INSIDE: The importance of sprayer testing page 18
Farming
MONTHLY National
August 2016
Also in this issue... Glamping
| How to diversify into Glamping page 24
The heat is on... Also inside this month..
| Heat: The forgotten element of farm AD page 27
BKT Tyres for harvest... p16
Robots as co-workers.. p10
MF 70th year celebration p07
PLUS: Muck & Slurry | Tillage |Arable| Machinery | Buildings | Energy | ATV | Motors
CONTENTS August 2016
FEATURES 07
13
11 Arable SPot Farm hosts share new innovations, AHDB Planting Survey results, Reduce pea and bean losses and more..
18 Spraying
23
35 Livestock
27
40 Buildings
UK Dairy Day returns to Telford and more..
RIDBA celebrates 60 successful years, Eddie Stobart chooses Graham Heath Construction and more..
38 Animal Health Efficient SRD control, It’s all in the genes with birdflu, Bluetongue
The importance of sprayer testing, Spray water rate use on farm and more..
21 Tillage Tillage Live, New Cousins Front Press, Mzuri to present new ‘direct till drill’
23 Glamping Glamping Show preview, How to diversify i nto glamping, Wigwam can help you turn a profit
REGULARS 06 News Farming unions agree shared ambition
10 On Topic Robots emerging as co-workers
44 Machinery Manitou MLT 629 and more...
51 ATV ATV news...covered.
32 Slurry Grassland & Muck 2017: The key to boosting farm efficiencies and more..
04 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
26 Energy Biogas, biomass and more..
55 Motors Latest motors news
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Agriculture. Covered. EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com
Robots ready for work?
p10
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Follow us For editorial, general enquiries or to advertise please call +44 (0) 2476 353537 or email sales@farmingmonthly.com Farming Monthly National is published monthly in the UK by Farming Monthly Ltd, 15-17 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5QJ Tel: +44 (0) 2476 353537 Printed in the UK No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. Whilst every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, the opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or publication. The Editor also reserves the right to alter or edit material as required and no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracies. Full copyright applies. All rights reserved. ISSN 2044-0190 (print) ISSN 2044-0200 (digital)
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 05
| News
Farming unions agree shared ambition for UK farming The farming unions from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have committed to work together on a new shared ambition for a progressive future for farming in the UK post-Brexit. epresenting 76,000 farm businesses across the UK, the presidents and directors from NFU, NFU Cymru, NFUS and UFU met at Agriculture House, Stoneleigh on Monday [1 August]. During the meeting each agreed their organisations must be the focal point for cross-border cooperation in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. The farming leaders identified the trade and investment climate as a critical focus for the unions to collaborate on, as well as ensuring simple access to labour, domestic farm policies that work for farmers across the UK and, clarity over the UK’s exit from the EU. NFU President Meurig Raymond, on behalf of the Presidents1, said: “UK farming is a strong, dynamic sector that already contributes so much to society and the economy. But the industry has huge potential. That is why the coming months and years are vitally important to develop the right policies that
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enable our great industry to prosper. “We have committed to providing a united front for the 76,000 farm businesses we represent and the 460,000 people who work on farms across the UK. We believe this will provide us with the best chances of working with Government departments on the policies that will impact UK agriculture. “The working areas we’ve just identified are the building blocks to the strong, collective and influential voice that we want to achieve for the industry. In the unchartered waters that our government finds itself, we want to be the consistent, reliable and representative body to look to for expertise in these working areas. “Agriculture is the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing industry, food and drink, worth £108 billion. The Presidents of the farming unions have made it our mission to ensure that this value is matched with an ambition to shape a profitable, productive and progressive future for food production.”
06 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
Yorkshire Wagyu awarded two gold stars at food awards The team at Tibthorpe based Yorkshire Wagyu Company is celebrating after one of its gourmet pies won two stars in the Guild of Fine Food's 2016 Great Taste Awards. he Yorkshire Wagyu Company's Subtly Spiced Mince Wagyu Pie was one of only 828 products out of 10,000 entries to be awarded the coveted two gold stars in the annual food awards that are renowned as the ‘Oscars of the food world'. Co-founder of The Yorkshire Wagyu Company, farmer Jonathan Shepherd is delighted to have won two stars at the first
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attempt for the individual mince pie: "We're very proud to have won this prestigious award and can't wait to add the coveted two star logo to our products." After two years spent establishing one of the biggest herds of full blood and cross bred Wagyu beef in the UK, Wolds farmers Jonathan Shepherd and Jim Bloom launched The Yorkshire Wagyu Company in 2014 to sell their premium beef direct to restaurants and the public.
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| News
Spectacular pageant of 70 tractors marks 70th anniversary of Coventry produced Ferguson TE20 Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO, reports that enthusiastic crowds turned out to see the historic ’70 Tractors for 70 Years’ parade through the streets of the City of Coventry on 30 July. he cavalcade and display of machines old and new was staged by Culture Coventry to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the start of production of the iconic Ferguson TE20 tractor. In July 1946, the first Ferguson TE20 tractor, affectionately known as the ‘Little Grey Fergie’, rolled off the assembly line at its former Banner Lane manufacturing plant in Coventry in the UK. The tractor was the brainchild of engineer and inventor, Harry Ferguson, a founder of the present-day Massey Ferguson, one of the world’s foremost producers of farm machinery for global markets. The tractors for the event were brought together by the Friends of Ferguson Heritage Club. Led by a 20.3hp 1947 Ferguson TE20, equipped with a 2-furrow plough, and the mighty 400hp MF 8737 - the most powerful tractor in the current Massey Ferguson line-up the procession wound its way through Coventry finishing at Millennium Place outside the Transport Museum. Unusually, it was not the familiar Massey Ferguson red livery for the MF 8737. Instead, it had been especially prepared by Massey Ferguson with striking black paintwork – paying homage to the prototype Ferguson Black tractor of 1933 which was the first to incorporate Harry Ferguson’s pioneering ideas for a three-point linkage system to connect tractor and implement. In a tribute to the manufacturing legacy of the Banner Lane plant, Massey Ferguson named the black MF
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8737 the ‘City of Coventry’. Seated in the cab for the duration of the parade was the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Lindsley Harvard. “It was a marvellous event and wonderful to see this pageant celebrating the brilliant engineering of the Ferguson TE20 which changed the world of farm mechanisation.” says Campbell Scott, Massey Ferguson Director Marketing Services (who himself drove a 1949 TEA20 tractor in the blue livery of Brighton Corporation). “We are so proud of this superb legacy of practical and innovative technology which continues to inspire our design engineers and is at the heart of Massey Ferguson’s 21st century mission to produce straightforward, dependable equipment to increase the efficiency and productivity of farmers all over the world. Today, more than 200,000 tractors bearing our famous Massey Ferguson ‘Triple Triangle’ brand are built every year for global markets.” Tractors taking part in the pageant showcased a wide range of Ferguson, MasseyHarris and Massey Ferguson machines produced since 1946. The tractor coming from furthest afield for the event was a 1949 Ferguson TEA20 fitted with half-track equipment which travelled nearly 200 miles from Exeter in Devon. From much closer to home was a 2015 MF 5610 Dyna-4 on turf tyres based in Finham, Coventry. A beautifullyrestored, prize-winning MF 65 industrial tractor painted in the requisite yellow from Skipton, Yorkshire represented the non-agricultural
ranges. Over half a million Ferguson TE20 tractors (Tractor England) were built at the Banner Lane plant between 6 July 1946 and 13 July 1956. Key to the global success of the tractor was its unique three-point linkage implement attachment system controlled by the tractor’s hydraulics. Designated the ‘Ferguson System,’ this effectively turned the tractor and implement into a single working unit, replacing the previous cumbersome trailed method of implement operation. Massey Ferguson is a leading global farm machinery brand producing a full-line range of tractors, harvesting equipment and agricultural implements. Its well-known red-liveried equipment is distributed in 140 countries. Established in 1994, The Friends of Ferguson Heritage Club has over 5000 members worldwide who are dedicated to all things Ferguson, Massey Ferguson and Massey Harris. (www.FOFH.co.uk) The Ferguson TE20’s 70th anniversary inspired Culture Coventry’s current ‘Tractors – From Factory to Field’ exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum (runs until 19 September) and the public display of the Daniel Massey Bronze Sculpture at the city’s Herbert Museum and Art Gallery. Culture Coventry manages three of Coventry’s major visitor attractions including Coventry Transport Museum, Herbert Museum and Art Gallery and the Lunt Roman Fort.
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 07
| News
Bay Trust pigs off to Norfolk to help save their breed Two pigs which helped regenerate an overgrown area of Kent coastal habitat by chomping through almost an acre of ivy and brambles are about to leave the county to embark on a new mission – to help preserve their rare breed. angalitza sows Flora and Lisa were brought to Steps Bank in St Margaret’s Bay three years ago by The Bay Trust, which was looking for a natural way to transform the land into a biodiverse opencanopy woodland without the use of heavy machinery. The environmental education charity’s Food Growing Manager, Sean Giles, who has been looking after the sows, says: “They’ve done a great job of clearing the area. They’re the next best thing to using wild boar. They certainly have a very healthy appetite: they once escaped from their enclosure and ended up in the tea room looking for food. We had to entice them back with cakes but it took a whole tray to get them there!” As well as clearing woodland, wallowing in mud and enjoying having their ears rubbed, the sows have been educating local school
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children. Pupils have been learning to inspect the animals to ensure they are healthy, as part of their GCSE studies. Now Flora and Lisa’s scrubclearing work is done, they are heading for pastures new in Norfolk to help ensure the survival of their line. “The sows are very placid and friendly and we will all miss their funny ways,” says Sean. The breed, of which there are three types (the Red, Flora and Lisa’s blood line; Blonde; and Swallow Bellied) was almost extinct in the 1990s, with a worldwide population of less than 150 sows – but thanks to the work of dedicated breeders such as William Scott, Flora and Lisa’s new owner, the Mangalitza has a rosier future. William, a former Mangalitza Breed Representative for the British Pig Association, plans to breed Flora and Lisa with a Red boar at his Frogs Abbey Farm in Welney.
“I trawled through all the records of the British Pig Association to find the purest Red boars and sows and The Bay Trust’s sows were close to the best in the country,” says William. “They’ve been cross-bred once in their great-grandparents’ lineage so by putting them across a Red boar that’s genetically the furthest away from them, the piglets will be almost pure bred within three to four generations.” Sows can produce three litters in two years but William will be taking things more slowly, and hopes Flora and Lisa will have three litters each over the next twoand-a-half years.
“We plan to keep one boar and two sows from the litters and breed those with the genetically next-best Red boar,” explains William. “We want to build up to eight or nine sows and four or five boars. Then we can use the piglets for a mixture of produce and breeding. “We’re working with farmers in Germany, Austria and Hungary to bring more Red pigs back to the UK but ultimately we will get to the point where we don’t need to bring any more in.” For more about the work of The Bay Trust, including its Steps Bank ecological land management project, visit www.baytrust.org.uk
Re-investment in Northern mill Substantial investment sees state of the art equipment being used to refurbish and re-open a feed mill in the north of England. BN, part of AB Agri, recently brought Langwathby mill, near Penrith, back into operation after major investment, helping improve the geographical footprint of their business in the region. “Poultry production is growing in the north of England, with our existing customers expanding their businesses, and also new entrants joining the sector,” says Kevin Sketcher, Business Unit Director for ABN. “To be able to better serve our customers in the north, we saw the opportunity to re-invest in Langwathby mill, a previously operational mill that was lying idle,” he says. Mr Sketcher explains, that having a mill strategically placed in North West England will also allow ABN to free up capacity in some of the other mills across the country. “As a result of this, we are in a position to place customers feed
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production into their closest mill, where possible, ensuring we are delivering feed as efficiently as possible. “This has been a very gradual process for us. We started with a blank canvas, meaning we had the opportunity to invest in the latest technology and state of the art equipment. As the equipment had never produced feed before, we were very diligent and careful in the initial stages of production.” He explains that a number of different diets were extensively sampled, tested and analysed to make sure nutritional composition was as expected. “Only after we received the results did we release the feed on-farm. “Not all farms where moved to the new mill at the same time. Instead this was done over a three month period to ensure each process in the mill could cope with the increasing volume, while maintaining the quality specification we wanted, with robust quality control testing at
08 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
each stage. “The mill is currently running at the anticipated production level with scope for future growth, which means that we can react and support industry expansion. “We are very grateful to our partner customers for their cooperation throughout the process.
They have welcomed the changes and this marks a significant development in our business that we hope we can learn from, and potentially role out some of the new technology to our other existing mills,” says Mr Sketcher.
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| News
A positive outlook for organic dairy exports Strong global organic dairy growth will continue to give OMSCo (Organic Milk Supplies Cooperative) huge market opportunities following the Brexit result, according to Richard Hampton, managing director of OMSCo.
MSCo, the UK’s largest organic dairy co-operative, has followed a focused strategy to develop global organic markets and a specialist export product portfolio. OMSCo continues to see increased growth from existing and new customers around the world. Exports currently represent 20% of sales, and this is forecast to increase to almost 30% in this financial year.
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“As a result of this growing demand, OMSCo continues to welcome new members to join the cooperative, who share its vision and values” “There is increasing export demand for OMSCO’s organic specialist products, the growth of which is in contrast to sluggish performance in the UK organic dairy market in recent years,” explains Richard. “I am fully confident our business will continue to grow and succeed in the global arena. Obviously the Brexit vote has brought a certain level of uncertainty, however to date, feedback from OMSCO’s export partners has been
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incredibly positive,” he says. “British organic dairy products are recognised abroad for their high quality, and we have focused on added value and specialist product areas where we have leadership. I am confident we will continue to see increased demand from EU and non-EU markets for our added value, specialist organic dairy products. “We will continue to diversify our portfolio as this is not only important for price stability for our members, but allows us to balance our core customer demand efficiently and reliably, in a market that is known for its volatility,” he adds. “As a result of this growing demand, OMSCo continues to welcome new members to join the cooperative, who share its vision and values,” Richard explains. “We have a successful range of USDA-certified organic products and our Kingdom Cheddar Brand in the US, and last year secured Chinese organic certification for a range of product areas. We do not expect the UK market to require additional organic milk supplies in the next few years, but in the years ahead we have a requirement for a limited amount of additional organic milk supply to fulfil new export demand that we have already secured,” he concludes.
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 09
| On Topic
Robots
emerging as agricultural co-workers
The technology is mature and ready for the field, say experts. dvanced engineering could be the solution for the sustainable intensification of agriculture, as technology for producing service robots reaches maturity. Experts in robotics from University of Cambridge, University of Lincoln and Harper Adams University will be discussing the latest developments during Agri-Tech East’s ‘Pollinator’ event on 11 October 2016. So what exactly is a robot? Dr Andre Rosendo, a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, believes that there are two critical factors that separate a robot from a machine – the capacity to be autonomous or to act with some degree of decision, and presence of actuators, which allow a machine to alter its
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environments. This precludes computers and fridges from being called robots. He explains: “We are using our knowledge of soft robotics to create deformable manipulators, or ‘hands’, that can manipulate ‘fragile’ produce, such as broccoli, strawberry and mushrooms. Currently, we are working on Vegebot, a harvesting robot that can handle and cut iceberg lettuces with the same handling care as human harvesters. In the future the robots will have the potential to help elderly people from their beds, to handle glasses as a bartender or to interact with children.” Dr Rosendo will be speaking at the Agri-Tech East event alongside Professor Tom Duckett, who leads the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems at the University of Lincoln.
10 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
Professor Duckett says that agricultural robotics bring benefits of reduced labour costs, economic sustainability, less waste and better use of natural resources. The technology has the potential to be deployed at any time of day and impact positively on the productivity and life quality of agricultural workers. The Lincoln team, part of the University’s Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, has been working on multiple projects in this area including 3D mapping techniques for improving the precision of agricultural sprayers and a new project in 3D imaging for broccoli harvesting, which is producing strong results and attracting interest from end users such as the Brassica Growers Association. Prof. Duckett continues: “Already we can envisage
agricultural robots that could perform multiple tasks, for example, inter-changeable tools would allow switching between tasks such as seeding, tillage, spraying and harvesting. “You could also have robots for agriculture and food production that would perform other useful tasks at the same time such as surveillance, keeping a watchful eye on crops, livestock and expensive farm machinery, while carrying out their primary duties on the farm or in the factory.” A number of machinery companies are investing in the technology and a project in 3D imaging for robotic weeding is currently being carried out with a local company, Garford Farm Machinery, world leaders in automated weeding equipment. Prof. Duckett believes that the underpinning technologies for
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| On Topic
robotic perception, learning and action are already reaching the required level of maturity to leave research laboratories. So what steps need to be taken to transition from lab to work on the farm or in the factory? “The big challenge now is how to cross the so called ‘Valley of Death’ between the development of useful prototypes by researchers and the mass production of agricultural robots which are available to the farmer, “ he says. “We need investors to come forward and believe in what we are doing. There is also a need to convince farmers that we can produce robust and effective machines that can really do the job.” Dr Rosendo agrees that it is important to cultivate a greater understanding between all parties: “It is often said that academics are
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only interested in publishing papers, but the research can provide competitive advantage for early adopters. We are interested in talking to companies that see a more strategic benefit in developing potentially disruptive technologies.” Despite all these exciting advances, Prof Duckett believes that full automation is “not necessarily desirable”, and instead sees a future of environmentally friendly ‘robot helpers’: “Robot helpers will increase the productivity and life quality of agricultural workers and help to deliver the sustainable intensification of agriculture that will be needed to help feed a growing population while minimising the impact on the environment. Smart robots that run on battery power rather than fossil fuels could also be part of the
solution for a cleaner, greener future.” Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tech East, says: “We now have the capability to use robotics efficiently in agriculture; this is no longer a sci-fi concept, but one rooted in reality. The current status and latest technological developments will
be discussed at the upcoming Pollinator meeting.” Professor Duckett, Dr Rosendo and Professor Simon Blackmore of Harper Adams University are scheduled to speak at the AgriTech East ‘Pollinator’ event in Cambridge on 11 October 2016: 'Robo-Cropping – The Potential for Precision Robotics in Agriculture'.
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 11
| Arable
Pioneering SPot Farm hosts share new innovations W B Daw & Son, hosts of the very first AHDB Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm, opened their doors on a new site in Thorpe Constantine, Staffordshire, 19 July, engaging over 100 industry peers in discussions of best practice in the face of new challenges for the second season at SPot Farm West. he SPot Farm offers growers an insight into how new systems and practice can be implemented on their own potato enterprise, ultimately giving levy-payers and their agronomists confidence to make changes for the benefit of their businesses and the wider supply chain. “Last year, James Daw and his son Sam, were instrumental in getting the SPot Farm programme off the ground with 89 per cent of over 300 supply-chain visitors rating the SPot Farm as relevant to their business in its first year. “To maintain that relevancy, James and Sam continue to innovate, sharing their findings to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the GB potato industry as a whole,” explained Anne Stone, AHDB Potatoes Knowledge Exchange Manager and coordinator of the SPot Farm West project. Bill Smith, who grows more than 150 hectares of potatoes, predominately for McCain Foods, travelled to the Staffordshire SPot Farm from Leominster, in Herefordshire. “AHDB Potatoes put on an extremely practical day, with a good balance of quality speakers and a mixture of demonstrations which were very relevant to my business. “Potato crops require a considerable investment and skill to produce. This is the first AHDB event I have attended for a long time and I’m pleased that the levy is being invested into the SPot Farm demonstrations, giving growers opportunity to explore the potential of new science alongside experts, researchers and the host farmer.” New for this year, growers were invited to review maceration and incorporation of biofumigant crops for PCN control, and examine plots where over-winter cover crops had been introduced to determine their added agronomic benefits. Accounting for the effects of cover crops on nutrition “It’s important to understand if we need to adjust nutrient calculations to account for cover crops since findings of earlier grower collaboration projects showed how rather than hitting a plateau, there is actually a downward curve effect on yield the more nitrogen you
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12 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
apply after a certain point,” explained Marc Allison, senior researcher at NIAB CUF. “In practical terms, this means that the doses of nitrogen some growers commonly apply as added insurance not only cost money but may also potentially cost us yield. “Due to seasonal conditions, poor growth of the cover crop itself resulted in limited need to reduce nitrogen inputs this season, but we were surprised by a side observation where the trial plots revealed potential for cover crops to aid soil cultivability. “Where the cover crop had been left in place and alive right up to the point of cultivating, the soil showed a 1% moisture difference at each 5cm in depth – with huge implications for ease of workability.” The benefits realised from the different methods and timing of destruction of the cover crop were highlighted by host farmer James Daw on the day: “The observations were just jaw-dropping. We found every cultivation operation roughly 25 per cent faster where we had destroyed the cover crop on the day rather than desiccated a month earlier.” Chitting systems in modern production regimes Modern production techniques, cost of labour and mechanical handling don’t often lend themselves to chitting. However, in new trials this year, supported by McCain agronomist Matt Smallwood, chitted seed stocks were able to take advantage of the two good weeks at the start of the season before conditions became less suitable, advancing the plants’ canopy development and bulking. “There’s still the rest of the season to come, and we will be following results through to harvest, yield and even storage effects, but it’s hard to see such an advantage not following through,” reported Mr Smallwood. Commenting on the personal impact, James Daw explained: “For us, it’s been a tricky few years in terms of conditions leading up to storage making it crucial to mature the maincrop quicker, bringing that harvest date earlier and allowing proper time for skin set before loading into store.” Building knowledge Developing on findings from last year, in-field talks focused on cultivations, seed rates, and
efforts to prevent tuber greening. “A demonstration that particularly interested me was Simons Smart’s (NIAB CUF) study of tuber formation, and specifically the effects of differences in stolon architecture on tuber greening, size distribution and diseases such as common scab,” added Bill Smith. “If as growers we can reduce greening and the levels we supply to our customers this will help with our contract bonus payments and improve our total marketable yield.” Working with the right kit and facilities Final demonstrations to challenge growers’ current practices surrounded selection and optimisation of equipment and facilities. Matt Rodenhurst, lecturer and researcher at Harper Adams University, advised on effective incorporation of nematicides: “It’s about using the right products, in the right place, at the right time, also using the right equipment. We want to ensure we get the nematicide around the roots of the crop rather than in the wheelings where it’s lost and not protecting the roots. “It’s critical to maximise the concentration into the soil that will surround the rooting zone, usually 15-20cm into the destoned bed. Overincorporation deep into the soil profile is comparable in reduced effectiveness to underincorporation and lack of mixing after application.” Back at the event base, delegates learned about improvements in drip-irrigation systems used by James Daw, well suited to their waterscarce supply before being given an insider view of the reconditioned 2300 tonne potato store. “It’s the innovation, investment and attention to detail put into this that I believe has enabled W B Daw and Son to convert this redundant cattle shed into a high-performing potato store which proved able to deliver Russet Burbank into the premium processing market well into July this year,” asserted Adrian Cunnington, Head of Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research. Opportunities to follow the SPot Farm programme results through key seasonal activities continue with farm walks planned for 19 August and 8 September. Levy-payers can register to attend for free at potatoes.ahdb.org.uk/events
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| Arable
Airbus Defence and Space launches “One Tasking”, a new Satellite Tasking Service for the agriculture industry Airbus Defence and Space launched its latest development in satellite imagery acquisition and distribution, One Tasking. epresenting a major step change, One Tasking offers customers working in agriculture the most intuitive and cost-effective way to rapidly task an Airbus Defence and Space satellite – all from the comfort of their own desk or when out in the field. The new One Tasking service provides 24/7/365 access to Airbus Defence and Space’s highresolution and wide-swath satellite sensors. A team of dedicated inhouse experts ensures that any requested area is captured on time and in line with the customer’s requirements.
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“We wanted to create a product which was unlike anything already on the market and truly focused on the agriculture industry and its specific needs. To achieve this we asked our customers to challenge us” 30 years ago, Airbus Defence and Space was the first to offer bespoke satellite tasking services – helping to support a variety of unique agriculture-related challenges ranging from monitoring growth and optimising water, fertiliser and pesticide usage to forecasting crop yield and assessing the impact of a natural disaster. Today, with One Tasking, Airbus Defence and Space is resetting the bar once again, with a capability to only deliver the very best results. This commitment to customer centric flexibility goes far beyond the current “best effort” approach, where cloud cover and other environmental factors can too often reduce the extractable value from the resulting imagery. “We wanted to create a product which was unlike anything already
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on the market and truly focused on the agriculture industry and its specific needs. To achieve this we asked our customers to challenge us. The result was a clear desire to eliminate some of the risk and simplify the longwinded orderingprocess clients associated with tasking satellites,” said Bernhard Brenner, Head of Intelligence Business Cluster at Airbus Defence and Space. “With One Tasking, those objectives have been met and in many areas exceeded, especially with our commitment to only deliver the very best results, which we believe is a real game changer.” A variety of tailored One Tasking solutions are also available to meet specific industry needs and requirements: • OneDay: Risk-free imagery acquisition for a specific day. Weather forecast will be sent 24 hours before the acquisition date, enabling customers to confirm, postpone or even cancel a tasking request, at no cost. • OneNow: Immediate and useful imagery in an instant. Satellites are tasked to deliver valuable insights in the shortest possible timeframe. • OnePlan: Qualified coverage within an agreed timeframe. The qualified coverage is agreed and delivered according to customer selected timeframes and dates to meet specific project milestones. • OneSeries: Repeated coverage. Imagery is acquired and delivered on a regular basis to monitor long-term changes or highly dynamic situations.
OSR area down and spring barley area up, according to AHDB planting survey The 2016 AHDB Planting and Variety survey shows an increase in the area for harvest of oats and spring barley in Great Britain.
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ilseed rape (OSR) in England and Scotland has seen a 9% decline. Winter barley and wheat areas have
also declined. The survey shows a 6% increase in the area of spring barley for harvest 2016 in Great Britain. In terms of the total cereals and oilseeds area, this increase is more than offset by the sharp decline in OSR area for a second year running, plus slightly lower winter barley and wheat areas. The English OSR area has dropped by 8% to the lowest level since 2009, the Scottish area is also sharply lower, down 13%. Isobel Robinson, AHDB Market
Analyst said: “Spring barley looks to have benefitted from a common trend across the country towards spring cropping, likely influenced by economic factors and efforts to control black-grass and broader agronomic issues. The prospect of historically poor market returns at planting was likely a key factor behind the lower oilseed rape area.” Key findings of the survey are: • GB wheat area down 2%, at 1.8Mha • GB winter barley down 2%, at 426Kha • GB spring barley area up 6%, at 682Kha • GB oat area up 4%, at 135Kha • English and Scottish OSR area down by 9%, at 591Kha
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 13
| Arable
Giant black-grass requires lock stock approach Bigger black-grass heads and increased tiller numbers have been the topic of conversation for growers this year. If not managed effectively, this could pose a heightened risk for growers this autumn. igel Riches, Arable Technical Specialist for Certis, explains what he’s been seeing in the field. “Black-grass is a problem that in the past has generally been confined to the main arable areas, in the east of the country. “But increasingly we’re seeing this pernicious weed spreading further west each season. Where previously black-grass has not been a big issue in the region, it is now significantly reducing yields. “This year in particular, we’ve witnessed trial work where blackgrass plants have yielded more seeds per head than previously seen, with plant tiller numbers between 10 and 30, whereas last year we were seeing between 6 to 15 tillers per plant. This is potentially due to the warm and wet winter and spring we’ve experienced. “Consequently, if not kept on top of, black-grass could be back to haunt growers next year with a vengeance,” adds Mr Riches.
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Year on year, growers are being encouraged to use all the tools in the box, and fully utilise cultural control methods in order to keep on top of black-grass. “Growers need to see the benefit of taking a proactive approach to managing black-grass that consists of cultural control methods, combined with a robust herbicide programme,” he says. A recent study published by AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds has found that by delaying sowing by roughly three weeks from mid to late September, to early or midOctober, resulted in an average of 33% less black-grass plants per metre squared. This, combined with other control options such as ploughing, spring cropping and higher seed rates can all help control this weed. Chris Charnock, Arable Product Manager at Certis, explains that pre-emergence herbicides are key to controlling black-grass especially at the early growth stages. “As long as there is enough moisture at the time of application, pre-emergence
Chris Charnock
herbicides are vital and effective. “Stacking several products with different modes of actions, one of which includes flufenacet, will help in the fight against this economically damaging weed, while helping contribute to resistance management to prolong the life of the few modes of action we currently have.
“A minimum of 97% control is needed each season in order for black-grass infestations to remain static. Considering what we’ve seen this year, growers need to be planning ahead as to how they are going to best keep on top of blackgrass in a way that is suited to their farming system,” says Mr Charnock.
Advice on combining pea harvest from PGRO Great care should be taken when harvesting peas to maintain quality. requently growers are tempted to leave the crop just one or two days too long before combining. When they are ready, peas should be the priority for harvest resources.
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Peas will shatter from pods more easily if left in the field too long increasing pre-harvest losses Yield and quality can be affected very quickly if peas are left too long before harvesting, and when moisture content is allowed to fall below 12% or peas are overdried, the proportion of ‘nonsoakers’ may increase or they may split or crack. Bleaching will occur in bright sunny weather - and wet weather at harvest can cause staining,
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adversely affecting quality. Peas will shatter from pods more easily if left in the field too long increasing pre-harvest losses. When combining, growers are advised to keep the forward speed up and good flow though the machine. Check and adjust for header and combine losses. Peas can be combined when moisture content reaches 18%, and higher quality seed and human consumption is often achieved by harvesting at 18–20% moisture content followed by careful drying. Attention to these points is essential. The difference between a good quality sample and one that goes for animal feed can easily be more than £100/t, that is an average of £500/ha off the gross margin.
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| Arable
Portable axle weigh-beams gain popularity This season the Griffith Elder Weigh-Beams have seen a huge increase in usage on farms. hese pads are particularly suitable for weighing in the harvest where farmers have more than one location where they need to have a weighbridge. The weigh-beams are easily transported with the minimum of fuss and work without the need for re-calibration at a new site.
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The robust design of the Portable Weigh-Beams has proved a great selling point The standard beams come in two sizes, either 2.8 metres long or 4.2 metres long. The beams are wired to a digital weight indicator which has a printer and USB port for downloading all the records to a computer spread sheet. The kit also includes traffic light, to tell the driver when to stop and when to move to the next axles, and a large numeric display to show each axle weight and the net weight of the load. The weight indicator has a
memory for all the individual tractor and trailer tare weights so that when weighing in, the ticket shows the empty weight, full weight and net weight of the load. The net weight is also entered into a batch weight memory automatically. This can be used to give the total for each field. All the electronics are housed in waterproof cases for use outdoors. The standard weigh-beam electronic indicator can be upgraded to include a set of fobs which allow the drivers to weigh without getting off the tractor. As the driver approaches the traffic light will be red. When the fob is pressed the fob number shows on the large display, giving the driver confidence that it has caught the right number and the traffic light turns to green so that the driver can move the tractor onto the beams. When in position, the light turns red whilst the weighing is in progress. The tractor weight is caught automatically and the traffic light turns back to green letting the driver move the trailer onto the beams. Again while the weight is being calculated the traffic light
stays red. And again turns green so that the tractor and trailer can leave. After a few seconds the net weight of the load shows on the large display and the record is printed and saved to the USB memory stick. The Portable Weigh-Beams have an internal battery that lasts for about 12 hours and can also be run from mains electricity, or, if required can be powered from an external 12 volt battery or solar panel battery charger. So, no electricity is needed at the site for the weighbridge. The robust design of the Portable Weigh-Beams has proved a great selling point. They have
been made for farmers to be used in all conditions. No messing. Straight forward engineering from a British company. For further information visit www.griffithelder.com/ge_weighbridges/portab le-weigh-beams telephone Peter or Tim on 01284 719 619 or email sales@griffith-elder.com
Reduce pea and bean losses at harvest by more than 20% The area of peas and beans has increased dramatically in recent years, but their susceptibility to pod-shatter losses has raised fears that many will be disappointed with performance unless they take action to protect crops. near 60% increase in the area of field beans and almost a 40% increase in the area of dry peas between 2014 and 2015 suggests a number of growers are either coming to the crop for the first time or returning to them after a period away. Several reasons have been put forward to explain the increased area of pulses within the rotation such as the introduction of the three-crop rule, a greater determination to tackle black-grass by increasing the area of spring crops and the general fall in farm profitability which has led to growers switching to crops cheaper to grow. Whatever the reason, if pulses are to meet grower expectations losses need to be minimised, says Simon McMunn, De Sangosse
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commercial manager. “Those that have been growing peas and beans for many years will be familiar with their ability to shed seed in the weeks between desiccation and harvest. Consequently, most will apply a pod-sealant such as Pod-Stik to deliver up to 12 weeks of protection against shatter losses,” he says. “You’ll get an impressive return with Pod-Stik. In trials, Pod-Stik gave a 25.5% reduction in beans and 21% reduction in peas found on the ground (after combining). This saved seed resulted in an average 8% increase in yield in peas and beans. Typically for peas we have seen a 0.4t/ha yield saving and 0.6t/ha in beans.” Not only does this promote better crop gross margins, but the reduction in volunteers also leads to less slug pressure in the following crop.
“Forecasts suggest slug pressure this autumn could eclipse that of 2012 so any action that
promotes cultural control should not be overlooked,” says Simon McMunn.
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 15
| Arable
BKT tyre ranges: Perfect for haymaking operations Excellent traction, limited soil compaction, high loading capacity, resistance to the roughest surfaces and maximum driving comfort. These are the distinctive features of the BKT tire lineup conceived for harvesters, balers and telehandlers. oday one of the main Off-Highway tire manufacturers worldwide, BKT has specifically designed and developed various tire ranges for haymaking operations: from hay harvesting to transportation. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for equipment like harvesters, balers and telehandlers. The extensive tire lineup takes into account the complex necessities of modern agriculture and is a concrete response to the most diverse application needs. BKT’s main goal is to make modern farmers’ work comfortable and to constantly improve productivity. Perfect for harvesting Conceived for high-power harvesters and spreaders, Agrimax Teris has excellent flotation properties that ensure optimal soil protection and top harvesting performance, since it is able to withstand even heavy loads. Innovative and cutting edge, this radial tire stands out for extraordinary traction and stability ensured by the optimized lug design, as well as by the reinforced shoulder. Moreover, Agrimax Teris is extraordinarily resistant to cuts and impacts due to the presence of stubble on the terrain, providing thus a long product life-cycle and reducing machine downtime. Several sizes have been developed for this top tire range: 620/75 R 26, 750/65 R 26, 620/75 R 30, 650/75 R 32, 800/65 R 32, 900/60 R 32, 1050/50 R 32 and 520/85 R 42. Agrimax Teris also includes a version
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designed with IF technology – in the IF 580/80 R 34 size - conceived for transporting heavy loads at low pressure ensuring best traction in the fields. The radial tire Agrimax RT 600, too, is ideal for harvesters and spreaders, and particularly suitable for land that requires great care and attention. Its features have been conceived down to the smallest detail to provide the least possible impact on the soil while not sacrificing other key aspects. In fact, this tire offers a perfect mix of excellent load capacity, optimal stability and excellent traction. The sizes currently available on the market are three: 620/75 R 26 (latest novelty presented at the recent Reifen fair in Essen), 800/65 R 32 and 1050/50 R 32. Simply perfect for harvesting Harvesters and bailers require tires that are delicate on the soil in order to reduce its compaction, but at the same time they need to be resistant to cuts and impacts with stubble, for instance. Yet, these are the distinctive traits of FL 635, a tire out of the BKT Flotation range. During the harvest, its extraordinary flotation capacity results in lower impacts on the soil, preserving the land for later crops. It is perfect for both field and road use, and hence ideal for harvesters and bailers used for frequent transfers. Nothing of this tire is left to chance: in fact, also the particular block pattern has been specifically developed for bailer applications. FL 635 is available in the sizes 620/40 R 22.5, 650/55 R 22.5 and 750/45 R 22.5. Another valuable solution for
hay harvesters and bailers is AW 711. Provided with a unique tread and made of a special compound, this tire is extremely durable, both on soft and hard surfaces. During road transfers, the low rolling resistance turns into considerable fuel savings along with a significant increase in productivity. BKT offers AW 711 in five different versions: 340/60 R 16.5, 380/55 R 16.5, 400/60 R 18, 440/55 R 18 and 15 R 19.5. Perfect for hay and crops handling Once the harvesting operations are completed, hay and crops need to be handled and transported. Having carefully analyzed these operations, BKT has created specific tires for telehandlers that are able to satisfy various needs, such as a high loading capacity, but also great stability and high resistance. Such requirements are perfectly met by Multimax MP 522, a multipurpose radial tire that is ideal for both farming and industrial applications ensuring best performance in any use and loading conditions. This tire stands out for its superior traction, thanks
to the particularly aggressive tread design. Therefore, nothing can impede this tire while performing load handling operations. The available sizes are 280/80 R 18, 340/80 R 18, 380/75 R 20, 400/70 R 20, 400/70 R 24, 400/80 R 24, 460/70 R 24 and 500/70 R 24. Extraordinary versatility, instead, is the distinctive feature of RT 747 Agro Industrial. This radial agroindustrial tire offers outstanding stability as well as excellent grip. Such qualities make it perfect for backhoe loaders, compact loaders and telehandlers. Provided with extra-large lugs optimizing stability and available in the sizes 460/70 R 24 and 500/70 R 24, RT 747 Agro Industrial is a perfect multipurpose tire and a valid support in many different applications. Once again, BKT confirms its own style and working philosophy based on the strategy of listening to and cooperating with users. The result is an increasing number of more and more innovative solutions corresponding to the actual needs of a constantly growing market.
Identify brome populations pre-harvest Cereal growers should spot fields with significant brome populations and identify the brome species at harvest, to ensure autumn weed control plans are appropriate to the threat, says Dow AgroSciences. rome species are most effectively controlled by autumn herbicide applications, but are often omitted in the rush to get crops drilled and pre-emergence herbicides applied,” warns Stuart Jackson, Dow’s cereal herbicide specialist. “If growers can identify those fields with significant populations of brome and ryegrass they can be prioritised for autumn applications. “Good field observations preharvest should include population density and brome species identification, since post-harvest
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control measures for sterile and great brome are different to those needed for soft, meadow and rye bromes.” For sterile and great brome, early post-harvest shallow cultivations are best. Seeds need to be buried or covered to break dormancy and encourage a germination flush before spraying off with a nonselective herbicide. However, seeds of soft, meadow and rye bromes need to be left on the soil surface for one month to ripen before cultivation and subsequent spraying off with a non selective herbicide. If buried, immature seed become dormant
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and survive longer in the soil. Herbicide applications should also be targeted at the brome species present. Great and sterile brome species can be the most difficult to eradicate so a robust autumn spray programme is required. These grassweeds are more effectively controlled when small (Growth Stage 11 – 13) and actively growing. Autumn spray programmes should include a pre-emergence application soon after drilling. Timing post-emergence sprays to control meadow, soft and rye bromes can be more flexible. While autumn applications are still the
gold standard, providing a preemergence spray is applied, a postemergence application of Broadway Star can be applied in autumn or delayed until early spring if necessary. Dow AgroSciences ran a ‘Know Your Brome’ activity on its stand at the Cereals event with Dr Stephen Moss of Rothamsted Research, to help growers identify different brome species. A guide to ‘Identification of Brome Grasses’ by Stephen Moss is available on the Dow AgroSciences website.
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| Cereals
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August 2016 | Farming Monthly |15
| Spraying
The Importance of sprayer testing Everyone will agree that accurate application of pesticides is not only desirable but essential whether for the environment, the consumer or the grower. ccurate and targeted use of pesticides is all part of modern agriculture. That why back in the mid 90’s the Chemical Application members of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) devised a test for application machinery to make sure it was working as intended and with a qualified operator would apply pesticides accurately and on target. In the early years of 2000 this test became the National Sprayer Testing Scheme as one of the main pillars of the Voluntary Initiative. NSTS now tests around 16,500 machines annually and this test also satisfies the requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), which requires that all pesticide application equipment, sprayers, slug pellet applicators, granular applicators etc., need to be tested by 26th November 2016 and at regular intervals thereafter. NSTS is an accepted part of arable agriculture and requirement of the major crop assurance
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schemes and supermarket protocols, requiring that farmers and growers have their sprayers inspected annually. This requirement will continue and one of the annual tests will satisfy the SUD requirements. The NSTS is available through a network of test centres who have qualified examiners available to inspect and confirm the equipment is of the standard required. The test is usually carried out at the machine owner’s premises and at a mutually agreed convenient time. The examiner will charge for the inspection, NSTS have no input into the cost of individual tests; the cost is commercial at the point of use. Additionally machine owners are free to use their nearest or preferred test centre. The operator or owner of the machine can prepare the sprayer for the test using a test sheet available from the NSTS website. Owners and operators are encouraged to be present during the test and will receive three NRoSO points for doing so. As confirmation of the result of
the test the examiner will apply a pass sticker to the machine and give the owner a copy of the test report form. Other copies of the form are returned to NSTS Administration where the information is retained on a database of all tested machines. This information is available to Crop Assurance Certification Bodies for verification. With the continued threat of
more pesticides being lost, now is the time to contribute to accurate and targeted application procedures, NSTS testing helps achieve that. Having a NSTS will also satisfy the Sustainable Use Directive which requires all sprayers to be tested by 26th November 2016. Find out more by visiting the NSTS website www.nsts.org.uk
Spray water rate use on farm By Harry Henderson, Knowledge Exchange manager for AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds covering the East Midlands region. ou know how it goes. You are entirely focused on harvest then, before you know it, you are back on the sprayer seemingly playing catch-up, applying pest and weed control programs and hoping the sprayer is in good fettle for the upcoming season. But, taking time to look back over last year’s spray program, was there anything you would do differently or better? Looking at water rates, are you ‘eking out’ a tank full to cover a certain area of land or are you taking a more proactive approach to ensure that an expensive chemical does the best job it can for you? AHDB York monitor farmer David Blacker has taken the latter course of action and raised water rates 280lt/ha for all soil-acting preemergence herbicide applications and applying it through fore and aft facing twin cap nozzles. “I don’t have resistant black-grass here yet and don’t want it,” said David. “So I use higher water rates and do it right.” David uses two 04 flat fan nozzles at 3-bar pressure and keeps the speed between 8 and 10kph, spaced at 50cm to produce a medium spray quality. “I know I can go faster but if there’s an extra 5% control available by using higher water rates, twin-cap nozzles and a lower speed then I’m going to take it,” he said. “I realise some operators aim for a 1,000 acres in a day, but I prioritise chemical efficacy
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rather machine efficiency.” Using a bowser may also be necessary. It cuts non-spraying time down and can raise your sprayer output by nearly 50%, without cutting rates. It seems like a waste having a man running around after the sprayer but has a dramatic effect on the sprayer’s capability. Above left; David’s twin cap nozzles in action applying 280litres per hectare Above right; Close up of twin cap nozzle on David’s sprayer. Both photos; David Blacker. If you’re looking at a new sprayer altogether, there’s no end of choice, from new or specialist second-hand dealers. What you have to ask yourself in these low commodity price and politically new era is, do you really need selfpropelled (which were first sold as having a light foot print) or would a trailed machine work? You can access the same amount of technology with a trailed machine, enjoy at least the same output, they can be quicker onroad between jobs and are about half the price to buy against a self-propelled. Through the AHDB’s CropBench+ service, trailed sprayers with tractor included show a £4/ha saving, and you make better use of your drill tractor too. Sure, there’s the old arguments about crop clearance under your tractor when desiccating oilseed rape but are you losing that much crop to justify a high-clearance selfpropelled? And the old chestnut about stability on slopes, well it’s time to leave the 72 inch wheel track of father’s day and go to 80 or 84 inch wheel track. It helps! Of course, you are
free to buy what you like, it’s your business. But high capacity machinery that goes underused places a high burden on profits or indeed makes losses very difficult get under control. Find out more about the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farm Network, including how to get involved, at http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/monitor-farms
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| Spraying
Househam looks forward to meeting future challenges The agricultural community worldwide has long been familiar with the many challenges facing the sector, whether it be climatic variability affecting crop yield, financial returns from crop commodities, the need to control costs of production and the protection of the environment. Further uncertainty has been thrown into the mix by the, rightly or wrongly, perceived threat from ‘Brexit’. or farm machinery manufacturers this uncertainty only adds to the problems caused by low prices for many crops, over a relatively prolonged period. Despite all these concerns, Lincolnshire based selfpropelled crop sprayer manufacturer Househam Sprayers Ltd is well capable of adapting to these circumstances. Regular development of new, and upgrading of existing models, has enabled the company to stay at the forefront of the UK selfpropelled crop sprayer market. Furthermore, in the light of the ‘Brexit’ outcome the company’s decision, over 15 years ago, to invest in the development of export markets has seen Househam sprayers being marketed around
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Europe, in both EU and non-EU countries, as well as in other countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand and Israel to name but a few. Managing Director, Robert Willey, is optimistic about the future, even though the market for the type of products Househam’s produce is very competitive at the present time. “Our experience over the years has shown that by working with our customers to help them maximise the efficiency and cost effectiveness of their spraying operations, whilst paying close attention to the possible environmental impact on both wildlife and soil structure, we have been able to contribute significantly to helping growers to produce quality crops.” says Mr Willey. To emphasise the company’s commitment to
improving crop spraying efficiency a new model sporting a number of new features is currently in development with a projected launch date in the Autumn of 2016. Andrew Kneen, Househam’s Engineering Director is also optimistic about the future. “Farming in general and farm machinery manufacturers in particular, will face many challenges over the coming years, but by continuing to develop innovative machines which meet the needs of our customers in the UK and Europe, and further developing the already exciting potential for export sales to countries in the Middle and Far East, we hope to be well set for the future.”
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| Spraying
Table grape study wins Defy 3D nozzle BASIS Project of the Year Award A key component in your attack on blackgrass this autumn
Training and certification organisation, BASIS, has announced Gloria Endredi as the winner of the Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award for her investigation of the effect of water volume and droplet size on spray coverage in table grapes. loria Endredi’s project was selected from the top five scoring submissions and judged by a panel of BASIS exam chairmen. The winning project examined how different water volumes penetrated the canopy and fruit cluster. Gloria concluded that a blue hollow cone nozzle with a medium droplet spectra at 500 L/ha should be the recommended application method for table grapes. Gloria’s training was organised by Dianne Quested at Mid Kent Training, and lead trainer for the course was Debbie Wedge from Chelmsford & West Essex Training Group. Gloria has worked at NIAB EMR, in East Malling, Kent, for the past seven years, and has spent the past six months developing skills acquired during her BASIS qualification. Having completed the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Commercial Horticulture), Gloria hopes to continue her learning by completing further BASIS qualifications, including the BASIS Diploma. On receiving the award, Gloria said: “The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection course was a huge learning curve, particularly for someone at the beginning of their horticultural career. The project formed a large part of the work required. The course was an ideal opportunity to interact with experienced and knowledgeable people. I am incredibly proud of my achievement and the win was completely unexpected.” The Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award was introduced by BASIS in autumn 2014 to recognise the outstanding input that many candidates apply to their project, which is a fundamental element of the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection. The project requires significant crop protection content, personal practical involvement and original research. Stephen Jacob, BASIS Chief
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Executive, said: “This is the second year we have made a presentation for the best project submitted as part of the Certificate in Crop Protection. The standard of projects was extremely high and all aspects of the report, including subject choice, technical accuracy, and design were taken into consideration when deciding the overall winner.” Gloria added: “The project provided me with an opportunity to work in an area that I was relatively unfamiliar with. The novelty of the topic was exciting, and grapes are an interesting subject in the UK due to the implications of climate change and its effects on crop growth. The investigation of the effect of water volume and droplet size is a relatively unexplored area with a bright future. The results may provide an opportunity to make recommendations on vineyard spraying in the future. I am looking forward to applying the skills and knowledge that I gained from the course to my job.” Patrick Mitton, BASIS Education and Training Committee Chairman, said: “Table grapes offer a unique challenge in gaining even spray coverage. Gloria established some key outputs in her trial work in relation to droplet size, speed of application, water volume and coverage across different parts of the plant. Given the increasing interest and number of grape growers in England, Gloria's project offers practical and tangible outputs. The BASIS project judges were impressed by Gloria's excellent presentation of the issues, challenges and trial results in her winning project. “ Gordon Flint was crowned the runner up in the Project of the Year award for his Assessment of Clopyralid use for Control of Creeping Thistle in Cut Flower Peony. The project assessed the effect of spot treatments of clopyralid when applied to cut flower peony crops in July to September 2015 and survival of treated creeping thistle when assessed in October and December 2015, and January 2016.
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he unique Defy 3D inclined nozzle was developed specifically for the application of preemergence blackgrass herbicides. It has been tuned to eliminate the smallest driftable droplets, boosting performance whilst at the same time significantly reducing spray drift. Developed by Pentair Hypro and Syngenta, Defy 3D is the latest in a line-up of specialist nozzles and delivers more even spray coverage over the seedbed surface, says Pentair Hypro’s UK business manager Robert Geldard. “The unique feature of the Defy 3D nozzle is that as well as providing proven superior spray coverage it also significantly reduces drift, to help growers find more spray days in the autumn. The droplet spectrum has been tailored for the optimum balance between those that are needed for grass weed control but eliminates the smallest drops in order to reduce drift. Depending on size, the new nozzle offers 60-75% less drift compared to a conventional flat fan nozzle”. adds Mr Geldard “Trial results using Defy and Liberator showed that applications with the Defy 3D nozzle increased black-grass control by 3-6% compared with an equivalent-sized conventional flat fan nozzle and got it up to the critical 97% needed to reduce long term populations level”.
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In common with the previous Defy nozzle from Syngenta, the new Defy 3D produces a spray that is inclined from the vertical and is designed to be used alternating backwards and forwards-facing along the boom to treat targets from both sides, not just above, hence the 3D name. Defy 3D nozzle has been optimised for use at boom heights of between 50cm and 75cm above the target and at 2-3 bar pressure . Alternatively, to maximise drift reduction potential, reducing the pressure down to 1 bar achieves a 2 star LERAP classification. Performance has been excellent at 100 l/ha water, beating a conventional flat fan spray at 200 l/ha in trials, further helping optimise spraying efficiency. It works most effectively at sprayer speeds between 12kph and 14kph. The new Defy 3D nozzle • Engineered to deliver more even pre-em spray coverage • Black-grass control boosted by up to 6% compared with conventional nozzle • Environmental benefits from reduced drift • Helps spray more black-grass herbicides on time Defy 3D nozzle is available in sizes of 03, 035, 04, 05 and 06 through Pentair Hypro’s network of UK distributors this autumn. For a full list see the contact page at www.hypro-eu.com.
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| Tillage
Tillage-Live heads to Warwickshire this September This year’s Tillage-Live takes place on Wednesday 14th September at Monks Kirby, Rugby Warwickshire. rganised by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) on behalf of the industry, TillageLive will follow the format of a full working demonstration of cultivations equipment including ploughs, cultivators, conventional,
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strip tillage and direct drills. Alongside this there are working plots with crop sprayers and a full technical trade static exhibition area. “Once again, the event is a unique opportunity to not only see all the latest cultivations and crop establishment equipment at work, but also the chance to discuss new
ideas and get advice from industry-leading experts.” said Duncan Russell, AEA Services Manager, “The event also offers operators hands-on experience with the latest equipment and the chance to compare performance on the same soil type on the same day,” Duncan added. There are NRoSO and BASIS points awarded to visitors following the knowledge trail. The stations include the opportunity to diagnose and resolve soils issues and a look at how tyre setting and selection can protect soils and improve output. Tickets are now available and cost £7.50 per car in advance or £10 on the day. Find out more at www.tillage-live.uk.com
Key Facts Where: Monks Kirby, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0PJ When: Wednesday 14th September 2016 Time: 8am – 3pm Tillage-Live is the national cultivations event including field scale demonstrations of soil cultivation, crop establishment and crop spraying equipment. Tickets: £10 per car on the gate or £7.50 by pre registration at the event website www.tillage-live.uk.com
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August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 21
| Tillage
Cousins new Front Press Cousins front mounted presses are available in widths from 1.5 to 6m (larger models with hydraulic folding). Front press options include cast rings, coils, razor rings, tooth packers and a choice of attachments including paddles or spring board tines. The effectiveness of the front press can be enhanced by adding a leading tine system. ichael Goody is farm manager at Babraham Farms, Cambridgeshire which comprise around 600 ha of arable land most of which benefits from pressing either following ploughing or min till operations.
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“The key is to use the press for evelling, just touching but not pushing the soil” Having taken delivery of an imported 6m front press with paddles in 2014, Michael was faced with a dilemma: having equipped his New Holland T6080 with a new 2.8 ton front linkage,
efforts to lift the ‘2.5 ton’ press were unsuccessful. “The tractor just grunted!” explained Michael. The supplier suggested that he remove the front paddles. This was not acceptable as it would fundamentally compromise the operation of the press. Around this time Michael decided to check exactly what his front linkage was up against. He was surprised to find it tipped the scales at 3.5 tons! It was time to consider an alternative so he talked to John Cousins who was up for the challenge: “I’ll build you a set of press coils you can lift!” Cousins’ standard 6m folding coil press with front paddles was delivered to the farm. Initially these also proved too heavy so the
kit was returned to Cousins’ factory and their engineers got to work. They reduced the overall depth of the assembly by taking 175mm out of the main frame depth and shortening the linkage arms on the headstock for closer coupling to Michael’s T6080. The result was a 2.5 ton close coupled arrangement that would work with Michael’s front linkage. “Cousins carried out the modifications at no cost to me” he says “and you can’t ask for more than that!”
He is delighted with the results. “The key is to use the press for levelling, just touching but not pushing the soil. I also find that having the front press the same width as my following seed drill makes accurate drilling very easy.” Michael was pleased to let another farmer try his Cousins press on his Fendt tractor which resulted in a second sale. In fact Cousins of Emneth have adopted the close coupled design as a standard for all their new front coil presses.
Mzuri to present the new ‘direct till drill’ concept at Tillage-Live Mzuri confirmed attendance at Tillage-Live event taking place on 14th September at Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, where the manufacturer will be presenting their low disturbance tillage equipment. pecifically, visitors to the Mzuri’s demonstration plot will be able to see Mzuri’s new Pro-Til ‘direct till drill’ concept and the Rezult straw rake. The company’s technical staff will also be at hand on James Green Farm Machinery’s stand to advise farmers on best strip-till practice techniques.
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The Select model is capable of placing seed in 33.3cm or 66.6cm row spacings and in single or dual bands, depending on coulter configuration New to Tillage-Live show, Mzuri will use its working plot to showcase its innovative ‘direct till drill’ concept – a unique 3-in-1 drill which allows users to carry out strip tilling, direct drilling and precision seeding with just one piece of equipment. The one pass
drill offers the ultimate flexibility which is awarded by its wide choice of seeding coulters, some of which will be fitted onto the ProTil 3T Select – Mzuri’s trailed three metre model - on demonstration. Designed to create minimum soil disturbance, the Pro-Til Select produces a narrow tilled band to ensure quick and even seed germination whist leaving the rest of the ground intact to aid soil structure. Capable of drilling most combinable crops, the direct till drill will feature pivoting leading discs, auto-reset breaker legs complete with wing and fertiliser placement option and staggered reconsolidating wheels, to ensure the perfect seeding environment. The patented seeding legs on the machine have a 900mm clearance for maximum trash flow and pivot side to side to ensure the seed is always placed centrally to the seeding zone. The legs will feature a ground-following wheel which delivers exceptional seeding depth accuracy, with a pressure ram for optimum soil reconsolidation. A combination of these unique features significantly reduces the
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risks typically associated with crop establishment, which include hair pinning or uneven germination. Seed delivery is from a dual 3400 litre hopper (60:40 seed:fertiliser ratio) with variable seed metering unit and seed flow monitors also fitted as standard. The Select model is capable of placing seed in 33.3cm or 66.6cm row spacings and in single or dual bands, depending on coulter configuration, to best suit the crop. The Pro-Til direct till drill can go directly into straw stubble and previous crop residue, as well as into ploughed seedbed. Mzuri will also be demonstrating the Rezult – the 7.5m low
disturbance tilth generator. Fitted with 24 front cutting discs and 5 rows of extra-long 28” tines, the Rezult marks a major advance in the preparation of stale seedbeds and straw management. The light tilth produced by the machine is ideal for stimulating weed germination and has proven to be highly effective in controlling blackgrass, as well as disturbing slug habitats. Followed by a blanket application of non-selective herbicide, this creates the perfect environment for drilling. The Rezult can also be fitted with a Stocks seeder which makes for a cheap, yet highly effective method of establishing cover crops.
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| Glamping
The Glamping Show preview The Glamping industry is growing every year as more and more people favour ‘staycations’ over travelling abroad. he Glamping Show is a standalone sales and marketing platform launched last year specifically to address the growing glamping sector. Following a successful first show in 2015,
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which showcased exhibitors from the UK and abroad and attracted 1000s of visitors over three days, the organisers are pleased to report that the Glamping Show 2016 is going to be bigger and better. Visitors to the Show can expect to see an increased exhibition
space both inside and outdoors to accommodate new exhibitors as well as returning exhibitors who realised the strength of the Show last year and have requested larger sites to showcase their amazing structures. There will be an even wider variety of glamping structures on display as well as ancillary products including loos, showers, off-grid energy and lighting to name but a few. Returning exhibitors include Exclusive Tents, from South Africa, who will be bringing with them their Bububu Tent, which will be fully furnished and on sale at a special Glamping Show price. Also returning for the second time is Cedartree, whose expertise in the design and construction of quality, good-looking timber buildings is second to none. Cedartree’s range of ‘Faraway’ Lodges are designed especially for glamping locations; full of character, quirky and different with a lifespan of at least 30 years the Cedartree team are definitely worth talking to at this year’s show. New exhibitors to the Glamping Show this year include; Mango Crafts, designers and manufacturers of exquisite outdoor furniture; Tiks Pac, environmental stations for the free distribution of dog waste bags; Dub Box, retro camping at its best – a two-berth practical camper caravan that can be finished to match your car or van’s interior and exterior décor; Waterless Toilets, off-grid toilets for clients without access to mains sewage; The Garden Oven Company, manufacturers of woodfired outdoor ovens and Bond Fabrications, a leading UK manufacturer of bespoke marquees and glamping structures. Mike Halliwell,
Managing Director, at Bond Fabrications, had this to say: “The team here at Bond are very excited to be exhibiting one of our Safari Tents at The Glamping Show this year. We are incredibly proud of both the products and the service we provide our clients and it is always a great pleasure to watch our customers’ initial ideas grow into a thriving ‘Glamping’ business. We will be on hand to discuss the many options we have available and to demonstrate the quality and workmanship of our structures.” In addition to the wide array of structures and products on show visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about everything they need to know about establishing their own glamping site or indeed enhancing their existing glamping business. Seminar subjects this year will include alternative technologies, marketing, planning permissions, solar energy, choosing the right structure, diversification, inspiring your staff, ‘success story’ case studies, customer service, insurance and much more. Make sure you register to attend to ensure your place in the seminar room. The organisers of the Glamping Show are dedicated to continuing to grow the event to ensure that suppliers for this growing sector have a dedicated platform on which to showcase their products and services. Make sure Stoneleigh is a Glamping destination in your diary this September; The Glamping Show, Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 September. For more information and to register for the Show visit www.theglampingshow.com
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| Glamping
How to diversify into Glamping In this hectic high tech world, it’s not surprising that Glamping has proved so popular. The term, which blends Glamorous and Camping, has even just been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Many Landowners with a scenic spot to spare are finding this is a lucrative way to diversify, not least because they can start small with a couple of tents and gradually grow the business. oldscan’s Albion Canvas range has been at the forefront of the Glamping trend, as well as being able to advise on everything from the positioning of the tents to planning permission, green finance, making, setting up and kitting out, then maintaining the structure. Albion’s products have evolved from traditional Safari style tents, to futuristic Geodesic Domes, plus the new contemporary Etosha range. Boldscan has also developed a Clubhouse to use as shop, tearoom or activity centre. The structures are hand made at the Somerset factory using high quality British canvas and can be equipped with wood burning stoves, kitchens and en-suite bathrooms – hence the Glamorous. Tommy Noel launched The Gathering in an idyllic setting at the start of the Pennine Way in April. The sheep farm has been in the family for around 400 years and the upkeep of the listed buildings meant that extra income had to be generated. The Gathering offers four safari tents, plus a Victorian shooting lodge, sleeping 32 in total. One of the Tsavo tents has been widened and adapted to ensure complete accessibility throughout, with the help of a wheelchair bound friend. Bookings are already excellent throughout the summer, mostly for groups taking over the whole site, and the website has only been live for a few months. Boldscan also helped Francesca Newell to set up Monmouthshire’s first site, The Seven Hills Hideaway. Her family had tended the 110 acre farm with its 16th Century farmhouse for several generations. When the unmodernised farm passed to her mother, they wanted to keep the farm in the family and researched ways of diversifying. To get the low down, marketing expert Bella Given runs courses and bespoke consultations – “Learnings from Longlands” Bella started with three safari tents in
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2012 and generated 95% occupancy in the first year and a turnover of almost £200k in year two. It is no surprise that
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The Kora
Seven Hills Hideaway
Longlands is the bench mark for successful Glamping. Boldscan, Managing Director, Steve Hansford, has witnessed the
rapid growth of sites in the UK. “There are still plenty of pockets of the UK where Glamping would be very successful.” He commented.
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| Glamping
If you’ve got the land, then we’ve got the brand ! As the one of the nation’s best-known glamping accommodation providers, Wigwam® Holidays! can help turn your land into a profit-making venture. e know farming is a challenging yet rewarding way of life … and there’s always the chance to earn more from your farming business. Developing part of your farm to welcome glamping guests is one way to make an income all year round, in tandem with your existing agricultural commitments. Wigwam® Holidays has been at the forefront of the UK glamping revolution since 1994, and has over 70 sites across the British Isles which include our innovative timber Wigwam cabins. Wigwam cabins are constructed in the UK from sustainable timber, and are fully insulated, heated, with lighting, double glazed windows and a lockable front door as standard. As Wigwam® Holidays has grown, so has our choice of cabins. With four models to choose from: Wee Brave (sleeping three persons); Big Chief (sleeping up to five persons); Running Water (sleeping four people with a ensuite shower and toilet); and the Running Water Deluxe (sleeping four people, and including a shower, toilet, kitchenette and
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dining area), you can choose which would be best for your particular requirements. Wigwam cabins can provide year-round income at an affordable price for your guests and with the staycation set to become even more popular, we think you’re onto a winner ! Whether it’s a solo traveller, a couple or a multi-generational family, Wigwams are ideal and there’s a huge market out there ! So stop by and see us at this year’s Glamping Business Show, 22nd, 23rd and 24th September at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park., and learn more about joining a proven and successful franchise which has the flexibility to work alongside your farming business and generate additional revenue streams. Our experts are on hand to help you make your dream come true, providing business plan support, asset finance, assistance with planning, IT development, website help and much more on an asneeded basis. So if you have a dream of diversifying and making your land work for you, think Wigwam Visit our website www.wigwamholidays.com
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 25
| Energy
UK AD & Biogas 2016: Bringing together the global AD community The UK’s AD sector proved that it’s still open for business when over 3,600 people gathered at Birmingham’s NEC on 6-7 July for the first ever global AD & biogas trade show. ow in its seventh year, UK AD & Biogas 2016 demonstrated the sector’s robustness, with Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, launching ADBA’s latest Market Report by revealing that the number of operational plants in the UK was up 30 per cent year on year. And there was plenty of evidence of activity on the show floor with 350+ exhibitors being overwhelmingly positive about the quantity and quality of leads they received. Visitors travelled from far and wide to see the latest AD technology, meet suppliers and industry experts, and hear firsthand accounts of successful international biogas projects. One in ten attendees was from outside the UK, with every continent and over 50 countries represented. The launch of ADBA’s first International Market Report was highly
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anticipated and revealed the benefits AD is bringing to communities across the world. An attitude of openness and transparency filtered through all aspects of the show, not least at the launch of the first phase of ADBA’s Best Practice Scheme. Acting as a driver for improvement, the three Best Practice Checklists cover operational performance, risk management and procurement, and will be followed by a formal certification scheme and a new dedicated best practice section on the ADBA website. Day Two saw the launch of the highly anticipated Food Waste Recycling Action Plan for England (FWRAP). Billed as the industry’s response to the challenge of increasing food waste recycling in England, it has been shaped by ADBA, WRAP, other trade associations and companies representing the waste management and AD sectors. With UK AD & Biogas 2016 now
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acting as a hub for the world’s biogas community, it’s clear that despite political uncertainty there is still room for optimism. As ADBA’s Head of Policy, Matt Hindle, said: “There are still opportunities ahead in the UK, but
the industry will have to work hard – and work together – to realise them.” Globally, the picture is immensely optimistic, however, given AD’s ability to address so many critical issues, which this year’s show made so clear.
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| Energy
Heat: The forgotten element of farm AD By Matt Hale, International Sales Manager, HRS Heat Exchangers. naerobic digestion (AD) produces many valuable products, including biogas (which can then be turned into heat, electricity or biomethane gas) and digestate, a biofertiliser rich in nutrients and organic matter. However, many AD plants also produce incidental heat, which can be captured and used within the AD process or for other on-site operations. Wasted heat is becoming increasingly important, not only from an economic point of view, put also politically. In the UK the Renewable Heat Incentive is the key policy driver to encourage the utilisation of heat from renewable sources, including incidental heat from the AD process, while some European countries now specify targets for the use of heat from AD plants. Sources of heat Surplus heat produced by biogas combustion in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit is the most common heat source within an AD plant. Other processes which result in residual, usable
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heat include: • Digestate pre-heating • Digester heating (especially in summer when less heating is required) • Pasteurisation (either before or after digestion) • Electricity generation (e.g. via CHP) • Biogas upgrading to biomethane (heat is required for the process, but up to 75% of it can be recaptured and reused) • Digestate concentration A minimum temperature of 70oC may be required for pasteurisation, leaving 30-40oC of ‘left over’ heat, which has historically been wasted to the atmosphere. This heat could instead be put to good use elsewhere within the AD process. Equally, heat left over from concentrating digestate could be used within pasteurisation. What is a heat exchanger? Heat exchangers take heat from one process or place and transfer it to another. In practice, they allow the heat from a liquid or gas to pass to another liquid or gas without the two having to come into direct contact. Common
everyday examples include domestic radiators and car radiators. Two of the most common types are Plate Heat Exchangers and Tubular Heat Exchangers. However, within these broad categories there are many different models and it is important to understand what is being offered. It is therefore advisable to consult a specialist who can explain the benefits of different types and perhaps offer different solutions. For example, HRS corrugated tube heat exchangers are designed so that the constant swirling of the fluid in the tube prevents sediment and clogging when used with certain materials like digestate. Whichever system is proposed, it is important to compare running costs, including maintenance and cleaning, over the full life of the plant – downtime caused by regular dismantling or cleaning can quickly eat into any capital savings made at the time of purchase. Potential uses for heat in the AD process So, having identified a source of heat, what can be done with it? There are a number of options with the AD process, including: preheating feedstock; for pasteurising; to reduce the volume of digestate or even to upgrade biogas to biomethane, for use as a transport fuel or for injection into the gas grid.
Other uses for heat There are many uses of heat on farms, from space heating of greenhouses and polytunnels to drying crops or biomass fuels. Many livestock buildings require heat, particularly for pig and poultry production, and where farms have diversified to create office or business centres there is often the scope to install district heating systems. In other parts of the world more unusual uses for heat have also been seen, such as aquaculture for fish production; further electricity generation through the use of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology and Kalina Cycle low temperature generation systems; or transporting heat in containers which utilise latent heat storage technology. With careful planning and a long term approach which considers the full life of an AD plant – not just initial purchase prices – the individual heat loads of each process within an AD operation can be greatly reduced by using recaptured heat, resulting in improvements in both efficiency and product quality.
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| Energy
Anaerobic digestion plants for dairy farmers AD4Energy, a British firm specialising in the design, build and commissioning of small to medium-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plants is launching a new range of low-cost, personalised AD plants. he company has been actively listening to feedback regarding the reduction in tariffs available for energy generated by anaerobic digestion and is fully aware of the hit on the agriculture; more specifically the dairy industry, with cuts to the price of milk. With that in mind the new range of AD plants is aimed at farms and businesses that battle with high energy bills, want to
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effectively dispose of waste and have use for the generated heat and electricity. The suite of low-cost, personalised AD plants, start with an entry level model that’s main purpose is to digest liquid feedstock, i.e. slurry or cheese whey, and to produce heat. The heat can be used by the business or on farm e.g. heating the calf sheds, warming the drinking water or alternatively the heat can be put through a heat expansion unit that will convert it into cold air for
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chilling. On top of this the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) tariff be claimed through the heat used. From the entry level model optional extras can be added into the AD plant i.e. a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit to produce electricity, feeding systems or dryers and chillers; in order to help build an AD plant that is best suited to the client’s available feedstock and energy requirements. Alongside the new AD plants, small to medium-scale semi-plug
flow and CSTR digesters are also available; as well as a full suite of additional services. These include but are not limited to: free economic assessments, planning and permitting, mechanical and biological aftercare services and assistance with funding. For more information or for a free consultation, contact AD4Energy via the following channels: Tel: 01584 817 224 Email: info@ad4energy.com Website: www.ad4energy.com
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| Energy
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| Energy
Government figures show huge growth in biogas for electricity and heat New official figures show 40% more renewable electricity was produced from biogas from waste and farms in 2015 compared to 2014. he government’s annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), published today [28 July], also reflects growth in biomethane to grid with the generation of heat from anaerobic digestion more than doubling. Key figures include: • AD installed electrical capacity in waste and farming increased from 238MW in 2014 to 286MW in 2015 • Electricity generated from AD increased from 1,019GWh in 2014 to 1,429GWh in 2015 • Electrical capacity for sewage gas increased very slightly, from 215MW to 216MW • Electricity generated from sewage gas increased from 846GWh to 888GWh, and heat from 67.7ttoe to 73.1ttoe as the water industry continued to drive more efficiency from AD assets • Use of waste and farm AD for heat (on site biogas or biomethane to grid) more than doubled from 42.9ttoe to 95.5ttoe The publication follows the 2016 ADBA Market Report, which showed that the industry has
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continued to grow in early 2016, but warned that the prospects for future growth are being held back by restrictive and uncertain government policy. Commenting, ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said, “These figures back up the stellar growth of the UK industry over the past two years – 40% more biogas electricity from waste and farms, more than double the amount of renewable heat, and continuing improvements in efficiency in the water sector. “However, as our Market Report showed earlier this year, opportunities for future growth are at risk. Using existing technology and feedstocks, the AD industry could be four times bigger than it is today – but government decisions to scale back electricity support, and uncertainty over heat and waste policies, mean that we could lose as much as 250MW of potential capacity over the next two years. “That’s enough to increase our tight winter electricity capacity margin by 10%, delivered by 2018. Overall, we could meet up to 30% of household gas demand, saving infrastructure costs for replacing
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heating systems and reinforcing the electricity grid. It’s now time for the government to set policies on
waste collection and renewable energy support which will deliver those goals.”
Storage: Think AgBag From a head office based in Crediton, Devon, AB Systems UK Ltd operates a nationwide contractor service for its innovative agricultural and environmental storage solution - AgBag. e have Billy Rae contracting based up in Scotland operating 10 and 12ft machines and now Greene Bagging over in Ireland operating a 10ft machine, the AgBag System has numerous storage applications- for grass, maize, wholecrop, grain (both moist and dry) and for all other moist and alternative feeds. The bags come in lengths of up to 150m and up to 4.3m in diameter. They’re made from a strong 3-ply plastic which is
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totally airtight, while the white layer repels solar heat keeping the bag and contents cooler the black inner lining keeps out the sunlight preserving the valuable nutrients. AgBag can also be used as a way of storing fertilizer, road salt and biomass. We also stock a range of 7 ply silage sheets and protection nets. Our nationwide team of trained contractors offer a fast, efficient service at a fixed price – call David or Doug Wynne on 01363-82677 to find out how the AgBag System can help you!
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| Energy
Biomass boiler makes logical investment for arable farmer Installing two biomass woodchip boilers at Manor Farm, Threekingham has not only saved on the cost of burning fossil fuels to dry grain and for a heat source to other buildings, it is also a logical addition to an established timber business on site. he arable farming business has just completed its first full year of the 20 year non-domestic contract that farmer Ollie Smith has signed up for following the successful installation of two 199kw Froling biomass boilers from NerG, with two 4000 litre buffer tanks. The primary income from the 1700 acre arable farming enterprise is derived from growing winter wheat, OSR, spring barley, linseed and beans. Wheat yields average 3.7t/ac. To supplement the farms income and to utilise equipment the business also runs a contracting arm. Further income is raised from a timber business that produces and sells firewood. Mr Smith explains: “We already have a log splitting business which involves buying in hardwood from local UK sources – from which we produce fire wood for the domestic market. “We are always looking for alternative income streams for the business, and the renewables market has been an interest to us. In the past we have looked at burning straw bales, in particular linseed straw, of which we now grow 300 acres in place of wheat and oilseed rape in the rotation. “Linseed straw doesn't go through the combine choppers very well so most growers just burn it in the field. We thought about burning it for energy but following a discussion with our neighbour Dan King about the option of using wood chip biomass boilers to dry grain and heat various buildings on site, we contacted NerG.” By March 2015 NerG had installed two Froling boilers. The heat from one boiler is used to dry grain in four 600ton sheds, while heat from the other is used to dry wood chip down to 20% and provide heat for the log kiln, office, a five bedroom farm house and the workshop. A general purpose shed in the yard has been converted into a 150m3 wood chip store. The original investment to supply and install the Froling
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boilers was about £145,000 plus VAT. The farm used its own equipment and labour to install all 125m of underground pipes to NerG specifications at a cost of £50/m. The total installation took about two months. “We started digging the trenches in February last year and completed the whole installation by the April, in order to achieve the 6.8ppkw tariff,” says Mr Smith. “We looked at several boiler options before committing to Froling as our research put them at the top of the list in terms of build quality and specification. “We are really pleased with the service that NerG has given us, particularly from the engineer Dave Coleman. Any time of day he is on call for technical queries and service issues.” Mr Smith trades the wood chip as well as burns it. He also buys timber off forestry companies as well as waste timber and chip off tree surgeons and other businesses who remove timber such as poplars and willow from river banks and water ways. “We supply dry wood chip to other biomass boiler users locally. We keep the poorer quality wood chip for our own boilers and only sell quality product off the farm.” Mr Smith explains that the biomass boilers burn more wood than was first anticipated which has had an impact on profitability. However, he thinks that is to do with the quality of chip he is burning at home. This is affecting the usage rather than the boiler efficiency. He calculates that through the RHI payment he should receive a return of about £18,000/annum for each boiler. Wood chip varies in price depending on quality between £35-£90/t. He has also saved on the cost of oil and gas and electricity – despite current low fossil fuel prices – as well as played his part in improving the environment. “The savings on fossil fuels more than covers the cost of my lower grade wood chip for both boilers,” he says. “We are not expecting significant repair bills for the boilers but maintenance and
Farmer Ollie Smith
service bills are inevitable. The Froling boiler weighs about 500kg more than equivalent boilers on the market so we assume that there is some quality built into it.” The farm uses its own
telehandler and screen to move and grade wood chip into a shed for either drying storing or feeding into the boilers which is the augured automatically.
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| Slurry
Greencrop slurry solutions Greencrop offers a range of solutions to spread waste and dirty water from livestock farms, washing plants and controlled dust suppression for quarries and landfill sites. e can offer a range of PTO driven and electric manual or fully automatic irrigation pumps feeding static sprinklers or rain guns, Multicam mobile low volume dirty water irrigators and large scale hosereel irrigators for slurry. Application rates can be adjusted from 4mm up to 30mm
See us at UK Dairy Day
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depending on the system. The electric stator rotor pumps running static rain sprinklers / guns apply rates between 4 and 10mm, Multicam mobile low volume irrigators can normally spread between 6mm and 20mm. Our dirty water product range includes - 2DR PTO driven impellor or stator rotor pumps - Electric single and three-phase
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submersible, - Pump in Box, horizontal stator rotor pumps with manual or full automatic control systems. - Stand up sprinklers and sledge mounted irrigation rain guns - Multicam Low volume dirty water mobile irrigators - High range engine driven hosereel irrigators for spreading slurry. Slurry pump sets Greencrop can offer you a full range of PTO driven Blueline K80 umbilical pumps and slurry engine mounted pump sets fitted with Blueline or Doda slurry pumps. Standard pumps are fitted with throttle controller, standard panel push button start/stop throttle up/down. Or you can upgrade to a full automatic radio controlled system operated from the spreader tractor, with start / stop, rev up / down, divert slurry from spreader to return to supply, set a target pressure to auto start and stop pump from a nurse tank. Greencrop also make and
import a full range of standard reception pit rubber bearing slurry pumps and the Veneroni high quality slurry pump/mixer pumps, (these can pump up to a distance of 800m). Together with standard galvanized lagoon and 8m long lagoon and tower mixers. We also manufacture a tractor yard slurry scraper and offer a full package of umbilical, and injector products for slurry spreading and a range of vacuum tankers from 900 to 4500 gallon. Whatever your farming enterprise, Greencrop has something to offer you. For further details please visit our website www.greencrop.co.uk email enquiries@greencrop.co.uk Or telephone Howard Chantry on 07881 787997
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| Slurry
Effective dribble bars for slurry and digestate application Bauer’s range of polyester tank slurry and digestate spreaders can be equipped with a choice of application systems to suit different situations with regard to terrain, crops and tramline layouts. ribble bar slurry and digestate applicators for Bauer spreaders are available in 9m, 12m, 15m and 18m widths to the standard design, and to 21m, 24m, 27m and 30m with the heavy-duty design, with its double mounting frame engineered for strength without excessive weight and a folding geometry that avoids placing unnecessary stresses on components. During the boom folding procedure for transport, all sections rotate to an upright position to prevent drips from the flexible dribble tubes. Outer booms sections, which can be 18m to 27m wide depending upon
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the overall width of the boom, fold on to the main section for transport. The boom can also be operated in this configuration – with outer sections folded – to provide a choice of working widths for crop top-dressing when travelling along tramlines. An integrated chopping mechanism deals with any fibrous matter in the fluid being applied to
prevent blockage in the distribution and dribble pipework, and the hydraulic shut-off and drip-stop mechanism is the simplest means of giving reliable and effective control. The dribble bar applicators are available on Bauer’s Professional series spreaders, which have a galvanised steel chassis supporting heart-shaped tanks formed from corrosion-free
polyester-reinforced resin. This material provides significant weight saving without sacrificing strength and durability. There are tank sizes from 10.5cu m to 26cu m – 10,500-litres to 26,000-litres (2300-5700gal) – and operating on highspecification rocking beam running gear for optimum stability on the road and in the field.
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| Slurry
Grassland & Muck 2017: The key to boosting farm efficiencies Grassland & Muck 2017 is delighted to be teaming up with Yara once again to help farmers maximise grass efficiencies with cutting edge research and technology. he triennial event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE), returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 24-25 May 2017. Promising a bumper display of machinery, live demonstrations and grass plots, along with timely advice and technical forums, the two-day event has something for every grassland farmer. “With 145 acres of working grass and machinery demonstrations, Grassland & Muck is the biggest and best grass, forage and muck event in the UK,” says David Gardner, chief executive at the RASE. “In 2014 we had nearly 13,500 visitors - 94% of whom rated the event as good or excellent; and over 230 exhibitors – 96% of whom met their objectives.” Next year promises to be just as fulfilling, with visitors able to get advice and see displays across the whole spectrum of grass management, from the latest varieties to relieving soil compaction, nutrient management, harvesting, ensiling, feeding and muck spreading. “It really is a vast site, with plenty of room to see machinery working: In 2014 we hosted more than £20 million of equipment and 76% of visitors planned to make
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a purchase as a result of their visit,” adds Mr Gardner. Yara is partnering the event for the fourth time, providing farmers with practical solutions to improve grass efficiencies. “Farmers are well aware that forage is the cheapest form of feed, and are striving to boost grass yields and quality,” says Mark Tucker, head of marketing and agronomy at Yara UK. “What we need to do is pass on the latest research, technology and advice to help them to reach the next level.”
Such research has shown that soils and grass crops are commonly deficient in zinc, calcium and selenium, which can impact on plant and livestock health. “In response we have developed a new product, Zincote, which is currently being trialled in Ireland,” says Mr Tucker. “We’ve also been analysing the profitability of different feeding and grazing systems.” Precision farming is becoming increasingly common in the grass sector, and there will be plenty of new technology on display at the event. This includes new developments to Yara’s tractor-mounted N-Sensor to measure a grass crop’s nitrogen requirement and vary fertiliser applications accordingly, leading to improved production efficiencies. “Preparations for Grassland & Muck 2017 are roaring ahead, and stand sales are now under way,” says event organiser Alice Bell. “With 92% of 2014 exhibitors planning to book at next year’s event, space is likely to sell out fast.” For more information visit www.grasslandevent.co.uk or contact 02476 858 284
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| Livestock
UK Dairy Day returns to Telford Major changes for 2016 include free entry, parking and free entry for show cattle. K Dairy Day was launched in 2014 as a new event for the dairy industry. Feedback from dairy farmers and the industry suggested that a dedicated one day event at a time of year when important production decisions are being made for winter was required. In 2015 the event attracted over 7,000 visitors from across the UK and overseas and over 200 trade stands. This year the event has been boosted with an increase in trade stand bookings - over 300 businesses have confirmed a presence. The event is organised by Holstein UK with support from representatives from CIS, CDI, The International Centre, Stagecraft UK and other key businesses within the industry. Earlier this year, Holstein UK was delighted to announce it had renewed its contract with the International Centre, securing the future of UK Dairy Day until 2020. In response to the challenges currently facing the industry, UK Dairy Day have made important changes for the 2016 event to support farmers by offering free visitor entry, car parking and free entry for show cattle. UK Dairy Day 2016 takes place at the International Centre, Telford on Wednesday 14th September 2016 from 8am to 5pm and will feature; • Free entry, no pre-registration required – simply turn up, receive wrist band and enter venue
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• Over 300 dairy businesses • Trade stand space covering over 8,000 square metres across ground floor internal and external space • Learning & development zone to educate, engage and inspire dairy farmers which includes a career zone and making more from milk zone • Knowledge Trail in conjunction with DairyPro and NFYFC to gain CPD points • Seminars with leading speakers focused on the cow, farm and team • External demonstration area with foot trimming, knife sharpening and cow anatomy painting by Scarsdale Vets • New product display area and competition • All breeds cattle show including The National Holstein Show • Press room, sponsors lounge and VIP area • Champions Dinner and Awards at 7.30pm to celebrate and network Theme The theme for 2016 is ‘Sharing knowledge’. The event will feature a learning and development zone on the first floor, with seminar sessions indoors and outdoors to engage, inspire and educate. The area is also being supported by AHDB Dairy, NFYFC and Dairy Pro. There will be displays from colleges, farming/rural charities and other dairy industry partners. UK Dairy Day’s CPD Points Opportunities UK Dairy Day 2016 will for a 3rd year be a
Dairy Pro accredited event. Attending event will qualify for you two points, one for Livestock Production Systems (LP) and the other for Business Management (BM). The event features a dedicated ‘Sharing Knowledge’ zone where there will be several opportunities to gain a further ten points – making the day out at UK Dairy Day worth the maximum achievable for a single day’s learning under the scheme. A 'Knowledge Trail' organised in partnership with Dairy Pro and NFYFC will flow around the whole event with various stands and activities around the venue being ‘pointed’. This trail will include the Sharing Knowledge Zone and its seminars, the demonstration areas and numerous interactive quizzes organised with Dairy Pro training partners. Even better, working with Allflex, an interactive event tag will automatically register CPD points as each activity is visited during the event. Visitors that are not signed up to Dairy Pro before attending UK Dairy Day can do so on the day by visiting the Dairy Pro stand in in the Sharing Knowledge Zone on the first floor. The full seminar programme is available on the UK Dairy Day website featuring a mix of topics focussed on the cow, the team and the farm delivered by leading industry speakers including practising vets, researchers and commercial personnel. The demonstration areas featured externally include Foot Trimming & Knife Sharpening.
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| Livestock
JFC “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” awarded for technical innovation JFC Agri “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” – DBL9 won a Certificate of Commendation at this year’s Royal Highland Show. he award was granted by the The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) under its Technical Innovation Award scheme for 2016, Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture & Design.
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Farmers are aware of the importance of having fresh drinking water available for their animals and their daily chores include cleaning their drinkers, particularly when cows are housed indoors. JFC‘s “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” is an all-new 3.5 litre rotating drink bowl, that allows the farmer to empty the bowl by the press of a button. It operates by gravity, simply using the weight of
the water to swing 180 degrees, while dumping the entire contents of the drinker on to the ground/slats. This innovative drinker also swings back to a working position all within the same movement. JFC’s “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” improves animal welfare by providing cleaner drinking water. An independently fitted ball cock is secured to an integrated protection bracket, ensuring no movement and minimum valve adjustment required. The JFC “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” is innovatively designed, to allow easy service access to the ball cock from its open position. The “Dumpy – Tip-over Drinker” from JFC offers an innovative solution to the problem of high SCC (somatic cell count) on farms. High SCC can be attributed to many factors and is often related to primary management practices, including milking equipment/technique, housing,
cleanliness of the environment, quality of water, feed, preventive health measures and stress. Poor quality of drinking water can be major contributor to high SCC, farmers are aware of the importance of having fresh drinking water available for their animals and their daily chores
include cleaning their drinkers, particularly when cows are housed indoors. This is usually an unpleasant task which may have to be conducted several times a day. Until now there was no drinker on the market that made this job simple, effective and easy!
FUW welcomes proposal for relaxed US import restrictions on UK lamb and beef The proposal for consultation to relax import restrictions on Welsh and British lamb and beef into the United States of America, which could generate an extra £35 million for the UK economy, has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales. arming Minister George Eustice today confirmed that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the proposals, which is a significant step forward. “This could mean that Welsh and British lamb and beef may well be available for US consumers by early 2017 and with that opens an export market to 300 million consumers for our first class quality produce,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts. A 1,000-page dossier was submitted to the USDA detailing the safety and quality of British beef and lamb ahead of April’s trade talks with US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Washington. “We have met with both George Eustice and with USDA
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representatives Stan Phillips, Counselor for Agricultural Affairs and Steve Knight, Agricultural Specialist last week at the Royal Welsh Show to discuss #FarmingMatters and as part of those meetings we also highlighted the importance of trade deals for our economy in a post-Brexit world. “Now more than ever we need to explore other markets, and the US market is one we are keen to develop much stronger relationships with, so this comes as most welcome news. It will also help us in trade negotiations with our allies in the Commonwealth and other countries around the world.” Defra is now co-ordinating UK farming industry comment for the 60-day consultation and liaising with relevant US trade associations to gain support for proposals.
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| Livestock
Soil Association Certification helps to grow the market for organic meat Sales of organic red meat have increased following research confirming organic meat contains up to 50% more Omega-3 than non-organic meat. he meta-analysis from Newcastle University was published in the British Journal of Nutrition in February 2016 and received significant media attention. According to Nielsen data, overall organic red meat sales are now in growth, with clear improvements in the 12 weeks to June 18 and sales increasing by 4.1% against the negative trend in non-organic red meat sales. Lee Holdstock from Soil Association Certification said; “Despite changes due to seasonality and the availability of red meat, we are beginning to see a clear improvement in organic sales, especially organic beef which is even higher than overall growth in organic red
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meat sales. The Soil Association works to promote the benefits of organic to consumers, and we did all we could to spread the important message of this new scientific research, including through social media and marketing materials available to all licensees. It is fantastic to see that sales are now starting to show sustained growth. ” Soil Association Certification’s Organic Meat Forum saw record attendance recently, with numerous businesses joining the session to hear upbeat news from retailers and food service companies, as well as from scientists, all outlining opportunities for continued growth in organic meat. This positive outlook should provide further confidence to producers considering converting to organic to increase
supply into the UK market. Holdstock continued; “It is clear that people are interested in eating ‘better meat’ and organic certainly fits their demands. Whilst we advise farmers to investigate the market for organic before considering conversion, we have strong reason to believe that organic livestock production is a viable option. As well as rising sales for beef and lamb, organic production from grazing livestock fed on grass and forage diets, has a positive impact on the environment and soils – something we all need to look to protect for future generations.” To find out more about how the Soil Association helps organic farmers: https://www.soilassociation.org/certification/
Welsh Bovine TB status could put future trade deals in jeopardy The current status of bovine TB in Wales could put future trade deals at risk, the Farmers’ Union of Wales warned at a Press Conference recently. ddressing the conference, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We know that the current rates of bovine TB may represent a significant threat in terms of meat and dairy exports once we are outside the EU, and there is a real risk that our current TB status could be used against us during trade negotiations. “This means that we have to proactively address the problem, otherwise we might jeopardise all UK trade negotiations with Europe.” The FUW’s longstanding policy on proactively managing the wildlife disease reservoir has been well publicised; what has now changed is that failing to implement that policy may lead to the loss of our export markets post-Brexit - the Union President
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added. The FUW is now calling on the Welsh Government to initiate a proactive badger management policy at the earliest opportunity to ensure that Wales does not risk losing access to foreign markets. Glyn Roberts warned: “Let me be absolutely clear here - if we do not sort out the long running problems with Bovine TB we will be putting the UK’s Trade policies at complete risk - we will not be able to trade with the European Union without fixing - or having a clear programme to fix - the issue of Bovine TB. “This is not just about Dairy - it will impact all sectors. The Welsh Government has it in its powers now to take proactive action and on behalf of all of us who wish to export in the future, I demand that they do take action now. This is not an issue for individual farmers to
apply for licenses. It needs a centrally planned and managed solution. “It is now time for the Welsh Government to accept that they already have powers and responsibilities and they cannot now hide behind EU regulations. It is definitely time for action.” As the FUW predicted, throwing millions of pounds at badger vaccination in and around north Pembrokeshire has yielded no results whatsoever. “The clock is now ticking - how fast, we don’t know, but it is ticking, and we need to see our Welsh Government taking the sort of aggressive proactive approach to the disease in wildlife they have taken towards cattle. “If they don’t, then there is a significant risk that our export negotiations will be at an end before they start,” stressed the FUW President.
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| Animal Health
Efficient Swine Respiratory Disease control requires fast action Merial Animal Health used its presence at the 24th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress (IPVS) in Dublin to highlight the threat of Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD) and its control in pig herds in the UK and Ireland. RD remains a significant problem for the swine industry. Associated production losses include 30-70% morbidity, a mortality rate of 4-6% (and even higher in severely affected units), decreased feed efficiency and reduced growth rates.
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Returning pigs that have suffered with SRD to the main herd is often ill-advised. Sick pigs are often chronically affected and can act as a source of infection Findlay MacBean, Merial’s Head of Livestock Business UK and Ireland explained that efficient and effective control of SRD requires fast action from herdsmen and vets. He said: “Normally an antibiotic treatment will be required to control SRD, prescribed by the pig unit’s veterinary surgeon. It’s important that the product used
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reaches the target area in the lungs quickly (ideally within 30 minutes of administration) and stays there for an extended period to minimise tissue damage and resolve the clinical signs of pneumonia. To minimise stress in animals with SRD a low-dose, one-shot treatment is preferable.” SRD-causing bacteria can affect pigs of any age, but growing pigs are the most affected and experience the biggest production loss. Infections of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) can cause sudden death, and if not treated immediately can cause severe lung damage and mortality3. Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) bacteria can cause lung damage, and outbreaks in young pigs can lead to rapid and high mortality rates. While Pasteurella multocida (Pm) is often a secondary bacterial infection, usually found in association with App, Hps and viral infections, it causes loss of condition and reduced growth rates. Preventing SRD is complex. Reducing the level of aerial pollutants, strict on-farm hygiene,
single sourcing of piglets and attention to biosecurity can help to prevent outbreaks. Vaccination may be useful, particularly on breeder-feeder farms where there is a continuous flow of piglets reaching an age where maternally-derived immunity is lost and they become susceptible to disease, allowing disease to perpetuate within the herd. Returning pigs that have suffered with SRD to the main herd is often ill-advised. Sick pigs are often chronically affected and can act as a source of infection. A considered health management plan should include quarantine measures which enable healthy pigs and sick pigs to be separated until finishing or they leave the unit. Mr MacBean concluded: “Reducing losses from SRD requires an effective disease management programme. Ideally this involves a suite of preventative measures, including herd health plans, vaccination where appropriate and fast action to control outbreaks.”
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| Animal Health
It’s all in the genes: New research reveals why some chickens are resistant to bird flu The genes of some chickens make them almost completely resistant to a serious strain of bird flu, new research has revealed. he findings, which are published in the journal Scientific Reports, show that genetics play a key part in whether the birds are susceptible or resistant to the potentially deadly virus. Until now, scientists around the world have paid little attention to the role the genetics of birds play in the transmission of flu, focusing instead on how the virus itself evolves and infects. Led by Dr Colin Butter from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Lincoln, UK, this new research, which was carried out at The Pirbright Institute, could prove valuable in developing our understanding of the mechanisms of influenza transmission within and between birds. Dr Butter is one of the UK’s leading authorities on avian flu with expertise in animal science, virology and immunology. Influenza virus is the cause of influenza, or ‘flu’ – the contagious respiratory viral disease common in many birds and mammals. The viruses circulating in wild birds and domesticated poultry are of particular interest to scientists because they may mutate into forms that are capable of infecting humans, and represent an emerging threat to human health as potential sources of the next flu pandemic. This danger has led the World Health Organisation to highlight effective control measures, as well as an in-depth assessment of factors surrounding the infection of host animals, as part of their research priorities. Dr Butter’s study takes an important step towards meeting these needs. Dr Butter, Reader in Bioveterinary Science at the University of Lincoln, said: “It is important
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for us to understand how different genetic lines of bird react to influenza viruses, so that we can begin to understand the spread of the disease. Until now we knew relatively little about how a bird’s genetics can affect its reaction to flu virus but this new research, which for the first time shows that some poultry lines are genetically resistant to avian flu, represents a significant step forwards. “Our results are valuable in emphasising the important role a ‘host’ plays in the spread of avian flu, and also in highlighting a number factors relating to the chain of infection and control mechanisms which are affected by the route of infection.” The research team, based at The Pirbright Institute (an international research centre working to improve the health of farm animals worldwide), also included specialists from the University of Oxford and The Francis Crick Institute in London and was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The researchers examined two different lines of chickens to determine whether genetics played a part in the susceptibility or resistance to infection. They found that birds that carried the virus but were genetically resistant to the disease only shed the virus through their respiratory tract and for a limited period of time, whereas birds which were susceptible to the disease also shed virus in faeces and over a longer time. The researchers discovered that this was the only relevant means of spreading the virus and that resistant birds were therefore completely unable to initiate or sustain a chain of infection. Further results in the study suggest that this could be due to a genetic restriction
within the animal which stops the virus spreading when inside the body. Professor Venugopal Nair, the Head of the Avian Viral Diseases programme at The Pirbright Institute, said: “The findings of this study emphasise the importance of examining the intricate nature of the virus-host interactions and the potential role of the host genetic factors influencing the transmission dynamics and outcomes of important diseases such as avian flu.” Influenza virus is the cause of influenza, or ‘flu’ – the contagious respiratory viral disease common in many birds and mammals These findings now lead the way for further investigation and work is being planned to discover and examine the precise biological mechanisms behind genetic resistance. This could have major implications for poultry breeding, as well as human flu treatments, in the future. Dr Butter added: “The prospect of breeding birds with natural immunity to influenza virus would certainly widen the scope of existing control measures and perhaps limit the risk to the human population of the emergence of pandemic viruses. Furthermore, as human genetic determinants for catching flu are comparatively unknown, research such as ours which is developing a better understanding of the genes and mechanisms involved could also lead to improved therapeutic options in humans.”
Bluetongue vaccine available for farmers in Britain Bluetongue (BTV-8) vaccines for sheep and cattle are now available across Britain, with supplies already approved for use in vet practices. here is a high risk of an outbreak of Bluetongue towards the end of the summer as a result of infected midges being blown across the English Channel from France, where the disease is present. The disease affects all ruminants, but particularly cattle and sheep. It poses no threat to human health and does not affect meat, milk or other animal products. Vaccination is the best way to protect Britain’s livestock, and farmers are being encouraged to talk to their vets to decide if the vaccine could help their businesses. The Government’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Simon Hall, said: “It’s fantastic news that the vaccine is now available. This is the perfect time to talk to your vet as the vaccine is the only effective tool to prevent illness. “I am urging our livestock farmers to keep an eye out for any signs of the disease and report
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any suspicions to their vet and the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately, so we can work together to reduce the possible spread of Bluetongue this summer.” The vaccination has to be given by injection twice (three weeks apart) in cattle and sheep, so it can take up to six weeks for the animal to be fully immune. Two companies, Zoetis and MSD, have announced that they are making a vaccine available in the UK. Zoetis’s Zulvac 8 Bovis and Ovis vaccines are available from this week, with MSD Animal Health set to deliver its Bluevac BTV8, a single vaccine for both sheep and cattle, in the coming days. Both suppliers are confident there is enough vaccine to meet demand so that all farmers who wish to are able to vaccinate their animals now in GB. The Government has robust disease surveillance procedures in place and is working closely with the Devolved Administrations and the livestock industry. Restriction zones are already in place in France, to control the spread
of the disease. If BTV was found in GB, similar measures such as movement restrictions would be put in place in line with the disease control strategies. “It’s fantastic news that the vaccine is now available. This is the perfect time to talk to your vet as the vaccine is the only effective tool to prevent illness” Farmers and vets who suspect bluetongue must report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301. For more information on Bluetongue visit the Joint Campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB) pages of the National Farmers Union’s website: http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latestnews/bluetongue-what-you-need-to-know/
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| Buildings
RIDBA celebrates 60 successful years The Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association (RIDBA) celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special Gala Dinner at the Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon on 16 June. ndustry guests enjoyed a fabulous three course meal and were entertained and amazed by ‘Card Ninja’ Javier Jarquin before finishing off the evening with music and dancing. Formed in 1956 as The Farm Buildings Association, the organisation’s objective was to encourage all those involved in farm buildings to join together to improve standards and share knowledge. In 2005 it changed its name to RIDBA in recognition that construction practices in industrial and farm buildings were becoming aligned and many members were
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involved in both sectors. In recent years, RIDBA has been at the forefront of the industry working on key initiatives such as supporting its members to achieve CE mark accreditation. RIDBA Chairman, James Anthony, welcomed guests and outlined RIDBA’s current priorities: to increase member engagement, to develop the profile of RIDBA and to review its governance and operation. Earlier in the day, members had met to determine the future vision for RIDBA and how they could help RIDBA to continue to grow. James confirmed that a new strategy would be produced to drive the association forward and address the key
issues for members. Former Secretary Tony Hutchinson was also recognised at the Gala Dinner for his service to RIDBA over the last 16 years. RIDBA Chairman, James Anthony said: “I am incredibly proud to be Chairman of RIDBA during its 60th anniversary year. RIDBA has achieved a great deal on behalf of the sector and this work will continue during our anniversary year. With the secretariat provided by Build UK now well established I have confidence that the association will go from strength to strength.”
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| Buildings
Alarming situation in piggeries A warning to pig producers with controlled-environment houses to check their alarm systems during hot weather has come from an environmental specialist. any producers now have alarm systems to safeguard the welfare of their pigs and these are primarily used to detect situations when the temperature rises if the ventilation fails,” said Tim Miller of Staffordshire-based ARM Buildings.
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“Without air conditioning it is impossible to lower piggery temperatures below ambient air temperature, so it is a question of short-term management” “During the recent heat-wave, I have been inundated with phone calls from pig farmers asking how to turn their alarms off. They are usually set at 320C, but this temperature has been exceeded during the latest hot spell, with some house temperatures even exceeding 380C.” Tim Miller does not advise turning the alarms off but says one solution used by many producers
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Tim Miller
is to temporarily reset the alarm at a slightly higher level. However, he says it is very important for farmers not to forget to turn the setting
down to the normal level when hot spells subside. “Without air conditioning it is impossible to lower piggery
temperatures below ambient air temperature, so it is a question of short-term management,” he said.
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| Buildings
Eddie Stobart chooses Graham Heath Construction for biomass project
Cheshire-based Construction Company, Graham Heath Construction has been selected by logistics giants, Eddie Stobart to build a large-scale industrial unit that will house a new biomass-boiler and woodchip store for the environmentally focused business. ddie Stobart is committed to improving its carbon footprint, recently winning an environment award and rolling out energy efficiency projects for its group buildings throughout the UK. As such, it was vital that they chose a business that they could trust to build their latest Widnes-based project, which required drawings to be followed by the book and every specification to be met. Having been invited to tender for the 1000m sq. industrial biomass boiler-housing unit, Graham Heath Construction fought off stiff competition to successfully win the bid, easily demonstrating their capability of constructing and completing large scale industrial buildings. Work will now start on the building with immediate effect.
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Founder, Graham Heath, comments: “We are extremely pleased to be selected by arguably one of the UK’s biggest and most successful businesses, to create an industrial unit that is helping them to build a better Britain from an environmental perspective. We believe this is down to our experience, reputation, quality product and competitive price and we will now be going out of our way to ensure that we carry the job out to the very best of our ability.” Graham Heath Construction has run its successful, nationwide business from its site in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, for many years. Providing agricultural, equestrian and industrial industries with everything from a multitude of steel framed buildings and concrete panels to stabling of all requirements.
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| Buildings
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| Machinery
Pirtek Cambridge Tel: 01223 835222 Pirtek Derby Tel: 01332 205000 Pirtek Harlow Tel: 01279 427300 44 | Farming Monthly | August 2016
Pirtek Luton Pirtek Penrith Pirtek Preston
Tel: 01582 597050 Tel: 01768 210055 Tel: 01772 620111
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| Machinery
Manitou MLT 629 Whether in lifting capacity or height, engine power, longer battery autonomy or drawbar full, Manitou handling equipment shows it is the fruit of the labours of our various development departments. Constantly refining equipment performance is a source of pride for Manitou.
John Deere drill aids blackgrass control SWith the 740A Min-Till drill and the 750A All-Till drill, John Deere has two machines to cover the range of drilling systems from conventional to zero tillage. eatured on the John Deere stand at Cereals 2016, the 750A All-Till seed drill is available in 3, 4 and 6m versions. This versatile drill has a field proven Accord air seeding system, and is designed with large clearances for no-till drilling into stubble, working after minimum or conventional cultivations, and single pass operation for grassland and rough pasture renovation. Single pass drilling offers several advantages over a conventional ploughing regime, including lower establishment costs, reduced nitrate leaching and increased conservation of moisture within the soil. In addition, the 750A’s minimal soil disturbance at the point of drilling offers huge benefits for the control of blackgrass. The 750A requires a minimum of 80 to 140hp and can work at up to 6ha/hr, depending on conditions, at seeding depths from 13 to 90mm. Seed is applied at a rate of 1 to over 400kg/ha via a central 1000-litre hopper and single metering system on the 3m version, 1800-litre hopper and single metering system on the 4m unit, or a 2300-litre hopper and twin metering units on the 6m model, which folds down to 3m for transport. A single 46cm angled disc opens the furrow at 16.6cm row spacings, and has a depth gauge wheel mounted alongside to provide excellent seeding depth control. A semi-pneumatic press wheel pushes the seed to the bottom of the furrow for perfect seed to soil
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he MLT 629 benefits from a large capacity for its class, of 2900kg. The rear engine layout offers excellent all round operator visibility and the large ergonomic cab provides high comfort even during long working days. This machine has very compact dimensions allowing you to reach even the most confined area on a farm, with widths ranging from 2m to 2.16 m, allowing access to areas that others cannot reach The machine is fitted with a Perkins Stage 3B 4 cylinder 3.4 litre Turbo engine which is designed to reduce emissions and lower fuel consumption, all part of Manitou’s total cost of ownership reduction plan. The MLT 629 also benefits from the user friendly JSM (joystick, switch and move) controls which
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is fitted as standard on all MLT models, allowing the operator to control all movements with one hand leaving the other hand free to maintain full control of the steering. Like all Manitou MLT models it has a unique a bucket mode that allows an operator to achieve the best performance whilst still conforming to the strict requirements of EN15000. This machine has very compact dimensions allowing you to reach even the most confined area on a farm The MLT 629 is a powerful, high performing machine which continues to lead the Manitou range as one of the best selling telehandlers on the market place.
Featured Dealers: 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
contact, and a cast iron closing wheel completes the job. There are 18 openers on the 3m model, 24 on the 4m and 36 on the 6m version. There is also adjustable hydraulic down pressure of up to 250kg on each furrow opener, to handle the toughest soil and crop residue conditions – typically this would be below 50kg for most situations. This means the drill delivers consistent seed depth and excellent seed to soil contact for maximum germination. In operation, the 750A creates very little soil disturbance outside of the small slot opened by the single disc. This makes it ideal for drilling into stale seedbeds created for blackgrass control, where unnecessary soil movement could encourage further competitive weed seed germination and subsequent yield loss. Other features include row marker and automatic tramline systems, micro metering for fine seeds, and an integral two-point hitch. All models incorporate hydraulically actuated brakes or an optional air braking system. The 750A All-Till drill also features the Signus electronic seeding control as standard, with all functions operated and monitored from the tractor cab. Using Deere’s optional AMS GreenStar ISOBUS precision farming system and a StarFire satellite receiver fitted to the tractor, the operator can also utilise GPS guided parallel tracking or AutoTrac automatic steering for even greater accuracy, without the need to use the drill’s hydraulic tramline markers.
Contact your local dealer Sharnford Tractors Ltd Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5EH T: 01455 209300 www.manitou.co.uk
GROUNDCARE MACHINERY Godfreys Kent Telephone 01732 741177, Visit www.godfreys.co.uk Godfreys East Sussex Telephone 01323 846866, Visit www.godfreys.co.uk Godfreys Berkshire Telephone 0118 402 6870, Visit www.godfreys.co.uk
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| Machinery
More Kubotas for Harper Adams University The UK’s leading agricultural university has welcomed three new additions to the Kubota line up this month, supplied as part of an on-going partnership with the Thame-based machinery manufacturer. arper Adams is a specialist agricultural university, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in subjects ranging from agricultural engineering to food and landbased studies. The University agreed the partnership with Kubota in early 2016, with its first machine, an RTV400 utility vehicle, supplied to the grounds department in March. Working in partnership with local Kubota dealer Hughes Brothers, of Oswestry, the University’s Engineering and Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences Departments, and the University’s 550 hectaresplus farm, welcomed the arrival of three new models for use within these three areas. Kubota’s MK5000, M6060 and M128GX tractors arrived on site in early June, and straight away students and staff were eager to put the machines through their paces. The M6060 and M128GX will both be used as part of student rural skills training which is available to all students alongside their degree course studies. The machines will also be used day-to-day by the University’s technical and academic staff for teaching and research purposes. The Harper Adams’ Dairy Unit will be using its Kubota in a variety of tasks including supporting the new youngstock facilities. “It’s important for students to have opportunities to work with the latest machinery during their studies. This hands-on experience helps them better understand how machinery can help improve farming practice and productivity,” explained the University’s ViceChancellor, Dr David Llewellyn.
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“Our partnership with Kubota is providing students with the chance to develop their skills through contact with its market-leading machinery. Kubota is a respected name in the sector and the company is committed to working with us to assist the development of the next generation of industry professionals and to make sure we are at the cutting edge of innovation. We are extremely grateful to Kubota, and to Hughes Brothers, for their support.” Harper Adams is the UK’s only university to offer agricultural engineering as a course of study and its teaching in whole food chain management and animal care is considered to be amongst the best in the UK. The university also enjoys some of the highest levels of graduate employment, with an average, over the last seven years, of 96% of graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. Dave Roberts, Kubota UK Managing Director commented:
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“It’s in ours and the industry’s best interests to make sure that the farmers and agricultural engineers of tomorrow get access the best possible education. Harper Adams is at the cutting edge of agricultural higher education so we’re delighted to continue our partnership by donating machinery that will support high quality teaching and research. “Giving students access to Kubota machinery from the beginning of their studies ensures that we continue to be a brand that is in demand in the agricultural market, which is especially pertinent with the significant investment the company has
made globally to expand our agricultural range. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Harper Adams and we’ll be closely following the progress of its students.” To find out more about Kubota and its market-leading range of solutions for the agricultural and groundcare sectors, visit www.kubota.co.uk.
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| Machinery
SULKY BUREL celebrates 80th anniversary Specialist seed drill and fertiliser spreader company SULKY BUREL is celebrating its 80th anniversary. The French family-owned and run manufacturer was founded in 1936 and recently launched a UK subsidiary. he 80th anniversary was marked by two events in Brittany, France. During the day SULKY’s 250 employees convened at the company’s La Ferme de l’Epine (Epine Farm) site, which normally serves as its training centre. In the evening SULKY’s Chateaubourg factory underwent a one-off makeover and the Burel family was joined by employees and their partners, plus retired staff at for a special party. Julien Burel, Chairman of SULKY, thanked his teams with the following words: “It truly warms my heart to be present at this occasion. This evening makes me think back to my grandparents Fabien and Albertine Burel – the founders of our company who made it all possible. “While 1936 is a long time ago, it feels like yesterday when you think that our company values have not changed at all: straightforwardness, the ability to
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listen, commitment, trust, and quality. These values have been the very DNA of SULKY for 80 years. They laid the foundations for our brand and reflect our identity. Because we feel so confident, we are busy investing in the future – in terms of innovation and the jobs of tomorrow – so we can continue to develop.”
SULKY moved to a new 20,000m² factory in July 2011 and the French family business continues to invest in industrial plant. Over the past year SULKY has invested more than 700,000 Euros in a new multi-user welding robot and a new press brake for bending and forming sheet metal up to 4m long.
The investments in plant equipment are already paying dividends. SULKY BUREL continues to grow and recently achieved sales in excess of 44 million euros, an increase of 3% over the last business year, despite tough trading conditions in the agricultural sector.
The 50,000th LEXION rolls off assembly line The 50,000th LEXION has rolled off the CLAAS assembly line in Harsewinkel. uring its 21-year success story, the high capacity LEXION combine harvester has become the flagship of international agricultural technology. More than 50,000 parts, 4,000 m of electrical cable and 215 m of hydraulic lines are installed inside each LEXION. The 50,000th LEXION with its jubilee design can be seen at many fairs and exhibitions across Europe during the coming months.
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After almost one decade of development, CLAAS introduced the first LEXION combine harvester in 1995. The 400 series offered farmers new high levels of performance. The APS threshing system, with its threshing drum which was expanded to 600 mm, was for the first time combined with the ROTO PLUS residual grain separation system. This combination resulted in the proven APS HYBRID system. Drivers could now work in a comfortable cab, equipped with the integrated
on-board CEBIS computer. In addition, the GPS PILOT and LASER PILOT steering systems made steering the combine easier. With the LEXION, CLAAS established a new premium segment for agriculture. Six years after its introduction to the market, the 10,000th large combine harvester – a 415 h.p. LEXION 480 with rubber tracks and a potential harvesting capacity of 40 t of grain per hour – rolled off the assembly line. Proof of the great success of the high capacity LEXION on all fields across the world. In 2003 the LEXION 500 series represented the successful further development of the top-class combine harvester. Larger harvesting capacities and refined technical systems, such as adjustable rotor flaps for adapting the separation area and a quick stop for front-mounted attachments, made the operator’s work far easier. Only two years later CLAAS launched the 600 series which, with a harvesting capacity of up to 70 t of grain per hour, provided farmers with a further increase in efficiency. In 2010 production of the largest LEXION 700 combine harvesters commenced. These
can travel at a maximum speed of 40 km/h on the road, work with cutterbars up to 12.30 m wide in a soil- and resource-friendly manner, and have high-performance software, which meticulously documents the harvesting process and provides accurate information to the driver. With the LEXION 780, CLAAS set a new milestone in the history of combine harvesters in 2013. Besides a grain tank with a capacity of 13,500 litres, it is equipped with the integrated CEMOS AUTOMATIC driver assistance system. The software controls specific default values set by the farmer, and after a short period of time it finds the optimum settings for the threshing systems. By taking into consideration the changing harvesting conditions during the course of a day, these optimum settings are checked on a per-second basis and adapted continuously. The LEXION 700, which now features a 4D cleaning system and an automatic crop flow control system, received the 'Machine of the Year 2016' award at the world’s largest agricultural technology fair Agritechnica.
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| Groundcare
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| Machinery
Somerset cheese maker tests New Holland’s prototype T6.180 Methane Power tractor New Holland’s second generation T6.180 Methane Power tractor has received very positive feedback from testing by Wyke Farms – one of the UK’s biggest Cheddar cheese producers – to see how it stood up to practical farm conditions. he methanepowered tractor was developed by New Holland as a 100% sustainable solution to increasing fuel costs. In the UK, where on-farm biogas plants are becoming more common, there could be an ample fuel supply on hand. The tractor draws on commercial vehicle technology already used by New Holland’s sister brand, Iveco. By adapting existing engine technology, fitting a small three-way catalytic converter housed within a standard tractor chassis and cab, the company has ensured the methane tractor looks and drives just like a diesel-powered tractor while exceeding the current Tier 4B emissions legislation. At Wyke Farms in Somerset, the prototype tractor was put through its paces with a slurry tanker, transporting material to and from the farm’s anaerobic digester (AD) plant. Three large anaerobic digesters process waste from the farm’s 1,000 dairy cows, local cider waste and other suitable material. The resulting methane is used to power the farm’s boilers and generate electricity for the farm and the cheese factory. Excess gas is sold back to the grid to serve the local community. Roger Clothier, Wyke Farms’ Director who tested the prototype tractor said: “We need fuel efficient vehicles with a good power to weight ratio to pull heavy tanks around the farm. My first impression is that this looks and feels just like a normal tractor. “With a combined gross weight of 27 tonnes, the tractor and fully loaded tanker was a little slow to get off the line, but once moving the tractor came alive. Engine braking downhill was good and there was plenty of power in the mid-range and top-end with no torque issues when going uphill - it drove just like a diesel.” The farm’s preferred power bracket for its tractor fleet is around 170hp. They perform a range of tasks; mainly tanker and trailer transport as well as the usual range of farm applications including ground preparation. The T6.180 Methane Power prototype offers 179hp max power which
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would cope with any of the duties required at Wyke Farms but Roger felt that an additional 20hp would be preferable, particularly when under heavy load. The use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in vans, trucks and buses is well developed and limited only by storage capacity on the vehicle. New Holland has managed to squeeze 300L (52kg) of compressed methane into nine tanks around the tractor; enough for around six hours of work depending on activity and load. Wyke Farms achieved around four and a half to five hours for tanker transport work during testing. Roger commented that while a comparable diesel tractor would work for longer on one tank of fuel, refilling the methane tractor wasn’t too much of an issue. The farm used an onsite CNG trailer from Gas Vehicle Alliance during the test period. Filling nine methane cylinders was quick and easy through a single inlet on the tractor. Increasing the running time requires more gas cylinder storage; something that is difficult to achieve with current cylinder shape and technology. However, New Holland is looking at potentially adding tanks to the front ballast and on towed implements. Wyke Farms uses around 12,000L of red diesel a month at a cost of £4,000. Running costs for the T6.180 Methane Power tractor were difficult to judge on this particular test however New Holland estimates that fuel cost savings of 25 to 40% could be achieved. In addition, no Ad Blue is required. In the cab the layout of controls is much the same as a dieselpowered T6, with a methane tank monitor to driver’s right. Front visibility was good but the large rear pillars containing gas tanks can restrict visibility. For the tractor drivers at Wyke Farms this was a slight issue as they need good visibility left and right when reversing tankers. Nick Fone, a freelance machinery journalist who took the T6.180 Methane Power tractor for a test drive while at Wyke Farms was pleasantly surprised by how similar it was to a standard diesel tractor. But unlike Roger he felt the way the engine responded was
quite different. Nick said: “It pulls loads well up to a point, but then the torque drops off. However, it’s understandable that it would have a different torque curve when it’s using a totally different fuel to diesel. “There’s less engine noise so it’s much quieter in the cab, though this had the effect of making the transmission noise more audible, which I wasn’t expecting. The bigger rear pillars that house the gas cylinders make the cab feel a little smaller and darker than usual but it didn’t impact too much on my visibility.” While positive about his drive in the T6.180 Methane Power, Nick felt that the biggest customer base for a methane tractor would be farms with their own AD plants. He believes that these farms mostly run 200hp plus tractors and the T6.180 Methane Power could be a little underpowered. Another issue highlighted by Nick was the availability of gas from AD plants. Many plants are using methane to generate electricity for the grid. Relatively few are generating gas to grid, and where they are, they would need to compress and meter the methane for use in vehicles onfarm. However, farms without a biogas plant could avoid the expense of additional plant investment by using the gas from the CNG distribution network. The feed-in tariff for renewable gas is high; drawing from the domestic CNG network would enable suppliers to continue to claim nondomestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariff payments while benefitting from the savings that methane fuel could offer.
Where farms are renewableenergy focussed a methanepowered tractor could be the perfect fit. Roger Clothier can see the potential benefits. He said: “Not only does the methane tractor have the potential to reduce polluting emissions by 80% and cut our fuel costs by a significant amount, it could contribute to our commitment to lowering our carbon footprint - a key element of our ‘100% Green’ Initiative at Wyke Farms - which is highly valued by our customers.” So, could Wyke Farms run a methane powered tractor on gas produced by its own AD Plant? In theory yes, but it would need to invest in a compressing plant to make the gas suitable for use in engines, either direct from the Biogas plant or drawn back from the grid. Roger commented that depending on costs, there could be an argument for investing in a centralised filling point for the local area, provided there was sufficient demand from neighbouring farmers and hauliers running methane-powered vehicles. Testing of the T6.180 Methane Power tractor continues as the prototype tours other European markets. It will then return to its home in Italy at La Bellotta, New Holland’s ‘Energy Independent Farm’, where the company has been working towards its Clean Energy Leader strategy for the past 10 years.
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| Tyres
Mawsley Machinery Brixworth, Northampton T: 01604 880621 https://mawsley.stihl-dealer.co.uk
DM Chainsaws Arundel, West Sussex T: 01243 554065 www.dmchainsaws.co.uk
Lakedale Power Tools Croydon, Dartford & London T: 020 8683 0550 www.lakedalepowertools.co.uk
World of Power Buxton, Derbyshire T: 01298 213101 www.worldofpower.co.uk
Charles H Hill Ltd Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire T: 01526 388281 www.charleshhill.co.uk
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| ATV
Ideal for the farm or estate shoot
Honda ATV Few machines match a Honda ATV’s ability to double up for farm and shoot use, and with harvest progressing and the shooting season just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to invest. he compact size of a conventional ATV makes it incredibly versatile; able to access areas where larger 4x4s or golf coursetype UTVs are too wide and heavy. For many gamekeepers the ability to travel off established woodland tracks when needed makes an ATV indispensable, whether it is being used for vermin control or to check the condition of rearing pens and fences and a lot of time can be saved by reducing the amount that has to be done on foot. Sturdy load racks front and rear allow feed and other supplies to be transported on-board, and for larger loads the lugging ability of the low-revving, purpose-designed engines driving through shafts to the front and rear wheels means trailers are pulled with ease. Honda’s ATV range includes models to suit any situation with engine sizes from 250–680cc. Because much of the transport work on a shoot is during the wetter months, 4wd is usually a requirement so the Fourtrax 420 4x4, Foreman 500 and Rincon 680 series tend to be most popular. Foreman 500 models are ideal for
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heavier work and there are variants with foot or thumb-shift manual transmissions, as well as a fully automatic model with manual override allowing the operator full control of the gears.
All current Honda 4wd models can be operated in 2wd when the extra traction isn’t needed, saving tyre wear and fuel, and operator effort. Electric power steering is an increasingly popular option, especially with those spending long hours in the seat, making it easier to steer on undulating ground and rutted tracks. Professional users will also appreciate the excellent quality of ride provided by all Honda ATVs. Front independent doublewishbone suspension on all models allows the front wheels to maintain ground contact for efficient steering, and rear suspension options include either a rear swing-arm, where the two rear wheels move up and down in parallel, or independent doublewishbone for an even smoother ride. All are designed for working environments and to cope with carrying the operator and rackmounted loads over rough terrain
and at speeds which would challenge any other farm vehicle. The powerful charging system, standard on Honda ATVs, is easily capable of running options such as heated handlebar grips, shooting lamps or mounted and trailed game feeders. Honda’s range is the best selling, worldwide and across the UK, and the superb UK dealer network means back-up is always quickly available. Running costs are low, with 100-hour service intervals and miserly fuel consumption due to the efficient engine and transmission design. The brand’s reputation for reliability and longevity means used machines are always in demand ensuring high resale values and reducing ownership costs, while the ability to quickly become an indispensable part of both the farm and shoot machinery fleets means the www.stalhameng.co.uk investment takes little justifying.
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| ATV
Suzuki ATV customers impressed by results of fitting Datatag
Since deciding to fit Datatag security technologies to their range of Utility ATVs as standard, Suzuki and it’s customers have seen a dramatic change in fortune. ith nearly 500 ATVs having been delivered to customers across the UK from Suzuki’s dealer network - only 3 have been reported stolen! A theft rate of around 0.5%. Given that ATVs have featured in the top 3 of the NFU’s Annual Rural Crime Survey for as long as anyone can remember this figure is remarkable.
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“The fact that Suzuki ATVs come with Datatag as standard is such a reassurance and is one of the reasons I chose the KingQuad 500” A clearly happy George Cheeseman of Suzuki said: ‘We chose the CESAR Compact System for our range of ATVs as it has had such a dramatic effect on reducing theft of larger agricultural machinery – we're really pleased that this success has been replicated with the
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ATV sector. Deciding to fit it as standard was an easy decision and hopefully proves to our customers our dedication to providing them with the absolute best ATV package available on the market.’ The Datatag technologies fitted to Suzuki ATVs include RFID transponders, tamper evident warning labels and Datadots with a forensic DNA trace. Combined, these provide an almost impenetrable barrier for thieves who like to steal items which can be easily deidentified and sold on. Ensuring identification can be easily determined provides a huge deterrent to theft and allows the police to quickly prove ownership via Datatag’s 24/7 secure UK based contact centre. Suzuki have been quick to adopt Datatag as their preferred security marking partner in the ATV market and also for their range of outboard motors and motorcycles providing an extra benefit to their customers across all product ranges. Something Joe Lintell, a sheep farmer from Dorset who relies on his ATV for all his work
has clearly recognised saying, “The fact that Suzuki ATVs come with Datatag as standard is such a reassurance and is one of the reasons I chose the KingQuad 500.” This customer reassurance is also well received by Suzuki’s Dealer Network who see the result of rural crime all too often, and work hard to get farmers back on track as quickly as possible. Suzuki Dealership H.Pigney & Son agree saying “The Datatag system is a great selling point for Suzuki ATVs. Not only is it the No.1 theft deterrent for our customer’s machines but they can also benefit from significant insurance savings with NFU Mutual and NIG Farmweb.” The cost of rural crime extends well past the loss of assets – time lost in a working week and the knock on effect on crops and/or animal welfare often costs many times more than the insured loss. Suzuki’s efforts to protect their customers from these losses is a clear indication that Suzuki is taking the issue seriously and tackling it head on – with Datatag.
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| ATV
Customise your
Kawasaki MULE
MULE-owners can make their ‘ride’ their own thanks to the range of official accessories to choose from… ften buying your MULE is the first step in a journey of making it suit your everyday needs perfectly. Kawasaki know this and as a result, offer a whole range of parts and accessories to make your machine the perfect workhorse – here are just some optional extras on the MULE PRO-DX. Weather protection For the ultimate protection from the elements, the full hard cabin will keep you out of the elements. It comes complete with a heater system, roof, rear panel and doors – as well as windshield with wipers and washers to ensure you can see where you’re going! A windshield is available as a separate option too – with or without the wipers and washer set. The heating system is available as a standalone option too. With a simple on and off button on the dash and heater vents. If you’ve ever fancied a ‘soft top’, now is your chance! If you don’t use the MULE in all weather conditions then perhaps the soft top roof option may be for you.
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Items including rear view mirror and head rests are available too. Look after your MULE when it’s not in use with the storage cover available. Pulling power Whether using to pull yourself up steep inclines, move stuck vehicles or hauling heavy objects, there are two differing load winches available for the MULE DX – V4000 which has 1814kg pulling power or the PV4500 option with 2040kg power. Both have a wire cable 55’ 7/32”, a corded remote control and in dash control. The V4000 has a composite gear housing, the PV4500 is metal. If towing is a requirement, then fit the zinc plated hitch ball. If you’re working in a busy yard, it may be an idea to fit a back-up beeper to ensure every knows you’re reversing. Make the most of your space The PRO-DXT can sit up to four adults – it takes just one minute and one person to transform from two-person mode to four-person mode. The cargo bed can take 453kg in twoperson mode and 158kg in four-person mode. The PRO-DX cargo bed can be loaded easily
from three sides – and is the largest cargo bed in its class. Make the most of the space by utilising cargo dividers, underseat storage bins, non-slip bed liner, bed extender, cargo boxes – and for those who use a rifle – a rifle case mount and rifle case. There’s a quick release system available for the bed-mounted accessories too to make everything as fast and easy as possible. The bed lift kit allows easy lifting of the MULE bed. Has self-contained hydraulics – no hoses, no reservoir to fill or top off, no bleeding process. No arms or levers to worry about – simple installation. Heavy-duty springs increase bottoming resistance when carrying heavy load and/or when heavy accessories are installed. Direct replacement of stock springs too so easy fitment. Visit your local authorised Kawasaki Utility dealer for more information or to chat through your requirements. Find your local dealer at: www.kawasaki.co.uk
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| ATV
Polaris
something for everyone at the Game Fair
The Game Fair is always a great opportunity for Polaris to display several models from the wide range of the world’s bestselling ATVs and UTVs, with Ragley Hall in 2016 being no exception. The line-up of Polaris Rangers and Sportsman quads demonstrates the choice and versatility available for anyone needing a fully capable off-road 4x4 for work and recreation.
he revolutionary features of the Polaris Rangers set the standard for side by side utility vehicles, providing the off-road capabilities of the most seasoned ATVs. Take the robust and powerful Ranger Diesel and you now have Polaris Active Descent Control and automatic braking on all wheels for smooth, controlled hill descents, as well as Electronic Power Steering for a lighter, smoother drive. The Ranger Diesel Crew is ever-popular with gamekeepers and shooting grounds, offering a wholly capable go-anywhere six-seater 4x4. The Ranger 570 maintains the standard with nimble handling and the
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smooth, reliable power of the Polaris engine with its Electronic Fuel Injection and Engine Management System. Polaris has also been enhancing the Rangers with a wide range of new customising products and accessories from the Lock & Ride Pro-Fit cabs and cargo boxes to Chainsaw Mounts and Gun Mount Boots. Polaris describe the GENERAL as ‘the most versatile side-by-side ever built’. Starting with a 100 horsepower ProStar® 1000 engine delivering the most power and torque in its class, you can accelerate from 0-40 mph in 3.6 seconds! Similar to its RZR cousin, the Ranger High Lifter Edition features reduced gearing for more
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mud-specific torque and to ensure the ProStar powerplant breathes, the unit has high engine air and clutch intakes and outlets which are essential for reliable performance. Polaris has also been enhancing the Rangers with a wide range of new customising products and accessories from the Lock & Ride Pro-Fit cabs and cargo boxes to Chainsaw Mounts and Gun Mount Boots. The Polaris Sportsman is the best-selling ATV of all time and with the new Sportsman 450 H.O. there’s a great opportunity to own a full-size capability quad at an entrylevel 400cc class price. The similarity stops there with the 450 being a serious contender for any shoot or farm with its automatic 4x4
system, IRS and PVT Automatic Transmission. It also offers masses of storage space with Lock & Ride front and rear racks. The Sportsman 570 shares this great capacity for storage while offering smooth, reliable power, Electronic Fuel Injection and Polaris Engine Management System. The Sportsman UTE was specifically designed for working in trickier, hilly terrain with its key feature of Polaris Four Wheel Descent Control for optimum traction and control in all conditions. All in all, quite a line-up for Polaris at The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, 29th – 31st July 2016, stand number K5134. Visit www.polaris-britain.com or Tel: 0800 915 6720.
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| Motors
MTC Great Wall Cambridgeshire Tel: 01733 309782
Great Wall Bath Somerset Tel: 01225 473014
Garland Great Wall Hampshire Tel: 01252 367373
Winchester Motor Co. Hampshire Tel: 01962 866331
www.mtcars.co.uk
www.bathhonda.co.uk
www.winchestermotorgroup.co.uk
www.winchestermotorgroup.co.uk
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| Motors
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| Motors
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| Motors
Sporty new Ford Kuga ST-Line adds fourth model to ST-Line range Ford has announced a new Kuga ST-Line version of the popular mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV) on sale later this year, offering sporty styling inspired by Ford Performance models, alongside powerful and efficient EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines as well as sports-tuned driving dynamics. he new Kuga ST-Line will feature among Ford’s expanded SUV range and the most comprehensive Kuga lineup ever, including the sophisticated new Kuga and the upscale Ford Kuga Vignale, as well as the compact EcoSport and large all-new Edge. New Kuga prices will start from £20,845 and Kuga ST-Line prices from £25,845 for delivery by the end of this year. Kuga ST-Line delivers bold exterior and interior styling including unique alloy wheels and sport seat designs; powertrains including Ford’s 182PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol with
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Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive (AWD); and a sports chassis with specially tuned suspension and steering. “With our sporty Kuga ST-Line joining the new Kuga and our upscale Ford Kuga Vignale, Ford will offer a Kuga for every lifestyle,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “We predict sales of 200,000 Ford Kuga, EcoSport and Edge SUVs in Europe this year – up by 200 per cent from 2013.” Ford’s expanded range of SUVs in Europe meets increasing demand among European car buyers. The percentage of SUVs sold in Europe compared with total car sales has
grown from six per cent in 2005 to 23 per cent in 2015. This is expected to increase to 27 per cent by 2020, according to industry sales analyst IHS, fuelled by growing popularity with an unusually diverse group of buyers, according to a recent Ford survey. Nearly one in three “Modern Mums”, mothers with young kids, are considering an SUV for their next car, as are one in four Millennials (17- to 34-years-olds); and one in five “Quintastics” (active and youthful buyers in their fifties), according to the Ford-sponsored survey of 5,000 people in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain who own a car or who intend to buy one in the next 12 months.
Research reveals buyers dumping diesel cars Car buyers are turning their backs on diesel powered cars in favour of petrol models according to new research by Whatcar.com. he changing mood among buyers is reflected in the latest What Car? Intelligence survey results, which indicate that more than seven in 10 would be likely or very likely to choose a petrol car, compared with the four in 10 who would consider buying a diesel. With engine performance and good fuel consumption being rated as the two most important factors for car buyers, the shift from diesel to petrol is more about running costs than concerns about the environment, following the diesel emissions scandal last year. In recent years, diesel car sales have
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matched or exceeded petrol sales; in 2014 and 2015, diesel models represented 50.1% and 48.5% market share respectively. More than 84% of car buyers surveyed are also worried about possible legislation changes that may affect the cost of ownership of diesel cars in the future, such as the retail price, fuel duty and vehicle road tax. The research also shows hybrids and electric cars are even less tempting for prospective car buyers, with between 12% and 32% of buyers considering diesel or petrol hybrid vehicles; more than 48% of buyers would be very unlikely to consider an electric car, backing up the fact buyers are less
concerned about being green. What Car? editor, Steve Huntingford, said: “There appears to have been a dramatic shift in the petrol and diesel sales seesaw. In the 2000s, legislation changes resulted in a diesel boom but after last year’s revelations and the emergence of extremely efficient downsized petrol engines, the tide has now turned. “Buyers appear not to be overly concerned about environmental factors. Car buying is usually determined by the financial aspects of the purchase; if buyers fear a diesel crackdown and petrol engines are cheaper to buy while being almost as efficient, it’s easy to understand the changes taking place.”
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| Motors
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Guy Salmon Knutsford
Kentdale Kendal
01565 632525, www.guysalmon.knutsford.landrover.co.uk
01539 814444, www.kentdale.kendal.landrover.co.uk
Barretts Ashford
Duckworth Land Rover, Boston
01233 506070, www.barretts.ashford.landrover.co.uk
01205 449758, www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk
Barretts Canterbury
Duckworth Land Rover, Market Rasen
01227 475475, www.barretts.canterbury.landrover.co.uk
01673 799393, www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk
Rybrook Huddersfield Land Rover
Conwy Land Rover
01484 516016, www.rybrook.huddersfield.landrover.co.uk
01492 580000, www.conwy.landrover.co.uk
Rybrook Copley Land Rover
Stafford Land Rover
01422 363340, www.rybrook.halifax.landrover.co.uk
01785 214140, www.stafford.landrover.co.uk
Hunters Norwich
Cambrian Aberystwyth
01603 944836, www.hunters.norwich.landrover.co.uk
01970 624841, www.cambrian.aberystwyth.landrover.co.uk
Lloyds Kelso 01573 224345, www.lloyd.kelso.landrover.co.uk
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| Motors
ŠKODA KODIAK supervising final stage at Tour De France The ŠKODA KODIAQ has been getting familiar with the Tour de France’s home straight in Paris. n the concluding stage of the race around France the new SUV by ŠKODA took over the lead of the pack. Behind the steering wheel was former Tour winner Stephen Roche. The night before the KODIAQ’s high-profile appearance, ŠKODA was getting familiar with the local conditions, as on the last day of this year’s Tour the new ŠKODA
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KODIAQ was set to lead the racer field. With a start in Chantilly and finish in Paris, the stage stretches over 113 kilometres. For its Tour premiere the new SUV by ŠKODA got a brand new camouflage cover in red, grey and black. The special camouflage foil with facets made of crystal-like elements matches the look of the Red Car, the ŠKODA Superb in Corrida Red. The Red Car serves as a mobile control centre of the Tour de France and is used by the
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race Director Christian Prudhomme. Behind the steering wheel during the first public appearance of ŠKODA KODIAQ was former cycling professional Stephen Roche. The Irish rider triumphed in the 1987 Tour de France and currently represents the Czech manufacturer as a brand ambassador. ŠKODA is supporting the Tour de France for the thirteenth consecutive time as the official partner. The brand is also the sponsor of the Green Jersey worn by the leader of the points classification for the second time. Simultaneously, ŠKODA acts as the official vehicle partner of the race, providing a total of 250 cars as organisational and support vehicles as well as more than 50 team cars. The ŠKODA KODIAQ is set to
make its next appearance in Paris in late September as a guest of the motor show, this time without a camouflage cover. Going on sale in early 2017, the SUV marks the beginning of ŠKODA’s world-wide SUV offensive and will be promoted under the caption ‘Discover new grounds’. The ŠKODA KODIAQ represents all the strengths of the Czech brand, featuring a distinct design full of character, exceptionally spacious interior, high level of functionality and numerous Simply Clever solutions. At 4.7 metres in length the SUV offers the largest boot space in its class and a customisable third row of seats. Other highlights of the new ŠKODA KODIAQ include extensive connectivity options, modern driver assist systems and a futureoriented infotainment system.
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| Motors
ARCHIE MOSS Leicestershire 01530 553 785 www.archiemoss-isuzu.co.uk
GARLAND MOTORS Hampshire 01252 884 026 www.garland-isuzu.co.uk
HOLDCROFT ISUZU Staffordshire 01782 484 954 www.holdcroft-isuzu.co.uk
BOB GERARD LTD Leicestershire 01162 149 052 www.bobgerard-isuzu.co.uk
JEFFRIES OF BACTON Suffolk 01449 424 758 www.jeffriesofbacton-isuzu.co.uk
DAVID TAYLOR GARAGES LTD Gwent 01873 810304 www.holdcroft-isuzu.co.uk
BURRELLS MOTOR GROUP South Yorkshire 01302 515 763 www.burrellsmotorgroup-isuzu.co.uk
VALE MOTORS Somerset 01963 834 484 www.valemotors-isuzu.co.uk
DUCKWORTH ISUZU Lincolnshire (North) 01673 799 393 www.duckworthisuzu.co.uk
YORK VAN CENTRE North Yorkshire 01904 275 211 www.yorkvancentre-isuzu.co.uk
DUCKWORTH ISUZU Lincolnshire (South) 01205 449 758 www.duckworthisuzu.co.uk
MARK WEATHERHEAD LTD Cambridgeshire 01954 574 562 www.markweatherhead-isuzu.co.uk
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| Motors
Hitching up? Tow safely with VW Commercial vehicles While adding a trailer behind your van to carry additional equipment may seem a simple process, a lack of knowledge about vehicle load weights and towing laws could mean that drivers are potentially breaking the law. esearch undertaken by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles found that a worrying 53 per cent of van drivers didn’t know their vehicle’s maximum load carrying capacity, and nearly half of businesses do not monitor the weights of company vehicles on a regular basis. In 2015, the DVSA stopped over 10,800 vans on UK roads and found 89 per cent to be driving overloaded. With trailers offering an easy and cost effective method for businesses to carry additional equipment or products, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is urging customers to ensure they know their vehicle’s towing capacity before hitching up. On a UK full car licence, anyone can drive up to 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). However
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when adding a trailer, the laws become more complicated, with restrictions on a permissible vehicle and trailer weights for those who obtained their driving licence after 1997*. Going above these weights (without the right licence) or a tachograph being fitted can lead to large fines for businesses. Companies can also potentially face a court summons and even immobilisation of the vehicles for failing to comply. Using the wrong vehicle for towing can also affect driving performance, for example reducing acceleration and increasing stopping distances, particularly in the wet, and can cause long term detrimental damage to the vehicle. Part of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ‘Working with You’ promise means Van Centre staff can help businesses select the
MTC Subaru
Perkins
Cambridgeshire 01733 822 943 www.mtc-subaru.co.uk
Essex 01371 483 379 www.perkins-subaru.co.uk
Cambridge Subaru
Pinkstones Subaru
Cambridgeshire Tel. 01223 841 616 www.cambridge-subaru.co.uk
Staffordshire 01782 484 959 www.pinkstones-subaru.co.uk
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right vehicle for their needs, ensuring vehicles are capable of towing the right weight. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a range of towbar solutions, and prices have recently been reduced to ensure they are as competitive as possible. They now start from £400 for a fixed Amarok towbar with 13 pin electrics, including fitting and VAT. All Van Centre fitted towbars are of course applied by qualified staff and covered by Volkswagen’s comprehensive warranty. Trevor Hodgson-Phillips, Head of Service and Parts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
comments: ‘Towing can cause a serious legal minefield for businesses and damage to vehicles. We aim to help our customers by advising on the right vehicle and towbar fitment to suit their needs. Working hand-in-hand with our customers, we can ensure they have the peace-of-mind their vehicle will be equipped with the correct towbar for the job in hand.’ To find your nearest Van Centre or details of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ range of towbars and accessories, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk
Central Motors Somerset 01460 64747 www.centralmotors.co.uk
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| Motors
Volvo XC90 takes home Car Dealer Power’s Car of the Year award The Volvo XC90 has been named the Car Dealer Power Car of the Year 2016, as voted for by dealers across the UK. he Car Dealer Power Awards, held each year at a prestigious black-tie event at the top of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, are the only awards where franchised and independent dealers get to have their say on what they think of suppliers and their manufacturers. Car Dealer receives hundreds of responses from dealers throughout the UK, and the awards celebrate those voted best in the country by their customers. Andy Entwistle, Managing Director of Blackball Media, publishers of Car Dealer, said: “When it was launched, the all-new XC90 shone as a ringing endorsement of the hard work Volvo has put into replacing what was already a very accomplished car, while also launching the brand into a new style direction. “The Car of the Year category isn’t just about franchised dealers voting for their favourite car from their manufacturer; it also gives independent dealers a chance to say what they think is the best car out there. Car Dealer saw nominations from a variety of independents and
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franchise holders for the XC90, with one nomination quoting they felt ‘the new XC90 was easily best in its class’,” he added. Jon Wakefield, Acting Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the XC90 has been recognised by dealers in the UK as their Car of the Year in the Car Dealer Power survey – it’s a testament to the car to have won such a respected industry award. To be voted for by both independent and franchise dealers alike demonstrates the
huge popularity the XC90 has brought Volvo since its introduction to dealers in June last year.” The award comes as Volvo Car UK announces its plans to invest in the UK motor trade industry with the launch of its Sponsored Dealer Programme. This gives talented motor trade professionals the opportunity to set up their own Volvo dealership, with support from Volvo Car UK, and become advocates of the brand.
1983 Range Rover brought back to life in record time at Silverstone Classic Fergus Walkinshaw led a team of expert restorers at eBay RESTORATION LIVE. estival goers at the recent Silverstone Classic (29-31 July) experienced a once-in-lifetime chance to see a 1983 Range Rover brought back to life over the course of just three days. eBay, the festival’s official parts and accessories partner, challenged racing driver and car restorer Fergus Walkinshaw to revive the vehicle in front of a live audience at eBay’s RESTORATION LIVE. Starting at 7.00am on Friday morning, Fergus and his team of skilled mechanics guided the crowd through every step of the project as they renovated the iconic first-generation Range Rover using only parts bought from online marketplace eBay. The crew worked around the clock to get the Range Rover ready for its unveiling on stage at the Mike Brewer Car Clinic on Sunday. The project included replacing
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the suspension and the exhaust system, as well as a host of other jobs. The Range Rover was returned to its original condition, even sourcing rare parts such as a section of carpet covering the spare wheel and the front bumper trim. On Sunday afternoon, the offroader was driven onto the eBay stage for Mike Brewer’s Car Clinic in front of a crowd of festivalgoers. Mike described the breakneck restoration as “a miracle”. “If you had seen this car three days ago, you would not have believed it could have looked like this,” he said on stage, before Fergus took the crowd through the process of sourcing hundreds of parts from eBay and overhauling the car in just under three days. RESTORATION LIVE also hosted David Newell's gloriously restored Triumph GT6 Mk3. David was one of three amateur restorers selected to take part in the first ever eBay Car Challenge. David and the owners of a Volkswagen
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Beetle and Riley Kestrel 1300 secured a £4,000 restoration budget from eBay and set about restoring their classics in painstaking detail in just three months. David poured “blood, sweat and tears – literally” into his "poor man's E-Type", replacing both rear wings among hundreds of new parts. The Triumph was proudly displayed next to the Ranger Rover pit over the course of Silverstone Classic and took part in the official Triumph parade lap on Saturday afternoon. Murray Lambell, eBay’s director of retail car parts & accessories, said, “Watching Fergus and the team bring two tons of Range Rover back to life was an amazing spectacle. As soon as they fired up the engine for the first time on the
last morning, the RESTORATION LIVE crowd burst into a round of applause, which was amazing." When Fergus handed back the keys to the proud owner live on the eBay stage, he presented him with the original sales brochure from 1983 too. Fergus was able to find every part he needed from eBay, using 80 business sellers from the online marketplace ensuring that he had everything Fergus and his team needed. Murray added, “It was also fantastic to have David and his glorious Triumph GT6 Mk3 with us for the festival. Having seen pictures of the Triumph before the eBay Car Challenge, he’s done a superb job to have it ready for Silverstone Classic and we’re really glad to have helped him get back on the road.”
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