Landwards Winter 2021
Editors Welcome
by luck or judgement the simultaneous nature of COP26 and the Institution’s Landwards conference on Future Fuels for Agriculture certainly brought the programme to life. More of that in Practice (p16). I certainly came away from the IAgrE conference feeling much encouraged about how innovation and engineering is becoming pivotal in tackling some of society’s big issues.
Procrastination is an editor’s prerogative. And yet, as the inbox fills, and the articles arrive, a theme (or themes) often emerge. In this edition that is certainly the case (much to the relief of your humble correspondent!). Whether
Speaking of innovation, we report on the Agri‐EPI Centre’s conference and the evergreen message that new technology needs to be straightforward to understand and easy to use with clear benefits otherwise it won’t be adopted. Have a look (p24). The Institution enjoys close links with the Royal Academy of Engineering via several eminent members and we have been fortunate to be able to support their latest outreach with their This is Engineering initiative. The article is well worth a read (p30).
Our programme of branch activities and lunchtime lectures via Zoom continues apace. Landwards caught a recent lunchtime lecture on the state of dairy technology, ably presented by John Baines. Whilst we include a brief write up (p34), I would recommend visiting the IAgrE’s YouTube channel for the full presentation. I wish you well for Christmas and the New Year and hope that you find time to settle down and immerse yourself in this edition.
Andy Newbold Andy Newbold Editor andy@farm‐smart.co.uk
National championship winning ploughman
Five Champions – the winners of the Plough‐Off Finals, from left to right, John Crowder, Ashley Boyles, Brian Baxter, David Thomlinson and Charlie Nicklin
Our own CEO, Charlie Nicklin, after much effort, in his own words, won the 70th British National Ploughing Championships on the weekend of the 9‐10th October at Mindrum Mill, Northumberland. 4
In the Vintage Hydraulic Final, Charlie used his Massey Ferguson 35 and Ransome TS54 with great effect to gain 258 points, three points ahead of Richard Ingram from Atherstone, Warwickshire who
had been the reigning champion. In third place was John Sivewright from Blairgowrie, Perthshire with 238 points. Well done Charlie!
