Back Issues

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How To Start Drilling For £8K

Clive Bailye’s seed drill of choice is his 6m John Deere 750A , which has been used exclusively for 3-4 seasons. Last year, with an increased acreage, the founder and publisher of this Direct Driller magazine thought a second seed drill was necessary. Having just the one machine was a risk and in a difficult season would mean drilling was delayed. He looked around and found a good condition Horsch CO6 tine drill advertised in Germany.

Words and pictures by Mike Donovan

After delivery he rebuilt the coulters to a narrow profile so as to reduce soil disturbance. He says the tine drill is very useful driling after straw crops such as osr and also through the straw on second crop cereals.

Buying the drill from a German farmer was not particularly complicated, and provided him with a higher spec machine than Horsh sell in the UK. The seed dart tyres are much wider, and the machine is fitted with blockage monitors as well as full width front packers and also a liquid fert application system.

A sheaf of photos were taken, and Clive then asked for some of specific parts to show wear. The deal was done at under £5,000 which Clive says is the market value of these machines which are too large for small farmers to buy. Original owners like to buy new and sell when the machine is still in good condition.

Narrow tines with wear tiles

@Clive knew he wanted to make changes, substituting the Horsch tines and coulters for something far narrower, and has ended up getting his own design of tine made, which has a wear tile made from Ferobide, far harder than tungsten. The drill is on the farm primarily for osr and 2nd crop cereals drilled into chopped straw and the 25cm spacing is okay for these crops.

Comments on Clive’s on-line forum, TFF, said the drill many not be so good with beans, as the slot is a mere 12mm wide. And in barley the spacing may well be too wide as it needs to be thick. Clive points out that the seed pipe can actually be a bit wider than 12mm as it is in the shadow of the point. It would be good to have the option of using it for beans.

Above left: The cheap CO6 is being calibrated ready for its first outing

Above right: The adapted Horsch is being filled by the home built drill logistics trailer with seed and liquid starter fert.

Getting around the German instructions

The Horsch came, of course, with a control box and instructions in German. More on-line discussion revealed that English instructions were available on the Horsch website, and another explained that Horsch was sourcing some of these parts from Agton in Canada anyway. Zealman from New Zealand explained that the button marked with callipers should be held down for around 5 seconds. The menu is where you adjust the tramline sequence, valve layout and row numbers.

Ball hitch is a continental standard and provides a positive connection between tractor and drill

The Stocks Wizard has a rotor modified for Avadex which otherwise leaks everywhere

A Stocks Wizard is on the back of the drill and used for Avadex. Here again the knowledge of actual farmers is helpful. Alistair Nelson warned that the rotor and the surrounding shroud need to be changed, and he got good advice “from Rick at Stocks”. Clive has the same setup on the 750A and says that the Avadex leaks everywhere unless the modification is made. The drill was acquired and modified in 2016 and the results have been excellent.

The machine went through the residue without many problems and having the second drill has meant more timely planting. Clive has shown that moving into No-Till is not the expensive exercise so many farmers think it might be. The total cost, after modifications which included replacing all tines and coulters, was under £8,000.

Author Mike Donovan writes: we have featured a number of home made direct drills in @Practical Farm Ideas, and are always interested in seeing more. Please contact mike editor@farmideas.co.uk or 07778877514.
A brief history of the Recommended Lists (RL)
The RL has entered its eightieth year. Jason Pole, technical content manager at AHDB, explores the history and direction of the long-lived lists.

A brief history?

The RL has delivered trusted, independent variety information since 1944. Over the intervening 80 years, it has evolved and adapted through many changes to farming and wider society. Although it is difficult to capture all the ins and outs in a single article (you’d probably need a book), it is possible to pen a potted history to chart some of the key developments.

1940s and 1950s

In August 1944, World War II continued to rage across the globe, but the end was in sight. Paris was liberated (25 August) and, as nations met in Washington DC to discuss proposals for a new international body that became the United Nations, thoughts turned to the post-war period and brighter times.

One ray of light for farming was the release of the first recommended list by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). Published 8 August 1944, it was a major milestone. Although restricted to a narrative description of winter wheat varieties for England and Wales, it gave farmers an evidence-based list to help them sift through the many (over 100) varieties available.

After the war, agriculture relentlessly focused on output. It was a catalyst for improvements in plant genetics and production practices. For example, the post-war period saw increased UK investment by overseas plant breeding companies. It also featured advances in chemistry, including the first synthetic herbicide in the UK (MCPA, 1946) and the introduction of the multi-site fungicide folpet (1952).

In 1952, the RL introduced the first 1–9 trait scoring system. It was part of developments that moved the lists from being primarily descriptive to primarily numerical. The RL increasingly helped to quantify the benefits (and weaknesses) associated with varieties, making it easier for farmers to back varieties most likely to succeed in their systems. It also started to underpin the rise of varieties that dominated the market (often for many years). In 1953, for example, two highly influential varieties were first listed: Capelle Desprez (winter wheat) and Proctor (spring malting barley).

The change to the varietal composition across the UK, combined with improvements in agronomy, culminated in big uplifts in yield in the second half of the twentieth century. In 1944, average commercial winter wheat yields were only about 2.5 t/ha – a long way behind today’s average of about 8.6 t/ha.

The 1960s

Several notable developments occurred in the mid-60s. In 1964, the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act established a royalty payment system for plant varieties (plant breeders’ rights). The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) also commissioned NIAB to test varieties for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and to conduct statutory variety performance trials. The year also saw the broad-spectrum fungicide chlorothalonil introduced and Maris Widgeon wheat listed (still the variety of choice for thatching). The following year, 1965, saw the establishment of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) and the launch of winter oat Peniarth, which dominated the UK market for 25 years.

The 1970s

The 1970s kicked off with Norman Borlaug winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership that contributed to extensive increases in global agricultural production, saving (by some estimates) a billion lives. This included the development of semi-dwarf wheat varieties, with the first true semi-dwarf wheat variety listed in the UK in 1976 (Maris Hobbit).

In 1973, the UK joined the European Common Market. Throughout the decade, common agricultural policy (CAP) incentives increasingly influenced what was produced (and how much was produced). As part of the European Community, the UK adopted the National Lists (NL) system for cereals that established a candidate variety’s value for cultivation and use (VCU) and generated extremely valuable trial data for the RL. Varieties usually go through at least two years of NL trials before being considered for the RL trials, with data only published once candidates are added to the NL. The NL system was eventually replaced (see the 2020s section).

Chemical advances in the 1970s included the introduction of glyphosate (1974) and azole fungicides (1976). Incredibly, the decade also saw UK Flour Millers (UKFM, known as nabim at that time) celebrate 100 years since its inaugural meeting in 1878. Even more impressive is that the Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB) celebrated 150 years of representing the UK malting industry in 1977. The decade also brought major advances in single-low varieties that helped to underpin a major expansion of the UK oilseed rape area.

The 1980s

The 1980s saw major changes in the way new varieties were produced and regulated. In particular, 1986 was a big year, with the formation of the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB). The HGCA levy also began support of the RL, which coordinated investment in cereal trials across the UK. Also, in 1986, UK flour millers’ usage of home-grown wheat exceeded 80% for the first time, as breeding started to deliver better bread-making varieties for the UK. In the following year, the Cambridge-based Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) was privatised (sold to Unilever), marking the end of public-sector involvement in variety development in the UK.

In the USA, the first genetically modified (GM) crop was released (a virus-resistant tobacco). In the UK, the introduction of double-low oilseed rape varieties improved end-use quality for food and animal feed, fuelling the continued expansion of the crop. The decade also saw ever-closer integration of the RL and NL trial systems.

The 1990s

The 1990s got underway with a broadening of HGCA’s scope to cover oilseeds (levy rate of 50p/tonne) and investment in variety evaluation across the UK, with the first UK list for cereals released in 1993.

In 1991, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) convention recognised the right of plant breeders to collect royalties on farm-saved seed, with the first payments collected by BSPB in 1996.

The decade also saw the first HGCA strategic review of the RL (1996), strobilurin fungicides introduced into the UK (1997) and the arrival of the first fully restored oilseed rape hybrids (1996). HGCA also embraced the digital age, publishing the RL on its new website (which, thankfully, turned out to be immune to the millennium bug – like most of the internet).

The 2000s

In 2001, as foot-and-mouth rocked the UK livestock sector, the full responsibility of the RL transferred from NIAB to HGCA. The same year saw the establishment of the Voluntary Initiative (VI) to allow the industry to self-regulate its use of pesticides (and avoid the introduction of a pesticide tax) and the publication of The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations.

The first HGCA-produced RL was launched in 2002, which included Mendel – the first oilseed rape variety recommended for growing on clubroot-infected land. In addition, 2002 saw the launch of the harvest results service (by fax and email) to release RL trial information soon after it was gathered by the plot combines.

Following the formation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2001, MAFF was formally dissolved in 2002. This year also saw strobilurins rocked by resistance, with the first septoria tritici isolates with much-reduced sensitivity to this chemistry identified in the UK (just five years after its introduction).

The following year, 2003, saw Robigus listed (in 2019, this would be named by NIAB as the most influential UK wheat variety from the past 100 years). HGCA distributed 33,000 copies of the RL (booklet and CD) and grew over 100 varieties at the Cereals Event – a feature (including plot tours) that became an event staple for almost 15 years. The same event saw the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) launched on the VI stand, by the then-Defra Farming Minister Lord Whitty.

In 2004, HGCA introduced its classifications for wheat exports ukp (bread wheat) and uks (soft wheat). The year also saw the introduction of the first recommended winter wheat variety with resistance to wheat blossom midge (Welford). In 2008, HGCA became part of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds).

The following year, 2009, saw the arrival of the first semi-dwarf-type oilseed rape varieties. It also recorded the start of a series of alarming changes to the UK’s yellow rust pathogen population, which saw some dramatic changes in resistance ratings. For example, the yellow rust rating of winter wheat variety Oakley fell to just 2 (from 6), with the variety subsequently removed from trials.

The 2010s

The 2010s picked up where the previous decade left off. The wheat yellow rust pathogen population became increasingly diverse, following the arrival of the “Warrior race” in the UK (2011). Subsequent investigations revealed the race comprised a diverse population (which forced a new approach to naming races).

Some varieties became more susceptible to the disease, others withstood the invasion. The latter includes Crusoe (first listed in 2012) that maintains a resistance rating of 8 on the current (2024/25) list. The variety has had a good innings. Syngenta also launched the first SDHI fungicide (isopyrazam) for cereals in the UK in 2012, bringing improved septoria control, just as AHDB’s fungicide performance data was starting to clearly show the decline in activity of azoles against the disease.

The 2010s also saw a peak of innovation in oilseed rape breeding, with multiple new traits being introduced onto the RL. In 2013, DK Imagine CL became the first oilseed rape variety listed with a specific recommendation for tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides (a Clearfield® variety). In 2015, V 316 OL became the first HOLL (high oleic and low in linolenic acid) variety listed, which opened value in the food-oil markets. This was followed by Amalie in 2016, which became the first turnip yellows virus (TuYV) resistant winter oilseed rape variety listed. Tempering the good news was the start of restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in 2013, marking the beginning of a major decline in oilseed rape crop areas.

Though average UK winter wheat yield peaked at 8.9 t/ha in 2015, rising costs, increasing resistance to crop protection products and tightening regulations saw a subtle shift in what farmers wanted from varieties and the RL. A survey of growers in 2018 saw disease resistance topping their priority list – a shift from a survey in 2011 that recorded fungicide-treated yield as the most important factor. These findings led to changes in RL recommendation processes that made it easier for varieties with lower yields but good disease resistance to get onto the lists.

Key varieties recommended included spring malting barley variety Laureate, which still dominates the malting market, Skyfall, which brought feed-wheat yields to the quality bread-making Group 1s, and KWS Extase, which had “exceptional untreated grain yield of 95% (compared with the treated control varieties)”.

At the end of the decade, AHDB launched a variety selection tool to provide a way to navigate, select and visualise trial data for winter (wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape) and spring (barley and oats) crops.

The 2020s

The current decade kicked off with the launch of the RL app, which adds value to the online tables and booklet by delivering the latest variety data to farmers’ fingertips. It replaced the pocketbook publications, following a request for more digital sources of information. Initially based on RL 2020/21 data, the app gets a major update each year, just after the release of the latest lists. Unlike its physical counterpart, it also gets minor updates throughout the year to include, for example, the latest candidate data.

Due to instability in rust populations, RL 2021/22 introduced major changes to wheat brown and yellow rust disease resistance ratings. It used weightings to give the most recent years’ results more influence, making the ratings more sensitive to changes in the pathogen population. The same edition also saw the first winter wheat variety (RGT Wolverine) with a specific recommendation for resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).

Following high levels of septoria tritici in the 2020/21 growing season and concerns about the breaking of resistance in varieties with Cougar in their parentages, AHDB issued the RL 2022/23 septoria tritici ratings early. We also revised the cereal lodging ratings to help pull apart varietal differences and make the ratings more representative of what is seen in the field and improve their consistency.

Since RL 2023/24, the tables for winter wheat have included information on young plant resistance to yellow rust. Some varieties are susceptible at the young plant stage but develop moderate to high levels of resistance later, after the adult plant stage resistance kicks in. In a season with high levels of yellow rust (like this year), it is good to know how well a variety resists the disease across its life cycle.

The UK officially “Brexited” at the start of the 2020s. One of the many ramifications was that new GB and NI Variety Lists (VL) officially replaced the NL system. It hasn’t had a major impact on the RL, but it has increased some costs and been occasionally inconvenient. It should settle down, with time.

The RL today

Over its lifetime, the RL has grown in scope and depth. It now involves several hundred trials each year, spread from Cornwall to Aberdeenshire, and delivers annually updated variety data for 11 crops in recommended and descriptive lists.
- Number of trial plots = 24,735
- Length of plots (combined) = 293 km (almost London to York)
- Width of plots (combined) = 47 km (almost Coventry to Worcester)
- Plot area (combined) = 54.4 ha (75 Wembley football pitches)
Note: figures based on AHDB-funded RL trials for harvest 2023.

AHDB has committed almost £10 million to the current five-year RL project phase (2021–26). However, the total project cost, which includes cash and in-kind contributions from breeders and processors, is closer to £25 million.

The evolution continues

In 2023, over 900 people responded to the latest RL review to direct the future of the variety trialling project.

This reconfirmed that the RL is widely used and highly valued, but it also identified that the RL needs to continue evolving over the short, medium and long term. An early development in response to the review was immediate changes to the current (RL 2024/25) booklet. Over 300 farmers and agronomists voted on alternative formats, with 72% opting for the same option, which provides the following advantages:
- Variety data can be viewed on a single page
- A new fold-out key provides at-a-glance information
- Agronomic information is in a more prominent position
- More information is included about the RL trial system and recommendation process
We have also strengthened our digital tools:
- A comparison feature added to the RL app
- A variety index tool published to show the year a variety was first and last listed
- Variety selection tool updated faster (with plans to develop a simpler “entry level” version)
With more resources directed towards digital tools, we will no longer produce the summer edition of the RL booklet. Compared to the winter (first) edition, demand for this edition was relatively low.

Low-input research

Most RL trials aim to limit the influence of (controllable) factors that may hold back genetic potential. For example, the fungicide programmes help minimise disease in treated trials and nitrogen is applied to maximise yield in feed varieties. The RL trials also test other extremes, such as in the fungicide-untreated trial series.

It is important to test the extremes. However, we are often asked to provide information more in line with commercial practice. It was a point raised again in the RL review responses. We have funded two three-month scoping reviews to examine evidence of varietal responses under lower-input scenarios (nitrogen and fungicides, respectively). The initial results from these reviews will be issued this summer.

For the latest RL news, visit: ahdb.org.uk/rl
BYDV threat under the spotlight at TWB Farms open day
The increasing threat of barley yellow dwarf virus in winter wheat and the potential of resistant varieties to overcome it was the focus of a recent open day at TWB Farms, near Lichfield.

Host farmer Clive Bailye set up an observation trial last autumn, comparing 15ha of BYDV-resistant RGT Grouse with a similar area of Dawsum. Clive, who started the farm’s no-till/cover crop regime 16 years ago, hasn’t used insecticides in that time. “We’ve not had any noticeable symptoms or yield loss, apart from occasional hotspots under hedges and trees, but are we losing yields from sub-clinical disease?

“That’s one reason I’m keen to find out more about BYDV-resistant wheat. I also I want to maintain my no-insecticide policy, and the trait is even more interesting now we can receive £45/ha under SFI where we don’t use insecticides on crops.”

How much he will learn from his trial this year is unclear. Despite large numbers of aphids being recorded in the area, very few were seen in crops and BYDV symptoms are absent. “The general consensus is that the wet autumn reduced aphid numbers,” said Clive, who intends to follow up next year with a split field trial, using qPCR testing to pick up any sub-clinical presence. RAGT managing director Lee Bennett says unprotected crops can suffer severe damage when aphid numbers are high. “BYDV is the single most damaging pest of winter cereals,” he added.

According to AHDB figures 82% of the UK wheat area is susceptible to BYDV and the average annual loss would be 8% if no action was taken against the disease.

“We’ve artificially recreated that situation at our breeding station in Cambridge, applying inoculated aphids to plots of our own BYDV-resistant wheats and several popular conventional varieties,” Lee said. “None were sprayed with insecticide. The BYDV-resistant varieties were untouched, but we saw 2% to 60% yield loss in the conventional ones. At the upper end it’s not worth getting the combine out.”

He added: “Neonicotinoids gave fantastic control of aphids for two decades, but after their withdrawal in 2019 we’re left with often prophylactic applications of pyrethroids as the only chemical control.”

Lee Benett | RAGT | Direct Driller Magazine

However, RAGT’s Genserus (BYDV-resistant) varieties offer complete season-long control, whilst providing economic and environmental benefits, ease of management and security he said (see table).

In addition, currently available varieties (see panels) offer a real opportunity to claim the £45/ha SFI payment for insecticide-free crops thanks to their double resistance to BYDV and orange wheat blossom midge.

“Genserus varieties offer the best control of BYDV, do not affect the environment and are cost effective,” Lee said. “The trait element costs around £14/ha, the equivalent of buying and applying just one pyrethroid spray.”

BYDV control

Currently, growers who choose to spray are totally reliant on pyrethroids, said entomologist Dr Alan Dewar.

“Nothing else is registered for use in the autumn at the moment, so this must change,” he says. “The risk of selection for resistance is very high.”

Of the two main aphid vectors of BYDV, the bird cherry-oat aphid is controlled well by pyrethroids, although resistant/tolerant clones have recently been recorded in Ireland and China.

By contrast, resistant grain aphids were first recorded in 2009, and control failures have been reported in four years since then, most recently in 2023.

Quoting Dr Stephen Foster of Rothamsted Research, Dr Dewar said: “Whilst currently a moderate resistance, it will become important if lower rates of pyrethroids are applied and/or coverage is inadequate.”

Non-chemical methods for reducing BYDV are available, he added. “Delaying drilling until the aphid threat is diminished works well – aphids do eventually stop flying through November and in December. But late drilling can result in reduced yields and getting crops drilled in the first place is also subject to inclement weather, as in 2019 and 2023.”

Conservation control, such as flowering margins that encourage predators like hover flies, has helped to put an end to major epidemics of grain aphids in wheat ears in the summer, Dr Dewar believes. “However, it is less easy to rely on predators in the autumn, when virus transmission is the main threat.”

The use of BYDV resistant/tolerant varieties has worked well in barley. “This should be regarded the best approach as you don’t need pesticide at all,” he notes. “The big question is whether yields can match the top conventional varieties – there have been problems with that in barley, for example.”

However, Dr Dewar added; “Epidemics of aphids carrying BYDV are occurring more often in the autumn due to global warming, causing BYDV infection the following spring.”

If regulatory pressure on chemistry increases and aphid resistance climbs, might BYDV-resistant crops be the only solution?

Genserus varieties available this autumn

RGT Grouse
- Group 4 type hard feed wheat
- Resistant to BYDV and OWBM
- Suitable for early sowing when BYDV risk is highest
- High tillering capacity and retention
- Good disease resistance
- Very good yield potential
RGT Goldfinch
- The UK’s first quality wheat resistant to BYDV and OWBM
- Very strong disease profile – best in official trials
- Clean, consistent, and sustainable
- Excellent baking quality to date
- Strong miller interest
- RL Candidate variety – accelerated production means seed is available.
Farmer Focus – Ben Martin

May 2024

I finished my last DD article (Sept 23) by wishing everyone well for the Autumn drilling campaign – well I do not think anyone could have predicted what the weather gods were about to throw at us! A relentless wet Autumn, winter and spring have taken their toll, on crops, the land and everyone associated with getting crops through to harvest. I have never ever wished away time, but I think getting harvest 24 done, in the shed and slate wiped clean will be a welcome relief for everyone.

Now more then ever, we need the right people around us. I was given a super snippet of advice recent, that has made a real mark on me – Its as important to repel the wrong people, as it is to attract the right people…

Now, we all have friends / family who like a moan, but we must position ourselves so we can attract at least 51% positivity from the people around us. Easier said then done with close family etc, but in our professional / farming lives this is relatively straight forward. Only attend meetings you know you will leave feel inspired and not drained. Go to the farm walks where people will be curious and challenge each other, not knock the methods and solutions others are bring to the table. Employ the staff that will push the business (and you) forward, not just cruise along in 2^nd gear. Get rid of the advisors / consultants around you that are nothing but doom and gloom – sure you need these people to be realistic, but they should also be motivating you as well if they are doing their job properly.

Base UK and the Wildfarmed Growers community continue to be two groups that, to me, really highlight the power of working together, challenging each other, and celebrating the wins together. Find your own versions of these groups at all costs!

Sheep grazing the Wildfarmed Abbey Road field in April.

On the farming front the past 10 months have been the biggest challenge possible – that goes without saying. What I have seen and reflected on are the small wins, even during this nightmare season. People that have been prepared, ready to go but flexible in their approach have made the most of the tiny windows of opportunity to get seeds in the ground. Overall, this has paid off, with even late crops looking decent in places. Spring oats are THE spring crop for 2024 – well, from what I have seen outside my front door and locally anyway. It has been fascinating to see how farmers and crops have reacted to this spring. Mega high disease pressure has seemed to be a constant in most mono varieties – is this just a freak one off spring and not to take too much notice of it in regards to variety selection, or will we see more emphasise on blends and stronger, but lower yielding, varieties??

June and early July are now about the social aspect of my job, get out to shows / trials and farm walks. A fascinating farm walk at Hall Farm, Knettishall back in May, has set the tone for this summer I feel. The enthusiasm from James, and his farm guys, is clear to see whilst we were hearing about their Regen journey. Big improvements made to soil health, crop resilience and their farm environment in such a short space of time is truly inspirational.

The wonderful Six Inches of Soil, screening at Shimpling Park Farm

Next up is the local residents farm walk and a screening of six” of Soil here on the farm I live on. This was an incredible afternoon last year and I am sure it will be repeated this time. Getting non farming folk on farms, explaining what is happening and getting them engaged is so important. The questions and curiosity shown is always good fun!

And then to round things off with Groundswell Festival – 2 days to be a massive sponge and try absorb loads of information at the various talks, whilst enjoying the social side of the event!

Typical dog walk this spring – miserable and very soggy for all involved!

Although the coaching and mentoring aspect of my business will continue as normal during harvest, I am very much looking forward to being back on farm and getting stuck into physical farming. This balance of different work is so important to me and keeps me at the coal face and experiencing, with dirty hands, exactly what is happening on farms in 2024.

Safe harvest everyone and look forward to catching up in the Autumn time.

Take care.

Ben

Twitter – @bencm305

IG – https://www.instagram.com/agri_support_uk/

https://agri-support.co.uk/
Why liming should be on every direct driller’s agenda

Soil pH is a critical basic tenet for successful crop production, so why do soil samples suggest so many fields are outside the target pH range? And are zero till systems more at risk?

Regenerative farmers or those not using tillage to establish crops in the rotation could be at risk of creating a low pH environment in the top 5-10cm of soils, which could impact nutrient availability, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 50% of arable soils are below the target pH 6.7 recommended in AHDB’s Nutrient Management Guide (RB209), according to results from over 50,000 soil samples analysed by NRM laboratories between June 2022 and May 2023.

“Nearly 25% of the samples were pH 5.8 or lower, which is extremely low for most arable crops,” NRM soil and crop nutrition agronomist Sajjad Awan says. “While only around a fifth were in the more acceptable target pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.”

That probably accurately reflects industry studies suggesting arable land is only limed on average once every 12 years, way beyond the traditional recommendation of once every five years.

Longer-term data from the NRM study suggests that the pH of arable soils dropped sharply in 2022/23 compared with previous years.

Sajjad Awan

“There could be multiple factors behind the drop in pH from arable soils this year,” Sajjad stresses. “It might be due to weather, an increase in samples from lower pH soils or from specific management systems. There are so many variables and the information provided with each sample is not sufficient to allow us to draw firm conclusions.”

That includes whether there is any interaction with cultivation practice, although soil experts agree that there is a higher risk of acidification, at least at the soil surface, on farms where zero tillage is used.

“If you don’t disturb the soil, you’re effectively layering or stratifying the soil,” explains Neil Fuller, technical director of the Atlas Sustainable Soils Programme.

The breakdown of organic material produces weak organic acids, so growing a lot of cover crops, incorporating straw, or using other organic amendments will tend to lower the soil pH, he says.

“So you may end up with a layer on the soil surface which is a little bit sharper in pH than the base soil. If you don’t cultivate that layer, it will potentially progressively develop through the soil.”

While some regenerative farmers are attempting to reduce the amount of synthetic nitrogen in their system, nitrogen fertilisation or fixation by legumes can be another contributory factor to lowering soil pH, notes agronomist Steve Townsend from soil management specialists Soil First Farming.

Steve Townsend

“If you look at the ammonium part of ammonium nitrate, when that gets taken into the plant, the plant at root level snips off two hydrogens and takes in amide, which is NH₂rather than NH₄.

“Those two hydrogen atoms go back into the soil and cause the soil to become more acidic as more of the cations are filled up with hydrogen rather than calcium, magnesium or potassium.”

Similarly, the denitrification of nitrate can cause acidity, while high rainfall, such as we’ve had this winter and spring, can leach calcium and magnesium through the soil, leaving a higher concentration of hydrogen ions attached to clay particles.

Optimum soil pH is crucial for nutrient uptake. Most arable crops like slightly acidic conditions, hence the target of pH 6.7, as that is when most nutrients are available for plants to absorb.

As soon as soil pH is below the target, fertiliser efficiency drops, as it is locked up or lost, with plants not having access to it. For example, at pH 6, nitrogen efficiency drops to 89% compared with pH 7, while phosphorus is even more affected at just 52% efficiency. At that pH, nearly 20% of fertiliser is wasted, a figure which increases to 32% at pH 5.5, according to AHDB figures.

Micronutrients can similarly be affected, Neil says. “At high pH or low pH they change form or function. For example, manganese at a low pH is a four positive cation, while as it moves towards pH 6.5, it becomes two positive, which is what the plants need it as.”

It’s good farming practice to keep your pH where it needs to be, Steve stresses.

It’s not just about pH, he adds, but also about calcium. “If you want soil biology to grow and flourish, you need enough available calcium. We use calcium for our bones, soil biology uses it for its skins.

“It’s also important as a nutrient for crops for rooting, to help nutrition be picked up and for soil structure. Of the cations in the soil, calcium is the biggest and is the only one that improves soil structure through flocculation.

“It has two positive charges and holds onto a negative bit of clay on either side, which it holds there. We see that as tilth and crumb and improved structure.”

Choosing liming products carefully is vital, he warns. “Look at reactivity rather than neutralising value.”

Reactivity quantifies the effectiveness and speed of reaction of a liming material.

“Reactivity equals grind size; how finely ground the lime is you’re buying.”

Research by the University of North Carolina shows that pH continues to drop following lime coarser than 0.84mm, while between 0.3mm and 0.84mm, it takes 15-18 months post-application for pH to peak. In contrast, material between 0.15 and 0.18mm will react within six months and hold pH at that level, and even finer lime will increase pH immediately, peaking at eight months before beginning a slow decline.

British Sugar’s LimeX meets that spec, says the firm’s LimeX business manager, Glenn Carlisle. LimeX is a co-product of lime being used within the sugar purification process to remove impurities from sugar juice.

Glenn Carlisle from Limex

“You end up with a very fine particle-size lime product, making it very reactive. In Ground Lime quality standard tests, it scores 100% on the reactivity test, meaning that 100% of the product you put on land will do the job of pH amendment.”

As a minimum, 85% of the LimeX product will pass through a 0.15mm sieve, with 97% passing through a 3.35mm sieve. At that spec, Glenn says in the right conditions pH should rise within 4-6 weeks, whereas other products can take from six to 12 months before you see a rise.

“The additional benefit of the fine particle size is that the calcium is more available, and you can increase the available calcium concentration in the soil. That has additional benefits in terms of flocculation and soil conditioning, which benefits aeration, drainage, microbial activity and provides a calcium nutrition source for the plant, which helps natural disease control,” Glenn concludes.
Spring 2024 Challenges in Grassland & Forage Crops

With the delayed Spring, forages stocks have been severely challenged, late turn out meant that already depleted Winter stocks were used, and grazing paddocks left longer than expected in warm wet conditions continued to grow so quality was reduced. This alongside being unable to apply fertiliser particularly in the heavier soils of the west has meant a late start to both grazing and silaging in the livestock sector. Even now soils have not recovered, recent silaging has been under challenging conditions in many areas trailers and foragers being pulled in and out of fields. This means that the silage is likely to be poorer quality due to late cutting, little or no fertiliser applied so yields not what they could be and the resulting damage and compaction to fields potentially having a knock-on effect for 2^nd cut. Upon completion of VESS soil inspections around the country, compaction can be seen because of heavy winter rainfall, animal treading following a wet Autumn and Spring, this will mean that plant roots will be restricted from taking up water if the summer turns dry reducing the ability of the plant to endure periods of drought.

In order to help the soil recover its essential that nutrients are balanced and increasingly this is not the case in livestock situations, muck and slurry being added to the soil whilst improving organic matter can mean that potassium and magnesium levels become above optimum, locking up essential access to magnesium in the Spring when animals most need it to prevent staggers, (hypomagnesaemia) generally magnesium is increased in the diet during this period to help prevent this lethal condition but this ends up in the soil increasing the tightness of the soil profile and decreasing the ability for water to filtrate. If that also coincides with low pH there is a continuous cycle of problem, cause, solution, adding to the soil’s poor health meaning that it becomes less resilient to the weather challenges.

The solution is usually not a simple fix as complex as the problem starts it needs to be unpicked at chemical, biological and physical level. Soil sampling regularly is essential not only from a farming rule for water prospective which requires a basic soil test but also investigate more depth with either a broad spectrum or if you are grazing livestock an animal health test which will give you indicators regarding selenium and cobalt essential for livestock health and fertility. This can then be supported by tissue tests of the grass and silage mineral tests. Going a step further will allow an increased focus on balance. The magnesium and calcium balance is very important to help reduce the risk of tight soils and improve the soil health, this is easier to remedy if the pH is low as liming is a simple solution to improve nutrient availability and calcium is essential for animal health too. Addressing the chemical imbalances goes a long way to improving the conditions of the soil but compaction still needs to be remedied. Digging a visual inspection pit (VESS) is key to understanding where in the soil profile the problem is. If it is near the surface, it is likely that animal treading is the cause, particularly after such a long and wet winter. A sward slitter is the best friend of grassland and will increase the air into the soil, then allow water to filtrate through the soil profile this kickstart will improve the nutrient availability to the grass and increase grass growth, improving yield and longevity of the ley. If the compaction is at a deeper level than a sward lifter might be necessary, bear in mind that after treatment there is more likelihood of compaction so care must be taken to avoid that.

After a difficult and protracted 1^st cut is essential to make the best of subsequent cuts, analysing slurry will help ensure improved decisions regarding applications of Nitrogen. The slurry varies according to the animal’s diet so each farm slurry will be different making judging nutrients applications difficult. Regular analysis will build a pattern, and this can be used in the Nutrient Management Plan throughout the season so help improve nutrient efficiency on farm throughout the season.

Remembering to adjust the Nitrogen applications to account for clover content is important as clover will not nodulate if it is overfed and this will result in less production of nitrogen. Clover in the diet is not only very digestible but providing cost effective protein which saves on bought in expensive proteins also improving the carbon footprint of the farm. With SFI’s proving to be popular with both arable and livestock farmers there is an increasing emphasis on clover and multi species leys will be sown in the thousands of acres across the UK, these will take some management with so much variation in the makeup of the mixture it is important to aim for the end goal when deciding what to have in the ley.

Chicory for example will want to be left out of cutting leys as it is prone to get woody in maturity that will be unpalatable at best and at worst will break the plastic on bales. The mixtures that qualify for SAM3 can have little high quality grasses so ensure that if you are wanting high production and quality the choice of grass in the mixture is important, the makeup of what is actually in the field will not only vary due to the original makeup of the mixture but when it is planted, the soil type and the nutrient balance when it is planted, each season they will be made up of different percentages of plants dependent on growing conditions that will suit the individual variety of plant.

There is a lot of learning to be done both from growers and agronomists that look after these crops, weed control is virtually non-existent apart from spot spraying so it is essential that it is sown into as weed free situation as possible and that the nutrients are right to get the crop off to a good start. This can be done using an overseeding method if the conditions are right, grazing down the competition before drilling is essential, animals can be kept in the field until the new seedlings start to emerge, then they should be taken off until established, followed by a light grazing. Footfall is helpful to gain seed to soil contact soon after drilling. Take note of species that do well and that which does not and then mixtures can be modified to make best use on the land that it does well on.
Going for gold

Growers compete with scientists to find the most profitable crop nutrition strategy

The ADAS Nutrition Challenge is back for 2024 with thirteen growers competing against ADAS crop scientists and RB209 best practice guidelines to see whose crop nutrition strategy ends up achieving the highest gross margin over nutrient costs.

This year’s challenge takes place on the Yorkshire Wolds with each entrant being assigned a 48 m²plot of winter wheat (variety: Gleam) replicated 4 times. A separate control treatment will receive nutrition in line with RB209 field assessment recommendations and a second control treatment will be left untreated. Other than fertiliser and biostimulant choice and timings, all other crop applications will remain exactly the same for each entry.

Abbie Marshall, ADAS Crop Research Consultant and organiser of the ADAS Nutrition Challenge said: “We came up with this competition idea back in 2022 in response to the dramatic rise in fertiliser prices. We want to find that point of peak profitability, the sweet spot between nutrition investment and maximising yields.”

“Looking past the financial aspects, we know that the manufacturing of artificial fertilisers comes at a heavy carbon cost. If a grower knows how to fine-tune their fertiliser applications and fully meet the needs of their crop, it will not only help their own business bottom line but will also have environmental benefits too.”

At the start of the season, ADAS provide the entrants with all the information they would need to plan their initial approach, including soil analysis, soil nutrient supply (SNS) measurements, and grain analysis from the previous year’s crop.”

Abbie explains: “As the season progresses, we send progress updates of NDVI and tissue analysis data of the control entries to the entrants so they can regularly review and, if necessary, re-adjust their strategy to reflect what’s happening in the field. They also have the option to visit their crop in person and do whatever they deem best to get that profit return.”

At harvest, ADAS will then assess biomass and take grain samples from each entry to review yield, crop nitrogen use efficiency and gross margin. At the end of the trial, all entrants will receive their trial results along with their ranking against the control and ADAS treatments.

Abbie Marshall

Lessons learnt from the 2023 challenge

In last year’s competition, the ADAS treatment used soil nutrient supply (SNS) measurements from the field to guide the rate of N applied. Taking this approach rather than relying on standard RB209 SNS figures meant the ADAS entry achieved the highest yield of 11.2 t/ha, over a ton above the RB209 control plot at 10.1 t/ha.

Another standout entry was biostimulant manufacturer Azotic achieving a yield of 10.3 t/ha, similar to the RB209 control, by applying 30 kg less N/ha along with a single application of Encera and MOLYTRAC 250 in April.

Abbie summarised: “2023 really showed us the importance of checking and adjusting your nutrition programme throughout the season, either by looking for visible signs of nutrient deficiency or taking tissue samples at key growth stage timings. Reviewing the success of a nutrition programme at the end of the season through grain analysis, such as YEN nutrition, is critical. That’s really when you’re going to find out how well you read the crop throughout the season.”

Sarah Kendall, Crop Physiologist at ADAS, agreed “It’s great to see the Nutrition Challenge following the 3-step approach to nutrient management, which has been developed as part of the Horizon Europe and UKRI funded NUTRI-CHECK NET project. From discussions with farmers in the UK and across Europe, we’ve found that many farmers plan their nutrient management approaches, but few ‘check and adjust’ or ‘review’ their nutrient management plans. The nutrition challenge is showing there is lots of scope for improving gross margin by applying the 3-step approach which is great to see”.
Soil Carbon Measurement: A Practical Guide for Farmers
Farmers are crucial in managing one of our most vital resources: soil. The health of soil impacts not only the yield and quality of crops, but also its ability to store carbon, an increasingly important tool in global efforts to combat climate change.

For those in agriculture, understanding how to measure soil carbon accurately is not just beneficial; it’s a necessity. Here’s a straightforward look at how to approach soil carbon measurement, with accuracy and reliability front-of-mind.

Why Soil Carbon Matters

Soil carbon is a good indicator of soil health. For farmers, healthy soil means healthier crops and livestock, and a reduced need for chemical inputs, which lowers costs and improves environmental impact.

But what does soil carbon have to do with climate change? Storing carbon in the soil means removing it from the atmosphere. Even if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) today, there is already too much of a concentration of GHGs accumulated in our atmosphere. Therefore, locking carbon in our soils is crucial in tackling the climate crisis.

The Economic Benefits of Soil Carbon

The economic incentives for enhancing soil carbon are significant, especially when considering the number and size of companies needing to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, and the potential to participate in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM).

Scope 3 emissions encompass the indirect emissions from a company’s value chain, including agricultural processes. Companies can pay farmers within their supply chain to adopt practices that build soil carbon.

This provides an additional revenue stream for farmers and enhances the marketability of their produce to environmentally conscious consumers and companies.

Alternatively, there are the carbon markets, where carbon credits (1 credit = 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent) can be traded, incentivising farmers through financial rewards for their sustainable farming practices. As demand for carbon credits grows, the value of these credits can increase, making soil carbon management a financially attractive strategy alongside its environmental benefits.

The Importance of Accurate Measurement

The accurate measurement of soil carbon is vital for farmers looking to capitalise on the growing markets. Consistent, reliable measurement practices are essential for understanding soil health and meeting the stringent verification standards regulating the carbon markets.

These markets demand high levels of certainty in the data reported, meaning that any discrepancies can lead to disqualification or reduced value of carbon credits. Thus, investing in robust measurement techniques and aligning with respected standards [TS1] (such FAO-GSOC, GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals (LS&R), and VM0042 from Verra) bolsters credibility and maximises the financial benefits of sustainable soil management practices.

Farmers can more effectively participate in these markets by ensuring their soil carbon data is accurate and trustworthy, securing a sustainable income stream while contributing to global carbon reduction efforts.

How to Accurately Measure Soil Carbon

Direct soil sampling is the only accurate method for measuring soil carbon [TS2] method for measuring soil carbon, and it is a process simplified by Agricarbon (www.agricarbon.earth).

Their method involves taking soil samples from multiple points within fields while maintaining the integrity and structure of the soil. Agricarbon advocates for sampling deeper than the conventional 30cm, as a significant amount of additional carbon can be stored at depth up to 1 metre, which often goes unmeasured.

Once collected, these samples are sent to their purpose-built laboratory and are analysed for soil organic carbon and bulk density. Agricarbon streamlines this procedure with automation and provides an easy-to-follow report, making what might seem a daunting task straightforward, efficient, and affordable.

This method offers precise data that is acceptable for all major protocols and standards associated with carbon credit revenue generation. It equips farmers with the information to make informed decisions about soil management and carbon sequestration efforts.

Getting Started

For farmers new to this process, here’s how to begin:
- Establish a Baseline: First, determine the current carbon stock in your soil. This baseline will help you track progress and assess the impact of your management practices over time.
- Plan for Monetisation: There are several incentives available; farmers can work with established carbon credit developers or begin conversations with the sustainability or procurement managers of their purchasers to discuss payment for the implementation of sustainable farming practices.
- Create a Carbon Management Plan: Working with agronomists and consultants is crucial to devising a plan tailored to your circumstances. This plan should encompass strategies for enhancing soil carbon sequestration based on your farm’s unique characteristics and commercial objectives.
- Plan for Regular Assessment: Soil carbon stocks change slowly, so monitoring changes in carbon stock— typically three to five years — is essential to understand trends and adjust practices accordingly.
Conclusion

Farmers have a unique opportunity to influence agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability through effective soil carbon management.
With robust measurement techniques, farmers can enhance soil health, participate in carbon credit markets, and contribute significantly to global efforts against climate change. By accurately measuring and managing soil carbon, farmers ensure the long-term health of their land and open new avenues for revenue, reinforcing agriculture’s vital role in our planet’s sustainable future.

Get Involved

Interested in learning more about how you can measure and manage soil carbon on your farm?

Reach out to Tom Sadan at Agricarbon for expert guidance and tailored solutions. Whether you’re new to the concept or ready to measure, Tom can provide the support you need.

Contact him via email at tsadan@agricarbon.earth or visit the Agricarbon website at www.agricarbon.earth to discover more.
Straw Harrow – An underrated tool for all seasons
Article written by Claydon Drills. See Claydon Drills at Direct Driller at Cereals Event 11 & 12 June 2024

Using your Straw Harrow before or after you direct drill has a hugely positive impact on your crop establishment results.

Managing stubbles

Patchy establishment is caused by thick layers of poorly chopped and spread straw from the combine harvester. Spreading chaff and straw evenly across your fields helps eliminate patchy germination.

Claydon straw harrows offer the solution to this and will allow you to establish even crops across your fields by breaking down and dispersing crop residues. This includes the headlands as our Straw Harrows are able to turn at the field ends “in work” without needing to be lifted, ensuring straw is evenly distributed.

Stubble as not been managed by a straw harrow, leaving crop residues in defined rows leading to poor germination

Stubble as not been managed by a straw harrow, leaving crop residues in defined rows leading to poor germination

Generating tilth, raking weeds

Five banks of flexible, vibrating spring tines operating at high speed is a very effective method of generating tilth to germinate weeds and volunteers, which are then raked out. This mechanical weeding makes the Straw Harrow an attractive prospect for organic farmers.

Reducing slug populations

High speed harrowing is very effective at turning over crop residues and exposing them to ultra violet light, desiccating slugs and their eggs.

Warming overwintered soils

Using the Straw Harrow on soil surfaces and stubbles in the spring creates a micro-tilth for not only germinating weeds and volunteers but also to warm up that very important soil that will sit around your grains, grasses and pulses for a fast and even germination.

7.5m Straw Harrow at work warming overwintered stubbles

Returning nutrients and organic matter to soil

If you want to make use of the straw you’re chopping and spreading back on to your land then it will require some attention. To make best use of this valuable commodity, the Claydon Straw Harrows allow you to:
- Distribute straw evenly across your soil surface area.
- Break soil cap and stimulate healthy bacteria.
- Breaking down the crop residue into smaller pieces, making it easier for the earthworms to harvest
These three things are fundamental for turning your straw into something worth leaving on your fields.

Transforming slabby seedbeds and covering seeded rows

The straw harrow is a great tool for breaking down slabby seedbeds and clods into smaller particles, covering in open rows left by drilling in imperfect conditions, as can be seen below.

Covered

Slabby

Crop

The effectiveness of the fast, multi action Claydon Straw Harrow is due to its quality of build and durability. Huge amounts of ground can be covered in a day for little cost and minimal wearing parts.

Claydon Straw Harrows are available in 3m , 7.5m and 9m mounted models and 12.5m and 15m trailed.

Hot and dry or cool and wet, our range of Straw Harrows https://claydondrill.com/straw-harrow/ allow you to distribute straw, smash stubble, control slugs and remove weeds, creating the best environment for drilling and efficient germination of the crops you’re seeding.
Get in touch with us or one of our partners now to get a straw harrow on farm in time for the harrowing season: www.claydondrill.com
Claydon new product launches at Cereals 2024

Article written by Claydon Drills. See Claydon at Direct Driller at Cereals Event 11 & 12 June, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, SG7 5JX

The Claydon Evolution Front Hopper and Claydon Evolution Drill Toolbar will be seen for the first time at Cereals on Claydon stand 1112.

These two new product offerings bring even more flexibility to the Opti-Till^® product range.

The new Evolution Front Hopper has a total capacity of 2750 litres which is split 45/55%. The unit is pressured to ensure reliable high-volume material delivery and its twin metering units deliver either mixed or separated seed/fertiliser.

ISOBUS compatible, the Front Hopper is supplied with small, medium or large diameter interchangeable metering wheels to suit a wide range of seeds and fertilisers. The ISOCAN terminal controls all front hopper functions and allows variable rate seeding, depending on the task controller and licence key.

The Evolution Drill Toolbar can be used in conjunction with the new Front Hopper and is available in widths of 3m, 4m, 4.5m, 4.8m, 5m or 6m. The standard specification includes one distribution head with 38mm seed delivery hoses, but a second distribution head can be optioned, allowing fertiliser to be supplied to either the front leading tine or rear seeding tine.

Visit us on stand 1112 to find out more about these latest additions to the range and to view other machines in the Opti-Till^® sustainable farming product range : 6m trailed Hybrid T drill, 9m Straw Harrow, 4m TerraBlade inter-row hoe and 6m TerraStar^® light rotary cultivator.

For more information visit contact your nearest Claydon dealer or visit claydondrill.com
John Deere – Farm Smart, Profit More

All you need to know in one ad… See John Deere in the drill arena for Direct Driller at Cereals on 11 & 12 June, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, Herts
Covering Soils Event – Scotland – 22nd May 24
A first event in Scotland, at Direct Driller’s Farmer Focus writer Neil White’s farm in Berwickshire

Date and time

Wed, 22 May 2024 10:00 – 16:00 BST

Location

Greenknowe Farm Cottages, Duns, TD11 3JA

Description

Gain insights to make the best decision for your farm – Everything starts with soil, it’s the foundation and biggest asset on farm, measure what you have and make informed, practical decisions based on the data. Focus will be on sustainability, holistic practices and practical optimization of land use.

The day is based on Neil’s farm in Berwickshire – encourage.theory.events (what3words)

If you haven’t read Niel’s artilces, they are all on the Direct Driller website here: https://directdriller.com/author/neil-white/

Follow Neil for daily updates on his socials:

X – @GreenknoweFarm

YouTube – @everythingisgreenknowe5094

Instagram – everything_is_greenknowe

What you can learn on the day

During the day you will get the chance to speak to Neil and see his farm.

Neil uses a Mzuri Drill and a Valtra tractor and teams from both will taking a session during the day to explain why they suit the conditions Neil farms in perfectly and the new techology they have coming the market.

During the day you will also hear from Stuart Fensom, SOYL and Ed Jones, Kings talking all things cover crops, soil health and analysis. Thorburn Group who are the main agents for AGREX Grain Dryer’s will also be there. In addition to the demonstration, you will have the opportunity to speak to the team about the best grain stores they have erected over the years, and gain their advice on what the benefits of a farm building investment are.

Sponsors
- Frontier (Kings Cover Crops and SOYL)
- Mzuri Ltd
- Valtra part of the Agco Group
- Thorburn Group who re the main agents for AGREX Grain Dryers
The day will run a morning and afternoon session, groups will swap over with lunch in between to keep the sessions small and personal.

A word from Neil’s last Farmer Focus piece:

“I’m not going to dwell on the weather but as it is a major factor in what we do, I will say, despite having constant downpours of around 40-50mm we have fared better than most. My rain gauge filled so many times I must admit I gave up emptying it. Colin McGregor, 4 miles away, didn’t give up, and tells me that we had 45% of our annual rainfall in the last 3 months of 2023. We both agreed that once again we have been very fortunate in this area compared to large parts of the country both North and South.

The SFI scheme has maybe become more appealing in a year with so many challenges, and stories about 27% of ground already being taken out of production is a big concern. I don’t blame anyone for making that judgment based on the prospects short term. We don’t have that scheme north of the border so its more of the same for us, which means very little opportunity to enter any scheme for me.”

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covering-soils-scotland-hosted-by-neil-white-tickets-888349095057
The Aitchison T- Boot

Article written by Aitchison. See Aitchison at Direct Driller at Cereals 11 & 12 June, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, Herts.

The vibrating tine with the Aitchison boot creates a smear-free, cocoon-shaped mini seedbed. Competing plants have their roots pruned while the inverted T-slot mixes the seeds with the soil. The seeds may be placed 1.5″ deep in the inverted T-slot where more moisture is available; however, the seed is consistently covered with only 1/4″ to 3/8″ of finely tilled soil. The key that makes the Aitchison completely different is the special design of the Aitchison boot. The bottom surface of the boot compresses a column of soil underneath the seed, which creates a “wick” to conduct moisture upwards. The unique inverted T-shaped slot retains up to eight times more moisture and three times more oxygen than other planting systems, while offering superior seed germination. The loose, tilth-like soil deposited over the seed with the Aitchison system is a poor water conductor and acts as a barrier to stop moisture from evaporating from the seedbed. Seed savings can be 25% or greater over other drills due to improved emergence. This fact is supported by independent trial results.

About Aitchison

The Aitchison Zero Till Drills sowing the future of agriculture. The drill’s seeding technique uses the famous and original T-boot system, coupled with the unique gentle sponge seed delivery system is able to dispense any size seed in any seed mix. Drills are available in sowing widths 1.2m-6m, tine or disc.

Contact Neil Ford – Mobile 07487301846
Editor of Direct Driller Magazine caught on camera!

Article written by the the team at Direct Driller Magazine

As you already know, we love to showcase those who deserve the limelight and the editor of our magazine is no exception!

We visited the Cereals Event for their cover crop plot day back in April and had an impromptu moment in front of the camera, which, when you’re an editor of a mag, isn’t usually the place you find yourself but we think he did fantastic!

Check out the video below of Chris giving you all you need to know about Direct Driller Magazine at Cereals in June, we think he needs to spend more time in front of the screen instead of behind it! Well done Chris and see you all at the arable event in June. Tickets available to buy, here: https://directdriller.com/direct-driller-cereals/

Chris Fellows on camera giving you information about Direct Driller Magazine at Cereals 2024
Giving your crops what they want – where and when they want it

Article written by Claydon Drills. See Claydon Drills for Direct Driller at Cereals on 11 & 12 June 2024, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, Herts

Food in the best format

Claydon drills have the facility to apply granular fertiliser through a variety of different outlets and locations. With the improved soil health and uncultivated rows from the Claydon Opti-Till^® system the infiltration capacity is greatly improved, facilitating more timely applications of fertilisers, or chemicals, as the soil structure is more supportive for machines throughout the year.

The Claydon drill is a direct drill, seeding into crop residues which have been dispersed and broken down into a mulch by the Claydon Straw harrow. After a few weeks this organic matter is hardly visible; it has been further broken down and ingested by soil biota, such as earthworms who excrete it as soil nutrients.

This organic matter improves the structure of the soil and increases its ability to hold water, vital to supply crops in the growing months. It helps soil store essential nutrients and promotes root growth, increasing the plant’s uptake of nutrients and water.

The amount of organic matter on the Claydon farm has increased by 5% since 2002.

Prof Andy Neal at Rothamsted Research states that for a silty-clay loam ‘every 1% increase in soil organic carbon equates to a water holding capacity increase of 354,000 litres a hectare to a depth of 30cm’ – which equates to roughly 1.7m litres/ha more water held on the Claydon farm.

Increasing organic matter and improving soil structure has made it possible to grow oilseed rape in Central Spain where retaining moistures is essential on extremely dry land which is light and erodes if cultivated. The farmer has been Claydon drilling for 10 years. The oilseed rape was seeded on 13 September and has had 50m3 of liquid manure and 30kg of N since drilling.

Growing this oilseed rape in central Spain has been made possible with organic matter increase achieved by Claydon Opti-Till^®

Food where needed

The Claydon drill range offers a variety of options for fertiliser placement when seeding, so fertiliser can be placed where young plants need it for optimum establishment.

The Hybrid T range of trailed drills has split hoppers with fertiliser delivery either above the seed in the seeding zone or below the seed in the rooting zone. Split hoppers are also available on the Evolution 3m and 4m mounted drills with the same options for placement.

An additional fertiliser hopper is available on the trailed drills (NutriSeeder) and mounted drills (Microgranular) with delivery at three outlets: venturi, spread across the rear toolbar or inter-row.

Emerging from a long cold winter in Norway, this winter wheat was established in south eastern Norway where temperatures range from -20°C to +25°C. Placing fertiliser whilst drilling is almost a necessity in this part of the world and this crop has come through well.

Ready for sowing in Norway

Winter wheat emergence

Strong, consistent crop

Protecting the crops at the optimum time

Claydon drilling only loosens soil in the seeding and rooting zone, leaving the inter-row undisturbed. The structure of the soil, with all the worm channels, capillary action and biota, is left intact and in good shape. This keeps wheeling and compaction to a minimum as the soil is strong enough to support following traffic. Field operations like spraying can be carried out at optimum times when the crop needs; you can travel when you need to travel.

Claydon drilling leaves the soil supportive for optimum timing of following operations.

In the next edition of Direct Driller at Cereals – two new product launches which complement the Claydon fertiliser offering.

For more information about how Claydon drilling can help you establish your crops in a challenging climate, whilst maintaining yields and reducing costs, please visit claydondrill.com or contact your nearest Claydon dealer.

https://claydondrill.com/
Dale Drills: Update on the Farm Equipment & Technology Fund 2024 (FETF)
Article written by Dale Drills . Come and see Dale Drills the 11 & 12 June for Direct Driller at Cereals, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, Herts.

With the approaching deadline of the first round of applications for the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) on April 17, 2024, Dale Drills is delighted by the strong interest shown in our seed drill range. While we have received numerous phone calls and enquiries, we are still encouraging further interest. To assist farmers in determining which drills in our range are eligible for specific codes, we have outlined them as follows:
- FETF205: Direct Drill 4m and above. Eligible for 50% of the drill’s value up to a maximum grant of £17,845.
- FETF206: Direct Drill 3m and above with fertiliser placement. Eligible for 60% of the drill’s value up to a maximum grant of £40,800.
- FETF44: Direct Drill 3m and above. Eligible for 50% of the drill’s value up to a maximum grant of £15,076.50.
- FETF45: Direct Drill 6m and above. Eligible for 50% of the drill’s value up to a maximum grant of £27,900.
We anticipate two more rounds of funding applications after the first round closes. We will provide an update once the opening and closing dates for these rounds are announced.

Dale Drills is committed to assisting farmers in optimising their operations with innovative equipment, and the FETF offers a valuable opportunity for those interested in integrating our seed drills into their farming practices. Don’t miss the chance to enhance your productivity and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural landscape. Contact us today to explore how Dale Drills can be a strategic partner on your journey toward efficient and environmentally conscious farming practices.
INTRODUCING THE GH400 MODULAR GRANULAR HOPPER
Article written by Horizon Agriculture . See Horizon at Direct Driller at Cereals on the 11 & 12 June 2024, Bygrave Woods, Herts

Horizon Agricultural Machinery is excited to announce our new small granular hopper, the GH400!

Extremely configurable and versatile, the GH400 is designed to work with various machines and products and features our high-performance DSX metering unit.

Designed to be as modular as possible, the GH400 can easily be combined with Horizon machines or as a standalone platform for machines from other manufacturers. It can be controlled through RDS Artemis ISOCAN Monitor or ISOBUS and features touch button calibration.

All our GH400 models have a 400L pressurised hopper and DSX metering unit with interchangeable rollers, ideal for metering micro-granular fertiliser, slug pellets, Avadex or small seeds. It can be configured in the following different specs:
- The GH400-A: Our ‘airflow’ spec acts as a third or fourth hopper for our DSX platform and upcoming 9m DSX, utilising the existing turbine and distribution system.
- The GH400-O: Our ‘outlet’ configuration features a turbine and distribution system with integrated outlets to create a completely independent seeding unit. This option is designed for machines with 4-12 outlets, and the distribution system with integrated outlets keeps the hopper extremely compact. Compatible with our PPX and SPX.
- The GH400-D: Our ‘distribution’ specification includes a turbine, injector box assembly for selective seeding and distribution heads as it is designed for machines with 6-64 outlets. This configuration can also serve as a standalone seeding unit, and is perfect for combining with a mounted drill. Compatible with our DSX and MDSX.
The tried and tested DSX metering unit found in all our GH400 models has proved extremely accurate, and the interchangeable rollers accommodate a variety of products, working widths and speeds, with 0.5kg per/ha now achievable.

The GH400’s modularity makes it a great choice for pairing with third party machinery and is eligible for 2024’s FETF207 grant when paired with a drill of at least 3m working width.

Contact us, your local Horizon dealer, or visit the GH400 webpage to find out more and learn what it can do for you.
Issue 27 – Contents
Inside this issue:
Introduction – Issue 27 – Following the money

It looks like arable movers, shakers and advisors seem to be moving away from yield, costs and profits towards the birds, bees and ecology. They’re ‘following the money’ as Warren Buffett might say. Today they are making the choice between AHL1 (pollen and nectar flower mix) at £739 / ha/year or leaving their Sustainable Farming Incentive programme at AHL3, (grassy field corners and blocks) at £590. The question is “will the marginal returns of going for the more expensive mix cover the added expense over the field corners?

Are the corners going to satisfy outcomes more easily than the pollen?” The SFI actions can extend to 25% of the farm, enough to alter investment decisions “will we need that bigger seed drill, combine or tractor when our acreage is reduced?” “Should we max out on SFI on the basis that the world grain market will continue to be well supplied with static or even depressed prices, even in a world with wars, storms, flood and drought?”

Advisors will be following the money as well. Graduates in ecology or environmental science find multiple openings for salaried work with numerous organisations which, only a few years ago, had no-one looking after this side of their business. It’s a new science with tentacles that reach back to the development of life on earth. It was not so long ago that ecology and the environment were areas of study that had a dilettante appeal that competed with art history and other esoteric areas of study. Ecology today has become mainstream and headline news, and there’s a danger it will leave the study and world of agriculture in it’s wake. Why not have both?

The agronomist who can advise on outcomes of both crop production and ecological enhancement has two vital feathers to their bow. The advisor who understands the downsides and well as benefits of traditional chemistry but who also has knowledge and experience in using bio-stimulants of all varieties is likewise one who can make the most of both nature and the continuously changing technology of agri-chems in its widest sense. Research and progress needs to continue at a useful pace, keeping on top of challenges which will present themselves as a consequence of climate change and other events.

What starts off as being a basic study leads to dozens of important interlinked pathways, all having a major significance to food production and other farming outcomes. I truly believe that Direct Driller has a lead in publishing the integration of farming and ecology in the quality of it’s articles (thank you contributors), and the quality of its readers (thank you, readers). I am always interested in contacts with both groups. mike@ farmideas.co.uk
To be or not to be

Never fear, I’m not venturing into Shakespeare here. Not only are my writing skills lacking, but I can’t see Direct Driller ever making it to the stage either. However, I am questioning the desire to be labelled a “regenerative farmer”. Do you want or need to be labelled at all? This is not quite weighing up life and death, as hamlet does in his soliloquy, but it is important to know what you want to be. Because wants and needs on farms soon become costs and profits.

Understanding your journey is a critical step to profitability and sustainability at a farm level. When I read or listen to our Farmer Focus writers, they often seem clear on this path. This has led the likes of Andy Cato to set up a whole brand and ethos to go alongside their beliefs, allowing other farmers to join them. Tim Parton is part of the Green Farm Collective (not to be confused with Red Tractor’s disastrous Greener Farm Commitment).

They have set out their stall and now have put measures alongside that and you must be able to measure something to make it happen. Now, you can be a Wildfarmed farmer or a GFC farmer,. you can have a label but what is the point of a label unless it benefits your business? These labels can come with benefits. All farmers in the UK can benefit from SFI payments from the government to add biodiversity to their land.

Thus moving them all along a regen journey and that comes with income. There is definitely a reason to make this step but does doing SFI make you a “regen” farmer? Some might say yes, some will say no. For me, it will depend on the farm and farmer, whether they see SFI as part of a wider journey, or just a replacement for BPS.
Farmer Focus – Ben Taylor-Davies

January 2024

Neurodiversity and oubaitori, 2 words that presented themselves to me towards the end of 2023, 2 words which answer a lot of questions to many of my life’s struggles, thankfully something that seems to have been put well behind me since finding regenerative agriculture and realising this would cure my mental health issues.

Typically, I had to find the answers to my problems before they found me, however I spend my farming life doing the same. Neurodiversity is now quite incredibly the name given to those suffering from anything on the autism spectrum, ADHD, Dyslexia and or Dyspraxia. As a farmer I have 3 times more chance of being neurodiverse than the rest of the population…. It took me over 30 years to realise this is a good thing and in farming a great thing.

Historically a farming family would have many children, with the academics of the family heading off to the city to work and those with less academic ability to remain home and use their more practical brain to farm. Natural selection then meant this was kept as a trait as farms were handing down through generation after generation.

Farming throughout history was a problem-solving industry, without the ability to reach for packets, cans, bottles, bags and syringes the ability to think laterally was a real asset, this kept these special minds occupied day and night. However, take away the need for the problem solving with the green revolution, a world of advisors and you still have a brain that is hugely active and needs feeding, often with all the things then beyond control and why mental health issues (in my view) is so high in agriculture.

Oubaitori is the Japanese idea that people, like flowers, bloom in their own time and in their individual ways. Education for myself was a struggle, certainly until A levels when my geography teacher Mrs Miles decided to change tac on my teaching and proceeded to bet I couldn’t do something, the result was an A in A level geography and then a BSc in Geography at Liverpool University. However, what I discovered was education for myself only became interesting and exciting when I was learning about something I felt stimulated by.

I think many farmers I speak to have very similar sentiments when it comes to both Neurodiversity and oubaitori, what a great asset to implement a sustainable future for my own farm?! Put my mind to work with something that interests me and with it drive profitability.

Lunchmoney Lewis even sang about them “Bills” something we as farmers need to focus on far more than we do, it’s easy and even lazy just to pile into the agchem industry, yet rarely do I see a pile on into the veterinary industry, insurance, banking, machinery industry and even auctioneer markets, all of which have based their industry extracting what they can from our profits, it’s a real issue and something we are concentrating on at Townsend Farm (Ross-on-Wye) where we farm 220Ha of deep river silt or the red sandstone loam over sandstone the area is most famous for. As I’ve mentioned in so many podcasts, farming is essentially taking 3 free things (Sunlight, precipitation and carbon dioxide, putting them through soil) and making profit, yet somehow, as an industry most farms are in debt…….

Agflation is frightening, my grandfather retired when he bought a Massey Ferguson 135 (which we still own) in 1965 for £885 purely on the basis that he couldn’t see a future fro farming if the cost of a tractor was to go north of £1000. Allowing for inflation the £885 would now equate to £14,283.76, with all the modern technological advances, how much really have we gained? Our Ford 7810 (95hp) during the 90’s ran a 4 furrow auto reset Kverneland plough, it would now seem driving around that between around 200hp seems the norm for a 5 furrow plough – what has gone wrong?

Dopamine is the simple answer, the feel-good drug our body releases as we prepare to and then complete the purchase of a new item “The reward drug” from retail therapy for farmers is often used in the absence of this drug being released if you manage to solve a problem on the farm without using the ‘industry standard’ the latter of course being far cheaper! I am not saying the drive for new technology shouldn’t be sort after, what I am saying is the machinery manufacturers use this dopamine drug to lure you into the showroom and you leave feeling great after parting with a small fortune…

“Intensifying diversity simply” is the 3-word motto of the farm, with the disappearance of BPS and the obvious need to demonstrate to the general public that any money they are being taxed for to give to farmers should be earned for the benefit of everyone as public goods. There seems to be real reluctance to embrace SFI for everything it is along with other schemes aimed at providing support to farms that now offer a financial incentive to protect their main asset (soil) because without this support many are happy to see it literally flow out of the gateway…. Soil is simply like a bank account, if there is less going in than going out you are in debt, when you pass how much debt are you leaving your kin? How many farmers reading this can honestly say they have more soil today than when they began farming? I’ll be brutally honest – definitely not me!

Fighting the bills has become our major focus on the farm, our latest project has been the resurrection of our wind powered water pump which fell into disrepair in the 1960’s and sat there as a relic for so many years, often meaning to push the tower down and send it off for scrap, we now have part A of our energy sustainability project up and running. A FIPL (Farming in protected landscape) grant helped us out a bit towards the cost of having the mill restored and to see the dopamine oozing out of me as the wind turned it as it started pumping water for the first time in 60 years is an understatement, but like anything on the farm this is the just the beginning. The water will be pumped to large storage tanks up at the farm, where of course it will provide water to ourselves and the livestock, but will also feed the solar powered electrolysis unit to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen to power farm vehicles and the farmhouse heating system and the oxygen used in the compost extraction system. Can we be one of the UK’s first fossil free farms?

The Brewery on the farm is another example of our circular economy way of thinking, produce malting barley, have it malted, sell it to the brewery, use it for 4 hours and then feed the brewers grains to the few Wagyu cattle we now have, combined with their ability to swallow up the waste beer and the introduction of a rotating cattle brush as a massager – will we be producing A5 meat within a few years? Time will tell!
Is regen farming producing more nutritious food?

Can how you grow crops impact on the nutrient and health value of food? It’s what farmer and doctor Hannah Fraser is trying to find out on a Nuffield Scholarship

By Mike Abram

For a long time there has been a suspicion that how you grow food will determine its nutrient status and ultimately impact how healthy consumers are. It’s a claim some in the organic farming sector, and more recently regenerative farmers have tried to make but is there evidence to back that up?

That’s what motivated first generation farmer Hannah Fraser to investigate the topic for her Nuffield Scholarship.

“Five years ago, I knew very little about food production,” she says. That was the moment she and her husband Alex took on farming the land around the family home at Denby Hall Farm, near Huddersfield in Yorkshire.

Deciding to farm organically, Hannah and Alex, the pair have embraced practices designed to restore soil health as quickly as possible.

Linking how farmers can impact the health and nutritional value by how they farm was a natural step given Hannah’s day job as a medical doctor at a Leeds hospital.

“I’ve learned a lot working in the medical profession,” she says. “Sadly we have a real issue in this country with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and heart disease. They don’t go away easily, often requiring a lot of medication and follow up, impacting quality of life.”

In the UK, she says, just under half the adult population suffers from at least one of these conditions, and while life expectancy is a reasonable 81 years, the age to which we’re expected to live well with no medical problems is only 63.

“What’s more worrying is these numbers are in decline, so our health is potentially getting worse.”

A lot of research shows the importance of food and diet in reducing disease risk, but, while nutritionally dense food is far from a new concept, much less research has been conducted linking how food has been grown to nutrient richness and our health.

There are essentially three components to food that determine nutrient density – macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals.

Macronutrients are the big things – proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fibre, Hannah explains, while micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals present in small amounts. Phytochemicals include thousands of plant-made chemicals, such as beta-carotenes, anthocyanins, phenols and flavonoids.

“Macronutrients often get talked about more in dietary recommendations, but I think it is the micronutrients that can really make a difference to our health. We can’t make these ourselves, so they have to come in our diet.

“In high income countries, where people are relatively calory-secure, just under half of children under the age of five and half of women of reproductive age are deficient in at least one of these micronutrients, so how nutritious our food is could make a real difference.”

Research is also finding phytochemicals have remarkable effects in the body including anti-cancer properties and reducing inflammation, which can be an important component of those chronic conditions.

“It’s why we get told to eat a variety of fruit and veg; eat the rainbow.”

But there are a huge number of unknown phytochemicals in food, which have unknown impacts of our health or how farming systems influence their levels, she adds.

So has the nutritional levels in food declined? Some data suggests it has – a group of scientists compared UK government data between the 1930s and 1980s in 20 vegetable and found 19% lower calcium, 35% less magnesium, 22% iron, 81% copper and 14% less potassium, Hannah says.

“Similar findings have been found in US and Finnish data, although there is criticism of this data. Testing will have improved since the 1930s, and there could have been errors, such as tiny traces of soil left on food which would have made the nutrients levels higher.”

What about testing today’s food and seeing if it varies? That’s what US-based Bionutrient Food Association is hoping could be possible with a handheld device, Hannah says. “To calibrate the device they’ve been taking food samples from across Europe and the US to see how the amount of nutrients varies.”

And the answer is in some foods it can vary a lot. For example, in kale the amount of calcium can vary between 15% and 40% of the recommended daily intake, so at the lower side you would have to eat three times as much to get the same amount of calcium.

The same applies for some other nutrients and vegetables, while similar analysis for polyphenol and antioxidant phytochemicals shows wide variations in some fruit and veg.

“We can’t say what the health impact that is as we don’t know how many phytochemicals you need to be healthy.”

So can we produce more nutrient dense food through changing the way we farm? That’s what those farming using regenerative or organic practices hope, and there is some evidence starting to emerge that might be the case.

Geologist and author David Montgomery and partner Anne Bikle, a biologist, have set up a preliminary trial comparing 10 regenerative farms with conventional counterparts in the USA.

Early trial data suggests, for example with cabbages, the regeneratively farms are producing food with more nutrients. “For vitamin K, 30% more of the amount that you need in a day was in the regenerative cabbage compared with conventional, and 10% more vitamin C.

“In wheat and oats, there was quite substantial differences in mineral content, but it’s just 10 farms so we can’t draw conclusions yet, and shows what a study looks like.”

Other studies have shown higher amounts of ergothioneine, which is produced by fungi and nicknamed the longevity vitamin because it seems to prevent ageing, is found in soybeans and oats produced in a no-till system compared with plough-based establishment.

“It’s an interesting example of how a healthy soil might be providing different compounds,” Hannah suggests.

Or there’s the study showing higher abundance and diversity of beneficial microbes on salad grown in soil compared with grown in a sterile vertical system. These microbes might be helping to populate our gut microbiome, keeping us healthy.

Breeding varieties with higher nutrient density is also possible, as shown by Harvest Plus, a group working in developing countries using conventional breeding to increase iron, vitamin A and zinc in crops.

“Could we breed a wheat that’s high in zinc, iron and copper?” Hannah asks. Already in Finland a programme to apply a foliar selenium fertiliser to wheat has helped solve a deficiency issue in its population.

In livestock agriculture, researchers have found the amount of forage in dairy diets balances the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids in milk to around 1:1 when the animals are fed 100% of forage, compared with 8:1 when there is minimal forage in diets.

This is important as in modern diets we’re consuming around 16 times more omega 6 than omega 3 and scientists think this could be promoting inflammation causing heart attacks, Hannah explains.

“So 1:1 is more in line what might be healthier for us,” she says. “And the same 1:1 ratio has been seen with grass-fed beef compared with 10:1 for cattle finished on a mixed ration.

“There were also a lot more phytochemicals in grass-finished beef.”

Those research findings are giving confidence to Hannah that there is real evidence that different farming techniques can produce healthier, more nutritious food, although more is required and will be needed to convince the public and for policy makers to put in the right incentives for farmers to switch practices.

“We’re in the early days of recognition of the link between farming and health,” she says.

Harking back to a quote in 1943 by Lady Eve Balfour, a British organic farming pioneer, that spoke of the connection between health and correct soil management and the need for any public health system to be connected to soil fertility, Hannah hopes that farmers will be recognised for the important role they play in public health.

“Maybe one day like today when we’re starting to be paid for ecological services, we’ll start to be paid for health services for the role we play in producing nutritious food,” she concludes.