The Farmer October 2022

LOSS OF LAND FEARSVOICED

Worries over whethersolar farmsare leadingtothe lossofgoodagricultural land havebeenaired by councillorsinShropshire.

And thoseworries have seen plansfor amajor solarfarmproject in thecounty beingput onhold. Councillorsdeferred making adecisiononthe development afterthemanagingdirectorofthecompany whichwants to builditsaidhewould look at takingbettergrade agricultural land outofthe scheme

Developer Bluefieldwants to create a solarfarmatBrick HouseFarmatGreete with acapacity of around 49.9MW, generating enough renewableenergytomeet the annual electricityneedsofapproximately 15,000 homes.

Bluefieldsaysthe Greete site wascho senfor itsseclusion, relatively poorsoil qualityand access tothe National Grid Addressingcouncillors’worries that solarfarms are takingupagricultural land,BluefieldmanagingdirectorJonathan Selwyn said sheep were grazedat40 percentof the firm’s 107 solarfarms

At aShropshireCouncil planning committee meeting,Councillor Claire Wild asked Mr Selwyn if he wouldcon sider takingthe 18 to 21 percentofthe better,Grade 2agriculturallandout of theapplication He said: “Wewould certainlyconsider it.Iwillcheck with theteamand come back to you. ” Thecommittee agreed to defer adecisiontoallow Bluefieldtolook at thesiteagain

Meanwhile, permission for aseparate

BY IAIN ST JOHN

planningapplicationfor asmaller solar farm,alsonearLudlow, wasrefused at themeeting.Councillors were told the site wasonlandtothe east of Squirrel Lane,Ledwyche.

Local residents whospoke at the meetingsaidthe site wasclosetoSouth Shropshire’sAreaofOutstanding Natural Beauty

Agentfor thedeveloper,Ewan Hutchinson, said therewas an international energy crisis andthe UK hadto look at more greenenergy.

However, both Councillor Richard Huffer andCouncillorWildsaidthere wasnojustification forencroachingon food securitybytaking arablelandout outof production

Councillor Wild said thereshouldbe guidance drawn up on thequality of land that couldbeusedfor solarfarms and said anydecisiontaken at themeeting couldset aprecedentfor future applications.

Thecouncil’s ownplanningofficers hadactuallyrecommended approvalfor both of theapplications.

Areportfrom planningofficer Grahame French said officershad no concerns aboutthe BrickHouse Farm pro ject’svisual impact on thelandscape

And in respectofthe Ledwycheplan, areportfrom Mr French rejectedopponents’ claims theprojectwould have a detrimental visual impact

He wrote: “This conclusionisnot supported by officer inspection of thesite andits environsorbythe comments of thecouncil’s landscape adviser.”

Delightful day of dairy!

Challenge laid down to graduates

GraduatesofShropshire’s HarperAdams Universityhave been challengedtomaketheir mark on agriculture–atatime when thesectorisgoing through the“biggestchange in our lifetime”.

Thededication and determination of students was marked at theuniversity’s2022 graduationceremonies, with the events presided overbyActing Vice-Chancellor ProfessorMichael Lee. Reflecting on theefforts of students,Professor Leesaid: “The awardyou have received is amark of academicachievement and excellence from oneofthe world’s leadingspecialistagri-food universities

“Theceremonyacknowledges your determination and dedication.You overcame anybarriers standing in your way–perceived or actual–and demonstrated that youare more than worthy to join our global community of Harpergraduates.”

More than 8,000 visitors attended this year’s UK DairyDay trade eventinTel ford,one of thesector’smostimportant showcases.

TheeventatTelfordInternationalCentreprovidedan opportunity to network anddobusinessfor dairyfarmers and businessesfrom acrossthe UK.

It also featured over 280 dairyspecific trade stands acrossinternaland external exhibitionareas andshowcased 160 dairy cattle in themulti-breed dairyshow.

UK DairyDay hosted theannualNa-

tional Holstein, Ayrshireand Brown Swiss Showsalong with classesfor Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey andJersey cattle

Theshowringwas kept busy from 9am on theday until theexciting finale of the Ayrshireand Holstein championshipsat theend of theday

Trade exhibitorsincludedfeed manu facturers,animal health suppliers, vets, milk buyers,dairy andfarmequipment suppliers– plus professionalservice pro vidersand charities.

l Best –Page28

Guy Coggrave, managing directorofGSC Grayschartered surveyors, told thegraduates: “Agriculture andthe ruralsectoris going throughthe biggestchange Ibelieve we will ever seeinour lifetime,and youare allinthe enviableposition of just starting your careersand will have the opportunity to influenceit.”

Mr Coggrave –whose company employs anumber of Harper Adamsalumni–added: “My advice to youall is to approach your careerswith energy, positivityand enthusiasm. Grasp theopportunitiesthat present themselves.”

experts

The show ring was busy throughout UK Dairy Day in Telford

Business is booming for group

Agriculturalsupplies group

Wynnstay has reported tradingre sultsfor itscurrent financial year endingOctober 31 willbesignif icantlyahead of currentmarket forecasts.

TheLlansantffraid-based group, whichhas sitesand customers acrossthe region,saidthisisthanks to astrongtradingbackdropacross many core activities.

Amajor driver is gainsinits fer tiliser activities, createdfrom rising andvolatileraw material prices, particularly forammoniumnitrate.

Theearly UK harvestisalsoben efiting graintradingvolumesand earlycereal saleshavebeenencour aging, with theoutlook forarable activities positive thanks to strong commodityprices andgood plant

ingconditions, Wynnstay said

Feed demand is unseasonally strong, mainly reflecting reduced forage availability duetothe hot summer andsupportedby higher milk prices encouraging demand, it added.

Givencurrent inflationary pres suresand uncertain macroeconom ic background,Wynnstayisleaving expectationsfor thenext financial year unchanged.

Thecompany said: “Thetrad ingbackdrophas continuedtobe strongacrossmanycoreactivities. With thebenefitofgood weather conditions,the 2022 UK harvest startedearlyandisnownearlycom plete, giving thegroup much great er visibility than usual,atthisstage of theyear, on thelikelyout-turn

of theseasonallyimportant fourth quarter. As aresultofthese factors, it is nowclear that thegroup’strad ing resultsfor the financialyearwill be significantly aheadofcurrent market forecasts. Amajor driver of theout-performance arefurther gains in theGlasson fertiliser activ ity, createdfrom risingand volatile rawmaterialprices. Thecontinu ingelevatedprices, particularly for ammonium nitrate, havealsoin creasedtradingresults acrossall the group’s fertiliser activities.

“Recentrecord prices fornatural gashavecausedEuropeanfertiliser manufacturers to announce tem porary production suspensions, and theUK’sonlymanufacturerof ammonium nitrate, CF Industries, recentlyannounced thepermanent

closureofits Cheshireplant andthe temporarysuspensionofammonia production at itsBillingham plant.

“Thesedecisions are causingfur ther upward pressure on fertiliser prices, with availableureaproducts increasingbyaround10per centin recentweeks. Whilethese market conditions willtemperdemand, they have also generatedfurther stockgains for theGlasson busi ness

“Theearly UK harvestisbenefit ting thegroup’sgrain tradingvol umes, whichare significantly high er than in recentyears.Early cereal seed sales have been encouraging andwithattractivecommodity prices andfavourableplantingcon ditions, theoutlook forthe group’s arable performanceispositive.”

Investment is made by cheese company

Belton Farm has completeda£1.75 million investment in anew state-of-the-art speciality cheese cutting andpacking facility.

Located on theoutskirts of Whitchurch,the newBRC AA ac credited facility willprovide the makerofaward-winningBritish cheese with greatercuttingand packingcapacity andcapabilities.

Thenew facility is part of a longer-term capitalinvestment programmetoenhance andfu ture proof Belton Farm’s speciality cheese business. In doingso, the firm saiditwillprovide astrong base from whichtogrowfurther itspositionasaleadingsupplier of brandedclassic andcontemporary speciality British cheese to both UK andoverseascustomers

Thenew cutting and packing facility will deliverincreased effi ciencies; provide greateroperation al flexibility andcustomerservice levels;and over time lead to the adoptionof innovative newpack sizes andformats forBeltonFarm’s growingspecialitycheesebusiness.

It willalsoenablethe business to leverage additionalbenefits

from locating itsspecialist cheese making,maturing andcutting and packingoperationsall on oneinte grated site. Managing directorJus tinBeckett said: “Thecompletionof ournew cheese cutting andpacking facility here at Belton Farm is an integral part of ourplantogrow anddevelop our specialitycheese

Trust’strees offer

TheWoodland Trusthas plans to break itsrecordannualgiveaway of more than 1.3 millionfreetrees to schoolsand community groups.

Almost 9,000 schoolsand com munity groups benefitedfrom the UK’s largestwoodland conservation charity’sever-popularschemein 2022.

Applications fortrees to be deliv ered in spring 2023 arenow open andWoodlandTrust seniorproject lead VickiBaddeleyhopes even more schoolsand groups willtake up theoffer of free saplings andget planting in thecomingyear.

Shesaid: “This year ourcommu

nities have reallyfeltthe impact of climatechange firsthand, andmany areseeingthe incredible benefits treescan bringtoprovide much needed shade,shelter,and help to prevent flooding.

“Byofferingthe free packsweaim to equipour schoolsand communi ties with asimpleyet mightytoolto combattheeffectsofclimatechange, as well as provide ever more vital food andhabitatsfor localwildlife.”

The figures for2022 arethe trust’s best yet, surpassingthe previous besttotalofmorethan1.1min2021.

To apply, visitwoodlandtrust.org uk/freetrees

business. It comesinthe year that we celebrateour cheese making centenary here at Belton Farm and demonstratesthatweare notonly proud of ourheritagebut also fo cused on ourfuture.

“Thenew facility has been pur pose-built to enhancefurther our abilitytoprovide thehighest levels

of productcareand customer ser vice; delivergreater efficiencies and operational flexibility;and allow us to offer innovative newpacksizes andformats. In doingso, we are confidentthatwillbeabletomeet the currentand future needsof ourgrowing number of speciality cheese customers.”

Justin Beckett, managingdirector of Belton Farm, said the company is growing its speciality cheese business

Warm tributes paid to monarch

Thefarmingcommunity paid tributetoQueen Elizabeth II fol lowing herdeath at theage of 96 last month.

Leadersinthe sector have issued messages expressingtheir sorrow andgratitude to thelateQueen for herlifetimeofservicetothecountry

National Farmers’ Unionpresi dentMinette Batterssaid: “Words cannot describethe deep senseof sadnessthatI andthe rest of the farmingcommunity will feel

“Her Majestyhas been theem bodimentofdutyand public service, seeingthe countrythrough seven decades wherewehaveseenhuge

changeinour nation andinour fields TheQueen’s deep connection to thecountryside has been valued enormouslybyfarmers and has left a remarkable legacythatwillcontinue forgenerations.

“Onbehalf of farmersinEngland andWales, Iwould like to send my deepestcondolences to theKing, QueenConsort andthe royalfamily at this trulysad time forour coun try.”

NFU CymrupresidentAledJones said: “Thereisa deep feelingofmel ancholyamongst theWelshfarming community followingnewsofthe passingofHer Majestythe Queen.

“Her Majestywas asymbolof dedicationand commitmenttopub lic service,she has been astoic serv anttothe countryfor an extraordi nary seven decades, aremarkable reignatthe throneof ourmonarchy.

“TheQueen’s warm affiliation with theGreat British countrysideis well documented andthatconnec tion has been valued andappreciat edbythe nation’s farmers.

“Onbehalf of farmersacross Wales, Isendmydeepest condo lences to theroyal family at this very sadtimeand offer my heartfelt best wishesatthistimeofnational mourning.”

Queen’sinterest in farming recognised

Theimportant role theQueenplayedin thefarming worldhas been recognisedby agriculturalleaders in the region

TheQueen wasthe patron of the RoyalWelsh AgriculturalSociety whichorganises theRoyal Welsh Show Bosses at theorganisationpaid tributetoher andsaiditwas with “profoundsadness andadeepsense of loss” that thesocietymarkedthe passingofthe Queen.

Aspokesman said: “Wejoin theentirenationinmourningthe Queenwho wasthe patron of the societyfor 70 years.

“Her dedicationand interest in Welsh agriculture has been acon stantsupporttothe society.”

President

In 1947, theQueen, whowas then PrincessElizabeth,had her first of ficial role in thesocietyashonorary presidentfor theyear.

During hertimeas president, the Princessvisited theRoyal Welsh Show,heldinCarmarthen.

After thedeath of herfather, the Queentookoverthe role of thesoci ety’spatronin1952 andhad heldthe position ever since

TheQueen hadsince visitedthe showonanumberofoccasions,

most recentlyin2004 in thesocie ty’s centenaryyear. Chief executive of thesocietySteve Hughson said: “Onbehalf of everyone at theRoyal Welsh Agricultural Society, I send mydeepestcondolencestomembers of theroyal family “TheQueen has providedstead fast supportand guidance to our

countryand others acrossthe world, andI am luckytohaveexperienced hercuriosity,humour, anddeep senseof duty first hand “These are memories that will neverleave me.”

Chairdesignate of theBoard of Directors ProfessorWynne Jones said: “Weextendour condolences

to King Charles andthe entire royal family

“Wewish to record ourgratitude to theQueen forher interest in ru ral affairs and support to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

“Thesociety’sdeepest sympathies go to theroyal family at this sad time.”

Universitiesoffertheircondolences

Bosses at leadingagriculturaluni versities have offered their condo lences to theroyal family following thedeath of QueenElizabeth II.

TheQueen wasknown forher interest in farmingand wildlifeand that interest has been passed onto herchildren. HerdaughterPrincess Anne is akeensupporterofHarper AdamsUniversityinShropshireand is itsChancellor.

Theprincesshas visitedthe uni versityonseveraloccasions

On arecentvisit she officially opened theuniversity’s£8.6 million Veterinary EducationCentre. The centrehas facilities andequipment

to educateveterinary surgeons, nurses, physiotherapistsand other students workingtowards suchca reers.

Followingthe deathofthe Queen, astatement from theuniversity said: “TheHarperAdams Univer sity communityextends itsdeep estcondolences to theuniversity’s Chancellor,Her RoyalHighness The PrincessRoyal,on thenewsofthe passingofher mother,Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II. Ourthoughts arewiththe royalfamilyatthissad time.”

Thosesentimentswereechoed by bosses at theRoyal Agricultural

University. ProfessorPeter McCaff ery, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Every oneofus, here at theRoyal Agricul turalUniversity, is deeply saddened to hear thenewsofthe deathofour Patron,Her Majesty TheQueen.

“Wesendour deepestcondolenc es to King Charles III andall mem bers of theRoyal family

“Queen Elizabeth II became the Patron of what wasthenthe Royal AgriculturalCollege, in 1952, hav ingtakenonthepatronagefollowing thedeath of herfatherKingGeorge VI.

“Wehavebeendelighted to wel come hertoour campus twice,most

recentlyinMarch 1996, when she andPrincePhilipvisited forthe col lege’s150thanniversary.

“Duringtheir visittheyboth showedakeeninterestinall areas of thecollege and kindly took time to meet andtalk with both staff and students.

“Despitethe wetweather,she planteda mature blackpoplartreeat thefrontofthe campus to mark the college’sanniversary.

“A letterofcondolencewillbe sent from myself andDameFiona Reynolds,chair of theRAU Govern ingCouncil,toKingCharles III to express oursadness.”

The Queen most recently attended the 2004 Royal Welsh Show during the society’s centenary year

Queen Elizabeth II

Rewilding urban areas idea is put in spotlight

Rewildingincities couldprotect people againstthe risingthreatof floodsand heat wavesatthe same time as boostingwildlife, anew reportsaid.

Researchers from theZoological Society of London (ZSL) said rewildingurban areas at scalecould help tackle theclimate andna ture crises in a“low-cost, hands-off way” at thesametimeasimproving people’s health andwellbeing.

Butithas to be done carefully to en sure communities areonboard andthat riskssuchas thespreadofinvasivespecies, conflicts betweenpeopleand wildlifeand only making greenspaces accessibletothe wealthyare avoided.

Rewildingisabout reinstating natural processessothatnaturecan look after it

self withoutmuchmanagementinthe long term.Peoplemostlythinkofrewildingas somethingthathappens in thecountryside, with farmlandleft to return to scrub, wood land andgrasslandwhichisgrazedbyhardy cattle,ponies andpigs, or beaversreintro ducedtorecreatewildlife-richwetlands

Butthere arealsoopportunities forgiving nature freerrein in more situations across cities, thereportfrom ZSLsays.

This couldinclude lessmanagementand wilder areasinparks, cemeteries andalong railwaylines, andletting nature takeover formerindustrialsites.Riverscouldbetaken outofthe culverts they have been buried in or allowedtobecomelined with vegetation, whilethe barriers that halt fish movements couldberemoved

Cost rises hit rural residents

Shropshire’sCitizensAdvice Bureau says therise in fuel costs,whether to heathomes or runvehicles,are affecting thoseinrural areas farmore than thoseincities.

And theCAB,whichsaysthe squeezing of budgets is affecting everyone,isurging people nottobetaken in by scams from un scrupulous conartists

Jackie Jeffrey, thechief executive of the CAB in Shropshire, said therewas arecog nisedrural premiumonfuelcosts.

“In ruralareas like Shropshirethere are many more olderhomeswhicharenotener gy-efficientand costmore to heat,” shesaid.

“Alsothere areseveralparts of Shropshire that have no mainsgas whichmeans people heat their homeswithoil or LPG gas.

“That is more expensive as householders areatthe whim of theoil providers.

“Peoplewho payas they go arealsovul nerableasitcan be really expensive.”

TheCAB is urging people to take advice from groupssuchas theMarches Energy Agency andbothShropshireand Telford& Wrekin councils on ways that they canbest keep their homeswarmand gethelp.

“Thereisalot of misinformation out thereand it really does dependwhether you have for instance, a modern home which re tainsheatoranold onethatmay nothave insulation,” Jackie said

Shesaidthere were also unscrupulous people whowerepreying on people’s fears over energy bills.

“Thereare alot of scams outthere with ‘offers’ of,for instance,a£500 heating voucherinreturnfor giving your bank de tails. Please do notbetaken in by these.

“Thesescamsareveryconvincinganditis very easy to be takenin.”

“Our advice is that if youare worried about your energy billspleasetalk to some onethatyou trust.It’sgoodtotalk.

“Talk to your family or trustedfriends or andadvisor at your bank.Age Concernhas helpavailableandtherewillbealinkworker at your GP surgery.”

“Thecostoflivingissqueezingeveryone’s budgets. In ruralareas more people have to drive to their places of work than in towns andcities.”

Producers

bag’ of silage

to make most of

theirsilage analysedsotheycan draw up plans to maximise thevalue ofthe forage availabletothem,”saysMrs Colahan

Animal Nutrition is urging farmersto gettheir silage tested andplan winter dietsaccordinglyfollowing one of the hottestand driest summers

record

Theplea comesasthe MetOffice confirmed 2022 is thedriest year since 1976 andthe UK’s warmestyear on record

“It’sreally amixed bagthisyearin terms of foragequalityand availability so it’s important for farmerstoget

“Somefarmers have gotverydry silage,which couldinfluenceintakes; some will be shortofsilage for the winter having produced lowervolumes; andothershavebeen forced to start feedingtheir winter feedstocks early duetoa lack of grassgrowth.”

In many cases,farmers will be faced with high drymatter(DM) silage, which MrsColahan likenstoeating adry breakfast cereal withoutany milk.

Jackie Jeffrey

Are commodity prices affecting land

Thepastsix months have seen more market volatility than many farmershaveseen in theirlifetime, says Daniel Bowden of BarbersRural. He said: “All sectorshaveseenthe value of outputs fluctuatewithNovember2022 wheat starting theyearat£185/t, then ris ingtoapproximately£350/t and, at thetime of writing, being£270/t. Inputs areequally affectedwithAmmoniumNitrate starting theyearat£650/t, peaking at £1,000/t in thespring, andcurrent newseasonprices at £880/t.

“But have theseprice increaseshad an impact on thelandmarket? It’s unlikely that thesefactors have single-handedlyim pacted it,but they willcertainly have been acontributing factor.Ingeneral, land sales in 2022 startedthe year in asimilarvein to 2021. However, once thespringand early summer land sales started, it wasevident that demand hadincreased andthere wasa wideninggap with supply “Thelandwithhighest potential produc tivity,goodaccessand location remainsthe mostsoughtafter Themixofthosepurchas inglandhas,interestingly,notalteredsignif icantly, with amix of farmersand investors both remaininginthe marketplace This mayalter goingforward with more inves tors seeing land acquisition as asafe invest ment,havingtax benefits and, potentially,

as ameans of protectionagainst increasing inflation.

“Thelandrental market has also seen a shift in thelatterpartofthe summer.Good qualityarablelandisseeingunprecedented interest.An oldadage wasthatarablerent peracreshouldequal thatofatonne of wheat. Whilst this mayhavebeentrueinthe past,itmay be difficult to putintopractice whenwheatpriceshavevariedby£165/tthis year

“Ithasalsobeenapparentthatgoodquali ty land whichnormallyonlygeneratesinter estfrom thearableand vegetablesectors,are nowbeingmatchedand,insomeinstances exceeded,bythe dairysector. Whetherthis is apermanent change,ora temporary shift, only time willtell.”

l DanielBowden is apartner at Barbers Ruralandcanbecontactedon01630692500 or d.bowden@barbers-rural.co.uk

Newgrain systemis installed at business

Gareth Powell,who farmsand contract dries graininLlanymynech,Powys has re centlybecomethe ownerofaGSI Q220 Quiet Drier alongwithJEMAintakeand conveyingequipmentfrom Danagri-3s, en ablinghim to fill hisnewlyextended2,000tongrain store

Theneed to upgrade hiscurrent grain storageand drying facility wasborne outof theincreased demandfrom localfarmers wantingtouse hisfacilities, necessitating the need fora newautomated streamlined sys temabletocopewiththe increasedcapacity

Having previouslyowned aFarmFans drier,MrPowellwantedtokeepwithsome thingthathadgivenhimsolittletroubleover theyears.Marketedunder both theGSI and Farm Fans brandsince 2012, theQ220 Quiet Drier holds14.7 tons of grainand itsableto heat,dry andcooleitherascontinuous flow, batch or auto batch andiscapable of drying an impressive 16.2 tons perhour.

ADanagri-3sspokesman said:“MrPowell instructed Danagri-3s to installanew intake systemalong with elevatorsand conveyors to move thewet grainfrom theintakepit into thedrier,and from thedrier to 2xre mote controlled belt conveyors. Thesystem also has theability to outloaddirectlyintoa trailer either after goingthrough thedrier or directlyfrom theintakepit

“Thelabour-saving advantageofthe JEMA belt conveyorsisthe tripper carriag es that canbemoved viaawirelesskey fob, allowingthe grainplacementtobeaimed at thetouch of abutton.Comparedtoconven tional conveyorstheyare extremelyquiet andhavealow powerrequirement, so much so that it’s possible to have anormalconver sation standing in frontofitevenwhile the driersare in full flow.”

Mr Powell said: “It’sincredible, Iwalked over to theother side of thegrain storeand hadtocomestraightbackagain; Ithought it switchedits self-off,it’sjust that quiet!”

TheDanagri-3s spokesman added: “Using theprovenstar-fire burner seen on existing Farm Fandriers, thekey secret to thenoise reductionisdowntothe commercial in-line centrifugalfan having fewerblades, specially

angled to quietly cutthrough the air. Two plenumsthensplit theair in a60/40 con figuration allowing theairflow to be opti mizedinboththe upper andlower plenums producingthe softer more pleasingsound whichwillnodoubtdelight theoperators andthe surroundingrural neighbours

“Comparedtoanaxial fanit’sfar more energy-efficient, usingapproximatelyhalf theamountofpower to deliverthe same amount of air.

“

TheQuiet drier has acouple of oth er useful options that canbespecified.A static moisturesampler only takesreadings when thegrain is static to insure adebris/ chaff free accurate sample reading. To com plementthe standardvisioncontrol panel with itseasytoreadlargecolourgraphical touchdisplaypanel,the watchdog monitor allowsyou to controland adjust your drier’s moistureand temperature settingfromany where, utilisingyourphone,tablet or com puter with ease.”

Danagri-3s specialise in grainhandling anddryingequipment. Free site surveysare available,withadviceandconsultationtoas sist youinchoosingthe rightsystemtosuit your present andpossiblefutureneeds. Visit www.danagri-3s.comfor more details

Daniel Bowden

Mark Unitt, right, handing over the completed drier installation to farmer Gareth Powell

Soil Association tells the new PM to ‘get food right’

TheSoilAssociation has written an open lettertothe newPrime Minister callingonthe government to “wakeup” to theconnectionbetween hungerand diet-related poorhealthand theclimate andnatureemergencies.

In herletter, associationchief ex ecutive Helen BrowningcalledonLiz Truss to back theorganisation’svision ofafuturewhereeveryonehasaccessto affordable,healthyand nutritiousdiets, underpinned by aresilientfood system that protects nature andclimate.

Thelettertothe PrimeMinister said: “Asthe countryreels from theswelter ingheatwaveand continuingdrought, food banksbecomeoverwhelmed by demandand millions of people brace themselves forsoaring energy prices, therehas neverbeenamore important timeforstrongleadershipfromgovern ment.Weneed aboldvisionfor farm ing, food andforestry; onebuilt upon compassionand optimism, forthisand future generations, andweneed that

visionbackedbyimmediate action At theSoilAssociation,weremain grounded by theworkwedoacross thecountry with citizens, communities andbusinessesworking on thefront line. OurFood forLifeProgramme brings schools, nurseries, hospitalsand care homes, andtheir communities, to gether around thecoreethos of healthy andsustainablefood.Our Innovative FarmersProgramme workswithfarm ersand growerstoshare practices and knowledgetomakefarming sustaina bleand resilient. It’s throughthiswork that we’vegainedinsightsintohow to make theworld abetterplace,and we remain optimistic becausethe people weworkwithalreadyhavethesolutions we need;our jobnow is to harnessand scalethem.

“Ourgoalisregeneration.Afuturein whicheveryonehas accesstoafforda ble, healthyand nutritiousdiets, under pinned by ajust, diverseand resilient foodsystemthatrejuvenatesnatureand

stabilisestheclimate.Weknowthatthis iswhatpeoplefromallwalksoflifeseek andaspireto. Butit’sclear that in recent timesthe situationisgetting worse,not better.Urgent action is necessary to helpthe millions whoare desperately strugglingwiththe costoflivingcrisis; solutions must deal both with thecur rent crisis andprotect ourfuture.

“Andtobuildabetterfuture,wemust getfood right; it underpins ourhealth andwellbeingand that of theplanet. Yet, as highlighted by HenryDimble by’s National Food Strategy,poverty is on therise, food choices arenot simple andour diets, short of freshvegetables andfruitsbut highinultra processed foods, areunderminingour health.It maynot be thejob of government to tell people what to eat–but that does notmeanyou cannot act. Making good food theeasychoice will helptotackle ill health andreduce the financial and physical burden on theNHS. Good health underpins prosperity.”

Election invitation given

British Wool is inviting sheep farmersto play aroleinits future by standinginits re gional committee elections.

Theorganisation collects, grades and markets wool collectively on behalf of its 35,000 sheep farmer members. Itsgovern ance structureincludes 81 farmer-elected county representativesacrossnineregions with allregions up forelection this year

“Ourcountyrepresentativesactasambas sadors,representingBritish Wool on alocal

levelandactingasavoiceformembers,”said JimRobertson,chairman, British Wool.“It’s therefore important that they understand theunique challengesoftheir ownareaand care about thefuture of wool, ourorganisa tion andthe wider sheep industry.”

Thecountyrepresentativeroleisa threeyearappointment whichwould startfrom January1

Visitbritishwool.org.uk/regional-com mitteesfor more details

Calf Show judge out to find best of the breeds at fair

TheNational Pedigree Calf Show is one of thehighlights of theEnglish Winter Fair event at theStaffordshire showground–quite a responsibility forCharles Boden, whowillbejudgingthe competition this year.

Charles is theowner of Mellor Hall Farm, in Mellor,Stockport,farming 800 sheep, includingaTexel flockaswellas thewellknownSportsman’s herd of pedigreeCharo lais andLimousin cattle

Charles’s judgingCVcomes with many enviableaccolades –includingsellingthe worldrecordpricedram –aTexel –for £350,000 at Lanark,Scotland. Judgingwas a naturalprogressionfrom entering hisown livestock at shows over theyears,Charles says.

“Weholdthe highest pricedaverage sell ingseven rams for£75,655 in 2020. On top of this,wesoldaCharolais Bull for£55,000 in Stirling, Scotland.Our Sportsman’s Columboalsowon many Championsinna tional showingrings.”

ForCharles, takingawaytop prize at a showisstill athrill,evenafter 30 yearsof competitions

“Winningatashowlets youtakepride in your animalsand have therespect of the farmingcommunity,” he says.

When it comestoknowinggood qualities in an animal when he sees them, Charles willhavehis eyes peeled,usingrecentexpe rience judgingatthe RoyalNorfolk Show to informhis approach at theEnglish Winter Fair

“I’llbelooking forananimal with good confirmation, good locomotion,withstyle andpresence. Overall,I’d like to seean ani malthatshows all thegood attributesfor its breed,” says Charles.

With theentries becomingincreasingly

Visitors are expected to come in their thousands to enjoy everything the English Winter Fair has to offer

competitive largelythankstoinnovative technology, Charles’approachputsheavy emphasis on notrelying on it

“Technologyhas reallyhelpedbut you canhavethe best computer in theworld, anditwouldn’t be amatch foryourown hands andeyes,”hesays. “Knowing your ge netics andproducingastrongbreed is key.”

2022 marksthe second time English Winter Fair has returned since thepan demic, with itsregular5,000 visitors from farmingand ruralcommunities returning in their droves.

“It’ssoimportant,because youhavetobe able to touchand feel an animal to be able to judgeitproperly,”Charles stresses. The English Winter Fair has incorporatedthe National PedigreeCalfShowsince 2019 and willtakeplace on theSaturday, whilethe overallWinterFairchampionwillbejudged on Sunday.Bothclasses carrya£1,000 prize forthe supremechampion.

Theschedulefor theevent is availableat www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk

Tickets are£8inadvance or £10 on the gate andthe carparkopens at 8am.

Solar panel bid rejected over the possiblethreat to newts

Afarmingfamily’splantoinstall solar panels on land in Shropshire hasbeen rejectedbyplanners.

TheWrenchfamilyatKenwickLodge near Cockshutt hadapplied to installa 300kWground mounted solararrayon 0.22 hectares of land

Planning officers at Shropshire Councilagreedthe proposed installation of asolarpanelsonland associated with KenwickLodge would allowthe generation of arenewable form of energytomatch theon-site energy demands of thebusiness and helping to reduce the carbon footprint

It wasalsosupportedinprinciple by both national andlocal planning policy andthe impactofthe proposal on locallandscapecharacter andon visualamenity arelikelytoberelatively limited. Butplanners saidthe site is closetoa number of ponds whichmay supportGreat CrestedNewts

“Noecological assessment has been undertakenand thereforeat this point in time it hasnot been demonstrated that thisdevelopment will notcause anydetrimental impact on this protectedspecies,” theofficers saidintheir report.

Enhance the nutrient value of slurry by using an inoculant

Withurea selling at £750/t and pressure on theindustrytoreduce ammonia emissions by 16 per cent by 2030,farmers areembracing the opportunity to increase available nitrogen andreduceammonia volatilisation from slurrythrough the simple addition of an inoculant.

Midlands basedagronomistsJonathanDolbearand Graham Harris whoworkfor BCW, aFrontier company situated in theWestMidlands,havebeenworking closelywithLallemandAnimal Nutritiontomonitor thesuccessofusingslurryinoculantsonseveralclients’ farms.

“Itmakes sensetomaximise thepotential of slurry on farm,and with fertiliser prices risingastheyare, therehas been increasedinterestinslurryinoculants, promptingus to furtherexplore thevalue they canoffer,”saysMrDolbear.

“Farmers have effectively paid to create slurry by producingforageand feedingittothe cowand so it’s in their best interest to getthe most outofit,”heexplains.

Slurryinoculantsinpractice

To understandthe full extent of thebenefits of using aslurryinoculant,BCW collated data from anumber of farmswhere they areusingSlurriN PRO.

“Lastautumn, we startedmonitoringthe available nitrogen (N) andsulphur (S) levels in theslurrybefore andafter treatment,”explainsMrDolbear.

“Oncewe’dtaken theinitial sample,wetreated slurry forthree months on thebasis that although you’ll starttoget aresponseinone month, to see the real benefits producersneed to wait twotothree months,” he says.

“Thefarmers we’veworkedwithput twomonths’ worthoftreatment in at thestart andthentopped it up forthe last month.

SlurriN

SLURRYQUALITY

NPK

“Posttreatment,adribblebar wasusedtoapply theslurry, so we took samples from thebackofthe machine.

“Thepre-treatmentavailableNwas1.28kg/m3and post treatmentitincreased to 1.75kg/m3.

“I also noticedsomedifferences in S; it hadalmost tripledthe availablenutrients.

“Thisequatesto£40/haintermsofNandSinputs,”

Agronomist Jonathan Dolbear

explainsMrDolbear Theinoculantgivesproducers theopportunity to reduce artificial Ninput based on theuplift in slurry availableNposttreatment

MrHarrislookedintothesavingshisfarmersusingthe inoculanthad seen.

Whileheusedadifferentmetrictomeasure this, hisoverall findings were similartoMrDolbear

“SlurriNPRO definitely coveredthe costofthe treatmentand putmoney back in thebank.

“I’vecalculatedastandardgrosssavingofaround £138/month for100 cows, basedon asavinginfer tiliser costs andusingstandardbookvalues,”Mr Harrisconcludes.

EASE OF ENVIRONMENTHANDLING

The natural way to maximise the value of slurry

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

SlurriN PRO Mode of Action

Group celebrates its milestone in great style

Membersofan agriculturalgroup have celebrated its70thanniversaryinstyle with athree-course banquetand atop levelguest speaker

TheWeston& District AgriculturalDis cussionGroup wasfounded in 1952 by the Ministry of Agriculture andFisheries as away of sharing knowledgeand best agri culturalpractice from theministry to local farmers.

Now, thegrouphas celebrated itsmile stoneanniversarywithathree-day study tour to Essexand athree-course banquetat Vale RoyalAbbey

Followingthe three-course meal,the guestspeaker,NFU presidentMinette Bat ters,gavethe groupaninsight into herlife andher role with theunion, with around of

questionsto finish.Richard Edge,the cur rent chairmanofthe group, said: “Wehave thoroughly enjoyedthisyear’scelebrations in Essexand at thedinner

“Theroomwas full of Cheshirefarmers andthere wasafantastic atmosphere with a number of people catchingupwho hadnot seen each otherinyears

“This really sums thegroup up,thatwe arenot just adiscussiongroup,you also be come greatfriends with othermembers”

TheWeston&District AgriculturalDis cussionGroup meets on thesecondMon dayofevery monthfrom October forsix months

Contactsecretary TomSelbyfor more in formationabout thegroup at tom@selbyru ral.co.uk

Taste tests lead to demand for lamb

Consumer tastepanels conductedbyHybu CigCymru –MeatPromotion Wales(HCC) have resulted in attendees increasing theamountoflamb they cook andeat andan increasedawarenessofthe PGI Welsh Lamb brand.

HCC’sWelshLamb Meat QualityProject hasbeenholdingconsumertastepanelsover thelastthree yearsacrossthe UK. Consum er feedback has been collectedonfactors whichimpactmeatquality andtaste in or der to ensure that Welsh Lamb retainsits reputation forworld leadingquality

Data from taste panels heldinLudlow, Chesterand Reading, showsthat60per cent ofparticipantsarepurchasingmorelambaf tertaking part in thetastepanel

Furthermore,81per centofparticipants hadanincreased understandingof Welsh Lamb’s nutritionalbenefits and60per cent notedtheywerenow lookingout forthe Welsh Lamb logos after takingpartinthe consumer tastepanel

Fifty per cent of participants had bought Welsh Lamb followingthe taste panel

During thepanel,participantsare giv en seven servings of lamb andare askedto score it on thefourkey factors whichmake up meat quality: aroma, flavour, tenderness andjuiciness,aswellasoverall liking

Panellistsare also asked about howmuch they wouldbewillingtopay foreachpiece Participantsare also givenapresentation highlightingthe nutritionalprofile of Welsh

Lamb andthe sustainableway in whichitis produced.

HCCiscollectingfeedback from 2,000 consumersoverthe lifespanofthe project to create ablueprint forthe industry on con sumerpreference.

Dr Eleri Thomas from HCCsaid: “These resultsshowthatour tastepanel research is notonlybeneficial to theindustrybut is also areallypositive experience forconsumers

“Attendingthe tastepanel has increased participantsunderstandingand awareness of Welsh Lamb andtheir likelihood of buy ingitand purchasingit, whichisa greatre sult.’

Theresults also showed after attendinga taste panel,60 percentofparticipantswere more likely to choosealambdish when eating outand over 55 percentofpartici pantsweremorelikelytocooklambasa mid-weekmeal–akeymealoccasionwhich HCChas been targeting to increase lamb consumption.

show

Food inflation hashit its highest rate on record,withshoppers nowpaying 10.6 percent more thantheywerea year ago, figuresshow.

Overallshop priceinflation accelerated to 5.7per cent in September,up from 5.1per cent in August to mark anotherrecord since theBritish Retail Consortium-Nielsen IQ indexbegan in 2005

Food price inflationsoared past August’s 9.3per cent to 10.6 percent, driven by thewar in Ukraine continuing to push up theprice of animalfeed, fertiliserand vegetableoil,particularly

affecting productssuchasmargarine. Freshfoodproductsare nowa record 12.1 percent higherthan last year,up from 10.5 percentinAugust –the highest inflationratefor the categoryonrecord.Ambient food inflationalsoreached arecord 8.6per cent,up from 7.8per cent amonth previously– therecord fastestrateof increase forthe category

Howeverwhile thesummerdrought diminished some harvests,other produce benefitedfromthe prolonged sunshine,helping to bring down prices forsomefruit.

Taste panels in Chester last year

club holds

Judges revealed for leading expo

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Thejudges forthe five nationalbreedshows which will be hostedatthisyear’s BorderwayAgri Expo have beenannounced

TheAberdeenAngus Winter National Show willbejudged by Fraser Cormack andthe Beef ShorthornNationalCalf Show will be judged by PamelaNicol.

TheShropshire&BordersTexel Club

Sale washeldatShrewsburyLivestock Market with Hallsthe auctioneers

Atotalof209ShearlingRamsaveraged £756toatopof2250gnsforSP&CPWil liamsofBomereHeath.WollascottEtoile by ScoltonYoung Pretender sold to A Turner,Newtown.Pre-saleshowChampion Clun Executive from AE Williams &Son made 1300gns,and went to N Green, Selattyn

Atotal of 29 RamLambs averaged £476. Topprice Paul Phillips’ Kimbolton Friskyat860gns sold to CPryce,Llanfair Caereinion. Atotal of 51 ShearlingEwes averaged£395. Topprice went to Messrs Draper, Claybury Texels,at750gns and sold to M& SJones, Oswestry

TheBorder British Blue Club Calf Show will be judged by Chall Parsons, theHerefordNationalCalfShowwillbe judged by WilliamMcMordie,and the Simmental Regional Calf Show willbe judged by VarrieLoggie.

Fraser Cormackfarms on asmall scale alongside hisfoot-trimmingbusiness whichherunswithhis son. Having been along-timebreeder of Aberdeen Angus, until recentlyFraserhas been aregular faceontheshowingcircuitwithhiscattle, includingatAgriExpo.

Pedigreebreeder andfarmerChall ParsonsofLongtown, Cumbria, will kick-start hisjudgingcareerbyjudging theBorder British Blue Club Calf Show Chall,who farmstogetherwithhis partnerKate, took on thetenancy of their 175-acrefarmfouryears ago andrunsa smallherdofpedigreeBritishBluealongside amixed flockofaround650 com-

mercialand pedigreesheep TheHer eford Calf Show willbejudged by third generation breeder,WilliamMcMordie Williamcontinues a70-yearfamilyher itageofbreedingpedigreeHerefordcattle at hisfamilyfarmnearBallydown, County Down in Northern Ireland.

PamelaNicol manages DoldyFarms in Angus, Glenisla.

Followingthe purchaseofits first pedigreeBeefShorthorn back in 2008, the 2500-acreestateisnow home to 24 pedi-

gree Shorthorncows, as well as 100 commercialcowsand 1000 Blackface ewes.

Judgingthe Simmental Regional Calf Show is VarrieLoggiefrom East Merk land farm near Strathaven, Lanarkshire, whohelps outonthe family farm around herfulltimeworkfor alocal graphics company.

Formore informationon Borderway Agri Expo,whichtakes place on October 28, or to entercattle, visitwww.border wayagriexpo.co.uk.

Warning given about blowfly

Sheepfarmers arebeingwarnedof acontinued blowflystrike risk this au tumn, with thelikelihoodofaperiodof mild andwet weather.

AccordingtoMattColston,ruminant technical consultant at ElancoAnimal Health,the long,dry summer has helped to keep flypopulationsatbay.But if we nowexperience warm autumn temperaturescoupledwithsomerain, we could seea significant uptickinblowflystrike cases.

To protect againstlateseason flystrike, Mr Colston recommends that farmers whotreated their flockwithpreventive flycontrol in thespring, stay vigilant andapply atop up treatmentofanInsect Growth Regulator(IGR) as theperiodof protection runs out.

“Flies need warmth andmoistureto reproduce,bothonthe pastureand the sheep’s fleece, whichiswhy thedry conditionshaveled to alower strikerisk this summer,comparedtolastyear.”hesays.

“However with theMet Office predictinga warm andunsettled forecast for earlyautumn,it’simportant to bewareof thecontinuingrisk to avoidbeingcaught out. Particularly as theprotection period from earlier flycontrol treatments is like ly to be comingtoend.”

Mr Colston adviseschoosinganIGR with ashort meat withdrawal, such as CLiKZiN, on fatlambsheadingtomar ket. This delivers eight weeksofprotection with just seven days meat withdrawal

“For sheep remainingon-farm,CLiK or CLiK Extramay be amore suitable option, offeringlongerprotection,asin theright conditions,blowflystrike risk canextendright throughtothe endof November,” he says.

barbers-auctions.co.uk

Pamela Nicol will judge the Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show

Wollascott Etoile

Kimbolton Frisky

Project is helping vets tackle disease of lung

AHybuCig Cymru–MeatPromotion Wales projectisgivingvets practical on farm mentoringsessions to diagnose and supportWelshfarmers keen to tackle adebilitatingsheep lung disease.

TheWelshGovernmentand EU-funded Stoc+programme seekstobring farmers andvets together to usethe latest science to ensure that Wales leadsthe wayinpromot ingthe best possible health andwelfare of flocks andherds,whichinturnhelps both theenvironment andfarmers’businesses.

Ovinepulmonaryadenocarcinoma (OPA)sometimescalled‘Jaagsiekte’ has po tentiallydevastating consequences in sheep flocks.

An infectiousdisease caused by avirus that affects thelungs, it canbetransmitted

betweenewesthroughnose-to-nosecontact Thanks to thedevelopmentofultrasound examinationofsheep lungsbyspecialist trainedvets, Stoc+a flockand herd health managementprojectworking with Welsh farmers, has givenvets theopportunity to upskill andshare vitalknowledge to tackle this disease. In additiontoformaltraining sessions supportedbyHCC this year,there wasan opportunity to offer mentoringtoa vetpractice

HeatherMcCalmanfrom Hybu Cig Cymru’s Stoc+schemesaid: “We’re pleasedtosee Stoc+isenablingcross practice mentoring forvets inaspecialist area like OPA. This diseasecan have aseriouseffectonfarm businessessoeradicatingitfrom thesheep flockisa positive step.”

Charity team’s award delight

RABI’s ground-breaking Big FarmingSurvey haswon the Charity Times Change Project of theYearAward 2022

Ateamfrom thecharity attendingthe awards wasalsodelighted to winthe highly commendedaward in theprestigious Charity TimesCharity of theYearcategory.

Celebratingexcellence andbestpractice acrossthe not-for-profitsector, theCharity TimesAwards’panelofindependentexperts were impressed by theimpact, focusand innovation shownbyRABI’sworksupporting thefarming community

AliciaChivers,RABIchief executive, welcomedthe recognition of theimportanceof thesupportRABIprovides to thefarming community at anationallevel

With theunprecedentedchallengescur rently facingfarming people,she believes thewider acknowledgementofthese chal lengesand impactsonfarmingpeopleis fundamentally important.

“Itisa phenomenal achievement to represent thefarmingsectorinthe esteemed companyofthe othershortlisted charities,” said Mrs Chivers

“RABIwas particularly honoured to re ceive theseawardsinremembrance of our patron,Her Late MajestyQueen Elizabeth II, whocontributedsomuchtopromoting and supporting theagriculturalcommunity

“TheBig FarmingSurveyand theongo ingoutcomesfrom RABI’s work were recognisedbythe CharityTimes Awards’panel as beginningfundamental change that will

resonate foraconsiderabletimetocome.

“WinningthisawardhelpsRABItoshowcase thevalue of ourcommunity andgive farmingpeoplethe voice they deserve

“Farmingpeoplemakeanimportant contributiontoour society, anditisvital they aresupportedappropriately

“RABIhas alreadybeguntointroduce innovative newsupportinresponsetothe surveyand willcontinuetodevelop our services to meet thechangingneedsofthe community we serve.

“Every charityrelies on thetalent, dedication andcommitmentofits team to make a tangible difference

“I am extremelyproudofthese awards, as they represent apublic recognition and celebrationofthe hard work anddedication of theentireRABIteamand all oursupporters. ”

University praised for making its students ready for work

Astudent,whose time at Harper AdamsUniversityhas seen him winning scholarships, awards and work with aglobalcompany, has praised theuniversityfor making its students industry-ready

Sincestartinghis studies, BSc (Hons)agriculturestudentTim Davidsonhas securedaBritish PoultryCouncil Scholarship anda year’splacement at Aviagen–for whichhewon aplacement award –aswellasanOxfordFarming Conference Scholarship. “Ithas been thebestdecision Ievermade–the

opportunities I’vehad as aresulthave been unbelievable,”hesaid, of histime at theuniversityinShropshire.“That’s key, really –it’snot onlythe people here,but the opportunitiesthat being at Harpergives you, opening doors into industry.”

Upon completion of hisplacement, Timwas givena100 percent employability rating by Aviagen On hisreturn to Harper Adams University, whereheiscontinuing his studies, he wasselectedasthe winner of the2022Cogent Breeding Ltd PlacementAward

Members of the RABI team who attended the Charity Times Awards. The charity’s Big Farming Survey won the Charity Times Change Project of the Year Award.

Farm

Afarmdispersal auction was held at TheDownFarmatMuch WenlockonbehalfofTrevor Breakwell

Mr Breakwell is giving up the tenancyafter 53 years, having movedtothe farm in 1969,so hadamassed avariety of farming equipment.Aspokesperson forauctioneersNockDeighton AgriculturalLLP said: “The sun shone, thebacon bapswent down well andeveryonehad agood time,looking at themachinery, tractors,livestockequipmentand alifetime of farming belongings. It wasgood to seesucha high levelofsupportfromthe farming communityfor thisevent,which turnedthe day into asocial occasion,aswellasfulfilling the

purposeofdispersing afarming lifetime of activitytonew homes

“A sampleofthe prices achieved were as follows:1999 CaseCX135 made £7,300,K-reg Case XL895 made £13,000,International43c/w Tractor2WD £1,950,International 674Tractor 2WD £4,000, International574 2WDmade £1,900,International275 2WD made £2,700,Trifid10tonne Grain Trailermade£1,500, Dragon 10t GrainTrailermade £1,700,Salop 4 tonne TippingTrailermade£1,450, Vexon6mHydraulicRollers made £1,250,TeagleStraw Chopper £600,Vintage TwoseMid-mounted hedgecuttermade £600,Jeep Cherokee made£1,250, David BrownCropmaster £2,900, Leyland Nuffield154 made£1,450,

Gold &GreyFergie£3,000, Cherry 3Big BaleSpike(2021)£950, KRM FertiliserSpreadermade £700, SingleAxleTrailer£1,000.

“NockDeightonAgricultural LLP wishMrBreakwell allthe best as he takesona differentpaceof life.We wouldalsoliketothank allthose friends,well-wishersand theirfamilieswho

“Someofthe

“Wehopetosee

Berrys secures funding for round of business advice

Berrys has secured Government fundingfor a second roundoffree oneto-one businessadvice.

Farmersand landowners canreceive thefreebusinessadvice from the firm aspartofDefra’sFutureFarmingResilience Fund (FFRF).

More than £32m has been awarded to 17 organisationstosupportfarmers andlandmanagersduringthe Agri culturalTransitionPeriod, as theUK leaves theEU.

Will Davies from Berrys said: “Thesupport willbeavailable,freeof charge,from October2022 throughto March2025.

“Any farmer or land manager currently in receipt of BPSthatfarmwithin Englandare eligible (farmsacross borderswithWalesorScotlandcanapply if aportion of land is in England).

“Thosewho benefitedfrom advice under theinterimphase(availablelate 2021/early 2022) or have appliedfor theExitSchemecan also apply.

“Thebespoke advice willstart with an on-site meeting to discuss thebusiness andits currentperformance

“A report willbethensentproviding an overview of thebusinessand analysingits financial performanceand its cash position,includingthe impact of thereduction in BPSpayments.

“Thereportwill include bespoke recommendationsfor improvements

to thebusiness, includinghow to take advantageofchanginggovernment support. An action plan will also be includedwhichwillhighlight any necessary changeswithapproximate timescales. Atotal of threefollow-up meetings arealsoavailablefreeof charge whichare an opportunity forus toprovidefurthersupportbyfocussing on aparticularareaofthe business.

“Itisvital during this transition period,atthe endofwhich, BPSpay mentswillcease to exist,thatfarmers andlandownerstakestock of their businessesand understandthe implicationsthatnot having thesesupport payments will have

“Our tailored supportwillhelpbusinesses become more resilientand competitive,makethe mostoftheir assets andensuretheywillcontinuetooperateprofitably well into thefuture.”

To register interest and find out more about theFFRF,pleasecontact Will Davies in the first instance on 01743 267062 emailwill.davies@ber rys.uk.com.

Firms ‘keen to go green’

Agriculture SMEs arethe most like ly to have investedinimproving their sustainability,new research has found

ConductedbyParagon Bank into leadingsectors of theUKeconomy, theresearchfound that 73 percentof agriculture SMEs alreadyconsidered themselves to be green. Thesector’s commitmenttosustainability and greenissues wasinstark contrast to otherindustries, beingalmostthree timesaslikelyasconstructionand al most 30 percentage points higherthan thenationalaverage of 46 percent.

Manufacturing and transportbusinesses recorded 37 percentand 48 per centrespectively

Theresearch, involving over 500 UK businesses, also highlighted thecom

mitmentofagriculture SMEs to paying extra forgreen fundingoptions,with 77 percentofthose in thesectorwillingtodosocomparedwith49per cent of SMEs overall.Whilstthe agriculture sector is leadingthe wayinembracing sustainability,there is still appetite to go furtherwith80per cent of thesec torsayingtheywerewillingtomak ingtheir businessesgreener in future Citing benefits formakingtheir businesses green, SMEs in theagriculture sector said investinginsustainability:

l Improvesthe reputation of the business(59%)

l Givesacompetitive advantage over similarbusinesses(47%)

l Ensurescompliancewithlegislation (41%)

l Savesmoney (26%)

The findings come at atimewhen theUKeconomy is facingthe highest interest andinflationlevels recorded in decades, with an expectation forthe numberofSMEsseekingfinancialsupport to increase

Speakingof theresearchresults, Paragon’sAshleyButterfieldsaid: “Our sector cannot only be proudofthe steps it has takentoinstil sustainability practices, butalsothe highproportion of agricultureSMEsthatare committedtotaking furtheraction.

“Thereare arange of financialproducts andsupport, includingrefinanc ing, availabletoSMEsinthe sector that canhelpprovide them with the practicalsolutions they need.”

Supporting the future of farming

Bagshaws Uttoxeter 01889 562811

Bagshaws Uttoxeter 01889 562811

Balfours

Balfours

Craven Arms 01588 673314 Shrewsbury01743 241181

Craven Arms 01588 673314 Shrewsbury01743 241181

Barbers Rural Consultancy Market Drayton 01630 692500

Barbers Rural Consultancy Market Drayton 01630 692500

Berrys Northwich 01606 49200 Shrewsbury01743 271697 Kettering 01536 412464

Berrys Shrewsbury01743 271697 Kettering 01536 412464

Brightwells Limited Builth Wells 01982 553614 Hereford01432 261325

Brightwells Limited Builth Wells 01982 553614 Hereford 01432 261325

Fisher German Chester 01244 409660 Knutsford01565 757970 Stafford01785 220044 Worcester 01905 453275

Northwich 0160641318

Wright Marshall Chelford01625 861122

GHerbertBanks Worcester 01299 896968

Morris Marshall &Poole Welshpool 01938 554818

Nock Deighton Bridgnorth 01746 762666

Rostons Chester 01829 773000

RB and RG Williams Ross-on-Wye 01989 567233

Will Davies of Berrys

Trials focus on canker

As chemicaloptions for controlling apple canker become more limited, leadingagronomy firm Hutchinsons is examining the effectivenessofsomeinnovative alternatives.

The firm’s Canker Reduction in Apple FruitTrees (CRAFT) trialisinvestigating whether differentelicitorproducts, growthregulators, foliar feedsor biological fungicidescan be used to bolsterthe naturaldefences of apple trees to infectionbythe Neonectria ditissimafungus, responsiblefor causing canker formation.The trialtakes place at asiteinthe West Midlands, closetothe HELIOS West project deliberately chosen forits high apple canker risk.

Chris BakerofFairfieldFarm is hostingthe site andproviding assistance to Hutchinsons agronomistsNigelKitney andRob Saunders,who areoverseeing theproject.OxfordAgricultural Trials (OAT)isresponsible for daily management

“The idea forthe CRAFTtrial wasborneout of our projectIRIS last year (Improving Robustness In Scab control),which used arange of similar products to enhancethe naturaldefence mechanismsofapple trees againstthe scab pathogen Venturia inaequalis,” Mr Kitney explained.

“We’ve droppedafew products, butare testing many of thesame onesasinIRIS, plus afew new options. It’s abit of alongshot as to whethersomewill have any effect on canker,but we need to explore newsolutions,and unless acompanylikeHutchinsons takes on this work,who elsewill?”Mr Saunders addsthat canker is a complexdisease that is endemic in apple trees, butchemical optionsfor controlling it arequite limited.

“Coppercannotbeused, andthe permittedrates and maximum number of applications fortebuconazole have been reduced to alevel that offers little protection in high pressure situations,soit’snot something growers canrely on longer-term.”

Funding of £32m will boost tree programme

Wales’sMinister forClimate Change JulieJames has announced £32mfor farmers andlandownerstohelp Walesplant 86 million trees by theend of thedecade to combat theclimate emergency.

Theannouncementfollows ashort, intensivereviewcarried out by theDep utyMinister forClimate Changewhich looked at removing barriers to woodland creation Wales needstoplant 43,000 hectaresof newwoodlandbythe endof this decade

BY IAIN ST JOHN

as part of theWelshGovernment’s jour neytomaking thecountry netzeroby 2050.

Thereare twonew schemes. TheSmall Grants Woodland Creation scheme sim plifies fundingfor farmersand otherland managerstoplant smallareas of treeson land in Wales under twohectareswhich is agriculturallyimprovedoroflow envi ronmentalvalue.TheWoodlandCreation Grantoffersfundingfortree planting and fencingtofarmers and land managers whohaveawoodland creation plan,ap provedby theWelshGovernment Both schemeswillprovide grants to

wardstreeplanting, fencingand gates and12years of maintenancesupport.

Julie Jamessaid: “Plantingmore trees willplayafundamental role in helping Wales to avoidsomeofthe worst effects of climatechange. Woodland creation canalsoprovide awealth of benefits to local communities from greenjobsto places fornature.

“Wewantfarmers in Wales to be cen tral to ourplans They know their land better than anybodyelseso, to ensure thesustainability of their business, we willleave decisions around wheretrees shouldbeplanted entirely with them. As long as they meet theUK Forestry Stand ard, we areon hand to offer thesupport

‘Be aware of mycotoxin risk’

Theextremelyhot weatherthissum merhas meantmanymaize forage crops have grownunder droughtstressedcon ditions, whichhas increasedthe likeli hood of in-fieldmycotoxinsdeveloping, an experthas warned Wynnstay dairyspecialist Beth Par ry has urgeddairy farmerstobeaware of this heightened mycotoxin risk when feedingmaize forage this autumn and winter

“Withpotentiallylimitedforagestocks followingadifficult growingseason, farmersare goingtoneed to maximise feed utilisationand digestion to ensure performanceisn’t impacted toogreatly this winter,” shesays.

“In fieldmycotoxinsare more likely to be presentinsilagesifthe crop experi enced any kind of stress, such as growing in droughtconditions, becausemoulds andfungi willhavehad more opportuni ty to takeholdand produce mycotoxins.”

Sherecommendsfarmers consider the impact of extreme weatherduringthe growingseasonontheirmaizecrops.“Ifa maize plantwas under stress whileitwas tasseling, that willhaveadded to therisk

ofin-fieldmycotoxinsdeveloping.Unfor tunately,there’s no waytoovercomethe factthatstressful growingconditionsin crease thelikelihoodofmouldsand fungi moving in andproducingmycotoxins, whichthenremainpresent in theforage once it’s in theclamp.”

Mrs Parryexplainsfeedingmycotox instocowscan triggera vast range of issues, includingloosemuck, poorfer

tility, swollen hocks, elevated cell counts, impaired rumenfunctionand anything from a0.5 to 2litre reduction in milk production percow perday

And she advised: “If you’re aware there’sarisk of mycotoxin contamina tion,but have to feed theforagedue to limitedstocks, thebestoptionistoadd a mycotoxin binder to prevent thenegative impactsonyourherd.”

Owen Dale

they mayneed.Weknowthey, like many others,are keen to reduce their carbon footprint andhelpus on ourTeamWales missiontotackleclimatechange head on.”

All woodland creation supportedby theWelshGovernment’sWoodland Cre ationGrant must be verified by Natural Resources Wales to ensure it meetsthe UK Forestry Standard,whichisa stand ardfor sustainableforestry. Ceri Davies from NaturalResources Wales said: “In creasingthe tree canopy acrossWales as part of theWoodlandCreationSchemeis acrucialpartoftheefforttotacklethecli mate andnatureemergencies andtohelp achieve thenation’snet zeroambitions.”

Cash option is launched

Breedrhas launched afunding product, designedtohelpfarmers purchase livestockand other inputs withoutsecuring borrowing on fixedassets.

The£10mBreedrCashflow fund canalsofreeup capitaltoinvestin infrastructure,based on thevalue of livestockonthe farm.“As a farmer Iknowthat thisyearwe’ve seen hugepriceinflation,somany arestruggling with cashflow,even thoughbeef andlambprices arethe highestingenerations,” explained Ian Wheal,CEO of Breedr. “Wehavenow raised a£10mfund whichweare prepared to lend to farmerswho have atrack record of recording with us.We want to supportall farmersincluding beef,sheep, newentrants, tenants, growers, finishersand supply chains.”

Find outmoreatwww.Breedr. co

-Muckspreadingwithloader£50perhour

-Muckspreading3200gdualspreaderwith loader£53perhour

-Tanking5000gLGPdribblebarvariableflow rate£80perhour

-FertilizerspreadingwithGPS£3.80peracre

-Flatrolling6.3metre£5peracre

-Hedgecutting£42perhour

-TractorsfittedwithGPS

Fencing,Fabrication,Farmmaintenance

HIRE

3200gDualspreader£160perday

12Tonnereardischargespreader£125perday 6.3Metreflatroller£80perday 18Tonnesilagetrailer£80perday

Wynnstay dairy specialist Beth Parry

The pros

cons

Pop Larkin’s ‘perfick’ approach to his farm management

PopLarkin wasamuchlovedcharacterfamously playedbyDavid Jasonin TheDarling Buds of May –but washis approach to running afarmbusiness really‘perfick’?

Steven Corfieldand Nicholas Play ford,agriculturalspecialistswithLanyon Bowdler Solicitors,discuss theLarkin family in anew podcast whichhighlights theimportanceoffarmers gettingtheir affairs in order

Popwas very much atraditional farmer whodidn’t like paperwork, and certainly avoidedtalking to solicitors whenever possible,soisagood example of what canhappenifcertain legaldocu mentsare notput in place

Steven said: “In oneepisodePop has a small heartattack, whichluckilydoesn’t finish him off,but if it had, hisfamily wouldhavebeenfacedwithsometricky legalissues becausehehadn’tmadeawill or apartnership agreement, andall of the property is ownedbyhim alone.

“Thereare numerous ways that he couldhavemade things more secure for hisfamily, andwemakeupa fewscenar ios in thepodcast whichI’m sure areap plicabletomanyfarmbusinesses.”

Nicholas added: “For example,there is aslightly complicated background to Pop’sproperty ownership, in that the farm is made up of twopreviousfarms bought by Popatdifferenttimes.

“Intoday’sworldthefarmwouldeasily be wortharound£10,000 an acreinre spectof thelandand buildings alone.

“Thereare twosets of farm cottages, whichwould be worthinthe region of £1 million, andwould ideallyprovide some inheritancefor thefourdaughters notin volvedinthe business.

“Thereare also twofarmbuildings let outtotradesmennot involvedinagricul ture,whichPop hadnever obtained plan ningpermissionfor

Then thereisthe issue of howthe farm businessisrun as awhole

“In practicalterms,itisrun by Pop, Ma,Mariette, Montgomery andOscar, whoare all partners in thebusinessas shown on theaccounts butthere is no partnershipagreement in place.”

Steven said: “Theseexamples area good wayofhighlightingthatyes, thele galissues of runninga farm canbecom plex, butitisvital to make arrangements forasmoothtransitiontothe next gen eration

“Pop really shouldhavespokentohis lawyersabout apartnership agreement, andespecially awill, so hisfamilywould have been taken care of shouldthe worst happen.

“AsmuchasPopwasawell-lovedchar acter, Iwould have to saythatthe man agement of hisfarmaffairs wasprobably lessthanperfick.”

Lanyon Bowdler provides agricultural legalservices forclients acrossShrop shire, Herefordshireand NorthWales.

Youcanlistentothepodcastbysearch ingfor TheLegal Lounge on anypodcast provider,orbyvisitingwww.lblaw.co.uk/ podcast

Formore advice about anylegalissues, people cancallLanyonBowdler on 0800 652 3371.

Popular fair has something for all

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

TheannualRoyal Welsh Winter Fair is just around thecorner, anditwon’t be longuntil theshowgroundin Llanelweddisonceagain full of exhibitors, prize-winning livestock andChristmas shoppers

Preparationsarewellunderwayforthe annual eventtaking place on November 28-29.

Aspokespersonsaid: “Asone of the finest primestock shows in Europe,the Winter Fair draws crowds from farand wide to enjoytwo days packed fullof competitions,festivities, food anddrink, andshopping.

“Weweredelighted to seeits return in 2021 after atwo-yearhiatusdue to the pandemic, andare lookingforward to welcomingyou back againthisNovem berfor what is settobeanother fantas ticWinterFair. Livestockentries forthe Winter Fair areopenand willcloseat midnight on October 19 andexhibitors willonceagain be abletoenter usingthe newonlinesystem. As well as livestock competitions,the Winter Fair hostsa huge varietyofdifferentclasses andcom petitions, includinghorses, thehound

show, dressedpoultry,butchery, meat hampers, cookery, produce andhandi craft,horticulture and floral art… there’s somethingfor everyone to getinvolved in.

“Along with all of theabove, theWin terFairoffersshopperstheperfectoppor tunity to pick up some unique andorigi nalChristmas giftsfrom thehundredsof tradestands acrossthe showgrounddur ingthe two-day show

“Visitorswillbeabletoenjoy watching thedemonstrationsand exhibitions and listeningtocarolsand bands performing throughout theshowground.

TherenownedFood Hall attracts pro ducersfromall over Wales andfurther afieldand is packed full of culinaryde lights, demonstrations, perfect Christmas

giftsand tempting tasters. Come along, eat, drinkand be merry!

“TheWinterFairwill be openingits doorstothe public at 8ameachmorning andonthe eveningofNovember, trade stands willbeopenthrough the evening forlatenightChristmasshoppingandthe greatfireworkdisplay.Whatbetterwayto kick-start thefestive season than with a visittothe Winter Fair?

“Tickets are£20 foradults, and£5 forchildrenwithdiscountedtickets for RWAS Members. Memberstickets must be purchased before November 14 in order to redeem thediscount. Buy your e-tickets forthe Winter Fair onlinenow on ourwebsite.”

Formore information visitwww.rwas. wales /www.cafc.cymru

The fair has been an important event in the farming calendar for many years

Afamily-runquarrying businesshas recentlyinvestedinequipmenttopro duce newstone products.

Border Hardcore basedatMiddle town Quarry betweenWelshpooland Shrewsburyhas been operating since the 1960s buthavenow exposed anew hard gritstone material which, once crushed, produces topquality hard stone products whichhavebeencertified by an inde pendentaggregateslaboratory.

As theonlyprivately ownedquarryin theareaBorder Hardcore supplies awide range of customers from farmerstociv il engineersthroughoutShropshireand MidWales. Thequarrynow produces 125mm down crusherrun (6f5capping) whichactsasasound base layerwhichif requiredcanbeblindedwith40mmdown crusherrun to suit the finaluse There is also adrainagestone beingproduced 40-60mm in size ideal formenages and drainagework. Quarrymanager Richard Hilditch said: “Wehavebeenquarrying at Middletownfor many decades andthis newstonehas proven to be harder and more consistentthananythingwehave hadbefore. We invite customerstocall us to forastone quotation, goingdirectto thesource.”

Thecompany has awealth of experi ence andishappy to offer advice to cus tomers on whichproductstouse andon estimating quantities. Mr Hilditch said: “Wetry to make orderingstone asimple processwithout thefrustrating call cen tresandlong-windedaccountsetup.”The firmcansupplyanyquantityfromdumpy bags to 20 tonnebulk tippers. Call them directon01938 570528.

Study looking at mob grazing idea

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Anew on-farmtrial aims to test if tall grassgrazing, sometimes knownasmob grazing, canboost forage fields whilemaintaining milk production andsupporting nature andsoilhealth.

Thelatest fieldlab from Innovative Farmershas seen six dairyfarmers team up with researcherstosee if tallgrass grazingpractices canworkfor dairy herds, followingsuccessfor UK beef cat tle. Theideaistotestthe practice on both milking cows andsomeyoungstock and drycowsto find outifmob grazingcan add valuetoadairy business.

Theconcept mimics thenatural graz ingbehaviourofwildruminants in big herds, whichintensively graze in onearea andthenmoveon. Thestock grazes on thebasis that one-thirdofthe forage is availabletofeed thecows, onethirdis trampled to feed thesoil, andone thirdis left so theplant canregrowmorerapidly Thecowsare movedonfrequentlytopre vent overgrazing. Applying this method to grazingsystems by controllingwhere

cattle graze canallow thegrass to grow up to 50 percenttaller meaningseed headscan developand root structures arestronger, whichboostssoilhealthand biodiversity.

Field labparticipant Debbie Wilkins farmsa900-acre, mixed conventional farm on a floodplaininthe Severn Vale with dairybeefand arable.She said: “I’ve

heardmob grazingworks well on brittle environments, whichisnot what we have here in theSevernVale, so Iamreally keen to seehow it workson my farm After our first weighing, thetall stemmy grass is giving similargrowthrates of 0.8 kg/daytotheconventionallygrazedgrass, time willtellifthere is enough nutrition to have good growth ratesall season. ”

Broker opens up city office

Aleadingindependentinsurancebro kers continues to expandits businessin Wales with theopening of an office in Wrexham

Themovereflects H&H Insurance Brokers’ growth acrossWales, Shropshire andCheshire, andisinaddition to its currentbases at Ruthin Farmers’ Auc tion Mart andStAsaph LivestockMartin NorthWales. Thenew office at Wrexham TechnologyParkwillbethe administra tive hubfor itsWales operation,withthe team continuingtoworkout of itsbases at themarts on keysaledays.

Earlier this year,H&H InsuranceBro kers (HHIB) strengthened itsteamin Wales with theappointment of anew, dedicated accountexecutive, Tomos Jones, whoispartofthe three-strong team alongwithassociate directorHaf Rowley andaccount handler LeeBaines.

Haf, wholeads theHHIB team oper atinginWales, Shropshireand Cheshire, said: “Thenew office signals ourcommit ment to developing thebusinessinWales andthe border counties by providingan excellentbasefrom whichwecan contin ue to provide a first classservice to our clients.

“We’re buildingonstrongfoundations whichwillallow us theopportunity for furthergrowthand expansioninthe fu ture

“Tomos has been abrilliant addition to theteamand we’relooking forwardto welcomingmore recruits to thebusiness in thefuture.” H&H InsuranceBrokers operatesacrossthe NorthofEngland and theScottish Borders, as well as Wales, Shropshireand Cheshire.

The study is looking at whether tall grass grazing can work for dairy herds

Number of pig abattoirs falls

Pigabattoirnumbers in England have continuedtheir long-termtrend of decline, new figures publishedbythe AHDBshow.

Just 87 slaughterhousesprocessedpigs last year in thecountry,accordingtothe newresearch.

That is six fewerthanin2020 and38 fewerthana decade ago, thelatest fig ures highlight Thenumberof specialists plants has also reduced.

That figurenow stands at 11, down one from 2020 and fivefewer than adecade ago. Thesespecialist plantsaccountedfor over three-quartersofthe total through putinEngland in 2021. Leadersinthe sector saythe lastingtrend of declinecan bringriskstothe pigindustry.

“Consolidationinthe industry con tinues with thelossofsmaller slaughter houses,”saidFreya Shuttleworth,AHDB analyst.

The11largestplants–those that slaughterover100,000 head ayear–ac countedfor 92 percentoftotal slaughter, thesameproportion as thepreviousyear.

Thetop eight abattoirs–those killing over 500,000 pigs ayear– maintained an 83 percentshare of theEnglish kill, fig ures show

“Althoughconsolidationmay pose benefits forefficiency,concentrating slaughterpresentsa risk if oneormoreof thelarger plants have amajor breakdown or have to reduce capacity,” Ms Shuttle worthadded.

“Thelast12monthshas been one such example,asstaff shortagescurtailed throughputs,resulting in pigs backingup on farms.”

Young Tomhails ex-Top Gear host

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Shropshirefarmer Tom Everall has praisedJeremy Clarksonfor beingan ‘advert’ forthe farming community

Chatting to Greg JamesonRadio 1 Breakfast,the Wem-based youngfarmer praisedthe ex-Top Gear host forbeing ‘truthful’about farm life.

Whileansweringquestionsfrommem bers of thepublic, onelistener waseager to know Tom’sthoughtsonClarksonbe comingpartof thefarmingcommunity

SpeakingonRadio 1Tom said: “Yay, massiveyay.Hehas been such agoodad vert for what farmingisabout,justbeing truthful –it’sveryimportant whereyour food comesfrom.Iremembera school from Birmingham came outontoour farmand hadalookaround.One lad thoughtthatthe milk wascomingfrom giraffes andthatyou couldjustget milk from anyanimal.”

Jeremy Clarkson bought afarminthe Cotswolds in 2008 andlater went on to make aTVdocumentary series entitled ‘Clarkson’sFarm’ whichwas broadcast on

AmazonPrime last year Thefarmwas renamed“Diddly Squat” by Clarkson to indicateits lack of productivity.

Theseries receivedlargelypositive re viewsandfollowedClarkson’sjourneyes tablishingaworking farm –and thetrials he had to overcome

Known simply as ‘Tom theYoung Farmer’, Tomhas become something

of acelebrity on Radio 1after building up arapport with theDJs. At home,he helps runthe family’s mixed dairyfarm at Myddleand startedmessaging thesta tion during lockdown at differenttimes of theday.Now he has builtupa rapport with theBBC Breakfast host andracked up much support,withover2,000Twitter followers.

Waterwork is abig success

During 2021 no metaldehyde exceed ances were reportedatSevernTrent watertreatment plants, recognisingthe successofthe watercompany’s ‘Farmto Tap’ scheme in improving waterquality, bosses have said

To date,the scheme has worked col laboratively with 649 farmersinthe catchment,since itsinception in 2016, at whichpoint therewere18exceedanc es reported.Laura Flower, Severn Trent seniorcatchment managementscientist, said although the metaldehyde bancame in earlier this year,these resultsshowthat watercompanies andfarmers cancollab oratetodrive industry change formutual benefit.

“FarmtoTap waslaunchedtoraise awarenessofthe risk of pesticide pol lutiontowatercourses, butthe bene fits were two-fold Theschemeoffered a financial incentive, whichsupported farmerstoswitch from metaldehyde slug pellets to theferricphosphate alternative. This helpedthemtoprepare forthe ban, andwatercourses were at amuchlower risk of contaminationasaresult.

“Farmers in successful sub-catchments were rewarded with up to £5/haof eli gibleland, £8/hapre-2018. Whilethese payments might seem like acostlyinvest ment,every £1 we spendon catchment managementsaves us £20 in treatment, meaningcustomerbills arekeptas lowas possible,”she said

Cath Edwards, Severn Trentagricul turaladviser in theShropshireMiddle Severn,saidthe Farm to Tapschemehad achievedexcellentresults in hercatch ment

TomEverall aka -Tom TheYoung Farmer from Shropshire

Act regulations highlighted

With Peel L&P bringing forward 12,000 acres of ruralestatefor devel opment in theNorth West of England, delivering environmental objectives such as biodiversity netgainand net zeroare nowhighonits agenda,the companysaid.

Speakingatthe CentralAssociation of Agricultural Valuers’ National Con ferenceand AGMinLiverpool, Rosie Wilson,directoroflandand estatesat Peel L&P,described theissues faced.

“Wetakeclimatechangeserious ly,” she said.“We want to transform andregenerateplaces andbethe most trusted partners of choice in thetrans formationofproperty.”

Tomeettherequirementsofthenew Environment Act, developers will have to achieve at leasta10per cent biodi versitynet gain over thepre-develop

ment biodiversityvalue.Todischarge a“pre-commencementcondition”, the local planningauthority must approve thedevelopment’sbiodiversitygain plan before thedevelopmentcan start, explained Ms Wilson

“Core information forthatwillin clude thepre-developmentbiodiver sity value; theproposed approachto enhancingbiodiversityon-site and anyproposed off-site biodiversityen hancements–includingtheuseofstat utorycredits –thathavebeenplanned or arrangedfor thedevelopment.

“Habitat type canonlybetradedup wards, forexample grass to peat,local offsettingispreferableand netgain must be securedfor a30-yearperiod.”

Decisions aboutwhere to secure bi odiversitynet gain andits valuecould be tricky,she said

“Whenlooking to provide off-set ting land,what’sthe market?

“Will conservation bodies undercut you?

“Are youconsideringhabitat bank ing, i.e. creating gainnow foruse with future developments?

“Shouldyou meet thebiodiversity requirements next to thesite–but per haps impede furtherdevelopment?

“Orshouldyou buildyourown bio bankonotherland,yoursorthird-par ty,orbuyunitsthroughtheLocalPlan ningAuthority,via thelocal market or via anationalcredits scheme?”

With many of thesequestions still to be answered, Peel L&P is charting its ownway forwardwithits place mak inghomebuilder Northstone,special isinginsustainablehomes, spaces and communities.

Hold your nerve is drill message

Farmerswithaknown black-grassburden shouldn’t be lured into bringingtheir winter wheat drilling date forwards just because large partsofthe UK have seen improved soil moisturelevels following thedry,early harvest.

That’s theadvice from Mike Thorn ton, head of crop production for agronomy firm ProCam,who recom mends that growersshouldholdtheir nerveand delaydrillingfor as long as is practicablypossible.

“Rushingout to drill just because we’veseensomedecentrainfall events in thelastfew weekswould be coun ter-productive,” Mr Thornton says.

“Instead, delayingdrillinguntil mid-October,orevenintoNovember whereweather conditions allow,pro vides afantastic opportunity to create some really good staleseedbeds after this year’searly harvest, especiallyfor thosegrowers whoneed to control burgeoningblack-grass populations.”

Whilst asignificant proportion of wheatgrowers with asevereblack grass problem might aspire to delay their drillingdatefor as long as pos

Mike Thornton recommends that growers should hold their nerve and delay drilling for as long as is practicably possible

sible, it remainstobeseenhow many willactuallyholdtheir nerve: “There’s alot of talk abouthow this year might mirror thehistoric summer drought andinfamouslywet autumn of 1976,” Mr Thornton says.

“Admittedlywecould be heading into anotherwet endtothe year, but thetruth is no-one really knowswhat theweather might hold

“Whatwedoknowhowever,isthat delaying drillingtoenableweedsto germinatesotheycan be controlled before thenext crop is plantedisstill thebesttacticonhigh-risk land

“Ittherefore makessense to play thelonggameand to keep thebrakes on theseed drill until the first flush of

weedshas been eliminated.” Amul ti-yearProCamtrial at thecompany’s trials hubatthe StockbridgeTech nologyCentrenearYork, in which differentwinterwheat varieties have been drilled at monthlyintervals from Septemberonwards,has shown that although drillingdatecan affectyield, it wasnot cropsdrilled in September whichproducedthe best yields,but thosesowninOctober

“That might soundillogical,” Mr Thornton explains, “but it actually makesalot of sense. That’s because, compared with September, there’slike ly to be more soil moisturefor germi nation in October andseedbeds should be more weathereddowntoaid crop establishment.More grass weed seeds shouldalsohavegerminated by Octo bertherefore allowingfor better con trol before plantingcommences.

“Residual herbicides shouldalsobe more effective and persist forlonger in October’s cooler,moist soils, which willbeofbenefittolater-drilled crops wherethere mayonlybetimetomake asingletreatment compared to earli er-sowncrops whichmight need both pre-and peri-emergenceapplications. Forbothstrategies, drillingcerealseed to thecorrect depth is crucial from a crop safety perspective, so it pays to scrutinise herbicide productlabels be fore drillingcommences.”

Peat sale ban move praised

Defrahas announced

of

to amateurgardeners in Englandwill be

“The SoilAssociation pioneered peat

throughour higher organic standardsand

SoilAssociationpolicy of

which

of the

cer LuciaMonje-Jelfs said:“We welcomethe

of

too

of thepeatusedinUK horticulture.However, this is really

a

at

rststep–weurgentlyneed

theaffordability and

of

research to developsuitablealternativesfor thesector, most recently as part of theOrganic-PLUSproject,but atotal banwill require significantly moreinvestmentinongoing research.

of

forthe

“Itisalsoimportant to highlight that theextractionofpeatfor the creation of compostisnot the only issuethe industryfaces Mostpeatlandsoils acrossthe UK areseverely degradeddue to

drainage anddamaging farming practices. This is ahuge problem in lowlandpeatlands,especially theFensinEastern England. While theFensrepresent less than fourper cent of thecountry’s farmed landscape,theyproduce aconsiderable proportion of the country’skey crops, includinga third of allour freshvegetables.If thegovernment is seriousabout restoring our peatlands,weneed arobusthorticultural strategy, as well as anationallanduse framework that helpssupport the developmentofhorticultureacross thecountry.”

‘Grass canhelp the margins’

Reduced reliance on bought in feed andimprovedinput use-efficiency will be valuable strategies to maintainruminant production marginsoverthe coming months

That is theadvicefromexperts at BarenbrugUK. “Grass remains themostcost-effectiveand sustainable feedstufffor ruminant livestock,”saidthe company’s Mhairi Dawson,“andthe UK is blessed with theperfect climateto growitinabundance

“Itmakes sensethatour primary source of quality, nutrient-richand

affordableforage should begrass “Now’s thetimeofyear to considerwhether your swards arecapable of providing sufficient forage–not just drymatter, but also itsenergycontent –for that to be thecase.”Reseeding mightbe theonlyway for some growers to take advantageofsuchstrategies, shesaid, becausesome swards maybefalling farshortoftheir true capacity. Shesaid: “Fromtalking to farmersaround thecountry, I know reseedingisviewedwith caution,apprehension,even scepticism.But when theylook

beyond theinitial cost andsee its valueasaninvestmentonwhich to make areturn,it’sthenthatthe figuresbecome quite persuasive.”

Whilenew varieties of grass rarelyreceivethe sameattention and considerationasthose for cereals, Ms Dawson saidsimilar advances in genetics –yield, diseaseresistance, drought resistance, winter hardiness –are being madeall thetime.“To give yousomeidea, Barenbrughas had46new grassvarieties in the RecommendedLists overthe last 30 years.”

Survey flags up policies worries

Many farm businesses maystruggle to cope with thechallenges of newagriculturalpolicies andthe withdrawal of the Basic Payment Scheme, accordingtoasurvey

TheNationalInnovationCentrefor RuralEnterprise(NICRE), whichcon ducted thesurvey, said this is because themajoritydonot engage in formal businessplanningorseekexternalpro fessionaladvice

More than six out of 10 farmssur veyedinthe NorthEast, SouthWest andWestMidlands said they did not have aformalwritten businessplan, whilealmost80per cent hadnot ac cessedexternalsupportfrom anyadvi sory service

In thepolicyshake-upfollowing theUK’sexitfrom theEuropeanUn ion, regulationsand redtapewere themostcommonly-citedobstacles to farm businesssuccesswith71per cent of farmsidentifyingthemas akey concern, compared to lessthanhalfof otherruralbusinesses.

The findings from NICRE’s rural businesssurveycarried outlast sum merindicatethatfarms’experiences of thepandemicdiffered considerably to that of non-farms.

JanetDwyer,NICRE co-director, said: “This is aperiod of monumen talchange forfarmers andwhile our findings showedthatfarms faredbet terthanrural businessesinrespect of thenegative impactsofCovid-19,

this doesn’t mean that they arebetter placedtocopewithongoingandfuture challengesfor therural economy.

“Careful medium-termplanning, andbuildinginthe headroomtoinno vate, remain essential tactics forfarms’ survival just as much as forother rural businesses, in thesechallenging times.

“Our evidence that farmsare less likely than otherruralbusinessesto engage in formal businessplanning andseekadvice highlightsapotential future risk,asfarms position them selvestocopewiththe ongoingtran sition processand slow roll-out of the newschemes.

“In turn,Governmentshouldrec

ognise itskey challenge –underlined by theoverwhelmingconcern with bureaucracyrevealedinour survey to deliverits newpolicies in ways that aretruly accessibleand willenableall farmstodeliverahigh-quality envi ronment alongside excellence in food production,energygeneration and otherkey services.”

Around ahalfofthe 529 farmssur veyedreportedturnoverstayedthe same in theprevious12months, com paredtoarounda quarterofother ru ralbusinesses. Nearly three-quartersof farmsreportedtheygeneratedaprofit or surplus, compared to 66 percentof rural firms.

‘Choose variety carefully’

Unpredictableweather is underlin ingthe case for choosingwinterwheat varieties that areresilienttogrowing in differentconditions, said Syngenta wheatseeds technical expertMatthew Bull

In particular,hesaidgood root growth is associatedwithimproved scavenging forsoilmoistureand soil nutrients, whichcould be useful when conditionsaredrier.Andthereareoth er characteristics that couldgive clues to avariety’sresilience,hesuggested.

“Althoughgrain prices arehealthy, highfertiliser costs mean thereisvery littleslackinthesystemtogamblewith

yield,”saysMrBull.“Unpredictable weatheronlyaddstothe argumentfor choosingvarietiesthatperform relia bly.Somecharacteristics to consider include choosingvarieties with five years’ solid yielddatabehindthemon theAHDBRecommended List(RL) –and whichhavemaintainedgood yields over this timescale. Also,con sider howthe varietyhas performed on light soil,whichislikelytodry out soonerifrainfall is lacking. Andcon sider varieties whichmaintainagood specificweight,whichhavegoodtill er retention, andoffer drillingdate flexibility –for example if planting is

delayedbecause soilsare toowet or toodry.” In addition,MrBull says the rootingability of varieties is attract ingincreased interest.Hybridbarley is knownfor itsvigorousrooting,but thereisalsoemergingevidence of strongrootgrowthinthe winter feed wheatvariety, SY Insitor, he pointsout

“Independentseedlingrooting assessment revealed that SY Insitor produced13 percentmore total root lengththana leadingalternative vari ety. This is in addition to otherinde pendentmeasurementswhere SY Insi torwas foundtohaveverystrongroot anchorage.”

NICRE co-director Janet Dwyer

The future is bright for family machinery firm

RobertDavies MachineryLtd continues to invest in thefuture of thebusinesswiththe announcementofchanges to themanagementteamwith theappointment of Lizand Andy Wynne as directors of thefarm machinerybusiness basednearFord, Shrews bury.

Robert Davies Machinerywas started in 1989 by Robert andMaryDaviesand from thehumblebeginnings of just one vanand twoengineers became an establishedbusinesswithareputationfor sellingquality agriculturalmachinery, coupledwithexcellentcustomerservice Liz, Robert andMary’sdaughterhas been involved in thebusinesssince 2019 andher husbandAndyhas been working alongside theteamheresince thevery sadlossofRobertinMarch 2020.

Andywillbeworking in sales forRob ertDavies Machineryand willbebring inghis experience from managingabusinessintheagriculturalsectortotakeover theday-to-day runningofthe dealership Currentlyoperating from their depot at Ford betweenShrewsburyand Welsh pool, they alreadyhavefurther plans to open an additional site near Denbigh in spring 2023. Thebusinessisgoing from strength to strength by expandingtheir Manitouterritory to coverNorth Wales this year andhavingbeenappointed as a

KUHN Specialist Baler Centre in 2021 as well They have acomprehensive range of otherbrands tooincludingShelbourne Reynolds,Richard Western, Abbey, Dal bo,Spread-a-bale, KRM andmanymore Andysaid: “RobertDavies Machinery Ltdhas alonghistoryand strong repu tation for quality products and excellent customer service

“Liz andIbelieve that thefuture of the companydepends on continuingwith thesecorevalues forour customer

“Weare very proudofthe dedicated team of staff workinginthe businessand howtheyhaveadapted over thepast few years, andanyoneinterestedinacareer with Robert Davies Machinerycan contact me at andy@robertdaviesmachinery. co.uk”

Mary said: “I am so pleasedthatthe businessiscontinuinginthe family and together we canbuild on Robert’s legacy in supporting ourcustomers whoare at theheart of British agriculture.”

Manitou Ultra Light Telehandler –The ULM

ManitouGroup hasrevealed and launched thenew ultra-compacttelehandler model which has beendesignedtomeet theneedsof userswho want aversatile machinethat’seasytouse andeasytotransportbetweentwo worksites.

TheUltra LightManitou namedthe “ULM”has 2models available, theULM 412 Hwithaliftingcapacity of 1250kg andthe ULM 415 Hwithaliftingcapacityof1500kg,bothwithalift height of 4.30 m. TheULM 412 Hoffersatrans portable weight at 2500kg whilst the415 Hhas aweightof2700kg (dependingon theconfiguration).

Both transportablebya trailer with a PTAC of 3,500kg

Itsdimensions areamong themost compact on themarketwithawidth of just 1.49 mand aheight of 1.92 m, this machinehas been perfectlydesignedfor anumberofsectors includingconstruction,agriculture,landscaping andeques trian. This ultradiverseand compact telehandler enables userstoworkinthe smallestofspaces andeasilytravelbetweencustomersites with asingletrailer, significantly cuttingcosts andincreasing production time

Driver Experience

Inside,theoperatorhas anunobstruct ed 360° view.CamilleRouvrais, product manager,says: “Wereplacedthe roof

grillewithatransparent,shock-resistant polycarbonate window,whichcomplies perfectlywiththe requirements of the FOPS standard”. Thevisibilityimprove mentsalsoapply to theoperator’slateral view Theside view is clearasthe hydraulic hosesare inside theboomand theengine coveratalower position to theright of theoperator.

Attachmentsdesignedfor you

Arange of attachmentshas been speciallydesignedfor this modelallowing

it to be used forevenmore applications

From forkstocarriages, hedgecutters, potclamps, branch cutters, bigbag handlersand snow blades, thepossibilities areendless.

Thenew models areset to be delivered from thethirdquarter of 2022. Formore information on theManitou ULM, please contactyourlocal dealer at www.manitou.com/en-MK/contact-manitou or al ternativelypleasevisitulm.manitou.com/ formoreinformation

Andy Wynne, Liz Wynne and Mary Davies

Andy Wynne, Reece Evans, Liz Wynne, Mary Davies, and Mark Ormond, Managing Director at Manitou UK

Robert Davies Machinery is an established business with areputation for selling quality agricultural machinery,coupled with excellent customer service

The Ultra Light Manitou has two models available

The machine has been perfectly designed for anumber of sectors

The ULM’s dimensions are among the most compact on the market

Report

flags up the benefits of restoration

Farmerscan boostincomes if they arepaidtorestore habitats on lowest grade agricultural land, according to anew report by GreenAlliance.

Using existing budgettorestore poorest qualitylandwould also supportrural communities, increase bird populations by 50 percentand slashemissions, the think tank said.

Itsnew report‘Land of opportunity’ findsthat the least productive 10 percent of land in Englandproducesonly around 0.5per cent of thefood consumed

Supporting farmerstorestore naturalhabitatsonlow grade land wouldincreasebird populations by almost 50 percentby2050 andalsoboostincomes by 20 percent. Butthiswould require theGovernment to fulfil existing promises aroundnature restoration ratherthanprovide additionalfunding, GreenAlliance said.

It added theGovernment should allocateunder athird of theexisting £2.4 billion rural payments budgettorestoring nativewoodland,peatlandand heathonlandthatproducesthe least food

Despite publishing plans in 2021toallocatea third of thefarming budgettoits LandscapeRecovery scheme, theGovernment hassofar made only twoper cent of thebudget available viapilots, Green Alliance said.

Thesehaveprovedpopular, with overthree timesmore applicantsthanthe Government hassaiditwill fund

In theshortterm, allocating £600 million to recovering 10 per cent of theEnglish landscape wouldprovide thosefarming the most unproductivelandwith an opportunity to establishmore stableincomes,the reportsaid.

Andinthe longerterm, Green Alliance saiditwould provide over half thecarbonsavings needed from agriculture andlanduse by 2035

James Elliott, senior policy adviseratthe thinktank, said: “There arenow fears we will return to aclimate destructiveEU-style system or ignitearacetothe bottom wherefarmers andthe environmentbothlose.

“Thisisabout makingsure we usethe leastproductive land in thebestway –boosting farmer incomeswhile restoring nature andstartingtotackle the increasinglydestructive effectsof climatechange.”

TomLancaster,headof farming at GreenAlliance, said thenew report showed thevital role farmersplayedinachieving foodproduction, climatechange mitigation andspace for nature.

“Weneed space for nature, climatechange mitigation and adaptation,and food andtimber production,” he said

“Farmers need better support to tackle thenature andclimate crises,whilstprovidingthe food we need now, andinthe future.”

Educational links with Ukraine made

Higher educationstudents from Ukraineare arriving in Shropshireas links betweenuniversities arecelebrated as part of anationalcampaign.

Relationsbetween Harper AdamsUniversityand theOdessa National University of Technology(ONUT) areamong thosebeingmarkedinthe Universities UK International(UUKI) Twin forHope campaign

DrivenbyUUKIand theCormack ConsultancyGroup,Twin forHopesees

colleagues from each respective twinuniversitystayinregularcontact via online meetings to buildrelationships andmake plans forsustainingUkrainian education during thewar

Thepartnership beingbuilt between Shropshireand Odessa willinclude a groupoffourstudents from ONUT studyingatHarperAdamsduringthe2022/23 academic year,thankstoadonationfrom theHarperAdams Club alumni associa tion

It is hopedthatthe universitywillbe abletowelcomemoreUkrainianstudents at both undergraduate andpostgraduate levels,as well as faculty membersfrom ONUT IanRowleyfrom Harper Adamssaid: “HarperAdams as an institutionstands with Ukraineduring theongoingwar “Theconflictishavinga global effect –not leastinsomeofthe areaswhich HarperAdamsasauniversityseekstoaddress, such as theprovisionof sustainable

Records broken at auctions

It wasa record-breaking week recently forHallsAuctioneers in Shropshirewith record pricesachievedfor store cattle in Bishop’sCastleAuction and dairyin ShrewsburyAuction Centre

Firstly,onSeptember 15 thevery first steer in theringatBishop’sCastlebroke thecentrerecordfor fatteningsteers, achieving £2,000.

This fabulous Charolaissteer present ed by DP &MAJones of PoultonFarm wasjust17moweighed in a700kg result ingina286ppk

ThebeastwaspurchasedbyMrKRow lands of Llanidloes on behalf of aclient

Therecord wasalmostimmediate ly brokenagain as thenext beast in the ringsoared to£1,950,againfrom Poulton Farm.Overall thesteersatthe saleaveraged £1270 and250ppk

It wasthenfollowedinthe dairyring in ShrewsburyonSeptember 20 when 100 cattle came forward forthe show andsaleand theweeklymarketrecord reachedanew height of £3,700.

Therecord-breaker wasDilandyDuke Rueful,asnearaperfect heifer as anyone couldwish to produce,fullofmilk and veinationthrough theudder

Collective hats come off in aweofthis heifer from D&ACShakeshaft

Shemet fierce biddingfrom£2,500 all thewaytofinallysellfor£3,700totheflyingherdbased in MidWales.

Thetop 10 milkersonthe dayaver-

andsecureaccesstofoodandagricultural commodities.

“Indeed,the Ukrainewar has shown thesimilarities betweenour countries andthe importance of educationinhar nessingthe strengths of each.”

He added: “That’s whyitissoimportantfor us as an institutiontowork alongside theOdessa National University of Technology, boostingthe links be tweenour institutions, andsupporting colleagues in Ukraine.”

Guidance on calving

Arecent pollhas shown78.7 percentofUKdairy farmersfound themajorityofdisease andpoor health in theirherdoccurs in the first60dayspostcalving

Kate Heller,ruminanttechnical consultant atElancoAnimal Health,saysthat in most cases, this is transition related.

“Farmers don’tnecessarily directly correlate post-calving health issues withketosis,but moreoften thannot,itisakey contributing factor,” shesays.

Ketosisbecomesespecially apparent on-farminthe first month aftercalving,whena negativeenergygap naturally developswithin thecow.Thisis duetoa surge in energyrequired for latefoetaldevelopmentand birthing thecalf, coupledwith the onsetofmilk production

Ms Heller says preventing ketosis –bothclinical and subclinicalformsofthe disease –iscrucial to mitigateits impact on cowhealth,production,and overall business profitability

Forfurther informationvisit farmanimalhealth.co.uk

Award hope for work to restore vital habitat

Aprojecthelping to restore thenorth Shropshiremosses –one of theraresthabitats on earth–has beenshortlisted foraninternational award.

TheMarches Mosses BogLIFE project is in therunningfor the2022 Institution ofCivilEngineersPeople’sChoiceAward.

This competitionshowcases thebest of civil engineering,recognisingprojects that have apositive impact on thelocal economyand communities whileatthe same time highlightingthe positive benefits civil engineering has on people’s everyday livesand society as awhole

TheBogLIFE projectwas designed to restore Britain’sthird-largest lowland raised peatbogwithin theFenn’s,Whixall andBettisfieldMossesNationalNature Reserves. This habitat storesmore than 10 timesthe carbon of theequivalent

BY IAIN ST JOHN

area of rainforestwitharecentuniversity studyconfirmingthatthe MarchesMosses holdsoverone milliontonnes.

Contractorfor theproject,WMLon greach of Bridgnorth, said: “Weare proudtohavebeeninvolvedinthisfor ward-thinking projectmakingamassive contribution to carbon reductionand the future wellbeingofour local region both environmentallyand economically.”

ShropshireWildlifeTrust,Natural Englandand NaturalResources Wales have been workingtorestore 665hec taresofthe MarchesMossesduringthe five-yearproject.

Robert Duff,for theBogLIFE project, said: “A UK first forbog edge habitat restorationonthisscale,the peatland landscape at multiple locationsrequired reverseengineering,whilst sensitively designingand consideringthe ecology,

wildlife, andlocal communities. Healthy peat bogs arevitally important forboth nature recovery andtacklingclimate change.Itsimportantthatwherewecarry outrestorationschemes theyarecarefully designedand sensitively undertaken in consultation with thelocal community.”

Aprojectteamoflocal ecologists, designers,engineers andtheir apprentices, localcontractors andBogLIFE project trainees have worked together closelydespitethe challengesofthe pandemic, ensuring community engagement throughout.Supervisingengineers on theproject includedLichfield-based,RAB Consultants andalsoWrexham basedWSP

“Local involvement in theproject has been keywithvolunteersdevotingsome 875 hoursoftheir time to supporting its delivery Thecommunity has been at the heartofthisprojectnot only in itsexe cution but also in conception anddesign, with time spentliaisingwithdisability

advocatestoensurenew audiences gain accesstonature, anothercentral goal of theproject,”MrDuff said

OtherprojectsshortlistedaretheLekki DeepSea Port ProjectinNigeria;Lincoln Flood Defences; Wolsingham Sewage Treatmentworks in County Durham; SeacombeFerry Terminal Refurbish ment,Wallasey andStockingfieldBridge, Glasgow.

Theinstitution’sMidlands regional director Jo Barnettsaid: “Thestandardof this competitionwas very high, andI am delighted ourregionisbeingrepresent ed by this fantasticschemeand thegreat projectteambehindit.

“I do hope thecommunity gets behind this fantasticprojectand votesfor it.”

Thepublic vote has opened forsix weeks, with thewinner announcedsoon after voting closes.

Go to www.ice.org.uktovoteorfor more information

aged £2,649 with allbreedsofcattlein theshowthe heifersall throughaveraged £1,990. Hall Auctioneers operateweekly

sales of store anddairy cattle at their two ShropshiremarketsinBishop’sCastleand Shrewsbury.

Dilandy Duke Rueful

Appointment made by company

Hallshas announcedthe appoint ment of JonQuinn as managing di rector

Mr Quinn joined thecompany just over 19 yearsago,straightafter leavinguniversity, as assistanttoAl lenGittins,basedatthefirm’sbranch in Ellesmere, principallycovering theNorth Shropshirearea.

He soonbranchedintothe areas of most interest tohim, specialising in residential property,develop ment land,country homesand new builds.Hebecame ashareholder of thecompany in 2008.

Mr Quinn said: “I wouldliketo extendmythankstothe boardofdi

rectorsfor their faithingrantingme theopportunity to buildonthe hard work of thosebeforemeinguiding Halls, andits many dedicated em ployees, to continuedsuccessinall theareas in whichweoperate, and possibly some newones.

“Itisperhaps acliché,but onethat bearsrepeating,thatHallswould be neitherthe calibre of institutionit is,nor enjoythe reputation it does, withoutthesheerdeterminationand commitmentofevery member of staff within thecompany striving to offer each clientaccurate andhonest advice at alltimes.

“Wehavebeenblessed, although

notcoincidentally,withanincredi blenumberofextremely loyalcli ents,who also recognise andshare ourvalues.”MrQuinn is amember of theRoyal Institution of Char teredSurveyors andjoinedthe Halls boardofdirectors in 2019.

He added: “Hallshas been in ex istence since 1845 andIamaware of theweightofhistoryand tradition that lays upon notonlyme, butall of my fellow directors, shareholders andcolleagues, anditismy firm in tentiontotakethe very best aspects of ourheritageand marrythemwith newtechnologies, principles, and opportunities of thepresent day.”

Sustainability is key factor in purchases

Farmersare showing increasedinterest in machineryand equipment that will helpthemtofarm more sustainably andlower theircosts of production, industryexperts say.

With soaringcosts lookinglike they’reheretostay, growersare searchingfor ways to improve effi ciencies andlower their inputs, say business advisers at the Midlands MachineryShow.

“Peopleare interested in machin erythatwill helpthembemore ef ficientand reduce inputcosts, while still allowingthemtocontinuewith thesamefarming system,”saysAlex Olivant, farm businessconsultantat Active BusinessPartnerships.

“A lotofpeopleare lookingatfer tiliserspreaderssotheycanusevari ablerateapplications,andalsodirect drills, whichusedtorequirealot of paperworkfor grantfunding, but nowapplicationsare much quicker,” she adds.

“Thereis100 percentmoreinter est in efficiency andwhatthe new environmental schemeswillpush towards. Better efficiency is better forthe environment andyourback pocket, so it’s awin-win.”Visitorsto theMidlands MachineryShowon November 16-17 willbeabletoget

plenty of advice from farm business consultants, whilealsoseeingthe machineryupcloseand talkingto equipmentmanufacturers

Sam Tugwell, a regional advisor at Velcourt, helpeda number of clients last winter to accessgovernment capital grants, andwillbeexhibiting at this year’s event.

“Mostlyclientswereusingthe capital grantfor reducedinput ma chinery, like directdrills,”saysMr Tugwell. “Itwasn’tpeoplewho were having awholesalechangetothe waytheyfarm, it wasthose who

were upgradingtheir existingdirect drills.

“Farmersarealsoshowinginterest in inter-rowhoesfor cereal crops, and rotary hoes that remove weeds from standing crops,”headds.

He expectsthe trendfor machin erythatreduces inputs andenvi ronmental impacttoincreaseinthe comingyears

Meanwhile, farmersare being urgedtoget readyfor thenext ma chinerygrant fundinground The next roundofthe government’s FarmingEquipmentand Technol

ogyFundisexpectedtoopenin autumn or winter,accordingtothe NFU.Advisersexpectitwill be simi larorthe same as RoundOne which was open to farmers, contractors andforesters in England.

Applicants were abletochoose fromapre-determinedexpandedlist of 120 standard costeligible items, includingfor livestockand resource efficiency.Grantsrange from £2,000 to £25,000, with £50,000 over the lifetimeofscheme.

Formore information,visit www midlandsmachineryshow.com

Report’s warning over carbon plans

Ministersmustnotpenalisecoun tryside dwellerswho live off thegas gridbymaking them “guinea pigs” in thedrive to decarboniseheating, areportfrom thethink-tankLocalis has warned

In itsstudy titled “Reachingru ralproperties:off-gridheating in thetransitiontonet zero”,Localis has recommendedthe government shouldextendbynineyears to 2035 thedeadlinefor homesoff thegas gridtoend fossil fuel heatinginstal lation –inlinewiththe deadline for on-gridhomes.

Accordingtothe group’sresearch, thecurrent 2026 deadlinedoesnot

provide sufficienttimetoimprove thecurrent heat pump market con dition,and thereportadvises the government to improve theincen tive schemesavailabletohouse holds.

To address this,the report advo catesthe government should sup port amix of lowcarbonheating technologies to helpgrowthe mar ket, stimulateinfrastructureinvest ment andimprove incentivesfor uptake.

Other keyrecommendations in thereportinclude callsfor the government to provide an effective communications andengagement

strategy at national andlocal level to raiseawareness of differentlow carbon options forthe fourmillion off-gridhouseholdsacrossthe UK.

It calledfor certainty over therole that biofuels will play in thedecar bonisation of off-gridhomes to sup port infrastructureinvestmentand stimulate themarket.

And it calledfor fundingfor ‘fabric first’enhancementstorural homesvia localcouncils.

Sinceinfrastructureinrural areas is in many places notpreparedfor a widespread switch to electricity as a primaryheating source,the report calls on thegovernmenttobuild a

programmeofelectricity infrastruc ture upgrades in ruralareas into the roadmap to netzero.

And becausethe currentEnergy PerformanceCertificatemethod ologyisnot well-suitedtooff-grid homes, thepaper urgesthe govern ment to review the EPC methodolo gywiththeaimofredressingtheun equal impact this has in ruralareas Report author,ZaynQureshi, seniorresearcheratLocalis,said: “Giventhe depth andscale of thenet zerochallenge,government cannot afford to push forwardwithits cur rent all or nothingapproach to rural home decarbonisation.”

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Research reveals toxic particlesoflead shot

People eating pheasant killedbyleadshot are“unwittinglyeatinglead, whichistoxic”, accordingtoastudy

Researchers examined thecarcasses of eight wild-shotcommonpheasants, killed on afarmlandshoot usingleadshotgun am munitionandonsaleinaUKbutcher’sshop They foundsmall lead fragmentsembedded in everypheasant, in addition to lead shotgun pellets in seven of them.

Lead shotgun pellets often fragment on impact within thebodies of game birds, leavingsmall lead particles in themeat whichare difficult forconsumers todetect andremove. Theresearchers found up to 10mgoftinyleadshardsper pheasant,all of whichweremuchtoo small to be detected by eyeorbytouch

Lead is toxic to humans when absorbed by thebodyand thereisnoknown safe level of exposure.Itaccumulatesinthe bodyover time andcan causelong-termharm, includingincreased risk of cardiovascular disease andkidney damage in adults.

It is knowntolower IQ in youngchildren, andaffectthe neurological developmentof unborn babies.

ProfessorRhysGreen, of CambridgeUniversity’sDepartmentofZoology, said: “It seemstohavebeenwidely assumedinthe past that aleadshotembeddedinapheas antcarcass remained intact,and couldbe removedcleanlybeforethe pheasant was eaten–removingany health risk

“Our studyhas shown theextenttowhich this is really notthe case.”

Harrier scheme enjoys success

TheNational Trusthas hadits most successfulbreeding year for rare henharriers in the Peak Districtfor morethan a decade

Thecharity said seven youngsters have successfully fledgedonNationalTrust land in theHighPeak This followsworkwiththe RPSBandPeakDistrictRaptorGrouptoencourage birdsofpreytolive in thenational park

Thetrust said it hadundertaken work in cludingcutting heathertoencourage amore diverserange of moorland plants including sphagnum moss,bilberryand cottongrass, helping supportwildlifesuchassmall mammals that thebirds rely on forfood

Thetrust isalsoworking with itstenants to ensure they managethe land tosupport more birdsofpreyinthe area

Henharriersare England’smostthreatenedbirdofprey,duetohistoricpersecution andbecausetheypreyonred grouse chicks to feed their young, bringing them into conflictwithcommercialshootingestates. They have seen numbersincreasefrom alow in 2013 wherenobirds successfully fledged from nestsinEngland,leaving thebirdon thebrink of extinctioninthe country.

Henharriershavebeenhelpedwithvar ious approachesincludingconservation work,monitoring, andmore controversially “brood management” in whichchicks are removedfrom their nest to preventpredation of grouse andreleasedbackintothe area once they canfendfor themselves.

Buttheystill face risks. Astudy released bygovernmentconservationagencyNatural Englandin2019, analysingsatellite tagging data,found that younghen harrierssuffer abnormally highdeath rates, with illegal killingthe most likely cause.

Craig Best,generalmanager of theNational Trustinthe Peak District,said: “A greatdealofworkhasgoneintoencouraging more breedingpairs of thesemajesticbirds to thePeak District, so this isbrilliant news Thepresenceofthe birdsindicates aplentiful andhealthy food source, whichshows theworkwehavedonesofar to improvethe landscape is starting to provide ideal conditionsfor differentspecies to thrive.”

Chairman appointed to key position within Red Tractor

KitPapworthhas been appointed as RedTractor’snew combinablecrops andsugarbeet sector chairafter Guy Smith steppeddownfromthe role last spring

Mr Papworthisanaward-winning farmer growing feed andseedwheat, malting barley,sugar beet,oilseed rape,vining peas andpotatoes.

He joinsRed Tractorwith extensive experienceasa leader within British agriculture andthe widerindustry, having previouslyheldnumerouschair andboard roles.

RedTractor chiefexecutiveJim

Moseley said: “Kit hasa proven trackrecord for delivering as afarm business andworking at aboardlevel “Heunderstands thechallenges British agriculture is facing.”

He added: “I’msurethat his leadership will be ahuge assetin helping RedTractor continuetoprotect theintegrity of thefoodchain and farming standards.”

Mr Papworthadded:“I’mexcited to be appointed as RedTractor’s new crops andsugarbeetsectorchair at sucha challenging time for British agriculture.”

Ahen harrier chick

Maintenance of ventilation systems

Broilerfarms need to prioritise maintenance of ventilationsystems to ensure healthyand productive livestockaswellasavoid unexpected costs, according to expertsatleading ventilation companyHydor

With summerheatwaves in theUK becoming amorefrequentand intense occurrence,itismoreimportant than ever that broilerfarmersensure ventilationsystems areoperating at peak performance, the firm said.

John Lack,business development manageratHydor,saidfarmersare toooften neglecting such equipment

be priority’

during thecolder months as more emphasisisplaced on heat. This canleadtobird welfare issues and reduced returns,aswellasunforeseen maintenancecosts when it comesto thepeak ventilationseasons of spring andsummer.

Mr Lack said: “A keyproblemfor broilerfarms is that later-stagedfans canoften seizeup throughunderuse. As thesefansare much less active until aheatwaveapproaches, they often haven’tbeen checked,maintainedand operated.Thismeansthe fans oftenfail to perform when called upon.”

Reminder is given on safety

Arisk management specialist is urging farmersnot to relax safety standards afterofficial figures revealed adropin thenumber of fatalities in the British agriculturalindustry –withfourdeaths across the West Midlands.

Figures from theHealth andSafety Exec utive (HSE) revealed 25 people were killed in theagriculture sector in 2021/222 –16 fewerthanlastyear.

Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Manage mentServices,said:“Thisdropinfatalitiesis to be welcomed. But, whileitisencouraging news, Iwould urge thosewho work in the industry nottobecomecomplacent.”

Fatal injuries were most commonly caused by people beingstruckbymoving vehicles. This wasfollowedby beingstruck by an object, contactwithmachinery, falls from height andanimal-inflicteddeaths.

Thelatest figures suggestconsiderable progressinagriculturalrisk management since theearly 1980s, when therewere around double thenumberoffatal injuries. This year’s total number of fatalities, which includes threemembers of thepublic, is the second lowest number of deaths recorded in thelast five years.

Agriculture,however,remains therisk iestindustrytoworkin, with fatalinjuries around18timeshigherthanthe‘allindustry rate’.

Mr Cormackadded: “Figures forthe last

five yearsrevealthatmore self-employed workersare killed than employed workers, suggesting that whileemployers maybe takingcaretoimplement health andsafety measures, andeducate andtrain their staff, they arenot giving their ownpersonalsafety enough attention.

“Death andinjurycan have adevastating effectonfamilies, as well as destroyingbusi nesses,yetrisk-takingseemstobeanunder lyingproblem in theindustry.

“Somefatalities canbeattributedtofreak accidents, butotherscould be avoidedby adoptingamore rigorousapproach to safe ty.Risk assessmentsshouldbethorough, all appropriatetraining shouldbeundertaken, andsafety policies shouldbeimplemented.”

App removesmisery of spare parts confusion

Anew product recognition appfrom spare-parts andagriculturalaccessories spe cialistKrampaims tobringan endtothe ‘se lectionfrustration’ofchoosing thecorrect sparepartorreplacementcomponent

Simply by takinga photoofthe item in question,customerscanusethetooltoiden tify thepartand itscatalogue number,ena blingrapid ordering–24/7 –and delivery straight to thedealer.

“Picture thescene:a crucial component’s failed, fieldwork’s come to ahalt, andyou’re trying to identify thecorrect replacement from six possibilities, whilethe deadlinefor next-day delivery draws closer by themin ute,”saidGeneOrchard,Kramp product specialist.“It’s intenselyfrustrating,even more so if incorrect selectionresults in ar

rivalofthe wrongpart.”Kramp’s newtool uses artificial intelligence to scan andana lyse an objectina photo. Currentlystill in a beta version, therecognition engine tries to match theobjectagainst more than 500,000 itemsfrom theKramp catalogue.Ifthe user has an accountwithKramp,the partscan be ordered immediately fornext-day delivery to adealer

“In additiontothe AI recognition,the appwillalsoscanbarcodes,”Genecontin ued, “whichprovides an alternative route forproduct identification andordering, all throughthe same,easy-to-use interface

“Theapp also supports sharing of product pagesvia emailorWhatsApp,enablingque ries to be checkedand discussed with adeal er,beforeconfirminganorder,” he added.

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Reservoirs

‘could help with water challenges’

MorefarmersinShropshire mayhavetoconsiderinstalling a reservoirontheir landiftheyare to tackle challenges around water security andamplify theresilience of theirbusiness,rural advisors have said.

Analysis by Savillshas shown that abstractionreform hasled agrowing numberoffarmers to considerconstructing areservoir in abid to improve on-farm water management.The report also says that constructing areservoir on irrigablelandcan addup to £1,000 peracretolandvalues, whilerentalvaluescan rise between 15 percent and25per cent,depending on thetype of land.RhydianScurlock-Jones, head of therural management team at SavillsinTelford, said whilethere were challengesahead for farmersasclimatechange increasinglyimpactagricultural practices, thesealsocomehand in handwith opportunities

“Thehigh temperaturesand extremely dryconditionsofthe last sixmonthsshowjustwhata challenge watermanagement is for farmersthroughoutShropshire –putting agriculturalproduction underincredible strain

“However,the expectation that abstractionlicenceswill be availablefor farming activitycan no longerbeassumed.

“Some have alreadybeen revoked andthe Environment Agency is beingchallengedfor notdoing enoughtoprotect wetlandhabitats.

“Installing areservoir is one solution.There aresignificant merits in beingabletoaccess wateron-farm,including increasing productivityand reducing vulnerability to summerdroughts,providingan opportunitytointroducehighervaluecrops andthe potential uplift in value for land where waterisavailableand irrigation infrastructure is in place.”

By the2050s,total UK demand for waterisprojected to increase by betweentwo andnine per cent,while theamountofavailable waterisexpectedtodeclineby between sixand 11 percent, according to Savills.

Analysis of full planning applications andprior notifications since2013shows theimportance of government grants in catalysing investment in reservoirs –previous supportled to asignificant uptick in thenumber of reservoirs constructedin2018and 2019

Thelast round of funding under theCountrysideProductivity Scheme sawaspike in applications, andthe average reservoir construction rateinthe twoyearsprior to thepandemic (2018and 2019)increased by 291 percentonthe preceding five years. Earlier this year aspecific Farming Transformation Fund WaterManagement grant was launched whichofferedsupport forprojectsthat improve farm productivitythroughmore efficient useofwater for irrigation andby securing watersuppliesfor crop irrigation

Fields may be used for military games

Acompany planstouse afarmer’s fields near Ludlow formilitarygames usingrealistic gunsthat fire plasticpro jectiles.

FrontlineEvents, basedinDunstable, Bedfordshire, has appliedtoShropshire Counciltouse three fields of approximately24to26acres of farmlandnear Greete forits daytimeactivities.

“Weare lookingtolease this pieceof land from Rock Hill Farm forthe sole purposetocarryoutre-enactmentofvar

ious military gamesand we plan to carry out fieldcraft activities forour members,” thecompany has told thecouncil “Therewillbeovernight campingand otheroutdoor activities.”

Theveteran-run companysaysthe main useofthe land willbefor “airsoft events and fieldcraft”but therewillthere willbenopermanent structuresbuilt on theland.

Airsoft is ateamgameinwhichpar ticipantseliminateopposingplayers by

tagging them outofplaywithspherical plastic projectiles shotwithmockair weaponscalled airsoft guns.

Theplanwill mean no alterationsto hedges or fences butthe 800 acrefarm willbechanging fields to grass

Thecompany says all itsgames are limitedto100 playerswithall parking off-roadinsidetheaccessgate.Eventswill takeplace at weekends,duringdaylight hours, thelatestat5pm.Someovernight campingisplanned on Fridaysand Sat-

Society elects its chairman

ProfessorWynne Joneshas been electedasthe newchairmanofthe Royal Welsh AgriculturalSociety(RWAS) boardofdirectors followingJohnT Davies’s decisiontostepdownafter 10 yearsofdedicated service

Awell-known figureinthe farming world, Prof Jonesisthe youngest of four brothers andwas bought up on thefamily farm in Dolwen, near Colwyn Bay. He attended theUniversityCollegeofNorth Wales, Bangorwhere he graduatedinAgriculture in 1970.

Followinga short period workingfor theAnimal BreedingResearchOrganisation basedinScotland,hejoinedReading Universityasaresearchassistantwhilst also undertakingresearchfor aDoctorof Philosophy Degree whichwas awarded in 1976.

Until 1988, he washeadofanimal productionatthe Welsh AgriculturalCol lege, nowpartofthe InstituteofBiolog ical,Environmental andRuralSciences, at Aberystwyth. He wasthenappointed vice principal anddirectorofresearch at HarperAdams AgriculturalCollege–nowuniversity– andwas promoted to principal in 1996.

Prof JonesisaformerpresidentofFuture FarmersofWales andformerchair of FarmingConnect Wales andthe Nuff ield FarmingScholarship TrustUK.

Hispersonalcontributionshavebeen well recognisedbythe industry.In2009,

he wasawarded an OBEfor services to agriculturalhighereducation andreceivedalifetimeachievementawardfrom LantraCymrun2019forhiscontribution to theenvironmental andland-based industry

In addition, he has heldmanyappoint mentstoagriculturalstrategicboardsand advisory committeesdue to hisknowl edgeand expertise.

Prof Jones’sinvolvement with the RWAS beganin1975 as atradeexhibitor with thethenWelsh Agricultural College

andlatterlyHarperAdams University. He has hadthe opportunity to adjudicate severalcompetitionsoverthe years, includingthe SirBrynerJones Awardona number of occasions

In 2015, Prof Joneswas invitedonto theboard andhas since chairedthe staff ingand remuneration committee

Prof Jonesnow livesinAberystwyth with hiswifeIrfana, aretired solicitor andhas twodaughters whoare active ly involved in their respective farm and ruralbusiness. He willleadthe RWAS Boardindiscussingproposals submitted via variouscommitteesand counties of Wales, whichwill then be included in the society’sannual andstrategic plans.

Describing theappointment as agreat honour,Prof Jonessaid: “I follow in the footsteps of many committed individuals whoseendeavourshaveensured the so cietyenjoyssuchaneminentpositionin theactivities of ruralWales andfurther afield. Iintendtodevotemyenergies as chairofthe boardtodevelop andbuild on thesepastsuccesses.”

Newlyappointed RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jonessaid: “I am looking forwardtoworking alongside such an experiencedand well-respected figure within theagriculturalindustry.

“TheskillsandexperiencesthatProfessorJoneshasamassedoverhisimpressive career willbeofsignificant benefittothe societyaswenavigateour future path.”

urdays. Aplanningapplicationhas been lodged with ShropshireCouncil andattractedsomecomment

Eric Allison,ofShropshireAreaofthe Ramblers, says apublic footpathpasses throughthe bottom of thesite. He has toldthe council“it wouldbeadvisableif thelegalcourseofthe footpathwereindicatedor separatedoff from therestofthe site, so that participantsinthe events do notinterfere by chance with anyone pass ingthrough this area on thefootpath”

Country fair proved ahit

AcountryfairatWeston Park hasreturned with abangas thousands of people enjoyeda variedprogramme of activities andentertainment

Formerly knownasthe MidlandGameFair, theWeston Park CountryFairtook placein picturesque surroundings and good weatherattracted abumper crowd.The eventwas last held in 2018 buthas retainedits themeof showcasing thebestofoutdoor sports andfamily-themed fun across twomainarenas, tentsand outdoor stalls

Popularattractions on both days includedtop falconersinthe countrysidearena whoshowedoff some beautiful birdsofpreyand thespectacular Knights of Middle Englandand SquibbFreestyle motorcycle stunt show wowed the crowds

Therewerealsocompetitions featuringgun dogs andclay shooting anddedicated sections forangling andcrafts and antiques– as well as afood festival featuringmanychefs and bakers fromthe area

Conference looking at regenerative practices

TheNFU will hold ahalf-day conference on regenerative farmingatthe MidlandsMachineryShowonNovember 16

Themini conference is aimedatfarmerswhowanttofindoutmoreaboutwhat regenerative farmingis, beyond thebuzz word

Theconferencewillinclude sessions that outlineregenerative farmingpractices, examinethe impact of practices on businesses’ bottom lines, andtalks from farmersalready employingregenerative farming.

“I am delighted to be chairingthe East Midlands NFUConferencethisyear,” says DavidExwood,NFU vice president.

“Thegrowthininterestfrom farmers aboutregenerative farmingisclear to see andwiththisconference, ourrolewillbe to helpmembers understandthe princi-

BY IAIN ST JOHN

ples andhow it might fitintotheir businesses as food producers.”

SimonFisher, NFU environment adviser, is organisingthe conference.“It is forfarmers whosee alot of wordsabout regenerative farmingbut wonder what it’s all about,” he explained

“Soilhealth is under themicroscope at themoment, andthat’sthe foundationof regenerative agriculture

“HenryDimbleby’sNationalFood Strategy focusedonit, as does theNFU’s ownFoundationofOur Food report

“WealsoknowthatDefraisputtingtogether asoilhealth action plan,and there isgenerallyalotofinterestinregenerative farmingamongst farmersthemselves.

“This conference willthereforehelp them make abit more senseofitall

“Weknowa lotof soilsare depleted, andifwe’re goingtobeamore sustaina

bleindustry goingforward then we’vegot to startputtingsomeofthese things right –ifnothingelsefor thenext generation of farmers.

Precisiontechnologytominimise in puts andno-till drillscan helpwithmore sustainablefarming, addedMrFisher.

And therewill be plenty of them to seeand compareatthe showitself, along with farm businessconsultants offering advice on thevarious environmental and grantschemes available.

Asurveywillalsopaint apicture of re generative farminginthe region

TheNFU is hoping to usethe upcomingconferencetorun asurveyabout what regenerative farmingpractices farmersare alreadyusing in theregion, said Mr Fisher.

He said: “Thereare five regenerative farmingprinciples, anda lotof farmers areprobablyalready doingatleast some of these, like covercropping and min-till

whichplentyofpeoplehavebeendoing for about five to seven yearsnow

“Itwill be interestingtosee whoisdoingwhat, andhow many areengaged in thefullregenerative farmingspectrum.”

Local councilswillsoonstart to lead nature recovery strategies, so it willbe importanttohavesomeharddatatohelp informthese,bosseshavesaid.

This is thethirdtimethe NFU has held amini conference at theshow, always with afocus on theenvironment

Previous topics have includedcarbon andfarming forpublic goods.

TheMidlands MachineryShowwill be heldonNovember16-17 at Newark Showground,withnumerouscompanies exhibitingmachinery whichthose look ingtofarmmore sustainably and reduce their inputs maybeinterestedin,organis ershavesaid.

Fortickets andinformation visitmid landsmachineryshow.com

Prof Wynne Jones

New research flags up the benefits of hybrid barley

As farmerslook to make savingson high fertiliser costs, newindependent research hasshown hybridbarley receiving areduced dose of nitrogen fertiliser(N) candeliver similar yields to conventionalwinterbarleyreceiving a higher, standard dose

ConductedbyADAS, theresearch comparedtwo hybrid barleyvarieties andtwo conventional two-rowwinter feed barley varietiesatNdoses from 0 to 360kg/ha.

Theworkformed part of alarger programme of Syngentaevaluations into hybridbarley’sbenefits that may

help growers respondtosustainability challenges –including highfertiliser prices, aneed to manage grass weeds sustainably,and aneedtoproduce yields reliably forfood security

Pointing to theN response experiment findings,ADASproject director,DrSarah Kendall, says at 200 kg N/ha –adosepotentially used if pushing winter feed barley for yield both hybrids significantly outyielded theirconventional counterparts, producing 9.92 and9.71t/haversus 8.19 and8.13t/hafor theconventional varieties.

Record is set at successful sale

Having setanew breed record forthe KerryHill breedat lastyear’ssale,the Owens familyofJohn, Philippa and daughtersHannah andEllie, were backinaction again to lift theroofoff Ludlow Market, selling ashearling ramfor 10,500gnstoBelgian breeder, LucVerheyden

Woodhouse2Bullet is by aPentrenant ramout of ahomebredfemalebredbya Clayfieldtup

After heated biddingthe hammer finally fell to thedetermined Belgianbreeder who runs 65 ewes just outsideofAntwerp and alongwithmanaginghis own flock, acts as an exporteracrossGermany,Luxembourg andFrance.

Second highest price on theday andset ting a flockrecordfor thePengwern flockof father anddaughterteamGeraintand Alys Roberts, Denbigh,Denbighshire, at 5200gns wasPengwern43476.

By aLeinthall tup andout of ahomebred femalebyaPentrenanttup,thisoneheadsto Blairgowrie, Perthshire, with Robbie Morris forhis Overbuttergask flock.

Secured

Reinvestingsomeoftheir earnings, the Robertsfamilysecured thesecondhighest price tupfrom theWoodhousepen in the form of Woodhouse2Bonanza.

By aFronarth tup outofa Whitcastles sired dam, this onesoldfor 4000gns

Next sellingfor 2150gns wasthe reserve male champion,Top Spot Belter from Angie Burgess, NewAbbey,Dumfries.

By aMarlbrook tupand outofTop Spot Angela,thisone found anew home with Freddie Probert, Ludlow,Shropshire.

Leadingthe ramlambsectionat2200gns wasthe male champion from Sion Jones’s Fronarth flock, basedatLlanon, Ceredigion.

This oneishomebredonbothsides and carries Reidstown bloodlines on thedam line.

TakingthisonebackhometoWoodhouse were theOwensfamily.

Next best here wasthe male champion from this year’s RoyalWelshShowinthe form of TopSpotCaledonianfrom Angie Burgess.

By ReidstownRamboand out of ahome bred female by WrothamClifford,hewas knockeddownat1800gns to HeatherJones, Knighton,Powys.

Demand wasalsohighfor strongaged rams,withthe leaderofthissection com inginat1700gns forNorth Somerset-based Kate Esler andEdSimmons’ showram from this year,KingswaterArizona

By aGlenrotup,thisone is outofKing swaterDottyand hadalready picked up a first at theNationalShowatRoyal Norfolk andwon theagedram classatthe pre-sale show, judged by TimWard

Taking this onehometoWestCalder, West Lothian, wasAnnaSmith

Next best here at 1250gns wasa Lein thall-bredram offered by GeraintRoberts.

By ahomebredtup outofaPantmaenog ewecarryingMarlbrook breeding, this one sold to Hand IMacleod,Malvern,Wells for theCarpenters flock.

Ewelambs meta topcallof 1100gns for thefemaleand overall champion from the pre-saleshowfrom AngieBurgess

TopSpotCarolineisbyaMarlbrook tup out of aTannybrake-sired Pennie female

ShesoldtopreviousbuyerFreddieProb ertfor hisLeinthall flock.

Next up at 900gns wasthe reservefemale andreserveoverallchampion,HilltopClem entine from Robert Stott, Carlisle,Cumbria

By Birsca BlackMagic andout of ahome bred female by aPentrenanttup,thisone sold to Andrew Fisher, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, forhis Nidderdale flock.

Trade

Meanwhile, shearlingewe trade sawatop price of 1050gns for onefrom Freddie Prob ert’sLeinthall flock.

By aParkgate tupand outofaWood housefemale, this onejoins theTop Spot flockofAngie Burgess.

TheWoodhouse team were back in ac tion sellingone of their shearlingewesfor 800gns

By aPentrenanttup andout ofahome bred female,thisone sold on theinternetto Sophie MacGill,Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, forher Coull flock.

Averages: 12 aged rams £641.37; 35 shear lingrams£1058.70; 2ram lambs£2100; £374.13; 91 shearlingewes£374.13; 35 ewe lambs£359.10 (McCartneys).

Woodhouse 2Bullet

Supplementsgive a boosttoweaned lambs

Sheepfarmers canmakesignificant re ductionsintheamountoftimeittakestoget weaned lambsto finishingweight by supple mentingwithaspeciallyformulatedforage block, says Dr Alison Bond,nutritionist for Rumenco.

In astudy done at Plumpton Collegein Sussex, despitehavinga300g disadvantage to thecontrol group, lambssupplemented with Rumevite QualityLamb hadadaily liveweight gainof189g, whichresultedina 36.7kg liveweight at 45 days to slaughter.

Thecontrol grouponlygained94.3g/day, finishingin83daysat36.3kgs.

“Not only did thesupplementedlambs have greater dailyliveweight gainsatgrass and finish 38 days sooner, but they also achievedgreater carcasegrades than the

controlgroup,” says Dr Bond.Evengreater resultsinreducingtimeto finish have been seen at farm level.

In afarmtrial of over 700 lambsmoni toredfrom birthto finish,those supple mented with Rumevite Quality Lamb from weaningonwards reachedheavier finish ingweights87daysfasterthanthe control group.

Supplementedlambshad adaily live weight gainof102g, resultingina finishing weight of 44.18kg after 222 days on farm

In comparison,the controlgroup wason thefarmforanaverageof309days,finishing at 43.79kgs.

Theboost in performanceinweaned lambssupplementedwiththe forageblock is multifactorial, says Dr Bond.

Advice is given on tractor remapping

Professional engine remapping is anincreasingly common wayfor farmersto enhancetractor power, but owners shouldbeaware of thepotentialpitfallsand consequencesthatcould occurifatractor’s health isn’t consideredbefore engine remapping software is installed, an expertsays.

Long wait timesfor newmachineryand highpurchaseortrade-in costsare forcing farmerstoconsider machineryupgrades more carefully,and beingabletoincrease powerofexistingmachinerycan be seen as amore cost-effective option.

Professionalengineremapping editsthe engine ECU at source within theparameters of thetractor andcan safely tailor power to application, butshouldonlybecarried outby aprofessionaland qualified person, that advisesonunderstandingthe tractor’s health before installingany software

Gareth Jones, directoratAvonTuning, says testingtractors on adynamometer,be fore decidingonpower increases, willoffer aclear indicationabout thecondition of a tractor.

“Exertingvaryingloadsontheenginewill highlight if thereare anyconcerns about howthe tractorisoperating.Wewould neveradviseinstallingaremap on atractor that isn’tmechanicallysound,asthe conse quences in doingsocould be detrimental

Engine remapping can be seen as a cheap way to increase tractor power,but understanding the condition of amachine before aremap is installed is vital, says Gareth Jones.

“If youare beingrecommended thatyour tractor,sprayer,foragerorcombinecanhave an increase in powerway beyond itscurrent level, youshouldbequestioninghow safe this is.Power increasesmight seem like a cheap waytoboost output,but they must be done professionallysothatreliability and machinehealthisn’t compromised.”

Thereisgrowing demandfor professional remappingsoftware,thatedits many of the engine’s characteristics to increase power and torque,but also lowerfuelconsumption in asafe andreliableway.Avonoperatesa trainednetworkofauthorisedagentsinstall ingremapsnationwideandimportspecialist Dimsportdynamometerstoprovide accu rate testsonmachinery.

With

Operators

This,combinedwith

On show at TillageLivewas theOptimer L5000 and12,000 models alongwith the 300 XL

Thenew 12-metremodel is capable of working speeds up to 18km/h which offers operators theability to coveran estimated 20hectaresper hour

TheXL300 hasthe narrowest working width of theseriesat3metres, andthe 24,620mm discscreatea fine tilth that is well suitedtocovercrops

In response to thegrowing interest in minimal tillagecultivations, KUHN has developedits Strigerstrip-tillrange

Range will giveversatility

Yamaha has announceda range of modificationsand additionstoits ATV andside by sidemodels with newcol ours,features, accessories, andtechnology,tooffer agriculturaloperators’greater choice andversatility

TheKodiak450and700ATVsbothof ferthe optionofElectricPower Steering (EPS) andDiff-lock forgreater stability on uneven ground Special Edition (SE) specification models willoffer alternativepaintcolours andall models willbesuppliedwitha 10year belt warranty andDatatooltracking devices free of charge

AlsonewtotherangeisarevisedGrizzly700 ATVwithMKII 686cc engine andupgraded14-inch wheels This,com binedwiththe Grizzly’sOn-Command 2WD/4WD drive systemwithDiff-lock, makesitwellsuitedtohill ground and wet conditions

Theswitchabledrive systemisoperated usingaswitch on thehandlebars to enableoperators to move between2 and4-wheel drive as ground conditions change.

This coupledwithYamaha’sUltramatic CVTautomatic transmissionand independentlong-traveladjustablesuspension, makesthe Grizzlyeasier to control andmorecomfortableondifficultterrain.

Anew Wolverine RMAX 1000 side by side modelwillbelaunchedinthe UK in both SE andLimitedEdition(LE)specifi cations. Both models benefitfrom anew VRX45 winch, frontbumper, interior lighting, dash mountedUSB charger, and willretainYamaha’sversatile D-Modeselector with sport, trail, andcrawl modes.

Project aims to aid environment

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Almost 120farmersand land managersonthe North York Moors areworking withFera andpartnersto examine theimplications of workingtogetherto find profitable ways to improve theenvironment.

It is part of ayear-long projectinvestigating theway producers canprotect andenhance theNationalPark’siconic landscape

Thoughttobethe largest project of its kind,farms andestates arebeingasked to consider the financial andenvironmental impactsofjoiningforces andcombine conservation efforts –plant trees, install hedgerowsand improvesoils –acrossthe park

It’s hopedthatbyworking together, producerswillnot only boost thenat uralenvironment,but also find ways to supporttheir income andhelplong-term businessviability

Ledbythe NorthYorkMoors National Park AuthoritywithsupportfromFera Science Ltdand partners,and funded by

Defra, the15-month project is lookingat ways public moneycan be used by farm erstodeliverpublic goodssuchas increasedbiodiversity, carbon storageand flood mitigation measures.

Theresults willfeed into thedesign of Defra’sEnvironmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), thedevelopment of Fera Science Ltd’sLAND360 natural

capital assessment service,and inform wider work of theNationalPark.

“Becauseofthe rapidlychangingpolicylandscape,wewanttoencouragefarm ersand land managerstoworktogether to provide theecosystemservices everyoneisseeking,” explainedDrGlynJones, whoisFera Science Ltd’sHeadofScience (Plant).

Diet feeder is on themarket

KUHN has launched anew self-pro pelled,autonomousdiet feeder capableof feeding280 cows. Thenew AURA works autonomouslyusingGPS andRTK to move around afarmcollectingand feed ingout aTMR

Inbuiltloadingand weighingmodules calculate theexactmix of forage material includinggrassandmaize,alongwithany supplements andconcentrates required TheAURA’s3m3 mixingtankfeatures twovertical augers that requirealower powerrequirementand featureKUHN’s K-NOXtechnologytoguaranteeaservice lifeofsix timeslongerthansteel alternatives.Themixingandchoppingspeedcan be adjustedtocreateahomogenousTMR with apalatableconsistency

A56hp(42kW)dieselengine canpow er theAURAfor uptoaweekofcontinual loadingand feeding, making it atruly autonomous machine.

Acompany spokesman said: “The AURA is remarkably compact, standing at 2.6 metres high, 1.9 metres wide and just under seven metres in length. This helpsittomovearound most areasofthe farm includingfeed passages andclamps. It feedsout at aspeed of 2km/h on both theleft andright usingaconveyor, and cantravelatupto7km/h.

“A dual guidance systemusesGPS andRTK outside andLIDAR inside in conjunctionwithanonboard odometer. Farmschoosing an AURA willbe mapped andWIFIdevices installed to enable connectivity throughout The AURA also has inbuiltsensors tostopor avoidobjects anditcan travel on gradients up to 20 percent.”

Dr Glyn Jones, Fera Science Ltd’s Head of Science (Plant)

Automated technology monitoring mobility

Arla UK 360farmer owners can nowadoptautomated technology in place of human scoring to monitorcow mobility This latest updatetothe Arla UK 360programme is aresultofthe ‘Automated OutcomeMeasures Project’ whichtookplace on 10 Arla farms, includingArla’s dedicatedUKInnovation Farm, overthe past twoyears.

Recognising thepotential that automated technology could have to theearlieridentification of lameness, theproject worked with Agsenzetotest its3Dmotion imaging HerdVision cameras.

Theseuse algorithmic-based data interpretation to trackthe movement of cows everytime they traveldownaracetoorfrom themilking parlour,recording individual mobilityand body condition scores automatically

Thetrialworked with Arla UK 360farmerownersto find ways of integrating thetechnology with existing on-farm EIDsystems, as well as findingoptimum positioning,networking and scoring accuracy on awiderange of farmsituations.Arla’s UK360 farmer owners were uniquely placed to take part in theproject giventheir focus to continuously explore anddevelop new R&D projects andwider innovation to lead thedairy agenda of the future.“Within theArla UK 360 programme, we arealways looking to develop innovative farming practicesthat canbenefit everyone,sowewerekeen to test theimpactthatregular,automated mobilitytrackingtechnologycould have on lameness prevention.”

explainsArla CARE,Farmer Owned, andInnovation Farm Manager,RowanBoardley

“Aswellreducing labour input, thistype of technology also providesstandardised andobjectivescoreswhich is beneficial from ahealthand welfare auditing perspective.

“Wefound that thecow mobilityissueswere flagged quickly, allowing farmersand vets to interveneatthe earliest possible stageand preventthe developmentofacutecases of lameness. Arla’s farmer owners taking part in thetrialalso reported the benefitofcows being monitoredfreefromhuman interference, whichcan influence cowbehaviour andmake manual mobility scoring more challenging.” Thetechnology has been validatedand approved for usebyArla UK 360farmerowners whocan nowsubmit automated mobilityscoresinplace of human scores,with scores being validatedoncea year by an external vetaspartoftheir UK 360audit.“We arecommitted to investigating theuse ofnew technology to help drive our industry forward,inasustainable way,”concludesRowan. “We need to keep productive cows in theirrespectiveherds foraslong as possible andusing automated systemstohelpdetectand preventcases of lameness is just one of thewayswecan help our dairyproducersachieve this.”

Showcase celebrates best of dairy industry

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Thousandsoffarmers flocked to Shropshirefor the return ofa major dairy industrytrade event.

TheannualUKDairy Dayonceagain broughttogetherall facets of thedairy industry at theInternational Centre in Telford.

It has been achallenging time for many farmerswho have been hitbycost increases, dryweather anda shortageof seasonal workers.

This year’sevent sawa record re-bookingoftradestand space from existing andnew exhibitorswho featured across theextensive internaland externalexhibitionareas

It provided them with an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations, promote products andservices, andprovide importantadvice required fordairy businesses.

They includedfeed manufacturers, animal health suppliers, vets, milk buyers, dairyand farm equipmentsuppliers –plusprofessionalservice providersand charities.

Thecattleshowhas establisheditselfas oneofthe UK’s most prestigious–with breedersfrom acrossthe UK competing under thespotlight in Telford.

Theevent hosted theestablishedNational Holstein Show alongwith The National AyrshireShowand TheNational BrownSwiss Show.Classes were held during themorningfor DairyShorthorn, Guernsey andJersey

Oneofthe farmersenteringthe show wasMichael Robertsof Nobold,Shrewsbury.Hesaid: “I’veshown here regularly over theyears.Ilovetoshowmycowsoff to otherpeople.

“I do all thelocal shows–Shropshire, Minsterley, Oswestry andNewport

“I hadtostart milking at 3amthis morningsoitisalong, oldday

“

This year has been my best showsea sonever. Ihavewon threelocal shows with threedifferentcowswhichisdeeply satisfying

“Itisall to do with breedingmanagement andthe same as everything–ded ication, attentiontodetailand knowing

your cows.”Atwo-minutesilence was also heldatthe eventintribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

RebeccaBarningham,ofthe UK Dairy Daymarketing and PR team,said: “In light of thedeath of QueenElizabeth, it is asad time but we arepleased we areable togoahead withthe event.

“We’ve got areallygood line-upof cattle,arecord-breaking rebookofexhibitorswhichhas been reallypositive, industry panels whichwehavehad to putextra seatingout for,and some really good andinsightfulseminars.

“Wefeelvisitor numbersare on par with previous years. We arehereagain next year on September13 flying the flag forthe industry.”

Sadly this year’s UK DairyDay was withoutHolstein UK CEO andevent director SueCopewho wasinstrumental in making theevent since 2014.

SuepassedawayonMay 11 after a short butcourageousbattlewithillness In hermemoryfundraisingtookplace at theevent for theBrain Tumour Trust.

Sam Hull from Whitchurch at the event

Evencows get achance for some studio photography time

UK Dairy Day was held at the International Centre in Telford

There was plenty of chat

Preparations are the key

Demonstrations from experts took place

cultivating

Over-cultivating seedbeds,orculti vating them toosoonafter harvest, risks damaging soilstructure andimpairing following crop establishment,Hutchinsons technical managerDickNealehas warned.

Mr Nealeurgedgrowers to be patient beforegoingontolandwiththe cultivator after harvest. Therewas aparticularrisk whereshallow or minimal cultivations were carried out too early, leaving soils exposed to weathering forseveralweeks before drilling, andpotentiallyleadingto seedbeds slumping,capping andlessable to infiltrate water.

“Poorwater infiltration is afundamental problem on many UK farms,”hesaid. “Itisoften exacerbated whereseedbeds areover-cultivated or whereshallow till ageisdonetoo earlyinthe season,leavingthesameweatheringtimeaswouldbe allowed fordeep-tilled seedbeds.All too often soilsthenbreakdown toomuchand growers find seedbeds have slumpedby thetimetheyget to drillinginSeptember or October.”

Mr Nealeurgedgrowers to tailor cultivation timingmore closelyto thetypeofmachineused, soil typeand time required forweathering or further cultivations before drilling.

Butheacknowledgedworkloads and time constraintsatsucha busy time of year,togetherwithuncertainty aboutthe weatherasautumn approached, often made it difficult to make such adecision.

Therefore,where ground hadtobeculti vatedearlier,herecommended establishingafast-growing multi-species catch or covercroptostabilise aggregates, build naturalstructure andretainnutrients.

Hop honour for top agronomist

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Hutchinsons agronomist JonathanBlackman hasbeen awarded theprestigiousand internationally-recognised Orderofthe Hop, in recognition of hisservices to thesectorfor almost30 years.

Thedistinguishedaward datesbackto medievaltimes, andbiannually honours individualsfrom countries belongingto theInternational HopGrowers Convention whohavecontributedtothe developmentand prosperity of hopproduction in their country.

Dr Blackman,who is theHorticultural Technical ManageratHutchinsons,advisinghop growersinWorcestershireand Herefordshire, waspresented with the ‘Chevalier’award at the58thCongressof theInternational HopGrowers´Convention,inPrague

TheChevalier awardisone of three ranksinthe Order of theHop,all of whichrecognise significant achievement within theindustry. “Itwas an honour

to be nominated andacceptedfor this award,”DrBlackmansaid. “I’vebeeninvolvedwiththe industry professionally forthe best part of 30 years, buthaving comefromahop-growingfamilyinKent, I’ve been around hops all of my life.”

Dr Blackman beganhis career at ADAS Rosemaundin1994, whereheran hopresearchforfiveyears,beforemoving

to Dalgety,and then Hutchinsons,where he has been supporting localhop growers with agronomy advice for more than 20 years. In that time,hehas also actedas secretarytohis local HerefordshireHop DiscussionGroup

Past chairman, StephenWright, of TheHop PlantCompany,nominated Dr Blackman forthe award.

Promotion plan for cup

Hybu Cig Cymru–MeatPromotion Wales (HCC)isaimingtouse thehigh profile that theFIFAWorld Cupwillgive to Wales to promotethe country’sleadingfoodexport– PGI Welsh Lamb –in twokey markets, andithas securedadditional fundingfrom Welsh Government towardsthe programme.

Thepromotional drivewillfocus on raisingWelshLamb’s profile in Qatar, the host countryofthe WorldCup in theautumn, andthe USA, whoseteamare part of thesamequalifying groupasWales. Both markets arestrategicallyimpor tantforWelshsheepfarmers.Thehistoric banon exporting lamb from theUKto theUSAwaslifted earlierthisyear.Qatar, alongwithother nationsinthe Middle East,has proven to be afruitful market in recenttimes, with exports increasingand severalhigh-endrestaurantsand retailers stocking Welsh Lamb

Theworkwill be supportedwitha grantof£100,000 from theWelshGov ernment,and is likely to involve co-ordinatedpromotion around keyeventssuch as theWales vUSA game on November 21. Thevalue of Welsh Lamb exports to Qatargrew five-foldinthe twoyears leadingupto2020. Thepromotional plans willaim to renewthisgrowthafter Coviddisruptions,aswellas kick-start trade to theUSA, whereexports aredue to begininthe second half of 2022.

HCC’sRhysLlywelynsaid: “We’re grateful to theWelshGovernment for their willingnesstoworkhand-in-hand to take this opportunity to grow Welsh Lamb’s presence in thesetwo keymar kets.”

Dr Jonathan Blackman, the horticultural technical manager at Hutchinsons

Harvesters launched to meetglobal demand

Kronehas launched twonew high-end forage harvesters,the BiGX980 andBiG X1080, in directresponsetoanincreasing global demand in the900hpto1100hpsegment

Only theBiG X980 willbeavailablefor the2022/23 season in theUK.

Likethe 1156hpBiG X1180 in therange, thetwo newmodels willalsobepowered by aLiebherrV12engine,boastinganextended 1000-houroil change andservice intervals for filtersand valves.

All models in therange are naturally compliantwithStage Vand Tier 4f standards,the latter requiringonlySCR emission treatment.

Both models featureamodified PowerSplitthatallowsthe operatortocustomise

engine powertocurrent requirements at the touchofabutton.

They have theoptionofeconomical Eco-Power mode,and in situations requir ingfullengineoutput,the operatorselects X-Power

Theadvantage of this technologyisto boost efficiency andgive greaterfueleconomy.

Other pioneering developments that make thehigh-endBiG Xunique in thefor ageharvestermarketisthe innovative crop flow assembly that consistsofsix pre-compressionrollers, amassive choppingdrum andthe OptiMaxx 305 andCornCondition er

Itshugeconditioningsurface area ensures intensivegrain andstalkprocessing.

Changes made at poultry firm

Long-serving agricultural expert, SarahKnights,cofounder of poultrylivestock servicesbusiness, Bowden & Knights, has announced her retirement following 40 years in theindustry.

ShewillbehandingthebatonovertoSam Coulsonwho has been appointedas opera tionsmanager,reporting toAndrewMann, generalmanager of theagriculturalbrands within Elta Group.

Bowden &Knightswas establishedin 2003 by Mike Bowden andSarah Knights. Sincethen, thecompany has become amar ket-leader in poultryhealth, hygieneand housing. It nowsitswithin thewider Elta Group alongside brands AllAgri, Animal Aids,FarmTechServicesand Hydor.

Sarahhas spenther last fewmonths helping thebusinessprepare forgrowth as it takesonadditional warehousespace in Thetford,Norfolk wherethe business is based. This willaim to provide an extra 50 percentcapacitysotheycan address thefalloutofthe ongoingBrexitchallenges with addedsupply chainresilience.Assuch, it will be able to holdmore stocksofcore farmingconsumables such as chemicals, detergents, disinfectants, ventilationand light ingequipment.

Sambrings10years’experience in the farmingindustry,mostrecentlyworking for an agricultural wholesaler,and is applying this knowledgetoensurea smooth tran sition forcustomers against achallenging

economic backdrop.Hesaid: “One of the things Ilovethe most aboutthisindustry is dealingdirectlywithfarmers so Ican help uncoverany unique challengestheyare facingand provide tailoredadvice,products andservices.

“Bowden &Knightsissucha well-known businesswithafantastic reputation,soIam proudtobegetting thechancetocontinue Sarah’slegacybyprovidingagreat service andensuring stock is readily availablefor farmers.”

AndrewMannsaid: “Asall whohavemet Sarahwillattest, she is atrueiconofthe poultryindustry. It’s been apleasuretowork with herand witness first-handthe success she has achievedinBowden &Knights.”

Conference will tackle the big questions for

TheNationalFarmManagement

thebig

which

with balancingthe requirement forfood security with environmentalneeds.

TheInstituteofAgricultural Management(IAgrM) chairman, Carl Atkin, states that this year’s conference,titled ‘Agriculture’s definingdecade:Balancing foodand environmentalsecurity’, will address the‘thornier’issueswhich come with efficientlyproducing food while safeguarding theenvironment.

“The warinthe BlackSea region has

stoked aresurgenceinfocus onfood security issues,which were already creeping backtothe forefront due to disruptions caused by Brexit and Covid-19,” he says

“Atthe sametime,farming is undoubtedlygoingtoplayakey role in reaching netzeroemissions,as72 per cent of UK land is farmed,providing vast opportunitytosequester carbon in agricultural soilsalongside other ‘environmentallyfriendly’ activities.”

NationalFarmers Unionpresident, MinetteBatters,will give theopening address

Sam Coulson

Disease to be focus of meetings

Anew Priority Cull Report to improve Johne’s disease management in dairyherds will be thefocus of aseries of Johne’s masterclasses for vets this autumn

Developedbythe Action Group on Johne’s, this reportisincluded in NMR’s Johne’sscreening serviceHerdWise.

“Weare highlighting the importanceofidentifyingthe right cows to cull amongthose infected with theJohne’s-causing bacteria Mycobacterium Avium subspecies paratuberculosis –commonly knownasMAP,” says NMR vet KarenBond,who is akey speaker at theseriesof10vet meetings. Shejoinsvet andJohne’s diseaseconsultant PeterOrpin anddirector ofPAN Livestock ServiceJames Hanks. “We classify infected cows with repeated test results above 30 as ‘red’cows, butthe range above this canbeextensive with some cows having much highertest resultsand alot furtheronin theprogression of diseasethan others,” says MrsBond. “These cows presentmore of arisk of transmission andthe infection will have amuchgreater impact on theirperformance.”The Johne’s Masterclassesfor vets are organisedbyNMR with support from theActionGroup on Johne’s, milk processorsand retailers

Using trees for carbon programmes ‘has risks’

BY IAIN ST JOHN

Thepotential risksofusing treesfor carbon offsetting has beenbrought into focusbyanew report into asubstantial US-based officialscheme, theCentral AssociationofAgricultural Valuers(CAAV)says.

Californiaoperatesalarge offsetting programme whichcredits carbon stored in forestsacrossthe US foruse by other businesses. Carbon offsettingneedstobe guaranteed fora100 yearstomatch the life of carbon in theatmosphere. With risksfor treesincluding fire,disease and droughtstress, theprogramme requires extra treestobeplanted as abuffer pool to protectthe offsettingcompany

However, thereport, publishedin FrontiersinForests andGlobal Change, shows howwildfireshavealready de pleted nearly one-fifthofthe buffer pool in lessthanadecade,takingthe equiv alentofatleast 95 percentofthe pro gramme-wide contribution intended to manageall fire risksfor thefull100 years. Thereportalso finds that potential car bonlossesfromtheonediseaseofsudden oak deathcould account forall creditsset aside fordisease andinsectrisks.

ThesefindingsindicatethatCalifornia’s buffer poolisfar toosmall to guarantee thecarbonthathas been bought foroff setting, theCAAVsays. That has implica tionsfor both landowners andoffsetters in theUK, explained Jeremy Moody, sec retary andadviser to theCAAV.

He said those taking offsetting money forcarbonare making apersonalguar anteeofensuring that carbon is seques tered. If thetrees do notdothe job, the

offsetterwilllooktothe landownerwho has made that commitment.

Theseare resultsfrom arelatively se riouslystructuredand officiallyregulated offsettingsystem, said Mr Moody. He said: “Theseexperiences from only the earlyyears of this scheme illustrate the risks for landowners from events outside their control. TheCalifornian landlord might choosebankruptcy –would aUK farmer or ownerwantthat? Greatcare

willbeneeded in understandingwho carries what risks.

“Thereisa need foraproperand far-sighted appraisal of therisks accom panyingcarbonoffsettingbytreeplant ing.” Therecognition of thesignificant risk of businessfailure over a100-year periodalsoraisespracticalissues,hesaid

He said: “Theseare likely to suggest theuse of conservation covenantswhen availableinEngland under thenew En vironment Act(conservation burdensin Scotland), rather than otheragreements, so that obligationsrun with theland.

“Evenwithafforestation deemed an irreversible change of use, many land owners maynot be comfortablewith committingthemselvestoa conservation covenant runningfor acentury andin volving therequired ‘responsible body’ often an environmental charity.”

He explainedwiththisCalifornian ex perience suggesting amuchlarger buffer of treesisneeded,thatmeans that agiv en area of planting wouldoffsetfewer emissions,earningless–oralarger area wouldneed to be committed to fulfila givenvolumeof carbon credits.

“This couldmeaninvestors andcom panies lookingtooffsetmight usetight er criteria or look forapproachesother than forestry if they lack confidence in theability of treestomeettheir needs, suggests Mr Moody.

University bosses delighted at latest ranking in survey

TheRoyal AgriculturalUniversity (RAU)has been rankedinthe top 10 universities in theUKfor the best studentexperience, andwas thehighest-ranking universityin Gloucestershire,inthisyear’sSunday TimesGood UniversityGuide.

TheCirencesteruniversity, which climbed 14 places from its2021rating in theguide published annuallyby theSundayTimes, wasrankedeighth in thelistofthe best universities for studentexperience.

Vice-Chancellor ProfessorPeter

What

up in

Made

McCaffery said:“We aredelighted to have improvedour ranking in this year’s Sunday Timesguide

“Earlier in theyear we achieved excellentresults in the2022National StudentSurvey(NSS) with student satisfaction scores beatingeventhose of thebest-performingRussell Group universities

“Students rankedusasthe top universityinthe UK forbeing a LearningCommunityand fourth highest for OverallStudentSatisfaction across English universities.”

Warning is given on chimney fires

As theenergyprice caphits£2,500 in October,millions of people areexpectedtolooktoother fuels such as wood and coal to heat their homes.

With thecolder months closingin, leadingruralinsurer NFU Mutual is urging people to actnow to preventdevas tating chimney fires.

–the

CLAAS TRION comes with choices, not compromises. With TERRA TRAC and MONTANA options available across the model

discuss

requirements with MORRIS CORFIELD today

www.morriscorfield.co.uk

An expected increase in wood usecould fuel asurge in chimney fires, warnsAndyManson,managingdirectorof NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Ltd.

He said: “Given thecurrent price of fuel, it is no wonder people arelooking to alternative fuelstoheattheir homes.

“While stoves andopen firescan be asafe anda viable meanstokeeppeoplewarm, incorrect installation,main tenanceoruse canhaveadevastating impact,from fumes escaping into thehometo fire engulfing theproperty. This is particularly true in older properties –90per centofthatch fires, forexample,relatetochimneysand theuse of wood burningstoves. To reduce therisk of adevastating andcostly houseorchimney fire,werecommendtaking steps to ensure your stoveand chimney arecorrectlyinstalled andproperly maintained now, before they areput into use. ”

The CAAVwarns experiences from the early years of acarbon offsetting scheme in California illustrate the risks for UK landowners from events outside their control

Midland News