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News
The latest products, research and sta moves you need to know about
Special report
NIAB webinar highlights new soft fruit research
Machinery
ERO mechanical harvester demo at NP Seymour open day
Machinery
An on-vineyard review of the Weidemann T4512 telehandler
Grower pro le
Pixley Berries: Blackcurrant growing in the face of climate change
Agronomy
Disease management tools for optimum crop protection
Agronomy
Apple tree pruning advice for productivity and pro tability
Agronomy
Guide to using biocontrols in orchards and vineyards
Technical advice
Assessing the pros and cons of manual operations versus machine
Agronomy
Biostimulant technology to improve calcium movement and usage
Grower pro le
Forty Hall Vineyard: London's only commerical-scale vineyard
Professional advice
The experts explain the steps involved in setting up a vineyard
19
Special report
Thinking of branching into distillery? Here's what you need to know
Special report
Insight into the rise of low and no alcohol wine
In the know
WineGB CEO Nicola Bates chats about the scope for sparkling wine
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Agrovista has added to its fruit team with the appointment of James Shillitoe as top and stone fruit agronomist.
James, who will advise growers in the South East of England and the West Midlands, brings an in-depth knowledge of agronomy and orchard systems honed after 18 years in the fruit sector and a similar period beforehand as a grower of salad and vegetable crops.
After joining a Kent-based independent fruit advisory service in 2008 as a trainee top fruit agronomist, James quickly established himself as highly respected crop adviser with a wide range of responsibilities.
Key areas included crop management, protection and nutrition, integrated pest management, orchard site selection and design, planting and crop establishment.
Specialisms include tree management and pesticide application on 3-D cropping (for example orchards and strawberry table-top crops) and the development of planar, 2-D orchard systems aimed at improving and easing orchard management and ensuring orchards are ‘robot ready’.
Despite a decrease in frost days in recent decades, late spring frosts are increasingly erratic and risks need to be considered.
CropAid International Ltd, recognising the growing challenges faced by our farmers at home, is now prioritising the domestic market with its awardwinning biostimulant product, AntiFrost. Having demonstrated success in key agricultural regions worldwide for nearly two decades, AntiFrost is a proven natural biostimulant that strengthens plants’ resistance to cold stress and frost damage. It contains cultivated bacteria that stimulate the production of antifreeze proteins within the plant, preventing ice nucleation and subsequent frost damage.
According to one customer, who grows nectarines and peaches: “We applied AntiFrost four times, eliminating the need for additional strengthening products. The foliage was beautiful and the fruits during cell multiplication had good development.”
James has also developed pick-date prediction systems on apples and cherry, and has studied and can advise on Gala clones grown under UK growing conditions. In addition, he has many years’ experience on the practical development of pest and disease-forecasting software on farm.
Agrovista head of fruit, Mark Davies, said: “Sound technical knowledge, e ective communications and a team ethic are vital for anyone joining my team, and James has these in spades. We are so pleased he has chosen to join us.”
CropAid recommends 4–5 litres per hectare per application for most fruit trees and vine. Each litre of product is diluted with 200 litres of water.
The application of AntiFrost is straightforward, involving a foliar spray that can be used across various crop types. This method o ers a sustainable and a ordable alternative to traditional frost protection measures. AntiFrost also boosts crop health and quality as surplus antifreeze proteins are converted by the plant into essential nutrients.
With e ects lasting up to 14 days per application, it is easy to apply AntiFrost in anticipation of cold and frosty weather.
Bene ts of AntiFrost:
• Increases cold resistance by up to -7°C beyond the plant’s natural tolerance
• Approved for organic use by the Soil Association
• Proven e cacy with independent trials, including ADAS UK
• Manufactured in the UK and distributed globally for almost 20 years
• Contains bene cial bacteria that are nitrogenxing and soil conditioning
• Competitive pricing, maximising your return on investment while minimising costs.
Contact CropAid for a free trial consultation today.
commercial ornamental growers, to commercial soft fruit farms and many more.
According to Hortifeeds: “Giles brings handson grower and technical experience to the team. His knowledge and expertise, combined with an enthusiastic approach to this industry, leaves us in no doubt that he will provide our customers with the highest level of personal and technical service.
Giles is genuinely passionate about working within the horticultural industry. With over 30 years of experience, he has cultivated an extensive knowledge of the market and has a proven ability to deliver exceptional service to customers.
Giles says he prides himself on his “can do” attitude, always striving to help growers achieve their goals of producing better plants, better fruit, stronger crops, and ultimately better pro ts.
For the last 10 years Giles has successfully supported customers with products, focusing on peat-based, peat-reduced, coir substrates and peat-free options tailored to meet the diverse demands of the industry – from propagators, to
“It is exciting to have such a talented and dynamic new member join us. We wish Giles every success in his new role and look forward to working together to meet the needs of our customers.”
Giles can be contacted by email at giles. dixon@hortifeeds.co.uk, or by phone on 07973 410959. For speci c sales manager areas please see the Hortifeeds website at www.hortifeeds. co.uk/contact-map/
KUHN offers a wide variety of orchard and vineyard sprayers with tank capacities ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 L. Choose between front or rear suction, round fan or V fan, along with an array of other options.
Trials in strawberries using Donegal Seaweed’s Seahydra product suggest encouraging results for plant health.
Donegal Seaweed was established in 2015 by the O’Boyle family, overlooking the Atlantic coastline of Donegal . It is from these pristine waters that the company’s seaweed is hand harvested. The harvesting process is done in a sustainable way, carefully managed to ensure the preservation of this natural resource for the future, Donegal Seaweed explains.
The company’s seaweed extract, Seahydra, is obtained using a cold pressing and extraction process. No chemicals are used in the processing. This method preserves all the natural bene ts and nutrients which are then passed on when applied to crops, Donegal Seaweed says. The extract is nally passed through a ne ltration process to ensure that it is suitable for use through any spraying and fertigation equipment.
Donegal Seaweed has accreditation from the Irish Organic Association and currently has ‘Approved’ status from the Soil Association in the UK, whilst the company’s application for
full accreditation is in process.
According to a spokesperson for Donegal Seaweed: “We are focused on supplying a sustainable, environmentally-friendly, top-quality product that will support plant growth and help to reduce the need for agrochemicals and fertiliser.
“In 2024, in collaboration with a large-scale commercial strawberry grower, we monitored the impact of Seahydra on crops grown in substrate. Our particular focus was on the control of powdery mildew in Malling Ace. In our trials, we used a combination of foliar applications and applications via the fertigation system. These preliminary trials (unreplicated) gave very encouraging results when compared to the control crop, with the treated crop showing no detectable powdery mildew. Other bene ts noted were increased root mass, larger canopy and an increase in gms/plant. Further trials are planned for 2025, where we will also assess the impact on powdery mildew of a reduced fungicide programme combined with Seahydra.”
Postsaver announces partnership with Peter Müller, a distributor specialising in solutions for the fruit farming sector.
Peter Müller’s expertise and commitment to the agricultural industry position the company as an ideal partner to bring Postsaver’s innovative timber protection technology to orchards across Belgium and neighbouring countries.
Since the 2023 EU ban on creosote for use in agriculture, fruit growers have faced signi cant challenges in sourcing durable wooden stakes for their orchards, with concrete alternatives proving costly, o ering less durability, and poor environmental credentials.
Peter Müller is now giving the fruit growing sector a groundbreaking alternative; a copper-salt treated stake combined with a protective Postsaver barrier wrap that guarantees a lifespan of 20 years. This innovation is set to revolutionise orchard management by providing a cost-e ective and sustainable alternative to existing options.
“We’re thrilled to have Peter Müller join our mission to sustainably extend the lifespan of timber products,” said Postsaver CEO, Richard George. “Their deep understanding of the fruit farming sector and established relationships with distributors and resellers make them an invaluable partner in expanding our reach.”
Pieter Nijskens of Peter Müller added: “We’ve already had some overwhelmingly positive feedback to the product and our rst order, so we’re con dent that the fruit growing sector will respond very well to this durable and coste cient o ering. The 20-year guarantee o ered by Postsaver protected stakes is a standout feature, providing peace of mind and a clear advantage over other products on the market.”
Peter Müller’s collaboration with Postsaver is a signi cant step forward in meeting the needs of fruit growers transitioning to new, sustainable materials. With their support, Postsaver aims to become the go-to solution for orchard management across Belgium and neighbouring regions.
For more information on Postsaver products and their availability through Peter Müller, visit www.petermueller. be/
•
NIAB’s Scott Raffle picks out some of the key research findings presented at the recent soft fruit technical webinar.
The annual NIAB soft fruit technical webinar at the end of November saw 15 speakers brief the industry on the latest results from research projects led by NIAB and partner organisations.
Mark Else outlined how, with Innovate UK funding, NIAB has adapted a mathematical model which predicts the plant’s nitrogen demand for each growth stage. Inputs are then adjusted to account for the e ects of environmental variables such as temperature on nitrogen demand and partitioning. The model gave rise to a 76% reduction in nitrogen use compared to a commercial nitrogen feeding regime (see Figure 1 above) and a 37% reduction in water use, without a ecting marketable yields or berry quality.
Katia Zacharaki explained that similar models are being developed by NIAB at East Malling for Junebearer and everbearer strawberries whilst a three-year DEFRA-funded project is producing high-health, pest-and disease-free tray plants with a greater and more consistent cropping potential.
Grown in Vertical Future’s prototype strawberry propagation facility at East Malling using LED lighting, the project will compare tray plants grown in this more consistent environment with those raised under commercial best practice.
Trevor Wignall reviewed the work at NIAB’s WET Centre since its inception in 2017. The focus was precision on-demand irrigation using the latest technologies, and subsequent adoption by the industry has reduced the average water use for an everbearer strawberry variety from 82m3/tonne of fruit produced in 2013 to 60m3/tonne in 2023. The approaches deployed at NIAB’s WET Centre achieved an average of 43m3/tonne and at best reduced it to 28m3/tonne. When combined with
rainwater harvesting and re-use, precision irrigation resulted in 90% self-su ciency in water, even in very dry seasons.
A PhD study by Ece Moustafa on the legacy e ects of coir drying in raspberry demonstrated that the use of smaller pots (4.7-litre) can lead to a detrimental reduction in berry yield and quality compared to larger pots (7.5-litre) following a mild rootzone water de cit.
Louisa Robinson-Boyer has been carrying out Growing Kent & Medway (GK&M) funded research on raspberry propagation and growth at East Malling.
To date, the trends suggest that coir treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increases berry size in both virgin and recycled coir, that recycled coir from strawberry crops is likely to be suitable for raspberry crops, and that the addition of AMF to recycled coir in long-cane raspberry crops can help to sustain yields at the level expected from virgin coir.
Matevz Papp-Rupar has been working with Overland Ltd to assess their recycled coir products (see Figure 2) through Innovate UK and GK&M funded research. He has demonstrated that strawberry produces comparable yields in virgin and recycled coir and that recycled coir retains more water than virgin, necessitating di erent management.
In addition, recycling appears to inactivate di erent phytophthora strains (crown/root rot) and weed seeds whilst having no adverse e ects on the establishment of biocontrol organisms. NIAB and Overland also calculated that recycled coir emitted around 40% less CO2 than virgin coir shipped from Sri Lanka.
Francis Wamonje outlined progress on a GK&M funded project to develop optimal biological
control solutions for the large raspberry aphid (see Figure 3) under protection. This project has revealed that the predominant naturally occurring aphid parasitoid species vary as the season progresses, so the use of introduced parasitoid mixes under protection will need to re ect this.
Work done to attempt to spray green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) eggs onto raspberry leaves as a cheap method of introduction showed that the eggs need to adhere to the leaves to be e ective. A sticking agent was identi ed that works well. Deploying brown lacewings (Micromus angulatus) early in the season under protection o ered some control, but its e cacy is likely to increase as temperatures rise.
Rachel Turner (Russell IPM) outlined some recent Innovate UK-funded research using the SWD attractant ProBandz. Previous research with the product had shown that applying a narrow band spray of Probandz with Tracer or Exirel at 4% of the recommended rate to strawberry, raspberry and cherry crops, provided the same level of SWD control as an overall crop spray of Tracer or Exirel at full rate. This latest project has demonstrated the same e ect using the product Hallmark at 8% rate on strawberry.
Michelle Fountain introduced a GK&M funded project that aims to investigate the use of naturally occurring UK parasitoids to control SWD. Fruit inoculated with fruit ies is being deposited in tent-like structures which prevents ies from escaping but allow parasitoids to emerge into surrounding areas, potentially reducing reservoirs of SWD in hedgerows and woodlands.
Fig 1: N model (on the right) reduced N use by 76%
Fig 2: Overland has developed an automated process to recycle coir from strawberry bags
Fig 3: Research is developing optimal biocontrol solutions for the large raspberry aphid
Fruit & Vine recently spent a morning at Greyfriars Vineyard in Guildford, Surrey where NP Seymour hosted a demo day for customers to see the latest ERO harvester in action, and invited ERO along to talk through the technical aspects.
With an expanding contracting business, Sam Barnes, founder of SJ Barnes Ltd, is already wellversed in the bene ts of mechanical harvesting
over hand picking in terms of both time and labour cost, having previously operated a trailed Pellenc 890 bought in 2019 with a second of the
same model being purchased two years later. So, for Sam, making the move to a self-propelled machine, complete with all the latest aids and technology, is really just a matter of making sure that the maths work.
Sam has a long working history with viticulture machinery specialist, NP Seymour Ltd, so his rst port of call was their knowledgeable sales sta , which resulted in a trial of the ERO Grapeliner 7200V.
The Grapeliner 7000 destemmer features automated self-levelling, which is effective even on side slopes
Unloading is undertaken from the side
On the day of Fruit & Vine's visit, ERO sales rep Lukas Zimmermann was in attendance, to explain the technical aspects and share the experiences of vineyards using the machine in other countries.
“The machine is very e cient; it can pick a hectare in 1.5–2 hours, and has a three-stage cleaning system consisting of a leaf ejection system that blows 70% of the leaves out using a cross air nozzle and a leaf rake.”
A bottom suction fan catches some of the leaves that make it through before the fruit is conveyed upwards, and there is a suction fan positioned on the cross conveyor belt to remove any remaining leaves or debris. This system is optimised to ensure that juice loss is minimised.”
Also available is an optional de-stemmer and grape sorting system, which can be monitored and adjusted from the touchscreen in the cab. The de-stemmer can easily be turned o , if not needed, at which point the grapes are redirected straight into the tank.
The 7000 series has been in production since 2018, and the model trialled by Sam is 200hp, hence the 7200 designation. There is also a 175hp version, which Lukas explained would be suitable for easier, atter terrain.
“If conditions are good, the 7200 can handle inclines of up to 40% and lateral di erences of around 20%, but there is a display in the cab to tell
you if you are approaching the limits,” pointed out Lukas. “The fruit tank on this particular machine is 3,000 litres, but there are other options available with 2,200 and 2,600 litre tanks, which also makes the machine smaller and therefore more suitable for vineyards with narrower widths.”
The tank is situated centrally for better weight distribution and centre of gravity, and unloads from the side making it a quick and easy process for the operator, and a gentle process for the fruit.
The self-steering system works with a combination of ultrasonic and mechanical sensors that detect the location of the vines and feed this back to the machine, which then steers accordingly.
Power is provided by a six-cylinder, six-litre, electronically-controlled Deutz engine located and designed in such a way that all service items can be accessed from one side of the machine.
For ease of cleaning and maintenance, all covers have been designed to be removable without the need for tools. On the road, the 7000 series can be driven at up to 40kph (optional), with the standard model o ering 20–25kph road speeds, and the suspended front axle ensures that this remains comfortable for the operator.
The cab is sound insulated, and vibration damped. It o ers good space with great visibility and is air-conditioned with a refrigerated compartment as standard.
The manual levelling system allows for up to
750mm of travel and the fuel tank is 340 litres, with the machine being designed to use lower engine power while harvesting for improved fuel consumption and longer working periods per tank. The total machine weight is 9,500kg with the de-stemmer, or 8,970kg without. ERO also o ers a 5000 series of machines, which are slightly lower spec and therefore o er a more cost-e ective solution, Lukas concluded.
We jumped onboard the ERO 7200V as Sam was working the vineyard to nd out a little more about his business and, more importantly, how he was getting on with the harvester trial.
“I have been o ering vineyard contracting services since 2017, with my family working in the industry for three generations,” explained Sam. The business is based in Biddenden, Kent, and the team tends to harvest mainly around the Kent, Sussex and Surrey area, although Sam points out that they are happy to travel further a eld if required. Sam o ers a full range of services from vineyard establishment (Sam had the rst GPSguided planting machine in the UK back in 2020), right through to harvest.
“We have found mechanical harvesting to be very successful over the last ve or six years that we have been operating our trailed machines.
“The ERO was used on trial during the latest
harvest, although 2024 hasn’t been the best harvest, with yields lower than usual. So far, I have been very impressed with the performance of the harvester. It’s very easy to use once you know how to set it up, and the self-steering does a very good job of keeping the harvester on track.
“It doesn’t self-level, but to be honest I think that is better, as it moves with the contours of the vineyard and therefore the vines, rather than staying upright. Height is also set by the operator and there is a useful setting function that allows you to set numerous parameters, depending upon the vineyard, vines or grape variety, and it will return to these settings with just the push of a button.”
Sam explained that he tends to run it at around 4.5kph, but points out that it will still work e ectively at faster and slower speeds, between 3.5 and 5.5kph, with the optimum speed ultimately down to the individual job, the conditions and the grape variety being harvested. Sam reckons that the fruit shaker mechanism works well. The machine is delivered with 7 x 2 = 14 shaker rods, but it can also be operated with for example 2 x 4 = 8 (according to the size of the fruit zone).
He comments: “It is very manoeuvrable, with the front wheels almost turning 90-degrees, so that it can turn around in almost its own length, which is very useful in compact headlands. It does a decent job of dealing with any rotten fruit.
“If rotten fruit is dry it tends to leave it on the vine, although if it’s wet it will take some through to be dealt with at the winery.”
The harvester is equipped with cameras that show the operator where the vines are, with infrared sensors to keep the machine on track and Sam explained that he really likes the driving position which puts you right over the vines being worked, and the glass oor that allows you to see exactly what’s going on below.
Our brief run in the machine con rmed that the cab is a comfortable environment to work in and the noise levels were very good. The glass oor is, indeed, a great feature, but care is needed to avoid it becoming caked in mud, as it was on our demo day.
However, this was undoubtedly due to the high footfall on the day, and a single owner/ operator should have no trouble keeping it clear.
NP Seymour is the rst dealer in the UK to o er the 7000 series and we caught up with Claire Seymour to get her take on the harvester.
“Where the ERO really stands out over other harvesters on the market is in the cab, and especially the central position that it puts the operator in, and the excellent visibility that this provides,” explains Claire.
“The industry is moving on rapidly and we are adapting to that by o ering larger harvesters and machines that can work quickly and e ciently, especially given the weather windows that we must work with here in the UK. It is also very clever in the way that you can change settings depending upon what variety of grape you are working with.
“When it comes to options there are a few to pick and choose from; but there are some that you would de nitely not want to leave o , such as the auto steer and the cameras,” Claire advises.
Manual
Growers and wine makers are certainly coming around to the idea of machine harvesting. Even just ve years ago there was a certain amount of reluctance to embrace this kind of technology here in the UK, but now there is the realisation that to remain sustainable you need to mechanise. There is also a change in drinking habits and growing conditions, so no longer is the UK all about sparkling wines as there is good quality still wine being produced
too, Claire points out.
“The wineries are also now generally better equipped to deal with the large quantities of fruit delivered at a time with mechanical harvesting. NP Seymour is committed to providing the best possible technology for the modern-day grower. We have a long-standing relationship with ERO, and have been supplying their vine trimmer and de-leafers since around 2008. We have been impressed with the quality, reliability
and technology that ERO machines deliver, and the way that they are always looking to improve by researching, running trials and working with growers. They also o er great support and backup when its needed.
“In short, we think there is nothing else on the market that can beat them. While the machine is a signi cant investment, payback can come quickly when considering the time and labour savings that it brings.”
A compact handler selected for a busy Hertfordshire firewood supply business is proving even better suited to working in the estate’s expanding vineyards. David Williams reports.
Chaldean Vineyard has quickly gained a reputation for its grape production. In 2019, 18,500 vines were established on 4ha of south-facing slopes within the 1,155ha Chaldean Estate, as the farm’s owners saw opportunities to diversify from traditional arable crops. The rst area planted, Hadham Hills, is now an established vineyard producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes under contract for Bolney Wine Estate in West Sussex, to be made into English sparkling wine.
In 2023, a further 6ha of vines were planted, again replacing arable crops. Varieties include Bacchus, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The rst year’s growth was encouraging, and the Great Field vineyard is expected to produce viable quantities of crop by 2027. A third vineyard is already planned and due to be planted this year with an equal split of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon, increasing the total area under vines to 16ha.
The Weidemann T4512 compact telehandler was selected by Chaldean Estate
Soil types ideal
“Diversifying into vine growing here makes a lot of sense,” explained estate manager, Alan Granger. “Our land is free draining with soils over chalk, and the soil composition is like the best wine producing areas of France. As long as we have suitable weather then we can produce enough grapes of the right quality to make the enterprise pro table. As average temperatures increase through climate change, then growing conditions should further improve, so we see the diversi cation as protecting the estate for the future.”
The Weidemann performs a range of tasks operating with attachments from pallet forks to log grabs, buckets and powered sweepers
Chaldean Vineyard manager and main Weidemann operator, Emma Gattlin says she is amazed at how easily the compact handler lifts heavy loads, even with the boom extended
The vineyards were planned and established in conjunction with Essex-based Tom Bunting Vineyard Management, and a full-time manager is employed and responsible for general vineyard operations.
Thirty-eight separate areas of woodland are managed with guidance from the Forestry Commission. Rotational coppicing and felling of small blocks provide a supply of wood for the estate’s biomass boilers, and each year 250–300t of rewood is sold in large bags and delivered locally.
“A lot of the rewood we sell is ash, as large numbers of our trees have succumbed to ash dieback,” continued Alan. “The wood is transported to our yard where it is cut into logs and split by a rewood processor, then it is loaded into large bags and stored in a barn. Everything we sell is under 20% moisture, and our busy rewood supply business caters for customers within 20 miles radius of our base.”
To e ciently handle and stack the bags of rewood in limited space in the barn, a highly manoeuvrable, compact loader was needed. “We used a tractor and front-end loader previously which wasn’t ideal. When our farm manager called into PHR Agricultural Engineering Ltd, he saw the Weidemann compact telescopic handler there in the yard. It looked ideal for our needs, so he had a brief test drive which impressed him, so he suggested that I also called in to have a look.
“I agreed that it was just what we needed. As we already dealt with the team at PHR Agricultural Engineering we knew we could rely on the back-up available, so we placed an order, and the machine arrived in September 2023.”
Although the Weidemann was bought primarily for rewood handling and loading, it quickly proved just as well suited to use in and around the vineyards. Previously, during harvest a specialist narrow vineyard tractor with pallet forks on the rear linkage moved plastic bins of harvested grapes to the headlands ready for loading by one of the farm’s full-size telescopic handlers, but the operation was labour intensive, and both machines were always needed as the tractor couldn’t load the bins onto the trailers and the large handlers couldn’t t down the narrow rows.
The Weidemann is ideal for the task. At just 1.56m wide, it easily ts between the vine rows, while the light weight helps avoid soil compaction which can be an issue with larger machines. It is now relied on during harvest to collect bins of harvested grapes, transport them to the headlands and then load them straight onto the trailers, although during peak harvesting season the tractor also fetches bins and delivers them to the headland ready for loading by the handler.
The compact handler is also used during general vineyard maintenance. It carries tools and supplies around the site and, during construction of the new vineyard in late 2023, it transported all the fence posts and mesh fencing from the yard to the eld. It also makes easy work of loading large bags of fertiliser into the tractor-mounted spreader.
A variety of attachments are used. These include pallet forks, a large bucket, a bucket with an integral hydraulic rotary sweeper and a hydraulic log grab.
Vineyard manager, Emma Gattlin said the handler is incredibly versatile. “For vineyard operations as well as handling bags of logs the lift capacity is more than adequate, and I’m amazed at how easily it handles the loads even when the boom is fully extended.
“The cab is comfortable; it’s quiet so I can easily hear the radio and the heater works well. The upper section of the door can be fastened in the open position for ventilation and it makes communication with others in the working area easier too, so operation is safer. Daily checks are easily carried out within just a few minutes and there is convenient access to the lters for cleaning. It’s all good.”
Like larger agricultural and industrial telescopic handlers, the Weidemann has a built-in overload protection system. “It doesn’t a ect day-to-day operation as almost everything we lift is well within its capabilities,” Emma continued. “However, if it does cut in then all boom movement stops except lowering, so the user must be aware of how to reduce the overload issue and regain normal operation. It’s not a problem.”
Emma also likes the automatic handbrake. “I nd it reassuring. As soon as the operator leaves the seat or selects neutral, the handbrake engages. So, even if the driver is only leaving the cab for a few seconds to adjust a lift strap or open a gate and forgets to set the brake, there is no risk that the machine might start to roll.
“It also saves those occasions when I get out and then wonder if I engaged the handbrake properly or not. I always make a point of setting it, but it’s a reassuring feature anyway.”
During the rst 18 months after the handler was delivered, it recorded more than 700 working hours. “It’s used every day, mainly for rewood handling in the winter and in the vineyard from spring until autumn,” said Alan. “It’s used by the farm team occasionally too, if their own two handlers are busy elsewhere and lorries need unloading.”
The Weidemann has been completely reliable. “We took on the Weidemann franchise two and a half years ago, partly because of the brand’s strong reputation for build quality and reliability,” explained PHR Agricultural Engineering director, Dave Baverstock. “The range includes a useful variety of model sizes, and these compact machines are especially popular in any environment where space is restricted such as on construction sites or for use in poultry or pig sheds.
“The ability to lift more than a tonne but still o er such great manoeuvrability from such a neat package makes the T4512 especially well suited to vineyard work. Conventional industrial forklifts are ok for yard handling tasks, but they lack the reach of the Weidemann’s telescopic boom and would struggle to travel on soft or uneven ground. This machine is the ideal solution, so I’m not surprised that it’s proving so popular with the Chaldean Vineyard team. Many more vineyards are being established across our trading area, so we expect more enquiries and sales.”
Emma describes the cab as comfortable, quiet and spacious. She says being able to operate the handler with the top section of the door fastened open provides great ventilation and makes it easier to communicate with other team members
Alan said that the handler’s workload will increase as the new vineyards commence commercial production. “Working with Tom Bunting Vineyard Management to establish and manage the vineyards works well, and the company has its own team of pickers who help us hand-pick our crop currently.
“However, we will invest in more mechanisation as it is needed. We are pleased with the yield and quality from our rst vineyard so far, and as well as planning our third vineyard now, we are also looking at trials of red varieties as we believe demand for English grown crop will grow. Emma currently applies crop protection treatments using a 400-litre sprayer, but our plan is to purchase a larger 1,200-litre applicator with recirculation and a drift recovery system to increase work rates while also reducing chemical costs, and which will be better for the crop and the environment too. As the enterprise grows, the Weidemann handler’s work will increase too, and I remain pleased with our decision to buy it. Most things we handle are on pallets and weigh a tonne or less, and the T4512 has capacity to spare.”
The right machine for the task
“I can’t fault it,” concluded Emma. “Considering the machine is so compact, the cab remains comfortable, and it feels surprisingly spacious. The fuel consumption is minimal. It depends on what sort of work we are doing but, although the tank holds only 33 litres, we tend to refuel every 7–14 days.
“If we were choosing again, then this is the machine I would want.”
•Food-safe, odourless and hygienic
• Smooth interior walls for easy emptying
•Easy to clean and quick to dry
•Optional drainage opening
• One-piece moulded with stable skid connection
•Volume: 610L or 1000L
• Extremely durable
•Weather and UV resistant
•With 3 skids or 9 feet
*Available in closed or perforated versions
www.craemer.co.uk
Just
Pixley Berries, the longest-standing supplier for innocent Drinks, is using grant funding to trial biostimulants, in a bid to mitigate the impacts of climate change on its blackcurrant crop. Sarah Kidby spoke to Pixley’s managing director Anna Ralph to find out more.
Pixley Berries began supplying innocent Drinks with 20kg packs of blackcurrant juice in 2004, making it the company’s longest-standing supplier. Now, over 20 years on, the Herefordshire family farm is using a grant from innocent’s Farmer Innovation Fund, to help tackle the e ects of climate change.
Once a livestock farm, for the past few generations Pixley has grown predominantly blackcurrants and in 2004 built its own on-site juice factory. For Pixley, warmer winters, early springs, extreme heat in summer and wet autumns and winters are particular threats, due to the nature of the crop.
Pixley grows seven varieties of blackcurrant, of which three are currently approved for replanting. When choosing new varieties, Anna Ralph said they look for varieties that will be better able to withstand climate change, as well as timings and avour pro le. Looking at what growers are doing in Europe and New Zealand also provides important clues.
“In the UK and around the world, climate is becoming less predictable and when you have a crop that requires a period of winter dormancy and su cient accumulation of chill hours for a consistent bud break, the trend towards warmer winters is de nitely a problem,” explained Anna.
In 2024, spring e ectively started on 21st January with warm, wet weather which interferes with the crop’s natural processes in dormancy, and the alleviation from dormancy. Ground conditions also prevented husbandry tasks for the Pixley team.
“Within Europe as well as the UK we’d heard reports of early and uneven bud break. The challenge with that is you’re then more susceptible to spring frosts which obviously you don’t want,” Anna shared.
In one of their varieties, a third of the buds failed to break and therefore didn’t fruit this year, and they also su ered some ower loss – run o . Overall, Anna said it wasn’t too bad a year, but each year is getting more di cult and summer temperatures of high 30s or even 40ºC expose blackcurrants to sunburn.
“What we’re trying to do here is use bud breaking technology and biostimulants to help mitigate the challenges that repeated warm winters, very hot summers and wet autumns is having on our plant vigour and the life of our plantations.”
These are issues that Pixley has been discussing with innocent for some time, and when the smoothie and juice company launched its Farmer Innovation Fund, Pixley was very keen to get involved. The Fund is an annual pot of money (£1 million in 2024) to help innocent’s growers transition to regenerative agriculture practices that improve soil health, water resources, biodiversity, sustainability and continuity in the face of climate change.
Pixley is looking to improve the leaf canopy over the berries to mitigate against very intense sunshine – and to this end started using biostimulant Megafol in 2022. There was a visible difference in the plantation and innocent funding allowed them to start an official trial the following year. The trial, which is ongoing, is looking at three varieties – with three plots of around 0.5 acres per variety. Leaf chlorophyll is recorded using a simple non-disruptive sensory device, across different areas of the plant, and leaf area is indexed – the cropping plant and the regrowth.
Anna said that while it’s too early to assess the results, because they haven’t recorded the regrowth yet, the most important climatic effect was related to dormancy and the fact that plants did not suffer severe stress from lack of water or excessive heat. But with 2024 being such a wet year, it’s possible there is some root damage, she added.
The farm’s advisors also recommended trying a different biostimulant which influences harvest date, fruit quality and the health of the plantation. This had a marked impact in 2024 so this trial will be extended into 2025 with innocent’s help. In 2025 Pixley will also be introducing microbials into the mix.
The wider intention is to reduce fertiliser inputs while maintaining plant yield and extending plantation life, which are key parameters in determining the lifecycle of carbon for their blackcurrants. Pixley hopes to holistically establish that its sequestration of carbon exceeds its carbon footprint.
When it comes to pests and disease, gall mite and leaf spot are key challenges, and botrytis at flowering. Whilst they try to reduce inputs where possible, approved pesticides remain the only management option for these.
Sawfly, however, has not been an issue for some time – they have stopped spraying and rely on birds to tackle the issue instead. They are fortunate in having lots of hedgerows and ancient woodlands at the site, which make excellent habitats – and they also use bird boxes. Farm manager and resident beekeeper Keith Stuart monitors pests and disease to ensure they can get on top of any issues as soon as possible. For the last couple of years, Pixley Berries has had no need of insecticides apart from for gall mite. But that may not last, Anna acknowledged.
The farm’s spread of varieties, meanwhile, helps to mitigate frost risk – if frost does occur, often only one or two of the varieties will be affected. Work to improve plant vigour with biostimulants and ensuring the soil has all the plant-available nutrients required also help to manage the risk. Otherwise, it’s a case of “go to church and pray”, Anna said.
Unusually for a blackcurrant grower, Pixley only supplies its products in the form of juice and aroma. Its juice goes to a range of brands including innocent – around 60 different consumer products for blackcurrant, from craft start-ups to large well-known brands. Its Pixley Berries Cordials are also available from some retailers and local farm shops and delis. Pixley’s USPs are a combination of quality and origin. Pixley works with British growers and its factory processes not only blackcurrants but a range of other top fruits and soft fruits, as well as rhubarb.
All of the farm’s blackcurrant (around 1,000 tonnes) goes into juicing. Most is for their flagship, NFC (not from concentrate), but some concentrate is supplied to various brands too. Blackcurrant fruit is picked and pressed on the same day, packed aseptically and delivered to cold store for marketing across the whole year.
Pixley Berries Cordials are made to Pixley recipes, and then sent to a local farm around
seven miles away for bottling. Just fruit, sugar and water, nothing else.
As the harvest is mechanised with the help of three Pattenden harvesters, finding labour has not been too much of a challenge. Pixley Berries has 22 permanent, full-time employees across the farm and factory, and takes on an additional 10 seasonal staff for harvest – many of whom return year after year.
Machinery is a mix of new and second hand –Richard Tooby near Pixley in Herefordshire, and NP Seymour in Kent are used if they need anything out of the ordinary. Mechanics on the farm are still on the traditional side, Anna said, but they are always thinking about what will be needed in future, looking to other sectors for inspiration.
SFI limitations
As well as allowing them to trial biostimulants, the innocent funding has helped Pixley implement a number of nature-friendly initiatives to improve soil structure and biomass. While some of the farm is under the government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), it can be restrictive for fruit growers, Anna noted, as application windows don’t always fit in with the farm’s plans.
“It’s not a case of one rule fits everyone, which is frustrating but it is what it is. And you’ve got to make it work,” she added.
Out of Pixley’s 200ha, around 120ha is in blackcurrants – either cropping or a grubbing and replanting programme. The remainder is in hedgerow management (around 11km of mature oak, ash, thorn, cherry, willow and alder), ancient
woodland, coppices and headland.
The farm has 20ha of what they call ‘ecological orchards’ and permanent grassland. Wild owers are encouraged to establish on headlands to provide habitat for moths and butter ies, and a reedbed alongside the reservoir provides a home for frogs and toads. At night the farm is a hive of activity, with owls, otters, bats and buzzards.
Other measures being taken on the farm include limiting ploughing to once across the cycle of grubbing and replanting including withdrawing from residual herbicides in the years prior to grubbing. They grub up immediately after harvest and sow a winter cover crop – sowing pollinator and soil enhancing crops in the summer to get the biomass up.
Additionally, when blackcurrants are pressed, they take out the pomace (skin and seed) and mulch it down to create their own compost, which is spread back on the eld using a side delivery spreader with a camera and hydraulic controls.
Pixley is also trying to manage weed control in young plantations slightly di erently, using an adapted mechanical weeder which has been quite successful, but is very di erent to the traditional methods of blackcurrant growing that they’re used to. “It’s been quite a change but we all know it’s the right thing to do and some of the results have been really interesting, so it gives you the motivation to keep at it,” Anna said.
Next up they are going to purchase a soil microbe meter and carry out regular, extensive soil
sampling. The farm’s rst soil organic carbon (SOC) soil readings were done on farm back in 2007 and as the technology has moved on signi cantly since then, it’s di cult to draw many conclusions – so it’s time to update it, Anna said. “We’re doing some really good things on the farm so it will be interesting to understand what we’re doing to the soil and how we can do better.”
Another forward-looking measure is putting solar panels on some sheds with the aim of having battery storage on-site. This will mean that should they decide they want to go down the electric route in future – for mowers or gators for example – they will be self-su cient in electricity.
Managing director: Anna Ralph
Location: Herefordshire
Total size in ha: 200ha (120ha in blackcurrants)
Varieties grown: Pixley Black, Pixley Silk, Pixley Velvet, Pixley Noir, Ben Tirran, Ben Gairn and Ben Hope
Soil type: Silty clay loam
Pixley supplies its products in the form of juice and aroma for around 60 different consumer products
A study into the extent of the spread of Asian hornets should not be interpreted as a sign that the invasive species has been eradicated in the UK, according to the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA).
Whilst encouraged by the evidence in the study, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), that measures to limit the spread of yellow-legged Asian hornets (YLH) in the UK have been successful so far, the BBKA has noted that there have been several media reports recently that interpret the ndings as suggesting the insects’ incursion has been stopped completely. The BBKA feels that this is a misreading of the study and one which could hamper future e orts to prevent its establishment.
According to BBKA, the UKCEH research looks at the success of
measures in limiting spread. It does not suggest the threat has been removed. The report should not be seen as an 'all-clear' for this country going forward: a very signi cant threat still remains, despite the huge ongoing e orts by governments and civil society.
Continued public vigilance and support is vital in maintaining the positive momentum outlined by the UKCEH’s ndings.
Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA, said: “The evidence in the study highlights the e ectiveness of surveillance and rapid eradication. The hard work of BBKA's associations and their members who've worked
hard since the rst incursion to support the National Bee Unit's work to prevent establishment is hugely appreciated.
“The BBKA hopes everyone will
continue their e orts to raise public awareness which is essential for monitoring and reporting.”
Dr Richard Hassall, lead author of the UKCEH study, added: “Our research highlights the e ectiveness of action in the UK in preventing the spread of the yellow-legged hornet. Ongoing vigilance and rapid reporting of yellow-legged hornets is critical as the possibility of continued invasion remains high in the UK. We encourage people to report any suspected sightings to the Asian Hornet Watch App which is available online and as a mobile app.”
You can also map any Asian hornets trapped with ‘Catch’ by AsianHornetAlert.org.uk – visit https://catch.asianhornetalert.org. uk
Agrovista agronomist Fokion Chatziavgerinos highlights the importance of accurate weather and disease-forecasting tools, and shares his thoughts on early season agronomy. The weather in the UK has become increasingly unpredictable and unstable.
Apple scab risk increases in wet conditions, with ascospores spread by rain and wind, making it hard for growers to time fungicide applications. Similarly, downy mildew, a major threat to vineyards, thrives when it is warm and rainy.
Given the increasing vagaries of the UK climate, weather stations and disease prediction models are becoming essential tools for apple and vine growers to mitigate the risks posed by top fruit and vine diseases.
Relationship between weather and disease
Integrating real-time weather data with disease forecasting software helps clarify the relationship between weather patterns and disease development, enabling growers to make more informed and timely decisions.
Weather stations in orchards or vineyards collect critical local data, such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and leaf wetness. This information is vital for understanding the microclimate around the crops and helps predict potential disease outbreaks.
Disease models like those used for apple scab and downy mildew can then be used to predict disease risk, by providing detailed forecasts based on historical weather patterns and real-time environmental factors.
For example, apple scab models predict the magnitude of spore release and infection periods based on temperature and rainfall. Similarly, downy mildew models highlight optimal conditions for infection and the timing of spore germination and release.
Agrovista’s Fruit Insight platform is one of the most progressive disease and pest management tools of its kind. It combines real-time weather data with the advanced pest and disease prediction model, RIMpro.
Fruit Insight tracks key threats such as apple scab, codling moth, reblight, neonectria canker, apple saw y, downy mildew and powdery mildew, providing insights on pest and disease activity.
Updated every 30 minutes, the app helps growers time their applications for maximum e ectiveness, reducing unnecessary treatments and minimising costs. It also allows users to input scab spray programmes, tracking residual coverage and curative activity.
This data-driven approach supports sustainable, e cient management, helping growers to make informed decisions and protect their crops while reducing environmental impact.
fruit
Monitoring for red spider mite eggs and woolly aphid on apple trees early in the season is important to assess the necessity of applying control in the spring.
Gazelle SG approval has come to an end for top fruit, so we will need to adapt and opt for other control options for a number of pests including apple blossom weevil, forest bug, rosy apple aphid amongst others.
Thorough monitoring is required to assess the levels of such pests and intervene when thresholds are reached and/or exceeded. Growers should contact their local Agrovista agronomist to discuss the best control protocols.
Applications for canker and scab control should start promptly at the start of green tip. Product selection will depend on risk and product availability. Spray coverage is of paramount importance, so we recommend using well-formulated and tailored adjuvants such as Velocity, rather than generalist ones, when applying fungicides.
The approval for Syllit 400SC will end on 31st December this year and supply of product ceased at the end of December 2024, so only existing stock on-farm can be used. In conventional orchards we will need to accurately time the applications of scab products and tailor the fungicide programme based on risk.
In pear orchards we need to monitor pear sucker carefully and plan the approach for control in line with the existing pest pressure. We should consider applications of Surround and, when conditions are suitable, the introduction of Koppert Anthocoris predatory bugs.
When trees reach bud-scale separation stage it is important to start assessing the presence of pear weevil using the beating tray as well as by thoroughly examining the buds for damage and egg-laying.
Where threshold is reached in orchards, the ndings should be correlated with the daytime temperatures and the number of fruit buds to decide whether treatment is necessary. In mild weather, when daytime temperatures are around 15°C, weevil egg-laying activity is signi cant and growers should discuss options with their agronomist.
On stone fruit, it is important to bear in mind the risk of canker at the start of the season, during bud burst. Orchard hygiene and management play an important role in managing this problem.
In addition, we recommend well-timed applications of certain foliar feeds and biostimulants, together with suitable adjuvants that improve water quality, coverage and uptake, such as Velocity.
Weed control applications need to be planned before green cluster. Standard glyphosate applications are allowed before green cluster stage (white bud stage on stone fruit). Kyleo is approved for top fruit before green cluster stage.
Starane Hi-Load has good broad-spectrum control of broad-leaved weeds, with good e cacy on nettles. Shield Pro also gives good control of broad-leaved weeds and can be applied with good results where thistles are present.
Growers should aim for good crop hygiene, removing infected plant material from the crop and minimising inoculum carryover. Those who established vines last year should install trellising/ supporting systems until June this year. If trellising is not established during the rst year immediately after planting, it can be carried out the following spring when the weather is dry.
Fokion Chatziavgerinos joined Agrovista’s highly regarded team of fruit specialists in 2021, advising on tree fruit and vines across England and Wales. Key interests include integrated pest management, plant pathology, fruit tree nutrition and fruit crop physiology.
During the winter season, important decisions need to be made regarding the farm pruning strategy. Correct pruning will de ne the tree shape, vigour and crop load for that season. It will have a direct in uence on further orchard work and associated labour costs, especially during thinning and picking operations. Structural pruning for tree shape and branch renewal should be carried out in the winter and spring, with summer pruning for vigour control and light management. Achieving pruning consistency throughout the orchard is essential for high productivity and maintaining fruit quality.
When to prune: This should be based on variety, age of tree, vigour and canker management. Generally prune the oldest orchards rst during the winter and those varieties with less canker susceptibility e.g. Bramley, Cox and Jonagold. Leave pruning young orchards and canker susceptible varieties until the spring.
Who should prune: This is determined by the skill set required in each orchard and sta availability i.e. farm and contract labour. The most skilled and experienced workers should prune the younger orchards as these are the future ‘engine room’ of the farm. Aim for consistency from year to year with the same sta pruning the same orchards.
Supervision: This is essential to maintain quality. Avoid large numbers of pruners in one orchard – I prefer one or two workers per orchard to maintain consistency. This does involve more management organisation and time, but the overall results are far better.
Machinery: Electric secateurs and orchard platforms will greatly improve productivity. Avoid ladders or steps in the orchards by dividing the orchard pruning into two jobs i.e. lower and middle part of the tree from the ground and then tops on platforms. This allows the tops to be pruned later in the year if required, to improve the vigour control and achieve a better tree shape.
Price: Hourly or piecework. Monitor the costs against farm budgets, not only by orchard, but also down to the individual tree. Piecework rates in most orchard situations will improve productivity, but hourly pay in young orchards with ‘less pruning cuts and more thinking time’ is generally better.
Pruning for productivity and pro t
The primary aim of commercial apple pruning is to maximise the kilograms of class one fruit on the tree. Intensive apple orchards lend themselves to a much simpler form of pruning, as the trees are usually 0.8–1.0m apart, so there is usually no need to tip the young feathers ‘to ll the space’ or to create complicated branch structures.
Minimal pruning of the young tree in the rst three years also promotes more fruit bud and a quicker yield build-up after the planting year. Early cropping in the tree’s life naturally controls the tree vigour without the need for branch manipulation i.e. tying down branches below the horizontal.
As trees reach maturity, remove the two or three problem (i.e. vigorous) branches each year with a ‘Dutch’ or stub cut close to the trunk to maintain the tree’s cropping balance.
Tree balance: Aim for cropping units of a similar diameter range throughout the tree to maintain balance. Remove the problem branches i.e. too vigorous, too upright or too dominant with a size diameter greater than 50% of the tree's trunk.
Tree architecture and shape: Aim for a tall and narrow 'A' shaped tree tapering to the top. This will maximise the light interception which is essential for good fruit bud development, spur leaf quality and associated apple nutrition including sugars (Brix).
Light management: Maximising the light interception and air ow through the tree by evenly spacing the cropping units (branches), will increase fruit colour and the class one percentage.
Crop management: Remove complicated branches which will carry small, poorly coloured fruit.
Removing a vigorous shoot with a Dutch cut Severe canker infection in a tree stem
Shorten back droopy wood, especially in the top of the tree, which often bear bunches or ropes of small fruit. This will reduce the hand thinning and orchard costs later in the season.
Vigour management: Pruning the vigorous tops in the summer (ideally after the longest day) will reduce the growth response and rebalance the tree’s shape. This will reduce shading throughout the tree and encourage more fruit bud development for the following season.
Canker management: Prune more susceptible varieties e.g. Gala, Jazz and Kanzi etc, in the spring when the tree sap is owing and pruning wounds heal quicker. Pruning young orchards (under four years old) in April/May also reduces potential canker infection, but pruning in dry weather is essential.
Harvest: Many orchards are now picked with harvesting rigs so ensure pickers can easily see and quickly access all the fruit. Apples hidden in the middle of the tree or too low to the ground will be missed, therefore remove these harvest issues through targeted pruning.
Mark Holden is an independent horticultural consultant with 35 years of farm management experience in commercial fruit production.
Until 2022, Mark was the farming director at Adrian Scripps Ltd, managing 400ha of top fruit, grapes and blackcurrants.
Mark’s expertise means he can o er a particular emphasis on orchard design, tree architecture and crop management. To discuss your needs, contact him directly on 07850 409091, via mark@ holdenfruitconsultancy. com or visit www. holdenfruitconsultancy. com for more information.
The recent loss of pesticides including Calypso for important orchard pests such as aphids, as well as the impending withdrawal of Gazelle, Batavia and Explicit (the latter for caterpillar control – namely codling moth), certainly presents top fruit growers with challenges in maintaining a clean crop, but also brings with it the necessity to re-think how to manage pests di erently.
By partnering with nature, Koppert has built an impressive portfolio of natural enemies to combat crop pests, supplying bumblebees for pollination, and developing microbials and biostimulants to support, protect and strengthen crops – improving plant health both above and below ground.
Whilst there are several strategies that growers can adopt to encourage naturally occurring bene cial insects into the elds during late spring and summer (e.g. through the use of wild ower strips, owering leys, cover crops etc.), extra help may be needed at key times of the year when pests are starting to emerge, or at speci c stages in the pest life cycle which provide a window of opportunity for biological controls to be introduced.
An example of this is the use of hover ies – the larvae of which are voracious predators of a wide range of aphid species, including rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea) and woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum). Koppert o ers two species of hover y
– the ‘marmalade hover y’ Episyrphus balteatus (product name Syrphidend), and the slightly smaller species Sphaerophoria rueppellii (product name Rophoria). For convenience, both species are supplied as hover y pupae in small cardboard dispensing boxes. Starting from blossom, which ensures a food source is present for the adult hover ies to feed on, introductions of Syrphidend are recommended to ensure these bene cial insects are present as early as temperatures allow, to build a population in the orchards as aphid levels are starting to increase. The population of hover ies can be further strengthened during warmer temperatures with subsequent introductions of Rophoria. Adult female hover ies lay their eggs adjacent to aphid colonies. The resulting larvae of both species (which are active at night) are capable of consuming 300–500 aphids within their lifetime, ensuring a considerable contribution to aphid control during the growing season.
Codling moth is another pest causing increasing concern to growers of apples and pears, particularly given the more frequent occurrence of a second generation of the pest in late summer. Research carried out by Koppert France has proven that autumn treatments with entomopathogenic nematodes can reduce hibernating codling moth larvae by up to 80%, with fruit damage at harvest the following year reduced by 60–80%. The nematodes, speci cally the species Steinernema feltiae (product name Capirel) are applied to the larval stages of the pest during their descent from the trees in late summer/early autumn, with a repeat application before larval hatch in spring (late March–early April). Capirel has also been proven to have good e ects against apple saw y, when applied to fruitlets on the orchard oor following the June drop or fruit thinning. The product also currently has plum fruit moth (Cydia funebrana) and summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana) on the label, with more pests due to be added in future.
Pest mites such as fruit tree red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi), two-spotted spider mites
(Tetranychus urticae), together with species of rust and gall mites such as apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali) and vine erinose mite (Colomerus vitis) can often be successfully managed via the build-up of naturally occurring predatory mites such as Typhlodromus spp., if no broad-spectrum insecticides are used. However, for newly planted orchards and vineyards, which have not yet had time to build up a su cient population of natural enemies, or where predatory mites have been depleted through the use of chemical sprays, the generalist predatory mite species Amblyseius andersoni (product name Anso-Mite) can be introduced to help manage pest mites to acceptable levels, without being adversely a ected by sulphur sprays.
Apple and pear suckers (Psylla spp.) can be a nuisance on top fruit crops in certain areas of the UK. The predatory ower bug Anthocoris nemoralis can provide excellent control of the pest and is also available from Koppert in bottles of 500 adult anthocorids.
Pollination in top fruit is essential if high yields are to be achieved. Bumblebees are very e cient pollinators of fruit trees as they work longer hours and can tolerate colder temperatures and higher windspeeds than other species of pollinator. Koppert o ers both Natupol Trio and Booster hives, to cover a range of di erent orchard scenarios, ensuring your crop receives the best possible pollination attention via our native bu tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris audax).
Insect monitoring and control of wasps (particularly in vineyards at harvest) is an important component of pest management during the growing season. Koppert also o ers insect traps and attractant for SWD and wasps, together with pheromone traps for a wide range of pest moths.
Koppert has long been providing biological control and pollination advice and products to growers, since its founder, Dutch cucumber grower, Jan Koppert, rst successfully used the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis against two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in the late 1960s. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength and now has a global presence with 30 subsidiaries worldwide, selling a wide range of products in more than 100 countries. Contact your nearest Koppert consultant or distributor, or visit www.koppert.co.uk for more information.
In today’s world, there are machines (and now even robots) that can tackle almost every task in a vineyard or orchard, from planting and pruning to harvesting. NP Seymour director Claire Seymour explains more.
While most growers need a tractor, a sprayer and a mower, historically, the uptake of fancier, ‘optional’ pieces of machinery has primarily been dominated by large-scale operations, POs or growers with signi cant investment capabilities.
Nowadays, however, specialist equipment is becoming increasingly relevant, if not vital, and easily justi able for all growers of all sizes.
We all know that good, reliable labour is hard to nd and more expensive. And while this is an industry-wide problem, workers are often drawn in by additional perks and bene ts that are more readily available from bigger players.
Mechanising even the simplest of tasks not only removes these pressures but modern machinery can improve the precision, consistency and e ectiveness, making these innovations not just ‘luxuries’ but essential tools that can elevate the quality of your crop and help you stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry.
One of the oldest methods of frost protection is to heat the air. Many UK vine growers have adopted the traditional French practice of placing and lighting bougies. This ‘tried and tested’ method has been used for years, but as e ective as they are, they do require a signi cant amount of labour to set them out, light them (often in the middle of the night) and bring them back in.
The AgroFrost FrostGuard o ers an automated alternative. This machine activates itself when temperatures drop below a set point, eliminating the need for sleepless nights on frost watch. Beyond saving labour costs, it ensures a consistent and reliable defence against frost damage, making it an invaluable asset for growers prioritising peace of mind and e ciency.
Unlike other frost protection systems, the
machines from AgroFrost have also been deemed a more e ective way to protect crops as the working principle is not based on raising the temperature above the critical values but on phase transition and controlling the formation of hoarfrost. The FrostGuards can be used not only during radiation frost but also during wind frost and will protect up to 1ha.
An increased number of strawberry growers are now using natural enemies (bene cial predatory insects and mites) in integrated crop management (ICM) programmes, with 12 applications per season being the current average.
While it is possible to apply these products manually, it is incredibly labour-intensive and timeconsuming, not to mention a challenge for workers to apply in the right places at consistent rates.
Bio Applicators, such as the one developed by NP Seymour and Bioline AgroSciences, are variable-rate to ensure each plant gets exactly what it needs and can be designed and built to meet each grower’s speci c systems, with the option for up to eight application outlets.
The Bio Applicator also incorporates a cooled hopper to prevent certain insects, mainly Phytoseiulus, from rising to the top when warm, keeping everything well mixed and making consistent application easier.
Bud rubbing is a necessary but back-breaking vineyard task. If you’re an owner-operator, chances are it’s not a job you particularly look forward to. And if you have workers, it’s unlikely to add to their job satisfaction.
Robust strimmer heads like the Braun Vine Trunk Cleaner, which can be tted with rubber paddles
RED pulse Duo defoliator
or white cord, can mechanise the bud rubbing process while o ering added bene ts such as weed control without chemicals or soil disturbance.
For maximum e ciency, the trunk cleaner can be mounted on the Braun Alpha Mower, allowing growers to mow, bud rub, and perform mechanical weed control in one pass.
Hand-stripping vine leaves is a labour-intensive task and vineyards will often source large groups of seasonal workers to get it done in a timely manner. This approach not only has an associated cost but also depends on the availability of workers, which can be uncertain.
For small- and medium-sized vineyards, the BMV DFR470 defoliator o ers a dependable solution, removing the need for manual labour while delivering consistent results. As an added bonus, this machine can be mounted on the same frame as the BMV vine trimmer, o ering dual functionality for growers embracing mechanical solutions.
For orchards, defoliation is a relatively new technique and while the research and trials have good data to support that the practice yields worthwhile results, if limited to manual handstripping it is unlikely many would adopt it. Thankfully, Fruit-tec has developed its REDpulse Duo defoliator speci cally for top fruit growers.
The pneumatic machine emits a high-frequency pulsating air stream to remove leaves from the middle to lower half of the tree. This, in turn, helps to aerate fruit and allows more sunlight to penetrate through the canopy to the fruit, increasing colouration. On the cost and e ciency side of things, it has also been reported to make picking easier.
As the fruit and vine industries continue to evolve and tackle new challenges, it’s becoming clearer that mechanisation is not just a luxury for large-scale growers but a practical, essential investment for operations of all sizes.
To discuss the wide range of specialist fruit and vine machinery available from NP Seymour please contact the sales team on 01580 712200 or email sales@npseymour.co.uk
Braun Vine Trunk Cleaner
Frosco’s advanced foam is a breakthrough in frost protection, with wider benefits on the horizon too.
After some di culties with nding a suitable system for spraying its foam, Frosco is nally ready for eld testing this spring and seeking additional partners.
For those new to Frosco, it has developed a foam that can protect crops all night against temperatures well below freezing. The ultra-stable foam is plant-based, low-cost and entirely safe for crops.
Founder George Klat – a fruit grower himself –spent six years developing this solution, inspired by how a blanket of snow can insulate and frustrated with the available environmentally harmful solutions.
His work drew interest from researchers at Imperial College London back in 2022, and since then, George has continued re ning the technology to prepare it for commercial application.
Previous attempts at foam-based frost protection, dating back to the 1950s, fell short in both practicality and performance. They required layers over 10cm thick to provide meaningful insulation – making them unsuitable for vines and most fruit crops.
Even then, the foams were often too unstable
to last through the night and came with a price tag that made widespread use unrealistic.
Frosco’s innovation represents a signi cant step forward in foam-based frost protection, and indeed frost protection more generally, being cost-e ective, ultra-stable and remarkably reliable against cold weather.
How does it work?
Our foam is designed to work with sub-zero temperatures, rather than against them.
As temperatures fall, water in the foam freezes and releases latent heat, which the foam essentially captures and slows, forming a protective blanket around crops.
The release of latent heat during phase transitions drives many natural processes. During dew formation, for example, when water vapour condenses into liquid droplets, latent heat is released which creates a thin layer of protective warmth on surfaces.
Indeed, modern frost- ghting sprinkler systems also leverage this principle, but Frosco’s system harnesses it far more e ciently. Unlike sprinkler systems, which run all night, the foam
is just applied once – minimising water usage, driving down costs and not drenching elds.
Frosco also o ers an alternative to wind machines and heaters, which can be costly, energy-intensive and not always e ective – but could also work in tandem with these systems to enhance protection.
Frost protection is just the beginning, however, with trials underway to explore the potential of the foam in easing pest and fungal pressures, including acting as a barrier to SWD in vineyards. Early results also suggest the foam provides protection against extreme heat, with temperatures inside the foam 5–7°C cooler than outside temperatures.
The remarkable versatility of the foam could one day o er growers a comprehensive, all-season protection system.
We are happy to announce a recent breakthrough in our nozzle technology, which means the foam can now be applied e ciently and with consistent quality.
One of the key advantages of our foam is that it can be applied by just one or two individuals, unlike traditional methods that require constant monitoring or overnight operation.
The foam can also be applied well in advance of an expected frost event, either on the same day or, depending on the formulation, many days ahead.
We hope this exibility will provide peace of mind to growers, allowing them to plan proactively rather than reacting to sudden temperature drops.
Preliminary results from CRAM, an independent Canadian laboratory, have con rmed the e cacy of the foam for protecting crops through the night. The full results will be published in summer.
This spring will also see widespread eld
testing in British and French vineyards. We welcome further interested vineyards, and are now actively seeking growers in other agricultural sectors looking to trial the foam. Those interested please reach out to George Klat via george@frosco.io or give him a call on 07484 320344.
Guarany backpack motorised power mister
Guarany backpack manual sprayer
Guarany high pressure sprayer
Orchards and vineyards often present an access problem for large vehicle mounted sprayers and granule distribution systems. For smaller growers, vehicle mounted sprayers may not be necessary or they may not be an option due to cost.
The beauty of non-vehicle mounted sprayers – backpack or handheld – is they allow operators to access even hard to reach or uneven terrain and to really get in between and underneath rows of vines and fruit trees to apply fertilisers, insecticides and other agrochemicals.
There are numerous sprayers on the market from very simple and very cheap manual options (powered by the user) to more sophisticated, automatic versions which are battery-powered or motorised.
Different types of manual sprayer
• Compression sprayers – Generate pressure within the tank of the sprayer via a hand operated pump (on top of or to the side of the sprayer). This pressure forces the liquid along the lance and out of the nozzle when a trigger is pressed. Compression sprayers provide an accurately directed spray.
• High-pressure sprayers – Generate pressure in the lance/nozzle with a continual pumping action. This reduces the accuracy of the spray but it does mean that higher pressures can be achieved, resulting in a much ner spray. Often this feature is useful when thick foliage needs to be treated or awkward areas reached. Manual sprayers are, of course, going to be more a ordable in terms of initial purchase cost, operation (just your physical e ort!) and maintenance. They are simpler pieces of equipment and there is therefore less to go wrong. Spare and replacement parts are readily available and relatively cheap. They can be used anywhere and for as long as your energy lasts. The downside
The Professional Sprayers People (PSP) gives the lowdown on powered and non-powered handheld/backpack sprayers.
of manual sprayers is that they are harder work. If you have a large area to spray or time constraints, an automatic sprayer is more convenient.
Manual sprayer bene ts include:
• Lighter
• Simple to maintain
• Cheaper initial outlay
• Spares and parts cheap and available
• Use them anywhere for as long as you need to/are able to
• More environmentally friendly
• Good for smaller areas/shorter jobs.
Battery sprayers use a power source, typically a lightweight lithium-ion battery, to generate the pressure needed for spraying. These batteries are known for their long run times, quick recharge capabilities and portability. Although slightly heavier than manual sprayers, they save both time and e ort and, with no manual pumping necessary, they free up one hand to move obstacles and precisely direct the spray. Because the pressure supplied is constant, drop size is consistent which improves the quality of application and treatment. They are available in backpack and handheld versions.
Controlled droplet application/ultra low volume (CDA/ULV) sprayers are another type of battery-operated sprayer ideal for use in large vineyards and orchards where weeds are an issue. These sprayers enable the application of undiluted herbicides in precise droplets, minimising waste and drift. They use up to 80% less herbicide, reducing costs, and no independent water supply is needed, reducing operational hassle.
Aside from battery-powered sprayers, motorised backpack sprayers, which run on two-stroke petrol, are very useful in a vineyard
and fruit setting. They can create a ne mist which is ideal for penetrating deep into foliage and up high. They can also be used against pathogens and pests in fruit storage areas. The disadvantages of automated sprayers that use batteries and/or petrol-powered sprayers is that they are less environmentally-friendly and they have a limited running time. There is also more to go wrong.
Bene ts of automatic sprayers include:
• Good for larger areas
• Less physical e ort
• Constant pressure and droplet size give more accurate spraying
• More time e cient
• ULV sprayers deliver considerable cost savings in the medium term
• Motorised sprayers provide ne droplets to penetrate dense foliage.
Your choice of sprayer will be dictated by the job you have to do and your budget. For spot spraying or spraying small areas, manual sprayers will likely be adequate. For larger areas or for more specialist jobs – fogging or misting – a more sophisticated sprayer might be a good investment. Automatic sprayers will cost more both in terms of initial outlay and, possibly, in ongoing maintenance. Whichever type of sprayer you go for, look for professional quality products which are robust and tough in design and can handle whatever you are planning to spray. Ensure that you buy from a source that you can easily contact for spares and parts or for after sales advice if problems arise and check the warranty on the equipment. Also, look at what accessories are available with the model you choose as these can increase the versatility of your equipment, thus making it more cost e ective.
30 year success story
✓ High resistance against cold, drought and heat
✓ More pro t for farmers without extra work
✓ Protection from stress due to pest attack
✓ Stronger rooting & larger root mass
✓ Rich harvest of excellent quality
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tel: 07702 293 727
email: marcus@mjpsupplies.co.uk
www.mjpsupplies.co.uk
Providing enough calcium is crucial for improving fruit quality and shelf life, but the real challenge is getting the calcium to the right parts of the plant, explain Hortifeeds agronomist Mike Wainwright and Croda Europe Ltd lead applications scientist, Dr Robert Kempster.
According to Mike Wainwright, the CaT foliar biostimulant technology in Amētros helps to move calcium to exactly where it’s needed. Calcium is crucial for building the ‘backbone’ structure of plant cells, strong cell walls and membranes. If fruits don't get enough calcium, their cells can collapse, leading to disorders that reduce yield, quality, and shelf life, such as bitter pit in apples (see Figure 1).
Calcium primarily moves through the plant with water in the xylem, not with sugars in the phloem. This means that calcium movement depends on water ow through the plant, which is driven by transpiration. The waxy surfaces and lack of stomata on fruit surfaces can cause low transpiration rates, thus limiting the availability of calcium. Calcium supply is especially important in fast-growing parts, like fruits, that have a high demand.
The CaT biostimulant technology in Amētros stimulates an alternative way for calcium to travel through the plant. Normally, calcium moves in water that ows around but not through cells. When this primary route is limited, due to low water ow, movement through cells becomes more important. CaT helps open calcium channels in cell membranes, increasing calcium levels inside the cells so enhancing calcium mobility (see Figure 2).
To demonstrate this, researchers at Lancaster University used a sensitive imaging method to capture plant calcium movement, with areas lighting up when calcium levels in cells were high.
They treated plants with either a CaT product or a calcium nitrate control, applying it to just one leaf. The CaT-treated plant quickly showed a rise in calcium levels, which then spread to other leaves that were not treated. The e ect of CaT was much stronger than the calcium nitrate control (see Figure 3).
Amētros consistently reduces the incidence of
bitter pit in apples. As shown in the graph (see Figure 4), the incidence of bitter pit in Bramley apples was reduced by Amētros (1.5-litres/ha) compared to all other treatments. Furthermore, fruit from Amētros treated trees had the highest calcium content, despite a lower calcium application rate. This was an independent trial conducted by East Malling Research, UK.
The advantages of using CaT Technology are not restricted to tree fruit production. For a wide range of soft fruit, multiple trials have shown that Amētros leads to bene ts including increased marketable yield, improved quality and longer shelf life.
Blueberries have better fruit rmness and fewer unmarketable fruit after storage. Similarly, strawberries show enhanced fruit rmness at harvest and a signi cant reduction in fruit rejections during storage. In trials, both strawberries and raspberries demonstrated increased Brix levels following Amētros application. Trials in table grapes have shown increased berry calcium content, increased berry size and yield, as well as less berry detachment during storage.
Amētros can be added to most routine spray programmes (refer to label recommendations prior to application) so often no additional spray passes are needed to apply the product. Given the importance of calcium and how its mobility can limit e ective crop nutrition, including a solution to help this issue is an important addition to the fruit grower’s armoury.
With many years of successful use over a wide range of fruit crops, it’s clear that the CaT Technology used in Amētros is a tried and tested method of improving the marketable yield and shelf life of fruit.
Amētros is available to UK fruit growers exclusively via Hortifeeds. For more information, visit www.hortifeeds.co.uk
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Forty Hall Vineyard is London’s only commercial-scale vineyard, and is run as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Its head of operations, Emma Lundie, explained how it works to Fruit & Vine editor Rachel Hicks
Emma Lundie is a social entrepreneur and local food sustainability champion, as well as the head of operations at Forty Hall Vineyard. The vineyard is a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise that is largely tended by a group of over 100 dedicated volunteers, with a small management team to oversee the work. Income from the sales of the wine is put back into the project to sustain the vineyard, and allow it to deliver mental health and wellbeing benefits to its community.
“I had a background in marketing and networking local food producers as well as running food events,” explains Emma. “I have made it my mission to connect consumers with growers and makers, including a farmers’ market that takes place on Forty Hall Farm, where the vineyard is located. So I originally came to the vineyard to help promote the project and its wines.
“I quickly became immersed in the project, and the world of viticulture as a whole – it was a completely unique environment in London, with an amazing volunteer community. I loved the focus on people and the beneficial connection with nature.”
In 2019, the founder of Forty Hall Vineyard, Sarah Vaughan-Roberts, stepped down and Emma was passed the baton, taking on the role of leading the project. “It felt like a natural progression in many ways, but I had to learn vineyard management very fast!” she shares. “I was very lucky to have a lot of expertise around me, including the vineyard manager at the time Chus Bartolome who taught me an incredible amount along with our wine making partner Will Davenport.”
With a community of over a hundred
volunteers and sales and events to oversee, there are many elements to Emma’s role – with no day ever being the same.
The vineyard was planted in 2009, originally just 1,000 Bacchus vines planted by hand, on one acre of land. However, these failed and were eaten by sheep. So they replanted Bacchus in 2010, this time mechanically, followed by an expansion in 2011 of a further 13,000 vines, including Ortega, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Capel Manor College, London’s environmental college, gave the project use of the land at Forty Hall Farm, Enfield to plant the vineyard as a community growing project.
At the time, the farm was being newly developed primarily for use by students as a place of learning, but also for community benefit. The fields hadn’t been farmed for a number of years, so when the vines were planted it was always intended to be done so sustainably and organically.
At the time this was considered madness, especially in the middle of London. Three years
Over winter, sheep from
after the vines were planted, Forty Hall Vineyard was Certi ed Organic by the Soil Association. The vineyard now covers 4.5ha across two elds. While the vineyard is in a good position, south facing on a gentle slope, Emma explains there have been challenges with compaction and collection of water in the bottom of one of the elds: “To remedy this, we have recently created some drainage channels through the eld in the worst section to lter into a pond at the bottom, which also encourages more biodiversity. Our other eld hasn’t presented these challenges as the slope is perfect
Over 100 dedicated volunteers assist the management team in the vines
Forty Hall’s tractor is a second-hand classic and dependable Fendt – simple to maintain. Voxx Machinery built the undervine strimmer
there, and the soil slightly better for natural drainage.”
A London location might not sound ideal, but it has its advantages, as Emma explains: “Being within the M25 we are a few degrees warmer here, with the heat generated from the city of London providing a bit of a blanket for us! We generally nd we’re at least a week ahead in the growing season and harvesting than the rest of the south east.
“We are a little exposed in parts and have, on occasion, had some icy easterly winds whipping through, after bud burst. We are increasing tree planting in areas to provide more wind breaks and, in one section on the westerly side, lowering the tree line to create a channel so the wind can pass through from east to west and not get trapped in the vineyard, damaging the vine; this will also help us with disease management by increasing air ow. We’re also going to experiment with covering the vines with nets on the east side this year to see if that has any impact on breaking any icy winds before hitting the vines.”
On average, Forty Hall harvests around 12 tonnes per year. However, Emma points out that there are huge uctuations year-by-year. “We had three years in a row where we were barely able to scrape three tonnes, thanks to frost damage followed by two years of devastating powdery mildew. Since then, we have invested in better spray equipment, and a tractor that we have for our sole use and not shared with the rest of the farm, so we can spray exactly when we need to.
“We also invested in an undervine strimmer built for us by Voxx Machinery to control the undervine growth, which is one of the biggest challenges in an organic vineyard. The long grass and weeds create a perfect environment for disease, prevent good
air ow and deprive the vines of nutrition. Keeping this down really supports the health of the vines. “Voxx Machinery owner Rob Burr is always on hand to o er advice, maintenance and support,” Emma says. Over the winter the farm’s sheep come into the elds to graze, keeping the grass and under-vine growth down while fertilising the ground.
“We also focus our e orts on ag shoot removal, and that has made a huge di erence. 2023 was our best year ever – we harvested 32 tonnes. Prior to that our highest yield was 18 tonnes in 2018, so this was quite extraordinary! Thanks to the investments we anticipate our average yield will increase, weather permitting.”
Emma points out that last year was challenging though, with lots of rain early in the year making it di cult to spray and to pass through with the tractor to strim under the vines.
“For the rst time ever, we had an issue with snails and slugs, eating the leaves and buds at the beginning of the season. Flowering was also compromised. Another challenge was the lack of sun. We harvested later than ever before, beginning at the second week of October – we held our breaths waiting for veraison and thankfully, with the advantage of our London climate, we were a week ahead of most vineyards and did get the sugars and acidity to the ideal point needed for good wine.”
Powdery mildew has been Forty Hall’s biggest threat, and removing infected shoots as early as possible is the most e ective method of control in an organic vineyard. “Our viticulture manager Christian has his eyes to the vines, but we also have a task force of volunteers monitoring them from May onwards. We use a combination of sulphur and copper in line with our organic status and potassium bicarbonate as an eradicant to control the spread of powdery mildew if it does establish.
“Our viticulture manager Christian is on site at least twice a week. But at one point we also invited a
consultant from Vinescapes in for a second opinion on our priorities in terms of equipment and disease management. This was really helpful and gave us the con dence to use our resources to fundraise for the equipment we desperately needed.
“In addition to the undervine strimmer from Voxx, we also invested in a new sprayer from Ernest Doe which has made all the di erence to the e ective coverage of spray across the vineyard.
“Birds consistently cause problems for us, and 2024 was particularly bad. We move bird scaring kites around the eld after veraison but the most e ective control we’ve found is a bird sound box. It releases a variety of bird sounds through speakers throughout the vineyard that confuses and deters most birds, but the parakeets wise up to it after a few weeks so we have a limited time to use it. In 2024 we had a longer wait to harvest, so the birds had longer to feast, it was quite frustrating. We were very happy to nally get the grapes picked and away to the winery. Although not a bumper year, under the conditions, we were happy with the yield. So many vineyards lost their entire crop due to the lack of sun, and increased disease and pest pressures.”
Forty Hall trains its vines on the VSP Guyot system –alternating the direction of one fruiting cane from year to year. The trellising has metal posts and two pairs of foliage wires, above the fruiting wire to support the growth.
Emma and her team use the ‘gentle pruning method’ as taught by Simonit & Sirch. The method respects the natural, organic structure of the vine by encouraging sap to ow evenly and freely through both sides of the vine, by opening out the vine and reducing scarring inside through larger cuts on older wood.
All the grapes are harvested by hand. “In addition to our regular volunteers, we invite friends, family and the local community in to join us for picking,” shares Emma. “It’s a really enjoyable communal experience for everybody who joins in, although it does take some coordination. We can have up to 70 volunteers joining in on a pick if there’s a high yield, and our grapes are transported to the winery within hours.”
The vineyard generally produces two stills; a single
varietal Ortega and Bacchus, and a traditional method sparkling – the London Brut. “Although we do experiment and adapt depending on the yield,” explains Emma. “Last year we decided not to make a sparkling as we have so much already in production from 2023 to be released this year. Instead, we decided to create a rosé from our Pinot grapes. This is the rst produced from our grapes, so we’re really looking forward to that.”
The wines are created from Forty Hall’s own grapes by pioneering organic winemaker Will Davenport. “He is an exceptionally experienced organic winemaker who shares our ethos and uses minimal intervention – letting the grapes speak for themselves. We do also now sell some of our grapes to ease the cash ow. We ensure we sell to winemakers who share our ethos. It’s really exciting to taste the wines they create from our organic London grapes and to build partnerships within the industry.”
The majority of the wines are sold directly online and via the farm shop at Forty Hall Farm, as well as the farmers market on the farm once a month. Emma says they have a very loyal following locally who appreciate the wine and support their ethos. They also sell some of their wines to trade to independent retailers and wine merchants.
Forty Hall Vineyard is the site of learning for an exciting range of part-time viticulture courses at Capel Manor College, London’s environmental college. The introductory courses in viticulture and wine business o er an opportunity for people in and around London to begin their path to a career in the UK's rapidly growing wine industry or simply develop a personal interest.
The vineyard also o ers monthly tour and tasting events from April to October. The tours run alongside the farmers’ market, providing a full day out at Forty Hall Farm. Emma adds: “Last year we also had a successful ‘Picnic in the Vines’ event with live music that I’m planning to repeat again this year.
“We aim to be fully sustainable nancially through wine sales and other activities without relying on fundraising. I would like to be able to extend our learning and wellbeing activities for the community to come in and bene t from the environment. A new visitor/classroom building in the vineyard would be the dream.”
Location: En eld, London
Total vineyard size: 4.5ha
Soil type: The top layer is made up of brown earthy clay and ints. Beneath this is Boyn Hill Terrace which contains brown sand, gravel and int and heavier clay, and deeper below that is sti , brown, and impermeable London clay
Aspect: South facing gentle slopes, with a warming microclimate due to proximity to London
Varieties grown: 61 rows of Bacchus and 18 rows of Ortega for stills, plus 14 rows of Chardonnay, 35 rows of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to create Forty Hall’s sparkling wine
The vineyard offers monthly tour and tasting events from April to October, and plans to repeat live music events which proved successful
Forty Hall works with pioneering organic winemaker Will Davenport to make their still and sparkling wines, using minimal intervention
Will Mower, head of vineyard establishment at VineWorks, offers his advice on the steps involved in setting up a vineyard.
Starting a vineyard requires careful planning and a clear understanding of its purpose. Will the vineyard produce grapes for the fruit market or for wine production? The choice of grape variety and clone will either in uence the land selected or need to match the conditions of a predetermined site.
Land suitability di ers signi cantly depending on whether it is for sparkling or still wine production, and the various regions of the UK also play a key role in site selection.
VineWorks has established over 300 vineyards across the UK. Here is some guidance about the stages of vineyard development based on our experience. Many factors must be considered, and each eld presents unique challenges.
South, southeast, and southwest-facing slopes in the northern hemisphere receive the most sunlight throughout the day. This increased sun exposure is vital for ripening grapes in regions with shorter growing seasons and cooler temperatures.
Some sites in the UK are prone to frost, especially in low-lying areas where cold air tends to settle. Sloped vineyards o er better air drainage, allowing frost to roll o the hillside rather than accumulate, reducing the risk of frost damage.
The soil in a cool-climate vineyard should have good drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots, as this can stress vines and encourage disease. Loam, sandy loam, gravel, and chalk soils are ideal for providing both good drainage and nutrients that
promote healthy vine growth.
Di erent rootstocks thrive in soils with varying pH levels, though most prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7. Conducting a soil test before planting is essential to make necessary corrections to pH, organic matter, and macroand micronutrient levels.
Shallow, well-drained soils are advantageous because they limit the vine’s access to excessive nutrients, encouraging the plant to focus energy on fruit production rather than excessive vegetative growth. However, soil should still be deep enough to support root growth and provide access to su cient water and nutrients.
A microclimate is the speci c climate of a localised area, in uenced by factors such as elevation, proximity to water bodies, and prevailing wind patterns. These conditions can signi cantly impact the health of grapevines and the quality of the resulting wine. A growing season with an average temperature above 12.5°C or 850 growing degree days is generally a good starting point for site suitability.
Vineyards at higher elevations, above 100 metres above mean sea level, often experience cooler temperatures but bene t from extended sunlight exposure due to fewer atmospheric obstacles. Higher elevations also tend to be windier, which helps reduce humidity and lowers the risk of mildew and rot. However, altitudes above 140 metres may cause vine stress due to cooler temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and increased wind exposure.
Clear the site of existing vegetation, rocks, roots, and other obstructions. Arable elds often transition most easily to vineyards as they are already attened and cultivated. Deer fencing may be necessary, as deer can cause signi cant damage to younger vines, particularly in smaller vineyards. Additionally, installing hardstanding areas and gateways is important for managing materials and harvest logistics. Vineyards are often serviced by labour forces without four-wheel-drive vehicles, so providing accessible welfare facilities is essential.
Converting grassland or pasture into vineyards can be more challenging, as these elds often require extensive preparation. Natural England may object to cultivating land that has not been previously cultivated, so checking regulations is crucial. Soil preparation typically involves subsoiling, ploughing, and adding lime, organic matter, and nutrients as needed. Tilling the soil improves aeration and incorporates organic matter, such as compost or cover crops, to enhance fertility and soil structure.
VineWorks uses a GPS-guided planting machine for vineyard development, which requires a ne tilth of 25–30cm on planting day. This level of soil preparation may seem counter to practices in regenerative agriculture, where shallower or minimal cultivation is common. However, vineyard vines are planted deeper than most crops and remain in the ground for decades. Once established, vineyard soils are not extensively cultivated for a generation.
When planting vineyards by hand, some soil cultivation is essential to support root development. Proper soil preparation during the planting process lays the foundation for healthy vines and long-term vineyard success.
Establishing a vineyard requires thoughtful planning and attention to site-speci c details. From grape selection to soil preparation, every step is vital for success. At VineWorks, we proudly share our expertise, helping clients build thriving vineyards one vine at a time.
VineWorks has been establishing and supporting UK vineyards since 2006. With over 4.5 million vines planted, 300 vineyards established and thousands of tonnes of grapes hand-harvested, VineWorks' expertise comes from experience. Visit www.vine-works. com for more information and to get in touch.
Matt Servini, co-founder of The Craft Distilling Business, offers advice for those considering setting up a distillery.
The allure of transforming surplus fruit into highvalue spirits has captured the imagination of fruit growers worldwide. While traditional fruit-producing regions like Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Germany and France have long embraced the art of distilling, the UK’s burgeoning craft distilling scene o ers a unique opportunity for domestic growers.
The recent relaxation of alcohol production regulations in the UK has made it easier than ever for fruit farmers to venture into spirits. By capitalising on this trend, growers can create unique, high-quality products that appeal to discerning consumers.
A key driver of this growth is the UK government’s introduction of the Alcoholic Products Producer Approval (APPA) scheme. This streamlined regulatory framework simpli es the licensing process, making it more accessible for small-scale producers. By reducing administrative burdens, APPA encourages innovation and fosters the growth of the craft distilling industry.
Why distil?
Given the potential for wine and cider production, why should fruit growers consider distilling? The answer lies in several key advantages:
• Utilisation of lower-grade fruit – Distillation can transform imperfect or surplus fruit into valuable spirits, reducing waste and maximising pro ts.
• Longer shelf life – Spirits have a signi cantly longer shelf life than wine and cider, allowing for strategic planning and market entry.
• Higher value-added product – Distilled spirits often command higher prices, o ering greater pro tability
• Lower storage and shipping costs – The concentrated nature of spirits reduces storage and transportation costs
• Global export potential – The global demand for premium spirits presents exciting export opportunities.
The initial investment for a micro-distillery can vary depending on the production scale and the products you wish to make.
The equipment for a micro gin distillery cost as little as £16,000. However, a more signi cant investment is required when making fruit brandy. Around £60k will provide a fancy still suitable for a visitor centre and a brewhouse for the fermenters.
To navigate the complexities of setting up and running a distillery, seeking expert advice is highly recommended. Consultants can provide guidance on:
• Regulatory compliance – Ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations and obtaining necessary licenses
• Equipment selection –Choosing the right equipment to meet speci c production needs and budget constraints
• Recipe development – Creating unique and delicious spirit recipes that highlight the distinctive avours of your fruit
• Sta training – Training sta on distillation techniques and quality control.
By carefully considering these factors and seeking expert advice, fruit growers can successfully embark on the exciting journey of craft distilling and create a sustainable and pro table business. Companies like the Craft Distilling Business Ltd o er a one-stop shop for equipment and services to help set up a micro-distillery from scratch.
Europe has a rich history and a diverse range of fruit brandy. Here are some notable examples of European fruit growers who've made the leap into distilling:
• Agricola San Felice (Italy) – This Tuscan farm produces a range of fruit brandies alongside their wines. They use traditional alembic stills to distil their own plums, cherries, and apricots, resulting in elegant and aromatic spirits
• Schladerer (Black Forest Germany) –This family-owned distillery in the Black Forest has been producing fruit brandies for over 170 years. They are known for their Kirschwasser (cherry brandy) made from locally sourced cherries and their unique use of wooden barrels for ageing
• Rochelt (Vorarlberg, Austria) – This Austrian distillery is famous for its exquisite fruit brandies, particularly those made from Williams pears. They use a meticulous process, including hand-selecting fruit and slow fermentation, to create some of the world's most sought-after eaux-de-vie.
These examples showcase the diversity and tradition of fruit-based distilling in Europe. They demonstrate how growers can leverage their expertise in fruit cultivation to create distinctive and high-quality spirits that capture the essence of their terroir.
Branching out into craft distilling can be a rewarding venture for fruit farmers. By carefully considering the abovementioned factors and seeking expert advice, you can turn your passion for fruit into a thriving spirits business.
Matt Servini, co-founder of The Craft Distilling Business, is a seasoned industry expert with over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. With his deep knowledge of distilling and avour chemistry, Matt has helped over 300 entrepreneurs establish successful craft distilleries. By leveraging his expertise and passion, Matt and his team at The Craft Distilling Business empower individuals to turn their dreams of owning a distillery into reality.
Retailers are reporting a growing demand for alcohol-free drinks – but producing a quality low or no alcohol wine presents challenges. Sarah Kidby spoke to the experts to find out if a zero alcohol English wine could be on the horizon.
With an increasingly health-conscious population – and a younger generation that consumes far less alcohol – the popularity of zero or low alcohol drinks has risen signi cantly. At the end of 2024, Tesco reported 10% growth in sales of its low/no alcohol wines – with sales of Kylie Minogue’s 0% sparkling rosé seeing a boost of 70% compared to the previous year. Sales of low/no alcohol drinks in general rose during 2024, including, unusually, during the summer’s Euro 2024 football tournament. Similarly Waitrose now has over 15 ‘low and no’ options available and saw sales increase by 19% over the past year – and not just during typical times of year such as Dry January. It’s becoming a year-round trend, according to Waitrose low and no alcohol buyer Sarah Holland.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s Domaine is bringing a selection of its alcohol-free wines to Ocado for the rst time this year – Piquant, a still white; Cuveé, a sparkling rosé; and Vignette, a fullbodied red. The business saw its monthly sales in December eclipse its previous best by 120%.
Even some French wine producers are beginning to openly contemplate alcohol-free bottles – which not long ago would have been unspeakable. Les Belles Grappes, Bordeaux’s rst ever cave – wine shop – dedicated to no/low alcohol wines opened in November.
But despite its rising popularity, low/no alcohol wine presents signi cant challenges when it comes to production – particularly for English wine, as the commercial industry is still relatively
young. Creating a consistent product that is a facsimile for wine, but with zero alcohol, comes with loss of avour, aromas and preservative ability when the alcohol is removed. So, can it be done, and is it part of the future?
What methods are used?
Dr Akshay Baboo, resident oenologist at Plumpton College, believes the low/no alcohol category will catch on quickly – particularly in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as there is negligible duty on low alcohol wine, and zero duty on no alcohol wine.
After wine has been produced using traditional methods, alcohol is subsequently removed to produce low/no alcohol wine. Commenting on the challenges, Dr Baboo explains: “Alcohol is a fantastic solvent, meaning that it dissolves avour compounds rather well.
“And the trouble is when you try and take out alcohol, unfortunately these aroma compounds are also taken out at the same time which means that to balance the mouthfeel and avour you've
got to add 3–5g of sugar per litre, and then a load of avourings or stabilisers because alcohol is also a fantastic preservative.”
Reverse osmosis is a “fantastic way of removing alcohol”, he adds, or alternatively, producers can use a spinning cone device – which is like a centrifuge but with every alternate plate spinning at very high revolutions per minute. This strips the alcohol from the wine as it has a di erent density to water. Dr Baboo compares the process to pulling cream from milk.
Wine consultant Charlie Holland notes that these machines are generally large and expensive, however, so certain volumes and economies of scale are needed to justify the cost. “Given the relatively high costs involved in making English wines before dealcoholisation, and the generally smaller volumes produced by English wine producers, this can make the process inhibitory,” he adds. While the demand for low/no alcohol wines is there and the future looks bright for the category, Mr Holland argues that advancements in technology and taste are needed for it to become mainstream.
A considerably less attractive option for removing alcohol is dilution with water which would be done to the juice before fermentation, Dr Baboo says. However, it means the acidity is no longer in balance and acid will have to be added. Distillation is another possibility but the wine becomes tainted due to heat.
Additives, including dimethyl decarbonate (trade name Velcorin), can be used to combat the loss of avour and preservative when alcohol is removed.
Whilst this is a “fantastic product” that ensures stability with minimal taste or avour rami cations, the downside is that it’s highly corrosive and must be kept at the correct temperature and dosed in exactly the right way, Dr Baboo warns. This means investing in expensive kit – if the temperature drops the additive will freeze and become useless, while if it gets too hot it’s incredibly ammable.
Velcorin is safe for consumption in the quantities added to wine, but the above factors make it prohibitively expensive for English wine producers, he adds.
Other options include increasing the amount of sulphur dioxide – not, of course, above legal limits, which would make the wine undrinkable in any case. Or, adding standard preservations such as potassium sorbate, which is found in most fruit juices and products that require a reasonably long shelf life. Again, there can be avour implications.
Due to the aforementioned challenges, Dr Baboo believes low alcohol wine, between 3–6%, o ers the best ‘halfway house’ and is a more feasible way forward for the English wine industry, retaining some of the wine’s avour and preservative ability, whilst still signi cantly reducing alcohol content.
“That's where the real potential, at least in my opinion, lies because you have the best of both worlds – you have the protective in uence of alcohol,” he states.
With a standard bottle of 12.5% wine containing 10 units of alcohol, reducing this by half could o er a signi cant bene t to those wanting to reduce their alcohol intake for health or other reasons, and there is a better chance of retaining the aromas and avours.
However, it can be more di cult to market something that is low alcohol rather than zero alcohol, in much the same way that it’s easier to market a zero-sugar product than a low sugar product.
Leaving aside the consumer demand for low alcohol, Dr Baboo believes that nding ways to regulate alcohol levels could become a necessity for some English wine producers.
The changing climate means there are wineries in the UK that are already naturally producing 14% alcohol wines in warm years such as 2023, without adding sugar. This is a concern, as once you start to go above 13.4–14%, alcohol becomes the overriding avour. “Wines do feel hot and lack acidity, and in general wines start to lose that balance. From a winemaker's perspective, it is also good to have the ability to regulate the alcohol,” he comments.
Reducing the alcohol levels does not mean
that growers can pick any earlier, however, as weather patterns in the UK prevent this.
Meanwhile, more established wine regions such as France, Italy and Spain have had a couple of decades to come up with mitigations for higher alcohol content. For example, Bordeaux and Champagne have allowed newer or hybrid varieties to help tackle the issue. With the English wine industry having been commercially viable for perhaps only 15–20 years, producers have not had this time to acclimatise, Dr Baboo notes.
Despite the challenges, it’s clear that there’s a market for low/no alcohol wines which the English wine industry could capitalise on – should the technology allow.
Wednesday’s Domaine founder Luke Hemsley noted the similarities between English wine and no/low alcohol wine – both once ‘fringe’ products that have become beloved by customers, there’s a lot they can learn from each other, he reckons.
Asked if he sees a future for low/no English wine, he says: “I have no doubt that we will; however, I suspect this will be as much a product of where producers choose to focus their energies as their capability to do so.
“There remains a huge opportunity in developing the [alcoholic] English wine industry and I suspect producers will be mindful of spreading themselves too thin and diluting their messaging as consumers just begin to engage with their wines at scale.”
Organisation such as Plumpton and NIAB are currently researching methods of reducing alcohol content in English wines, but details are strictly under wraps for now – so for the moment, watch this space.
place your
POLARIS Ranger diesel, 2023, 227mls, excellent nearly new condition, only had light use, green, f/w premium cab, cab heater, electric tip, excellent condition. £18,500+VAT ono. R Bacon Tel 07775 441893 (Derbyshire)
CFMOTO 450S quad bike, 2022, in Realtree Camo, excellent condition, just 175hrs, mainly used for spraying, but contract has now finished, hence sale. £4,100+VAT ono. P Evans Tel 07885 795485 (Norfolk)
UTILITY buggy, good condition, taxed for road, 2wd, electric tipping body & winch, with mini car engine & gearbox. £1,300+VAT ono. R King Tel 07759 498074 (Nottinghamshire)
HONDA 520 quad bike, 2019. £4,500. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
JOHN Deere TS Gator 4x2, 2013, petrol, electric tipping body, runs & drives well. £4,250 ono. T Allsop Tel 07824 707916 (Derbyshire)
BOILER PLANT / HEATING / OVENS
MASTER XL 91 radiant infrared heaters, 2 available, 5/6yrs old, but barely used & fully serviced by supplier last November, not used since, run on red diesel. £950 each. R Jordan Tel 07961 078522 (Essex)
FORKLIFT moveable pallet-based wooden shed with front hinged opening flap, counter top & side door, shed dimensions 2.34m long, 1.63m wide, 2.30m high (max), sloping weatherproof roof. £500+VAT ono. G Epsley Tel 07743 693255 (Kent)
CONTAINER workshop, c/w office at the rear, wired with dryroom heater & 13amp sockets & light, but needs checking, ask for more info. £1,200. M Stephens Tel 07720 696282 (Staffordshire)
PORTABLE twin office with toilet & small reception area, no leaks, just needs some paint, secure office area, transport to be arranged by buyer, no access issues. £2,500 ono. M Stephens Tel 07720 696282 (Staffordshire)
HIGH Tunnels Haygrove suitable for covering cherry trees or other crops, each hoop 7.85m wide & capable of supporting plastic covers or bird netting, c/w legs, anchors, braces, ropes, fixing & plastic if needed, enough to cover 0.5ha, dismantled, gc. G Epsley Tel 07743 693255 (Kent)
HITACHI Zasis 85, 2018, 3800hrs, steel tracks, hydraulic hitch, fully serviced, one driver, very good order. £33,850+VAT. I Kiddy Tel 07836 239701 (Suffolk)
AGRIMECH bulldozer/snow plough, new, c/w all attachments for small Kubota-type tractor loaders, 5' blade, get ready to push snow, mud or grain. £525 cash on collection. R James Tel 01263 837569 (Norfolk)
EQUESTRIAN
LOGIC Pro-Sweep MSP 120, hardly used & in excellent condition as can be seen from the photo, payment on collection. £2,990 ono. C Portnoi Tel 020 8954 2403 (Greater London)
IVECO Euro Cargo 7.5t horsebox, 2000, MOT June 25, tilt cab, 190,800km, 2000kg payload, 22’ long, 5 gear, runs superbly, starts first turn, herringbone stalled for 2, newly refurbed day/living, sleeps 2, tack locker, horse cam, exc cond. £7,800 ono. Y Beatty Tel 07962 114502 (Essex)
POSTOGG post pusher, hydraulic tractor mounted 3 point linkage, single acting ram with spring return, good condition. £750+VAT ono. G Epsley Tel 07743 693255 (Kent)
TIMBER tanalised posts. 280 uniform half round, pointed, 4"x5' @£3 each; 35 pointed round 3"x6' @£3 each; 30 pointed round 2–3" posts, 5' @£2.50 each; all posts have been used but are in good condition & prices are plus VAT. C Willett Tel 07880 701043 (Essex)
CLARK 20kva PTO generator on 3 point linkage frame, c/w PTO shaft, one 64 amp socket, one 32 amp socket, four 13amp sockets, all circuit breakers working, collection only, can lift on trailer etc, cleared funds & VAT receipt issued. £1,000+VAT. H Richards Tel 07712 126321 (Powys)
EIGHT-FOOT flat roller. £800. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
KRONE Easy Cut 6210 CV disc mower & conditioner, 6m wide cut, good condition, all works. £9,500+VAT. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
KIDD 240 topper, 2021 model, good condition with a few general wear & tear marks, runs smoothly with no vibration, PTO included, 2.66m overall width & cutting width of 2.40m. £1,950+VAT ono. C Wollen Tel 07786 117094 (Bristol)
FARMMASTER FM180 6' finishing mower, excellent condition, not done much work, adjustable wheels for different mowing heights, excellent. £500. S Hayfield Tel 07774 932417 (Carmarthenshire)
MAJOR TDR 20000 double 20’ roller mower, 2012, triple winged, good condition, bought from dealer Hughie Willet in 2019, & hardly used more than twice a year; Kubota tractor also available for sale, just serviced. £14,398+VAT. F Mountford Tel 07983 578434 (Derbyshire)
JOHN DEERE 5105GN 2021, 1165hrs, 24F/24R Power Reverser transmission, 340/85R28 - 280/70R18, a/c cab.
PREMIUM USED MACHINE
Stk No A1079646 POA
JOHN DEERE 5105GF 2023, 272hrs, 30F/15R Power Reverser 40kph transmission, 420/70R28 - 320/70R20, a/c cab, front linkage & PTO
Stk No. B1068639 POA
JOHN DEERE 5075GL 2021, 335hrs, 24F/12R Power Reverser 40kph transmission, 360/70R24 – 280/70R16, open station with ROPS, 2 x rear SCV’S, hyd trailer brakes. PREMIUM USED MACHINE
Stk No A1074186 £32,000
JOHN DEERE XUV865M 2023, 178hrs, olive & black, 27” Maxxis Bighorn tyres, split bench seats, OSR net doors. PREMIUM USED MACHINE
Stk No A1072337 POA
JOHN DEERE 5105GF 2021, 1252hrs, 24F/12R Power Reverser 40kph transmission, 380/70R28 – 280/70R20, a/c cab, front linkage. PREMIUM USED MACHINE
Stk No A1076654 £45,000
JOHN DEERE 5075GV 2019, 803hrs, 24F/12R Power Reverser transmission, 360/70R24 - 240/70R16, a/c cab.
Stk No A1076715 £25,000
MAJOR topper, 9', in gwo, metalwork all solid, c/w spare blades. £850 ono. C Law Tel 07850 877794 (Leicestershire)
LOGIC LSH200 Super Harrow, 2011, has hardly been used & is in excellent condition. £1,550 ono. C Portnoi Tel 020 8954 2403 (Greater London)
GREENMECH CM220 TMP chipper, British made, 3 point linkage, PTO, had little use, stored inside. £5,250+VAT. R Hutchings Tel 07971 193282 (Warwickshire)
ROCK sawbench, 13hp petrol engine, as new, hardly done any work. £1,350. A Gill Tel 07967 433694 (Essex)
HUSQVARNA 137 chain saw, good working order, hardly used, nearly new condition. £120. F Danecker Tel 07885 491340/01494 758539 (Buckinghamshire)
MOUNTFIELD hedge cutter, as new, hardly used. £60. F Danecker Tel 07885 491340/01494 758539 (Buckinghamshire)
HYDRAULIC motor Whites roller station, No RS0139988-SN149015853, brand new, for chipper intake rollers. £150. F Danecker Tel 07885 491340/01494 758539 (Buckinghamshire)
TREE/HEDGE spirals, new still in boxes of 250, 6 boxes available, can post at cost, 60cm long. £50/box. G Scham Tel 01692 651021 (Norfolk)
HEDGECUTTER side window guard, professionally fabricated, mesh window guard for JD 6155R, year of manufacture 2021, excellent condition, c/w brackets. £350+VAT ono. R Limb Tel 07860 256699 (Nottinghamshire)
ORSI 460 Alpinis hedge cutter, linkage mounted, cable controls, 4.6m reach, slew behind, storage legs, 1.2m flail head with T flails. £3,450+VAT ono. D Marriott Tel 07834 517538 (Herefordshire)
ZAGO Eco Green 13 SD GRU shredder composter bio-mixer c/w built-in crane, 2010, simple, reliable & economic green waste recycling, significant reduction in volume of material for composting, excellent condition. £21,750+VAT ono. F Sutory Tel 01491 598187 (Oxfordshire)
BRIGGS R50/2 irrigation boom, 72m irrigated width, c/w end stop sprinklers, 9 seasons usage, vgc. £8,250. D Snell Tel 07714 273386 (Kent)
TRENCHLESS drainer, workshop built, c/w 4 hydraulic wheel motors, Boughton hydraulic winch, Perkins 6354 engine & variable output hydraulic pump. H G Eagle & Son Tel 07885 621315 (Norfolk)
RUBBER alleyway mats, good condition, 1800mm x 1140mm, plenty available. £45/ mat. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
TWO Aberdeen Angus X cows, both have had two calves & are running with my Lincoln Red bull, both bull calves can be seen & are for sale at extra cost, 4yr TB area. £1,100 ono each. G Ulley Tel 07798 872221 (South Yorkshire)
LINCOLN Red X & AA X calves, a pure bred Lincoln Red, a cross bred Lincoln Red & two cross bred AA bull calves, also two Lincoln Red X heifers, 6–7 months old, both parents can be seen, 4yr TB area, only been on grass, ready to wean. £750 ono each. G Ulley Tel 07798 872221 (South Yorkshire)
IAE calf crush, galvanised, fair condition. £300+VAT ono. B Thomson Tel 07553 227618 (Norfolk)
IFOR Williams cattle trailer, 2022,.12’, excellent condition, new in 2022, everything in working order, c/w cross division, one owner from new, very little used & barn stored. £5,000+VAT. D Nickson Tel 07774 418105 (Lincolnshire)
AG Dispenser FS200 poultry bedding dispenser, fair condition, f/w JCB lugs, can be easily changed. £2,200+VAT ono. B Thomson Tel 07553 227618 (Norfolk)
THREE water meters & water pressure
£100. R Anderson Tel 07887 484733 (Norfolk)
GATOR 8001 XL model, ratio 1/100, been used on turkeys. £100 each. R Anderson Tel 07887 484733 (Norfolk)
JCB 532-70 AgriSuper, 2023, 287hrs, 130hp engine, 40kph Powershift gearbox, boom suspension, cab suspension, Q-fit headstock with hydraulic locking pins, PUH, heated air seat, LED lights, air con, tyres at 95%, excellent condition. £76,950+VAT ono. G Taylor Tel 07874004171 (North Yorkshire)
2017 Manitou 1132, 1200hrs, bought new by ourselves, just used to build a couple of houses, dealer serviced at 500/1000hrs, very tidy machine. £30,000+VAT. S Ridley Tel 07939 610312 (Northumberland)
JCB 520-50 door, excellent condition. £400. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
2010 Suton clamp bucket, 6' wide, hardly used, ex-wide ram. £1,250+VAT. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
MASSEY Ferguson 508 skid steer loader, 2001, 1450 genuine hrs, Perkins engine, new tyres, seat, 80hp engine. £8,250+VAT ono. R Lane Tel 07831 615912 (Cambridgeshire)
A Towns Tel 07751 917839 (Lincolnshire)
BOBCAT 30.60 telehandler, 72 plate, 1288hrs, Manitou
15-TONNE hook loader complete, ex army, 1995, will be taken off trailer, average condition. £2,750+VAT. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
JCB 526-56 Agri Plus Loadall, 2012, 40kph p/shift, 5562hrs, tool carrier, 460/70R24 tyres 75%, a/c, boom susp, PUH, air seat, 3rd service, boom lights, radio, 2 sets keys, manual, only used for corn, works as it should, any trial.
£26,950+VAT ono. C Saunders Tel 07778 060973 (North Yorkshire)
JCB Loadall 526S, 1997, Perkins engine, 4wd & 4ws, pin & cone headstock with hydraulic locking pin, very good condition for age, with choice of attachment. £16,000+VAT. j Turnbull Tel 07980 467213 (North Yorkshire)
JCB 531-70, 18 plate, 3200hrs. £35,000. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
1984 JCB 520-4 telehandler, starts first time, good mechanically, bodywork a bit rough, used for loading lorries/ pallets, 4wd not working, please call for more info, viewing welcome, hours clock stopped, Perkins engine. £6,000+VAT. G Parkes Tel 07855 288597 (Leicestershire)
JCB TM 320S, 2021, been on the farm since new, restructuring forces sale, 4217hrs, just out of warranty, been a great machine, JCB headstock attachments available at an extra price. £56,000+VAT ono. J Milligan Tel 07895 790376 (Essex)
MULTIFASTER, 2 lines (high pressure), hydraulic couplings, coupling sleeve & two coupling plugs, good condition. £285+VAT M Pacey Tel 07752 009815 (Staffordshire)
ELECTRIC 3 phase motor, 1995, good condition. £300 ono. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
ABBEY 2500R Premium Plus slurry tanker, 2023, sight glass, stone trap, full LED lights, 30.5R30 tyres at 100%, quick release fill points, brackets for dribble bar, hardly used. £17,500+VAT ono. G Taylor Tel 07874 004171 (North Yorkshire)
EVOLUTION rotary screen separator, 2018, stainless steel, multiple uses, excellent condition. £5,000+VAT. P Sheardown Tel 07976 289940 (Lincolnshire)
BIRD scarers, all sorts. £100 the lot. A Goodacre Tel 07901 917707 (Lincolnshire) PRECISION FARMING
C Lane Tel 07760 369492 (Northamptonshire)
MANKAR® spraying systems o er professional, eco-friendly weed control using minimal herbicides or herbicide blends without water. They utilise ULV technology to evenly distribute a small amount of active product, allowing for controlled droplet application (CDA).
TEAM Sprayer, new tank 2021, under 1000 acres, 12” x 36” rows, 2000L, 10m hyd fold boom c/w self-lev & hyd fold & lift, twin speed PTO fan g/box, in-cab controls, Muller Spraylight, 25L s/s chem induction hopper, can rinse, road lights. £10,000. R W Walpole Ltd Tel 01553 828829 (Norfolk)
KRM Bogballe L1 Base band spreader. J Berry Tel 07977 279869 (Kent)
STOCKS pelleter, c/w 3 point linkage, electric controls, calibration chart. £500+VAT. M Mouland Tel 01795 842272 (Kent)
KUHN Axis 30.1 fert spreader, twin disc, 12–24m spread width, hydraulic border disc, hydraulic on/off, road lights, vgc, backup machine, hardly used. £2,850+VAT. A Towns Tel 07751 917839 (Lincolnshire)
KUHN MDS 10.1D fertiliser spreader, overall or detachable band spreader for under fruit & vines, hydraulic independent shut off, narrow dimensions, as new condition, light use on small fruit farm, Sittingbourne. £4,000+VAT. G Epsley Tel 07743 693255 (Kent)
STOCKS slug pelleter on frame for tractor front, etc, neat machine. £350. A Goodacre Tel 07901 917707 (Lincolnshire)
MEADOW hay for cattle, in 4' round bales. Make me an offer. R Haigh Tel 07968 215777 (Nottinghamshire)
BARLEY straw, 5' round bales (30), stored under cover. £15/bale. R Haigh Tel 07968 215777 (Nottinghamshire)
CONVENTIONAL bales of barley straw, baled 2024, suitable for horses. £5 each ono. D Barrnes Tel 07979 724438 (Norfolk)
SOFT meadow hay off ancient grazing land, baled June 2025, high quality clean sweet hay, 700 bales available, mostly sold for horses, located south Norfolk. £5 each ono. D Barrnes Tel 07979 724438 (Norfolk)
MEADOW hay, good quality, baled in 2024 in conventional bales, barn stored. £4/bale. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
FUEL tank, bunded plastic, only had white diesel in it, electric pump, filter & meter, 1340L (300 gallons), delivery arranged at cost. £750 no VAT. M Williams Tel 07860 217120/01438 880302 (Hertfordshire)
64,000-LITRE steel tank, c/w 4 stands, 2" outlets/inlets (2), 3 top hatch openings with lids, completely watertight & ready to go, 9m x 3m, a crane will be required to lift it due to its weight. £6,500+VAT. M Sutton Tel 07970 658813 (Warwickshire)
PAIR of new JCB tracks for mini excavator, size 250x41x109. N Johnson Tel 07751 588636 (Suffolk)
SANDERSON 622 teleporter, tyres all OK, good brakes, strong hydraulics, just had the boom ram refurbished, some electric work, some don't, good starter from cold, usual wear & tear, c/w pair of forks, ideal yard machine. £7,500. S Burbidge Tel 07517 386285 (Lincolnshire)
DEUTZ-FAHR Agroplus 100, 2002, 4wd, c/w McConnel PA2060 Power Arm hedge cutter, can be seen working. £15,000+VAT. A Hewson Tel 07876 190611 (Cumbria)
ISEKI TX2160 compact tractor & trailer, 1988, 16hp, 4wd, good tyres all round, good working order, sold as seen. £3,500. S Hayfield Tel 07774 932417 (Carmarthenshire)
Power nebulisers are ideal for large, dense or di cult to access areas in vineyards and orchards. The 11 L Motor-Powered Backpack Nebuliser and Mist Applicator has a Kawasaki engine that produces a powerful, directed fog of nely atomised liquid or powdered product 18 m horizontally and 12 m vertically.
KRM spreader, 2008, hydraulic on/ off with E2T vanes & calibration kit, vgc. £2,400+VAT. R Hanton Tel 07860 792976 (Norfolk)
MEADOW hay in 4' round bales, suitable for horses. £25/bale. R Haigh Tel 07968 215777 (Nottinghamshire)
4-FOOT round bales of meadow hay, baled 2024, good quality, barn stored. £27/bale. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
EXCELLENT quality Timothy/soft hay, free delivery 50 bales & over, ragwort free, barn stored, discounts for larger orders. M Cooper Tel 01277 659370 (Essex)
BOWSER/NURSE tank, 4400L, stainless steel, hydraulic Pacer pump, 2 chemical lockers, induction hopper clean, water tank, hydraulic brakes, new main tank 3yrs ago. £5,500+VAT. A Maddever Tel 07899 665180 (Suffolk)
KUBOTA B8200 4wd compact tractor, turf tyres, 3 point linkage & flow return hydraulics. £4,000. P Clarke Tel 07771 834857 (Norfolk)
JOHN Deere 6120M, retirement sale, 400hrs from new, 71 reg, Powerquad TLS, cab suspension, weights, leather steering wheel, in as new condition, very rare find with such low genuine hrs. £62,000+VAT. J Allmark Tel 01939 260313 (Shropshire)
JOHN Deere 190R, 2012, Autopower 50K, 4615hrs, front linkage & front PTO, full suspension, fully serviced, guidance screen fitted, excellent condition, owner driven, ready for work. £52,000+VAT. N Cowell Tel 07887 480579 (Essex)
M9540, 2009, a great tractor, hardly been used since purchase, dry stored, mowed a couple of times a year, 5793hrs, 4 grass wheels with good treads, cab is clean, seat has a couple small tears, otherwise good condition. £22,798+VAT. F Mountford Tel 07983 578434 (Derbyshire)
JOHN Deere 3040, 100hp, 4wd, GS2 cab, 1986, good condition, 12000hrs. £8,250+VAT. T Anderson Tel 07770 598099/01353 723399 (Cambridgeshire)
MASSEY Ferguson 7618, 2015, 6900hrs, in good condition, 650 tyres on rear, available now. £40,000+VAT ono. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
2008 New Holland 6020 Plus spec, 5850hrs, genuine tidy tractor. £24,500+VAT ono. I Rickatson Tel 07789 691474 (Bedfordshire)
ISEKI TX1410 4wd tractor. £2,650 ono. A Gill Tel 07967 433694 (Suffolk)
HOOKLIFT gear with electric controller, came off 20T lorry, very good condition. £1,500+VAT. R King Tel 07929 424474 (Nottinghamshire)
GRAHAM Edwards 12’ trailer with headboard, spare wheel & ramps, excellent condition, Wymondham. £1,960+VAT. R Ford Tel 07771 640503 (Norfolk)
IFOR Williams TA5G-10 livestock trailer, 2008, tidy, credit to previous owner, various new items to bring it up to standard, all working & ready to go, no decks, one large division, c/w hitch lockable key, lights all work. £275+VAT. C Wollen Tel 07786 117094 (Bristol)
FOUR-WHEEL road/farm trailer, 13' x 5' good tyres, professionally built wood on steel framework with drop down sides, c/w fitted manual winch for loading wheeled items, overrun brakes & two solid loading ramps, fitted lights. £795 no offers. T Bush Tel 07932 183449 (Essex)
MASSEY Ferguson trailer, old 2 wheel tipping trailer, needs some attention but chassis good. £350 ono. I Fowler Tel 07885 332037 (Essex)
BALE trailer, 44' flatbed, tri axle, wooden floor, 5th wheel dolly on new tyres, air suspension, 1 brake seized. £2,500+VAT ono. M Sutton Tel 07970 658813 (Warwickshire)
IFOR Williams TA510, 2009, 7’ high x 10’, double axle, f/w wind deflector, centre partition for equines, serviced every other year by IW dealership, 5 brand new tyes, 2 ventilation flaps missing, well-cared for & excellent condition for age. £3,000. D Champion Tel 07757 437526 (Angus)
6-TON trailer, rust in side panels, wooden floor, poor condition. £400 ono. M Exley Tel 07768 106502 (Suffolk)
AW Ultima grain trailer, excellent condition, with 580/65R22.5 tyres, 2016, little used, c/w sprung drawbar, hydraulic brakes, full front window, hydraulic rear tailgate with grain chute, steel mudguards, commercial 10 stud axles. £16,500+VAT ono. J Hughes Tel 07967 222339 (Shropshire)
FERGUSON trailer, 4T, c/w grain sides. £700. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 722532 (eves) (Kent)
AW Ultima 16T trailer, top spec, 2016, little used c/w spr/d/bar, hyd brakes, full f/window, hyd r/tailgate with grain chute, steel mudguards, commercial 10 stud axles, 580/65R22.5 Vredstein flotation tyres, always stored inside. £17,500+VAT ono. J Hughes Tel 07967 222339 (Shropshire)
SEVEN-FOOT 6" x 5' trailer, excellent condition, good tyres, lights. £350. R Anderson Tel 07887 484733 (Norfolk)
PAIR of Trelleborg TM800 650/65-R38 tyres, 65% tread, sound condition. £500+VAT. A Towns Tel 07751 917839 (Lincolnshire)
AGRIMAX rowcrop tyres, previously used on a New Holland T7 210, fronts - 380/85R30 (14.9-R30) nearly new, less than 50ha work, rears - 380/90R46 (14.9-R46) 90% tread, very good condition. £2,995 ono. N Hood Tel 07771 903837 (Norfolk)
FOUR alloy wheels f/w 235/55-R17 tyres, Land Rover 5 stud. £90 no VAT. C Search Tel 01268 293849/07990 502144 (Essex) 400/80X24 tyres, half worn, but sound. I Kiddy Tel 07836 239701 (Suffolk)
BKT Agrimax tyres (pair) 320/85/R36, on Matrot rims, 95% tread, excellent condition. £700. J Clark Tel 07841 873629 (Essex)
PAIR of Firestone radial All Traction 710/75 R34 tyres, c/w Matrot rims, tyres good condition, 70% tread. £2,000. J Clark Tel 07841 873629 (Essex)
LOADALL tyres, 15.5x24. £100 each. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
STOCKS rowcrop wheels, 320/90-R46 rear & 12.4-R32 front, tyres 95%, excellent condition. £2,300+VAT. R Hanton Tel 07860 792976 (Norfolk)
ROWCROP wheels, set of 4, 12.4-R32 tyres, 25%, rims excellent no cracks. £400+VAT pair or £700+VAT for the set. R Hanton Tel 07860 792976 (Norfolk)
BKT tyres (2), 75% good, 480/70R28. £400 each or £800 ono the pair. C Lory Tel 07885 226519 (Surrey) FIRESTONE 520/70-R38 tractor tyre, good condition, 85% tread, no cracks. £250 ono. J Leyland Tel 07771 644770 (Essex)
VEGETABLE EQUIPMENT
VEGETABLE trays, large quantity. £1+VAT each. M Hardstaff Tel 07974 680422 (Nottinghamshire)
TEHNOS MPS150LW Profi (low vib) asparagus topper, 2016, very good condition, hydraulic adjustable lift wheel height & hood open/close, single bed, minimal work, selling due to stopping growing asparagus. £3,750+VAT. M Hardstaff Tel 07974 680422 (Nottinghamshire)
VEGROW 2 row planter c/w canopy. Offers. R Gardner Tel 07786 033565 (Wirral)
RANGE Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Luxury, 2011 (61), grey with black leather upholstery, 140,000mls, 11 months MOT, FSH, tow bar, good condition. £4,750 ono. M Fisher Tel 07970 894244 (Cambridgeshire)
1999 Honda 4 wheel drive . honda 4 wheel drive would make a good farm vehicle half tank of petrol sorn at this time. £400. B Rutterford Tel 07836777595 (Suffolk)
2015 VW Caddy van, 1.6TDi C20 Startline, 68,000 miles, manual, good condition, plywood lined rear with plastic bulkhead, just been serviced & MOT'd, reliable workhorse. £5,750+VAT. R McAulay Tel 07919 387712 (Scottish Borders)
LAND Rover Defender, 1989, barn stored, SWB, diesel. £9,000 ono. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
FIBREGLASS canopy to fit Mk7
Toyota Hilux, 2012–2017 double cab, ex electric company with 3 lockable roller shutter doors & LED lights, would have cost a fortune new, better pictures can be sent via WhatsApp. Sensible offers to take away. B Robinson Tel 07740 683113 (Gloucestershire)
TRUCKMAN canopy to fit Mk8 Toyota Hilux, 2017 onwards, c/w fixing brackets & beacon, no back window, can send more photos if required, cost £1000s new. Offers to take away. B Robinson Tel 07740 683113 (Gloucestershire)
2006 Suzuki DA63T Carry, imported Japanese 4x4 farm truck, 59,000mls, MOT until Aug 2025, switchable 4wd with hi/lo range, p/steering, air con, 5sp manual, 3 cyl, twin overhead cam fuel inj petrol, drop side, 350kg payload, excellent. £5,995 ono. S Batters Tel 07727 180317 (Perth & Kinross)
MITSUBISHI L200 Barbarian, 2013, auto transmission, 100600mls, will rise as in use, canopy, towbar, full service history, 63 plate. £6,600+VAT.. B Lount Tel 07531 491466 (East Yorkshire)
LAND Rover Defender 110 tipper, 2015, 78000mls, beautiful exceptional condition, stacks of service history & really must be seen, very well looked after & has a very well made hydraulic tipper body on the back. £22,500+VAT. J Smith Tel 07825 597911 (Staffordshire)
FORD Ranger Limited, 2016, 96,000mls, MOT October 2025, genuine reason for sale. £11,500+VAT ono. M Balls Tel 07771 975952 (Norfolk)
NISSAN Navara pickup, 2018 68 plate, 70,000mls, automatic, silver, new MOT, excellent condition, tow bar, 2 new tyres on front, good for towing. £14,950 ono no VAT. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorkshire)
LAND Rover Freelander GST D4E, 2010, leather interior, electric sun roof, new MOT, 75,000mls. £5,000. T Shipway Tel 07748 518206 (Essex)
2011 Nissan Navara Tekna, top spec only 40k miles, auto, 12 months MOT, recent new front brakes, ex police hence low miles, does have light scratches over the bodywork from police dogs, hence low price, but very clean reliable truck. £10,250+VAT ono. A Syson Tel 07581736901 (Cheshire)
SSANGYONG Rexton, diesel, auto, 5/7 seater, 12 plate, 82,000mls, currently SORN, but still used daily as farm runabout, selling as too large for my requirements. £3,150 ono. R Horner Tel 07769 806840 (Bedfordshire)
NISSAN Micra 1.0L, 1994, 51,000mls, MOT January 2025, classic low insurance & tax, ideal first car. £950 ono. M Mouland Tel 01795 842272 (Kent)
LAND Rover Freelander NX04, good condition, needs MOT & 2 tyres, done a few miles hence runs & drives perfectly, alloy wheels, grey metallic paint, for spares or repair, no longer required, please no time wasters. £400 ono. R Graham Tel 07884 012950 (Cumbria)
INTERNATIONAL 675 tractor, runs well, some rust in cab, no V5. £3,500. B Rutterford Tel 07836 777595 (Suffolk)
WHEEL off vintage plough. £40 ono. I Morris Tel 07496 394356 (Shropshire)
1958 Fordson Dexta, live drive, runs well, 3 cylinder Perkins engine, good condition, sold as seen. £3,500. S Hayfield Tel 07774 932417 (Carmarthenshire)
RANSOMES 24 cylinder mower, we inherited it, it has a rear seat & roller & a strong grass box, good condition. £200. D Nickson Tel 07774 418105 (Lincolnshire)
MASSEY Ferguson service manual for 200D dozer, vgc, can post. £50. F Danecker Tel 07885 491340/01494 758539 (Buckinghamshire)
VINTAGE Dania D900 combine, 8’ cut, engine runs, restoration project. Offers. R Gardner Tel 07786 033565 (Wirral)
INTERNATIONAL 454 tractor c/w loader, new clutch, Big Bee 6' topper, gwo. £6,000. T Cox Tel 07973 406825 (Oxfordshire)
RANSOMES MG6 petrol/TVO crawler, 1954, 3 speed gearbox with manual lift & swinging drawbar, older restoration done very well & still very presentable, able to do a day’s work, etc. £2,200 ovno. N Finbow Tel 07825 925580 (Suffolk)
JOHN Deere Classic tractor, refurbished to a very high standard, starts & runs well, don't know anything else as I am selling for my son in law. £7,500 ovno. G Ulley Tel 07798 872221 (South Yorkshire)
MASSEY Ferguson 230, 2624hrs, excellent condition, B reg 1984, large hydraulic pump, MF 80 power loader, hydraulic tip bucket, see online pics. J Strathern Tel 07798 683520 (Essex)
FOSTER threshing box, 54", needs restoration. Offers. R Gardner Tel 07786 033565 (Wirral)
INTERNATIONAL B275 Serial No 24296, 1961, Tacho & foot throttle fitted, lights & trailer pick up hitch, new front tyres & original registration book. £3,500 ovno, cash on collection. M Lawrence Tel 07836 724223 (Nottinghamshire)
INTERNATIONAL B275 Serial No 1525, 1960, working order, lights & trailer pick up hitch, new pistons & liner plus cylinder head refurbished. £3,750 ovno cash on collection. M Lawrence Tel 07836 724223 (Nottinghamshire)
FORDSON County crawler. J Doe Tel 07860 314240 (Suffolk) FORDSON Super Dexta/Dexta vineyard tractor wanted. J Doe Tel 07860 314240 (Suffolk) MINI van/pickup wanted requiring restoration, stored for years, for spares or repair. R Wheeler Tel 07395 929237 (Gloucestershire)
A small farm or agricultural smallholding with farm buildings. Preferably freehold. Ideally with road frontage and located southeast of Cambridge within easy access of Bishops Stortford or Bury St Edmunds. M Richardson Tel 07860 781504 (Cambridgeshire)
Especially looking for: Kubota B2100/B2400 Mitsubishi MT200HD or 301HD
Tel: Charles on 07850 210256 Email: charles@microplant.net
ORIGINAL cast iron agricultural nameplates sought from early farm implements, single or complete collections purchased for cash. M Burgess Tel 07958 381278 (Northamptonshire)
RETIRED farmer looking for a loader tractor for smallholding to lift big bales, age unimportant, but must be well maintained & roadworthy, alternatively would consider early telehandler-type machine in tidy order. P Jackson Tel 01422 243913 (West Yorkshire)
STORE cattle & store lambs required. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
STRAW spreader required. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
AUGER bucket required. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
OLD bulb planter required, limited budget, but anything considered, Lincs area preferred but not essential, small amount of work required not a problem. T Burns Tel 07442 991763 (Lincolnshire)
CLOD deflectors for Kverneland Miniair
drill wanted, would also consider buying a complete drill that is worn out but has the clod deflectors, I believe the clod deflectors for a Miniair S would fit. H Parrish Tel 07971 930545 (Bedfordshire)
STORE cattle, any breed, prefer over 12 months, TB tested or untested off TB farms; also store lambs. K Pugh Tel 07977 912970/01694 771258 (Shropshire)
GREY Chinese geese, preferably one goose & one gander, but anything considered as long as pure bred, Norfolk/Suffolk area. S Mealing-Mills Tel 07376 643547/01508
8HW (Norfolk)
SERIES 2A Land Rover Lightweight wanted, any condition considered. A Wright Tel 07866 899258 (Norfolk)
TYRES & wheels required, 6 stud, 8.25-R26. L Wheeler & Sons Tel 07808 200404/01892 722532 (eves) (Kent)
ALUMINIUM tripod fruit picking ladder wanted, the taller the better! J Wilson Tel 07967 219411 (Norfolk)
RAESA 5” irrigation pipes required. D Brown Tel 07710 316205 (Cambridgeshire)
BEEHIVES & beekeeping equipment wanted, will collect, must be in good health & order, cash on collection. w Fenn Tel 07932 501183 (Northamptonshire)
PERROT 110/500 irrigation reel required, with trolley & gun. D Brown Tel 07710 316205 (Cambridgeshire)
MASSEY Ferguson 35 or 135 with 3 cylinder engine, or similar size Massey Ferguson, quick decision & payment. D Lunn Tel 07941 072957 (Cambridgeshire)
SEEKING suitable honey bee hosting sites in Worcestershire, locations are ideally private with no public access, but close to vehicle access. Can offer honey share & pollination capability of honey bees. C Davenport Tel 07464 474735 (Worcestershire)
Beckum SPA 1000 dust extractor, good condition, 240 volt. £100. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
METAL storage bins, heavy duty construction, sliding lid, sloping floor with a removable front panel, channels for pallet tines, 3 available, 700 x 700 x 1100 high. £100 each. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire) PLASTIC storage bins, length 280mm, width 205mm, height 140mm, large quantity available. £1/bin. D Ivens Tel 07969 877834 (Northamptonshire)
Sales and exports of English and Welsh wine are burgeoning, but we need the government to understand the industry’s potential, explains WineGB CEO Nicola Bates.
Just over six months into the new Labour government, and a few months on from the contentious Autumn Budget, one of WineGB’s key tasks is to ensure the government understands the potential of English and Welsh wine. We spoke to Nicola Bates to learn more...
Q. What are the key challenges facing the sector?
A: One of the key challenges for us is to get the new government to understand that we are the fastest growing agricultural sector in the UK. Our exports have doubled over the last two years and we want to keep that going. If you look at us in comparison to other new world wine countries, they’ve all had nancial assistance, and we need that.
First and foremost, we faced a non-growth Budget and we really needed a growth Budget. Secondly, on the sales side, over the last ve years we’ve seen a signi cant increase in sales, from 3.3 million bottles in 2018 to 8.8 million last year. These are fantastic results and keeping that momentum is key.
The problems we face overall are the problems of the maturing industry. We’ve gone from being new and fresh and it’s now about establishing ourselves. On the production side, it’s making sure we've got the right investment and the right number of people coming through.
Q. What are the opportunities?
A: English and Welsh wine appeals to a younger generation of drinkers because the sector is particularly innovative. There are lots of di erent drinks trends out there; the darker rosés would t very nicely with a lot of what our membership can o er, as well as pét-nats (made by bottling the wine before the initial fermentation has ended). Also, telling the stories of our stills and the range and variety of di erent grapes there, is very
important. There’s a whole piece around locality, community and sustainability tting within that which has really strong appeal.
At the moment we are selling 6.2 million bottles of sparkling and there’s a big market for sparkling wine out there, but the consumer base is still just waking up to the fact that we make our own wine.
Sustainability is really important, and for younger adults it does matter. Having our Sustainable Wines Great Britain certi cation is an easy shorthand to show consumers that the work in both the winery and vineyard is at the most sustainable level.
Q. What are your thoughts on piwi wines?
A: I think they’re a really interesting development, about 8% of total plantings. We’ve got something like 780ha of piwi varieties in the UK; Seyval Blanc, Solaris and Rondo are our most planted piwi varieties. They’ve been around for many years and members know how to make great wines out of them.
Piwis are growing strongly and I think that the challenge really is getting people to understand what they are. Vineyard tourism for English and Welsh wine is absolutely fundamental. It’s a real opportunity – about 25% of our sales are coming through the cellar door. It’s an area which we’re pushing the government to recognise; we would like to see wine tourism relief.
Q. What else would you like to see from the government?
A: The national insurance increase has really made it di cult for our businesses to make decisions. The inheritance tax piece, again, will a ect planning and people are concerned about what that will mean. Coupled with the increase in duty it was a bit of a double whammy. We’re one
of the few countries in the world which applies duty to domestic wine.
Secondly, it’s making sure we’re protecting the environment, have the right planning laws to build and get the infrastructure, and that our members are able to access SFI support.
Thirdly, and nally, making sure we’re valuing British. We’re waiting to hear back on the nal round of consultations on what you can call grapes that were grown elsewhere and transported to Britain. If you’re going to allow grapes to be transported and made into sparkling wine in the UK, that will harm our businesses.
Q. Do you think we’ll continue to see vineyards popping up?
A: We hit the totem 1,000 vineyards last year, with around 87 new vineyards in a year. We have di erent modelling which sees us going from about 4,000ha of vines at the moment, through to 6,000ha at the lowest end to 9,000 at the upper end by 2032. So we anticipate we’ll see that medium level growth.
We would always advise that if anyone is going to grow wine, you need to be in it for the long term and you need to understand how are you going to sell it. This is not a quick turnover industry.
I am constantly blown away by the quality of people we have in the industry, both in terms of my team, but also the producers and their willingness to collaborate and share their understanding.
Nicola Bates joined WineGB as CEO in October 2023, having previously worked as director of strategy and external a airs at the Portman Group, the social responsibility and marketing body for the UK alcohol industry. She has senior leadership experience across politics, commercial consultancy, charity and membership bodies.
