Arable Farming articles from November 2002

Arable Farming archives from November 2002

Going with the flow.(more than 84 hectares of arable land in Essex has been reclaimed by the sea after deliberate breaches of sea wall)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The sea swept over 84ha of prime arable land near Tiptree in Essex on November 4, claiming back land drained 300 years ago. Deliberate breaches made by the Environment Agency (EA) in 3km of the sea wall at Abbotts Hall Farm - a new nature...

A testing time for sprayers.(National Sprayer Testing Scheme will be introduced at this year's Royal Smithfield Show)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) - part of the industry's Voluntary Initiative - is to be launched at this year's Royal Smithfield Show. The new scheme takes over from the existing sprayer test on January 1 2003. It will be...

Water Directive must be fair to farmers, says NFU.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Publication of the government's consultation document on implementing the EC Water Framework Directive has brought swift comment from the NFU. "The NFU recognises the need to address diffuse pollution problems, but it is vital that the...

Speak up for farming.(LEAF offers public relations training for farmers)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... LEAF is offering to help improve farmer's communication skills by arranging for a communications expert to speak during farmer discussion groups 2003-2004 autumn programme. It has linked up with PR experts to provide communication skills...

Abstraction under review.(all water abstraction licenses under Environment Agency review)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The Environment Agency is currently engaged in a review of all water abstraction licenses, and may weed out those that are not being fully utilised. It may also reduce or revoke those that are considered to have adverse impact on the...

Silver lapwing to Wilts.(Ballington Manor Farm, Wilts, wins 2002 FWAG Farmcare Lapwing trophy)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The 2002 FWAG Farmcare Silver Lapwing trophy, which rewards good conservation on working farms, has been won by Ballington Manor Farm, Wilts, extending from the river Wylye up to Wessex downland. John Tremlett took over the 1250-acre farm 5...

OSR leaf tests confirm increase in fungal disease.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The results of the first samples sent in by Arable Farming readers has confirmed widespread phoma infection. This, linked to very high light leaf spot infection, means growers must use chemistry capable of controlling both diseases to avoid...

Nix `sorry picture'.(John Nix's Farm Management Pocketbook)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The 33rd edition of John Nix's Farm Management Pocketbook has just been published. The picture of farming in the UK encapsulated in the pocketbook, is, unfortunately a sorry one, says Prof. Nix. "Despite some price increases from the current...

Farm fights for future.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Farm, a new campaign and membership body set up by working farmers and professional campaigners including millionaire and eco campaigner Zac Goldsmith, will challenge the government for its lack of any long-term plan for farming and food...

Meet for malting.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The Malting Barley Growers Confederation, initiated by Norfolk farmer Teddy Maufe to negotiate for a fair price for malting barley, is holding a follow-up meeting at Easton College near Norwich on Thursday 5th December at 2.30pm. "We are...

Better late than never?(Column)
November 19, 2002... With oilseed prices looking relatively strong, especially when compared to cereals and pulses I was particularly keen to grow a fair acreage of rape this year. The good news is that we have a fair acreage with good plant counts. The bad...

Held by the short and curlies.(Column)
November 19, 2002... During mid-August I heard something I honestly thought was not possible. A merchant told me the spot price for wheat was below #50. As I put the phone down, the temptation to fire up the combine seemed strangely resistible. I stared at the...

Deaf to his master's voice.(HGCA increase in levy)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... I am hearing a few rumours that the powers that be at the HGCA are pushing for an increase in the levy. Some of you may think this represents a jaw-dropping lack of sensitivity on behalf of the HGCA. With commodity prices at cripplingly low...

Staying ahead of spraing.
November 19, 2002... Demand for spraing testing is increasing but is the disorder becoming more of a threat? Teresa Rush reports. Spraing is one of two disorders of potatoes associated with free-living nematodes (FLNs) - the other is feeding damage. Spraing...

Organic farming: an arable opportunity.
November 19, 2002... Falling premiums in the organic sector are off-putting for would-be organic growers, but premiums for organic crops are robust, Alison Lea finds. Though the hectarage of certified organic land in the UK almost doubled last year - now...

Biofuels - have you got the energy for it?
November 19, 2002... There is a huge new market for farmers as producers of bio fuels, but the challenge is how to make it pay. Alison Lea reports from a conference entitled Fuel for Thought - A Strategy for Farmed Energy Crops, held at the Central Science...

Sources of information on growing energy crops.(booklets, conferences)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... BOOKLET: Conference sponsor Lloyds TSB launched the latest in its series of advice booklets for farmers at the event. Energy from Agriculture - Solid Biofuels, written by Central Science Laboratory's Melvyn Askew, head of alternative crops, is...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Five models unveiled.(Landini)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Tractor manufacturer Landini's stand will feature the debut appearance of the second generation Legend 6-cylinder machines. With five models from 116-176hp. Upgrades include new front axles on 116 and 126hp models and beefed-up rear axles and...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Measurement by pressure difference.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Kuhn's Axera-H EMC (Electronic Mass Control) twin disc, 12-36m spreader now regulates fertiliser flow by measuring pressure differences within the discs' hydraulic motors. Pressure differences have a direct relationship to the volume of...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Cultivator with on-grip tines.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... The Amazone KG rotary cultivator with `on-grip' tines is now equipped as standard with an exchange speed main gearbox complete with integrated ratchet clutch. By integrating the clutch into the gearbox it operates maintenance free for longer...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Debut for CNH models.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Launched in Madrid earlier this year (AF July 20) but making their debut at Smithfield are CNH's new Case MX Magnum and New Holland's TG tractors. The TG230 (213hp) and TG255 (258hp) replace the top two models of New Holland's Series 70A...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Carry-on Carrier.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Swedish drill and cultivation machinery manufacturer, Vaderstad has a host of new additions for its Smithfield line-up. Starting with its Rapid drill: A modified coulter plate with a longer tungsten carbide tip provides greater life...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Split first web.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Following on from the announcement (AF Oct 22)of a new cleaning module in its Vision XS potato harvester, Standen Engineering will exhibit a split first web on the same harvester at the show. This, says the company, will act as an additional...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Cutting pollutants.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Renault has developed a tractor that uses an Envirosafe exhaust emission filtration system to reduce harmful pollutants within exhaust emissions by up to 95%. Working with Pyroban Envirosafe Ltd, Renault has combined a catalytic converter...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Italian incentive.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Growers placing an order on Master Farm Services' stand will be offered an Italian weekend break with flexible departure dates! On the stand the latest 2003 drier models will be displayed incorporating static batch in-barn driers, replacing the...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Front linkage range.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... A range of front linkages from Opico have lift capacities from 0.8-5.5 tonnes, with or without PTO drive and models to fit most tractor types. Front PTO's, available to fit 1.5-5.5t models feature an oil-immersed multiple plate clutch using...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Smoother baling operation.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Lely's Double Action RP 220 Profi baler provides a smoother baling operation for both grassland and arable grower operations. Although principally designed to transfer silage and hay bales from baler to wrapping table in one job, arable growers...

SMITHFIELD 2002: High output flail hedge cutters.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Spearhead Machinery will be introducing two flail hedge cutters, boosting its existing range of Excel machines. Of particular interest to contractors will be the high output Excel 504. The 504 has a reach of 5m and is 3-point...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Shaft speed monitor.(RDS Technology)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... RDS Technology is launching three products at the show. The Shaft Speed 600 is a multi-purpose instrument intended for self-propelled, trailed and static machines. It measures forward speed, area covered and up to 4 rotating shaft speeds,...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Skid-steer and multi-steer loaders.(Bobcat Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Visitors to Bobcat's stand will have their first chance to see the upgraded version of the Bobcat 553 skid-steer and new A220 multi-steer loaders. The 553 is now powered by the Kubota D1105-E, offering an 11% increase in power output. The...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Modified de-stoners.(Grimme)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Grimme has modified its CS 1500 and 1700 Combi-Star de-stoners by changing the main chain and sprocket drive for the seven rows of stars with a multi-belt drive to reduce wear and tear. The main web is now driven by PTO as opposed to chain and...

SMITHFIELD 2002: Tyre experts on hand to give advice.(Vredestein )(Brief Article)
November 19, 2002... Alongside its display of dedicated agricultural tyres, Vredestein will be offering advice on all tyre applications to visitors. Six Vredestein experts will be on hand at the Vredestein stand to discuss with visitors the best type of tyre for...

Rate reduction is false economy.(fungicide use)
November 19, 2002... Are growers failing to make best economic use of fungicides by cutting dose rates back too far? They are, according to one manufacturer. Teresa Rush reports. Agronomists and growers trimmed fungicide rates back too far this spring and...

Arable Post.(Letter to the Editor)
November 19, 2002... In response to the comments by David Pearson `Talking Arable' (AF October 22) regarding a disappointing spring bean performance, unfortunately, dry weather during flowering and early pod development does result in lower yields and smaller seed...

December drill for spring barley.
November 19, 2002... Alison Lea visits a Norfolk farm to discuss the merits and pitfalls of drilling spring barley before Christmas. The December-drilled spring barley at Great Palgrave Farm near Sporle in Norfolk looked a picture right up to harvest last year,...

COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT: MOROCCO.(grain importer)
November 19, 2002... Country Spotlight is a new series in Arable Farming, looking at key export countries for UK grain. The first country under the spotlight, Morocco, imports 3 million tonnes of wheat annually. Most is used for making flat loaves in Moroccan...

Products for a wider audience.
November 19, 2002... Claas has just unveiled sixteen new products, more than it has done at any one time during the last five years, at a series of World dealer meetings close to Paris. Here, some 15,000 dealers, importers, and customers (200 from the UK) were...

Spring action on OSR nutrition.(oilseed rape)
November 19, 2002... The yield potential of modern oilseed rape varieties is well in excess of the average yields currently achieved by most growers. Failing to provide the correct nutritional balance during the critical canopy development and the pod set phases is...

Fast and accurate seeder.(Vaderstad UK)
November 19, 2002... Low cost rape establishment with accuracy is offered with the launch of a new cultivator-mounted seeding device. Dominic Kilburn reports. Attaching a small seeding unit to a bit of cultivation kit may not sound too revolutionary, with...

Cab suspension is surprisingly popular.(John Deere tractors)
November 19, 2002... Copyright: CMP Information Ltd. A year ago, John Deere launched a mass of new product including the 20 series tractors. At the time, a lot of attention was paid to the 8020. But the 6020 series also deserves a close look, particularly the...

The black-grass challenge.(weed control)
November 19, 2002... In the last in a series of sponsored articles on autumn weed control, a Cambridgeshire grower looks at late season strategy. Heavy rain following near drought conditions is making black-grass control a challenge this year for Cambridgeshire...