Farmers Guide Magazine April 2026

OUT & ABOUT

With the Farmers Guide team

Farmers Guide director, Greg Goulding, and machinery reporter, Daniel Hodge, visited the Lechler factory in Germany in mid-March, to learn about the technology behind Lechler's spray nozzles. Find out more in the May issue of Farmers Guide. Pictured (l-r) are: Richard Riley and Dawn Boulton of On Point Spraying Solutions, the UK importer of Lechler nozzles and accessories; Greg Goulding; Daniel Hodge; and Andreas Bahnmüller, director of the agricultural division at Lechler GmbH.

Daniel Hodge attended the o cial opening of Agrifac's new Ely headquarters this month –read all about it on page 71. Daniel is pictured on the day with Agrifac sales manager, Chris Potter.

Daniel Hodge is pictured with Warwickshire farmer Andrew Mitchell, who recently replaced two ageing telehandlers with a new mediumcapacity Merlo TF42.7CS-136. Find out what Andrew thinks of it on page 76.

Editor Rachel Hicks, pictured with BBRO knowledge exchange manager, Francesca Broom, attended the BBRO Weed Seminar in Peterborough recently, to learn about the latest thinking in sugar beet weed management. Read the full report in the May issue.

Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward of Roy Ward (Farms) invited Farmers Guide for a pre-sale viewing of his eet of arable machinery, which will be going under the hammer on 26th March. You can watch the pre-sale video on our YouTube channel.

John Deere's much-anticipated high-horsepower 8R and 8RX models were launched to the press at a mid-March event in Germany – read Daniel's in-depth review on page 67. Daniel is pictured with Alex

John Deere tractor specialist for UK and

Farmers Guide sales executive William Taylor caught up with long-term client Adam Hewitt, of agricultural machinery sale and purchase specialist, Adam Hewitt Ltd this month – you'll nd Adam's adverts within our Classi ed section.

Hall,

Ireland.

Farmers Guide's Patrick Over joined Daniel Hodge at a Su olk onion farm this month, to see the ARA AIpowered spot sprayer from Ecorobotix in action – see the May issue. Patrick is pictured with Adam Gibb of AG Agri Services and Angus Hill of VCS Agronomy.

Daniel Hodge chatted with Lavenham-based arable farmer Chris Whitton about how SFI works within his rotation, as well as the importance of soil health when it comes to crop resilience – you can listen to the interview on our YouTube channel.

Pecks marked its 180th anniversary with the rst open day held at its Rendlesham depot – read more on page 79. Daniel Hodge is pictured with Pecks sales manager, Robert Steele.

Compact power, premium performance.

“The performance data is impressive: the maximum torque of no less than 950 Nm between 1200 and 1600 rpm is said to be even higher than that of the Deutz sixcylinder engine in the old Fendt 720 Vario with 911 Nm.” - profi 11/23

Impacts of the Middle East conflict

This month, Open eld experts re ect on the impacts of the con ict in the Middle East on supply chains and fertiliser markets.

The recent Middle East con ict has reminded us all about the importance of oil. Many of us now drive electric vehicles and have improved various elements of our energy e ciency, but the world still relies on oil and when supplies are restricted the market prices in ‘uncertainty’, explains Cecilia Pryce, Open eld’s head of research, compliance and shipping.

wants it, that most humans and businesses have forgotten the art of being prepared.

Fertiliser matters

Fertiliser markets have been facing further challenges as a result of the Middle East con ict, whilst still navigating through the e ects of the Russian/ Ukraine war, writes Open eld fertiliser manager Lucy Hassall.

The question on everyone’s lips and in computer algorithms, is what does the real price of uncertainty look like? How quickly can the status quo be returned after a restriction in the supply chain, how long can users of oil stay out of the market and how quickly do increased costs get passed along the supply chain, either directly or indirectly?

As a daughter of a pilot my father always used to say that he carried extra fuel – which the airline really didn’t like from an e ciency point of view –just in case. That just in case when you’re a pilot is sometimes the di erence between getting there or not, or having the ability to divert. It’s a life lesson I learnt at a young age, but I have also learnt that markets ultimately nd their own level and usually revert when supplies are again readily available and market economics are allowed to work.

after a restriction in the quickly do increased

We saw a similar e ect at the start of the Ukraine con ict with energy markets, but also with the grain markets, mainly because of the importance of Ukraine and Russia being key exporters of wheat and corn to the world. In the current situation, Iran is an importer of around 9.5 million tonnes of corn, three million tonnes of wheat and 2.6 million tonnes of barley, much of which comes from Russia, with a domestic crop of around 16 million tonnes of wheat and 3.1 million tonnes of barley harvested from early May.

The ability to choke supply chains of any description reminds us all of how vulnerable we are, but also how much of a risk we, as consumers, take by not being prepared. I feel that the world is so used to always having what it wants when it

The uncertainty that con icts create is trying to judge when players start to invest in ‘security’ to become more resilient to any future shocks. In the grain industry this could be governments buying their own stocks or consumers buying their own storage or paying others to store on their behalf. The problem is that anticipating issues creates a cost in the supply chain, and in such a competitive marketplace, who can a ord to bear that cost?

Global stocks of cereals are largely in the hands of China while other countries seem to rely on market prices to feed their nations, but what seems to always be forgotten is that agricultural inputs rely on energy – be that chemicals or fertiliser and bulk commodities needing to move either in lorries, on trains or via ships – all of which are energy consumers. And each sector’s costs will change depending upon their forward planning and purchasing/sales.

This means in a time of volatile prices, some will pro t whereas others will be on the back foot, but there also remains an element of luck. Either way, if markets present opportunities, it’s important to take them rather than try and second guess situations completely out of your hands. But it also pays to be prepared whenever possible.

In a reaction to a spike in the European gas price in early March, two major exporters from Poland and France released statements advising they would be reducing ammonia output and withdrawing all o ers from the market. Urea is currently a watch point, with the Strait of Hormuz still closed in midMarch, and three out of the world’s top 10 largest exporters of urea rely on this route for shipping.

Qatar Energy was forced to declare force majeure on lique ed natural gas (LNG) obligations because of Iranian attacks on its facilities, and downstream production of fertilisers such as ammonia and urea has been halted. In addition to this, Israel has cut the supply of gas to Egypt as it temporarily suspends production.

I write this as the magazine goes to press in mid-March, but I hope that by the publication date we will see a more positive outlook during a very uncertain time. FG

Price indicator (May 2026)

£164–£174 .............. Feed wheat

£151–£161 Feed barley

£452 ......................... Oilseed rape

*Prices quoted are from Open eld were predicted at 16th March 2026 and will be subject to regional variations.

Lucy Hassall, Open eld’s fertiliser manager.

Cecilia Pryce, head of research, compliance & shipping.

UNTIL THE 30TH OF JUNE

Warwickshire farmer wins honour for outstanding leadership

Warwickshire dairy and arable farmer Charles Goadby has been recognised by the NFU for his hard work and commitment, receiving the prestigious Meurig Raymond Award at this year’s NFU Conference.

Named after the NFU’s former president, the award celebrates exceptional service to the NFU and wider farming sector.

Over the past year, Charles, who farms near Nuneaton, has become a leading voice on the family farm tax, working to ensure the serious implications for family farms were clearly understood at the heart of local and national government. He helped organise major gatherings outside Warwickshire County Council and was subsequently invited to address the councillors ahead of a motion of no con dence on the reforms. That discussion led to the leader of the council writing directly to the Treasury and the Chancellor to set out the county’s concerns. Charles has also worked closely with his local MP, Jodie Gosling, through on-farm meetings, constituency walks and practical demonstrations of the real-world impact of the family farm tax.

Charles commented: “I’m abbergasted. To be recognised for standing up for something I believe in so strongly is incredibly humbling. The thought that you can actually win an award for doing something that so many farmers and growers do day in and day out – and for something that you love doing – is mind boggling.”

British Sugar concludes 2025/26 sugar beet campaign

The UK’s homegrown sugar beet industry concluded its 2025/26 campaign with the Newark factory the last site to close its gates in early March. Over seven million tonnes of locally grown sugar beet has been processed by British Sugar’s four factories, producing close to one million tonnes of sugar. This campaign also marked a special occasion for British Sugar’s two largest factories, with both Bury St Edmunds and Wissington celebrating their 100th sugar beet campaigns.

Dan Green, agriculture director at British Sugar said: “I am pleased to say that the 2025/26 sugar beet campaign

has successfully concluded, and we’d like to thank all of our growers, harvesting contractors and hauliers for getting us to this stage safely.

“This campaign has been one of two halves. We had a strong start to processing in September thanks to favourable lifting conditions up throughout autumn and to January, when persistent cold and wet weather restricted beet deliveries into our factories.

“Looking more broadly, growers have delivered sugar yields exceeding ve-year averages, and overall factory performance has been amongst the best in recent years.”

He continues: “Looking ahead, drilling will start later this month across the beet growing area. This season the crop is expected to face increased risk from virus yellows, but growers will have access to a three-spray programme to help mitigate this increased risk. In addition, earlier sowing and on-farm hygiene will be crucial to further minimise this risk.

“Across the industry, we will continue to monitor aphid migration and subsequent risk to the crop, and the work underway within the Virus Yellows Pathway remains an important driver in nding solutions to the threat posed by the disease.”

NOVAXi to distribute Stocks Ag products in France

Stocks Ag has appointed NOVAXi as its new distribution partner in France, supplying the brand’s full range of British-manufactured applicators and seeders – a move which aligns well with its existing Garford and Stanhay product portfolios.

Andew Wright, Stocks Ag’s applicator technical sales, said: “We are delighted to appoint NOVAXi as our distributor for France. [...] We’re proud to join the strong line-up of British-built and

Entries now open for NORMAC Innovation Award

Entries are now open for the Norfolk Farm Machinery Innovation Award, celebrating forward-thinking design and practical engineering in agriculture.

NORMAC invites you to take part, by submitting your entry before the closing date of the 21st May 2026. Head on over to https://normac. org.uk/innovation/ to enter.

You will need to provide a clear description of your innovation, its purpose, and the bene ts it delivers on farm.

Supporting photographs and technical details are encouraged to help judges

imported products they are known for, and we look forward to expanding the Stocks Ag brand in France together.”

Richard Dumbrill commented: “Having known the brand for many years, I’m con dent in its potential here. With excellent build quality and competitive pricing, we expect strong demand for these reliable, highperformance applicators and seeders that meet a wide range of needs.”

fully assess each submission. The award is open to farmers, engineers, and machinery manufacturers with new or improved equipment. Find out more by calling and speaking to

directly to Edward Filby –contact details available at https://normac.org. With the window for entries closing in a matter of weeks, get in touch now to ensure your entry is submitted on time.

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Nematodirus Hatching Forecast 2026 goes live

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to announce that its updated Nematodirus Hatching Forecast for the 2026 season is now live. “This free online tool has proved to be an invaluable resource for many producers, vets and advisers for a number of years,” says Kevin Harrison, SCOPS chair and South Gloucestershire sheep farmer. “For 2026 we have made some improvements, which we hope will make it even more helpful when deciding if, and when lambs may need a

The SCOPS Nematodirus Hatching Forecast is an interactive map, updated daily using data from 140 weather stations. Farmers, vets and advisers can select their nearest or most representative weather station and use the coloured symbol warning system to quickly check the level of risk. The forecast also provides guidance on management actions and treatment options. This year, users will nd a short video to help them navigate the forecast and

a link to more detailed information on the webpage. Users are also encouraged to carry out a risk assessment of their groups of lambs before moving to the forecast for their preferred weather station. More detailed guidance under the coloured symbols and a clear indication of when a weather station has gone past peak hatching by using a di erent shaped symbol are additional new features.

For more information visit www.scops.org.uk/forecasts/ nematodirus-forecast/

Case IH appoints Townson Tractors Ltd and expands territories for Lloyd Ltd

Townson Tractors Ltd has been appointed to represent Case IH in North and West Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Dales and East Lancashire.

Townson Tractors is a long-established, family-run dealership that is expanding its Helli eld depot to become a dual-branded location, adding Case IH alongside its existing New Holland o ering. Known for its strong customer relationships and handson approach across the Yorkshire Dales, West Yorkshire, and East Lancashire, Townson

Tractors Ltd will provide comprehensive sales, service, and parts support throughout these territories.

Following the announcement earlier this year regarding covering the Cumbrian region, Lloyd Ltd will now expand its coverage to include its depots at Garstang and Holmes Chapel, covering North, South and West Lancashire, as well as Cheshire. This expansion builds on Lloyd Ltd’s strong reputation for customer service, technical expertise,

and deep agricultural knowledge.

Townson Tractors Ltd and Lloyd Ltd will operate alongside the existing Case IH dealers until the end of 2026, at which point the territories will transfer in full to Townson and Lloyd. This structured transition is designed to ensure uninterrupted customer support and a seamless handover, allowing Case IH to strengthen its regional coverage while maintaining continuity and stability across all areas.

UK agricultural tractor registrations – February 2026

According to the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), the number of agricultural tractors being registered in the UK remained above last year’s very low level in February.

However, by historic standards, the 356 machines logged during the month was still low. It was 19% higher

Omex opens new Multiflo facility in Dundee

Omex Agriculture o cially opened its new Multi o liquid fertiliser facility at the Port of Dundee at the end of February, with a launch ceremony and customer open day. The formal ribbon-cutting was carried out by Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for Rural A airs, Land Reform and Islands. The event began with breakfast and a guided tour of the new Multi o storage tanks, concluding with the ribboncutting and an address from Omex chairman Max Winkler. Omex has operated a 16,000t liquid nitrogen and sulphur storage and distribution facility at the Port of Dundee since 2018. Working in partnership with site operators Forth Ports, Omex has delivered this new state-of-the-art facility to strengthen supply and service for farmers across Scotland. The new facility brings Omex’s Multi o and Nitro o products right on the doorstep of Scottish growers, strengthening supply resilience across the whole of Scotland, not just the local Dundee region. The investment enables shorter delivery routes, improved inseason availability and a more dependable liquid nutrition supply for farmers nationwide.

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than in the same month last year, meaning nearly 100 more tractors were registered in the opening two months of 2026 than in the same period a year ago. That is still the second slowest start to the year this century, but registrations are always low in the opening two months of the year. Therefore, the health

of the market will be much clearer in a month’s time, given that March is usually the peak period for tractor registrations each year.

Month: 356 units +18.7% change (compared with February 2025)

Year to date: 858 units +12.6% change (compared with January-February 2025).

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Agronomy insights for popular winter wheats

With T0 imminent in many parts of the country and reports of yellow rust prevalent, growers must be prepared to take early action following the increased virulence of the disease seen last year, says KWS UK agroservice manager, Matt Bull.

“Timely and proactive control is essential,” Matt Bull points out. “We know that yellow rust can cycle quickly when conditions are conducive and the worst thing to be is on the back foot and chasing the disease.

“T0 can be an essential timing for seedling susceptible varieties – it’s impossible to recover green leaf once it has gone.

“Keep on top of the situation and yellow rust is a relatively simple and cost-e ective disease to control, with top yielders and high value wheats always worth the investment in a good agronomy programme.”

KWS Vibe, Extase and Dawsum

Looking at the three KWS varieties Vibe, Extase and Dawsum that make up three of the top six places by C2 seed sales for harvest 2026, it’s important to adjust programmes accordingly rather than re-invent, Matt believes.

“We were delighted to see Group 1 KWS Vibe maintain excellent resistance to yellow rust last year, in what was an exceptionally challenging season.

“In 2025 AHDB one-year harvest results, KWS Vibe had the third lowest level of yellow rust infection of all RL varieties with an average of just 0.8% across 20 sites.

“Only two RL varieties were marginally better, but they are varieties grown on a much smaller area than Vibe. The highest level of yellow rust seen in the variety across all locations was just 3.5%.

“Vibe is not rated as resistant to yellow rust at the seedling stage, but never has been classi ed as such, so our advice is the same as last year – keep aware, monitor crops, and adopt a ‘see it-spray it’ approach.

“The variety still has excellent adult plant resistance but if last year showed us anything, it is that yellow rust is a dynamic pathogen and adult plant resistance cannot be solely relied upon for

yellow rust control. An integrated approach should be taken to protect the genetics.

“It’s got the best yellow rust resistance rating of all varieties in the Group 1 segment of the RL, alongside best-in-class protein yield, so should prove popular with both growers and end users.”

Group 2 KWS Extase is a variety that has served growers well over the years with its consistent performance being one of the main attractions for growers, he says.

“KWS Extase is actually the only variety on the current RL with the same yellow rust score as it had last year at 6.7. It’s got a good level of adult yellow rust resistance, but like Vibe it never has had seedling yellow rust resistance.

“Extase’s performance in last year’s AHDB oneyear harvest results underlines the sporadic and challenging nature of yellow rust.

milling potential.”

Like several Group 4s, where many varieties share similar background resistance genes, KWS Dawsum’s yellow rust score was downgraded last year, Matt Bull points out.

“It’s also lost its seedling yellow rust resistance rating, but its adult plant yellow rust rating is still better than six other hard Group 4s, sitting right in the middle of the group.

“Don’t forget KWS Dawsum has been the UK’s most popular wheat in recent years so it’s a proven performer with its high yield potential, exceptional speci c weight and good septoria resistance making it’s still very attractive. Add in good drilling date exibility, strong brown rust resistance plus sti straw, and you can see why.

“KWS Dawsum may require a shift in approach to fungicide management compared to previous seasons, with a greater focus on early season rust management.

“If conditions are right, get on with a T0 with rust activity, to proactively mitigate against infection and make sure you keep ahead of the disease. As with all varieties, it’s di cult to catch up once you miss these early interactions.

on an average RL score – it’s a much more

“The variety had yellow rust levels above 5% at only four out the 20 sites, but these were spread out around the UK. So, don’t just base decisions on an average RL score – it’s a much more complex process than that. Yellow rust populations are diverse, and the virulence pro le of the disease can vary from site to site.

disease can vary from site to site.

“Start monitoring your own situation early in the season and early stage if you see signs of the

“Start monitoring your own situation early in the season and be prepared to control from an early stage if you see signs of the disease.”

Downgraded yellow rust score

“KWS Extase is still a hugely popular variety across the UK with reliable high yields delivered across a range of growing conditions combined with added-value

“I think we are all learning there is far more

“I think we are all learning there is far more to the increased virulence in yellow rust seen across most varieties last year, with the relationship between the pathogen and the plants’ disease resistance mechanisms very complex.

“We will learn more but right now there is good, highly cost-e ective chemistry available to control yellow rust, so it’s important to weigh up varieties and their bene ts in the round.

available to control yellow rust, so it’s bene ts in the round. to be more vigilant about now.”

“Don’t dismiss varieties that have performed well for you in the past just because you may need to be more vigilant about yellow rust control now.” FG

KWS Vibe maintained excellent resistance to yellow rust last year.

KWS UK agroservice manager, Matt Bull.

Resistance concerns highlight importance of diversifying fungicide programmes

Experts at a recent press brie ng discussed the importance of using di erent modes of action in the T1 and T2 timings.

Using an SDHI and an azole in sequence at the T1–T2 timings has been standard practice on many farms for years, but repeated use has made septoria strains less sensitive to these chemistries.

New ADAS modelling work shows that replacing one SDHI with a picolinamide at the T1 or T2 timing and adding a multisite in the fungicide programme will treble the lifespan of SDHIs.

To understand how adjustments to a fungicide programme in uence the development of resistance, ADAS ran modelling work to follow resistance trends in wheat under a range of di erent approaches.

The baseline was a ‘standard’ programme using an SDHI and azole mix at both T1 and T2. Two alternative strategies were then assessed. In each case, one SDHI + prothioconazole application was swapped for Univoq, which contains Inatreq active (a picolinamide), and has a di erent site of action. All scenarios were assessed with and without folpet at both the T1 and T2 timings (see box).

Where iso ucypram was replaced at T1 with Univoq, the model indicated a 0.8 times extension in SDHI lifespan. The impact was more pronounced when pydi umetofen was replaced at T2, with the projected SDHI lifespan e ectively doubling.

Dr Mike Grimmer, principal consultant at ADAS, said that including the multisite folpet at both T1 and T2 in scenario 3 extended the projected SDHI lifespan by 50%, resulting in a threefold increase in SDHI longevity overall.

In summary, Dr Grimmer says that substituting one SDHI with Univoq lowers selection pressure and helps prolong the working life of SDHIs. The addition of a multisite strengthens resistance management further and highlights the importance of varied fungicide programmes.

Corteva Agriscience’s category marketing manager Mike Ashworth, said: “SDHI resistance already exists, so when new SDHIs come onto the market they’re already entering an environment with an existing resistance mechanism, which will immediately start working away on that new chemistry.”

Corteva’s Univoq cereal fungicide features a novel mode of action via the active ingredient Inatreq, which targets septoria and other diseases at a unique site with no cross-resistance to existing chemistries. The company deliberately registered the product for a single application to minimise the risk of resistance. FG

Scenarios tested

Scenario 1 (Baseline)

T1 1.12 litres per hectare iso ucypram plus azole

T2 1.46 litres per hectare pydi umetofen plus azole

Scenario 2

T1 1.2 litres per hectare Univoq (includes azole)

T2 1.46 litres per hectare pydi umetofen plus azole

Scenario 3

1 1.12 litres per hectare iso ucypram plus azole

T2 1.2 litres per hectare Univoq (includes azole)

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Dr Mike Grimmer, principal consultant at ADAS.

Corteva Agriscience’s category marketing manager Mike Ashworth.

Why the 2026 fungicide strategy matters more than ever

In sharp contrast to a very dry spring in 2025, the start to this year’s growing season has given crop advisors and growers hope, as well as a heightened cautiousness, as they start to plan for the 2026 spray season, according to BASF’s Jared Bonner.

“Growers took advantage of a kind autumn, drilling a little earlier than recent years, and, thankfully after such an awful start to the year, it’s a real relief that so many crops are heading into the spring with yield potential intact,” explains Jared.

The Met O ce’s summary for this year’s weather so far will be no surprise to anyone – rainfall was the de ning feature, with the UK recording 117% of its long-term average rainfall for the month of January and continued unsettled weather throughout February.

the rain, we’ll

“Despite the rain, we’ll come into the spraying season with more biomass because crops have had water and mild conditions, while also being longer in the ground,” points out Jared. “However, that’s giving septoria and rust, both yellow and brown, more time to build up, and, unfortunately, we’re heading into the 2026 season with higher potential for disease development because crops are both forward and lush.

Added into the mix is the will a ect some varieties, heightened yellow

Added into the mix is the breakdown of YR15 which will a ect some varieties, giving some growers a heightened yellow rust risk.”

In addition to this, he says that the 21 dominant wheat varieties in the ground equate to 93% of

In addition to equate to 93% of

BASF’s Jared Bonner.

the total planted wheat area. Nine of these have a yellow rust score of 5 or below and 10 of these have a brown rust score of 5 or below.

“What’s also important to be mindful of is that both yellow and brown rust disease development cycles are signi cantly faster than septoria, so it’s easy to get caught out if you’re not vigilant.”

Jared adds that, in analysis of the last 35 years of data, septoria is far more erratic in its incidence than he would have expected, particularly since 2008 when there have been only ve high incidence seasons and 12 low and medium risk years (see Graph 1).

Simon Roberts from CCC Agronomy echoes Jared’s concerns given what he is seeing in Kent and East Sussex. “You’re always balancing cost and risk.  Currently, it feels like it could be a high rust year, we’ve seen inoculum in Crusoe already, but it won’t be until we’re in the thick of the season that we’ll know for sure.   It can change very quickly.

“When you look at the

overall contribution to yield, the T1 timing has had a lower yield response. However, two years ago we saw that if you don’t keep on top of rusts, you’ll be spraying every two weeks to try and keep on top of it. I will be keeping an eye on rust and if it starts to gather pace, considering whether I need to go in sooner than usual.”

Fungicide choices

Jared Bonner adds that at T1 growers need to cover all the bases, especially if current conditions persist, adding: “Revystar meets this brief because of its consistent strength against septoria, rusts and eyespot. Given that the septoria control is largely being driven by Revysol, a triazole, it alleviates selection pressure and protects higher resistance risk solutions in your programme, like Univoq, Vimoy and Miravis, where QiIs and SDHIs are doing the ‘heavy lifting’ in control of septoria.”

He adds a reminder that there are only three modes of action that are relevant for septoria control – the QiIs [as in Inatreq], SDHIs [Iblon and Adepidyn] and the azoles [Revysol].  “It’s really important to employ all of these modes of action to achieve a sustainable level of performance and to ensure that we don’t see any drift in sensitivity to the SDHIs and QiIs.”

Decision-making also hinges on what growers are comfortable to invest, and given current market prices, conversations will inevitably focus on price as well as returns.

Iain Robertson is a sprayer operator and arable foreman who has been applying crop protection materials for decades across a diversity of crops and farms; his insight into choices, in particular tank mix partners, adds context worthy of note, because when it comes to active ingredient selection, not all products are equal.

“So, in crop protection, the experts know how to get the best from their active ingredients to deliver the optimum results. Generics might seem cheap, but they often come with a cost later down the line.”

He cites the risks based on his experience – blocked sprayer nozzles, settling out in the tank, and sometimes errors on packaging that a ect record-keeping, and at worst, product useability.

Another area for consideration, he suggests, is the di erences in the chemistry’s performance in the eld.

“Something I’ve noticed in the past, is rainfastness – the R&D branded products seem to withstand adversity better, including heavy dews. This is an important factor

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given the inclement weather we have in the UK now. I’m not sure I’d want to push a generic in quite the same way.”

Iain says that choosing a generic option may make sound business sense, but he always thinks that there may be a subsequent trade-o . “We’ve been lucky as we can mostly a ord to use branded active ingredients, but that’s been a conscious choice and there’ll be years where we have to turn to the generics.

“Farming is a business and you have to make decisions based on return on investment, that said, we certainly wouldn’t look to cost-save at T1 or T2, but may make sensible swaps at T0 and T3,” he suggests.

What do you trust?

Steve Dennis, BASF UK’s head of business and technical development says that post-patent generics may suggest that the product is identical to the original, but this is not feasible, because the R&D developer of the active ingredient will never publish the formulation of the product that reaches the market.

“I use the analogy of genuine versus o -patent vehicle parts,” he says. “At rst glance, a cheaper option is hard to ignore. Two products sold side by side, suggesting they are identical, the same manufacturing rigour and main materials, and a di erent price tag. No discernible di erence, right? Our quality assurance labs are increasingly saying, wrong.”

Steve explains why. “Once a product’s patent expires, it’s then a race for generic manufacturers to hit the market rst with their version of the active ingredient, often at a ‘cheaper’ and therefore attractive price point. However, while the contents of a product must be declared during

the regulatory approval process, the full make-up of the formulation isn’t published. “This means although other manufacturers can try to analyse a product with the aim of copying it, it’s never quite the same. Crop protection products contain a host of ingredients, including wetting agents, solvents, uptake enhancers, surfactants, biocides, emulsi ers, and additives to ensure shelf life, Steve explains. “These are required to maintain tank mixability, or to ensure the chemistry can penetrate the leaf surface or the target fungus, pest or weed being controlled.

“Often the most di cult aspect of developing a new product is getting the active to where it needs to be – the role of formulation is critical in this. It inherently makes the product work, while ensuring that it is appropriate and safe to be used on farm.”

He adds that the additional components might not be listed on the label, but they do come at a cost.

“You might assume the additives in the can are negligible compared with the main molecule, but that’s not the case. Therefore, they’re a prime target for generic manufacturers wanting

to cut costs – it’s essentially cutting corners. Sadly, there’s no way you can tell that by just looking at a can,” Steve warns. Measures BASF put in place to ensure quality and reliability are far reaching. “We have over 100 people working in our formulation team, testing everything from mix compatibility and rainfastness, through to how products behave through di erent types of application equipment, including drones. But it’s not just about useability and performance on-farm, we even look at how the products behave in store, testing every single one of our products from -20ºC to +50ºC and developing them to remain useable for ve years, versus the industry average of just two years.”

“The season ahead is underway and has promise, but decisions need to focus on where investment will be best made for the all-important yield increments growers are seeking,” Steve says. “I would urge growers to do their research and invest wisely.” FG

Generic vs BASF Pyraclostrobin

Pyraclostrobin remains an important active ingredient for cereal, pulse and vegetable growers, sold as brands such as Comet 200 and co-formulated with boscalid in Signum. Steve Dennis says: “In our lab tests and eld trials, generic alternatives frequently fall short of our stringent quality standards and it’s important that we share our ndings, so that growers can make their own knowledge-based decisions. Since its introduction in 1997, our pyraclostrobin product formulations have been reviewed and re ned repeatedly to ensure regulatory compliance and eld performance (see Table 1).

“Four generic versions of pyraclostrobin containing formulations were found to contain impurities and dustiness within the

formulation, which can reduce the e ectiveness and usability of the product,” Steve adds.

A generic pyraclostrobin was recently tested in wheat by ADAS, applied at the same rate as BASF’s Comet 200 (1.25-litres/ha). Brown rust incidence averaged 49%. The Comet treated yield averaged almost half a tonne greater than the generic pyraclostrobin across two trials in 2025 (See Graph 2).

Steve adds: “At BASF this continuous development is carried out in line with the current state of the art technology. In the case of Comet, the 1997 cereal formulation was fundamentally revised in 2003 and 2020. Investigations have shown that the generic formulation has similarities with the BASF formulation from 2003 – but does not re ect the latest BASF technology.

Table 1: Generic pyraclostrobin speci cation laboratory failures [source BASF]

Graph 2: Yield over untreated (t/ha)

Secure

With many winter wheat crops carrying excellent yield potential into this spring, extra care is needed to manage the large biomass and retain strong tillers through to harvest.

That is the view of Limagrain Field Seeds arable technical manager, Ron Granger, who says close monitoring of crop growth stages and well-timed plant growth regulator applications are key to success, alongside careful nitrogen management and disease control.

“Because many farms drilled several weeks earlier last autumn, with a relatively kind establishment period and winter, this season is looking very di erent to previous years, with huge biomass and yield potential in a lot of crops. Farmers need to get their PGR strategy right, otherwise it could be very easy to get caught out by the situation we’re facing this season.”

Timing is everything

The aim of a good PGR programme is to shorten the distance between internodes; keeping the rst node tight to the basal node and then keeping the second node close to the rst, which increases straw sti ness, Ron says.

To achieve this generally requires a split PGR programme consisting of two carefully timed PGR applications; one just before the start of stem extension, usually around growth stage 29–30, when plants start to sit upright; followed by a second at the rst node detectable stage, just prior to the second node moving (GS 31–32).

“In all the years I’ve been doing PGR trials, across thousands of variety plots, a split treatment has always been the approach that’s kept crops standing. On-farm, you can be more

mepiquat + prohexadione calcium is another product to consider, as I feel it is a kinder product, which can be applied at later growth stages, allowing you greater exibility.”

In high lodging risk situations, such as very high-yielding crops on fertile soil in coastal areas, the addition of ethephon + mepiquat at GS 37-39 could also be considered to shorten and sti en the upper internodes, he adds. “But for me, this would be a last resort if a well-timed split PGR programme has not been implemented initially.”

Protecting grain and straw yield

Straw presently is of value, so while some growers planning to bale straw may worry that using PGRs will reduce straw height and therefore yield, Ron dismisses this.

or mouldy straw is of no value to anybody.”

Equally, Limagrain trials at Rothwell, Lincolnshire in 2024 (the last wet season), showed no detrimental e ect on grain yield from using PGRs under two di erent nitrogen (see graph). The work compared an untreated (no PGR), a split PGR of chlormequat + trinexapac-ethyl, and a single PGR (chlormequat + trinexapac-ethyl) approach in a crop of LG Beowulf, at a standard nitrogen rate of 180kg N/ha and a higher rate of 225kg N/ha, which was implemented to increase lodging pressure in the trials.

targeted to just a single variety, so growers can sometimes get away with a well-timed single application, but I still question whether many are getting the timing right.”

The best way to ensure accurate timing is by looking at the primordia ear development, however he recognises time is of value, so suggests using careful plant dissection to determine when individual nodes are moving, both o the base of the plant, and between di ering nodes of interest. “Crops have been drilled earlier, and will move quickly, especially once nitrogen is applied, so be vigilant and proactive, don’t rely on calendar dates.”

Should conditions remain wet, growers may have no option but to apply a full rate single PGR programme, which Ron says should be targeted around the rst node detectable stage (GS 31).

If conditions turn very dry in late March into April, care needs to be taken with later PGR applications, as PGR products should not be applied to stressed crops.

Options to consider

Ron says there is a good range of products to choose from, and most PGRs are very cost-e ective, especially once weighed against the potential risks to yield and quality from lodging.

His favoured options are based on chlormequat to restrict the internodal distance, plus trinexapac-ethyl to thicken stem walls. “This is my go-to PGR programme, whether used as a split or single application. If earlier treatment windows are missed, then

“The reality is you can maintain both grain and straw yield by using PGRs. They help to retain tiller number, which in turn delivers higher yield and gives more straw, and ensures that those tillers keep standing, allowing you to harvest the crop in good condition. Lodged, dirty,

“There was no signi cant di erence regarding the e ect of PGRs on yield in either nitrogen regime, but there were di erences in crop height, which is all positive in terms of the management of those crops, especially if growers are looking to use higher nitrogen rates to drive yield.

“As long as you get the PGR on correctly, you can then apply nitrogen rates applicable for high yield potential for your individual farm situation.” FG

Limagrain Field Seeds arable technical manager, Ron Granger.

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Beware the increased risk of disease in early drilled wheat

Adama UK fungicide technical manager, David Gri ths, explains why growers need to keep on top of early-drilled wheat before their potential is lost to disease.

As a result of last autumn’s excellent weather and favourable ground conditions, large areas of wheat were drilled early – some as early as the last few days of August and rst week of September – and, overall, have developed into full, well-established and promising crops. However, while these crops might currently be full

of potential, they could also carry a higher disease burden which will need to be managed accordingly.

So says David Gri ths at Adama UK, who explains that recent crop inspections by the company’s team of regional agronomy managers have highlighted worrying levels of septoria and rusts already clearly visible in

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS

wheat crops across the UK, with the highest levels of disease being seen in those crops which were drilled rst.

“Any crops showing symptoms at this stage will need to be earmarked for a robust fungicide programme so that they can remain ahead of diseases and go on to maximise their potential and return on investment,” David explains.

“For crops which were sown early and have been subjected to extended periods of damp weather, the best form of attack is to apply a strong fungicide treatment at T0 to protect leaf 4 and to reduce fungal spores going on to infect subsequent leaves.”

The need to provide robust protection this early in the season is more important than ever as many of the fungicide active ingredients that once provided curative activity are no longer as e ective as they used to be, due predominantly to the erosion of their e cacy by increasingly resistant disease strains.

useful reduction of yellow and brown rusts,” David says. “In fact, seven years of trials data have shown that Arizona delivers an average yield bene t of just over 0.3t/ha by reducing the impact of key diseases to extend green leaf area duration, resulting in higher yields and enhanced crop quality.”

Including Arizona (500g/ litre folpet) at the T0 timing is recommended in the following situations:

• Where septoria is the main disease – use a standalone application of Arizona

• Where there is an additional threat of rust or if active rust is present in the crop – use Arizona alongside an appropriate azole-based product.

“As such, we can no longer rely on T1 applications to pull infections back, especially if weather conditions mean the timing of T1 treatments is compromised,” David adds. “It therefore makes sense to bring spring disease protocols forwards by applying a T0 fungicide treatment.”

“In all these scenarios, using Arizona (500g/litre folpet) at T0 will also provide peace of mind by ensuring crops have been protected if/when subsequent T1 applications are delayed,” David concludes. “And, thanks to its exible label, Arizona can also be used later in the spring at T1 and/or T2 to keep crops protected for longer, and to safeguard partner

therefore makes sense to bring applying a T0 fungicide treatment.” products against the ever-present threat of disease resistance.” FG

First line of defence

David explains that in circumstances where septoria is the driver for a T0 treatment, the multi-site fungicide Arizona (500g/litre folpet) is the ideal option as it can be used either as a standalone product to protect against septoria, or, where additional diseases present a threat, as a tank mix partner to power-up the e cacy of other modes of action.

“As well as its e cacy against septoria, Arizona also provides a

Gri ths, Adama UK fungicide technical manager.

David

KEEP OUT BEET VIRUS THIS SPRING

Aphid pressure in sugar beet was very high last year, bringing all of the associated virus risks with it. Farmers Guide considers what we can learn from this to help protect crops this season.

Last spring was something of a double-edged sword for aphid pressure in sugar beet.

On one side, the warm, dry and sunny March –on the back of a mild winter – favoured very early aphid appearance in many areas, with Rothamsted reporting Myzus persicae (peach-potato aphid) ights arriving 2–3 weeks earlier than average.

As numbers quickly built, the situation was compounded where crops struggled to get going in dry soils.

“Many sugar beet crops just sat at the cotyledon or two-leaf stage for much longer than they should,” comments Cambridgeshire-based Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) agronomist, Harry Molton.

“A lot didn’t get to the adult plant stage (12–16 leaves), when resistance to virus yellows kicks in, until well into June.

“So, it wasn’t just the temperatures and sheer number of aphids that were around, it was the lack of crop vigour in dry conditions, which meant plants remained vulnerable for longer than normal.”

Fellow independent agronomist and AICC member, Chris Nottingham, says the main virus issue last year was in late-sown beet, or crops that had to be re-drilled due to dry soils.

“These crops were quite small when aphid numbers peaked, and the virus pressure was high.”

In East Anglia, trap data shows Myzus persicae numbers followed a similar pattern to the long-term average, building from late April, and while some green wingless aphids were found in sugar beet before this, these were likely to have been the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), which still carry some virus threat, he says.

season in some crops, black bean aphid levels were very high for a while, which may have added to the spread of any virus already in the crop.”

In contrast, sugar beet drilled in good time generally established well and was relatively large by the time Myzus persicae levels built up, often only requiring one insecticide and ultimately showing low virus levels, he notes.

Stay vigilant

It remains to be seen how conditions – and virus risk – unfolds over coming weeks. However, if it does turn dry again around drilling, last years’ experience shows it is worth waiting for moisture to ensure crops get away quickly, says Mr Molton.

“Current indications from the Rothamsted Virus Yellows forecast published in early March are that virus risk could be higher than 2025, but lower than 2024 this year, but further frosts could still have an impact on aphid numbers, along with rainfall patterns during the spring,” notes Mr Nottingham.

Growers are advised to remain vigilant and be prepared to act if necessary.

“The cold spell in January helped reduce aphid pressure slightly, but if we get another mild March, numbers could multiply very quickly,” Mr Molton adds.

Planning integrated control

Resistance Action Committee) as part of an e ective resistance management strategy

• Drilling early, where soil conditions allow, to get crops as large as possible, as soon as possible

• Being aware of the impact of any treatments on bene cial insects, which can be very e ective at controlling aphids once numbers build up

• Adopting farm-wide environmental measures to encourage bene cials (e.g. eld margins and environmental mixes)

• Consider sugar beet varieties with partial tolerance to some of the yellowing viruses

• Control potential virus sources, such as volunteer beet in following crops and in soil heaps.

Insecticide sequencing

Mr Molton says that once crops reach the treatment threshold, careful consideration should be given to selecting which product to use rst.

In “normal” seasons, when crops are growing

Since the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments, aphid control has become more challenging, with far greater focus on the need for a fully integrated chemical and cultural strategy.

these were likely to have been euphorbiae), which still carry

Mr Nottingham says this IPM approach should involve the following:

• Using industry established aphid thresholds to determine when to start, and when to stop, insecticide treatments

“Also, later in the

• Use aphid information published by BBRO to assist decision making

• Selecting modes of action from di erent groups as classi ed by IRAC (Insecticide

Myzus persicae

AICC agronomist, Harry Molton.

Agronomist Chris Nottingham.

Peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae).

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quickly, he favours using InSyst rst, for its rapid knockdown and systemic activity, which gives some protection to both existing foliage, and newly emerging leaves.

This is typically followed by Teppeki, which has greater persistency, of up to 21 days on foliage present at the time of application, but not new growth.

“I’ve always gone for these two products, which have proved to be very e ective.”

Last year, he acknowledged that he did switch the products around though, given the very slow sugar beet growth in dry soils.

“Because crops weren’t moving very fast, I went with Teppeki rst for its persistency, then followed this up with InSyst three weeks later if required and aphid thresholds were met.”

InSyst is typically used rst in Mr Nottingham’s spray programmes, too, also partly for its systemic movement.

This is followed by Teppeki for its persistence, and lower impact on aphid-controlling bene cials, such as ladybirds, hover ies and parasitic wasps, which are likely to have started building by later in the spring. Last year, he also used some upyradifurone in places.

“Product technical performance, availability, and price were all considerations in 2025, along with the impact on bene cials and resistance management,” he notes.

His strategy this season will be like last year, although he will monitor product use closely following the publication of research last year, which found UK populations of Myzus persicae with

Treatment thresholds for prevention of beet yellowing virus transmission

resistance to neonicotinoid chemistry.

“Using modes of action from di erent groups as classi ed by IRAC is important, and then using di erent sub-groups within the same overall group is the next recommended strategy.”

Attention to detail

With a relatively limited chemical armoury for controlling aphids in sugar beet, David Peach of Certis Belchim says any product must be used responsibly, with care taken to maximise application e cacy.

Below, he highlights seven steps to help achieve this:

1 Assess aphid risk and monitor crops closely – use online models such as the Rothamsted forecast to identify general risk, and check individual crops regularly for aphids and bene cial species

2 Consider the potential for populations to increase or decrease depending on forecast weather

3 Prepare to treat aphids once threshold is reached

4 Plan logistics and ensure product is ready on farm to facilitate timely application

5 Set up sprayers to achieve optimum spray quality and coverage, considering:

• Nozzle choice – forward/backward facing nozzles can provide better coverage,

especially as crops get bigger

• Water volume – minimum 200-litres/ ha – avoid tank mixing with herbicides if planning to use low water volumes for herbicide actives

• Forward speed – max 10kph

• Boom height

6 Apply in good conditions – little wind and dry. E cacy can improve in milder conditions when growth and aphid activity is greater

7 Do not compromise application timing of insecticide or herbicide to save time.

“On the whole, most growers did manage to get on top of aphids last year,” notes Mr Peach.

“The key is to be prepared by planning ahead but stay exible and adapt what you do as the season unfolds; don’t be too prescriptive.” FG

Certis Belchim's David Peach.

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Peach-potato (Myzus Persicae)1 green wingless

Tank development takes Knight into applicator market

British sprayer specialist Knight Farm Machinery has entered the market for liquid applicator systems with a range based on its proven line of sprayer front tanks.

The new product o ering is designed to provide precise application of crop nutrition and protection products via rear mounted equipment such as drills, seeders and potato planters. Three tank sizes are available – 1,300-, 1,500- and 1,900-litres – with a comprehensive standard speci cation and an array

of options to suit customer needs.

All models are built on a heavy-duty steel chassis protected by a robust two pack paint coating and incorporating parking stand legs for easy storage when not in use. An integral headstock enables easy mounting to a tractor three-point linkage, and the chassis also incorporates full road lighting and safety markers.

Tanks are corrosion resistant and roto-moulded to a pro le that maximises operator visibility.

Speci cation includes a front ll point with ltration screen, high volume centrifugal pump and rear delivery pipe, and electronic transfer with in-cab control. The tank pro le incorporates tank wash heads supplied by a separate clean water tank, plus a hand-wash tank.

Multiple options are available to match applicator design to customer needs. These include fully computerised independent rate and pressure control, Isobus connectivity via the tractor’s front Isobus connection, and an Isobus control terminal. Further speci cation can include Knight’s PRO series whirlpool induction hopper, automated tank ll capability, and a six-cylinder diaphragm pump. FG

Keeping sugar beet ahead of weeds

A sequenced herbicide programme which includes a range of di erent active ingredients is the best strategy when it comes to reducing weed competition in sugar beet.

Sugar beet weed control predominantly relies on the use of phenmedipham-based herbicides. However, as agricultural practices have changed and wider rotations have become more commonplace, the range of weed species that needs to be controlled has widened.

As a result, growers have, by-and-large, adopted the use of two additional active ingredients – ethofumesate and metamitron – which can be used in combination with phenmedipham.

However, relying on these three active ingredients is still no guarantee of e ective weed control, with growers therefore advised to implement a wider array of herbicides in tank mixes and in sequenced programmes.

Additional active ingredients approved for use in sugar beet include quinmerac, clopyralid, dimethenamid-p and propaquizafop. These give good results against many of the main yield-robbing weed species including cleavers, bindweed, black nightshade, fool’s parsley and common eld speedwell.

Metamitron is the easiest active to incorporate into sequenced programmes thanks to its broad label, good crop safety and ability to provide both contact and residual activity. Metamitron also partners well with quinmerac which delivers

added e cacy, especially in dry conditions thanks to its useful water solubility.

The inclusion of several active ingredients adds to input costs, but products such as Goltix 70 SC (metamitron 700g/litre) and Goltix Titan (metamitron 525g/litre and quinmerac 40g/litre) will pay for themselves, especially where the weed burden is high.

Additional co-formulations such as PowerTwin (phenmedipham 200g/litre and ethofumesate 200g/litre) provide an extra layer of exibility by enabling a residual and a contact herbicide to be applied together without the need for spray operators to spend time mixing separate products.

Falcon (100g/litre propaquizafop) is also approved for use on sugar beet, giving growers access to another useful active ingredient for contact activity against a range of grassweeds.

For crops which might not receive a postemergence herbicide application at the ideal timing due to time constraints or where wet weather and heavy soils delay proceedings, a preemergence treatment should be prioritised.

Likewise, pre-emergence applications should also be prioritised on land with a high weed

burden in order to ‘soften up’ weeds ahead of a subsequent post-emergence treatment. Because modern sugar beet varieties are so quick to germinate, pre-emergence herbicides should ideally be applied within 24–48 hours of drilling and certainly within a maximum of ve days after drilling.

Split eld trials carried out by Adama have shown that the addition of Goltix Titan at the beginning of a pre- and post-emergence programme provides superior weed control compared to programmes which rely solely on contact action at post-emergence (see image). FG

Goltix Titan applied at pre-emergence. No pre-emergence treatment.

2027 sugar beet Recommended List sees 15 new varieties and more special trait claims

The BBRO 2027 RL sees signi cant changes with the use of commercial priming and pellets on varieties alongside the launch of the BBRO RL interactive website to aid grower assessment of the new list.

The overall number of varieties available to growers is increasing from 23 in 2026 to 35 in 2027. Also, the number of varieties with special trait claims continues to develop further to provide additional solutions for wider industry challenges. The new Year 1 entries, in order of yield performance, are:

1. ST Rotterdam (Strube-RAGT)

2. Possom (SESVanderHave)

3. Partridge (SESVanderHave)

4. Pintail (SESVanderHave) BCN

5. Mallard (SESVanderHave) BCN

6. Petrel (SESVanderHave)

7. Grouse (SESVanderHave)

8. Curlew (SESVanderHave)

9. Snipe (SESVanderHave)

10. BTS 7870 (Limagrain) VY

11. Niksha (KWS) VY

12. Smart Agneta KWS ALS

KWS bring three new varieties to market for 2027 with Niksha KWS joining Generosa.

KWS as a further virus tolerant variety; please refer to the breeder regarding the virus yellows trait claims. Smart Agneta KWS bolsters the o ering of ALS varieties for 2027 whilst Smart Attala KWS provides a second option for those growers who want both BCN and ALS resistance stacked in the same variety.

Limagrain has introduced three new varieties for 2027, with BTS 7870 becoming its rst entry for VY resistance and two new ALS-herbicide varieties: BTS Smart 8565 and BTS Smart 4960.

2025 trials

Whilst 2025 was favourable for sugar beet growing drought conditions and seed bed conditions on heavier land were challenging for

establishing some trials.

In 2025, three late lifted RL trials were also harvested as part of BBRO’s three-year evaluation of variety performance later in the season.

Changes to the RL table

2027 has seen a number of changes to the RL tables, both in their design (on the BBRO interactive website) and the change from genetic to product testing from 2025 BBRO RL trials.

Certain varieties are now available in either their commercially available breeders’ pellets or with the option to purchase in the Germains pellet too.

As in previous years, it should be noted that many di erences between individual varieties are small and not statistically signi cant and should be treated with caution.

All growers and advisors will have been frequently reminded of the importance of the red ‘X’ on the RL table with early sown bolter trials providing data to not drill certain varieties before mid-March to mitigate the risk of bolting. As in 2026, a purple ‘X’ is included, this recommendation is from the breeder and does not relate to bolter numbers. The advice relates to Smart varieties only and re ects the stewardship advice for ALS technology.

The sugar beet RL and VL

The RL is run and funded by BBRO, whilst the VL (carried out to support listing in the UK) is run and funded by the breeders and independently veri ed by BSPB. The VL seed is not primed.

On the new BBRO interactive RL website it is now possible and easier to compare the threeyear data sets that are used to produce the overall RL tables. Early-sown bolting was determined in the separate trials that were not taken to yield.

The RL dataset also includes disease infection from separate trials that were not treated with foliar fungicides.

Tables are available for download from the BBRO website. FG

13. BTS Smart 8565 (Limagrain) ALS

14. BTS Smart 4960 (Limagrain) ALS

15. Smart Attala KWS ALS & BCN. For 2027, the top yielding Year 1 variety is ST Rotterdam from Strube-RAGT, although this is unsuitable for early drilling.

SESVanderHave introduces eight new varieties to the UK market, o ering six as high-yielding conventional varieties (Possom, Partridge, Petrel, Grouse, Curlew and Snipe), alongside Pintail and Mallard to provide further varieties against BCN; both BCN varieties qualify for early drilling.

BTS Smart 4960 (Limagrain) ALS

Snipe), alongside Pintail

BBRO managing director, Stephen Swainson.

Strube-RAGT varieties o er high seed quality, impressive yields and resilience

Strube-RAGT says it is pleased to o er four sugar beet varieties for 2026 sowing in line with the BBRO 2027 Recommended List (RL).

ST Rotterdam is the breeder’s proven, but new to the UK market, high yielding variety. RL adjusted yield is 101.5% of control in combination with Strube-RAGT’s ‘3D Plus’ prime and pellet, which puts it up with the very highest yielding varieties. It o ers above-average sugar content with very low total impurities and has good foliar disease scores. ST Rotterdam is not suitable for early sowing. ST Tweed is the highest yielding virus yellows tolerant variety on the RL at 99% of control and is suitable for early sowing. It has average sugar

content and very low total impurities. Furthermore, ST Tweed shows low susceptibility to all three of the major foliar diseases.

The graph shows the relative performance of ST Tweed in the 2024 BBRO ‘Goliath’ variety trial demonstrating its maintained performance under 100% inoculation with each of the three primary aphid borne viruses.

Overall, whilst Morgan delivered highest uninoculated yield, ST Tweed retained c.95% of its uninoculated yield when exposed to 100% beet mild yellows virus infection, with reduced yield loss for all three viruses. This resilience shows the breeding progress Strube-RAGT has achieved in a

decade of tolerance breeding and trials investment that the company can now o er cost e ectively to growers.

According to Strube-RAGT, Button remains a well-proven choice for growers who require a BCN tolerant variety, yielding 98.5% of control in the absence of nematodes. It is suitable for early sowing, o ering above average sugar content with low total impurity. Furthermore, in 2025 Button gave its best yearly performance to date in the RL trials that re ect its resilience to perform under dry, stressed conditions where it outperformed almost every other variety for adjusted yield.

Morgan continues to be a reliable and dependable choice, although it has no tolerance trait so may not be suitable for the earliest sowing. At 99.1% of control for adjusted yield with average sugar content and low impurities, it remains a competitive variety. Similarly to Button, its RL trial performance in 2025 was its best yet and showed resilience to perform very well under dry, stressed conditions. FG

Strube

2024 Goliath Trial Strube varieties and controls: Adjusted yield t/ha following c.100% virus inoculation

45/11833 45/1641 Morgan ST Tweed

Graph: The comparative adjusted yield performance of ST Tweed against controls (LSD 11.8t/ha at 95% probability).

A crop of ST Tweed grown near Debenham, Su olk in 2025.

Take the stress out of growing maize

Maize delivers the highest yield per hectare of any grain crop and makes excellent use of sunlight

Proven nutrition Targeted timings Cost-effective results

However, nutrition has a major impact on final yield

A planned nutrition programme with targeted applications at key growth stages supports stronger rooting, better biomassand improved crop performance

The Bionature programme received the 2025 MGA Highest Yield Trials have shown a 1.76T/ha increase in yield for a cost of just £42.50

Roots to success: Building yield from the ground up

For many growers, the focus on crop performance starts above ground. At Bionature, the approach begins below the surface.

The foundation of the company’s crop nutrition programme is Delta, a product designed to stimulate early root development and set crops up for stronger, more productive growth.

Early establishment is critical to crop performance. According to Bionature, trials and on-farm experience have shown that crops treated with Delta can signi cantly increase root mass – both in root depth and the development of brous roots. A stronger root system allows plants to access nutrients and moisture more e ciently, particularly during periods of stress, helping crops maintain consistent growth throughout the season.

Delta works by supplying nitrogen in an NH2 form, which is readily available to the plant. This encourages stronger early development, supporting longer roots, thicker stems and increased biomass. In practical terms, growers see crops that establish more quickly and are better able to make the most of available nutrients and moisture.

Delta is available in two formulations designed for di erent cropping systems. Delta K is primarily used in cereals, where potassium acts as the carrier for nitrogen, helping drive strong early rooting and establishment. Delta Ca uses calcium as the carrier and is widely used in root crops, where calcium supports root strength and crop structure.

Bionature products have long been used by growers across a range of crops including maize, grass, sugar beet, potatoes, carrots and parsnips. However, the 2025 harvest season provided an opportunity to strengthen these claims through several collaborative trials with industry partners.

Working with Dyson Farming Research, Bionature explored ways to increase potato yields by improving root development and crop nutrition. Early results from the trials highlighted encouraging gains in crop performance and yield potential.

In maize, trials carried out in partnership with Grainseeds focused on improving output through stronger early crop establishment. By enhancing root growth at the start of the season, crops were able to access nutrients more e ectively and maintain stronger growth throughout the season.

Vegetable growers also saw

impressive results. Work conducted with Huntapac on carrots and parsnips delivered eye-catching yields, demonstrating the impact that improved root development can have on high-value vegetable crops.

Meanwhile, trials led by Shaun Ash eld, formerly of British Sugar, produced yield increases of over 6t/ha in sugar beet, achieved at a programme cost of just £28.75/ha.

With increasing pressure on growers to maximise e ciency and returns, focusing on strong root development early in the season will prove to be the key to unlocking crop potential. FG

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Selecting the right variety for the season ahead is a crucial step in achieving high yields, but even the highest-rated varieties can’t perform to their full potential without the right nutrients.

the product o ers for your crop.

This is where OCI Global says it prides itself on helping farmers optimise nitrogen use e ciency (NUE) to maximise yields while keeping sustainability at the forefront.

Over the past decade, OCI has invested heavily in reducing the carbon intensity of its fertiliser production while ensuring that the products remain e ective.

Nutramon Novo is OCI’s low-carbon fertiliser, produced using biomethane, which reduces CO2 emissions on-farm by up to 60%, with the same high-quality characteristics as their existing agship fertiliser, Nutramon.

The fertiliser also contains 4% magnesium oxide (MgO) which plays a crucial role in promoting nutrient absorption, as well as 6% calcium oxide (CaO) to improve soil pH, enhancing nutrient retention and boosting crop quality.

With excellent spreading ability and predictable results, Nutramon Novo’s balanced composition of 50% nitrate and 50% ammonium nitrogen delivers both rapid uptake and longlasting nutrition, helping farmers make the most of their chosen variety.

A timely application of nitrogen-based fertiliser in spring can provide an essential boost to your crops, promoting vigorous growth. When it comes to selecting which fertiliser to use, it is essential to consider which important nutrients

OCI’s commitment to developing products like Nutramon Novo demonstrates its dedication to helping farmers maximise nitrogen use e ciency to boost yields and contribute to more sustainable farming practices.

For advice around optimising fertiliser use and contact details, visit OCI Global’s website: www.nutrinorm.co.uk FG

A 2025 trial results and potato update meeting in Boston, Lincolnshire provided a timely insight into ongoing potato development work at the Hutchinsons silt land trials site.

Late blight remained relatively subdued in 2025, with just 84 con rmed outbreaks nationwide. Notably, 47 of these were recorded from September onwards, with many a ecting volunteer potatoes.

Monitoring through the Fight Against Blight (FAB) initiative, now principally sponsored by GB Potatoes with support from a range of industry partners, including Hutchinsons, revealed important changes in genotype frequency. There was a decline in Blue 13_A2 (metalaxyl resistant), a small increase in EU46_A1, and signi cantly, the rst UK detection of EU43_A1, which is known to carry resistance to CAA and OSBPI group fungicides.

The EU43 sample was submitted to FAB by Hutchinsons root crop technical manager Darryl Shailes on 4th November from volunteer potatoes in the IP19 postcode close to the Su olk coast. The outbreak is thought to have been linked to wet and windy weather systems in October carrying blight spores from France and the Netherlands into East Anglia.

“I send samples o because I want to know what we’re going to be dealing with in the coming summer. It’s important that we have knowledge of what’s going on, because blight is changing all the time,” said Mr Shailes.

Repeated application of single-site modes of action remains the key driver of resistance development, he added. Following the loss of mancozeb, strict adherence to FRAC guidance, mixing and alternating blight actives, and avoiding over-reliance on any single chemistry is essential.

Early wireworm damage

Warm conditions in 2025 led to earlier than expected wireworm activity, with damage seen soon after tuber initiation – the earliest

agronomist and wireworm expert Martyn Cox of Blackthorn Arable had observed.

He told the meeting that risk assessment for wireworm is changing. Wireworm is no longer a problem “just behind grass.” Cropping two to four years ahead of potatoes has a signi cant in uence, with cereals and short-term leys as well as green cover on stubbles and perennial weeds all contributing to risk.

Autumn management three to four years ahead of potatoes is now recognised as essential, with risk assessment central to reducing risk.

“There seems to be little you can do the previous autumn,” said Mr Cox.

He advised that tuber sampling, washing and inspection for holing during the growing season are essential to monitor damage and, where possible, bringing forward harvest can help mitigate losses.

Variety choice and PCN management

Richard Austin Agriculture trials manager Michael Rodger presented results from a trial to evaluate the resistance and tolerance of potato varieties to potato cyst nematode (PCN) at Hutchinsons’ silt land trials site at Worth Farms, Holbeach Marsh in south Lincolnshire in 2025.

The trial compared the performance of 24 packing, processing and chipping varieties, including current standard and new varieties, with and without nematicide treatment.

Clear di erences emerged in both yield and PCN multiplication, Mr Rodger said. Varieties Ina, Lugano and code-numbered 18C-144-010 consistently suppressed multiplication, with a Pf/Pi <1. By contrast, Cara and Marfona allowed substantial population increases, while Lanorma showed intermediate behaviour.

Nematicide responses were variable and not

root crop technical manager, Darryl Shailes.

Ongoing trials helping growers tackle major potato production challenges

statistically distinct between individual varieties under the site’s moderate PCN pressure level (mean 3.55 eggs/g), reinforcing the central role of variety selection in integrated PCN management.

“With limited chemical options available, balancing yield performance with long-term PCN population control through resistant and tolerant varieties remains fundamental to sustainable UK potato production,” said Mr Rodger.

Storage challenges

Storage conditions in 2025–26 contrasted sharply with the previous season, Simon Faulkner of SDF Agriculture told the meeting. A hot, dry growing season followed by a warm winter has created signi cant challenges, particularly for ambient stores,

Maleic hydrazide (MH) remained the foundation of sprout suppression programmes, though there were concerns over uptake under hot, dry conditions. Residue testing results showed wide variation, but crops with residues above 5–6 ppm generally achieved acceptable sprout control.

Mr Faulkner added that dormancy break occurred approximately three weeks earlier in 2025 than in 2024, driven by high accumulated day degrees. Some crops began sprouting only weeks after entering store, increasing the need for careful monitoring and earlier sprout suppressant applications.

Last season also saw a higher incidence of fungal rots. Physiological, non-pathogenic internal disorders were also observed, with internal heat necrosis (IHN) and internal rust spot (IRS) seen in some varieties, linked to heat and moisture stress post-bulking, particularly where PCN damage had compromised root systems.

Further results from the storage appraisal trial will be available at the SPot (Strategic Potato) Storage Day taking place at Leadenhall Farm, Holbeach St Marks on 20th May 2026, courtesy of Dyson Farming. FG

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Another challenging storage season for potatoes

The 2025 crop in store seems to have bumped into almost every factor designed to create a di cult storage season, explains Juno (Plant Protection) Ltd.

Early planting and emergence, followed by a (mostly) hot dry summer saw crops arriving in store in a state of considerable physiological age. The weather was also less than ideal for the application of MH for much of the key window. Harvest conditions were good (or perfect) for nearly everyone, so stores lled early, quickly and were warm. The weather kept them from cooling as swiftly as desired, and those crops, which had not sprouted in the eld (plenty did), were opening their eyes much earlier than would normally be expected. Growers planning for early movement, and who would not normally expect to use a sprout suppressant, were scrambling for advice.

On top of the physical challenges of a sprouting crop was a hangover of crop in store from the 2024 harvest, some of it still nding a way to a generally weak market. And then came the French and the Germans. In 2024, it is reported that the French grew their rst 9M tonne crop, and then went one better in 2025, with a rst 10M tonne crop. The German 2025 crop is reported to be the largest for a quarter of a century. The continent was (is) awash with potatoes – free-buy crops were bid at €15/t during the autumn. There are reports of large areas in Poland being ripped up with a chisel

plough, rather than being harvested.

Crops were sprouting and customers delaying movement, not just in the UK but across much of the continent. Signi cant (and early) demand for sprout suppressants put supply chains under pressure, with occasional reports of demand for product overwhelming availability.

The situation in the UK has not improved much in the new year. Crops are still in store, some with limited prospect of nding a market. Free buy is well-nigh impossible in the absence of strong relationships with end users. Crop quality in many stores, even with the good harvest, is deteriorating and sprouting continues apace. The season is proving to be hard for many growers,

and now the weather seems to have turned in favour of some early planting on very light land. The relatively exible timing of application for Biox-M places the product in a strong position to deal with most situations and keep crops secure. Early sprouting was addressed, some requiring a full 90ml/t rst application to do so. For more fortunate growers, with sprouts coming slightly later in cool and well-cured crops, Biox-M has worked e ectively to keep control. Growers, who have been obliged to hold crops in stores destined to receive seed for 2026, also have the reassurance that treatment of the preceding ware crop with Biox-M in the store will not cause a problem. FG

Precision placement for potato crop inputs

Precision placement of granules for potato treatments in the eld is more important than ever to protect crops and maintain plant health.

Challenging weather conditions for potato emergence and early growth in recent seasons makes control of soil pest damage and delivering optimum nutrients for growth crucial elements of good establishment, advocates Techneat Engineering application specialist, James English.

News that the sole remaining granular chemical nematicide for potatoes, Nemathorin, has been assured for the foreseeable future has been welcome for growers looking to protect yields and maintain clean land, he reports.

“It’s essential that growers now have existing nematicide application equipment tested and serviced to NSTS approval in time for the season,” advises James. “Accurate application and even incorporation into the soil around tubers is essential for the best results, but also minimising the risk of environmental loss and ensuring the nematicide retains its authorisation.”

James adds that with the extreme rainfall this year, most of the available residual nutrients in soil will have washed out, making early crop nutrition essential for strong emergence. The Placement Pro fertiliser applicators, for granular or liquid fertilisers, assure crop nutrition is put in the soil during sowing

just beneath the seed tuber for quick uptake –and slightly to the side to avoid root scorch on emergence. “With the agronomic focus on reducing overall nutrient use in potatoes, to cut costs and protect against environmental loss, placing nutrients directly in the soil where they will get fully utilised by the emerging crop makes economic and environmental sense,” he adds.

“The range of nematicide applicators, along with the Placement Pro granular and liquid fertiliser applicators, meet potato growers’ increasing demands for precision agriculture technologies that optimise the performance of expensive inputs.

“The machines are governed by GPS trackers and linked to accurate control boxes that give operators ultimate control over operations. That means growers and agronomists can put exactly the right amount of product, precisely where it’s required by the establishing crop.” The applicators have been developed to t a range of equipment used for potato seedbed creation, including bed tillers and cultivators, and with a variable number of outlets to best assure even distribution.

Techneat Engineering is an o cial NSTS testing station for all nematicide applicators. The team can perform tests and issue calibration certi cates at its factory site near Cambridge or o er an ‘on site’ service around the country.

James also highlights that growers looking to use Nemathorin in agronomy programmes, or to try out fertiliser placement techniques, can utilise the new Techneat Hire scheme to try a Maxicast, Terracast or Placement Pro unit in their own planting system. FG

A

natural way to enhance foliar nutrition

Marcus Palmer of MJP Supplies, the UK distributor of Algifol, says the seaweedbased biostimulant o ers a practical way to support crop health and make better use of existing fertiliser programmes.

“Applying Algifol as part of a foliar nutrition strategy can improve nutrient uptake e ciency, stimulate root development and help crops cope with abiotic stresses such as drought or heat, all of which are increasingly relevant on UK arable and mixed farms.

“The seaweed extracts within Algifol supply a complex mix of trace elements, vitamins, amino acids and natural growth-regulating compounds that complement, rather than replace, standard fertiliser inputs.

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“When applied to the leaf, nutrients and bioactive compounds are absorbed rapidly into the plant, providing a timely boost at key growth stages or where tissue analysis highlights shortfalls. This targeted approach can help maintain green leaf area, support photosynthesis, and protect yield potential when conditions are less than ideal.”

Marcus has not only sold Algifol for the last 25 years but has also used it on

his farm in South Lincolnshire with impressive results.

Marcus’ customers have applied Algifol throughout the growing season to boost the quality and yield of a wide range of crops, including potatoes, cereals and sugar beet.

To nd out more visit  www.mjpsupplies.co.uk, or call the company directly. FG

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Marcus Palmer of MJP Supplies.

East Yorkshire 300ha mixed farm takes trials to the next level

support tool to aid rotational and nutrition planning in future.

Optimising nitrogen inputs: This year’s trials will see a continuation of work to asses the value of the Messium hyperspectral satellite imagery system for optimising nitrogen applications according to crop potential. “We’re actually in our third year of trialing Messium and see real potential in the technology,” says Mr Hayward. “We’ve already seen it can work in trials, so are now looking to implement it on a wider scale commercially on our farm this season.” Separately, the Helix team is also looking at using soil sensors to measure plant-available nitrates in soil moisture.

Disease prediction: Two systems are being tested to see if they can be used to improve in-season disease prediction and fungicide timing; one is a system that can detect latent disease before symptoms are visible; the other is a computer-based disease forecasting model.

The 300ha mixed family business, managed by Paul Hayward and his son Adam, has been involved with farm trials for a number of years, so the opportunity to become a Helix Farm was a natural progression that closely aligns with the farm’s focus on maximising productivity.

“We’ve always done on-farm trials for various di erent companies, so being part of the Helix network matches closely with what we are doing day-to-day,” says Adam. “We aren’t changing tactics to become a Helix Farm.”

The whole team values being able to see whether new products, technologies and ways of working, are successful (or not), within the farm’s own location, soil types, practices and machinery. “If we nd something that works, that may well be adopted on a wider commercial scale across the farm. For example, a biostimulant we use as mainstream for pulse growing started as a trial a few years ago.”

Driving productivity

Mr Hayward acknowledges that while

there is considerable pressure on margins within agriculture, the focus for their business is on driving yields and quality, not cutting costs. Using precision data and conducting on-farm trials is all part of the process to help achieve that as e ciently as possible.

“Fundamentally, we run a high input, high output system, where yield is the key driver to the success of the arable enterprise. We need to maintain yield, so by no means are we looking to reduce spend, but we do monitor everything carefully to make sure we use all inputs, such as nitrogen, in the best way possible to maximise returns.

“We’re also trying to add value by striving for quality in everything we do, whether that’s by maintaining clean seedbeds to help achieve a premium for seed crops, focusing on spring barley nutrition to achieve a premium for malting, or managing oilseed rape for an oil bonus.”

The farm’s Hutchinsons agronomist, Ben Jagger, says one of the key bene ts of the Helix trials is to provide a real-world platform to assess whether new technologies and practices are

commercially viable and can help farmers and agronomists deliver more accurate decision making.

“Ultimately, we want to see whether those improvements deliver greater returns to the grower, either through demonstrating the value of data to inform decision making in-season, or most importantly, by delivering yield and quality bene ts to growers.”

Helix East Yorkshire trial highlights

Below is a summary of some of the trials underway at Helix East Yorkshire this season. The team hopes to be able to share results with growers as and when they are available.

DNA-based soil assessment: One trial is investigating whether DNA sequencing and AI-driven predictive models can be used to accurately assess the condition of the soil microbiome, identifying the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ microbes that in uence crop performance, disease development, nutrient availability, and soil resilience. If successful, it could be used as a

Organic amendments: Another area of focus is to quantify the crop bene ts from organic amendments, such as farmyard manure, poultry manure and brophos fertiliser. Each of the organic amendments have been analysed for nutrient composition prior to application, and regular tissue testing will be done through the season to look at phosphate utilisation. Alongside this, grain and straw analysis will take place at harvest, to assess plant uptake through the season. “We’ll also use the DNA sequencing tools to look at what impact these organic matter additions are having on the soil microbiome,” notes Mr Jagger.

Various other trials are also in place at Helix East Yorkshire, looking at areas such as phosphate-based placement fertilisers, variety blends, and the impact of seed rate on disease pressure and yield.

Managing data

Omnia is proving to be a valuable tool to help with managing the logistics of farm trials and assessing yield results, as well as assisting with wider day-today decision making across the farm.

Cold Harbour Farm was an early adopter of Omnia and Mr Hayward particularly values the cost of production mapping element to help benchmark performance and identify variations in performance across the farm, allowing him to target measures to improve yield. The whole farm has also been TerraMapped to provide high-de nition analysis of multiple soil properties and another ‘layer’ of data to feed into the Omnia system.

Find out more about the Helix network at www.hutchinsons.co.uk/ about-us/helix FG

Hutchinsons has launched Helix East Yorkshire, hosted by farmers Paul and Adam Hayward of E. Dunning & Son, Cold Harbour Farm, Bishop Burton.

Farmer Adam Hayward with his daughter, Connie.

Yellow pea demand increasing

The market for yellow peas has historically been for animal feed and this remains important. The demand is now increasing, driven by the use of yellow peas for human consumption, in products such as soups, stews and casseroles, as well as in global cuisine.

To give pulse growers the best varieties to meet this increased demand, breeders have introduced varieties with improved yields and agronomics. Concerto and

Orchestra from NPZ UK are two high yielding yellow pea varieties on the PGRO Descriptive List (DL) that meet both market and grower needs.

Edina Kare, NPZ UK’s pulse breeder, comments: “Concerto has good standing ability, early owering time, early maturity and medium to tall plants. It also has good resistance to downy mildew and is resistant to pea wilt.

“Our breeding work is on track to bring further improvements to yellow pea varieties to do our part in developing the yellow pea crop UK in the future.”

For example, viruses that are seed-borne or transmitted through pea aphid can cause yield losses of up to 25%. Visible symptoms are stunting, shortening, downward rolling of lea ets, vein clearing and apical malformation, and ‘tennisball’ marking.

Breeding work on varietal resistance to viruses using markers and phenotyping is showing results with NPZ UK’s yellow pea variety Iconic, currently in Descriptive List trials, and having resistance to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). FG

Mammoth Millet

Wiltshire seed business helps farmers get paid to go green

Bright Seeds, owned and run by Chris Bright, is helping farmers meet the requirements of government-backed initiatives like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship, which provide funding for sustainable farming practices.

As environmental schemes become more important, many farmers struggle with meeting the complex requirements and criteria to unlock funding such as improving soil health and boosting biodiversity –areas Bright Seeds can help with.

Mr Bright says: “We’ve always been involved with the Countryside Stewardship scheme, and we keep up to date with emerging environmental schemes so we can stay at the forefront of supply.

“We trial all our new stewardship and wild ower mixes on our land before they go to market to show customers what compliance with these schemes can look like, and to give them that tangible sense of how our seeds could work for them.”

The company’s commitment to sustainability extends to its own operations – Mr Bright explains that their demonstration farm at Dean Lane bene ts from mid-tier Countryside Stewardship and SFI schemes itself and uses renewable energy solutions like solar panels and ground-source heat pumps, alongside water management systems designed to improve soil health and retention. “The key is to stay exible and use what’s on o er to futureproof your farm.” FG

● Full buy-back contract.

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SoyaUK Longways House, Burnetts Lane, West End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2HH www.soya-uk.com T: 02380 696922 email: enquiries@soya-uk.com

Chris Bright and Megan Townley of Bright Seeds.

The Rubin 10/1000 compact disc harrow

Safe ground pull-in. No side pull.

The discs make the LEMKEN Rubin 10/1000 unique: the symmetrical arrangement ensures directional stability and the particularly aggressive position guarantees reliable penetration even in hard and dry soils. At the same time, uniform, full-surface cultivation with optimum mixing and crumbling results is achieved.

Rubin 10: Intensive, uniform mixing of organic matter and soil

Lemken says UK growers seeking high-output cultivation, improved grassweed control, and reliable preparation of stale seedbeds need look no further than the 10m Rubin 10 disc harrow.

Designed for demanding conditions and broad-acre e ciency, the Rubin 10 brings together robust engineering, consistent working depth, and exceptional residue incorporation to meet the evolving needs of modern UK farming.

The 10m Rubin 10 has been engineered to deliver uniform soil movement across the full working width, even at high forward speeds.

Its symmetrical disc layout eliminates side draft, ensuring straight running behind high-horsepower tractors – an increasingly important requirement for large UK farms operating wide machinery.

The machine’s 645mm concave discs provide aggressive penetration, enabling e ective management of heavy residues and challenging soils often found after high-yielding cereal crops.

Growers focused on grassweed management, particularly blackgrass, will bene t from the Rubin 10’s ability to create a shallow but consistent cultivation layer. This

encourages rapid germination of weed seeds ahead of subsequent control measures, forming a key part of integrated weed management strategies.

Paul Creasy, general manager of Lemken UK, reports that the Rubin 10 has already gained strong traction among British farmers. “The Rubin 10 has been very well received in the UK and suits the style of UK farming operations,” he explains. “Larger growers in particular are looking for big output, reliable grassweed control, and the ability to create highquality stale seedbeds. The Rubin 10 ts perfectly into that system,

especially when paired with drills such as our Solitair DT.”

With its wide working width and durable frame, the Rubin 10 is built for long days in the eld. Key features include:

• Symmetrical arrangement of every row of serrated concave discs

• Middle discs are o set

• DuraMaxx discs

• An impact harrow and a levelling harrow

• Semi-mounted versions

• Support wheels

• Recoil cushioning.

The Rubin 10 integrates seamlessly into reduced-tillage and hybrid cultivation systems, giving growers exibility to adapt to seasonal conditions and crop rotations.

By producing a ne, level seedbed with well-managed residues, the Rubin 10 complements Lemken’s Solitair DT drills, enabling growers to move e ciently from cultivation to drilling with minimal passes. This alignment supports both productivity and soil health. As UK agriculture continues to evolve, the Rubin 10 o ers a future-ready cultivation platform that meets the demands of scale, sustainability, and precision. FG

The Precision Cultivator

With recent increased pressure on pro tability there has been a focus on reducing costs of both inputs and establishment overheads.

Direct seeding over the years has proved to be a cost-e ective solution to arable farmers both in time and fìnancial return for arable cropping. However, in many cases, a straw harrow has become essential in the success story of direct seeding, especially where

straw has been chopped and left on the surface.

In these situations, the Bullock Tillage STR straw harrow provides a quick and cost-e ective method of ensuring all residue is evenly spread while also providing a hostile environment for slugs and slug eggs and creating a scratch tilth to allow weed seeds and volunteers to grow rapidly enabling the ideal conditions to spray o prior to the next crop being planted. The STR Harrow can also be used for multiple passes to pull out weed seedlings in order to reduce the amount of desiccant required when the land is sprayed o .

The STR straw harrow comes complete with ve rows of hydraulically adjustable tines to alter the pressure of work; seeder platform; road lighting; and an optional row of hydraulically adjustable 520mm wavy discs. Working widths of 4.8, 6 and 7m are available.

The FETF grant is available for the 6m and 7m harrows without the front mounted discs. FG

Cultivating soil solutions

The Guttler Supermaxx range simply stands out as the ultimate cultivation companion. Built to perform, the Supermaxx offers exemplorary stubble clearance and the most technically advanced spring tine system on the market.

Scan here to find out MORE about the Supermaxx®.

Wox says the Güttler Supermaxx has been one of arable farmers’ go-to products for stubble residue and straw management for more than 14 years.

With a range covering spreading widths of 3–12m, the product o erings are speci cally focused around only one tine type.

This allows the modular cultivation range to be able to be kept very simple as its performance is

Straw incorporation stubble management and

guaranteed with everlasting results, this is with the aid of the reinforced helper supporting the tine allowing a working range of 0–15cm subject to soil type and power availability.

The product o ering spreads the range with either ve rows of tines or seven rows of tines. Regardless of speci cation, the spacing of the tines remains at 12.5cm.

The range is available with models in the mounted category

STRAW RAKE

from 3–9m and trailed versions from 9–12m.

According to Wox, as growers face a challenging pressure of pro t versus soil management and soil health, the management of residues in either large or small volumes is likely to become an even hotter topic than usual.

Residue length and consistent spreading is determined principally on the combine – if this action is

not taken seriously or carried out correctly, it can never be put right by any tillage tool afterwards. If it is approached this way, it will be inevitably and ultimately expensive. Due to recent geo-political events, the cost of fuel for tillage activities is likely to be a matter for serious consideration, and therefore the most e ciently-performing machines that give the right result are most likely to be opted for. FG

Encourages weed seed and volunteer germination

Aids even distribution of chopped straw post-harvest

Hydraulic angle adjustment on the tines

14mm tines, across 5 rows

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CAMGRAIN PARTNERS WITH HECTARE TRADING

Camgrain chief operating o cer Steven Atherton, and head of membership, Nicki Arnold, explain the bene ts of the company’s relationship with leading online crop marketplace, Hectare Trading.

Tell us about Camgrain, and how it works with its members

A: Camgrain was developed in 1983 by a small group of farmers, to provide a safe and secure co-operative grain storage facility for farmer members. It currently has nearly 500 members, who send in nearly half a million tonnes of various combinable crops at harvest – including wheat, barley, OSR, oats, linseed, beans, peas and organic crops – which are then colour sorted if required and stored at one of Camgrain’s storage facilities, two of which are located in Linton and Cambridge and one in Kettering (which is co-located with Navara Oat Milling).

Further storage is available at the RCMA storage facility at Stratford-upon-Avon for our organic crops and OSR. These co-located sites allow us to avoid double handling costs, reducing cost for our members.

Our advanced processing ability means that we can blend our members’ crop to meet the speci c requirements of premium markets. Our storage facilities are strategically placed to enable us to place crop in storage close to the end user, saving on road miles.

pool options marketed by our marketing partner, paying out in either March or August the following year or they can direct market their feed crops with a customer of their choice or via the Hectare Trading marketplace.

Camgrain has made signi cant progress in improving e ciency, reducing costs, and increasing value for our farmer members. We have streamlined operations, introduced more exible membership options, and invested in advanced technology to deliver exceptional service and exible market opportunities for our members. Our handling charge has been held at £9.90 for the past two years and as a member you will receive reduced drying and ergot charges ensuring grain storage is both a ordable and secure.

How do your storage and marketing services benefit growers?

storing grain. We try to be forward-thinking and o er our members the best opportunities to add extra money to their crop at a time when grain prices are so low – we like to think this can make a real di erence.

How did the conversation with Hectare begin?

A: As part of the changes at Camgrain, we decided to review our marketing options. A number of our members suggested that they wanted more ways to direct market their crops other than through our marketing partner, so we looked into Hectare Trading and the potential bene ts it could bring. We arranged a meeting and presentation with the Board and Lizzie Blower, head of trading at Hectare Trading, following which the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive, so we set about getting the planning and delivery of the platform ready for a workshop and demonstrations with our members. By partnering with Hectare Trading, we’re very con dent farmers have the best options in front of them to make the most money for their grain.

How does the relationship between Camgrain and Hectare Trading work?

A: Our collaboration with Hectare Trading enables members to sell feed grain wheat and barley via a bidding system ex-store from Camgrain. With access to over 100 grain buyers, Hectare Trading allows members to trade when they need cash ow and decide whether to accept any o ered price. Hectare Trading has proven particularly popular, and has had a direct impact on the amount of feed wheat or feed barley direct marketed over the last year, with Camgrain’s direct marketed pool increasing fourfold.

A: Some members will use us for all their storage and marketing, while some will just use us for part of their storage and will sell some of their crop on farm. With a lot of farmers diversifying to make ends meet, we have to have exible storage and marketing options available.

Members’ intake is tested, blended and sorted into homogenised bulks and sold on premium contracts via our marketing partners Frontier Agriculture and Robin Appel. Members have a variety of di erent

Members who enter their crop into one of our pools will have the bene t of Camgrain’s access to premium supply chain contracts such as Hovis or Nestlé, where they can get a premium for their crop that they may not get elsewhere.

Camgrain also removes the members’ risk; our supply chain contracts are sold as vendor-assured contracts and guarantee quality to our buyers via the homogenous bulk, so our growers don’t have to worry about on-farm degradation or rejections.

If a member chooses to direct market their crop or to use the Hectare Trading option, their buyers can see that the grain comes from a central store and has been weighed on a calibrated weighbridge, tested, stored and blended to a high standard.

We are committed to removing the hassle of

While Camgrain is renowned for getting good prices on the premium crops via way of blending and conditioning, we don’t add a lot of value to the feed grains. Until now, a lot of members would sell ofarm themselves; now they’re more inclined to send this crop into Camgrain for storage, and sell it via Hectare Trading’s marketplace.

grains. Until now, a lot of marketplace. FG

Camgrain chief operating o cer, Steven Atherton.

Camgrain head of membership, Nicki Arnold.

Making every glyphosate spray count

Building on the company’s “Clean Water. Clean Kill.” stewardship campaign, the session brought together industry experts to explore how growers can optimise glyphosate applications – and why attention to detail has never mattered more.

Unique chemistry under pressure

As farmer and spray application specialist David Felce highlighted, glyphosate’s importance today goes far beyond routine use.

“Whatever system of establishment is used, glyphosate is critical to help provide a clean seedbed,” he explained. “With con rmed resistance cases now recorded, it’s vital we take every step to ensure it remains e ective.”

As Bayer’s herbicide technical lead, Roger Bradbury, pointed out, there are no alternative actives o ering the same activity – and none currently in development that could replace it.

Ensuring consistent performance of glyphosate is becoming increasingly complex. At a De Sangosse-sponsored seminar at CropTec, this challenge took centre stage.

“It’s not just about time or exposure,” he explained. “It’s about how glyphosate is being used on individual farms.

“Common risk factors include heavy reliance on glyphosate, reduced cultivation systems, long periods of unmanaged stubble and repeated applications to large, well-established weeds.

More than just dose rate

A key takeaway from the seminar was that glyphosate performance is shaped by a combination of interacting factors, rather than any single decision.

Weed biology is central to this. Small, actively growing weeds are typically easier to control, while larger or stressed plants – particularly those under drought or waterlogging – are less responsive. Applications made at the wrong growth stage, such as during stem extension, can also signi cantly reduce e ectiveness by limiting movement of glyphosate to the roots.

Environmental conditions, product formulation and surfactant systems all play a role, as do tank mix partners and application technique.

“It’s easy to turn a weed brown,” noted Roger. “But delivering reliable, long-term control is much more di cult. That distinction is critical. Poor control creates survivors, and those survivors increase the risk of resistance developing.”

Resistance is a farm-level risk

Insights from John Cussans highlighted that glyphosate-resistant Italian ryegrass is already present in several locations in the UK – but its development is not inevitable. Instead, resistance is being driven by decisions within individual farming systems.

“In these situations, glyphosate is often being asked to do more – and under less favourable conditions – increasing the likelihood of survivors and gradual shifts in sensitivity,” he said.

“For growers a ected, the consequences of glyphosate resistance occurring can be signi cant, requiring increased cultivation, higher input costs and changes to system design.”

Clean water, better control

According to Rob Suckling, commercial technical manager at De Sangosse, water hardness remains one of the most overlooked factors in spray application.

“Hardness is not pH – it’s the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water,” he said. “And those ions can bind with glyphosate, reducing its e ectiveness before it even reaches the plant.

“This is particularly relevant across UK arable regions, where hard water is common. When glyphosate is mixed with hard water, these cations form less soluble complexes, reducing uptake through the leaf and ultimately lowering e cacy.”

additions – particularly high rates of citric acid –can reduce performance further by destabilising the spray solution.

Equally important is mixing order. Water should be conditioned before glyphosate is added, ensuring the active ingredient remains fully available in solution.

From boom to target

Beyond the chemistry in the tank, application technique remains a key determinant of success.

David highlighted the importance of tailoring application to the target.

“In dense canopies, such as overwintered cover crops, higher water volumes and coarser droplets along with angled nozzles can improve coverage and help reach weeds beneath the canopy. In contrast, smaller, exposed weeds may bene t from lower water volumes and ner droplets to maximise coverage and dose concentration.

Importantly, this process is invisible – but its impact can be signi cant.

Conditioning the tank

Managing water quality starts with measurement. Growers cannot reliably judge water hardness without testing.

“Across all situations, attention to detail is essential. Boom height, forward speed and nozzle choice all in uence spray distribution, and small inaccuracies can result in uneven coverage and reduced control.

“Be clear what you are trying to achieve,” said David. “Glyphosate is too important to treat as just another pass.”

A stewardship mindset

Simple tools such as TDS meters can provide a quick on-farm indication, while laboratory analysis o ers a more detailed assessment of water composition.

Once understood, the use of e ective water conditioners becomes critical. Products containing chelating or sequestering agents, such as X-Change, bind tightly to calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from interfering with glyphosate.

Other approaches such as straight ammonium sulphate can o er partial mitigation but do not fully eliminate the issue. Meanwhile, inappropriate

Optimising glyphosate performance is not about a single change, but about improving every stage of the process – from water quality and mixing, to timing and application technique.

The ‘Clean Water. Clean Kill.’ campaign re ects this approach, encouraging growers to think more carefully about how glyphosate is used and how its performance can be protected.

For more information on the seminar, and testing and conditioning water, visit: www.desangosse.co.uk/solutions/clean-waterclean-kill/tank-to-target/ FG

Example of failure of glyphosate control.

(Source ADAS)

WATCH YOUR LIVESTOCK THRIVE BY PLANTING TREES

As a farmer or smallholder, there’s no such thing as average weather anymore. Bitter winds, driving rain, heatwaves, oods and storms are becoming part and parcel of the farming year. And they can take a real toll on your livestock and your land.

But did you know trees are one of the best tools a landowner can employ? And even better, did you know you can buy heavily subsidised trees at very a ordable prices from the Woodland Trust?

This year, you could do something to really help your livestock thrive: plant trees to create shelter and shade, and healthier, more resilient elds.

A well-placed hedge of native trees or a small shelterbelt can reduce wind speed, provide cover in storms, and o er vital shade in hot weather. That means your cattle, sheep, chickens or even horses can graze or forage more comfortably, burn less energy keeping warm, and avoid heat stress when temperatures soar.

Trees also help heal the land itself. They ght ooding, reduce waterlogging and stabilise the soil by avoiding runo . They’re great at ghting the e ects of climate change, boosting biodiversity and could even help your own wellbeing.

Give your livestock a helping hand

When it comes to year-round impact and being low maintenance, trees are hard to beat. Unlike shelters they get more e ective with every season. As they grow, they provide stronger windbreaks, deeper shade, and more natural cover, all while improving the look of your holding.

And it’s not just about comfort. Trees can help calm your stock, improve lambing conditions, and create shelter for young when the weather turns.

Plant more for less with Woodland Trust tree packs

The Woodland Trust’s subsidised shelterbelt and hedgerow tree packs make it easy and

a ordable to get started. Available online, they’re a great opportunity to transform your land in a way that bene ts both animals and the wider environment.

Thanks to funding from the Woodland Trust’s partners, the subsidy means you’ll pay as little as 43p per tree. Delivery is free too – making it one of the most cost-e ective ways to create thriving shelter on a small farm.

Last chance to plant subsidised trees

Plant more for less with the Trust’s subsidised shelterbelt and hedgerow packs before sales end on 30 April. Our native mixes make it simple to create shelterbelts, eld-edge planting and new hedgerow lines that are practical for livestock keepers and good for the long-term health of the land.

All sourced and grown in the UK and Ireland, Woodland Trust packs contain a mix of native species, helping you establish tough, resilient planting that can cope with British conditions.

Other packs are also available to suit di erent spaces and purposes, from helping vulnerable species to greening urban communities.

Image credit: James Bucher

Image credit: Paul Glendell

speaking at the NFU Conference. Image: Exposure Photography.

WHAT’S NEW FOR GOVERNMENT GRANTS THIS YEAR?

DEFRA secretary Emma Reynolds announced a series of updates on the SFI, FETF and other funding for 2026 at the NFU Conference. Sarah Kidby explains more.

The NFU Conference returned to Birmingham’s ICC on 24th and 25th February, welcoming the DEFRA secretary to the stage to share the latest updates on government funding. Much-awaited

announcements were made on plans for popular grants including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) and capital grants.

SFI

Promising to deliver a “simpler” SFI, Ms Reynolds con rmed that the reformed o er will include 71 actions, down from the 102 that were

previously available. Agreements will also be capped at £100,000 to manage budget pressures, while payment rates will be reduced for three arable sections.

The rst application window will open in June for holdings of 3–50ha which are registered with the RPA, as well as those not already in an ELM agreement. A second application window will open in September.

FETF

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which helps farmers to invest in equipment to improve productivity, animal health and welfare, and slurry management, has had a £50 million funding boost. Applications opened on 17th March 2026 and will close midday on 28th April 2026. However, this will be the last FETF round in its current form. During 2026, DEFRA will look at how best to combine the strongest elements of its grants from 2027, making it easier to apply and ensuring funding is targeted e ectively.

This year, 290 items are eligible for funding. Grants range from £1,000–25,000 per theme, with total funding of £20 million for productivity, £20M for animal health and welfare and £10M for slurry management. The government will pay a percentage of the cost of each item. Farmers can apply for items under more than one theme, up to a combined maximum of £75,000.

Some items have been added or removed this year, and the vet advice and new entrants score uplift has been removed. Contact details must also now match those registered in the Rural Payments service.

FETF 2026 GRANT ELIGIBLE SLURRY ITEMS

Items included this year include: camera-guided inter-row sprayers, robotic silage pushers, ventilation and biosecurity equipment, robotic slurry collectors, and low-emission spreading equipment.

Guidance, including the full list of items, grant amounts and eligibility rules, is available at: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/farmingequipment-and-technology-fundfetf-2026

Capital grants

The DEFRA secretary committed to increasing funding from £150M last year, to £225M in 2026, with a new round opening in July. Capital grants help to cover the cost of one-o investments on farms, rather than ongoing payments. They fund tree planting, hedgerow restoration and improvements to water quality. Updates on uptake will be shared when 25%, 50% and 75% of the budget is allocated. Guidance will be available on gov.uk closer to the opening.

Animal welfare

DEFRA launched a 12-week consultation on whether to make the Animal Health and Welfare Review mandatory for all cattle, sheep and pig farmers in England. Currently

farmers can apply to access funding for an annual vet visit and certain services. The consultation closes on 18th May 2026.

A new grant will be made available this summer for on-farm poultry biosecurity reviews to aid in the ght against avian in uenza. It’s funded by £390,000 from the Cabinet O ce Integrated Security Fund.

FiP

£70 million will be available through the Farming Innovation Programme to support new research and development that strengthens agriculture in the UK. This includes £30 million for the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) funding competition. ADOPT is designed to accelerate the uptake of innovative ideas on farms, helping farmers trial practical solutions and adopt approaches that build resilience. The next round opens on 9th April. Visit the Farming Innovation Programme site for more information about the upcoming funding opportunities and how to apply: https://farminginnovation.ukri.org

Welcome news

NFU president Tom Bradshaw

welcomed the DEFRA secretary’s announcements at the NFU Conference.

“The reformed SFI scheme announced today appears to strike the right balance between simplifying the process and maintaining exibility, while still retaining preferable actions for farmers and growers. It’s good to see the recognition of the uplands by maintaining actions that support the much loved landscapes in which they work, but we’ll need to work through

NFU president Tom Bradshaw. Image: Simon Hadley www.simonhadley.co.uk

the wider detail of the scheme.”

He added: “The Secretary of State said today that the ‘government is serious about partnership’ and is ‘committed to giving [the industry] clarity and stability’. I welcome that but key to this must be transparency around the farming budget, as well as a long-term plan for food and farming. The resilience of our food system can’t be taken for granted, underlying pro tability is essential to driving the investment needed and the resilient food system that society needs.” FG

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Applications close 28 April 2026

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• Sales and Technical Support 7 days a week

NEW DEALER PARTNERSHIP FOR GREENTEC

GreenTec A/S, the Danish manufacturer of professional vegetation management machinery, has announced a new strategic dealer partnership with Redlynch Agricultural Engineering.

This collaboration expands GreenTec’s dealer network in the UK, focused on Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire areas. This strengthens the access to high-performance hedge cutting, verge mowing, and tree trimming equipment across key agricultural and landscaping customer groups.

Under the new agreement, Redlynch Agricultural Engineering, a respected multibrand agricultural machinery dealership serving Somerset, Dorset, and Wilshire, will now represent GreenTec’s full range of professional hedge cutters, quadsaws, rotary mowers and other hydraulic attachments to customers throughout southwest England.

“Selecting a dealer is about more than distribution, it’s about shared values. Redlynch has deep industry experience, strong customer

relationships, and a commitment to service excellence which makes them an ideal partner as we continue to grow our presence in the UK market,” said Josh Allen, UK sales manager at GreenTec.

This partnership brings several key bene ts for UK customers. With the growing interest in the southwest of England, GreenTec needed to provide enhanced local support, improved accessibility and of course shorter lead times.

Partnering with Redlynch, a strong machinery dealership, GreenTec can provide this to all customers in the Southwest.

With their already well-established sales and service teams, GreenTec can now provide customers in their areas with hands-on product advice, demos and local after sales support. Linked with that is of course the stocking of the GreenTec products ensuring faster delivery times and local availability of both machines and spare parts.

“We’re excited to add GreenTec’s innovative machinery into our o ering. Their high-quality solutions complement our existing brands and

help us serve our customers with even more choice and capability,” said Paul Cooke, sales team manager at Redlynch Agricultural Engineering. GreenTec’s professional vegetation management machinery is mostly engineered in Denmark and distributed through its global dealer network. Trusted by farmers, landscapers, municipalities and contractors worldwide for their durability, performance and versatility. FG

GreenTec facility in Kolding, Denmark.

Celebrating country life

The South Su olk Show, at Ampton point-to-point racecourse, near Bury St Edmunds (IP31 1NS), will take place on Sunday 10th May this year.

Royal Bath & West returns

The Royal Bath & West Show returns to the Bath & West Showground from 28–30th May, promising three actionpacked days with a huge focus on children’s fun and discovery.

Young visitors can dive straight into the Discover the Future STEM zone, where free, hands-on science and engineering activities are designed to spark curiosity and inspire budding inventors. At Lakeside Farm, children can get closer to real farm animals and learn how food is produced, while the Woodland & Countryside Arena o ers the chance to try traditional rural crafts and create wooden keepsakes to take home.

The Main Ring brings even more

excitement with the crowd-favourite Shetland Pony Grand National, a fast and fun spectacle starring young jockeys. Pony Club games, heavy horse displays and vintage vehicle parades add to the entertainment throughout the day.

There’s also a traditional Vintage Fairground for classic rides and the Bath & West Railway for a scenic adventure little ones will love. With live music from The Wurzels and the Jelly Roll Jazz Band, plus plenty of family-friendly food options, it’s a countryside celebration guaranteed to keep children smiling all day long, organisers say.

Tickets are on sale now at www.bathandwest.com/tickets FG

A fun- lled day in the great outdoors, organisers promise something for everyone, with both hooves and handlebars in the Grand Ring. OG Performance Horses will o er a captivating display of trick riding, showcasing the beauty and power of the horse. And for those who prefer horsepower with an engine, Paul Hannam’s ATV Stunt Show will give a high-adrenaline display of daring stunts on quad bikes, as seen on Top Gear.

Plus, exclusive for 2026 the South Su olk Show will be a celebration of 100 years of British Sugar, with a display of agricultural machinery used over the years in the production of the sugar beet crop from eld to factory.

As always there will be plenty to see and do outside the Grand Ring, including farriers

in the forge, gun dogs working, musicians entertaining, farm machinery new and old and a fun dog show taking entries on the day. Not to mention the Lifestyle Marquee packed with unique creations, the Food Hall full of tempting treats, and sheep, pigs, cattle and horses all competing for rosettes amongst trade stands galore and carefully selected food vendors.

See www.southsu olkshow. co.uk for early bird tickets. FG

Major welcomes new dealer

Major Equipment Ltd has appointed KP Agri Ltd as an o cial dealer in South Wales. The partnership will bring Major’s renowned range of slurry handling solutions, agricultural mowers and toppers and the industry-leading Major Cyclone to farmers, contractors, professionals and local authorities.

“The Major franchise enhances our existing o ering with exceptional, high-value equipment,” says Paul Benton, owner of KP Agri. “Major products stand out in the marketplace with innovative features and costsavings bene ts which appeal to our customers. The quality of manufacturing, customer service

and after-sales support aligns with our focus on delivering reliable machinery and exceptional service.”

“KP Agri is growing from strength to strength with its focus on quality products backed by proactive customer service and support,” says James Cox, sales manager at Major Equipment Ltd. “These are standards farmers, operators and owners expect from our products so we appreciate the same from our partners in the dealer network. I look forward to working with Paul and his team to grow our footprint across South and West Wales.”

Visit the KP Agri website at https://www.kpagri.co.uk. FG

“The

Tandem is well designed & strong. I have

John Nurse, Harleston, Norfolk

• 3000, 3500 and 4000 gallon capacities

• Custom manufactured using the highest quality components

• Galvanised finish inside and out

• Range of dribble bar, trailing shoes and disc injector low emission slurry applicators

TNS launches servicing programme

Dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen, which operates across Su olk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, has launched TNS Plus, a servicing programme aimed speci cally at older, out-of-warranty Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Challenger machines.

With input costs rising and margins under pressure, many farmers are looking to extend the life of existing equipment rather than replace it. TNS Plus has been designed with this in mind, o ering up to 30% o parts and labour, along with a 12-month warranty covering both and exible payment options. Free telematics activation is also included where applicable.

All servicing and repairs are carried out by TNS technicians using the latest AGCO diagnostic

technology, helping maintain performance and reliability across older tractors, combines, sprayers, balers and more.

Darren Angel, service manager at TNS Littleport, said: “The feedback has been very positive. Many farmers have taken advantage of the o er and we have seen a number of older tractors come through the workshop that were originally bought from other dealers. Which shows there is real demand for a ordable servicing and repairs to keep older machines working longer.”

TNS Plus is open to anyone with an eligible machine, even if it was purchased from another dealer.

For more information, visit www.tnsgroup.co.uk or contact Thurlow Nunn Standen directly. FG

(l-r): Barrie Roberts, sales manager at KP Agri; John Murphy, MD at Major; Kelly, Osian and Paul Benton, KP Agri; James Cox, sales manager at Major.

Darren Angel of TNS.

Why choose TNS Plus?

Up to 30% off parts & labour*

12-month parts and labour warranty when ftted by TNS

Expert care by our manufacturer-trained technicians

Extend the life and reliability of your machinery

Free telematics activation (where applicable)

*Offer applies to service & maintenance parts held in stock or supplied under normal stock order terms. Excludes major units, REMAN units (e.g. turbos, injectors, clutches, rotating electrics), and all FUSE/ technology products or subscriptions.

To beneft from this fantastic offer, scan the QR code and book your machine in today at your local TNS branch.

Precision establishment for achieving

With tighter margins and greater scrutiny on input use, technology that improves accuracy while reducing inputs has never been more important.

The Amazone Precea precision seeder range has continued to evolve, o ering farmers and contractors greater work rates and improved fertiliser e ciency, the manufacturer says.

Designed for crops including maize, sugar beet, OSR, beans and pumpkins the Precea range now spans mounted and trailed models from 3–12m working widths. Whether operating as a compact mounted drill for mixed farms or a high-output trailed machine for large-scale operations, the focus remains the same: absolute precision in seed and fertiliser placement.

Targeted fertiliser placement

A key new feature on the Precea is the FertiSpot system, which uses a carefully timed portioning rotor to place fertiliser deposits precisely where the crop can access them most effectively. By positioning fertiliser directly beneath the seed in crops such as maize, early nutrient uptake is improved and establishment vigour enhanced. For crops more sensitive to fertiliser, such as sugar beet, the deposit can instead be placed between seeds, avoiding scorch while maintaining nutrient availability. On maize crops trials have shown fertiliser usage can be reduced by up to 25% without compromising yield.

SmartControl

The Precea’s Opto sensor seed detection monitor counts each seed delivered to the drilling coulter and compares it to the expected output from the singling system. Doubles and misses are detected in real time.

The three singling stripper ngers then adjust automatically to maintain optimal singulation. This removes the need for manual recalibration during the day and ensures consistent plant spacing across varying seed sizes and eld conditions.

SmartForce

Maintaining consistent drilling depth across variable soil conditions is another major challenge. The SmartForce automatic coulter pressure regulation system measures soil contact force directly rather than simply applying a preset hydraulic pressure.

By allowing the operator to de ne the required contact force, the system self-adjusts to soil variations, ensuring each sowing unit maintains the target depth. With up to 350kg coulter pressure available on the maintenancefree PreTeC sowing units, the Precea is equally suited to conventional seedbeds and tougher min-till or direct drilling situations.

The catcher roller

Once the seed is propelled into the cleanly formed furrow, an additional catcher roller ensures it is positioned accurately and pressed rmly into the soil. This guarantees optimal seedto-soil contact, improving moisture uptake and encouraging uniform germination. V-pressure rollers then close the furrow behind.

Machine weight transfer system

On mounted machines to maintain consistent coulter pressure even as hopper contents reduce, Amazone o ers a frame ballasting system that transfers up to 600kg from the tractor to the drill. Controlled from the cab, this ensures placement depth remains constant throughout the day.

Expanded range, greater flexibility

The mounted Precea models are available in 3m rigid, 4.5m telescopic and 6m folding versions, accommodating row spacings from 45–90cm.

Power harrow-mounted combinations, such as the Precea 3000ACC or 6000-2AFCC paired with KE or KG power harrow and the FTender front tank, o er further exibility. This con guration allows the same front tank to be used for seeding or cover crop establishment, improving utilisation across the season.

For higher output operations, the trailed Precea-TCC range increases capacity and work rate. The 6m and 7.5m models are available with

A maize drill that’s so advanced

Amazone Precea-TCC

In working widths from 6 to 12 metres

Contact your local dealer or phone us on 01302 751 200

Find out how proven precision of the Precea increases your yield potential.

high-yielding forage and root crops

either individual row hoppers or the Central Seed Supply (CSS) system, which feeds all PreTeC units from an 850-litre central hopper. Larger 9m and 12m models feature a 2,000-litre central seed hopper and fertiliser capacities of up to 6,000 litres, designed for extended working windows.

New digital precision

The new SynCrop software synchronises seed and fertiliser placement across the machine. Each row can be con gured so seeds are positioned between neighbouring rows, improving light interception and enhancing water and nutrient availability. Fertiliser delivery points can be matched precisely to seed position for maximum e ciency.

CurveControl automatically compensates for speed di erences between inner and outer rows when drilling around bends, maintaining consistent seed spacing and fertiliser placement. With GPS-Switch pro on the Amatron 4, individual row shut-o is possible for seed, fertiliser and optional micro-granular applicators. The system automatically selects the switch-o point relative to the opener position – fertiliser shuts o rst, followed by seed, with micro-granular application con gurable depending on placement position. All three media can also operate via variable rate application maps, helping to optimise inputs and reduce costs. Additionally, the new

EasyTram pre-determined tramlining system makes tramlining a breeze, drilling tramlines at up to 90 degrees to the direction of travel.

High output with precision

All Precea drills maintain precise singling and

fertiliser metering at forward speeds of up to 15kph. With the latest 9m and 12m PreceaTCC models combining large hopper capacities and Central Seed Supply, this delivers impressive output without compromising placement accuracy. FG

it uses less seed and fertiliser

Available as a mounted or trailed machine, the Amazone Precea with PreTeC seeding unit ofers second to none seed placement and optimum seed/soil contact for maximum germination.

3

3 3 3

Automatic singling adjustment on the move for perfect plant spacing.

Individual row seed and fertiliser shut-of for pin point accurate ‘ins and outs’ and less wastage.

CurveControl for accurate seed spacing even around curves.

Spot-specifc, under-root fertilization with new FertiSpot, only depositing fertiliser directly under the seed.

In working widths from 3 to 6 metres

Spot-speci c, under-root fertilisation 25%

Fertiliser without any yield penalty

Mounted Amazone Precea

JOHN DEERE EXTENDS 8R RANGE WITH NEW HIGH-HORSEPOWER MODELS

John Deere has expanded the upper end of its 8 Series tractor line-up with the launch of three new high-horsepower models, aimed at operators seeking greater pulling power without stepping up to a full articulated machine. Daniel Hodge attended the press launch.

Unveiled during a media event at John Deere’s training centre near Düsseldorf, Germany, the new tractors extend the capabilities of the wellestablished 8R platform into power territories traditionally occupied by smaller articulated models. The range now includes the 8R 440, 8R 490 and the agship 8R 540, with peak outputs reaching as high as 634hp when Intelligent Power Management (IPM) is engaged.

While power levels approach those of John Deere’s 9 Series tractors, the company is positioning the new models as a continuation of the familiar 8R concept, rather than as an outright replacement for articulated machines. The aim appears to be to o er increased output while retaining the versatility associated with a conventional rigid frame tractor.

introduction of Intelligent Power Management, the agship 8R 540 is capable of delivering up to 634hp at peak output, placing it rmly into territory traditionally occupied by smaller articulated tractors.

The thinking behind the move is straightforward: demand for higher-powered tractors continues to grow. According to John Deere, many operators want the pulling power associated with larger machines, but without moving to the weight, size and reduced versatility that can come with an articulated chassis.

“The key thing is versatility,” explained Alex Hall, John Deere’s tractor specialist for UK and

Ireland. “People are wanting more power from a wheeled tractor or a slightly lighter machine. This lls that gap.” Importantly, John Deere is not positioning the new models as replacements for the 9 Series. Instead, they sit alongside the existing line-up, o ering another step between the traditional large-frame row-crop tractor and the brand’s articulated machines.

That overlap is deliberate. While a 9RX remains the natural choice for seriously heavy primary cultivation or large-scale draft work, the new high-horsepower 8R models are intended to appeal to farms that require signi cant power but still value the exibility of a conventional tractor. Despite the signi cant increase in output, John Deere says the physical footprint of the tractor has changed relatively little, a theme that runs throughout the design of the new highhorsepower models.

Even with the attached cultivator, the 8R’s turning circle remained impressively small.

where it was demonstrated working

During the event, we were given the opportunity to examine the machine in detail before taking the 8R 540 into the eld, where it was demonstrated working with a 9m Köckerling Vector cultivator. In the UK, a standard speci cation 8R 540 carries a list price of around £596,370 before optional equipment.

Filling the gap

The new additions – the 8R 440, 8R 490 and range-topping 8R 540 – push the platform well beyond the previous upper limit of the 8R family, which until now topped out at the 410 model. With the

John Deere’s tractor specialist for UK and Ireland, Alex Hall.

MACHINERY

Updated styling and design language

Alongside the mechanical updates, the new highhorsepower models introduce a revised styling language that subtly distinguishes them from the rest of the 8R range. Most noticeable at the front of the tractor is a redesigned bonnet and grille featuring a prominent three-dimensional leaping deer emblem. The side panels also feature raised lettering, while a black line running beneath the familiar yellow stripe serves as a visual indicator that the tractor belongs to the new highhorsepower series.

The bonnet itself has been reshaped slightly to house the 13.6-litre engine while retaining the relatively low hood pro le that has long been a characteristic of the 8R series. At the rear of the tractor, the mudguards have also been redesigned to accommodate rear VF900/66R46 and front VF710/60R38 tyres, now available on the highhorsepower models. The result is a broader stance that re ects the tractor’s increased capability while maintaining the overall proportions familiar to existing 8R operators.

JD14 engine brings combine power

At the heart of the new high-horsepower models is John Deere’s JD14 engine, a 13.6-litre sixcylinder unit already familiar from some of the manufacturer’s other machines, including the X9 combine and smaller 9RX articulated tractors. Bringing the engine to the 8R platform represents a signi cant step up in output compared with the smaller engines used in the existing range.

The JD14 runs at a rated engine speed of 1,900rpm and features a single wastegate turbocharger, along with a 10% power bulge designed to maintain performance under load. In the 8R 540, the engine delivers 594hp in the eld, with Intelligent Power Management boosting output to a peak of 634hp when additional power is required.

Torque gures are equally substantial, with peak torque reaching 2,695Nm. Importantly, much of this performance is available at relatively low engine speeds. Maximum power is delivered at

around 1,700rpm, a characteristic that John Deere says contributes to improved fuel e ciency during heavy work.

Another aspect of the JD14 engine is the way in which it delivers power across a broad rev range. Engineers explained that the additional IPM power is available not only during transport and PTO work but also when hydraulic or electrical demand from implements increases. This means that when operating equipment with high oil ow requirements – such as large drills, slurry systems or cultivation implements with hydraulic functions – the engine can automatically provide additional output without requiring manual intervention from the operator.

From an engineering perspective, the JD14 also brings some practical advantages in terms of servicing and use. Key service points have been positioned to be accessible from ground level, allowing operators to carry out daily checks quickly during walk-around inspections.

eAutoPowr transmission and 60kph capability

To handle the signi cant increase in engine output, the new high-horsepower 8R models are equipped exclusively with John Deere’s eAutoPowr transmission.

This electromechanical continuously variable transmission replaces hydraulic components traditionally found in IVT systems with an electric motor and generator, creating a split-path transmission that combines mechanical and electrical power transfer. By replacing hydraulic elements with electric ones, John Deere says the transmission can deliver improved e ciency while reducing internal power losses.

Testing has shown the system achieving e ciency levels comparable to – and in some situations slightly better than – the company’s e23 powershift transmission, while still retaining the smooth operation expected from a continuously variable transmission. One bene t that was clear on the day was the reduction in noise compared with conventional hydro-mechanical CVT systems. With fewer hydraulic components operating under load, the characteristic hydraulic whine often associated

Substantial hydraulic capacity is o ered – up to 418 litres per minute.

with IVT transmissions is largely absent.

The transmission also allows the new tractors to reach transport speeds of up to 60kph (optionally), a rst for the 8R range. At typical road speeds, the engine can operate at relatively low revs, helping reduce both fuel consumption and noise levels during transport.

Another feature enabled by the electromechanical transmission architecture is the ability to supply electrical power directly to implements. Up to 100kW of o -board electrical power can be delivered through an optional rear connection point, allowing compatible equipment to be powered directly by the tractor, something that may become increasingly relevant as implements are consistently requiring greater power draws.

Compact design and manoeuvrability

Despite the increase in engine output, the physical dimensions of the tractor have changed surprisingly little. According to John Deere, wheelbase has increased by 30cm, and overall length has increased by 36.2cm when compared with the previous generation. This slight increase has been achieved despite the larger engine being installed. Achieving this required a new structural chassis design, with the engine forming part of the tractor’s frame rather than being mounted within a separate structure. Manoeuvrability has also been essentially preserved. The new models retain a very impressive turning circle of around 7m, only slightly larger than smaller tractors in the range.

One key engineering detail lies beneath the tractor. At one point in the chassis, where the inside of the tyre would come to meet the chassis during tight turns, the chassis width is an impressively narrow 11cm. Whilst seemingly minor, this narrow section allows the front wheels to achieve a greater steering angle, and must have represented a signi cant engineering challenge. The front axle itself has been upgraded with a heavy-duty version of John Deere’s Independent Link Suspension (ILS) system, designed to handle the additional loads associated with the higher-powered models.

One of the other areas where the revised

The cab is spacious and lled with comforts generally found in highend road vehicles.

The display array is well placed for general visibility, and the lack of

packaging is most noticeable is at the front of the tractor. The high-horsepower models feature an integrated front hitch design that sits closer to the tractor than on previous machines, reducing the amount of overhang ahead of the bonnet.

Ballasting arrangements have also been updated with practicality in mind. The front weight carrier has been redesigned so that the weights can be handled easily using a forklift, allowing operators to add or remove ballast more quickly when adjusting the tractor for di erent tasks. Given the power levels involved, the ability to tailor the tractor’s weight distribution is particularly important when transferring more than 600hp to the ground.

Combined with internal and external wheel weight options, the system allows operators to con gure the tractor for heavy work while retaining exibility for transport or lighter eld operations.

Tyre options have also been expanded, with the tractors available on larger tyres capable of maximising traction while helping manage soil compaction. Central tyre in ation is available as an option, allowing pressures to be adjusted between eld and road work. Hydraulic capacity has also been increased to support larger implements. The tractor can be speci ed with up to three hydraulic pumps, providing a combined ow rate of up to 418-litres per minute.

Rear linkage lift capacity is rated at 10.8 tonnes, while multiple ballast options allow operators to tailor the tractor’s weight distribution depending on the task.

Reducing compaction

While the Düsseldorf demonstration focused on the wheeled 8R version, the same tractors are also available in a tracked con guration under the 8RX designation. The new range therefore expands to six models in total, with both wheeled and fourtrack variants o ered.

The tracked machines use John Deere’s xedframe four-track layout, which aims to combine the manoeuvrability of a conventional tractor with the traction advantages of a tracked machine. The latest models feature an updated undercarriage design with Soucy CustomFit P-series belts and

a revised low-tension system intended to reduce stress within the track assembly and extend service life.

Depending on con guration, the track system can provide a contact area approaching 4.9m², helping to reduce ground pressure to around 0.4kg/cm². This larger footprint is particularly bene cial where minimising compaction becomes important. Aside from the undercarriage, the 8RX shares the same JD14 engine, eAutoPowr transmission and precision farming technology found on the wheeled models.

Updated CommandView cab

Inside the cab, John Deere has introduced several updates to its CommandView layout aimed at improving operator comfort and usability. Space within the cab has been increased slightly, with more oor area and improved legroom compared with previous versions. Visibility remains strong thanks to plenty of glass, the low bonnet line and narrow waistline design.

Much of the operator interface centres around the G5 Plus display, complemented by a secondary screen known as the convenience display. This display is dedicated to cab functions such as climate control, lighting, seat adjustments and media settings.

The tractor can be started via a push-button system, after which the operator enters a four-digit PIN that improves security, and automatically recalls their preferred seat, armrest and control settings.

Two joystick options are available. The CommandX Plus joystick provides simpli ed controls for general operation, while the CommandX Pro version includes additional programmable buttons designed for operators making extensive use of precision farming functions. Additional comfort features include wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and improved seat ventilation for warm conditions. Whilst these features may appear fairly minor on paper, the e ect in-cab is very noticeable, resulting in a clean, decluttered cab-space. Ultimately, this provides a more comfortable and practical working environment, while also further improving visibility.

Precision technology and automation

Automation and connectivity form an increasingly important part of modern tractor design, and the new high-horsepower 8R models continue this trend. Using John Deere’s latest guidance technology and the StarFire 7500 receiver, the tractor can perform automated steering and headland turns during eld work.

During the demonstration, the system was shown lining the tractor up automatically for the next pass after completing a headland turn. While the operator remains responsible for supervising the process, the technology signi cantly reduces the number of manual inputs required during repetitive eld operations. Connectivity also allows machines to be monitored remotely through a mobile device. Farm managers can view machine location, fuel levels and operating status without needing to visit the eld.

Although full autonomy remains limited in Europe due to regulatory constraints, John Deere engineers indicated that the current systems represent a step towards and in preparation for full automation. The most striking (and lasting) impression of the demonstration was ultimately how e ectively no input was required from the operator once the machine was up and running.

Conclusion

With the introduction of the high-horsepower 8R models, John Deere has extended the capability of one of its most established tractor platforms into a new power bracket. Rather than replacing the larger articulated machines in the company’s range, the new tractors appear intended to provide an additional step between large rigid-frame tractors and the heavier articulated 9 Series.

Despite the signi cant increase in engine output, John Deere has retained much of the practicality associated with the 8R platform, combining high horsepower with the versatility of a wheeled tractor. For farms seeking a powerful machine capable of tackling demanding work while still retaining the exibility required for transport and mixed tasks, the new models o er a compelling addition to the 8R range. FG

cables reduces cab clutter.

Features such as the optional rear power outlet signal forward thinking on the 8R platform.

Agrifac unveils new Ely facility

Agrifac has made a clear statement about its long-term commitment to the UK market with the o cial opening of a new headquarters in Ely. Daniel Hodge attended.

Farmers, suppliers and industry gures gathered for the ribbon-cutting, led by local Cambridge councillor Kelli Pettitt, before being welcomed inside what the company sees as a signi cant step forward for its British operation.

While the day had all the familiar ingredients of an o cial opening, the message from Agrifac was that this was about more than marking a change of address. For managing director Richard Wareham, the new site represents a deliberate e ort to bring the company’s UK presence into line with the reputation of its machines.

“This is a real step up for our UK presence,” he said. “We’ve always carried products that are unmatched in their capability and professionalism, but the image we had before didn’t do the brand justice. This site, along with the extra capacity it gives us, raises our pro le as a company in line with the products themselves.”

The Ely facility replaces Agrifac’s previous premises and is intended to function not just as an operational base, but as a hub for training, customer engagement and support. From the outset, the emphasis was rmly on professionalism, a word repeated frequently throughout the day, and on making sure that the way the business presents itself matches what customers expect from the machines it sells and supports.

An impressive line-up highlighting Condor evolution.

image we had didn’t really do the brand justice. This shows a signi cant investment – it’s not just about the product, it’s about the people, the training and the support.”

show them the machines, and be proud of the environment we’re doing it in.”

A step-change in facilities

“The product is very professional and very good,” he explained. “But the

Richard was open about the motivation behind the move. While Agrifac’s self-propelled sprayers have built a strong reputation in the UK over a number of years, the infrastructure supporting them had not always re ected that standing.

The new site has been designed to mirror Agrifac’s Dutch factory in look and layout, reinforcing the connection with the parent company while establishing a clear identity for the UK operation. It includes a retail-style spares counter, dedicated training facilities and a large, well-equipped workshop, all of which Agrifac says it has never previously been able to o er at this scale in Britain.

Visitors were rst given a welcome presentation outlining Agrifac’s history and the rationale behind the new site, followed by product updates across the range and a reminder of Agrifac’s role as UK distributor for Hardi sprayers. From there, guests were free to explore the building and outdoor display areas at their own pace.

display areas at their own pace.

scale in Britain.

Ely site will be used for operator training, service covering both Agrifac and Hardi

Training, in particular, is a major focus. The Ely site will be used for operator training, service partner training and dealer training, covering both Agrifac and Hardi products.

“We’ve never really

to do it properly

“We’ve never really had the opportunity to do it properly before,” Richard said. “Now we can bring people here, show them the technology,

History meets future

The new workshop in particular drew plenty of attention, with a trailed Hardi sprayer and a Condor Vanguard positioned inside, both polished to a nish that suggested they were as much on show as they were at work. Alongside them sat a retro Agrifac ZA 3300 H, dating

Agrifac managing director, Richard Wareham.

Chris Potter, sales manager at Agrifac.

The Agrifac team at the o cial opening of the Ely head o ce.

MACHINERY

back to 1989.

Chris Potter, sales manager at Agrifac, led walk-rounds of the Agrifac machines and said the heritage display was an important reminder of how far the company has come.

“That machine there is an early version of the chassis design we still use today,” he explained. “It was originally sketched out on the back of a cigarette packet. It’s nice to have that history here, alongside what we’re o ering now.”

The rest of the building re ected a similar blend of practicality and presentation. Parts storage was clearly laid out and well stocked, engineers were on hand to talk through service and support, and the training areas were set up to host everything from small technical sessions to larger customer events.

“It just gives everybody con dence,” Chris said. “Customers ring up and speak to parts or service all the time, but they don’t always put faces to names. This gives us the chance to meet people properly and show them what’s behind the support.”

Agrifac machines on show

Outside, a long line of Agrifac self-propelled sprayers made it clear that machinery still sits at the heart of the business. Condor and Vanguard models of varying speci cations were on display, alongside Hardi equipment, giving visitors the chance to compare con gurations and talk through options in detail.

Although Agrifac’s latest model had only just been launched at Agritechnica and was not physically present, its in uence was still visible. A detached cab from the new machine was positioned at the entrance, o ering a glimpse of the direction of travel and serving as a reminder that further developments are on the way.

During walk-rounds, Chris highlighted how customer speci cations have evolved, particularly around application technology. Camera-based spot spraying systems and pulse-width modulation (PWM) were frequent talking points, not as headline features but as tools increasingly chosen by operators looking to improve accuracy and e ciency.

On the Condor range, camera systems mounted at close intervals along the boom were explained as a way of delivering true spot spraying, instead of relying on wider section control. Combined with PWM, the aim is to ensure that chemicals are applied only where needed, reducing waste and improving consistency across the eld.

the increasing pressure on farms to do more with fewer passes.

Hardi equipment and distribution role

Agrifac’s dual role as both manufacturer and UK distributor for Hardi was also clearly on display. Pete Wiles led visitors through the Hardi line-up, focusing on ease of use and operator experience.

Particular attention was paid to lling systems and control interfaces, with Peter demonstrating how visual, intuitive layouts are designed to reduce the likelihood of operator error and speed up routine tasks.

“The idea is that it’s obvious what the machine is doing,” he explained. “You shouldn’t need a manual to understand which tank you’re drawing from or where the liquid is going.”

This practical focus reinforced Agrifac’s message that support and usability are as important as the machines themselves. By housing both Agrifac and Hardi equipment under one roof, the Ely site allows the company to bring its two business models together in a single, coherent operation.

Supplier support

that partnership.

Similarly, Richard Scarborough of Witham Group said the new site would help to raise Agrifac’s pro le and serve customers better.

“It’s impressive,” he said. “You don’t see facilities like this unless a company is serious about what it’s doing. Customers seem to enjoy it, and it shows con dence in the brand.”

The presence of suppliers was not presented as a formality, but as part of a wider support network that Agrifac sees as essential to delivering reliable service in the eld.

Farmer perspective

Among the visitors were existing Agrifac customers, including contractors and operators already running Condor and Vanguard machines. Fergus Campell, contractor, and David Hopkins, spray operator at A.A. Clifton were clear about the di erence the new site made compared with Agrifac’s previous premises.

“It’s completely di erent to the old place,” David said. “The workshop, the spares department – it just feels like a proper setup.”

For those in the process of upgrading machines, the facility also provided reassurance that support would be there over the life of the sprayer.

“It’s not just about saving money,” Chris said. “It’s about getting the application right. Crops only have a certain number of growing days, and if you knock them back unnecessarily with chemicals, you lose time. Accuracy matters.”

said. “It’s about getting the application time. Accuracy matters.”

bene t. Lightweight design, wide boom options were

While technical detail was available for those who wanted it, the emphasis throughout was on real-world bene t. Lightweight design, large tank capacities and wide boom options were discussed in the context of labour availability, weather windows and

The scale of the opening was underlined by the presence of key suppliers, including Cummins and Witham Group. Representatives from both were keen to show their support for Agrifac’s expansion and spoke positively about the

new facility. engines used across Agrifac’s said events like this were

Jack Walker of Cummins described the Ely site as a clear improvement on what had been there before, adding that it re ected well on Agrifac’s approach to the UK market. With Cummins engines used across Agrifac’s range, the relationship between the two businesses is a close one, and Jack said events like this were important for reinforcing

“Our current machine’s done a lot of hours, and it just feels like the right time to change,”

David explained.

“Seeing this place gives you con dence. It’s not just about the machine you’re buying, it’s about who’s behind it.” FG

Pete Wiles, Hardi brand manager and southern territory manager.

Jack Walker, business development manager at Cummins.

Agrifac’s

Fergus Campell, contractor, and David Hopkins, spray operator at A.A. Clifton.

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More than 250 visitors attended B&B Machinery’s latest open day, which the dealership described as its most successful event to date.

Favourable weather helped draw a strong crowd, while a revised event layout contributed to a steady ow of visitors throughout the day.

Visitors were able to view a wide range of equipment across the yard, speak directly with dealership sta and supplier representatives, and watch live demonstrations of selected machines. The event also provided an opportunity for customers to discuss machinery requirements for the coming season and explore potential upgrades to their existing handling equipment.

The dealership introduced a new marquee format for the event, allowing customers to view the demonstration area while enjoying refreshments and providing sta with more opportunities to speak with visitors about machinery and farm requirements.

“Weather played in our favour and our expectations were surpassed by the volume of customers we had through the door and the positive feedback we gained,” said territory sales manager, Dave Chambers.

B&B added that the revised layout created a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing visitors to spend time viewing machinery and discussing equipment with sta . Machine sales during the event and an overall upbeat mood among visitors helped make the day particularly successful.

Manitou machines take centre stage

Materials handling equipment from Manitou formed the centrepiece of the machinery displays, with several models demonstrated throughout the day.

A key highlight was the Manitou MLT 841 telehandler, equipped with the manufacturer’s new Smart Weighing System. Demonstrations of the system ran throughout the day, allowing visitors to see how loads can be weighed in real time during handling operations. Also on display was the Manitou MLT 625E compact telehandler, which attracted strong interest from farmers looking for a versatile and manoeuvrable machine suited to a range of yard tasks.

The wider Manitou line-up proved popular, with visitors also showing strong interest in the Manitou MLT 742 telehandler and the Manitou 2300 V skid steer loader. In addition to agricultural machines, B&B Machinery reported signi cant attention for Manitou’s industrial forklift range, re ecting growing demand for handling equipment across both agricultural and industrial sectors.

Orders secured following the event

The open day also translated into immediate business for the dealership. Two machines were sold during the event itself, while a further three orders were con rmed shortly afterwards following discussions that began during the open day.

According to B&B Machinery, events such as these remain an important opportunity for customers to see machinery up close, watch demonstrations and discuss specs directly with dealership sta .

Demand growing for larger handlers

While overall market con dence remains mixed, B&B said it is seeing

B&B Machinery open day draws strong turnout

encouraging signs of activity in certain sectors. “Con dence is growing in certain areas of farming, but there are still some concerns due to the climate we are living in and other factors going on around the world,” Dave explained.

Despite this uncertainty, B&B Machinery reported particularly strong demand for larger telehandlers, with increased interest in higher-capacity Manitou MLT models. The dealership also noted a surge in demand for industrial forklift machines, re ecting the growing crossover between agricultural and industrial handling requirements.

Finance packages continue to play

a key role in machinery purchasing decisions. “Most deals, at some point, will revolve around the nance package we can o er as a company to help the customer,” Dave added.

Focus on customer support

Looking ahead, B&B Machinery said its focus over the next 12 months will be on continuing to grow the business while maintaining a strong emphasis on customer service. Dave added that maintaining close relationships with customers and ensuring strong aftersales support will remain central to its approach as it looks to build on the success of the event. FG

With record attendance, B&B Machinery says it was its busiest open day yet.

The MLT 841 demo proved a highlight of the day.

On-farm with the Merlo TF42.7CS-136

On Andrew Mitchell’s farm, near Rugby, Warwickshire, the telehandler is one of the hardest-working machines on the yard, responsible for everything from feeding cattle and moving bales to handling grain and general loading work. Daniel Hodge visited him.

Andrew recently replaced two ageing machines with a new Merlo TF42.7CS-136, continuing a long-standing relationship with the Italian manufacturer. After a year of use and around 1,000 hours on the clock, the machine has settled into daily farm life, working across a diverse operation that combines livestock, arable cropping and diversi cation.

Mixed farm with plenty to handle Andrew farms around 300ha of land, running a varied enterprise that includes beef cattle, sheep and arable crops. The livestock side centres around a suckler herd currently numbering around 50 cows, with plans to expand this to 80–100 head in the coming years. Alongside the cattle, the farm also nishes around 1,500 lambs, which are grazed on grass before being moved onto root crops during the winter months.

Arable production remains an important part of the rotation, with the farm growing wheat, barley and maize, while potatoes – once a much larger part of the business – are gradually being scaled back.

The farm is also diversi ed with a small industrial business park, providing an additional income stream and re ecting a broader shift towards mixed income sources on many UK farms. Within this busy environment, machinery must be capable of tackling a wide range of tasks –something the telehandler is well suited to.

A long history with telehandlers

Andrew’s experience with telehandlers stretches back several decades. “I remember we had one of the rst Manitou machines around here in the early 1980s,” he recalls. “That was brilliant at the time.”

From there, the farm progressed through several brands before eventually settling on Merlo machines, which have since been a regular presence in the yard for many years.

Until recently the farm operated two telehandlers, but as the machines began to age, the decision was made to replace them both with a single new machine and add a front loader to one of the tractors instead.

“We had two Merlos that were getting on a bit,” Andrew explains. “So we sold the two and bought this one.” The farm also trialled other machines

before committing to the purchase, but in the end, familiarity and dealer support played a signi cant role in the decision.

“We’ve dealt with Cooks for years, and they’ve got some good mechanics. That makes a di erence,” Andrew commented.

Merlo TF42.7CS-136 tech specs

The machine currently working on the farm is a Merlo TF42.7CS-136, part of the manufacturer’s medium-capacity telehandler range.

With a maximum lift capacity of 4.2t and a lift height of 7m, the model sits squarely in the popular mid-range class for mixed farming operations. The machine is powered by a 3.6-litre 4-cyl Perkins 904 engine, producing 136hp, and uses a hydrostatic transmission driving permanent 4wd.

Key speci cations include:

• Maximum lift capacity – 4,200kg

• Maximum lift height – 7m

• Forward reach – 3.8m

• Unladen weight – Approximately 8,000kg

• Top road speed – 40kph.

The machine measures 4.73m long and 2.31m wide, keeping it compact enough to manoeuvre around livestock buildings and tight yard areas.

Hydraulic output of up to 250 bar and 150-litres/minute pump ensures adequate ow for attachments, while the machine runs on 400/70-24 tyres and features drop-portal axles. Merlo’s CS speci cation adds cab suspension and hydropneumatic boom suspension, both designed to improve ride quality during transport and loading work. These are features that Andrew says make a noticeable di erence. “The cab suspension helps a lot,” he says. “And the boom suspension makes the ride better as well.”

According to Merlo UK marketing manager Helen Selkin, the TF42.7CS has become one of the company’s most widely used machines in livestock systems.

“It sits right in the middle of the range,” she explains. “For mixed farms, it’s often the model that does everything – yard work, bale handling, loading grain and general farm duties.”

Merlo UK’s Helen Selkin with farmer, Andrew Mitchell.

The machine is compact enough to manoeuvre in tight yard areas.

Daily work in the yard

On Andrew’s farm, the telehandler spends most of its time carrying out livestock-related tasks, particularly during the winter months.

“Mainly it’s on the stock,” he says. “Clearing the yards out, putting silage in, putting hay in, and moving bales around.” The machine is also used for loading grain and fertiliser, as well as general yard work. Andrew estimates the telehandler works around 1,000 hours per year, making it one of the most heavily used machines on the farm.

The telehandler is primarily operated by Andrew’s son-in-law, who manages the cattle enterprise. While the farm also runs tractors with loaders, Andrew says the telehandler remains the preferred option for yard work.

“It’s just so much easier around the yard,” he explains. “A tractor loader is ne in the eld, but this is far more manoeuvrable and more accurate when you’re working in tight spaces.”

The farm runs a range of attachments, including several buckets and bale handling equipment. The latest Merlo handler is most regularly used with a large 2.5t bucket, which allows rapid loading of grain and other materials. “You can load a lorry in about 15 minutes now,” Andrew says.

More recently, the farm has added a straw spreader attachment, used for bedding cattle.

Engine performance and traction

The TF42.7CS-136 is powered by a Perkins engine, replacing the Deutz unit used in earlier versions of the machine. While the headline power gures remain broadly comparable, the change re ects

JTE

wider shifts across the industry in recent years, with manufacturers adapting to supply chain pressures and availability.

In practical terms, Andrew says there is little to separate the machines in everyday use. “We thought it might have a bit more power than the old one, but actually it feels pretty similar,” he says. For the type of work carried out on the farm – largely yardbased livestock duties – outright power is less of a limiting factor than usability and consistency.

After around a year in service, the telehandler has proved well matched to the workload, comfortably handling feeding, mucking out and general handling tasks. The machine’s performance remains consistent across a range of duties, with no signi cant issues reported during regular operation.

particularly for mixed farms needing a versatile yard machine.

“Once people drive one and realise how much comfort they get compared with a standard machine, it’s something they tend to stick with,” explains Darren. He says the speci cation chosen by Andrew re ects the demands of the farm’s workload. “He’s run that size of machine previously and it suits the job he’s doing. It’s got the capacity for the work he needs, and with larger buildings you can make the most of the lift height and visibility. You’re sitting up above the job and you’ve got a good view all the way around the machine.”

From a dealer perspective, Darren Cook believes Merlo’s hydrostatic transmission remains a key reason farmers continue to return to the brand.

› Forestry › Flails › Excavator Attachments

› Firewood Grapple › Saw Attachments

› Remote Control Mowers

As with most telehandlers, ground

Dealer perspective

According to Darren Cook of Cooks Midlands, the Merlo TF42.7CS continues to be one of the dealership’s most popular telehandlers,

› Hedgecutters › Firewood › Log Splitters › Agricultural

these situations. “If it’s too wet, we just stay the machine continues to meet

As with most telehandlers, ground conditions can in uence performance, particularly during wetter periods. Mitchell notes that sensible operation is key in these situations. “If it’s too wet, we just stay out of it,” he says, adding that overall the machine continues to meet expectations.

support also plays an important role with customers.

“The Merlo hydrostatic is a proven system. It’s reliable, precise to drive and easy for operators to use,” he says. “I always say to customers that with a hydrostatic machine you feel like you’re in control of it – rather than the machine being in control of you.” He adds that strong dealer support also plays an important role in building long-term relationships with customers.

“A lot of it comes down to service backup, and making sure we have the knowledge and skills to support the machines properly.” FG

service backup, and making and skills to support the machines

Darren Cook of dealer Cooks Midlands.

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Pecks marked its 180th anniversary with the rst open day held at its Rendlesham depot, a site the business has occupied since late 2023. Daniel Hodge was there.

While the company’s history stretches back to the mid-19th century, the focus at Rendlesham was rmly on its current structure, franchise portfolio and direction of travel.

The Su olk depot, located on the former Bentwaters Airbase, has been operational for just over two years. The February event provided an opportunity to introduce the site to local customers, machinery clubs and young farmers, many of whom would have been more familiar with Pecks’ presence further west.

The timing was deliberate. For growers in East Anglia’s root crop and potato sector, the open day fell at the start of the season, when machinery decisions are being nalised and demonstrations arranged. It also coincided with a period of franchise change and dealer network consolidation across the industry – shifts that have shaped Pecks’ own line-up over the past 12–18 months.

Instead of positioning the event purely as a celebration of longevity, Pecks used the occasion to present the Rendlesham depot as a fully operational, multi-franchise site serving a distinct regional market. The anniversary provided the backdrop; the emphasis was on capability, coverage and future intent.

Why Rendlesham, why now?

Having been on-site for just over two years, the dealership was conscious that it was not yet fully established in the immediate area. While the Pecks name carries weight in parts of Cambridgeshire and beyond, Su olk growers

Pecks celebrates 180 years with inaugural Rendlesham open day

closer to the coast have historically dealt elsewhere. The open day therefore served a dual purpose: to mark the company’s 180-year history and to show o the Rendlesham operation to a new audience.

The timing in mid-February was deliberate, according to Pecks’ sales manager Robert Steele. He explained that for many local businesses, this marks the beginning of the working season.

in uenced the strategy. The appointment of Standen Engineering as a key partner, replacing AVR in the line-up, re ects the soil types and cropping systems prevalent in the area. Much of the surrounding land is well suited to root crop production, and the dealership’s machinery o ering now mirrors that focus more directly. At the same time, broader changes in dealer networks have created opportunities. With manufacturers consolidating representation and territories being reshaped, Rendlesham provides Pecks with a base from which to operate as a comprehensive supplier in this part of the country. The aim is clear: to establish the depot as a fully integrated hub serving local growers with a coherent, complementary machinery portfolio. looking ahead to drilling, and machinery event provides Pecks with a base from which to this part of the country. The aim is clear: to serving local growers with a coherent,

Potato growers are preparing planters and de-stoners, carrot producers are looking ahead to drilling, and machinery demonstrations are being scheduled. Holding the event at this point created an opportunity to generate conversations that could quickly translate into eld activity.

Robert continued, pointing out that franchise alignment has also

Pecks’ sales manager Robert Steele.

Kubota tractors slot nicely underneath the power o ering Pecks already carries with its JCB franchise.

The new JCB Fastrac 6300.

Franchise shifts

Central to the development of the Rendlesham depot has been a deliberate reshaping of Pecks’ franchise portfolio. Recent changes re ect both regional demand and wider consolidation within the machinery sector.

One of the most signi cant additions is Kubota. Historically, Pecks’ core tractor o ering has centred on JCB, with output beginning at around 220hp and continuing above. The Kubota range, spanning approximately 25hp to 170hp, lls a clear gap beneath that threshold. For mixed and arable businesses requiring smaller tractors for yard work, drilling, mowing or light cultivation, the line-up now o ers a more complete horsepower spread without internal overlap.

The Kubota appointment also extends beyond tractors. Changes elsewhere in the dealer landscape created an opportunity to take on Kubota grasscare equipment, aligning with an established customer base and strengthening Pecks’ position as a broader machinery supplier rather than a single-brand specialist.

A similar pattern can be seen with Hardi. The addition gives the depot a recognised trailed sprayer o ering, complementing its arablefocused customer base and reinforcing its position within the crop production segment.

The switch to Standen Engineering as a

primary root crop partner also re ects local cropping realities. With a strong presence of potatoes and vegetables in the surrounding area, the emphasis on specialist harvesting and cultivation equipment aligns closely with customer requirements. Rather than maintaining brands that were less suited to regional soil types and systems, the dealership has adjusted accordingly.

Taken together, these changes indicate a conscious move towards a more cohesive portfolio. High-speed tractors, mid-range utility machines, specialist root crop equipment and crop protection machinery now sit under one roof at Rendlesham. In a market where margins are tight and customers increasingly seek e ciency in purchasing and support, the ability to o er a joined-up solution carries weight.

Alongside the strategic changes to the dealership’s portfolio, the open day also provided an opportunity for suppliers to present a range of machinery relevant to the region’s farming systems. On a very positive note, several British manufacturers were represented, including Standen Engineering, Larrington Trailers, JCB, and Teagle, re ecting the continued presence of domestic engineering within sectors such as tractor manufacturing, root crop harvesting, crop handling and grassland machinery.

Latest Fastrac 6000 from JCB

JCB used the event to present the latest Fastrac 6000 series (see the launch article in our November 2025 issue), reinforcing the machine’s position as a dual-purpose tractor for both road and eld work. Describing the approach, territory manager Tim Weatherhead said the team had “taken the muchloved principles of the 4000s... and made it bigger.”

At the heart of the new Fastrac is a 6.7-litre FPT engine paired with a ZF CVT transmission tuned speci cally for the Fastrac application. The engine delivers what Tim described as a “very nice at torque curve,” providing consistent pulling power across the rev range.

The transmission allows road speeds up to 66kph, supported by four-wheel hydraulic suspension and four-wheel steering. Central tyre in ation is now available, integrated through the axle. Tim noted the system will de ate in around 40 seconds and in ate in roughly four minutes, allowing operators to adjust pressures quickly between eld and road work.

On the braking side, a move from dual to single calipers actually increases brake force while reducing noise. The revised disc arrangement also simpli es servicing, with brake pad and disc changes achievable in signi cantly less time than on earlier machines. Service intervals now stand at 1,000 hours for the engine and 2,000 hours for the gearbox, with the aim of reducing downtime and ownership costs.

While often associated with haulage, the Fastrac on display underlined its capability in the eld. “This is a dual-purpose machine,” Tim said, pointing to lift capacity, oil ow and steering modes suited to heavy cultivation as much as transport.

Built for potatoes

Standen’s T2X trailed harvester re ected the importance of root crops in the surrounding area. The updated model builds on the earlier T2 platform, incorporating a longer sieving web to increase separation while reducing fall between stages. Standen Engineering area sales manager Duncan Pound said the extension provides “more sieving on the web” and “less fall on your roller table,” helping to reduce bruising.

Hydraulic disc drive assists crop ow in lighter soils and on slopes, particularly in dry or downhill conditions where material movement can become uneven. Adjustable web speeds allow operators to tailor separation to soil conditions – stretching out soil in wetter conditions or

Standen Engineering’s sales manager Duncan Pound.

Richard Larrington of Larrington Trailers, showing faith in his design.

Chris White, sales manager at Teagle.

slowing the system to maintain cushioning when conditions are dry.

The tubular chassis doubles as an oil reservoir, acting as a natural heat exchanger and simplifying layout. Isolation between separation hydraulics and ram functions reduces risk of cross-contamination and eases maintenance. The emphasis is on controlled handling and adaptability instead of throughput alone.

Protecting the crop

Larrington’s Guardian box loader addressed a di erent stage of the harvesting chain – transfer and storage. Developed over several years, the system replaces the traditional cushionlock arrangement with a hydraulic chute and integrated weight measurement.

“One of the problems we’ve always had is, if you’ve got too much in it, you go to empty the system and the whole place is covered in potatoes,” explained Richard Larrington. The new design allows operators to monitor weight during lling and complete crop transfer while still in the eld, reducing the risk of overloading and yard spillage.

The loading area is fully cushioned, with controlled release into the box intended to minimise impact damage. “The potato is your cash,” he added, emphasising the commercial implications of bruising and rejected loads. With a patent secured on the system, the machine re ects increased scrutiny on crop quality throughout the handling process.

Grassland and livestock equipment

Teagle also used the open day to highlight machinery aimed at grass care, livestock and mixed farms. The Cornish manufacturer displayed a selection of equipment including a side arm mower designed for verge and ditch maintenance.

Chris White, sales manager at Teagle, explained that the o set design allows the mower to reach further from the tractor than many conventional machines, making it suitable for roadside work and ditch management. The layout also allows operators to maintain visibility while working alongside eld boundaries.

While Teagle is often associated with grassland machinery, the company also serves a broad customer base including livestock farms, AD plants and the pig and poultry sectors. Chris noted that the business exports equipment to dozens of countries worldwide, re ecting a strong international demand for specialist grass care, feeding, and processing machinery.

Spraying flexibility

Hardi’s Navigator 4,000-litre trailed sprayer represented Pecks’ recent appointment with the Danish manufacturer. The model on display featured a 24m boom and what Hardi described as an entry-level con guration within the range.

“It starts as a very low spec,” explained Hardi’s brand manager and southern territory manager Pete Wiles, “and then you can put anything onto it.” Customers can choose between a base Titanium line or a higher-spec Centura con guration depending on budget and requirement.

The pressurised boom system maintains circulation even when sections are shut o –

“almost like a common rail engine”, as Pete put it – reducing sedimentation and maintaining consistent pressure. The approach provides exibility for growers seeking modularity rather than a xed high-spec package.

Filling the horsepower gap

Kubota’s tractor range now complements Pecks’ higher-horsepower o ering. Covering approximately 25–170hp, the line-up lls the gap beneath JCB’s 220hp starting point. The rationale is straightforward: provide coverage for yard duties, drilling, mowing and lighter cultivation without internal overlap.

On the implement side, Kubota’s DSX-W Geo fertiliser spreader demonstrated digital integration within what remains a fundamentally mechanical process. Angle and reference sensors allow operators to monitor pitch and height, while Bluetooth connectivity enables calibration and setting adjustments via smartphone. The objective is to simplify setup while maintaining application accuracy.

Heritage with intent

Reaching 180 years in business is notable in any sector, but particularly within agricultural

machinery, where consolidation and restructuring have reshaped the landscape repeatedly over the past three decades.

At Rendlesham, Pecks did not lean heavily on nostalgia. Instead, the anniversary provided context for a business that continues to adjust its portfolio and footprint in response to changing conditions. The addition of Kubota and Hardi, the alignment with Standen, and the positioning of the depot within a strong root crop region all point towards a pragmatic approach rather than a purely historic one.

The decision to host the rst open day at the site two years after taking occupancy also signals intent. Building recognition in a new territory takes time, particularly where established dealer relationships already exist. By opening the doors to machinery clubs, young farmers and local growers, Pecks set out to establish Rendlesham as a longterm xture rather than a recent arrival.

If the past 180 years demonstrate durability, the developments at Rendlesham suggest an emphasis on adaptability. In an industry de ned by tightening margins, evolving technology and shifting manufacturer relationships, continuity is achieved less through tradition alone and more through measured change. FG

James Hobden, aftersales dealer manager at Kubota.

Pete Wiles, brand manager and southern territory manager at Hardi.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Commercial: A premium pickup built for work

Daniel Hodge recently test-drove the new D-Max V-Cross Commercial for a week, using a pickup provided by Proveeda of Ipswich.

Based on the agship V-Cross trim, the new D-Max V-Cross Commercial model takes the highspeci cation double-cab pickup and converts it into a two-seat commercial vehicle, replacing the rear passenger area with a secure load space. The result is a vehicle that retains the comfort and technology expected from a modern pickup while meeting the requirements of a dedicated commercial vehicle.

The approach is clearly aimed at farmers, contractors and rural businesses who want a capable work vehicle but who also spend long hours behind the wheel. With the addition of favourable tax treatment for commercial vehicles, the V-Cross Commercial is positioned as a practical and nancially e cient option for business users.

Reconfigured for business

At rst glance, the V-Cross Commercial looks much like the standard V-Cross. Large alloy wheels, dark styling details and a modern front end give it a distinctly premium appearance. However, key di erences become apparent upon seeing the rear canopy and once the rear doors are opened.

Instead of the usual rear seats, the cabin has been permanently converted into a secure load area. The passenger space is replaced with a fully enclosed cargo compartment, designed to carry tools and equipment safely within the vehicle. This conversion is permanent and forms part of the vehicle’s commercial classi cation, ensuring it cannot simply be reverted back to a passenger con guration. The approach allows the pick-up to retain the practicality of a double cab layout while o ering the storage capacity and security more commonly associated with a van.

Inside the load space, a solid bulkhead separates the cargo area from the front seats, while multiple tie-down points allow tools and equipment to be secured. Beneath the load oor are additional storage compartments, providing smaller spaces for items that need to be kept out of sight or organised.

The design re ects the type of work many rural businesses carry out daily – transporting tools, parts and supplies without needing the full rear seating capacity of a standard pickup.

Bed and canopy practicality

Beyond the cabin conversion, the V-Cross Commercial also includes a number of features aimed at improving its practicality as a working vehicle.

The load bed is tted with a liner as standard, helping protect the bodywork from heavy use. Above the bed sits a lightweight commercial canopy, which transforms the rear of the vehicle into a secure enclosed storage area.

One particularly useful feature of the canopy is its accessibility. While the rear door opens in the traditional manner, side openings allow access to equipment from either side of the vehicle. For users regularly loading and unloading tools or materials, this can make day-to-day tasks considerably easier.

A tow bar with towing electrics is included as standard, reinforcing the vehicle’s intended role as a working tool rather than simply a lifestyle vehicle.

Proven capability

Under the bonnet sits Isuzu’s proven 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. Producing around 162–164hp and 360Nm of torque, the engine is designed less for outright performance and more for durability and reliability.

Power is delivered through a six-speed

automatic transmission, paired with Isuzu’s selectable 4wd system. Drivers can switch between 2wd and 4wd high while on the move, allowing the vehicle to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

With a payload capacity of around one tonne and a towing capacity of up to 3.5t, the V-Cross Commercial retains the core working credentials expected from the D-Max range.

Driving on road and farm

On the road, it feels far closer to a modern SUV than the commercial vehicles pick-ups once resembled.

The automatic gearbox and push-button start system make daily driving straightforward, while the steering is light enough to keep the vehicle manageable on narrow rural lanes.

During testing on country roads and farm tracks, the vehicle felt stable and predictable. Switching into 4wd is simple, and when conditions become more challenging, additional traction aids are available.

A rear di erential lock and Isuzu’s Rough Terrain Mode are designed to maintain traction when grip is limited, and in practice the system handled muddy

The cargo bed comes with a bed liner and multi-access canopy as standard.

farm tracks without di culty. Engaging 4wd and locking the di erential provided the con dence needed to keep moving through slippery conditions.

Visibility and manoeuvrability

One consequence of the commercial conversion is reduced rear visibility. The solid cargo partition behind the front seats restricts the view through the rear-view mirror, meaning drivers rely more heavily on the side mirrors.

Fortunately, the mirrors themselves are large and provide a wide eld of vision, helping compensate for the limited rearward view.

Parking sensors and a reversing camera are also included as standard, making the vehicle easier to manoeuvre in tighter spaces.

Comfort and interior technology

Although the V-Cross Commercial is clearly designed as a working vehicle, it retains the high speci cation associated with the V-Cross trim.

Leather upholstery and heated front seats provide a comfortable driving environment, while dual-zone climate control helps maintain cabin comfort throughout the year. A 9in touchscreen infotainment system sits at the centre of the dashboard, o ering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Alongside this, a 7in driver information display provides key vehicle information.

For everyday usability, many of the vehicle’s key functions are still controlled via physical switches rather than solely through the touchscreen.

Climate controls, for example, are mounted on straightforward rocker switches that are easy to operate without distraction.

The steering wheel houses the usual array of controls for media, phone calls and cruise control.

Driver assistance systems

The V-Cross Commercial also bene ts from a suite of modern driver assistance features.

Adaptive cruise control is included as part of the package, helping maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead on longer journeys. Lane assist and speed warning systems are also tted, although these can be easily switched o if drivers prefer a more traditional driving experience.

Financial considerations

Beyond its practical capabilities, one of the key selling points of the V-Cross Commercial lies in its tax treatment. Because it is registered as a commercial vehicle, VAT can be reclaimed by VATregistered businesses making fully taxable supplies. Road tax is xed at £345 per year, while the vehicle also quali es for Plant and Machinery Allowance under the capital allowances system.

For company drivers, the at-rate bene t-inkind gure remains signi cantly lower than that of most passenger vehicles, further improving its nancial appeal.

These advantages have become particularly relevant following recent changes a ecting the tax treatment of double-cab pick-ups, making purposebuilt commercial versions increasingly attractive to business users.

Each vehicle is backed by a ve-year or 125,000mile warranty, along with ve years of UK and European roadside assistance.

A practical solution for rural businesses

For farmers, contractors and rural professionals, the D-Max V-Cross Commercial represents a slightly di erent approach to the traditional pick-up. Rather than o ering rear passenger seating that may rarely be used, the vehicle prioritises secure storage and working practicality. At the same time, it retains the comfort and equipment levels expected from a modern pick-up, making it suitable for both work and longer road journeys.

The result is a vehicle that sits somewhere between a pick-up and a van, combining the oroad capability and towing capacity of the former with the enclosed storage practicality of the latter. FG Mobile

irrigation management system

BAUER Polyester Tankers

•

•

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The interior retains the premium feel of the V-Cross spec, and includes Isuzu seat covers.

Compact in size with all the accessories and specifications of larger agricultural tractors, the 40-67hp ISEKI TG tractors are ideal for easy access around farms where space is limited.

With a choice of three Power Shuttle transmissions, Mechanical, HST or Dual-Clutch plus high capacity linkages of up to 1600kg, draft control, headland management, air-conditioned easy access cab, rear services and joystick controlled mid-mounted services as standard.*

(*model dependent)

Su olk dairy farm’s £1M PROJECT boosts YIELDS and WELFARE

Visitors were welcomed onto Gulpher Farm, Felixstowe, in February, to see three new DeLaval VMS V300 milking robots in action –the rst to be installed in the area – and to learn more about their recent, ambitious project. Sarah Kidby was there.

Fifth-generation farmer Joe Adams said milk yields have increased from an average of 36kg per cow per day, to 44kg since installing the new robots on the farm in September. DeLaval dealer, T H White Dairy, has a history of installing DeLaval robots in the East Anglian area, beginning with the Classic VMS, and moving on to the VMS V300 since it launched in 2019.

Having rst considered a robotic milking system in 2016, the project has been a long time coming for the family. Initially, Joe planned to adapt an existing shed for the new robots, but after discussing the project with a group of local young farmers, decided to start afresh with a new building. It meant the price tag more than doubled to over £1M, and although the project was part-funded by government grants, the investment remains signi cant and came just shortly before milk prices began to fall at the end of last year.

However, Joe’s father Richard remains optimistic. “It’s dire, but it is a short-term blip. It’s just a bit annoying when you invest this sort of money, but it’s a long-term investment.”

Welfare focus

As well as the new building and three robots, they also brought in a robotic silage pusher, slurry

scraper, slurry separator and Magellan rubber ooring, as well as switching from sand bedding to waterbed mattresses – all using government grants. Meanwhile, a feeding step protects cows from injury from the scrapers, reducing stress and increasing feed intake as cows can eat undisturbed on a raised platform.

After visiting Addingrove Dairy in Buckinghamshire, Joe decided to separate handling tasks from the robots – all injections, foot trimming etc is done on the other side of the shed from milking. Visits to the milking machines are up to an average of 3.5 daily visits per cow. Their target is anything over three, Joe said during the open day.

Steve Taylor, T H White, said: “The welfare standards for cows in this building are superb – the whole shed is so calm. Handling down the bottom has helped; they know down there they’re going to get sorted but this end is just food and being milked. That psychology is really important.”

The shed design has also brought welcome time and labour savings. Footbathing the 130cow herd can be completed by one person in 30 minutes, as the aisles are split so cows can be divided into smaller groups, improving cow ow. “I’ve been absolutely amazed. Joe can put most of

the 130 cows through while I’m still getting the feed ready. Perfect,” said Richard.

Customisable

Cows adapt to the system surprisingly well, often quicker than operators, joked Steve. “I was amazed by the rst [robots] I ever [installed], I thought we’re going to have a week pushing cows, but within three days they were using it.”

Usually, machines are put on ‘feed rst’ for 2–3 days, so cows go in to eat without being milked to help them adjust.

The V300 is highly customisable, with bolt-ons added to the base machine depending on what is required. Steve, who was instrumental in the planning process, said the farm opted for a free access system, but ‘milk rst’, ‘feed rst’, guided and unguided options are available.

The family opted for DeLaval Plus which shares data with the cloud for analysis and predictive insights on herd fertility and health, benchmarked against the global herd. Health issues can be detected days or even weeks in advance, said Chris Newey, dairy sales and robotic milking specialist at T H White.

Joe Adams also wanted the Herd Navigator option, which provides progesterone testing –the gold standard in heat detection – and shows pregnancy status, abortions and ovarian cysts. “The vet can come and do a PD (pregnancy diagnosis) and the next day she can abort, but this is testing all the time,” he added.

Next steps

The project has clearly been a big undertaking and the consensus from Richard seemed to be that they will take a breather for now before doing anything else too ambitious. However, there are plans to put up calf sheds and expand the herd from 130 cows to around 190, including 20-30 dry cows, using home-grown replacements.

Commenting on supplying raw milk straight from the farm one day, which is facilitated by the Delaval System's hygiene features, he said: “I’d like to, but it’s what to do when. I’ve had so many requests, especially from the Eastern European contingency in Felixstowe – they just love the raw milk. We could do it at the front there, put a little shed up. I think that will come, it’s just a case of when.” FG

Charlie Allhusen, DeLaval; with Steve Taylor, Nigel Ellis and Craig Taylor, T H White.

The new shed has brought time savings and welfare improvements, with handling and milking/feeding taking place at opposite ends to improve yields and reduce stress.

infection include crusting muzzle and palate. (Image © Mark van den Heijden).

everywhere, and the reasons for this are not understood.

In cattle, although clinical signs are typically less severe, infection can have a signi cant impact on productivity. A ected dairy herds in the Netherlands reported an average milk drop of 1kg/cow/day for a nine-week period following the rst reported case, compared to production on the farm in the previous year.

Infection during pregnancy also has a severe impact on cattle herds, resulting in early embryonic loss, abortion and the birth of nonviable, transplacentally infected ‘dummy’ calves, with severe neurological abnormalities.

SPOTLIGHT ON BTV-3: SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The ongoing reports of BTV-3 in the UK suggest that this is a disease challenge we will continue to face in 2026. Ruminant vet Sioned Timothy o ers some advice.

Whilst there is a high level of uncertainty around how the situation will evolve during the year, an understanding of the disease, its clinical presentation and control strategies, will allow vets and farmers to make informed decisions around protecting livestock against the virus in the coming season.

What is BTV-3?

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the cause of bluetongue, an infectious disease that can a ect sheep, cattle, other ruminants and camelids. It is not zoonotic. Over 30 serotypes of the virus have been identi ed, and serotypes 1-24 are designated as noti able diseases by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The current BTV-3 outbreak emerged in September 2023 in the Netherlands, and has since spread extensively across mainland Europe, to Great Britain and, more recently Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The outbreak has been notable for the severe clinical signs and high mortality observed in sheep and the production impact on cattle, although the severity of reported disease has varied between regions for unknown reasons.

Serotypes 1, 4, 8 and 12 have also been isolated in Europe in the last year. Immunity to one serotype does not provide e ective protection against others and consequently where vaccination is undertaken it must be against the speci c serotype that is circulating, i.e. BTV-8 vaccines will not protect against BTV-3 and vice versa.

How is it transmitted?

Like other serotypes of the virus, BTV-3 is transmitted between susceptible animals by the Culicoides midge. One bite from an infected midge can transmit the virus. The infection cycle is shown in Figure 1.

The species of midge that are native to northern Europe can e ectively transmit the

virus. Culicoides midges are highly temperature dependent, with midge numbers and activity being highest during summer and autumn, leading to a corresponding increase in the risk of disease transmission.

At low wind speeds of less than 2m/s, Culicoides can y at speeds of around 0.5m/s, and individual midges can travel distances of up to 5km in just a few days. The presence of livestock is attractive to midges and may in uence the speed and extent of their dispersal, driving local spread of infection. In contrast, long distance spread of the virus is often the result of passive transport of Culicoides midges at high altitude on the wind.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs of BTV-3 infection include fever, lethargy, oedema of the head, crusting and ulceration of the muzzle and palate (see picture above), conjunctivitis, coronitis and lameness. In cows, super cial necrosis of the teats has also been reported. Sheep typically exhibit more severe disease – in the Netherlands over 70% of sheep exhibiting clinical signs went on to die, however this level of severity has not been seen

Figure 1: Transmission of BTV by the Culicoides midge

Vets and farmers should be alert for these clinical signs, and any suspected cases should be reported to the authorities immediately.

Controlling BTV-3

Vaccination is the only reliable method of protecting livestock against BTV-3. The use of topical insecticides/endectocides is not an e ective way of protecting animals against infection and risks unnecessary use of these products. Other methods of avoiding contact between susceptible hosts and the midge vector, such as housing animals in screened and/ or ventilated buildings or turning stock onto exposed windy areas of the farm may help reduce the risk of infection but are practically di cult to implement.

The BTV-3 vaccine Bultavo 3 is licensed for use in sheep and cattle and is shown to prevent clinical signs in infected animals, and to prevent viraemia in cattle. This vaccine has been widely used in Europe in the last two years, with over 45 million doses sold. Countries that achieved very high vaccination rates such as the Netherlands and Belgium, saw a huge reduction in clinical cases.

In cattle the primary course consists of two 1ml intramuscular doses three weeks apart, whilst for sheep a single 1ml subcutaneous dose is administered. Following completion of the primary course, onset of immunity takes a further three weeks.

Plan now, along with your vet, to assess the risk at farm level and ensure that protection is in place ahead of the seasonal risk period, which typically begins in April/May, when Culicoides numbers will begin to increase. FG

References available on request.

HOST BECOMES VIRAEMIC 2-7 DAYS AFTER INFECTION

MIDGES LIVE FOR 10-20 DAYS

VIRAEMIA LASTS FOR <28 DAYS

Midge feeds on infected host

Potentially longer in cattle

Now you can stop feeling

BLUE

Cattle

- Prevents viraemia

- Prevents clinical signs and mortality

Sheep

-Prevents clinical signs and mortality

-Reduces viraemia

-Protects from 3 weeks after administration of a single dose

- Protects from 3 weeks after completion of a 2 dose primary course with 3 weeks between doses Give your farm rapid onset of immunity against bluetongue virus with BULTAVO® 3 1 B

Speak to your vet to fnd out about vaccination and the benefts it can bring to your farm.

PIONEERING THE PATH TO PROTECTION AGAINST BTV-3

Mixed farm finds success with South Devons

After buying half a dozen South Devons for the rst time last summer, fth-generation farmer James Gri n, in North Worcestershire, was so impressed with the calves produced from a Limousin bull, he added another 32 to the herd. Sarah Kidby reports.

James, 38, who runs the farm in partnership with his mother, bought the rst six South Devon heifers from a local market. “I’ve got some family down in Cornwall and they’re very big into South Devons, so I was interested to see what the outcome would be with what we do here.”

When put to the Limousin bull, the calves were “really smart” and “tremendously muscly”. James comments: “Everything’s where it needs to be – really beefy animals. They’ve done really well on pretty low inputs, and they’ve calved pretty easily.”

James later saw an advert in Farmers Guide for 32 South Devons, and although this was a larger number of cows than he had planned to buy, he decided to take the opportunity. They arrived in December and were calving at the time of our interview in February.

A “menagerie”

Elm Farm runs mainly Texels and Charolais ewes, plus suckler cows of various breeds. “It’s a really mixed menagerie; there's Hereford crosses, Angus crosses, Simmentals, and cows we’ve bred out of Limousins, so a really mixed bag,” he says. Asked what prompted them to keep a variety of breeds, he explains: “It’s kind of the way it evolved. It’s just what we’ve picked up and trying to work out which is the best one to go with.

“We’ve always done well with the Herefords because they’ve got an abundance of milk […]. I really favoured the Herefords and the Simmentals. They seem to be really robust and pretty strong. It’s just trying to get what works. Obviously, you’d buy all show animals if possible, but you’ve got to be realistic.”

The farm now sells stores to local livestock markets, having previously

sold through their own farm shop for around 20 years.

Homegrown feed

The farm also grows barley, oats, wheat, beans, forage maize and fodder beet for the livestock. Pit silage and hay goes to the breeding cows and youngstock are fed a ration based on maize and fodder beet.

Last year was a particularly di cult year for silage production but stocking rates and leftovers from the previous year meant that despite silage levels being around 50% lower than last year, they managed to get away with it.

Spring crops planted with a Mzuri Pro-Til yielded well. They do a combination of heavy cultivation, ploughing and combi drilling, and strip-tilling spring crops with either the Mzuri or Claydon Opti-Til system. “They’re both great; the strip-tilling in general as a concept has its place for sure. We still operate ploughing in a rotation with the fodder beet and the maize, and then where it's been strip-tilled, I can usually top dress with manure because it's so rm, the ground's so solid it'll take the Bunning muck spreader and tractor.”

The Mzuri is a big time saver, he adds. “What would take me a week to do on my own is done in an afternoon.”

Breed facts

South Devons have six USPs: Growth from grass, naturally milky mothers, adaptable and sustainable, ease of management, superior eating quality and exceptional crossbreeding ability.

The breed consistently tops the breed rankings as ‘highest native breed’ in three out of ve categories in the AHDB National Beef Evaluations, based on carcase traits. These are: carcase weight, carcase

conformation, average daily weight gain (December 2025).

Demand for the breed appears to be increasing, according to the South Devon Herd Book Society, as producers realise they can get the outputs of a continental breed, using

a predominantly forage-based diet – which you expect from a native breed – as well as having a very quiet temperament.

For more information on South Devons visit the Society’s website: https://www.sdhbs.org.uk FG

South Devons at Elm Farm.

James has been impressed with the calves from the Limousin bull.

REFLECTIONS ON A CHALLENGING SILAGE SEASON

After a tight silage season in 2025, members of the Forage Analysis Assurance Group and Feed Advisor Register share their thoughts on potential nutritional de ciencies and how to get the best out of your forage going forward.

The dry summer of 2025 meant that many later third and fourth cuts were taken, shared David Wilde, Massey Feeds, who is a member of FAA Group and FAR. “These later silages were often found to be made with leafy, young grass, quite wet, high in protein (so bu ered the fermentation) and had either very high lactic acid

potential milk fever issues (or not).”

Considering lessons we can take from last year, he added: “If it is a really dry and hot spell of weather, do not wilt for too long. Twenty-four hours maximum, as most drying occurs in the rst two hours, when the grass is spread and tedded. In some cases, it may be hot enough and the grass dry enough already, to pick up almost immediately after mowing.

levels or very high VFAs – most notably butyric acid.”

More baled than clamp grass silage samples were received due to exceptionally good grass growth periods, and favourable weather conditions for wilting pre-ensiling, added FAA Group member, Dr Tom Butler, FBA-Laboratories Ireland. “High crude protein values were found due to high nitrogen content in grazing grass rotation during periods of rapid growth when surplus quantities became allocated to the planned silage area.”

Mineral de ciencies to be

considered in the formulation of spring dietary balance include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iodine, selenium, Tom said, while David noted that much depends on the fertiliser regime, soils, and plant breeds.

But it’s important not to over-do mineral supplementation, especially copper, David emphasised. “This has come under the spotlight lately (again) with work at Harper Adams highlighting the problem with feeding too much. Mineral testing should be carried out to assess individual needs, particularly for dry cows, where the CAD value will hint at

“Compaction of the clamp is also vital, with wetter forages being chopped longer to avoid slippage, and drier crops shorter to facilitate better packing in the silo.”

As always, plan ahead to get the most out of forage in future. “Carry out pre-cutting tests to avoid high levels of nitrates and know the dry matter of the grass at mowing and picking up. Side sheet clamps as well as completely sealing the clamp with cling lm or similar products to create an oxygen barrier,” David advised.

Achieving optimum animal performance from forage, both grazing and ensiled, requires careful grassland management, with a reseeding programme in place that makes the most of the appropriate grass and clover varieties for the land soil type and location, Tom concluded. FG

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS NOW OPEN

2026 workshops for the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s Youth Development Programme are now open for anyone with an interest in cattle.

The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society says its Youth Development Programme (YDP) continues to give young people from across the UK and Ireland the chance to learn practical cattle skills, meet like-minded people and gain con dence working with livestock.

Run by the Society but open to any young person aged 8–24, the programme welcomes participants from all cattle breeding backgrounds. Whether they are already involved in farming, part of a Young Farmers’ Club or simply interested in livestock, the workshops provide a relaxed, hands-on environment to learn.

The programme marked its 25th anniversary in 2025 and over that time has become one of the bestknown youth initiatives in the beef industry.

Cattle workshops

Workshops are held throughout the UK and Ireland and cover practical skills such as clipping, dressing cattle, ringcraft and stock judging, alongside wider knowledge on breeding, animal health and beef production. Experienced stockmen and women work with small groups

throughout the day, sharing their knowledge and helping young people build con dence handling cattle.

While the practical skills are a big part of the day, many who take part say the friendships and connections they make are just as valuable. The programme has helped a number of young people nd their path into agriculture and build a network within the industry.

Competitions

The YDP also has an international element. Over the years, nalists have represented the UK and Ireland at the World Angus Forum Youth Competition, travelling to countries

including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Most recently, the UK and Irish team placed third overall, while also picking up the Spirit of Angus Award, Team Spirit Award and Outstanding Contribution Award.

12 young people from each region are invited to compete. Anyone who attends a workshop is welcome to come along and watch the competition.

Outgoing Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society president Alan Morrison said:

“The Youth Development Programme continues to be one of the greatest strengths of our Society. Seeing the enthusiasm and ability of these young people gives real con dence in the future of the breed.”

During each workshop, trainers observe participants throughout the day. These assessments help identify those who may go forward to the YDP Final, held in the autumn, where

For those who want to stay involved as they get older, the Society also runs Senior Conferences once a year for members aged 18–30, o ering further opportunities to learn about the wider industry and continue building connections.

Supporting the programme is the Next Gen Youth Council, formed in 2022. Made up of young people from across the UK and Ireland, the council helps shape future youth activities, assists at workshops and represents younger members within the Society.

Taking part

With YDP 2026 workshops now open, organisers are encouraging anyone with an interest in cattle to get involved. Participants can attend as many workshops as they wish, and you don’t need to be an Angus breeder to take part. Further information and booking details can be found at: www. aberdeen-angus.co.uk/ youth-development FG

Regional co-ordinators for 2026:

• Jess Musk – England South

• Rosie Peacock – England North

• Claire Morrison – Scotland

• Niall Lynch – Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

tel: 01473 823598

mob: 07879 496970

email: storeypoultrysupplies@btinternet.com www.storeypoultrysupplies.co.uk

(l-r) Back row: Thomas Goldie, Gregor Milne, Grant Rhind, Jack Heath, Finlay Hunter, Cian O’Malley. Front row: Cliodhna Smith, Aine Sullivan, Aine He ernan, Veronica Webster.

LESSONS FROM A CONTRASTING GRASSLAND SEASON

Although 2025 proved less volatile than the previous two years, regional weather patterns created a season of ‘polar opposites’, with England and Wales su ering signi cant drought stress while Scotland and Ireland experienced ideal conditions for grass growth.

Philip Cosgrave, Yara agronomist and grassland specialist, witnessed these regional disparities rsthand. “Livestock farms in England and Wales faced exceptionally challenging conditions,” he explained. “The prolonged dry spell, lasting from late spring to early autumn, severely hampered grass growth and created a di cult situation for forage production – ultimately threatening winter feed reserves.”

The picture was markedly di erent in Scotland and Ireland, where favourable weather conditions, coupled with strong farm gate prices for milk, beef and lamb, created ideal circumstances to grow more grass and push livestock performance. While small pockets in southern Ireland – Cork, Waterford and South Tipperary – faced mid-summer rainfall challenges, a bene cial autumn period extending

to late October helped mitigate many concerns.

fertiliser use. “In Scotland and for investment in crop nutrition and

These contrasting growing conditions were re ected in fertiliser use. “In Scotland and Ireland the combination of strong farm gate prices and optimal growing conditions provided clear incentives for investment in crop nutrition and we saw increased fertiliser use,” Philip continued. In drought-a ected England and Wales, however, applications remained subdued. “When grass fails to grow due to moisture de cit, fertiliser application o ers little bene t. Improved autumn conditions – particularly in September and October – did prompt a late-season surge as farmers tried to rebuild grass covers before winter.”

With the grazing season now underway, nutrient management plans developed during the winter months are guiding fertiliser decisions on farm. “It’s di cult to have a crystal ball but whether there’s good milk prices or bad milk prices, you have to start with a plan,” Philip advised.

Organic manures also play an important role, particularly on silage ground. “Strategic prioritisation of organic manure applications, guided by comprehensive soil analysis, enables more e cient nutrient distribution across the farm. All livestock farms have this fantastic resource readily available.”

Maintaining soil pH is equally important. Fields that received lime during the winter will begin to show bene ts as grass growth accelerates through spring. Maintaining soil pH above 6 – ideally between 6.0 and 6.5 – improves nutrient availability, soil structure and grass quality,

ensuring fertiliser inputs deliver their full potential.

Yara’s ongoing grassland trials continue to support standard nitrogen recommendations from RB209. While lower nitrogen rates can show higher response per kilogram applied, applying the full recommended rate consistently produces two to three tonnes more grass dry matter per hectare.

“One thing is if we can produce more milk and more meat from forage, ultimately that’s going to result in more pro table enterprises,” Philip concluded. FG

Philip Cosgrave, Yara.

Improve grassland e ciency

Ceres says its Sub-Line Grassland Subsoiler is a low-cost, but highly e cient way to rejuvenate and sustain healthy grassland, by relieving compression from livestock.

The row of leading discs can be adjusted with one handle, which has six working positions and one out-ofwork position. The discs can be kept in their optimum working position, cutting through the sward cleanly, allowing the leg to pass through without tearing the surface. Each of the contoured, low-draft legs are mounted in-line on the substantial frame, with two M16 shear bolts for protection.

The at, rear roller has simple dual turn-buckle adjustment to control

the working depth of the machine, and leaves a neat, level nish across the width. An adjustable scraper mounted within the roller arms prevents congestion and build-up. The legs, knock on points and all other wearing components are widely available, reducing cost and downtime.

The Sub-Line is available from a single leg machine to a ve-leg machine. All sizes are compatible with Category 2 linkage, from 40–190hp.

A grant of up to £1,800 is available for the subsoiler under the FETF 2026 grant scheme. Any model with three or more legs meets the criteria; applications close on 28th April. FG

Indoor system boosts safety

At Kilton Hall Farm in North Yorkshire, Johnathan Hall and his family run a mixed arable and beef operation with around 40 suckler cows and 150 bulls. With an ageing father, young daughters showing interest in the farm, and growing pressure on time, the family decided it was time to invest in a safer, more e cient cattle handling setup.

After comparing several options, they chose a complete Te Pari cattle handling system installed indoors on a concrete pad. The setup includes a forcing gate, race-reducing panels for calves, and a diverter gate that allows cattle to be loaded directly from the race into a trailer.

“It’s a system that just works,” says Johnathan. “We can do far more with it than we could before.”

At the centre of the system is a Titan pneumatic cattle crush and a dedicated safe zone that allow family members to observe and help without risk, making it easier to involve the next generation.

The system also includes Te Pari’s Macrostock Scale, which monitors weight gains, track nishing targets and adjust rations more accurately.

“People aren’t getting upset, the animals aren’t getting upset, and everything is faster and safer,” says Johnathan. “We’re really happy with it.”

Learn more at www.tepari. com FG

- Pre-tupping to improve conception rates

- Pre-lambing to improve lamb vigour

- Early lambs for quick weight gain

24 essential vitamins and minerals

“The results obtained with ProVitaMin were nothing short of remarkable. Of the two ewes flushed that year, one produced 25 embryos which the other produced 19. Subsequent to this 23 of the embryos produced were implanted into commercial recipients leading to 18 lambs scanned. Also used on all the flock, fertility has dramatically improved.”

“ProVitaMin drench is used pretupping and on all lambs before weaning to boost weight gain and overall condition for show and sales. It is a versatile drench and with the small volume application a bottle goes a long way.”

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Chelated metals for slow release and optimum

“The first round of ProVitaMin drench helps boost ewe fertility levels while the second acts to increase lamb vitality. I also ensure that the ewes selected for AI receive the mineral and vitamin boost. All the lambs get ProVitaMin prior to weaning. This ensures that growth rates are not reduced, once they are taken off their mothers.”

“The flock was split into two groups - the ewes drenched with ProVitaMin tupped several days before those tupped with the competitor product. The ProVitaMin drench was much easier to use as it was a smaller amount given.”

“Using ProVitaMin has boosted ewe and lamb performance in terms of fertility and growth rate. This has resulted in an extra ½ lamb per ewe sold for us this year.”

At this time of year, with lambs at foot, ewes are very prone to trace element de ciencies because of the increased demand on their milk production system, and after carrying one, two, or perhaps three lambs. Dr TB Barragry, independent advisor for Provita, o ers some guidance.

Rough quality grazing, poor soil conditions, bad weather, and foot problems (a ecting mobility) can all a ect uptake of vital trace elements. If the ewe becomes de cient, the suckling lamb will also become de cient, with a consequent negative impact on weight gain and growth rate. Thus, supplementation of the parturient ewe and the young lamb is vital.

Lambs are especially prone to vitamin E de ciency as it does not pass the placenta in high amounts. This can lower immunity. In the ewe, nutrient requirements increase by around 50% in dams carrying a single, and 70% in ewes carrying twins during late pregnancy.

During the late season, many sheep are exposed to poor quality grazing or forage which possesses quite low trace element and nutritional value. Lambs are also subjected to the stresses of harsh outdoor conditions and exposed on hillsides to extreme weather variations. Occasional foot problems in lambs can signi cantly impede mobility and grazing and lead to inadequate nutritional intake.

Although outward clinical signs may be minimal with respect to trace element de ciencies, the result of such de ciencies lies in the extra length of time the lamb takes to gain bodyweight, and also its susceptibility to other diseases. Diagnosis can be di cult as clinical signs are frequently mild, nonspeci c, and insidious in onset, such as poor growth rates, weak lambs, ill thrift, or reduced feed intake. Problems tend to a ect the whole group rather than individual animals.

Deficiencies

Ewes and lambs can be prone to a vast number of health and productivity problems and can succumb to trace element and vitamin de ciencies.

• Copper: Swayback, poor fertility, poor quality wool, and growth

• Cobalt and vitamin B12: Pine, lethargy, reduced appetite, poor quality wool with an open eece, small size, and poor body condition despite adequate nutrition

• Selenium and vitamin E: White muscle disease, poor daily live weight gain

• Iodine and manganese: Enlarged thyroid (goitre), stunting of growth and results in late abortions, stillbirth and/or increased lamb mortality

• Manganese: Joint or bone abnormalities and a sti gait are reported, along with potential negative e ects on fertility due to poor conception rates

• B vitamins: Cells not working correctly, a ecting skin, brain and other body tissues, slow metabolism

• Folic acid: Inadequate blood cell and gut cell formation

• Vitamin A: De ciency not only compromises the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin that serve as rst-line defence barriers but also reduces the primary antibody response in the event of infection

• Vitamin E and vitamin C: Potent antioxidants, immunostimulants and counteract oxidative stress.

ProVitaMin vitamin and mineral drench contains a range of chelated minerals, vitamins, and trace elements at optimal levels in an ultraconcentrated liquid drench form. It contains all the essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements that provide lambs with that all-important nutritional boost for growth rates post-weaning. ProVitaMin drench from Provita contains high levels of 25 minerals and vitamins essential for maximising growth and thrive in the ewe and in the lamb. Vitamin A for appetite and gut protection is included at a high level, as is vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium to maximise immunity. It is highly desirable to use such a product for ewes in pregnancy, post-pregnancy and also in young lambs in order to ensure maximal thrive, health, immunity, and productivity.

Rickets

Rickets is a metabolic bone disease that a ects young, rapidly growing lambs. It is characterised

by a failure of the bone and cartilage at the growth plates to mineralise properly, leading to soft, weak, and deformed skeletons. The most common cause often occurs in early spring when UV light levels are too low for lambs to synthesise vitamin D through their skin. Administration of vitamin D is the primary treatment or preventive approach for rickets.

Two forms of vitamin D exist. Vitamin D2 in the diet and vitamin D3 following synthesis in the skin. These two exist as inactive precursor substances in plants and in the skin, and both compounds require activation by exposure to ultraviolet light in order to convert them to the nal active vitamin D. Hence sunlight is important both for the plants and for the skin to convert precursor substances into vitamin D. So, for the lamb, milk and green grass do not supply adequate vitamin D. Skin synthesis is important for the lamb, as is supplementing the ewe with vitamin D before lambing.

Vitamin drenches or boluses

Oral drenching is usually less expensive than boluses, and it allows for targeted delivery to certain animals, the most at-risk animals, or at speci c stress periods during the grazing season or winter housing where only short-term cover is needed. Drenches also have the advantage that a larger number of trace elements can be included in high concentrations to address de ciencies. FG

Test before you supplement

With the emergence and spread of bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus in recent years, much attention has focused on infectious disease in UK sheep and cattle. However, when aiming to optimise ock health and performance, regular trace element monitoring should not be overlooked. Jack Balkham, Westpoint Farm Vets, o ers advice.

Severe de ciencies may be obvious – for example copper de ciency causing ill-thrift, poor wool quality and neurological disorders such as swayback – but many imbalances remain subclinical, quietly reducing fertility, growth rates and immune function without overt signs.

Trace element status varies not only between farms but even between elds on the same holding. Soil type, pasture species, grazing management and mineral interactions (for example molybdenum and sulphur reducing copper availability) all in uence bioavailability.

Blood sampling a representative group – typically 4–6 animals per

management group – can detect de ciencies before clinical disease develops. This allows targeted intervention via dietary adjustment, boluses or mineral supplementation.

It is equally important to remember that toxicity can be as damaging as de ciency. Sheep are particularly susceptible to copper toxicity, which may result in acute haemolytic crisis and death. Blanket supplementation without prior testing risks both wasted cost and signi cant welfare consequences.

Blood testing our stock is one approach, but we must also consider the importance of further testing of both forage and of soil. This allows us to be proactive in our nutritional strategies, ensuring that we are providing adequately in energy, protein, but also in the micro-nutrients and trace elements of the ration.

Testing the soil and mapping a farm for trace element pro les along with eld mapping for parasite risk can be an incredibly useful tool when it comes to pasture rotation and management. This allows us to target our supplementation and avoid the need for unnecessary treatments.

Encouragingly, in England the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP) provides funding to support this approach. Sheep keepers with 21 or more sheep can access a funded Annual Health and Welfare Review. Following this, endemic disease follow-up funding – currently up to £658 – can be used for diagnostic testing, including blood sampling for trace elements where clinically appropriate.

This funding enables evidencebased decisions rather than guesswork supplementation. Farmers

should consult their veterinary surgeon to determine the most appropriate testing package for their system.

The principal trace elements of clinical signi cance in UK sheep are copper, selenium, cobalt and iodine. De ciencies may impair lamb vigour, growth and fertility in both ewes and rams. Neurological signs in lambs may raise suspicion of infectious disease, but nutritional imbalance must also be considered. With funding available, there is a clear opportunity to prioritise proactive investigation – safeguarding both productivity and ock welfare. FG

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Baler’s Choice

The Proven Preservative and Applicator Systems for Hay and Straw

Protect your investment

Baler’s Choice consistent neutral 6.0 pH preservative enables you to increase your baler output by up to 30%, while preserving hay and straw quality when faced with damper conditions and moisture contents above 15%, for as little as £1.43/bale*

www.harvesttec.com/roi-calculator

• Applicators • Precision Accessories

• Moisture sensors • Hay Preservative

The unique formulation of Baler’s Choice helps ensure top quality results when applied accurately at crop moisture contents between 16% and up to 30%. It avoids the risk of mould and dust, maintains palatability and avoids the build-up of temperature and the risk of fire during storage.

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*Based on an 80x90 bale

To learn more about our products, please contact a regional technical specialist, your local haytool dealer or follow this QR code:

N England/Borders/SW Scotland – Carrs Billington: glen.allen@carrs-billington.com

South East England – Bale Baron UK: Nick Scrase: info@balebaronuk.com

South West England – Big Bale South: duncan.harris@bigbale.co.uk

Central England – Oliver Landpower: tom.coats@oliverlandpower.co.uk

North Central England - Big Bale Services: Claire Needham: claire@bigbaleservices.co.uk

Northern & Eastern Scotland - Sellars graham.roger@sellar.co.uk

Northern Ireland – Erwin Agri-Care: andrew.farquhar@erwinagricare.co.uk

Republic of Ireland – Liffey Mills: sean.donnelly@liffeymills.ie

Alternatively please contact Bryant Henningfeld at Harvest Tec: bhenningfeld@harvesttec.com

Right now, it pays to use preservative on hay

With demand likely to be high for new season hay, the use of Harvest Tec’s Baler’s Choice preservative could be a prudent and cost-e ective option in order to ensure top quality bales, that are free from dust and mould, and so realise top quality prices.

The shortage of hay following the hot, dry weather last summer has meant that in the past 10 months, big bale hay prices have doubled from £73/tonne to £155, and it is a similar story for small bale seed and meadow hay.

Figures from the British Hay & Straw Merchant’s Association show that while historically big bale hay has traded at around £70-80/tonne, the overall average for the UK as of 22nd February was £155. However, regionally prices as high as £180/tonne in the Midlands and South West of England, and the mid-£170s in the North East and Yorkshire, have been recorded.

According to Harvest Tec UK, from as little as £1.43/bale for an 80x90 bale or £0.93 for a 27kg conventional bale, Baler’s Choice enables hay to be safely baled at moisture contents above 15% and up to 30%, so preserving hay quality without the risk of bales heating up, becoming mouldy or, at worst, spontaneously combusting.

Proven benefits

Well proven over many years and manufactured in the UK under licence, the core ingredient within Baler’s Choice is a near-neutral, bu ered form of propionic, with a consistent near-neutral pH of 6.0, making it safe to handle and avoiding damage to machinery.

This retains all the well-recognised and proven bene ts in reducing heating and stabilising temperature within bales, in addition to the prevention of moulds, dust and loss of bale quality. The addition of citric aids colour retention and palatability.

Range of applicator systems

Baler’s Choice is formulated speci cally to be applied using the Harvest Tec range of large square, round and conventional baler applicator systems. These range from simple, straightforward applicators with manual rate setting, through to

the advanced Automatic 700 Series applicator that monitors both baler throughput and real time moisture content of the hay or straw as it passes through the baler to automatically adjust the application rate accordingly.

Baler’s Choice has the great bene t that when applied at the correct rate using a Harvest Tec applicator, by enabling hay to be safely baled at moisture contents above 15%, it o ers the potential to lengthen the baling day by maybe an hour each end, or to bale on days when previously the crop would not be quite dry enough. Even in good conditions moisture contents will vary, and where the crop is below 15%, the moisture sensors within the automatic system will detect higher moisture content areas, such as under trees or where the swath is thicker, and will automatically apply Baler’s Choice preservative to avoid any potential hot spots in bales.

Not only is there a nancial bene t through higher daily throughput from the baler, but it also helps simplify logistics and planning along with the potential to save on the time and cost of additional tedding, with the associated risk of damage to the crop. For those selling hay or straw, Baler’s Choice ensures that bale quality is preserved and potential heating and the development of mould prevented, Harvest Tec explains.

Factory-fit option for new conventional baler

Making its UK debut at LAMMA in January was the new Marcrest 210 high-capacity conventional baler, which has a potential capacity of 1,000 bales/hour –twice that of current conventional balers.

Marcrest Manufacturing has designed the baler to complement its Bale Baron range of conventional bale accumulators, imported by Bale Baron UK which is also a Harvest Tec dealer.

To complete the package, Marcrest Manufacturing is also the rst baler manufacturer

to o er Harvest Tec Applicator systems as a factory t option, with nearly 40% of all of its balers already being speci ed with a Harvest Tec applicator.

With the combination of the potential to bale 1,000 bales/hour, with the safeguard of a Harvest Tec Automatic Baler’s Choice Applicator to enable baling to carry on in conditions that otherwise would not be suitable, plus a bale accumulator for rapid and e cient bale handling, this takes cost e cient conventional hay bale production to a new level.

To provide technical advice, ensure prompt availability of applicator systems and the rapid supply of spare parts throughout the UK, Harvest Tec has established a network of regional technical specialists, supported by Carr’s Billington which, in addition to handling sales within its own area, also acts as a central distribution hub for Harvest Tec, holding both applicator units and spare parts for dispatch to all other Harvest Tec UK dealerships. Further information on Baler’s Choice applicators and preservative can be found via the Harvest Tec UK website: www.harvesttec.com

Further information on the Marcrest 210 baler can be found at www.marcrestmfg.com FG

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Merlo UK expands dealer territories for Vincents

Already an authorised agricultural dealer from its Fraddon and Smithaleigh depots since June 2025, Vincents will now represent the Merlo agricultural product range across all four branches –Fraddon (Cornwall), Smithaleigh (South Devon), Holsworthy (North Devon), and Wellington (Somerset).

In addition, Vincents will become the authorised construction dealer for Devon, further strengthening Merlo’s coverage and customer support across the Southwest.

Merlo UK also con rms that Kellands Plant Sales will continue to represent Merlo in Cornwall, ensuring continuity of service for construction customers from its Camelford depot.

Owen Buttle, national sales manager at Merlo UK, commented: “Vincents has demonstrated exceptional commitment and capability since joining the Merlo network. Their expansion to full agricultural coverage across all four depots, paired with their appointment as construction dealer for Devon, reinforces our shared ambition to deliver outstanding customer service, product expertise, and local availability. This is another positive step in strengthening Merlo’s footprint across the Southwest.”

A family-run dealership with 60 years of heritage, Vincents has grown into a multi-branch organisation as a full line Kubota dealer serving a wide range of customers across agriculture, groundcare, and construction, with a wide-ranging product portfolio. The expansion of its Merlo territory re ects both their sustained growth and the strong performance of its Merlo o ering since last summer’s appointment.

Nick Vincent, dealer principal at Vincents, said: “Over the past eight months we’ve seen fantastic customer response to the Merlo range, and expanding our agricultural coverage, alongside taking on the construction franchise, allows us to deliver that same high-quality service to even more customers across the region. The Merlo product range ts in seamlessly with our current product o ering and gives our customers an all-encompassing premium range of products to choose from. Strategically, this development will strengthen our long-term vision to become the ‘Dealer of Choice in the Southwest’. Working with premium brands, including Merlo, continues to be a vital part of that strategy.” FG

Turbofarmer 38.10TT

Power, Precision and Stability

(l-r) Merlo UK national sales manager, Owen Buttle; Vincents dealer principal, Nick Vincent; Vincents sales construction manager, Dexter Ball; Vincents area sales manager, Craig Boxall; and Merlo UK construction sales manager, Mike Rich.

Mechanical handling of small bales

Arcusin UK Ltd says it is seeing increased interest in its conventional bale packing machine, the Arcusin Multipack E14.

The machines o er customers the ability to collect and pack small bales from any conventional baler and can be set to accept bales of any length from 80–120cm.

The machine o ers a vestring tying system that can put four strings round packs of bales at just 80cm long and ve strings round packs of bales of more than 100cm long.

This machine o ers full automation of bale packing where bales can still be collected

whilst the bale pack is exiting the machine. The E14 model now has both horizontal and vertical compression on the bale packs which improves the shape and secures the nal pack better than older models.

The machine can also o er customers the ability to produce 10 and 12 bale packs with an optional pack restrictor unit. Arcusin UK Ltd will be running a demonstration day of its new Arcusin Multipack E14 unit in Kent on 2nd April 2026. Anyone interested in attending should contact Arcusin UK Ltd to receive an invitation letter. FG

Bale confidently in all conditions

As we look ahead to the baling season, optimism is tempered by a familiar set of challenges, says PFC.

UK farmers know all too well that producing quality hay depends on a narrow weather window. Unsettled forecasts, heavy dews and sporadic showers can turn a promising crop into a gamble within hours. Add to that tight labour availability, rising fuel costs and pressure to secure consistent forage quality, and the stakes this season feel particularly high.

Moisture remains the critical obstacle. Bale too dry and leaf shatter robs valuable nutrients; bale too damp and you risk heating, mould growth and costly spoilage. The margin for error is slim, and chasing the perfect

48-hour dry spell is becoming increasingly unrealistic.

This is where practical innovation must step forward. PFC says its new HarvestPro Applicator is designed speci cally to ease that pressure. This automatic applicator enables farmers to bale at up to 30% moisture while still producing green, high-quality, dust-free hay. By widening the baling window, it reduces weather risk, preserves feed value and minimises losses in the eld and the yard.

In a season where timing is everything, the ability to bale con dently, without waiting for perfect conditions, could make all the di erence to both forage quality and farm pro tability. FG

shredding rotor, reducing the risk of blockage in the ywheel.

The four-model range includes one mounted and three trailed models, with capacities from 2–6m3. All are capable of handling round and square bales, and can be loaded

with clamp silage which can be fed through the spout.

Available models are the BC1200, BC2300, BC2300 Pro and BC2600 Pro, and can be used as self-loading

models thanks to a hydraulically operated rear door.

Pro models feature a hydraulically activated belt clutch. This allows the shredding rotor to run independently of the ywheel. Activated from the cab, this feature lets the operator achieve maximum ywheel speed before starting the

Six-cube models feature dual shredding rotors that sit in front of the ywheel housing, with others using a simpler, single rotor design. All BC models get a wide-section, four-stage swivel chute, and a generous shredding area around each rotor, which provides improved access to the ywheel to deliver greater throughput and powerful material ow, reaching a distance of up to 20m. FG

A new range of bale choppers has been launched, adding to the portfolio of Kubota implements which are now available through the dealer network.

Chains designed to outlast the season

In the UK agriculture sector, downtime is costly and reliability is everything. Baler and bale handling equipment operate in harsh, high-load conditions where chains are pushed to their limits. That’s why choosing the right chain solution is critical.

Donghua Limited delivers a specialist range of agricultural chains which it says are engineered to maximise durability, reduce maintenance, and keep machinery running throughout the season.

Donghua’s Heavy Super Power (HSP) Chain is designed for the toughest baling applications. With an ultimate tensile strength up to 50% higher than standard DIN chains, it provides exceptional loadbearing capability and resistance to shock.

Wide-waist link plates deliver superior fatigue strength, while a high interference t between pins and plates enhances structural integrity and extends service life. The result is a chain that performs consistently under extreme conditions, reducing unexpected failures and minimising costly downtime during peak harvest

periods, Donghua points out.

Where moisture, fertilisers, and weather conditions threaten equipment longevity, Donghua’s Mark V chain provides added protection. Featuring a zinccoated nish, this anti-corrosive and waterproof chain is built to outperform standard agricultural chains in harsh environments.

Assembled in Donghua’s UK workshop, Mark V chains meet the demands of modern farming, o ering longer service intervals and improved reliability in the eld, the company explains.

Donghua’s Pintle Chain and attachment range is engineered speci cally for bale handling applications. Its open barrel design helps prevent material build-up, reducing the risk of blockages, corrosion, and seizure.

manufacturer.

With a 25,000ft2 warehouse in the Midlands, Donghua says it maintains strong stock availability to support the UK agricultural sector. An extensive network of approved product partners and stockists ensure high-quality chain solutions are readily accessible

nationwide – helping farmers keep equipment moving when timing is critical. To learn more visit: www. donghua.co.uk/agriculture-chain FG

Heat-treated components, including hardened steel pins, improve wear resistance and extend operational life. The design promotes smoother running and dependable performance, even in dusty or debris-heavy conditions, according to the

Top tips for producing high-quality baled forage this season

With the silage season fast approaching, forage experts are sharing practical steps to help you improve silage quality to ensure consistency, reduce waste and get more value from every bale.

Pete Reis, Cornwall-based nutritionist at Mole Valley, says to see the full potential of grass silage from eld to feed out, the key is attention to detail and precision throughout the production process.

He explains: “Good-quality forage is the foundation of ruminant nutrition; the aim is to create forage with optimised digestibility and maximised nutritional value and energy.

“Even the smallest tweaks to production can have a huge impact on quality and subsequently herd productivity, showing up in improved daily live weight gains and milk production.”

Pete says the rst step towards achieving highquality forage is making sure the sward is of high quality, and the key to this is regular reseeding.

“Use a seed mix including a variety of ryegrasses, including Italian, perennial and hybrids together with clover to help deliver a highly digestible forage with higher energy,” he says.

When nearing the rst cut, Pete stresses the importance of paying close attention to heading dates in the sward and making use of grass tests, carried out by your local nutritionist.

2,500mg/kg – any higher, and the fermentation will be bu ered preventing the necessary drop in pH needed for a stable fermentation to occur.

“Free nitrate readings can often spike after periods of rapid growth or stress, and if high levels are recorded, you should delay cutting to avoid hindered fermentation during the ensiling process,” adds Pete.

“Once you’re happy that the grass is ready for mowing, make sure to avoid cutting too late in the evening when moisture levels are higher which will hinder the rapid wilt we want to achieve.

“Grass quality can decline quickly once plants start to head; the best time to cut is in advance of heading, when the sward is most nutrient-dense.

He says cutting too early can result in lower yields, while cutting too late can lead to a reduction in digestibility as the grass matures.

“To ensure timing is right, test the grass to check for free nitrate levels that are below

stacked and stored for winter feed out, so the bale wrap you choose matters.

“Cutting during the day allows the grass to wilt quickly and retain its nutrients.

“Don’t forget to use a quality silage additive, designed to ensure rapid fermentation and drop in pH, reducing waste and nutrient losses.

“This is particularly important when dealing with clovers and/or multi species,” he concludes.

“I recommend binding silage with a net replacement lm (NRF) like Baletite, which creates an enhanced oxygen seal, compared with traditional net, resulting in denser bales, improved fermentation and increased nutritional content.

“Combine this with a high-quality outer bale wrap like SilotitePro, ensuring at least a 50% overlap with six layers, to create a tight seal that prevents any holes that could cause air ingress, potentially spoiling the forage.”

Stuart explains that careful forage management should be continued after baling, with bales moved and stacked carefully, avoiding tearing the wrap.

Optimised wilting

Andrew Jones, independent dairy and beef nutritionist, from ChewintheCud Ltd, covering the south west of England, agrees with Pete and says accurate timing is vital during the wilting stage of forage production.

He comments: “Safeguarding the nutritional value of forage means reduced reliance on concentrate feeds, which can become costly.

“This is why optimal timing of the wilt is so important, as it determines the nutritional content retained by the grass,” Andrew explains.

Once the bales are stored, Andrew Jones advises carrying out forage analysis.

“Once the bales have been left for a minimum of six weeks to ferment, I use a silage spear to sample multiple bales from each cut to ensure a more accurate representation of the entire batch.

“To maximise the nutrient content of your forage, aim for 60% wilt within three hours.

“This will help you achieve the optimum dry matter content of around 35-40% and reduce the chance of introducing bacteria, which can cause spoilage once baled.”

An e ective ensiling process

“The results give a view of the nutritional content of the forage, helping to determine the ration needed to su ciently meet the dietary requirements of livestock and optimise productivity.

“High-quality forage will go a long way when it comes to feed out, while forage of a lesser quality will require the addition of costly concentrates to balance out the ration.

“Prioritising thorough preparation, well-timed cutting and proper ensiling is the key to ensuring the nutritional value of your forage is preserved to deliver the best possible feed for livestock throughout the year,” says Andrew. FG

Stuart Anthony, technical training manager at Silotite, describes the ensiling process as your last chance to in uence forage quality before bales are

Bale wrapping roadshows

Silotite is hosting two on-farm roadshows aimed at helping farmers and contractors improve homegrown forage production, with industry insights from a panel of expert speakers. Sign up to join a roadshow near you via the link: www.silotite.com/roadshows

Is your business HSE compliant?

LOLER Inspections

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07983 152751

We can help you meet the regulatory requirements giving guidance & advise where needed.

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Are you HSE compliant?

With baling and bale handling being a key job over the next few months, ensuring machinery is safe, and operators are fully trained is imperative, says Keith Short, engineering manager at Wessex Engineering Inspection Services.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) regulations require that, where you undertake lifting operations involving lifting equipment, you must:

• Plan them properly

• Use people who are su ciently competent

• Supervise operators appropriately

• Ensure that they are carried out in a safe manner.

Wessex Engineering can provide a thorough inspection that is cimpliant

with both LOLER and PUWER, and provide a timely noti cation when equipment needs re-inspecting.

Meanwhile, PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) require equipment provided for use at work to be: suitable for the intended use; safe and inspected to ensure correct installation; used only by those with adequate information, instruction and training; and accompanied by suitable health and safety measures.

LOLER checks must be carried out by a competent person with a thorough product knowledge and experience of the equipment inspected; while PUWER checks can be completed by the farmer, though some may seek help from an experienced, quali ed inspector. FG

UK farmers are prioritising equipment that delivers real e ciency gains amid tight margins, unpredictable weather, and the ongoing push for higher forage quality. In this context, JM Agri Design says its TR range of bale handlers has rmly established itself as the rst choice for handling both round and square bales.

The patented over-arm design, featuring rotating rollers and integrated check valves, allows secure gripping from any angle – an advantage when tackling tightly stacked rows, awkward eld positions, or settled winter-feed bales. This exibility minimises plastic tearing on wrapped silage, preserving quality and reducing costly waste at a time when inputs remain high.

Pushing for e ciency and quality

The slim over-arm pro le slides e ortlessly between bales for rapid single or paired handling, while models like the TR-3, TR-4, and TR-8 cater to everything from smaller family farms to large-scale operations and contractors.

Built tough yet lightweight, JM Agri Design says its handlers reduce operator fatigue, improve loader manoeuvrability on varied UK terrain, and integrate seamlessly with telehandlers and front loaders.

Successfully eld-tested in British conditions, the TR range combines innovation with practical reliability. For 2026, JM Agri Design says its TR bale handlers aren’t just another attachment – they’re a smart, dependable solution. FG

Covenbrook fully refurbished VADERSTAD ‘Rexius Twin 830’

has over 20,000 sheeting systems in operation.

Shurco is o ering 10% o its sheeting systems, which can be installed on-site with next-day delivery, from a trusted brand with a support network to match.

Following increased environmental and political pressures to cover loads on the public highway there remain a number of operators still to update their trailers with automated sheeting systems.

Shurco has over 80% of the UK tipper sheeting system market and over 20,000 sheeting systems in operation. Whether you require a waterproof side-to-side system (Agri-Hydroclear) or a front-to-back (Agri-Flip) sheeting system, Shurco says it is best placed to cover you.

Rules and regs

If you are sending your drivers onto the public highway without their load covered, you may want to think again. Changes to the way the DVSA has been enforcing load security legislation over recent years has made automatic sheeting systems a top priority for those wishing to

SPECIAL OFFER on SHEETING SYSTEMS

you don’t have to wait to keep your customers, or drivers compliant.

“We work with manufacturers of farm trailers and give them the expertise and seamless continuity of supply needed for them to sell and install our kits with con dence,” says Colin Bartram, business development manager at Shurco. “When operators see that they have a Shurco tted, they know it is a brand they can trust with a support network to match.”

If you are after a simple front-toback system, Shurco’s Agri-Flip is on the shelf and ready to go for delivery next day.

How to order

avoid unwelcome roadside attention.

The Road Tra c Act means it remains important that bulk loads can’t shed or be blown onto public roads and although automatic systems are not a compulsory solution to this problem, work at height regulations and a need to cover every load often tip the balance to something more automated.

system to your requirements.

Installation is available on-site or at one of Shurco’s workshop facilities in Wisbech and Rochester. It also has a network of dealers throughout the UK and Europe and provides all kits with full installation instructions.

New brand identity

Shurco has recently changed its brand identity. This represents more than just a logo; the identity signals the coming together of a number of global acquisitions under one brand delivering smarter systems, stronger partnerships and greater value across the industries Shurco serves.

Whether you are looking to cover lightweight crops on the farm or loose materials on public roads, Shurco invites you to get in touch.

Next day delivery

For the Agri-Flip system the company simply asks for the width of the trailer so it can ensure that you have the right sheet, and an adjustable kit will be with you next day in either 12V remote control or with in-tractor hydraulic operation.

Shurco says it’s the world’s largest sheeting system company and a global wholesale supplier to thousands of body builders, installers and operators; keeping thousands of motors, tarps and kits on the shelf so

Shurco says it’s unique in that it o ers its hydraulic kit with xed ow controls and cross line pressure relief valves as standard. This ensures that with multiple tractors collecting these trailers it has control over the hydraulic circuit, keeping the system working safely and reliably for years to come.

Additionally, the company’s fully waterproof Dawbarn Agri-Hydroclear system o ers side-to-side PVC covering for those that need to keep crops dry or keep unpleasant smells contained. This system may be familiar to farmers already, whether it be from appearing regularly on Clarkson’s Farm or from being the chosen equipment for asphalt, bulk tippers, and walking oors for the last 20 years.

Dawbarn & Sons (part of the Shurco Group since 2022) now also proudly comes under the new Shurco identity. New logo, same values. Steve Price, commercial director comments: “Exciting times at Dawbarn & Sons as we strengthen our brand, while still retaining the market leading product names such as the Dawbarn Hydroclear and Dawbarn Wraptor systems.”

Feedback from the field Satis ed customers include Fruehauf Trailers, who said the service is “brilliant” and sheeting arrived a day early; while West Engineering said parts on the hydraulic Agri-Flip were of excellent quality.

Shurco has adapted this system to work using just two quick connectors from the tractor with a tidy and innovative purpose-built valve.

Again, this system is built by Shurco in the UK and readily available. The company just asks you to complete its measurement form and select your sheet colour and it will make the

Meanwhile, Cover Haul Services Ltd said: “Shurco supplies us at Cover Haul Services Ltd with sheet kits which are of high quality, durable and built to last. Their team is helpful, with fast, responsive communication and delivery times are consistently quick. We value reliable suppliers and Shurco continues to exceed our expectations.”

Order today for 10% o agricultural sheeting systems using the code FarmersGuide26. Promotion ends 31st May 2026. Do you need a bespoke tarpaulin, or a cover for your trailer or hopper? Any size any shape – contact Shurco directly or visit www.shurco.co.uk FG

Shurco

Shurco's hydraulic Agri-Flip system.

TYRE BRAND GAINS TRACTION WITH FARMERS

loads and at speed. As the tyre will be working 50/50 in most cases in the eld and on the road, the tread pattern works in such a way as to provide grip without the excessive heat build-up found in many tyres when operating at speed on the roads.

Excessive heat that builds up within a tyre leads to premature wear and an overall reduction in the lifespan of the tyre.

The Ascenso IMB 160 Implement tyre which is primarily designed for work in the eld spent many months in development within the company’s state-of-the-art production and testing facility in India to netune the rubber compound and tread pattern.

The result is a tyre which reduces soil compaction and damage to grassland, all whilst carrying a heavy payload.

Ascenso Tyres designs, manufactures and engineers tyres for hard working machinery that must perform over several challenging terrains and environments.

The company produces tyres for tractors, sprayers, combine harvesters, farm trailers, material handlers and industrial loaders. Across the range of tyres it caters for the key o -road sectors: agriculture, industrial and construction, material handling, earth mover, and forestry.

Ascenso says it understands that e ciency is key to your business’ success, and choice of tyre plays a particularly signi cant role in that. Which is why it spends hundreds of hours testing and evaluating its tyres before they go into production, all so that when you need them to perform, they will not let you down.

Meteoric advances

Modern farming has changed and the uncertain economic climate driven by recent world events has led more UK farmers, contractors, and managers to reduce their overheads and the equipment they have on hand.

This strategy seemingly has many major advantages, as now one piece of machinery can now be shared with other farmers within a cooperative.

There is an age-old question that continues to divide. What is more important, the tractor or the trailer? It’s similar to the chicken and egg debate. Increased horsepower and torque gures tend to grab the headlines with a new tractor release, but the simple fact is, however impressive the tractor looks, if you cannot get your produce out of the eld, your big gamble has failed to return on its investment.

This is why the Ascenso team believe that every tyre they conceive, design, test, and manufacture must work hard to justify your investment in both the tyre and the company.

Gaining momentum

Without doubt, in the last 10–15 years, technology and modern production methods have changed the way in which we farm, for example GPS, driverless power units, smart sprayers etc have all helped with increased yields and e ciency. Tyres and, in particular, agricultural tyres have seen meteoric advances in rubber compounds, and computer-aided design methods which have allowed designers and engineers to produce tyres which excel at their intended application.

The steel belted Ascenso FTR170 agricultural trailer tyre has been engineered in such a way that whilst it provides incredible levels of traction it can manage the increasing demands of heavier

Every week Ascenso ships hundreds of agricultural trailer tyres across the UK through its network of Ascenso Tyre dealers, and that number keeps growing. At this year’s LAMMA show held at the Birmingham NEC it was evident that the Ascenso brand was gaining signi cant momentum within the agricultural tyre sector.

More farmers and farm managers are choosing to t the Ascenso brand, the company shares. The largest farm in Europe, Staples Vegetables, trialled Ascenso tyres and now ts them on all its UK farm tractors and trailers.

Ascenso says it’s enormously proud of its range of premium quality tyres, set at a price point which o ers excellent value for money, therefore allowing you to bene t from the advances in modern tyre technology without adversely a ecting your bottom line. FG

The Ascenso FTR170 is engineered to provide grip without excessive heat build-up.

Reduced soil compaction and less damage to grassland are key bene ts of Ascenso tyres.

Ascenso's steel belted FTR170 tyre.

A TRAILER FOR EVERY NEED

The Joskin philosophy says there is a machine for every need. And that also applies to Joskin’s trailer ranges.

With nine di erent models of tipping trailers, going from the single-axle Trans-EX dropside trailer with a capacity of three tonnes, to the triple-axle Trans-Space 9200/30TRC150 with a capacity

of 30m³ DIN (up to 52m³ DIN with 1,000mm extensions), there is surely one that will suit your needs, Joskin says.

The agricultural monocoque tipping trailer range consists of two models: the Trans-Cap and the Trans-Space.

The Trans-Cap is the traditional farm trailer available in single- or

twin-axle con guration. Twin-axle versions are tted as standard with the renowned Joskin Roll-Over bogie, which ensures easier pulling, less compaction, and thus fuel e ciency.

Like for all Joskin machines, high tensile steel is used for the complete trailer. A tapered body (8cm wide at the back) facilitates the unloading of each material through the high-

opening rear door. The Trans-Cap ranges from 10–22m3 (10–18t) without extensions, and up to 37.6m3 DIN with 1,000mm silage extensions for the Trans-Cap 6500/22BC150.

The Trans-Space is the highcapacity model for intensive use. With its Hardox body oor and high tensile steel sides, the number of reinforcements on the sides as well as the thickness of the steel sheets used could be reduced, and thus the overall weight of the trailer. The Roll-Over bogie and the hydraulic suspension (standard from the 7500/21BC150 model onwards) make it easy to pull trailers in all conditions, and are a guarantee for unmatched stability on the roads as in the elds.

Capacity-wise, there is a choice from 18–30m3 (18–26t) without extensions.

Cereal extensions as well as silage extensions (up to 1,000mm) are available for all models, as well as weigh cells, tyre in ation systems, and a wide choice of tyres.

Like for all Joskin ranges, the trailer range can be ordered as a custom-built machine, but also as Advantage series, which is an inseries built trailer with speci c specs and that is usually available from stock. FG

MD at centre of new campaign

Richard Larrington says he has led Larrington Trailers for over 35 years with one clear belief: A trailer’s job is to keep the most expensive machine in the eld moving.

That philosophy has shaped every product the business has built, earning it a reputation that farmers still repeat today: “Roll over a Larrington trailer, put it back on its wheels, and get back to work”.

Quality and reliability have always been the backbone of the brand, recognised by contractors and smart farms across the UK who know that downtime costs money and reputation matters, Richard adds.

He believes the company should be selling more on the strength

of that history alone, and its new campaign puts him front and centre. Customers can now speak directly with him for honest advice, the best price, and part exchange options on older trailers.

Larrington Trailers continues to work closely with dealers like Pecks, covering Norfolk and Su olk and holding stock, but farmers are always welcome to call direct. Every Larrington trailer is serviced by the company itself – faster and simpler than waiting for a dealer juggling multiple brands, Richard reckons.

The range continues to grow, with the new Low Loader already working on a Lincolnshire farm, alongside seven other Larrington trailers. FG

Trailers that are built to last

Richard Western Ltd says its premium trailers are engineered and built to deliver outstanding performance, durability, and operator comfort. Carefully designed weight distribution provides a stable, comfortable, and safe ride.

The vertically mounted tipping cylinder ensures smooth, consistent tipping of the load while reducing stress on the trailer structure. This improves reliability and contributes to a long service life. The unique double C-section chassis further enhances strength by minimising

chassis ex, which improves ride quality and protects the trailer from long-term fatigue.

Trailer bodies are designed with fewer, larger components, reducing the amount of welding required while signi cantly increasing overall strength. The oor plates run the full length of the trailer without crossjoins, as do the side plates. Together with high-strength steel underbody sections and deep-section top rails, this creates a remarkably rigid and durable body capable of withstanding extreme workloads.

All Richard Western products now come with a full three-year warranty; which it says is a de ning characteristic

QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST

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Extended 3 year warranty as standard DURABILITY

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+44(0)1728 723224 richardwestern.com

SPREADERS | TRAILERS | GRAIN CHASERS

in its o ering compared to most, if not all, other manufacturers (T&Cs apply). FG

Extra strength and longevity

Rolland is showcasing its Rollspeed 8851 trailer which uses Hardox in the body for longevity and a double pleat in the sides for extra strength. The side panel is rolled at the top and welded on the inside, for extra strength around the top.

The extra-tall monocoque of 182cm gives 36.84m3 water capacity. An extra 32cm can be added to up the grain/root capacity, and an optional aluminium silage extension of 70cm gives a grass volume of 51m3

Rolland uses a double-channel chassis (260mm x 2) for extra strength and exibility. It houses a 5-stage single tipping ram which requires 49 litres of oil at full tip. It uses less oil from the

tractor and operations are faster.

The huge front window gives great visibility into the monocoque, coupled with a hydraulic tailgate which slots into the top rail of the trailer – o ering safety when two trailers are crossing on narrow lanes, Rolland says.

The trailer monocoque and rear tailgate are all robotically welded and the paint process is ‘unrivalled’ in the trailer world, comprising shotblasting, dipping four times, and electroplating before passing through one of four ovens, powder-coating by robots and a nal curing in the oven. Contact the company directly for a price. FG

octopusenergygeneration.com/plots-for-kilowatts/

You need full planning permission for new builds – but often not for converting existing agricultural buildings.

Top tips for a SUCCESSFUL DIVERSIFICATION

So you want to diversify – but how? Where can you nd that extra revenue stream and, crucially, how do you go about making it work?

“Diversi cation is increasingly vital for Britain’s farmers,” says Ben Wood, head of sales at specialist agri-lender Rural Asset Finance. “It used to be handy extra income – now it’s often critical to shore up a farm’s future into the next generations.”

So whether it’s a farm shop, food processing facilities, shing lake, holiday lets, renewable energy or anything else – how do you ensure your diversi cation achieves the income you need?

Here are Ben's top tips...

absolutely no passing trade. Think about what will work where you are.”

Be flexible with your plans

If your rst choice diversi cation will obviously not work, adapt your plans. “If the farmer next door rents out top-of-the-range luxury accommodation really cheaply, you’ll struggle to match that,” says Ben. “So rather than trying to compete, think about a business that complements your neighbour’s – such as a farm shop that o ers them breakfast, or an ice-cream parlour.”

the need for full permission – but be mindful you still need “prior” approval from local councils around potential noise and tra c issues.

“It’s best to contact the planning department early so you can understand the permissions you’ll need,” says Ben. “It’s a good idea to sound out your neighbours, too!”

Work out a solid business plan

their money back!” says Ben. “So it’s a very good idea to draw up a good business plan. Getting a professional to plan your forecasts and budgets can mean the di erence between making and breaking a business.”

An e ective, well-thought-out business plan is essential to secure funding from a lender. “Ultimately lenders need to know they’ll get 4 3 2 1 5

Use your farm and its location to its advantage

“Choose something that suits where you are,” says Ben. “For instance, shepherd’s huts will be much more lucrative in a scenic area that already has a high tourist footfall.

“A farm shop is great if you know you’ll get customers, but not if you’re really o the beaten track and there’s

Check planning rules and other restrictions

Most major diversi cations require some form of local authority approval – so do your homework to ensure you know what permission you need.

For instance, you need full planning permission for new builds –but often not for converting existing agricultural buildings. Permitted development rights often negate

Find the right lender

“The best lenders are exible, build personal relationships, get to know you properly, take a genuine interest in what you’re doing and understand how your farm works – not just on paper, but in day-to-day life,” says Ben. “You want someone who will come out and visualise the project with you.

“At Rural Asset Finance we all have a farming background so understand the day-to-day challenges. We help them shape their diversi cation plan into something that works. We know what will t with credit and what will be a ordable, and when, and organise payments that work for everyone. Scheduling repayments in December for a shepherd’s hut business is no good for them or for us!

“We are with them every step of the way. We want the farmer’s diversi cation to work, but not just from a business viewpoint. We have farming in our blood , so we’re really thrilled personally when we see a diversi cation succeed.” FG

Ben Wood, head of sales at specialist agri-lender Rural Asset Finance, o ers advice on how to make a diversi ed business work.

Shepherd’s huts will be much more lucrative in a scenic area that already has a high tourist footfall.

First-gen farmer shares diversification journey

Not growing up in a farming family brings certain freedoms, but there are also challenges, says rst-generation tenant farmer Naomi Williams-Roberts.

Naomi is a former ambassador for NFU Cymru SYFAP (Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors Program), and a host on NFU’s Shed Talks podcast. Her farming journey began with sheep and as the ock grew, she decided to start selling lamb straight from the farm to maximise returns during the pandemic.

The move came at a time when British consumers had regained their appreciation for good quality, homecooked food – especially since dining out and fast food were not an option during the lockdowns.

“Looking to target potential customers directly, I went about establishing our Facebook,” she wrote in a recent NFU blog. “The business operates as ‘Billy Bob’s Farm’. Born from the breaking down of our second name and something my husband’s friend coined us after getting married (which at the time I hoped wouldn’t stick).”

The legal check list to get set up as a food business with the council was simpler than Naomi expected. “Both environmental health and our local council were helpful and o ered clear, simple advice. I did a food hygiene certi cate course online to ensure we were working within the correct means.”

From there, they moved onto marrows and pumpkins – a diversi cation that came about

after Naomi started a vegetable plot, and these were the only crops left untouched when the sheep broke through the fence.

They harvested 50 pumpkins the rst year and sold them via an honesty jar on the farm – then expanded the plot to one acre the next year. Initially planting by hand they soon decided to invest in specialist equipment, as it’s back-breaking work.

That same year, they hosted a Christmas fair in the barn, shared with the turkeys which were in the nal week of fattening, and it turned out to be a fantastic marketing tool for the birds, Naomi said.

The year after that they o ered lambing days for adults and children, and grew sun owers

in the summer, o ering cream teas, bouquets and photo opportunities. The pumpkin patch reopened in autumn and a cinema event helped to set them apart from similar events in the area. Social media has been central to their success, as has working with local media and engaging with in uencers.

Commenting on being a rst-generation farmer, Naomi said: “It’s a orded me the bene t of not being set on someone else’s path. My opinions are my own, not de ned by my father. I also do not sit in the shadow of those who farmed before me. Being a rst-generation tenant farmer allows many freedoms, but every coin has two sides.” FG

Naomi Williams-Roberts. Image: NFU.

LANDOWNERS

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We typically aim to complete purchases within one month of ofer acceptance, removing the lengthy delays and uncertainties commonly associated with the planning process. As we do not rely on third-party funding, we can act decisively and complete transactions swiftly with confdence.

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North Yorkshire livestock and contracting partnership, J P Tunstill & Son, worked with Close Brothers Asset Finance to replace ageing machinery and take on a greater workload, thanks to the company’s tailored nance solutions.

J P Tunstill & Son is a family-run 100-acre farm based in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, with origins stretching back to the early 1900s.

The partnership

on

alongside some private contracting

agreement was created that matched the business’s needs, resulting in the purchase of a New Holland T5.120.

Not only will the new machine boost operational e ciency, but it will mean they can secure more work. By facilitating the replacement of an essential asset – without placing strain on cash ow – Close Brothers Asset Finance has helped solidify the business’s future.

The investment supports both day-to-day e ciency and long-term sustainability, helping the family farm continue its growth and preserving its legacy for future generations. This is just one of the many examples of Close Brothers Asset Finance delivering on its goal of supporting the farming industry in the UK, the company says.

Justin Mumby said: “Working with John and Ian has been a pleasure. Deals like this help to show the true impact that Close Brothers Asset Finance can have, especially within the farming community.”

Farm co-owner John Tunstill added:

“Upgrading our tractor has been a crucial task for us, and with the help of Close Brothers Asset Finance, the process felt very straightforward. Their understanding of our needs and tailored nancial solution meant that we could upgrade without putting the farm under pressure and still take on more work. I could not be happier with their support and look forward to continuing our partnership.”

A combination of contracting and the desire to take on more work made it clear they needed to upgrade their ageing tractor. After working closely with Justin Mumby, relationship manager at Close Brothers Asset Finance, a hire purchase *Lending is subject to eligibility and status.

To nd out more visit: closeasset nance.co.uk FG

is jointly owned by John Tunstill (second generation) and his son Ian Tunstill. Their work focuses primarily

livestock breeding

work.

Opportunities still available for SOLAR PANEL PROJECTS

For those landowners who are too late to apply for the Government’s Clean Power 30 and CP35, for National Grid connections between 2030–35, there are still opportunities to work with commercial buyers looking to move away from fossil fuels. Kate Covill, MD of independent power producer, ILOS Energy, outlines the options.

The Government and the National Energy System Operator reformed the process of applying for Grid connection last year, introducing two dated elements, CP30 and CP35. Another application round is opening in July 2026, but as the process takes up to six months, anyone who has not already started is unlikely to meet the deadline.

However, all is not lost. Commercial organisations such as steel smelters, cement producers, data centres, the food industry and EV parking companies are looking to go green and move away from coal, oil and gas by ‘electrifying’ their operations. This will require a huge amount of electricity. ILOS Energy is working with buyers and nance directors to build solar farms to meet their Scope 2 and net-zero targets. For farmers with land adjacent to these industrial areas, this is an opportunity to develop long-term revenue through their solar farm.

While proximity to industrial areas is useful, the land doesn’t necessarily need to be close to a Grid line for these projects, as there will be

a private cable that runs from the solar farm to the industrial area; up to a maximum of 3km is viable.

ILOS Energy pairs commercial clients seeking dedicated solar parks and battery storage with landowners looking to generate revenue from less pro table land. The company is currently working on projects such as these with science parks, data centres and the cement industry.

Leases are 35–40 years, and commercial projects typically require a smaller amount of power, around 10MW, equating to about 50 acres. Rents for farmers are approximately £1,000/acre per year in the north, and £1,200/acre in the south. The bene t for the corporate consumer is cheaper dedicated power, reduced grid connection costs, no grid charges, whilst meeting ESG and Scope 2 requirements.

Choosing companies such as ILOS, an independent power producer, will cover all the elements required: planning, grid applications, PPA negotiation, EPC management, construction and maintenance. Optimisation and modelling, bespoke to the consumer's energy needs, is highly recommended, Kate says, as these businesses' energy needs are highly complex and must align with the power plant's design. Having all this expertise under one roof removes the need for many expensive consultancies to be involved in negotiating and orchestrating the process, which can lead to delays and complications.

Visit: www.ilos-energy.co.uk or contact the company directly for more information. FG

PREMIUM HONEYCOMB an opportunity for farmers

BIOM beehives explores the opportunities presented by premium honeycomb, as a practical and pro table addition to farm shop ranges.

Introducing premium honeycomb alongside runny honey can be a powerful way for UK farmers and land managers to diversify income,

the experience. Because it is taken straight from the hive with no extraction or processing, it retains pollen, propolis, and beeswax, o ering customers a more complex nutritional pro le and a sense of purity that runny honey cannot fully replicate. Chewing the wax releases avour slowly, and many buyers appreciate the natural compounds found in the comb itself.

For UK farmers and land managers working with the 7.5-litre honey room of HIIVE, honeycomb can also be more e cient. It avoids the need for extraction equipment, reduces handling time, and allows you to sell each comb section at a premium. This positions honeycomb as both a practical and pro table addition to your farm shop range, BIOM beehives says.

especially when working with a limited but high value resource such as the (up to) 7.5-litre/9kg honeycomb production available with HIIVE. With such a controlled, small batch setup, every gram becomes an opportunity to create a product that feels rare, local, and genuinely artisanal – qualities that resonate

strongly in farm shops.

Runny honey already carries well known nutritional bene ts: natural sugars for quick energy, antioxidants that support general wellbeing, and trace vitamins and minerals. Its smooth texture and versatility make it a staple for everyday use. Honeycomb, however, elevates

Interested in diversifying this small income stream? Contact Mike Petersen from BIOM beehives directly for a full cost and break-even analysis before investing in HIIVEs ahead of the 2026 season. While you won’t begin to see an ROI this year, you are taking steps to set yourself up for success next year. FG

Genuine, species-appropriate beekeeping

Promotes the bees’ natural, energy-efficient behaviour

Significantly reduces the bees’ energy consumption

Strengthens bee resilience by minimising stress

Replicates a 300year-old tree while remaining ergonomic

Supports common health checks and Varroa treatments

Encourages the breeding of resilient bees

Diversify with BIOM beehives

Funding for mobile refrigeration

ColdTraila is a leading UK supplier of towable refrigerated/freezer trailers. These trailers range in length from 2.5–6m and are the ideal solution for all large scale cold storage requirements – in most situations requiring only a 13 amp power supply.

Many of ColdTraila’s customers are farm shops and butchery businesses requiring additional

refrigeration, alongside farmers looking to diversify into hiring out these trailers for weddings, festivals etc.

Unlock potential via habitat banking

ColdTraila has also developed and manufactures a bespoke, heavy duty carcase hanging rail system to t inside its range of refrigerated trailers featuring an electric carcase lifting cradle to facilitate safe loading. This conversion has proved to be extremely popular with butchers and particularly so with deer culling contractors, allowing them to complete the cold chain from slaughter in the eld to processing, thus adding additional value to venison.

Habitat banking o ers several key bene ts for farmers and landowners, including the opportunity to generate a reliable long-term income stream through the sale of biodiversity units to developers. By creating or enhancing habitats on their land, farmers can produce units that help developments meet requirements under biodiversity net gain (BNG). Agreements typically last for at least 30 years, providing a stable income while contributing to local nature recovery and improving the environmental value of the land.

measurable gains for biodiversity.

The ecology team at Collington Winter Environmental can help farmers and landowners unlock the potential of their land through habitat banking. Expert-led services include practical site visits and ecological assessments to understand habitat potential and identify opportunities for creating biodiversity units.

The team can help developers understand how BNG requirements may a ect their projects and facilitate the provision of osite biodiversity units through partnerships with participating farmers and landowners.

slaughter in the eld to venison.

With BNG now a mandatory requirement in planning law, demand for biodiversity units is expected to rise steadily. This growing market means farmers and landowners are increasingly well positioned to supply habitat banks that support development while delivering

The recently of grants available opened to applicants in mid-March and

For further information, contact the company directly or visit: www.collingtonwinter.com/farmdiversi cation/ FG

The recently announced 2026 round of grants available through the Rural Payments Agency opened to applicants in mid-March and ColdTraila’s hanging rail trailer is eligible for a 50% contribution under FETF424. FG

Income Through Habitat Banking!

Doing This.

Create sustainable long term habitats on your underutilised land such as wildflower grassland, scrub,

and woodland for a minimum 30 year period. Supports the Farm Business while improving Biodiversity.

We survey your land and measure potential uplift in Biodiversity Credits, Provide clear advice on likely value and combining with other agri-environmental schemes where appropriate, You stay in control of your land and can even continue current management practices.

With hands-on experience and specialist planning expertise, we guide you through every step – ensuring your farm benefits financially, while supporting vital environmental goals. We don’t just offer a service; we offer a partnership built on shared values, practical insight and a genuine respect for the land you work upon.

Wheat and livestock pricing guide

The wheat futures, cattle, pig and lamb prices as at or around 7th March 2026.

Each month, Farmers Guide publishes a summary showing the London Feed Wheat Futures, overall all-prime cattle deadweight, GB Standard Pig Price (SPP), and deadweight lamb average prices as provided by Openfield (grain) and AHDB (livestock).

This month's data covers the period from March 2025 to early March 2026 or longer, to allow a simple comparison of prices across the year and highlight any trends. The prices shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. FG

London Feed Wheat Futures for May 2026

The majority of sewage sludge produced by water and sewerage companies (94.4%) is currently reused on 1.9% of the UK’s agricultural land, as a vital source of plant nutrients and organic matter.

While government policy has long favoured this use as the best environmental option in most circumstances, a recent consultation proposed changes to the regulatory framework. Those in favour of reform argue that while sewage sludge is tested for heavy metals, it is not tested for other potential contaminants such as microplastics, pharmaceuticals and PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), which have emerged since the regulations were implemented in 1989.

However, farmers are concerned that revisions could lead to more red tape and increased reliance on bagged fertilisers, at a time when input costs are high and margins remain tight. It also raises questions over who will pay for the cost of increased regulation, testing and treatment.

Saving costs and boosting OM

Fourth-generation farmer William Oliver, who farms on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border, has been using treated biosolids for around ve years, spreading and incorporating it into the soil before planting maize. The 810ha arable and poultry farm grows wheat, maize and winter beans for animal feed.

Using biosolids has saved £14,000 on bagged fertiliser this season – a gure which is likely to rise going forward as a result of the con ict in Iran, which is having a knock-on impact on fertiliser prices. Organic matter on the farm is also

future

What does the hold for sewage sludge?

Government proposals to tighten the rules around the application of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) on agricultural land have prompted concern among farmers that this could lead to an increase in reliance on bagged fertiliser. Sarah Kidby reports.

rising, thanks in part to biosolids, along with the farm’s general practices.

Biosolids are used rotationally on the farm and soils are regularly tested to ensure they are used to best e ect. Storage can be an issue during wet winters, but Will said the water companies will assess the site, take soil samples and ensure the site of the heap is safe.

Commenting on concerns around environmental contamination and human health, Will pointed out that sewage sludge is not used on crops that will go directly for human consumption, and in their case, crops are for animal feed only.

If the rules are tightened up, Will said: “If we didn’t have sludge, the alternative is to buy in bagged fertiliser, and it’s as simple as that really. The job’s tight enough anyway, and with the war [in Iran], it’s very volatile.”

Will also pointed out that sludge is a waste product and it has to go somewhere. There are two dedicated sewage sludge incinerators in the UK, but they are already at capacity, and this method of disposal comes with air quality issues, he said. “It’s not the holy grail. So until there's some innovative way that we can burn or utilise it, then [spreading on agricultural land] is actually a really e ective use. There's a lot of energy and fertiliser in that product that we can reuse.”

Government proposals

DEFRA’s consultation, which ran until the end of March, explored three options: bringing sludge regulations under environmental permitting; amending the current regulations to introduce a

charging scheme; or updating requirements as and when the evidence supports this rather than through regulation.

DEFRA also acknowledged that further research is needed to determine the best way to mitigate potential contaminants in waste water and sludge. The water industry is trialling new treatment technologies for sewage sludge.

Alex Adam, deputy director of strategy & stewardship at The Rivers Trust, said it’s important to acknowledge that this is a very complicated area.

“We know it’s complicated, we know it's a valuable nutrient source, but like any nutrient, it needs to be applied appropriately. There are also some really big unknowns in this space [...]. I don’t think we know what the scale of its use is at the moment and we don't know where it's being applied and to what quantity, so I think the Environmental Permitting Regulations will provide a useful step towards having that clarity.”

He added: “The ultimate solution is we deal with this problem upstream, because we need to make the polluters pay e ectively. In Germany, through the Wastewater Treatment Directive, pharmaceutical companies are having to contribute something like 80% to additional wastewater treatment works.”

NFU’s president Tom Bradshaw said the issue must be addressed across the whole water supply chain, with investment from industry and government in research and technology.

He welcomed the government’s rst ever PFAS plan, while stressing that sludge is a valuable input, forming part of the circular economy – and importantly, regulatory change must not place additional costs burdens on farm businesses, many of whom are already struggling to remain pro table. FG

Mixed farmer Will Oliver says he has been using sewage sludge for ve years.

FORTHCOMING AGRICULTURAL SALES

PR3 1BN

TIMED ONLINE AUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, FORAGE HARVESTER, GRASSLAND MACHINERY, TRAILERS, SLURRY EQUIPMENT AND SPREADERS, ARABLE MACHINERY AND ATTACHMENTS

To Include: Tractors: 2024 Massey Ferguson 7S190 50kph front linkage & PTO, 2024 Massey Ferguson 7S190 50kph front linkage & PTO, 2023 Massey Ferguson 7S180 50kph front linkage & PTO, 2023 Massey Ferguson 7S190 50kph front linkage & PTO, 2002 Massey Ferguson 4245, 1991 Massey Ferguson 3080, 1997 Massey Ferguson 390T Forage Harvester: 2020 Claas Jaguar 950 with grass reel (1,990hrs), 2021 Claas 600P whole crop header Telescopic Loaders: 2022 Manitou 630-115 Elite, 2018 Merlo TF42.7 140CS Grassland Machinery: 2022 Claas 9300TR and 3200 triple mower sets (2), 2022 Claas Liner 4800 4rotor rake, 2019 Claas 1300T tedder, 2018 Krone KWT1300 tedder, Claas Volto 770 tedder Trailers: 2023 Broughan 20 16t silage trailer(2), 2022 Broughan 20 16t silage trailer, Umbilical & Spreaders: Vredo 7.2m slurry injector (2) 2020 Slurrykat 12m dribble bar, TSG 12m dribble bar, 2018 Storth 1,000m x 5in reeler, 2021 Storth Doda pump, 2023 TSG stirrer, 2024/3 Gissing 800 front reeler(2), 2023 Gissing bobbin reel, 2024 Conor 3,500gal tanker(2) Cultivation: 2022 Alpego DK-600R8P 6m power harrow, 2015 Kuhn Vari Master 123 plough, Also: grassland machinery, spares and silage forks.

COMMENCES: TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 2026 FROM 10.00AM

FINISHES: THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2026 FROM 10.00AM

VIEWING DAY: FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2026 10.00AM - 4.00PM

MANOR FARM, ROCKSHILL ROAD, BEDFORD, MK43 0QG

TIMED ONLINE AUCTION SALE OF AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, COMBINE HARVESTER, ARABLE MACHINERY AND ATTACHMENTS

To include: Tractors: 2023 Fendt 942 (1600hrs), 2021 JCB Fastrac 4220 (3097hrs), 2008 Mercedes Benz U400 Unimog (180,497km) Combine Harvester: 2016 Claas Lexion 780TT (Eng: 3171hrs/Drum: 2097hrs) with 2021 MacDon FD140 draper header, 12m Sprayer: 2009 Bateman RB55 5000ltr 36m Contour Sprayer (8248hrs), Horstine Avadex 36m applicator to suit RB35 and RB55, 2022 Bailey 18,000ltr bowser Implements & Machinery: Drills: 2010 Vaderstad Rapid A600S 6m, John Dale 12m Arable: 2021 Grange LDT toolbar, 6m, 2015 Claydon Straw Rake, 12m, 2015 Kelly MPH 12000 Multi Purpose Harrow, 12m, Wilrich cultivator, 12m, Triple K cultivator, 8m, 1999 Kuhn power harrow, 6m, Maschio power harrow, 3.65m, Simba Double Press 6.6m, Simba 5leg subsoiler, 3m, Taylor Gent 7leg flatlift, 3.5m, Parmiter zig-zag harrows, 12m, Parmiter tool carrier, Miles single leg mole plough, Shelton CT150 trencher, Herbst gravel cart, Grassland: Claas Disco 3200 Profil front mower conditioner, Claas Disco 3050 rear mower conditioner Trailers: 2003 Horsch UW 160 chaser bin, 2no. Wootton 16tonne, Western 16tonne, Easterby 11tonne, 1983 Salop 8tonne hi-tip Vehicles: 1999/98 Land Rover 110 300tdi, 2014 John Deere 855D gator Also: front weights, spares etc Included by Kind Permission: 2016 John Deere 7310R, 2019 Case Axial Flow 8250 (FD235 MacDon), 2015 Vaderstad CS420, 2016 Weaving GD6000T, Triton Drill

COMMENCES: MONDAY 30TH MARCH 2026 FROM 10.00AM FINISHES: THURSDAY 9TH APRIL 2026 FROM 10.00AM VIEWING DAY: WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL 2026 10.00AM - 4.00PM

CONSIGN NOW TO

TIMED ONLINE AUCTION OF SPORTS TURF CONTRACTING EQUIPMENT TO INCLUDE DRAINAGE, RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE MACHINERY

To include: Vehicles & Tractors: 2016 Kubota L5040 compact tractor (960hrs), 2011 Scania P280 P-SRS D beavertail (573,090km), 2016 Iseki SXG326H ride on mower collector Implements: 2023/20 Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7626 aerator, 2014 Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7416 aerator, 2020 Vredo Sport 225.03.5 disc seeder, Vredo 222.07.5 disc seeder, 2022 KORO FTM 2.5 field top maker with universe rotor and Terraplane rotor, 2022/2020 Amazone Groundkeeper GHS2100 mower collector, 2020 Redexim Blec Rotor Rake 3000 store rake, 2022 AFT 75 Whizz Wheel trencher, 2023 Shelton 6t Universal sand and gravel hopper, 2010 Dakota SM810 laser grader 2.4m, 2021 Hardi NK 600ltr 12m sprayer, 2no Vicon PS225 fertiliser spreader, 2017 Weaving Aguirre fertiliser spreader, 2019 Bailey (Shelton) 5tonne dump trailer, 2018 Warwick 5tonne dump trailer, Blec TurfMaker TM8 seeder, Barber Stone picker, 2002 Maschio DC2500 power harrow, 2012 Maschio C250 rotavator, Blec Harley TM8 rake, Grays flat roll 8ft, Port Agri Roller Mower 8ft Also: turf tyres, GPS guidance equipment and associated spares. On Instructions from Woodward Turf Care

COMMENCES: WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL 2026 FROM 10.00AM

FINISHES: WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL 2026 FROM 10.00AM

VIEWING DAY: WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL 2026 10.00AM - 4.00PM

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY SALE

NEXT SALE: MONDAY 13TH APRIL

Buyers from over 50 countries 30,000 registered bidders worldwide Up to 500 tractors for sale every month

1,500 lots of agricultural and horticultural machinery sold at every sale

ONLINE AUCTION ONLINE AUCTION

On Instructions from Woodborough Park At Woodborough Park, Calverton Road, Nottinghamshire, Near NG5 8PX

Starts Thurs 2nd April 2026 at 7am

Closes on Thurs 9th April 2026 from 12 Noon

Including: Tractors: Massey Ferguson 7718 Dyna-6 50kph (18), Massey Ferguson 7626 Dyna-6 50kph (14), Case MX120 (00); Self-Propelled Sprayer: Bateman RB25 24m with 3,000l tank (05); Materials Handler: Manitou MLT735-120 Classic (13); Excavator: JCB 804 3.3t; Trailers: AS Marston ACE 12t grain (08), Warwick 15t grain (99), Bailey flat bed 33 (00); Vehicles: Peugeot Partner van (99); Implements & Equipment: PZ Zweegers twin rotor haybob, McConnel Rhino Topper 9, Agrimaster KN280 flail (12), Tillso Advantage 7 leg subsoiler, Vaderstad Carrier 420 (13), Vaderstad Rapid 300S Super XL drill (04), Covenbrook Triton 3m drill with Guttler packer (21), Vaderstad Rollex 620 Cambridge rolls (00); Misc Equipment: Oxdale log splitter, Smart Stakka hopper, Stocks AG Fan Jet applicators, Quantity game rearing pen sections, game feeders and drinkers, 2No Philip Watkins 1200kg weight blocks (21), PTO driven generator etc.

On Instructions from Wainfeet Produce Ltd At Small End Road, Friskney, Boston, Lincolnshire PE22 8PF

Starts Thurs 16th April 2026 at 7am

Closes on Tues 21st April 2026 from 12 Noon

Including: Tractors: New Holland TD5.85 with wrap around harvesting arm (17), Zetor Proxima 85 with wrap around harvesting arm (10), Kubota B6000 4wd (77); Trailers: 5No 8 pallet single axle packing, Keith Collingwood 10 pallet packing; Implements & Equipment: Dowdeswell DP7E 6f rev. plough (02), Kongskilde Vibro-Corn interrow cultivator, Opico Comb-harrow 6m, Rundle 4m Cambridge roll, Claydon SR 3.45m direct drill (08), DW Tomlin 10 row Pelican planter with transport low loader, 9 and 12 6in springtine cultivator; Packhouse Equipment: ICE-Systems 2.5t flake ice machine, quantity polystyrene ice boxes, various flat and swan neck conveyors, roller tables, Tong swan neck bag filler, Walthambury 325 bag filler, Walthambury bag stitching line with Newlong stitching unit, SmiPack T450 vacuum packer; Misc Equipment: Fyson 40 elevator, various fleece/net coverings, winding reels, Grimme GT170S 45mm and 50mm main webs, Tong grading screens etc.

ON SITE AUCTION

On Instructions from Aitken & Merry At Hardwick Lodge Farm, Great North Road, Great Casterton, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 4AQ On Thurs 16th April 2026 at 10:30am

Viewing from 10am until 4pm on Weds 15th April 2026

Including: Tractors: John Deere 6930 40kph (10), John Deere 7530 40kph (09), John Deere 7810 (02), John Deere 8400 (00), Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee Gen III (90), Massey Ferguson 65; Crawler: Claas Challenger 95E (00); Trailers: Bailey TB2 18t grain (23), Bailey 18t grain (17); Materials Handler: JCB 435 loading shovel (90) with attachments; Sprayers: Knight 3500l 24m self-propelled (09), Chafer Guardian 4000 24m trailed (09); Cultivation Equipment: Simba CultiPress 4.6m (99), Simba 23C discs (99), Cousins Contour 12m Cambridge rolls, Kverneland TS EVO 6m tine drill (09), John Deere 750A 6m disc drill (10), Kongskilde Vibroflex 6m, Dowdeswell DP250S 9f rev wagon plough (93), Dowdeswell DP7E 6f rev plough (97), Sumo Trio 3.5, Amazone ZAM 1200 24m fert spreader (06); Misc: Quantity misc. workshop equipment, implement spares, welders, pneumatic seeders etc.

George Watchorn St Neots 07919 015675 george.watchorn@brown-co.com

FORTHCOMING AGRICULTURAL SALES

Dispersal Sale of Vintage, Classic and Modern Farm Machinery, Equipment and Vehicles with Included Lots

On behalf of the administrator in the estate of John Ingate Dec’d to be held at Priory Farm, Chediston Road, Chediston, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 0BD on Wednesday 22 April 2026 commencing at 10.30am nd

Viewing 1pm to 5pm on Tuesday 21 April st and on the morning of the sale

To inlcude:- Combine: (04) Claas Lexion 520 combine with V600 header; Tractors: (02) Renault Ares 696RZ, (85) Ford TW35, (82), Ford 8200, (80) Ford 8100, Ford 7600, (69) Ford 4000, Fordson Major, 3 x MF 135, MF 35 c/w fore end loader, (55) Ferguson TEF20, (58) Fowler Challenger Crawler 22, (68) MF 65; Vehicles: Capri Laser 2L XE Trim, Land Rover Discovery; Various Machinery & Equipment: including trailers, tillage equipment, wheels & tyres, vintage items, spares & sundries, Dutch Barn & building materials.

Catalogues available at www.durrants.com or from the auctioneers T: 01379 646602 Email: machinery@durrants.com or contact Richard Prentice M: 07803 089558

Benington, Boston, Lincs, PE22 0DS

Saturday 2nd May 10.30am

MF 5465 Dyno-4 tractor (2011) c/w Trima 4 P loader (on farm since new 6200 hrs), BT Cargo ind. gas forklift, Fergy TE20 pp tractor (1949 runner), Ford Transit 3.5T Tipper truck, (2019-MOT), Maschio SC 280 rotov (go), Steketee TRS 6m folding 10 row skerry, Khun & Lely 3m power harrows, Stripe Agri SMI-E 220 offset flail, Tomlin triple & single leg subsoilers, Dowdeswell DP8A&B 4f & SFDP 5f ploughs, Blaney 4.5m folding weed wiper (vgo), 4m spring tine cult, Marsk Stig 7ft drags, cambridge & flat rolls, discs, Fergy Butterfly,& Ransomes 2f ploughs, Fergy & Ransomes mtd finger mowers, mtd back hoe digger, tailslave forklift, Pettit 3T carts, Hardi 600L sprayer, Pearson potato ridger, Tong soil elev, Machine fabriek 9m root elevator, Bomford flail head, compact tractor mowers, garden rotovators, barrows, Stocks dual & DB row crop wheels, Ifor Williams 3.5T tandem axle trailer, horse box, diesel tank, chitting & pallet boxes, pto wood chipper, dust extractor, wheeled strimmer, IBC tank, telegraph poles, roller-table, field gates, pig trough, top link, hand tools, water pumps, millstones, MF 45kg tractor & 56lb weights, tractor beacon, Dowdeswell spares cart sheets.

Viewing: Friday 1st May noon – 6pm For a catalogue go to: www.wsurveyors.co.uk

Complete Dispersal of Farm Machinery & Implements on behalf of AM & JE Kirby on retirement.

Location: Greetham Lodge Farm, Greetham Road, Stretton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7QY.

what3words: trifling.brilliant.skirt.

Viewing: Friday 17th April 2026 10am to 3pm.

Auction: Saturday 18th April 2026 from 10am.

Approx 250 lots:

Vehicles: JD6170 (2012); Valtra N101 (2008); MF390 (1990); MF390 (1992); JCB411 Loader (1998); JCB 3CX (1993); MF290 (1982); JCB812 Excavator (1988)

Trailers: Krone MX320 GL forage wagon (2012); 45ft triaxle lorry trailer on air suspension; BWA 2,500g slurry tanker; Large hM muck trailer; Ifor Williams 12ft Trailer; Ifor Williams 12ft livestock trailer; 23ft 4 wheel bale trailer. Machinery: McHale Proglide Mower Conditioner (2018); KUHN single rotor rake (2012); Lely Lotus 300 hay tedder; Browns 6m grass harrow with seeder; Ransome discs; BomfordB407 flail hedge cutter; Kuhn Primor 3570M straw bedder.

There

FORTHCOMING AGRICULTURAL SALES

01302 243925

Auction Sale of Arable and Potato Machinery and Equipment

at Jubilee Farm, Retford Road, Blyth, Nottinghamshire, S81 8EU on Thursday 23 April 2026 to commence at 10:30 prompt

Including: Combine: Massey Ferguson Ideal 8T (21). Tractors: Massey Ferguson 8740S DynaVT (18); Massey Ferguson 7720S DynaVT (20); Massey Ferguson 7718S Dyna6 (20); Challenger MT775E (17). Material Handler & Attachments: JCB Loadall 530 70 Farm Special Super (03); numerous attachments. Potato Harvester & Equipment: Grimme Varitron 200 (11); Kverneland 2 body ridger; Kverneland rotary bed tiller; 4no. elevators; qty 1 tonne potato boxes. Drills, spreaders & sprayer: Chafer

Interceptor 4000 (20); Horsch Pronto 8DC (15); Amazone fert spreader (10); Horstine Farmery Microband. Irrigation equipment: Makin Trailers water bowser (99); 4no. Wright Rain hose reel irrigators; qty of 4in & 6in pipes, bends, hydrants and stoppers; irrigation pump. Trailers: Watkins flatbed trailer (11); 2no. Triffitt root crop trailers. Cultivation equipment: Philip Watkins Quadtill Lite (17); Kverneland NG-S 101 F35 power harrow (12); Kverneland EG 85 5f plough (95).

For a complete listing of all the equipment on sale visit www.fishergerman.co.uk

To register, photographic identification will be required. Viewing on Wednesday 22 April 2026 10:00 until 16:00 and on the Auction Day.

Agri Plant Van and Car Salvage Auction Every Tuesday and Thursday Scan the QR Code for full auction

Including: 2020 Ford Transit Connect Van, 2015 Citroen Berlingo, 2011 SIP STAR 400/11 Rake, Honda Quad (spares only), JCB Loadall Farm Special Plus (spares only), 2018 Mercedes VITO Van (spares only), 2016 Volkswagen Crafter Luton Van, Claas Liner 780 Profil Rake, Honda Foreman 4x4 Quad, 2016 Mercedes VITO Van, 2021 Peugeot Boxer Van, 2018 Renault Trafic Sport Van, Kverneland CTS 3M Cultivator, Joskin Tanker, Tuff Livestock Trailer, 2022 BMW X1 5 Door, 2019 Solis 50 RX Compact Tractor, Polaris Sportsman 570 EFI Quad, 2020 BMW 3 Series Hybrid Electric 4 Door Saloon, 2024 CF Moto UForce 600 Gator, Slurry Kat Slurry Tanker, 2024 Mercedes Sprinter Refrigerated Van, 2023 Merlo 33.7 Turbo Farmer, 2025 Iveco Daily Dropside, 2020 Kramer KT 356 Telehandler, 2024 Vervat Quad 550, 2022 Peugeot Partner Van, AW Trailer, 2016 Ford Ranger Pick Up, 2018 Vauxhall Corsa Car Derived Van, 2015 Mercedes Sprinter Van, 2021 Ford Transit Custom Van (spares only), 2020 Volkswagen Caddy Van (spares only), 2007 Kuhn MDS 735 M Fertiliser Spreader, 2007 Belair Brick 2048 DE, 2017 Mercedes Sprinter Luton Van, 2007 Citroen Dispatch Van, 2015 Vauxhall Combo Van (spares only), 2014 Vauxhall Corsa Car Derived Van (spares only), 2012 Ford Transit Van, 2017 Ford Transit Van, 2021 Maxus Deliver 9 Van (spares only), 2010 Mitsubishi L200 Pick Up, Ford Transit Custom Van (spares only), 2010 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Van, 2008 Suzuki Swift 3 Door Hatchback, Ifor Williams DP120 Stock Trailer, 2015 Ford Transit Courier Van, 2016 Vauxhall Vivaro Van, 2018 Vauxhall Vivaro Van, 2010 Vauxhall Vivaro Van, 2015 Peugeot Expert Van, 2010 Vauxhall Vivaro Van, 2009 Mitsubishi Shogun (spares only), Fordson Major Tractor, Fordson Super Major With Front Loader, Tracked Digger With Back Hoe And Four In One Bucket, McConnell Saw Bench, PTO Driven Log Splitter, 1993 Roadless, Forestry Winch, Ford County 1164

KAWASAKI Brute Force 300, 2wd, very tidy, road registered, have log book in my name. £1,900+VAT. J Ramsey Tel 01653 628366 (North Yorkshire)

KAWASAKI 400, runs well, old type. £1,700. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

HONDA 520, old, not running. £1,400. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

ARCTIC CAT quad bike, been rolled, non running, road regd, 15 plate, 800mls. £1,900. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

KAWASAKI Mule Trans diesel 4010 4×4, 2012, 2 or 4 seater, 1250hrs, all in really good order, serviced regularly myself. £4,000 no VAT. P Hosking Tel 07512 453600 (Dorset)

HONDA TR400 quad bike, 200, for spares & repairs, engine & gearbox in good working order, open to sensible offers. £500 ono. C Hicks Tel 07766 088726 (Berkshire)

McHALE 995 TSR square/round bale wrapper with Lupton Power Pack, 2014, in good condition, fully automatic with radio remote control, a stand-alone diesel powered, 27,000 bales, owned from new, retirement sale. £7,500+VAT. M Fleming Tel 07881913725 (Lincolnshire) NEW HOLLAND BR7070 round baler, 2008, 23,000 bales, Superfeed pick up reel, always dry stored, owned for the last 10yrs. A Youngman Tel 07732 042213 (Suffolk)

CASE-IH LB334P square baler packer, 80x90, 2017, hyd chute, 710/45 R22.5 flotation tyres, full & partial bale eject, moisture meter, auto greaser/oiler, cameras, applicator tank, 71,000 bales, good condition, owned since new, retirement. £42,000+VAT. M Fleming Tel 07881 913725 (Lincolnshire)

ALBUTT round bale grab, very strong, not done a lot of work, still has paint on arms, c/w euro 8 brackets but could come with JCB tool carrier instead. £995+VAT. A Clarke Tel 07708 205708 (Norfolk)

WELGER AP630 conventional baler, 1997, in good working order & good condition, always barn stored & serviced last season. £8,500+VAT ono. K MorganJones Tel 07850 906495/07805 373164 (Bedfordshire)

BROWNS Eagle heavy duty bale grab, f/w twin hydraulic rams, new cone & pin brackets, very good condition. £1,500+VAT. L Rich Tel 07774 112211 (Gloucestershire)

McHALE small square 995LM bale wrapper, c/w 6 rolls of wrap, very good condition. £2,475. M Robson Tel 07801 885520 (North Yorkshire)

LELY WELGER AP830 conventional baler, 2010, high output, c/w hydraulic reel lift & drawbar, owner operated on a small farm & in exceptional condition.

£11,500+VAT. DG & MJ Newby Tel 07767 834684 (Norfolk)

HEAVY duty round bale soft hands gripper, 2020, fittings for horndraulic load, but can be changed to fit euro fittings, excellent, etc. £550 ono. J Fielder Tel 07836 210587 (Norfolk)

KUHN FB 3130 Power Track round baler with chopper, 19800 bales, owner operated from new, change of policy forces reluctant sale, been a very good machine, done more hay than silage. £16,500. I Mitchell Tel 07968 764581 (East Yorkshire)

BALE grab, Manitou brackets, working order, good condition. £950 no VAT. R Butler Tel 07776 257257 (Essex)

FLAT 10 bale grab, 2000, working order, Manitou brackets. £950 no VAT. R Butler Tel 07776 257257 (Essex)

NEW HOLLAND 1290 Plus Loop Master, 2020, full & part bale eject moisture meter, electric bale length, weigher, roller chute, auto greaser, full worklights, camera, well maintained, owner driver from new, vgc. £58,000. S Dudley Tel 07860 599377 (Essex)

56 BALE carrier. £250 ono. R Smith Tel 07748 682081/01206 251526 (Essex) BARRELS & DRUMS

Slurrykat

DIGGERS / DOZERS / DUMPERS (cont)

DECK weight to fit JCB 2000/3000 model, c/w brackets & fixings plus tray, weights 1.5T. £1,500+VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)

DIGGER BUCKET, 23" wide, 45mm pins. £120. A Eastland Tel 07736 698511 (Northamptonshire)

DOORS

HENDERSON sliding concertina door, 3m high, 2.9m wide when open, c/w all tracks, lock & keys, 3.4m wide frame, c/w instructions. £500. R Hamilton Tel 07808 957625 (Cambridgeshire)

DRILLS

JUKO grain 4m drill, tramlines, pre em markers, hydraulic markers, control box & instruction book. £250+VAT. B Ward Tel 07734 007765 (Lincolnshire)

MONOSEM front fertiliser tank & coulters, 2007, off an 8 row Monosem maize drill but could be used for others, c/w f/tank with mechanical metering, 8 disc coulters & brackets, stack & distributor head, pipework, excellent condition. £10,000+VAT ono. G Fewtrell Tel 07833 344819 (Merseyside)

VADERSTAD 6m Rapid S drill, full spec, 2021, c/w seed eye, variable seed rate & section control, it's done 1410ha, excellent condition, can be used on Isobus or with iPad, which is included. £80,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769 664940 (Buckinghamshire)

VADERSTAD CRD300 Carrier seed drill, 2013, 2 in one machine, cultivator & drill all in 1, rubber packer at the rear, f/levelling boards, drawbar removable to make into mounted version, in very good condition, hardly been used. £11,750. P Carrington Tel 07964 186152 (Nottinghamshire)

PREDATOR King Pro horse poo sucker, used for leaves, gwo. £2,250. C Goater Tel 07979 556169 (Wiltshire)

FENCING & GATES

WOLSELEY electric fencer (3 strand wire system), needs 6V battery. £40. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

1999 John Deere 750A 3m trailed no till drill, c/w bout markers, nearly new discs (80 acres), hopper ext (holds 1T wheat), upgraded to RDS, electric drive, variable rate & Artemis control screen (cost £4K), tramlining, serviced, gwo. £18,500+VAT. P Batt Tel 07592 592727 (Kent)

STANHAY 785 mini air drill, in good working order. £2,500+VAT ono. J Pashley Tel 07506 504354 (Derbyshire)

QUANTOCK post banger, Contractors model with telescopic boom & swing round, nearly new rope. £950 ono. P Misselbrook Tel 07889 489412 (Hertfordshire)

GASPARDO 6 row maize drill, 2005, 75cm row width, several other discs for different seeds, disc seed coulter, Suffolk type fert coulter. £4,250+VAT. J Runciman Tel 07795 548648 (Norfolk) 07425 486684 cranmoretractors@gmail.com

(Cambridgeshire)

WEAVING GD3000M small seed hopper, 2021, good discs & bearings, Isobus, 892ha, 166mm row spacing. £22,500+VAT. D Thorogood Tel 07725 996232 (Cambridgeshire)

AMAZONE D940 4m drill, manufactured 2004, 4m wide, good working order, last used 2025. R Lee Tel 07880 714190 (Cambridgeshire)

2009 Claydon mounted direct drill, 3.45m, Sulky drill box, very tidy drill. £10,950+VAT. P Scott Tel 07980 921341 (Lincolnshire)

CITROEN Relay diesel horsebox 3.5T, 2006, refurbished, 118,750mls, manual 5 spd, plenty of storage, 2 horse r/facing adj partitions, anti-weave bars, adj tie up rings, rubber flooring & sides (replaced 2023), economical, easy drive. £10,399 ono. T Wardall Tel 01827 872318 (Warwickshire)

shearbolt legs,

Cousins 7 Leg V-Form Linkage Mounted Subsoiler 2023, new metal, razor ring packer 90%, Cat 3/4, excellent condition Twose Consolidator

Twin Axle Bunded

Drawn Fuel Bowser

Kverneland/Accord Optima HD

Row Trailed Maize Drill

Kverneland H Series 4m Power Harrow 2018, tines 75%, 600mm packer roller, wheel eradicators, immaculate condition

Water Bowser for Crop Spraying

Marshall Tran-FT-28

Trailer

Amazone AD-P 3000 Speicial

Combination Drill

Kuhn HR 4030 Rigid Power Harrow 2018, new tines, 320hp gearbox, hydraulic clod board & packer, top spec and immaculate

Hubert 2145 7+1 Plough 2016, on land/in furrow, DD bodies, Cat 3 or 4 headstock, suit track or wheel tractor

Simba 3m Xpress Cultivator with ST bar 2012, all metal 90%, little use

Kuhn NCR 5000 5m Folding Power Harrow Drill Combination 2014, only 3300ha, 1200kg rear hopper, Seed ex double disc coulters with

Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm

Saturday: 7.30am – 11.30am (Seasonal)

ACCEPT NO

OTHERS JUST PAINT MACHINES AND DO WHAT THEY THINK NEEDS DOING...

Refurbished Power Harrows:

• All New Bearings and Seals in the Trough and Gearbox

• Blade Holders All New are fitted

• New Genuine Kuhn Tines fitted

• New Packer Roller Kit fitted

• Shot Blasted, Repainted and New Stickers

• New PTO and Guards fitted as standard

• Models of Power Harrows used:

HR3001, HR3002, HR3003, HR4001, HR4002, HR4003 and HR4004

• Front or Rear Levelling Board as standard

• Cam Clutch new fitted on all machines

• Wheel Track Eradicators are available as an optional extra

All Seed Drills Totally Refurbished:

• New Main Frame with Extra Strength

• New Coulters and Pivot Bushes

• New Metering Device

• Vertical Folding Markers Power Harrow mounted

• New Disc Marker Pivots and Discs

• All New Hoses and Hopper Cover

• New Hopper Extension and Double Step

• Tramliner c/w 2 or 4 Shut Offs and Low Level Sensor

• All Shot Blasted, Repainted and New Stickers

• S-Type Following Harrow Standard on complete combinations

• 2 Rows of Coulters as standard – 3 rows optional extra

• Pre Emergence Markers available as an extra

• Hydraulic Coulter Lift available as an extra

3m – from £14,650

Kuhn 3001 3002 3003

Power Harrow:

• New Maxi Packer Roller & Clod Board

• Accord 3m DA Seed Drill c/w Tramliner

• 2 row Suffolk Coulters

• Vertical Folding Markers fitted on harrow

• Hopper Extension

• Step and S-Harrow

4m – from £16,500

Kuhn 4001 4002 4003

Power Harrow:

• New Maxi Packer Roller & Clod Board

• Accord 4M DA Seed Drill c/w Tramliner

• 2 row Suffolk Coulters

Refurbished Combinations Email:

• Vertical Folding Markers fitted on Harrow

• Hopper Extension

• Step and S-Harrow

12 Months Warranty on our combis

with ordinary lightweight harrows/ scarifiers. GDO Howell 07903 089 391 & 01728 723 683, gdohowell@aol.com.

GSI grain bins (2), 500t each, 15yrs old, immaculate condition, c/w fan & staircase, buyer to dismantle, we can assist with a forklift. £6,000 for the pair. J Pears Tel 07733 033214 (Lincolnshire)

GRASS MACHINERY

6300 grain spear & grain sampler, spear was

season, will sell separately. £650+VAT ono. M Pick Tel 07399 479156 (Leicestershire)

Volto 800 tedder, 2020, in very good condition with road lighting, 7.7m working width,

CRITTAL grain bin walling, 1980, 10' x 32' panels, was 3 bins, c/w corner posts, bottom lips, nuts & bolts, job lot. £800+VAT. A Eastland Tel 07736 698511 (Northamptonshire)

FIFTY-FOOT 6" belt with 5.5" cups, for a grain elevator, c/w man platform. £90. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

KONGSKILDE 50t/hr aspirator grain cleaner, c/w cyclone, very good working order. £1,000 ono. D Noden Tel 01327 260252/07980 566124 (Northamptonshire)

KRONE KW5.52/4x7 Tedder £5,950

2020, 5.5m working width, lights, border spreading control

more photos and full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk

07748 004794 01245 442224

WEAVING chain harrows, had very little use. £1,500+VAT. R Buxton Tel 07785 221195 (Norfolk)

VICON Haybob 300, in very good working order, stored under cover & used as a

wheels

GUJER TG301 trailed compost turner, 3m rotor, 2000L water kit, in cab electric

RYTEC Compact Workbox can be fitted with various options & weights

Used Machinery

CLAAS Axion 810 CMATIC CIS+, 2021, 4070hrs, CVT transmission, front linkage with front spool

auto steer, S10 guidance / Isobus terminal, 4 spool valves, good condition

CLAAS Axion 830 CIS, 2021, 1520hrs, 50kph Hexashift transmission, front linkage, fully suspended cab, proactive front axle

CLAAS Arion 630 CIS, 2013 (63) Arion 630, 3590hrs 40kph, front linkage & PTO, fully suspended cab, good condition

CLAAS Axos 320 CX, 2013, 90hp, 3200hrs, Trimble GPS

KRAMER KT407 telehandler 2021, 6240hrs Manitou headstock, c/w Strimech 8’ rehandling bucket, pallet tines on quick fit frame

SUMO DD3 direct drill, 3m, 2022, markers, very good condition

ALPEGO 3m power harrow drill combination, 2020 RK 300 power harrow (200hp), Jet M 3m drill packer roller, disc coulters, hydraulic coulter lift, excellent condition

HE-VA Combi disc & seeder, 2018, 3m, auto reset, Opico Air 8 seeder, excellent condition

HE-VA Front Roller 600, 2024, 6m front press, hydraulic front locking paddles, 700mm rings, excellent condition

SPEARHEAD Orbital 726T reach mower, 2017, wheel kit

HE-VA Stealth 3m low disturbance cultivator, 600mm V-Profile roller, very good condition

£67,000

£35,000

£25,500

£46,000

£21,000

£20,000

£19,000

£17,000

£16,250

£9,750

BACKUS 16.30 self propelled composter, 2m rotor, driven by tracks, Yanmar diesel engine £9,250

HOMBERG Delta M135 drainjetter, 2008, manual controls, 500m jetting pipe, good condition £9,000

PROFORGE Crimpa Roller 2022,

Ford 7710 2wd 1983, 3 spools, assistor ram, trailer brakes, air seat, ex local estate, engine rebuild & full restoration 2013, private sale

Call David Tricky on 07795 563526

£19,950 no VAT

Ford 2120 c/w Lewis loader 1995, 3233hrs, 40hp, 4wd, Turf tyres, Lewis front loader, Euro headstock

£14,000+VAT

Valtra T154 Active 2019, 3890hrs, 50k, a/brakes, f/axle & cab susp, pivoting fenders, f/linkage & PTO, 3 manual r/spools, a/c, air seat, 650/65R38 tyres, metallic green

£65,000+VAT

Valtra S374 Reverse Drive 2017, 7650hrs, twin track, front linkage, 6 spools rear 2 front, hydraulic top link, GPS ready, Evolution seat

£75,000+VAT

Somerset • Dorset • Wiltshire

Joskin Komfort 12000 tanker, 2016, steering rear axle, air brakes, sprung drawbar, heavy duty rear linkage, injector ready, splash plate, full height sight tube

£19,750+VAT

Sany SY16C mini digger 2022, 639hrs, rubber tracks, canopy, blade, hammer circuit, hitch, 3 buckets

£9,950+VAT

Claas Axion 940 Cmatic 2013, 6865hrs, Cebis screen, front axle & cab suspension, 50K, S10 terminal with RTK guidance, f/linkage, 6 rear valves, electric mirrors, very tidy tractor

£63,000+VAT

Sany SY50U excavator 2022, 168hrs, rubber tracks, blade, hammer circuit, rotate circuit, hitch, grading bucket

£29,500+VAT

Lemken Zirkon 12 Solitair 9 power harrow & dril combi, 2022, new & unused, track eradicators, following harrow, pre-em markers Library image

£72,000+VAT

Fendt Ideal 9T combine 2021, 1350hrs, 40’ Powerflow header & trailer LED w/lights, Pro Sound, radio/bluetooth, deluxe seat, r/cam, VarioGuide, SmartCon dash, f/TrakRide 30″, rear 620/7 Streamer 210, auger 9.15m, straw chopper, chaff spreader POA

Fendt 940 Vario MT 2020, 2398hrs, 30″ AG belts, 6 DUDK rear spools, Power Beyond, f/weights, idler weights, guidance, leather seat, LED lights

£122,000+VAT

Fendt 5275 C Paralevel 2024 ex demo, 6.2m PowerFlow header & trolley, side knife kit,

12T Grain Trailer.’20. Sprung Drawbar and Axles. Hyd Brakes

New, top spec with Starcut blades, full warranty

more photos and full spec at www.writtlefarmmachinery.co.uk

07748 004794 01245 442224

COUNTAX 300H, 36" cut, grass collector, Honda engine. £900 no VAT. P Clarke Tel 07710 775829 (Cambridgeshire)

KUHN GF7902 Gyrotedder, 7.8m 8 rotor tedder, 2015, hydraulic border control, in excellent condition, original tines, owner operated on a small farm. £5,800+VAT ono. DG & MJ Newby Tel 07767 834684 (Norfolk)

£6,550+VAT. A Hill Tel 07767 600319 (Leicestershire)

ZWEEGERS 186 drum mower, dry stored, good working order. £775. M Robson Tel 07801 885520 (North Yorkshire)

KUHN GF502 hay turner/tedder, 5m working width, 2019, owned from new, very good condition. £4,850+VAT. T Wright Tel 07795 484100 (Norfolk)

LELY Splendimo 165 Classic disc mower, 2007, very good condition, always stored inside. £950 no VAT. R Butler Tel 07776 257257 (Essex)

SPEARHEAD Agricut 270, 2015, good working order, well maintained. £1,900 no VAT. R Butler Tel 07776 257257 (Essex)

NEW HOLLAND ProTed 760, 2022, good strong tedder (Kongskilde), good savings from new, good condition, all lights working & no bent marker boards with good decals, 7.6m w/width, 7 arms/rotor, 2 way manual headland steer, done 3 seasons. £6,500 ono. M Goulding Tel 07836 515276 (Hampshire)

TWIN DRUM grass mower, 2008, one owner from new, always dry stored, great condition. £1,100 ono. K Jackson Tel 07768 653077 (Cambridgeshire)

HEDGING & FORESTRY

ROVATTI Pomp 53K100/3E irrigation pump, 1996, mounted on a frame on a single axle chassis, sound insulated cabin, good pump but needs a new engine & diesel tank. £2,000+VAT. J Brocksopp Tel 07974 669997 (Derbyshire)

JOE TURNER EQUIPMENT

JOE TURNER EQUIPMENT

Specialists in hedging & forestry equipment

See our ad on page 77

24-114535

PTO-DRIVEN hole borer, small & large augers, like new. £700. R Dekker Tel 07515 554301 (Suffolk)

NEW JFC & Polypipe, twin walled, perforated & non perforated, 375/600mm diameter, available in 6m lengths, ex Milton Keynes. C Smith Tel 07831 479966 (Buckinghamshire)

DRAGONE flail topper, 1.8m wide, vibrates a bit when behind the tractor, but OK when out to one side. £550+VAT. A Eastland Tel 07736 698511 (Northamptonshire)

KRONE Swadro SW42 rake, 2014, good condition, shed stored, c/w operating instructions. £3,750+VAT ono. D Smart Tel 01223 861482 (Cambridgeshire)

LWC 9' topper, 2023, surplus to requirements as grass now going for hay, not done much, tidy condition. £1,950+VAT. S Bygraves Tel 07973 117993 (Bedfordshire)

WESSEX RM24 mower, working width 2.4m, good all round condition, ready for work. W Hall Tel 07368 639212 (Cambridgeshire)

TOPPER FLAILS, set of 25, to fit McConnel, etc, new & unused, 40mm neck, 120mm cut, 16mm bolt. £200+VAT. F Pearman Tel 07949 274423 (Hertfordshire)

LELY Lotus 300, 2003, like new condition, has to be seen to appreciate, always dry stored, can be run up & tested, only reason for selling is we have upgraded to a bigger version. £1,995 ono. K Jackson Tel 07768 653077 (Cambridgeshire)

HAKKIPILKI 38 Pro wood processor, c/w table, in excellent working order, can be seen working. £12,000+VAT. P Goodfellow Tel 07903 535745 (Dorset)

TWOSE TF500 5m hedgecutter, 2009, owned from new, still on original T flails (don’t need changing), only done 3 days work per year, kept inside, not your usual rusty worn type. £7,750+VAT. S Bygraves Tel 07973 117993 (Bedfordshire)

IRRIGATION/ DRAINAGE

FARROW irrigation aluminium 4” valve elbows, 1980, good condition, choice of 2. £125 ono. L Emery Tel 07730 920884 (Bedfordshire)

irrigation aluminium 4" valve insert (12), 1980, good condition. £125 ono. L Emery Tel 07730 920884 (Bedfordshire)

LIVESTOCK

ABERDEEN Angus bulls, top blood lines, Elite Health, TB4, semen tested, ready to work, choice of 4, 2–3yrs old, Bonshaw Pedigree Angus Colchester. D Kinloch Tel 07748 786073/07718 786218 (Essex)

bulls, polled, Black & Red, Elite Health, TB4 semen tested, 2yrs old, ready to work, Bonshaw herd, Colchester. Heifers & cows with calves also available. D Kinloch Tel 07748 786073/07718 786218 (Essex)

FARROW

LIMOUSIN

COMBINES:

JOHN DEERE: T670i, W540, 9580 WTS, 2066, 2258, 2058, 1188, 1177, 1166, 1085, 1075, 1065, 985, 975, 965, 955

CLAAS: Lexion 780, 760, 600, 580T, 570T, 480, 460, 440, 430, 218, 118, 108, 106, 105, 98, 96, 85, 76, 70

NEW HOLLAND: CR9080, CR980, CX740, TX66, TX68, TX36, TX34, TX32, TF78, TF46, TF44, TF42, 8050, 8040, 1500’s

MASSEY FERGUSON: 7278, 40RS 38, 34, 31, 29

DEUTZ FAHR: 6090, 4090, 4080, 4065, M3630, M3610, M2780, M2680

LAVERDA: 152, M120

CASE: 1660, 1680, 2188, 1460

TRACTORS:

JOHN DEERE: 8520, 8400, 8200T, 7800, 7530, 7430, 6930, 6900, 6800, 6430, 6110, 3650, 3130, 2140, 2040, 1640

NEW HOLLAND: T7.200, TN150

KUBOTA: M7173

FORKLIFTS:

JCB: 531-70, 530-70, 525-58, 520-4, 414, 926

CLAAS: Targo C50, K50 Ranger

MATBRO: Telestar, Teleshift, 280, 270, 250

MANITOU: 2600, MLT 633

MERLO: 40.7, 30.6 Multifarmer, 28.7, 26.6

JOHN DEERE: 3800, 3420, 3415, 3200

TEREX: 250

BALERS:

NEW HOLLAND: 1210, 1010S, D1000, BB960, BB940, 9090, 841, 835, 7070, 750, 740, 654, 650, 644, 640

JOHN DEERE: 680, 644, 592, 590, 582, 578, 575, 550, 342

CASE: RBX435

CLAAS: Quadrant 3200, 2200,1200, Rollant 255, 280, 180, 46, 44, Vari, Hesston 4900, 4800, 4750

WELGER: D6000, D4006, D4000, 520, 435

VICON: MP800, RV1602

MASSEY FERGUSON: No.5, 2190, 2170, 2160, 190, 187, 185

MOWERS:

KUHN: Alterna 500, FC283, FC313

JOHN DEERE: F310R, 328, 228, 131, 1360

POTTINGER: Novacat, Eurocat

KRONE: AM20, 32P, AMT 4000CV, Easycut 32CV, Easycut 2800CV

LELY: Optima 240C, Splendimo 280FC

MAJOR: Toppers

930, 695, 690, 75

& ATV: JOHN DEERE: 865M, 855D, HPX

Mule 4010

LIVESTOCK (cont)

BERKSHIRE weaners, ready for new home, please call, can deliver. £60 each. A Holmes Tel 07760 288612/07740719119 (Suffolk)

HUNTINGFORD Simmentals, Salisbury, proven bulls for sale, excellent temperaments & conformation. POA. C Goater Tel 07979 556169 (Wiltshire)

IBR

Johnes Level 1, BTB Level 10, semen tested, choice of 18 bulls to pick from. From £4,000/head. R Bishop Tel 07884 584991 (Berkshire)

WELSUMMER Bantam hatching eggs, excellent fertility, collection South Lincolnshire or posted via Royal Mail tracked 24. J Palmer Tel 07426 105504 (Lincolnshire)

PEDIGREE Limousin bull, 21 months old, semen tested, from a High Health herd & TB4 area, hetero polled. £4,250. L Enefer Tel 07810 004470 (Norfolk)

PEDIGREE Beef Shorthorn heifers (8), 2yrs old, ready for the bull, High Health status & TB4, Glenariff Pedigree Livestock. N Barrett Tel 01553 672440/07717 821891 (Norfolk)

BEEF SHORTHORN X Galloway heifers (4), by pedigree (sire & dam), would make ideal suckler cows, High Health status & TB4, Glenariff Pedigree Livestock. N Barrett Tel 01553 672440/07717 821891 (Norfolk)

BEEF SHORTHORN bulls, selection being Glenariff Marcello DOB 15/02/18, Glenariff Valiant DOB 04/04/24 & Glenariff Valor DOB 11/04.24, High Health status & TB4, Glenariff Pedigree Livestock. N Barrett Tel 01553 672440/07717 821891 (Norfolk)

ABERDEEN ANGUS X Red Poll bulling heifers for sale. G Proctor Tel 07531 855446 (Norfolk)

BEEF Shorthorn heifers (4), 12 months old, by Chapelton Samuel out of good milky cows, well grown, quiet, High Health herd, BVD & IBR vaccinated, TB4 (last test Sept 2025). £2,000. V St Joseph Tel 07747 847431 (Essex)

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

IFOR Williams 12’ livestock trailer, 2006, lockable hitch, brakes, internal gate divider, spare wheel, sump, lights all working, good condition. £2,900+VAT ono. I Rickatson Tel 07789 691474 (Bedfordshire)

IFOR Williams livestock trailer, small one, ideal for sheep or pigs, two new tyres, plus a spare. £950+VAT. R Garland Tel 07506 605093 (Suffolk)

LODDON feed racks, six 3m x 1.3m

PEDIGREE polled Hereford quality bulls, ready for work, 14–19 months old, good pedigrees, shape, quiet temperament, easy calving, HiHealth, BVD tested & IBR vaccinated, delivery available. £3,500–£4,000. J Speirs Tel 07979 463480 (Bedfordshire)

NANNY GOATS (3), 3/4 years old, good home only. £180 each. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

BOER breeding bucks, pedigree & commercial, 3yo, proven, BBGS registered, pedigree buck also available, small starter herd available with unrelated buck, near Northampton junction 15 M1. £200. P Weston Tel 07947 923844 (Northamptonshire)

DRIED GRAIN maize available, ex farm Milton Keynes, supplied generally whole, although can also arrange kibbling if required, can deliver. C Smith Tel 07831 479966 (Buckinghamshire)

SELECTION of in-lamb purebred ewes & shearlings, due March 7th, produced some real sturdy, lovely looking lambs, very friendly, great conformation on ewes as well as lambs, sired by pedigree rams. £17 ono. I Hans Tel 07476 603604 (Buckinghamshire)

PEDIGREE & commercial Boer goats for sale, featuring strong, hardy & well-bred animals suitable for breeding or meat production, listings include registered doelings, bucks & crossbreeds, with options often featuring white body. £26 ono. I Hans Tel 07476 603604 (Leicestershire)

IAE calf handler, 2015. £250+VAT. R Garland Tel 07506 605093 (Suffolk)

gates for cattle crush rear & 3 race arches, 2010. £550+VAT. R Garland Tel 07506 605093 (Suffolk)

25-FOOT cattle body in good condition, partition door, trailer not included. £3,000. C Mount Tel 07721 379713 (Rutland)

requirements. £275. G Brain Tel 01794 884355/07798 847589 (Wiltshire)

OLD CATTLE CRUSH needs a bit of work & new floor, but perfectly useable, ideal for a few cows. £100 for quick sale. L Manning Tel 07768 090593 (Suffolk)

CHICKEN crates (8). £20 each. R Dekker Tel 07515 554301 (Suffolk) BATEMAN sheep creep feeder, 7'6" long. £200. R Dekker Tel 07515 554301 (Suffolk)

40k PowrQuad, 3 SCVS, tidy tractor, 8,237 hours.

Sprung drawbar and axles, commercial axles, hydraulic tailgate,

2019 Köckerling Jockey 6m Tine Drill - In excellent condition - just 1,678ha.

7290R linkage, hours.

6530 Prem SCVS, VF hours.

T9.560

2018 John Deere 6250R 50kph CommandPro, Ultimate Edition, frnt links & PTO, 8716 hours.

2010 John Deere 6430 Prem Just serviced, 40kph PowrQuad, TLS, 3 SCVS, 9,331 hours.

2015 New Holland TD 5.95 Only 3853 hours! C/w Garford front linkage

2008 CAT TH220B 40kph, pick up hitch, pallet tines, only 5240 hours.

2009 Bailey TAG 12 Ton Hydraulic tailgate, sprung axles and drawbar

2014 Kverneland TS Evo 6m C/w pre-em and bout markers, and front levelling boards, 3450 Ha.

2002 John Deere 6920S Full suspension, 40k PowrQuad, 3 SCVS, tidy tractor, 8,237 hours.

2004 John Deere 6920 Full suspension, 40k PowrQuad, 8400 hours.

2005 John Fitted with suspension.

1990 John A straight example. with in cab

1971 Roadless 75- Showing new, runs

2004 Hitachi 3 Cubic meter capacity and

2011 Western Trailed - Detachable BROCK Campaign Drill - *AVAILABLE Isobus & variable

2014 KRM Sola NS Plus 2311 6m Tine Drill C/w with integrated cultivator

2023 Tuffmac 16ft Tri axle C/w aluminium ramps, in good order!

CASE Fermec 123 2.3T Digger C/w 3 buckets, 16hp Yanmar engine, usable little digger!

New Holland Boomer 25 2020 year, done just 135 hours and in excellent condition.

1991 John Deere 4455 15 speed powershift, c/w pick up hitch and a full set of weights

2011 John Deere 6330 40kph PowrQuad, 3 SCVS, front weights and just 3,691 hours.

2003 New Holland TN75S SuperSteer front axle, only 1901 hours!!

2008 JCB 531-70 Agri Super 130hp engine, tidy condition, pickup hitch. Done 9995 hours.

1995 Easterby 14 ton In excellent condition, hydraulic brakes, fully sprung, super singles

2014 Kverneland 3mCombi Drill - Just 232Ha covered from new! in Excellent condition.

TEAGLE Spiral cement mixer, 2015, hydraulic drive, frame for loader or rear, used for feed mix only, good condition. £1,350+VAT. R Garland Tel 07506 605093 (Suffolk)

SUTON Contractor CH230 road brush, 3 point linkage, hydraulic driven, manual angle adjustment, 2.3m, 2009, good condition. £2,000+VAT. J Brocksopp Tel 07974 669997 (Derbyshire)

HONDA/LOGIC sweeper, new brushes with push brush, brackets & winch to lift. £1,500+VAT ono. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)

JCB 531-70, 18 plate, 3500hrs, non agri, private owner. £28,000. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

JCB 531-70, 2012, around 2000hrs, non agri, private owner. £22,000. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

JCB 531-70, 14 plate, 8000hrs, needs TLC but works, private owner. £15,000. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

KALMAR 2.5t forklift, 1997, great working

private

£1,750 ono. A Austin Tel 07971 840304 (Derbyshire)

soil bucket, on pin & cone, very good straight bucket, had little use, good cutting edge & wearing metal. £1,150. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)

STEELFAB 802 loader, quick hitch, 1.5t loader, 5'6" bucket, 3 line spool, Ford fittings. £550 ono no VAT. B Gould Tel 01638 663310/07894 470640 (Suffolk)

JCB 520-50 compact loadall. 2007, 6200hrs, hydraulic headstock, trailer brakes, a good machine in good condition for age, pallet tines in carriage included. £22,500+VAT. T Wright Tel 07795 484100 (Norfolk)

MILL & MIX

BENTALL roller mill, 3 phase, c/w stand, hopper, control panel. £250 no VAT. R Wale Tel 01773 810442 (Nottinghamshire)

MISCELLANEOUS

BROOK electric motor, 3 phase, 7.5hp, c/w pulley. £50. R Hamilton Tel 07808 957625 (Cambridgeshire)

BROOK electric motor, 3 phase, 5hp. £50. R Hamilton Tel 07808 957625 (Cambridgeshire)

MANITOU MB25C rough terrain forklift, 2wd, 2.5t capacity, old but very capable, with pallet tines, starts well & no oil leaks, been very reliable. £2,450 no VAT. G Howell Tel 07903 089391/01728 723683 (Suffolk)

MANITOU MLT 730-120 LS Powershift, 2003, owned from new, in very good condition (cosmetically & mechanically), just had full 7000hr service. £18,950+VAT. W Haag Tel 07850 729098 (Suffolk)

MUCK & SLURRY

MUCK GRAB with JCB Q-fit brackets, been well used, missing a tine & one is bent, rams don’t leak, ideal for moving branches or logs, had a bit of welding here & there but still does a job.

£650+VAT ono. A Clarke Tel 07708 205708 (Norfolk)

RECO MENGELE manure spreader/ feeder wagon. £1,250+VAT. T Austin Tel 07831 295954 (Cambridgeshire)

MARSHALL muck spreader, 2009. £2,750+VAT. R Goodjohn Tel 07754 233935 (Cambridgeshire)

MARSHALL muck spreader, 2002. £1,750+VAT. R Goodjohn Tel 07754 233935 (Cambridgeshire)

FLAME thrower weed killer in weathered condition. £30. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

SHOTBLASTING gun c/w 20kg of shotblasting grit. £50. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

TAMATWINE+ HD Extra XL 1450 twine, 2024, new, full pallet & 28 loose unopened balls. £1,500+VAT. D Witham Tel 07799 321298 (Norfolk)

SLURRYKAT 9m dribble bar, good condition. £8,250. S Perfect Tel 07885 749186 (Leicestershire)

AGRI-HIRE 16T muck spreader 2010, air brakes. £8,900+VAT. D Pickering Tel 07979 757884 (Norfolk)

LEMKEN Europal 8 plough, 7 furrow 6 plus 1, on land/in furrow, solid

LEMKEN press arm to suit Europal or Variopal ploughs, 2009, manual pin adjustments for width of press & plough, hydraulic release with spring mechanism, excellent condition. £495+VAT. N Bett Tel 07801 053127 (Nottinghamshire)

LEMKEN Variopack 110 3m furrow press, 2018, immaculate condition, only done 400ac, 3 point linkage headstock for easy transport, barn stored, ready for use. £5,950+VAT. N Bett Tel 07801 053127 (Nottinghamshire) KVERNELAND LB85 5 furrow reversible plough, hydraulic variwidth & fitted with new No28s mouldboard & new points, excellent condition. £7,500. L Rich Tel 07774 112211 (Gloucestershire)

CASE

2021 Case Optum 300 CVX, 2135hrs, GPS ready, front linkage + SCV 900 tyres, 5 spool valves ...... £107,000

2023 Case Magnum 340 Powershift, 2100hrs, 50kph, Power Beyond, full guidance, full RTK, front weights, 5 spool valves, standard drawbar, front tyres 600/70x30 95% Michelin, rear tyres 800/70x38 95% Michelin, slight cut on top of lugs, still in manufacturer’s warranty ............................... £133,000

2021 Case Maxxum 145 CVX, 4800hrs, 50kph, 1 mid mount valve, f/linkage, 3 r/spool valves, deluxe seat, f/tyres 440/65x28 40%, rears 540/65x38 60%...........£58,000

2023 Case Puma 165 full Powershift, 3787hrs, 50kph, front linkage, exhaust brake, front tyres 540/65x28 50%, rear tyres 650/65x38 45% ..................... £67,000

2023 New Holland T7.225 Auto Command, 2825hrs, front linkage, guidance ready, front tyres 540/65x28 40%, rear tyres 650/65x38 60%, fairly, standard tractor, very tidy.............................................. £80,000

2024 New Holland T7.270 Blue Power, PLM, 1878hrs, full spec plus, front tyres 600/65x28 75%, rear tyres 650/65x42 75% ............................ £117,000

2023 New Holland T5.120 Electro Command c/w NH 685LA loader, 2345hrs, cab suspension, LED work lights, front tyres, 440/65x28 40%, rear tyres 540/65x38 70% immaculate tractor ................ £53,000

VALTRA

FOR BREAKING

New Holland T6.175 f/w brand new Dynamic Command gearbox

New Holland T6.160

New Holland T4.75V

New Holland T5.115

New Holland T7.315

New Holland T7.260 PC

New Holland T7.270 Steyr 6240 CVT

The tractors have done a maximum of 2000hrs, ALL PARTS AVAILABLE

2024 Case Farmall 100C, 336hrs, front weights, 3 double acting spool valves, cab suspension, air seat, 3 speed PTO, passenger seat, front tyres 340/85x24 95%, rear tyres 420/85x34 95% .....................................

2020 Valtra T194 Direct, 7636hrs high speed, front linkage, 2 front hydraulic service, 5 rear spool valves, hydraulic top link, guidance ready, LED lights, cool box, front tyres 540/65x30 70%, rear tyres 650/65x42 70%..............................................£49,000

£49,000

2023 Case Puma 240, 1461hrs, f/linkage & PTO, full guidance, 2 MM valves, c/control, deluxe seat, 4spd PTO, Power Beyond, twill come on brand new 600/60x30 & 710/60x42 Michelins immaculate ..................£120,000

NEW HOLLAND

2021 New Holland T6.160 Dynamic Command, loader brackets but not loader ready, 5392hrs, 50kph, 5 rear spool valves, exhaust brake, dynamic seat, front tyres 480/65x28 50%, rears 600/65x38 40% .. £48,750

FENDT

2018 Fendt 516 Power, 8066hrs, 50kph, front linkage, front tyres, rear tyres 40% original, tidy tractor for age & hrs ..................................................£53,000

CLAAS

2021 Claas Axion 850 CMatic, 7005hrs, 55kph, front linkage, 1 hydraulic front service, basic guidance, front tyres 540/65x30, rear tyres 650/65x38 30%, very clean, tidy tractor .......... £59,500

WANTED McCormick tractors X7s & X8s with maximum of 6000hrs COMING IN

2022 New Holland T7.230

2020 John Deere 6120M TLS, Cab Suspension .......£41,500

Range of New Hollands

two T6.180 AC, one T7.225 AC, three T7.270 AC SELLING ON BEHALF OF CUSTOMER

2010 Terragator 2244 c/w dribble bar & grass injector, 10201hrs .......................................................£48,750

Contact Adrian 07831 129301 adrian@cattlegate.co.uk

2021 Claas Axion

2023 Case Puma 240 1461hrs

PLOUGHS (cont)

SELECTION of Ransomes plough parts. P Oliver Tel 07748 238760 (Norfolk)

KVERNELAND RS100 7 furrow 6+1 semi mounted plough, 1990, has had some cosmetic welding done, but is ready to go to work, c/w spares, bolts & metal, plus some spare parts that have been fabricated. £5,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769 664940 (Buckinghamshire)

KVERNELAND LB85 6 furrow 5+1 reversible plough, 1989, hydraulic front furrow & variwidth, ready to go to work, No9 bodies, c/w selection of spares bolts & metal. £500+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769 664940 (Buckinghamshire)

KVERNELAND LD85 6 furrow plough 5+1 reversible plough, 1989, problem with turn over rams, needs some attention, possibly good for spares or repair. £2,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769664940 (Buckinghamshire)

KVERNELAND 150B 5 furrow reversible plough, good condition, little used. £12,000. S Bull Tel 07817 200935 (Gloucestershire)

VOGEL & NOOT S950 vari-width plough, snapped at turnover shaft, for spares or repair. £500+VAT. N Threadgold Tel 07412 045224 (Essex)

POTATO EQUIPMENT

CONVEYOR, 6m, 3 phase, 480mm belt width. £1,500+VAT. C Martin Tel 07771 582923 (Cambridgeshire)

TRANSPLANTER, average condition. £2,000+VAT ono. G Fewtrell Tel 07833 344819 (Merseyside)

SACK Filling Company T1300 electronic bin weigher, 2014, c/w inner bin for accuracy on smaller weights, weighs 7.5kg–50kg, reconditioned after removal from packing line, good working condition, 2014, with Ian Fellows Luci computer. £9,750+VAT ono. W Forington Tel 07866 437186 (Lincolnshire)

Series 2000 potato bagger, c/w spare belts & Tong conveyor. £950+VAT. R Rintoul Tel 07876 211662 (North Yorkshire)

WANTED FOR EXPORT FOREXPORT

By Teo

Potato • Onion • Carrot • Parsnip Red Beet • Veg handling equipment

Graders (both screen & lift roller)

hopper cleaners/graders, brushes, box & big bag llers/tippers, etc Field equipment

Vegetable transplanters, drills, top lifters, toppers, hook tine cultivators

Grimme DL/GZ/GT/SE harvesters

Payment prior to collection • Any condition considered

Call Lukasz on

HARVESTING DAMAGE WITH RUBBER WEB COVERS FOOD QUALITY PVC GRADING SCREENS RUBBER GRADING SCREENS PERFORATED RUBBER WASHER BELTS

Tel: 028 9127 5913

Email: info@agri-web.co.uk

GRIMME Varitron 270 harvester, 2014, 3500 eng hrs, 2500 acres on silt land, roller separator c/w removable bypass & multisep, new track, 380 dual wheels, superb, Grimme overhaul 2025 costing £££, 6 webs, many spares, ready to go. £220,000+VAT ono. M Neaverson Tel 07984 908504 (Lincolnshire)

TONG 2t potato hopper, good working order, recent new

Marian Teodorczyk

Väderstad

KONGSKILDE S tines clamps, new, 20 available. £10 each. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

FLAILS DIRECT .CO.UK

QUALITY FLAILS

SPRAYERS

Boston Crop Sprayers Ltd incorporating VASSGRO SPRAYERS

Agricultural Application Machinery Specialists

Landquip

SPRAYER & SLUG APPLICATOR

LITE-TRAC SS2400 36m s/p, 2016, retirement sale, one owner driver, in excellent order, ready for work, can spray at 24/36m, Trimble auto shut off, maintained by Lite-Trac, c/w 650 flotations & rowcrops. £55,000+VAT. S Wilcox Tel 07741 97155 (Northamptonshire)

To suit most flail mowers and hedge cutters at competitive prices

Tel: 01427 718561

Fax: 01427 718016

E-mail: sales@flailsdirect.co.uk

Website: www.flailsdirect.co.uk

Also flail mowers for tractors and excavators from 15 to 200HP (Flails Direct is a division of Engineering and Hire Ltd)

£12 each. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

COUSINS

(Cambridgeshire)

CASE Quadtrac idler tensioner shaft, brand new, part no 232137A3. £500. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

CASE diesel filter, new, part no J800394, to fit Cummings engines. £25. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

KIOTI K9 cylinder head, 2020, good condition plus a few engine parts. £125 ono. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

GRANGE MACHINERY low disturbance points (19) 40mm wing, ten with 50mm wing, 2024. £500+VAT ono. S Vaughan Tel 07969 041020 (Northamptonshire)

NSTS TESTING AT OUR LOCATIONS OR ON SITE FULL ON FARM SERVICE & REPAIR

Main Agents for TEAM HYPRO TEEJET RDS ENDURAMAXX DUAL PUMPS

Berthoud Racer 3200L DPTronic auto rate control 24m, tracking drawbar, fully serviced and NSTS, excellent condition

£10,500+VAT

LARGE STOCKS OF PPE AVAILABLE

LANDQUIP SPRAYERS

SALES & SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE

Contact Richard Dix 07770 331587

BOSTON 01205 722 240

WISBECH 01945 461 181

BEDFORD 01525 841 923

www.bostoncropsprayersltd.co.uk

2005 SAM SLC 3000 sprayer, owner driven, 24m booms, 2 sets of wheels, twin line, MOT. £21,500 ono. A Dring Tel 07747 770779 (Norfolk)

2012 Berthoud Elyte, 24m axial boom, 1600L, gwo. £8,200.

Delta 34 controller, some spares. £14,000 no VAT. D Martin Tel 07710 551915 (Lincolnshire)

Compact 3000L trailed sprayer, 24m, 2012, clean water tank, steering rear axle, Muller electrics, no fert use, from fen farm, 2 sets of wheels. £12,995+VAT. A Dunham Tel 07767 248412 (Cambridgeshire)

Sprayer Specialist in the Eastern & Southern Counties

New and used sprayers and parts stocked for: Berthoud • Househam Chafer • Team and most other makes Hypro • Teejet • Lechler Altek • RDS • Dual Pumps Enduramaxx • Stocks Fan Jet

LANDQUIP 3524 trailed, 2013, 12/24m, 3500L+300L wash, 2m section control, Poziflow recirc, quad nozzles, ind bowl, a/susp, hyd brakes, 6 cyl pump, tracking d/bar, Xenius touchscreen & Commando CanBus, variable rate, 380/90R46 650/75R32. £10K+VAT ono. J Squirrell Tel 07799 763647 (Suffolk)

AGRICULTURAL SPRAYERS SALES SERVICE SPARES

LANDQUIP/POMMIER 24m aluminium spray boom removed from Unimog demount sprayer, c/w hydraulics & hoses, s/steel spray lines f/w quad nozzle holders, other parts inc 6 cylinder diaphragm pump available, all good condition. £1,000+VAT ono. M Compton Tel 07985 550285 (Suffolk)

GEM 21m sprayer, 1995, steer track, in good working condition, NSTS test till 2/5/2026. £2,000+VAT. T Gibson Tel 07538 704222 (Lanarkshire)

ALANCO 24m demount, 2005, fits Alanco 130D, c/w demount jacks, LH5000 rate controller & LH control box, triple nozzle bodies, straight & in good condition. £2,000+VAT. R Nicholls Tel 07831 355876 (East Yorkshire)

SPRAYCARE Supertrac 2600/24, 2008, in good condition, with Teejet rate controller. £4,950+VAT ono. D Lunn Tel 07941 072957 (Cambridgeshire)

SPRAYCARE Supertrac 2600/24, 2008, 12/24m, 2600L tank, tracking, 13.6x38 Continental tyres 80% tread, Teejet rate control, test till October 26, good straight booms, steel spray lines, in good condition. £4,500+VAT ono. R Rylott Tel 07951 008386 (Lincolnshire)

Vision, 2011, 24m boom with 4000L tank, 9100hrs, c/w rowcrop & flotation tyres, AgLeader display. £20,000 ono. W Mack Tel 01508 538206 (Norfolk)

SANDS SLC4000, 2003, 7800hrs, 24m VG boom, RDS controller, fastfill pump, engine & transmission all good, no NSTS mot, not used for 3yrs now so would need checking out before being put to work. £7,500+VAT for quick sale call for more details. I Shedden Tel 07974 388993 (Fife)

or £90 for

J Shaw Tel 07932 730235 (Lincolnshire)

SPREADERS

300-LITRE 5m fertiliser spreader. £150. R Dekker Tel 07515 554301 (Suffolk) TEAGLE Centerliner SX5000, for spares. Offers. C Shaw Tel 07964 989516 (Staffordshire)

LELY

1995

SANDS

BATEMAN HiLo contour middle boom sections for 20m boom, in good order, now surplus as we have changed to 24m. £50 each

both.

AMAZONE 4.200 fertiliser spinner, 2011, up to 36m, variable rate, etc, no load cells, instruction book, good condition. £1,750+VAT. S Hoyland Tel 07734 194180 (Nottinghamshire)

VICON RO-EDW 24m spreader, 2011, gwo, can be seen working. £2,200. J Argent Tel 07815 312054 (Essex)

Centerliner Supabowl 24,

twin disc broadcaster. £750+VAT. L Fincham Tel 07827 013267 (Suffolk)

SULKY X50+ Hydraulic Econov fertiliser spreader 2020, hopper extension, hydraulic hopper cover, parking wheels, Tribord, Isobus & own control screen & dome, spread trays, 40/50 vanes, will spread to 36m, washed after every use. £12,500+VAT. I Gilbert Tel 07770 364416 (Cambridgeshire)

VICON Varispreader 600S fertiliser spreader R Smith Tel 07748 682081/01206 251526 (Essex)

HORSTINE FARMERY 12m micro granule spreader. £1,600+VAT. T Austin Tel 07831 295954 (Cambridgeshire)

KUHN 1141 fertiliser spreader, left & right hydraulic on/off, very good condition, always barn stored & oiled over, 1997, set of 12m & 24m spreading discs/vanes & operators & calibration manuals. £1,275+VAT. J Howell Tel 07503 488386 (Suffolk)

HORSTINE TMA4 Avadex applicator, 2000, 12m, ground driven metering, PTO fan, hydraulic fold, c/w manual, NSTS tested 18.11.25,

to

£1,750+VAT. S Wood Tel 07770 380107 (Cambridgeshire)

SPEARHEAD

CASE IH PUMA 165 CVX 50kph, front linkage &

2023, 2957hrs

FLEXI COIL

Flexi-Onepass double press, 2001, c/w leading tines & row of paddle tines, working width 3.1m.

£4,500+VAT. J Sloan Tel 07714 206440 (Perth & Kinross)

TWOSE 12.4m rolls, 22” rings with breaker rings, rolls are in excellent condition, always barn stored, owned from new, off small arable farm.

£13,500+VAT ono. A Clarke Tel 07708 205708 (Norfolk)

WEAVING Short Disc, 4m wide, hydraulic folding, 2023, hydraulic depth control, 2 rows 560mm diameter hybrid discs on rubber shock absorbers, 700mm diameter V ring packer roller on the back, excellent condition, very little use. £16,500+VAT. J Brocksopp Tel 07974 669997 (South Yorkshire)

KONGSKILDE 6m Triple K cultivator with following harrows, 1982, good spring tines/points with 20 new spare points, 4 adjustable depth wheels, hydraulic folding for transport, 3-point linkage. £1,300+VAT. R Gill Tel 07966 442540 (West Yorkshire)

VADERSTAD Topdown 3m, 2018, immaculate condition, only covered a very small acreage since new, paint still on roller, brand new tungsten points, new style double packer roller, more photos online, viewing on farm recommended. W Skinner Tel 07711 405103 (Northamptonshire)

WOLSELEY Merry Tiller, non runner, engine needs attention, for spares or repair. £30. H Pearce Tel 07752 685145 (Essex)

BOMFORD Turbotiller tines (59) in good condition. £200+VAT. P Lynn Tel 07813 714766 (Nottinghamshire)

HOWARD Paraplow, 5 leg, 1986, later type legs with knock on points with discs, c/w lots of spares, also have 4 leg with discs & 3 leg for spares. £1,800+VAT ono. D Treharne Tel 07719 697455 (Northamptonshire)

TIM Howard 3.5m 5 leg heavy duty trailed V form, new legs, toothed packer. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)

RABE Fieldbird 5m compact disc harrow, 2022, hydraulic depth, great bit of kit for black grass chit, been pulling it with 150hp, ready to go straight to work, viewing welcome, can be seen working. £14,000+VAT ono. D Treharne Tel 07719 697455 (Northamptonshire)

Suppliers of cultivation equipment airseeders & slug pelleters

See our ad on page 47

51-113482

MASSEY Ferguson MF23 4m pigtail drag, 1980, points hardly used, c/w a home made following tine, ideal for artic MF 1200 or modern tractor, one sold recently for 1150, can load onto lorry, c/w invoice. £850+VAT. R Littleworth Tel 07944 640696 (Lincolnshire)

GUTTLER heavy duty 3m front press with double press wheels & leading tines, good working order. £2,500+VAT. L Rich Tel 07774 112211 (Gloucestershire)

COUSINS 12.4m folding rolls, 2007, c/w Techneat Avacast GR 200 unit for applying Avadex, slug pellets, bought from new & owner driven, always stored inside. £16,000+VAT

MF 8S 305

Dyna VT Exclusive, 2024, 2100hrs, front links & PTO, Trimble guidance receiver, 50kph

MF 8S 265

Dyna VT Exclusive, 2024, 2100hrs, front links & PTO, Trimble guidance receiver, 50kph

MF 7S.190

2023, 3100hrs, Dyna VT, Exclusive, front links & PTO, Trimble guidance

MF 7S.180

2022, 2900hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph, front links

MF 8730S

2022, 2900hrs, Dyna VT Exclusive, front links & PTO, 50kph

MF 7726

2016, 1100hrs, Dyna 6, 40kph, front axle & cab suspension

MF 7726S

2019, 5800hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph, front links & PTO

MF 7722S

2019, 4200hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph, front links & PTO

MF 7720S

2020, 4200hrs, Dyna 6, front linkage, 50kph. Trimble guidance

MF 7720S

2019, 3500hrs, Dyna 6, front linkage, 50kph

MF 7720S

2018, 4600hrs, Dyna 6, front linkage, 50kph

MF 7620

2014, 6100hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph, 80% tyres

MF 6613

2016, 5800hrs, Dyna 6, 50kph

MF 5713S

2020, 2300hrs, Next Edition, c/w loader

MF 5711SL

2017, 4600hrs, Quicke Q3L loader, Dyna 4, 40kph, air con, Eco PTO

MF 5610

2016, 4000hrs, Trima loader, Dyna 4, twin pump, cab suspension, Eco PTO

MF 8730S

2019, 7900hrs, front links, 50kph

MF 8740S

2019, 9000hrs, front links & PTO, guidance, 50kph, air brakes

MF 6480

2006, 9000hrs, Dyna 6, front axle & cab suspension, 40kph

New Holland FR9050

2010, Additive 2 x 10 drum, grass machine, very good condition

New Holland FX60

2007, low hrs, 4wd, 2nd chopping unit

Bailey 18t silage trailer full spec, 560 tyres, new

Redrock 4500 gallon tanker

2025, self loading arm, rain gun, over hedge boom

NEW BAILEY 16T X 10.2M BALE TRAILER double bale clamps, 435/50x22.5 tyres, air brakes, in stock

TILLAGE TACKLE (cont)

MARSK STIG springtine cultivator, 14' wide, manual folding. £225+VAT. C Banks Tel 07971 627574/01777 870246 (Nottinghamshire)

ROLLS 7.2m working width, hydraulic fold, could do with new bearing block, hence the price. £750+VAT ono. D Wayman Tel 07763 774648 (Hertfordshire)

TWOSE tandem 6m flat roll, 2015. £3,000+VAT ono. T Turnham Tel 07776 198047 (Northamptonshire)

MASCHIO Dominator 3.5m power harrow, hydraulic adjustable roller, good tines, no oil leaks, barn stored, in vgc. £2,200+VAT. R Grover Tel 07792 527782 (Suffolk)

MASCHIO DM 4m power harrow, good tines, crumbler roller, stood in a barn. £1,150+VAT ono. S Matthews Tel 07885 622209 (Bedfordshire)

VADERSTAD 5.25m Carrier XL, 2021, excellent condition. £35,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769 664940 (Buckinghamshire)

LELY 4m power harrow, 1990, very good condition for age, as new tines, barn stored. £1,200+VAT. R Nicholls Tel 07831 355876 (East Yorkshire)

COUSINS packer rollers c/w scrapers & bearings, 2024, each 2310mm wide with a dia 465mm. £1,850+VAT. R Rintoul Tel 07876 211662 (North Yorkshire)

CAMBRIDGE rollers, set comprising main roller 7'10" long, two small rollers 9'2" long, total length 17'. £800. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

JOHN DEERE 23B pan buster, choice of 2, 3 leg or 2 leg. £325 each or £600 for both. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)

TRACKS

SMART PERFORMANCE AT THE RIGHT PRICE!

AGRICULTURAL RUBBER TRACKS TRACTORS COMBINES

020 3966 5700 info@nxtagricultural.co.uk nxtagricultural.co.uk

LELY 4m power harrow, new points, end tow, 2016. £4,000. D Goodwin Tel 07710 042195 (Essex)

TELEPHONE: 01604 686216 MOBILE: 07973 265378

Well proven design Single and twin and three legged machines available Mounted and trailed www.maidwellmoler.co.uk

SUMO Trio 3m, 2007, c/w an Opico air seeder, perfect for establishing cover crops, also comes with a pallet of assorted spares, some welding has been done to beef up frame, ready to go to work. £10,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769664940 (Buckinghamshire)

MASCHIO 6m folding power harrow, 2009, tines 60%, one rotor is missing tines. £12,000+VAT ono. W Finn-Kelcey Tel 07769 664940 (Buckinghamshire)

KUHN HR 3503D power harrow, 12', weight 1685kg, good condition, tines in good order. £5,000. S Bull Tel 07817 200935 (Gloucestershire)

GARFORD Robocrop 6m guided hoe, 2019, 13 wheeled units with parallel frames, hyd pressure down, tine raisers, SD30 sideshift with stabilising discs, quick hitch, 2 cameras, vgo, little used, serviced annually by Garford, ready for 2026. £22,000 ono. R Browning Tel 07802 813937 (Essex)

HE-VA Stealth, 2020, 4m folding V profile press, shear bar protection, legs & points in good condition, general condition is very good. £14,750+VAT ono. W Lucas Tel 07790 602023 (Derbyshire)

01263 711474 sales@eurotrackltd.com www.eurotrackltd.com

2023,

CommandPro, 50K, G5 Plus Screen, AutoTrac Ready, Activations, Premium air seat, A/C, TLS, HCS, 3ESCV, 155L/min hyd pump

JOHN DEERE 8R 370

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1395hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, AutoTrac Ready, Activations, front & cab suspension

£224,950

JOHN DEERE 7R 350

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1505hrs, Signature Edition, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, AutoTrac Ready, Activations

£199,950

JOHN DEERE 6R 185

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2023, 1175hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, G5 Plus Command Center, AutoTrac Ready, Activations

£117,500

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2023, 1770hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, AutoTrac Ready, Activations, TLS, HCS, A/C £123,750

John Deere 6R 185

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 575hrs, AutoQuad, 40K, air seat, A/C, TLS, Cab suspension, 3SCV, 114L/min hyd pump, A/C, 4ESCV £76,950

John Deere 6140M

71083710

John Deere 6R 130

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 975hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, AutoTrac Ready, Activations, Premium air seat, A/C, TLS £99,950

John Deere 6R 130

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1095hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, G5 Screen, AutoTrac Ready, Premium air seat, A/C, TLS, HCS £109,950

£134,950

John Deere 6R 215 71090708

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 2445hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, G5 Screen, AutoTrac Ready, Activations, Ultimate air seat

John Deere 6R 155 11086144

John Deere 6155M

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1885hrs, AutoQuad Plus, 40K, TLS, Mechanical cab suspension, air seat, A/C, 3SCV £83,750

£104,950

John Deere 6R 150 71090456

PG Warranty, subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1275hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, 50K, AutoTrac Ready, G5 Screen, App radio, TLS, HCS, A/C, 4ESCV

Subsidised fnance available, 2024, 1075hrs, AutoPowr CommandPro, AutoTrac Ready, G5 Plus Screen, TLS, HCS, Premium air seat, A/C, 3ESCV

JOHN Deere 2850 with 186 loader, 1991, owned since 2008 & has been a fantastic clean & reliable vehicle, based on Isle of Wight, but we can drive it to Southampton if required, full V5C & documentation. £15,500. S Dungey Tel 07957 572221 (Isle of Wight)

MASSEY 3070, starts, runs & drives, 9370hrs, 4 new tyres, good cab interior, hydraulic PTO work, no lift arms, does have a gear selection issue in high box (won't select range A), ideal feeder wagon tractor, c/w V5. £6,250. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)

JOHN Deere 6120M c/w 643R loader, owned from new, wheel weights, passenger seat, air brakes, 3400hrs, 60% tyres, 40k eco, immaculate condition, can deliver. £47,500. H Catlin Tel 07931 524599 (Lincolnshire)

JOHN Deere 8420T, 2004, 30" tracks, 8545hrs, c/w autosteer & dome, front weights, well maintained & in excellent order. £29,000+VAT. N Cowell Tel 07887 480579 (Essex)

FORD 7810 4wd, 1992, 7348hrs, c/w front linkage, 4 spools, front fenders, in very good condition, call for more details. £24,000+VAT. N Gaunt Tel 07999 855169 (Derbyshire)

MASSEY FERGUSON tractor front leaf weights (10) for a MF 500 series tractor, 1981, may also fit other older models, c/w fixing plate & retaining bolts. £250+VAT ono. S Kirkwood Tel 07802 681131 (East Yorkshire)

560111

CASE MX135, 1999, 4765hrs, 40kph gearbox, creeper box, 4 spools, air con, pick up hitch, full set front weights, good tyres, very tidy. £26,950+VAT ono. A Raven Tel 07787 501128 (Essex)

FENDT 720 Power Plus, 2024, 1378hrs, LED package, DAB+ radio, GPS ready, Trelleborg rear 650/65R42 & front 540/65R30 90%, 4 r/SUV, f/ linkage, 12" display & 10" dashboard, sun roof, 50kph, panaromic side window, excellent cond, 5yr wty. £149,500+VAT. C Tomkins Tel 07801 420747 (Bedfordshire)

NEW HOLLAND TM155 Range Command, Trima loader euro headstock, done very little, f/links plumbed to loader joystick, 57 reg, one of last, creeper box, LED light upgrade, just had damper plate & clutch packs, 7760hrs, good genuine tractor. £32,000+VAT. E Coles Tel 07773 335534 (Cornwall)

FORD 6810 4wd, AP cab & Quicke loader, 5500hrs, good condition, tyres very good, clean, very heavy duty loader. £15,000+VAT. R Austin Tel 07831 158159 (Kent)

CLAAS Arion 650 CIS+, 2020, 2535hrs, GreenStar ready (dome & screen not inc ), wty to 25/9/25, 5OK Hexashift, 650/65R42, 540/65R30 tread 60%, f/linkage, 4 e/spools, a/ brakes, f/ & r/susp, 4 pillar cab, LEDs all round, bluetooth, Isobus. £69,500+VAT. C Tomkins Tel 07801 420747 (Bedfordshire)

JOHN DEERE 6M 185, 2025, Bridgestone VF rear 650/65R42, front 600/65R30, f/linkage, & SUV, f/Isobus, f/loader brackets, DAB+ radio, Autopower, 50kph, 3 r/SUV, LED package, panoramic window, GreenStar ready. £135,000+VAT. C Tomkins Tel 07801 420747 (Bedfordshire)

CASE Puma 210 Powershift, 2011, 6135hrs, front linkage, GPS ready, cab suspension, 4 hydraulic spools, new rear tyres last year, front tyres 90%, 40kph. £37,950+VAT ono. J Warner Tel 07946 177800 (Essex)

ORBITAL steering unit for JD 7710, brand new, purchased but never fitted to tractor, cost over £1,000 to buy. £400 ono. G Dunn Tel 07768 904984 (Cambridgeshire)

WEIGHT block, 3pt linkage, ideal for a loader tractor. £60. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

DRAWBAR to fit 5000/6000 Series MF tractors. £150. R Sinkler Tel 01377 270251 (East Yorkshire)

MASSEY FERGUSON 5455, registered 2008, 3901hrs, snoop nose, tyres 85%, Dyna 4, 40K, one owner, in good condition. £25,000+VAT ono. R Rylott Tel 07951 008386 (Lincolnshire)

JOHN DEERE 6830 Premium, 2007, very tidy and well maintained, in good original condition, 8830hrs, 50k PowerShift transmission, TLS, front linkage, 4 electronic spools, Isobus wiring loom, 600/65R38 90%, air brakes, owner driver. £40,000+VAT ono. J Dobie Tel 07711 093543 (Fife)

Sumo front mounted tractor

JOHN DEERE 2250, 1987, 13396hrs, 4wd, with 175 loader, tyres as new, good condition & good working order, c/w bale spike, bucket, muck fork & bale squeezer. £12,500 ono. R

8t tandem axle trailer, ideal for muck, etc, tips well. £1,000 ono no VAT. B Gould Tel 01638 663310/07894 470640 (Suffolk)

44FT TRIAXLE air suspension trailer, air brakes, ABS, c/w dolly, all tyres good, good floor, lights all work, ready to go £3,500+VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)

8 TON trailer, 1995. £350+VAT. L Fincham Tel 07827 013267 (Suffolk)

SINGLE axle trailer with new floor. S Macer Tel 01277 622844 (Essex)

WEEKS single axle tipping trailer with self opening tailgate. S Macer Tel 01277 622844 (Essex)

IFOR WILLIAMS GP106 plant trailer, good tyres, all lights work, new floor in 2021, 3.5t, only used seven times since 2023 behind 40K tractor. £1,800. C Neall Tel 07966 539716 (Essex)

DROP DOWN low loader trailer, 16 bed length, LED lighting with rear strobes, lift/lowers with twin rams & manual ramstop latches, good solid trailer, lockable strap boxes, recent new floatation tyres, ideal for a 4m p/ harrow. £3,750+VAT. R Kerr Tel 07531 574681 (Essex) 2023 Warwick 10T

(Bedfordshire)

£895+VAT ono. O Hammond Tel 07733 326987 (Suffolk)

JOHN DEERE rowcrop wheels, 2004, Alliance13.6R48, Mitas 320/90R32 adjustable width, used on JD 6930. £900+VAT. R Cornell Tel 07899 891916 (Suffolk)

IFOR Williams wheels (4), f/w Kargo 155/70R12C M+S tyres, removed to upgrade to wider wheels. £40 the lot. H Pearce Tel 07752 685145 (Essex)

SINGLE Trelleborg 650/75-R38 part worn tyre, good condition, no splits. £300+VAT. R Garner Tel 07768 821476 (Cambridgeshire)

FIRESTONE Radial 9000 wheels & tyres, off Fendt 724, 900/50R42, 85%good, always stored inside. £4,000+VAT. D Gittins Tel 07702 263655 (Shropshire)

SET rowcrop wheels & tyres, 8-3-44 with centres to fit International 885 or similar, 20% tyre tread. £150+VAT. B Ward Tel 07774 784461 (Lincolnshire) SET of narrow wheels to fit a Ferguson tractor, 8.3-44, 8 studs. P Oliver Tel 07748 238760 (Norfolk) BKT VF tyres, 710/60R30 & VF600/60R30, 30-40% tread, in very good condition, no cuts or major repairs, only changed because tractor was on beet trailer & needed more tread when it came wet. £500. P Lakey Tel 07860 537973 (Lincolnshire)

AMAZONE CAYENA 6001

KRM SOLA ARES

2024, 16.6cm Coulter Spacing, Front Cutting Discs, Road Lights, Rear Harrow, Mechanical Depth Control, ISOBUS Only. SN:F1054564 £77,500

NEW HOLLAND T7.315

2021, Blue Power, 3300 hours, Auto Command, AGR, front linkage, 650/60R34, 710/75R42, rear wheel weights, warranty remaining. SN:YW21 LBE £96,500

6M, 2024, Mechanical Metering. 48 row, Pre Em & Bout Markers, Following harrow, RDS Controls, Tramline Valves. SN:11055044 £29,500

6M, 25cm Spacing, Wing wheels, Weight Transfer Kit, FT2200 split tank, 2 side hoses, 350kg weight kit, Farmscan Controls. SN:11056406 £75,950

mand, 540/65R38 & 440/65R28 Tyres. SN:21060390 POA NEW HOLLAND T5.120 EC

2021, 3122 hours, 40K Autocommand, Front Linkage, RTK, 650/60R34 & 30 Inch Tracks SN:31057831 £125,000 NEW HOLLAND T8.435 ST

IH PUMA 165

MASSEY FERGUSON 7626 D6

2023, 3000hrs, 50kph Power Shift, Multi controller, front linkage, 4 remotes, LED worklights, 540/65R30 & 650/65R42 Tyres. SN:51060369 £70,000

ARRIVED

2013, 8172 hours, 50K Dyna 6, Exclusive Spec, Front weights, 4 spools, 620/70R42, 480/70R30. SN:31060938 POA

TH357D

2019, 2500 hrs, 7 metre reach, 3.5T lift, cat headstock, PUH, Weigher, 125HP engine, 460/70 R24 at 5%. SN:F1059207 £42,250

EXCLUDE

and omissons excepted.

(Kent)

BRIDGESTONE VF VT tractor tyres 650/65R42 & 540/65R30, 95+% tread, 2023, only done approx 150hrs, excellent condition, tractor was traded in with original tyres so these are now surplus. £5,000+VAT ono. O Pipe Tel 07802 250395 (Suffolk)

MICHELIN 710/60-R42 tyre for sale, 2009. C Clarke Tel 07711 404371 (Suffolk)

SELECTION of tyres, 12.5/80-15.3 on rims, one as new, two fair, two rims with rubber on! £75+VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire) PAIR of Pirelli TM700 480/70/R30 tyres, 2004, 40% tread, retirement clear out, one tyre has

DUAL WHEELS 1 pair, always stored under cover. £165. J Howell Tel 07503 488386 (Suffolk)

TRANSTACKER 10 stud rim & tyre, plus a brand new rim, 2022. £400+VAT. D Witham Tel 07799 321298 (Norfolk)

PYLEBRO veg washer, 1998, good working order, tank & seals are fine, needs a new conveyor, but all works as it should. £1,000. D Cook Tel 07588 931774 (Lancashire)

VEHICLES

•

ROWCROP wheels, 2005, Alliance 13.6-R48 rear, 11.2-R36 front, to fit JD 6920 or similar, 70% tread. £1,000+VAT. R Gemmill Tel 07802 858376 (Essex)

DUAL WHEELS & tyres (pair),

BKT 45% tread, front 270/95/36 Taurus 55% tread, off MF7718S but will fit others, eg JD, tyres in good condition, no cuts, can split. £1,800+VAT. S Kirkwood Tel 07802 681132 (East Yorkshire)

COMPLETE SET of wheel arches for Mk6/7 Hilux, new & in box. £130 no VAT. B Banks Tel 07763 184607 (Hertfordshire)

LAND Rover Defender 90 County SWB TDCi 2.4L, 2007,

ISUZU Trooper Citation 3L, 1997, immaculate inside & out, good runner, LWB, 4x4, 99,500mls, only towed small garden trailer, one owner from new, barn stored last 5yrs, but regular services & MOT, FSH, MOT due 6 Aug 2026, must be seen. £4,750 ono. A Smith Tel 07793 207351 (Norfolk)

TOYOTA RAV4 Granite D-4D, clean & reliable SUV, 2005, MOT Jan 2027, 101,300mls, no dents or scuffs, lots of paperwork & service history, private number plate included. £2,995 ono. A Smith Tel 07793 207351 (Norfolk)

FORD Mondeo Titanium Ed Hev auto estate, 2021, hybrid, 46555mls, 12 months MOT, FSH, very good condition. £14,000. S Dudley Tel 07860 599377 (Essex)

VOLKSWAGEN Transporter T5 Shuttle SWB, 2.5 TDI engine, manual transmission, eight-seat model with third row of seats currently removed but included, 97,975mls, 04 reg, good condition. £5,000. C Whitton Tel 07957 870362 (Suffolk)

USED BUS no engine, great project for shoot bus or glamping. £700 no VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)

LAND ROVER Defender 90, truck cab, 1988, not running, but will run with a bit of TLC, barn stored, diesel, no MOT, 64,000mls on clock, owned by me for 10yrs. £5,000. K Pugh Tel 07977

912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

MITSUBISHI L200, no MOT, 03 reg, had a hard home. 3800. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

MITSUBISHI L200 4Life Club Cab

DI-D pickup, 2007, only 83400 miles, FSH, extras include tow bar, loadliner, tonneau, ladder rack, sidesteps & alloy wheels, new tyres, MOT & service 150 miles ago, owned since 2008. I Fortescue Tel 01902 791646/07989 395683 (Staffordshire)

PERSONAL registration number, A403 KAY, on 10yr retention, £80 registration fee paid, ready to go onto a vehicle. £1,000. E Calcott Tel 01827 62265 (Staffordshire)

NISSAN Navara DCI Tekna 4x4 SHR DCB, 2017, v good condition. only 33,500mls, drives like new, 12 months MOT, full leather interior, 6 speed manual, as new Goodyear Wranglers all round, few minor scratches. £13,950+VAT ono. R Allan Tel 07771 922747 (Leicestershire)

LAND ROVER Discovery 4 detachable tow bar, 2014, genuine LR part & in good working order with one key, that is how i bought it but no longer needed. £220 ono. A Owen Tel 07714 283539 (Norfolk)

LAND Rover Defender 130, 300 TDI project vehicle, 1998, 70,000 genuine miles, previously a cherrypicker, heavy duty shocks & springs, chassis is sound, genuine sale, genuine interest only please. £8,500 ono. P Dunckley Tel 07979 226497 (Suffolk)

LAND ROVER Tipper 300 TDI 6x4, 1998, 3 way tip, galvanised bulk head, new doors, recon engine with approx 90,000 on clock, new turbo, gearbox rebuilt, s/steel exhaust, full aluminium tipping body, c/w roller shutter toolbox, good cond. £27,000 ono. P Dunckley Tel 07979 226497 (Suffolk)

FORD Ranger pick up double cab Limited 2.2 TDCi 150 4wd, 2012, manual, diesel, good condition. £7,995 ono. A Hilton Tel 07867 785704 (Lincolnshire)

LAND ROVER Discovery 5 3L HSE Luxury, 2018, 84,000mls, full LRSH, just had full service, cam belt & EGR valves, very clean & tidy. £20,250+VAT. R Smith Tel 07831 091109 (Essex)

MERCEDES ML320 CDi auto, MOT 11/26, running, good condition for year. £2,500. M Beckett Tel 01206 679865/07855

FORD 4100 tractor, good tyres, good starter, hydraulics work, PTO works, now surplus to requirements. A Gregory - SOLD Tel 07904 988906 (Essex)

Tel 07971 840304 (Derbyshire)

GREY FERGIE TE20 petrol TVO, drives well, everything works, great tyres, I have log book. £1,750 ono, private sale. A Austin Tel 07971 840304 (Derbyshire)

BLACKSTONE engine, type DB, 8hp, stationary Lister engines, starts & runs, c/w a lot of parts. A Gregory - SOLD Tel 07904 988906 (Essex)

INTERNATIONAL 784 starts, runs &, drives OK, engine rebuilt 3yrs ago, hydraulics strong, straight tin, tyres hold air but nothing special, has V5, no show pony, but will do a job. £3,500. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)

INTERNATIONAL tractor, starts, runs & drives fine, good clutch, brakes, hydraulics, ideal scraper tractor, etc. £2,250. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)

HORSEDRAWN seed drill, average/ poor condition, project for someone. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

ALLDAYS & ONIONS Birmingham, England old forge, good condition, barn stored. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

WATER BOWSER horsedrawn, average condition, project for someone. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

VINTAGE HORSEDRAWN hay turner, good condition. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

HORSEDRAWN hay rake, good condition. G Clarke Tel 07967144818 (Nottinghamshire)

1961 Fordson Dexta, vgc. R Penn Tel 01508 499082/07591 556382 (Norfolk)

1962 Fordson Super Dexta, vgc. R Penn Tel 01508 499082/07591 556382 (Norfolk)

1960 Fordson Dexter, in good condition, c/w Fritzmeier cab, very good condition. £3,000 ono. J Ashworth Tel 01621 772229 (Essex)

OLD HORSEDRAWN hay wuffler, average condition. G Clarke Tel 079671 44818 (Nottinghamshire)

TRICYCLE average condition. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

AVELING-BARFORD roller, all complete & in good condition. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

1867 MOFFREY hay cart, excellent condition, barn stored. G Clarke Tel 07967 144818 (Nottinghamshire)

CAT D4D c/w Cat swing around tool bar, original paint. R Smith Tel 07881 621061 (Cambridgeshire)

MASSEY single furrow DD plough. R Penn Tel 01508 499082/07591 556382 (Norfolk)

FERGUSON 2 furrow plough, vgc, c/w a few spares, located Wisbech. £450. C Anderson Tel 07795 113312/07809 406040 (Cambridgeshire)

INTERNATIONAL 574, working order, located Wisbech. £3,400 no VAT. C Anderson Tel 07795 113312/07809 406040 (Cambridgeshire)

RANSOMES Robin 2f YL depth wheel, discs & skimmers, ideal match plough. £795 no VAT. F Milk Tel 07775 741720 (Norfolk)

FLAT roller, 3 point linkage mounted. £100; also Ransomes 7 tine cultivator. £100 no VAT, to clear. F Milk Tel 07775 741720 (Norfolk)

JOHN DEERE AR, great project, straight petrol, any questions feel free to ask. £3,000+VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)

TYE 5t tipping trailer, very good condition. £1,175. M Robson Tel 07801 885520 (North Yorkshire)

ZETOR Diesel 3011, 1965, c/w box & Ransomes TS59 2 furrow plough, with parts, good working order, for more info please call. £3,500 ono, cash on collection. J Alsbury Tel 01635 578644 (Berkshire)

FORD 3910H tractor, old but gold, all working as it should, located Wisbech. £4,250 no VAT. C Anderson Tel 07795 113312/07809 406040 (Cambridgeshire)

FERGUSON spring tine cultivator. £100 no VAT. R Wale Tel 01773 810442 (Nottinghamshire)

MASSEY FERGUSON 135 operator handbook, good condition. £20. I Morris Tel 07496 394356 (Shropshire)

RANSOMES TS82 plough, no wheel skims, no disc, needs restoring. £150. C Neall Tel 07966 539716 (Essex)

VINTAGE pair of shell mudguards for Nuffield 425 or Leyland 154, good condition metal. C Neall Tel 07966 539716 (Essex) THREE horse-drawn mowers, one Bamford, one Bamlett, one Deering. £150 each or £400 for all three. E Calcott Tel 01827 62265 (Staffordshire)

VINTAGE Marshall threshing machine, the wooden body is beyond repair but I'm sure there are many metal parts that would be of great use to a restoration project. FREE to anyone willing to collect. J McLeod Tel 01692 580263 (Norfolk)

THE ECLIPSE odder beet shredder, in good condition, on legs. £150 ono. V Wolton Tel 07920 772862 (Suffolk)

RANSOMES A hoes to fit Ransomes tool bars, 1980, 7 blades altogether. £100 ono. L Emery Tel 07730 920884 (Bedfordshire)

RANSOMES 9 tine cultivator, 1964, tines all straight, needs a couple of points. £95 ono. G Lawson Tel 07751 273382 (East Yorkshire)

INTERNATIONAL TRACTOR suitcase weights (11), c/w hanging frame, red & black, good condition. £600+VAT. T Buckenham Tel 07769 972328 (Essex)

SEED thrasher/dresser, used for stripping herbs off the stalk or cleaning seeds, c/w two screens, good condition. £100. B Chandler Tel 07747 623384 (Norfolk)

DAVID BROWN 990 red tractor, needs renovation, a good project, 1965-67. £500 ono. G Dunn Tel 07768 904984 (Cambridgeshire)

Norfolk Farmer wants

tractors

all models of Fendt

Email details to farm@murrell1.plus.com 01603 712222 www.jmurrell.co.uk

REAR WHEEL weights wanted to fit Massey Ferguson 3000/5400 Series tractor, may also fit Valtra, Case JXU & NH TL, 34" rims, bolt holes must be 412mm centres. S Walters Tel 07711 286720 (eves) (Nottinghamshire) ANY of these Ford tractors wanted –Super Dexta BBE232B, Super Major 685AFW, 4000 HDO848F, 4000 XDO942L, 2000 GCT351N, 4600 HDO714W, 4610 A650TTL. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)

COMBINESWANTED

New Holland TC, TX, CX Deutz Fahr - all models John Deere 1177, 2056, 2058, 2256, 2258 Claas Lexion 410, 420, 430, 510, 520, 530 SPRAYERSWANTED

Bateman and Sands self propelled sprayers

corkcombines@gmail.com Tel: 0035 3862782479 corkcombines.com

SPRAYER controller wanted, LH 1200 or similar, to monitor area & flow rate. H Bourn Tel 07966 251312 (Lincolnshire)

MICHAEL MOORE twin leg hi-rider mole drainer. W Hitchcock Tel 07903 248519 (Suffolk)

AMAZONE 4m power harrow/ drill combination wanted, 2014 onwards. P Clarke Tel 07710 775829 (Cambridgeshire)

STORE cattle wanted; also store news & lambs. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)

GENUINE Doe weight box wanted to fit Ford 4000. C Neall Tel 07966 539716 (Essex)

EARLY 20th century Massey Harris 11 row seed/corn drill, in good order (working), preferably with horse drawn pole. E Calcott Tel 01827 62265 (Staffordshire) CATTLE urgently wanted, anything considered, but must be 4yr TB, please ring with details. T Bays Tel 07379 451868 (Cambridgeshire)

WANTED (cont)

MAIZE HEADERS to suit trailed & reverse drive forage harvesters: JD, Mengele, Pottinger, NH, etc & extra wide grass pick ups for JD & Mengele. GDO Howell 07903 089 391 & 01728 723 683, gdohowell@aol.com. TRACTOR MOUNTED aerator slitter wanted, 2.4m or above. G Dunn Tel 07768 904984 (Cambridgeshire)

storage bins, length 280mm, width 205mm, height 140mm, large quantity available. £1/bin. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)

AXMINSTER CH18F floor standing heavy duty pedestal drill, 1997, 16mm chuck,

RECRUITMENT Farmers Guide

Tel: 01473 691888

Agronomy team expands

Agrovista continues to expand its national agronomy team with the appointment of Luke Brooks, who takes up a new role in south Lincolnshire. Bourne-based Luke is BASIS quali ed and is studying for FACTS whilst undertaking comprehensive practical training with the company.

He will start recruiting new business in earnest over the next few months, but is already making himself known to prospective customers in his area.

“The main target currently is to further develop my agronomy knowledge,” says Luke, who will initially look after cereals, sugar beet and potatoes.”

Luke has a strong practical background. He grew up on a farm where his father was employed and worked on farms when studying at Riseholme College where he obtained

a National Diploma in Agriculture and then a Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Environment. After college he spent two seasons in New Zealand on a large arable unit. He then returned to the UK, spending the next decade on a large arable farm in Lincolnshire. He quickly worked his way up and became the main spray operator and assistant to the farm manager.

New growth lead for BKT

NFYFC elects o cer team

Jessica Rose from Nottinghamshire has been elected as the new chair of The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), alongside two vice chairs – Alex McMenemy from County Durham and Luke Brignall from East Riding of Yorkshire.

All three o cers will also join the NFYFC’s Board of Management, and be instrumental in helping to deliver NFYFC’s new ve-year plan. The Board of Management shared its strategic goals with the council during the meeting, which include achieving nancial stability, strengthening NFYFC’s reputation and public perception,

deepening the understanding of its membership, and building organisational resilience.

Jessica, who lives on her family’s farm in Newark, Notts, is a customer services manager and fashion buyer for a clothing boutique and is a former county chair for Nottinghamshire Federation of YFC. Jessica has been part of the NFYFC o cer team for the past two years as its vice chair of council. She also held the position of chair of NFYFC’s Membership and Marketing Steering Group for 2025-26, helping to improve the membership experience.

Alex McMenemy, 29, from

process, Henrik will leverage BKT’s extensive product portfolio across agricultural and OTR tyres, raising awareness about the state-ofthe-art manufacturing facilities, supported by a global network of dedicated dealers and longstanding distribution partners. This appointment marks another step forward in BKT’s long-term strategy to expand its OEM footprint.

expansion in the European

Moreover, his extensive

BKT, a leading global manufacturer in the o -highway tyre industry, takes a further step towards its 2030 growth strategy by appointing Henrik de Koning as head OEM Europe & key account at BKT Europe. In this role, he will strengthen BKT’s strategic presence in the OE market and he will play a key role in taking customer relationships to the next level. With over 25 years of experience in the o -highway tyre industry at major companies in the sector and a deep knowledge of the agricultural segment, Henrik de Koning is now joining BKT to drive Group’s expansion in the European Original Equipment channel. Moreover, his extensive knowledge of agricultural and OTR tyres will be pivotal in supporting continuous market evolution and in providing a tailored approach to customer requests.

In this

Durham City YFC, works for the Environment Agency as an agricultural regulator and is a former county chair of County Durham Federation of YFC. Luke Brignall, 24, from Beacon YFC, works full time in agriculture on a local country estate in East Yorkshire is a councillor for Sledmere Parish Council, and a former county

in agriculture on a estate in East a councillor

chair of East Riding of Yorkshire

Federation of YFC.

l-r) Alex McMenemy, Jessica Rose and Luke Brignall.

Ernest Doe & Sons announces new hires and bids a fond farewell

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd has announced two new sta members, and a retirement.

Mark Crosby has joined as divisional head of agricultural and construction sales, as sales director, Graham Parker, moves into a new role supporting key strategic projects and supplier relationships across the business.

director. Mark will now take on responsibility for the company’s agship event moving forward.

With strong industry knowledge and local farming roots near the company’s Ulting headquarters, Mark is well placed to build on existing relationships and lead the next phase of sales development across the business.

understanding, having built a reputation for his work with customers and the Case IH brand, including earlier experience as a CNH demonstrator.

branch manager in 1999.

Mark brings over 14 years’ experience with New Holland UK, most recently as sales manager for the UK and ROI, and has spent recent months working closely with Graham to ensure a smooth handover.

Paul Co ey has joined the business as Case IH brand manager, bringing over 20 years’ experience in agricultural machinery

Having joined at the beginning of the year, he has quickly become rmly established in the role and is working closely with branches, customers and suppliers to drive the continued development of the Case IH franchise across the business.

Recognised for the strong relationships he built with customers over the years, Tim’s nal Doe Show in February saw one long-standing customer request that ‘Tim’s last deal with W O Watt & Partners’ be printed on a new Marshall trailer. His retirement was also celebrated at a packed send-o at the Rochford branch, attended by friends, customers, suppliers and family.

The recent 66th Doe Show marked a natural handover point, with Graham overseeing his nal event as Doe Show

Long-serving colleague Mitch working closely with

New AHDB sector director

AHDB has appointed Anthony Hopkins as its new Cereals and Oilseeds sector director. Anthony, who will join AHDB on 29th June, has extensive experience in agriculture, policy and levy-funded organisations.

Raised on a mixed beef, sheep and arable farm in Worcestershire, he holds an undergraduate degree and PhD from the University of Birmingham.

Well known within the industry, Paul combines extensive knowledge of farming with a strong commercial

Finally, Rochford branch manager, , retired in March after an outstanding 49 years’ service. He joined the business in 1977 as a parts apprentice

service. He joined the business in 1977 as a parts apprentice and went on to hold a

After a number of years working in academia, Anthony joined the NFU in 2018, initially working for NFU Sugar before moving into plant health and later becoming the NFU’s chief crops adviser. In that role he led work on key issues including urea, Farming Rules for Water and the Digital Grain Passport.

health and later becoming the NFU’s

Most recently, Anthony has been joint head of policy and business development at

Franz Grimme turns 80

Entrepreneur Franz Grimme celebrated his 80th birthday on 3rd March 2026. In 1980, he took over the management of the Grimme agricultural machinery factory from his father, which at that time employed 300 people and manufactured 10 products.

Franz founded the rst foreign subsidiary in the USA in 1985. Internorm, a specialist in plastics technology, was founded in 1987, followed by Ricon, a company for the

the British Society of Plant Breeders, focusing on trade, seed movement, EU reset and precision breeding. Anthony will be replacing Sarah Woolford as sector director, with Mike Gooding, AHDB’s farming systems director, temporarily stepping into the role during the interim period.

production of webs and conveying equipment, in 1995.

With the acquisitions of US potato technology manufacturer Spudnik (2003) and Danish vegetable technology specialist Asa-Lift (2013), Franz consistently focused on internationalisation and a broad product range. At the same time, own subsidiaries and service agencies were established in numerous core markets.

The group of companies is now present in over 120 countries and

parts van salesman and agricultural area sales manager, before being

number of roles including parts van salesman and agricultural area sales manager, before being appointed

Derek Kelly dies age 95

Derek Kelly, who founded Kelly Turkeys with his wife Mollie in 1971, passed away in January at his home in Danbury, Essex, aged 95.

He was born in the village of Brancepeth, County Durham, and had a Master’s degree in genetics, with a focus on poultry. He spent time working on farms and with poultry businesses including Arbor Acres, Bernard Matthews, and River Rest.

Derek and Mollie had kept a few traditional breeds as a hobby and they began to realise the bronze feathered, slow growing turkeys did have a special avour distinct from the commercial fast-growing breeds. They decided to major on the bronze turkeys, which were rare in the UK at the time, and promote their special qualities to their customers. Their son Paul, who now runs the company, developed the multi prize-winning

operates 37 locations worldwide, including seven production facilities.

Under Franz’s leadership, the workforce has grown from around 300 to over 3,300 employees. The product range has been expanded to over 180 models in potato, beet and vegetable technology with the Grimme, Spudnik and Asa-Lift brands.

Franz is still present at the company every day. As chairman of the supervisory board of Grimme Holding, he and his wife Christine

Palmer has stepped up as branch manager after 24 years with the business.

KellyBronze brand.

In 1989, Derek and Mollie had a visit from Delia Smith researching a new Christmas book. Derek was also awarded an MBE ‘for services to the British poultry industry’ in 1997.

In a tribute to his father, Paul Kelly said: “Dad had 95 wonderful years and was blessed to work in an industry he loved and was devoted to. He passed away peacefully at home just as he had wished.”

support their sons Christoph and Philipp, who are the fth generation to run the group of companies.

Show marked a natural

Graham overseeing

manager,

Tim Lawrence, retired in March

Mark Crosby.

Paul Co ey.

Tim Lawrence.

Image © Carruthers and Hobbs.

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