said Mr Saphir.

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LAMMA preview Machinery giants showcase latest kit at LAMMA 2024 • Big names return to flagship show • New products to make UK debut • Exciting line-up of farm machines

A

host of leading brands will return to next month’s LAMMA event – rejoining regular exhibitors at the UK’s largest farm machinery event at the NEC Birmingham.

Due to take place on 17-18 January, the two-day show will see the return of JCB, Case IH, and Massey Ferguson. They will rejoin regular exhibitors SAME Deutz-Fahr, Merlo, Krone, Valtra and Fendt – and a host of other companies too.

Many of the latest models will make their UK debut at the event, reinforcing LAMMA as the UK destinationfor the latest in machinery, innovation and agri-technology. They will include Massey Ferguson’s new large frame MF 9S series, which replaces the outgoing MF 8700 S. The range includes six models with powers from 285hp to 425hp. All feature the innovative Protec-U design, the Dyna-VT transmission and best-inclass visibility from the new cab, while the flagship model has an unladen power-to-weight ratio of 25.4kg/hp.

Massey Ferguson marketing manager Lindsay Haddon said customers

had been asking for the company to return to LAMMA. “As we have some exciting new products to launch, including the UK premiere of our new flagship tractor, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

Newcomers from JCB include the Fastrac iCON tractor. JCB agriculture managing director John Smith said: “We’ll be at LAMMA in 2024 with our best-ever range of agricultural machines for productive farming and contracting.

Showcase “It will be an effective showcase for our products, held at the right time of year in a comfortable environment, and we are looking forward to having face-to-face conversations with existing and potential customers as we present an exciting line-up of existing and new machines.”

Sarah Howarth, marketing manager for Valtra UK and Ireland, said the company was happy to exhibit at the event for year after year.

“LAMMA 2023 was a great success for us and we are very much looking forward to exhibiting again in 2024.

Big brandwill showcase latest model line-ups Below: The popular Demo Arena will be bigger than before

“We will be showcasing our full line-up of products and smart farming solutions. The show will provide a great opportunity for customers to get up close and personal with the complete product portfolio and meet with key members of the Valtra team and dealer network.”

Fendt will have a selection of its recently launched machines on display, said the company’s Ed Dennett.

“LAMMA represents a fantastic opportunity to show off our latest products, offering our customers greater efficiency and reliability, along with technology aimed at increasing farm profitability.”

More to see and do at flagship show Following its success last year, the Demo Arena is back and bigger than before at LAMMA, with Merlo, Solis, Krone, Fendt, Valtra, Malone, and more, showing off their kit in action.

“We are delighted to see more big machinery brands returning to LAMMA,” said LAMMA event director Sarah Whittaker-Smith.

“It strengthens LAMMA’s position as the premier machinery event for UK farmers, contractors and the wider industry.

We can’t wait to open the doors of the NEC once again to welcome new and returning visitors.”

Learning and knowledge exchange will also take centre stage. Visitors will have the chance to hear some top speakers in the live theatre. They include Agreena’s Thomas Gent, who will unravel the enigma of carbon farming.

Another first for 2024 is Agriconnect TV, which will be broadcasting show highlights live on screens throughout the venue. CPD points will be available for members of BASIS, NRoSO and DairyPro. For full details and tickets, visit www.lammashow.com

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 27

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Fendt set to celebrate 50 years in the UK at NEC Birmingham Technology big and small will be showcased at Lamma 2024

F

endt will demonstrate its largest range yet of tractors, machinery and technology at LAMMA 2024.

Celebrating 50 years in the UK, the company will showcase its Ideal 10T combine with Superflow 12.2m header, the Rogator 655 sprayer and a range of grassland machinery alongside the new ErgoSteer joystick and FendtOne offboard system.

“We have refocused our efforts to deliver new products that help them pioneer more sustainable farming methods,” says Fendt’s Richard Miller. “Farming systems are changing, and we want to provide machinery that drives the agricultural efficiencies needed today and in the future.”

Latest slogan Fendt’s exhibition will be under its new slogan Leaders Drive Fendt. A range of grassland machinery – including the Former rake, Lotus tedder, Tigo forage wagon and Katana 850 forage harvester – will feature on the company’s stand.

“Our grass kit offer has grown significantly and is a popular choice for operators looking to improve forage quality,” says Mr Miller.

FendtOne technology now features in all tractor models. It enables users to reduce fuel consumption, cover ground faster and make incremental improvements. The software has been updated for 2024 to gather more data

and measure the efficiency of every task, explains Mr Miller.

“While engineering advancements have been made to improve operating efficiencies, we are also using Lamma to demonstrate how FendtOne can help gather vital data to improve decision-making.”

New accessories Fendt will also showcase a range of accessories including the ErgoSteer joystick which can be retrofitted to new and existing tractors. Mounted on an adjustable armrest, it reduces operator fatigue during loader work by making repetitive movements easier, quicker and more precise.

A clever wheel-weight lifting device will also be debuted. It enables operators to remove weights of up to 1250 kilos in the field

safely and quickly to help minimise compaction on soft soils or improve fuel efficiency by carrying less weight on the road.

“LAMMA is the flagship event in the UK farming events calendar, and we intend to demonstrate how Fendt is developing the technology and machinery to help farmers lead,” says Mr Miller.

Pictured (clockwise from below): Forage equipment will be a prominent feature on Fendt’s stand in January.

The new Fendt ErgoSteer joystick will be available to view for the first time at LAMMA. The Ideal 10T combine will be on show with the Superflow 12.2m header.

Fendt will launch a new wheel-weight lifting device at the NEC Birmingham.

The Rogator 655 will demonstrate how data can be shared using FendtOne.

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 29

LAMMA preview

Latest hybrid drill available on demo

S

uffolk-based engineering company Claydon will exhibit the latest version of its popular Hybrid T trailed drill on stand 600 in Hall 6 at LAMMA 2024.

“The model on display will be a 6m Claydon Hybrid T6,” says UK and Ireland sales manager David Furber. “The drill is equipped with split placement of fertiliser on the front and seeding tines.”

A 5500-litre hopper is divided 60:40 between seed and fertiliser.

The machine also comes with standard 175mm A-shares, front row metal boards, stone protection, light and vision kit, seed blockage sensors and air brakes.

2024 demonstrations Mr Furber says: “This particularly drill will subsequently be used as part of the demonstration campaign which we will be running in conjunction with our dealers throughout the UK during 2024.”

Claydon will highlight how its direct seeding technology helps farmers switch from slow, expensive, energyintensive methods of crop establishment to a faster, highly efficient and sustainable regenerative approach, explains Mr Furber.

Versatile, flexible, simple and robust, Claydon drills will establish any crop that can be sown in any type of soil, typically in just half the time required for a min-till system and onefifth that for a plough-based approach, says Mr Furber.

Zonal cultivation means that the previous rooting and soil structure remains largely intact, allowing worms to thrive, soil biota levels to improve and following machinery to operate without risk of compaction.

The process is said to be accurate, dependable and cost-effective. It elim-

The drill on show at LAMMA will be demonstrated by dealers during 2024

inates unnecessary cultivations and reduces fuel usage, but can handle autumn or spring sowing in wet or dry conditions and apply fertiliser at the time of drilling if required.

Claydon Hybrid T drills allow farmers to seed directly into stubble or into min-tilled/ploughed land following consolidation, explains Mr Furber.

Available in working widths of 3m, 4m, 4.8m, 6m and 8m, they are available with a wide variety of front and rear toolbar configurations, seeding shares and lower-disturbance options to deal with any drilling scenario.

LAMMA debut for push-off dump trailer

A

20-tonne capacity push-off dump trailer will make its debut at next month’s LAMMA event, displayed

by Hi-Spec Engineering.

The Hi-Spec PD20 uses push-off technology designed for the company’s larger Kompactor range of push-off trailers. A hydraulically operated moving floor headboard clears the load from the body once the up-and-over tailgate is raised.

The moving headboard is based on the same mechanism developed for the larger Kompactor push-off trailer range and has a 28-tonne capacity.

By avoiding the need for a hydraulic tipping ram and hinge points, the centre of gravity is lower than for a conventional dump trailer. This has the benefit that it enables the dump trailer to be safely used and offloaded on slopes or at an angle with less risk of the trailer tipping over, or in buildings and situations where there are height restrictions.

It also makes it easier to offload and spread a load while on the move.

Once the trailer has been emptied and the

30 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

tailgate closed, the operator can move off while the headboard is retracting, so avoiding the delay while a tipping trailer is lowered, reducing turn around times.

Also on display will be a K36 Kompactor push-off trailer. This features a hydrauli-

cally operated headboard powered by a triple hydraulic ram. It can compact material such as grass or maize silage, increasing the load carried by up to 40%.

The headboard can completely empty the trailer in as little as 30 seconds.

The PD20 uses technology developed for the larger Kompactor push-off trailer

JCB returns to Lamma with showcase of latest products

J

CB says it will exhibit its bestever range of agricultural macines for productive farming and contracting at next month’s LAMMA 2024 event.

The display is likely to include the new JCB Fastrac iCON tractor, boasting a new operating system with a fully configurable operator cab and environment, integrated precision technology and superior machine control.

Other JCB newcomers will include the 173hp, 50kph Loadall 54270 AGRI Pro telescopic handler and TM 420S telescopic wheeled loader; and the 282hp 457S high-performance wheeled loading shovel.

Supporting farming JCB Agriculture managing director John Smith said: “We are the largest machinery manufacturer in Britain, with a full range of agricultural products to support the farming, commercial horticulture and other rural industries and are delighted to announce

our presence at the event.

“It will be an effective showcase for our products, held at the right time of year in a comfortable environment, and we are looking forward to having face-to-face conversations with existing and potential customers as we present an exciting line-up of existing and new machines.”

Alongside this activity, JCB has built a growing portfolio of quiet and compact battery-electric E-Tech machines with zero emissions helping preserve a clean-air atmosphere on farms while slashing maintenance and running costs.

The Loadall 525-60E telehandler, Teletruk boom forklifts and electric mini excavators were recently joined by the 403E, a compact wheeled loader with no performance compromises in comparison with its diesel-fuelled cousin but all the advantages of electric power.

In addition to these class-leading machines, further product releases

Lamma visitors will be able to see the new JCB Fastrac iCON tractor

are planned to make their debut at LAMMA 2024, further strengthening JCB’s position in the market for agricultural materials handling.

Mr Smith added: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to the JCB stand – it’s important we continue to build and strengthen relationships with the future leaders of the agricultural industry, which we are proud to serve and support.”

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LAMMA preview

New generation rakes meet modern grassland demands

A

new generation of rotary Star rakes will be exhibited at LAMMA – designed for exceptional performance, improved efficiency and greater flexibility.

Slovenian manufacturer SIP says it expanded its range of specialist equipment to meet the demands of modern grassland harvesting. The new generation of Star rakes is aimed at medium to large farms and contractors.

It completes a range which includes the 10m double rotor Star 1000|30 T. The 8.6m Star R 870|26 TC and 9.3m Star R 930|28 TC are both centre delivery rakes offering variable working widths and a choice of specification level, with the larger rake capable of covering up to 13ha/hour.

A premium specification or H-Line offers hydro pneumatic suspension (HPS) and hydraulic rotor height adjustment.

Premium specification on the STAR R 930|28 TC, includes a central hydraulic swath curtain for uniform swaths, regardless of the amount of

The premium specification machines offer hydraulic rotor height adjustment

Premium version Basic manual configuration includes mechanical swath curtain and rotor height adjustment, providing reliable and essential functionality.

forage. The curtain remains in working position during partial rotor lift, forming a uniform swath even when only one rotor is in work.

Rakes configured for side delivery are also available. They come with a sequential rotor lift as standard so operators can customise the delay in the partial lift of the rear rotor.

Models with working width of 7.20m produce a single swath or 8.618.65m when making a double swath covering up to 12.5ha/hour.

Enhanced comfort A patented Z-drive PTO drive line offers improved ground adaptation and enhanced comfort.

The Z-drive allows for higher partial lifts to 500 mm, significantly improving the driving experience both over swaths and headlands.

A Y-shaped central gearbox significantly reduces loads on the PTO shafts. By minimising PTO shaft angles, this technology also enhances the durability of the drive line, reducing wear and tear over time. It also means better ground adaptation.

The Star rake machines are available in the UK for 2024 delivery.

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Maschio Gaspardo expands range with UK subsidiary

V

isitors to LAMMA 2024 will have the opportunity to experience a whole new raft of Maschio Gaspardo equipment which is set to make its UK debut.

It follows the launch of the company’s new UK subsidiary last month.

The move to establish an independent UK branch was primarily driven by a desire to see the Italian company’s full product range offered to dealers across the country.

Maschio is extending its product portfolio to include new lines such as state-of-the-art weigh-cell fertiliser spreaders, mounted and trailed sprayers, no-till direct drills, hedge-cutters, balers, mower conditioners and interrow cultivators.

Dealer network Although new to the UK, these high specification implements have been available throughout the rest of Europe for a number of years. An agreement with Lincolnshire-based importer Op-

ico will see a staged handover to ensure continuity of parts and service back-up.

Maschio Gaspardo’s UK core lines include power-harrows, rotovators, combination drills, flail-toppers, precision-drills and ploughs. The company says the extra product ranges will bolster its offering to its existing dealer network.

By providing dealers with access to the entire portfolio, Maschio Gaspardo says customers will be offered a wider range of machines and options.

A key part of the process has been recruiting dedicated staff, capable of backing up the dealer network.

An experienced service team is already in place lead by a service manager to assist in all aspects of warranty and technical support. Alongside this the regional sales staff are supported by a BASIS-qualified product manager who will offer firm advice to farmers and growers.

A key objective for Maschio Gaspardo UK’s commercial and finance man-

'Great opportunity' – Maschio Gaspardo UK managing director Warren Rivers-Scott

agers has been to support dealers in budgeting and placing orders. Marketing personnel will provide the network with advice and resources for social media outlets and sales promotions.

Managing director Warren Rivers-Scott explained: “By widening our product offering from just six or seven lines previously to more than 27, we have a great opportunity to help our dealers grow their businesses.”

Maschio Gaspardo has secured premises close to the junction of the A1 with the A46 in Lincolnshire. It will accommodate the company’s UK administrative headquarters as well as warehousing and stock storage.

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DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 33

LAMMA preview

Farming Simulator League to make UK debut at LAMMA

G

lobal smash hit computer game Farming Simulator has chosen LAMMA 2024 as the first UK venue for its e-sports league.

The Farming Simulator League event will take place across both days of the show, with teams of three players each competing live from the League Theatre in the NEC, aiming to survive multiple knock-out rounds to reach the final.

During the competition, online players earn points by manoeuvring tractors and other equipment over hilly terrain to deliver bales into their team’s barn, as well as by harvesting grain from a field using combines, tractors and trailers.

Various other game elements and challenges impact strategies over the 10 minutes of game play, and the team with most points at the end wins.

With more than 30 million units

Farming Simulator has sold more than 30m units sold worldwide,

sold worldwide, Farming Simulator is a genre-leading phenomenon. Farming Simulator 22 features more than 150 agricultural brands like Case IH, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and Valtra.

Sprayers and soil testing kits on show

C

rop storage specialist Martin Lishman will feature a selection from its range of compact sprayers at LAMMA. Designed for small-scale spraying applications, the ultra-durable sprayers are aimed at tasks such as field margins and paddock work.

The Martin Lishman sprayer range includes trailed, ATV, tractor and demountable models with tank sizes ranging from 70 to 600 litres and boom widths from 1 metre to 8 metres.

Models can be customised to custom34 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

ers’ specific requirements.

The company will also be exhibiting its soil testing kits – and a set of comprehensive tools for soil analysis. Since the discontinuation of the popular Palintest soil test kits, Martin Lishman says it is able to once again offer a reliable soil testing solution.

Managing Director Joel Capper said “Lamma is always a good show for us. It provides an excellent opportunity to engage with both new and existing customers, allowing them to experience our products first-hand.”

The series celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2023. From its launch as a niche product for farming enthusiasts, it has developed to include multiplayer mode, mobile and console versions, e-sports, and most recently crossplay-multiplayer ability.

LAMMA event director Sarah Whittaker-Smith said: “The world of e-sports may be new to some in our industry, but we know that a lot of farmers are also gamers.

“With more than 150 farming brands and big machinery names involved, LAMMA is the perfect place for Farming Simulator League’s first UK event. This competition brings something totally unique to LAMMA 2024, and we can’t wait to put it in front of a new audience.”

LAMMA visitors can watch the competition live in the theatre and try the game for themselves on the Farming Simulator stand 11.290.

Top tips and rodenticide advice Pest control solutions company BASF will showcase its resistance-busting rodenticides at LAMMA 2024.

The BASF team will be on stand 416 to share information on its cholecalciferol rodenticide Selontra, and highly potent single-feed flocoumafen baits Storm Secure and Storm Ultra Secure.

With many farmers facing growing issues with pest control as a result of rising rodenticide resistance, guests will be able to learn more about how these unique products can provide them with a fast, effective solution.

Experts from BASF will also be on hand to troubleshoot real-life problems and provide practical advice and top tips to help farmers prevent and tackle infestations.

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LAMMA preview

Rising stars celebrate with farm engineering award

T

he best young agricultural engineer whose work is judged best at helping UK farms be more productive and sustainable will be celebrated at LAMMA 2024.

For the third successive year, event organisers have joined forces with the Institute for Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) for the 2024 Young Engineer Award, which will showcase the best emerging talent in the sector.

“The Young Engineer Award highlights and promotes the best of our young, British agricultural engineers,” says LAMMA event director Sarah Whittaker-Smith.

“Our industry is built on the shoulders of engineering innovation – and only stands to benefit from its continual progression.

“By giving engineers recognition and a platform for their work, we are rewarding outside-the-box thinking that benefits the industry.”

“

We can't make them fast enough

The 2023 Young Engineer Award was won by Daniel Broderick for his Cubi-Clean – a machine which makes the process of cleaning dairy cow cubicles quicker and easier, freeing up farm labour in a way that is both costeffective and efficient.

Mr Broderick says: “The CubiClean was the result of ten years hard work, so it was great to receive recognition from both the judging panel and the public. Winning the award has certainly helped with product awareness in the UK market.”

Since winning the award, Mr Broderick has had very high demand for the machine through the dealership he works with. “We are trying to build stock, but the Cubi-Clean is selling well and we can’t make them fast enough.

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Winning ways: Young engineer Daniel Broderick (left) with IAgrE chief executive Charlie Nicklin

from the raw materials, and we are always making continuous improvements throughout – anything from how the machine operates to the production process.”

Institute for Agricultural Engineers chief executive Charlie Nicklin said: “The rapid pace of innovation in the ag sector emphasises the impor-

tance of celebrating achievements of young people in our industry.

“Supporting young innovators not only gives them market exposure, but it also highlights what a great career engineering in agriculture can be. It gives me great pleasure for IAgrE to support the 2024 Young Engineer of the Year award at LAMMA.”

How to enter The LAMMA Young Engineer Award showcases engineers who have created or made changes to a piece of agricultural machinery, equipment or technology and, by doing so, improved efficiency, profitability or sustainability on-farm.

Eligible entries can include: • Products that have been designed and fully manufactured • Prototypes in development • Concepts in the initial stages of development • Existing products that have been modified, providing they have substantially improved the efficiency, productivity and/or sustainability of the product.

Entry is free, both individuals and companies are eligible to apply, and the award is open to engineers 35 years of age and under as of 1st January 2024. Potential applicants can find more details and the application form here and at http://www. lammashow.com.

The deadline for entries is Friday, 8 December. Judges will decide the shortlist that will then be put to a public vote. The winner will be determined by a combination of judges’ scores and public voting results. The award will be made at LAMMA 2024.

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Professional services Diversification is 'vital boost' to farm incomes • Contributes 13% of farm revenue • More farmers planning to diversify • Renewable energy is most popular

N

on-farm income is an increasingly important source of revenue for farmers as they seek to offset reductions in government support.

UK farm income from diversification enterprises has risen to 13% of turnover in 2023, suggests research from rural insurer NFU Mutual. Some 34% of farmers now run a diversified business, up 6% since 2018.

The 1% rise since 2022 confirms a continuing trend of farmers diversifying outside traditional activities to maintain and secure extra income as the government phases out the Basic Payment Scheme across England.

UK-wide, English farmers have the highest proportion of diversification enterprises at 41%, followed by 38% of Welsh farmers and 27% of Scottish farmers. Only 15% of Northern Ireland farmers surveyed have a diversification enterprise.

Popular options Renewable energy is the most popular diversification, with 6% of UK farmers operating schemes such as solar power, wind turbines or anaerobic digesters.

“

Seek advice before taking the plunge

Property letting and providing holiday accommodation come in joint second place at 5% each. This is followed by livery/equestrian businesses and caravan/camping, (both 4%) and farm shops (3%).

The survey also found the number of existing farms undertaking agricultural contracting was up 7% to 22%, with farmers looking to capitalise on their machinery and equipment.

The impact of higher interest rates and the cost of living crisis was reflected in a three-fold jump in the percentage of farmers running diversifications who expect the income they produce will fall in the next five years.

The tough economic climate may also be responsible for a slight fall in the percentage of farmers considering a diversification scheme – down 1% to 15%. But it could also suggest that many farmers wanting to diversify have now done so.

Return on investment For many, it has been a good option.

Growers and livestock producers remain largely confident in the sustainability of their diversifications, with 37% (the same percentage as in 2022) expecting returns to increase over the next five years.

NFU Mutual farm specialist Chris Walsh said: “For many farmers supplementing the farming income is essential to ensure long-term sustainabil-

ity – so we’re very pleased to see that well over a third of farmers running diversified businesses expect their returns to increase.

“Farmers are putting great businesses in place which will help protect the long-term future of their farms.

Many are also providing jobs, both for members of farming families and for local people as well, enabling the public to enjoy new aspects of our fantastic countryside – a win-win.”

But farmers should seek advice before diversifying, added Mr Walsh.

An online Diversification Hub produced by NFU Mutual showcases a range of alternative enterprises to give farmers ideas of what they could do on their land.

Cautious approach “Higher interest rates, rising prices and labour shortages make it more important than ever for farmers to cost any planned scheme in minute detail before taking the plunge and going ahead.

“Given the challenges facing businesses in every sector, caution is prudent in the current economic climate.

“To help farmers gauge the feasibility of their ideas – whether it’s for luxury glamping, an ice cream business, or letting out buildings for commercial or domestic use, we have a developed a Diversification Hub with a wealth of information.

But Mr Walsh added: “It’s important to recognise that diversification isn’t for every farm. If you haven’t got a suitable site, finance and the resource to run another business alongside your farm it may well not be for you.

For advice and ideas visit nfumutual.co.uk/farmingdiversification

Diversification Checklist • Evaluate whether you have the skills and resources • Thoroughly identify your strengths and weaknesses • Make a full and frank assessment of your assets • Thoroughly research the market and local demand • Work closely with planners and highway authorities • Cost out plans, including inflation and interest rates • Research the likely availability of local workers • Consider health and safety issues at planning stage [Source: NFU Mutual]

DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 39

Professional services

Farmland values remain strong, despite an increase in levels of supply

East Midlands farmland values increase as supply surges • Values remain strong but are easing • Location and soil type remain key • More land available for purchase

A

verage farmland values in the East Midlands have continued to increase year on year across all land types despite a surge in supply.

Some 14,276 acres of farmland were marketed during the first three quarters of 2023, according to a quarterly analysis by Savills. It analysed sales across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

This represents an increase of 129% in the amount of publicly marketed land sold during the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Farmland values also rose, with prime arable land rising by 1.3% to £8,740 per acre.

The value of Grade 3 arable land has increased by 6.7% on the same time last year, with an average of £8,000 per acre, while pasture land is sitting at an average of £7,400 per acre, an increase of 5.5% against September 2022

40 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

Local variation Henry King, associate in the rural agency team for Savills in the East Midlands, said a number of factors were impacting values. Farmland values in the East Midlands were now 13% above 2020 levels, he said.

“This has largely been driven by continued pent-up demand from buyers motivated by business asset rollover relief and investors which have so far insulated the market from wider economic factors and sustained overall value growth.”

But there is a lot of variation depending on location, land grade and farm type.

“For some, farmland competition is also beginning to weaken where the pool of buyers has reduced following acquisitions by those with rollover relief funds and as investors take advantage of

guaranteed rates of return from bank interest.”

Henry King: Values highly localised

Interest rates Additionally, interest rates are affecting financing costs meaning neighbouring landowners may find it difficult to fund purchases.

“Levels of supply have also started to increase, with more opportunities to purchase larger-scale commercial farms this year, while at the other end of the scale, higher interest rates have triggered some smaller-scale sales to raise capital.”

Of the 14,276 acres of farmland marketed this year, 5,398 acres were in Lincolnshire, 4,274 acres in Northamptonshire, 1,284 acres in Leicestershire, 1,192 acres in Derbyshire, 1,118 acres in Nottinghamshire and 1,011 acres in Rutland.

Increase in land sales expected during 2024 The amount of farmland being openly marketed could increase again next year as farmers make more informed decisions about the future of their business, says Henry King of Savills.

“The agricultural transition is progressing and it is now clearer what the new agri-environment schemes such as Environmental Land Management and the Sustainable Farming Scheme will require or incentivise – and the degree of

financial reward these will provide,” he said.

“Consequently, farmers can now make more informed decisions about the future of their business and property, which in some instances may involve retirement and sale.

“Additionally, high costs of production combined with increased interest rates have put a strain on some businesses, perhaps accelerating retirement plans.”

Midland

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Professional services

Fast-paced changes prompt fresh EXPERT VIEW Adapting quickly is vital to a successful farming future, says John Barrett.

T

he next few years will be crucial for British agriculture – and there will be winners and losers. To put it bluntly, those who win will be the ones that adapt quickly and read the changing market.

With the Basic Payment Scheme now worth 50% of what it was worth four years ago – and costs higher than ever – the pressure on farm business to make a profit has never been greater.

The rapid pace of change sweeping through farming and land management is potentially the most influential since the immediate post-war era.

It is certainly faster and more complex than any time since farm management company Sentry was founded in 1972.

Today, Sentry works with clients who range from traditional farming businesses to foreign investors.

Some clients are looking for help at times of generational change – such as retirement – or when there are big costs on the horizon such as a new grain store or combine. Others, such as foreign investors simply want to buy land and get a professional company in to sort everything.

Optimising margins Investments in kit and technology can be hugely expensive – encouraging more farmers to reduce costs and optimise margins by embracing the expertise and economies of scale offered by a farm management company.

This can range from the buying of fuel, machinery and crop inputs to the centralisation of farm accounts. Avail-

able staff and skills can include general farm workers through to administrative staff, specialist farm business consultants and land agents.

Some farms join Sentry as an interim arrangement. Typical examples include the ill-health of a key member of staff, such as a farm manger, or because the younger generation of a family is unable or unavailable to take over the reins.

Some want to carry on growing the crops but want someone to take all the management and technical compliance stresses away. Others hand everything over. A good farm management company can provide help and support – lifting the weight of worry from its clients’ shoulders.

Farms face a period of rapid change, says John Barrett

Adapt to thrive Adapting to change is key. Many people have heard of Sentry, but not all the services offered. We are hands-on farmers, looking after over 20,000ha,

YOUR FIELD IS OUR FIELD To find out more about our farm profiles contact our farming team on 01502 725844

42 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

Midland

Farmer

furrow future for farming but we also bring a fresh pair of eyes to every aspect of a farming business.

Sentry was founded in 1972 by an American insurance company, becoming an employee-owned business in 1999 through a management buyout. More recently, we have seen a huge shift towards people buying land with the focus of farming it from an environmental point of view.

Our clients mindsets are changing.

Now we are just as likely to be questioned on the CO2 impact per kg of product as we are about yield.

There are plenty of new-to-farming people buying land too. We might think land prices are high but for those from other countries, such as the Dutch, UK land is cheaper than in their own country.

John Barrett is a director of farm management company Sentry. For details, visit www.sentry.co.uk

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www.agrisupplyservices.co.uk DECEMBER 2023 • MIDLAND FARMER 43

Professional services

Award recognises champion of UK crop production

A

top accolade for services to agriculture has been awarded to Sarah Cowlrick, chief executive of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC).

Ms Cowlrick received the 2023 British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) award for outstanding services to the UK crop production industry. She accepted the honour at last month's BCPC congress in Harrogate.

Exceptional contribution The award recognises industry members who have made an exceptional contribution to the sector in areas like crop science, ag-tech innovation, advisory and extension, education and training, and regulatory affairs.

During her time as AICC chief executive, Ms Cowlrick has promoted the role of independent agronomy in successful and sustainable crop production.

Under her tenure, the AICC has seen its share of the UK arable advice market increase to more than 50%.

The organisation’s annual national conference, underpinned by its extensive crop trials programme, has grown significantly under her watch.

Held each January, it is seen as the leading forum for sharing technical arable know-how.

A keen advocate of new entrants into the AICC Academy, Ms Cowlrick has also taken a leading role in encouraging youngsters into the industry by offering aspiring crop consultants the support and education they need to succeed.

Key priority The award was presented by former crop production researcher and BCPC management board member Jim Orson.

Support and training of farm advisers was crucial to the roll out of integrated pest management (IPM) – a key priority for policy makers, he said.

In her role as AICC chief executire, Ms Cowlrick was helping to facilitate this for members and the wider industry. “She has been the driving force behind the superb AICC conference and other events and is deserving of this award for outstanding contribution to crop production.”

“

Under her tenure, the AICC has seen its share of the UK arable advice market increase to more than 50%.

Ms Cowlrick said: “Developing the reach and influence of AICC wouldn’t have been possible without the support I’ve received from colleagues past and present, so I thank all the members that have contributed to this success.”

AICC chairman Andrew Blazey paid tribute to her dedication. “I would like to congratulate Sarah on receiving this prestigious award, which underlines the value of the work she has done and continues to do for independent agronomy and UK agriculture as a whole.”

Sarah Cowlrick: outstanding services to crop production

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Professional services

'Reform ELMs so small farms make a profit' • Arable farms 'don't need support' • Smaller upland farms losing out • Better way to help environment

F

arm support payments should be refocused so smaller producers can turn a profit while enhancing the environment, says a think tank.

The Green Alliance argues that the current structure of the government’s Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) is unfair and inefficient because it rewards large arable farms that are already profitable without payments.

Meanwhile, comparatively unprofitable family farms – especially in the uplands – are struggling to benefit, says the think tank. This means bigger arable holdings find it easier to thrive while loss-making livestock farms are in jeopardy.

The alliance wants the government to enhance support for smaller grassbased family farms by increasing the amounts paid for planting trees and restoring peatland. It says this would ensure the scheme delivering its environmental aims.

Increasing payments for carbon sequestration from £17-24 to £75 per tonne of CO2 would help upland farms restore their incomes to 2019 levels by planting native, biodiverse woodland on half of their land, says the alliance.

“

We could move to a greener system Payments should be redirected towards the uplands, says the report

“We need to act to avoid a system which ends up directing most of the money to the wealthiest farms – the reason ministers have criticised the old EU scheme. We could move to a greener system while helping hardworking upland farmers stay afloat.

“If the government targeted public money towards nature restoration on smaller farms on more marginal land, tackling climate change and restoring nature would cost the taxpayer less and have a lower impact on producing food.”

Following its Agriculture Act in 2020, the Westminster government decided to phase out EU-style Basic Payments in England by 2027 and move towards a system based on restoring nature and other public goods.

Payment rates The Green Alliance says all types of farms could become economically viable through a mix of agricultural income and nature-based payments – if the payments matched the value attached to climate change mitigation elsewhere in the economy.

There is growing fear that farmers are shying away from the new ELMs scheme because payments are too low for environmental work – with some producers calling for a switch back to the old EU-style system.

Under the old scheme, arable farms making £100,000 from food production also received around £115,000 of subsidy simply for having land. But the bottom 20% of farms received just 2% of the total payment pot.

Even with basic payments and unpaid labour, upland grazing farms earned an average of just £12,700 in 2019. This research shows that rewarding these farmers properly for public goods could see their income rise to £34,525.

'Little benefit' Green Alliance senior policy analyst Lydia Collas says: “After quite a bit of progress since 2016, we could now be left with a scheme that neither restores nature nor supports family farms.

Ideas and advice pave way for diversification

D

iversification was a hot topic at last month's Farm Business Innovation event – offering lots of new ideas and support for farmers and landowners.

Held at the Birmingham NEC on 15-16 November, the two day show included a broad array of speakers and seminar sessions alongside a range of exhibition stands to help increase non-farm revenue.

Louise Newton, of rural consultants Bidwells told listeners: “With the loss of the Basic Payment Scheme, there is a need to create alternative sources of income on farm while 46 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2023

spreading risk by not relying on primary agricultural production.”

Changes to government support, geopolitical uncertainty, high input costs and volatile commodity markets mean diversification is an increasingly important source of income for many farm businesses.

Maintain income With only about half of a farm's basic payment recoverable through environmental schemes, more farmers will have to diversify if they are to maintain their income, said

Country Land and Business Association policy adviser Avril Roberts.

Fraser Rutherford, head of marketing at Environment Bank, said: There is a real level of interest in diversification, with farmers much more open now to ideas due to changes in the industry.”

Leicestershire milk producer James Mann, who runs a vending enterprise, said: “We have vending machines at home and have been looking for further inspiration here and have picked up some suppliers. It has been really worthwhile.”

FINAL SAY Clodhopper

Let us spray Farmers are fed up with bearing the cost of schemes which benefit others but not themselves. And rightly so, says Clodhopper

W

ith winter now upon us and land work down to a minimum, few things frustrate farmers more than needless form-filling and unwanted assurance schemes.

We all need legislation and some rules. But sometimes these schemes seem pointless and fail to deliver any real benefits to hands-on farmers. So why are they here and why should we have to put up with them?

Take the Red Tractor scheme. Little wonder that many farmers think it has gone too far with its ‘greener farm commitment’ asking growers and livestock producers to demonstrate their environmental credentials to retailers.

I can understand producers who say this will merely take the hard-earned money out of farmers’ pockets – while helping to swell the coffers of supermarkets by showing shoppers how wonderful and environmentally friendly their food is.

It’s a similar situation with the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO). It once required members to collect 30 or more professional development points every three years to show they adhered to best practice when using pesticides.

NRoSO claims that collecting the points is easy. All you have to do is take part in an three-hour annual training session. Obviously there is a cost to each member – but you do get a free reference book.

If an annual training session isn’t for you, then points can also be gained from webinars and podcasts, online learning such as the BASIS classroom, reading the farming media, and joining certain apps and technical updates from various organisations.

All this brings us to the point of the scheme. From memory, it was introduced to stave off the threat of a pesticide tax – which it did. But so far as I can see, farmers and sprayer operators are still blamed for poor water quality.

Points galore But the goalposts have been moved. No longer are NRoSO members allowed to roll over points. This means collecting 30 points in a three-year period is no longer valid. Instead, farmers and sprayer operators have to collect 10 points every year.

“

True rogues It takes more than theoretical knowledge to become a good spray operator. It takes good practice too. The true rogues when it comes to water pollution are water companies who dump sewage into our rivers.

My old agronomist certainly had good theoretical knowledge. He also had the required BASIS points. But I doubt very much whether he would have made a practical and efficient sprayer operator.

Having operated under grandfather rights for many years, it is mainly practical experience and a little off-farm learning that makes

a good spray operator. Common sense seems to be in short supply among those people who know only the thoery.

It’s a crazy system that sees farmers attending courses just to gain the points, not because they need to learn the theory and best practice. Farmers are paying good money to be told what they already know and what most operators are already doing on a daily basis.

Unconvinced It’s the same argument with the Red Tractor scheme. Many farmers remain unconvinced that it remains true to its original purpose – to guarantee the provenance of British food.

It just creates more farm expense with little or no direct benefit to the farmer.

With unassured food and non-traceable food flooding into the UK, it is little wonder that British farmers wonder if the current government – and indeed any future administration – cares where our food comes from.

No farmer can afford to be irresponsible with pesticides – they are simply too expensive to waste. And just because you have collected your NRoSO points doesn’t make you a good safe sprayer operator.

We have all sprayed in less than perfect conditions and then recorded them as perfect in our spray records. But I have always been extra careful and concerned for who and what was around me when spraying.

The goalposts have been moved

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