Making a farm as profitable as possible requires expert decision making. A Cornish agri-technology business is now making that much easier, by giving farmers access to real-time data and alerts to base their decisions on.
The technology now exists to monitor everything from livestock and soil health to water levels. Farmers are likely to find it useful to gather data from multiple sources across their farm. But how do they manage all that data?
“Farmers can end up with several apps or dashboards for different technologies. Managing all of this quickly uses up the time saved by introducing technology in the first place,” says Colin Phillipson from Glas Data, which has developed a solution to this problem – the GlasCore dashboard.
“We’ve spent three years developing GlasCore and working with farmers and agriculture businesses to refine it. GlasCore pulls all of the data collected on a farm together. Farmers will find everything they need to monitor and manage their business on one screen with one login,” says Colin Phillipson.
“The data is delivered in real-time too, which means that farmers can take immediate action if they spot an issue – before it becomes an expensive problem.”
Collecting farm data
Glas Data work with their hardware partner, a specialist in the Internet of Things sensor technology, to build an extensive range of over 60 agricultural sensors that support the food supply chain.
The sensors use LoRaWAN (long-range, low power) technology. Colin Phillipson explains why LoRaWAN sensors are suited to agricultural use: “There is no need for 4G or 5G technology or heavy batteries. These sensors are perfect for farms as they cover a large area, with a range of up to 20 miles. You just need one antenna on the farm, which is usually installed on a farm building. For internal use, the antenna is similar to a domestic Wi-Fi hub, and takes just 10 minutes to install. Each sensor has its own battery which, depending on what the sensor is used for, will last between three and 10 years before it needs to be replaced.”
The sensors can measure everything from bulk milk tank temperature to animal housing. Animal health can also be monitored with a sensor used inside a cow’s rumen, which monitors temperature, pH and activity.
All of your farm’s data in one place
With sensors set up around the farm collecting data, as well as the information a farmer may hold themselves (such as Excel spreadsheets of lab results), there is a lot of data to manage. The GlasCore dashboard displays all of this data, as well as geospatial and time-stamped data. This allows data to be tracked over time – and space. “Data can be pinpointed to a particular field, and the farmer can compare different locations. Other information can also be imported into the GlasCore dashboard, including the Rural Payments Agency boundary information,” explains Colin Phillipson.
Benefits of real-time data and alerts
The GlasCore dashboard displays data in real-time and can be set up to deliver alerts to draw the farmer’s attention to particular data. “This will result in cost savings,” says Colin Phillipson. “Information will be coming in all the time, directly to a phone or desktop. Farmers can easily detect trends and spot ways to improve productivity. The system can be set up individually for each farmer, to track exactly what they need and alert them to issues of concern. Farmers can react quickly to any alerts and take mitigating action that could save significant costs, before small issues become a serious problem.”
As time is a precious commodity for farmers, GlasCore makes searching between multiple computer files, or different piles of paperwork a thing of the past. Using sensors to collect data and monitor farm operations, also allows farmers to automate mundane tasks, which will save even more time.
Real-time data in action
The GlasCore dashboard is already delivering time and cost savings to farmers and food producers. For one dairy business, sensors were installed to record temperature in their freezers and an alert was set up to let them know of any issues. LoRaWAN sensors were perfect for this job as most wireless technology would not go through the steel shipping containers the freezers were stored in. “Over a weekend, the sensor identified a rise in temperature and an alert was sent to the farm manager’s mobile phone.
“The problem was caused by the failure of a cooling system. Because of the real-time data monitoring and alert, they were able to fix the issue very quickly. Before using this system they would have lost an entire year’s worth of stock and ingredients,” says Colin Phillipson.
For another agricultural organisation, the system saved significant costs associated with a water leak. “Water meter sensors provided virtual meter readings which were displayed on the GlasCore dashboard,” adds Colin Phillipson.
“The sensors transmitted data to the GlasCore dashboard every 30 minutes. This meant that water leaks were quickly identified. Without the sensors and GlasCore, it could have been a long time before the leaks were spotted as previously manual checks were made just a few times each month. The early alert to the issue saved the business many thousands of pounds in lost water.”
Managing a farm is a juggling act, and finding ways to cut costs and maximise productivity can be tricky.
The GlasCore dashboard can be adapted for each business to track the data that is important to them. And by delivering it in real-time, with alerts to identify issues quickly, the potential for time and cost savings is significant.
For more information about how the GlasCore dashboard can help your business, please get in touch with Glas Data:
hello@glas-data.com
www.glas-data.co.uk
McConnel has added two new 60hp Power Arms models to its popular 55-Series hedgecutter range resulting in an exceptional combination of value, power and performance – making it ideal for farmers, contractors, and local government grass maintenance teams.
The new PA5555-60 and PA5755-60 comes with reach of 5.5m and 5.7m respectively and gain an additional five horsepower increase over the standard PA5155 and PA5455 which have 5.1m and 5.4m cutting reach respectively and 55hp hydraulic system.
In addition to the step-up in reach and hydraulic horsepower, the three-point linkage mounted Power Arms also gains an integrated oil cooler for increased longevity, redesigned rear guards for easier service access and high visibility LED road lighting.
McConnel’s parallel-arm and Hy-reach geometry continue to come as standard, as do seam welded c-section arms and fully bushed pivot points to reduce stress and ensure greater durability. Hydraulic Power Slew is another standard feature and enabling safe, compact transport and provides operators with the flexibility to cut precisely in tight corners.
Both the new PA5555-60 and PA5755-60 are available with either cable controls or Motion control – McConnel’s popular electronic proportion control system.
Cutting attachments include a selection of flailheads from 1.2m to 1.5m, rotary heads, cutterbars and sawheads. A heavy duty ditch and grip cleaner can also be specified.
The new models are available for order immediately with retail prices starting from £20,800 +VAT.
In an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, the National Beef Association (NBA) has praised the new ‘Eat out to help out’ initiative, but feels that an opportunity has been missed to help UK food producers.
The letter, sent to Mr Sunak’s office on Monday 13th July by NBA Interim CEO Mr Neil Shand on behalf of NBA members, welcomes the government’s announcements to stimulate the recovery of the economy by providing incentives.
However, Mr Shand writes, “We do feel that you have perhaps missed an opportunity to go one step further and to help our food producers – both beef farmers whom we represent, and the wider agriculture industry in general.
“Perhaps now is the time for the public and the service sector to thank their food producers by lending their support in some small way. It would be a way of showing the country’s appreciation to those who have worked tirelessly to feed the nation if the Government were to apply some pressure to the pubs and restaurants who will benefit from the extra funding.”
He adds, “Please can you ensure that they buy local and support local producers.”
The NBA believes a well-devised PR campaign to stipulate that eateries source their food from within the UK would give the financial incentives, ultimately paid for by the UK tax-payer, a double benefit, helping to secure jobs within the industry and providing a well-deserved ‘thank you’ to those who have worked so hard to help us through this crisis.
Acknowledging the great resurgence of patriotism in recent months, which has helped during the dark times, Mr Shand says, “If we are to emerge from this crisis as a united and stronger nation, we need to pull together, making use of our inherent strengths and helping each other where possible to recover our economy.”
Homes and businesses across the country will be better protected and more resilient in future after the government revealed its long-term plan to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.
The measures set out in the new plan are the most comprehensive in a decade, including investment of £5.2 billion to create around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties in England by 2027, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.
The plans also include £200m for innovative projects such as sustainable drainage systems and nature-based solutions. like temporary or permanent water storage areas which also boost wildlife. These will support 25 areas at risk of flooding to test and demonstrate innovative actions to adapt to a changing climate and improve their resilience.
In addition, up to £170m will be spent to accelerate work on shovel-ready flood defence schemes that will begin construction in 2020 or 2021. 22 areas across the country will benefit from this immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy as communities recover from the impact of coronavirus
The government’s ambitious long-term plan sets out five key commitments – supported by over 40 clear actions – which will accelerate progress to better protect and better prepare the country for the coming years:
- Upgrading and expanding flood defences and infrastructure across the country;
- Managing the flow of water to both reduce flood risk and manage drought;
- Harnessing the power of nature to not only reduce flood risk, but deliver benefits for the environment, nature, and communities;
- Better preparing communities for when flooding and erosion does occur; and
- Ensuring every area of England has a comprehensive local plan for dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.
The plan will see the delivery of flood and coastal defences to prevent £32bn in economic damage, the creation of areas to store water during flooding and greater use of nature based solutions to reduce flood risk.
The plan also sets out proposed changes to the joint government and insurance industry Flood Re scheme. This will allow claims to include an additional amount so that flood resilience measures are included in repairs, and allow households that have property flood resilience measures in place to benefit from lower premiums.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Last winter I saw for myself the misery and upheaval that flooding can bring to lives and livelihoods and I said we would do more to help people.
“This long-term plan will help push back the flood waters and protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and livelihoods.
“Our record investment will also stimulate economic growth across the UK as we build back better.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice said:
“The devastating impacts of last winter’s flooding were an important reminder of the need to continue to invest and accelerate action to reduce the impact of flooding on our communities.
“Our record investment and ambitious policies will better protect homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, but we also recognise that we cannot prevent flooding entirely, which is why we will ensure that communities at high risk are more resilient.
“Working closely with the Environment Agency, local authorities, business and the third sector we will create a better protected and prepared nation.”
Andy Bord, Chief Executive of Flood Re, said:
“I welcome the Government’s commitment today to making the nation more resilient to future flooding.
“Flood Re enables access to affordable insurance for hundreds of thousands of homes at high risk of flooding. We believe it is very important that the country is built back better and making homes more resilient through the uptake of property flood resilience adaptations is a key part of addressing the increasing threat of flooding resulting from climate change.”
As the nation recovers from coronavirus, the measures announced today will also give long-term reassurance to communities across the country – particularly in areas where families and businesses have had to make huge sacrifices to deal with coronavirus while still suffering from the consequences of last winter’s flooding.
The pledge to harness the power of nature to reduce flood risk, while protecting and restoring habitats, will also play a part in the UK’s world-leading work to tackle climate change, especially ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 where the restoration of nature and resilience and adaptation will be major themes.
These announcements come ahead of the publication of the Environment Agency’s long-term Flood and Coast Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England, which will be published later today and sets out how the Environment Agency will work with communities to deliver the government’s plan.
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:
“For every £1 spent improving protection from flooding and coastal erosion, we avoid around £5 of property damages. The long-term commitments announced today will make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient to the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis.
“Many communities are all too familiar with flooding, and now the risk is increasing for others too. The Environment Agency is champing at the bit to deliver on the Government’s investment with better, and greener, flood schemes. Detail about how we will do this is set out in our strategy.”
With climate and nature at its heart, the strategy will provide detail on the Environment Agency’s commitment to protect and prepare millions of homes and businesses.
An Airdrie-based car dealer is warning anyone selling high-value vehicles or other items to be aware of scammers taking advantage of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
Stephen Bogan, director at James Glen Car Sales, said in a live Facebook video that the dealer was approached by someone looking to buy a £40,000 Porsche.
Alarm bells rang when the prospective buyer wanted to pay in full rather than leaving a deposit, and only asked one question about the car.
“Generally, people want to know about ownership and condition, what it’s been used for, but all they said is what are the tyres like,” Stephen explained. “So alarm bells were there and we proceeded carefully.”
An invoice was raised and sent over to the buyer and when the full balance arrived in the dealer’s bank account, they called the bank to check it was legitimate. They soon discovered that the buyer’s business name ‘BB Ltd’ in fact stood for Bounce Bank Loans.
The scammer did an online search to find out Stephen’s date of birth and used the dealer’s bank details from the invoice and its business address, to apply for a bounce bank loan of over £40,000 in Stephen’s name, to make it look like the car had been paid for.
The government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme offers quick access loans for small businesses who are struggling with the impact of Covid-19.
Stephen warned that dealers need to be “unbelievably vigilant” for people manipulating the scheme.
“Had we not been so careful and double checked with the bank, we would have put this car out, paid for by our own bounce bank loan that we didn’t ask for.
“Anything you think doesn’t smell right probably isn’t right; go with your gut and double check, triple check everything. If you think there’s anything not sitting right just bin it, forget the sale, there’ll be someone straight away out there who will buy it.”
Marion Pont, 87 from Ashford in Kent, is continuing to run her sheep farm with the help of two mobility scooters – including a 20-year-old TGA Supersport.
Marion has lived on her family farm for over 70 years. First owned by her parents, this 70-acre holding in Bethersden has reared milking cows, grown crops and now breeds sheep. With the help of her sister-in-law and nephew, Marion tends to 80 lambing sheep using her trusty mobility scooters. One of which, built over two decades ago, is a rugged motorcycle-style Supersport. Alongside a TGA Breeze GT which she has just acquired, these scooters are Marion’s only means of remaining mobile around the farm. Without them she would not be able to tend to her flock, mend fences or carry feed. Through powerful performance and a strong design, Marion’s original three-wheel Supersport has never let her down. Always “plastered in mud”, this remarkable machine keeps delivering freedom on the farm.
The Supersport is a popular model of choice with members of the Disabled Ramblers Association through its off-road capabilities and range. It has large wheels which can tackle mud, grass and rocky tracks with consistent traction and excellent manoeuvrability. These features mean Marion is able to access all of her farm throughout the year and regularly drives several miles a day.
Marion explains: “I call my Supersport my tractor and my new Breeze my Rolls Royce. I couldn’t farm without them. For years now, my Supersport has helped me transport tons of stuff including feed, tools and logs. I can get around the house but walking further is impossible. When you’ve worked on a farm all your life, doing heavy work, your muscles get worn out. It’s tricky standing up straight these days which means I can’t see the beautiful countryside when I walk. Not on my Supersport, I can sit upright and see it all.
As Marion is dependent on her Supersport for independence, her youngest nephew suggested she purchased a back-up scooter for peace of mind. Despite her original scooter never breaking down even with intense use, they both thought it wise to contact TGA to see what they would recommend. A Breeze S4 GT was recommended, with extra wide rear wheels and a powerful motor, which now gives Marion an equally competent scooter for farm life.
Marion continues: “I go out on my scooter three times a day to keep things in order. It gets me into the tightest of spaces and being a three-wheeler, steering is easy. When I got my Breeze, I found the comfort and stability great, the steering does take a bit more effort as a four-wheeler, however the ride is very smooth. I’m afraid to get it dirty! It looks so lovely which is okay at the minute as the ground is so dry. Come the winter though it will be caked in mud like my Supersport. I was so lucky that Shaun from TGA came just before the lockdown with my new scooter, he was a fantastic chap. I haven’t been away from the farm in three months due to the virus, so having two scooters at home has kept my freedom intact. I’m glad my other nephew convinced me to get another one.”
Farmers drove their tractors into the heart of London this week as part of a socially-distanced protest against the possibility of cheap food imports arriving in the UK.
Volunteer activists including Celebrity MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy, invited farmers to drive their tractors around Parliament Square on Wednesday (8th July).
The ‘tractorcade’ started at New Covent Garden Market at 1pm and concluded at Parliament Square for a final three loops in front of the Palace of Westminster, where supporters cheered them on.
Organised by campaign group Save British Farming, the protest was in response to mounting concerns that future trade deals, particularly with the US, could result in low quality food imports in the UK.
Concerns were fuelled when MPs rejected an amend to the Agriculture Bill, which is currently with the House of Lords in the process of becoming law. The amend would have enshrined in law the government’s promise to prevent food being imported that would be illegal to produce in the UK.
Event organiser Liz Webster said: “The Agriculture Bill is disastrous for British farming; it threatens the safety of our food and diminishes our food security. Imports from countries that are allowed to produce food with lower standards mean that British farmers won’t be able to compete and this will decimate our industry.
“Offshoring our food production half way across the world that will lead to further destruction of the Amazon rainforest and more food miles is a backwards and dangerous step.”
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones added: “We need to see an Agriculture Bill that protects our legal guarantees on animal welfare and environmental standards in future trade talks. Ethical, sustainable and competitive farming is something that farmers, consumers and animal rights activists all agree on.
“I hope that the Government listens to this shared call on Wednesday and places food security, animal welfare and net-zero targets as central to our agricultural strategy.”
Save British Farming is planning a summer of activities to campaign against low quality imports, including a letter-writing campaign, banners and a Harvest Festival.
Innovative new product Cloud Lines allows anyone from home breeders and smallholders to breeding societies and organisations of all sizes to keep full, accurate records of their breeding programmes.
It was developed by MA Systems Ltd in 2018 in response to a growing need to support customers using bespoke or legacy database applications. All levels of customer have access to the same breed-specific functionality, including automatically generated pedigree certificates which can be exported as PDFs.
The service makes recording easier by allowing multiple admins, so that uploading data does not just have to be one person’s responsibility.
Subscription includes the Stud Male Calculator, which uses MK and COI to optimise breeding decisions, as well as options for read-only accounts so you can share your pedigree data easily.
The Stud Male Selector tool helps farmers make breeding decisions that will help to ensure breed longevity. A downloadable PDF of the results is provided, with a handy traffic-light score system. Online support and easy account upgrades are also offered.
Other features include four-generation pedigree certificate, self-generation of certificates, coefficient of inbreeding (COI), mean-kinship per animal, real-time breed analysis, and tracking of breed history.
Cloud Lines’ sister product, Cloud Lines Shows, was released in response to Covid-19 and is hosting a series of livestock shows and classes this year, which are free for breed societies. You can either attend a show or set up your own. The company’s new ‘trade stand’ section promises to make these virtual shows feel more like face to face shows.
Contact hello@masys.co.uk to find out more about streamlining or improving your pedigree recording process, or if you want to get involved in shows.
Aldi UK’s CEO Giles Hurley has said that the supermarket will not sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef, regardless of any future trade deals.
The supermarket committed to only selling fresh chicken and beef from British farmers. It follows a similar statement from Waitrose boss James Bailey, who recently said the retailer will not stock lower quality food imports, even if trade deals allow it.
Aldi’s announcement comes amid ongoing concerns that post-Brexit trade deals could allow food to be imported to the UK that would be illegal to produce here.
The supermarket’s fresh chicken and beef range is already 100 per cent British and the supermarket has confirmed that will never change. It also has a policy of selling British-only products across multiple categories, and all of its core range of fresh meat, milk and eggs come from British farmers.
Mr Hurley said: “Aldi is one of the biggest supporters of British suppliers and we want to make it clear that will always be the case. We are a signatory to the NFU Back British Farming Charter and our entire core range of fresh meat and milk is from Red Tractor-approved farms in the UK. We will never compromise on the standards or specifications of our products, and that includes a commitment to never selling chlorinated chicken or hormone injected beef.
“Britain has some of the highest food quality standards in the world, and our commitment to only source chicken and beef from this country means our customers know they are always buying high quality Aldi products at unbeatable value.”
A recent NFU petition, signed by more than a million people, urged the government to amend the Agriculture Bill to prevent such imports. While the government has promised not to allow chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef in the UK, it has not yet enshrined this promise in law.
The Ag Bill is now at the committee stage in the House of Lords. Lords minister Lord Gardiner will lead several sittings of the house, which are expected to take place over the next two weeks.
Following months of campaigning from farming organisations, the government announced last week that it would establish a Trade and Agriculture Commission, to ensure the UK’s trade policy fully considers the agricultural industry and maintains its high standards of environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety.
JCB has been awarded a contract to supply the U.S. military with a fleet of specialised high speed excavators over the next eight years in a deal worth up to $269 million (£217 million).
The deal centres on the supply of High Mobility Engineer Excavators (HMEEs) for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
Prototypes of the machine – capable of speeds up to 55mph (88kph) – were first developed in 2002 specifically for the U.S. Army to meet its demand for a high-speed backhoe loader capable of undertaking military engineering tasks. In 2005, JCB was subsequently awarded a contract worth around $209 million, along with an additional service contract valued at around $20 million. Subsequent contract extensions and international sales have seen HMEE production for the U.S. and allied nations rise to 1,200 machines.
It has been confirmed that a new contract has been signed for the supply of up to 400 HMEEs which will all be manufactured at JCB’s North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to the base unarmoured HMEE, JCB will also provide armoured variants as well as attachments and service support.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “When it was developed, the HMEE revolutionised the way military tasks were carried out and we are delighted that the U.S. military has shown great faith in the product by placing this new order.”
JCB Inc President and CEO Richard Fox-Marrs added: “To win this eight year contract is fantastic news for JCB’s North America Headquarters, which has been manufacturing HMEEs here for the past 13 years. The U.S. military has shown tremendous confidence in this JCB product which speaks volumes for the team behind its design, engineering, manufacturing and after sales support.”
The HMEE combines the capabilities of the world-renowned JCB backhoe loader and the innovative high-speed JCB Fastrac– the world’s fastest tractor, which has full suspension and anti-lock brakes. The objective of the HMEE concept is to have a machine capable of travelling at military convoy speed without the need for transportation by a truck and low-loader trailer.
Chris Giorgianni, Vice President of Government and Defence at JCB North America, said: “The JCB Government and Defense team is proud to continue to support the U.S. military through the extension of the HMEE programme. The fact that the U.S. military has entrusted JCB to manufacture the HMEE for over a decade is a testament to the work the entire team here has accomplished. We look forward to furthering the HMEE programme and working with the U.S. military on future projects.”
The 17.5 tonne, 6.7 litre engine machines are well suited to a range of military and disaster relief missions, including earthmoving, fortification construction and ground clearing. In addition to its top speed of 55mph (88kph), the HMEE is certified for military transport on ships, rail and aircraft, and for airdrop operations. It is available in various configurations including an armoured specification. It is four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer, can lift more than two tonnes and dig to a depth of almost four metres.
