< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Farm&Country Farm&Country Link Breedr trades £1.85m of cattle since launching Breedr, the herd management app for farmers, has traded more than £1.85 million worth of cattle since launching its trading platform just four months ago. In that time, farmers have sold 2,912 cattle; 2,475 of liveweight trades and 437 deadweight. The app enables farmers to list their stock for sale, complete with their movement history, weights, growth rates, medicine usage and photos. On average, vendors have received 99.7% of their asking price and have sold within five days of listing. The average lot size is 14 head, commanding £11,530 – and stock range from weaned calves to stores and finished cattle. Around 3,000 buyers and sellers are currently registered to trade through the app, and the first three trades are commission free until October. With supply likely to increase through August, now’s the time to list cattle for sale and benefit from current buoyant pricing and demand. Red Tractor agrees new standards following consultation Red Tractor has announced changes to its set of assurance standards following an industry-wide consultation, with feedback from the scheme’s 46,000 members. The revised standards will apply from 1 November 2021. Responding to the announcement, NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts, said: “I would like to see Red Tractor embrace the eight principles that the NFU has set out for future standards development and embed these within the Red Tractor process. In the development of bolt-ons, Red Tractor must ensure these are more meaningful for farmers, increase relevance and integrity within the food supply chain, and importantly, deliver value back to the farm. Farmers cannot be burdened with additional standards which do not deliver something back to them at the farm gate – these standards cannot become the norm. “There are significant opportunities in the future for the Red Tractor assurance scheme both at home and, as new trade deals are developed, to help bolster ‘Brand Britain’ as we take British food to new, global markets.” Bold plans to eradicate BVD and sheep scab by 2031 The livestock industry has set out bold ambitions to eradicate sheep scab and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) by 2031, following a Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) workshop. The workshop included over 70 leading farmers, vets, researchers and industry stakeholders from across the four nations of the UK. Attendees set the agenda in advance by singling out ‘actionable’ sheep and cattle diseases from a list of priorities identified in the RH&W grassroot survey results released in May. RH&W chair Nigel Miller explained that by setting management, control and/or eradication targets for the year 2031, the workshop participants were aiming to create a new high-health environment across farms of the four nations before the next decade. “We need this health platform to elevate animal welfare and play a part in securing export markets,” he said. “We are going into a period of extraordinary change; we have got to be willing to push back on the accepted boundaries of health and production.” © Shutterstock /Alex Marakhovets © NFU 70-71.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:50 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 71 Supporting the rural community News News New industry network launched to tackle crop production’s carbon footprint A new network is launching to bring together the entire food supply chain – from food and drink manufacturers and supermarkets to fertiliser companies and growers – to meet the industry’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The network, named YEN Zero, is a new initiative by researchers from ADAS, the largest independent environmental and agricultural consultancy in the UK. The production of arable crops, including cereals and oilseeds, contributes to farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily through the use of artificial nitrogen fertilisers and cultivation choices. Currently, there is no standard for measuring GHG emissions in crop production, which makes it difficult for those further up the supply chain to quantify the agricultural contribution to their total emissions. YEN Zero will undertake the analysis and benchmarking of combinable crop carbon footprints on a per-field basis with the near-future aspiration of growing this to carbon accounting on a whole-farm scale. This benchmarking of crop GHG intensities will enable fair and easy comparison of emissions among farms, fields and crops. From there, it will be possible to see what agronomic practices are driving these emissions and test which mitigation strategies work best on farms. Successful strategies will then be shared with members of the network. Researchers will also work directly with growers and their supporters to help optimise their production with reduced inputs. “We are really excited to have such strong support from organisations across the supply chain to bring our YEN approach to tackling carbon emissions. By working together, we can develop a shared understanding of the issues, and share ideas and experience of ‘what works’ for the industry’s journey towards net zero,” said Daniel Kindred, Head of Agronomics, ADAS. The initiation of the network was made possible because of funding from Innovate UK. © Shutterstock /Electric Egg © Shutterstock /Aleksandar Dickov Grant to fund more sustainable farming in the Lincolnshire Wolds Lincolnshire County Council has been awarded over £280,000 for farmers and landowners in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The funding, from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is for farmers and land managers to carry out projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly sustainable farm businesses. Cllr Colin Davie, executive member for Environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The funding will enable our farmers to adapt to the future changes in agriculture, whilst supporting and managing the natural environment, cultural heritage and public access. “This will also build on the great work already taking place in the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB via the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, a jointly funded partnership between Defra, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council.” 70-71.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:50 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FARM & COUNTRY LINK The nation’s vegetable basket Lincolnshire is the nation’s agricultural heartland, but with farmers having to contend with rural crime, pressure from supermarkets, and changes in regulations, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Lincolnshire is the nation’s agricultural heartland, but with farmers having to contend with rural crime, pressure from supermarkets, and changes in regulations, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. The nation’s vegetable basket 72-75.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:51 Page 1© Shutterstock /Geof frey Keith Booth LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 73 FARM & COUNTRY LINK With its flat open fields and impressive land mass, Lincolnshire is ideally suited for food production, able to cater to large-scale arable farming and provide ideal growing conditions to a variety of crops. The county is responsible for producing a quarter of the UK’s vegetables, as well as cereals, sugar beet, bulbs and flowers. It’s safe to say that no matter what part of Britain one finds oneself in, there’ll almost certainly be Lincolnshire-grown produce nearby. Not only is the Lincolnshire Wolds a place of magnificent beauty, but it is hugely important for the region’s farming sector. Some eighty per cent of the area is in arable use, with thirteen per cent of that used as permanent pasture. If that seems like a lot, then consider that the Wolds as we know it is the result of generations of farmers and landowners shaping, guiding and influencing the land. Agriculture works in harmony with nature and the Wolds remains testament to that fact. Over the decades, farmers have been left facing growing demand, technological advancement and changes in legislation. A growing challenge of late is the surge in population, both here in the UK and around the globe, which has placed increasing demand on food systems. Technological developments allow farmers to intensify and scale-up production to meet this demand, with the agriculture sector adopting time- and labour-saving machinery and equipment such as combine harvesters, bailors and ploughs. The last few decades have seen the sector embracing renewable technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines and, as we’re seeing more 74 Á 72-75.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:52 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FARM & COUNTRY LINK frequently in Lincolnshire, installing anaerobic digestors on their land. More recently, however, the emphasis has been on robotics, digital technology and the so-called ‘Internet of Things’. While still in its infancy, this burgeoning sector is transforming agriculture systems around in the world, especially here in Lincolnshire with the University of Lincoln spearheading a robotic farming revolution. But technological change and population growth are far from the only issues facing farmers. Staying abreast of protective measures for diseases such as foot and mouth and bluetongue require a constant vigil, and the threat from hare coursing is far from over despite significant steps forward from landowners and Lincolnshire Police. Farmers must also be cognizant of changes in regulations and legislation or be faced with heavy fines and disciplinary action. The agricultural sector has always had something of a reputation for being conservative and steadfast, adapting slowly to changes, much like the crops they harvest. Put a new piece of machinery on the market, especially one that can make the job more efficient, and farmers will, ironically, snap it up at a moment’s notice. It’s that pro-active attitude towards making things work more effectively that ensures the UK market can still compete with our European neighbours, who often pay less in terms of wages and other associated costs. Cultivation equipment can range from ploughs to power harrows, or from rollers to strip-till drills, while harvest machinery can include anything from combines to chaser bins, or trailers to grain dryers. Sprayers can be mounted, trailed or self-propelled, or any equipment related to them such as nozzles, bowsers and nurse tanks. It’s never a single piece of kit and the costs can spiral out of control if you’re not careful. And that is a very real problem in the market right now, mostly as a result of how much supermarkets are paying farmers. The constant price squeezes, which are likely worsening due to the national living wage, do put a damper on the market as a whole. At least, that is how it seems on the surface. More difficult farming economies will force people to find efficiencies wherever they can, and there’s nothing more efficient than agricultural machinery. No number of men or women can work the same land faster, nor more accurately. It may be that the only way to survive is to do what we can to squeeze every last bit of efficiency out of the system and that’s going to require some high-quality machinery. This demand hasn’t gone unnoticed by farmers, manufacturers or criminals. One recent fraudulent scam was highlighted in which farm machinery was sold at half or less the market value online. While the adverts claim the price cuts are due to cheaper manufacturing outside of the © Shutterstock /ShaunWilkinson 72-75.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:52 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 75 FARM & COUNTRY LINK “For those times when you need a helping hand on farm or on land” KEVIN JOHNSON AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS 4 Church Road | Wittering | Peterborough | PE8 6AG Tel: 01780 782924 | Mobile: 07860 608825 enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk www.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk Kevin Johnson Agricultural Contractors provide a wide range of contract services to farmers and landowners in Cambridgeshire. Creating partnerships with landowners and farmers is an important part of our business. Whether you require a single service such as baling / straw stacking, or a more complete crop or farm management service, Kevin Johnson Contracting can help! If you are interested in a more comprehensive agricultural management program, we will be happy to advise on the most efficient way forward for your farming requirements. country, the reality is that no products are sold and the thousands of pounds in cost are soon squirrelled away by criminal gangs. Advice from the police and the industry itself is to never consider a purchase unless you can inspect the equipment yourself, often by visiting the premises and confirming its existence in person. The truth of the matter is often that the margins on farm machinery, particularly from sellers, is not as high as some farmers might feel. The difficulties faced by those in the agricultural sector are felt by all, even when it’s the farmers themselves who are out of pocket. Less money for farmers means less profit for farm machinery sellers, which means a drop in prices. While now might not be a convenient time to invest in farm machinery, it certainly is one of the best. Once the industry recovers, and it must because the country itself cannot survive without food grown, the price of farm machinery could very well increase. Better perhaps to invest now with a view to not only improving efficiency in a lean and difficult environment, but also to giving a farm the cutting edge when the market eases up. Lincolnshire has helped lead the nation’s farming sector into the modern age, both in terms of ability and innovation, a tradition that continues to this day. But our farmers can’t rest on their laurels, with rising demand to contend with and changes in legislation that requires compliance. © Shutterstock /Jonathan Trotter 72-75.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:52 Page 476 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Like many industry sectors, the pandemic hit motoring hard – we look at how the industry is doing now that restrictions are finally being lifted. It goes without saying COVID-19 has impacted the automotive industry. It has impacted almost every industry. In the height of lockdown, the number of cars being manufactured hit a ten year low, and there was much doom and gloom about the sustainability of the sector. Now that vaccinations are taking hold and businesses, and commuters, are being allowed back into normal working life, the industry is beginning to bounce back. Slowly. Commercial vehicle production has been up for the fourth consecutive month this July, with a year on year change from 2020 of +thirty-six per cent! This represents an additional 5,800 commercial vehicles being manufactured compared to this month last year, a marked improvement and sign of a recovering economy. A sign also of increased investment in fleets as businesses take the chance to switch out their fleets during lockdown. Ups and downs for the automotive industry Ups and downs for the automotive industry 76-79.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:54 Page 1© Shutterstock /Jenson LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 77 COUNTY MOTORING However, this is a much more localised improvement compared to the year in total. Including every month from January, the industry is still down twenty per cent compared to the last five years. Obviously, much, or all, of this can be blamed on COVID-19, which paints a picture of a market swiftly bouncing back from disaster. Unfortunately, Brexit has had an impact on figures here as well. Traditionally, the UK rated exports of commercial vehicle rates of just over fifty-seven per cent, which have fallen to forty-eight per cent as a result of increased red tape and often confusing export laws. There are hopes that this might be addressed in time, with the Government working to streamline the import and export process with the EU, but given the sentiment surrounding Brexit, this may take time. Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), had the following to say, “After a tough start to the year, commercial vehicle production is steadily recovering against a backdrop of increased demand, but still remains short of previous years. The shortage of semiconductors continues to impact on output, and the sector faces a significant challenge as increasing numbers of workers find themselves being asked to 78 Á 76-79.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:54 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING self-isolate. However, van production levels remain strong, and recent long- term investment announcements will ensure the UK retains a healthy commercial vehicle manufacturing sector.” While commercial vehicles have been bouncing back with a vengeance however, UK engine manufacturing has struggled to recover. UK factories made 157,623 engines in June, just 0.6 per cent more than June 2020’s weak performance. Given that 2020 was in the peak of the pandemic and that we are now coming out of it, the infinitesimal growth stat is more worrying than it seems. With June output down -thirty per cent on a five year average for the month, the sector is struggling, and Brexit has not helped, reducing exports to Europe by 8.7 per cent. Many businesses in the engine sector are pointing to staffing and supply chain issues as the cause of this poor record, highlighting a global shortage of semiconductors and issues with their staff being `pinged` repeatedly. Manufacturers are experiencing staff shortages due to self-isolation arising from notification of contacts outside the workplace. This is putting production at risk and is another drag on the sector’s recovery. Indeed, an independent study forecasts the negative impact on planned UK car production, primarily due to the worldwide shortage of critical semiconductors, could be as much as 100,000 units this year. Mike Hawes of the SMMT had more to say on this, stating that, “The government must take urgent action to address this issue, including bringing 76-79.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:54 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 79 COUNTY MOTORING forward plans to exempt fully vaccinated adults from self-isolation from 16 August and introducing a “test to release” scheme to support those employees not yet fully vaccinated.” UK production of battery electric (BEV), plug in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid electric (HEV) vehicles, meanwhile, remained steady year-to-date with around a quarter (22.6 per cent) of all cars alternatively fuelled. However, with the looming end of sale date for new petrol and diesel cars less than nine years away, the industry is challenged to accelerate the transition from fossil fuel to zero emission vehicles. This will require significant investment into vehicle manufacturing, battery production and supply chain transformation for which a clear commitment to enhancing UK automotive competitiveness is essential. Unit 3, Woodside Park, Station Road, Tetney, Grimsby. DN36 5HX Find An Experienced Motor Mechanic In Tetney, Near Grimsby n Servicing n MOTs n Repairs n Brakes & Tyres n Engine diagnostics n Car Batteries n Exhausts n ECU Remapping n Air Conditioning Testing/repairs/Re Gas VW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA SPECIALIST Tel: 01472 812130 | www.lincsvwa.com © Shutterstock /Mikbiz 76-79.qxp_Layout 1 19/08/2021 13:55 Page 4Next >