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.
More than 50 NFU Cymru members have united in a defiant video message declaring their commitment to continuing to feed the nation throughout the Coronavirus outbreak and beyond.
The video features farmers from across Wales outlining the work they do to keep high quality, sustainable and delicious food on the plate of the British consumer.
NFU Cymru President John Davies, who features in the video, said: “During a time of extreme stress and strain, not just for our industry but for the whole world, I am thrilled that our enthusiastic members have come together in a show of unity to deliver a positive message to the general public
“Although our industry continues to face sizeable challenges as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, farmers across Wales are steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that the public receive a good supply of safe, high quality, fully traceable food produced to world-leading standards, throughout this current crisis and well into the future. Watching this video, I think it is evident that farmers take immense pride in their integral role in keeping the nation fed and it is a role that we do not take for granted.
“Farmers, like the rest of society, are observing social distancing measures that mean we cannot get together. But despite the restrictions, I also believe this video is an important demonstration that the unique camaraderie in our rural communities is alive and well.”
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.
Hydraulic-folding forks designed for shifting large quantities of forage and similar materials were launched earlier this year to further boost the productivity of JCB’s highest-output wheeled loaders, especially when working on silage clamps.
The heavy-duty Folding Grass Fork comes in two sizes with increased load volume capacity at 5.50m for the JCB 419S and 6.70m for the JCB 435S.
Both versions have been designed and engineered for optimum strength and weight which, together with the increased volume capacity, maximises the performance potential of the JCB loaders, resulting in increased productivity when filling forage crop storage clamps for winter cattle feed or anaerobic digester energy production.
JCB Agriculture managing director, John Smith, said: “The front-end implements produced by our JCB Attachments division are performance-matched to each machine in the extensive JCB materials handling range, from fixed and telescopic boom skid-steer loaders, through compact wheeled loaders and telescopic handlers, to the industry’s only purpose-built agricultural wheeled loading shovels.”
The new Folding Grass Forks are supplied complete with the relevant couplings and fittings, and attachments are certified ‘ready to work’ on the chosen host machine.
The 3.62m wide Folding Grass Fork is designed for existing JCB 419S loaders or the latest Euro Stage 5 version featuring Dynamic power management.
The JCB 435S to Euro Stage 5 emissions specification in Europe has 171kW (230hp) and 840Nm of torque for routine work but Dynamic peak power is 9.5 per cent higher than its predecessor at 188kW (252hp), with 25.5 per cent more peak torque at 1186Nm giving a real boost to the machine’s already impressive performance.
Both sizes have hydraulically-deployed side extensions that fold-out and fold-in on 65mm wear-resistant hardened pins and bushes.
This provides maximum capacity in work and a convenient transport width of 2.97m with the wing sections securely locked when travelling between farms.
An optional lighting kit and tine guard are available for added safety when on the move, and when the fork is not in use, an integral storage dock keeps hydraulic hose couplings out of the dirt.
The wear-resistant steel tines have smooth wear plates to prevent buildup of material. Square tube uprights retain the load across the rest of the fork while providing a clear view ahead when manoeuvring the loader to drive into a pile of grass or maize.
Growing demand, exciting new uses and development of high consistency genetics, mean combinable peas have much to offer UK growers – but just how easy is it to include them in arable rotations?
If you can make a reasonable fist of growing wheat, you should be able to produce a pro table crop of combinable peas, believes Oxfordshire grower David Passmore. With a yield of 5.3t/ha putting him in the top three producers in the ADAS Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) for peas in 2019, and a producer of some of the best pea seed in the business, he’s a man worth listening to.
“I would say anybody can grow the crop really, and a yield of 4.5t/ha is an achievable target for most growers. A lot of the management is simple – there are a lot less inputs to worry about compared to cereals, and you don’t need specialist kit,” David reckons.
“Do the job right and you’ll end up with good margins, soils left in really good condition and the added benefit of around 50kg N/ha as residual nitrogen for your next crop.” Attention to detail Growing around 20ha of peas as part of a 200ha arable rotation focused on professional seed production, attention to detail is what really makes David’s approach to pea production stand out.
Although peas are relatively easy to grow generally, there are some important times of the year when their management is pretty unforgiving with one such of these being drilling, he says.
“Wheat can be surprisingly tolerant regarding poorer seedbeds and drilling conditions, but that’s just not the case with peas. If you plant them at the wrong time or in poor conditions, you will be up against it for the rest of the year. Waiting for the right window for drilling is even more important with peas than with barley, I would say.”
Pea crops at Mays Farm, Ewelme, are usually grown after wheat. Land is ploughed, then left over the winter to weather.
“There’s an old saying that you should always plough for peas, but some of the top yielders in YEN recently have gone for deep cultivation instead,” says David.
“Whatever approach you use, the key is early cultivation – which cuts across the grain of what everyone is trying to do these days. Work the land early and dry, then leave it over the winter to get the frost and weather into it.
“That way you’ll have the least amount to do before planting the following spring.” Variety standing power According to James Maguire of KWS, for whom David has grown seed for approaching 20 years, variety is an important factor in the equation. “Whatever you’re doing, yield still pays, but a pea variety’s standing power is critical – plus you’ve got to choose one that’s suitable for your end market and highly regarded by buyers.
“Good colour is increasingly important and can be worth around 35-40 per cent of the price you will get, so it’s probably the single most important trait to look for in terms of maximising saleability.”
David’s YEN crop of 5.3t/ha was the large blue variety Mankato, which also took the top spot with a Norfolk-grown crop yielding 6.5t/ha in the YEN initiative, James points out.
“When you consider the average pea yield for the UK is still only about 3.0t/ha, you can start to see the difference that the right variety and management can make.
“Peas are often seen as a bit of a Cinderella crop – people jump in and out of them without really learning how to look after them – but when you get your management right, yields and margins can be really impressive. Mankato’s consistency makes it a good choice for growers new to peas, he says.
“It’s been a top 25 per cent performer in the PGRO Recommended List for the last four years. Much of this reliability is down to a near perfect combination of standing power and yield. Plus, Mankato is really marketable with a big seed that pea micronisers really like, as they can cut it in half – plus it has good colour which it holds well.”
Once drilled, few management interventions are needed in most years, David adds. “Nitrogen fertilisers are not allowed on peas – the crop fixes its own N – and our P and K levels tend to be generally good as a result of all the digestate and FYM we use.
“There is some trials evidence showing significant benefits of using sulphur in peas, so this year we’re going to put on polysulphate (sulphur potash) straight on after planting and see what that does. “YEN has also highlighted the importance of magnesium in high yielding pea crops so that is also something that we will be looking at in the future.”
Weed control-wise, a preemergence herbicide is essential as there are not really any other options, he points out. “Pea moths can also be a problem in some regions, so it’s often a good idea to put traps out to quantify this – but they’re not really an issue we have here.
“We will always use one fungicide but, in a high disease pressure year like last year, we would use another later on.”
Suffolk farmer Sophie Clayton is asking children to send in rainbow drawings to create a wrap for the farm’s new combine harvester, with £1 being donated to the NHS for every acre combined.
Christmas Hill Farm at Lakenheath in Suffolk said they wanted to do something special to take note of the NHS workers who are out protecting and saving lives.
A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money for NHS Charities.
Children are being asked to draw rainbows on an A4 sheet of paper, with their name and age written somewhere on the rainbow. The farm will wrap its combine in the drawings with a ‘thank you’ to the NHS on top.
In a Facebook post, the farm said: ‘You all know how hard farmers work to keep going during crises because without food, we would all suffer unimaginable woes. Well here we are. Farmers. Working hard all year round to feed the nation. Not a brilliantly money-making exercise but a lifestyle choice nonetheless.
‘We are going to wrap our new combine harvester in beautiful rainbows drawn by your children! We want to do something special and take note of the amazing work that the NHS is doing to protect and save our lives.
‘Can you imagine this brand-new shiny combine, plastered with rainbows from your children and a huge thank you to the NHS on top?
‘It will look wonderful and we’ll be proud to have it on our machinery fleet. Something to remember in years to come as the current pandemic fades away.’
Rainbows should be sent to: Sophie Clayton at Toggam Lodge, Newfen Gravel Drove, Lakenheath, Suffolk, IP27 9LN
The farm has become the latest to get involved with fundraising for the NHS, as frontline workers battle the pandemic. A 91-year-old farmer has now raised over £40,000 for the NHS by walking 91 times around his house to celebrate his birthday; while many others have ploughed ‘NHS’ into their fields. As well as the many farmers who are working overtime to deliver food to those who need it.
As farmers and landowners have just weeks to request an application pack for the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Charity Shaw, of Fisher German, explains how it can provide favourable returns.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme gives incentives for farmers and landowners to look after and enhance their environment, with the aim of protecting it for future generations. It allows for all or part of farms to be entered into environmental stewardship schemes for five or more years in return for a payment.
The scheme offers payments for a wide range of annual management options providing environmental benefits, including arable buffer strips, managing grassland with very low inputs and wild bird mixes. A number of options can form a valuable addition to an arable rotation, with favourable returns when compared to arable break crops and benefits to soil organic matter and black-grass control.
In addition to this, there can also be funding available for capital works such as new fencing, hedges, gates or livestock feeders and troughs. Providing attention is given to establishing and maintaining the options and basic records are kept, these schemes offer a reliable income stream that will become increasingly important to farm businesses as the Basic Payment Scheme decreases over the coming years.
The scheme is very positive for those looking to improve their farmed environment and infrastructure while also bringing in more income. However, those looking to apply to the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme have until just May 31st to request an application pack, which can be done via the Rural Payments Agency website.
Applications are scored and ranked against local high priority options, so we would advise anyone looking to apply for the scheme to gain expert advice to maximise the benefit for their farm and chances of success. It will also help applicants to assess which land is the least productive on the farm and look at ways to capitalise on these areas through the scheme.
We would urge anyone with suitable land to consider the scheme, which will not only help increase biodiversity on farms but also provide a fixed income delivered over five or more years.
The UK dairy sector in partnership with Government has today announced a new joint-funded campaign to highlight the importance of ‘human connections’ during the current coronavirus crisis.
The £1 million promotional campaign taps into the need for personal moments during lockdown – highlighting the role fresh milk and dairy plays in these challenging times.
AHDB and Dairy UK are joining forces again and are also working with Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on the 12-week campaign, which goes live next week.
It will be funded through a combination of £500,000 from the UK Governments, £300,000 from Dairy UK members and £200,000 from AHDB.
The campaign will mainly focus on driving the tea, coffee and milky drink occasions as they have the largest volume opportunity and are the centre point of most human connections. Whether it’s a virtual cup of tea with family or a frothy latte with friends, milk has always been there and will support those connections in this time of crisis.
The campaign will appear on social media, digital and, for the first time in over a decade, on television. It’s expected that retailers, processors and farmers will come together to support the campaign.
It will also provide much needed support to both dairy processors and dairy farmers, who are currently facing difficulties as a result of coronavirus and the closure of cafes and other foodservice outlets.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Our dairy industry plays a crucial role in feeding our nation and we want to support them however we can at this challenging time.
“We know the closure of restaurants and food outlets has meant many producers have excess milk that might otherwise go to waste. That’s why we are backing this campaign to drive milk consumption and boost sales.
“We have already relaxed competition rules so dairy farmers can work more closely together on the challenges they are facing, and will continue to support them through this difficult period.”
Christine Watts, AHDB’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “This is a fantastic demonstration of what can be achieved when industry and government join together to meet a common challenge.
“We know that consumers love milk and the great taste of dairy, but because it’s such an integral part of our lives, consumers tend to take it for granted – in the same way we all tend to take our day to day relationships as a given.
“AHDB has been delivering a strong focus on the reputation of dairy for the last three years and this campaign will further deliver on the great work we have already begun.”
Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK added: “We’re delighted to be working alongside AHDB and the UK Governments to promote dairy products.
“Everyday moments of human connection are especially important during this crisis. With this campaign we want to highlight the central and sometimes forgotten role that dairy plays as part of our everyday lives. We want to remind people of the importance of taking a moment to connect with each other while enjoying the foods they love, even if it is remotely. We can still take a moment for ourselves and others in these most challenging of times and we can still enjoy nutritious dairy.”
Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The efforts of the farming sector to keep Scotland fed in these unprecedented times has been truly astonishing.
“With the sudden closure of cafes and restaurants, some dairy farmers and producers have lost their market and are struggling.
“That is why I am delighted that the Scottish Government is contributing to this campaign to support dairy farming. I would encourage everyone in Scotland who can take part to support local farming and food production.”
Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, said: “The dairy sector has felt an immediate impact from the closure of the food services sector and the accompanying drop in demand for milk.
“It is so important we support our dairy farmers during this difficult time. I am pleased to work with governments across the UK and with the industry on this new marketing campaign to boost consumer demand for our great Welsh produce.
“During these challenging times it is vital we work closely with governments across the UK and use the powers available to us to protect the supply chain and mitigate against the severe disruption this crisis is causing to our producers and processors.”
Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: “COVID-19 has been very challenging for our agriculture sector and, in particular, our dedicated and hardworking dairy farmers who are facing the brunt of the economic impacts of the pandemic.
“However, the crisis we find ourselves in has highlighted just how important and vital our food chain is and all the food heroes who work in it day and night to get food on our tables. We must do all we can to support them and ensure the sector is sustainable and profitable in the long term. As a champion of our local food supply chain, I encourage everyone to buy local and support your local dairy farmers by drinking milk.”
A new report from the Food Foundation reveals that veg box schemes across the UK have doubled the number of boxes sold weekly as a result of coronavirus.
Data gathered via online and phone surveys of 101 UK veg box schemes by the Food Foundation, the Banc CSA Network UK and Better Food Traders, shows that weekly sales of veg boxes have increased by 111% in the six weeks between the end of February 2020 and mid-April 2020. The highest rates of growth were seen by smaller box schemes (supplying up to 300 boxes per week) who grew sales by 134%.
With an estimated 500 veg box schemes operating in the UK (pre-COVID-19), a total of 3.5 million veg boxes are likely to have been delivered to households over the last six weeks.
More fresh produce could be provided with the right support, though: 82% of box schemes now have waiting lists and are closed to new orders, with the average waiting list numbering 160 people and the largest box scheme turning away 6,700 customers. If waiting lists were met and the customers being turned away were supplied instead, an estimated total of 5.3 million veg boxes could be supplied over the next six weeks.
65% of box schemes are actively prioritising key workers, the vulnerable or isolating by moving key workers and vulnerable groups to the top of waiting lists and prioritising them for orders and delivery. 10% of box schemes have created systems to help the economically vulnerable by offering cheaper boxes for those suffering financial hardship and giving members who can afford it the option of paying a little more to subsidise boxes for those struggling.
Fruit and vegetables are one of the only foods the government recommends we eat more of, but despite this fruit and veg production has received low levels of government support compared with other farming sectors for at least 17 years: DEFRA’s analysis of Farm Business Income (from 2014 to 2017) shows that government subsidy accounted for 10% of the income of horticulture holdings, versus 79% for cereal producers.
Veg box schemes businesses are calling for support in the form of small government grants so they can scale up to meet demand. This investment would help with staffing, infrastructure such as polytunnels, delivery vehicles, cold stores and packing houses and specific supplies for deliveries such as boxes, cleaning and personal protective equipment.
Box scheme businesses are also calling for a national, long-term vision for a sustainable food and farming system. With a move away from area-based payments to payments based on delivery of public goods as proposed in the Agriculture Bill which is being reviewed by parliament, it is hoped that small fruit and veg producers who run box schemes will experience a level playing field. In the meantime, new customers could consider supporting their box scheme long-term so they are there to supply fresh produce in local communities across the country in years to come.
Jo Hunt of Knockfarrel Produce said: “We need to earn more than £3.20 an hour for farming – we run a successful, fully subscribed veg box scheme with 85% of produce grown on our own farm, and 150 customers in remote rural areas. But we, the two farmers, are self-employed and earn only £3.20 an hour for our work. This is one third of the living wage, and we rely on benefits to top up our wages. The reasons behind this are many: small farm size; low food prices for imports; no farm subsidies; supermarket discounting and price competition; no charges for pollution in food production and transport, etc. Why are ‘key workers’ like us earning a third of the minimum wage? This income inequality needs to be addressed urgently. And until it is, very few farmers will want to move into local food production and increase the supply to meet rapidly rising demand.”
Julie Brown, director, Growing Communities, said ‘Farmers need to be able to plan ahead, create decent jobs, and continue their vital work farming in a way that is kind to soil, people and planet. Regular veg box subscriptions give them this stability. So we need veg scheme customers to stick with us for the long term.’
Sian Barlow from Banc Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme said ‘Banc CSA is a not for profit social enterprise and it’s been a lot of work building it up, but I am grateful that we persevered because it means that we have been in a position to step up and help people out at a time of need’
Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation, said: “In a time of national crisis, fruit and veg producers running box schemes have provided a critical service to their customers and communities: we must ensure our agriculture policy, now and in the future, helps them get the investment they need as they play a vital role in supporting access to healthy produce as part of a sustainable food and farming system.”
Adam Payne from the Landworkers’ Alliance and Southern Roots Growers said: ‘Like many farms selling into local markets we have seen some of our wholesale markets collapse overnight and demand rocket for veg boxes and deliveries. To deal with this we have had to invest rapidly in additional infrastructure, labour and equipment without any security that this demand will stay. With all of these additional costs and disruption increased demand doesn’t mean we will make anything this year. We need government grants for the essential infrastructure to make sure that we can transition our business, supply people who need produce and remain afloat ourselves.’
Jean Bergin from Local Greens said: ‘Small not-for-profit companies like us have the flexibility to adapt without having to worry about keeping shareholders happy – Local Greens doesn’t have any pressure to make a profit, generating enough income to run the business and create local jobs is enough, because our priorities are to support our hard-working sustainable farmers, and to provide fresh fruit and veg to our fantastic local community.’
With farm visits on hold and LEAF Open Farm Sunday postponed to September, the organisers have announced they are running their very first LEAF Online Farm Sunday. On Sunday 7th June, farmers across the UK are being invited to share their world of farming across social media to connect the public with food production and the countryside virtually using #LOFS20.
Manager of LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) Annabel Shackleton said: “We have such amazing support from across the farming industry and the public for LEAF Open Farm Sunday and we wanted to celebrate it and all those who get involved, albeit in a different way. It is sad that the on-farm events cannot run as usual, but this will be a great opportunity for even more farmers to get involved online. Also, families will be able to get an insight into a whole range of farming enterprises across Britain in one day, in a very accessible way.”
From 8am to 8pm farmers from Aberdeenshire to Jersey, and across all farming sectors, will be taking over the LOFS Facebook channel and hosting virtual tours showcasing what is involved in producing food, enhancing the environment, and some of the amazing science and technology involved. This virtual format allows for live interaction and questions from the public.
“We have an amazing fan-base of visitors who support LEAF Open Farm Sunday each year who are keen to keep in touch with what’s happening on farms,” said Mrs Shackleton. “We would love the farming community across the UK to post short film clips and images throughout the day on their own channels using the hashtag #LOFS20, and like and share posts to show the fabulous work that they are doing on their farms to keep the nation fed whilst managing our beautiful countryside. This will create a powerful, colourful kaleidoscope filled with the personalities and work of our agricultural industry.”
Farming Fortnight
LEAF Education’s two-week long celebration of farming, Farming Fortnight, runs from 1st-12th June. Topic sheets, case studies and videos explore different farming sectors and support home educators with inspiring sessions around food and farming. Each day of the campaign has its own farming theme and accompanying social media hashtag – from arable farming #TractorTuesday to sheep #WoollyWednesday and #FutureFarming.
www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/farmingfortnight
LEAF Open Farm Sunday 20th September
The plan is still for LEAF Open Farm Sunday to take place on the later date of Sunday 20th September. Mrs Shackleton said: “We are keeping a watching brief but we very much hope that farmers will be able to open their gates and share their farm with the public in September, even if on a smaller scale. The more farms that do this, the more we can share the crucial role farming plays in our society and economy. We recommend that farmers who organise an event use the LOFS free ticketing service so they can manage numbers and communicate any event changes to visitors.”
