NFU HORTICULTURE SUMMER 2022 by nfuhorticulture

Summer 2022

For horticulture and potato members of the NFU

1582837.indd 1

19/05/2022 11:11:08

Collison Cut Flowers We have for sale a large quantity of ex tulip forcing benching and also a quantity of ex tulip forcing trays as follows: • Approx 19000 metres of 51mm steel pipe c/w sockets to join. In packs of 220m. approx. 660kg per pack each pack 7 metres long. • 2400 stands to make 4 rail benches aprrox 1 metre wide and 43cm above ground • Large quantity of tulip export crates 60x40x18cm some with full sides some with cut down sides • Quantity of Nipla Hydrobak hydroponic tulip forcing spike inserts for the export crates

Please note all items are collection only but we have forklifts and are able to load

Collison Cut Flowers Ltd, Tuxhill Farm, Terrington St Clement, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE34 4PX Please contact Ian on 07971 037437

www.fs-energy.co.uk

info@fs-energy.co.uk

01245 690151

F& S We pay more for your exported power • • • •

We specialise in working within the agricultural sector We avoid costly price comparison websites Provide a friendly service and take the time to understand your needs FIT Licensee

Ask us about peer-to-peer trading 2

Summer 2022

1569690.indd 2

19/05/2022 11:11:11

Welcome

CONTACTS EDITORIAL Editor: Lorna Maybery t: 02476 858971 e: lorna.maybery@nfu.org.uk News editor: Tom Sales t: 02476 858676 e: tom.sales@nfu.org.uk Designer: John Cottle Writers: Hayley Campbell-Gibbons Michael Barker NFU HORTICULTURE ADVISERS Lee Abbey Chief horticulture and potatoes adviser e: lee.abbey@nfu.org.uk Rupert Weaver Horticulture adviser e: rupert.weaver@nfu.org.uk Christine McDowell Horticulture adviser e: christine.mcdowell@nfu. org.uk ADVERTISING Jasbinder Saikhon jasbinder.saikhon@nfu.org.uk t: 02476 858952 PRODUCTION Heather Crompton COMMERCIAL Repro: NFU and AT Graphics Print: Stephen & George Photography: John Cottle, istock, Getty, Adam Fradgley and Kevin Nicholson

Let us know what you think about the magazine by emailing: lorna.maybery@nfu.org.uk

1579649.indd 3

WELCOME

am delighted to open this edition as the new chair of the Horticulture and Potatoes Board. My first priority is to thank my illustrious predecessor, Ali Capper, for her six years in the role navigating our sector through turbulent times. I am pleased that she will be staying on the board and taking the lead on our sector’s net-zero carbon strategy. I would also like to thank Alex Godfrey, as he steps down from his sterling work as Potato Forum chair, and Guy Poskitt who has also stepped down from the board. A warm welcome to Tim Rooke, as the new Potatoes Forum chair, and to Louise Wright, Chris Newenham, Hannah Dockery and Stephen Shields, who now join the board. Derek Wilkinson remains as vice-chair and, collectively with the existing members, we are committed to ensuring that our sector’s interests are effectively represented, both within the NFU and the wider political environment. There is more about my background on p36. Being based in West Sussex, I have the advantage of being engaged with the concentration of horticultural businesses that form the West Sussex Growers’ Association, where ornamental and edible growers have worked closely together for decades. Given the scale of the challenges we now face it is vital that, as an industry, we lobby government with the largest critical mass we can assemble; this is the strength that comes with NFU membership, and I am on a mission to see our numbers grow! I am looking forward to my term in the chair and especially to meeting more members. I apologise that this has been mostly through virtual platforms so far – it has been a hectic start – but in the second half of the year I anticipate more physical meetings. There will be much to discuss in the months ahead! Martin Emmett Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair

Summer 2022

For horticultur e and potato

members of

the NFU

COVER STORY Martin and the team at Tristram Plants’ Binsted Nursery are this month’s Meet the Grower stars. Find out more about your new board chairman from p36.

19/05/2022 12:57:04

brating ove ele

years

POTATO BOX REPAIR • On site box repairs with or without timber supply • Fast, efficient, professional service • Flexible to suit your needs • Large or small quantities • Box alterations, re-branding, and other work considered • Store cleaning also offered

1979 - 2022

Specialists in fruit & vegetable cooling ✔ Large surface area evaporator ✔ Compressor Inverter Drive ✔ Cooling Fans Inverter Drive ✔ EC Condenser Fans ✔ Low GWP Refrigerant - R513 A We’ve got all the boxes ticked for what you need for an efficient cooling system to keep your produce in perfect condition.

Call us to discuss your requirements Tel: 01945 870204 Email: barriedodd@potatostorage.co.uk www.potatostorage.co.uk

Call Adam: 07970 433 470 • Email: adam@farmlinc.co.uk

www.farmlinc.co.uk

Concrete Flooring Specialist

SJ STANBERRY & SONS LTD • INDUSTRIAL, AGRICULTURAL OR COMMERCIAL • INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL • STEEL FIXING • BRUSH, TAMP OR POWER FLOAT FINISHES • FOUNDATIONS • POULTRY UNITS AND STABLE YARDS • SILO BASES • APRONS & SHED FLOORS • ANAEROBIC DIGESTION TANK BASES • GRAIN, POTATO & MACHINERY STORES • PATHS, PATIOS AND DRIVEWAYS • GROUNDWORKS & PREPARATION

01945 870076

• nationwide coverage • sales@sjstanberry.com • www.sjstanberry.com

Summer 2022

1569694.indd 4

19/05/2022 11:11:19

Contents With over 100 stands booked, across both halls NPS MAY 2022 24-28 is not to be missed. It is shaping upRHS to beChelsea a fantastic show, Flower providing British companies the Show, Chelsea, London opportunity toFeaturing showcase everything exciting show from seeds, bulbs, house and a gardens andplants the Great wide range of garden to labelling Pavilionplants with stunning and product information, displays fromgrowing some of the media, display benching andgrowers machinery. world’s finest

and nurseries. 2 rhs.org.uk/showsevents/rhs-chelseaflower-show

JUNE 21-22 HTA National Plant Show, Stoneleigh, Coventry With more than 100 stands, this is shaping up to be a fantastic show, providing British companies the opportunity to showcase everything from seeds, bulbs, house plants and a wide range of garden plants to labelling and product information, growing media, display benching and machinery. 2 nationalplantshow. co.uk JULY 13 Fruit Focus NIAB EMR, New Road, East Malling, Kent Fruit Focus is the UK's premier technical event for the fruit industry and features information and networking for all fresh fruit sectors and wine making/viticulture. 2 fruitfocus.co.uk

18 06

NEWS AND POLICY UPDATES

A round-up of what the NFU is doing for you – including on closing the digital divide

BACK IN BLOOM

MEET THE BOARD

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BUYER

FROM THE FORUM

CALLS FOR CLARITY ON LABOUR

MEET THE GROWER

TRADE AND BORDER UPDATES

GUEST COLUMN

BEYOND THE LEVY

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT...

THE COST OF WAR

Will the Ukraine conflict be the straw that broke the camel's back for growers?

Lessons in how to get the right price

Why the rate for seasonal workers could be a cost too far

A round-up of the latest developments

As statutory levies end, we ask is it time for something new?

We talk to three growers going for gold at the Chelsea Flower Show Welcoming our new Board members

NFU Potato Forum chair Alex Godfrey looks back over his tenure We chat to new Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair Martin Emmett Featuring John Giles from Promar

Hockey fan Chris Newenham picks his items

Summer 2022

1573872.indd 5

19/05/2022 11:11:30

Working for you

What’s been happening... A snapshot of the NFU’s work for members and developments in the sector

Putting costs in focus

An NFU-commissioned report has revealed the unprecedented inflationary pressures facing UK growers – and modelled tahe possible impacts if the burdens are not more widely spread. The independent study from Promar International was based on interviews with leading producers of seven crops, representing around half of UK horticultural production. It found fruit and vegetable growers are facing overall inflation rates of up to 24%, with particularly telling spikes in categories like energy (up 80%), fertiliser (up 75%), diesel (up 50%) and packaging (up 25%). The NFU will use the findings in its work with government, retailers and the wider supply chain.

Get the pack

A free NFU member benefit that helps members with the Fresh Produce Scheme audit process has been updated to include guidance on the latest ‘V5’ Red Tractor standards. Grower members can get a physical NFU Audit Pack by contacting NFU Callfirst on 0370 845 8458, or can download the files at NFUonline.com/nfuprofessional-services/nfu-auditpack-for-fresh-produce

Digital divide

The government must act now to close a digital divide that is keeping farm businesses and the rural economy from reaching their true potential. That was the message from the NFU as it unveiled “disappointing” results from its annual broadband and mobile survey. The research showed only 38% of more than 840 farmers had the broadband speeds their businesses needed, and just 44% had acceptable mobile signals. Both figures were 2% worse than 2021. Almost a third of respondents (30%) were among the UK’s slowest-of-the-slow in terms of broadband, with speeds of less than 2 megabits per second (Mbps). At the other end of the scale, 24% had super-fast speeds.

Sunflower oil issues?

Growers concerned about the capacity to process potatoes due to sunflower oil shortages can access detailed support from NFU CallFirst, on 0370 845 8458. The NFU has also produced a guidance note about ‘force majeure’ clauses in contracts, which deal with factors outside of the parties’ control and which could apply to the situation, an impact of the Ukraine conflict. Search ‘supply contract guidance’ on NFUonline.com

Get the price

New dates have been added for an NFU workshop on price negotiations that features insights from ex-retail buyers and commercial directors. Participants so far have strongly recommended the sessions, which aim to give attendees the best chance of securing a sustainable price, in a constructive and robust way. More on p16

Export ambition

The NFU has set out a strategy to boost UK food, drink and agricultural exports by more than 30% to 2030, taking their total value past £30 billion. It unveiled a detailed plan to achieve the ‘30,30,30+’ ambition at a London launch attended by Minister for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis, and scores of MPs, Peers, embassy staff and expert stakeholders. “British farmers are ambitious,” said NFU President Minette Batters. “As we enter a new world where the UK aims to be a major player in global trade, and our farmers will be facing much more competition from imports, now is the time to drive our agri-food exports.” Read more on trade issues and the NFU strategy from p21

Summer 2022

1570457.indd 6

19/05/2022 12:33:45

News updates

NEW PPP ‘REGISTER’

nyone using professional plant protection products (PPPs) and adjuvants in England must register with Defra before 22 June, after the department actioned requirements that the NFU described as “very disappointing”. NFU Vice-president David Exwood said the approach to the 2020 Official Controls Regulations had come without meaningful industry consultation and had ignored preexisting opportunities for farmers to show compliance under a variety of farm assurance schemes. “This additional red tape is very poorly timed, affecting farmers and growers when businesses are under significant stress from spiralling costs,” he said. “While Defra’s intention appears to have been to keep this simple, farmers on the ground see these new requirements as a burden and understandably have a lot of questions. The industry takes very seriously the responsible use of PPPs.” As Horticulture went to press, Defra responded to calls from the NFU for urgent clarity on the register’s purpose. See what they said at NFUonline.com/updatesand-information

TREE PEST IMPORTS CHANGE Defra has introduced emergency legislation to limit pine and cedar tree imports into Great Britain after pine processionary moth was found at nurseries in England and Wales, on a small number of trees from France. The measures mean that live cedar and pine plant material cannot be brought in from countries where the pest is established, such as Italy and France, unless they come from a designated pest-free area or have been grown under complete physical protection for their whole lifetime. Infested trees at the nurseries were swiftly contained and destroyed and tracing work was under way to identify any other affected consignments. The moth’s larvae and caterpillars can cause significant damage to pine and other conifer tree species. Their toxic hairs can also cause itching, skin rashes, eye and throat irritation, and breathing problems in humans and wildlife. Full details at: gov.uk/government/news

IRRIGATION UPDATE Irrigation prospects fell back from the Environment Agency’s initial forecast when an updated assessment was issued at the start of May. Following a dry March and April, only four areas of the country were classed as ‘good to moderate’. Prospects elsewhere were ‘moderate’, suggesting low water levels and the possibility of controls on surface water abstraction by mid-summer. Controls on abstraction from groundwater are possible in small, sensitive groundwater areas. “Dry weather in April, coupled with warmer temperatures and wind, whipped the moisture from soils and crops, particularly on the East coast,” said NFU national water resources specialist Kelly Hewson-Fisher. She added: “Irrigation has started earlier than normal for many and with little indication of rainfall, demand will increase. Farmers are closely following the weather forecasts and what this could mean for water availability as the season builds.”

CHECK THE ARCHIVE The AHDB has published an online archive of its work for former horticulture and potatoes levy payers. The hub contains articles, research reports and knowledge exchange projects delivered prior to April 2022, including content from the Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) programme. Visit archive.ahdb.org.uk

TESCO PEAT MOVE Tesco is bidding to become the first major UK supermarket to go peat-free on its British-grown bedding plants. The retailer hopes to complete the move during 2023 as part of efforts to cut its carbon footprint, having already reduced peat use by 95% from 4 April this year. Supplier, the Bridge Farm Group, has switched to alternative growing media, such as wood fibre and organic byproducts, following successful trials. The cross-industry Growing Media Taskforce – which includes the NFU – has an ambitious target to phase out peat across commercial horticulture by 2028-30. In a recent consultation response, the NFU highlighted that support from government would be needed, along with R&D work and the availability of alternatives, exemptions for specialist applications, and a level playing field so that imports meet the same standards adhered to by domestic producers. Summer 2022

1570464.indd 7

19/05/2022 12:39:04

Ukraine

THE COST The impact of the conflict in Ukraine may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for growers already struggling under huge price pressures

Summer 2022

1570375.indd 8

19/05/2022 12:43:19

Ukraine

OF WAR F

By Michael Barker

or most, the concept of war on the European continent was something that was supposed to be consigned to history. Since the redrawing of the European map in the 1990s following the fall of the Soviet Union, scenes of military aggression have been confined to television screens, their consequences somehow far removed from Western daily lives. It is, of course, difficult to look beyond the terrible human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it’s unquestionable that the Ukraine and ramifications are cascading out across the world in a way unlike any other recent Russia together regional conflict. As the International account for around Monetary Fund stated rather glibly in March, “the conflict is a major blow to 65-70% of all the global economy that will hurt global sunflower growth and raise prices”. oil exports Higher prices for commodities such as food and energy will put pressure on demand and reduce incomes, the organisation predicted, with disrupted trade flows, supply chains and migratory patterns. For the food production industry in general, the knock-on effects have already been substantial and are set to cause uncertainty for a prolonged period of time. Horticulture has been far from immune from that, and across the UK growers have been feeling the pinch from rising input costs, constricted labour availability and the feeling of unease that a conflict without an end in sight brings. NFU chief horticulture adviser Lee Abbey says that for many growers the biggest impact has

Summer 2022

1570375.indd 9

19/05/2022 11:12:19

Barn Store is a self-storage company run by farmers. We convert redundant farm sheds into modern self-storage units, and help you turn an otherwise obsolete asset into a profitable business with capital returns that regularly exceed 50%.

We’re looking for new franchisees in suitable locations, so if you’re interested in creating a new revenue stream through the growing self- storage market, please call us on 02392 384888, email us on martin@barn-store.co.uk, or download a prospectus at www.barn-store.co.uk.

KEEPING IT COUNTRY 1570375.indd 10

19/05/2022 11:12:33

Ukraine been on the availability of labour, with 60% of last year’s Seasonal Worker Scheme workforce having been sourced from Ukraine. While millions Ukrainian Andriy Yarmak worked as an economist and fresh produce lead at of people have fled the war-torn the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) between 2011 and country, leading to some Ukrainians 2022, and says that the cost of war has been high for Ukraine’s horticultural still applying for British seasonal producers. “I know many very successful farmers in the south of Ukraine worker places, clearly there are not who lost everything they built during their lives,” he says. “We are talking anything like the numbers seen a year about people who started having nothing but created muti-million ago. “The impact is that labour companies. Some were killed, their farms destroyed, and farm equipment providers are searching further and stolen. Horticultural producers in the occupied zones are being robbed. In wider to recruit, and although they the north (Sumy and Chernihiv regions) and near Kyiv, there is a huge have been successful at recruiting problem of landmines. Fields have lots of mines and many farmers and farm elsewhere it has changed the workers have already been killed this way. De-mining will take years.” labour profile,” he explains. Mr Yarmak adds that while many people might think it is only a war The issue of labour is between Russia and Ukraine, millions of lives globally will be put reported on in greater at risk via the consequences of hunger if the conflict does not detail elsewhere in this end soon. of last year’s issue, but growers are hopeful that despite Seasonal Worker the upheaval of having challenges to contend month, which is still over £2 per therm Scheme workforce fewer returnees and with. For glasshouse compared to 40p in previous years. was sourced needing to train a fresh growers in the Lea While some retailers have been from Ukraine set of recruits, there will Valley, the situation has supportive and increased prices a little, at least be enough people to exacerbated an ongoing Mr Stiles says it is questionable fill the available visas. Whether crisis by pushing already sky-high whether this will even cover the that number in itself is enough is energy prices further into unaffordable increased cost of production, and he another question entirely. territory. According to Lee Stiles, points out that other retailers have secretary at the Lea Valley Growers’ even tried to reduce prices. That has Association, high energy prices have left some growers looking at PRESSURE ACROSS prevented around half of growers from alternative markets. ALL SECTORS planting at all so far this year. “The growers who have planted, have What is clear is that the effects of the Currently, they can only buy planted later and are using less heat Ukraine conflict are piling on pressure monthly at a price that is based on the and CO₂, which is reducing yields and at a time when growers have an average of the last three days in the encouraging pest and disease,” Mr unprecedented number of other

THE HUMAN COST OF CONFLICT

60%

Glasshouse growers have it particularly tough due to the large amount of energy they use, but the stress is by no means restricted to that sector Summer 2022

1570375.indd 11

19/05/2022 11:12:48

LEASE LAND FOR SOLAR PARKS Farmland - Brownfield Sites – Landfill Minimum Area 50 Acres England/Scotland/Wales Competitive Rates & Index Linked (30yrs+)

Calladines Surfacing are a family run business with decades of experience in all aspects of farm roads and yards ranging from surface dressing for farm roads yards etc to agricultural asphalt suitable for silage clamps yards roads and animal housing. Call for free no obligation quote on 01522 712571 / 01623 857897 Email: calladines@yahoo.co.uk www.calladines.co.uk

Contact Jimmy Offley 07956677533 01843 220447

projects.uk@greentech.energy

SUPPLY, DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF SPECIALIST IRRIGATION SYSTEMS • DRIP • SPRINKLERS • HARD HOSE PUMPING SOLUTIONS • • FILTRATION • UV TREATMENT • • K-LINE • DIRTY WATER FILTERS • • BIO-FILTERS • BIO-BEDS Solid set sprinkler irrigation

Drip tape & hard hose irrigation

‘Our aim is your gain’ Call us to see what is NEW for 2022

www.wrootwater.com

t: 01302 771881 e: info@wrootwater.com

1570375.indd 12

19/05/2022 11:13:03

Ukraine

FOODSERVICE UNDER PRESSURE “In the longer term all these things will lead to higher food prices” Guy Poskitt Root veg grower, Stiles continues, adding that input cost rises are combining with increased shipping expenses and customs’ fees to send growers’ frustrations through the roof. “The growers that have planted are taking a massive financial risk this year, which they will not repeat next year if they fail to make a profit. All in all it is a dire situation that is getting worse as the season progresses.” Glasshouse growers have it particularly tough due to the large amount of energy they use, but the stress is by no means restricted to that sector. Root veg grower Guy Poskitt describes the list of input cost increases as “endless”, citing a doubling of fuel prices, fertiliser up 150%, packaging 30-40% and power up 80%. “In the longer term all these things will lead to higher food

“Labour accounts for as much as 70% of costs for a softfruit business, making rising minimum wage requirements a poorly timed addition when costs are spiralling” Anthony Snell Fruit grower

prices,” he says. “That’s inevitable, but that will lead to even greater pressure on wages. Meanwhile retailers have a real challenge ensuring their supply base remains in business, but also ensuring they offer value to customers.” In fruit, Herefordshire berry grower Anthony Snell says the tightness of labour supply has been exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict to heap pressure on growers, with the government’s decision to set a higher minimum wage on seasonal labour than it has for the National Minimum Wage proving an untimely headache. Mr Snell points out that labour can account for as much as 70% of costs for a soft-fruit business, making rising minimum wage requirements a poorly timed addition when costs are spiralling across the farm. In potatoes, James Truscott, managing director of major supplier Branston, says: “Prior to the Ukraine crisis we were already experiencing significant inflationary pressures and many of these have worsened since the war started. Energy and diesel costs have increased markedly and knock-on impacts on packaging are

With all the talk focused on tightening household budgets and retailers’ attempts to keep shelf prices down, it’s easy to forget about the foodservice sector. However, a new report from Rabobank has spelled out the pressure facing the eatingout market, with the war in Ukraine putting added strain on a sector that is only just starting to recover from the bruising impact of long Covid lockdowns. According to Maria Castroviejo, senior analyst for consumer foods at Rabobank, the war is adding to already severe input cost pressures, affecting both energy and food prices, with European restaurants more exposed to availability issues than their US or Chinese counterparts. “Going forward, the challenge for foodservice is deciding when to take on price increases and when to hold, absorbing prices in the form of reduced margins in the hope of maintaining revenue growth and gaining/ retaining market share,” she adds. “With all this in mind, we expect low-ticket operators such as quick-service restaurants to be the most resilient. Their business models are geared towards efficiency, and their lower prices help them benefit from consumers trading down.” Then there’s the simple fact that lower household disposable income will mean people eat out less. In the UK, Rabobank says, households with the lowest 30% of income would need to reduce their discretionary consumption by around 40% to compensate for the higher food and energy costs.

Summer 2022

1570375.indd 13

19/05/2022 12:44:02

Ukraine

IN GROWERS’ WORDS Promar conducted a survey of growers in February and March to hear their thoughts on the current state of the sector. Here is a selection of what they said: “There is no doubt that some in our sector will be forced out of business if this goes on too much longer. Of course, if some did, it might actually benefit us in a strange sort of way, but it’s not what we want to see. The sector would lose critical mass, we would probably become more dependent on imports than we even are now, and next time... well, it could be us. No one is immune, no matter how well established you are and how good your customer relationships are.”

Diesel prices are

coming through.” Mr Truscott explains that the labour supply was very tight last summer, and although it has eased slightly since, he is braced for another difficult summer. “Cost pressures on labour are as high as we have seen, although this feels like a result of Brexit and Covid more than Ukraine.” As if that isn’t enough, the potato sector is also having to deal with an added problem related to sunflower oil. According to Andriy Yarmak, who worked until recently as fresh produce lead at the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Ukraine and Russia together account for around 65-70% of all global sunflower oil exports, but many plants in eastern and southern Ukraine have been damaged during the conflict. “So potato and other food processors will have to deal with lower-quality mixes of oil,” Mr Yarmak says. Mr Abbey says the situation is leading to concerns about the capacity to process potatoes, adding that suppliers who are particularly concerned about the issue can access more detailed support from NFU CallFirst. The NFU has also produced a guidance note about ‘force majeure’ clauses in contracts, which deal with factors outside of the parties’ control and could apply to the sunflower oil situation. The members’ briefing can be found on the NFU’s website, and it discusses the impact of force majeure,

UP 75%

“We know we are one of the best in the UK. If we are thinking about cutting back production – and make no mistake we are – then goodness knows what some of the less able are going through at the moment.” “I think everyone in the supply chain has to accept that the era of cheap produce is over.” “Why would you just carry on producing for nil return? It just doesn’t make sense any more.” “We will look at every field, every crop, every variety, every pack size we produce. If it doesn’t make any money for us, we just won’t grow it.”

what happens when it is invoked and what to do when it does not apply. The key point is to check contracts closely to see what is and is not covered, and to speak directly to customers to explain the difficulties and, if necessary, try to negotiate an alternative agreement before seeking legal avenues. The UK will be hoping to avoid a situation like in Belgium, where the country’s famed chip industry – it is the world’s largest exporter of frozen fries – reports being in dire straits as it struggles to replace the 45% of its sunflower oil that it imports from Ukraine. As with seemingly everything else right now, the only predictable outcome is likely to be a further increase in prices.

A NUMBERS GAME Between February and March, Promar International conducted a series of interviews with 18 leading horticultural businesses across the country, producing a report which laid bare the stark reality of cost increases. It found that energy costs were up over 80%, fertiliser 75%, diesel RIGHT: Fertiliser bags on pallets ready for despatch

Summer 2022

1570375.indd 14

19/05/2022 11:13:39

Ukraine 50% and packaging 25%, alongside double-digit rises in transport, chemicals, seeds, raw materials and labour. And that’s even before you factor in the full extent of the impact of the war in Ukraine, which has pushed a number of costs even higher. The study found that cost inflation was up as much as 24% in onion production, 19% in mushrooms, 18% in lettuce, 17% in tomatoes, 14% in carrots, 13% in broccoli and 11% in apples. “The huge concern of growers is that with the ongoing pressure being felt and without an increase in prices returned to the farm gate, this will eventually, in a worst-case scenario, see producers unable or unwilling to keep on growing,” wrote report author John Giles. This is, by all accounts, already happening. Some producers are reducing cropping, while others are focusing on those crops where they can still receive an acceptable margin. Further rationalisation of the horticulture sector seems inevitable – a highly unwelcome outcome at a time when the country is supposed to be focusing on becoming more selfsufficient post-Brexit. An end to the current crisis is not in sight, as Mr Giles acknowledges in his

report: “There is no doubt that horticulture, like other areas in the agri-farming sector and not just in the UK, is going through an incredibly tough period. How long it lasts, we do not know for sure, but it is not unreasonable to believe that this could go on for another 12 months or more. “Do we think that UK horticultural production is about to totally collapse? No. But do we think that supply might well be significantly constrained and compromised in the future if the current situation does not change? Yes, and it has probably already started to do so.”

THE INTERNATIONAL PICTURE

As much as the Ukraine war is directly impacting the UK market, it is also creating issues at an international level which affects UK exporters into European markets. Russia is one of the largest importers of fresh produce globally, which is creating a problem in terms of oversupply on European markets. A major purchaser of apples, citrus fruit, bananas and some greenhouse vegetables, a combination of government-led embargoes and individual companies not wanting to take reputational risk by trading with Russia is leading to global suppliers diverting

crops onto European markets. At a time when margins are already so tight, nobody wants to see an oversupply pushing prices down right now. The bigger picture, as Mr Yarmak points out, is that Ukraine and Russia are together believed to account for as much as 25% of food calories exported globally, in particular through grains, vegetable oils and fats, feeds and oilmeals that are essential for livestock production. “Based on my 30 years of experience in global agricultural market analysis, this war will double the number of people in danger of global hunger,” he warns. “We are talking about hundreds of millions of people who face malnutrition, serious health problems and risk of dying from hunger.” Global stocks are being depleted and Ukraine won’t return to the global market until six months after the end of the war, he adds. It all makes for an uncertain, and unhappy picture. It might not have been a situation of their doing, but attention turns to retailers to increase returns that justify growers’ continued investment in production. If that doesn’t happen, with input costs looking unlikely to fall any time soon, a contraction of the UK fruit and vegetable production sector looks inevitable. 2

Fertiliser prices are

UP 80%

Summer 2022

1570375.indd 15

19/05/2022 11:13:56

Get the right price

How to train your buyer

Asking for a better price from supermarkets is one of the most stressful tasks facing any supplier. Fortunately, help is at hand

By Michael Barker t a time when margins are under pressure like never before, getting adequate returns from supermarket customers can be the difference between survival or business failure. That’s why the NFU has set up a series of cost price increase workshops aimed at arming suppliers with the skills needed to secure returns that more accurately reflect the soaring costs of production. Run by former supermarket senior buyers turned management consultants, Ged Futter and David Miles of The Retail Mind, the workshops offer a unique and interactive approach to helping suppliers achieve the prices they need, in a constructive and robust way.

75 YEARS OF KNOW-HOW

Mr Futter is a former senior buying manager at Asda and director at groceries code training business GSCOP Ltd, where he also worked with ex-Asda commercial director Mr Miles. Between them they have clocked up more than 75 years in grocery retailing, having sat on both sides of the negotiating table. During the day, the pair start by ensuring suppliers are prepared ahead of approaching their customer, which 16

means having all the correct information to hand. Then, delegates get the opportunity to role-play the process of having the discussion with their buyer, complete with experiencing the typical push-backs employed by retailers. These are even tailored to individual supermarkets’ established tactics, which vary from proposing to send in the value-chain team to evaluate the supplier’s business, to ignoring the request altogether, or even threatening legal action. Keeping calm and learning how to reframe the discussion towards the key objective is central, and delegates are taught to develop soft language skills and body language awareness to give themselves the best chance of success. Finally, delegates are put into pressurised situations so they

understand what it feels like and how to react when a deal needs to be done and is not materialising. “Ged and David are using their expertise to help suppliers navigate buyers’ tricks of the trade,” explains NFU horticulture adviser Christine McDowell. “The whole day is based on the premise that this isn’t a negotiation – if you say you need a 7% uplift in cost price, then it’s 7%, not 6.5%. The guys understand how frustrating and difficult it can be and they’re laying out the process of what you need to do. It’s so simple but it just works.” Feedback on the events from suppliers has so far been outstanding. One rated it as “the best £300 I ever spent”, while another described it as “absolutely five star”. A third reported a few weeks later: “I asked my buyer for an increase and the reaction was exactly how David and Ged said it would be. They had a tantrum, but ultimately they gave me what I needed.” 2

HOW TO BOOK The workshops, which are kept to deliberately small numbers, are available to NFU members at a 40% discount of £300 + VAT per person. Upcoming events run on 9 June in York, and 4 October and 6 December in Stoneleigh. Find out more on NFUonline or ring NFU Callfirst on 0370 845 8458.

Summer 2022

1570336.indd 16

19/05/2022 11:13:58

FUTURE PROOF COOLING SOLUTIONS THE COMPLETE HANDLING SOLUTION

Designed with you in mind

Excellence in Electrotechnical & Engineering Services

> Gentle Handling > Advanced Design > Intelligent Control

Expertise where it counts is critical in providing the right cooling system to ensure produce is kept in tip top condition during storage.

INNOVATIVE DESIGN FROM FARM TO PACK

Specialists in controlled atmosphere stores Rapid chilling systems soft fruit and fresh produce Secondary cooling systems with minimal defrosting Energy saving solutions, gas leak detection systems Electrical engineers and contracting Mains power solutions for distribution and installations Service and Maintenance, breakdown cover Refrigeration Service and Maintenance, breakdown cover

Dave Reynolds Director IN-FIELD & ON-FARM

UNRIVALLED CLEANING & GRADING

Electrical advise on mains and distribution, power network installation

For all service

07418 005959

07872 557934

Rob Burbridge Director

WASHING & POLISHING

Electrical installations and testing

ADVANCED BOX HANDLING

Sean Macoy Service Director and maintenance

P.Kennett Paul KennettF.Inst.R M.Inst.R Refrigeration systems For sound advice, full design quotations

“Ec olo TURNKEY PROCESSING SOLUTIONS

fri l” Re geratio oo n ic

ms ste Sy

07858 195633

07903 462933

Heather Borland Admin administration/ accounts

OPTICAL SORTING

01622 861989

www.tongengineering.com e: sales@tongengineering.com t: +44 (0)1790 752771

TEL: 01622 861989 www.orchardcooling.co.uk info@orchardcooling.co.uk

Rumwood Green Farm, Sutton Road, Langley, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3ND

Summer 2022

1569720.indd 17

19/05/2022 11:14:01

Labour

Breathe deeply and count to £10.10 Why the rate for the Seasonal Worker Scheme could be a cost too far

By Hayley Campbell-Gibbons he Home Office has confirmed new wage requirements for seasonal workers recruited under the Seasonal Worker Scheme, in response to NFU calls for urgent clarity. The guidance said that from 6 April, visas would only be granted to workers through the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) where they will earn at least £10.10 for each hour worked, equivalent to a minimum salary of £26,500/year. Prior to issuing the clarification, growers were left in turmoil after previously-issued guidance had indicated wages could rise in excess of £12.31 an hour. This would have been a 38% wage increase on the

National Living Wage. NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw says: “There was significant confusion and frustration from growers about the wage requirements for workers recruited under the Seasonal Worker Scheme and urgent clarity was needed from government. “While the guidance has, rightly, been amended, these requirements still represent an unexpected 6.5% increase above the new National Living Wage.” The news left growers, already straining under the rapid and escalating inflationary cost pressures, just three weeks to factor in a huge hike in wage bills for seasonal staff recruited via the scheme. NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair Martin Emmett says: “Growers were only notified of these changes weeks before they came

into force and businesses across the country will be working hard to understand how these additional costs can be managed. “With growers now heading into their busiest months of the year, we will continue to monitor the labour market. We’ll assess the fallout from the Ukraine war on the labour market, particularly as Ukrainians accounted for 60% of workers recruited under the Seasonal Worker Scheme last year. We have been reassured by labour

“WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN PRICES TO THE FARM GATE, THIS WILL EVENTUALLY, IN A WORST-CASE SCENARIO, SEE PRODUCERS UNABLE, OR UNWILLING, TO CARRY ON GROWING” Promar on the costs crisis in horticulture

Summer 2022

1573230.indd 18

19/05/2022 11:14:10

Labour providers that they will be able to recruit and fill all 40,000 visas available under the scheme.” Last December, when the government extended its pilot Seasonal Worker Scheme to make up to 40,000 six-month visas available for horticulture growers, it warned that the sector would need to improve pay and conditions as part of post-Brexit plans to reduce the reliance on migrant workers. Swiftly after the Home Office issued the confirmed new rates, the NFU wrote to all major UK retailers to set out members’ concerns and to highlight the impacts this new wage policy will have. The letter says that growers may feel they have no choice but to speak to their customers about how these costs will be absorbed across the supply chain.

‘CONDEMNED’ ALL ROUND

In a new report by Promar, commissioned by the NFU, the lack of clarity and lateness of confirmation of the new SWS rules was described as “universally condemned”. Promar found the average labour costs for businesses in the study was 35% of total production costs. The changes in the rates paid to employees, especially those working under the SWS, are of critical importance to overall input costs. As the report puts it: “With the ongoing pressure being felt and without an increase in prices to the farm gate,

A BIG SHOCK David Simmonds is managing director of Cornwall-based, Riviera Produce, one of the largest growers of brassicas and other vegetables, supplying major supermarkets across the UK. He says tht the increase came as a jolt that could jeopardise the survival of some businesses. “The announcement of the £10.10 minimum wage rate came as a big shock to us,” he says. “This additional 6.8% increase, on top of the 6.6% increase already agreed to the National Minimum Wage, and the 1.25% increase in NI contributions, amounts to 15% increase in wage costs year on year. “Getting our customers to pay this increase at such short notice has been very challenging, especially when we are experiencing such huge levels of inflation in all areas of the business, from fuel to fertiliser, and electricity to packaging. This is the year when we need the support of our customers more than ever before if the UK horticultural industry is to survive; let’s hope they realise how serious it is before it is too late.”

this will eventually, in a worst-case scenario, see producers unable, or unwilling, to carry on growing.” According to British Summer Fruits (BSF), for soft fruit production – principally strawberries and raspberries – labour is the most significant cost, representing up to 60% of all expenditure. BSF say that an increase in the hourly rate to £10.10 could increase costs of production by £523 per tonne for strawberries and £996 tonne for raspberries. Nick Marston, chairman of BSF, said growers were “hugely exposed” to the Home Office’s decision, and that growers would not be able to absorb these increases. He said: “Our members employ about 30,000 of the 70,000 seasonal workers within horticulture, and with such a huge proportion of costs being labour, it cannot be supported out of any efficiency gain or on-farm net profitability.” The West Sussex Growers Association (WGSA) is equally

concerned that on the back of a testing 2021 season, additional labour and cost pressures this year could prove too much strain for many businesses. It is calling for 70,000 seasonal workers and a reduction in the minimum salary for workers to £20,000. WSGA’s John Hall says: “Access to labour remains the number one priority. “It’s essential that the government returns to a position where, with minimal rules and regulations, UK agricultural and horticultural businesses can employ non-UK citizens to fill seasonal and nonseasonal positions. “Since the advent of Brexit, leading to restrictions with access to workers from the EU, problems with labour shortages have become much worse. WSGA surveys carried out regularly throughout last summer show an average weekly shortfall of between 10% to 12.5% of the required workforce. We continue to press government to increase SWS numbers to 70,000; so far without success.” 2 Summer 2022

1573230.indd 19

19/05/2022 12:48:17

THINKING AHEAD

Quality, Performance, Efficiency

ITA/ITAS Oil Fired Heaters with Flue Connections

Specialists in... • Box Storage • Bulk Storage • Ventilation • Refrigeration • Louvres & Hatches • Bespoke Panels • Heaters • Condenser Drying • Above Floor Lateral Ventilation • Glycol Systems • Track and Trace • Grading Equipment

T/TA/TAS Direct Oil Fired Heaters

GA Models Direct Propane Gas Fired PSO Indirect oil & gas fired cabinet heaters

PRO HEAT indirect fired oil heaters with integral tank option.

Contact the sales team on:

01476 591592

or info@farmelec.co.uk www.farmelectronics.co.uk DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED IN THE UK

Buckingham Close, Bermuda Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7JT. T. 02476 357960 F. 02476 357969 E. sales@thermobile.co.uk

Kings Seeds are an Independent British owned company. We are able to offer you the very best varieties available on the market as we have no allegiance to any particular breeder. Our Qualified Technician tests all our seeds for purity, vigour and germination before being despatched to you. If you are unable to find a particular variety you want, just let us know and we will try to find it for you.

Request a copy of our fully comprehensive catalogue for the commercial grower.

www.thermobile.co.uk

Wholesale seed merc hants

for over 130 years

2022

The fully comprehensiv for the commercial egrocatalogue wer

www.kingsseedsdire

ct.com

Get 10% Off Seeds – Use discount code: KSNFU10 Offer valid until 30th August 2022

01376 570000 www.kingsseedsdirect.com

Summer 2022

1569726.indd 20

19/05/2022 11:14:15

Trade update

A win, a change of plan and a big ambition Horticulture rounds up the latest trade

developments at the border and beyond

By Tom Sales rade in agricultural products, including superb British horticultural goods, is very much on the agenda for several teams across the NFU and has been squarely in the spotlight in recent weeks.

THE WIN

First came a significant win for the NFU’s horticulture experts when the government announced it would go with an NFU-tabled option on changes to the border inspection regime for young plants, which meant British growers would save significant sums. Plants from the EU intended for retail ‘final users’ had been subject to border inspection rules that meant fees of around £20, compared to around £200 for plants intended for growing on at British nurseries. That led to concerns that the regime gave EU-finished plants an in-built, and significant, cost advantage. But following work by the NFU

horticulture team and members, Defra agreed to add a proposal to a consultation for a flat rate £27 inspection fee for all imports of young plants, which was later confirmed. “This is a significant victory, which will save growers thousands of pounds,” said NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett. “While it’s only temporary, until the cost of the post-Brexit plant import process can be fully assessed, I know

growers will be pleased with this announcement, particularly against the backdrop of increased costs.” He said the NFU continued to work on other border issues, among them wider inspection issues and handling charges at ports.

THE CHANGE OF PLAN

Those hit the headlines in late April when the government announced that, while the hard-won change to the

KEY POINTS THE WIN:

Work by the NFU leads to a flat-rate fee for border plant health inspections, making it fairer for British businesses importing plant material for growing on.

THE CHANGE OF PLANS:

Defra shelves a wider programme of checks on imports of food and agricultural products from the EU.

THE AMBITION:

The NFU launches an export strategy, including an aim of increasing agri-food exports by 30%, to top £30 billion by 2030.

Summer 2022

1570128.indd 21

19/05/2022 12:53:10

Trade update She called for “cast-iron guarantees” that the technology would be introduced as soon as possible and that it would underpin a robust regime. Meanwhile, the UK Major Ports Group said ports had invested more than £100 million to meet requirements for the July deadline. What does it mean for hort? However, in horticulture, where growers had specific concerns about how the controls would be enforced, there was a slightly different take. Mr Emmett said the latest delay should lead to a fresh approach tailored to the needs of “For the checks different sectors, one that NFU President Minette Batters and officeholders Tom protects the nation’s to have been delayed Bradshaw and David Exwood are joined by ministers biosecurity and three times was bad Victoria Prentis and Penny Mordaunt, and NFU addresses wider risks to enough, but to now have Cymru President Aled Jones as the NFU launches its the competitiveness of them essentially scrapped new exports strategy British farmers and in favour of an unknown growers. system is unacceptable” “For the horticulture timetable of at frequency of inspections and the flat Minette Batters sector, the news that the least by the end rate for young plant material imports NFU President additional controls will not of 2023. would be introduced in July, wider, come into force in July means Overall, long-anticipated physical checks on growers’ concerns over the use of across the farm imports of food and agricultural Border Control Points have been sectors, the NFU branded the products from the EU would not. deferred for the time being,” he said. decision “unacceptable” and a The full border controls were pushed “At the same time, it remains critical “significant blow”. back in 2020 and twice in 2021. that government gives cast-iron “For the checks to have been delayed They were finally due to come into guarantees that it will properly resource three times was bad enough, but to effect in July, but the Minister for the development and implementation of now have them essentially scrapped in Brexit Opportunities and Government a new system that works for all sectors favour of an unknown system is Efficiency, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said that as soon as possible. unacceptable,” said NFU President rising inflation and the risk of “Biosecurity is top of the mind for Minette Batters. disruption at ports meant that this every grower when they’re importing “It is a question of fairness. Our would not now happen. young plants or plant material to grow producers must meet stringent During more than 29 months of on here in the UK. It’s crucial that the controls to export products, while our delays to the checks on agri-imports coming from the EU, UK producers EU competitors are enjoying an regime we have at our border is exporting in the opposite direction extended grace fit-for-purpose and robust.” have faced comprehensive ‘sanitary period that gives and phytosanitary’ (SPS) controls. Mr them access to What was the problem? Rees-Mogg said a levelling of the the prized UK The NFU horticulture view is that the playing field would be delayed until a market relatively most effective way of protecting our ‘digital solution’ was found, with a burden free.” biosecurity is appropriately targeted plant health inspections of young plant material arriving on lorries or “IT REMAINS CRITICAL THAT GOVERNMENT GIVES containers at the point of CAST-IRON GUARANTEES THAT destination, with a fully offloaded consignment. IT WILL PROPERLY RESOURCE A NEW SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR “Attempting to do this at an intermediate facility, like a ALL SECTORS” Border Control Post (BCP), Martin Emmett could result in extra costs, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair 22

Summer 2022

1570128.indd 22

19/05/2022 11:14:46

Trade update

THE NFU STRATEGY

“THIS IS BOTH AN EXPORT REPORT AND AN EXPERT REPORT. I THINK THE NFU’S TEN-POINT PLAN IS BANG ON.” Victoria Prentis Farming Minister

additional red-tape, time delays and risk of crop damage, Mr Emmett added. “It’s also our view that it wouldn’t be as thorough an inspection as it would be at point of destination, therefore posing a biosecurity risk. “It is essential that the government now uses the months ahead to develop an effective biosecurity strategy that is suited to each sector’s needs and keeps our crops, landscapes and animals as healthy as possible, while not putting our farmers and growers at a competitive disadvantage. “Our understanding is this is only a postponement and this shift to BCPs is still on the cards for 2023.”

THE AMBITION

Away from the border, the NFU focused on long-term agri-trade ambitions. It set down a significant marker with the launch of a strategy to boost UK food, drink and agricultural exports by more than 30% to 2030, taking their total value past £30 billion. A detailed plan to achieve the ‘30,30,30+’ aspiration was unveiled at a London launch attended by Minister for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis, and scores of MPs, Peers, embassy staff and expert stakeholders. NFU member businesses, whose high-quality produce has already made inroads into markets around the world, were on-hand to share their stories and

The NFU says that to crack the £30bn by 2030 target, farmers, growers and government should work together to: • Understand our offer – map out UK food and drink’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. • Identify the best opportunities – target key markets based on our strengths. Identify the winning strategies adopted by other countries. • Unlock markets – remove access barriers and appoint a government agri-food exports minister. • Invest in expertise – secure government matchfunding of levy contributions for AHDB market promotion, currently £6.6m. Ensure the new UK agricultural attachès have the right resources. • Support public/private R&D – for example studies to extend shelf life, to reduce transport costs or to meet the needs of overseas buyers. • Ensure our infrastructure matches our export ambitions and that we have the plant health capacity, the transport links, broadband and world-class ports and airports to keep pace with the best in the world. • Invest in domestic awareness and skills initiatives like the ‘Open Doors’ campaign, and in mentoring schemes to champion export success. • Work with the banks to review the UK Export Finance Service and give UK food and drink exporters access to appropriate backing. • Create a one-stop-shop for exporting UK food businesses, bringing together information, stakeholders, advice and opportunities from around the world. • Boost marketing and promotion – review current activities for agri-food exports, particularly under the GREAT campaign. Enhance UK agriculture’s presence at trade shows, ‘meet the buyer/ meet the grower’ events and online marketplaces. • Convene the recently-announced Food and Drink Export Council as a matter of urgency. Read it at NFUonline.com/campaigning/nfu-reports to offer first-hand insights into what is needed to spur further gains. Mrs Batters told attendees: “The premium quality of iconic British food is recognised around the world. “As we enter a new world where the UK aims to be a major player in global trade, and our farmers will be facing much more competition from imports,

now is the time to drive our agri-food exports. “British farmers are ambitious. We want to work with the government to see tangible progress. The plan we have put together can help to achieve this, but it needs commitment and resourcing from government to enable this growth.” Summer 2022

1570128.indd 23

19/05/2022 11:14:59

Trade update

HORT THOUGHTS WHAT’S NEEDED TO BOOST EXPORTS?

Based in Kent, Adrian Scripps Ltd is a premier grower and packer of English fruit, including apples, pears and grapes. MD James Simpson says: “We export apples, supplying 18kg cardboard cartons for fresh consumption directly to multiple retailers and wholesale markets located across the Middle East, resulting in a total value for the whole region annually of more than £750,000. “The business would prefer to supply product directly to UK retailers and the domestic market, but it is very difficult to generate sales for the size profile of apples we export. In total, exporting generates approximately 5% of our turnover. “We’ve identified opportunities for export growth in the Far East and within regions where there is an understanding of the value of UK produce and a subsequent support for quality. Notably, opportunities are redeemable where there is a loyalty to the Union Jack and British provenance and we are using this connection through our brand marketing and delivery cartons for exports, which depict the British flag and London skyline.” Mr Simpson says that difficulties included currency fluctuations, shipping costs and technical barriers. Phytosanitary restrictions, current and historical, are preventing access to potential markets, he adds. Unlike other European nations, which have had opportunity and agreements in place for many years, the UK is yet to agree the important protocols, terms and conditions to overcome these in key parts of the world. He is calling for assistance in opening new markets and negotiating technical barriers which limit market access.

TRADE TO BLOOM?

Meanwhile, Varfell Farms in Cornwall is a world-leading daffodil producer, harvesting 200 commercial varieties with more than 2,000 in its portfolio. An undeniably British flower, 95% of the world’s daffs are grown in UK, with 80% of them in Cornwall. At the exports report launch, farms director Simon Gardner says: “At the moment about 20% of our product goes into Europe, and that’s into Germany, but there is a huge opportunity to expand that out and go further – and most of that is around labour availability. “We have 1,000 pickers on farm at peak to pick our crop and over 500 million stems that all need to be picked by hand. It’s labourintensive but you get huge value and volume to a lorry. “About 25% of our labour is EU settled status or pre-settled status, but we are only seeing about 30% of that return year on year. They are looking elsewhere. Being included in the Seasonal Workers Scheme in January this year has made our business, if we didn’t get that the outlook was bleak. “Still, if you look at the size of France, Germany, Scandinavia, there’s a huge opportunity. It’s an easy product to export because we can get value in quantity onto lorries, and we can hold it in a fridge to match availability and consumer demand. There are border requirements which have added complexity, but it’s not the be all and end all. “We are optimistic – as long as we can get secure labour.”

TOP 10 UK hort exports by value

HOPS £19.3 MILLION APPLES £16 MILLION LETTUCE £14.5 MILLION BERRIES, RED AND BLACKCURRANTS, AND SLOES £11 MILLION CUT FLOWERS £10.6 MILLION CARROTS AND TURNIPS £10.4 MILLION CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI £9.3 MILLION CUTTINGS, SLIPS AND OTHER YOUNG PLANTS £8.07 MILLION STRAWBERRY AND VEG PLANTS £6.9 MILLION MUSHROOMS £6.6 MILLION

Summer 2022

1570128.indd 24

19/05/2022 11:15:10

Natural. ve. Effectiv Powerful l. 100% Spearmint Oil sprout inhibitor for use on ware potatoes in store.

Peter Hall peter@junopp.com 07973 172 722

Nick Tapp nick@junopp.com 07775 785 748

MAPP 16021 www.junopp.com Summer 2022

1569736.indd 25

19/05/2022 11:15:11

Specialist

Glasshouses dismantled, erected and refurbished Builders of bespoke structures Venlo specialists

Horticultural

Agents

Registered RICS Valuation Surveyors We specialise in Class M and Class Q conversions

Based in the West Midlands

Thinking of selling a horticultural property? Contact Tony Rowland MRICS 01386 765700 trowland@sheldonbosleyknight.co.uk www.sheldonbosleyknight.co.uk

Reroofing in polycarbonate, composite panels and glass ∆ Regular maintenance services ∆ Glasshouse and gutter cleaning/repairs ∆ Gutter and door replacement ∆

All aspects of glasshouse work undertaken Please email/call for a quote Tel: 01724 734374 Email: info@newcenturyglass.co.uk www.newcenturyglasshouses.com

The UK's leading specialist tractor and p machinery dealership for over 45 years.

Dedicated to helping British fruit farmers, hop growers, packhouse managers, vineyard owners and winemakers with all their tractor, machinery and equipment needs.

Avon Works, TN17 2PT, 01580 712200 sales@npseymour.co.uk www.npseymour.co.uk

Summer 2022

1569738.indd 26

19/05/2022 11:15:14

Post AHDB

Beyond the levy Statutory levies in the horticulture and potatoes sectors have ended, so is it time for something new?

By Hayley Campbell-Gibbons

ollowing its industry consultation in November last year, Defra and the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland announced the end of the statutory levy for the horticulture and potatoes sectors in Great Britain from April 2022. Whilst the potato and horticulture levies will be lifted, the sectors will remain in scope of the legislation in Great Britain to ensure that legacy research and crop protection services can continue through to April 2023, and so that businesses can continue to work with the AHDB, if they wish to, on a voluntary levy or commercial basis. Responses to the consultation will also lead to reforms of the remaining parts of AHDB, including enhanced accountability and value for money and a new regular vote for levy payers, which is currently under way. Unlike the ballots in horticulture and potatoes, these votes will see farmers influence how their levy money is spent, rather than determine if it should be collected, and will help the organisation to deliver on sector priorities. In a joint statement, UK and devolved government ministers said of the horticulture consultation: “The consultation revealed that

growers from some horticulture subsectors – including soft fruit, tree fruit and mushrooms – would welcome an industry-led levy to continue to fund important research and development and crop protection activities. “The UK Government and devolved governments will engage in discussions with

“The consultation revealed that growers from some horticulture subsectors – including soft fruit, tree fruit and mushrooms – would welcome an industry-led levy to continue to fund important research and development and crop protection activities” industry groups and trade bodies to explore the potential for these industry-led funding options in future. “Feedback from the consultation also indicated that the horticulture sector in Great Britain wishes to continue to pay for services to help businesses obtain authorisations for the use of pesticides. Therefore, the AHDB will use funding from reserves to deliver these services until April 2023. “A longer-term approach will be agreed with industry-led groups and trade bodies in due course.”

THE NFU VIEW NFU chief horticulture and potatoes adviser Lee Abbey said: “It was right for Defra to respect the result of both ballots and to make the necessary amendments in legislation. However, the lateness of the response has given the industry very little time to react and prepare itself for whatever might come next. “Removing the levy mechanism altogether means there is no quick and easy way to implement any new form of levy for those sub-sectors of the horticulture sector, in particular, that may wish to create one. “Looking ahead, it is imperative that growers, and the industry, have clarity on the future management and funding of emergency applications for crop protection products beyond April 2023. “Defra recognised its importance in the consultation response, but now we need to put in place the solution so that this vital industry service isn’t lost.”

Summer 2022

1573026.indd 27

19/05/2022 13:04:12

Post AHDB

GROWERS LOOK TO VOLUNTARY MODEL

ne industry group already on the front foot in drawing up proposals for a future funding model is GB Potatoes. Formed by a coalition of nine influential potato growers and industry individuals, the body aims to create a voluntary subscription model for safeguarding the future of the sector through added-value industry services, including reputational management, coordination of research funding and the provision of a platform to enable collaboration between businesses in the supply chain, as per their needs. Spokesperson for the group Tony Bambridge, pictured, said the idea was gaining momentum. “We’ve had a lot of interest from potato growers who recognise the void that the end of AHDB potatoes will leave in some areas, and who want to create something on their own terms, that works for them,” he said. “This is a proposal for the industry to take control of its own destiny by providing its own leadership and making its own decisions. “We don’t have all the answers, and are open to ideas from growers who want to engage with us in a conversation about how we move forward and build a strong, grower-led structure for investing in work that it

“We don't have all the answers, and are open to ideas from growers who want to engage with us in a conversation about how we move forward and build a strong, growerled structure for investing in work that it makes sense to collaborate on” makes sense to collaborate on. “None of this will just happen, of course. It requires a critical mass of businesses to be prepared to get involved. The levy is a thing of the past. Now is the time to get on board with a new way of doing things.” The group is proposing a voluntary subscription of £10/Ha for growers and 10p per tonne for first purchasers. GB Potatoes will represent growers and first purchasers working in partnership, and welcome support from allied trades who can join by paying an associate subscription. Growers interested in finding out more or registering their support can contact GB Potatoes at: info@gb-potatoes.co.uk or through the website at gb-potatoes.co.uk

Summer 2022

1573026.indd 28

19/05/2022 11:15:37

The UK’s No.1 Liming Product

P2O5 - 9kg/t MgO - 8kg/t SO3 - 7kg/t

Scan for quote

.co

No.1 N 1 ffor

w. lim

Clubroot

LimeX is a business of British Sugar

1569744.indd 29

ww w. lim

0800 090 2376

ex .c

Customer service

o. u

Control

Summer 2022

19/05/2022 11:15:45

TRACTORS FOR HIRE

AlgifolTM Biostimulant

30 year success story • High resistance against cold, drought and heat • More profit for farmers without extra work • Protection from stress due to pest attack • Stronger rooting & larger root mass • Rich harvest of excellent quality Follow us @mjpsupplies Tel: 07702 293 727 Email: marcus@mjpsupplies.co.uk www.mjpsupplies.co.uk

New Holland T7.210

DAVISON HIRE CONTACT ADRIAN SHUFFLEBOTHAM OR MARC DUDLEY

MJP are the sole representative selling Algifol in the UK. As well as importing Algifol we offer a wide range of water, diesel and oil tanks for household and industrial use. Personal safety works hand in hand with the sale of tanks so we also provide a range of protective clothing to our clients.

We are now new stockists of the Portek range of ATV sprayers and bird scaring equipment

YEW TREE FARM, A5, CRACKLEY BANK, SHIFNAL, TF11 8QT EMAIL: SALES DAVISON FORKLIFT.CO.UK TEL: 01952 915060 THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS

Drilling for private and commercial water supplies Off grid borehole solutions

PEER-TO-PEER TRADING IS HERE • •

Earn more revenue through peer-to-peer trading than with a PPA Supply power from your renewable generator directly to a business

Contact F&S Energy today to make this happen Email : P2P@fs-energy.co.uk

Phone : 01245 690151

Irrigation for watering the garden Potable water supply design No charge for Desk Top Surveys and Estimates Please contact Stephen Taylor M: 07970 573840 E: stephen.boreholeservice@gmail.com or boreholeservice@gmail.com

www.boreholeserviceutilitiesltd.com

Summer 2022

1569746.indd 30

19/05/2022 11:15:54

Chelsea Flower Show

Back in bloom

After an 18-month absence due to the pandemic, and an exceptional September show in 2021, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons speaks to three growers exhibiting at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show Raymond Evison (RE), founding director of Raymond Evison Clematis. Raymond started off growing clematis plants in Shropshire, and now produces 2-3 million young plants a year, exporting to 20 countries from the main nursery in Guernsey. Since his first Chelsea Flower Show gold in 1967, Raymond has been awarded 31 gold medals. Christopher Blom (CB), of Bloms Bulbs, a family-owned and operated business producing flower bulbs in nurseries in England, Holland and the United States. The business has exhibited at Chelsea since 1948 and been awarded 68 gold medals. Lynne Dibley (LD), of Dibley’s Nursery in Llanelidan, North Wales, a family business of specialist houseplant growers, breeders and propagators. Dibley’s has exhibited at Chelsea for more than 30 years and won 31 gold medals.

Clematis The Countess of Wessex from Raymond Evison

How does it feel to be back at a May Chelsea? RE: September’s show in 2021 was a great opportunity to exhibit our clematis plants and demonstrate that our varieties are repeat flowering, even late in the season. But it’s good to return to a May Chelsea Flower Show. CB: It’s wonderful being back at Chelsea after a two-year break. I’m looking forward to seeing the familiar faces of our customers. LD: Chelsea is the most important flower show in the world, and a good place to meet and talk to our customers. The autumn Chelsea worked well, but being back to the height of the season is where the show belongs. How has the resurgence of love for all things green during lockdowns impacted your business? RE: One of the good things to come out of the lockdown was that The greenhouses people appreciated the joy of gardening and the success of growing at Dibley's Nursery again. Our company experienced a great increase in business worldwide, with demand for our clematis plants up more than 25% since 2020. CB: For those of us lucky enough to have an outdoor space, the lockdowns were a chance to slow down, rediscover our love of gardening, nature and work/life balance. As a mail order retail business, we were mostly able to continue operating. LD: Lockdown generated a big interest in houseplants from existing customers and also opened us up to a completely new customer base. Tell us about your display this year? RE: Our exhibit will cover 144m² and comprises more than 2,000 mature clematis plants in over 40 varieties. Visitors will be able to see clematis plants growing in containers and in mass plantings, which should interest them in growing clematis in more locations in their gardens. CB: We have changed the layout of our display this year to allow our customers to get closer to our tulips, and to show off our varieties in more distinct groups. We will be bringing 20,000 cut blooms in over 150 varieties. LD: We’ll be showing a colourful display of Streptocarpus, foliage Begonias and other houseplants, including some exciting new introductions for the show! What message would you like to convey to this year’s visitors? RE: Seeing the breeding and development work in clematis plants will help them gain greater satisfaction from growing clematis at home... and to buy our branded plants! CB: To see our stand and think: “Wow, I never knew you could have so many types and colours of tulips.” If we can successfully convey that, our job is done. LD: That they need more houseplants. Everyone should have houseplants, it’s just a case of finding the right plant for the right position. What one thing would help strengthen the UK ornamental industry? RE: Investment. Our company has invested heavily into breeding and development of new clematis varieties during the past 25 years, and this must continue. CB: More consumer choice. People buy a standard bunch of tulips in supermarkets but don’t realise that there are 50-60 distinct varieties of tulips of different shades and flowering times. LD: A stronger buy British campaign. You get a great quality product at a good price near the end market. What could be better than that? 2 Summer 2022

1573856.indd 31

19/05/2022 12:55:30

Representation

Meet your new board members r new faces on the national Here’s what you need to know about the fou 2-24 NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board for 202

Louise Wright

I’ve been back on the family farm for nearly 10 years now; prior to that I was based in London working with Cancer Research UK. It was inevitable I was going to end up back in Lincolnshire working in agriculture in some way and I’ll be forever grateful that there was space available for me to be involved and to contribute to the family business. Our farm is a small, family-run enterprise on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, growing arable crops and 120 acres of packing potatoes. The potato industry is a fascinating place to be at the moment; ensuring the supply of potatoes in the food chain continues to be stable during the next few years, whilst remaining at an affordable price for the consumer, is essential. However, with rising input prices for fertiliser, plant protection products and fuel, this will be a challenge. This presents an opportunity for the wider agricultural community to promote the importance of the work it does in providing food for the country, which, when combined with effective marketing to consumers, should lead to fairer prices for growers as more people in the UK focus on produce grown in this country. Growers continue to take on huge risk in growing high-quality British food each year in order to supply supermarkets and consumers with fresh produce. In my role on the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board I hope to influence policy to ensure that farmers receive a fair return for the risk and financial outlay in the current global instability.

Stephen Shields

I am the technical director at Huntapac Produce, and have worked in the fresh produce industry for 16 years. Huntapac Produce Ltd is a fourth-generation, familyowned business established in 1942 in Lancashire. We now employ roughly 500 staff and grow 1,800 acres of root crops a year, 1,450 acres of that is carrots and 350 acres of parsnips. Our crops are grown in all areas of the country ranging from Scotland to Suffolk. This allows us to bring in our early produce at the start of the season from the warm south and then work our way up north throughout the year to Inverness, where the produce stores longer after a cold winter. We also grow in the east and west of the country to allow more flexibility in versatile weather conditions. Joining the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board is an opportunity to engage with the wider industry and to help shape policy development. The horticulture sector is experiencing a range of challenges from labour shortages to inflation increases and fulfilling the sustainability agenda. To meet these demands, the industry needs to mitigate cost increases, drive efficiencies through research and development into industry innovations, and work closely with its customers. I also represent the field veg sector on the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Board, which has been invaluable in providing insights into emerging issues across the sectors. One area I am passionate about is industry engagement and finding ways to support farmers accessing the support, advice and interaction they need. I'd like to see a platform to improve peer-to-peer learning, industry engagement and effective communication so that we can collectively rise to the challenges we face.

Summer 2022

1579028.indd 32

19/05/2022 13:00:40

Representation

Chris Newenham

I have been joint managing director of Wilkin & Sons, Tiptree for the past six years, prior to which I was farm manager and director for 14 years. I’m also a 2006 Nuffield Farming Scholar. Wilkin is a vertically integrated business best known for its Tiptree jams. The farming operations extend to 120 acres of predominantly protected soft and cane fruit production targeted at the fresh fruit markets, as well as an extensive range of quirkier fruits such as mulberry, medlar, quince, greengage and damson, to name a few. Aside from the staggering inflationary pressures which we are all facing at this current point in time, at Wilkin & Sons our most significant challenges remain securing a viable seasonal workforce and a reduction in use, recycling, harvesting and the storage of water. We farm in the driest part of the driest county, so securing our access to water is absolutely critical for our continuing long-term growth and success. Other priority issues for me are the perpetual battle for a secure and workable seasonal worker scheme, and the need to move on from AHDB and find an effective mechanism for securing EAMU’s and investment in our direction. I also have a particular interest in the whole carbon neutral agenda, coupled with regenerative agriculture. This remains an emerging field with still many more questions than answers. I was honoured to be nominated to the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board in March. It is a unique responsibility, and I will endeavour, during the coming years, to repay the trust placed in me.

Hannah Dockery

I am the commercial director at Haygrove, a Herefordshire-based business that has been innovatively growing berries, cherries and organics for more than 30 years, on around 500ha in four countries. I grew up on a smallholding in the lower Wye Valley. Although not from a farming family, I was surrounded by small-scale hill farming and was packed off on long summer holidays to go bailing. I went on to study geography at university and later in my career was put in touch with Angus Davison, the ‘eccentric chairman’ of Haygrove. I was inspired by the international breadth and network of the Haygrove group of businesses, as well as the intense vertical connection from consumer to producer that short-shelf-life berries require. Most important (and worrying) in the short term is cost inflation on pretty much every aspect of the business. Without significant price rises in the next two to four years, there will likely be industry consolidation. Following this economic sustainability point, our focus has got to be climate and the shift to a post-carbon world. This needs to happen fast. It’s an exciting time to be a part of a fresh business and the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board.

YOUR FULL NFU HORTICULTURE AND POTATOES BOARD 2022-24 Martin Emmett Chair, ornamentals Derek Wilkinson Vice-chair, salads and vegetables Ali Capper Top fruit and hops Phil Pearson Tomatoes Julian Marks Field-scale vegetables, protected cropping Anthony Snell Berries and blackcurrants Rob James Protected salad vegetables Tim Papworth Potatoes, peas and dwarf beans Ben Kantsler Viticulture Nick Ottewell Whole head and baby leaf salads Ross Goatham Top fruit Mark Eves Cut flowers and bulbs Louise Wright Potatoes Chris Newenham Soft fruit and preserves Hannah Dockery Soft fruit and growing systems Stephen Shields Root vegetables, salads and brassicas Summer 2022

1579028.indd 33

19/05/2022 13:21:34

NO MORE MUD

THE ECO ALTERNATIVE TO CONCRETE THAT YOU CAN INSTALL INSTANTLY, ANYWHERE DRIVEWAYS • YARDS • PATHS • GATEWAYS • PARKING ANIMAL FEED STATIONS • GLAMPING BASES AND MORE

60+ TONNES RATING • 20 YR WARRANTY • TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT • 100% RECYCLED • D.I.Y. INSTALLATION

NO-ROT FENCING RAILS AND POSTS, GATES AND MORE ZERO MAINTENANCE • UNPALATABLE • 100% RECYCLED HUNDREDS OF OPTIONS • 20 YR WARRANTY FOR REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS, FIND US ON FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

WWW.MUDCONTROL.CO.UK SALES@MUDCONTROL.CO.UK TEL: 01536 669630

Summer 2022

1569754.indd 34

19/05/2022 11:16:39

Potato Forum

State of the sector

Alex Godfrey looks back on his seven-year stint as chair of the NFU Potato Forum

fter seven years as chair of the NFU Potato Forum I have now stepped aside, and the reins have been picked up by the able hands of Tim Rooke, with Alastair Heath taking on the role of vice-chair. An awful lot has happened during the past seven years, and it feels that many of the issues that have come up could be considered ‘normal’ or day-to-day problems. Fairness in the supply chain is always firmly on the agenda, and our Bridging the Gap report highlighted how packers and processors can improve the efficiency and profitability of the whole industry by providing good, timely information on crop quality back to growers. That report was five years ago, and since then we’ve had several highly disruptive events happen in quick succession – Brexit, Covid, and the Ukraine crisis. We might have foreseen some of the issues coming out of Brexit, although I don’t think anyone would have expected seed potatoes to end up becoming a highly politicised, and still unresolved, issue.

COVID AND UKRAINE

Covid, of course, didn’t leave any corner of agriculture unaffected, and although normality has broadly returned, there are potato sectors that are not fully back up to the strength they were pre-Covid. The invasion of Ukraine has caused issues well beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis. Along with further accelerating already escalating costs, concerns have been raised over the availability of fuel and sunflower oil needed to process many of our crops. With wheat prices continuing to increase, it is becoming a more enticing crop and that makes acquiring land to grow potatoes on more difficult than it already is. Aside from these broader global events, there have also been more localised domestic issues running in the background. Threats to the availability of actives have been relentless, and the Forum has been critical to evidencing the need to retain these and to show the impact of their loss.

VIRUS AND LEVIES

Seed virus was a key concern in 2018, and culminated in the formation of the National Virus Form, a group of growers, government, and agronomists, to agree best practice approaches to the issue. We’re not in a place to say that seed virus issues are behind us, particularly with uncertainty over chemical options to tackle aphids, but we are in a much stronger position now to deal with future problems. More recently, the dissolving of AHDB Potatoes following the ballot has left several voids with no immediate answers on how these will be filled. I have been involved in the formation of GB Potatoes, an industry coalition based on a voluntary subscription, that will offer industry services such as reputational management and research co-ordination. This will never be a direct replacement for AHDB, but should address the most pressing voids. If you want to find out more, please see page 27 of this issue or email directly on info@gb-potatoes.co.uk. It would be impossible to include all the work of the past seven years in one column, but it’s clear that the sector has had a huge amount thrown at it. It’s testament to the determination and resilience of growers that the sector is still as strong as it is today. We wouldn’t have been able to work on any of these issues without the fantastic NFU horticulture and potatoes team, or the input of the NFU Potato Forum, so I’d like to thank those who have sat on the Forum for their time, knowledge, and input. I would urge you to get involved with the Forum if you can. Appointments run each spring, but do also keep an eye out for open meetings to attend, where you can get a taste of what the Forum works on. 2 Find out more about the NFU Potato Forum at NFUonline.com/updates-and-information/nfupotato-forum-new-chair-and-vice-chair

Summer 2022

1583376.indd 35

19/05/2022 11:17:09

Meet the grower

Growing for the future Martin Emmett, the new chairman of the Horticulture and Potatoes Board, talks to Lorna Maybery about the business, his hopes for his new role and the challenges facing the sector Words by: Lorna Maybery Photos by: John Cottle What do you grow? I am based at Binsted Nursery, in West Sussex, where we grow herbs and supply about 14% of the garden centre market in the UK. We also grow smaller garden plants, with pot sizes up to three litres, as well as succulents, which is one of our specialities. They have grown in popularity – it’s a drought-resistant product which is a good banker moving forward. How many staff work within the business? We have between 50 and 60 on our Binsted Nursery site. The group overall, which includes the dispatch centre, operates with around 500 people at this time of the year, reducing to 250 as our permanent core at less busy times. Our business model has developed to give us a minimal of dependence on seasonal labour. That still represents a one-for-one ratio – for every

BUSY: Between 50 and 60 staff are based at the Binsted Nursery site permanent post, we have a seasonal post. Our permanent positions depend on those seasonal positions or else we don’t have a business. Has it been difficult to source labour? We have been under very immediate pressure this year for labour and it has impacted on our capacity to get product dispatched, so it’s having a real impact.

ABOVE: Half of the workforce is based in the local community 36

Without doubt, we identified a year ago that labour availability was going to be the key factor on limiting our business growth and development. We do now have other factors to think about, continuity of supplies, price inflation, but there is no doubt that as it stands, with current production, it is our most critical factor. Have you been able to recruit British workers for some of the roles? Of the component that are permanent, we have a surprisingly high proportion of British workers, but we also have people who came to work seasonally and have now settled into the community. At least half of our workforce is permanently based in the local community. A larger proportion than ever before are UK nationals, and we are seeing much higher interest than we used to, but it isn’t sufficient to meet our total requirement and that’s a key message. We still need to employ workers from Eastern Europe.

Summer 2022

1573264.indd 36

19/05/2022 13:15:08

Meet the grower

FACT FILE The grower: Binsted Nursery Location: Barnham, West Sussex Crop: Ornamentals, mostly herbs for garden centres Representing the business: Tristram Plants strategy director Martin Emmett About the nursery Binsted Nursery is one of three businesses owned by Tristram Plants – the other two are Walberton and Fleurie nurseries. The three businesses, along with the separately-owned Toddington Nursery form a cooperative called Farplants. Established in 1972, it originally had 14 members, but is now down to four. Martin Emmett says: “The three nurseries have a common identity and I am part of the board of directors for the three distinct businesses, that each have their own management structures. The nurseries’ primary production sites are in this hub of land in West Sussex covering about 100 acres or so – with about 60 acres production area – with a yearly turnover of £25 million. “It’s close to 50/50 protected and outdoor growing areas. We are growing primarily plants for garden centres all over the UK and as we are in the south of England and already have a climate advantage, it’s important that we produce plants hardy enough to go up to the north of Scotland.”

Summer 2022

1573264.indd 37

19/05/2022 13:15:55

CHESTERTON SURFACING

OVER 45 YEARS EXPERIENCE TA R M AC A DA M & S U R FAC I N G S P E C I A L I S T S

● TARMAC SURFACING ● GROUNDWORKS

SURFACE DRESSING (HOT TAR & CHIPPING) ● RESURFACING ● HOT TAR SPRAY ● CHIPPING ● CAR PARKS ● DRIVEWAYS ● BONDED RESIN ●

Jimmy Crickmore – Chesterton Surfacing

I have been involved with the management of this Estate for over 15years and during that time Mr. Crickmore has been employed by us to resurface the Estate roads on a rotational basis. I can confirm he treats us in a responsible and fair manner and that we continue to be satisfied with the standard of his work. Yours faithfully Christopher Orme Agent Mountgarret Estates

Contractors to Local Authorities, National Trust, Strutt and Parker, Carter Jonas and Savills.

Contact Jimmy Crickmore on 07860 823372 or 01904 490776 www.chestertonsurfacing@yahoo.co.uk Unit 2 Greystones Court, Moor Lane, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST

1573264.indd 38

19/05/2022 11:18:23

Meet the grower mechanism and that’s done at a fixed dosage rate into the growing media. Availability issues are not manifesting themselves quite as clearly as they are in other sectors, like field vegetables, but we are expecting some sharp price increases.

ABOVE: The nurseries’ primary production sites are in West Sussex, covering about 100 acres

How have you recruited your British workforce? This is one of the areas where our businesses have tried to be at the leading edge. We have a work programme with our local open prison and are looking into recruiting ex-armed forces personnel. We are committed to offering apprenticeships targeted at school leavers and our existing staff. We are about to engage with Pershore’s

apprenticeship scheme to develop budding horticulturalists and encourage more young people into our industry. I had been on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education group panel, so was involved in apprenticeship development. The apprenticeship pertinent to our nursery operation is the crop technician, level 3, and we are implementing and recruiting for that now.

What about water? On our Binsted Nursery Lake Lane site we have a particularly unique feature as we recirculate our water and we have our own reservoir. Owner Mike Tristram is extremely environmentally conscious and when we developed this particular greenfield site, he wanted to be selfsufficient in terms of water as a business objective. The floor in the greenhouses is on a V-shape profile and underneath is a layer of polythene that drains water into the centre of the bed and then the beds go into a lateral reservoir network – a ditch that ultimately feeds through to our reservoir. Because we started from scratch, we were able to build the reservoir and the neighbouring pond, which acts as an overflow, exactly as we wanted. I am really proud of what we have done here. There is a pumping station to draw water in and out of the reservoir in the volumes we need. The pond acts as a sump for any excess and then there is still a residual flow that goes through the entire site then joins an existing

“Energy is only about 2% of our costs”

What are your energy costs like? We are lucky because the only heat we use is for frost protection and typically energy is only about 2% of our costs. Do you use much fertiliser on site? Like a lot of our sector, we use a slow-release granule as our primary

Summer 2022

1573264.indd 39

06/06/2022 11:46:56

Meet the grower

ABOVE: The despatch centre deals with plants from all three nurseries LEFT: Succulents have grown in popularity we are growing a garden product. “95% of what For one of our most notorious we sell is our pests, vine weevil, own plants” we are entirely dependent on nematodes to control ditch network further down them. It’s best stream. described as an integrated The sump area is maintained as a pest management regime; we have to wetland habitat. We put the islands in make pesticide interventions the middle and cut down the shrubbery sometimes, but there is a high level of to help maintain the reed beds. dependency on biologicals. What other green elements do you What steps are you taking to have in place? become a peat-free business? We’ve got solar panels that provide a We are moving towards what we small amount of energy. Also, we have regard as the current target for a high dependency on biological business of being peat free by 2028. controls. The herbs we grow in terms We think 2028 is the most realistic of crop protection are on an edible target and complies with the original regime – different from the herbs you government target of 2030 for our grow for the supermarket because sector. I helped to set up the Growing there are food hygiene issues there Media Taskforce, which the NFU is that we don’t have to comply with as 40

involved in. At this moment, we are doing trials on peat-free mixes with varied results, which makes us extremely cautious. We are trying everything. One thing that concerns the industry is that if you take a typical growing media for most containerised plants there is a final 30% component where replacing peat is very tricky, and unfortunately, the main go-to component of that 30% is coir, the coconut fibre which has its own issues attached to it. This includes where it comes from, and the extended shipping involved and then to get it to a state where it can be used it has to be washed and that uses a lot of water. It’s also extending the supply chain and limiting our capacity to control what’s going on, on the other side of the world as part of that chain. We need to look at better alternatives, so we are concurrently thinking about going peat free, but also tackling the dependence on coir. The emphasis of the research should be on trying to find the most sustainable growing media, of which phasing out peat is a component. How much automation do you have on site? One of the key steps we made was the use of conveyor technology and this took us from being a small-to-medium to a medium-to-large business. It saves

Summer 2022

1573264.indd 40

19/05/2022 13:16:48

Meet the grower whole group has been Scabious Butterfly Blue. In America it sells by the millions. How have changes in plant heath regulations affected the business? We do want import controls, but not at the border because that is destructive to the health of the “It’s a young plant and inspections are privilege to be going to be less effective. The extra costs and time it takes elected as chair are issues we need to address. and I am excited Can you imagine you get a lorry with seven or eight by the prospect different consignments where of the role” each must be inspected and the whole lorry offloaded? That will take time. The main reason for using these Continental suppliers was that plants could just come straight into the on manpower and we are going to have country; you start adding in a to look at more systems to do that. significant risk of time delay and it’s an We need to accept that the labour extra jeopardy that we must factor in. pool does have finite limits, no matter where it comes from. When you look at How do you feel about your role as unemployment figures locally, the the new chair of the NFU’s workers are just not there, so everyone Horticulture and Potatoes Board? is looking at how to introduce more It’s a privilege to be elected as chair and automation. It’s not going to cost jobs I am excited by the prospect of the role. as such, because these are jobs we are It’s an opportunity, to support the having extreme problems trying to fill. industry in a challenging time. There are aspects of the role I wasn’t Do you grow most of your anticipating that I really do like, own plants? including the relationship with the Yes, 95% of what we sell is our own other sector chairs. It gives you that plants, although about 60% of what we wider perspective. grow is imported as a young plant from My strategy is to try to distribute the Continent. We do our own responsibilities across the board as propagation and that is key as we can much as possible. I want to understand achieve more exclusive material by other crops and problems, but no chair propagating ourselves. is expected to perfectly articulate all We have a large plant breeding section and have a range of plants of them. under the trade name Walberton, The configuration of the board is which started with the founder of strong at the moment, we have the Walberton Nursery, David Tristram, right mix of capabilities. I will be who had a passion as a plant breeder. falling back on them; I’m hoping we Historically, the best seller in the will see the profile of various board SUSTAINABLE: The reservoir was built from scratch when the Lake Lane site was first developed and supplies the nurseries with their water needs

members increase as we address more specialist areas. What would you like the board to focus on in the near future? We need to give the industry the tools to get its baseline carbon calculators in place. This will give us the right systems to make the right business decisions to make that progression to net zero as efficiently as possible. But we mustn’t do this at the cost of UK production. If you are overambitious, particularly in terms of legislation, sometimes the outcome can be that you undermine the efficiency of the UK industry and open a market for people in countries who are not following the same approach as us. As our sector makes that progression to net zero, and is world-leading in the process, we must also protect our UK production base. It’s a big challenge. Linked to that are a lot of resource-use efficiency issues. I have always been involved with water and our capacity to maintain the integrity of our supply and to use it as efficiently as possible. I am also keen on training and doing what we can to develop the skills of our workforce, always recognising there is nothing dishonourable about being a seasonal worker, it’s got a place in the workforce and we want jobs that are as accessible as possible. We also need to encourage the industry to enjoy the benefits of upskilling its workforce. We are scheduled to be incorporated into Environmental Land Management in 2025, with little in place so far to suggest how that is going to work. That’s one of the priorities, to establish a dialogue with government now to set up a working model. As a business we can operate close to or in urban centres. It’s one thing to have a hedgerow out in the countryside, of course its ecologically important, but a species-rich hedgerow right next to an urban community becomes a more immediate asset to the public, I would suggest. It might be a shorter hedgerow next to a more intensive operation, but it’s no less important. We need to make sure these types of natural areas can be incorporated into the scheme. 2 Summer 2022

1573264.indd 41

19/05/2022 13:17:37

WATER ENGINEERS Pipe laying up to 2in Alkathene with trenchless mole plough Pipework laid by trenching machine up to 6in uPVC Borehole pumps – Surface pumps – Dairy plumbing Cattle troughs supplied and fitted – Water meters etc. and general water maintenance

ESTIMATES FREE OF CHARGE

We look forward to hearing from you and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any problems

HAMPSHIRE FARM WATER SERVICES 16 SAXON WAY, ROMSEY, HAMPSHIRE SO51 5PT

Rod Gander, Romsey. Telephone: 01794 516307 Email hampshirewater@btconnect.com

Summer 2022

1569770.indd 42

19/05/2022 11:19:49

Guest Column

John Giles is a divisional director at agri-food consultants Promar International, the authors

of a recent NFU-commissioned report on the inflationary pressures facing UK growers

he UK fresh produce sector has proven to be highly resilient during the past few years and sometimes people ask us why this has been the case. Our normal reply has been that this is a due to number of reasons, but not least the fact that under the CAP horticulture received very little support in the way that other sectors of farming and food production did. This produced a situation where fruit and vegetable producers in the UK learnt to largely stand on their own two feet without the aid of subsidies and that produced an agile and fast-moving sector. The leading retailers place such emphasis on the quality and range of their fresh produce offer. That meant the development of streamlined supply chains and investment in post-harvest infrastructure, such as packing, cool chain storage and distribution, as well as dedicated programmes of sourcing and varietal development. This all

UK horticulture is up there with the world’s best, says John

biggest issue to contend with. seemed to happen in fresh produce Now, with labour challenges ahead of other sectors. greater than ever, we are seeing a I can remember talking to a (very turning point for the future adoption good) dairy business some years ago. of a range of production and postI called my talk ‘If you were a fresh harvest technologies. produce company, this is what you would be doing’. They sat there, simply amazed. They learned a lot HOW GOOD ARE WE? about how their supply chain We are also asked quite often might develop in the years “how good are we in the “Our best to come. UK?”. The best of our stand best stand comparison, to my mind, to anyone SHOCKS LIKE comparison else in the world – and NO OTHER to anyone there are some pretty UK horituclture’s else in the smart producers in historical resilience world” Holland, Chile, New has, though, been put Zealand, Peru, the US, under huge pressure, as France, Turkey and Kenya etc. other sectors have too, by a series Among the producers we spoke to on of supply chain shocks; first Brexit, the NFU study were some of the UK’s then Covid and now the tragic events best in class. If they are finding it so in Ukraine. tough, the whole supply chain really These have all contributed to the does need to sit up and take notice. We inflationary pressures that have been also noted a steely defiance and at work during the past six to 12 determination, despite all the months in particular. challenges, to carry on farming and In the past few months, we have producing crops. We have some been involved with an assignment for world-class producers in the UK, the NFU on the impact of these serving what is a world-class customer pressures on the UK horticultural base, who want British produce in their sector. The report has now been stores for British consumers. This is a published and some of the findings great starting point. It is clear, though, make for uncomfortable reading. that there is some serious thinking to Do we think, however, that UK be done on production, marketing and horticultural production is about to supply chain relationships (both totally collapse? No. Do we think backwards and forwards). though that supply might well be There is much talk about the need significantly constrained and for farmers to receive better prices. It compromised in the future if the can be done – the farm gate price for current situation does not change? milk has increased by round nine Yes – and it probably already has pence-per-litre since Christmas. started to do so. Maybe, this time, it’s an opportunity Some of the issues facing the sector for fresh produce to learn from dairy? go back a long way. I can remember doing some work for the National Horticultural Forum, maybe 15 years Read The Horticulture Inflation ago. Labour was seen as the single Report at NFUonline.com/hort Summer 2022

1578811.indd 43

19/05/2022 11:19:53

161_6x1.pdf

GLASSHOUSES & POLYTUNNELS

● Re-roofing in polycarbonate, composite panels & glass ● Glasshouses dismantled, erected & refurbished ● Builders of bespoke structures

● Venlo specialists ● Maintenance services ● Gutter & door replacement ● Glasshouse & gutter cleaning/repairs All aspects of glasshouse work undertaken

Please email/call for a quote Email: info@newcenturyglass.co.uk www.newcenturyglasshouses.co.uk 01724 734374

142_5x1.pdf

POTS AND SEEDTRAYS

Manufacturer & supplier of seed trays & inserts, cell packs, Danish trolley range. Square & round pots, Carry, Shuttle & Plug trays. From Recycled Plastics.

www.plantcell.co.uk Tel: 01268 733088 Email: hsp@plantcell.co.uk

Please mention Horticulture magazine when responding to adverts

To advertise in the next issue of

NFU Horticulture magazine please contact

Jas Saikhon 02476 858952

Freephone: 0800 328 5492 Email: sales@allertonuk.com Website: www.allertonuk.com The Dependable Choice in Drainage In rural areas without a mains drainage system, and where septtic tanks will no longer reach environmental standards, Allerton can provide the ideal solution. Trading since 1974, Allerton are leading specialists in efficient treatm ment systems. They pride themselves on their individual, problem solvving approach to dealing with alternative means of treatting and diisposing of raw sewage. The Allerton ConSept converts your existing Septic Tank or Cesspit into a fully functioning Sewage Treatment Plant. Servicing & Maintenance on a wide range e of Sewage Treatment Plant and Pump Stations by BRITISH WATER ACCREDITED ENGINEERS.

The Diamond Sewage Treatment range is suitable for either individual homes or small population applications

When Gravity Drainage is not possible choose Allerton Pumping Stations for Se ewage or Dirty Water

ACCREDITED ENGINEERS

Summer 2022

1569774.indd 44

19/05/2022 11:19:56

•• Advanced Crop Modules BASIS Crop Protection •• Advanced BASIS SoilSoil andModules Water Management •• BASIS Crop Protection BASIS Quality of Soils •• BASIS Foundation Award Award BASIS Foundation •• FACTS FACTS •• BETA Management BETA Conservation Conservation Management • Waste to Land 07785 118611 Polly White Telephone: 01522 835083 Email: powhite@lincoln.ac.uk Email: powhite@lincoln.ac.uk

Summer 2022

1569776.indd 45

19/05/2022 11:19:59

I can't live without...

Chris Newenham is an NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board member and joint MD at Wilkin & Sons Ltd. He has been instrumental in developing a successful soft-fruit business across 850 acres in Essex, working at Wilkin & Sons for more than 20 years

Water

Farming in the driest part of the driest county, our ability to grow fruit is entirely dependent on the careful application, reuse, recycling and harvesting of water. We have built two large new storage reservoirs in recent years and have just (finally) secured our new trickle irrigation licences.

Tiptree Mayonnaise

Don’t leave home without it! Made only with the finest natural ingredients, it is a wonderful accompaniment for just about everything. It’s essential to always have a couple of jars to hand as one is never enough…

Hockey

Following a fraught week at work, this is pure escapism. Saturday afternoons are spent with my boys aged 17 and 15 hacking around (mostly unsuccessfully) with stick and ball. It is a great destressor, allowing you to forget about all the immediate challenges in life, for 70 minutes at least. And while successes this season were rare, there is always next season!

Summer 2022

1570035.indd 46

19/05/2022 11:20:05

JF HUDSON Inspiring Great Farmers

Demonstrations now available throughout the UK Spapperi Inter Plant Weeder Available as 1,2,3 & 4 row machines

“The machine is a real game changer...The work rate achieved using the weeder and a team of three is the same as 12 people using hand hoes.” Jono Smales - Salisbury

07803 765440 www.jfhudson.co.uk Summer 2022

1569780.indd 47

19/05/2022 11:20:07

The Polythene People

Long Life High Performance Tunnel Covers Tel: 01404 823044 www.xlhorticulture.co.uk

Email: info@xlhort.co.uk

Precision Designed Film Clad Greenhouses Fully ventilated Solutions for: Baby Leaf Salads Fruit Vegetables Nursery Stock

Email: uk@imagreenhouses.co.uk 1569782.indd 48