June 2018 Farming Monthly National

INSIDE: Shows galore! Previews of upcoming major shows page 22

Farming

MONTHLY National

June 2018

Also in this issue...

Energy

| Making a market for digestate page 20

On Topic Also inside this month..

MiAlgae on track to shake up food industry page 08

Polaris Ranger EV p48

Staying dry - in British weather p23

Alfa Romeo Stelvio reviewed p52

PLUS: Arable | Security | Slurry | Tyres| Buildings | Machinery | Energy | ATV | Motors

CONTENTS June 2018

FEATURES 13

20

10 Arable Potato blight in focus

12 Cereals Cereals show preview

30

40 Groundcare

44

44 Tyres

STIGA front cut mowers, Alliance low inflation forestry tyre

43 Education

BKT at Tire Cologne 2018, Michelin CargoXBib application

45 Security

Hadlow College Vision50 concept

Look after your Land Rover...

22 Shows Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire, Three Counties...

28 Buildings Good ventilation for animal welfare

32 Muck & Slurry Manage muck to maximise efficiencies and cut costs

REGULARS 06 News NSA & sheep worrying

10 On Topic The next agricultural revolution?

33 Feature Sir Charles Burrell to share insights on rewilding his estate

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18 Energy Latest energy news

34 Machinery Latest machinery news

48 ATV ATV news...covered.

54 Motors Latest motors news

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Agriculture. Covered.

EDITOR Andrew Poulton editor@farmingmonthly.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@farmingmonthly.com

MiAlgae on track to shake up food industry after £500,000 investment

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ISSN 2044-0190 (print) ISSN 2044-0200 (digital)

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 05

| News

NSA promotes the building of positive relations to combat sheep worrying With a busy summer ahead, National Sheep Association (NSA) is looking to the many agricultural events and shows taking place in the coming weeks and months as the ideal opportunity to reach out to members of the public in promoting responsible dog ownership to reduce incidences of sheep worrying – and is asking sheep farmers to get involved in any way they can.

SA Comms Officer Katie James comments: “The work of NSA to highlight the serious problem of sheep worrying by dogs is well recognised by our members and the wider sheep farming industry.

However, we need to continue our work to build positive relationships with the dog-owning public to ensure improved behaviour of the minority of dog walkers that allow their animals to run free around livestock, often with devastating results.

“We share the frustration of our members about the number of completely avoidable attacks on sheep, but only browbeating the public and portraying negative messages about shooting dogs is not an effective message. We want to share a positive message about dog owners enjoying the beautiful landscapes in Britain, which are created by the hard work of sheep farmers, and to do so responsibly and consider the impact an attack can have on farmers business and livelihood.”

For several years NSA has collected data and opinions on sheep worrying attacks to gain an

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insight into its severity and unseen consequences. Results from NSA surveys have highlighted the seriousness of the issue, including statistics such as 85% of sheep farmers who’ve suffered sheep worrying attacks experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety, leading to almost a quarter of those affected considering giving up sheep farming as a result.

Mrs James continues: “This personal angle is a really important one to share when talking about attacks on sheep, as dog owners often think their pets are ‘just playing’ and do not understand the wider picture. We want to help them understand the people affected by the crime and how it all links to the management of the great British countryside and vital role of rural communities.

“Another element of this is having the statistics to back up our claims, as the official crime figures are only the tip of the iceberg. It is very difficult for NSA and others working in this area to gain the attention of the public or the Government when the figures suggest it’s only a small problem.

NSA understands the reluctance of farmers to report attacks, but if we are to build up an accurate picture

06 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

of the true scale of the problem, it is vital that every time sheep are worried it is reported to the police and a crime or incident number issued.”

NSA will be spreading the messages of improving relations with the wider public and the importance of reporting attacks at shows and events throughout the

summer. Farmers wanting to also promote these messages should contact NSA Head Office, as staff can supply public-facing promotional items to farmers involved in or planning their own summer events. Call 01684 892661 or email enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk.

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| News

Overseas research grants available for new ideas for improving rural life The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust are offering overseas research grants available to all UK citizens to support new ideas for improving rural life in the UK. These have been launched in response to the growing pressures on rural communities, in a period of change that includes the challenges brought by Brexit. new category of Churchill Fellowships will be devoted to ‘Rural living: strengthening countryside communities’. These are travel grants that fund individuals to research innovative ideas and best practice overseas, then bring their global insights back to the UK and make change happen in their professions and communities. Fellowships are available in 12 fields of interest overall, including the Rural Living category.

Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, said: “Rural communities and economies are currently going through a period of great change, and face a huge range of challenges, as well as opportunities, especially in light of Brexit. In March the House of

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Lords select committee on rural communities reported that some of the worst spots for deprivation and intergenerational poverty are in the countryside. We’re looking for new ideas that can help to tackle that.

These Churchill Fellowships will fund people who are inspired to seek new solutions for rural life and keen to make change happen.”

The Rural Living category is the result of a partnership between the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and The Prince's Countryside Fund. It will fund Fellowships exploring wide-ranging approaches to a range of rural issues, such as invigorating transport networks, rethinking housing and planning, boosting employment and enterprise, and improving access to education, culture and healthcare.

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said: “We are delighted to be working

with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Their Fellowships offer a wonderful chance at a time of great change, for people to undertake grass roots research into ways of regenerating rural communities, and importantly it also provides a platform for people to share their vital findings.

Whoever you are, these Fellowships are a chance for everyone to research and share their findings.”

Churchill Fellows are funded to research new ideas overseas for 48 weeks, in topics and countries of their own choice, with the intent of gaining fresh perspectives and insights that can make a difference to their community or profession back home. Examples of past Fellows who have explored rural issues are here.

Applications are now open and can be made online at www.wcmt.org.uk.

Deadline for applications is 18

September 2018.

“Rural communities and economies are currently going through a period of great change, and face a huge range of challenges, as well as opportunities, especially in light of Brexit” Everyone can apply for a Churchill Fellowship, regardless of age, background or qualifications, so long as they are a UK citizen aged 18 or over. To apply, or for more details, visit www.wcmt.org.uk. Deadline for applications is 18 September 2018 for travel in 2019.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 07

| On Topic

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| On Topic

Start Up MiAlgae on track to shake up food industry after £500,000 investment MiAlgae, a student-launched startup that aims to revolutionise the animal and fish feed industries with microalgae made from the co-products of whisky, has received £500,000 from investors. he company, founded by Douglas Martin while a masters student at the University of Edinburgh in 2015-16, grows algae rich in omega-3 and other nutrients using co-products from the whisky distillation process.

The microalgae produced can be used as a raw material for agricultural food products, with the company initially targeting the aquaculture industry, whose future growth is predicted to require new sources of feed.

The investment, in equal shares from Equity Gap, the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scotland’s enterprise agencies, and the University’s venture fund Old College Capital, will enable the company to expand its team and build a pilot plant for its technology at a whisky distillery.

“This is a huge deal for us,” said Martin. “This investment will fund the initial scale-up steps and derisk our commercial facility. It certainly sets us on track to achieve our ambitions.”

The £500,000 seed investment in MiAlgae follows a series of competition and funding successes.

Martin obtained a Smart:

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Scotland grant in 2017, has progressed through the EU’s three-stage Climate-KIC Accelerator programme hosted at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, has had competition success including Scottish EDGE Young EDGE and Innovate UK, and was recently named Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Martin recently pitched at the final of the 2018 Scottish EDGE competition with the chance of being awarded an additional £100k of funding for the company – the awards ceremony for the competition will be held on 14 June.

Kerry Sharp, head of the Scottish Investment Bank, commented: “This is an exciting new equity investment for Scottish Enterprise into a company that has utilised the circular economy to make an innovative and valuable product. The funding round will also allow high value R&D employment opportunities to be created in rural Scotland with the roll out of the new pilot plant.

“A forward thinking, ambitious company, Scottish Enterprise has worked with MiAlgae since its very early stages of development helping it with innovation and financial readiness support, including a By Design grant which

helped with the cost analysis of the pilot plant. I’d like to congratulate the team in securing this latest round of funding and look forward to continue working with Douglas and his team as they continue along their exciting growth journey.”

Martin has been supported by LAUNCH.ed, the University’s service for student entrepreneurs, since January 2016 when he was studying MSC Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology. LAUNCH.ed has helped him to develop and launch his business, apply and pitch for grants and competitions, and connect with mentors and investors.

Dr George Baxter, Chief Executive Officer of Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s industry engagement service, which manages LAUNCH.ed, said: “It’s wonderful to see investors show confidence in Douglas and MiAlgae. The innovation of his process and the way it will help the environment have great potential.

His journey shows what is possible for our entrepreneurial students, and we’re delighted to see MiAlgae reach this important milestone.”

Fraser Lusty, Director at Business Angel Group Equity Gap, added: “We’re delighted to lead

the first scale round for MiAlgae alongside OCC and SIB. Douglas is an exceptional talent and has made remarkable progress in a novel solution for sustainable food production. We look forward to supporting him and the company through this exciting next phase.”

The £500,000 seed investment in MiAlgae follows a series of competition and funding successes.

Martin will be looking to expand the company’s production capacity 30-fold and will be expanding his team of two, to reach five.

Aquaculture is worth £1.8 billion a year to the Scottish economy, according to latest Scottish Government figures, but Martin’s ambition does not stop with aquaculture or Scotland.

“We’re looking at multiple industries in the supply side, multiple industries at the product side, then diversification into multiple products beyond feeds,” said Martin. “There are lots of things we can do with our products.”

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 09

| Arable

Blight programmes in sharp focus as growers attempt to unlock yield potential Potato experts are advocating robust blight programmes after challenging spring planting conditions.

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ater harvests in some key growing areas are being planned and every effort will be needed to maintain green leaf area to maximise yields where inclement weather delayed

planting.

At the time of writing it is estimated that as much as 10% of the UK crop is still not planted with storm-hit Midlands’ growers experiencing further setbacks after the Bank Holiday weekend rain.

It has led to huge diversity in crop growth stages, according to Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont.

In parts of East Anglia planting machinery has only just returned to the shed while some growers in Cornwall are applying their second blight treatment of the season.

“It’s the most variable season I have seen in my career,” said one of the UK’s most respected potato advisors, independent agronomist Andy Alexander.

“The key for every grower is to tackle blight and the main strategy must be to run a really robust protection programme.

“Growers need to use all the chemistry in the toolbox in the correct place at the right interval.”

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Assessing risk and timing blight sprays will be crucial so agronomists and distributors are working with growers to make the recommendations that unlock what potential is in the crop.

Craig Chisholm of Corteva Agriscience said: “Despite several Hutton Period disease warnings being issued, a significant potato area is yet to emerge.

He reiterated that growers and agronomists will need to know their varieties and make timely decisions on robust spray programmes.

“Crops will grow fast now and it is quite possible that the blight risk will be higher due to soft growth and lack of attention to discard piles in the scramble to get the crop in the ground.

“There is a need to maximise the existing yield potential given the light interception already lost. Growers are going to need every bit of green leaf area they can get and that means they need the cleanest possible start to the blight programme.

Some growers have made the UK’s first commercial applications of the brand new blight fungicide Zorvec Enicade in the past week and Mr Chisholm said the product’s qualities will be welcomed in a year when realising yield potential will be vital.

Craig Chisholm, UK field technical manager for DowDuPont

“It has strong preventative and curative activity along with proven stem blight activity and movement into new growth. Using two treatments in the rapid growth phase of the crop will provide the ideal base for their programme,” he added.

“Given the jobs stacking up on farm the 10day interval offered, two Zorvec Enicade applications will also free up a vital day to get overdue spray timings completed on other crops.”

Mr Alexander said: “This new chemistry will be a welcome addition for growers who must consider all the chemistry at their disposal.

“As with any new product we will see growers and agronomists working out the most effective way to deploy it as part of a robust blight programme.”

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| On Topic

Contact your nearest dealer: Central Cropsprayers Limited Unit J Sandford Industrial Park Whitchurch Shropshire SY13 2AN 01948 840187 www.centralcropsprayers.co.uk Sprayer Spares 1, Moorland Trading Estate, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3HX 01526 323521 www.sprayerspares-ltd.co.uk Agratech NW Ltd Unit 8 Dale Mill Burnley Road East Lancashire BB4 9HU 01706 211399 www.agratech.co.uk

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 11

| Cereals

New look seminars help farmers prepare for change at Cereals 2018 Agriculture is facing unprecedented change. Brexit, restrictions on chemical usage, and accelerating scientific innovation all make for uncertain times. However, with revolution comes opportunity, so how can farmers ensure the best possible outcome for their business? t such an unpredictable time for the industry, it’s essential that farmers stay up to date with the latest ideas and advice,” says Jon Day, event director at Cereals 2018.

“No-one really knows what lies ahead but this year’s Cereals Event will really help to put the challenges and opportunities into perspective and explore what the industry can do to ensure we’re as prepared as possible.”

Of course, Cereals 2018 is all about change, so the Arable Conference will benefit from a fresh look at this year’s event. It is splitting into two, enabling visitors to choose between lively debates with industry leaders or getting up to speed with the latest technical arable research.

Cereals Controversial – fronted by a panel of politicians and leading industry officials – will see some of the hottest topics in the arable industry up for discussion.

Business resilience and demonstrating environmental and socially responsible activities are

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just some of themes set to be discussed by some of the most influential people in UK agriculture.

Cereals Conversations will be a hub for knowledge exchange, taking a more technical approach and providing cutting-edge research and advice for farmers and growers. Industry experts from across the sector will be on hand, arming growers with knowledge on everything from using data to drive decision making to emerging weed control strategies.

This year’s content partner, AHDB, will be both hosting seminars in both the Conversations and Controversial marquees, with several speakers taking their seat in sessions across the two days.

Here are just some of the speakers and topics that will be covered over the two days.

Cereals Controversial Fit for the future: The debate – 9:30am (13 June) Kicking off proceedings in the Cereals Controversial marquee is Fit for the Future: The Debate, hosted by Cereals content partner, AHDB. This debate will bring

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together politicians and industry experts – including MP George Eustice and Sir Peter Kendall, chair of AHDB – to discuss what the future of the supply chain will look like with no subsidies.

How resilient is your business – 11:00am (13 June) Resilience in the face of uncertainty is something all businesses need, and no more so than those in agriculture. David Eudall, market intelligence partnerships manager at AHDB and Jeremy Moody Secretary to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers will join financial experts and host famer Robert Law in discussing how arable farmers can build resilience into their businesses.

The crops of the future – 1:00pm (13 June) The first afternoon session will include AHDB’s consumer insights manager Steven Evans and Premium Crops’ managing director Andrew Probert. The panel will consider whether farmers should be looking to grow a more diverse range of crops – given the changing climate and

subsidy landscape – as well as looking at what insights the industry has on what consumers want.

The farm labour dilemma: what’s the future? – 2:30pm (13 June) The face of farming is changing.

The arable industry needs to ensure it attracts and retains the right type of labour to support farming businesses in the future.

Visitors will hear from David Frost, organisational development director at Total Produce on how the fresh produce industry has adapted to labour shortages, and Stephen Jacob, chief executive at BASIS on the value of lifetime learning and improving the skills of the workforce.

Fit for the future: Survival of the fittest – 10:30am (14 June) Day two of the event will begin with another panel discussion featuring AHDB experts chaired by Martin Grantley-Smith, cereals and oilseeds strategy director. The theme of this debate will be around increasing farm business productivity and benchmarking to measure success.

A farm without machinery? 2:00pm

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| Cereals

(14 June) With increasing costs of owning and running large machinery, this debate will look at alternative options including machinery sharing, contracting, hire and finance. It will also explore the impact of artificial intelligence and how we can run tractors more efficiently. Speakers are set to include Mark Suthern, national head of agriculture at Barclays, Kit Franklin from Harper Adams University and Gloucestershire farmer Richard Ward.

Cereals Conversations Sustainable soil health and nutrition – 9:30am (13 June) Over in the Conversations marquee, the first day of the event will begin with an in-depth technical seminar looking at the alternatives to conventional fertiliser strategies for sustainable soil health and nutrition. Dr Alastair Leake from the Allerton Project and John Cherry, Hertfordshire farmer will present their experiences.

Artificial intelligence: the future is here – 11:00am (13 June) Could the future of farming be in artificial intelligence? Speakers from robotics companies and research organisations will discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of such technology.

Guarding glyphosate – action to protect efficacy and availability –

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1:00pm (13 June) Hosted by AHDB, the Wednesday afternoon will see a discussion around the protection of glyphosate. Themes of discussion are set to include stewardship, best practice, change of behaviour and timing of applications to preserve this vital herbicide for the future.

The next generation of innovators – 10:30am (14 June) Thursday morning’s seminars will feature a next generation farmer who is set to discuss the challenges of farming in a new digital and data-rich age, and how innovating is paying off.

Fungicide futures – 12:00pm (14 June) Hosted again by event content partner, AHDB, the afternoon session will begin with a discussion into how the future of fungicides may look in terms of potential regulatory changes, variety choices and increased resistance to fungicides.

Making better data driven decisions – 2:00pm (14 June) Representatives from technology and data companies will discuss the usefulness of data collection and analysis in making on-farm decisions. They will be joined by Dr Ellie Marshall, Crop Production Systems Scientist at AHDB.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 13

| Energy

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| Cereals

Low pH will compromise yield and quality – plan your liming now!

Table 1

The most recent data from the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for crop year demonstrates the continuation of the low levels of liming in both arable and grassland rotations, as shown in Table 1: urthermore, data collected via the 2017 PAAG survey showed that 53% of grassland and 16% of arable land soil samples tested at, or below pH 6.0:

just the lime’s NV – do you know what % passes the 150 micron sieve, and what the reactivity performance level is? Material NV combined with its fineness drives reactivity – that is the rate of and level of pH change and potential longevity. A quality lime should

Whilst this is a small improvement on the longer term trend, pH below 6.5 on mineral soil will impact significantly on the utilisation of costly N, P, K and other nutrients.

Therefore, routine soil pH testing is required to ensure consequential loss of yield and quality is avoided by maintaining pH at an appropriate level for the rotation.

Ignoring soil pH and available calcium can prove to be a very costly mistake even in the short to medium term.

In 2017, the ALA launched the Aglime Quality Standard to provide farmers and advisers with product quality information for participating suppliers. Be aware that not all aglime materials meet the standard!

So, be sure to ask for more than

have at least 40% passing 150 micron, with >60% reactivity.

With over 85% passing 150 micron sieve, and minimum 95% reactivity, LimeX offers unrivalled fast, but lasting pH correction in arable and grassland rotations, and can be used in organic farming systems. Furthermore, the integral nutrient package within LimeX contributes to maintaining soil fertility and increases available calcium. A ‘maintenance’ application of LimeX70 at 7.5/t ha will supply a minimum of: • 75kg P2O5 • 50kg MgO • 45kg SO3 • typically worth at least £75 per hectare.

LimeX easily meets all quality criteria of the Aglime Quality Standard, and is available to order

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now for summer and autumn 2018.

For more information on LimeX please contact 0800 0902376 or visit: limex.co.uk

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 15

| Energy

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| Cereals

Gibbons at Cereals 2018 It’s almost time for Cereals, and Gibbons Agricultural Fans is preparing to showcase its grain store fans to visitors from across the arable industry. he Gibbons stand (1074) will include its best-selling crop conditioning fans and Airspear® hotspot fans for visitors to peruse, while members of the expert team will be available to answer questions and distribute brochures, giveaways and other marketing literature.

Gibbons’ steel and aluminium fans are rated at 0.13-2.2kW and are available as single phase or three phase in most sizes. While designed for use with pedestal systems, Gibbons’ fans can also be converted for floor-level use with a support stand.

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Visitors will be able to experience for themselves Gibbons’ own money-saving grain store fan calculator New for 2018 is the upgraded terminal box cover on Gibbons’ fans. Now made of steel rather than plastic, the more robust covers offer greater protection from knocks during movement and storage on farms.

Also on display at Cereals will be the Gibbons Plug&Dry™ range of crop store fan accessories, a series of add-ons designed to make life easier during the post-harvest period.

The range includes push-button starters, high-

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precision thermostats and heavy-duty extension cables.

Visitors will be able to experience for themselves Gibbons’ own money-saving grain store fan calculator, an ingenious tool that advises the optimum number of fans required for a given crop store.

Gibbons will also be showcasing its essential

electrical farm services, which include motor rewinds, control panel building, wiring, lighting and door controls.

For more information, call Agricultural Fans Manager Josie Knight on 01621 868 138 or email fans@gibbonsgroup.co.uk

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 17

| Energy

New research shows that business is more committed than ever to taking action on sustainability UK businesses are more committed to taking action on sustainability than ever before, with the vast majority now planning to go well beyond compliance in key areas such as sustainable packaging, low-carbon infrastructure and fleet electrification. hose were the key conclusions of a major new report officially launched by environmental media brand edie during the first day of the edie Live 2018 exhibition at the NEC Birmingham. The 44-page report is part of edie’s Mission Possible campaign, which seeks to empower and inspire sustainability professionals to achieve a sustainable future for their business.

Mission Possible: 2018, produced in association with E.ON, includes the findings of an extensive survey of 200 sustainability, energy and resource professionals about their drivers, challenges and opportunities related to the five Mission Possible campaign pillars: energy, resources, infrastructure, mobility and business leadership.

Key findings: • 63.5% are now more committed to taking action on sustainability than they were 12 months ago • The majority are either ‘extremely confident’

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(25.5%) or ‘fairly confident’ (39.5%) they would continue to make sustainability progress if environmental regulations were removed • 37% are actively planning to make a commitment to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste ‘in the near future’ • 49% believe their vehicle fleet will be fully electric by 2030 • 78.5% believe their buildings will be ‘netzero carbon’ before 2050 • 83% would be willing to join a new movement that helps businesses to achieve a sustainable future The report includes a foreword from Forum for the Future founder-director Jonathan Porritt, who stresses the importance for businesses to turn these ambitions into actions to achieve a sustainable future.

“Despite the fact that more and more companies are committed to doing more around a broadly-defined sustainability agenda, levels of trust in the business community are still stubbornly bumping along at a very low level, and the progress made to date on a host

of big-picture sustainability challenges remains woefully short of what is needed,” Porritt writes.

“The message behind Mission Possible is clear: embrace ‘the fierce urgency of now’ in going much further, and much faster, to help build a genuinely sustainable world.”

The report also incorporates a range of expert op-eds on the future of sustainable business, provided by the likes of E.ON, PwC, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC); along with video case studies from BT, P&G, Landsec, Heathrow Airport and Carlsberg.

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| Energy

Shortlist announced for global green gas awards The UK and global green gas industry has announced its shortlist of nominees for the AD & Biogas Industry Awards Ceremony 2018, taking place on the 11th July in Birmingham, UK. iogas (or ‘green gas’) is produced through anaerobic digestion (AD), a natural process that coverts organic wastes and purposegrown crops into renewable heat and power, clean transport fuel, and nutrient-rich digestate biofertiliser.

The growing global green gas industry has the potential to be worth as much as £1 trillion and is making a key contribution to achieving nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through delivering benefits such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, waste management, improved air quality, and restoring degraded soils.

The awards shortlist includes green gas projects from Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, India, and Hong Kong, as well as entries from across the UK. This year’s ceremony will see the presentation of 16 different awards, including awards for ‘AD Rising Star’, ‘AD Hero of the Year’, and ‘AD Team of the Year’.

The black-tie awards ceremony will be hosted by Charlotte Smith, presenter of Radio 4’s ‘Farming Today’, and will take place on the first night of UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018, the world’s largest dedicated global biogas expo, which takes place on the 11th-12th July at the NEC in Birmingham.

The expo and awards ceremony are being jointly organised by the UK Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) and the World Biogas Association (WBA).

Charlotte Morton, Chief

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Executive of ADBA, said: “The strength of the shortlisted projects for this year’s AD & Biogas Industry Awards is testament to the innovation and ingenuity of the green gas industry, which offers so much in terms of climate change mitigation, food and energy security, support for rural communities, and improvements to air quality. I’m looking forward to celebrating the best of the best in biogas at the awards ceremony, which will be the perfect accompaniment to UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018.”

David Newman, President of the WBA, said: “It’s great to see such inspiring examples of biogas use from around the world in this year’s awards shortlist. The AD & Biogas Industry Awards Ceremony 2018 will recognise those who make an exceptional contribution to the growth of biogas globally, and I can’t wait to see who walks away with the international prizes this year – it promises to be a closefought contest!”

Dr Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Adviser for Renewable Energy & Climate Change at the National Farmers’ Union and member of the AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2018 Judging Panel, said: “The NFU is delighted to be involved again in this year’s AD & Biogas Industry Awards, which demonstrate the progress and commitment of this important renewable energy business sector to decarbonising Britain and adding value to both agriculture and waste management – and signposts the way to a totally netzero carbon economy in the future.”

Dr David Tompkins, Head of Knowledge Exchange & Innovation at environmental consultancy Aqua Enviro and member of the AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2018 Judging Panel, said: “It’s great to see a wide variety

of entrants from across a diverse industry, highlighting individual and collective good practice as well as innovations that will allow AD and digestate to make the fullest possible contribution to a sustainable bioeoconomy.”

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 19

| Energy

Making a market for digestate

By Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA). n last month’s issue of FMN I discussed the need for policymakers to recognise the many non-energy benefits of anaerobic digestion (AD), which to date have not been linked to financial support mechanisms.

Most people are aware that AD plants convert agricultural wastes and energy crops into renewable heat and electricity and clean transport fuel, the generation and production of which is supported by the Renewable Heat Incentive, the Feed-In Tariff, and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation respectively. There is, however, another vital co-product of the AD process that is often forgotten.

That co-product is digestate, a stable, nutrient-rich substance that can be used for a range of products and purposes: most usefully as a nutrient-rich biofertiliser, but also as feedstock for ethanol production and in lowgrade building materials such as fibreboard.

When used as a biofertiliser on

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farmland, digestate improves soil health by maintaining pH and soil fertility, increasing organic matter, improving soil structure, and reducing water demand, soil

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degradation, and run-off. This is important as soil damage, risk of run-off, drainflow, run-through to groundwater, and erosion all affect growing conditions.

The spreading of digestate back to farmland also helps provide the essential crop requirements of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements. Use of

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| Energy digestate as a biofertiliser is perfectly suited for agricultural nutrient management by providing flexibility on application rate, time, and placement, for example allowing nitrogen to be returned to land quickly in liquid form or more slowly in solid form.

Digestate is a natural, biological alternative to petrochemicalderived artificial fertilisers, which are generally expensive and imported. Using digestate leaves farmers less exposed to fluctuations in commodity prices for artificial fertilisers as well as removing the input costs that farmers would otherwise have to pay for them. We estimate that if AD was to reach its full potential in the UK, the digestate produced would reduce fertiliser imports by over £110m, making a vital contribution to improving the UK’s balance of payments.

More importantly, this displacement would also abate 0.62 million tonnes of CO2equivalent a year, as well as every tonne of artificial fertiliser that is replaced with digestate avoiding the use of one tonne of oil and 108 tonnes of water.

Use of digestate also helps protect peat bogs by providing an alternative to peat-based fertilisers.

With British sources of peat continuing to decline and phosphorous a finite resource, digestate products provide an

alternative source of nutrition for horticulture, parks, and gardens as well as farmland.

While there are clearly many benefits to farmers of using digestate, the challenge we have is creating a sustainable, profitable market for this valuable resource for those who produce more than they can use on their own land.

There are pioneers in the market such as farming family Steve and Sarah Suggitt, who are using digestate to produce PlantGrow, a solid biofertiliser and liquid plant food developed by them specifically for the horticultural market. PlantGrow is available to both commercial growers and hobby gardeners and is on-shelf in 200 Homebase stores, all Blue Diamond stores, and independent garden centres in Norfolk, as well as online.

The Suggitts’ example shows that there is a market out there for biofertiliser, and with consumers increasingly opting for more organic and environmentally friendly products, demand should only increase. However, there’s still a huge amount that government can do to help support farmers looking to produce, use, and sell digestate-derived biofertilisers. For example, ADBA has explored the idea of renewable biofertiliser credits, which could form part of the government’s proposed new policy package for supporting

farmers in England.

If a sustainable market for digestate can be developed, it can provide an additional, regular income stream for farmers, which will be essential as farmers seek to diversify their incomes and become more resilient in a postCAP world.

The benefits of digestate for UK farmers will be a key topic at UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018, the world’s largest dedicated global biogas tradeshow, taking place on the 11th-12th July at the NEC in Birmingham. The show will feature a dedicated panel session exploring how to add value to your plant’s output through correct use, management, marketing, and commercialisation of digestate, and will include discussion of how to cut the cost of handling digestate. The morning of the first day of the show will also see a Farmers’ Breakfast that will feature expert speakers and discussion sessions on topics such as growing sustainable AD crops and funding new on-farm AD plants.

You can find out more and register your free place for the show at biogastradeshow.com.

With so much to discuss about digestate and how AD can support UK farmers, it promises to be a great event – we look forward to seeing you there!

Charlotte Morton

“

Digestate is a natural, biological alternative to petrochemical-derived artificial fertilisers, which are generally expensive and imported. Using digestate leaves farmers less exposed to fluctuations in commodity prices for artificial fertilisers as well as removing the input costs that farmers would otherwise have to pay for them

”

Image credit: Tim Scrivener

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 21

| Shows

The countdown is on for this year’s Royal Highland Show Preparations for the 178th Royal Highland Show, which will be held on 21-24 June 2018, are well underway, and promises to offer the best of Scotland’s farming, food and rural life. upported by The Royal Bank of Scotland, partner since 1981, and staged at the Royal Highland Centre, in Edinburgh, the four-day event is a once in a year opportunity to really experience rural life; with over 6,000 farm animals and horses; rural crafts; a dedicated forestry area, award winning farriers’ display, a busy countryside arena with a wide variety of exciting displays and any number of big tractors – not forgetting the biggest food festival in Scotland.

Entertainment plays a big part of the Show with a huge variety of live music across two stages and shopping in the 13th Avenue Arcade includes fashion, artwork and even furniture for home and garden.

Children aged 15 and under go free with an accompanying adult, and the RHET discovery centre is a must visit for curious youngsters looking to discover about the countryside and where their food comes from.

If you are interested in where your food actually comes from, then Scotland’s Larder Live is a must see part of the Show with the award winning food and drink on display as well as top chefs cooking delicious dishes.

With 94% of visitors questioned in 2017 commenting on the Show’s ‘great atmosphere’ it is an event with huge urban appeal with 88% of non- farming visitors agreeing that there is so much to see and do. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the ‘Early Bird’ ticket promotion to book early and save over 17% on a family day out.* “There is real customer loyalty to our Show, says David Jackson, Show Manager, with almost two thirds having attended the Show five times or more, which I think is testament to

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22 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

just how exciting, different and authentic a day at the Show is for everyone. However, what is equally exciting is the number of people attending for the first time illustrating how the Show is attracting a new audience due to the growing interest in farming, food and rural life.

“The Show continues to expand in size and popularity. In 2017 we welcomed a record breaking 190,000 visitors and generated £65m for the Scottish economy. The Show is a truly unique event offering a day packed full day of entertainment and enjoyment for under £50 for a family of four*.”

Finest Livestock The Highland Show’s biggest attraction is, without doubt, the exhibition of world class livestock – with more than 6,000 of the finest cattle, sheep, goats, horses and poultry, heading for the Ingliston showground. With generations of expert husbandry and months of detailed preparation, the animals represent the highest skills in stock management.

Discover in farming in everyday life The RHET (Royal Highland Education Trust) Discovery Centre is a must-visit for families, with over 30,000 young people welcomed last year for FREE. Traditional skills brought to life With a focus on showcasing rural skills, the Forge and the sheep shearing arena bring to life the work undertaken in the countryside.

While the Forestry area and the hugely popular pole climbing is back again for the 2018 show.

The Scottish Women’s Institute Handcrafts Competition, staged in the Handcrafts Pavilion, has some of the best examples of rural crafts from across Scotland and attracts competition entries for other parts of the world.

The largest display of food & drink Scotland’s Larder Live, the country’s biggest

exhibition of food and drink, is a must visit destination for visitors and offers everyone a great opportunity to taste new and exciting foods from Scotland – it also gives farmers and producers a great opportunity to meet with consumers for feedback and consumers the chance to learn how food is produced and the process involved. Meanwhile award-winning cheese, bread and ice-cream is judged with the winners announced at the Show.

Award-winning chefs In the cookery theatre, Scotland’s chefs demonstrate how incredible meals can be created using quality ingredients from Scotland.

Shopping for him, her, kids, home … and pets!

The wide range of shopping outlets brings together an amazing range of retailers, from fashion to home wear, jewellery to furniture, pet accessories to arts and crafting, many of which will see their biggest sales event of the year.

The best of food-to-go Working alongside all our on-site caterers, the Show has devised a strict Food Charter that all food-to-go outlets must adhere to ensuring top quality food, be it chips and a burger or something a little more exotic. There is a wide selection to choose from and the Food Charter requires that only ingredients that have been locally produced, wherever possible, and ethically sourced can be served at the Show.

This means that not only quality is high but also Scottish farmers and growers are supported. To ensure that highest quality is maintained all onsite caterers are independently assessed every year.

For further information please visit www.royalhighlandshow.org, @ScotlandRHShow and #RHS2018

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| Shows

PFC working smart to keep your forage dry Keeping bales away from excessive moisture should be the goal of all producers when you consider the costs incurred for not doing so. Forage losses from improper storage of bales can be as high as 40 percent. he reality is that the cost of fixed infrastructure is getting increasingly expensive; as a result many producers leave the bales to sit out in the weather for months before being fed. Based on 1000mm (40 inches) of rainfall, a single large round bale sitting out in the weather may receive as much as 110 litres of water during the course of the year. With each rainfall event, the bale’s water shedding ability is diminished.

Balers ability to produce a dense bale have improved in the last few years. Tight bales help shed water significantly, not just by shedding water, but also by maintaining a round shape at ground level. Loose bales that sag create more surface area contact with the ground, resulting in major losses.

Bale stacking with the use of a tarpaulin in a pyramid design is a tried and tested approach that keeps bales dry and makes the best use of tarpaulins. Tarpaulins are temporary and movable structures offering greater versatility in stacking locations.

With over 15 years of in-field experience in all UK conditions, PFC know how to make your tarped hay and straw perform.

PFC tarpaulins are UV treated to last 7-8 years.

This is achievable if you follow the simple ‘KIT’ rule, Keep It Tight. Using the ‘SUPER CINCH’ tie down system this is possible even in the strongest of winds. The additional benefit of PFC tarpaulin is the attachment method between the

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rope and the sheet. Typical eyelets have a breaking point of 6-12 newton metres, The PFC tarpaulin systems weakest point is 1100 newton metres. With around 10 times the strength to eyelet tarpaulins; applying tension to the sheet is done without risk of failure.

You must consider the potential losses of not protecting your bales. How many times have we heard “it is only the top layer of a square bale stack?” If we use 240cmx120cmx90cm @ 450kg bales stacked 12 bales deep 3 bales wide and 6 bales high as the example. This would equate to 36 bales in a 216-bale stack lost due to a lack of tarping. Over a 5-year period, a PFC premium

PERFORMER tarpaulin @ £649 will cost £0.60 per bale with no loss of the top layer. With straw prices at an average £80 tonne delivered, this excludes the extreme cost in 2017/2018 season.

The 36 bales (16.2 tonne) written off each year will cost £1296 every year and over the 5-year period will be in excess of £6400 wasted. Not tarping your straw can be up to 10 times more expensive than a simple alternative. The numbers are in your favour to use the simple, strong and manageable solution.

Contact your tarping experts for the perfect solution to outdoor forage storage.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 23

| Shows

Royal Welsh Show 2018 The pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar, the Royal Welsh Show, will be held on 23 - 26 July at the showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. very year, the livestock classes attract thousands of entries from far and wide promising a popular and exciting four-days of competitions.

Along with the fantastic livestock and great shopping, the show provides something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, food and drink and a 12-hour programme each

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day of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays.

The big attractions in the main ring will be the incredible Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery - the Queen's ceremonial Saluting Battery of superb equestrian soldiers trained to drive a team of six horses pulling the First World War 'thirteen pounder' state saluting guns at high speeds.

In recognition of the RAF centenary celebrations we will also have amazing aerial

displays from RAF Parachute Display Teams. All taking time out of their busy active duties, the teams will be jumping into the main ring each day of the show.

Returning to entertain the crowds will be the spectacular Black Mountains Falconry, Tristar Carriage Driving, Meirion Owen and the Quack Pack, Inter Hunt Relay and much more.

Reduced price e-tickets are available online now. Visit: www.rwas.wales Tel: 01982 553683

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| Shows

6 reasons not to miss the Royal Welsh Show As one of the pinnacle events in the British agricultural calendar, the annual Royal Welsh Show is an actionpacked event with four-days of exciting competitions, livestock, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink, a 12-hour programme of nonstop entertainment, attractions, displays and much more… the list goes on!

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hen and where?

23 - 26 July 2018 at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth

Wells The show is held every July at the beautiful Royal Welsh showground, nestled in the picturesque countryside of MidWales.

For some it’s an annual pilgrimage for the whole week, for others it’s a day out to remember each year… but, surprisingly, there are some who have never had the ‘Royal Welsh Experience’. We know! It’s hard to believe. So, here are just a few reasons why you should visit…

1. Animals galore With over 8,000 livestock entries, the animals are one of the main attractions at the show each year. Exhibitors travel from far and wide to bring their potential prize winning animals to the show with expectations of returning home with a highly sought-after Royal Welsh rosette. There will be plenty of opportunities to watch the judging and displays and to also get up close and personal with a huge variety of animals, including; horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens, pets, and even some snakes and spiders!

2. Noise, speed and danger With an exciting 12-hour programme of entertainment each day, you’ll be kept busy all day long. The show is bigger and better than you could ever imagine with non-stop action in the main ring from the minute you arrive at the showground. Whether you are attracted to the majestic horses, the impressive livestock displays or the thrill and danger of the displays, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All the entertainment, attractions and displays are included in your ticket price, so come along and make some unforgettable memories.

3. The Kings Troop The big attractions in the main ring will be the incredible Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery - the Queen's ceremonial Saluting Battery of superb equestrian

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soldiers trained to drive a team of six horses pulling the First World War 'thirteen pounder' state saluting guns at high speeds.

4. RAF 100 Celebrations 2018 marks 100 years of the Royal Air Force (RAF), the World’s first - and most famous independent Air Force. At this year’s Royal Welsh Show we are taking the opportunity to help: • Commemorate 100 years of extraordinary success, achievement and sacrifice • Celebrate the professionalism and dedication of today’s RAF • Inspire future generations by telling their unique story Watch the amazing aerial displays from the RAF Falcons and RAF Hawks Parachute Display Teams. All taking time out of their busy active duties, the teams will be jumping into the main ring each day of the show.

Also see the drill and ceremonial face of the RAF Regiment, and active field squadron, the incredible RAF Queen’s Colour Squadron and Band play in our main ring.

5. Free parking Visitors can enjoy easy, quick and hassle-free parking with our superb park and ride service - just what you need after your journey to beautiful Powys.

6. Shopping, shopping and more shopping!

You really will be able to shop until you drop with over 1,000 tradestands at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. There will be plenty of opportunities to treat yourself as you enjoy a stroll through our shopping avenues and marquees.

From clothing to tractors, livestock equipment to jewellery, artisan gifts to furniture, plus lots more!

And don’t worry about having to carry it about all day… we have dedicated ‘shopping crèches’ where you can leave your precious purchases until you’re ready to go home.

So, what are you waiting for?

And the best bit… if you book your tickets online you’ll even get a discount! For more details or to buy your tickets today, visit www.rwas.wales

JFC round Water Trough Design deters Badger access Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy industry in the UK today and has been for several decades. lot of time has been invested in research to help create solutions to assist in the prevention of the spread of TB by both JFC Agri and the TB Advisory Service (TBAS).

JFC strive to produce innovative goods for today’s farmers.

Following research, the JFC round water trough range consisting of four different sizes -180, 250, 350 and 450 Gallon, has been designed with tapered edges to help limit the access to badgers.

According to Dr Andy Robertson, Scientist at Exeter University and member of the TBAS Technical board …”Badgers will drink from water troughs if they can access them. Infected badgers may shed M. bovis (the bacteria which causes TB) in their

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saliva, and research has shown that the bacteria can survive in water for up to 60 days. Water troughs are therefore a potential source of infection to cattle, and measures to reduce contamination by badgers are advised.”

All cattle need to hydrate and every farmer wants to make their water as accessible as possible to their herds. To find out more about the full range of JFC Water Troughs contact 01691 659226 to locate your nearest stockist or visit www.jfcagri.com. For more info on bovine TB visit www.tbhub.co.uk and for free advice about reducing the risk of TB in your herd contact TBAS www.tbas.org.uk.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 25

| Shows

Lorenzo at Great Yorkshire Show The 160th Great Yorkshire Show will take place in Harrogate in 2018, celebrating the very best of farming, food and the countryside. ver 130,000 visitors and 8,500 animals flock to the Great Yorkshire Showground every year for the three day show, making it one of the biggest in the UK. Get ready to welcome equestrian dynamo Lorenzo back to the Main Ring with his daredevil bare-back display as one of the 2018 show highlights. Rosemary Shrager will whip up a storm in the cookery theatre and the President’s Lawn is set to showcase some very special additions for the first time ever.

In the judging rings, thousands of animals will compete from cattle to sheep, pigs to pigeons and the show finishes with one of the most prestigious showjumping classes in the country, the Cock O’The North competition.

From cutting edge farming equipment and machinery to displays from big name brands, this is the place where deals are done and the latest ranges are showcased. While the show has agriculture at its heart, there’s also entertainment, shopping, live music, cookery demos and a professional catwalk fashion show – including a one-off celebrity special.

Plans are now underway to celebrate 160 shows spanning the decades since 1838, with a host of special surprises lined up to mark the milestone. As part of this, show organisers are set to launch a limited edition clothing range in

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26 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

the New Year. Look out for a stunning ticket launch in Spring 2018 too!

History of Great Yorkshire Show, organised by Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) • 1838: First Great Yorkshire Show held in the Barrack Yard of the 5th Dragoons at Fulford, near York.

• 1839–1841: The show is held in Leeds, Northallerton and Hull.

• 1842: GYS returned to York and first attendance figures recorded: 6,044.

• 1874: Hugely successful show in Sheffield with attendance of 64, 111 (nearly double any previous shows) • 1914: Largest recorded show held in Bradford with attendance of 82,461 (not exceeded until 42 years later) • 1915-1919: Show is cancelled due to the First World War. • 1920: GYS held jointly with the Royal Agricultural Society of England in Darlington.

• 1926: GYS held on The Stray in Harrogate and was “the most successful in the history of the Society”.

• 1931: GYS held in fields off Long Lane, Dalton, Huddersfield.

• 1937: GYS held on York Knavesmire “widely considered to be one of the best show sites in Britain.”

• 1939: GYS held in Halifax, two months before the country went to war.

•

• 1940-1948: Show is cancelled due to the Second World War. • 1949: GYS held in Wakefield and the Society decide to purchase a permanent showground.

• 1950: Last “roaming” show in Malton. The Society bought a 200-acre site overlooking Rudding Park, Harrogate.

• 1951: First show held at the permanent showground, with attendance of nearly 54,000.

• 1957: 100th show sees visitor numbers soar to 118,593.

• 2001: Show cancelled due to the outbreak of Foot and mouth disease in Britain.

• 2002: Highest attendance for more than 20 years and since then attendance has never dropped below 120,000.

• 2006: Record breaking visitor numbers of 135,111.

• 2008: The show was attended by the Queen to celebrate the 150th show.

• 2012: First ever show to be cancelled due to weather after unprecedented rainfall (after the first day).

2018: This will be the 160th Show

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| Shows

Royal Three Counties Show celebrating 60 years at Malvern The Royal Three Counties Show returns for its 60th year at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern - and it’s the biggest celebration of the great British countryside yet. ith more than 90,000 visitors expected to join the landmark event in the agricultural calendar, it’s set to be a hearty feast of farming, fine food and family entertainment.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at the Three Counties, said: “We’re incredibly proud to mark the 60th year of our namesake show. Our roots stretch back over 220 years but this year we’re celebrating our ‘diamond’ anniversary at the showground with a sparkling line up. We’ve some wonderful new additions including our Gardening Hub, Ask the Groom and the muchloved actors from the Archers.”

This year Worcestershire hosts the show, sharing some of the best bits of the county with visitors. Worcestershire Music will entertain the crowds, and visitors can follow a trail of beautiful works of art from celebrated artist, David Birtwhistle. The extremely popular, Medieval reenactment camp returns to focus on Worcestershire’s exciting history and The Firs, birth placeof Sir Edward Elgar, will be showcasing an original piano owned by Elgar.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2018 THE ARCHERS What better way to celebrate an anniversary than to welcome the much-loved characters from the world’s longest-running radio soap opera. Favourites from the show will give talks alongside judging a range of competitions and some lucky visitors will even get the opportunity to meet some of Ambridge’s finest.

GARDENING HUB An area dedicated to gardening enthusiasts, this horticultural hub hosts a roadshow with BBC presenter and gardening consultant, Martin Fish, offering interactive workshops and question and answer sessions. The International Orchid Show returns with exhibitors from all over the world and stunning new varieties. There will be award winning local nurseries where visitors will be able to stock up on seasonal favourites and the popular Village Show will be bursting with beautiful blooms and spectacular vegetables. This year the Women’s

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Institute’s coveted Huxley Cup will be competed for at the show to mark the Worcestershire W.I.’s centenary year, which will be presented to one lucky winner at the showground.

WELLINGTON BOOT THEATRE Hosted by BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter, Andrew Easton, the theatre shines a spotlight on inspiring outdoor activities. There will be Q&As with Andrew and his guests, including BBC Countryfile presenter and Show Ambassador, Adam Henson. Visitors will also hear from Worcester Warriors players, swimmer Claire Cashmore and PGA golfer Oliver Farr.

ASK THE GROOM / EQUINE VILLAGE An opportunity to talk through all there is to know about caring for horses and admire the magnificent Hook Norton Heavy Horses. Horse lovers will also have plenty of new classes to marvel at including in hand sports horse classes. This year’s village will show off more than 290 equine classes with show jumping and driving among the most popular features.

MAIN ARENA The action-packed Main Arena entertainment features the highly entertaining Shetland Pony Grand National, the jaw-dropping Red Devil parachute displays, sheepdog displays from international sheep dog handler Dick Roper, a parade of farm machinery through the ages, and the always impressive Grand Parade, featuring each day’s livestock champions.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD Showcasing the very best national and local produce, the Food & Drink Hall will offer a host of tasty treats to try whilst the Cookery Theatre will demonstrate a range of dishes created from produce featured at the show. Visit the Cider Festival or admire the selection of Three Counties dairy produce on display in the Cheese & Dairy Produce Show.

FARMING VILLAGE / FUR, FEATHER, FARM This is the place to check out some of the finest livestock around with no less than 120 breeds of animals and almost 900 classes.

There’ll be sheep shearing competitions, farming heroes on hand to answer any

questions and entertainment from Young Farmers. Fur, Feather, Farm is the place for all to enjoy and see rabbits, alpacas and goats and say hello to chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. Find out how to look after a wide variety of animals and prepare them for shows in this educational area with roving microphone talks explaining the judging process.

Craft lovers will also get the chance to learn how to carve wooden spoons and shape wooden swords in a series of workshops.

COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE An action-packed programme includes galloping acrobatics, pole climbing, breathtaking falconry, impressive animal displays and country sports demonstrations.

ASK THE FARMER Teaming up with Rare Breeds Survival Trust, this area provides the perfect opportunity to ask any farming related questions in a relaxed setting. Special expert guests will share their experiences in an interactive ring with displays of cattle, sheep and pigs.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE ZONE It’s business first and foremost in this new area packed with fresh ideas, inspiration and enthusiasm for the rural economy. Aimed at encouraging youngsters to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit in the agricultural and associated industries, the Three Counties Agricultural Society has teamed up with various schools, sixth forms and colleges to help them start-up small businesses. Visitors will get to chat to these business-minded students as they show-off their rural products.

The Royal Three Counties Show will take place from Friday 15 June until Sunday 17 June.

Tickets are now on sale. Advanced tickets are from £19 for adults and £5 for children, family tickets are also available.

For information on ticket prices and further information on the show, please visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 0844 811 0050

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 27

| Buildings

Roundhouse completes a Designing the internal Triple environment for livestock buildings The award winning Roundhouse has reached another milestone by having one customer buy 3 Roundhouses for one farm.

Dr Martin Heywood, RIDBA Technical Consultant.

airy Farmer, Chris McDonald from Heddon on the Wall in Northumberland bought his first RH30 in 2011 to house his dairy calves, convinced the ventilation benefits would solve the pneumonia problems he was incurring.

This unit, the first of its kind for calves at the time, was so successful that in 2013 Chris ordered a second RH30 for his dry cows. In this second building Chris built a five stall parlour to take colostrum from the freshly calved cows to feed the calves. The cows then re-join the main herd only once Chris is happy they are over

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the calving and their feed intake meets set parameters.

Having bought two RH30’s we thought Chris was done, but in spring 2017 Chris asked if we could fit a RH45 on the farm for his followers. Specifications were agreed and planning submitted and in November 2017 work commenced on site. The Roundhouse is now complete and in use and now we wait to see if he’ll go for a forth!

Chris is unique in having three Roundhouses, but we do have a farmer with a current order for three Roundhouses for this year and we have another existing RH30 owner, with his site being prepared ready for a RH45.

28 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

t is essential that animal housing provides a comfortable, clean and dry environment free from hazards and health risks.

The design of the building and specification of the materials used to construct it play a major role in achieving these aims and, if done properly, can lead to healthier, happier and more productive animals. This article considers some of the issues that should be addressed by building designers and farmers in order to improve the well-being of their livestock.

Ventilation The provision of adequate ventilation is arguably the most important consideration when designing a new building for animal housing. A distinction needs to be made between a well ventilated building and a draughty

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one. Nobody, human or animal, wants to live in a draughty building that lets in cold air whenever the wind blows, causing discomfort and potentially ill health. On the other hand, a regular supply of fresh air is essential to replenish oxygen, remove exhaled carbon dioxide and control temperature and humidity. Correct ventilation will reduce relative humidity and the risk of respiratory infections, eliminate stagnant air and avoid unwanted draughts.

Factors to consider when designing a building for ventilation include: • The dimensions of the building and layout of any internal partitions • The proposed occupancy of the building • Factors affecting the local wind speed including building location, altitude, shelter and proximity of other buildings.

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| Buildings

The provision of adequate ventilation is arguably the most important consideration when designing a new building for animal housing Even at fairly modest wind speeds, the ventilation of a typical livestock building will be governed by the “wind effect”, meaning that sufficient fresh air will be supplied naturally by the wind. A building containing livestock must, however, be adequately ventilated even on the calmest of days, relying on what is known as the “stack effect” (warm air rising replaced by cooler air). The adequacy of stack effect ventilation for a given building will depend on the location and size of the inlets (normally below eaves height), the location and size of

the outlet vents (normally at the ridge) and the heat generated by the livestock. A detailed design procedure for calculating stack effect ventilation is given in the RIDBA Farm Buildings Handbook.

Condensation Condensation occurs on a surface when the temperature falls below the dew point for a given relative humidity. Condensation does not cause high humidity, but may be a symptom of it if the temperature is low enough.

Although condensation can be a nuisance if it results in dripping water, and can in some circumstances lead to corrosion of steel fasteners and fixings, it is high humidity (i.e. moisture in the air) that causes health problems in livestock. The focus for the building designer should, therefore, be on reducing humidity through good ventilation rather

than hiding the problem through the use of absorbent materials.

Other considerations Buildings used for housing livestock should have adequate levels of lighting, provided by natural or artificial means, or a combination of the two. Natural daylight is normally provided by inplane rooflights, often arranged in bands along the roof. Since rooflights allow direct sunlight to enter the building, there is a risk of overheating in summer if the percentage area of rooflights is too great. It may be possible to use a smaller area, and therefore reduce the overheating risk, by specifying cladding with a highly reflective coating on the inside.

Surface finishes should be smooth and without sharp projections to avoid injury to animals or people. Walls should have a washable inner surface that can easily be hosed down and floors must be non-slip.

Conclusions With careful consideration at the design stage, it is possible to create a healthy and pleasant

Dr Martin Heywood

environment, with adequate fresh air, and lighting, humidity and temperature levels that are comfortable for the animals. Good ventilation and careful specification of materials are the most important factors.

Visit us Cereals at 20 Stand 2 18 58

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 29

| Buildings

When choosing building materials for livestock housing, Marley Eternit fibre cement is the best option due to its ability to absorb up to 25 percent of its weight in moisture – greatly reducing humidity and condensation.

Reduce livestock health risks with the right housed environment

Ventilation guide outlines best materials and design requirements for livestock buildings

ousing conditions are a major factor in controlling multifactorial respiratory diseases, says livestock health specialist and honorary research fellow at the University of Aberdeen Jamie Robertson. This drives the need for livestock producers to make ventilation, drafts, air quality and humidity management key aspects in their disease prevention programme.

While preventative practices for respiratory diseases like pneumonia are essential for herd animal welfare, they also carry a significant financial safeguard.

According to research from Scarsdale Farm Vets, the average dairy calf with pneumonia leads to costs of £43.26 and the average beef calf costs £82.10 – with significantly lower growth rates and increased treatment medicine use contributing the greatest costs.

Recently, fibre cement manufacturer company Marley Eternit developed the “Livestock building design and material guide for natural ventilation” to outline best ventilation practices for increased livestock performance and decreased disease risks.

Available as an e-book or hardcopy, this detailed guide outlines recommendations from industry experts and leading research for beef, dairy, pig and youngstock buildings. In the guide, readers can find: Natural ventilation design requirements To keep adequate airflow in livestock buildings, Robertson recommends farm buildings have a roof pitch of 15° to 22°.

Steeper angles create a chimney effect to draw out excess heat, moisture and stale air from buildings. This airflow system, better known as

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the stack effect, requires management of wind impact and the physics of the air inlet/air outlet cycle.

“Buildings for animals need a hole in the roof to let the hot air, stale air, moisture, bugs and all the other excesses out,” notes Robertson. “If you don’t have a big enough hole in the roof, then you accumulate heat and moisture inside the building.”

Youngstock up to 100kg need 0.04m2 air outlet space per animal, increasing to 0.10m2 outlet space per adult animal. Design for air inlet should consist of two evenly split sidewalls that are four times the size of the outlet area to maintain air flow throughout the building while reducing airspeed at animal height.

Air outlet products There are multiple options when it comes to design and products for air outlet. Marley Eternit has both protected and unprotected open ridge upstands which prevent rain ingress while enhancing the draw of air through the open vent. To provide buildings with more natural light while preventing hot spots caused by low level grass reinforced plastic, Marley Eternit protected open ridges are built with a polycarbonate soffit strip.

“To achieve air outlet in buildings for adult cattle, fibre cement roof sheets can also be installed as breathing roofs or spaced roofs,” says Lorna Woolly, area sales manager for Marley Eternit. “Breathing roofs are made by inserting a 15-25mm timber batten between the profiled sheets at the horizontal overlap of each course. This helps minimise rain ingress.”

Spaced roofs should be fitted with a space around 10mm between each adjacent sheet and is best achieved with Profile 6 roof sheets trimmed to a width of 1,000mm.

Material recommendations Building materials contribute significantly to the shed environment, with semi compressed fibre cement profiled sheeting serving as the best roof material due to its ability to absorb up to 25% of its dry weight in moisture.

According to Woolley, the moisture absorption ability of fibre cement can make the difference between a low humidity shed environment and high humidity shed environment.

“Fibre cement absorbs excess moisture, soaking up any condensation into its surface to be dissipated once conditions are right,” says Woolley. “When this is combined with proper building design for the right roof slope and ridge construction for air flow, fibre cement profiled sheeting can contribute to decreasing the potential for costly and long-term healthrelated issues such as pneumonia.”

Fibre cement roofing also helps maintain a more stable shed temperature, adds Robertson, due to its insulation reducing solar gain, while metal roofing’s lack of insulation can lead to severer temperature fluctuations. This is especially important to youngstock producers.

“Until two to three months of age, young cattle are not very good at regulating their body temperature and are very sensitive to varying temperatures within a short period,” explains Robertson. “So mineral fibre is better than tin in those situations because it doesn’t exaggerate solar gain.”

To download the ventilation guide online or to order a hardcopy, go to www.marleyeternit.co.uk/agri-ventilation-ebook.

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| Cereals

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 31

| Muck & Slurry

Manage muck to improve efficiencies and cut costs Organic manures have a huge potential to provide farmers with a cheap fertiliser that can help improve soil and cut back on costs, but getting the application right is important. o help farmers make the most of their slurry and muck, a wide range of industry experts were on hand at Grassland UK, along with the latest equipment and machinery to make the job as efficient as possible.

Spreading manures should not just be using up a by-product, but about fully utilising a valuable resource, says head of show, Alan Lyons. “Nutrient levels vary considerably, as do the application technology and regulations, so there’s more to this simple practice than just spreading it on the field. The key is to maximise nutrient availability by applying manure in optimum conditions, and thereby reduce the need for inorganic inputs.”

Matching manure applications to the soil nutrient status is crucial, advises John Williams at ADAS, who will be speaking in the muck demonstration area and seminars.

“Muck and slurry should be used and treated as a fertiliser, rather than a waste product to just empty

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on fields. It does take investment in kit and management to do it well but it’s a wonderfully valuable source of nutrients.”

Every 40t/ha of cattle farm yard manure can be worth £220/ha in NPK value, he explains.

The first thing is to understand the nutrient content of the material.

“Manures have hugely variable nutrient content and dry matter levels - and cow slurry compared to pig slurry will be very different because of the different feed intakes. The AHDB Nutrient Management Guide has averages for a number of organic manures and these typical figures are a good starting point,” says Mr Williams “Taking samples is the next step and it’s important to be representative when doing this. Try to homogenise the slurry in some way and take a number of samples to see how the content varies.”

Farmers then have to decide where to apply the muck. “With a typical application you will be supplying more phosphate and potash than the crop will need in one year, so repeat applications can lead to high levels,” he

32 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

explains. “Therefore soil testing first can identify where best to put the manure.”

Application rates should be tailored to meet the crop’s nutrient demands. “This is reasonably straightforward for slurry as you’ll know what the tanker holds and the size of the field but it’s more difficult with solid materials as the bulk density and weight can vary and newer material will take up more space than old.”

One way to approach application rates is to use a spreader which has weigh cells, but alternatively a weigh bridge can be used. “If you apply without knowing the weight, then you can’t

know what the application rate is.”

Mr Williams also suggests making sure slurry and muck are spread as evenly as possible and that solids are incorporated within 24 hours to minimise smells and reduce nutrient losses. “Spring applications are better for nitrogen use efficiencies but you’ve got to be careful not to damage the soil.

Also, the risk of run off and contamination is higher – so it’s important to get timings right. In the autumn it’s typically drier and applications are best done in September or October for crops that require autumn N, such as grass or oilseed rape – otherwise you risk leaching.”

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Feature

Sir Charles Burrell to share insights on rewilding his estate Sir Charles ‘Charlie’ Burrell will discuss the rewilding project that transformed his family’s Knepp Castle estate, when he joins experts at a conference dedicated to this new form of conservation. he 10th Baronet, an alumnus of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) will speak alongside Professor Alastair Driver, Specialist Advisor for Rewilding Britain and DEFRA’s Nick Barter at the event organized by the RAU and Cirencester Sixth Form College.

The one-day conference on 20 November, hosted at the RAU in Cirencester, will bring together rewilding and land management experts to share their experiences and plans for the future.

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about the latest thinking and applications from key professionals in rewilding conservation – the principle of reinstating natural processes and, where appropriate, missing species.

Charlie Burrell will describe the pioneering Knepp Wildland Project at his 3,500 acre estate in West Sussex, which has become a flagship experiment for farmland restoration.

Prof Driver, who is also the former National Conservation Manager for the Environment Agency will discuss ways of harnessing rewilding opportunities across the UK. Nick Barter, DEFRA’s Deputy Director of Natural Environment Strategy will be speaking about the 25 Year Environment Plan – setting out ways to improve the environment within a generation.

Charlie said of his project on his estate near

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Horsham: “Once intensively farmed for arable and dairy, Knepp Estate was given over to the pioneering rewilding project in 2000. Using free-roaming grazing animals as the drivers, and with the restoration of natural water courses, we’ve seen extraordinary increases in wildlife – including some incredibly rare species.

“The Knepp Wildland Project is not driven by specific goals or target species. Instead, management is kept to a minimum and nature is allowed as much freedom as possible. This ‘process-led’ approach is proving to be a highly effective, low-cost method of ecological restoration and is providing vital ecosystem services like soil restoration, water purification and carbon sequestration.

“The Estate is still farming, albeit far more extensively, producing 75 tonnes of low-input, organic, pasture-fed meat per annum from its free-roaming herds. Wildlife tourism provides another significant income stream.”

Organiser Stephanie Masefield, lecturer in Earth and Animal Sciences at Cirencester College said: “Rewilding is an emerging branch of conservation that will become part of the UK’s wider strategy to protect and enhance the environment.

“Bringing the topic to the land managers of today and tomorrow through the Royal Agricultural University and Cirencester College will generate innovative and fruitful new

dialogues and opportunities.

“We’re really excited to be bringing together such a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with our students and the wider public.”

Other experts are set to focus on the challenges and opportunities re-introducing animals such as lynx to habitats and a panel discussion is also scheduled.

For more information and to register for updates on ticket sales please visit our website http://www.rewilding-perspectives-andapplications.co.uk/

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 33

| Machinery

John Deere demos new sprayer at Cereals Event Featuring the new PowrSpray solution system, a larger 5000-litre capacity spray tank and an ultra-lightweight but extremely strong carbon fibre boom, John Deere’s R4050i self-propelled sprayer will be demonstrated for the first time in the Sprays & Sprayers arena at Cereals 2018. ble to spray at widths of 18 or 36m, the high-performance spray boom is considerably lighter than steel or aluminium designs. However, the carbon fibre material used in its construction is around 5.5 times stronger than steel and is able to flex, which relieves the boom structure from the stress that can cause fractures in metal booms. The carbon fibre boom is specially designed to withstand the high dynamic loads created at high application speeds of 20 to 30kph, even with very wide booms.

The R4050i is powered by a 6.8-litre John Deere PowerTech PSS engine producing 235 rated hp (255hp maximum). This engine meets Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emissions regulations by incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

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The sprayer is also equipped as standard with the John Deere GreenStar 3 2630 touchscreen display with full FieldDoc spray documentation and ISOBUS compatibility. It comes AutoTrac ready and with a free JDLink Ultimate subscription for one year, which enables a range of additional FarmSight precision farming solutions including new Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer, as well as Service Advisor Remote.

Other standard features include a Hydro Handle multi-functional control lever, Solution Command electronic sprayer control for automatic filling, mixing, spraying and rinsing, and a 50-litre PowrFill inductor for safe transfer of crop protection chemicals into the main tank.

The PowrSpray solution system features a unique dual-circuit design with two solution pumps, each optimised for a specific function.

A new, purpose-designed waterproof keypad

and digital display at the sprayer’s operator station enable full control of automated filling, spraying and agitation.

The PowrSpray solution system features unique dual-circuit design with two solution pumps The industry exclusive Active Pause function enables the solution tank to stop filling while still providing clean water under high pressure for rinsing out chemical containers. This means the typical race against the filling solution tank is eliminated, and operators have all the time and clean water they need to complete chemical filling without stress. Automatic control of tank agitation and fully automated multi-cycle rinsing and dilution functions are also standard features of PowrSpray.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Muck & Slurry

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 35

| Machinery

New Holland returns to Cereals in 2018 New Holland returns to Cereals in 2018 and will be showcasing some of its latest machines. Visitors to stand 887 will see the CR9.80 Revelation 24" SmarTrax with Flex Technology, part of the CR Revelation range – its latest rotary combine models launched in 2017 - and the flagship FR920 forage harvester. The manufacturer’s new T6 Direct CommandTM and high performance T7 Heavy Duty tractors will also be on display. ew Holland has also provided the UK’s leading arable event with two T6 tractors to pull the visitor ride-on trailer shuttle to and from the car park on both days in style.

CR9.80 Revelation Combine Harvester The latest CR models have been designed with increased capacity in mind. Both narrow and wide width models feature more space in the rotor tube for increased capacity at a lower power requirement. The new styling also ensures improved visibility and serviceability.

Launched at harvest 2017, the narrow frame CR7.90 and CR8.80 features a revised rotor cage, which increases the space available for threshing while the latest Twin Pitch Rotors and a revised Dynamic Feed Roll maintain crop throughput in even the most difficult harvesting conditions.

The wide frame models now feature Twin Pitch Plus as standard, the rotor configuration that was developed especially for the worldbeating CR10.90.

Residue management is likely to be one of the biggest challenges facing farmers over the next ten years so, the CR8.90, CR9.80, CR9.90 and range topping CR10.90 all benefit from a

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revised residue management system including, an award-winning chaff distribution system, a revised straw chopper rotor for finer chopping and, revisions to the Opti-SpreadTM system to ensure even spreading of chopped material out to 14.5 metres.

FR920 Forage Harvester One of the stars on the New Holland stand at Cereals will be the new flagship FR920, featuring the all-new FPT Industrial V20 engine developed specifically for forage harvesting applications. It delivers a massive 670 kW (911 hp) maximum power at 1600 to 1800 rpm, 4,095 Nm maximum torque and a productivityboosting 44% torque rise at 2100-1600 rpm.

The power curve is mapped to match the precise requirements of foraging applications ensuring the best transient response, reacting fast to changing load. The V20 engine delivers the most fuel-efficient performance in the 1600 to 1900 rpm working range. This, together with the low maintenance costs results in the machine’s excellent Total Cost of Operation.

Tractors New Holland will show its new T6 Dynamic CommandTM multi-purpose tractor range with new, 8 step semi-powershift transmission. Offering between 145 and 175

max hp with engine power management, the lowest fuel consumption levels of a 4-cylinder agricultural tractor, and a host of productivityboosting features, the T6 Dynamic Command models sets a new benchmark in efficiency.

The T6 24x24 Dynamic Command adds further choice to the popular Basildon-Built T6 range, complementing the T6 Electro CommandTM and Auto CommandTM models.

The T6 Dynamic CommandTM range is now available via New Holland dealers with demonstration units becoming available from May 2018.

Additional tractors at the show include the T7 Heavy Duty tractor. The most powerful tractors ever built in Basildon, the two-model T7 Heavy Duty range offers an excellent power to weight ratio, making it ideal for tillage and top work, especially at speed. Continuously variable transmission provided by New Holland’s Auto Command™. Four-speed rear PTO and a twospeed front PTO offer significant fuel savings with engine rpm adjusted via the in-cab speed shift to take account of changing conditions and implement demands, to maximise engine efficiency.

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

Kubota UK create new Integrated machine role to further enhance support with REMOTE service offering SERVICE Kubota UK has announced the appointment of Martin Tyler as its Field Service Manager. This is a new management role created within the organisation to provide more support to its extensive independent dealer network and end-user customers.

artin will take full responsibility and control of all Kubota UK field service activities.

This will include field product quality reporting, Kubota’s Customer Satisfaction Survey, Dealer Service Excellence, the development of service business activities and the resolution of any customer or dealer warranty enquiries.

Keith Miller, Service & Training Manager at Kubota UK, said: “At Kubota, we are constantly investing in new and innovative ways in which we can enhance the service we provide to both our dealer network and end-user customers. The creation of this new role will provide a more focused approach to Kubota UK’s service provision, and is yet another example of our continued commitment to provide service excellence.”

Bringing more than 20 years industry experience to his new role, Martin joined Kubota in 2014 as a Regional Service Manager for the East of England, before being promoted to Service Supervisor for Agricultural Tractors. Previous to this, Martin spent the majority of his career at a New Holland dealer.

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He started as an apprentice and quickly rose through the ranks of Senior Service Technician, Warranty Administrator and finally to Service Manager.

Bringing more than 20 years industry experience to his new role, Martin joined Kubota in 2014 as a Regional Service Manager for the East of England, before being

Users of CLAAS products fitted with TELEMATICS as standard will be able to benefit from a completely new, free, function – REMOTE SERVICE as from June 2018. high level of service and support has always been an important element in the relationship that CLAAS has with its customers.

Through the intelligent networking between machine and dealer, the new REMOTE SERVICE package will enable CLAAS dealers to take this to a new level and provide an even higher level of service to customers, so helping reduce downtime especially during peak periods.

The new REMOTE SERVICE function has been incorporated as standard on all CLAAS LEXION, TUCANO, JAGUAR, XERION and AXION models from October 1st, 2017, and the system will go live with dealers by the end of June 2018, so that its fully ready for this year’s cereals harvest.

The service will be free-ofcharge and applies for the first five years of the machine’s life, irrespective of whether the owner decides to subscribe to the full TELEMATICS machine monitoring package. All they have to do is register the machine when purchased and agree to the use of REMOTE SERVICE with their machine.

Using REMOTE SERVICE, the dealer will be able to continuously monitor the machine to ensure that it is functioning correctly. In the event of a problem, the machine will initially alert the operator and simultaneously send an error message to the dealer.

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When they receive the alert, the dealer will be able to assess the severity of the problem and remotely diagnose the fault, establish whether any parts will be required and arrange for the fault to be quickly rectified.

A further benefit of REMOTE SERVICE is that it will enable routine service and maintenance to be planned and carried out.

Ahead of time, the machine will flag up with the dealer any upcoming routine maintenance requirements. This ensures that routine maintenance is not only carried out when required, but can also be planned in advance, saving time particularly during the crucial harvesting windows.

promoted to Service Supervisor for Agricultural Tractors.

Martin commented: “Our dealer network plays a pivotal role in sustaining our position as a firstclass machinery provider, so ensuring we can provide them the highest levels of service and support is paramount.

“The creation of this new role will enable Kubota to enhance its close working relationships with its dealers. It will ensure they have dedicated support and access to all the necessary tools and advice needed, to enhance their business operations. This in turn will lead to better service levels provided to our end-user customers.”

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 37

| Grain

Robert D Webster Ltd Owstwick, Hull HU12 0LH T: 01964 670251

Goole, N. Humberside DN14 7DZ T: 01430 430624

Driffield, E. Yorkshire YO25 4RF T: 01262 420226 www.robertdwebster.co.uk

Andrew Symons South Molton, Devon EX36 3L T: 01769 574455 Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HL T: 01409 254040

Crediton, Devon EX17 1FB T: 01363 720430

www.andrewsymons.co.uk

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B & B Tractors (Warsop) Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG20 0EP T: 01623 847171 Tutbury, Staffordshire DE13 9HS T: 01283 521522 www.bandbtractors.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Machinery

KUHN’s i-BIO+ baler-wrapper New name for Cornish combo at Royal Highland Show machinery supplier KUHN Farm Machinery has announced that the latest version of its i-BIO+ baler-wrapper combination machine will be on display at this year’s Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh, from 21st to 24th June.

After 52 years, Fraddon based Cornish Machinery Supplier, Vincent Tractors is changing its name to Vincent Tractors and Plant. he name change has come about to better reflect the nature of the business, as construction sales have grown and now account for a significant share of total sales.

The new name is being launched at this years’ Royal Cornwall Show which is being held from 07 to 09 June at Wadebridge.

Paul Vincent, Managing Director said “Over the past 52 years the business has grown tremendously, from selling reconditioned tractors to now supplying a vast range of agricultural, groundcare and plant machinery. We decided to change the name to better reflect what is a very important part of our business and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to our construction customers”.

“We have been supplying Kubota excavators since 2006 and over the past 12 years we have found that due to their reliability,

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he latest version of the i-BIO+ balerwrapper features KUHN’s patented film binding system to produce 100% airtight, perfectly formed, round bales.

Unlike other film binding systems which use wide mantle rolls to perform the bale binding function, the KUHN system uses two standard 750mm stretch film rolls to fully encapsulate the bale.

As well as improving silage preservation and making the recycling of waste plastic easier, this system also reduces plastic usage by up to 30% by pre-

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stretching the binding film by 70% prior to application. Film loading is also quicker and easier as each roll weighs just 27kg, compared to the wider rolls which can weigh between 40-90kg.

The i-BIO+’s high-speed wrapping ring allows film to be applied at up to 50 revolutions per minute and produces well-shaped, tightly sealed bales for improved crop preservation.

The i-BIO+ also uses KUHN’s IntelliWrap system which gives complete control of the wrapping process by allowing the operator to select even and odd numbers of film to be applied.

Left to Right: Paul Vincent, Managing Director and Alec Vincent, Finance Manager

residual value and after sales service, they have become extremely popular in Cornwall. Our plant range isn’t just Kubota Excavators, we are also dealers for Exac-One, Engcon, Geith, Chicago Pneumatic, Epiroc, Husqvarna Construction and Whites Material Handling.”

“Here at Vincent Tractors and Plant we find that the three areas of our business, agriculture, plant and groundcare, complement each other and we have no plans to change that.” said Paul Vincent.

Visitors to the Royal Cornwall Show will be able to find Vincent Tractors and Plant in their usual position near to the main ring on stand 626.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 39

| Groundcare

More than just a mower STIGA front-cut mowers have been the first choice for many large gardens and estates for over forty years, not only for the superior cutting finish, the time saving versatility, but also for the wide range of attachments available, making these fantastic machines so much more than just a mower.

TIGA offer a wide range of front-cut mowers, with many models and many features; there is sure to be a STIGA ideal for your requirements.

With the choice of two or four wheel drive transmission, diesel or petrol powered engines from leading manufactures including Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Hatz and Yanmar.

The unique 50:50 articulated steering (rear wheels exactly follow the front wheel tracks) makes these models agile and precise perfect for manoeuvring around more complex gardens; easy to steer around rocks, trees, flowerbeds and confined spaces.

All models within the range feature hydrostatic transmission as standard providing smooth speed control by the simple adjustment of the pedal pressure; no gear change, levers or knobs required.

STIGA is synonymous for the excellent mulching finish from its wide range of cutting decks, ranging in width from 85cm to 155cm, they can be transformed from mulching to rear discharge cutting in moments, offering great versatility when cutting longer or rougher areas without compromising on the overall finish.

These two or three bladed, timed or untimed decks are simple and easy to use; the height of cut can be changed by simply moving the

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button or lever from the comfort of the seat.

From this same position, the cutting blades can be started with manual, electronic or hydraulic engagement options.

STIGA mowers are so much more than just mowers, with the quick and easy RAC connection technology as standard on all park models; without the need for any tools, the mowing deck can be removed and replaced with a wide range of implements.

Whichever ground maintenance application is required there is an attachment that could be fitted within minutes, a Flail deck for the tough terrain or Lawn Rake to remove moss and thatch, a powered sweeper for cleaning path and car parks and a range of snow clearing implements including snow throwers and fixed blades.

There is also a selection of attachments that can be towed behind the machine without the need to remove any of the various front mounted implements, ballast rollers for stripes, wire rakes for levelling gravel, towed sweepers for moving and transporting plants, soil and tools.

The cutting edge reliability is assured by the quality of all the mechanical, electronic parts and components of the overall machine construction. The STIGA Park range is intended for a long-life span and is offered with a 5 year domestic warranty, the STIGA PRO range has a 1 year commercial warranty.

For more information about the STIGA Park range please visit our website www.stigalawnmowers.co.uk or visit your local STIGA dealer.

Contact your local STIGA dealer LJ & CA Cannings Challow House Farm, Main St, East Challow, Wantage OX12 9SR 01235 763103 www.ljcannings.co.uk

S.T. Bishop & Co Ltd 6 Bishop Road, Wick, Bristol BS30 5SJ 01179 372 285 www.stbishop.co.uk

Southam Agri Svcs Fields Farm Station Road Southam CV47 2DH 01926 813426 www.southamagri.co.uk

www.farmingmonthly.co.uk

| Groundcare

Alliance F344 ELIT (Low Pressure): The world’s first low inflation forestry tire to make its debut at Euroforest in France Minimum soil compaction / High traction / Excellent fuel efficiency and selfcleaning characteristics / Alliance F344 ELIT (Low Pressure) works at half the inflation pressure versus standard forestry tires / Up to 20% larger footprint. lliance is yet to present another revolutionary tire – Alliance F344 ELIT (Low Pressure) – the world’s first low inflation forestry tire will make its debut at Euroforest in France (June 21-23, 2018). Years of expertise, extensive research and intensive testing led to the groundbreaking ELIT technology. ELIT stands for Engineered Low Inflation Tire and brings clear design enhancements, enabling Alliance F344 ELIT tires to carry the same load as standard forestry tires at half the rated air pressure.

ELIT thus allows for a larger footprint, high traction and enhanced fuel efficiency at the same time. Special tread compounds and steal reinforcements provide the necessary durability to sustain extreme working environments during a long service life.

Engineered to excel The tread design of the Alliance F344 ELIT (Low Pressure) tires features an optimal lug angle, thus providing excellent grip, traction and self-cleaning properties.

Special tread compounds ensure durability as well as cut and chip resistance, steal reinforcements deliver puncture protection, and the reinforced dual bead provides an enhanced strength, thus preventing rim slippage and ensuring stability while operating at lower tire pressures.

Keeping soils in forests undisturbed as much as possible is a prerequisite for a proper plant growth, following timber harvest and logging operations. The main

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adverse effect on forest soils is an excessive compaction caused by vehicle weight, type of running gear, tire inflation pressure, tire size, and tire construction. The F344 ELIT (Low Pressure) thus allows for a significant reduction of soil pressure due to its construction and operation with a reduced tire inflation pressure.

True world’s first!

The world’s first low inflation tires Alliance F344 ELIT with constructional enhancements are able to carry the same load being inflated only up to 2.5 bars in comparison with the standard forestry tires inflated with 4.5 – 5 bars. Low pressure tires offer a significantly larger footprint, leading to a lower soil compaction and a comfortable ride for an operator. In addition, a larger footprint provides high traction, reduces fuel costs and increases overall productivity of operational forest work. Thanks to special tread compounds and the reinforced dual bead, this tire is made for a long service life and offers exceptional performance and stability also when operating with reduced inflation pressure.

With PR 20, this innovative tire is available in size 710/40-24.5 for 24.5 rims and in sizes 800/40026.5, 710/45-26.5 as well as 750/55-26.5 for 24.5 rims.

To get more information about our brand-new Alliance F344 ELIT (Low Pressure) tires, please visit Alliance booth at Euroforest 2018 (June 21-23) in France www.euroforest.fr. Our booth is located at E20, ALLEE E, Stand N°20.

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 41

| Buildings

Spaldings Limited Lincoln, Lincolnshire T: 01522 507500 www.spaldings.co.uk

World of Power Buxton, Derbyshire T: 01298 213101 www.worldofpower.co.uk

Lakedale Power Tools Croydon, Dartford & London T: 020 8683 0550 www.lakedalepowertools.co.uk

Ermin Plant (Hire & Services) Ltd Gloucester, Gloucestershire T: 01452 526616 www.erminplant.co.uk

Charles H Hill Ltd Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire T: 01526 388281 www.charleshhill.co.uk

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

Davenport Western Yeovil, Somerset T: 01935 425311 www.davenportsaws.co.uk

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| Education

Hadlow College looks to the future with its Vision50 concept o commemorate its 50th anniversary, the College has created the ‘Vision50’ concept – a vision of what rural education will be like in 50 years’ time. As part of this, they are working with Studio Evans Lane, who have developed, and will be building, an ‘agri-rural simulation environment’ – a unique, interactive, immersive system designed to manage farming on a large-scale. A 1:17 scale model of this innovative concept was unveiled last year and Hadlow anticipates being able to unveil the Vision50 prototype at this year’s Kent County Show, where visitors will be able to learn more about this exciting learning tool for the future.

Vision50 seeks to explore some of the technology needed within the sector, and examines some of the skills that the next generation of farmers and growers will need to work with. Based on computer gaming software and advances in agricultural technology, the simulator will include real-life robotics and simulations. Students will be able to work interactively and collaboratively with the tool to learn a range of techniques.

Graduates are crucial to drive innovation in this progressively high-tech sector and the advent of precision technology such as remote sensing, robotics and GPS mapping, agriculture and production horticulture offer increasingly modern, exciting and challenging

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There are many challenges facing today's farmers, such as climate change, market volatility and reliance on subsidies. By 2050 the planet will be home to approximately 9 billion people and food production will need to increase by around 70% to meet the demand. Crop wastage will need to reduce and efficiencies will need to increase. Technology, and increased data usage will be fundamental to the sector in meeting these challenges. This has prompted Hadlow College to ask the question: what does the next half-century hold for land-based education?

careers: crop technicians, agronomists, soil scientists, plant geneticists and nutritionists.

Hadlow College creating people’s futures - and Vision50 will ensure their undergraduates are at

the forefront of this digital revolution in the rural industries they serve.

Visit www.vision50.hadlow.ac.uk or www.hadlow.ac.uk

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 43

| Tyres

Michelin’s CargoXBib High Flotation tyres give major UK farm the ‘field’ good factor after overhauling its trailer operations A prominent farmer and contractor in York credits Michelin’s CargoXBib High Flotation tyres – which feature Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology – with vastly improving the efficiency of its operation. he 650/55 R26.5 tyres will now be fitted to a further two Stewart trailers run by crop farmers Wharram and Kay, following a trial which pitted them against the standard technology CargoXBib 560/60 R22.5 fitments previously favoured. Both ran on similar work but Roger Kay, co-owner of Wharram and Kay, noticed additional benefits with the High Flotation tyres – resulting in a reduced rut depth, greater loadcarrying capacity at higher speeds and improved contact with the ground.

Kay says: “The performance we got from the High Flotation CargoXBib tyres was a revelation, both in the field and on the road. It’s vital to us to ensure we don’t take too much mud from the field on to the road – this is

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something we always seek to minimise as it makes for dangerous conditions for drivers. A huge plus for us was that the High Flotation tyres have a superior cleaning capacity, so we took significantly less mud from the field to the road.

“After seeing the performance during the trial we are fully committed to rolling the tyres out on another two trailers. We routinely specify Michelin and have done for the past 12 years now. In that time, we have never experienced any form of tyre failure and we are continually impressed by the new technology that is rolled out.”

The CargoXBib High Flotation tyres perform exceptionally on both the road and in the field.

On the road, the tyres’ solid, non-directional block pattern provides consistent and regular

tread wear, which optimises the life of the tyres.

In the field, the tyres can be used at pressures as low as one bar, which minimises soil compaction and increases the tyre footprint by 37 per cent.

The CargoXBib High Flotation is the first low pressure trailer tyre designed for use with a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS), which supports reduced fuel consumption, improved agronomic performance and three times improved self-cleaning ability – factors which have impressed Kay during the trial.

Wharram and Kay was established in 1976. It offers a range of farming and contracting services, currently managing more than 600 hectares within a nine-mile radius of its base in Crockey Hill.

A huge fill-size dumper made of plexiglass at BKT’s stand at Tire Cologne 2018 Extraordinary and impressive is BKT’s appearance at this 2018 edition of THE TIRE COLOGNE. giant dumper of about 6.5 tons – for the first time seen at a trade show – and a tractor of 1.500 kg weight - both made of Plexiglas will be a crowd-puller at the over500-sqm-large booth of the Indianbased multinational group, a major global player in the Off-Highway

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tire market. This effective setting provides additional value to the selection of top-of-the-range tires for every sector from agricultural and agro-industrial to earthmoving, OTR, industrial and constructions – all fields, in which the company has been working successfully for a long while and has gained recognition for its expertise.

44 | Farming Monthly | June 2018

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| Security

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| Security

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| Security

Criminals raid countryside for Land Rover Defenders and luxury 4x4s Land Rover Defenders and luxury 4x4s are being stolen to order in a countryside crime wave - NFU Mutual’s Defender theft claims up 14% since iconic model went out of production in January 2016. eading rural insurer, NFU Mutual, is urging farmers and country home owners to ramp up security measures as organised criminal gangs are scouring the countryside and cities for Land Rover Defenders and luxury 4x4s.

Latest figures from the insurer reveal that claims costs for theft of Defender vehicles have risen 14% since the car rolled off the production line in early 2016.

Farmers, who rely on the iconic 4x4 to farm and tend to livestock, are finding their vehicles stripped of parts such as bonnets and doors, or stolen altogether as demand from across the globe increases.

Thefts of executive cars and luxury 4x4s have also spiked with the insurer reporting a significant rise in the cost of Range Rover theft in the past year.

NFU Mutual, which works closely with the National Vehicle Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), has traced stolen Range Rovers worth more than £75,000 each as far afield as Africa and the Far East.

One of the most recent vehicles to be repatriated by NFU Mutual was a Range Rover Sport insured by the company and worth over £60,000, which was seized in Antwerp following an operation coordinated

by NFU Mutual and NaVCIS. Another recovery, of two Range Rovers covered with mattresses and worth over £100,000, was made from a shipping container in Felixstowe.

Clive Harris, Agricultural Vehicle Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Whether they’re compromising keyless technology or dismantling Defenders, thieves are deploying a range of tactics to feed demand for classic and modern 4 x4s from organised criminal gangs operating

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around the world.

“While insurance can cover the cost of theft, it does not account for the inconvenience and business interruption experienced. People in rural areas are feeling increasingly vulnerable and farms, which rely on 4x4s for mobility as part their business, are left particularly hard hit.

“We’re urging owners to ensure they have adequate security measures in place which can range from using aftermarket mechanical immobilisers such as a steering wheel locks to trackers and faraday box solutions, which block out signals.”

According to NFU Mutual claims data, the region with the highest cost of Land Rover Defender thefts last year was the Midlands, followed by the North East and South East.

NFU Mutual’s top tips for securing vehicles in the countryside Classic Land Rover Defender: • Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as an industry accredited steering wheel or pedal lock • Fit an accredited alarm for added security and consider adding a tracking or locating device • Thieves will target component parts so consider marking them using a forensic marking solution or system • Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas, which are overlooked • Have the vehicle identification number etched on windows • Consider fitting a hidden battery isolation or a fuel cut-off switch • Take photographs of unusual features, modifications, damage or repairs which could aid identification if stolen • Ensure any valuables are removed from the vehicle Modern 4 x 4s • Keep electronic keys in a faraday packet or box at night

• Don’t keep car keys where they can be accessed through a letterbox or window • Don’t rely on electronic security – fit a steering wheel or pedal lock • Fit an alarm for added security and consider adding a tracking device, or a secondary device if already fitted by the manufacturer.

• An additional locating device will

assist with early detection and potential recovery • Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas, which are overlooked • Ensure any valuables are removed from the vehicle

June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 47

| ATV

Polaris

RANGER EV with electric motor brings stars to the big screen “Camera rolling. Sound rolling. And ACTION!” When it comes to expertly setting the stage for movie stars and sporting legends, the Polaris RANGER EV is perfectly at home in the limelight. he film experts from HS-DynaX5 Cam Solution use this versatile, purely electrical allrounder for TV productions as well as live broadcasts of major sporting events. With its quiet and locally emission-free electric motor, the RANGER EV offers unbeatable advantages on set. Equipped with HS-DynaX5 Cam Solution’s special camera system, a RANGER even stole the show itself at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, the world’s largest broadcast fair.

As a real all-rounder, the Polaris RANGER copes with every job. Ondemand all-wheel drive means it’s at home on any terrain. What’s more, this versatile side-by-side boasts state-of-the-art technology and excellent production quality.

More than a million buyers worldwide have already opted for a RANGER – meaning the off-road specialist has set a new record as the most successful Polaris series ever. In 2018 the model celebrates a special anniversary: It’s been 20 years since the RANGER first began inspiring workers, recreational drivers and sports enthusiasts around the globe. The utility vehicle (UV) has regularly demonstrated its enormous versatility over the past

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two decades. One current and particularly impressive example of this is the RANGER EV with electric motor: The team from HS-DynaX5 Cam Solution use it to expertly set the stage for stars from the big screen, television and sport.

“No exhaust fumes, no engine noise – this makes the Polaris RANGER EV perfectly suited to the film set,” explains Reiner Ellwanger, Managing Director of the Sinzheimbased company. Reiner Ellwanger is a true pro of the film business and specialises in professional tracking shot solutions. His RANGER EV has an ultra-modern, gyro-stabilised camera system that is operated from the passenger seat and is worth the equivalent of a fancy detached home. “Normally, if we were to drive alongside the protagonists during filming, engine noise would of course be a real nuisance. With the RANGER EV this simply isn’t a problem,” stresses Ellwanger. Another important plus is the emission-free motor. “We also use the RANGER EV at sporting events, from marathons to mountain bike races to horse riding. Here we get very close to the athletes with our camera. Thanks to the electric motor, the athletes are not exposed to exhaust fumes.” The RANGER EV is equally adept at mastering offroad shoots and applications with

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flying colours: “With its on-demand all-wheel drive, the Polaris offers us completely new possibilities in eventing, for example. We can effortlessly ride alongside the horses’ obstacle course. This allows us to provide viewers with breathtaking, varied shots and at the same time save on additional cameras.”

While the Polaris RANGER is usually making sure others show their best side, at the beginning of April it put itself in the limelight at the world’s largest broadcast show in Las Vegas: “The NAB Show is where the who’s who of the scene come together. We exhibited an identically constructed RANGER there, and the response was phenomenal. We had to answer all sorts of questions about the vehicle,” recalls Reiner Ellwanger.

The Polaris RANGER is currently available in a variety of different versions and with a number of seating solutions. Customers can choose between different vehicle configurations for use on snow, sand, in wooded areas or rocky mountain regions. The RANGER EV is propelled by a modern, 30 HP, 48V induction motor. Thanks to ondemand all-wheel drive and the VersaTrac Turf Mode – where the rear-axle differential distributes the power to the two rear wheels as needed – the versatile UTV will reach its destination even on rough terrain and is gentle on the ground at the same time. In addition to the electric version, Polaris offers petrol

and diesel engines for the RANGER that are powerful and efficient in equal measure.

Win an off-road adventure: Polaris giving away tickets for its Ultimate RANGER Experience Just in time for the 20th anniversary, RANGER fans can look forward to a special highlight: Polaris is giving away tickets for the off-road Ultimate RANGER Experience. The winners of the competition will go on either a cool northern expedition to Iceland or a thrilling island adventure in the Mediterranean, driving – you guessed it – a Polaris RANGER! To be in with a chance of participating in the Ultimate RANGER Experience, simply upload a photo of your own RANGER experience to the website www.ranger20thanniversary.com along with a brief description of the picture. The photo doesn’t have to show your own RANGER. A picture from a test drive or a ride at one of the many Polaris off-road events is also enough to enter.

Headed by an experienced Polaris product designer from the USA, the judges will examine all the entries and search for authentic experiences that will captivate other off-road fans and get people excited about the Polaris brand. The competition kicks off on 15 May 2018 and runs until 1 July 2018. Winners will be announced on 16 July. The terms and conditions can also be found online at www.ranger20thanniversary.com

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| ATV

Honda ATV Unbeatable for grassland weed control

As warmer temperatures encourage rapid grass growth, weeds also take advantage of the same great growing conditions. For weed control in hard-to-reach areas, on soft, sensitive ground or challenging terrain, a Honda ATV is the ideal alternative to a heavy, tiring and slow knapsack sprayer. onda’s utility ATVs for farm use include models from 250–680cc, all with rugged load racks and capable of accessing areas where most other farm vehicles would struggle. Early last year Honda added its Pioneer 700 utility vehicle to the line-up with 2 or 4 seats and a tipping load bed, and available with a comprehensive range of accessory options.

They all have large flotation tyres with high levels of grip, but exert less ground pressure than a person walking. For travel over soft, wet grassland and even young growing crops damage is minimal, allowing these machines to operate when other farm vehicles would cause damage.

A wide range of weed control implements are available from Honda-approved manufacturers, including mounted and trailed sprayers, trailed mowers and weed wipers.

For cost-effective, selective control of weeds extending above grass or crop height a weed wiper is ideal. The Logic Contact 2000 range of rotary weed wipers comes in 1.5 and 2.5m working widths and consists of a ground-

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driven, contra-rotating brush to which herbicide is applied from a mounted tank. The unit is carried on a pair of low ground pressure tyres and set to travel just above grass height so that only taller plants are touched by the chemical-laden bristles.

Because only target plants receive an application, wastage is minimal and less chemical is needed. Chemical application to the revolving brush is precisely controlled to suit the weed density, avoiding under application and ineffective weed control, or overapplication and drips which could kill non-target vegetation.

Accurate targeting of weeds, reduced chemical use and absence of spray drift means the Honda ATV and weed wiper combination is proving extremely popular with farmers across the UK as well as environmental organisations operating in sensitive areas.

Mounted sprayers are a popular alternative to knapsack or larger tractor-mounted sprayers.

Chemical is applied through a hand lance or boom and supplied from a tank carried on the Honda ATV. An electric-driven pump, powered from the ATV, avoids the need for manual pumping and a

range of pump sizes and control systems offers flow capacity from a single nozzle such as a hand lance or wider multi-nozzle booms.

Boom width and tank size can be matched to the area to be treated as well as the rated capacity of the ATV racks, and for larger areas the Pioneer UTV is ideal, capable of carrying high capacity versions such as Logic’s 270-litre Deck Mounted Sprayer which can be matched with booms up to 7 nozzles or 3.5m wide.

Whatever your farm or estate situation, your Honda dealer has

the knowledge and experience to help identify the ideal combination of ATV or utility vehicle, and applicator to suit. From the entrylevel TRX250 Fourtrax 2wd with a small mounted sprayer to one of the popular TRX500 Foreman 2/4wd ATVs, or the class-leading Pioneer with a larger sprayer or weed wiper there are models to suit almost any enterprise and budget. All new Hondas come with free of charge operator training through the industry-approved EASI scheme.

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| ATV

Can-Am

Size matters for Can-Am at the Royal Highland Show

According to statistics from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), in the last 10 years there has been a 33 per cent increase in the number of 400cc to 499cc utility all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) sold in the UK. This increase reflects the fact that users now require vehicles that are more versatile and capable of handling the increasing weights that are being towed and moved around their farms. ligning with this demand, at the 2018 Royal Highland Show in Area Agri on Avenue T stand 32, BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) will be showcasing its Can-Am Outlander 450 base and Can-Am Outlander 450 PRO models, designed to maximise the comfort, capability, versatility, reliability and efficiency of its smaller horsepower bikes. The BRP representatives will highlight the benefits of the vehicles including fuel efficiency, towing and carrying capacities, power and performance, which will make users' work lives easier.

The Can-Am Outlander 450 base and Can-Am Outlander 450 PRO are powered by a 38-hp single-cylinder, liquid-cooled Rotax 450 four-stroke engine and will form the centre piece of the workhorse agricultural ATVs and Side by Side vehicles (SSVs) on display. Other vehicles will include the rugged Can-Am Outlander 6x6 650 and a selection of vehicles from the tough, capable and clever Can-Am Traxter range.

Paul Wood, BRP commercial and network development manager UK and ROI, says, “We consider the Royal Highland Show to be a key event within our calendar, as it attracts a wideranging selection of consumers. It also provides us with the opportunity to meet with new and existing customers to find out their requirements, which are constantly evolving year on year, and to see how we can assist them with the quads we have available within the Can-Am off-road line-up. This year, we have decided that the focus for our stand will be the 400cc to 499cc models within our range, as it is a market segment that has seen continued growth within the UK and we believe that we have the vehicles and expertise available to capitalise on this and

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increase our overall market share within it.”

Can-Am Outlander 450 and 570 • The Can-Am Outlander 450 and 570 models are the latest innovative ATVs designed by BRP to combine the efficient performance of the Can-Am Outlander with the power of a Rotax engine, offering vehicles that can handle the rigours of any situation put in front of them. The units are available with the singlecylinder, liquid-cooled 450 or the new 570 four-stroke V-twin engine, offering the rider excellent torque and power when travelling up the side of hills or towing and moving cargo on the flat.

Can-Am Outlander 450 and 570 PRO • The Can-Am Outlander PRO range combines power, reliability, handling and performance to allow the ride to haul, tow and winch with ease. The units are available with the single-cylinder, liquidcooled 450 or the new 570 V-Twin engine, which has been designed

by Rotax engineers to offer the rider excellent torque and power when travelling across multiple terrains or towing and carrying cargo.

Can-Am Outlander 6x6 650 • The Can-Am Outlander 6x6 650 is based on BRP’s Generation 2 chassis and features classleading performance with its reliable Rotax V-twin engine.

Double TTI rear suspension provides precision engineered handling, and the Tri-mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS)

allows the Outlander 6X6 to set new standards in the segment by reaching previously impassable destinations.

Can-Am Traxter range • The Traxter range has been designed and engineered from the ground up by BRP’s engineers to present riders with tough, capable and clever SSVs for the utility sector, powered by the new Rotax 38-hp HD5 single cylinder engine, the 50-hp HD8 or 72-hp HD10 VTwin engines. These vehicles have selectable 2WD/4WD with ViscoLok auto-locking front and rear

differential for effective traction and grip on rugged terrain, and an electronic hill descent control for driving assistance. They also come with PRO-TORQ Transmission and heavy-duty Torsional Trailing A-arms (TTA-HD) rear suspension, which has been specifically created to enhance low speed riding, providing a smoother and more responsive power delivery.

BRP’s 2018 Can-Am off-road line-up will be exhibited in Area Agri; Avenue T; Stand 32 at the event.

Contact your local dealer 158 Performance Unit 1/2 Tallington Services Mail Road, Tallington Lincolnshire PE9 4RN Tel: 01778 341 144 www.158performance.co.uk

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R W Crawford ESSEX 42-44 Cutlers Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 5XJ 01245 322733 http://www.rwcrawford.co.uk

R W Crawford KENT Little Hook Farm, Hook Lane, Charing, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0AN 01233 714123 http://www.rwcrawford.co.uk

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| ATV

Suzuki ATV

Suzuki launches new flagship ATV models to cement its position as the King of Quads

Suzuki has today announced the launch of three new ATV models – the all-new KingQuad 750XP, 500XP and 500X. he new ATVs are Suzuki KingQuads through and through, and are the result of 30 years of engineering expertise, refinement through customer and dealer feedback, and an unequalled reputation for quality that Suzuki has earned building each one.

Since introducing the first ever four-wheeled ATV to the market in 1983 there have been countless competitors to the iconic KingQuad – which is why Suzuki’s engineers and designers are constantly looking to innovate and improve.

The primary concept for these new KingQuads was to be ‘built tough for every ride’ and with the list of new features that Suzuki has introduced, these new models are sure to shake up the industry once again.

With a solid, edgy and dynamic design, the new models boast a variety of features that will make Suzuki ATVs even more hardworking and user-friendly.

Easier to ride The front suspension, steering system, power steering system, rear stabiliser, and the chassis frame are all new, which combine to deliver excellent straight-line stability as well as sure-footed handling when cornering and improved maneuverability. These improvements also make the machine easier to ride as shock levels are reduced and less rider effort is required when travelling over diverse terrain.

Increased towing capacity Improvements to the chassis also result in a superior towing capacity to the outgoing models – an increase of 33% to 600kg. This means that Suzuki KingQuads can help farmers and land workers improve operational efficiency by enabling them to move heavier loads.

Improved engine performance Refinements and changes have been made to the engine unit to continue Suzuki’s reputation for high levels of performance and reliability during all types of riding.

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The engine’s performance characteristics have been updated to deliver a smooth and strong acceleration from standstill in order to help achieve the increased towing capacity.

Additional updates to the CVT and clutch system have been implemented to alter the acceleration and deceleration behaviour so that it is smoother and stronger as well as improving engine braking. Furthermore, on the KingQuad 750 model, oil pump output has been increased by 25% and a piston oil jet has been added to increase durability by cooling the piston and increasing lubrication.

Enhanced usability and practicality Suzuki has also introduced a range of features such as new additional storage compartments and a handlebar-mounted headlight, which directly contribute to enhanced usability and practicality. In addition, the new multi-function instrument panel is easier to view and also includes a service reminder icon. Then, once

the ATV is with an Authorised Suzuki Dealer for its service, the work itself has been made easier through the re-design of some body parts that make some components such as the fuel filter, easier to access.

A new LED tail light has also been introduced to improve visibility and to free up charging capacity for other electrical devices.

With its tried and tested products, Suzuki has carved out an enviable reputation for being the ‘go to’ brand for the supply of ATVs into farming and agriculture, as well as achieving several notable fleet sales deals into the adventure and trekking market. In fact, Suzuki has just achieved its best year ever in terms of market share in the ATV division. These new KingQuad models are sure to reinforce that reputation.

George Cheeseman, Head of Suzuki GB’s ATV Division, said, “Today is a momentous day. These exciting new models have been eagerly anticipated and I am sure

that they will prove to be extremely popular amongst existing and new customers. Suzuki was the first on four wheels, introducing the very first four-wheel ATV in 1983 and we are proud that our engineers are continuing to innovate and invest in the product range, meaning that we remain the King of Quads!”

All Suzuki ATVs come with free EASI rider training and a free Suzuki workwear kit consisting of overalls and a bodywarmer, to keep you warm and dry out in the field. They also come with a free CESAR Security System powered

by Datatag, giving each ATV a unique ‘fingerprint’ with an identity that cannot be erased. This acts as a powerful theft deterrent and a tool for recovery should the worst happen.

In addition to Suzuki’s quality products, the brand is supported by a strong network of trusted and knowledgeable Dealers throughout the UK and the new KingQuad ATVs will be ready to order from September onwards.

Contact your local dealer Wadsworth Quads Flockton 204 Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 4AB 01924 840 319 atvsales@wadsworthquads.co.uk www.wadsworthquads.co.uk

Wadsworth Quads Malton 28 Derwent Road, York Road Industrial Estate, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 6YB 01653 692 244 maltonquads@tiscali.co.uk www.wadsworthquads.co.uk

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| Motors

AlfaStRomeo o i v l e Test driven..... ynamic.

(N)atural.

(A)ll Weather.

All Alfa Romeo vehicles come with selectable Alfa DNA driving modes...but it’s also a good description of the Stelvio in general, I think.

It’s dynamic to drive with a natural driving position and is good in all weather conditions –

(D)

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just what you want from an SUV. But the Alfa has more. It’s lovely to look at. One of those cars that you’ll park and have a quick look back at as you’re walking away.

Who doesn’t want a bit more style than the usual German offerings, for instance?

And it’s also practical. In general, it’s more powerful, better on fuel and boasts lower emissions than it’s main rivals, on paper at least.

In addition, it’s comfortable,

roomy and has a decent boot.

Things are looking good….

But it’s an Alfa Romeo – and they’ve earned a reputation for unreliability haven’t they?

Well, it appears that things are changing there too. This is the new breed of Alfa – and they don’t fare any worse up to now than of their rivals in the JD Power Survey.

So could this be an Alfa Romeo that you might actually want to buy? I’d have to say a resounding yes!

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| Motors Our test car was the Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 Turbo Petrol 280 hp Q4 AWD Milano Edizione, a launch specification that’s only available with this engine and the 207bhp diesel.

Specifications for this model include 20in alloys, electrically adjustable and heated leather sports seats, front & rear parking sensors, reversing camera, heated steering wheel, fixed aluminium shift paddles and a sat-nav system which implements a 3D street view. A powered tailgate and hilldescent control also feature.

What’s it like?

Inside the cabin, it’s pretty good news. The leather sports seats are firm yet comfortable, the rather large side bolsters hugging you nicely and giving a hint of the ‘sportyness’ that underlies this Alfa. They provide a great driving position too.

The dash is minimalist and clean, a look straight out of the Giulia saloon...the flat bottomed, heated leather steering wheel and aluminium gearshift paddles further confirming this vehicle’s sporty aspirations. A central knob controls the built-in infotainment system which is easy to use (though not quite as snappy as it could be). Connecting my iPhone to the system was a breeze and everything seemed to work well.

Music from the afore-mentioned device was delivered through the

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upgraded Harmon Kardon 10 speaker audio system - and it sounded very good. A subwoofer in the boot area giving a nice bass response.

Materials throughout are just about premium in feel – a big step up for Alfa, yet there are a couple of places where you’d perhaps hope for slightly better materials…I’d like to have seen a stitched leather dash finish for example, rather than the soft touch finish that is the norm. Switchgear didn’t feel flimsy but certain items could have felt more expensive and weighty, like the main control knob for example.

A decent sized storage area resides under the armrest and offers USB sockets to charge devices and an aux in socket.

In the back, there’s decent leg room for adults but although there is seating for three, I can’t imagine that the middle seat passenger would find things quite so comfy.

There’s access to a couple of USB charging ports here too, which are welcome.

The electric tailgate is an expected feature which always proves useful and provides access to the ample boot space. This is flat and has no lip, making it great for loading & unloading – the seats also fold leaving no obtrusive bump and opening up the load carrying area to a very decent volume. There isn’t any under-floor

storage here though - a ‘get you home’ spare resides in the well under the floor.

Overall then, the Stelvio’s cabin is not a bad place to be. With a few extra touches and perhaps an upgrade to some of the plastics, this could rival any of the other offerings in the segment. The optional sunroof might be a good addition in order to make the cabin feel lighter, however, you may sacrifice a little bit of headroom with this.

But it’s on the road where the Stelvio really shines.

On the road The 280hp petrol engine mated to the ZF 8 speed auto (the same type BMW uses in the X3 and Jaguar in the F-Pace) is a very sweet combination providing a powerful yet smooth drive. Pop the DNA selector into (D)ynamic mode and the Stelvio transforms again into a much more fun and engaging ride. Gearshifts are more urgent, the engine is more free revving and everything tightens up to whisk you along at a pace that you can’t help but smile about.

And the steering. The steering is sublime...sharp, quick...it almost reads your mind. It really does change the perception that you have of a large SUV. It shouldn’t be this nimble and agile. But it is. Yes, the Stelvio has been put on a diet, weighing in at just 1660kg through the use of lightweight materials

such as aluminium and such but….it feels lighter than it should, it’s sure footed and there is minimal lean around corners. A claimed 5.7 sec 0-62 mph time doesn’t seem outlandish. It is quick.

With a towbar fitted, I’m sure that it it would make light work of any load, there’s that much power and torque. A Quadrafoglio version boasting 503hp will become available soon providing ludicrous power to weight ratios to rival any SUV out there. We look forward to the opportunity to test that beast.

And the Stelvio stops as well as it goes, although it might take a little practice to get used to the electro-mechanical system in use here. Initially, you’ll be testing the limits before settling on the correct braking regime.

Ride quality is also unexpectedly good...though firm.

Yes, things can get a little jiggly over particularly bad road surfaces but in the main, the Stelvio keeps it’s manners, soaking up bumps and speed humps in its stride.

The Q4 all-wheel drive system offers obvious benefits under more inclement weather conditions and provides a certain amount of offroad ability though this isn’t going to be quite in the same league as a Land Rover, clearly. But it isn’t supposed to be.

There’s a definite rear wheel

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| Motors bias, with up to 50% of the power being distributed to the front wheels when required. This worked very well inpractice when driving down muddy tracks and wet tarmac stretches.

Safety Safety-wise, the Stelvio managed a full five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP. Final thoughts Alfa Romeo seem to be back and the Stelvio is a very well built SUV. Offering a more stylish and sportier alternative to rival models from the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi, this tempting mix in the form of Stelvio should appeal to those who might want to dare to be different. Driving to the next agricultural event shouldn’t be this much fun...and seeing the admiring glances of the people who ‘know’ would be priceless.

The others who ‘don’t know’ will stick to their usual rides...and their in-ground Alfa predjudices.

Remember when the likes of

Skoda and Kia were frowned upon?

It’s too soon, perhaps, to say with confidence that the Stelvio will be last thing in reliability. A longer term test would be very useful to establish this. But for now, things are looking pretty good for this new Alfa Romeo SUV and it was a sad day when it had to be returned. I have to say that I was somewhat won over and enjoyed this drive more than I realised.

This particular model has an OTR price of £45,405 (£46,950 with the options fitted) Andrew Poulton, Editor

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| Motors

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June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 55

| Motors

Land Rover saves lives with three words Land Rover has addressed the needs of a remote Scottish island in a move that could save lives. s part of its 70th anniversary year of activity, Land Rover sent a team of expert Experience drivers and volunteers to Mull in a fleet of Land Rovers to deliver unique three-word address plaques from what3words to 2,000 properties on the island, many of which are in isolated areas.

What3words is a British technology company that has divided the globe into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique, easy-to-remember threeword address searchable via an app that even works offline.

Addressing Mull is the first project in a new, exclusive global automotive humanitarian partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and what3words. The two companies stepped in after the island's doctor, Brian Prendergast, asked for help to give every home and business a precise address that could provide a faster medical lifeline in emergencies.

The three-word addresses will help Dr Prendergast and his colleagues to respond to emergency call-outs more quickly and accurately, as well as improving everyday healthcare on Mull. Without detailed local knowledge of the island, it can be difficult for new members of his

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team to find individual homes where postcodes cover large areas and there may be no formal street names.

Dr. Prendergast said: “Using three-word addresses will vastly improve the ability of doctors and nurses, particularly those new to the island, to locate and assist remote-living patients. We believe it will not only help us deliver a better routine healthcare service, but will save vital minutes in emergency call-outs that could literally save a life. The island is really grateful to what3words and Land Rover for putting Mull on the map.”

Chris Thorp, Responsible

Business Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “At Jaguar Land Rover we are passionate about the impact technology can make when combined with the talent of our people. Addressing Mull by Land Rover is the ideal way to launch our global humanitarian partnership with what3words, which has the potential to transform isolated communities around the world by making them more accessible. We have more than 40 active social impact projects that could benefit, so this is just the beginning of what we can achieve together as we explore exciting opportunities for the future.”

Working alongside what3words, Jaguar Land Rover will continue an impressive legacy of sharing its skills and technology to make a difference to people’s lives and make communities stronger.

In 2017, a record 25 per cent of Jaguar Land Rover’s 43,000strong global workforce volunteered more than 100,000 hours to support team education visits and community projects focusing on regeneration, the environment, education and the community.

For more information, or to find out more about working for Jaguar Land Rover, visit www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com

to explore the boundaries of innovation. CORTEX gives us the opportunity to work with some fantastic partners whose expertise will help us realise this vision in the near future.”

Jaguar Land Rover is developing fully- and semiautomated vehicle technologies, offering customers a choice of the level of automation, while maintaining an enjoyable and safe driving experience. This project forms part of the company’s vision to make the self-driving car viable in the widest range of real-life, onand off-road driving environments

and weather.

CORTEX will develop the technology through algorithm development, sensor optimisation and physical testing on off-road tracks in the UK. The University of Birmingham, with its world leading research in radar and sensing for autonomous platforms and Myrtle AI, machine learning experts, join the project. CORTEX was announced as part of Innovate UK’s third round of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Funding in March 2018.

Land Rover is making all-terrain autonomy a reality Jaguar Land Rover is developing autonomous cars capable of all-terrain, off-road driving in any weather condition. he world-first ‘CORTEX’ project will take selfdriving cars offroad, ensuring they are fully capable in any weather condition: dirt, rain, ice, snow or fog. As part of the project, a ‘5D’ technique combining acoustic, video, radar, light detection and distance sensing (LiDAR) data live in realtime is being engineered. Access to this combined data improves the awareness of the environment the car is in. Machine-learning enables the self-driving car to

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behave in an increasingly sophisticated way, allowing it to handle any weather condition on any terrain.

Chris Holmes, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Research Manager at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It’s important that we develop our self-driving vehicles with the same capability and performance customers expect from all Jaguars and Land Rovers.

Self-driving is an inevitability for the automotive industry and ensuring that our autonomous offering is the most enjoyable, capable and safe is what drives us

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Subaru returns to the shooting line at Game Fair 2018 Subaru UK returns to The Game Fair 2018, as official sponsor for the Shooting Line. Held at Ragley Hall from the 27th to 29th July 2018, Subaru brings its versatile range of vehicles to shooting and countryside enthusiasts this Summer. mainstay for show visitors, the manufacturers sponsorship sees the return of the Subaru Shooting Line, in which the winning prize is a Subaru Forester for a year.

The Game Fair Challenge competition, which invites shooting enthusiasts to showcase their clay shooting skills in a 60-target shooting competition is held over three days, culminating in a super final on Sunday 29th July. Entry to the competition is priced at £28, with re-entries priced at £20. Competitors can pre-enter for express check in via www.thegamefair.org Having partnered with The Game Fair for a number of years, Subaru returns to the annual

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event as The Game Fair celebrates its 60th Anniversary, armed with a strong line up of sturdy SUV models including the all-new XV, which was crowned Safest Small Family Car, by Europe’s highest automotive safety body, with a Five Star Euro NCAP rating.

Subaru’s attendance at the event will also see the Euro NCAP Five Star rated Outback, Forester and BRZ take to the stand, offering visitors the chance to explore the models at their leisure.

The Outback, which recently received an update, offers enhanced safety technology, plus modern exterior and interior stylings. In addition to vehicles on static display, show visitors can take advantage of on and off-road driving experiences, both of which can be

booked through visiting the Subaru stand.

Chris Graham, Managing Director for Subaru UK commented: “Having sponsored The Game Fair for a number of years, we know that Subaru provides the perfect pairing for the event. We know visitors love our SUV range and enjoy the versatility and reliability shown by all the models.”

“The Subaru Shooting Line is also a show favourite and with the top prize of a Subaru Forester for a year, competition will be tough to take the top spot.”

For more details on The Game Fair 2018 held at Ragley Hall from the 27th to 29th July 2018, including ticket information, please visit www.thegamefair.org

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Designed for electrification: Hyundai’s new Tucson offers pioneering 48-volt diesel mild hybrid powertrain The New Hyundai Tucson will be equipped with a fuel-efficient 48V mild hybrid powertrain. t is the first model in the company’s line-up – and one of the first in the industry – to offer the new technology that contributes to the brand’s commitment to a cleaner future. It will be launched across Europe in the summer. In addition to the upgraded powertrain portfolio, all Tucson engines meet the new Euro 6d Temp emission standards. The New Tucson also offers a major design update and wider range of advanced technology and convenience features to continue the model’s success story across the region, having been the best-selling Hyundai in Europe in 2016 and 2017.

“With our new mild hybrid powertrain system for our bestselling model, we are further expanding the company’s electrification strategy to make clean technologies accessible for even more customers,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice

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President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. “It will be available in combination with more engines in the future, as part of our highly diverse mix of electrified solutions.”

Fuel savings with maximum driving pleasure For the first time in a Hyundai, the New Tucson features a 48 V mild hybrid powertrain system which is available in combination with the 2.0 litre diesel engine. The technology designed for electrification comprises a 0.44 kW/h 48-volt lithium-ion battery, a Mild Hybrid Starter Generator (MHSG), a LDC converter (Low Voltage DC/DC) and an inverter.

Under acceleration the MHSG supports the engine with up to 12 kW and thereby reducing fuel consumption. The system switches automatically between mechanical use of the engine and energy recuperation. The MHSG assists the combustion engine by discharging the battery to reduce engine load with light acceleration or to provide additional torque to

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the engine under strong acceleration. During in-gear deceleration and braking, energy is recuperated to recharge the battery. In this way, the system significantly improves the engine’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions without sacrificing maximum driving pleasure.

Thanks to the new electrification system, customers will benefit from a good trade-off between purchase cost and reduced costs related to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

With this technology, Hyundai aims to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 7 per cent combined with the manual

transmission in NEDC conversion*.

The 2.0 diesel engine is the most powerful in the New Tucson’s powertrain line-up offering an output of 137 kW/186 PS. It comes with four-wheel drive and can be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or optionally with the newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

By spring 2019, the 48 V mild hybrid technology will be available with new Smart Stream 1.6-litre diesel engine in the New Tucson. *CO2 emissions and fuel consumption based on internal targets under WLTP regulations and converted back to NEDC.

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