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Farming News
Latest News from the farming sector
Farmers offered new 'green' funding deal
THE Carbon Trust has extended its interest-free energy saving loans to the agricultural sector.
English farmers are eligible for unsecured, interest-free loans for between £3000 and £20,000 to help them upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment. The loans are designed to pay for themselves through direct energy savings provided over one to four years – and after the loan is repaid, farmers will make direct savings on their energy costs, as well as cutting the carbon footprint of what they produce.
Environment Minister Hilary Benn said: "These interest-free loans will help farmers to upgrade their equipment to become more energy efficient – saving money in the long run, as well as helping the agricultural sector to cut emissions right at the start of the food chain."
As part of the Carbon Trust's Big Business Refit, the money has been made available from the Carbon Trust's existing loans fund, which was bolstered by further funding from the Treasury in the 2009 Budget. The loans will be available on a first come, first served basis.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: "Improving energy efficiency is a win-win situation because it helps cut agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as saving money for farmers and growers. There are already examples of businesses that have taken simple but effective steps to reduce their environmental impact in this way and I hope these loans will enable others to follow suit."
The new funding has been provided to help the farming sector to meet the carbon reduction aims laid out in the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan.
• More information at: www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans >>
Big demand for farm holidays
THE first month of 2010 has seen a record number of enquiries to Farm Stay UK, which represents over 1200 different types of farm accommodation ranging from luxurious five-star farm cottages to ultra cool converted pig sties!
“It seems that farm holidays are top of the list for families and couples as new year holiday research begins and visits to our website have been at the highest levels we have ever seen,” said Andy Woodward, Chief Executive of Farm Stay UK.
Farm Stay members cover the whole of the UK and its new website, which was built and developed by Warwickshire-based NET Visibility, is tailor-made so guests can select and search from a number of criteria in order to create their perfect holiday.
For more information about Farm Stay UK please visit www.farmstay.co.uk or to become a member please contact Andy Woodward on tel 02476 696909 or email andy@farmstay.co.uk
• More information at: www.farmstay.co.uk >>
Rural funding event attracts 200 regional businesses
A RURAL conference held by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) attracted more than 200 business representatives to Newark Showground.
The 'Funding opportunities available to land-based businesses' event focused on the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) – which is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and managed in the region by emda, the Forestry Commission and Natural England.
The conference offered delegates the opportunity to attend specialist workshops covering a wide range of RDPE topics such as livestock; woodfuel and forestry; diversification and new opportunities;
and renewable energy and water
resource efficiency.
Speaking at the event, Jeff Moore, emda's chief executive, said: "It's a little-known fact that the East Midlands is the third most rural region in England, so the rural economy does in fact play a much more important role in our economic vitality than it does in other regions. This is why emda and its partners have supported a range of rural projects in recent years.”
Examples of projects that RDPE in the East Midlands has already supported included Woldgrain in Lincolnshire, creating over 26,000 tonnes of additional crop storage to maximise returns for growers; and Branston Ltd, who assisted in the resource efficiency workshop at the event to showcase how they extract water and energy from waste potatoes.
Throughout the day, businesses who had already delivered successful RDPE projects, also talked about their experiences of seeking funding; and the RDPE team was on hand to give one to one advice and guidance on potential project ideas that could be eligible for a grant.
Launched in January 2008, emda's RDPE programme is delivered directly to farmers, foresters, growers and the food sector.
The agency's priority is to allocate
grants to support businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity
and sustainability.
Funded by the European Union (EU) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra), emda delivers the business development element of RDPE in the region, with a budget of £61-million available to land-based businesses until 2013.
Michael Stubbs, rural development programme manager at emda, said: "This event has been a real success and we have had positive feedback from the many farmers and rural business representatives that attended. We hope it will generate many new expressions of interest in RDPE grants."
To contact the rural team call: 0115 947 1797, email: rdpe@emd.org.uk or visit www.emda.org.uk/rdpe
• For more information: www.emda.org.uk/rdpe >>
Major award for Cornwall Farmers' apprentice
 Cornwall Farmers’ James Marks, winner of the City & Guilds Gold Medal and the John Deere Year Two Student of the Year Award.
Photo: Cornwall Farmers/Rob Jewell ONE of Cornwall Farmers’ young engineering apprentices has scooped a major national student award in his second year at agricultural college.
James Marks has won the City & Guilds Gold Medal for his NVQ folder. The award is made to just one student each year from all of Britain’s agricultural colleges. James also claimed the Outstanding Achievement Award for Second Year at Brooksby College, Melton Mowbray, and the John Deere Year Two Student of the Year Award.
“Last year I won the John Deere Year One AgTech Student of The Year Award and this year I’ve managed to go even better so I’m delighted and very grateful for the support that I’ve been given throughout my apprenticeship, especially by the management team here at Cornwall Farmers,” says James.
With Cornwall Farmers being the main distributor for John Deere tractors and equipment in the South West, John Deere’s sponsorship of the AgTech Engineering Course provides each Cornwall Farmers student with a very thorough and essential knowledge of all the firm’s machines.
Previous Farming News
Agricultural chaplain is Rural Hero of 2009
 Agricultural chaplain, Canon Rev Alan Robson: winner of the Countryside Alliance Rural Heroes awards.
Photo: Janet Richardson Lincolnshire's Agricultural Chaplain, the Rev Canon Alan Robson, was named as Rural Hero of 2009 at the Countryside Alliance's 'Rural Oscars' at a Parliamentary reception on Wednesday 3 February. British titles also went to businesses from Cumbria, Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Dumfries with political awards going to Sir Alan Beith MP and Philip Dunne MP.
Launched in September, the fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards attracted a record 2500 nominations from across Britain.
Regional winners were declared in December and those winners went forward to the grand final, judged by Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart along with Clarissa Dickson Wright, Farmers Guardian Editor Emma Penny, Daily Telegraph commentator Charlie Brooks and British Food Fortnight Director Alexia Robinson.
The 2009 winners are:
Local Food Award: Beadlam Grange Farm Shop and Tea Room, Pockley, Yorkshire; highly commended: White Haywood Farm, Herefordshire.
Village Shop/Post Office Award: Feckenham Community Shop, Worcestershire; highly commended: Otley Village Store, Suffolk.
Rural Enterprise Award: Machars Movies, Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries; highly commended: Seasalter Lamb, Kent.
Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award: The Greyhound Inn, Grizebeck, Cumbria; highly commended: SW Doughty Butcher, Doddington, Kent.
Rural Hero of 2009: Canon Rev Alan Robson, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire; highly commended: Tim Rollings, owner of Fishers Farm Park in West Sussex.
Political Awards: Grassroots Award: Sir Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed; Westminster Award: Philip Dunne, Conservative MP for Ludlow.
LAMMA goes from strength to strength
 Jack Dale with John Dale Drills' triple award-winning Eco-Drill, which was launched at LAMMA. As well as being named the best new product or innovation in LAMMA 2010, it also won the section for best product with a retail price greater than £5000 and best from a Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire-based company. A director in the company run by his father Edward at Howsham near Brigg, Jack said it was a great honour to win the award. www.daledrills.com
Photo: Janet Richardson THE prominence of LAMMA as one of the UK's major machinery showcases – and the first one of the year – was highlighted by the number of companies who launched new products onto the market.
And it wasn't just products; new companies including Challenger Agri (UK) Ltd and FarmGEM Sprayers used the show to introduce themselves to the visitors who travel from all over the UK and beyond – including a group from Africa.
The usual suspects of weather and traffic congestion failed to spoil the party. The closure of the A1 due to an incident involving gas cylinders may have deterred some people from travelling on the first day, but this probably made for a more even flow of visitors between the two days.
Organisers had already pulled out all the stops to prepare the showground following the big freeze.
Director Robert Willey spoke of the work that LAMMA has done, including drainage, which made a noticeable difference to conditions underfoot, and a new entrance.
“This year it has gone very well. The weather has been tremendous and it has kept everybody moving nicely through.”
Challenger Agri (UK) Ltd managing director Tom Croft said: “We have used LAMMA to launch our company and have had a lot of interest.”
• More from LAMMA, turn to page 20 of the February issue >>
Rural Hero to be revealed
Agricultural chaplain, Canon Rev Alan Robson: shortlisted for the Countryside Alliance Rural Heroes awards.
Photo: Janet Richardson THE Countryside Alliance's Rural Hero 2009 will soon be revealed, five contenders having been shortlisted for the award.
They are: Canon Rev Alan Robson of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, who has been the county's agricultural chaplain for the past 10 years and set up the Lincolnshire Farmer Support Group to help isolated farmers. Alan also conceived and launched the Epic Project, a Lincolnshire centre for environmental innovation to explore new responses to global warming.
Mick Leivers, Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire, dedicates a lot of his time to improving the quality of living for the rural community in Newstead village and across the county; part of this through his job at Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire, which delivers alternative education and training to young people who are struggling with mainstream education.
Tim Rollings, Fishers Farm Park, Wisborough Green, West Sussex, has been nominated mainly by the youngsters he employs at Fishers Farm Park, an educational farm to teach the next generation about the countryside.
John Trapmore, Emsworth, Hampshire, volunteered his Transit van and his driving services to breast cancer fly fishing charity Casting for Recovery and is now an indispensable member of
the team.
Eric Norgbey, pharmacist, Kings Worthy, Hampshire, and his wife have, through their pharmacy, brought a breath of fresh air to the community and this has inspired many of the residents.
The Rural Hero awards celebrate the skills, produce, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the characters who work so hard to make it tick. Rural Heroes are nominated by public vote having done something inspirational for rural life. The winner will was due to be announced at a Parliamentary reception on 3 February.
BASIS appoints technical manager
KARL Bahn has been appointed technical manager for the standard setting organisation, BASIS.
He had previously spent 10 years as an agronomist with Masstock Arable, providing advice to farmer customers in East Yorkshire.
BASIS qualified since 1998, Karl’s appointment to this new position will strengthen the technical capability of the management team.
His responsibilities will include overseeing the technical content of events qualifying for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, checking and updating BASIS syllabuses and keeping up to date with regulatory changes.
Karl is married to Debbie and they each have two children. He is a keen Hull City supporter and follows the England national team at home and abroad.
East Anglia diversification schemes rewarded
 Judges, sponsors, winners and members of the Suffolk Agricultural Association pictured at the 2009 BALE awards held at Trinity Park. SUCCESSFUL diversification enterprises by farmers in East Anglia have been recognised in an awards ceremony organised by Suffolk Agricultural Association at Trinity Park, Ipswich.
The annual Best Alternative Land Enterprise (BALE) awards for diversification are held annually by the Suffolk Agricultural Association and in partnership with Ashton Graham Solicitors since they began in 1992.
First prize went to Robert and Oliver Paul for their innovative Suffolk Food Hall that brings together local suppliers in the Suffolk equivalent of a stylish food market and supports other rural businesses.
Presenting the winners with the Ashton Graham Challenge Cup and cheque for £1000, Jonathan Long, agricultural partner at sponsors Ashton Graham solicitors, commented: “Oliver and Robert Paul have won the competition because of the careful conversion of a substantial but redundant farm building making perfect use of its rural location; and for their contribution to the local economy evidenced by the number of employees at Suffolk Food Hall; and for their marketing of locally sourced produce in an inspired and attractive way.”
Second prize went to John Carrick for Castle Farm, Swanton Morley, near Dereham, Norfolk, who was presented with a cheque for £250 and certificate by Suffolk Show president Mike Hollingsworth for his conversion of a derelict Victorian barn and outbuildings to wedding, conference, banqueting and events venue, supported by 11 bed and breakfast rooms, as well as the conversion of two derelict farm cottages to a freehouse and restaurant.
The award for the best newcomer was presented to Mark Black for Portable Space Limited at Bacton, near Stowmarket. David Black & Son Limited is a fourth generation family business involved in pig and arable farming. Portable Space was set up as a subsidiary in 2002 and is involved in the hire, sale and transport of portable cabins and shipping containers for accommodation and storage use.
Lady Euston, her son Viscount Ipswich and estate manager Jim Broatch from the Euston Estate were presented with a cheque for £100 and certificate for the Best 'Green' Practice Award for Euston Firewood, a firewood business created to make use of the surplus wood from the 1500 acres of woodland on the estate.
Certificates of Merit were awarded to:
• Husband and wife team, Jason and Katharine Salisbury, who established Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses in July 2004. Cheeses are hand-made from the milk from the 32-cow herd of Guernseys, and cheese, milk, eggs and home-reared beef and pork (whey fed) are sold from the newly opened farm shop.
• David and Sarah Robertson for Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure in Wickham Market, that offers a holiday let, weddings venue, camping and caravan site, dog agility, residential children’s holidays, Camargue stud, pony club, NVQ outreach, adult education and school visits.
• Graham Downing for Bridge Farm, Chediston, near Halesworth, for the conversion of a redundant timber-framed barn using traditional materials into an independent living centre providing equipment and services to disabled and elderly people. A therapy suite offers a base for local therapists and the building is heated with a wood-fired boiler using locally sourced woodchip.
NH brings a buzz to LAMMA
 Customers who use orchard machinery also rely on honeybees for their livelihoods Photo supplied MACHINERY manufacturer New Holland has joined forces with the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA) in the fight to save Britain’s honeybees.
As well as providing essential funding, the company will raise awareness of the work of the BBKA among farmers, landowners and contractors at key agricultural shows and events, with LAMMA 2010 marking the official launch.
New Holland will also use its extensive dealer network and customer base to support the aims of the BBKA and to help educate the public on the importance of bees in the environment and the impact they have on food security.
Honeybees are an essential element of agricultural production in the UK. It is estimated that their pollination activities contribute at least £200-million to the agricultural economy every year. Not only are they vital for horticulture, they are also necessary for the successful harvest of oilseed rape, borage and other crops. And their contribution to British wildlife pollinating wild berries and seeds is impossible to quantify.
Without pollination, harvests could fail, which in turn could trigger food shortages. In short, the crisis in the honeybee population could easily become another crisis for UK farming and have a serious impact on the livelihoods of Britain’s farmers.
New Holland’s marketing manager Richard Spencer says: “This is a problem that New Holland is taking very seriously. It’s clear that the customers who use our machines also rely on honeybees.”
www.britishbee.org.uk
Claas announce engineering scholarship winner
Congratulating Jonathan is Alastair Tulloch (head of after sales, Claas UK) with Richard Langley (far right, industrial liaison manager at HAUC); Jane Broomhall (near right, Claas UK group personnel manager) and Beate Kral (left, human resources/management development, Claas Group, Germany).
THE Claas Group has announced that Harper Adams student Jonathan Bradbeer is the winner of its fourth Scholarship for Agricultural Engineering.
Jonathan, who originates from Stroud in Gloucestershire, is in his second year at Harper Adams University College (HAUC) where he is studying MEng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering.
As the winner of the Claas Scholarship, Jonathan’s fees for the second and fourth years of his studies will be covered, while in year three he will complete a one-year sandwich placement at the Claas Group headquarters at Harsewinkel, Germany. As part of the scholarship, Jonathan will also be offered a summer placement with Claas UK.
In selecting Jonathan as its latest Scholar, Claas not only took into consideration his academic background, but also his character, skills and enthusiasm for agricultural engineering.
Launched in 2005 at the personal instigation of Helmut Claas, the Claas Scholarship is open to one second-year student per year who is studying on either the MEng/BEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) Agricultural Engineering, or the BSc (Hons) Agricultural Engineering Marketing and Management courses at Harper Adams.
New varieties join PGRO list
 Theo Labuda: new varieties are good news for pulse growers. photo supplied
THE 2010 PGRO Pulse Recommended Lists include four varieties – two combining peas plus a spring bean and a winter bean – from LS Plant Breeding Ltd who are now establishing a firm presence in the UK pulse market.
"We believe the new varieties joining the PGRO Recommended Lists are good news for UK pulse growers as they show the results of the renewed investment going into pulse breeding," said LSPB managing director Theo Labuda. "This investment is already bringing these new, improved varieties to the market and will bring further advances over the next few years."
On the combining pea Recommended List, white pea Gregor has progressed from P1 to P2 recommendation, while large blue pea, Bluestar has been added with a provisional (P1) recommendation. On the spring bean list, pale hilum spring bean, Fury, has been added with a provisional (P1) recommendation.
"Our fourth success was to see the winter bean Husky from our breeding programme progress to provisional (P1) recommendation. Husky has a pale hilum and skin, so we believe it should be suitable for export markets," added Mr Labuda.
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New dealer joins Landini network
 Paul (left) and Brian Beddoes with Landini Powerfarm tractors at their Pentrhyling dealership premises near Churchstoke, Montgomery. Photo supplied LANDINI tractor owners in mid-Wales and Shropshire are being supported by the appointment of a new dealer to the Italian marque’s sales and service network.
Beddoes Machinery Sales is run by Brian and Paul Beddoes, who come from a farming family and have 20 years’ experience supplying machinery having set up their business in 1989 as a diversification from farming and contracting. They have added Landini tractor sales and service to complement a successful plant sales business, which supplies mini excavators, skid-steer and wheeled loaders, wood chippers, small telehandlers and dumpers.
Brian Beddoes said: “Apart from having an agricultural background, we know the farm equipment market from the fact that around 80 per cent of the skid-steer loaders we sell go to farmers.”
Beddoes Machinery Sales is based at Pentrhyling near Churchstoke, Montgomery, from where the business is well-placed to serve farmers in a Landini territory covering mid-Wales eastwards to the A49 in Shropshire that extends from north of Builth Wells, east and south of Dolgellau to west of Shrewsbury.
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