Sencrop’s new Solarcrop irradiance sensor, which has just been launched in the UK, means producers can link up real-time solar irradiation, rainfall, humidity, temperature and wind data, as well as accurate weather forecasting, in one simple app. Based on crop type and growth stage, this accurately predicts evapotranspiration rates and soil moisture availability, helping farmers to identify when and how much to irrigate without the need for expensive and very localised soil probes.

“Much of the UK is getting drier – and more extreme weather events are becoming the norm,” says Martin Ducroquet, co-founder of Sencrop. “In addition, the environmental issue around irrigation is no longer in question; producers can massively reduce their water consumption by optimising irrigation systems. We want Irricrop to change the world of irrigation, by making this new solution accessible to all. This evolution is completely consistent with our original mission, to standardise precision agriculture.”

One sensor can monitor up to 10 fields across a range of 10 miles, explains Thibaut Mathey-Bony, product innovation manager at Sencrop. “Based on two years of research and development and patented technology, Solarcrop measures solar irradiation to a unique accuracy of 2%.” When combined with the Raincrop and Windcrop sensors, as well as individual field and crop information, it can accurately predict the soil moisture surplus or deficit over the coming seven days, enabling producers to better plan their irrigation or field work.

“Solarcrop is Sencrop’s third pillar of hyper-local data for farmers, helping them to make the best choices for their crops,” says Mr Mathey-Bony. “The firm now has a network of more than 2,000 connected stations across the country, generating ultra-precise and local information like temperature, humidity, wind speed and rainfall. Now farmers can also measure solar irradiation, it maximises their ability to manage climatic risks, as well as diseases and pests.”

Farmers get to access a whole range of ag-weather related features: The firm links up with prediction services for diseases like blight and cercospora, so that producers and agronomists can act on highly tailored risk-based advice.

The low-cost plug-and-play service also means everyone can use it, not just those with deep pockets. The sensors are extremely quick and easy to install, and farmers can choose the appropriate subscription package for them.

Mr Mathey-Bony adds: “When combined with accurate weather forecasts and real-time monitoring, farmers can optimise the use of inputs, for example only spraying and undertaking fieldwork when the weather conditions are right.”

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Tim Young’s family bought Grange Farm at Hockwold, near Thetford in Norfolk in 1964. The 185ha unit consists of typical ‘Breckland’ free-draining, sandy-loam soils and supports root crops including onions and sugar beet. Combinable peas, wheat and stewardship land also figure in the rotation. The farm is within a designated SSSI – the Breckland Farmland Site  of Special Scientific Interest.

Alongside farming, Tim (pictured) also works as an agricultural consultant, meaning time spent off-farm. In the past this has been difficult, especially in the peak summer growing season when high value crops such as onions require irrigation. Adding to Tim’s anxiety levels, albeit later in the year, were concerns regarding his onion storage facilities – were they holding the onions at the correct temperature and humidity to minimise wastage?

“Onions in particular are a high value crop,” Tim comments. “Managing irrigation to optimise yields is crucial. Then, when the crop is in storage, it is imperative that the ambient temperatures are controlled or the crop can be lost.

“The summer months, especially in times of drought, saw me increasingly reluctant to leave the farm in case I missed a problem with an irrigator. Likewise, I would go to bed with one ear open to listen to the irrigation pumps. Then in the autumn and winter, regular monitoring of the stored onions was tedious, time consuming and it was difficult to achieve accurate results across the store.”

Making life easier

Seeking a solution and some peace of mind, an internet search brought Tim to the website of SoilEssentials, the precision farming specialists and its range of 7Sense smart wireless sensors.

“I had an inkling that some sort of remote monitoring sensors, for the irrigators and for the onion store could make my life a lot easier. The sorts of systems I had previously come across did not seem as though they would be right for me. However, when I found the 7Sense sensors on the SoilEssentials website I could see their potential immediately.

“Following my initial enquiry to SoilEssentials they supplied me with 7Sense irrigation sensors. I can’t believe how easy to operate they are. They mounted on my existing rain guns and I now have complete control and monitoring without having to constantly go to the field to check what’s happening. The GPS tracker in the sensor lets me monitor the exact position of the rain gun at all times; I am alerted if there is a drop in water pressure or flow and there is even an alert if the trolley flips over. Basically, I can now keep an eye on the irrigator from anywhere and respond straight away if the system reports a problem.

“I have also given my agronomists access to the sensor monitoring app, so nothing goes unnoticed.

“In the height of the heatwave last summer and the four-night only water restrictions, I had to make sure I capitalised fully when I was allowed to use water and that the irrigators worked accurately and consistently at those times. The 7Sense irrigation sensor allowed this to happen, which is satisfying, as I foresee more of the same extraordinary temperatures, and probable restrictions in the future.”

Irrigation sensor in-situ at JS Young Farms.

Sensors “simplified my farming”

The next step for Tim, after solving his irrigator monitoring headache, was to speak to SoilEssentials again about options for onion store monitoring sensors.

“For the onion store, SoilEssentials supplied 7Sense sensors which monitor temperature, relative humidity, and CO2. Like the irrigator sensors these store sensors offer me 24/7 surveillance and peace of mind and will alert me if conditions in the store change. This system allows up to 32 sensors to be placed in locations throughout the store, all relaying information back to the app on my phone. What I’m particularly impressed with is how rugged and waterproof the sensors are and their ability to utilise wireless signals even through the walls and other obstructions around the stores.

“I am delighted with how both of my 7Sense systems have simplified my farming and allowed me to spend more time doing other things without worrying about onions! The recent FTE government grant helped to fund the sensors as the products fall within the productivity and sustainability precision farming arena. In the future I plan to add storage sensors to the grain store for registering the temperature, and relative humidity of the wheat, that will greatly help with my Red Tractor certification.”

He concludes: “SoilEssentials have their main office in north-east Scotland, but they have a consultant, Ed, less than an hour away from me and the advice and support I have had, and still get, from their whole team is great, making the distance between us irrelevant.”

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Problems with weeds?

Now is a good time to assess the weed situation in growing crops. If you have problematic weeds, and need another weapon in your armoury besides herbicides, hoes can be a very effective mechanical method of reducing the weed burden.

Spring weeding with the TerraBlade from Claydon Drills

The Claydon TerraBlade inter-row hoe slices underneath the crown of weeds growing between the seeded rows. Removing weeds reduces competition for nutrients, mineralises nitrogen and allows light and air into the rows – all of which promote a burst of crop growth.

The best time for TerraBlading is in the autumn and spring when conditions are dry enough for blades to comfortably penetrate the soil beneath the weeds and slice them off without moisture to encourage regrowth. TerraBlade in autumn if the crop is sufficiently developed and continue in spring up to the stage where the crop might be compromised by further passes.

The TerraBlade is available in widths of 3m to 8m with a choice of 125, 150, 175 and 200mm blades to suit different strip till drill row spacings.

How accurate is the TerraBlade? View it in action here.

. . . and the results. Weeds are removed, reducing competition for nutrients and encouraging crop growth.

Warming soils and preparing seedbeds

Warming soil and preparing for seeding near Oslo.

The Claydon Straw Harrow can be used in spring to warm soil, spread straw and prepare ground for seeding.

Generating tilth to germinate weeds and volunteers is another job for the Straw Harrow, reducing competition for nutrients.  It also helps create a uniform crop establishment by spreading chaff and straw evenly across the field and dealing with any thick layers of poorly chopped and spread straw from the combine.  Solid build and design allows it to withstand high operating speeds and turning on the headlands, thereby covering a huge amount of ground in a working day.

The Claydon Straw harrow helps prevent poor establishment caused by poorly chopped and unevenly spread straw.

How well is your land draining?

Drains run clear on the Claydon farm this November, in which 135mm rainfall has been received.

Drainage has a huge effect on yield and attention should be paid to  maintenance and care of old schemes with consideration to new installation if this cannot be avoided. Ditch outlets should be checked and unblocked if they are covered by sediment to prevent systems backing up.

Different crop establishment systems also have different effects on soil structure and its ability to drain. By only moving soil in the rooting and seeding zone, Claydon drilling leaves the natural structure of the soil in good shape.  Whilst the majority of the soil is left undisturbed, any shallow compaction is broken up by the Claydon leading tine which reinstates the water and air balance into the soil providing good drainage so water can get away from the rooting zone. This eliminates ponding through the later autumn and winter period.  As worm numbers increase then aeration and drainage improve allowing the soil naturally to cope with high precipitation.

To learn more about our machinery range please contact your local Claydon dealer.

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The company uses GPS site topographical surveys to design and complete the work and GPS maps are provided to the client on completion.

Drainage equipment and Mastenbroek trenching machines with laser grading control technology are used to cut a trench and lay a drainage pipe in one continuous action. Spoil is easily dealt with, being placed either side of the trench so that it can be removed or backfilled. Due to the chain dig characteristics, the spoil excavated is usually fine and can usually be replaced easily.

Their trencher is used for large scale drainage of agricultural land and vineyards and drainer is used to efficiently install drainage for sports fields and golf courses with minimal disruption to the playing surface.

Trenching machines are also used for the installation of pipes for services including water mains, rainwater and sewage pipework, and domestic or commercial water treatment systems. They also have a drain jetter to clean existing drains.

To find out how FGS Pilcher can assist with your drainage problems call 01233 860 404 or visit fgspilcher.co.uk.

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Nurse Tank – Tank Level to In-Cab Display System

Radio Data Networks (RDN) has won multiple industry awards for the company’s innovation in remote measurement, radio telemetry, monitoring, security, water supply, wastewater management and pollution control. It helps businesses work towards net zero on their farms, and to achieve the NFU’s overall 2040 net zero goal, as well as prevent fines from the Environment Agency.

The company’s entire design and manufacturing process is UK-based, enabling it to offer a comprehensive range of products and a fast, cost-effective bespoke design and build service, backed with over 40 years of experience.

Applications for agriculture, dairy, and agri-tech include: borehole level monitoring, flood alarms, service reservoir level control, irrigation control, sewer blockage alarms, nurse-tank sludge monitors, remote pump controls, pollution and spill containment systems (in drain valves), grain store temperature monitors and firewater control systems.

RDN’s solutions can operate in areas devoid of cellular coverage and RDN is the only company in the UK to offer solutions of this kind with the option of legal protection under a National Ofcom radio licence. Ofcom licensing not only means that operation is protected in law against jamming and interference, but RDN is also able to construct systems with a much greater operating power, which means greater distances, improved reliability, the ability to operate through forests, over hills, etc.

RDN’s solutions include:

• Service reservoir – Measuring, controlling and automating reservoir levels in remote locations
• Remote pump control – Automate pumps for irrigation waters, sludge, sewage in remote locations
• Nurse tank – All in one Tank to Cab Level Display Systems for slurry and digestate spreading
• Borehole monitors – Remote monitoring for depth, temperature, tampering/intrusion
• Remote level gauges – Oil tanks, grain stores, water tanks and chemical stores
• Pollution alarms – Alarm systems for chemical spills, oil interceptor high level alarms, tank overflow alarms, ground water leakage alarms, etc.
• Automated spill and firewater containment – Oil spill capture, milk spills, chemical spills & firewater capture
• Temperature monitors – Grain stores (cooling), poultry units, piggeries, horticulture, soil
• Flood monitors – Roads, basements, storerooms, drains and rivers
• Blocked sewer and drain alarms – Farm factories, farm shops, restaurants and public toilets, dairies and creameries, slaughterhouses
• Automate irrigation flow valves

No power, no problem

Over 95 per cent of RDN’s solutions to date are battery operated. Many solutions have set industry records for operating from batteries including sensors, achieving up to a decade from a single cell.

Where applicable, RDN can also supply solar or wind-operated solutions and have a range of custom-designed boxes and pole mounts for fixing solar panels safely and securely.

One of RDN’s many solar power solutions

RDN’s communication advantage – Remote location? No problem…

The RDN advantage over cellular for communications is manyfold. With cellular in a state of flux over the 5G migrations and the withdraw of 2G, GRPS and 3G services, operating on RDN’s licensed radio spectrum offers considerable advantages.

Case Study – Leading UK Dairy Farm: Long range service reservoir link installation

• Long term investment stability
• Distances from 100m to 25km
• No SIM cards to get lost, stolen or to manage
• Greater battery life
• Alarms able to wake and send distress messages in < 0.5 sec from triggering
• Immunity from cellular network jammers
• Unlimited number of messages
• Automated health messages
• Fixed fee

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The measures set out in the new plan are the most comprehensive in a decade, including investment of £5.2 billion to create around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties in England by 2027, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.

The plans also include £200m for innovative projects such as sustainable drainage systems and nature-based solutions. like temporary or permanent water storage areas which also boost wildlife. These will support 25 areas at risk of flooding to test and demonstrate innovative actions to adapt to a changing climate and improve their resilience.

In addition, up to £170m will be spent to accelerate work on shovel-ready flood defence schemes that will begin construction in 2020 or 2021. 22 areas across the country will benefit from this immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy as communities recover from the impact of coronavirus

The government’s ambitious long-term plan sets out five key commitments – supported by over 40 clear actions – which will accelerate progress to better protect and better prepare the country for the coming years:

1. Upgrading and expanding flood defences and infrastructure across the country;
2. Managing the flow of water to both reduce flood risk and manage drought;
3. Harnessing the power of nature to not only reduce flood risk, but deliver benefits for the environment, nature, and communities;
4. Better preparing communities for when flooding and erosion does occur; and
5. Ensuring every area of England has a comprehensive local plan for dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.

The plan will see the delivery of flood and coastal defences to prevent £32bn in economic damage, the creation of areas to store water during flooding and greater use of nature based solutions to reduce flood risk.

The plan also sets out proposed changes to the joint government and insurance industry Flood Re scheme. This will allow claims to include an additional amount so that flood resilience measures are included in repairs, and allow households that have property flood resilience measures in place to benefit from lower premiums.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“Last winter I saw for myself the misery and upheaval that flooding can bring to lives and livelihoods and I said we would do more to help people.

“This long-term plan will help push back the flood waters and protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and livelihoods.

“Our record investment will also stimulate economic growth across the UK as we build back better.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

“The devastating impacts of last winter’s flooding were an important reminder of the need to continue to invest and accelerate action to reduce the impact of flooding on our communities.

“Our record investment and ambitious policies will better protect homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, but we also recognise that we cannot prevent flooding entirely, which is why we will ensure that communities at high risk are more resilient.

“Working closely with the Environment Agency, local authorities, business and the third sector we will create a better protected and prepared nation.”

Andy Bord, Chief Executive of Flood Re, said:

“I welcome the Government’s commitment today to making the nation more resilient to future flooding.

“Flood Re enables access to affordable insurance for hundreds of thousands of homes at high risk of flooding. We believe it is very important that the country is built back better and making homes more resilient through the uptake of property flood resilience adaptations is a key part of addressing the increasing threat of flooding resulting from climate change.”

As the nation recovers from coronavirus, the measures announced today will also give long-term reassurance to communities across the country – particularly in areas where families and businesses have had to make huge sacrifices to deal with coronavirus while still suffering from the consequences of last winter’s flooding.

The pledge to harness the power of nature to reduce flood risk, while protecting and restoring habitats, will also play a part in the UK’s world-leading work to tackle climate change, especially ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 where the restoration of nature and resilience and adaptation will be major themes.

These announcements come ahead of the publication of the Environment Agency’s long-term Flood and Coast Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England, which will be published later today and sets out how the Environment Agency will work with communities to deliver the government’s plan.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

“For every £1 spent improving protection from flooding and coastal erosion, we avoid around £5 of property damages. The long-term commitments announced today will make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient to the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis.

“Many communities are all too familiar with flooding, and now the risk is increasing for others too. The Environment Agency is champing at the bit to deliver on the Government’s investment with better, and greener, flood schemes. Detail about how we will do this is set out in our strategy.”

With climate and nature at its heart, the strategy will provide detail on the Environment Agency’s commitment to protect and prepare millions of homes and businesses.

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In an unprecedented time, when the health, safety and wellbeing of the public is paramount, communities are being reassured that critical assets and operations to reduce flood risk and manage water levels will continue to be managed in a safe, secure and effective way.

ADA, the membership organisation for water level and flood risk management authorities throughout the UK, has been maintaining regular contact with the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards (IDBs) and other members during the coronavirus (COVID-19) national emergency.

ADA has agreed a series of recommendations for its members in line with Government advice. In particular, these aim to support the essential role that IDBs are playing in keeping watercourses flowing in our lowland landscape at this difficult time, in order to reduce flood risk, and maintain water resources and the water environment.

Understandably, the focus in the current circumstances will be on those parts of their systems that are most important and urgent. The recommendations encourage a proportionate and flexible approach by authorities, with officers working from home and utilising virtual meetings where possible. For their workforce and operational partners, taking steps to maximise physical distancing when they are out on the ground maintaining and inspecting watercourses and assets. Operational teams undertaking essential services have been designated key workers and will be adhering to the latest Government public health advice.

ADA chief executive Innes Thomson.

“IDBs, local authorities and the Environment Agency provide an essential public service by ensuring pumps, sluices and other critical flood defence assets remain up and running, which protect people, property, infrastructure and farmland,” explains ADA chief executive Innes Thomson.

“First and foremost, our number one priority is of course, protecting public health, including that of our valued water management teams,” he adds. “We have advised on a number of guidelines to reduce the risks to key teams and individual staff, while allowing water managers to provide these essential services to the public.”

Further information about your local IDB, the Environment Agency and local authorities can be found at www.ada.org.uk.

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Farmers, landowners and groundsmen are asked to be on the lookout for field scale irrigation equipment they see being moved or stored in unusual circumstances following a major theft of irrigation machinery and trailers from Briggs Irrigation’s factory in Corby.

Irrigation systems including diesel-engine pumpsets with full acoustic canopies, hosereels complete with mounted booms, flat deck trailers, a car transporter trailer, a compressor and a large corporate hospitality caravan were taken from the company’s gated compound on Sunday 16 September.

Briggs Irrigation and the Northamptonshire police are appealing for information from anyone who has seen these large items of agricultural machinery which would normally be seen behind a tractor, being towed by inappropriate vehicles in the East Northamptonshire area or being concealed in or around farm buildings.

All the irrigation units are brand new. Some of the systems were ready to be shipped and are designed specifically for use irrigating racecourses.

The car used to tow the pumps was a Mitsubishi Outlander from about 2006 (see pic above), and the truck is fairly conspicuous in orange livery, says the company.

Anyone with information can contact Briggs Irrigation on 01536 260338. The company knows exactly when and how the theft was carried out and can provide more details to those who believe they might have seen something suspicious.

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