Issue 58 | Winter 2020/21
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THE LATEST ON GRAIN MARKET INSIGHTS
PAGE 14
THE FUTURE OF FARM SUPPORT
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FARM SECURITY FOCUS
Guiding you through the ever-changing nancial world
The Dustow family in Cornwall explains how Fram Farmers has helped their award-winning potato business.
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BURY ST. EDMUNDS SAXMUNDHAM IPSWICH CAMBRIDGE HUNTINGDON
CEO’S UPDATE
A STRONG END TO A DIFFICULT YEAR As another year draws to a close, Fram Farmers’ 60th year no less, I cannot help but feel optimistic, despite the difficulties we have been faced with. 2020 has been an extraordinary and, at times, challenging year. As a team, we have learnt a great deal during this period which we look forward to applying to the business going forward, providing members with even better service, impartial expert advice and ever more competitive sourcing of inputs. We do hope that members feel that our quality of service has remained consistent throughout the year, providing members with vital services and supplies to keep their businesses running. Fram Trade also remained fully operational throughout lockdown, providing the stability that its customers need. We’re pleased to report record results in seed, machinery, electricity, fuel and building materials turnover, as the farming community has pushed on in a disruptive
Behind the scenes, we are busy making plans, encouraging growth in turnover in many core product groups and opportunities for Fram Farmers to further excel in other areas of the business.
year. Our online parts store has also provided a crucial service to members this year – see page 11. In this issue, we’re delighted to bring you plenty of positive news, updates and progress within our cooperative, including a summary of recent virtual events. Behind the scenes, we are busy making plans, encouraging growth in turnover in many core product groups, and opportunities for Fram Farmers to further excel in other areas of the business. We have also been able to deliver on some planned projects, such as the launch of our new website, and we have future plans for the Next Gen group which will be revealed in the new year.
Andrew Knowles, Chief Executive, Fram Farmers
Exploring other important matters in farming, we also focus on farm safety (page 23) and farm security (page 19), making this easier and more accessible for members through bespoke partnerships and a wider variety of suppliers.
There are a few new faces in the Fram Farmers office – Stacey has joined us in the accounts team, and Bex and Josh have further strengthened the livestock department, which has recently achieved UFAS and VMD distributor approval – see page 17.
Our grain marketing department is a vital service for many of our members, and we provide a behind the scenes insight into our market analysis and decision-making process, through our relationships with key organisations – see pages 8-9. Sharing member experiences and success, we explore how some of our members are using the cooperative’s expertise to benefit their businesses; see pages 6-7 and 12-13.
In this issue, we are also pleased to bring you a number of other updates from various departments across the cooperative; Dan Cox provides an overview of farm support and environmental payments, as well as improved telecoms services made available through new supplier partnerships.
We weren’t able to mark our 60th year with the celebrations in November that we had originally planned, but we have now made the decision to instead celebrate 65 years of farmers cooperating. In the meantime, we hope to get back out to see our members at events during 2021, where we can put some of our progressive plans into action.
CONTENTS: News..................................................4-5 Member Profile - Colwith Farm.........6-7 Fram Farmers, Station Road, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9EE Tel 01728 727700 Every precaution has been taken to ensure that the material published in Farmers First is accurate at the time of printing. For further details about anything featured in this edition please call Fram Farmers on 01728 727700, or Juliette Tompkins at Kendalls PR and Marketing on 01502 475110. If you would like to opt out of receiving Farmers First, please email mail@framfarmers.co.uk FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 8 - W I N TE R 2 0 2 0 / 2 1
Grain Marketing.................................8-9 Building Materials Case Study ....12-13 ELMs Update ...............................14-15 Livestock Team Updates.....................17 Farm Security ......................................19 Telecoms Update ................................21 Farm Safety .........................................23 3
NEWS
60TH AGM OF FRAM FARMERS On 26th November, the 60th Annual General Meeting of Fram Farmers took place virtually, via Microsoft Teams with 28 attendees. Accounts for the year ending 30th June 2020 were approved, and director elections were reviewed. A number of changes to the board were agreed; Tom Stevenson and Karen Hester have both resigned on rotation, William Goodwin resigned on rotation and was re-elected back on to the Board, and Doug Inglis was elected to the Board following his co-opt onto the Board during the year. Andrew Read provided a Chairman’s review, followed by CEO Andrew Knowles, who joined Fram Farmers at the beginning of July.
It was discussed that Fram Farmers will be looking to build on its 60 years of heritage to define plans for the next five years, and will focus on developing further partnerships and services to members.
NEW FACE IN THE FRAM FARMERS OFFICE
With the recent appointments of Dan Cox (Business Services Manager, covering Energy Management, Environmental Consultancy and Business Planning) and Barry Howard (Commercial Manager, covering Grain Marketing), Fram Farmers is opening its doors to new opportunities and innovation to support the evolving requirements of its members. The new website – see opposite page – will also improve member experience, providing a clear overview of the extensive range of services available.
Stacey Bond, Supplier Accounts Administrator, joined the Fram Farmers team on 4th November. Born and raised in Suffolk, Stacey has worked in accounts for 18 years, gaining her AAT qualification in 2013. Stacey will be working closely with Fram Farmers suppliers, maintaining supplier accounts, and ensuring the smooth running for both members and suppliers, as well as assisting other members of staff in the accounts office.
VIRTUAL REGIONAL UPDATES FOR MEMBERS During October, members were able to join a series of virtual regional update webinars with the team at Fram Farmers. Over 400 members signed up to the updates, hearing from each of the cooperative’s departments, followed by an opportunity for questions.
Andrew Knowles, Chief Executive since July 2020, opened each 90 minute session - which took place each day during the week of 19th October – with a general update of the cooperative, followed by departmental updates from Barry Howard (Grain Marketing), Dan Cox (Business Services), Jodie Allen (Livestock & Animal Health), Annie Buckingham (Arable) & Gordon Cummings (Machinery & Fuel). For those who missed the updates, they are still available for viewing on the Fram Farmers Youtube channel. Please visit https://youtu.be/iBX05a21Z8I 4
WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRAM FARMERS. KEEP GROWING.
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FARMERSFIRST I S S U E 5 8 - W I N TE R 20 2 0/ 21
NEWS
NEW WEBSITE UPDATE We are pleased to announce that we have just launched our new public facing website, designed to take non-members through a journey of discovery and learn the benefits of joining the cooperative. The new site, which has been 8 months in the making, brings a modern look and feel, putting the cooperative at the forefront of the digital world. It provides an insight into our community and membership, helping newcomers to understand our cooperative approach to buying and marketing products, farm supplies and inputs. The site has been designed with the aim to make it clearer and easier to navigate, with new imagery and content, along with stronger branding and styling. It is also fully compatible with mobile, tablet and desktop devices.
OUR SERVICES Administration & Accounts
current members. The members’ portal will not see any changes at this time, and developments for the portal will be introduced once we have new internal systems to support a more sophisticated dataset. The URL remains the same – www.framfarmers.co.uk – please do visit the site and let us know your thoughts and feedback. Please email: projects@framfarmers.co.uk.
Legal Fram Farmers Finance Insurance Private Health
ARABLE INPUTS Fertiliser Crop Protection Seed Training (in house and external, NRoSO, BASIS & FACTS, PA1 – 6)
While there has been deliberate effort to encourage new member enquiries within the new design, careful consideration has also been paid to accessibility for
GRAIN MARKETING & SALES Pools Conventional Ex Farm Trading Sample testing & analysis
FUEL, MACHINERY & BUILDING MATERIALS
IT SYSTEMS UPDATE
Fuel Cards
To keep apace of new technology, we have, and continue to, make improvements and upgrades to our IT systems, for the benefit of both our members and staff. WhAT’S BEEN hAPPENING… Considerable strategic investment has been approved by the Board to improve internal purchasing platforms and Fram Farmers website. After a thorough tender process and appointing our agencies at the beginning of the year, the project team are now well into the planning phases. The first to reach completion is the new public website to showcase our cooperative benefits to current, new and potential members. I A
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WhAT’S cOMING uP… After months of essential planning, 2020 will see a shift into the initial development I phases of the IT systems project. The new database and internal ordering platform willI be the next stages to reach completion, shortly followed by our new online members’ portal. These changes to the tools we have available will enable us to revolutionise the way we do business and communicate with our members’, whilst providing* easier * * access to our market leading advice, products and services. * *
Vehicles Online Parts Store
LIVESTOCK & ANIMAL HEALTH Feed Supplements Veterinary Medicines Equipment
BUSINESS SERVICES Grant Advice Renewables & Energy Management Electricity Telecoms
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MEMBER PROFILE
COLWITH FARM
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK… Bringing over a century of potato growing expertise into a bright new future. generation still actively involved, family code will dictate that there is never a time to stand still in this business.
how one fifth generation cornish farm operation is working with Fram Farmers to keep its successful, multi-faceted family business growing. Award winning potato grower and Fram Farmers member Chris Dustow tells us how his membership has helped the
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family operation go from strength to strength, after the loss of one of its major customers saw a shift in business. As the fifth generation of Cornish potato growers, drawing on a farming heritage dating back over a century, Colwith Farm’s Chris Dustow may have been tempted to rest on the family laurels. But when you also have the third and forth
Family has been the constant in an evolving business operation that has achieved national recognition, with the Dustow family picking up the Gold Winner Award for Family Farming Business of the Year in the British Farming Awards, 2019. But six years ago it could have been a very different picture, had the family not taken the pro-active approach to explore fresh opportunities to generate new business avenues.
WhEN ThE chIPS ARE DOWN, FAMIlY TuRN IT AROuND… When faced with the loss of a major customer in 2014, it was a reality check for a family that had been farming at Colwith Farm, mid Cornwall, since 1904. With Clive Dustow, the third generation of
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COLWITH FARM the farming family, still active within the business, alongside his son Mike, and his sons Chris and Steve, the decision was made to fight their corner and actively look to new customers to drive the next stage of the farm’s development. It was a bold move that has paved the way for today’s success story. Starting locally, bringing in new business amongst Cornish pasty bakeries and fish and chip shops, the customer reach soon extended and now includes TV chef Rick Stein’s nationwide chain of restaurants, as well as large national processors and crisp makers. “We have made huge changes to ensure we have a future in farming for our future generations,” explains Chris, who now runs the ‘farm’ side of the business. But this is still very much a family enterprise. Clive aged 89 can still be seen fetching parts or transporting people to the fields, when not tending to his own horses and chickens kept on the farm. Mike oversees the crops when they are growing, driving the sprayer, and assists with deliveries of potatoes. Brother Steve and his family have holiday properties on the farm, and have also developed the award-winning Colwith Farm Distillery. As Cornwall’s first ploughto-bottle distillery, this diversification business uses Colwith’s finest potatoes for its award-winning gins and vodkas. The Aval Dor Cornish Vodka was crowned ‘Best Vodka in the World 2020’ in the San Francisco World Vodka Awards. The small but plentifully stocked farm shop has evolved from an honesty box stand, and adds a further element to showcase premium quality Cornish potatoes while supporting Colwith Farm’s farming friends and networks. The family believes the proudest achievement to date has been the growth seen in the business over the last eight years; turnover has increased by nine times and profit has followed suit.
This family-centric, collaborative approach was recognised with the British Farming Awards success, as Chris explains, “Family is at the heart and soul of our business and is why, together, we throw everything into it. People have to think outside the box during the challenging times we face, and it is rewarding to have our efforts acknowledged.”
FRAM FARMERS TAkES ThE BuRDEN OFF… Chris is referred to as the real “Mr potato head’ of the business, overseeing all of the farm operations, alongside wife Clare who manages the farm compliance, health and safety, employment and accounts. This team-work approach has been hugely supported since teaming up with Fram Farmers around 5 years ago, initially when Chris called on assistance to help manage utility costs. “In 2012, we built a top of the range potato packing and grading facility,” explains Chris. “This state-of-the-art facility supplies high quality potatoes all year round, due to its temperature-controlled storage units.” In 2014, the Dustows added an additional 700-tonne temperature-controlled chipping store, as demand began to grow following the new business drive. In 2016, a 1000tonne extension to the refrigeration store was built to cope with demand. 2020 has seen a huge project completed, with a new automated grading and packing line installed, plus another 1200-tonne cold store. Colwith Farm has also invested in 90kw of solar panels on most of the stores roofs, over the past few years. “While the new instalments were undoubtedly helping us to drive the business forward, the costs of electrical supply to power the stores was prohibitive, and could be costing upwards of £2000 to £3500 a month,” explains Chris. Chris and Clare researched ways to reduce these costs, and found Fram Farmers had the answers they had been looking for. “Nobody else could come close to the price Fram Farmers came back to us with,” says Chris. “It was a really competitive
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MEMBER PROFILE
quote, but just as importantly, it took the administrative burden away from us. “I am a very hands-on manager which means I am always out doing the work along with the rest of our team, not sat in the office crunching figures by day. The buying power of Fram Farmers, combined with the simplicity of a single point of contact, meant we could hand this over and concentrate on our day-to-day activities on the farm.”
Gradually, Colwith Farm has integrated Fram Farmers services into more and more elements of the business. The simplicity is absolutely key, says Chris, explaining how the business soon turned to Fram Farmers to source heating oil and red diesel. “One of our team is responsible for filling the diesel tank, so it is easy to delegate responsibility by utilising the simple ordering process, confident we will be getting the best price,” Chris says. Colwith Farm is now also engaging with the Fram Farmers crop inputs team to source fertilisers and chemicals through its extensive portfolio, again benefitting from unbiased and independent product choice information. More recently, Chris has also transferred his purchasing requirements for wearing parts to Fram Farmers, previously dealing directly with Spaldings. “Everything now goes through my Fram Farmers account, keeping everything in one place, while still guaranteeing the lowest prices,” Chris says. The simplicity and ease of service even extends to the billing system. “It is really straightforward, and we have never had to query anything,” says Chris. “Everything is itemised, there has never been a mistake as far as I can see, and it makes our whole auditing process seamless.” Colwith Farms aren’t about to stand still any time soon; as the family firm continues to diversify and look at new avenues to develop its business. With Fram Farmers, they feel have the right partners to develop and introduce new services to align and complement their business model. 7
GRAIN MARKETING
THE POWER OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN GRAIN MARKETS Fram Farmers Grain Marketing Department provides a comprehensive marketing service for members’ cereals, oilseed rape and pulses, through a strategic partnership with ADM, one of the world’s largest processors. Here, we provide an insight into the value provided to members that goes beyond the basics of grain marketing; speaking to Jono Woollatt, Farm Trader at Fram Farmers and James Webster, Senior Cereals and Oilseeds Analyst at AHDB, we gained ‘behind the scenes’ access to their weekly communication. Jono’s role, as Farm Trader, is to liaise with members on market intelligence and buying and selling strategies, providing members with an informed and unbiased view of market activity. James’ role at AHDB is focussed around market intelligence, providing transparent information to assist levy payers in making business decisions. Concentrating on the analysis of markets, James looks into domestic and international supply and demand factors, providing information on price direction and other elements that may impact decision making.
James Webster
Jono Woollatt
Jono and James speak weekly, providing Fram Farmers’ members with an in-depth viewpoint. Regular communication with East Anglian-based feed compounders, as well as fortnightly calls with the grain marketing pool committee and working closely with ADM, contributes to the overall level of service.
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Jono: Given this viewpoint across the UK, what are you hearing in terms of northern hemisphere new crop plantings? James: Although they have experienced similar conditions to the UK, French and
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Jono: We know in the East that planting for some has been challenging this year, is that picture reflected across the UK or is it more regional? James: Generally, it has been a bit of a mixed bag. The East certainly seems to be one of the regions that has struggled more to get crops in the ground, as well as some areas of Lincolnshire. The AHDB early bird survey results (published 27th Nov.) show that GB farmers intend to plant 1,815K ha of wheat for harvest 2021. This is up considerably on last year and broadly in line with the 2015-19 average.
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GRAIN MARKETING
Jono: In the last few weeks, we have seen an increase in maize prices. What has this meant for UK maize imports and are these trends likely to continue? James: Maize imports were very much shaping the feed market throughout the first few months. Dryness in South America and strong global demand is moving prices to levels that we haven’t seen for a while. Looking ahead, the market may have to come back in for wheat, certainly in the short term. Jono: Chinese demand is at the forefront of market conversation. How influential do you think this is to UK commodity markets? James: Data out of China remains slightly unknown, but we do know that they have been stock-building, which has continued to support the domestic and global market. There will be questions over how long that buying can continue, which we will be watching closely in the next few months. EU crops look as though they have made reasonable progress in recent weeks. There is concern over some Black Sea crops - Ukraine and Russia were planting into some dry seed beds. It’s still early to say what prospects are, but we know that what happens there is key to our market. Jono: We’ve found ourselves in pretty uncertain times, particularly with regards to Brexit, and there are obviously a lot of unknowns, but what do we know? And what does this mean for farmers? James: At present, we don’t have a deal. In a no deal situation, there will be tariffs on wheat and barley exports from 31st December. We can access a lower tariff rate on wheat into the EU. The same goes for barley, up to 307k tonnes, but that doesn’t scratch the surface of historical exports to the EU. Importing is equally challenging; we’ve got some large tariffs on wheat at £79/tonne, which could change the shape of our grain imports in the second half of the year. That said, we do have some continuity trade agreements coming in; we’ve seen an agreement with Ukraine, and at the end of November, we saw a continuity agreement with Canada. Jono: Where can farmers go to get more information on Brexit policy? James: We have a dedicated section of the AHDB website, covering Brexit.
We are disseminating a lot of information, such as the Ukraine situation, ELMs etc. If there are any questions, then we are happy to field those. Jono: What factors do we need to watch out for other than Brexit in the next three months? James: We’ve got a small milling wheat crop, which is shifting our import requirements, as well as some issues surrounding malting barley, both from a quality perspective and also from a demand perspective with pubs being shut. We started to see this at the tail end of the first lockdown and again in the more recent second lockdown. As a sector, it will likely continue to experience challenges going forward as we don’t know how the hospitality industry will look after coronavirus.
James: It’s clear that we’re in for a volatile year. What advice are you giving to farmers for marketing grain over the next 12 months? Jono: With increased volatility, risk management is going to be absolutely crucial. We don’t know what exchange rates are going to be doing next week, and we especially don’t know for the next 3-6 months, so making decisions that far ahead are even more risky than usual. Managing that risk is a sensible approach, so my recommendation would be a ‘little and often’ approach to selling grain, chipping away at sales, rather than larger bulk sales. As we edge closer to January the 1st, as James mentions, news on tariffs will really influence the level of opportunity/threat for grain prices going forward.
Grain marketing pools are an effective way to spread risk throughout the year. At Fram Farmers, between our weekly calls with AHDB, the fortnightly poolcommittee calls, and regular contact with ADM, there is a higher level of analysis and insight behind our pools than any other grain marketing pool; our pools are the USP of our grain marketing department. These insights from AHDB make a huge difference to how we advise our members. We are frequently being questioned on what we’re hearing nation-wide this time of year, and James’ view is extremely valuable. For more information, speak to the grain marketing team about Fram Farmers 2021 Grain Pools: 01728 727720.
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UPDATE AND EVENT NEWS
ONLINE PARTS STORE SEES 400% INCREASE IN SALES Every cloud has a silver lining, as the saying goes, and the silver lining – and saving grace – of the covid pandemic for Fram Farmers and its members has been the convenience of the online parts store, which has seen a huge increase in its use this year. In January 2019, Fram Farmers was the first agricultural co-operative to launch an online parts store. The system, which is provided in association with Kramp and MDT, is often referred to as the ‘Amazon of agriculture’ and provides access to nearly 600,000 products. The service has proved popular with members, with 280 members now signed up and using it regularly. Spending has reached £20,000 25,000 each month, an increase of 400% since pre-lockdown restrictions. “We have seen a surge in demand since the beginning of the year, owed partly to the convenience of items being
Cummings, Strategic Partnership Manager at Fram Farmers.
delivered direct to farm, which has been particularly helpful in a pandemic. The fact that the service is available 24/7, 365 days a year has also helped, when some retailers were not operating under usual circumstances, particularly in the early stages of lockdown.
“Once the account is set up, it is linked to your Fram Farmers account. The service is also free to members, with no hidden costs,” Gordon adds.
Kramp are Europe’s largest supplier of agricultural parts and accessories, supplying well-known brands such as Walterschied, INA, Fag, and SKF bearings, and genuine parts from all major manufacturers, alongside their own-branded products. With next day delivery in most instances if ordered before 6pm, there’s no need to even leave the farm,” explains Gordon
The online store offers everything from machinery parts to tools, and from clothing to accessories. kramp is a leading supplier of toys, so now is the perfect time to take advantage of this service in time for christmas. Forms are available on the website, or please contact harry Nesling in the office for more information.
DELIVERING CERTAINTY: LOW CARBON AGRICULTURE SHOW GOES DIGITAL low carbon Agriculture show, the new event showcasing opportunities in low carbon energy, technological advances and the Environmental land Management scheme (ElMs), for a profitable and sustainable future in farming, has announced it will certainly go ahead in March 2021 - online. Supported by Fram Farmers and held in association with the National Farmers Union (NFU), the show will move to a fully interactive digital format on 9 and 10 March 2021, to support farmers during not only the challenging Covid-19 pandemic, but through a rapidly evolving industry. Maintaining its renowned multi-streamed conference, exhibition, networking benefits, and four key areas of focus Energy Now Expo, Environmental Business Expo, Low Emission Vehicles Expo and Farm Technology Expo, Low
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Carbon Agriculture Show has extensively analysed different formats, gaining feedback from farmers who have attended online conferences, to create a digital event which delivers. Event organiser, David Jacobmeyer, says: “The decision to go digital will not only ensure safety, but also guarantee that the event and the essential information it offers are delivered on the dates advertised. Bringing certainty to the industry at an uncertain time, is ultimately why we have made the decision to progress to an online show,” says David.
Low Carbon Agriculture show has had a fantastic response from its Digital Insights webinars, which take place each month on the run up to the event, covering pressing topics in agriculture such as ‘Reaching net zero in agriculture’ and ‘Opportunities in renewable energy on farms’ and ‘Innovations in agri-tech’.
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BUILDING MATERIALS
MEMBER CASE STUDY
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME BUILT TO ENJOY RETIREMENT how long-term Fram Farmers member and former director, harry Standley and his wife Alison, built their new, energy-efficient Suffolk home from scratch, planning ahead for retirement in comfort, with help from the Fram Farmers’ Building Materials Team… When the time came to start planning for a more relaxed lifestyle after more than 50 years of farming together, the comfort of retirement didn’t sit well with the challenges of maintaining a 16th Century Grade II listed farmhouse, for Suffolk farming couple Harry and Alison Standley. Initially farming at Benningham Hall Farm in the mid-Suffolk village of Occold, slaughtering 500 pigs a week for some 30 years, before a move to Aldeburgh preceded the purchase of Yew Tree Farm in Laxfield in 2004, the time was right for the Standley’s to start planning for a more relaxed future. Yew Tree Farm is an arable-only operation, growing winter wheat over half of the
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MEMBER CASE STUDY 270 acres of Suffolk farmland, with the rest allocated equally for OSR and sugar beet. “It is big enough to make sense, but not too big that it’s unmanageable,” says Harry, adding that neighbouring farmer Stuart Baker undertakes the bulk of the work on a contract basis, as he has done for the past 16 years, while Harry maintains the books.
INSPIRATION Having taken the decision to step-back from day-to-day farming, Mr & Mrs Standley decided they wanted to look at alternatives to the farmhouse, single-storey accommodation a prerequisite. “The whole process started three years before we moved, when we looked at the option of replacing an old grain store on site in 2017 with a new build property. Once the decision was made, we put the farmhouse on the market in 2018,” says Mr Standley. But this was only the start of the story, and it was the Standley’s other great passion, boating, that was the almost accidental inspiration behind the build design.
With the kit purchased directly from Svenskhomes, Harry then turned to his long-standing Fram Farmers membership to source the rest of the building materials required for the project. Harry has always made good use of his Fram Farmers membership, sourcing everything from fertilisers and agrochemicals, to utilities, fuel and tyres, also marketing grain through the cooperative. Now it was time for Nick Millar, Fram Farmers’ building materials buyer to take centre-stage.
“We spend a lot of time in Sweden, where we have a boat, and, over time, have grown to admire a lot of the Swedish architecture,” explains Harry.
Local architect Peter Wells worked with the Standleys, advising on planning requirements. “Peter was positive about the concept from the start,” explains Harry, “He knew that an energy-efficient timber-frame home, like the one we had in mind, would be accepted by Mid-Suffolk council.” Once planning consent was approved, Harry and Peter worked together on the designs, with Harry even converting some of the old buildings on site into car garages.
The crane was only on-site for three days, and the roof was also on within three days,” he adds. Once the kit was up, the rest of the materials came through Nick and the Fram Farmers building materials team, including the aggregates and everything required to finish the outside of the property, with labour provided by a local builder. “Nick was brilliant, I must have rung him up a hundred times and he delivered every time,” admits Harry. “I asked the most obscure things and he never minded, I think he has the patience of a saint. Fram Farmers do far more than source materials from suppliers, the service goes a lot further than that.” Having moved into a mobile home on-site when the farmhouse was sold, even using a container to run the farm office, Harry and Alison were finally ready to move into their new home on the 3rd July 2020. For Harry and Alison, the combination of independent supplier Svenskhomes and Fram Farmers’ building materials department has resulted in a modern, energy efficient open-plan retirement home, with minimal stress. Harry says, “In theory, it should cost nothing energy-wise to live here. I have two wind turbines on the farm to power the house and it is so heat-efficient that the air source heat pump provides as much heat as is required. It is very well insulated, and the windows and doors are triple glazed.”
“I happened to mention this in passing to my bank manager, at Swedish-owned bank Handelsbanken, and he in turn referred me to Ipswich firm Svenskhomes, introducing me to Trevor Walshe. That set the wheels in motion, and plans were soon underway. Svenskhomes supplies pre-manufactured kit homes, manufactured in Sweden, for builders and self-builders across the UK. Harry was soon looking at designs that would fit alongside the other older barns and properties on site, several of which are also listed.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Work started on 23rd October 2019, after the farmhouse was sold, with an insulated floating foundation system from Advanced Foundation Technology in Derbyshire, similar to that used in Sweden, put down for the base. Harry then turned to Nick and Fram Farmers to source materials including all of the concrete for the base and part of the yard, all the underground drainage pipes, sewage pipes, plaster and plasterboard, as well as some of the timber and paint.
He adds, “Nick at Fram Farmers has been invaluable in sourcing the materials required and has worked seamlessly alongside other suppliers to deliver what was required, often going the extra mile. “Our trusted relationship with Fram Farmers has really eased the burden, with simple account billing, all in one place, really helping us to manage the project.” Now, the Standleys can sit back and enjoy it.
“These types of houses go up very quickly,” explains Harry. “Once the kit arrived in the UK, the Svensk team were on-site for just over three-weeks from the beginning of March, luckily just before lockdown. “They got the shell of the house up and the room divisions in place in that time.
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ELMs
UPDATE
THE FUTURE OF FARM SUPPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PAYMENTS There will be major change in the way farmers are able to claim financial support in the future, a process that the industry will begin to see from 2021. here, Dan cox, Business Services Manager, outlines what we know so far, and what it means for Fram Farmers members. It is widely known that current BPS payments in England will start to reduce on a scale, according to BPS income, from 5%-25%, the money from which will be used to develop a new environmental scheme that promises to pay ‘public money for public goods.’ For the last 18 months, considerable planning has gone into what a new Environmental Scheme will look like. The days of having a level support based on production or land ownership, plus an additional payment for farming for the environment, is set to be replaced by a single government scheme that will be solely related back to the environment.
ElMs Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) will target six key areas to
provide support for their enhancement and protection, with the ultimate aim of providing public goods from public money. This has been taken from the Agricultural Bill that was passed through the commons in the Spring of 2020. These key areas are: • Clean and plentiful water • Clean air • Protection from mitigation and environmental hazards • Mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change • Thriving plants and wildlife • Beauty, heritage and engagement The aim for ELMs is to be attractive to all land managers, not just farmers, which will be achieved through three tiers. The first tier, only available to farmers, is likely to
Feed the hunger gap
encompass a number of the requirements made through Cross Compliance and some of the more common options chosen through ELS and Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship. Payment levels are due to be discussed soon, but is unlikely to be based on the usual income-foregone calculation, in recognition that farmers are required to get more from the scheme than this in order for it to be a success. The second tier, available to all land managers, will be more involved and will target agreed priority outcomes in the most strategic locations, it will encourage and reward collaboration between farmers and/or land managers to ensure successful delivery of outcomes. Actions may be more complex to deliver and therefore there is likely to be top-up payments for delivering additional results.
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UPDATE The third tier will be for projects that can deliver land-use change at a landscape scale. Focussing on delivering a diverse range of environmental outcomes that make substantial contributions to our environmental commitments, such as nature recovery and net zero target, it will be delivered in strategic locations to provide the best value for wildlife. The aim, according to the RPA, is for ELMs to be flexible, allowing land managers to move between the tiers, with flexible agreement lengths. The RPA have acknowledged that the inspection system has been too punitive and inflexible in the past, so are looking into alternative ways of assessing agreements such as remote sensing, self-assessment, and risk-based inspections. We are told that a national pilot will begin in 2021, with the aim to get ELMs open to applications in late 2024 at the earliest. In the meantime, Countryside Stewardship remains, in most cases, the only real mechanism for delivering benefits for wildlife and water quality of any real scale. Mid-Tier is a viable option for farmers to fill the gap of expiring ES and CSS agreements. The use of Mid-Tier options in the rotation on a field-scale to get the most out of the scheme can help to replace the loss in income from BPS, whilst improving soil health and delivering for wildlife. With CSS being available for applications up until 2023, any new scheme will last for five years and so would overlap with the first few years of
ELMs. It has been agreed that anybody who receives an ELMs offer whilst still in CSS will be eligible for early termination without penalty in order to enter ELMs. Any applications made to CSS now would not put applicants at a disadvantage further down the line.
We are told that a national pilot will begin in 2021, with the aim to get ELMs open to applications in late 2024 at the earliest. In addition to ELMs, other sources of income are available through the likes of land-mitigation schemes being offered by developers, or carbon capture schemes from new forestry plantations. A successful ELMs scheme will not only include biodiversity and collaboration; farmers will most likely be rewarded for soil management and the proper use of manures and nutrients, both of which may require more attention to detail. With so many changes scheduled to happen in the forthcoming years, now is as crucial time as ever for farmers and land managers to assess their businesses and resources to ensure they are able to adapt to the changes.
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ELMs
FuRThER FARM PRODucTIvITY GRANTS DuE TO BE lAuNchED IN 2021 The funds that are saved by the depleting Basic Payment Scheme are said to be set aside by DEFRA for farm productivity grants which are due to be launched in 2021. Recent productivity grants through the Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme have been straight-forward to apply for, but have been particularly restrictive in terms of the equipment available through the scheme. Whilst many farmers will no doubt benefit from the grant, it has also left a great deal of farmers frustrated by the limitations. There is currently very little information available on the 2021 productivity grants as DEFRA continues to plan for how they are structured. At Fram Farmers, we have sent a survey to our members in order to gather some information as to how you would like the grants to look. We will be using this information to lobby DEFRA in the hope that we can use our collective voice to get what is required and beneficial to the farming community. look out for further details on productivity grants and developments with ElMs in our grant newsletters and in Farmers First. If you have any further questions on the matter, please contact dan.cox@framfarmers.co.uk.
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LIVESTOCK TEAM UPDATES
LIVESTOCK TEAM UPDATES The livestock department at Fram Farmers has experienced some staff changes over the past twelve months, including the internal movement of Jono Woollatt into the grain marketing department earlier this year. Headed up by Jodie Allen, the fivestrong team takes care of all-things livestock related, from feed to equipment, animal medicines to ear tags. 2020 has been challenging, not only due to staff changes but also the difficulties of dealing with Covid, Brexit, and fluctuating markets, as well as the five-month closure of the ADM Rapeseed crushing plant at Erith. We would like to extend our thanks to all members that have been affected by the ADM Closure. The livestock team approaches 2021 with positivity, focussing on new opportunities to grow the livestock membership and develop more product areas. We also have two new faces in the office, Josh and Bex; below, we explain their roles in more detail.
JOSh ShARMAN, TRAINEE FEED BuYER Josh joined the livestock team in August, taking on Jono’s previous role of Trainee Feed Buyer. After completing his masters degree in 2017, Josh spent 2.5 years in the seed and crop protection logistics team at Frontier Agriculture and also has previous dairy farm experience. Josh hails from nearby Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, so knows the local area and many members well. Working closely with Jodie, Josh’s role will cover all aspects of the livestock department, mainly advising and facilitating the purchasing of feedstuffs on behalf of members, both spot and forward buying. Josh will also work with the grain marketing department to produce the weekly Grain Marketing, Feed & Raw Materials Report. “I am excited at having joined the Livestock Team at Fram Farmers as it will give me the opportunity to learn about raw material buying and commodity markets, as well as animal nutrition. The role is particularly interesting due to the fluctuating commodity markets, and I am looking forward to learning from Jodie, Barry and Tim about all elements involved in delivering livestock feed savings to Fram Farmer members” says Josh.
BEX WhITE, TRAINEE ANIMAl hEAlTh SPEcIAlIST Bex has been a part of the livestock team for a couple of months, joining the office at the beginning of October. Bex studied at Harper Adams University, gaining a foundation degree in Animal Management and Welfare, and has extensive experience in the equine sector specifically. Bex will be supporting Jess with animal medicines supply, including member liaison and enquiries. A good amount of Bex’s time will be spent contacting suppliers and obtaining quotes, finding the most economical options for members. However, as Bex’s develops in her role she will take on more responsibility owning her own product areas within the livestock team. When Covid allows, Bex is looking forward to studying for her R-SQP qualification, becoming a Registered Animal Medicines Advisor, meaning she can assist Jess in ordering and selling POMVPS animal medicines to members. Commenting on her role, Bex adds, “Although I haven’t been at Fram Farmers long, the team have made me feel very welcome. I am enjoying how varied my role is and I am looking forward to gaining my R-SQP qualification. In the near future I wish to expand our equine suppliers, currently we can supply members with feed, supplements, bedding, wormers, equine care products and yard equipment.”
APPROVED VMD DISTRIBUTOR
FRAM FARMERS GAINS UFAS ACCREDITATION
Following an audit in August by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Fram Farmers is now an approved distributor of medicated feedstuffs and premixes.
The livestock team has long adhered to Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) regulations, and, following an audit in September, is now fully accredited. UFAS was launched in 1998 and now accounts for over 95% of the commercially produced compound feed in the UK and Ireland. A merchants’ standard was added later to the scheme, and UFAS now has more than 700 participants in the UK and Ireland.
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Why is your nitrogen up here?
When it can be down here. If you want to stop profits escaping, start by choosing Limus®. New to the UK market, Limus® protects urea-based fertilisers, minimising nitrogen losses from volatilisation and ensuring optimal nitrogen is available for your crop. • Reduces ammonia emissions by up to 98% • Improves yield by 5% versus standard urea/UAN* • Raises performance to the level of ammonium nitrate • Contains two actives for optimal efficacy • Offers more than 12 months storage stability Find out more at agricentre.basf.co.uk/limus #limusprotects
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FARM SECURITY
ARE YOU DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOUR FARM FROM THEIVES? The value of agricultural vehicle thefts rose by nearly £2 million in 2019 from £7.4m (2018) to £9.3m.* GPS theft continues to rise, estimated at a rate of one GPS system per day being stolen in the uk. Vehicle thefts tend to be highest in the arable regions, with the East and Lincolnshire being hit the hardest, due to the larger, more expensive kit being used, so it’s important for Fram Farmers members to remain vigilant, considering complex security measures to protect their business. To support this, Fram Farmers has recently been working closely with more suppliers than ever before, to ensure we are able to supply a wider range of solutions.
INTRuDER AlARMS These can vary from bright strobe lights, to loud audible alarms. Many suppliers offer subscription services with text alert systems linked to mobile phones, tablets or computers, allowing you to monitor the farm 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
SEcuRITY TAGGING Forensic property marking systems are a deterrent to thieves who steal systems to sell overseas. Forensic traceable liquid, such as SmartWater, assigns your possessions with their own unique forensic code, allowing them to be traced back to you, and criminals back to the crime.
ASSET TRAckING Asset tracking is particularly useful for recovering stolen vehicles, as can be seen in the story on this page. Fram Farmers has recently set up a partnership with Kinesis, providing a range of tracking options. Kinesis enables live vehicle location, and speed tracking, accessible via an app. With geofences, you can also set virtual zones and be alerted if vehicles enter or leave these areas.
SEcuRITY BARRIERS/GATES Easy access to a property and fast getaway through open or unlocked gates is attractive to thieves. Security gates keep unwanted visitors out and help protect your entire property, including residential houses, sheds, workshops and equipment. We can provide manual and motor driven gates in a wide range of styles and sizes.
AccESS cONTROl SYSTEMS These systems are designed to restrict unauthorised access to a premises or site, providing a secure means to keep intruders out, helping to reduce damage and theft. Unfortunately, keys can get lost and forgotten, and, unlike a physical key, a keycard or fob, if lost, can simply be removed from the system and a replacement issued. We can provide a number of access control systems, including key fob entry systems, or automated entry systems.
ccTv SYSTEMS CCTV systems can help to deter and catch criminals, so members should consider installing lighting and CCTV in access locations, vulnerable areas and around the perimeter of farm buildings, yards and houses. At Fram Farmers, we are able to supply a number of different systems, ranging from wide angle cameras, to motion detection devices, and rotating bullet cameras. If you would like further information on the systems and solutions available through our suppliers, please contact the office – 01728 727722
TRACKER PROVES ITS WORTH TO FRAM FARMERS MEMBER Earlier this year, Fram Farmers member James Reeves, Farm Manager at Capel St Andrew Farms, was able to recover a telehandler thanks to Fram Farmers Kinesis tracker technology. The JCB, which was stolen from some rented potato land in Newmarket, had factory fitted GPS, which was discovered and disabled by the thieves. “At 7.30am one morning, our guys got to the field to begin work, to find the JCB missing. The on-board GPS had been disabled, however they were unaware of the second tracker. I immediately checked the app on my phone, knowing it gives live readings. Within 10 minutes, we’d located the stolen telehandler in a nearby wood, a mere 4.6 miles away from the field it was stolen from,” explains James. “We now have 20 of the Kinesis ‘atom’ trackers fitted across the machinery on the farm. I can now see where all machinery is night and day, which gives me the peace of mind that we would be able to out-smart the thieves should we be targeted again.” *According to NFU Mutual’s 2020 Rural Crime Report.
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ADVERTORIAL
GENUS ABS
HOW ONE CHESHIRE HERD HAS DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED THEIR PERFORMANCE WITH FEED FACE Feed Face is a new optional module available with Genus ABS’ Breeder Tag System. It provides comprehensive data on cow behaviour, including the number and duration of feeding visits. Patrick Spencer, Genus ABS uk Manager health, Fertility, Technology, says this can be used to identify opportunities to drive efficiency: “How a cow spends her time has a massive influence on production and fertility. Ideally a cow will spend 50% of her time lying down, 19% in fixed management activities and 21% eating. Optimising feed intake is driven by a combination of visits per day to the feed trough and the length of these visits. “Anything that reduces feeding time will impact milk production and can impact fertility. The data collected by Feed Face highlights potential problems and allows management changes to improve feeding time. At the same time, spotting changes in routine can highlight heats and signs of disease.”
JOhN’S STORY: John, a farmer from Huntingdon in Cheshire, noticed his cows were congregating in newer bays, not eating evenly, and queueing to lie down in deep sand bedded cubicles. “We decided to use deep sand in the new bays and noticed cows preferred this and were prepared to stand and wait, reducing feed duration.”
John Allwood (left) and Jack Elliott
The decision was taken to put sand instead of sawdust on the remaining mattresses. As a result, feed duration was increased by 35 minutes per cow. All cubicles are now deep sand bedded, resulting in a further increase in feed duration to over four hours a cow. However, the milking cows saw a significant decline in feed duration in the summer. John suspects this was due to heat stress and he upgraded his water supply and added extra troughs. This helped maintain feed duration at close to four hours a day. Bigger differences were seen with the transition cows where John has set up the building to ensure more space. With just two rows of cubicles, feed face space is 30 inches per cow. The feed face data shows significant improvements. The lying time in the transition group increased from 50-54%. Feeding time has increased from 2.24 hours/day to 3.37 hours with one less visit /day.
Patrick says that front leg fitted pedometers are the most accurate way to collect data. In comparison, collars and ear tags are less effective at identifying when cows are standing or lying down.
“The four-week milk yield has increased from 43 to 53 litres/day, which is a really good indicator to transition health. The heifers are also showing benefits. Despite calving in at 22.7 months, they average 2.6 litres/day more than last year.
“If you then combine that data with the Feed Face technology, we can track visits and duration to the nearest minute, looking for exceptions.”
Having all the data has allowed us to improve productivity and control feed costs.”
“John has managed to increase fertility, reduce the incidence of disease and produce higher yields. In 2018 the herd was averaging 11,400 litres but this is now 12,300 litres.
Milking cow performance Date
April 2018 July 2018 Nov 2018 Aug 2019 Nov 2019 March 2020 August 2020
Cow number
Lying time (%)
Feeding duration (hours/minutes)
Feeding visits
224 222 223 228 228 225 223
44 43 45 46 46 47 45
3.12 3 12 4.01 3 28 3.57 3.50 3.57
10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Join our online meeting to learn more about the Breeder Tag System. Virtually join us to hear more on Wednesday 16th December 2020 from 12:30pm to 1:15pm. To join, simply register and follow the link: http://bit.ly/BTS-FRAMFarmers www.absglobal.com/uk/ 20
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TELECOMS
UPDATE
IMPROVED TELECOMS SERVICE FOR FRAM FARMERS MEMBERS Fram Farmers provides telecoms services to a growing number of members, now a vital tool in running a farm business and/or workforce that can sometimes be operating from multiple sites. With the recent appointment of Dan Cox as Business Services Manager, Fram Farmers is seeking to improve the telecommunications offering to its
members, with a wider variety of options, including more contract choices and an improved level of customer service.
Gentry in the Telecoms team with an online portal tool for closer monitoring of member accounts.
The first step towards this has been the appointment of a new East-Anglian based supplier, Comm-Tech. Based in Norwich, Comm-Tech is a leading business telecommunications provider, delivering business broadband, fixed line and mobile solutions across the UK. This new supplier partnership also provides James
Fram Farmers offers a number of flexible options for mobiles, landlines and broadband – see below - but if your rural business requires something out of the ordinary, the telecoms team will do their best to find an alternative solution to suit your needs.
MOBILES Making use of the three major mobile network providers – EE, O2 and Vodafone – Fram Farmers can offer SIM only deals, as well as single purchase of a wide array of handsets, covering new and old flagship devices across all main brands. Contract terms for mobiles are generally fixed for 24 months, and we are able to offer employee packages for larger numbers under the same contract.
LANDLINES Fram Farmers offers a fixed pricelist for landline services, with additional add-ons available to suit your individual business. Calls within the UK and overseas are very reasonably priced, and contracts can vary from between 12-36 months.
BROADBAND Required for an increasing number of facilities on-farm, including security, broadband is becoming crucial to the everyday running of a farm. Our services at Fram Services include fixed lines, wireless, 4G and satellite broadband options, ensuring we are able to take care of members in particularly ‘hard-toreach’ locations. Contracts can vary from 12-36 months.
contact the Telecoms team at Fram Farmers to discuss your options: 01728 727722
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For superior wheat protection
Ascra separates the superior wheat protection from the chaff and has been proven to be the best disease control all-rounder in AHDB fungicide trials*. Last season, late drilled crops were under reduced Septoria pressure, but the threat from rusts and mildew remained. So this season it makes sense to choose the best broad-spectrum disease control product that doesn’t carry a price premium. That’s why Ascra is a tried and trusted all-rounder, relied upon to boost wheat yields, even during the most changeable seasons. For wheat that won’t wither, whatever the weather, you only have to Ascra. cropscience.bayer.co.uk/ascra *ADHB Fungicide Activity Rating for Major Wheat Diseases, April 2019. Ascra Xpro contains prothioconazole, bixafen and uopyram. Ascra is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2020.
FARM SAFETY
TRAILER MAINTENANCE – MAKING IT EASIER FOR MEMBERS TO STAY SAFE It is a legal requirement for agricultural trailers to be maintained in a roadworthy condition, with records of maintenance held by the owner/farmer, yet only 5% of the trailers inspected currently pass the recommended standard, according to Jane Gurney at Tilly Pass. Fram Farmers members own and operate approximately 1200 trailers throughout the UK, and the cooperative has made it easier for its members and employees to stay safe on the roads by actively supporting the Tilly Pass initiative. “We are delighted to be working with Fram Farmers Ltd to ensure their members have the best possible support when it comes to their trailer maintenance. Through this partnership, all enquiries will be dealt with personally through the Tilly Pass office,” says Tilly Pass founder Jane Gurney. The Tilly Pass was launched by Jane following the death of her son Harry, who was tragically killed in 2014 when the tractor and trailer he was driving crashed into a bridge. The trailer was later found to be poorly maintained and the brakes were faulty. The scheme calls for all farm trailers to undergo an annual 18-point inspection by qualified engineers to ensure they are maintained to a legal standard. The inspection is intended for trailers capable
of carrying loads of 10t and over, although it can be applied to any braked items typically found on a farm. A Tilly Pass inspection on a trailer will cost £160 with certification of registration. Some trailers may require extra work, which can be discussed when a quote is given. Upon completion of the test, a Tilly Pass certificate is issued, and a sticker is fixed to the tailgate of the trailer, clearly
displaying a Tilly Pass unique number. This record, which includes the certificate number and chassis number, is retained in triplicate, with copies for the farmer and mechanic. The third copy is retained by Tilly Pass and entered into a national database.
#HEADTOTOW The Tilly Pass #HeadToTow app has been developed to ensure owners and operators can view the manufacturer’s recommended daily checks at the click of a button, along with easy access to manuals and direct contact to both manufacturers and Tilly authorised technicians. The free app is available to download via the Google Play and Apple app stores, and gives operators the chance to identify potential issues that may arise during the year. It is especially suited to seasonal workers, not only promoting safe practices, but also helping to prolong the safe working life of old and new machines. Farm Farmers members are able to contact the Tilly Pass office directly on 07967 445223 or tillypass@gmail.com. For more information, please visit www.tillypass.co.uk
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