FF Spring15_LORES

FARMERS
FIRST
Issue 35 – Spring 2015
West Sussex dairy farmer William Goodwin has been
appointed to Fram Farmers’ board of directors. He works
alongside a variety of groups and organisations at the national
level – including Dairy Crest and the NFU – and is looking
forward to his new role.
The 48-year-old, of Hill House Farm in
Ardingly, West Sussex, has an active role in
a number of national groups and
organisations and is looking forward to
using his expertise to help support
Members. Mr Goodwin, who along with his
brother James, 43, keeps a herd of 700
milking Holsteins, with a further 550 heifers
reared off-site, has been a Member of Fram
Farmers since 2007.
He has replaced fellow livestock farmer
Peter Appleton on the board and is keen to
get started.He brings with him a wealth of
experience that will complement the
expertise of the other directors.
Mr Goodwin represents West Sussex on
the NFU Dairy Committee Board and sits
on both the Dairy Crest Direct Forum and
the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group
Steering Group.
In 2008 he also completed a Nuffield
Scholarship and in 2011 was a member of
the Government’s Farming Regulation Task
Force, set up by then agricultural minister
Jim Paice to reduce the regulatory burdens
on farmers and food processors.
Mr Goodwin said: “I think it’s very important
for the board to have a wide range of skills
and expertise and hopefully with my
background in livestock – similar to Peter’s
- I can add to that.
“The board already does an excellent job
representing the views of Members but
hopefully my perspective of the livestock
sector will add value to that.
“We are always going to work hard to
ensure that Fram Farmers continues to look
after Members’ interests – providing a
service that has real tangible benefits.
“When we ask if we provide value for
money to our Members I think the answer is
a resounding ‘Yes’. But what can we do to
offer Members more? What are the
challenges they are facing and how can we
most effectively support them? All the time
these questions are at the forefront of our
minds and it’s about setting a strategy to
ensure that we deliver.”
The Fram Farmers Board is made up of 12
Members, each of which sit for a fixed term
of three years. Mr Goodwin is full of praise
William Goodwin
for the way the co-operative has benefited
his business.
“We try to source everything we can
through Fram Farmers,” he said. “The
greater buying power that the group has,
together with its expertise and support,
gives me that bit of extra confidence.”
Serena Greenwell, Fram Farmers Chairman,
said they were delighted Mr Goodwin had
agreed to join the board.
“We’re very pleased to have another
director with so much experience,
especially from Sussex,” she said. “I’d also
like to say a huge thank you to Peter
Appleton for his many years of hard work
and support.”

2 Advertorial
CEO Comment 3
NEW PENSION SCHEME WILL BENEFIT OUR MEMBERS
IMPROVE
YOUR VAT
RECOVERY
Writes Philip Peters
Value Added Tax: the very thought can send shudders
down the spine of some or trigger an outburst of
invective from many, but one of the most interesting
aspects of VAT for the farming community is that of
income and expenses relating to land and property.
Over the years, as farmers have become
increasingly entrepreneurial and have
diversified their activities to explore
alternative uses for surplus and often
derelict farm buildings, VAT has become
progressively more challenging. Obscure
regulations complicate the treatment of
VAT relating to property giving rise to both
pitfalls for the unwary and opportunities
for the well-prepared, particularly in the
area of VAT recovery.
In general terms, residential property
lettings are exempt from VAT and no input
VAT on expenses can be claimed. However,
where the lettings run in parallel with the
farming trade, the partial exemption rules
come into play with the result that blocked
input VAT may be claimed. The partial
exemption rules may provide this relief if in
any VAT year (ending March 31, April 30 or
May 31) the exempt input VAT is less than
both £7,500 and half the total input VAT of
the business.
VAT of £7,500 equates to expenditure of
£37,500 which covers most VAT in the
majority of years. However, where a large
refurbishment project or extension is
contemplated, careful timing of the
expenditure may be required to spread the
input tax between two VAT years resulting
in recovery of VAT that would otherwise
be denied.
Development of buildings into residential
property will have other VAT implications
depending on the circumstances, for
example listing, demolition, previous use,
so zero rating or the reduced rate of 5%
may apply.
Farmers seeking to retire and let their
agricultural land will also generate VAT exempt
income in most cases. In these circumstances
a contract farming arrangement could be
considered instead thereby generating
standard rated supplies and enabling recovery
of VAT on the expenses incurred in
maintaining the farm property.
Commercial property lets are also exempt
from VAT in the first instance. However, it is
possible to opt to tax the property so that the
standard rate applies, allowing input VAT
recovery on expenses as normal. The option
to tax remains in place for a minimum of 20
years and in the event the property is sold,
output VAT is generally chargeable on the sale.
In the case of the farmhouse itself, where the
farmer works full time in the business and the
main use of the building is as a typical working
farmhouse, the VAT on expenses such as
repairs and maintenance will be recoverable
but only up to 70%. Where major works like
alterations or extensions are undertaken, VAT
recovery may be further restricted, depending
on the extent to which the works relate to the
business use of the property.
For a house occupied rent-free by a
farmworker, input VAT incurred is generally
recoverable as the property is part of the
farming business. However, if a rent is
charged to bring the occupation within the
assured short-hold tenancy rules, the partial
exemption rules come into play.
There is no doubt the rules are complicated and
the amounts at stake can be significant.
However, with professional help and careful
planning there is plenty of scope to exploit the
opportunities identified to enhance VAT recovery.
www.whitingandpartners.co.uk
Philip Peters
Whiting & Partners Farming Group
T: 01284 752313
E: philippeters@whitingandpartners.co.uk
Greenwood House, Greenwood Court
Skyliner Way, Bury St. Edmunds IP32 7GY
Registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a
range of investment business activities by the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Founded over 80 years ago,
Whiting & Partners now have
eight offices across East Anglia
with 15 partners and 130 staff.
An independent firm, we offer
traditional accountancy practice
alongside many specialist
and niche services. For more
information call 01284 752313
The new Workplace Pension Reforms
which come into effect progressively
through until 2018 will affect the majority
of Fram Farmers Members. These reforms
require all employers to auto-enrol
eligible employees (basically those aged
between 22 and State Pension Age, with
earnings of £10,000 or more per annum
for 2014/2015) in their own qualifying
pension arrangement or a multi-employer
arrangement.
I know that some of you are concerned
that you lack the knowledge to implement
such a scheme and as a trusted,
transparent Member-focused organisation
Fram Farmers has been instrumental in
helping you to fulfil your obligations in this
area. I am delighted to announce that after
considerable research we will shortly be
introducing the Fram Farmers Pension to
provide you with a high-quality, low-cost
solution to this pressing issue.
Having spent considerable time
developing the pension scheme for Fram
Farmers own employees we realised that
offering it to Member businesses would
help you to meet your obligations without
the time, cost and complication involved
in establishing your own scheme. Having
mentioned the multi-employer pension
concept to a number of Members at
various Pie and Pint meetings throughout
the winter I am delighted to say that the
board of Fram Farmers has agreed to
move forward with it.
The Fram Farmers Auto-Enrolment
solution will provide a first-class flexible
workplace pension scheme, of the type
that most of you will be required to
provide, in a single, cost-effective and
easy-to-implement form.
Operated in conjunction with the One
Pension Consultancy, the scheme will
streamline and simplify Members’ pension
obligations to those who work within
their businesses. These include eligible
monthly and weekly paid employees as
well as seasonal workers and those on
zero-hours contracts, if they meet the
qualifying requirements.
Joining this scheme will enable you to
be fully compliant with the new Pension
Regulations without the considerable time
and cost involved in developing your own
scheme. We estimate that it would take
an average of eight man-days for each
Member business to fully research and
set up an individual workplace pension
scheme. Therefore if all Fram Farmers
Members businesses joined it would save
them approximately 10,000 man days, a
staggering figure!
This is a pension scheme which Fram
Farmers’ own Financial Controller and
Human Resources Manager have been
instrumental in developing in conjunction
with One Pension Consultancy, providing
you with the reassurance that it will be
of a very high standard. A product which
you can trust implicitly, it has no minimum
contribution, no implementation fees, no
hidden commissions and a single, very
low, flat-rate annual charge. Once the
scheme is operational you will be able to
access details of your pension scheme
and all the latest on pensions through
the Fram Farmers website using a secure
login.
This streamlined approach to pension
provision will undoubtedly be popular with
Fram Farmers Members, so make sure
you look out for the launch material that
we will be sending you over the next few
weeks.
For full details and individual advice
I would encourage you to contact
Stephanie Windsor, our dedicated
Account Manager at the One Pension
Consultancy on 01206 331562.
Richard Anscombe,
Chief Executive, Fram Farmers
Fram Farmers, Station Road, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9EE Tel 01728 727700
Every precaution has been taken to ensure that the material published in Farmers First is accurate at the time of printing. For further details about any of
the information featured in this edition please call Ashley Gilman at Fram Farmers on 01728 727700, or Julian Cooksley at Kendalls PR on 01394 610022.

4 Fertiliser
SULPHUR MAXIMISES OILSEED RAPE YIELDS
Dramatic differences in crop colour between the trial area which received Sulphur (left) and the
control area which did not (right)
The long-term decline in atmospheric
Sulphur (S) deposition from industrial
and vehicle pollution has led to a
widespread increase in Sulphur
deficiency in susceptible crops,
particularly during the last 15 years.
Legislation to improve air quality has
been a double-edged sword for farmers,
who have traditionally received much
of this vital nutrient for free. In 2007
atmospheric S deposition was just 10%
of 1980s levels but during that time
potential OSR yields had increased
considerably, creating additional demand
to support production. Increasing crop
requirements for sulphur have not
been matched by increasing fertiliser
applications, so even large, very
professionally managed farms often
under-estimate the need to apply S.
“Sulphur is a very important nutrient
which crops require in similar quantities
to phosphorus, yet 30% of OSR still
doesn’t receive additional fertiliser S,” Dr
Lizzie Sagoo, a Soil Scientist with ADAS
UK Ltd, explains. ‘Levels of atmospheric
S deposition are now so low that they
don’t cover crop requirements. Defra’s
Fertiliser Manual recommends S fertiliser
for susceptible crops which are at high
risk of deficiency. We’d recommend
applying S to all OSR unless you have a
clear reason for not doing so.”
Based at ADAS Boxworth in
Cambridgeshire, Dr Sagoo, working with
Rothamsted Research (Hertfordshire),
carried out a project to determine the
optimum S rate for modern high-yielding
OSR varieties and quantify the S supplied
by organic manures.
During 2014 field experiments were
carried out at two sites, at Frostenden in
Suffolk, which is farmed by Fram Farmers
members Roger and Chris Middleditch,
and at Woburn in Bedfordshire. At
each site, manufactured S fertiliser was
applied at six S rates, delivering 0. 30,
60, 90, 120 and 150 kg/ha SO3, and two
Nitrogen rates sufficient to achieve target
yields of 3.5 t/ha and 5.0t/ha respectively.
The objective was to determine optimum
S rates and whether increasing the N
rate increased the S requirement. In
addition, at each site 10 organic material
treatments were applied at a target rate
of 60kg/ha total SO3. These comprised
autumn-applied cattle FYM, broiler litter
and four biosolids products, together
with spring-applied pig slurry, broiler litter
and two biosolids products.
CLEAR RESPONSE TO SULPHUR
Both trial sites showed a clear visual
response to applied S in fertiliser and
organic material treatments. The zero-S
control treatments showed clear symptoms
of S deficiency including a thinner crop,
diffuse yellowing on the leaves, paler
flowers and reduced number of pods.
Applying S fertiliser increased OSR yields
at Frostenden from circa 1.0 t/ha up to c.
5t/ha and, at Woburn, from c 1.5t/ha up
to c 5.0 t/ha. The economic S rate, based
on an OSR price of £240/t and S fertiliser
prices of 9.5p/kg for both sites was within
the current range of 50-75 kg/ha SO3
recommended in RB209.
“The trial site here was on incredibly light
land which is owned by John Holmes,
another Fram Farmers member, and which
we have contract farmed since 1991. The
nature of the land means that it has little
organic matter, so is very prone to leaching.
The field used for the trials receive farmyard
manure every time it has had sugar beet
grown on it, approximately one year in four,
, and was very responsive to Sulphur,”
explains Chris Middleditch, whose family
farm 600 acres at Priory Farm, Wrentham
as R&R Farms Wrentham Ltd. They also
operate a large contract farming business,
taking the total area to more than 5000
acres across 10 farms.
“We produce around 3000 acres of wheat,
1000 acres of oilseed rape (Incentive,
Charger and Compass), 600 acres of winter
and spring barley, 600 acres of sugar beet
and 300 acres of vining peas. A further
150 acres is hired out for potatoes,”
Chris adds.
“Last year our average OSR yield was 4.8t/
ha to 5t/ha, which is well above the national
average. We routinely apply Sulphur but
the differences in the OSR between where
Dr Lizzie Sagoo
Chris Middleditch
it was applied and the control area which
received none were dramatic. Without
additional Sulphur the crop was stunted,
had paler flowers, suffered a lot of aborting
and had few pods at harvest. Applying
Sulphur also increased the oil contents by
up to 5%.”
“We would not have anticipated such a
large difference in yield and oil content from
applying Sulphur and in most situations that
would not be the case,” states Dr Sagoo.
“However, on light, very responsive soils
such at those at Frostenden the impact
is substantial.
“Given that Sulphur is cheap in relation
to Ammonium Nitrate, the return on
investment is significant, so unless you
have a very clear reason not to apply
Sulphur you should use it. But just because
Sulphur is cheap we would advise against
over-application because it could adversely
affect glucosinolate levels. The British
Survey of Fertiliser Practice shows that
in 2013 72% of the OSR area received
S fertiliser and that average application
rate was 82 kg/ha. We calculated that the
economic optimum for S on this site was
71kg/ha, which was still within the RB209
recommended rate.”
SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS
GrowHow agronomist Allison Grundy
adds: “As atmospheric deposition of
sulphur continues to decline, the reality is
that a wide range of crops will be at risk,
including cereals, oilseed rape and grass.
Oilseed rape and grass grown for silage are
particularly sensitive to sulphur deficiency.
Even where sulphur is being applied it’s
often below recommended optimum rates.
“Lighter soils in areas of high rainfall
with low atmospheric depositions are
especially susceptible to sulphur deficiency.
Sulphate-S, the form of sulphur taken by
crops, is soluble in water just like nitrate
and is therefore easily leached. Deep silty
or clay soils are less vulnerable but, in most
cases, still require additional sulphur to
protect yield and quality.
“Winter barley responds to sulphur in the
same way as winter wheat and it is crucial
if a malting sample is required. Adequate
sulphur allows the plant to use applied
nitrogen more efficiently and by increasing
the yield, dilutes the amount of nitrogen in
barley. Assuming correct rates of nitrogen are
applied wheat should achieve its optimum
yield and increased grain protein content.
“Yield response to applying sulphur will
vary dependent upon existing deficiency
levels, soil type and crop. But typically,
where a deficiency is evident, farmers can
expect a 10% increase in winter cereals, up
to a 50% increase in spring barley, while in
oilseed rape, which requires a higher level
of sulphur, up to 100% increase in yield has
been measured on deficient sites.”
DOW SHIELD YOUR FARM AGAINST
BROAD-LEAVED WEEDS.
Dow Shield 400. Tried and trusted for almost
40 years. Highly versatile, it controls weeds such
as thistles and mayweeds year in, year out, all
around the farm from oilseed rape and cereals
to maize and game cover.
@dowagrouk
uk.dowagro.com
Fertiliser 5
UKHotline@dow.com
USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to
labels. Dow AgroSciences Limited, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1NH. Tel: +44 (0) 1462 457272. ®TM Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (Dow)
or an affiliated company of Dow. Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899. E-mail: UKHotline@dow.com DOW SHIELD contains clopyralid.

Crop Establishment Vehicles 7
CUTTING THE COST OF CROP ESTABLISHMENT
Aviator 235 Xpro at T2
is proven to reflect
a bigger return on
investment
Lower prices for agricultural commodities
make it essential to reduce crop
establishment costs, but farmers must
avoid compromising production, according
to Claydon Drills. Now a supplier to
Fram Farmers, with additional rebates
on its machinery available to Members,
the company says that by adopting the
Claydon System farmers can increase
margins by £150/ha and gain significant
other benefits.
Founded by Jeff Claydon to develop
machinery that would reduce production
costs, increase efficiency and improve
timeliness on his family’s 1000-acre
heavy land farm in Suffolk, the business
has earned a worldwide reputation for
its expertise in crop establishment. The
Claydon System is used in 26 countries
across the widest range of soil types and
climatic conditions.
“As production costs continue to rise
arable margins are under pressure,” Jeff
explains. “Many farmers who use traditional
methods are making a loss, while others
are generating too little profit to survive in
the long-term. This makes it essential to
adopt a more economically-sustainable
approach.”
Comprising the Claydon Straw Harrow,
Claydon Hybrid Drill and Claydon Rolls,
the Claydon System is up to five times
faster, one-third the cost and more reliable
than a plough-based approach, and
typically costs 50% less than min-til. It also
significantly improves timeliness, resulting
in significantly higher yields and minimises
damage to soil structure.
SIGNIFCANT SAVINGS
Claydon Drills estimate the cost of
establishing 500ha of combinable crops
using the complete Claydon System at
approximately £25,000, compared to
£56,000 for min-til and £74,000 for a
plough-based system. Farmers can work
out the potential savings using the on-line
calculator at www.claydondrills.com
The Claydon System makes it easy to
establish crops directly into stubble, mintilled
or fully-cultivated soils with just one
drill. On the Claydons’ farm, which has
not been ploughed for 12 years, average
yields have increased by approximately
10%, with winter wheat averaging 9.43t/ha
compared with 8.65t/ha for conventional
establishment and oilseed rape 4.8t/ha.
Each autumn Jeff’s brother Frank
establishes 1000 acres of combinable
crops using a 6m Claydon Hybrid drill
behind a 300hp tractor, which clocks up
just 100 hours in the process. All wintersown
crops are drilled by 30 September,
following which he sows another 3000
acres on contract.
ANOTHER SOLUTION
The Claydon system also allows effective
action to be taken against slugs and
blackgrass.
“With blackgrass becoming increasingly
resistant and no new chemistry coming
forward we had to find another method
of containing the problem,” Jeff explains.
“The key is to achieve a clean seedbed
before the crop is drilled and ensure that
field drains are in good condition because
blackgrass is a marshland plant that loves
wet soil. We then apply ag-chems at the
optimum time, under optimum conditions
to maximise levels of control.
“Immediately after combining we use a
7.5m Claydon Straw Harrow to disturb
the top 10-20mm of soil and create a fine
tilth, allowing volunteers and blackgrass to
germinate. This also helps to control slugs
by disturbing their nests and drying out
the eggs, causing them to wither. The high
output of the Claydon Hybrid then means
that we can drill in optimum soil conditions.
“The introduction of the Three Crop Rule
provides a further opportunity to reduce
blackgrass through spring cropping. In
2013 spring milling wheat was drilled on 28
April yet still produced 7t/ha. Production
costs were 50%-65% less than those of
winter wheat and only one blackgrass
treatment was required so the margin
was higher than later-drilled winter wheat
yielding 8t/ha.”
Jeff Claydon
Come harvest time you need to know you have
used a fungicide that reflects a true return on
your investment.
Aviator 235 Xpro at T2 has proven itself to deliver
extra disease control and an increase in yield
whatever the season.
• Built-in resistance management with two modes of
action - hitting the yield robbing Septoria at the same
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• Aviator 235 Xpro patented Leafshield formulation system -
rainfast in 5 minutes even in catchy situations
Aviator 235 Xpro contains prothioconazole and bixafen. Aviator and Xpro are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label.
For further information, please visit www.bayercropscience.co.uk
or call Bayer Assist on 0845 6092266 / 01223 226644.
© Bayer CropScience Limited 2015. www.bayercropscience.co.uk

8 Member Profile - Messrs RS Brown
THREE GENERATIONS HELPED BY FRAM FARMERS
Counterfiet pesticides with Syngenta 9
COUNTERFEIT PESTICIDES – A GROWING PROBLEM
The Brown family has been based
at Rollins Farm in Somersham,
Cambridgeshire, for nearly 35 years.
Three generations all help in the smooth
running of the business, which along with
350 acres of arable and 280 sows, also
includes an animal health store.
In recent years they have spent hundreds
of thousands of pounds expanding their
operation, buying an extra 250 acres of
land and installing new farm buildings and
upgrading pig housing.
The family – Roy and Lou and their three
sons, Barny, Sam and Harvey – trade under
the name of Messrs R S Brown.They farm
a mixture of wheat, barley, oilseed rape and
peas, and also supply pigs to Morrisons
supermarket plus 10 butchers within a 30
mile radius.
The 5,000 square foot animal health store
offers a large selection of dog, horse, poultry,
waterfowl and small animal products,
including bedding, supplements, toys and
tools from a variety of major brands. It also
stocks wheelbarrows, electric fencing,
stable equipment, vermin control products,
wormers and flea treatment.
Roy and Lou Brown with
Barny’s daughter Tilly
and Chris’s son Percy
Membership to Fram Farmers has brought
a range of benefits – from cheaper building
materials and savings on pig feed through to
lower electricity costs and mobile phone bills.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Barny said: “Wherever we can we try to
source things through Fram Farmers,
anything you can think of. In the last 15
years we’ve put up a lot of new buildings,
so wherever we could we made sure the
materials came through the group. We also
use Fram Farmers for our electricity, even
our mobile phones. Our fertiliser comes
through them as well and I also buy the
soya for the pig feed using the service. We
forward plan that a year in advance – so it’s
around £100,000 worth.
“It’s a huge help. Because they buy in bulk
you always know that you’re going to get
the best deal possible and that it’ll provide
value for money.”
However Membership has more advantages
than just lower costs, the farm also gets
advice on selling its oilseed rape through
Fram Farmers’ grain marketing service.
Barny added: “When we need to we also
How to spend £9 and save £40 an acre *
hire machinery through the group. We don’t
have access to lots of different firms, so it’s
great because we can give Fram Farmers a
call and they arrange everything. We don’t
have to go through the time consuming
process of setting up lots of different
accounts with different companies – it’s
all done for us. Fram Farmers arrange it all
very quickly.”
The Browns have also teamed up with fellow
Fram Farmers Member and neighbour Ray
Woolway to share machinery, including a
combine and sprayer.
Barny said: “We’ve been a Member of
the group for around 10 years now and
it’s been a huge advantage. To know that
you can just give Fram Farmers a call and
there will be someone at the end of the
phone with the expertise and knowledge to
help you out is a great reassurance. We’re
farming all day so we don’t necessarily
have time to sit in front of a computer
looking at prices and trying to find the best
deals. However, with Fram Farmers we
have that peace of mind as they’re always
working in our best interest.”
Farmers need to be on their guard
against a new threat to their livelihoods,
namely counterfeit pesticides, says rural
criminologist Christopher Sambrook. A
rural criminologist with over 20 years’
experience working within the UK
criminal justice system he is currently
carrying out research at Harper Adams
University sponsored by Syngenta
into the threat posed by counterfeit
pesticides to the UK agricultural industry.
Counterfeiting is a major global crime
problem and one that is growing rapidly
despite the best efforts of governments and
enforcement agencies. Recent estimates
suggest that the worldwide trade in
counterfeit and pirate products will exceed
$1500 billion this year.
There are many reasons why the trade has
reached epidemic proportions, not least
the ever-increasing demand for luxury
brand items. For several decades it has
been products such as watches, perfumes
and designer clothes that have been the
bedrock of the counterfeit trade. That is
until comparatively recently, for the recent
trend in counterfeiting activity has been
firmly toward non-luxury items such as
pharmaceuticals, motor parts and of
course foodstuffs.
Counterfeiting is an illicit activity favoured
by organised crime groups who are quick
to recognise an opportunity that can be
exploited for considerable profit and with
a relatively low risk of being caught and
prosecuted. There is good evidence to
suggest that it is a trade that many of the
3600 active crime groups that Europol
estimate are operating across Europe, use
to generate easy revenue. It is this money
that is then used to finance other lucrative
crimes such as people trafficking and the
manufacture and distribution of synthetic
drugs. Of even greater concern is that
these groups have also been linked to the
funding of terrorist activity.
This somehow seems quite remote from
our own industry and we could be forgiven
for questioning if this is really of any great
concern to us? I would suggest it certainly
should be, for if we learnt anything from the
horsemeat scandal it is that no business is
immune from the counterfeiter and that at
a very personal level the impact upon the
reputation of an individual business or even
an entire industry can be rapid, costly, and
very long-lasting.
A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM
The trade in counterfeit pesticides has
grown to be a significant problem across
many parts of the world. We are fortunate
here in the UK in that we have not seen the
widespread infiltration of such products
into the agricultural supply chain. That said
there have been sporadic incidents which
are, by and large, linked to abuse of the
parallel trading rules that operate across
the European Union.
The parallel trading of products, provided
the rules are strictly adhered to, is a
practice that can greatly benefit the
consumer. The facility to move products
across the EU for resale allows distributors
to take advantage of price differentials
and supply shortfalls. The problem
arises when the rules are broken and an
unscrupulous trader substitutes a genuine
product from a mainstream manufacturer
with an unlicensed and untested nongenuine
product. This is not legal, nor is
it of benefit to the consumer. In the case
of pesticides these illicit products may
contain an active ingredient, to a greater
or lesser extent, but their efficacy is highly
questionable. Of greater concern is that
experience from those parts of the world
where this problem is endemic tells us that
the potential for environmental and human
harm to be caused by untested ingredients
is profound.
I do not believe that the threat posed
by counterfeit pesticides is cause for
panic, but it certainly demands vigilance
on all our parts to ensure that it remains
no more than an occasional problem. I
would certainly urge anyone who has any
connection with the distribution or use of
pesticides to take the advice given in the
recent Voluntary Initiative Campaign to
raise awareness of illegal pesticides and to:
.
• Buy only known and reputable
pesticides from known and
reputable suppliers
• Check that packaging is
professional, tamper proof and
securely sealed and it has a full
label written in English
• Check the product on the invoice
and delivery note matches the
product ordered and delivered
• Check that the product looks as
expected
• Report suspicious products and
suppliers to the Defra helpline -
08459 33 55 77
(calls charged at a local rate).
Peter Waite
John Humphreys
Yes, that’s £21,700 saved on 700 acres. With our new finance package, you can own a new
Claydon 3m drill for as little as £9 per acre a year and save more than four times that. You can run
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10 Supplier Profile – Grainseed
Supplier Profile - Grainseed 11
EXPERT ADVICE ESSENTIAL WHEN SELECTING MAIZE
A STABLE OPTION
With agricultural commodity prices now
highly volatile, rising production costs that
are squeezing margins and blackgrass
becoming an increasing problem, maize
remains a stable option.
Though the maize area for the dairy
sector has contracted it still accounts for
70% of Grainseed’s maize sales and the
beef sector another 20%, while the AD
feedstock market has grown from nothing
to 10% in just three years. The UK now
has in excess of 150 AD plants, with more
than a third utilising maize as a feedstock,
particularly in the east where maize is the
preferred option over grass. With each
1mW of AD capacity requiring 1000 acres
of maize, the acreage is considerable.
“Feedstock crop choice for biogas
production requires careful thought
and planning,” Neil explains. “Although
maximising dry matter yield is the key
driver for maximising gas output, it is vital
to consider the crop production areas
required, individual farm rotation, the
preferred blend of plant feedstocks and
other potential risks.
“Grainseed have been testing biogas
energy varieties in the UK for six years so
we understand what is required and can
provide customers with sound advice. The
high volumes of maize required to operate
a biogas plant make it vital to have a range
of varieties that mature at different times to
spread the workload. Amongst the varieties
available are Es Ardent, a high yielding,
very consistent performer which is ultra
early and suitable for marginal sites where
a good combination of grain maturity and
plant dry down is required. Es Ballade, a
top seller is very stable and can be grown
on all favourable and less favourable sites
across most of the country. Cathy, a new
high yielding NIAB candidate variety,
is suitable for favourable sites where
maximising dry matter yield is required and
produces very consistent yields.
“Whatever the variety, growers will need
to optimise a number of factors to achieve
high maize yields. These include soil
structure and fertility, soil temperature
at drilling, protection against wireworm,
controlling weeds effectively and
harvesting at the right time. Once the crop
is in the clamp it is then vital to prevent
losses by using additives, oxygen barrier
sheets and secure covers.”
In 2014, UK maize crops produced some
of the highest yields ever, typically 10%
above average, after warm soils and good
spring drilling conditions gave it the best
start. On the back of a very good year it is
always tempting to push for that little extra
yield, but Neil Groom advises caution.
“The maize heat unit (MHU) analysis for
2014 showed that all areas of the UK had
a much higher accumulation of MHU than
the 30-year average, as much as +12%.
However, we must always look to the
average year when making our varietal
choices and where possible growers
should use local trial data and experience
to help them choose the right ones for
their individual situation. Whether growing
for dairy cows, beef cattle or Anaerobic
Digestion, this is critical to the production
of high yields of good quality maize silage.”
“Though the crop is managed in the same
way, the chop length is reduced from 18-
20mm for forage to 5-6mm for
AD to maximise the surface area and
biogas yield.”
Selecting the right maize variety is
critical, which is where advice from
Grainseed can be crucial.
When it comes to maize, Grainseed is
recognised for providing high quality,
high performance maize varieties, for
forage, grain and biogas. Based in East
Anglia, the company has been supplying
Fram Farmers Members for decades.
Specialising in these crops, it provides
varieties which generate high yields,
superior disease control, have a range
of maturities and deliver a strong overall
agronomic package, leading to unrivalled
performance and ease of management.
“We provide farmers with varieties from
several leading European breeders,”
explains Neil Groom, Technical Director.
“All have gone through our extensive
‘Bred for Britain’ trialling programme, both
in official NIAB trials and at 50 locations
across England, Scotland and Wales
to ensure they deliver stable on-farm
performance under UK conditions. We
trial varieties suitable for forage, grain and
biogas production both conventionally
drilled and under plastic. Popular varieties
such as Es Picker, Es Ballade and
Dominator continue to give high yields
of high quality silage and new ‘Bred
for Britain’ varieties such as Absalon
and Cathy are constantly being tested
and introduced.”
Crucially, Grainseed also has regional
specialists to help growers get the best
out of each variety, as well as advising on
the latest developments in seed dressings,
fertiliser and foliar products.
Mr Lewin, a Norfolk farmer is expecting a
£13,000 benefit
per annum from Solar PV *
Mr Lewin of Larling, Norfolk had a total of 68.56 kWp of Solar PV installed by Abel Energy on two sites.
A 19.6 kWp roof mounted array, and a 48.96 kWp ground mounted array, which are set to provide a
5 year pay back with a ROI of 18%, making a significant saving on costly electrical overheads.
PAN ANGLIA
*Electrical savings are planned to be around £3,000 pa with the cumulative benefit of both systems being around £13,000 pa
01787 242740
Find out how Abel Energy could help you save money,
call us on 01953 88 44 86
Solar Wind Biomass
www.abelenergy.co.uk

12 Profile - Next Generation Council Supplier Profile - Rotam 13
HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS
A GENUINE ALTERNATIVE TO SU CEREAL HERBICIDES
At 30 years of age John Haynes knows
all too well about the importance of
supporting the younger generation
moving into the farming industry.
John – farm manager at MJ and SC Collins
on the Hertfordshire/Essex border – is part of
Fram Farmers’ NextGen Council. The group
was set up in 2013 to support those who
were just starting out in agriculture and to
ensure Fram Farmers remained relevant to
younger farmers.
FULLY SUSPENDED TRACKS
TAKE THE PRESSURE
OFF YOUR SOIL, AND
YOUR OPERATORS.
Because harvesting conditions vary so much, Axial-flow’s
tracks adjust to the firmness of the field. Our fully
suspended track system features a forth idler roller
that helps reduce ground pressure and avoids damage
to soft land. Out on the road, it reduces wear on the
rubber tracks, and most importantly, is a lot more
comfortable between fields.
It has 45 Members and plans to meet at
least four times a year, with the aim of
bridging the gap between the generations.
The focus is to provide a positive and
stimulating environment for those who are
reaching the end of their time at Young
Farmers but still want to channel their
enthusiasm for the industry and really
make a difference.
John, who was bitten by the farming bug
at just 12 years old when he worked
on a dairy farm in north Yorkshire, said:
“I’m delighted to be involved with the
NextGen Council - especially at a time
when succession planning and good
management are so important.
“I’ve only been part of the council since
November so it’s all still fairly new but I
can’t wait to get more involved.
“To keep moving forward it’s essential that
we encourage the younger generation
and ensure that there’s a fresh flow of
enthusiastic and skilled people coming
through into the industry. If I can help in
any way to support that then I’m only too
happy to be involved.”
MJ and SC Collins is set over 1250 ha and
includes sites at Kingstons Farm, Roffey
Hall and Lysander Park, farming a mixture
of wheat, oil seed rape and beans.
As well as providing a way for John to
share his expertise and advice, being a
member of the NextGen Council also
provides a chance for him to meet new
people, learn new skills and spread the
word about his business.
“It’s a great way to get away from day to
day farming every now and again,” he said.
“It’s handy because I get to meet different
people and build up useful contacts.”
The Collins family have been involved in
Fram Farmers since the group was started
and John – who studied for a degree at
Writtle agricultural college before moving
to The Co-operative Farms and Velcourt
ahead of MJ and SC Collins - said they
source all they can through the cooperative.
“You name it, we get it through Fram
Farmers,” he said. “Fertiliser, electricity,
building materials, fuel, agchem, shovels,
gravel – anything you can think of. Because
they liaise with so many different suppliers
it’s always competitively priced and the
service is second to none.”
If you would like to join the NextGen
Council, email ashley.gilman@framfarmers.
co.uk or call us on 01728 727700.
Last season, global agrochemical
company, Rotam saw its sulfonylurea
(SU) cereal herbicide range used across
the length and breadth of the UK with
great success.
Savvy Premium, one of four products that
make up its SU range, is a water soluble
granule formulation containing 200g/kg
metsulfuron-methyl. It’s licensed for spring
weed control in all winter and spring crops
of wheat, barley, oats, triticale and linseed,
as well as green cover on land not being
used for crop production.
The product was used extensively in spring
2014, by Fram Farmers member James
Nott, owner and manager at JR & EH Nott
in North Essex.
James Knott
The family-run partnership currently farms
1,200 hectares of tenanted and contracted
land that includes wheat, barley (malting
and feed), oats, oilseed rape, beans,
linseed and sugar beet.
Mr Nott, who is responsible for all of the
decision making processes on the farm,
which is based at Gestingthorpe near
Colchester, said: “I used Savvy Premium to
control broad leaved weeds in both wheat
and spring barley crops.
“I’m interested in agronomy and I’m keen
to be in a position to make decisions
based on sound knowledge and a clear
understanding, with the ability to challenge
the norm.
OPENING TIMES:
MON - FRI 7.30am - 5.15pm
SATURDAY 8am - 4pm
“We chose to use Savvy Premium mainly
on our spring barley, which made for very
economic broad leaf weed control. We
also used spot treatments of the SU on
our wheat crop to control weeds such as
charlock and thistle.
“Savvy Premium did an extremely good
job. It really is an effective, well formulated
and competitively priced product. I would
definitely use it again and it offers a robust
alternative in the current market.”
Agricultural merchant CROPCO supplied
Mr Nott with the complete Rotam range
throughout spring last year via Fram
Farmers.
CROPCO managing director John Poulton
said the products were received positively
by customers.
“Rotam display an extremely high level of
attention to detail in all that they do. We
support this professional approach to the
market,” he continued.
“It is good to see a genuine alternative
to this range of chemistry and we are
looking forward to adding Hiatus to this
range – a combination of tribenuron and
thifensulfuron – which will be available
this spring.”
Rotam’s commercial and marketing
manager, Chris Pye, said the range of four
SU products, which comprise of Savvy
Premium, Ergon, Boudha and Hiatus,
have all been developed with world class
manufacturing. “We pride ourselves in
delivering product efficacy and quality, an
independent market stance and extensive
after-sales support,” he said.
Differentiating the business from what
Mr Pye describes as ‘copy-cat generics’,
he explained that Rotam invests around
10% of its turnover into research and
development of post patent chemistry –
a level on par with the major ‘discovery’
businesses.
“And it’s this commitment to research and
development, accompanied by technical
support that provides additional peace
of mind, as well as value in a season
where expenditure needs to be carefully
set against the crop’s yield potential,” he
concluded.
According to Phillips McDougall, the
global crop protection industry’s leading
independent consultancy group, Rotam is
the fastest growing agrochemical company
in the world – with an average annual
growth of 27% over the past five years.
The company specialises in the research,
development and formulation of post
patent products and has a reputation for
world class manufacturing and quality
herbicide, fungicide and insecticide
formulations, supported by technical
expertise and after sales.
For more information, visit
www.rotam.co.uk.
01359 259 259
WWW.CLARKESOFWALSHAM.CO.UK
Facebook
Twitter
Suppliers and Manufacturers of Agricultural and Building Materials
THE NEW AXIAL-FLOW ® 240. SIMPLY ADVANCED
www.caseih.com

14 Machinery - Case IH Rowtrac
ROWTRAC COMBINES TYRES AND TRACKS
and versatility of a wheeled tractor, yet floats
over the ground like a tracked machine. The
tractor’s efficiency is further optimised by its
CVX transmission, which provides seamless
power transfer from 0–40 KPH.
The Rowtrac uses four contact points to
transmit power to the ground, providing
superior power delivery, minimum soil
disturbance, even when turning under full
power, a much smoother ride and enhanced
operator comfort. This is aided by the latest
five-point front axle suspension system which
delivers much-improved ride quality.
Fram Farmers Members will soon be
able to order the new Case IH Magnum
Rowtrac 380 CVX through their
cooperative’s Machinery Scheme. This
long standing fleet arrangement with Case
IH, the largest of its kind in Europe, offers
significant additional savings on Case IH
machinery, parts and AFS systems.
Combining the benefits of tyres and tracks,
the Rowtrac outperforms both. Designed for
field work, the Rowtrac 380 CVX, the first
of three models, is based on the Case IH
Magnum 380 CVX, recently voted ‘Tractor of
the Year 2015’.
Powered by an efficient 8.7-litre FPT Cursor 9
engine which delivers 380hp at 2000rpm and
up to 435hp with Power Boost, the Rowtrac
combines the manoeuverability, handling
Compared with a twin-track machine the
Rowtrac also greatly reduces the pressure
exerted on the soil, weight transfer from
front to rear and forward/backwards pitching
movement. It also enables the use of
differential locks, which are standard. Case IH
offers 16”, 18”, 24” or 30”-wide tracks, which
can operate at 76”, 80”, 88” or 120”.
The Rowtrac is available with the integrated
Case IH AccuGuide automated guidance
solution, part of the company’s AFS
technology platform.
Case IH expects the first Magnum Rowtrac
tractors to be delivered to UK customers at
the end of 2015.
www.uplsugarbeet.co.uk
Made in Britain
Providing the foundations for Sugar Beet success
Fram Farmers has
driven a great deal.
So you can drive a great Volvo XC70.
With a maximum load space of 16,000 litres and optional All-Wheel Drive, you can go
anywhere and do anything in the Volvo XC70 – and you can do it all in comfort and style.
Follow us @UPL_UK
• Excellent crop safety at all crop
stages
• Outstanding protection against a
wide range of annual weeds
• In BBRO 2012 ‘Systems Trials’
ranked 1st or 2nd across all sites
• High quality metamitron
• Pre and post-emergent weed
control
• Contact and residual action
• Flexibility of timing, rates and
tank mixes
Today, a partnership between Fram Farmers and Volvo means you can benefit from a hugely
valuable offer – as well as servicing, finance and accessory deals – at your local Volvo
dealership. Get the inside story on offers across the full Volvo Range now.
Find out how much you
could save today by contacting
01728 272700
Betasana and Bettix are registered trademarks of United Phosphorus Limited.
Betasana Trio contains ethofumesate, phenmedipham and desmedipham.
Bettix Flo contains metamitron.
The Centre, 1st Floor Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6YN T: +44 (0) 1925 819999
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
Fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in MPG (l/100 km): Urban 18.6 (15.2) – 74.3
(3.8), Extra Urban 34.9 (8.1) – 91.1 (3.1), Combined 26.4 (10.7) – 155.2 (1.8).
CO2 emissions 249 – 48g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing
intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.
18650 UPL Farmers First Sugar Beet Ad 185x130.indd 1 06/02/2015 09:52

No matter
where you grow your
maize, switching to one of
our ‘Top 3’ maize
varieties will
unlock the real
potential of your
maize land and your
herd - outstanding
yields, exceptional
milking performance
and the highest
margins.
To find out more,
talk to the maize
experts on
01379 871073.
Bred for Britain by...