Warm weather this week after a prolonged dry period across much of the south east of England has prompted wildfire warnings.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) South East is urging the public to take extra care in the countryside.

According to the Environment Agency, on average there were 24 dry days last month (0.2mm recorded rainfall or less a day) in the south east, and it was the sunniest April on record. This trend has continued into May, with just 5 per cent of the long-term average rainfall being recorded last week.

Dry conditions are likely to continue over the next few weeks, with the medium-range forecast predicting a prolonged spell of above-average sunshine and below-average rainfall, CLA says.

CLA South East represents land owners and farmers in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

Some CLA members have highlighted the increased fire risk associated with disposable barbecues that are used in the countryside and are urging the public not to barbecue in rural areas. Barbecues should only take place in sheltered areas well away from combustible material, and properly extinguished afterwards.

Wildfires can also be prevented by not discarding cigarettes or other smouldering material, as well as litter such as bottles and shards of glass.

The CLA has also long been calling for a ban on sky lanterns due to the serious risk of fire, particularly in the countryside.

Regional director for CLA South East, Robin Edwards, said: “We have witnessed the devastating impacts of the recent fires, both on communities as well as scarring the landscape and destroying wildlife, and we appeal to the public to be extra vigilant when out and about in the countryside.”

If you find a wildfire, the chairman of the South East England Wildfire Group, Rob Gazzard, advises you do four things:

“First get to a place of safety, then dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service.

“Tell fire control about the location of the fire, its size and any other relevant information.

“Finally meet the fire and rescue service at a pre-arranged entrance point, direct them to the fire and be on hand to provide other information. Be #wildfireaware.”

The risk of blowfly strike has now risen to ‘medium’ in parts of southern and central England, according to real-time updates produced by Elanco and the National Animal Disease Information Service (Nadis).

Zoology professor and ectoparasite specialist Richard Wall, who compiles the Blowfly Risk Alerts, says: “As a result of recent warmer weather, the blowfly strike risk has now started to rise in southern England. Even in areas where the strike risk is still low, occasional strikes may occur, so care is needed. Strike risk typically changes very slowly at the start of the season, but lowland ewes with dirty back ends can be particularly susceptible before shearing at this time of year.”

Farmers are being urged to ‘strike first’ with preventative treatments rather than risk devastation to their own flock. Using protection early reduces risk later in the season by ensuring a much lower fly count as the season progresses.

Regional alert breakdown 

“We are at the mercy of the weather, so it’s best to apply a treatment that gives you the best coverage,” explains independent sheep veterinary consultant, Dr Fiona Lovatt. “The costs of inaction when it comes to blowfly strike far outweigh the costs of protection – the time to act is now.”

Elanco technical vet Kate Heller adds: “A lot of farmers think ‘it’s not in my control’ because of bad weather or other circumstances. They’re unnecessarily putting limits on themselves. Blowfly strike is not an inevitable part of farming and can be mostly avoided with the right management strategy.

“When farmers are looking at treatment options, they need to look for the longest protection with an IGR that binds to the fleece – It is now possible to get 19 weeks’ blowfly strike prevention. There are no guarantees when it comes to blowfly strike – with significant levels identified into November, an essential part of any strategy, has to ensure an early treatment that extends right through the long season.”

Financial losses 

An Elanco blowfly study conducted in partnership with the National Farm Research Unit found that 99 per cent of farmers had suffered financial losses as a result of blowfly strike. Meanwhile, 82 per cent agreed that the blowfly season is getting longer, with cases of strike being reported as early as February and as late as November.

The consequences of blowfly strike can be devastating, leading to production losses and welfare problems. By comparison, preventing blowfly strike using a long-lasting product can offer not only peace of mind but can also be economical in terms of time, money and effort.

For more information, you can find real-time reports provided anonymously by farmers on Elanco’s website, or utilise the Elanco/Nadis alert tool.

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week and, with a survey of NFU Mutual customers showing that nearly three quarters of people are feeling more isolated since the UK went into lockdown, it’s a crucial time for support to be available.

However, the cancellation of fundraising events means that many charities are facing a funding gap, impacting their ability to provide vital services.

To ensure support continues during the current health emergency, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has now made donations totalling £739,000 across several national organisations that reach out to the isolated and vulnerable across the UK.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust is one of the main ways the leading rural insurer provides charitable support for its communities.

Early in April, the insurer pledged an additional £750,000 to the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust to grant these donations, as part of an overall £32m support package committed for the benefit of its members and communities affected by coronavirus.

Additional donations will be distributed by the Charitable Trust to further this support over the coming months and, by the end of the year, it is expected that the overall donations during 2020 will reach £1m.

The charities set to benefit from this first round of donations are:

• The Addington Fund, The Farming Community Network
• Forage Aid
• The National Emergencies Trust: Coronavirus Appeal
• The Prince’s Countryside Fund
• The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I)
• The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI)
• Rural Support
• Samaritans

The donations will support those experiencing stress or worry, help families facing financial challenges and encourage physical and mental wellbeing in our communities.

The donations will be available immediately, allowing the charities to continue to provide crucial support services, such as: free telephone helplines, e-counselling, signposting and outreach, volunteer training, workshops to improve business management and one-off grants to support individuals and families in rural communities.

Lindsay Sinclair, Group Chief Executive of NFU Mutual, said: “We understand how isolation is affecting people and families and that our members need these services now more than ever. The emotional and practical support offered by these charities will be vital for all our communities at this challenging time.

“Our members have told us that loneliness, the strain of juggling home and work, financial pressures, lack of broadband and access to general amenities, is impacting every inch of their lives and leading to feelings of heightened anxiety and fear.

“As a result of Covid-19, we know that there are extra demands on charities, which is why we want to help them take care of the ‘now,’ as well as the future financial health of their organisation.

“Some of these funds will enable charities to ‘stay open’ so they can continue to deliver their much-needed services. Other donations will be used to support frontline assistance such as telephone and email helplines and advice and signposting, helping our communities to stay strong and resilient, from the Highlands and Islands to towns and remote villages.”

Growers across the country will be able to access their most relevant local trial findings, variety intelligence and cropping improvement advice from the UK’s most extensive agronomy research and demonstration network without leaving their farms this summer, thanks to the virtual 2020 events programme developed by Agrii.

Replacing the popular June and July open days and visits held at the company’s 21 iFarms and five Technology Centres while ‘lockdown’ continues, the virtual programme will mirror the actual events as closely as possible with talks from key specialists, video plot tours and all the information normally available to take away.

“Resetting soils and rotations after the wet winter, maximising margins through marketing, and raising resilience against resistance are among the topical subjects we’ll be covering,” explains digital communications manager, Gary Rush.

“Of course, the programme will include the latest findings from 20 years of grassweed management-based research at Stow Longa, We’ll also have detailed insights from our comprehensive national cereals and OSR variety trials at Throws Farm, AgriiFocus and Bishop Burton, together with the best local variety and agronomy intelligence from our wider iFarm work.

“In addition, visitors will be able to find out about the exciting new network of Digital Technology Farms we’ve established this season in partnership with Rhiza to test precision technologies in the most robust way possible and help growers make the most of the fast-developing world of digital farming,” he adds. “And they’ll get first access to the Agrii combine losses calculator tool our specialists have created to assess crop losses and identify their main causes for rapid combining adjustments to maximise harvesting efficiency.

“About the only thing we haven’t found a way of providing in this year’s programme are the barbecues and hog roasts over which we can all share current interests and concerns.  Our virtual programme does allow visitors to put questions to the specialists involved both for direct response and discussion at the follow-up live sessions and webinars we plan later in the summer.”

Open to growers registering at www.agrii.co.uk, the programme is being made available through a special on-line events hub allowing visitors to select their preferred site and the talks, tours  and information that most interest them.

Access will be available for an extended period to give the greatest possible flexibility for visitors to dip in and out of the events they wish to attend as time allows.

Personal invitations will be e-mailed to existing Agrii customers, while other growers can register their interest at www.agrii.co.uk

As well as our virtual summer events, we are making more general video updates and reports from our national and regional trials and demonstrations available to everyone as the season progresses through the iFarm pages of our website,” says Gary Rush. “These pages also provide details of the individual sites and trials underway on a handy interactive map.

“We hope our 2020 programme will ensure the market-leading agronomic R&D our team continues to provide is as widely accessible and useful as it can be in supporting growers despite the obvious limitations of coronavirus social distancing.”

Despite the government’s commitment to protect British farming and food standards, MPs have voted to reject an amendment to the Agriculture Bill, which would have prevented lower-standard food imports.

The amendment, which was tabled by Neil Parish, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, was rejected with 328 votes against, to 277 votes in favour.

Numerous farming and environmental bodies have expressed serious concerns that hormone-fed beef and chlorine-washed chicken could be allowed in Britain under new post-Brexit trade deals.

Set to be the biggest reform of British farming since 1945, with various farming groups campaigning tirelessly for a number of important amendments, the Bill was put before the House of Commons for its report stage and subsequent third reading on Wednesday (13^th May).

Commenting on the outcome of the vote, Mr Parish said on Twitter that it is ‘disappointing’, but there are ‘clearly many colleagues who have grave concerns about the direction of travel. I am glad we were able to put this firmly on the record tonight. I know @UKHouseofLords will have been watching carefully’.

Reaction from the industry

NFU’s director of EU exit and international trade, Nick von Westenholz said: “Despite manifesto commitments and frequent warm words from the government, it is disappointing that they did not take the opportunity to legislate that they will not allow the imports of food that would be illegal for our farmers to produce here.

“We have seen clearly in the past few days the strength of feeling among farmers, MPs and politicians on this issue and as the Bill now moves to the House of Lords we will continue our work to ensure British farming standards are not undercut by future trade deals.”

Similarly, National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said it is “highly concerning” that the government did not cement its commitment to British farmers in law.

“Of course, there is a balance that has to be struck and exports are a crucial part of our industry that help keep prices up and enable full product utilisation,” he said. “But it surprises me that so few people in positions of power, even when we are in the depths of huge market disruption, remember that our domestic market is always the one we fall back on in times of concern, whether its brought about by animal disease, human pandemics, or political disagreements, and then they wonder why supply chains struggle to adapt.”

CLA president Mark Bridgeman added that it is “notable” that a wide coalition of farming organisations and environmentalists came together to state their concerns about the Bill, adding that he hopes that House of Lords will closely scrutinise the risks to food production in the UK if British farmers are not given a “level playing field with international competitors”.

He said: “We owe it to British consumers to ensure that any food that we import under any potential trade deals meet the same high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection as is expected of UK food producers. Importing food produced to low animal welfare and environmental standards to undercut UK farmers is unacceptable.”

Mr Bridgeman also expressed frustration that calls to delay the start of the transition from direct payments has been “ignored” by the government.

“It’s crucial, more than ever, that farming businesses are given the right information so they can plan for the future and adapt to the new system.”

The decision from MPs attracted criticism on social media from farmers and academics alike, including the University of London’s professor of food policy, Tim Lang, who tweeted: ‘So, dear Britain, we are warned. Here is a Govt MP & chair of @CommonsEFRA wanting it in the #AgricultureBill that UK doesn’t lower standards and it’s rejected. I don’t like this. Nor should anyone who wants all people well fed from high quality food. Shame on @MPGeorgeEustice.’

Responding to the criticism, a Defra spokesperson said in a statement: “Our landmark Agriculture Bill provides the opportunity to ensure food production and environmental protection go hand-in-hand to safeguard our countryside and farming communities for the future.

“The Bill legislates for a food security report which will cover a range of current issues, considering all the relevant data on food security.

“We have been clear that any future trade deals must work for our consumers, farmers and companies. In all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards.”

Next steps

Mr von Westenholz noted on Twitter that there is still time for the government to establish a Trade and Standards Commission, which would be ‘a welcome step forward in allaying farmers’ concerns’.

The Trade Bill, which MPs were told is the vehicle for this, is due for debate in the Commons on Wednesday. Mr von Westenholz concluded: “We look forward to hearing how the matter will be tackled then’.

It is likely that the Ag Bill will go to the Lords in the first week of June, then back to the Commons in early July.

British strawberry growers are excited to announce that the much-anticipated British strawberry season is now here. Warmer and sunnier April weather has meant that the season has started around a week earlier this year and strawberry lovers can now buy their favourite British fruit in supermarkets (in-store and online) around the country.

Many social events might be off the calendar this summer, but British strawberries can be enjoyed at home or in the garden as part of classic summer moments. From garden picnics or BBQs, to Wimbledon-inspired strawberries and cream from the comfort of your couch, British strawberries are here to remind everyone that despite recent challenges summer has arrived. The start of season is also great news for Brits looking to boost their health and immunity. Gram for gram, strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges.

Dr Emma Derbyshire, British Summer Fruits’ public health nutritionist, explained: “Berries are a fantastic snack that offer numerous health benefits. Not only is the whole strawberry rich in antioxidants, but the red fleshy part is also abundant in vitamin C. In fact, eating just nine strawberries (108g) can provide all of your recommended daily vitamin C intake.”

Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) have the biggest market share of all fruit grown in the UK, making up an impressive 22.8 percent, and this has pushed the value of the berry industry over £1.5 billion. Fresh berries are the most popular fruit item in shoppers’ baskets with strawberries topping the list.

During the past year, nearly 150,000 tonnes of strawberries were sold in the UK, that’s the equivalent to the weight of 1.67 million average men. Despite the very different supermarket shopping experience right now, berry growers are confident that British berry sales will remain strong this year.

Nick Marston, Chairman of British Summer Fruits, the industry body that represents 95 percent of berries supplied to UK supermarkets said: “Like most industries facing challenges during this unprecedented time, our growers have had to overcome their own issues to ensure our loved British berries are available to the UK public. We are sure that consumers will continue to choose fresh British berries as part of their shop to enjoy and stay healthy. And in doing so, they’ll help to safeguard the future of our important British berry industry.”

In these times of uncertainty with the implications of Brexit, subsidy withdrawal and the yet-to-be-realised global consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, challenges within the agricultural sector seem more testing than ever. So it comes to no surprise that according to recently released DEFRA statistics, 65% of farmers have undertaken diversification in some form to generate support income.

Diversification can be a very positive transition, when approached with the right amount of research and planning, providing a multifaceted business to weather the storms.

Arcadia Planning & Development is offering an exciting new opportunity for farmers and landowners who are looking to diversify their land and business, in order to generate extra revenue on the farm.

For many, running a sustainable business means utilising assets, including existing land and buildings for alternative uses. In many cases, it is important to ensure that prior to the any financial outlay, planning permission is secured.

Planning guidance and attitudes can vary across the country, with planning policy open to interpretation and decisions influenced by local issues. Arcadia Planning & Development specialise in rural planning and have extensive experience in delivering a range of projects assisting farmers and landowners with diversification from core farming operations.

Lindsey Wright, founder of Arcadia Planning & development, says, “We understand the real heart of rural business and the issues faced when seeking permission. Our planners are able to guide you through the ever changing development world, combining knowledge and relationships to help you succeed.”

If you are a farmer or landowner and are curious to realise the potential diversification or development opportunities of your assets, or wish to have a no obligation discussion with a specialist advisor, contact Arcadia today.

The NFU has convened a huge coalition of farming, environmental and animal welfare organisations to write to all 650 MPs and urge them to ensure the new Agriculture Bill includes vital safeguards which ensures the food we import in any potential trade deals meet the same high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection as is expected of UK food producers.

The Bill returns for its final Report stages today (13th May) before heading to the House of Lords. It will result in the biggest reform and transformation of British agriculture and food production since 1945.

The letter to MPs asks them to speak up for British food and farming in today’s House of Commons debate.

The letter states: “Today’s debate comes at a time when, due to Brexit, we are fundamentally reassessing our trading relationship with partners in the EU and across the world. It also coincides with one of the most serious crises the world has faced in a generation in the form of the Coronavirus, and the ongoing challenges of climate change and biodiversity decline.

“We are urging you to take this last opportunity to ensure that the Bill secures vital safeguards for the high standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection that the British public value so highly.

“The Bill should ensure that agri-food imports are produced to at least equivalent environmental, animal welfare, and food safety standards as those required of producers in the UK.

“We are all agreed that a trade policy that undermines our farmers will mean a common goal of a more prosperous, sustainable and nature-friendly food and farming sector will be made much harder to achieve. And the UK will have missed an opportunity to set out its stall as being serious about tackling its global footprint.

“There are a number of amendments being brought forward which we believe the House should support. MPs must not miss this final opportunity. Amending the Bill to enshrine the importance of food trade, but only where high standards of production are met, will allow the UK to be a standard bearer for sustainable production and climate-friendly farming across the world.

“If UK farming is to face the future as a vital strategic sector, producing the food we eat and meeting the challenges of climate change, food security and the high expectations of the UK public in the way we treat our farmed animals and wildlife, the Bill must not undermine that very goal by allowing in food imports that fail to meet its high ideals.”

JCB today (12th May) announced a partial re-starting of production at five of its UK factories as a comprehensive package of safety measures is rolled out to protect employees in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.

British production lines fell silent on 18th March and the vast majority of JCB’s 6,500 UK employees have been furloughed since April. Today JCB has confirmed that low levels of production are resuming – with a far-reaching package of safety measures introduced to fully protect employees.

These include:
·        Employees to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before leaving home
·        Temperature checks overseen by medical staff for every employee arriving for work
·        Issuing of surgical masks to office and shop floor employees
·        Provision of visors for shop floor employees for extra protection
·        Introduction of thermal imaging cameras at UK plants later this month
·        Widespread provision of hand sanitiser
·        Clearly-marked walkways and a reduction in office desks to maximise social distancing
·        Closure of canteen facilities and vending machines and suspension of car sharing schemes
·        Disabling of lavatory hand dryers in favour of paper towels
·        Working from home for employees where at all possible

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “Production has resumed at a very low level, mainly to satisfy demand for agricultural machinery. Ahead of this re-start, an exhaustive review was undertaken to enable us to introduce wide-ranging measures that will best protect our employees.  The actions we have taken ensure that safe distancing between employees on-site can be achieved at all times. In circumstances where risks are greater, additional protective visors are being provided. The health and safety of our employees is absolutely paramount as we all adjust to this new normal and the measures we have put in place will ensure we all stay healthy and avoid risks.”

The Loadall division at the World HQ, Rocester, Staffordshire, JCB Earthmovers and JCB Landpower in Cheadle, Staffordshire have resumed production along with JCB Transmissions in Wrexham and JCB Cab Systems at Uttoxeter. The move means a return to work for more than 400 employees.

Cover crop strategies – designed to protect margins, capitalise on farm payments and maximise environmental benefits – are essential, according to AHDB-funded research.

The ADAS-led research highlighted the short-term gross margin effects of including cover crops in the rotation. Cover crops were associated with an average gross margin loss of £150/ha across two consecutive arable cash crops.

The work also identified ways to strengthen cover and cash crop performance in the first few years, which will help farmers develop successful long-term rotational strategies. An AHDB-funded review of cover crops identified the need for long-term cover crop experiments, based on common treatments and assessments.

The ‘Maxi cover crop’ project used three replicated, large-plot field experiments and four tramline trials on commercial farms across England (various soil types) to investigate seven cover crop species – as straights and mixtures – and an untreated control (weedy stubble). The work included assessments of soil properties, cover crop rooting and the performance of two subsequent cash crops (a spring crop, followed by a winter crop).

The researchers confirmed that early establishment (before September) is important to maximise the benefits of cover crops, particularly to ensure good cover and nutrient recovery. Radish, buckwheat and a radish/buckwheat/phacelia mix were quickest to establish. Rye produced the greatest amount of root material, followed by phacelia.

On average, cover crops took up between 30 and 50 kg N/ha. Highest N recovery was associated with species that fix additional N (vetch and clover) or produce strong early season biomass (radish, phacelia and rye). However, the research found no link between cover crop N uptake and the N uptake in a following spring barley crop or soil at harvest.

The use of a straight cereal cover crop (particularly rye, but also oats) had a clear negative effect on the establishment, rooting and grain yield of a following spring cereal cash crop. However, oat-based (55% and 83% spring oats) cover crop mixes were not associated with a cash-crop yield loss in the replicated experiments.

Based on cumulative (two-year) margin calculations for the seven sites (20 comparisons), compared with no cover crop, a reduction in margin was associated with cover crops in most (95%) situations. This was due to the absence of sufficient yield benefit in the cash crops to compensate for the costs associated with establishing the cover crop. The average loss was -£150/ha, with a range of +£64/ha (oil radish, clay loam) to -£476/ha (two species mix, clay).

The greatest losses were associated with poor establishment conditions for the following cash crop, which tended to be on heavy-textured soils. On such soils, late cover crop destruction (late March/early April) and incorporation of high cover crop biomass (less than one week prior to drilling the cash crop) were most frequently associated with poor seedbed conditions.

Amanda Bennett, who managed the project at AHDB, said: “Cover cropping is a vast topic. Although we have advanced understanding in recent years, there is still so much to learn. Whether it is the fate of nitrogen, the best ratio of cereal to non-cereal species in a mix, to the best establishment and destruction methods, further investigation is required.

“The short-term gross margin results need careful interpretation. In many situations, cover crops deliver hard-to-quantify rotational and environmental benefits. For example, there is clear evidence of the positive role cover crops make in reducing nutrient losses to water. It is critical not to overlook these benefits, as they can tip the balance in favour of cover crop adoption.”

AHDB plans to update its cover crop guidance later this year. Cover crop trials also feature at AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm East.