April 2015 Farming Monthly National

Farming

MONTHLY National

April 2015

Inside this issue...

Buildings

Refurb, choose right, make money | Feature

| SkyTech 2015 event: Drones for agriculture

On Topic | Fracking hell...

Not on my farm!

Renewables Rooftop solar planning changes | News

Success for Scottish potato vodka |

Feature

| The Archers: How current storylines could reflect your own legal positions

Grassland & Silage | Advice for success Also Inside: Potatoes | Livestock | Machinery | Tyres | Security | News | ATV | Motors

Contents

28

10

April 2015

61 14

FMN

Features

FMN

Regulars

14 16 22 24 25 28 32 53

SkyTech

06 10 38 46 56 60

News

Drones in agriculture event

Livestock Herd health

Diet Feeders Machinery news

Security New rural crime initiative

Grassland & Silage Advice for success

Root Crops & Potatoes Making this season more productive

Buildings Refurb, choose right, make money

Catch up on the news that matters

On Topic Not fracking likely...the Welsh fracking argument

Renewables Solar planning relaxed, more efficient wind, AD news

Machinery Latest new machinery news

ATV Polaris go racing, and more..

Motors Jeep Renegade UK launch, New Subaru Outback..

NEXT MONTH Upcoming shows..

Tyres Latest news..

We welcome feedback and encourage readers to air their views. Have an opinion on a story or something you want to get off your chest? Write to us at the address below or email letters@farmingmonthly.com Whilst every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, the opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. The Editor also reserves the right to alter or edit material as necessary and no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracies. Full copyright applies. All rights reserved 2015.

Andrew Poulton EDITOR

Connect with us: Published in the UK by Farming Monthly Ltd, 15-17 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5QJ Tel: +44 (0) 2476 353537 Editor Andrew Poulton Editorial Assistant editorial@farmingmonthly.com Advertising Director Shona Beedham s.beedham@farmingmonthly.com Advertising Sales Jessica Hopper j.hopper@farmingmonthly.com Advertising Sales Laura Green l.green@farmingmonthly.com Accounts Manager Cheryl Arnold c.arnold@farmingmonthly.com Production studio@farmingmonthly.com Subscriptions subscriptions@farmingmonthly.com For editorial and general enquiries or to advertise please call Tel: +44 (0) 2476 353537 or email sales@farmingmonthly.com

Competition Subscribe WIN £350 worth of GOODYEAR clothing he iconic and globally renowned American heritage brand Goodyear has launched its line of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, footwear and accessories into the UK Market.

The Goodyear Lifestyle Program Clothing, Footwear and Accessories range was rolled out into the UK Market from last month. The Lifestyle Clothing

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To celebrate the launch of the Goodyear Outdoor clothing and footwear range in the UK, we are happy to offer you the chance to win £350 worth of high quality and weather-‐proof Goodyear products from the latest Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

These Goodyear Outdoor products are created with the brand’s core values of durability and technical expertise, the perfect atire for sports and outdoor pursuits.

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line draws on the Goodyear brand’s successful research and technical expertise as well as its rich heritage and storied past to offer distinctive and stylish clothing. The Casual and Fashion Vintage collections are inspired by the unique brand’s rich heritage and American roots while the Outdoor and Sport collections are inspired by the core Goodyear brand’s attributes of technical innovation, durability and weather-proof performance. winning the £350 of the Goodyear Spring/Summer 2015 Outdoor collection prize just answer this simple question: These Goodyear Outdoor products are: a) weather-proof b) bullet-proof c) noise-proof Prizes taken from the Goodyear Outdoor Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

•Total Prize Value: £ 350

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| News

NFU President details farmers’ concerns in letter to HS2 The NFU has requested further changes to assurances which have been offered by HS2 to help meet farmers concerns over the proposed major infrastructure project. letter to HS2 from NFU President Meurig Raymond specifies changes to the 15 assurances to try to reach an agreeable solution to some of the issues which the NFU petitioned on and gave evidence on to the Select Committee.

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“The NFU is working closely with HS2 to achieve the best possible solution for land taken on a temporary basis and the problems that surface around this” In the letter, Mr Raymond thanks HS2 for an agreement to an agricultural liaison officer, something which the NFU has asked for since the projects inception. However, many of the other assurances made by HS2 fall short of being a real solution for the farmers impacted.

One of the main petitioning points has been for farmers to be able to relocate agricultural buildings and farmhouses. The assurance given so far does not meet the need for replacement buildings outside the Bill limits and the need for permitted development rights to be granted.

06 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

A further issue which the NFU has been pushing for since the start is a “duty of care” to all farmers impacted which includes HS2 being liable for the actions of their contractors and sub -contractors. The assurance given so far on contractual monitoring does not go far enough.

Mr Raymond said: “The NFU is working closely with HS2 to achieve the best possible solution for land taken on a temporary basis and the problems that surface around this.

Discussions are ongoing to try to make sure that this assurance and the detail under Schedule 15 in the Bill is understood by farmers and their agents. In particular, examples have been requested in regard to the economic test.

“The assurances on field drainage and soil management are a step in the right direction but still fall short as greater detail is needed to make sure that the issues faced by farmers once construction starts can be resolved once the project is completed.

“We’re pleased that HS2 are coming forward with these assurances, but we need to make sure that these assurances will address the issues and provide solutions for our members.”

arming Monthly reader Tom Martell writes in with pictures of his son, Oliver at his grandads farm in East Sussex, and suggests that we should perhaps run a regular spot or competition for local pictures. Whilst we consider this, here is Tom with his son...

Tom says, "On that sunny day we are attending to the chickens sheep and doing some work with the collie ty. Oliver has just turned one in February, he's a happy boy and it looks like he's going to be having lots of fun at his grandads farm in the future."

Submit your pictures to images@farmingmonthly.com

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| News

The British Model Flying Association National Centre for Model Flying Project Search for land: Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. ntroduction to the BMFA Model aircraft flying has been the most popular and accessible air sport in the UK since the 1920s.The British Model Flying Association (BMFA), was founded in 1922 as the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers (SMAE), and is delegated by the Royal Aero Club and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the control, regulation and administration of all aspects of recreational and competitive model flying in the UK.

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The BMFA currently has over 35,000 members and over 800 affiliated clubs nationwide and is by far the largest air-sports body within the Royal Aero Club.

Project overview The BMFA is planning to establish a new National Centre in conjunction with its stakeholders, for the sport of model flying, to be located on a site close to the geographical centre of England and within easy access of major roads.

The BMFA National Centre would be the first in Europe with the focus on providing a permanent venue for events, education and training as well as forming an attraction for all ages, including a museum, indoor flying site and outdoor flying site as well as establishing an administration centre for the sport of model flying.

The establishing of such a centre has the potential to bring significant and enduring benefits to the local economy and model flying events attract a significant number of visitors every year (the National Championships regularly attracts around 10,000 visitors over the August Bank Holiday weekend).

Site requirements The basic requirments of a suitable location are: • a parcel of unobstructed land circa 100 to 300 acres (larger sites up to 1000 acres would be condidered). eg. a disused airfield, military facility or farming land, with boundaries ideally clear of tall trees or obstacles (e.g. power lines) and predominantly flat and level.

• Location needs to be rural or semi rural with a minimum 500m separation from major roads and noise sensitive premises. (e.g. houses).

• A greenfield or brownfield site with or without existing development (e.g. farmland with buildings) or airfield with exisiting runways and some infrastucture.

• Site available for purchase or long term lease and unlikely to have restrictive planning controls.

Please contact: Manny Williamson – Development Officer, British Model Flying Association, Chacksfield House, 31 St. Andrews Road, Leicester LE2 8RE

We would be pleased to hear from landowners with land meeting the above criteria.

Tel: 0116 244 0028, visit www.bmfa.org or email: manny@bmfa.org

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 07

| News

Scottish potato vodka wins one the most prestigious spirit competitions in the world Scotland’s first potato vodka producer has won two major awards after only three months on the market. gilvy Vodka was selected out of more than 1,500 entrants at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition winning a double gold medal for packaging and a silver for spirit.

Graeme Jarron, founder of Ogilvy Spirits, said: “I studied Agriculture at the Scottish Agriculture College (SAC) near Aberdeen and I knew when I returned to work on the farm that I wanted to do something a bit different.

“Our farm is a mixed enterprise growing predominantly potatoes and cereals with some cattle too. I wanted to produce something whereby we could take one of our crops and bring it right through to a final product.

“I did some research and realised producing a vodka from potatoes would not only be unique to Scotland but also a great example of ground to glass ideology. We grow the potatoes

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for our Ogilvy Vodka on the farm so have one hundred per cent traceability. We wash and cook, ferment and distil on site as well as bottle the product.”

The farm has traditionally sold its tatties to a packing house to then reach supermarket shelves. This continues but it is the potatoes of irregular shapes, often rejected by the major retailers, which are used for the now sought after spirit.

Mr Jarron continued: “I approached Heriot-Watt University in 2012, as I knew of their International Centre of Brewing and Distilling. A group of students helped me do some research into the possibility of using Scottish potatoes to produce vodka. The results were positive and after working on a feasibility study and business plan with the SAC we decided to take the plunge.”

As a result of the research project, Ogilvy Spirits recruited a Heriot-Watt University PhD student, Abhishek Banik, as the distiller on the venture. He said: “Graeme’s

08 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

aim was to create a sipping vodka that, similar to a whisky, would give a multitude of flavours and could be savoured.

“We’ve worked tirelessly on our production techniques to come up with a unique offering. The result is a vodka which can be drunk on its own with a few cubes of ice and a slice of pear.

“A number of factors contribute to the flavour profile of the spirit. We use Maris Piper potatoes for the fresh and nutty attributes they impart.

“We also involve a specific yeast to create further flavours and mouth feel. We take lots of fruity notes like apricots, green grass and vanilla by controlling fermentation conditions. There are also toffee and caramel notes, almost like a milkshake, which are achieved through specific distillation techniques.

The process is long in comparison to other vodkas with the whole process taking three weeks from start to finish. Our raw material has so much flavour and

the key was to preserve this throughout the process.”

The Ogilvy team has also been awarded runner up prize for Business Diversification at the Scottish Rural Awards.

“The distillery we have built is fully integrated into our family farm. The water used in our processes is the same water we are using for the agriculture of our potatoes.

“The aim was to build for future generations, to create something from our farm’s produce starting small and sharing it worldwide. We are delighted with these accolades we have achieved, particularly at such an early stage of our development. The future is bright for Ogilvy Spirits and our Hatton of Ogilvy Farm.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| News

Right direction for Arla Arla announced that it will increase the price it pays to its UK members by 0.83ppl* from March 30. his took their standard litre price to 25.8ppl and is the first positive move by a major UK milk buyer in many months. The UK price takes into account a new Jan-March average exchange rate being introduced to the pricing mechanism.

Rob Harrison, NFU dairy board chairman, said: “At last we have seen a UK milk price follow the upward motions of market indicators over recent weeks.

Farmers have been seeing rising wholesale prices almost across the board with no sign yet of this feeding back to milk cheques, but we must see income returning to the farm gate quickly in order to save the industry from further devastation.

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“Arla has worked to explain how its milk pricing system works to its 3,000 UK members, to gain their understanding and support as a co-operative business. It is now more important than ever that trust is re-built in the dairy industry between processors, farmers and retailers. This needs to happen through transparent pricing mechanisms, quick returns to farmers’ incomes in line with the market and a fair balance of risk across the supply chain.

“This news should serve as a wake-up call to other processors.

They cannot hold on to increasing returns at a time when farmers are suffering monumental losses of income, we must see returns to the farm gate immediately.” *this is from an Arla-Amba price rise of +1.5 €/c.

Local family business moves into town CE Projects, having outgrown their previous premises on the outskirts of Market Drayton have taken the brave step of moving to smart new premises in the town. he new premises are easy to get to and are especially convenient for visitors who might be attending the cattle market on a Wednesday (even with trailer attached) - CE Projects Ltd supply dairy farmers, AD plants, pig farmers etc.

Also on site, the company have a smart conference room which they intend to make available to hire.

The new unit is located at 11-12 Maer Lane Industrial Estate and

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Managing Director Simon Johnston is very excited about the move, “We look forward to seeing our customers enjoying the new premises - we have a great team of staff and it has taken a great deal of hard work to get where we are today.”

Simon also emphasises the fact that if CE haven’t got something in stock that customers require, then they will normally get it for them the very next day.

Call 01630 653771 or visit www.ceprojectsltd.co.uk

Want to save time and the environment?

Use solar electric fencing...

f you need to manage your pastures this spring/summer why not use a solar powered electric fence? Solar panels and solar energisers save the environment and save you time as there is much less need to charge your batteries.

How does solar work? A solar panel takes sunlight and converts it into power that can be used by an electric fencing energiser. It does not power the energiser directly – the solar panel feeds the 12v battery. So an energiser during a sunny day of 12 hours will say consume 100 units of electricity from a battery. In the meantime the solar panel depending on its size will put back roughly 75%.

The 12v battery is being trickle fed by the solar panel and therefore the battery will keep its charge longer before it needs a big boost charge on a conventional charger.

Your Solar Options: If your system is battery operated why not get a solar panel (and stand) and use this to trickle feed the battery you already have.

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***We have just reduced the prices of our solar panels so take advantage of the discount and up grade your system to solar.*** Or you could check out the solar energisers available – Helios and the Fire Drake Range.

About Us: www.electricfencing.co.uk is the largest specialist online supplier of electric fencing in the UK. We have the most extensive and comprehensive range of Hotline electric fencing products to cover all of your electric fencing needs. Whether it is a new fence or an upgrade of your current fence you’ll find what you need in our online shop: poultry netting kits to keep Mr Fox out, three reel systems to keep sheep and pigs in, post and rail protection kits, and we also have a wide range of energises to suit most applications, all the electric fencing accessories you could possibly need and of course solar panels and solar energisers.

Call: 01620860058 E: info@electricfencing.co.uk www.electricfencing.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 09

| On Topic

On Topic

N FRAC

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“Farmers should say NO to fracking and find out the facts for themselves before sk people what comes to mind when their thoughts turn to North Wales and you'll get a variety of answers. Some will recall the beautiful mountain ranges, others the sandy beaches or the historic castles - and most farmers will think of sheep and hill farming.

There is, however, a little known area between the Cheshire Plain and the Welsh uplands which has been prime farm land for generations. The first strawberries were grown here over a hundred and fifty years ago – and the same family still runs the business today.

There are organic milk producers and fisheries as well as small picturesque villages such as Holt, Bangor-on-Dee and Overton. This area is in Wales, but it is not part of the post-industrial spread of Wrexham and the surrounding villages nor is it part of the uplands further west.

Now it is under threat.

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IGas respond to Frack Free Wrexham and their position on fracking, specifically in regards to the Holt area [IGas: Why a threat? If carried out properly then surely it’s an opportunity? Natural gas is a crucial ingredient in the creation of fertilizer/many landowners where the industry selects its sites are farmers who are quite happy to host our operations on their land….. In respect to the sites themselves, whilst the number of sites cannot be predicted at this

10 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

juncture, the Institute of Directors report (Infrastructure for Business, ‘Getting shale gas working’) referred to a production phase of 100 sites would require just 200 hectares, or 2 sq. kilometres (the size of the Trafford Centre). ] A planning application was made to Wrexham County Borough Council last year by Dart Energy/IGas Energy to drill a test borehole for unconventional gas at Borras Head between Wrexham and Holt. It is well known that there are coal seams under the area. Within two miles of the proposed site lie the graves of 265 miners, killed by a methane explosion in the Gresford Colliery disaster of 1934. It seemed highly improbable that the site would be left alone if gas was found [IGas: Why? the proximity to the disaster site was fully considered by Dart Energy and the relevant authorities at the time of the planning application and it was concluded that there would be no effect on the disaster zone. The borehole would be over a kilometre distant from the nearest mined seam and more than 1.5 km from the actual disaster zone. We conduct all our operations and environmental assessments to the highest standard and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. It is worth noting that following the Colliery disaster, mining continued on site until 1973 and workings extended past the location of the disaster] but the council was only allowed to decide on the merits of the test borehole as a standalone application, without taking into account the future possibilities. In this case, however, the council did refuse the application, citing traffic problems and additional geological concerns

over pockets of deep-seated gas and the potential effect on the area’s drinking water supply - but this decision was overturned on appeal by Welsh Government planning inspector Clive Nield.

The dangers of Fracking or unconventional gas extraction are well documented and more peer reviewed information is being produced as time goes on. [IGas: Many of these reports attempt to transpose situations in other countries onto a different regulatory system, geology and geography that exist here in the UK. For example, in the UK there are a number of practises that could never be allowed that are in other countries: • The use of open pit lagoons to store fluids, this has the potential for not only fugitive emissions but also the endangerment of wildlife as a result this practise is not allowed in the UK where all fluids have to be contained within double skinned tanks sitting on protective bunds.

• In some countries flow back fluids have been used as dust suppressants on roads.

Again this is a practise that is not allowed in the UK • Most of the studies from other countries lack the original baseline data for comparison with the current position making it impossible to identify if there is an issue or not. In the UK baseline monitoring, operational monitoring and post decommissioning monitoring are all standard practise and are now covered additionally by the infrastructure Act. • All chemicals used in the UK have to be

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| On Topic

On Topic

T O CKING

LIKELY

BASF's Jonathan Ball

allowing the practice on their land”.... Frack Free Wrexham approved by the Environmental Regulator as being non hazardous to groundwater] Groundwater and air pollution, industrialisation of the countryside, as well as health risks to humans and animals were some of the main issues cited by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2012. With the river Dee running less than two kilometres from the proposed site, the risks from such a project seem extremely high. The River Dee is the main conduit for drinking water supplied to the population of Liverpool and the Wirral.

The Welsh Government sits alongside the likes of New York State in having declared a moratorium on Fracking, but there is some question as to whether Wales will hav that devolved power granted and whether it can stop planning currently passed.

IGas have declared that they intend to drill anyway and Wales will not be able to stop them. Common sense says that if there is the slightest chance of pollution, this should not go ahead. Indeed, it has recently been reported by Steve Rushton of Occupy.com that the Fracking Industry has funded all 4 studies that make up the British Government’s case to Frack, highlighting the lack of independence and impartiality.

See http://www.occupy.com/article/industrypaid-science-exposed-new-uk-frackingreport. [IGas: There have been a number of truly independent reports published over the last 12 months, which include the report for the UK government by Public Health England and for the Scottish Government by an Independent Panel of Experts. Both have concluded that in

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the context of UK regulation the risks are minimal: “An assessment of the currently available evidence indicates that the potential risks to public health from exposure to the emissions associated with shale gas extraction will be low if the operations are properly run and regulated” Public Health England June 2014 “Many of these social (and environmental) impacts can be mitigated if they are carefully considered at the planning application stage.

Added to which there are already considerable legislative safeguards to ensure such impacts are not realised” Independent Panel of Experts for the Scottish Government June 2014.

Public Health England, incorporating the Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (Wales) and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Chemical Incidents (formerly the UK Health Protection Agency) is a recognised authoritative body.]

Countrywide, the risk to farming and the outdoor way of life from fracking and other unconventional gas extraction could be huge. Food and drinking water may be massively threatened as may your land and your soil, your crops and your livestock, your life and your livelihood. Landowners and farmers who have boreholes could be potentially more at risk as their water could well become contaminated, despite there being little sign of unconventional gas extraction nearby.

[IGas: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates onshore oil and gas operations for

well integrity and occupational health and safety. Prior to any drilling activity, the operator must send its proposed well design to an independent well examiner. Once the design has been satisfactorily assessed by the examiner, the operator must then notify the HSE of the well design and operation plans. The HSE carries out its own review of these plans, taking into account any comments or recommendations made by the independent well examiner. The design of wells is regulated by the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations 1996 (DCR)1. These regulations include specific requirements for all wells, whether onshore or offshore, and include well integrity provisions which apply throughout the life of wells. The design and construction of the well is key to subsurface environmental protection. Through the use of multiple physical barriers of casing and cement, as well as utilising natural impermeable geology layers as protection, the well will protect any migration of hydrocarbons or well fluids into the surrounding rock formation. Before hydraulic fracturing commences, the well will be tested for integrity and suitability for fracturing.

The DECC will only allow operations to proceed once the HSE have assessed the drill programme, all relevant environment permits have been granted and planning permission is satisfied.

A weekly report is sent to the HSE showing

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 11

| On Topic

“

”

How an operational site looks: Coal Bed Methane site at Doe Green in Warrington

progress with the well, as well as the results of integrity testing that is completed as part of the drill plan. (see also: - Independent Well Examiner section 4.1.3.1). The HSE visit well sites on both an announced and unannounced basis to review operations as it deems necessary.

Water is a critical component in Hydraulic Fracturing and an important resource in facilitating onshore oil and gas in general. The industry believes water should be considered holistically throughout the planning, operational and waste management stages. The industry has established close relationships with Water UK and British Water, having also recently commenced an initiative to consider ‘Integrated water Management for Onshore Oil and Gas’.

The Environment Agency (EA), which regulates shale extraction, has investigated the likelihood of groundwater contamination in detail and judged that the environmental risks at each individual stage of exploratory shale gas operation, after proper management and regulation, are “low”2. The EA will not permit activities if they are close to drinking water sources, such as groundwater from aquifers.

According to a joint Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering report the risk of water contamination is very low provided that shale gas extraction takes place at depths of many hundreds of metres or several kilometres – which would be the case in the UK3.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) also agree that risks to groundwater quality are generally considered to be low in the UK where the shale rock in question often exists at considerable depths below aquifers and gas would be required to migrate many hundreds of metres between source rock and sensitive groundwater4.

12 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

With regards to interaction between shale and overlaying aquifers, a study by the ReFINE (Researching Fracking in Europe) project found that there was a less than 1% chance of a stimulated hydraulic fracture propagating upwards more than 350 metres, and that the maximum recorded distance was 588 metres.

This study recommended that all horizontal fracking wells are drilled at least 600m below aquifers to minimize the risk of stimulated hydraulic fractures providing a pathway for natural gas to migrate upwards into aquifers5.

Fears of water shortages arising from shale gas development have been overstated. The demand for water from onshore shale operators, even at high levels of activity, would be comparable to demand by other industrial uses. The Strategic Environment Assessment undertaken for the 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round6 predicted that under a high activity scenario, annual water use could be up to 9 million cubic metres, representing far less than 1 per cent of total UK annual non domestic mains water usage. Abstraction from other sources e.g. groundwater is assessed on a case by case basis by the Environment Agency only permitted in non-water stressed environments. Technological advances are already being commercially utilised in the USA enabling recycling/re-use of Flowback fluid, subsequently reducing the water footprint.

Concerns about pollution of groundwater by hydraulic fracking fluid are largely based on reports of past practice in the US. The regulatory position in the UK is very clear and operators are required to fully disclose all chemicals used in hydraulic fracking fluid to the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 (as amended). Well pads are required to have secondary containment to prevent spills and leaks entering

Image Courtesy of IGas

groundwater. Regulators do not permit use of hazardous chemicals, which must be assessed on a case by case basis via the JAGDAG assessment methodology (examines persistency, bioaccumulation and toxicity). The composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids pose a very low risk to groundwater in the UK as they will only be permitted by the environmental regulator if determined as non-hazardous to groundwater.]

Studies have also shown significant health risks to humans and livestock from toxic gases released during flaring and well leakage (see http://journalistsresource.org/studies/environm ent/energy/fracking-shale-gas-health-effectsresearch-roundup). [IGas: Public Health England conducted a comprehensive review of the potential health impact of shale gas extraction. The review found that the potential risks to public health from exposure to the emissions associated with shale gas extraction will be low if the operations are properly run and regulated7.

As part of this, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) insists that operators must minimise the release of natural gas into the atmosphere and, when gas can’t be economically used, it must be captured and “flared” to reduce its global warming emissions8.

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| On Topic Beyond exploration, operators will have a commercial incentive not to flare gas, as the gas could otherwise be sold. It is also important that methane does not leak from the well, and escape into the environment that way.

For this study and, in addition to the natural gas released in the process, they noted that extraction will produce emissions because of the industrial processes on site such as engines to power drills and compressors to compress gas. Methane emissions from shale gas sites in the US have fallen by 73% since 2011/2. It is important to note that many of these emissions are also produced in significant quantities from other sources, including industry and transport, and from atmospheric processes. There will also be an existing background level of both primary and secondary pollution. Professor Richard Selley from Imperial College London said: “Whilst there are cases of ill health in the USA related to hydraulic fracturing for shale gas, these result from unsafe practices, such as storing flow back fluids in open pits; and using them to de-ice roads; practices that would never be allowed in the UK.” Methane leakage from a well can be prevented by a well construction design that includes multiple layers of casing which is checked by the Health and Safety Executive and then integrity tested before operation commences. Then during and after operations independent environmental ‘compliance’ monitoring will be carried out to check that no leakage has occurred.

Further demonstrating the commitment of the UK onshore oil and gas industry to mitigate these risks, and complimenting existing UKOOG “UK Onshore Shale Gas Well Guidelines9”, UKOOG is also developing “green completions guidance “ based on industry best practice, to reduce the emissions of gases into the air.”

“Green completion” involves using specialist equipment to collect and separate the initial flow of water, sand and gas, so the gas can be prevented from escaping. According to Professor David MacKay, (DECC’s Chief Scientific Advisor), and Dr Timothy Stone (the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State), “green completions” should be adopted at all stages following exploration10. According to the Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change “Green completions and flaring can reduce methane emissions by as much as 95% versus venting straight into the atmosphere11.”

When discussing emissions associated with the onshore oil and gas industry it is vital to recognise that gas and oil are naturally mobile in the UK subsurface with around 200 natural hydrocarbon seeps, mainly of oil, known onshore in UK. A small number of natural gas seeps from shales have also been recorded,

with notable occurrences in the Weald Basin of south-east England12.

To fully understand emission levels caused by our operations, it is essential that any baseline levels of methane are recoded.

UKOOG has developed guidelines for comprehensive baseline monitoring of soil, air and water before and during operations.

Adherence to these guidelines will be mandatory for UKOOG members. Once these guidelines have been published, UKOOG will develop guidelines for the monitoring of the local environment after wells have been decommissioned.]

Soil contamination may also be a concern as it has the potential to leave the land unfit for farming. It might be too optimistic to expect any compensation and you should check your insurance policies as some providers have stated they will not cover damage by this industry.

With Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDL) being sold across the United Kingdom, now is the time for landowners and land managers to be extremely afraid and to find out the facts for themselves.

Legislation passed in the last session of parliament now prevents you from stopping Fracking beneath your land, however, you can still prevent access to your land by the Fracking companies.

Should the development of this industry go ahead then potentially, green pastures and our beautiful farmlands across the country could be lost forever. [IGas: Why? Whilst the number of sites cannot be predicted at this juncture, the Institute of Directors report (Infrastructure for Business, ‘Getting shale gas working’) referred to a production phase of 100 sites would require just 200 hectares, or 2 sq. kilometres (the size of the Trafford Centre).]

Abandoned wells might be ubiquitous too as these wells only produce for a limited timespan before the companies 'move on'. [IGas: Wells typically have a 20-30 year life span. When all of the oil or natural gas that can be recovered economically from a reservoir has been produced, the land is returned to the way it was before the drilling operations started. Wells will be filled with cement and pipes cut off 3-6 feet below ground level. All surface equipment will be removed and all pads filled in with earth or replanted. The land can then be used again by the landowner for other activities, and there will be virtually no sign that a well was once there.]

Looking ahead, should an environmental disaster ensue post fracking, you can't say that you were given no warning!

There are currently over 200 independent groups across the UK in the form of AntiFracking Campaign groups. Find your local group at http://frack-off.org.uk.

Fracking has been in operation in the USA longer than anywhere else and it is therefore fair to conclude that their experience of the industry is more than relevant to the UK's less mature position. In this respect, information regarding the potential implications of fracking on the environment can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_imp act_of_hydraulic_fracturing_in_the_United_Stat es IGas statement Re: Holt Planning Approval IGas Energy has received planning permission for a single coal bed methane exploration well, where a sample of the coals will be taken for laboratory analysis of the gas content and the site fully restored to its existing agricultural use in line with industry best practice.

The planning application was turned down by Wrexham Borough Council despite a recommendation to approve it from the Council’s own Planning Officer.

The independent Planning Inspectorate of Wales overturned the Council’s decision and allowed the appeal. In conclusion the Inspector stated “ that the proposal would not cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the countryside or to the ecology, to highway safety or the amenity of other road users, or to the amenity of nearby residents by reason of noise and disturbance. I consider the proposal would not be unsustainably located and that risks of it causing pollution, geological instability or subsidence would be negligible. The proposal would be in accordance with development plan and national policy."

We have planning consent for five years, we don't have a timetable for drilling yet but once we have more information on any operational timescales we will communicate with the local community first.

Footnote: Frack Free Wrexham For anyone still uncertain about the consequences of fracturing shale rock and the coal bed seam, then they are advised to undertake their own online research to discover for themselves just how dangerous the processes are from first hand accounts and witness testimonials, which are growing daily."

An emotive subject - and one that will attract strong debate as we go forward. Do you think the fracking industry will have a detrimental effect on farming?

What are your thoughts on fracking? Send your comment or opinion to us by emailing letters@farmingmonthly.com

References 1

http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/notices/on_37.htm https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/296949/LIT_8474_fbb1d4.pdf 3 https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/projects/shale-gas-extraction/2012-06-28-shale-gas.pdf 4 http://www.ciwem.org/media/1023221/Shale%20Gas%20and%20Water%20WEB.pdf 5 http://refine.org.uk/research/hydraulic-fractures-rb-source/fractures-rb-source.aspx 6 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/273997/DECC_SEA_Environmental_Report.pdf 7 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/332837/PHE-CRCE-009_3-7-14.pdf 8 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/about-shale-gas-and-hydraulic-fracturing-fracking 9 http://www.ukoog.org.uk/images/ukoog/pdfs/ShaleGasWellGuidelines.pdf 10 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/237330/MacKay_Stone_shale_study_report_09092013.pdf 11 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/277219/Air.pdf 12 https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/refine/Publishedversion.pdf 2

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April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 13

| Feature

SkyTech 2015 UAV Conference and Exhibition Taking place on the 24th April 2015 at the Business Design Centre, Islington. ith UAVs becoming the latest edition to the tool-shed, SkyTech 2015 is the must attend event for anyone involved in the agriculture industry.

Drones, once a device solely associated with the Military, are being widely used and developed within a number of commercial sectors. Agriculture is tipped to be the largest of these sectors, with some estimates dictating that 80% of the commercial drone industry will revolve around agricultural uses.

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SkyTech 2015 is the must attend event for anyone involved in the agriculture industry Drones (more commonly known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs), are vehicles that aren’t manned by a Pilot, but are flown via a remote control from a user on the ground. They can act as an essential piece of equipment for farmers for carrying out various tasks, from precision agriculture and livestock monitoring to crop scouting and weed management. There are two different types of UAVs that are used within the Agriculture industry; Fix- Wing and Multi-Rotor. The FixWing model is best used for aerial mapping and surveying larger areas as it has long flight times, but are limited in directional movement.

The Multi-Rotor device, unlike the Fix-Wing are

14 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

able to fly in every direction which makes them best suited to surveying specific areas, particularly those harder to reach locations.

Both UAV models feature on-board cameras which capture an array of images, as well as sensors attached to the device which can monitor crops and farmland, and report back high resolution data which could be vital to ease decision making. The devices could also be essential for easing operations on farms and freeing up time to complete alternate tasks. For example, they can cover a much larger proportion of land in a shorter amount of time than would be physically possible on foot. A particular advantage of the devices would be during the winter when it isn’t always viable to get across areas of land due to weather conditions and the effect they’ve had, where the devices could be used to detect water stress etc.

Having said this, the weather can also halt the use of UAVs in certain conditions. For example, during bad rainfall the quality of the images would likely be a lot poorer and flight for the Multi-Rotor UAVs is limited in certain weather conditions such as high winds. There are also shorter flight times with this model.

With the Fix-Wing, current issues are that it cannot turn easily, meaning there are concerns about it flying beyond the boundaries of the farm land into neighbour’s property.

Although there are some issues with the devices currently, the technology is constantly being developed and improved thanks to extensive research and funding. There is also

increasing industry support, especially from manufacturers. For example, Sense Fly eBee Ag and Quest UAV are two of the largest manufacturers for UAV specifically for agriculture that offer tailored packages for their clients. Prices for using the devices are financially viable for most at present, however it is believed that prices will become much cheaper by 2018, a date for when UAVs are set to play a key role within the Agriculture Industry.

Taking place on the 24th April, SkyTech features an entire conference dedicated to the use of UAVs for the Agriculture and Environment industries. Discussion topics will include the use of robotics in agriculture, precision agriculture, salad & vegetable crop monitoring, and the benefits of data for the agriculture industry.

Discover the advantages that UAVs can bring to drought assessment, growth monitoring, weed detection and chlorophyll analysis, amongst many others.

SkyTech also includes an exhibition featuring the industry leaders in agricultural UAVs and services. The exhibition is home to the latest developments in UAV technology for the agriculture industry, including the senseFly eBee Ag. Registration to attend SkyTech closes on 17th April – secure your place now at www.skytechevent.com

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| Feature

UAVs in Agriculture – The Challenges

By Simon Briggs (Director of Geodime Ltd). he last few years have seen a global explosion in the use of UAVs for multiple commercial applications. The challenge for agriculture is proving the business case for their use – moving from impressive and often stunning imagery, to real cost benefit. We see SkyTech 2015, a platform for advancing the integration of UAVs into commerce as a great forum for the agricultural sector.

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We are already seeing the widespread use of UAVs in use across a huge range of agricultural applications The UAV industry is now maturing, with second and third generation systems that are more robust and able to carry heavier and more sophisticated payloads. For agriculture, fixed wing systems offering long flight times in high wind conditions are the obvious choice for large coverage. At Geodime, we are taking a different approach, using high specification multi-rotor craft to allow us to fly a lot slower and lower for more detailed analysis of crop health. The rapid and innovative development in sensor technology is very exciting and using multi-rotors allows us to fully exploit the potential of these sensors in a unique way.

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Our background is Geomatics and the key for us is precise geo-referencing of our aerial imagery. It is not enough to generally locate target areas for attention; for the application of fertilizers and pesticides. The real cost savings come with the exact location of problem areas and a more cost effective and environmentally sustainable use of remedial materials. The challenge for us is to rapidly process large data sets into meaningful data.

The links then with precision agriculture are obvious and for farms already operating machines equipped with accurate differential GPS systems, matching vector files from aerial sensors to actual position in the field is straightforward. Much work is being undertaken across the globe to identify at what point a change in reflectance should trigger an action level on a spray boom, for example.

From a legislative viewpoint, using UAVs in agriculture is straightforward, with landowners permissions, that cause us headaches in other sectors, a given. The push will be for permissions for extended line of sight operations, beyond the 500m pilot’s VLOS bubble. We are already seeing the widespread use of UAVs in use across a huge range of agricultural applications around the globe and are confident that there will be a rapid and successful uptake in the UK.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 15

| Livestock

Planning and prevention to improve profitability The National Beef Association (NBA) aim to help farmers protect the health of their herd - Charlie Maclaren Chair of the NBA’s Animal Health Committee looks at Planning and Prevention. his guide compiled by the NBA’s Animal Health Committee aim to provide beef farmers with information about common health problems.

The NBA Animal Health Committee, which was put together late last year, provides beef farmers with information about common health problems and their potential financial impacts on beef enterprises.

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Vets can be of tremendous help in establishing and maintaining health programs. They keep current with new developments in disease occurrence and in procedures available to prevent and treat diseases.

Losses caused by disease represent a major obstacle to the profitability of many cow/calf beef operations. Disease results in animal death, failure or decreased efficiency in reproduction, and decreases in growth and productivity. Some diseases exist at “subclinical levels,” meaning signs are not observable so losses continue undetected.

It is widely agreed that PREVENTION rather than TREATMENT is the most economical

approach to keeping disease losses low.

Treatment of a disease after its onset is not always effective and is often costly. Production losses often occur before diagnosis and treatment can be instituted. Herd health programs are designed to provide routine, planned procedures which will prevent or minimise disease.

Many herd health programs fail in their objectives because too much reliance is put on vaccinations and other treatments. A comprehensive herd health program recognises vaccination as an important tool, but not a cure all. Effective programs integrate medicine and management to prevent disease.

There are three major factors which should be considered in attempting to keep disease losses to a minimum.

Prevent Exposure to Disease Purchase and quarantine procedures should be employed to decrease the likelihood of disease introduction into the existing herd. In high intensity operations, increasing confinement means increasing exposure to disease-causing organisms that exist in all groups of animals. Such operations need more intensive preventive programs.

Keep Disease Resistance High Nutrition, management, and housing programs should be designed to keep

resistance to disease high at all times.

Preventing or minimizing animal stress is a necessity for maintaining good resistance. In addition to these measures, resistance to specific diseases can sometimes be accomplished by vaccination.

If Disease Occurs, Prevent its Spread Segregate affected animals immediately.

Have a diagnosis made, and take recommended action as soon as possible.

Herd health programs must be tailored to each individual production situation.

Performance of procedures should be grouped because cattle handling is expensive, time consuming, and stressful to cattle. In some cases, the cost of performing a procedure may outweigh the benefits gained. Every procedure should be evaluated in terms of its potential to be cost-beneficial.

Vets can be of tremendous help in establishing and maintaining health programs.

They keep current with new developments in disease occurrence and in procedures available to prevent and treat diseases.

Knowledge and experience enable them to help tailor programs that are based on the goals, capabilities, and situations present on given farms.

Make the most of grass by managing your worm control programme Plan ahead before turnout to ensure you’re on top of parasite control, as high worm burdens can significantly affect growth rates. hat’s the advice from Dr Andy Forbes, COWS (Control of Worms Sustainably) technical representative and Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

This spring it will be vital that producers get the most out of grazed grass, and avoid any growth checks in young cattle, he says. “Producers must work with their vets, and SQP advisers, to implement a planned worm control programme that will benefit overall herd performance.

“Weaning is a high risk time for beef calves, as they are dealing with the combined effect of a change in diet, loss of social interaction with cows, plus the increased risk of ingesting infective gut worm, lungworm and liver fluke through grazing,” says Dr Forbes.

Dr Forbes says that the risk to cattle from parasitic infection can be reduced by considering the

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farm system and implementing a targeted control programme that is farm specific and takes into account both the age of animals, and the pasture grazing history. ”Early season, strategic treatment with anthelmintics and grazing stock on silage or hay aftermaths or on pastures that haven’t been grazed by cattle during the same grazing system, will help to reduce their exposure to parasitic challenges, allowing calves to grow on well.”

Focusing on spring-born calves, he says producers with these suckler herds often start with an advantage, as this system generally carries a lower risk when it comes to worm control at turnout, with young stock typically exposed to fewer infective stages of parasites.

“Young suckling calves eat proportionally less grass compared to weaned calves. The majority of their nutrition is supplied via the mother’s milk, which in itself provides some natural immunity to worms and helps make the stomach

16 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

inhospitable to gut worms.”

Guidance provided by COWS promotes the responsible use of anthelmintics. Combining this with good pasture management can help to reduce the population of infective parasite stages on grazing pastures, and the subsequent negative effects on beef herd performance at grazing.

“It’s all about managing the parasite risk to cattle in a responsible, targeted manner,” says Dr Forbes. “Working alongside vets and SQP advisers will enable farmers to tailor their on-farm control strategy according to the pasture risk, and the specific farming system.”

Making the most of genetics At a time when the industry is on the back foot and milk price is low, the efficiency of any farming system comes under strong scrutiny.

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here are many ways in which a farm business can increase efficiency such as reducing

costs and streamlining various parts of the enterprise. However, when it comes to bull selection and breeding for the future, the importance of building genetic potential for your herd has never

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| Livestock

From tracking sheep in Norway to elephants in Africa...

Satellite-based collars are a farmer’s virtual shepherd. eeping track of valuable livestock grazing in remote regions is a challenge for farmers. Losing livestock to predators, or through illness, during the grazing season not only affects that year’s revenue, but can also have a profound impact on the quality of the breeding foundation for future herds for years to come.

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Farmers can use the solution to geo-fence their livestock – essentially, defining an area in which they want their livestock to graze.

Halvor Mjoen comes from a long line of Norwegian sheep farmers, and knows this only too well. His own family lost 22 per cent of its sheep herd to predators during the 2009 mountain grazing season. Determined to find a solution to the enduring problem of how to better track and safeguard his family’s flock in a region where there is no mobile phone network, Mjoen hit upon the idea of a satellite-based collar that acts as a virtual shepherd, alerting the farmer to potential problems.

The result was the setting up of FindMySheep AS - and the start of a close partnership with Globalstar, which owns a fleet of orbiting satellites.

FindMySheep’s tracking collar sends the farmer the location data for each animal automatically on a time or event-driven basis over

been more significant Genetics are fundamental in any production system. The animal’s genetics forms the basis of how well it performs under differing circumstances and breeding the right type of cow for your farming system is vital to maximising performance. For example, a cow bred for extreme milk production will not be able to perform in a system that requires nine months grazing per year with minimal diet supplementation. At the same time, a cow bred for low stature and low angularity that focuses on health traits and lower maintenance traits, will not be

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Globalstar’s mobile satellite network. Following successful, large-scale field trials, FindMySheep started marketing the low-cost collars commercially in time for Norway’s 2013 grazing season. Halvor’s company sold no fewer than 3,500 collars in its first season. Today, incorporating the new sister brand ‘FindMyAnimal’, over 12,000 of the company’s satellite collars are protecting valuable herds.

The sealed collars are robust, light and waterproof, featuring a long-lasting rechargeable lithium ion battery.

A farmer activates the collars in a similar way to a SIM card in a mobile phone. Once activated, the collars can be set up on a private web page, to send a pre-set number of messages per day; for example, at the start of the grazing season, this might be set to one daily message, while at the end of the season, when the sheep are being herded back to lower grazing fields, a higher frequency of messages can be scheduled.

The data collected shows the time-stamped latitude and longitude of each sheep and the remaining battery life of the unit.

The farmer can also watch an animated video which shows where each sheep has moved on a map.

Farmers can use the solution to geo-fence their livestock – essentially, defining an area in which they want their livestock to graze. A message is sent alerting the farmer when any animals that are close to the edge of this area or that have managed to escape.

This functionality is already being

used by reindeer farmers in Norway to keep reindeer away from railway lines.

The system can also be used to detect abnormal behaviour. For example, it can be set up to alert the farmer if a sheep has moved more than usual – which might signal that the sheep has been scared off by a predator or is struggling to find grass. Someone can then go and check on the sheep.

The FindMySheep collar is now being used in Brazil to track cattle and is tracking elephants in North Africa. So while we may no longer find shepherds wandering the Pennines, Peak District and Welsh mountains, it’s clear that affordable and effective satellite technology can now fill this valuable role.

able to produce enough milk to justify keeping in an intensive TMR fed system.

Once you know the type of cow that works for your system it is all about fine tuning. Utilising the latest technology is a great way of finding out what is required to take your herd to the next level. Although there are many ways in which a dairy herd can improve the genetic potential, genomics – or the ability to examine the genetic make-up of animals long before they have progeny - is becoming more popular not just by AI studs aiming to identify which young

sires to purchase but also by commercial farmers to highlight which are the best animals to breed from.

Traditionally, corrective mating could only take place for type and conformation traits. Now, with the use of genomic testing, traits such as fertility and calving ease can be analysed without the need for performance data allowing for more informed breeding decisions to take place.

Alternatively, DairyCo offer a simple Genetic Herd Report which assesses genetics, identifies weaknesses and benchmarks your herd against

By Corry Brennan Simplex Regional Sales Manager – EMEA, Globalstar.

Corry.Brennan@globalstar.com The first satellite operator to go live with a second-generation constellation of low orbiting satellites, Globalstar offers satellite handsets and tracking solutions for consumers, businesses and emergency services.

For more information about this innovative tracking collar, visit www.findmysheep.com and www.globalstar.com

the UK herd base so that it is clear to see what areas should be focussed on when picking the next group of bulls to add to the semen tank.

Maintaining a healthy herd that delivers quality milk and has genuine staying power is vital to maximise farm productivity and ultimately profitability. To do this, making the most of the genetics available and making smart choices along the way – aided by the latest technology – is essential to achieving your goals.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Livestock

18 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

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| Livestock

Shelter boosts lamb survival rate

Sheltered, well drained fields provide the best physical conditions for lambing and good mothering

By Helen Chesshire, Senior Advisor Woodland Trust. utdoor lambing is becoming increasingly popular to help improve returns since it reduces labour costs and offers reduced disease build up compared to housed lambing - the most significant costs in sheep production. Even in areas where outdoor lambing is impractical or indoor lambing is still preferred due to unpredictable weather, early turnout is increasingly common.

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Small tactical tree planting and hedgerow restoration schemes can deliver significant benefits to both the health and welfare of your flock as well as the local environment However, exposure to cold is one of the biggest causes of neonatal loss of lambs and it is estimated that around a third of

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lamb deaths are due to exposure and starvation. Good shelter is recognised as important for successful outdoor lambing and for young lamb survival. By creating the right conditions for ewes and young lambs, lamb mortality can actually be reduced compared to housed lambing, as a result of improved bonding with the ewe and lower exposure to disease risk. Studies have shown that in cold, wet and windy weather lamb losses can be reduced by 30% if good shelter is provided. Twins and triplet lambs derive the greatest benefit from shelter due to their relatively lower birth weight and higher susceptibility to cold, wet and windy conditions.

Shelter belts can be designed to assist natural behaviours of ewes and provide opportunities for isolation during lambing. Isolation increases the chances of early development of a strong bond between the ewe and her lambs, better suckling and colostrum intake and reduced disease risk and greater resistance to the cold.

Providing tree shelter belts also reduces the risk of mastitis in ewes, which is the result of bacterial infection which generally develops in the early stages of lactation. Teat lesions caused by excessive suckling by lambs allows entry of the bacteria. The problem is worsened by exposure to cold winds and contamination of the udder by mud which can

predispose ewes to infection.

Small tactical tree planting and hedgerow restoration schemes can deliver significant benefits to both the health and welfare of your flock as well as the local environment. At the Woodland Trust we are working with farmers across the country to plant trees to help create more resilient farming systems.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Biosecurity

Farms at war!

Dean Llewellyn from The Poultry Hut on how biosecurity can defeat animal diseases. iosecurity has been a hot topic in the farming community for some time now but several recent outbreaks of infectious disease in the UK have brought the subject into sharp focus.

Biosecurity is becoming more and more prevalent in all aspects of livestock farming and food production.

A well accepted definition of biosecurity is ‘the protection of agricultural animals from any type of infectious agent - viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic’.

It might be helpful to look at the control of animal diseases in terms of a war scenario.

The war zone - The farm, its buildings, yards and sheds, markets and holding areas.

The enemy - Broad based and varied including; salmonella, listeria, aspergillus , enteroccus, pseudomonas , straphylococcus and others. Wild birds, vermin & insects, rodents and unclean water.

The enemy’s weapons - Materials that can carry diseases –manure, slurry, fallen stock etc.

Agriculture as an industry is increasingly led by volumes and margins which stretch our defence resources and which can easily, without due care and attention, give the enemy more opportunity to invade and spread.

What makes the enemy strong? - People spreading diseases as they move around the farm from one facility to another. Visitors, vehicles and equipment movement between sites, all these things can inflict damage. Farm staff must always be vigilant and on guard. If we relax our defenses, even for a brief period, the enemy will rush in again and new, more fierce battles will flare up once again.

How does the enemy hurt us? - Their success hits us in lots of ways but substantial damage is inflicted on our wallets. Disease costs us dearly. Although not all diseases are “notifiable” every infection affects the profitability. The more severe the disease/infection the greater the financial implications.

Our battle plan - Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction & spread of animal diseases.

A well thought through biosecurity plan will keep infection off the farm. This will minimise potential contamination.

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Dean Llewellyn

Find an ally – This war does not need to be fought alone. Find a supplier and/or expert in disease prevention and talk with them about tactics. Ourselves at The Poultry Hut are involved in advising and equipping farmers in this daunting battle. It’s usually much more effective to combat disease when you can discuss what tools and equipment can best be used and to find alternatives if some efforts don’t work.

Our weapons - Ensure that visiting vehicles are parked on hard areas away from stock.

Vehicle and pedestrian disinfectant mats will help curb disease control. Additionally a barrier system, where boots and clothes remain in a controlled area, prevent potential threats and transfer to other sites.

Equipment - Foot dips, disposable overalls/gloves, hand washing are important aids to prevent spread of soiled material.

Discipline - There are some key regimes to carry out before new stock is introduced into areas. To effectively control the bacteria count in sheds and on trailers, boots and other items require an intense cleaning effort to remove all soiled material in preparation for the introduction of new stock. Pre-washers (foamers) and disinfectants should be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

Fumigating empty sheds/units with a bactericide and fungicide will effectively kill infection. An aggressive rodent and pest control system must be implemented at all times. Powder, granulars and fumers are available to the farmer for the eradication of insects. Attention to good housekeeping is vital

to prevent wild birds, vermin & insects introducing disease to housed stock.

The removal of spilt foodstuffs is also essential and it is very important also to maintain good water quality, not only the water supply, which can be “sanitized” with a hydrogen peroxide based product, but all the adjoining pipework and drinking vessels must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Seek victory - With agricultural margins becoming tighter and tighter, the war against infection on our farms is never completely finished. However implementing rigorous and consistent best practice is essential in keeping the many enemies at bay and thwarting their best attempts to spread disease and loss.

A well accepted definition of biosecurity is ‘the protection of agricultural animals from any type of infectious agent - viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic’.

There is good advice online about how to use biosecurity in the war against disease prevention. The website; www.gov.uk/diseaseprevention-for-livestock-farmers has lots of information and advice for farmers and livestock keepers.

The Poultry Hut supplies a wide range of poultry equipment and consumables alongside bespoke solutions for UK poultry farmers.

Website: www.thepoultryhut.co.uk Tel: 0808 168 7988 or email: info@thepoultryhut.co.uk

Make your pressure washer work harder, so you don’t have to Pressure washers have long been a farmer’s go to tool when it comes to cleaning down valuable farming equipment and vehicles, protecting the item from corrosion-causing debris & defending the herd against the spread of infection. owever around the farm – and the rural business our industry is diversifying into – there are plenty of other time-saving uses.

Equally at home in barns or farm shops, the FRV 30 hard surface cleaner allows for the cleaning of concreted, tarmacked and tiled areas without splashing or leaving dirty water behind. Indoors or out, it dramatically reduces the downtime of the area being cleaned plus saves all the time previously taken to manually clear the water away.

Using a hot water pressure washer is up to 35% faster – saving 21 minutes every hour. Another

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20 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

huge time saver is Kärcher’s Inno Foam Set. Instead of the laborious process of lime washing, in a recent study with the British Pig Executive (BPEX) our stockmen achieved a 60% timesaving by applying disinfectant with Inno Foam and significantly reduced Salmonella and Enterobacteria levels†.

Elsewhere on the farm, iSolar is a pressure washer attachment solar revenue protection tool.

Since a build-up of dirt on solar panels leads to a loss in power, reducing both what you generate for own use and any compensation you receive for feeding electricity into the grid, iSolar pays for itself in no time.

Kärcher is proud to be a member of the NFU Farmer and Grower, NFUS, and UFU Affinity Schemes* whereby union members are entitled to receive 5% cashback on the purchase of all Kärcher professional machines, accessories and detergents.

For more information on how Kärcher can help protect your assets and maintain the biosecurity of your farm, contact us on 01295 752 142 or email agri@karcher.co.uk * visit www.karcher-farmers.co.uk † to find out more about any of the research in this article, or to be involved in a future study, please contact us.

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| Biosecurity

Safeguarding your herd Tubes, vials & containers - Biosecurity for every requirement NBA kicks off plain English animal health campaign.

The Consumables Company (TCC), supply a wide range of laboratory consumables in smaller quantities.

n this, the second advisory guide being published

by The National Beef Association’s (NBA) Animal Health Committee, they look at on farm Bio-security. The aim of these unique guides is to help beef farmers protect the health of their herds, and to ensure that they have the correct protocols in place.

These guides, put together by Charles Maclaren Chair of the NBA Animal Health Committee, are the first in a campaign by the NBA, which was put together late last year to provide beef farmers with information about common health problems and their potential financial impacts on beef enterprises.

Biosecurity This is a word we all know and hear regularly but do we really know what it is? Do we know what the implications are to each of us?

Biosecurity can be spilt it in to three key areas: 1. Farm Biosecurity 2. Human and Vehicle Traffic 3. The Wildlife Farm Biosecurity The most effective way for you to approach this is to have a drawing of the buildings on your farm and to use a colour coded system to colour the sheds for risk. A traffic light system is what I use when doing this for others.

Green - is for sheds not ever Green used for feed, housing of cattle or sheep or anything to do with livestock in any way.

Amber Amber - is for those areas and buildings sometime used for stock or stock related purposes.

Red Red - is a high risk area where stock is kept or used routinely for livestock or tasks relating to livestock such as feed storage.

Once you have established this you then need to put a system in place to reduce the risk of any contamination. A good place to start is to reduce any visitors to this area.

Human and Vehicle traffic: Unfortunately most diseases and viruses cannot be seen and many can and will be carried on clothing, in your hair and even up your nose. We all need to be much more aware of these facts especially as we are increasingly keeping larger numbers of in livestock in one place.

Human traffic should be reduced where ever possible and

ou know, all those tubes, vials and containers you need from time to time on the farm, along with lots of other items that were added to the range after requests from others in the farming and veterinary field.

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Charles Maclaren

consideration of this should be understood by all, not just the farmer. From vets to reps and delivery drivers to contractors, all must play their part, they must be made aware of the risks and think before they enter.

It is so easy to unwittingly spread disease. For example; when AI, scanning, calving or any work which means internal examination, remember to always only use your gloves on the one animal and then discard. This is very important as you just don’t know what you might be transmitting from one animal to the next.

The Wildlife: We know and understand that the wildlife on our farms carries some diseases, and that it would be impossible to keep them all out. However, it is important to try to find out who is on your farm.

Always report any sick or dead animals to the relevant authorities who may post mortem the carcase and give you some useful feedback.

Know your enemy: It is crucial that we all make the effort to understand the threats and be able to recognise the signs of the start of a disease taking hold. You should all know the health status of your herds, and should be able to use this information to your own advantage. Preventive medicine has and will always be cheaper than trying to suppress and get rid of a disease once you have it. All diseases and all viruses will affect the animals’ natural immune system leaving it vulnerable to a secondary outbreak of something else.

Biosecurity is very important and these are all facts that cannot be ignored. If you take control of your On Farm Biosecurity it will help your business financially.

“Remember,” says Charlie, “the old saying look after your stock and they will look after you”.

You don’t have to buy a huge box of 1,000 containers, if for example you only need a small pack of 50 Everything is available from Petri dishes, measuring cylinders, sampling swabs (in wood and plastic shafts) pipettes, (in just about every size and shape you can think of and many available in foodsafe, plastic) filters, microscope slides, storage racks and a huge range of containers from 0.2ml right up to 500ml in many different materials.

TCC have been supplying the

Pete Taylor

farming community for quite a while now, shipping orders across the UK and also offering a technical support and sourcing service, in case you need something specific.

Peter Taylor is the owner and is very keen to assist with whatever you may need.

Where TCC really score is that you don’t have to buy a huge box of 1,000 containers, if for example you only need a small pack of 50.

With all stock being held in its central warehouse in Worcestershire, your order will be on its way the very next day….or quicker if you need it sooner. No need to wait three weeks like some lab suppliers suggest.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly |21

| Diet Feeders

Simple, safe and secure The Hustler SL-350 is not the average bale feeder.

L feeders have a reputation for being simple and reliable machines that tackle many of the common problems associated with conventional chain-driven bale feeders.

First, this is a 3 point linkage mounted single bale feeder suitable for all types of round

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bales, even those 5’ long. The whole unit weighs just 460 kilogrms and feeds out both sides.

What’s so simple is the self loading process. The feeding cradle is disconnected by the pull of a rope. Back the tractor up and pick up the bale then move it to the platform. Peel off the net wrap then position the bale on the platform. With a very low cradle and no crossbar the bale loading

22 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

is quick and easy. Next, you drive the forks into the feed unit, which is easily lined up, and it’s ready to feed out.

The SL-350 feeds round or square bales and the massive 12,000lb zinc-plated roller chains offer far higher strength than any other bale feeder chains. The similarly zinc-plated chain bars are also highly durable and the direct drive system uses the reliability of hydraulic power efficiently. For safety and durability the rollers are enclosed and there’s a high back frame to hold the bale in place.

Superior rigidity is ensured with a

The SL-350 feeds round or square bales and the massive 12,000lb zinc-plated roller chains offer far higher strength than any other bale feeder chains. high hook position and the bale feeder features CAT1 and CAT 2 top and lower links.

What could be simpler while being safe and secure? Contact Wessex International on 01264 345870 or visit www.wessexintl.com

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| Feature

The Archers mirrors real life for farming family relationships

By Harriet Errington, Boodle Hatfield.

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ife on the Archers is tough.

Amid recent complaints of sensationalism, the idyllic village of Ambridge is rapidly challenging Albert Square as the UK’s most depressing

place to live.

For nearly 65 years the hapless residents of Ambridge have been grappling with current issues from foot and mouth to racism, homophobia to floods of biblical proportions; however never before has the community been under such a deluge of marital strife. Even Usha – local solicitor extraordinaire – must be struggling with her caseload amid such a relationship pile up. This article offers Usha, and the show’s long suffering listeners, some clarity and advice on the legal issues raised.

Kirsty was the first victim of the Ambridge marital massacre. Set to marry into Ambridge’s most prestigious family, she was unceremoniously jilted by Tom Archer at the altar. However, had she consulted a specialist family lawyer rather than general practitioner Usha, she would have found that her nightmare did not end there. Despite her engagement and cohabitation with Tom, and contrary to popular “common law marriage” myths, she had no claim to any of his assets.

Lilian was to suffer a similar fate. Her partner of many years suddenly disappeared, once again leaving the common law marriage myth exposed. Luckily for Lilian she was not rendered homeless, as Kirsty was, as she was at least wise enough to keep their home and her share of the infamous pub, The Bull, in her own name.

Wise advice to all experiencing similar misfortunes is to seek specialist advice from a family law solicitor early on As is often the case with soaps, where a couple of misfortunes are never enough to sate the audience's appetite, the strife was soon to extend to the happily married. Hayley’s recent discovery of Roy’s adultery has finally resulted in a decision to divorce him.

In order to proceed Hayley must issue a divorce Petition, presumably citing Roy’s extramarital affair or, if Hayley is feeling magnanimous, examples of Roy’s “unreasonable behaviour”. However the reasons cited are likely to have no effect on the financial division, which is dealt with separately.

The Court’s first consideration in dealing with the finances is the children of the marriage. As primary carer of their daughter, Hayley’s housing needs would take priority and Roy should expect to pay child maintenance and perhaps also spousal maintenance; although he is assisted by Hayley’s desire to return to employment.

The arrangements for the care of children are also dealt with separately. Given that Hayley has been the primary carer, Roy would face an uphill struggle should he attempt to challenge Hayley in relation to Abbie’s care. However Hayley would be expected to make reasonable

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arrangements for Roy to see Abbie.

David and Ruth Archer’s relationship was pushed to breaking point when David pulled out of the sale of the ancestral family farm of Brookfield. While this has not, as yet, resulted in the dissolution of their relationship, the hypothetical ramifications, and their effect on the farm, are pertinent to any agricultural landowner within wedlock. The court would ensure that Ruth had sufficient funds to rehouse herself and the children in a manner consistent with their standard of living during the marriage. David is unlikely to have enough liquid capital to afford this and may, as is often the case for divorcing farmers, be forced to sell off part of Brookfield to the devious Justin Elliot, perhaps giving him the chance finally to get his hands on what he has long desired.

David would argue that Brookfield was an inherited asset and should be treated separately to the marital assets. Ruth would counter this by showing that the inheritance has become mixed with family assets over time and become central to their family life. If Ambridge had been north of Hadrian’s Wall David McArcher would have been in a much stronger position as Ruth would have had no claim on inherited assets other than the family home. In Scotland Ruth’s claim for spousal maintenance would be limited to three years, as opposed to her lifelong claim in England.

Though the times may be stormy for couples in Ambridge, thankfully there is a ray of light with two impending marriages. Listeners were heartened to hear Emma’s proposal to Ed, though they were distinctly less impressed when the nefarious Rob covertly proposed to Helen Archer. Listeners may wonder whether either couple has considered a pre-nup. While not automatically binding in England and Wales pre-nuptial agreements will be taken into account provided certain conditions have been met, including both parties having received independent advice, made full disclosure of their assets and provided the agreement meets the Court’s broad assessment of fairness.

Given Ed and Emma’s penury it is unlikely such agreement would be necessary or practical. Helen, on the other hand, should arrange an appointment with Usha. Leaving aside the dubious moral integrity of her betrothed, a pre-nuptial agreement would be advisable to protect any inheritance from her grandmother in addition to the assets already in her possession.

Exploration of recent trends in the Archers may be seen to reflect the reality of a nation that is seeing ever increasing divorce rates.

However, one thing is certain for the Ambridge inhabitants; the show must go on. Were Usha not quite so overburdened many villagers might fare better. Wise advice to all experiencing similar misfortunes is to seek specialist advice from a family law solicitor early on, in order to make the best of the situation.

Harriet Errington is a solicitor at law firm Boodle Hatfield, and from a Scottish farming and cheese-making family. Contact her by email: herrington@boodlehatfield.com or visit www.boodlehatfield.com.

Harriet Errington

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 23

| Security

Op Falcon - we are watching you Rural criminals have been issued with a stark warning as part of a new crackdown on rural crime. peration Falcon was launched today to target criminals operating in rural areas.

Officers from the New Forest, Test Valley, rural Basingstoke, East Hampshire, Hart and Winchester have spent the day at beauty spot car parks across the county talking to members of the public about theft from motor vehicles.

With over 85 per cent of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight being rural, the area presents unique

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policing challenges, and being able to prevent and detect crime is often harder with fewer witnesses to criminal activity coupled with greater opportunities for criminals to target isolated properties and businesses.

In addition to rural policing activities, each month the force will undertake operational activity to target a key issue that has been identified as affecting rural communities.

A full analysis of all incidents, criminality and seasonal trends has been conducted to help ensure an effective focus on those issues that

24 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

cause the biggest concerns.

The first operation will target theft from motor vehicles at beauty spot car parks.

Over the last three years, there have been a total of 503 occurrences reported to the police – 139 in 2012, 184 in 2013 and 180 in 2014. The easiest targets are vehicles where items are left on display; it only takes a few seconds for a window to be smashed and phones, bags and money to be stolen.

Chief Inspector Simon Tribe, the force strategic lead on rural policing, said: “We are launching Op Falcon today as part of our continued commitment to make the region a no go area for criminals.

“By using information provided by members of the public we can assess what the seasonal crime trends are and it enables us to be really targeted and focus our activity on the right people, in the right places and at the right time.

“We know at this time of year we start to see a rise in thefts from cars in beauty spots, so we have a range of activities planned to target those responsible, as well providing crime prevention messages and visible patrols in vulnerable locations.

“Criminals operating in these areas have told us how they target nice areas and can easily find up to 50 insecure vehicles to steal money and valuables from.

“Even more concerning is that they will regularly return to the same places and find the same vehicles, again insecure and again with valuables left inside.

“Anyone coming here to commit crime will be pursued and prosecuted and by working with the local community and partner agencies we can be really effective in make our rural communities a hostile environment for anyone coming here to commit crime.

“There can sometimes be a perception that because action isn’t seen to be taken at the time, that nothing is happening. We are listening, we do take action and we are committed to tackling, disrupting and ultimately preventing criminal

activity across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Please continue to report incidents to us.”

A recent example of this partnership working is the conviction of a family of criminals who travelled across six police force areas stealing from vehicles in beauty spots.

Wilfred Wells, aged 60 and his three sons Lenny Wells, aged 27, Edward William John Wells, aged 26, and Nicholas John Wells, aged 22 and all from Eyres Way, Salisbury, were jailed after admitting more than 90 offences.

Offences were committed in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Thames Valley and Avon and Somerset force areas.

Operation Falcon also supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Rural Policing Strategy, which was designed as part of the PCC’s challenge to the force to deliver a consistent policing service across both urban and rural areas, with a specific requirement to close the gap between rural and urban solved crime rates.

Commenting on the launch of Operation Falcon, Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire said: “I am delighted to see the launch of Operation Falcon which will see regular targeted patrols in rural areas across Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Operation Falcon has been initiated following my challenge to the Chief Constable to improve policing for rural communities and deliver against the rural policing strategy, by adopting a more targeted approach to dealing with rural issues and crime.

“Through this initiative, all those living in or visiting rural areas should feel safer and less at risk of becoming a victim of crime. I would though urge all members of the public to report anything or anyone they consider to be suspicious to the police, by phoning 101. I would also recommend to those living in rural areas, to sign up to Hampshire Alert at www.hampshirealert.co.uk to receive latest information about crime in their area.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grassland & Silage

Best use of nutrients for silage As spring begins to get going, thoughts turn towards pastures and silage land. t may be chillier than last year, but in most areas the grass will be beginning to grow. With a helping hand of nutrients you can get a great crop of forage, but what is the best way to do this cost-effectively?

As ground conditions permit, many silage areas will have received a dressing of slurry. It’s important to take these nutrients into account – and this means that an up-to-date soil test is vital. For most silage ground, a moderate dressing of slurry will provide much if not all of the required P and K for first cut, alongside a modest helping of N.

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The decision on when to cut also includes the balance of quality over yield. A leafier forage is generally higher feed value, but will lack DM yield For example, a 35m3 (3200 galls/ac) application of a fairly average 6% dry matter cattle slurry will supply 32kg/ha available N, or 36 kg/ha if band spread, 42 kg/ha total

phosphate and 112 kg/ha total potash. At if the soil index is at the target level, that is, index 2 for P and index 2- for K, this supplies all of the required P and K, so all that is needed for the later fertiliser dressing is straight N, possibly with some sulphur. If the soil index is lower than required, use the available P and K as the slurry contribution – here that is 21 kg/ha phosphate and 101 kg/ha potash (50% and 90% of total amounts respectively). Sulphur is crucial for a quality second cut and may help at first cut.

The following fertiliser dressing is likely to be around 60-80kg N/ha – ensure that you count back from when you plan to cut so the N has chance to be properly used by the plant. A rule of thumb is 2.5 kg N/ha per day – so an application of 80 kg/ha should have at least 32 days growing time.

The decision on when to cut also includes the balance of quality over yield. A leafier forage is generally higher feed value, but will lack DM yield. Many aim for a middle ground of stem extension but little heading, meaning that quality will still be good but yield will be greater.

This balance can be tipped a little further towards yields where high quality is not so crucial.

Grassland UK to showcase benefits of Selenium fertiliser Farmers should consider applying selenium fertiliser to their grassland in a bid to improve farm animal health all year round. And visitors to Grassland UK will have a chance to see the results first hand. ccording to the British Geological Survey, about 90% of agricultural soils are deficient in selenium, which has a direct impact on selenium levels in grazed and ensiled forage. With the UK’s premier forage event looming, sponsor Origin Fertilisers has been applying selenium to the host farm, and will be announcing trial results at the event on 7 May. “Selenium deficiency has serious health implications,” says Peter Scott, Origin’s Technical Director. “In cattle, symptoms include infertility, retained placenta, white muscle disease, poor live weight gain and a range of auto-immune disorders.” Rather than using expensive mineral supplements, farmers should consider boosting selenium levels in their forage instead. “This is a cost-effective and simple solution as you’ll be spreading fertiliser anyway.”

With farm incomes under intense pressure, many producers will be seeking to maximise production from forage this year, says Alan Lyons, Head of Shows at the Royal Bath & West Society. “Grassland UK really is a onestop shop for anything to do with forage production. For anyone wanting to make the most of their grass, it is an essential date in the diary.”

The one-day triennial event attracts more than 8000 visitors from across the UK and beyond, showcasing a vast array of machinery demonstrations over the 100-acre site. “Visitors are able to see the latest equipment in action,

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learn about new grass varieties and technology, and speak to experts on any related topic,” says Mr Lyons.

As well as the packed seminar programme, sponsored by the British Grassland Society, DairyCo and Eblex, visitors will be able to see muck, slurry and silage demonstrations, and browse more than 140 trade stands from all sectors of the industry.

Agrii’s precision farming team SoilQuest will also be demonstrating how they scanned and mapped the show site to develop the targeted

nutrient programme. “Understanding the source of variation is key to crop performance,” says Chris Hoskins, Agrii’s SoilQuest manager for the west region. “Soil type is the key driver in this variation, and has a huge impact on other decision making processes.”

Visitors can earn four BASIS CPD points for attending the event, which takes place adjacent to the Royal Bath & West Showground on Thursday 7th May from 9am to 4pm. For more information or to book early bird saver tickets, visit www.bathandwest.com.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 25

| Grassland & Silage

Spring launch for Barenbrug’s Good Grass Guide As the cheapest source of food for ruminant animals, good quality grass is the basis for profitable livestock farming. he cost of animal feed has risen by 50% since 2007, so there are compelling commercial incentives to maximise top quality home grown forage by improving grassland and buying in less feed.

But keeping your grass cultivation costs competitive depends on maximising the productivity of your land.

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Benchmark grass quality and maximise profit from well managed pastures The cost to produce a good crop of silage is £30 per tonne, hay £75 per tonne and, even grazed grass costs £15 per tonne.

If it costs £30 per tonne to grow a good crop of silage, imagine how

much more costly it is to grow a poor crop? It is therefore essential to maintain your grassland in the best possible condition to consistently produce the best yields.

That’s why Barenbrug, one of the largest grass seed producers in the UK, is launching the Good Grass Guide, based around a field indexing system that farmers can use to benchmark grass quality and maximise profit from wellmanaged pastures. With a handy pocket-sized booklet supported by a wealth of online information, it will give livestock farmers practical guidance to boost their milk and meat yields by improving the quality of their grassland.

The Good Grass Guide will be available later this spring. If you would like to sign up to receive a copy, please visit www.barenbrug.co.uk/order

26 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

Invest in your grassland!

Reliable evidence from the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice illustrates the decline in grassland liming, with less than 3% of all grassland limed in 2013. his is around one third of the liming level recorded in the late 1990’s.

Furthermore, data collected via the comprehensive PAAG 2014 survey showed that 21% of grassland was found to be below pH 5.5, and this will significantly impact on the efficient utilisation of N, P and K and other nutrients. A further 15% was shown to be between pH 5.5 and 6.0, and is likely to be limiting yield and quality to a lesser extent.

As grasslands become more acidic, the pH reduction is likely to adversely affect sward composition, and therefore grassland yield and quality will decline.

Replicated liming trials conducted by the University of Newcastle at two low pH sites clearly demonstrate the additional yield opportunity that can be realised by raising pH

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from this sub-optimal level to a safer long term level (from less than pH 5.0 to c.6.5).

Yield was increased in the first two years after application and did continue into the third year.

British Sugar’s LimeX product provided the greatest yield response and also improved the crude protein and magnesium content of the herbage.

Therefore, regular pH testing and corrective liming are required to ensure consequential loss of yield and reduced forage quality are avoided. By maintaining soil pH at an appropriate level, other macro and micro nutrients are more available to the growing crop.

LimeX is the ideal product for fast acting, but lasting pH correction on grassland, and can be used in organic farming systems. The integral nutrient package within LimeX contributes to maintaining soil fertility by supplying valuable quantities of P2O5, MgO and SO3.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Grassland & Silage Graph 1: Kg DM/hectare yield comparison for Molesden site

Bale wrapper economy Save time, money and hassle with PowerWrap.

Graph 2: kg DM/hectare yield comparison for Nafferton site ith the average tractor now near 100hp the fuel cost of running a bale wrapper is escalating. Labour is often stretched at silage time and must be used productively.

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No need for an extra man or two to get the wrapper to site For example, a ‘maintenance’ application of LimeX at 5/t ha will supply a minimum of: • 50kg P2O5 • 35kg MgO • 30kg SO3

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These nutrients are typically worth £50-60 per hectare.

LimeX is available to order now for this spring and early summer. For more information contact 0870 2402314, or visit: limex.co.uk

and then home This is where the PowerWrap power units from D.A.Lupton can help by making the wrapper a truly one man operation and at low fuel consumption significantly cheaper to run. No need for an extra man

or two to get the wrapper to site and then home, just one man to site wrap and move on and generally at less than two litres of diesel an hour.

If you are considering wrapping in an enclosed space then there are electric versions available providing low cost running eliminating the fumes associated with combustion engines. These units are particularly useful in waste recycling plants where all operations are inside and operate all year round.

All units are still at 2014 prices or less. Check them out with your dealer or go to the website; www.powerwrap.eu or call David Lupton 07968873942

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 27

| Root Crops & Potatoes

Is this a good year for potatoes?

Dr Apostolos Papadopoulos, Managing Director of Crop Intellect, considers the upcoming season and highlights the importance of proper plant nutrition. lanting of the potato crop has started for 2015 and no one knows how the season will develop.

Last year, although a good growing season with weather conditions favourable, it proved to be challenging as the potato prices fell significantly. However, quality remained the most important factor and growers achieving good skin finish and free of internal defects received a better price.

The biggest contributor to quality over the standard farming practices was the management of nutrition. High temperature, sunlight and water coupled with available nitrogen produced a large canopy resulting in efficient resource capture. But the fast rate of canopy expansion caused the plant cells to be stretched and minerals such as calcium were not adequate to provide cell strength and regulate evapotranspiration and plant stresses.

Fluctuations in growth also caused the tubers to stretch and induced internal defects

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particularly in sensitive varieties.

A well balanced crop nutrition management was needed at appropriate timing to cope with the plant’s requirements for certain elements. This would strengthen the plant cells, reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies being built and produce plants able to reduce the effects of abiotic stresses.

To achieve this it is vital to understand the crop’s requirements and how these may alter depending on the season. In many circumstances, plants receive nutrients that are in toxic levels through foliar spraying.

Such toxicities are not typically observed on the foliage as the symptoms are not obvious unless these are high enough to cause chlorosis. Nevertheless, the toxicity of any one element has the potential to reduce the plant’s productivity with consequences in yield and quality.

The complex mineral interactions are well known where availability of a mineral will reduce the ability of uptake of another.

Manganese toxicity is an example on potatoes where although not visible it has the potential to alter

Dr Apostolos Papadopoulos

the crop’s physiology and reduce yield. A soil and plant tissue analysis provides some indication of where a deficiency may occur but it doesn’t focus on presence of minerals in excess or indicate potential link to increased availability of other heavy metals that can cause toxicity.

Potato growers should envisage a balanced nutrition linked with the requirements of the season as it develops aiming to produce a healthy crop. Crop Intellect is happy to receive enquiries on the topic and provide more details on the subject of crop nutrition.

Blight breakthrough Scientists find new defence front against Potato Blight. cientists from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, UK, report the identification of a resistance gene that enhances resistance against potato late blight from a South American wild relative of cultivated potatoes. The gene targets elicitin, a conserved protein with an important biological function, making it less likely that the pathogen will evolve to evade resistance.

Vivianne Vleeshouwers, breeding research expert at Wageningen University, is one of the leading scientists in the team responsible for this breakthrough.

Vleeshouwers: ”We identified a gene responsible for a totally new line of defence in wild relatives of potato. We hope that this will help us to tackle late blight.”

Phytophthora infestans, the cause of the world wide devastating potato late blight disease, is infamous for triggering the Irish famine. This widespread pathogen is still a major threat to crops worldwide. The international team of scientists searched the germplasm of wild members of the Solanum family (which includes potato) looking for genes

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28 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

that responded to elicitins, so called ‘conserved’ proteins from the blight pathogen.

Vleeshouwers: “These proteins hardly change in time and during species diversification because their role is crucial and their composition has been optimised during earlier evolution.

Resistance enhanced by action against this type of pathogen proteins would make it less likely that the pathogen will evolve to overcome the resistance.”

After a 10-year search, the scientists found one such gene, ELR (Elicitin Resistance) which encodes a receptor-like protein in Solanum microdontum. Plants contain many of these cell surface receptors that constitute the first line of immune defence, like an array of radar antennas, each one tuned to a different but conserved feature of the invading pathogens.

The simultaneous presence of ELR and elicitin triggers cell death at the site of infection, a powerful plant defence mechanism that restricts the progress of the pathogen. Transfer of the ELR gene into cultivated potato made it more resistant to several strains of blight, opening new strategies for breeding a broad and durable resistance in potato varieties, increasing food security and reducing the use of fungicides.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Root Crops & Potatoes

Greencrop Irrigation efficiency with the “Top Rain” Greencrop are the sole importer for the large range of efficient Irrimec hose reel irrigators. ontrolling an irrigation gun can lead to improved efficiency and savings. Wasting water by irrigating the road or another field, controlling irrigation in field obstacles or tapered boundaries all helps to save money.

Supplied by Greencrop Irrigation, Irrimec’s “TopRain” system uses field mapping to modify and adjust the angle of rotation of an irrigator’s rain gun according to obstacles and the field shape. In work it measures electronically the position of the rain gun.

Top rain is intended to change and to adjust the gun rotation angle during watering. It has two reverse latches actuated separately according to the position of the trolley in the field.

The unit is powered by a battery charged by a solar panel.

An electric device locates the trolley position using a to GPS system, or to a sensor fitted to the trolley wheel, automatically setting the desired gun angle and throw.

Simple graphical display allows ease of programing, up to 1000

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settings can be programmed to be reused indefinitely.

Examples • Setting the angle of the gun • Reversed starting • Avoid obstacles • Reduced spacing • Irregular watered band.

Further Efficiency with a new Generation of Control Panels for Greencrop Irrigation Pumps.

• Optimised Fuel Efficiency • Maximised Water Utilisation • Automated “Single Operator” Irrigation The goals were to improve fuel efficiency, avoiding irrigation main failures (bursts) and obtain reliable fully automated, unattended operation.

New features were refined to optimise pressure and flow management to minimise irrigation water main stresses during all phases of operation. Accurate pressure and flow management throughout irrigation runs improved uniform water delivery.

Fast and reliable leak detection avoids loss of valuable water resources.

Remote monitoring and control using mobile telephone technology means fewer visits to

the pump for the operator.

The first operators are so pleased with the results they are the subject of testimonials highlighting our achievement to improve efficiency, reliability and optimised utilisation of pumps and their valuable water.

Model SIL450-GC Series • Off-On Switch • Electric Prime Start • Pump Start Pushbutton • Large LCD Display for pump status and alarms • Automatic Overrides on start up • Low coolant level protection • Accurate low flow (end of run) auto stop • Reliable Fast high flow burst pipe protection • Custom Built electrical engine and pump “plug in” connection harness for Iveco engine.

• Electric Priming Pump control and overrun protection • RPM, Total Hours, Water Flow m3/hr, Max Run timer indications • Monothrottle system ™ using single gauge for • Engine throttling with warm up, soft ramp up to load and cool down.

• Accurate throttling for pressure control with automatic damping to prevent hunting.

• Reliable flow measurement from water meter.

• Low flow adjustable auto stop (m3/hr) for reliable end of run detection • High flow adjustable shutdown for reliable burst pipe detection

Model SIL900LF-GC Series • Fully automatic Pump Priming, Start and Stop sequencing • Remote start and stop using Mobile Phone (GSM) text messaging.

• Remote reset and re-start via GSM after auto stop.

• Text alerts on start, stop, emergency stop and fault shutdown • Automatic Soft line fill with engine RPM and pump flow limiting.

• Line full detection with soft ramp up to full pressure.

• Totalised water volume per run indication • Quality, Reliability and Efficiency All SIL Diesel Pump Control Systems are built to the highest standards to withstand tough operating environments.

The combination of Careful Design, Testing and Proven Technology ensures high reliability and long life.

The SIL450 and SIL900 series of controls are specifically designed for Agricultural Irrigation.

Fuel Efficiency, Maximised Water Utilisation and Automatic Operation combined Greencrop manufacture a range of engine driven irrigation pump sets in the UK, including a new 62hp unit, ideal for supplying one irrigator.

For further information visit www.greencrop.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 29

| Root Crops & Potatoes

Grimme CS 150 XL has the capacity to boost outputs Extended sieving capacity and performance of the latest Grimme destoner gives growers the potential to increase output by 15%. ames Harrison grows more than 300ha of potatoes on owned and rented land for contracts in North Norfolk, and recently added a Grimme CS 150 XL to his fleet of destoners. The new machine features Grimme’s renowned Combi Star system with seven star rotors ahead of the main web.

Increased output comes from an extended sieving area up to 7.2m2 on the second main web. It

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is also possible to adjust the height of the machine by 500 mm, increasing the angle of the machine and thus its sieving performance.

“We’ve used Grimme Combi Star separators for a while and had two CS 1500s and a CS 150. But I swapped to the XL machine as it has a longer chassis and gives greater separation,” he explains.

“The RotaPower system with its tungsten tips gives more bite on clods than a share system, and the star rotors are good too, while the

web gives a fixed size of separation so the process is very consistent,” he comments.

Operator Alistair Miller comments that the ability to raise the scrubber web on the CS 150 is a big improvement. “Previously we were limited to how much physical load could be put on the machine.

But now being able to lift the scrubber web out of the way plus the extra web area and the ability to raise the machine higher can lead to much larger outputs.”

Hydraulic chassis height

adjustment and axle steering on the machine make it easy to handle in steeper conditions. Also, tungsten tips on the RotaPower system are a big plus to reduce downtime and that maintenance of the star arrangements and belt assembly is the same as the older machine.

The CS 150 is very easy to maintain too, with quick release belt tensioners that save endless amounts of time for quick bearing checks. All the grease nipples are easily accessible.

Working with you throughout the potato year Trust Grimme for the best in crop establishment machinery, advanced trailed and self propelled harvesters and innovative crop cleaning, handling and storage solutions.

Grimme Irrigation Systems – all you need from reels & pumps to bowsers & pipe fittings. fittings Visit www.grimme.co.uk for more information.

For details of quality used trailed and SP harvesters visit our website or speak to your local Grimme dealerr..

Grimme UK Ltd.

www.grimme.co.uk www.grimme.co.uk

Station Road, Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3PS t: 01205 822 300 f: 01205 821 196 e: sales@grimme.co.uk

30 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

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| Root Crops & Potatoes

Rowlinson boxes clever Research to improve potato varieties Rowlinson Packaging is one of the UK’s leading Potato, Vegetable and Log box manufacturers and have been producing boxes for over 20 years.

A Harper Adams University agriculture student is hoping to find an alternative method for measuring the resistance of potato plants to the common crop pest, potato cyst nematodes. otato cyst nematodes (PCN) damage a potato plant’s root system, making them less able to extract water and nutrients from the soil, leading to reductions in yield and quality.

Final year student Laurence Gibbs is hoping to find a more effective way to measure crop resistance to the problematic nematode Globodera pallida and believes that root invasion studies could be the answer.

The 23-year-old who studies BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management, said: “The existing method for monitoring resistance is to count the populations in the soil before and after the potato crop has grown and been harvested, to determine if reproduction has occurred.

Unfortunately this is an imprecise science.

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he company boast two operational sites, manufacturing in Thetford in Norfolk and Nantwich in Cheshire. Their excellent coverage enables them to deliver right across the UK, delivering wherever your operation is based!

The Norfolk and Thetford sites have large outside storage areas allowing for forward ordering and large stock holding, which are then called off and delivered by the Rowlinson’s Packaging fleet of

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Vehicles to meet any deadline.

Reworking boxes is another service Rowlinson’s provide. They supply repair timber and even an on-site repair service through their team of trained operators.

Rowlinson’s pride themselves on supplying only the very best new potato boxes, agricultural boxes and vegetable boxes, all of which can be purchased at competitive prices. Their huge buying power in timber and excellent geographic location makes them the perfect partner.

“Instead, a root invasion study can be used where the roots of the plants are cut up and then stained to reveal the nematodes.

These are then viewed under a microscope, indicating the stage in their life cycle and so the possible resistance of the plant.

“Using this method means results are collated much more quickly, and should allow breeders to identify and classify new resistant varieties ready for the market.”

For the study, which is for his Honours research project, Laurence is conducting an experiment in the on-campus glasshouse. He is growing seven potato varieties with different claimed resistances, from none to high resistance.

These root samples will then be analysed in the university's nematology laboratories alongside nematologists Dr Matthew Back.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 31

| Buildings

Refurbish and renew with Cemsix Corrugated Sheet Repair and maintenance of farm buildings is an important task in the ongoing life of a farm. It is especially important in a dairy farm where a well-functioning building is essential to maintaining animal health at an optimum level. or many, the high winds over the winter wrought havoc with some older buildings, especially those with aging corrugated asbestos walls and roofs. For time-pressed farmers, sourcing a suitable replacement material for asbestos corrugated sheet is now a simple task thanks to Cemsix manufactured by Cembrit.

Don’t take risks working at height, simply ask Cembrit to recommend your nearest farm builder or sheeting installer, they will be able to take advantage of the features Cemsix has that make it the perfect refurbishment material for the repair and upgrade of damaged buildings. Firstly, the 6” corrugated profile is the perfect match for traditional asbestos which is not only important from an aesthetic point of view, but also

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simplifies the fixing process. With an identical profile all that is required is for the existing fittings to be loosened, purlins will not need to be repositioned so there is no need for any additional work, other than drilling mitring and sliding the replacement sheet in place. If several sheets need replacing, a whole column of sheets can be removed and replaced straightforwardly without damaging the integrity of the whole roof.

Cemsix is available with a range of accessories enabling you to refurbish the building’s perimeters which are often the most vulnerable areas. Obtaining replacement materials from one supplier with a reputation for good service makes things easier logistically i.e. ordering and delivery, and also ensures products used in the final repair will match up aesthetically. The

32 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

accessory range includes barge boards, crowns as well as openvented ridges which are particularly important for dairy buildings where effective ventilation is essential for maintaining animal health.

Cemsix is produced in a range of colours to match all requirements. Available in the natural grey (the most common shade) as well as twelve attractive pre-coloured options. Cemsix corrugated sheet is the standard imperial 6 inch profile and is strengthened with strategically placed polypropylene reinforcement strips. These are incorporated within the fibrecement sheet to comply with BS and H&S requirements for site safety and fragility.

Cemsix also conforms to the necessary fire safety requirements being a Class 0 surfaced material with an EXT.S.AA rating. The

sheets are durable, weatherproof and are not affected by destructive fungi, vermin or insects, so they will not rot or decay. Cembrit’s Cemsix is the traditional 6 inch UK corrugated sheet profile, it has full BBA certification: 03/4049 and a warranty is available on request.

A Cemsix datasheet is available from Cembrit which details all technical specifications and product information required. For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 8301 8900.

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| Buildings

MJ Barrett - your buildings partner of choice During the last 30 years MJ Barrett has developed into a major supplier of agricultural and industrial steel framed buildings throughout the UK. rom beginnings of supplying and erecting farm buildings himself, Mr Barrett has built the MJ Barrett Group to include MJ Barrett Constructions Ltd and MJ Barrett Developments Ltd. Today the company designs, fabricates, supplies and erects all types of steel framed buildings, not only agricultural buildings including livestock buildings, crop storage, feed storage, milking parlours and equestrian facilities but also industrial and commercial buildings including distribution centres, manufacturing units, storage depots, retail outlets, cinemas and bowling alleys.

MJ Barrett Developments own and manage commercial properties across the Midlands, with various sizes of units available to lease, as well as town centre shops to let.

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The company will begin work on a 3200m² multi crop storage building at the beginning of May MJ Barrett Constructions Ltd prides itself on providing the farming community with buildings that surpass expectations and are delivered and erected in an efficient and professional manor, at the best price possible.

We have experienced and dedicated staff in all areas of the company, from estimating to

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drawing to fabricating and erecting providing an end product and construction experience second to none.

Case Study: Yorkshire Wildlife Park During the last 3 years MJ Barrett Constructions Ltd has been working closely with Yorkshire Wildlife Park in developing their site near to Doncaster. We have supplied and erected a substantial play barn and conference suit including both housing and viewing area for the resident baboons, A purpose built children’s slide building, extensive refurbishment to an existing outdated agricultural building, creating a new modern structure to accommodate refrigeration units and a new modern entrance building accommodating shops and information centre.

Through good planning, quality workmanship and an efficient and professional approach all of these projects have been completed with very little, or no disruption to the thousands of Yorkshire Wildlife Parks paying visitors.

On the strength of our achievements at Yorkshire Wildlife Park we have also just completed the new giraffe house at Twycross Zoo, with additional confirmed projects being carried out later this year.

Case Study: Crop Storage MJ Barrett Constructions will begin work on a 3200m² multi crop storage building at the beginning of May, ready for this seasons crops.

The building will be split into 3 areas all being

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Twycross Zoo

contained by concrete panel walling. With under floor grain drying systems and various grain/seed storage areas, it has been important to work closely with the farmer to achieve the correct building design within a set budget.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 33

| Buildings

How to make money from your farm building Running a farm sure isn’t cheap, and with energy bills constantly creeping up it’s no wonder farmers are looking for ways to run their farms more efficiently. Luckily there are ways to not only save, but also make money as you spend it on your farm building. raham Heath Construction recently partnered with renewable energy supplier Smeaton Wood Energy to provide renewable energy solutions such as Solar PV and Biomass Boilers along with their CE Marked farm buildings. These environmentally beneficial technologies provide a practical and efficient energy solution for farms whilst enabling farmers to earn their money back.

Why is Renewable Energy a good idea for farmers?

First of all there are many funding options and government incentives in place to ensure you get the most out your scheme; for example the Feed-In Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive, which are in short, payments made to anyone generating their own energy through the use of Solar Panels or Biomass, proportional to the amount of power generated. The solar panels are also self-cleaning so you don’t have to worry about upkeep or any hidden maintenance costs.

Graham Heath, Owner of GHC said: “It is important to plan your farm building carefully when considering a solar installation. In order for your Solar Panels to operate to their full potential the positioning should be just right to capture the most of the sun’s energy.”

For more information on getting the most out of your farm building, call Graham Heath Construction on 01270 781158.

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Permitted development rights Residential barn conversions are back on track. ver the past year, new permitted development rights to convert barns to houses have failed to deliver. Most LPAs have taken advantage of the ambiguous wording to refuse applications, against the spirit of the legislation. However, new guidance has now been issued which clarifies the rules in favour of conversion.

“This is excellent news for farmers and landowners looking to utilise redundant building resources” reports Gareth Rowe of Smiths Gore, Truro office. “These changes should help local planning authorities in interpreting permitted development rights and lead to more rural homes without building in the countryside, which is the name of the game.”

To recap, in April 2014 the Government introduced new permitted development rights, which allowed for the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use (under Class MB of the GPDO). Broadly speaking, the new rights allow up to 450m2 of floor space to be converted, up to three dwellings to be created and allow a ‘reasonable’ amount of rebuilding work as necessary to create a functional dwelling house.

Under Class MB, development is permitted subject to ‘prior approval’ being granted by the LPA. In considering such applications the LPA is entitled to take account of certain matters

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including highway impacts, noise impacts, contamination and flood risk. The final consideration is ‘whether the location or siting of the building makes the change of use otherwise impractical or undesirable’.

Unfortunately the loose wording of this final consideration has left it open to interpretation.

As such, LPAs across the country have taken the view that it would be ‘impractical or undesirable’ to allow residential conversions in the countryside, outside of settlements, where people are more reliant on the use of cars.

What is worse is that Planning Inspectors have been supporting this interpretation of the legislation at appeal. Of course, with the vast majority of agricultural buildings in countryside locations, this has severely limited the success of such applications and seemed to render the new legislation largely ineffective.

In response to this Fenella Collins (Head of Planning at the CLA), supported by the Taunton planning team, has been lobbying the Government to provide clarification on how the Class MB legislation should be interpreted.

This work has now born fruit. On 5th March 2015 the Government published new guidance within the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) which provides further explanation as to what is meant by ‘impractical or undesirable’, requiring LPAs to “apply a reasonable ordinary dictionary meaning in making any judgement”.

The guidance sites a number of examples of where this might apply including where

buildings have no road access, or where they sit next to buildings containing dangerous chemicals or machinery. It specifically states that the ‘sustainability’ of the location should not be a factor taken into account by the LPA in determining these applications.

It is also important to note that the guidance does not restrict the permitted development rights to more traditional buildings. It simply states that prior notifications should be supported as long as “the building is structurally strong enough to take the loading which comes with the external works to provide for residential use”. Such works can include the installation of replacement windows, doors roofs, exterior walls, water, drainage, electricity, gas or other services to the extent reasonably necessary for the building to function as a dwelling.

“This new guidance is really useful to anyone who is considering converting agricultural buildings to residential use” reports Steve Briggs of Smiths Gore, Taunton office. “Whilst the original criteria still apply, there is now far clearer guidance on exactly how the permitted development rights should be interpreted and means that LPAs will have to view proposals much more positively from this point forwards.”

Anyone requiring more detailed advice on the newly published guidance are welcome to contact Steve Briggs (01823 445030) or Gareth Rowe (01872 274646) at Smiths Gore.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Buildings

Healthy choices for livestock buildings Marley Eternit looks at key design considerations for building healthy livestock buildings and the dramatic difference that good ventilation can make to animal welfare. ood ventilation is a critical factor when looking to maximise animal welfare and is absolutely vital to ensure that livestock buildings are fit for purpose. Guaranteeing a supply of fresh air to livestock has major health benefits, being one of the best bactericides and virucides we know. Conversely, inadequate ventilation can contribute to sickness and poor health in livestock, ultimately leading to underperformance as a business asset.

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Our fibre cement open protected ridges were used to create an effective ventilation system in the bull accommodation unit by ensuring a constant outflow of stale, moist air, whilst allowing rain to be channelled away over the roof That's why it's so important for adequate ventilation to be clearly specified at the design stage and, as one of the single largest investments that farmers make, it's vital to get the design of farm buildings right from the outset.

Farmers may find it relatively easy to make decisions regarding size, layout and location based on what suits their existing operations.

However, ventilation requirements can be more complex and must be designed according to the number and type of cattle that are kept in the building.

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As a rough guide, adult cattle in a typical building need at least a 200mm gap along the full length of the ridge and here it is important to pay attention to the detail because a few millimetres too little can make a huge difference to the air flow. A ridge opening should be designed to prevent rain falling onto bedding, which would add to the moisture already being generated inside the building.

Air intake area is important too, and should be at least double that of the outlet, and evenly spread around the building to prevent corners of stale air. An adequate intake will ensure circulation of air through the ridge, preventing most rainfall entering the building where an open ridge is used.

To prevent draughts at body level that cause physiological stress, especially in younger stock the advice is to design the building with a solid wall at least to the animals' height.

For example, we were recently involved in the construction of a new stud facility to provide accommodation for up to 150 of Scotland's best breeding bulls.

Fibre cement Profile 6 sheeting was chosen for the roof covering of the new building at Knocknagael national bull stud farm in Inverness, which will play a key role in keeping its herd of high quality bulls in prime condition.

Our fibre cement open protected ridges were used to create an effective ventilation system in the bull accommodation unit by ensuring a constant outflow of stale, moist air, whilst allowing rain to be channelled away over the roof. The upstand of the open ridge flashings creates a venturi

effect to draw air out of the building as wind passes over the roof. The width of the air gap created by the open ridge was specifically designed for the number of bulls and size of the building.

Considering that a single cow generates around 10 litres of moisture through respiration every day, and there may be up to 100 cows in each unit, dispersing this effectively is essential. Unlike steel sheets, the fibre cement profiled sheeting specified at Knocknagael Farm is able to absorb up to 25 per cent of its dry weight in moisture before dissipating it in more favourable conditions.

Instead of the condensation remaining on the underside of the sheets and dripping off at the purlins onto the livestock and

bedding, the moisture can be absorbed by the material.

Independent testing has shown that in a typical cattle building in southern England, there will be dripping condensation from semicompressed fibre cement sheets for only 1% of the time during the winter months, compared to almost 20% of the time for single skin steel.

Ryan Brown, Director of Robinsons Scotland Ltd, said “We used Marley Eternit profiled sheeting at Knocknagael Farm because it is strong, durable and does not have any issues with maintenance. We have worked with the product for a number of years and were confident that it would be able to fulfil the brief to create a healthier environment for the bulls.�

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 35

| Buildings

Contact your nearest dealer: Central Cropsprayers Limited Unit J Sandford Industrial Park Whitchurch Shropshire SY13 2AN 01948 840187 www.centralcropsprayers.co.uk

APM Supplies Winchester Road Little Somborne, Stockbridge Hampshire SO20 6QT 01794 388622 www.apm-supplies.co.uk

Boston Crop Sprayers Little Field, Fen Road Frampton West Boston Lincolnshire PE20 1RZ 01205 722240 www.bostoncropsprayersltd.co.uk

Boston Crop Sprayers North End Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE13 1PE 01945 461181 www.bostoncropsprayersltd.co.uk

36 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

Agratech NW Ltd Unit 8 Dale Mill Burnley Road East Lancashire BB4 9HU 01706 211399 www.agratech.co.uk

Flowgro Barton Turn Farm Barton Under Needwood Burton on Trent Staffordshire DE13 8ED 01283 716 204 www.flowgro.co.uk

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| Fencing

“Right first time” policy puts M&M Timber ahead in fencing market M&M Timber’s time spent researching and developing its ground breaking Agricised process to get it right first time has been vindicated by its unprecedented success, says Managing Director Nigel Poyner. ince the launch of its high performance Agricised timber fencing posts just over a year ago, sales have hit an all time high, despite the flood of similar products from competitors across the UK. The company reports that hundreds of buyers have now registered online for the 15 year in lifetime warranty.

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“We have long known of farmer’s and landowner’s concerns over the ongoing costs of maintaining perimeter fencing” Since joining with Forest Garden Group, one of the UK’s fastest growing timber garden

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products manufacturers, M&M Timber has seen new investment in plant and machinery at its Worcestershire manufacturing centre to meet demand. The streamlining of production facilities include additional advanced precision incising machinery, drying kilns and additional pressure treatment facilities.

With group marketing support M&M Timber will now be establishing its authority in agricised fencing timbers through promotional literature and a nationwide advertising campaign in farming and countryside media.

M&M Timber’s market leading success in this specialised field is testament to its thorough scientific research and technological development with leading timber experts before the product’s launch. “We have long known of farmer’s and landowner’s concerns over the ongoing costs

of maintaining perimeter fencing, both in terms of materials and labour,” says Nigel Poyner, “so it was important that we got the agricising process right first time.

As a result, the agricultural sector now has a top performance option at an affordable price.”

M&M Timber’s Agricising process involves purpose designed incisor machinery, developed and manufactured in the UK to the company’s own specific requirements and is said to be the most technologically advanced of its type in the country.

The process creates a metre long ground contact band of uniform

incisions, allowing preservative treatment penetration to meet Class 4 and BS8417 ground contact zone requirements. It also serves to ease surface tension and reduces cracking.

M&M Timber is so confident in the long term durability of its agricised timber posts that they offering a no-quibble 15 year warranty, backed with a unique online customer registration scheme for absolute peace of mind.

For more information please contact M&M Timber on 01299 832 611 or see the website at www.mmtimber.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 37

| Renewables

Sums still add up due to increasing efficiency of wind turbines Turbines are getting better at capturing the wind, meaning that your investment into a wind project goes even further. ind turbines have been around for centuries. A tried and tested technology, they have been powering farms since the Persians used them to pump water out of the ground in 500AD. And although we’ve come a long way since then, improvements are still being made to ensure that turbines capture the full resource of the wind power available.

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A wind turbine can prove to be an excellent investment as a result of energy savings, Feed in Tariff income and export payments Advances are being made in many different areas — rotors, controls, electronics and gearboxes — but the most marked improvement in turbine design has been the shift towards improved capacity factors of the turbine. The capacity factor is the ratio of the

actual output of the turbine compared to its potential output if it were to operate at maximum capacity all the time. One of the deciding forces for increasing capacity factor is the increase in the size of the rotors.

Larger Rotors Larger rotors provide a larger swept area, which capture more wind energy to convert into electricity. The way you calculate power output means that increasing the swept area of a turbine is directly correlated to the amount of energy it can capture.

For example, a small turbine with a 10m blade has a swept area of 314m². If you increase the length of the blade by only 2m, then the swept area increases to 452m² an increase of almost 50%, resulting in 50% more captured energy.

Many manufacturers in the small and medium wind space have recently launched new models of turbine with longer blades. Endurance Wind Power launched its second generation E3120 turbine, offering 35% more energy than the previous model,

largely due to its blade diameter increase to 23.5m. Similarly, a new 24.4 meter rotor features on the Northern Power Systems 100C turbine, increasing the annual energy production by up to 15%.

Availability Guarantees While the focus on increasing the power produced from wind turbines may be on the capacity factor, another way to increase returns is to make sure that turbines are operational as much as possible. A bad maintenance regime could leave customers dealing with expensive repairs and downtime due to out-of-action parts and system failures. This would have a big impact on the financial payback of a turbine.

Having a good operations and maintenance (O&M) contract means that your turbine is kept in good condition and any failures will be noticed immediately and fixed quickly. A good O&M contract should offer a turbine availability guarantee of around 95%, though many leading O&M companies actually experience availability rates of between 97% and 99%. It would be unwise for a

turbine to be installed without O&M being considered. Not only could this be a potential safety hazard, it could also be limiting your potential revenue.

Performance Guarantees More recently, wind turbine manufacturers in the small and medium wind sector are also offering a guaranteed level of energy production for up to ten years. These types of performance guarantee are normally only seen within utility scale projects, but by offering increased confidence in power-curve performance, smaller wind turbine manufacturers are offering improved financial stability for wind turbine investors.

A wind turbine can prove to be an excellent investment as a result of energy savings, Feed-in Tariff income and export payments, but it’s clear that smart choices in turbine model and O&M contracts can dramatically improve the performance of your turbine and the performance of your investment. Feed-in Tariff rates may be declining, but the wind industry is responding positively with innovative and attractive developments to ensure that the deployments of small and medium wind turbines are as profitable as ever.

For information on installing your own wind turbine, visit www.renewableuk.com/en/renewa ble-energy/wind-energy/small-andmedium-scale-wind

UK medium wind under threat from declining FiT Medium wind manufacturer supports RenewableUK call to increase tariff degression capacities in upcoming FiT review. he encouraging growth of the UK’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT)supported 15kW500kW small and medium wind market may be undermined in the coming years by an overly aggressive tariff degression system that has not given the industry time to enact a proportional reduction in supply chain costs.

That is according to mediumscale wind turbine manufacturer, Norvento, and echoes the findings of the recent RenewableUK 2015 Small and Medium Wind UK Market Report.

Norvento’s nED100 wind turbines mainly operate in the 15kW - 100kW (inclusive) FiT band – although may sometimes operate in the band immediately above (100kW+ to 500kW), if more than one turbine is installed on site.

While both bands have experienced growth this year, the higher band has seen an eightfold increase in capacity over the past 2 years, which most likely reflects the availability of a more generous incentive in this period.

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However, the consistent growth of the 15-100kW band since the inception of the FiT scheme in 2010, coupled with the recent increase of the 100-500kW band, demonstrates that the medium wind sector as a whole is the real success story of the UK distributed wind incentive scheme and has become a significant part of the rural economy. The financial boost provided by the FiT regime has played a key role in supporting this growth.

Unfortunately, the process of tariff degression, which has been in place since 2012 and lowers payments as more capacity is brought online, has taken place at a rate that has not been conducive to establishing economies of scale in medium wind.

Since the introduction of the small and medium wind Feed-in Tariff in 2010, the industry has managed to reduce the CAPEX costs of a standard medium wind project by approximately 11% on average. In the same period, tariffs have degressed by 35% on average (according to RenewableUK data for the 15-500kW range). A further

38 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

tariff degression is expected this April.

In light of this imbalance, there is a clear requirement to adjust capacity thresholds and thereby slow down the overall rate of tariff degression before the industry sees an adverse effect on turbine deployment and overall growth.

Norvento has joined RenewableUK in urging the incoming UK Government to take the opportunity to review these thresholds this summer.

“The FiT regime in medium wind has been under a lot of scrutiny of late, but arguably not for the right reasons,” said Ivo Arnús, Director of UK Business Development, Norvento.

“Recent media reports regarding the practice of turbine de-rating have given the impression that there is a generous support mechanism in place, and, while this might be the case in some specific FiT bands, we should not generalise across the whole scheme, as, in reality, the feed-intariff is a finite resource - and is running out faster than the industry can keep up with.”

“If the UK medium wind market is to sustain current momentum and maintain its industry-leading status, it’s crucial that firms throughout the supply chain are given time to develop economies of scale and thereby lay the foundations for future success.”

The financial boost provided by the FiT regime has played a key role in supporting growth

Norvento’s medium-scale turbine – the 100kW nED100 – recently achieved Design Certification (IEC 61400-1) becoming the only turbine in its range to achieve this worldwide. It has been designed and developed with the UK medium wind sector in mind and it is the turbine of reference with regards to efficiency, generation and built quality. Recently, the firm launched a new 24-metre rotor, boosting the overall production of the turbine by 8% and aiming to counter the effects of the upcoming tariff degression on landowners and independent power producers.

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| Renewables

High performance E4660 joins the fleet!

As an NFU Farm Energy Service approved supplier of wind energy (2014 & 2015) Aeolus Power (Wind-Energy) Limited is pleased to announce that the Endurance Wind Power E3120 has been joined by the E4660.

This photograph shows an APWE installation of an EWP 3120

E4660 close-up

he impressive Endurance E4660 is a similar sized turbine which boasts a larger rotor to enhance its performance. The turbine produces 35% more energy than its sister turbine*.

Endurance Wind Power says, “The 35% jump in productivity compensates for the Feed in Tariff (FIT) degression that has taken place since December 2012 giving farmers and landowners a second chance to achieve these 2012 FIT revenues.”

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The E4660 builds upon the success, reliability and safety aspects of the E3120 and its higher level of performance is making it a very popular choice The rotor size of the E4660 is 23.5m compared with 19.2m for the E3120. The larger rotor and the longer blades provide the E4660 with a blade swept area of 434 square metres compared with 290 square metres for the E3120.

The larger, slower moving rotor is quieter and the E4660 enjoys a low acoustic profile which allows a shorter ‘setback’ distance from buildings and dwellings.

The E4660 builds upon the success, reliability and safety

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aspects of the E3120 and its higher level of performance is making it a very popular choice.

The turbine is available for installation, subject to planning permission, across the UK. Christine Griffiths, Director of APWE says, “We have been installing, commissioning and maintaining the Endurance E3120 since 2010 and have found it an excellent turbine. We are pleased to see these enhancements and delighted to be able to offer a higher performing turbine.”

Aeolus Power offers financial partnerships to assist farmers with the installation of an Endurance Wind Power turbine on their land, from full ownership, to partownership and no-cost land leasing. Please contact Christine or Victoria Griffiths on 01454 633 323 for more information or visit the website www.apwe.co.uk * When comparing Annual Energy Production engineering estimates for wind speeds over 5 mps.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 39

| Renewables

REA comment: DCLG increase of permitted development threshold for rooftop solar REA responds to Eric Pickle’s announcement regarding the increase of the permitted development threshold for solar rooftop installations. esponding to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles’ announcement that the permitted development threshold for rooftop solar panels on commercial property is to be increased from 50KW to 1MW, the Renewable Energy Association's Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said:

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“Microgeneration solar has the potential to significantly reduce the demand on agricultural land for renewable energy” “We are delighted with today’s announcement which will make it much easier for factories, hospitals, bus stations and other non-domestic premises to generate their own sustainable electricity while also saving

themselves money and resources.”

“Microgeneration solar has the potential to significantly reduce the demand on agricultural land for renewable energy, yet it is a

considerably underdeveloped area, and the rigidity of the planning system has long been a major barrier to its progress.

“Doubling the threshold before a full planning application is

required for a solar installation is a simple but effective step which will lift the shackles from the sector, and will help developers avoid uncertainty in terms of degression of feed-in tariff rates.”

Finance4farmers can help with your project Finance4Farmers is a trading style of the holding company, Change Finance Ltd. We are discrete specialist financial brokers, with a proven historical pedigree stretching back over 15 years. One of the best established brokerages in its field. ur core expertise has been in the provision of unsecured funding for qualified professionals, but that is not all. We now arrange finance for Industry and Manufacturing plus we have now added to our portfolio, Farming & Agriculture products, arranging: equipment leasing, farm buildings, fertilisers & feeds.

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Our clients enjoy complete peace of mind whilst working with us; often because we let you get on with your busy lives whilst we sort out the details Martin Kent, MD for Change Finance & Leasing says: “We live and work in a rural area surrounded by many agricultural businesses such as: traditional farms, feed & fertiliser merchants, market garden growers to the trade. It seemed the obvious and right decision to

offer our financial expertise and our credit facilities to the farming community.

We combine the values of experience and accumulated knowledge with the virtues of modern vision and technical competence. We are able to discuss the best way forward, offer the most competitive rates available and advise on which type of funding is appropriate to your needs.

We can arrange various types of funding depending on your requirements. The most traditional is an unsecured loan which gives you flexibility, choice and the ability to shop around and negotiate. For larger amounts more farmers are taking a secured loan out and securing against property or land. Refinancing a piece of equipment which is totally owned will provide vital cash flow when you require it is becoming more popular.

Whether it is to lease a piece of equipment or have a vehicle on HP, we can normally get a decision with 24 hours. We try to keep it simple requesting the minimum

40 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

amount of information (usually just latest accounts and last 3 months bank statements would suffice) with a quick and professional service. We are not Financial Advisors but we can explain all the products we can offer you and with the help of your accountant, choose the most suitable means of finance that would suit your individual needs.

Our clients enjoy complete

peace of mind whilst working with us; often because we let you get on with your busy lives whilst we sort out the details. Over the years, thousands of satisfied clients have expressed total confidence in our solutions, people and products.”

The Holding registered Company is Change Finance Ltd We trade & market under Finance4FarmersLtd

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| Renewables

230MWp by deadline Conergy completed twelve projects, 105 MWp, in the past three months. onergy, one of the world’s largest and longest-standing solar companies, announced today that it has built and gridconnected twelve projects in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2015, bringing its UK total to 22 solar farms.

These 22 projects use nearly one million solar panels and have peak output of 230 MWp, enough to power more than 65,000 homes.

The solar farms range in size from 2.8 MW to 37.2 MW and were mostly built on low grade agricultural across southern England and Wales.

In the last three months, Conergy connected 100% of its planned solar farms on time to make the 1.4 Renewable Obligation Certificate deadline. As of April 1, 2015, the ROC policy incentive will support only solar projects below 5MW in England, Scotland and Wales.

Conergy built the projects to the highest standards, easing the path to their sale. One of Conergy’s customers, and also an investor

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and partner, RWE sold the largest of the projects– a 37 MWp solar plant in Oxfordshire- to Foresight Solar Fund Limited, an investment fund that operates ground-mount UK solar power assets. Conergy sold most of the other projects to Magnetar, one of the top 50 alternative investment managers in the United States. Conergy will remain the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service provider to ensure each project generates the electricity expected.

“We are very pleased to have completed this large portfolio of projects safely and on time,” said Alexander Gorski, COO of Conergy. “I’d like to thank both our customers and our development and construction partners for backing Conergy over the last fifteen months.”

“Conergy sees no limits to solar’s potential in the UK and we’ll continue to build support for solar’s development here,.” said Robert Goss, MD Conergy UK. “We will work with our development partners and network to reach and surpass the government’s target for solar of 4% of the energy mix.”

Use it or lose it!

If we could give one piece of advice to farmers it would be this: take advantage of the enhanced Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) that the Government is offering while you still can! n March 2014 the Government announced a temporary increase in the allowance from £250,000 to £500,000, although on 1st January 2016 it is set to revert back to just £25,000. This means that at the moment you may be entitled to offset 100% of purchases of plant and machinery (up to a value of £500,000) against your tax bill. This does, however, depend on when your financial year commences.

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Planning rules have been relaxed so that now roof mounted systems over 50kW up to 1MW do not need planning permission (subject to certain criteria).

The good news is that solar panels and wind turbines are classified as plant and machinery.

If you invest in solar PV panels or a wind turbine you could be earning a 15+%, index-linked return over a guaranteed twenty-year period.

That is potentially a return of 30% if you can claim the full tax deductible allowance.

Even without the tax relief, a 250kW ground-mounted installation of solar PV panels would cost around £262,500 plus VAT for a fully completed project. If 50% of the electricity generated could be used on your site, this would earn around £45,423 giving a return on investment of 17.3%.

Even if you are a low user and export everything, you can still make a 14.5% return.

Some further good news for anyone thinking of purchasing a solar PV roof system is that planning rules have been relaxed so that now roof-mounted systems over 50kW up to 1MW do not need planning permission (subject to certain criteria).

For more information or to talk through your options, please give us a call on 01283 736637.

18% RETURN FOR 20 YEARS The proven, past-performance figures below are from one of our 50kw solar PV systems. Based on today’s cost price of around £55,000, 70% on-site usage, a bought-in cost for electricity of 12p per unit and past proven performance – this should earn £10,864 per annum, which is currently equivalent to a return of 19.8%. See a live example of our own system at:

www.bowlerenergy.co.uk/solar-pv

Call us for a chat, visit our website or come along and see us at the Farm Shop and Deli Show 2015 NEC 20th-22nd April - Hall 9, Stand P55

01283 bowler 73663 7 energy Scottish Enquiry? Call our agent on 07917 730452 OFFICIAL SPONSOR

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April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 41

| Renewables

Rooftop solar investment barriers eased thanks to DECC changes Savills Energy is welcoming moves from DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) to remove key investment barriers from the rooftop solar installation process for property owners, investors and developers.

ECC has confirmed that it will be now possible, from 2019, for building-mounted solar panels to be moved to a different location without losing Feed in Tariff (FiT) accreditation, and that schemes up to one megawatt (1MW) in size will no longer require full planning approval before permission is granted.

The move to allow FiT transference is a result of the DECC consultation into the transferability of building-mounted solar PV installations. This followed a review into the change of planning for solar rooftop schemes held last year, which Savills Energy consulted on. Under the former FiT scheme, an accredited installation would have been required to stay in the same position for 20 years – despite the fact that 65% of the UK’s commercial property assets are leasehold and commercial lease lengths are on average less than a decade long.

A campaign conducted by Savills Energy earlier this year urged property owners, tenants and developers to have their say on the review and to seize the opportunity to shape the future

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of commercial solar. The feedback gained by Savills was subsequently submitted to DECC as part of the review.

Additionally, a new permitted development right has increased the development threshold for rooftop solar panels on commercial property from 50KW to 1MW, which means installations up to this size no longer require full planning permission.

“These changes represent a vital recognition on the part of the government of the role solar PV has to play in helping the UK to meet its renewable targets,” said Giles Hanglin, who

No set menu - feedstock selection can be ‘A La Carte’ A range of crops can be considered as feed stocks for anaerobic digesters. rowers don’t need to stick to one or two, according to Limagrain’s Martin Titley. “A number of crops can be used on a rotation and, through careful cropping, output from the available hectares can be maximised,” he says.

“Recent reports are suggesting that feed stocks from waste – either food or crop - are at capacity so the focus, as the number of plants increase, will be on crops. Of the current 157 AD plants in the UK, 80 are crop fed which requires approximately 20,000 hectares of land.”

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“Blizzard is a good choice – UK trials have shown that it has a very low dirt tare compared to some other energy beets” With planning granted for a further 415 plants, a significant increase in demand for feed stocks from crops looks likely,” he adds.

“Based on these figures we would be looking at a further 35,000 to 40,000ha worth of crops to feed these AD. Even if some of the plants are not developed, the increase on demand for feed stocks from crops will be significant.”

42 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

Feed stocks for AD plants are not confined to a limited number of crops. “There is quite a range that might be considered,” adds Mr Titley. “It really depends on land type, equipment labour availability and the farm system. Also, some careful planning of the rotation can increase annual output significantly.”

Maize is often the favoured crop in the south and east. A 500kw digester requires approximately 220ha of maize silage yielding around 50tonnes of fresh matter. It has an excellent biogas yield and it can be grown continuously, but Mr Titley suggests that growers could often improve productivity by selecting the variety that best suits their system.

“Don’t assume late maturing varieties are best. The land might be better suited to an early maturing variety which opens up the options of an extra feed stock off the land.”

Harvesting the maize earlier can mean that a grass can be sown in September or early October and that can be harvested the following spring. Alternatively, a winter rye crop also for feed stock can be sown after the maize harvest which is then harvested as wholecrop in late June or July and can be then followed again by grass. “It’s worth

looks after the national coordination of solar rooftop delivery for Savills Energy.

“The government is certainly making the right moves to remove the former barriers in place which have hitherto dissuaded solar PV investment. In easing both the planning and building transference involved in the process, these amendments are set to make a huge difference in driving greater commercial use of this renewable energy. We welcome this confirmation of the government’s commitment to solar PV.”

looking at these options for the individual farm.”

Fodder beet is becoming an increasingly attractive option to supplement maize and of course where maize can’t be grown due to its huge energy yields, high sugars and fast fermentation. “It’s a robust crop,” adds Mr Titley. “It is suited to the UK’s temperate conditions and it’s a low risk crop - yields are reliable,” he adds, although he encourages growers to select a very clean variety.

“Blizzard is a good choice – UK trials have shown that it has a very low dirt tare compared to some other energy beets and this means that it may not need to be washed as much before use. This is a great advantage.”

With sowing options in spring or autumn, specifically developed grass seed mixtures that give good yields, are fast growing and offer consistent quality are good choices for AD plants. Power Grass, a mix of Italian ryegrass and westerwolds, is a prime example. Its sowing and harvesting flexibility means that it can be grown on an 18 to 24 month rotation and best overseeded annually to maintain yield and longevity.

“Grass can greatly help increase the annual productivity of the land used for feed stock,” adds Mr Titley. “Wholecrop cereals offer similar advantages as part of a rotation or in areas with less fertile soil that may not be suited to maize.”

Mr Titley encourages growers to look at all the options of feed stocks. “Weigh up the pros and cons and look carefully at matching the crop and the variety or mixture to the area, soil type, farm system and resources available.”

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| Renewables

Is AD a good fit for your farming business?

Most farmers are well aware of anaerobic digestion (AD) - but with so many different ways it can fit into farming businesses, it’s not always clear how to start investigating its potential. he motivation for building a plant can vary. For some farms it will be meeting energy demand – and insulating the business against future fuel price rises – while for others it may be dealing with farm wastes like manures, slurries, discards, outgrades and residues.

Some will simply be looking for diversified income streams, and others will be looking for an economic way to lengthen crop rotations. Increasingly, the ability to produce digestate biofertiliser to use in place of expensive chemical-based alternatives is driving developments.

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If you’ve decided to investigate AD further, the best place to start is at the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources’ Association’s annual tradeshow, UK AD & Biogas 2015.

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Whatever the reason for investing in a plant, AD offers farmers a new income stream, reduced input costs and a lower carbon footprint. Farmers benefit from government incentives for the green energy, which are guaranteed for twenty years and linked to inflation, as well as saving energy and fertiliser costs.

Those focused on long-term business resilience will find their plant integral to economically and environmentally sustainable farming. The Chairman of QV Foods, Duncan Worth, recently explained, “we are a fairly remote farm site with relatively weak infrastructure, so having an on-site power plant makes us more robust and gives us a better platform for growth. Also, with energy costs rising, we wanted a way of reducing our bills”. Duncan added, “our farming now has a supply of liquid biofertiliser which we will put on growing crops, saving us around £100,000 a year before application costs. In addition, the solid soil conditioner will replace some of our current artificial base fertiliser for our sugar beet crop.”

If you’ve decided to investigate AD further, the best place to start is at the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources’ Association’s annual tradeshow, UK AD & Biogas 2015.

This free event on 1-2 July at the NEC Birmingham covers topics relevant to AD in farming such as growing energy crops and managing land use, latest on sustainability criteria, digestate management, avenues of finance for AD projects and the future of small scale AD. Speakers include the NFU’s Vice President Guy Smith, Director of Evergreen Gas, Michael Chesshire, whose company has many years’ experience in developing smallscale AD for farms and rural communities and Richard Nuttall of Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank, who specialises in providing banking services to the renewable energy sector and farmers.

At UK AD & Biogas 2015 you can get a free initial consultation with farming and finance experts and meet farmers who have already taken the plunge and built an AD plant, as well as many others at various stages of

developing theirs.

Visit us at adbioresources.org or call +44 (0)203 176 0503 to tell us who you’d like to meet at UK AD & Biogas 2015 and we’ll do our best to organise it.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 43

| Renewables

Sustainability Live to deliver green farming solutions in 2015 Sustainability Live – incorporating NEMEX and Energy Recovery – is the UK’s leading exhibition for innovative energy management and sustainability and returns to the NEC Birmingham from 21 to 23 April 2015. he show will address a huge range of contemporary sustainable farming solutions, from the latest energy from waste technology, anaerobic digestion and biogas to the benefits of a closed loop approach and strategies for behavioural change.

Featuring more than 160 participating organisations, including 100 expert speakers across four conference theatres, alongside the latest technologies and solutions from all the leading suppliers, Sustainability Live is a must attend event for farming professionals.

Energy Recovery solutions The leading UK exhibition for energy recovery technologies and services, Sustainability Live incorporates the established industry event, Energy Recovery.

Energy Recovery will feature more than 40 exhibitors from across the energy-from-waste sector, including specialists in advanced thermal treatment technology, anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power, biogas and biofuel products.

The Energy Recovery workshop and seminar programme also has much to offer, with a three day programme of free, CPD-accredited

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44 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

sessions. These include workshops exploring the best technology for creating fuel from feedstock and panel debates covering which technologies are blazing the trail in bioresources.

Exhibition space Visitors can also make the most of this year’s exhibition, which features the latest innovations in energy and resource management, alongside the industry leading energy recovery technologies and services.

Companies set to launch new products at this year’s show include Schneider Electric, Bowers Electricals, MyOxygen, Danlers and Cub (UK).

Energy Recovery specialists taking part include Clearfleau Ltd, environmental consultants 4R Group, anaerobic digestion specialists FLI Energy and electrical engineer specialists IC Electrical.

With such an exciting line-up of innovations and products to see, four new Topic Trails will help visitors maximise their time at the exhibition.

Topic Trails for 2015 are ESOS, Energyefficient Buildings, Energy Generation and Smarter Systems. On arrival, visitors will receive a colour-coded Topic Trail map, which will help

them discover the most relevant exhibitors, seminars and workshops that will address their specific challenges and concerns.

Finally the edie Innovation Zone, supported by the Knowledge Transfer Network, is another exciting new show feature in 2015. Showcasing emerging technologies in the trial stages of development, it’s the ideal chance to learn about the latest emerging technologies and what benefits they could offer businesses in the future.

To pre-register free, please visit www.sustainabilitylive.com. For more information about participating in the event, please visit www.sustainabilitylive.com or contact the sales team on +44 (0) 1342 332097, or email sustainabilitylive@favhouse.com.

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| News

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April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 45

| News

46 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

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| Machinery

Kuhn machinery on display at Grassland UK Kuhn Farm Machinery will have a wide selection of hay and silage making equipment on display at this year’s Grassland UK event. eing held at the Bath and West Showground on 7th May 2015, Kuhn will be running a series of machinery demonstrations on a five-acre plot, with the following machines set to take the stage: TRAILED MOWER CONDITIONER Kuhn’s new trailed mower conditioner, the 3.1 metre FC 3160 TCD, uses a centre pivot design which enables it to be operated on either side of the tractor, or in conjunction with a front mounted mower for improved productivity.

The key benefit of the centre pivot design is its ability to enable the mower to work across the field rather than setting it out at the headlands.

This reduces the working time for each field by as much as 15% by virtually eliminating ‘dead time’ spent travelling at the headlands. Reducing traffic on headlands also prevents the flattening of headland swaths and can contribute to a reduction in soil compaction and soil contamination for improved silage quality.

The FC range of mower conditioners uses Kuhn’s Gyrodine swivel hitch for improved PTO shaft alignment, better reliability, reduced maintenance and enhanced ground following.

The Gyrodine headstock can operate at 540 or 1,000 rpm and allows centre pivot machines to turn sharply, and at speed, without the risk of damaging the input drive and without destabilising the machine’s ground-following capability.

The FC range also uses Kuhn’s Optidisc cutterbar and Fast-Fit cutting knives as standard, and is available with a rotor equipped with free swinging, 560mm steel flails, or a 240mm roller conditioner. Both options offer high material throughput and can be operated at two rotor speeds (780 or 1,000 rpm) for different crop conditions.

The FC’s conditioner also features an articulated hood which can be set for swathing or wide-spreading of the crop, adding considerably to the versatility of this range. A 3.5 metre version, the FC 3560 TCD, is also available.

FOUR-ROTOR GRASS RAKE The GA 13131 has a working width of 11.00 to 12.50 metres and is designed for use on farms

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Contact your nearest Kuhn dealer today...

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where a high work output is required. This new Gyrorake features four rotors, each of which holds 11 tine arms with four tines per arm.

Each rotor is mounted on four pivoting, large diameter wheels for excellent ground contouring and high load bearing. The wheels sit close to the tines to further improve ground following, while Kuhn’s three dimensional rotor suspension system provides even greater stability when working at high speeds.

Rotor working height can be adjusted hydraulically as standard, with all four rotors powered by Kuhn’s headstock-mounted hydraulic drive unit which gives the option to increase front rotor speed by up to 20% when working in lighter crops.

The four rotors work together to create one perfectly formed central windrow (from 150 to 240cm in width) and are controlled via a cabmounted VT50 series terminal which is ISOBUS compatible and which allows operating sequences to be pre-programmed for easy uturns. Each rotor can be lifted individually for a perfect finish and to give the machine high ground clearance for ease of manoeuvring and unhindered travel across uneven terrain.

The GA 13131 is characteristically robust and utilises Kuhn’s Masterdrive GIII gearbox to reduce power transfer stresses and provide reliable service with low maintenance: the Masterdrive’s patented two-stage design uses bevel and spur gear reduction and is totally enclosed for minimal maintenance – service intervals are every 200 hours.

The GA rake requires a minimum PTO power output of 95hp. It stands at less than 4 metres in height and folds to just 3 metres in width when fully folded making road transportation easy and safe.

FIXED CHAMBER ROUND BALER The latest version of Kuhn’s popular fixed chamber round baler – the FB 2135 MKII – is available with two different intake rotors – the OPTIFEED or OPTICUT 14 – both of which share the same 2.30m pick-up width for maximum productivity.

The OPTIFEED rotor uses double Hardox feeding tines and integrated augers to provide an

even and consistent flow of crop into the bale chamber for improved bale consistency. The OPTICUT 14 rotor is fitted with 14 knives to provide a theoretical cutting length of 70mm and which even out the swath by force-feeding the crop into the baler for maximum throughput.

Each single knife is spring-protected against damage from foreign objects.

The FB MKII also features several unique innovations such as Kuhn’s PENDULUM pick-up system, POWERTRACK roller and INTEGRAL ROTOR technology, all of which give real improvements in baling performance.

Kuhn’s PENDULUM pick-up gathers the densest of swaths at high forward speeds and has height adjustable guide wheels for accurately carrying the pick-up over every ground contour.

The Kuhn POWERTRACK chamber consists of 18 recently re-designed rollers, all of which are roll-formed and laser-welded on one side and made of 3.35mm thick high-strength steel. These rollers have symmetrical profiles, which generate a high bale compression density in all crop conditions.

Kuhn’s INTEGRAL ROTOR is a maintenancefree and short distance intake system which ensures even feeding regardless of variations in crop quality. With this system even the heaviest crops are forced through the intake, resulting in higher forward speeds for improved productivity.

The FB 2135 MKII also features Kuhn’s hydraulic POWERLOCK rear door cylinders, which work in combination with a hydraulic lock valve to produce maximum bale density. Fast door opening and closing means more bales per hour and improved efficiency.

The intake unit of the FB 2135 MKII is protected by a main PTO clutch which is automatically activated if a blockage occurs. In addition, the complete cutting floor – including the knives – can be lowered to allow blockages to be cleared.

Furthermore the rotor drive can be disengaged hydraulically from the bale chamber drive, allowing the operator to net and eject the bale in case of a blockage.

For more information about any of the machines on display visit www.kuhn.co.uk

Ripon Farm Services Ltd Dallamires Lane, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1TT 01765 692 255 www.riponfarmservices.com

Ripon Farm Services Ltd Great North Road, Darrington, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 3BW 01977 795 241 www.riponfarmservices.com

Ripon Farm Services Ltd Dalesgate Works, Kildwick, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 7BX 01535 632 661 www.riponfarmservices.com

Ripon Farm Services Ltd Station Road, Ottringham, Hull, Humberside, HU12 0BJ 01964 622 351 www.riponfarmservices.com

Ripon Farm Services Ltd Willow Bridge Works, Carlton, Stockton on Tees, Teeside TS21 1EB 01740 630 254 www.riponfarmservices.com

Ripon Farm Services Ltd York Road, Islington, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 8EB 01937 835 454 www.riponfarmservices.com

Lower Quinton Garages Ltd Goose Lane, Upper Quinton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8SX 01789 720265 www.lqgltd.co.uk

KO Machines Ltd Lower Larches Farm Larches Lane, Wolverhampton West Midlands WV10 7PA 01902 798771 www.komachines.co.uk April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 47

| Machinery

First Kramer 8095T loader delivered to a Derbyshire pig farmer

New DISCO MAX CUT mower range

First generation pig farmers Greg and Sharon Nicklin of Marsh Hollow Farm near Ashbourne in Derbyshire have recently taken delivery of the very first Kramer 8095T teleboom wheeled loader in the UK.

CLAAS has launched a complete new range of mounted and trailed DISCO CONTOUR disc mowers, that incorporate the revolutionary new CLAAS MAX CUT disc mower bed. he new range of MAX CUT models covers a total of 19 models, ranging from the simplest 2.6m mounted mower up to advanced, ISOBUS compatible, high capacity triples with cutting widths as wide as 9.1m.

The new MAX CUT mower bed features a waved shape leading edge, which means the cutting discs can be mounted as close to the front of the bed as possible. In combination with the new, specially formed discs, this means there is a greater overlap between the blades, so creating an enlarged cutting area for optimum cutting quality and flow through the mower. The new MAX CUT mower bed is made from two pieces of pressed steel plate, which are bolted together instead of welded to achieve a high torsional strength. Using a bolted construction also reduces the potential of cracks developing as there are no heat stresses, which are caused during the welding process.

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upplied by local dealer ICP Handling of Stokeon-Trent, the new model is Mr. Nicklin's third German-built Kramer machine since becoming involved with pig husbandry in 2007 and he says he had no hesitation in choosing Kramer once again as the farm's principal tool.

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"I find the steering and the new Powerflow high performance hydraulics very smooth in operation" Since moving to the current site in 2011, the Nicklins have established a four shed Gilt grow out unit in conjunction with British Quality Pigs (BQP) where up to 1900 animals can be housed in straw bedded, high welfare, solid floor pens.

When Mr. Nicklin decided to change his 680T Kramer loader,

the big attraction of the new 8095T model was the ability to enter and exit the cab from either side of the machine - a vital requirement when scraping muck and placing straw in the narrow passageways running the length of each shed.

He also likes the power of the new 75 kW (100 hp) engine coupled to the optional 40 kph Ecospeed transmission that enables the machine to climb hills with ease when travelling to local farms to load straw bales onto his tractor/trailer unit in exchange for pig muck.

"I find the steering and the new Powerflow high performance hydraulics very smooth in operation," said Mr. Nicklin, "which makes it very easy to manoeuver the machine and use attachments with great precision."

Kramer's new premium 8 Series models, formerly the 80 Series, comprises seven models with bucket capacities from 0.75 to 1.15 cu m with all but the 8075 powered by Deutz engines with DOC exhaust after-treatment.

48 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

In order to achieve a clean cut and avoid soil contamination, extra-wide skids are fitted to the underside of the mower bed, which guide dirt and foreign material backwards. There are also additional wear skids and high cut skids available as an option.

In order to achieve a clean cut and avoid soil contamination, extra-wide skids are fitted to the underside of the mower bed The satellite drive train of the new MAX CUT is permanently lubricated and maintenance free, and designed so that in lighter crops it can be run at 850 rpm instead of 1000 rpm, which will help reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. To fully protect the drive train, each mowing disc is mounted using a CLAAS SAFETY LINK module, which incorporates a pre-determined breaking point that will shear in the event of a collision, and is easy to replace.

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| News

Featured Dealers:

Ravenhill Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 9QJ T: 01432 352333 www.ravenhill.co.uk

Sharnford Tractors Ltd Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5EH T: 01455 209300 www.manitou.co.uk

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Drews of Dinton Ltd Dinton, Salisbury Wiltshire SP3 5EH T: 01722 716377 www.drewsofdinton.co.uk

Andrew Symons Holdsworthy Devon EX22 6HI T: 01409 254 040 www.andrewsymons.co.uk

Farmstar Limited Marr, Doncaster DN5 7AU T: 01302 786786

Market Weighton,York YO43 3GA T: 01430 875900

Brigg, North Lincs DN2 8NF T: 01652 654944 www.farmstar.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 49

| Machinery

New Holland launches new Tier 4B compliant T7 tractor range: new styling, more performance, greater comfort New Holland Agriculture introduces its new tractor styling with the new T7 Series featuring its ECOBlue™ HI-eSCR technology for compliance with Tier 4B emissions standards. he new eightmodel range, which includes a new standard wheelbase model with an impressive peak power of 225 horsepower, delivers more power and bristles with productivity-boosting features.

Luca Mainardi, Head of Tractor and Precision Land Management Product Management, commented: “The new T7 offers the best of New Holland’s technologies and features. Great attention to detail has been devoted to provide farmers with a powerful and highly versatile tractor that will enable them to achieve the highest levels of productivity with ease while enjoying ultimate comfort.”

ECOBlue™HI-eSCR technology delivers higher power levels The new T7 Series features a 6cylinder engine and ECOBlue™ HIeSCR technology developed by FPT Industrial that meets Tier 4B emissions standards without the need for Exhaust Gas Recirculation or Diesel Particulate Filter.

The high efficiency aftertreatment system ensures that there’s no need to compromise the combustion efficiency in order to reduce emissions, producing power is the engine’s only task.

This freedom has allowed New Holland to increase the upper power levels of both wheelbase

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versions of the T7. Rated power of the long wheelbase increases by 5% while the standard wheel base climbs by 9% to a 180 hp. Add 45 hp of Engine Power Management to this and the T7.225 is a mighty powerful tractor for its dimensions and weight. To maximise the potential of this package tyres as large as 710/70R38 are now available on the standard wheel base.

Don’t just focus on the high power though. With their HI-eSCR technology New Holland are still able to offer customers a 6 cylinder T7 at a relatively low power level. Many operators will always choose the advantages of a 6 cylinder tractor over a 4 cylinder model; at a rated power of 140-hp rising to 175-hp with Engine Power Management the exclusive T7.175 retains those benefits for the customer.

Productivity-boosting features include new LED work lights package and ISOBUS Class III The new T7 Series bristles with productivity boosting features that enable the operator to work most efficiently. The all-new lighting offering features up to 16 LED cab work lights that provide a true 360degree and far-reaching spread of light which is five times greater than before at 31,000 lumens. All the work lights are integrated in the roof; the front corner 360degree ones have a large arc of adjustment able to point

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rearwards, for example downwards at a verge mower or towards the outer edge of wide implement. The rear 360-degree corner lights can be switched off independently to avoid glare, typically when unloading alongside a harvester. With these class-leading LED work lights packages, operators are able to work long after dark comfortably, safely and productively.

Increased productivity comes with easy to use automation. A new 2nd generation Headland Turn Sequencer II has been developed. Controlled through the now standard IntelliView™ IV touch screen, HTS II enables complex headland turns to be created by recording a turn ‘live’ or creating one by selecting actions and trigger points from a menu.

Everything from selecting the target speed of the Auto Command transmission to switching to an implement camera view is programmable and editable. It’s then placed under the control of a single button. What more can you automate? How about if your implement took control of the tractor? With the new T7 comes ISOBUS Class III architecture which allows a compatible implement, a New Holland BigBaler for example, to control the tractor including its speed.

Further additional features include adjustment of the power shuttle clutch engagement time and Remote Valve Management.

This allows any two hydraulic remote valves to be assigned to

the quad switch on the CommandGrip multi-function handle.

At the front end the long wheel base models get a new integrated front linkage with a higher capacity PTO, while the standard wheelbase front end loader option features a wider frame loader for improved visibility and stability.

Advanced braking technology brings safety and performance The T7 range brings to farms braking systems that you only normally find on commercial road vehicles. Available on the T7.230 models and above, the advanced braking technology of the awardwinning anti-lock system (ABS) manages the brakes of each wheel individually, increasing vehicle stability when braking on greasy surfaces, a very desirable option for those involved in high levels of road transport work. In addition, ABS SuperSteer enables the tractor to execute tight turns in the field by automatically braking the rear inside wheel as the steering wheel is turned. An ABS trailer power socket and an exhaust brake are also individual options on all T7 models. The exhaust brake feature reduces the requirement to use the normal service brakes when descending gradients, the engine’s cylinder compression being utilised to hold the tractor’s speed. Finally, wider frame modular trailer hitches increase flexibility at the rear of the tractor.

The industry-leading Horizon™ cab also offers a smooth ride and ultimate comfort.

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| Machinery

Kubota Goes for Gold with Hoy partnership Agricultural, Groundcare and compact construction machinery specialists, Kubota UK has this month announced its official partnership with Andrew Hoy Eventing as part of a collaboration that will see the four-time Olympic medal winner become brand ambassador for the orange-liveried manufacturer. he partnership was officially announced this week following the handover of a Kubota M6060 60HP 4WD agricultural tractor, which is being loaned to Hoy to help maintain his 23-acre Somerby Stables; a site at which the Hoy Team has been based since December 2013.

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“Kubota’s market-leading M6060 tractor will be a welcome addition to the site” Hoy has had roots in the UK for over two decades, but his association stretches back to 1979, the year in which he won his first UK event (Burghley Horse Trials) – coincidentally, the same year of Kubota’s establishment in the UK. “This is a fantastic partnership for both parties and there’s a definite synergy between the two brands. Kubota is world-renowned

for engineering excellence, reliability and for leading the market in its field. Excellence is something that I strive daily to achieve, so it’s important for me to partner with a brand that shares a similar ethos to my own – Kubota does that,” explains Hoy. “Kubota’s market-leading M6060 tractor will be a welcome addition to the site and will prove an invaluable tool for our work here at the stables, to help maintain the extremely high standards that we set.”

The picturesque Leicestershire location, complete with 32 Monarch Stables, offers some of the world’s best equestrian training facilities for Hoy, his team and his students. Alongside indoor and outdoor arenas, the Somerby Stables includes a grass track for hill work, tack rooms, wash bays and tacking-up areas, a Monarch Horse Walker and substantial turnout facilities.

Kubota’s help towards the upkeep of the facility is just the start of the pair’s collaboration though, and there are already

52 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

some exciting plans in the pipeline, more details of which will be announced over the next few months.

Dave Roberts, Kubota Managing Director commented: “Andrew Hoy is celebrated across the globe for what he’s achieved in his sport. For Kubota to partner with a competitor of Andrew’s stature, who’s won a handful of Olympic Gold medals and

competed at the highest level over three decades, is a real coup for us.

“Andrew’s stables train some of the world’s elite athletes and the next generation of potential Olympic competitors, so the association between Andrew and us promises to be hugely positive for both parties and we’re looking forward to working together over the coming months and beyond.”

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Startin Tractors Limited Twycross CV9 3PW Telephone : 01827 880088 Website with photographs: www.startintractors.co.uk email: sales@startintractors.co.uk www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 53

| Tyres

BKT presents their new EARTHMAX SR 47, SR 51 and SR 53 at INTERMAT The company will display at their stand three new tires of the most popular BKT construction and industrial lineups. t the coming Intermat in Paris, scheduled from April 20 to 25, 2015 BKT will present its latest novelties: the Earthmax SR 47, SR 51 and SR 53 tyres. The new BKT visual and claim, “WE EXPERIENCE - being part of your field”, of the new 2015 advertising campaign is not to be missed.

Earthmax SR 47, displayed in size 24.00 R 35, will be the center star at the BKT stand. The tyre is specially designed for rigid dumpers operating under harshest conditions as they can be found at quarries. It features excellent resistance, durability and stability. The increased tread depth ensures an extended tyre life-cycle optimizing productivity and reducing machinery downtime.

Earthmax SR 51, a specific loader tyre, will be showcased in size 20.5 R 25. The particular lug design has been developed in order to ensure best traction in the course of excavating and loading operations. The extra tread depth – classified L5 – and its special compound provide a significantly extended usage life and increased productivity at the same time.

Earthmax SR 51 features excellent expelling

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capabilities which significantly reduce punctures.

The trade show audience will be able to view the new Earthmax SR 53 in size 17.5 R 25. The tyre is specially designed for loaders and dozers operating on rocky grounds in particularly harsh conditions as one can find in underground mines or open quarries. The particular cut-resistant compound increases both durability and productivity. The special tread design reduces the risk of stones or other foreign matters to remain trapped in the tyre.

The newest versions are an important addition to the well-known Earthmax tyre lineup featuring a very resistant All Steel structure as well as rigid, non-directional blocks favoring a better load distribution on the terrain. They fit perfectly into the existing Earthmax SR 22, SR 30, SR 40, SR 41, SR 44, SR 45, SR 50 and SR 55 ranges. Also Earthmax SR 41, a special tyre for articulated dumpers, will be showcased in size 29.5 R 25. Thanks to a deeper tread design and its reinforced connecting elements, this tyre ensures outstanding stability.

Samples of the following ranges will also be exhibited at the trade show: Airomax AM 27, Container King and Maglift. Airomax AM 27,

Dual sprayer solution A farming contractor in Leicestershire has developed the optimum set-up for its self-propelled sprayer, using two different sets of Michelin Ultraflex Technology tyres to reduce soil compaction year-round. teve Heard Contracting’s advanced tyre choice means its 12-tonne Agrifac sprayer can operate at lower tyre pressures than conventional farm tyres permit, and without the need to adjust pressures between the road and the field.

Owner Steve Heard explains:

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“The biggest advantage is their flexibility. Ultraflex Technology tyres enable us to operate at the same pressures in the field as we do on the road, but without compromising our in-field performance.”

Heard’s option to fit only Ultraflex Technology tyres means his sprayer is fine-tuned for efficient running. He has specified VF710/60 R 38 Michelin XeoBib

54 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

displayed in the size 445/95 R 25, is a tyre for high-speed cranes for on- and off-theroad use, suitable for both road and highway surfaces and rough terrains as you can find on construction sites.

Container King has been specially designed for container and heavy load handling. It is able to provide excellent stability when lifting heavy loads. It will be displayed in size 18.00-25.

Maglift, a solid tyre for forklifts, instead, will be showcased in size 7.00-12 (5.00). It is ideal for ensuring equal load distribution, stability and safety during difficult lifting operations.

The new BKT visual, “WE EXPERIENCE being part of your field”, is going to play a big role at Intermat. All entrances of the exhibition center will be readied with the company’s new campaign slogan, which emphasizes the strong bond between BKT and their product user. The visual highlights a tyre that is fully integrated in the surrounding terrain, symbolizing the field of application the tyre operates in.

BKT @ Intermat 2015: Stand 5a D 064 Bkt-tyres.com

tyres for working on wet ground and dealing with shorter winter crops, switching to VF380/90 R 46 Michelin SprayBib tyres for taller crops and drier ground.

“Sprayers are notoriously heavy machines and so the risk of soil compaction is high if you don’t pick your tyres carefully. Our dual XeoBib and SprayBib set-up gives me total confidence we’ve taken every possible step to reduce compaction to a minimum, which in turn increases yield. That’s ultimately what our customers are most interested in,” he adds.

Ultraflex Technology tyres are renowned for offering a larger footprint than standard farm tyres, with less soil compaction and improved fuel economy, plus improved driver comfort. Despite

running the narrow tyres at pressures as low as 32psi, Heard says that there is no impact on stability either on the road or in the field.

The sprayer operates within an approximate eight mile radius of Steve Heard Contracting’s base at Thistle House Farm, Billesdon, and is responsible for working around 25,000 acres of land every year.

Ultraflex Technology was the creation of a Michelin developer who had previously worked on tyres for the Space Shuttle.

Michelin says this is a clear indication of just how advanced the technology is.

For more information about the range of Michelin farm tyres available visit www.michelinagricultural-tyres.co.uk.

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April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 55

| ATV

Polaris goes racing Polaris is known as the industry leader in off-road vehicles for farming, amenity, sports and leisure. Now the maker of the Sportsman ATVs and Ranger UTVs is also taking the lead in the growing popularity of quad racing with the Polaris Factory Racing Team and the company’s powerful Scrambler machines. or 2015, Polaris has established new relationships with some key affinity partners including Evans Cooling, ITP Wheels and Tyres, Fox Racing Shocks, DP Brakes, Fasst flex bars and Teixeira.

There is a team of six experienced quad riders all keen to put the machines to the test.

Assisting the team is Shane Watson, from Dirt Warz, who brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the Team’s race logistics and activities. The company has also teamed up with

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one of the best enduro promoters in the United Kingdom, WOR Events. The partnership has created the Polaris National Hare Scrambler Series, an eight-round National series on some of the toughest cross country enduro tracks in the country. The Polaris WOR Series is sure to be a great proving ground for the Scrambler in 2015 and the first race at Baden Hall in Staffordshire certainly lived up to expectations with podium finishes for the team. The Scrambler 1000 also made its mark in the challenging DQR (Dragon Quad Racing) event at Stourport-on-Severn taking more

56 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

podium places. With tracks comprising steep hills, off cambers, tight woods, fast rough, deep mud and ruts; the Scramblers had every opportunity to show what they are made of and how they are built to race the toughest challenges.

Team Principal and Polaris Britain employee, Richard Coleby is particularly excited about this season.

“I’m new to quad racing but I’m already passionate about it and the potential in the UK,” he says, “and I really want to see Utility racing grow with manufacturer involvement. There are a number

Team Principal and Polaris Britain employee, Richard Coleby is particularly excited about this season. of races series for 2015 and Polaris will be competing in a wide selection including WOR, DQR and the QRA Beach Cross Championships. It will be great to see progress with the machines leading up to the grand finale with Weston Beach Race at Westonsuper-Mare in October.” Polaris Britain Ltd. 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com

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New Forest Garden Machinery 316-318 Salisbury Road Totton, Southampton Hampshire SO40 3ND Tel: 023 8087 1764 www.nfgmltd.co.uk

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Exeter Quads Exmouth Road Exeter Devon EX5 1AR Tel: 01392 877621 www.exeterquads.com

SK Customs Ltd 82b Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 8HJ Tel. 01522 569419 www.skmotorcycles.co.uk

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 57

| ATV

Three additions to Honda Foreman ATV line-up Honda has extended its TRX500 (Foreman) range with the introduction of three new models; bringing independent rear suspension (IRS) and dual-clutch transmission (DCT) to the line-up for the first time. ll three new models build upon enhancements made to the last new models launched in January 2014 - most notably the stiffer, lighter double-cradle frame, redesigned EPS setting and enhanced fuel injection system but with further developments based on customer and dealer feedback.

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One of the most fundamental changes is the move to IRS which delivers much improved performance capability, comfort and ride. IRS significantly contributes towards a 55% increase in towing capacity (600kg) and payload compared to previous models, as well as ramping up rack capacities to 45kg (front) and 85kg (rear). IRS also offers increased suspension travel of 215mm (front) and

185mm (rear), both of which can be adjusted to suit load and conditions. Additionally, the new frame, introduced in the January 2014 models and adjusted to accommodate Honda's IRS system, delivers improved torsional rigidity for class leading handling and comfort, and a smoother ride.

The TRX500FA5 and FA6 feature Honda's dual range automatic gearbox, offering the choice of automatic or manual modes with Electric Shift Programme (ESP). The introduction of DCT in automatic

mode - for the first time on the Foreman range - means reduced power loss which delivers fuel efficiency gains and a smoother ride. A new dual shift mapping programme takes feedback on how the bike is being ridden from the ECU, and changes gear accordingly. Tried and tested on Honda's market-leading motorcycles for years, DCT contributes towards a 12.5% improvement in fuel economy compared to the outgoing models that the FA5 and FA6 replace.

PULLS ITS WEIGHT COMFORTABLY. Introducing our latest, toughest ATVs – the Foreman IRS range.

Engineered with Independent Rear Suspension you now can tow up to 600kg, and carry up to 44% more load* on the larger, stronger front and rear racks. Let Honda do the hard work.

Find out more & book a test ride: honda.co.uk/atvdurability | 0845 200 8000 *Compared to previous Foreman AT models.

58 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

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| ATV

Title sponsor for European Quadcross Championship FIM Europe has signed a three years contract with ITP for the support of the European Quadcross Championship.

TP is one of the brands of the global operating company The Carlstar Group (formerly Carlisle Transportation Products). The European headquarter of The Carlstar Group is based in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

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“The negotiations started after the end of the last season and in a short time ITP and FIM Europe found an agreement” The Company is well-known as a premier manufacturer of a comprehensive line of performance products for original equipment and aftermarket customers with a strong family of brands including Carlisle® belts, tires and wheels, Ultimax® powersports belts, ITP® tires and wheels, as well as Cragar®, Black Rock® and Unique® wheels. Made in USA, ITP tires and wheels are realized pursuing Advanced Traction Technology, and are well-known already in many Countries and specialized in Quads and UTVs. In Europe the use of quads is very popular.

The races of the European Quadcross Championship in 6 different Countries are a good opportunity for both parties to reach two goals: more interest in this very spectacular championship and, for ITP, spreading the brand in the European market.

“In the Olympic Sportcentrum Papendal the promotional materials were showed. ITP developed a special logo for this EMX Quad competition, which is visible on the website”, stated Ilse Smit, Exhibition & Events Coordinator of ITP. “Both parties are satisfied about this contract: the negotiations started after the end of the last season and in a short time ITP and FIM Europe found an agreement”, added Martin de Graaff, FIM Europe Sporting Council President.

The calendar of the ITP EMX Quad is: 11/12 April Castelneau de Levis (FRA) 2/3 May Gazzana di Preseglie (ITA) 16/17 May Randers (DEN) 6/7 June Stelpe (LAT) 1/2 August Kivioli (EST) 8/9 August Kegums (LAT) ITP EMX Quad of European Nations 10/11 October Schwedt (Ger)

Jimmy’s Farm Festival drives TV presenter wild Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), a world leading manufacturer of motorised vehicles, challenged Suffolk-based farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty to put its new Can-Am Outlander 6x6 all terrain vehicle (ATV) through its paces on his farm at Jimmy’s Farm ‘Science & Nature Festival’, which took place from 21-22 March 2015 at Jimmy’s Farm in Ipswich.

RP’s premium range of Can-Am vehicles, the Outlander L and 6x6, are new focused utility ATVs that were showcased at the event.

For two days, the Science & Nature Festival took over Jimmy’s Farm and was full of inspiration for children and families. The event had over 30 different exhibits and zones including machines; animals; human body; farming and science and nature. It also had a demo stage where visitors had the opportunity to see fun science experiments.

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“The Can-Am vehicles were a great new addition to our Science & Nature Festival this year and we were impressed with how they performed.”

Paul Wood, Cam-Am Commercial Representative UK and Ireland, said, “We were so excited to have the opportunity to

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exhibit at this local event and have Jimmy ride our vehicles. It enabled us to introduce BRP’s ATV and SSV ranges to a wider audience and demonstrated that they are tough, rugged but comfortable vehicles that are very much at home on the farm.”

Jimmy Doherty said, “The CanAm vehicles were a great new addition to our Science & Nature Festival this year and we were impressed with how they performed. I have been lucky enough that the company has loaned one of the vehicles to me and I can’t wait to test it out further on the farm.”

Farming Monthly had the opportunity to put some questions to Jimmy about the Can-Am machines: FM: We know that the Outlander 6x6 is great for getting things from A-B – especially useful in terms of the events you host on the farm etc...but what 'proper' farm work have you found the Can-Am useful for?

Jimmy: My farm team has been using it to feed our animals and get around the site quickly. It’s really fast and rugged so it can get to

every single corner of the farm, even when it’s very muddy. When you’ve got a 170 acre site, it’s fantastic to be able to be more efficient and save time.

FM: What's your favourite feature of the Can-Am Outlander 6x6? – and has your wife ridden it? We know she looks after things when you're not there!

Jimmy: I love the fact that you carry things on the back and the control at speed when you’re going over rough ground is second to none. It’s my farm team who have been using the vehicle and they’ve all found it outstanding to use.

FM: We think the 6x6 will carry just about anything and go just about anywhere - who would you throw in the back and where would you

take them?

Jimmy: I’d love to take my friend George Clarke for a spin around my farm. He loves coming here and is often here for our big events with his kids.

FM: You're known as quite a 'foodie' now rather than your earlier farming exploits...

Jimmy: I’m a farmer first and foremost, it’s the thing I’m really passionate about. The food aspect has grown from that start point. I’m really lucky that my TV work allows me to meet some incredible food producers and farmers all over the UK and indeed, the world. I think it’s really important to look at how we farm differently across the globe so that we can learn important lessons on how to feed our growing global population.

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 59

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60 | Farming Monthly | April 2015

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| Motors

‘

Goin� Renegade On sale in the UK now, the Renegade is Jeep’s first entry into the small SUV segment. It is also the first Fiat Chrysler Automobiles car to be jointly developed by Italian and American engineers and the first Jeep to be built in Europe but sold in the USA. The UK launch of the Jeep Renegade took place in Edinburgh last month, and members of the press were invited along to put the vehicle through its paces. It's been a while now since the Renegade was revealed - and we enjoyed our first drive in Italy in a left hand drive model – so it was nice to refresh our memory and try out the UK product...and it certainly didn't disappoint.

The smiles say it all...

The Jeep Renegade styling isn't for everyone – it's not unattractive...more boxy...though there will be some that don't like this kind of presentation. The brand’s classic styling cues such as the seven slot grille and round headlamps punctuate the design - and the rear ‘X’ light clusters provide interest at the rear. We'd recommend taking a look at one in the flesh before writing it off – especially in a bold colour (orange for instance). It really does grow on you...we grew to like it.

Inside, there's plenty of room for the family – perhaps even as much as a vehicle from the next segment up, say a Quashqai for instance, and quality is a step up from previous Jeep incarnations. Though you might spot some 'stock' Fiat parts in there (yes, Jeep are owned by Fiat now), there are plenty of flourishes to set it apart from the crowd, taking cues from the traditional Jeep 'jerry can' and such. The steering wheel is worthy of particular mention – it's chunky and leather clad and just feels 'right'.

Engines are peppy (the 2.0l diesel unit may well be your power plant of choice) and the manual gearbox is smooth and direct. We like the 9 speed auto a lot too. Uniquely, Jeep have designed the 4wd system to disengage completely when not in use which not only helps with possible transmission noise but also contributes considerably to the decent economy figures. e Test routes de is as at hom ga ne Re e, er th t were provided by the road... ply have to ge here as it is on When you sim Jeep (and programmed into the sat-nav) which led us to

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specific locations and allowed us to experience how the Renegade performed in various scenarios such as the hustle & bustle of Edinburgh's city centre, fast A roads and more secluded country lanes. All very good – this model has been designed from the ground up to be more comfortable and refined and on the road, the Renegade certainly lives up to billing – it is unquestionably smooth to drive and surprisingly quiet, providing a level of comfort and sophistication belying it's position as a compact SUV. When in 4wd mode, however, things get even better – the Renegade being the only true 4wd 'go anywhere' SUV on the market.

This was proved in spades when we arrived at our first stop – a remote beach where we could not only test the effectiveness of the vehicle on loose sand but also over a specially set-up course traversing slippery rocks and outcrops. Wheel articulation was especially relevant here and in this regard, the Jeep Renegade was an impressive performer.

On to stop 2 – Winton House, a beautiful historic castle set in superb grounds. Here, the groundsman and his team had built a truly amazing off-road course with features that would provide the most demanding tests for any 4x4 vehicle. Our hat is off to them for such excellent work!

A fist full of Firsts: The first small SUV to feature a nine-speed gearbox. It is the first in its segment to have rear axle disconnect and it is unique in class thanks to the My Sky sunroof that gives occupants a true open-air driving experience. It is also the first in its segment to have a seven inch full colour multi-view display in its instrument binnacle.

The Renegade performed admirably and re-enforced the positive impression that it had already given us in Milan. It felt like nothing could stop this tremendous little Jeep!

Heading back to Edinburgh, it was a shame to have to give up this little beauty.

Capable, roomy and eminently affordable, this is one vehicle that you really have to try out yourself to understand how well it copes with all conditions.

No doubt about it, this is a true Jeep and therefore you can expect off-road excellence, but the Renegade shines on-road too – certainly for us. Not as ubiquitous as a Juke or a Quashqai and not as dour as a Yeti (or as useless as a Mini Countryman), Renegade provides a quirky alternative which delivers a surprisingly compelling package. For true offroaders with an eye on the everyday chores, you'd be hard pressed to find a more capable alternative.

Andrew Poulton, Editor

April 2015 | Farming Monthly | 61

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Working with you to bring you more style and better performance.

Rugged it may be, but the Amarok pick-up offers business users car-like driving and a refined interior with premium styling and functional design. The comfortable interior and convenience of an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox mean it’s as comfortable in town as it is off-road.

With its powerful 2.0-litre TDI engines and the dynamic all-terrain benefits of the intelligent 4MOTIONÂŽ four-wheel-drive, it will take you anywhere you need to go. Offering maximum payload of 1,145kg and towing capacity of up to 3,200kg, it boasts the widest load area in its class so you can fit in a Euro pallet sideways.

Call us today to book a test drive or pop in to ask for more details.

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JCT600 Van Centre (Hull)

Greenhous Volkswagen Van Centre

Listers (Coventry) Van Centre

Saxon Way, Priory Park West, Hessle, Hull, East Yorkshire.

Telephone: 01482 908590.

Ennerdale Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Telephone: 01743 600868.

347-367 Bedworth Road, Longford, Coventry, West Midlands.

Telephone: 0247 798 9699.

Find us on your sat-nav using HU13 9PB.

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www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/JCT600Hull

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/greenhous

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/listerscoventry

JCT600 Van Centre (York)

Greenhous Volkswagen Van Centre (Bilston)

Listers Van Centre (Worcestershire )

Centurion Park, Clifton Moor, York.

Telephone: 01904 848102.

Trinity Road, Bilston, Wolverhampton.

Telephone: 01902 471418.

Find us on your sat-nav using YO30 4WW.

Find us on your sat-nav using WV14 7EF.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/JCT600York

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JCT600 Van Centre (Sheffield)

Alan Day Van Centre

Europa Close, Europa Link, Sheffield.

Telephone: 0114 404 0026.

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North Bank, Berry Hill Industrial Estate, Droitwich. Telephone: 01905 670999.

Find us on your sat-nav using WR9 9AU. www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/listersworcestershire

Pinkham Way, North Circular Road, New Southgate, London.

Telephone: 0208 045 3493.

Find us on your sat-nav using N11 3UT. www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/alandaynewsouthgate

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/jct600sheffield

Volkswagen Van Centre (Scunthorpe ) Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.

Telephone: 01724 487571.

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| Motors

All new Audi Q7 available to order now All-new seven-seat luxury SUV with exceptional specification becomes available to order this month with deliveries beginning in August. ignificantly lighter, considerably more efficient, appreciably more technologically accomplished – this is the all-new Audi Q7 in a nutshell. The imposing new SUV which has shed up to 325kg in its second generation will become available to order in the UK next month priced from £50,340 OTR for the SE model, rising to £53,835 OTR for the S line – it will reach its first customers here in August.

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When the two seats in the third row aren’t being used, they can now be more easily folded away to make room for luggage The promise of even greater things in the successor to the model which has found over 510,000 homes worldwide since its 2006 launch begins at surface level. A full body-colour paint finish is now standard, and the large 3D hexagonal singleframe grille dominating the front of the car is

flanked by double-arrow design Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights in SE models or all-weather LED units in the S line. The latter are also complemented by a high beam assist function and dynamic rear indicators, which sweep sequentially from the inside out for better visibility when turning. New design alloy wheels with a 19-inch diameter are part of the SE specification, while S line versions upgrade to a 20-inch wheel.

Powered tailgate operation is also part of the package for both versions.

Inside the cabin, which in UK specification models features three rows of seats upholstered in supple Twin leather, headroom has increased for both front and second row passengers. The second seating row now benefits from a tilt and fold function, and when the two seats in the third row aren’t being used, they can now be more easily folded away to make room for luggage thanks to a new powered folding mechanism. A total of 770 litres of luggage space is available when seven passengers are on board, or

up to 1,955 litres if only the front seats are occupied.

Up in the front row the latest MMI navigation plus with MMI Touch – the range-topping system based on the second generation modular infotainment platform brings a wealth of media within easily accessible reach helped by its MMI allintouch control unit with large touchpad and ultra-clear 8.3inch electrically retractable monitor. Trial access to Audi

connect, which brings internetbased services to the car via a fast 4G connection and also creates a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot enabling occupants to go online using handheld devices, is also included.

Of course, there are numerous additional improvements and additions to the new Q7 model range - contact your local dealer or visit www.audi.co.uk for more details.

Pricing for Dacia special editions announced Dacia has announced UK pricing and specification for the top-of-the-range Lauréate Prime special edition versions of the Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV, which were unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March. hese luxuriously appointed models, featuring an exclusive colour scheme, are being introduced to mark 10 years since the Romanian brand re-launched in Europe in 2005, and are available for just £500 more than the existing Lauréate versions. It offers buyers the chance to own a more distinctive, more personalised car while remaining faithful to Dacia’s exceptional ‘shockingly affordable’ value-for-money ethos.

All Lauréate Prime special editions are finished in exclusive Cosmos Blue metallic paint, which pays homage to Dacia’s traditional livery. This is reflected inside each car, with blue fabric inserts on the front and rear seats, blue detailing on the floor mats and blue seat belts.

Other distinguishing exterior features are smart dark metal alloy wheels and dark metal grey door mirror shells. Additional equipment over Lauréate versions includes a front central armrest, electric rear

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windows, leather steering wheel and the latest MediaNav Evolution multimedia system.

This has been re-designed with a full-colour menu screen and now features Apple’s SIRI voice recognition function, full sevendigit postcode recognition and TMC live traffic information. There have been hardware improvements, and the system allows access to the AHA cloud platform via a free smartphone app. Through the seven-inch multimedia touch-screen users have access to navigation, infotainment and hands-free telephone services; can stream music via Bluetooth or a USB or AUX connection; and can connect to social networks via a smartphone.

Collectively, the addition of metallic paint, MediaNav Evolution and the Comfort Pack would cost up to £895 as options on the Lauréate (on Sandero and Logan MCV), yet they are all standard on the Lauréate Prime for a premium of just £500, embodying the very spirit of Dacia’s ‘you do the maths’ strapline.

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All features that are standard on Lauréate versions have been retained on the Lauréate Prime.

These include climate control, cruise control with a speed limiter, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, central locking and, on the Duster, satin chrome roof bars, side sills and front and rear scuff plates, as well as ESC and ASR (traction control) – both of VersionPrice Sandero Lauréate Prime TCe 90 Sandero Lauréate Prime dCi 90 Logan MCV Lauréate Prime TCe 90 Logan MCV Lauréate Prime dCi 90 Duster Lauréate Prime dCi 110 4x2 Duster Lauréate Prime dCi 110 4x4

which are standard across the whole Dacia range.

Lauréate Prime versions of the Sandero and Logan MCV are available with the 0.9-litre TCe 90 and 1.5-litre dCi 90 engines, while the Duster Lauréate Prime comes with the 1.5-litre dCi 110 engine in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations.

(OTR) £9,295 £10,295 £10,295 £11,295 £13,995 £15,995

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Great Wall Bath Somerset Tel: 01225 473014

Dowleys Oxfordshire 01993 842345

Haven Motor Holdings Ltd Sussex 01403 891700

Garland Great Wall Hampshire Tel: 01252 367373

www.bathhonda.co.uk

www.dowleys.co.uk

www.havenmotors.co.uk

www.winchestermotorgroup.co.uk

Olds Motor Group Yeovil 01935 429700

MTC Great Wall Cambridgeshire Tel: 01733 309782

G C Stanbury & Son Somerset 01398 323 545

www.olds.co.uk

www.mtcars.co.uk

www.gcstanbury.co.uk

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New York debut for Toyota’s new RAV4 Hybrid Manufacturer unveiling of the first RAV4 Hybrid at the New York International Auto Show. he new RAV4 Hybrid AWD represents the next dimension in Toyota’s application of full hybrid technology. Its smooth and efficient powertrain combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, with an additional motor powering the rear axle to deliver electronic all-wheel drive.

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The unveiling of the hybrid coincides with the announcement of the new RAV4 range The AWD capability provides greater safety and stability when negotiating low-grip surfaces, It also provides a towing capacity of 1,650kg, with Toyota’s Trailer Sway Control system providing added security and peace of mind.

The unveiling of the hybrid coincides with the announcement of the new RAV4 range which features new exterior styling, improved cabin quality and further deployment of advanced

technology and safety features.

RAV4’s new frontal design generates a stronger road presence and includes full LED headlights for the first time. To the side, there is a new rocker panel that creates a more flowing look, and at the rear the combination lamps and bumper have been reworked, adding yet more emphasis to the car’s road stance.

The sensory quality of the cabin has been raised significantly with the adoption of new combination meters, a full colour TFT screen and soft-touch materials.

New technology features include Toyota’s 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor, which gives the driver sight of obstacles that would remain hidden in blind spots when using conventional front and rear cameras, making for safer and easier manoeuvring.

RAV4’s safety specification is significantly improved with the addition of the new Toyota Safety Sense suite of features. In addition to the Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam and Road Sign Assist features that will also be included in the package for new Avensis

and Auris this summer, RAV4 will further benefit from Adaptive Cruise Control and two significant enhancements to the basic PreCollision System functions.

Firstly, the PCS will operate at an extend relative speed range – from 6 mph up to the vehicle’s maximum speed – and will be able to reduce speed through automated braking by about 24 mph. Secondly, the system will be able to detect potential collisions

with pedestrians, in the event of which automated braking will operate at relative speeds between 6 mph and 50 mph and be able to reduce vehicle speed by about 19 mph.

New RAV4 will go on sale in December, with the RAV4 Hybrid AWD model arriving in the UK and Europe early in 2016. UK specifications and further details will be announced nearer on the on-sale date.

NY Motor Show sees Mercedes-Benz GLE all-new Lexus RX debut Efficiency & performance.

The RX is the best-selling model in Lexus’s 26-year history. With more than 2.1 million reaching the road, it represents three out of every 10 vehicles the company has sold. he new fourth generation model looks to build on that achievement, with a completely redesigned, luxurious interior, wrapped in a chiselled new body with a longer wheelbase.

A large dose of Lexus’s brand DNA has been artfully incorporated into the details, things you can feel as well as see.

The reimagining of the model also yields superior on-road performance and new safety technologies, including the innovative Lexus Safety System+.

Takayuki Katsuda, RX Chief Engineer, said: Our ambition has been to make a completely new statement in this segment while building on and staying true to the ground-breaking values of previous RX generations.

“Lexus’s pioneering spirit

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drives our creation of new technology and generates new ideas. It allows us to introduce new vehicles with leading-edge features. We are committed to bringing ‘progressive luxury’ to the world.

“I believe this new RX will not only surprise new customers, it will also delight and satisfy our loyal customers, whose high expectations will be met by many innovations.”

Details and specifications of the production model for the UK and Europe will be announced later this year.

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ercedes-Benz has thoroughly revised its best-seller in the SUV segment.

The highlights of the new GLE include a more appealing front and rear and extensive measures which make new benchmarks with regard to emissions and the drive system possible.

Across the available engine range, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by 17 per cent on average compared with the predecessor model series.

For the first time in its SUV history, Mercedes-Benz offers a plug-in hybrid model, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC, which combines maximum efficiency with outstanding performance. This multi-talent will even better the

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already low fuel consumption figures of the efficiency champion the GLE 250 d with the fourcylinder diesel engine, while delivering the performance of a V8 model.

The advantages of the new GLE furthermore include best on-road and off-road handling, outstanding spaciousness and high levels of active and passive safety.

The high-performance SUV model, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC, celebrates world première at the same time.

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LAND ROVER DEFENDER A British Icon

Land Rover creates tailor-made Defender for Paul Smith Defender fan and owner, Sir Paul Smith, collaborates with Land Rover on a ‘one off’ creation of the global automotive icon

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ritish designer, Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Land Rover to create a bespoke Defender, which was revealed today at the designer’s shop at No. 9 Albemarle Street in

Mayfair.

A longstanding fan of the Land Rover Defender, Sir Paul Smith has owned several of the vehicles over the years. “The Defender is a British icon, which is something I’m exceptionally proud of,” says Paul. “I keep a Defender at my home in Italy which is in the middle of the countryside, so it’s the perfect vehicle to cope with the rugged terrain.”

Paul Smith worked closely with Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) design team – which is able to fulfil individual customer commissions and personalisation. Together they created a unique vehicle, built entirely to Paul Smith’s own specification. With guidance from Land Rover’s Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern, he was able to realise his uniquely personal version of a global automotive icon.

“I felt it would be a fitting tribute to the iconic Defender, that one of Britain's most distinguished designers worked with the Land Rover team to recognise his creative vision.”

The vehicle features 27 different colours used on the exterior panels, all of which were chosen by Sir Paul Smith. Taking inspiration from the British countryside, as well as colours historically seen on Defenders used by the Armed Forces, he says, “I wanted deep rich colours, but at the same time, I wanted them to work together yet be surprising.” In order to achieve the look he wanted, Paul gave the SVO

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team a set of Pantone colour references, which were then mixed specially for this vehicle.

Further adding to the vehicle’s bespoke design, Paul worked with Land Rover to ensure that the interior stayed true to his vision. “This is a complete one-off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury, so I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats. I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company. The vehicle features lots of special Paul Smith touches.

“Inside, black leather contrasts against blue stitching and there are lots of little hidden details throughout. For example, there is an image of a set of keys printed inside the glove compartment. Then there is a hand-painted bee on the roof, which is another little tongue-incheek reference to the countryside and the heritage of the car. Also, the traditional Defender clock has been replaced with a Paul Smith fascia. My designs are known for their

attention to detail, so I didn’t want this Defender to be any different.”While Paul has added many playful and personal touches, the Defender retains traditional elements, such as the wing mirrors, door handles and wheels - something that was of paramount importance to the designer. These were then given a satin finish, to create a contemporary feel.Gerry McGovern, Design Director and Chief Creative Officer of Land Rover, adds: “I felt it would be a fitting tribute to the iconic Defender, that one of Britain's most distinguished designers worked with the Land Rover team to recognise his creative vision.”

This exclusive Defender joins together two icons from the British automotive and design industries and forms part of a year-long celebration of the famous Defender as it enters its final phase of production at the Solihull manufacturing plant.

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AN ICON FOR OVER 65 YEARS Call us today to book a test drive.

All-terrain right from the start, Land Rover Defender rapidly became one of the world’s most recognisable four-wheel drive vehicles. Enduring and capable, it is a legend on seven continents.

Armstong Massey - York 01937 531531 armstrongmassey.landrover.co.uk

Hunters - Norwich 01603 944836 hunters.norwich.landrover.co.uk

Hunters - Southampton 02380 215800 hunters.southampton.landrover.co.uk

Ridgeway - Oxford 01865 565935 ridgeway.landrover.co.uk

Guy Salmon - Knutsford 01565 632525 guysalmon.knutsford.landrover.co.uk

Lloyds - Kelso 01573 224345 lloyd.kelso.landrover.co.uk

Barretts - Ashford 01233 506070 barretts.ashford.landrover.co.uk

Williams - Manchester 0161 232 5000 williams.manchester.landrover.co.uk

Barretts - Canterbury 01227 475475 barretts.canterbury.landrover.co.uk

Kentdale - Kendal 01539 814444 kentdale.kendal.landrover.co.uk

Ripon Land Rover - North Yorkshire 01765 646464 ripon.landrover.co.uk

Yeovil Land Rover 01935 426600 yeovil.landrover.co.uk

Chipperfield - Hertfordshire 01923 263030 chipperfield.landrover.co.uk

Lakeland - Torver 01539 441317 lakeland.torver.landrover.co.uk

Cambrian - Aberystwyth 01970 624841 cambrian.aberystwyth.landrover.co.uk www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

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All new Subaru Outback available now in the UK Launched in the UK in 1995 and spawning a whole new vehicle segment, the Outback was the world’s first crossover, successfully combining the benefits of a passenger estate car with the all-road capabilities of an SUV. or 20 years, the Outback has acted as Subaru’s flagship model in the UK, winning praise for its practical, all-road nature and long distance capabilities.

The new, fifth generation Outback is now on sale, sporting an all-new exterior design, a significantly higher quality interior and a raft of new safety technology compared to the outgoing model. The new Outback officially went on sale in the UK from 1 April 2015.

During the development of the new model, Subaru looked to build on the Outback’s reputation as a vehicle that can go anywhere and do anything – qualities that have appealed to Outback buyers for over two decades.

The new Outback has been developed to offer space and practicality; world-class safety; all-conditions and all-terrain versatility; a higher quality cabin; a more contemporary yet timeless exterior and interior styling; and improved environmental performance to meet changing customer and regulatory demands.

While clearly maintaining the distinctive Subaru Outback identity, Subaru’s designers strove to make the new model more dynamic while keeping true to its rugged crossover roots. From the front, the bumper-integrated hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights maintain consistency with other models in the Subaru family, while the profile is a subtle evolution of the existing Outback.

More significant changes can be found on the inside. The new model’s revamped interior uses a range of higher quality materials throughout for a more premium fit and finish, complemented by a new 7.0-inch touchscreen factory-fit infotainment and sat nav system.

The latest upgrades have made the new Outback more practical than ever before, with more storage and cabin space, and greater room for all occupants. The boot capacity has increased 4.5 per cent against the outgoing model to 559 litres, with a new Smart Power Tailgate for greater ease-of-use, while a new side sill footstep makes for easier access to the

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car’s standard-fit roof rails.

New to the latest model, EyeSight is Subaru’s advanced collision avoidance technology which acts as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for drivers, employing stereo colour camera technology to monitor the road and traffic ahead for potential hazards. This is the first time the technology has been made available in the UK and Europe, contributing to the Outback’s maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety rating.

The system’s two colour cameras are located either side of the rear view mirror to detect the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards. EyeSight is fitted as standard to every Outback fitted with Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) transmission, and includes six features: Pre-collision Braking, Precollision Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure & Sway Warning, Precollision Steering Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

With the addition of Eyesight and Subaru’s active and passive safety features, the new Subaru Outback benefits from lower insurance ratings, amongst the most competitive in its class.

There are two engines available in the UK – a pair of horizontally-opposed four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engines, fitted deep in the engine bay to ensure a low centre of gravity for improved handling, despite the car’s raised ground clearance. Buyers can choose between a 2.0litre turbo-diesel, producing 150 PS and 350 Nm torque, or a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol unit, with power and torque outputs of 175 PS and 235 Nm, respectively.

Diesel engines will be offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) transmission; the 2.5-litre petrol engine is sold exclusively with Lineartronic.

Handling and ride quality have improved over the outgoing Outback through the adoption of new, stiffer front struts, which cut roll, and revised spring and damper rates for a more flexible reaction to bumps.

The steering ratio has been quickened in the new model, resulting in more accurate and linear steering response. A more natural steering feel is aided by the steering wheel, now 13 per cent stiffer with a new metal core.

To ensure best-in-class on-road handling, every new Outback model is fitted with Active Torque Vectoring – effectively braking the inside wheels under cornering, quelling understeer and oversteer and allowing a more predictable course through corners. The Outback is now even more capable off-road, with the addition of the new X-Mode control feature on Lineartronic models and carry-over 200 mm ground clearance.

The new model’s revamped interior uses a range of higher quality materials throughout for a more premium fit and finish There are two trim levels available on the Outback for UK buyers – SE and SE Premium – which both offer a generous level of standard equipment.

SE models are equipped as standard with automatic LED headlamps and headlamp washers, cruise control, Active Torque Vectoring, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat and privacy glass, as well as a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, incorporating satellite navigation, audio, smartphone connectivity and a rear view parking camera.

Petrol SE models also feature an emissionsreducing start-stop system and Subaru Intelligent Drive, which allows drivers to select different engine modes according to road conditions for improved economy and performance.

SE Premium models add a sunroof, keyless entry and push-button start, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats and a powered rear tailgate for added functionality.

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