Delivered on behalf of RASE by Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) with support from Harper Adams University, the event took place on 13^th April 2023 on the Harper Adams campus.

Amongst others, it brought to life messages from the ‘2022 Farm of the Future: Journey to Net Zero’ report, which was commissioned by RASE to identify practical steps farmers can take towards decarbonising the industry by showcasing the latest science and its on-farm application.

Speaking at the event, Helen Browning OBE, chief executive at the Soil Association, shared how she undertook a full assessment of her farm business in Wiltshire, producing organic dairy, beef, pigs and cereals.

“I looked at the nutrient balance on the farm, what was going on and what was coming off, by way of N and P especially. We also did a review of our carbon emissions and I wanted to understand what our mitigation options were as part of our ‘getting to net zero’ plan,” she added.

“The results, on the basis of what our soils were doing, along with a small area of woodland and some young agroforestry, showed that we were sequestering 70% of our emissions.”

According to Ms Browning, this still leaves over 1,000 tonnes of carbon being emitted by the farm each year. She is currently exploring natural options for methane inhibition, such as willow and herbal leys, to reduce emissions from livestock, as well as calculating the amount of woodland and hedges needed to offset emissions on the farm.

Louise Manning, poultry farmer and professor of agri-food at the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, spoke about how renewable energy can play a role in farm decarbonisation.

She believes that, given there is financial support from government, farmers will decarbonise very quickly if it works for their business model. She shared that the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive in 2011 enabled her family farm business to increase its woodchip boiler capacity to produce just under 1MW renewable energy, which was used to heat the chicken houses.

The farm also produces 75GW of solar energy, but is currently unable to increase solar capacity due to the grid in Herefordshire being limited to take in additional energy.

“We’re totally held back by the grid capacity, to not only decarbonise further ourselves, but to support our neighbours to decarbonise too. We need to look at how to increase capacity in the grid in some areas of the country, so farmers can play a real role in producing energy and supporting national decarbonisation,” Professor Manning added.

Stacking enterprises is key to resilience

Abi Reader, farmer and deputy president at NFU Cymru, said that of all the methods of farm decarbonisation, she finds sequestering carbon the most difficult to grasp. She added the new farm support payments are currently being developed in Wales, and might potentially include the condition that all Welsh farms must have trees on 10% of land.

“As a farmer I’m looking at that and thinking how do we make this work? But we can grumble about it, or we can see if there’s an opportunity,” she pointed out.

Ms Reader sought counsel from a forester on social media, who assured her that trees should only be grown if they’re going to be useful to the farm business and if they’re going to provide an income within five years. Working together with her parents and uncle, she has now set up an agroforestry trial on a triangle-shaped field with bedrock close to the surface.

The system is comprised of a selection of tree species in rows, as short rotation coppice, which can be harvested within two to five years. The wood from the harvesting can be used to produce various low-carbon materials, such as concrete or plaster.

Between the rows of trees, Ms Reader plans to grow another crop called Sita. “It’s like a cross between a sycamore sapling and a maize plant,” she said. “It has massive leaves which are supposedly huge suckers of carbon and rhizome roots. It’s also a high protein crop which could potentially displace soya.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Briggs, arable farmer and head of technical development at IfA, also spoke about the benefits of agroforestry. Mr Briggs has introduced trees to his arable system on Bluebell Farms in Cambridgeshire, which has helped the farm make the most of available sunlight.

“A wheat crop only uses 65-68% of the available solar radiation, if we used 100% there wouldn’t be any weeds,” he pointed out.

“Nature worked this out a long time ago – it’s about different species, different times, different places to catch as much of the sunlight as possible. In our farming system we’ve chosen to stack enterprises. We’ve stacked productive fruit trees, pollen and nectar areas and crop production all in the same field.”

Through agroforestry, Bluebell Farms is now sequestering around 4.5 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Mr Briggs highlighted the system is also about 20% more productive than monoculture due to the stacking up enterprises, but is also more complex to manage.

Finally, he added farmers should strive to take control of the changes in the industry rather than letting it happen to them. “Change is constant in our industry. We’re pretty good at adapting to change, but we need to be driving that change and controlling it, rather than it being done to us.

“Part of that is benchmarking to measure where you’re starting from and moving to, also stack enterprises for resilience, harvest the opportunities available to you and only do things you enjoy,” Mr Briggs concluded.

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©Tim Scrivener Photographer

The event replaces the British Free Range Egg Producers Association’s conference, re-shaping the format into a one-day show with the popular Free Range Awards dinner taking place in the evening.

Visitors to the show will be able to meet with innovative businesses showcasing their equipment and services, as well as take part in workshops that will be running throughout the day. The seminar programme is open to everyone and will be exploring hot topics affecting producers and the supply chain.

©Tim Scrivener Photographer

“BFREPA Live 23 is set to be our best event yet with a new venue, new format, and more stand space than ever before,” says Kate Dickinson, BFREPA’s events manager. “This is an opportunity to come together as an industry and celebrate all the positive things we have achieved, as well as finding long-term solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges.”

Reflecting the difficult year that producers have had, BFREPA has made the event as affordable as possible for all producers.

Nominations for the Free Range Awards are open, with nine categories including producer of the year, national food business of the year, free range champion, and lifetime achievement.

The show is open to all producers – members and non-members of BFREPA – and any businesses connected to the sector.

Tickets are on sale through www.bfrepa.co.uk now.

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Taking place on Thursday 1st June 2023, the National Show will be hosted by the Royal Bath & West Show in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Association members will be high spirits in the sheep lines and the ring, with a catalogue of top quality competition and social engagement.

Tapping out the very best of the day will be the Association’s former president, Roger Elliott. He has five decades of sheep judging experience and 35 years of running pedigree Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset sheep on his home farm near Daventry. Supplying prime lambs to the local market and the family’s 130 year-old butchery, he understands the breed not only as a show animal, but as a valuable, commercial breed.

Broad, long and straight, with formidable muscle coverage, the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset are an adaptable and versatile breed, says Mr Elliott. “For many breeders, lambs will be produced and reared for meat, and that influences what I want to see. They need to be well turned out, and straight and square. I want to see easy fleshing – but not overfat – and they need to have something about them.”

The shearling classes are often an eye-catcher for Mr Elliot. “I like these classes because the stock have developed and grown – you’re seeing what they’ve grown into and their real potential.”

He also considers the breed’s place in today’s market. “They are very capable of milking and growing off of grass,” he says. “With the current cost of feed, reliance on concentrates makes for a very expensive operation – you want to be able to produce a fat lamb without, or with as little concentrate as possible.”

The breed society added the National Show to the calendar four years ago, to promote the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset as the incredibly versatile breed it is, says Association chair, Tim Pratt.

Running a vegetable farm with Dorset sheep in Suffolk, Mr Pratt compliments the breed on its traits – like all-year-round lambing – and its ability to fit within a multitude of farm systems, including integrated livestock on arable, horticultural, and regenerative operations.

“On our farm, for example, the sheep suit our rotation because we can lamb in the autumn and utilise the cover crops as grazing over the winter, and have lambs away before spring planting begins,” he says. “It brings costs down when you have a breed that can fit in with and utilise home-grown forage and cover crops – which farmers are increasingly pursuing with a focus on soil health.

“Additionally, there’s further benefit because funding for cover crops reduces the costs of rearing lambs. And, in the case of the Dorset Horn, a ‘native breeds at risk’ supplement is available through the Countryside Stewardship scheme.”

Mr Pratt is looking forward to seeing the cream of the crop at the Royal Bath & West Show. “It’s a very well renowned agricultural show; well-located, and it always has the very best quality livestock being exhibited,” he says. “Having our National Show there will really build on the credibility the Dorsets have, and I’m looking forward to seeing breeders from all across the country get together.”

Book tickets for the show here.

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A 1920 International Titan with an estimated value of £14,000 – £16,000 will be going under the hammer at the Cheffins Vintage Sale.

Highlights among the tractors include a Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4 with an estimated value of £35,000 – £40,000. Other notable tractors comprise the 1919 International Junior and the 1920 International Titan, both with estimated values of £14,000 – £16,000.

A 1975 Ford 7000 will also be on offer, with only 6,334 hours on the clock. The machine was initially registered to Ernest Doe & Sons in Maldon as a company demonstrator. This well-maintained and authentic model is estimated to sell for £25,000 – £30,000.

Meanwhile, the vintage motorcycle section consists of almost 70 vehicles, including five Kawasaki two-stroke triples (250, 350, 400 and 500cc models) with estimates ranging from £4,000 – £10,000.

A 1956 Matchless 500cc G50, with an estimated value of £25,000 – £28,000, is set to be of particular interest to collectors, alongside a 1968 250cc Aermacchi Ala d’Oro racer, which is expected to sell for £18,000 – £20,000.

Other brands featuring at the sale include Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, Raleigh, BSA, New Imperial, Cotton, AJS, Velocette, Norton, Triton, Greeves, Royal Enfield and Triumph, as well as a series of project machines and choppers.

Last but not least, the automobilia section is offering various collectible items, including a rare Kismet Autocol air and water tower pump from the 1950s, standing at a height of 181cm with an estimated value of £3,500 – £4,500.

Another interesting item is an Esso-branded Avery-Hardoll forecourt petrol pump dating back to the 1960s, which is expected to fetch between £1,000 and £1,500. Lastly, there is an Avery-Hardoll Century petrol pump on offer from the post-war era, measuring 190cm in height, with an estimated sale price of £2,000 – £2,500.

Oliver Godfrey, head of machinery division at Cheffins, commented: “The April Vintage Sale really kicks off the calendar for collectors UK-wide. We always have a really strong consignment, and this year is no different, with over 2,600 lots going under the hammer.

“Last year saw some incredibly strong prices paid across the whole of the vintage sector, with classic tractors from the 1970s onwards in particular seeing some real growth in values.

“We expect the 1975 Ford 7000 to be of significant interest to a number of our regular buyers, whilst the excellent range of motorbikes ought to bring the motorcycle enthusiasts to the sale,” he concluded.

The Cheffins Vintage Sale is scheduled for Friday 21st April (live and online auction for literature, models, bygones etc) and live on Saturday 22nd April (tractors, motorcycles, automobilia, vehicles, implements etc) at the Cheffins Machinery Saleground, Sutton, near Ely, CB6 2QT.

For more information, visit www.cheffins.co.uk, or call Cheffins auctioneers on 01353 777767.

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Farmers, landowners, agri-businesses and industry stakeholders will be in for a comprehensive day of innovation, discussion, and partnership at the South West AgriTech Showcase on 20th April 2023, held at Exeter Racecourse in Devon.

Recent events have shown just how vulnerable the nation’s food supply chain is, says Russell Frith, inward investment lead at flagship event sponsor, Wiltshire Council. “Climate change is only going to continue to put pressure on agriculture and food security. Farmers are being asked to be more efficient, produce more for less, and reduce food production’s impact on the environment, including improvements to farmland and wider biodiversity.

“Agri-tech and innovation are vital components in helping farmers meet these objectives, as well as in building resilient and profitable businesses,” he adds. “We’re confident that this conference will give attendees the information, tools, and networks they need to progress to net zero, build sustainable businesses, and enhance food security.”

With collaboration recognised as a means to progression, Kevin Brooks will be sharing how a One Health Business Cluster offers great opportunities for farm businesses and developing agrifood sector SMEs.

“The aim of a One Health Business Cluster is to unlock and accelerate innovative development,” says Mr Brooks, director at bid writing company Brooks Kebbey – a main sponsor of the showcase – and facilitator for the Dorset LEP One Health Programme. “So in the session we’ll talk through the development of a cluster to support innovation from businesses with an emphasis on farming, food security, and environmental sciences,” he explains.

Mr Brooks will also be on hand to offer his expertise in bid writing for farm grants and SME funding solutions.

Fellow event sponsor, Andrew Farmer, founder at MyOxygen, will be holding a session on how software can improve the way we farm and live. “Data-powered digital technology will help farmers and food producers drive efficiency, grow profits and minimise risk,” he says.

But sometimes that is not communicated in a meaningful way, and his session will help unravel the use of digital technology in producing data for meaningful impact.

Taking it back to the farm, Katy Jo Stanton, senior farming adviser at the Soil Association, will be showcasing farmer innovation in action; tackling soil restoration and preservation. “We’ll be sharing some of our own farmer-led research and innovation projects which are fundamental in developing farm level solutions. And, of course, we’re really keen to speak with farmers and growers from the region.”

Ms Stanton says having open conversations is key in developing solutions that benefit both the farm business and the farmed environment.”

Hutchinsons’ head of soils, Ian Robertson, will be shedding light on why it is important to stay invested in the soils; better understanding leads to improved management and nutrient use efficiency.

“One of the key themes for my session is opening a conversation with farmers to bring awareness to how soil functions, and what impact different cultivation techniques, and the inputs used, have on soils,” he says. “Having these discussions can help find better ways of producing cereal or grass crops without compromising the business or environment.”

Bringing together farmers, landowners, agri-businesses and industry stakeholders will create a powerful room, says Joanna Rufus, chair at South West AgriTech.

“We especially need farmers to communicate what is happening at the coalface. Agri-tech is a critical component in helping farmers achieve the priorities like net zero as well as developing a more robust food supply chain. But if farmers aren’t in the room, innovation risks losing traction.”

For more information visit our Events calendar.

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Supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the show is Scotland’s biggest outdoor event attracting around 200,000 people each year and contributing £39.5m to the country’s economy. Regarded as one of Europe’s best agribusiness shows, the RHS is key in connecting producers and consumers of Scottish agriculture.

Now in its 201^st year, the show was first held in 1822 on a site that is now home to the Scottish Parliament. With a strong focus on innovation and achieving the industry’s sustainable targets, the event is a platform for Scotland’s agriculture in its widest sense, including fruit and vegetables, oils, meat, and dairy produce such as ice cream and cheese.

Commenting on the letter from the animal rights organisation PETA, RHASS chief executive officer Alan Laidlaw said:

“We disagree with PETA’s misrepresentation of the Royal Highland Show including labelling sheep shearing as ‘cruel’ – this reflects a lack of understanding of what is required for good animal health, wellbeing and the importance of Scottish agriculture.

“I can only assume that this is to grab media attention, however while most will see through this for what it is, it has the potential to further undermine our proud agricultural sector and our farmers who work 24/7 to feed our nation with a wide choice of fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat for the many millions who choose to make that part of their diet.”

RHASS is a registered charity with over 15,000 members, dedicated to promoting the interests of Scottish agriculture and rural living, including arable and horticultural farmers. Each year, RHASS provides free access to around 40,000 children to attend the RHS, who have the opportunity to meet farmers and understand more about food provenance and production.

The society aims to provide a platform for informed debate on food, farming, and the challenges facing the industry while celebrating the sector’s achievements. The RHASS would welcome any future discussions with interested parties who wish to put Scottish agriculture and a thriving rural economy at the forefront of their plans.

The next RHS will take place on 22^nd – 25^th June at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Tickets for the 2023 event are on sale. For more information, visit our Events calendar.

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The new NSA Sheep Farmers’ Conference will take place on Wednesday 25^th October 2023 and, in its inaugural year, will focus on sheep health and its links to sustainability, production and welfare. It will offer a line up of the most experienced and knowledgeable experts from the UK sheep sector, ready to pass on valuable information through various interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Held at the convenient location of the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, very close to road, rail and air links, the day will be relevant and accessible to delegates from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The new event will be the headline feature of NSA’s Health and Welfare week, starting Monday 23^rd October.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “Given the importance of livestock within the ‘one health’ agenda, and how vital healthy sheep are to productive farming businesses with an eye on sustainability, lower emissions and a wide range of other public goods, we are bursting with plans for the first ever Sheep Health Week. In addition to the face-to-face conference there will be a range of free-to-access web-based activities from Monday 23^rd October, including three SHWAP online webinars.”

Sheep Health, Wealth and Production (SHWAP) is an online activity organised by NSA South East Region, with three topics covered over three evenings on Monday 23^rd, Tuesday 24^thand Thursday 26^th October. These will complement the conference, picking up additional topics and themes.

Tickets for the conference will be priced to be affordable for all to attend but will be limited in number – so farmers are urged to put the date in the diary now and book as soon as tickets are made available in early summer. NSA members will be informed first and get a preferential rate.

Further detail on the conference will be announced soon so keep an eye on our events page.

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Soil Association farmer ambassador and board member Nikki Yoxall and partner, who farm 100% pasture-fed beef cattle in a silvopasture (trees integrated with livestock) system in northeast Scotland.

Sponsored by Sainsbury’s, the event will take place at Eastbrook Farm in Bishopstone, Wiltshire, on 6-7^th September 2023. The show will bring together thousands of guests including farmers, foresters, tree nurseries, growers, graziers, advisors, funders, food businesses, policymakers, and agroforesters.

Attendants will benefit from the Woodland Trust and Soil Association’s combined experience in sustainable farming and forestry. Their expertise spans woodland, habitat and tree management and practical farm-based knowledge from decades of helping landowners make the most of woodlands and helping farmers adopt nature-friendly practices.

The inaugural show will offer a variety of learning opportunities, such as:

• Knowledge exchange workshops and inspiring talks
• Farmer and forester led discussions
• Agroforestry field walks
• Live equipment demonstrations
• Exhibitions and market stalls

Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning, who will be hosting the event on her farm in Wiltshire, commented: “Agroforestry holds so many of the answers to the climate and nature crises, and it has also been proven to boost farm productivity.

“Trees improve soil health, provide habitats for wildlife including beneficial insects, give shelter and forage to livestock, and cut carbon emissions. And they do all this while providing additional funding streams through fruit, nuts and timber.

“Much more than a trade show, this two-day gathering will inspire hundreds of land stewards to collaborate and get involved with agroforestry.”

According to the Agroforestry Handbook, farming with trees is 20– 30% more productive than monoculture farming systems and can reduce lamb mortality by up to 50%. Moreover, it offers opportunities for the forestry and farming sectors to work together and identify solutions to help overcome the current knowledge and financial barriers to the widescale uptake of agroforestry.

Meanwhile, the Woodland Trust has a decade of experience supporting agroforestry and supporting landowners and farmers to adopt the practice on their land. At the show, they will highlight the range of subsidised tree offers available to farmers and offer expert advice on transitioning to this more regenerative way of farming.

Helen Chesshire, lead farming advocate at the Woodland Trust said: “Agroforestry supports farm businesses to adapt to climate change and become more resilient to the types of financial, social and environmental shocks that are likely to be a part of the future.

“This event is about making trees work for farm businesses and the local environment that they operate within and rely on. It is a sign of hope that there are solutions to grasp – if we take them.”

Also sponsored by the Forestry Commission, Defra, Tillhill,  Farm Carbon Toolkit and Royal Forestry Society, the event comes hot on the heels of a ground-breaking report, funded by the Woodland Trust, showing how a major increase in the uptake of agroforestry is essential in England meeting nature and climate targets, whilst at the same time securing long term food production.

The report was developed from new analysis commissioned from Cranfield University, which revealed arable farms that integrate trees within arable crops – known as silvoarable systems – could lock up eight tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year in the soil over 30 years. Eight tonnes of CO2 is equivalent to the annual emissions of a UK citizen.

A limited number of bursary funded places are also available for those who require additional support to attend the event. For more information, get in touch at: info@agroforestryshow.com

For information on booking tickets, take a look at our event page.

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Mel Squires, South West director at the NFU, will be a keynote speaker at the event, to be held on 20th April. “I will be reflecting on how critical agri-tech is to our farming and food supply chains, from farmgate to marketplace,” she says.

“Given the significance of farming to this region, both economically and environmentally, it is crucial that we continue to collaborate. We must work with researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders to enable the sector to be sustainable, productive, profitable and resilient. This is for the benefit of our communities, consumers, business owners and workers, and to help us achieve our ambitions for the environment and reaching net zero,” she adds.

“This event will shine a bright light on all the fantastic effort and work taking place in this part of the world, and beyond. It will inform, connect, inspire and, I hope, encourage people to learn more and see how agri-tech can help their own businesses, which will invite further interest and investment.”

Other topics covered at the South West AgriTech Showcase will include the future of regenerative food and farming, with speaker Dr Robin Jackson, director at Agri-tech Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Project. Also, there will be a national agri-tech funding update from Innovate UK, and ‘Agri tech – Addressing the Perception’, from the Gloucestershire Agri tech Partnership – delivered by Ben Thompson at Hartpury and Sarah Carr at the Royal Agricultural University.

Sustainability is a hot topic in both the food and agriculture sectors, and will be discussed on the day. And, the event will serve as a chance to bring people together to see the latest advances in agri-tech. “It’s a great opportunity for people involved in the agriculture sector and agri-tech to come together and see some of the technology that’s commercially available in the region as well as the research and development that’s being undertaken,” says councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon county council cabinet member for economic recovery and skills.

To book a free ticket for the event click here.

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The crop plot area at Cereals 2023 is larger than last year, with both returning and new exhibitors.

So, what can visitors expect from the crop plots at this year’s event?

KWS

KWS has four new winter wheats, two new hybrid oilseed rape varieties and a new hybrid winter barley, which is currently the highest yielding in NL2 trials. “It’s very exciting, with very good disease resistance and standing ability,” said Olivia Potter, technical specialist at KWS.

Spring milling wheats KWS Ladum and Alicium will also be in the ground. “There are no new high quality winter milling varieties, so it’s good to have some new high yielding spring varieties coming through.”

DSV

A mix of old favourites and new varieties will feature on the DSV stand, including Champion winter wheat and its descendant Oxford, which has a more consistent yield, stiffer straw and good resistance to both yellow rust and orange wheat blossom midge. “It’s a farmer-friendly variety,” said arable technical manager, Andy Hartley.

Farmers can view a range of Clearfield oilseed rape varieties, including Beatrix, a new unnamed high-yielding variety, and the hybrid Dolphin. “And we’ll be launching a new phoma blocking gene; Rlm7 is breaking down a bit so this is an improvement, and some varieties are now in NL2 testing.”

Natural England

Conservation mixes, regenerative farming and soil health will be the focus on Natural England’s stand, with enhanced autumn and winter bird seed mixes, pollinator mixes, and cover crops. These will include a clover living mulch for undersowing cereals, maize and oilseed rape, explained Mark Taylor, senior Catchment Sensitive Farming officer.

“Farming is changing, and as we move away from the Basic Payment Scheme a lot of people will be looking at ways to reduce inputs or generate extra money through environmental stewardship.”

LSPB

Oilseed rape growers will be keen to see LSPB’s Vegas, Murray and Flemming, which are new to the Recommended List, as well as some unnamed varieties still in the national listing process. “The new varieties benefit from RlmS phoma resistance and farmers can see the stay-green effect that has,” said pulse product manager Michael Shuldham.

Peas and beans will also be planted, including Carrington, which brings a new yield level to the pea market, and Yukon, a spring bean with very early maturity for growers further north.

PGRO

Cultural pest management will be PGRO’s focus this year, demonstrating the trials work it has been carrying out for the past two years. It will feature vetch, lucerne and winter bean trap crops, sown alongside spring beans to attract damaging beetles.

“We’ve had really positive results, especially with early sown bean trap crops as they draw the pests in and keep them there,” said research and development manager, Becky Howard. “We’re also looking at the impact the crops have on aphids and beneficial insects.”

Optiyield

In a first for the Cereals Event, one set of plots is being taken right through to harvest as a working replicated trial. Optiyield will be comparing applying Consortium Plus, a mix of beneficial soil microbes and biostimulants, with or without foliar nutrients and biostimulants throughout the growing season. The control will receive a standard fertiliser programme.

“Our foliar nitrogen can be applied at full rate without any scorch, giving 95% nutrient use efficiency,” explained CEO Simon Fox. It also works in dry conditions, unlike prilled fertiliser, and reduces losses into groundwater or the air.

Rothamsted Research

Visitors will have a rare chance to see some of the Watkins lines of wheat – grown from samples collected in the 1920s – in the ground at the Rothamsted plot. “We are applying different rates of nitrogen fertiliser and looking for traits that might be useful to breed into modern varieties to reduce the need for inputs,” explained head of communications, James Clarke.

The organisation is also looking at herbal leys, cover crops and reduced tillage to build soil carbon, in order to give practical advice to farmers looking to implement such techniques.

Premium Crops

Growers looking for something a bit different will find a range of alternative crops at Premium Crops’ site, including spring and winter linseed, high omega 3 varieties, high erucic acid rapeseed, high protein spring wheat, naked oats and spelt.

“We will also have a cover crop mix selected to be a precursor to spring linseed or canary seed,” said seeds and marketing manager, Nigel Padbury. “People are looking at cover crop mixtures and need to be careful what’s in them if growing spring linseed or canary seed. They need a fine seedbed, and many cover crops have a lot of dry matter, which is difficult to incorporate.”

Bionature UK

Foliar nutrition and micronutrients are becoming increasingly popular, and Bionature will be growing oilseed rape and winter wheat trials treated with varying rates of Delta K liquid fertiliser and Tiptop 20.20.20, compared against standard fertiliser treatments. “We’re pushing for rooting, stem strength, tillering and biomass,” said partner Steve Mowbray.

“Our products are based around NH2 not the normal NH3, as the plant uses less energy to take it up. It’s very cost effective and environmentally friendly, with no leaching or volatilisation, as uptake and conversion is very fast.”

AminoA

Seed treatments are another area of interest, and AminoA is growing oilseed rape, triticale and winter wheat plots treated with STAART versus untreated plots. “We did a demo last year and the oilseed rape had more pods and more seeds per pod, while the wheat and triticale had more ears/m2,” said managing director Richard Phillips.

The firm is also looking at the impact of artificial nitrogen on soil microbiology. It’s running trials using up to 150kg/ha of nitrogen with a range of products containing amino acids, biostimulants and nutrients. “Treated plots were friable with reasonable microbe levels, even at 150kg/ha of nitrogen. But the conventional plots with 220kg/ha were hard to dig and had no protozoa. It’s so important to maintain the soil microbiology.”

Syngenta

The ever popular birds and bees pollination mix will provide the photogenic backdrop to the Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers arena. Syngenta’s stand will also feature low and no-till cultivation trials, a new BYDV tolerant hybrid barley and a new winter milling wheat.

The company will be unveiling findings from the nitrogen reduction and nitrogen use efficiency work with hybrid barleys. And visitors can also take a look at its new 3D90 nozzle, which is the next step in nozzle technology and drift reduction. As ever, the prestigious Farm Spray Operator of the Year Award will be presented at the event, for which applications are now open.

Early bird tickets for Cereals 2023 are available to book now.

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