4 EDITOR’S INTRO
FEB/MAR 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
We’re a lot closer to the
29 th March deadline
and if you’re like me,
you are probably
getting fed up hearing
about it and most likely are
lost on what the actual heck is going on.
So, we’ll leave that topic right there as
I’ve been getting a headache trying to
get my head around all the shenanigans
regarding whether we are leaving or not.
RECENTLY we’ve experi-
enced some unusually warm
weather for February, which
included the hottest day on re-
cord for this time of year. This
is quite a contrast in compari-
son with last year when most
of the UK was under a blanket
of snow. Climate change has
now become a major issue
for the farming community
and population in general. The
farming community will be
some of the most important
people in combating this issue
over the next decade or so.
In this issue we take a peek
at some of the recent shows
such as YAMS and the Ripon
Open Day. These are great
events for those looking to
possibly replace or buy new
machinery. It’s also a great
opportunity to discuss possi-
ble needs with experts from
‘ climate change
has now become
a major issue
for the farming
community
’
the manufacturers and local
dealers.
Chris Berry catches up with
several farmers to discuss a wide
variety of topics and issues. One
of these is David Broster at Scar
View Farm who speaks about
his farming operation that runs
across 100 acres of land and his
businesses. Chris also manages
to sit down with Ed and Nicola
Duggleby to discuss all things
regarding Belties and Oxfords.
We also have a Q&A session
with Barclays Head of Agricul-
ture Mark Suthern, where he an-
swers questions about borrow-
ing for new business projects.
We also take a look at some of
the unique ideas for land use to
generate new incomes on the
farm. These include tank driving
experiences, creating a festival
and glamping holidays.
Are you close to retirement?
Then we have an article that
may be of interest. In this article
we investigate planning for that
retirement and possible succes-
sion by a family member.
Well that’s all for now folks,
enjoy this issue and we’ll look
forward to seeing you next time.
Editor, Jason
ISSUE 61 • FEB/MAR 2019
For more news, views and stories from
the number one farming guide in the
North, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk
New online granule
nematicide training
module launched
WITH potato planting just around
the corner for many, the launch
of the second granule nematicide
training course module is set
to help operators and growers
refresh their knowledge on best
practice use of nematicides.
The new module, developed by
the NIAB training platform, ARTIS,
explores in detail the stewardship
steps that should be taken when
applying these products, while
offering BASIS and NRoSO points
for participants.
Patrick Mitton, chair of the Ne-
maticide Stewardship Programme
(NSP), explains this free module is
a welcome addition to the suite of
NSP-funded online courses, which
aim to ensure these important
products are being used respon-
sibly.
“The course is suitable for all
farm staff and operators who
apply nematicides, to ensure that
they’re applied efficiently, accu-
rately and safely,” he says.
“The module explains how to
reduce the risk to the operator. It
also explores how to minimise the
environmental impact of nemati-
cides,” he says.
By commissioning this project,
the NSP aims to help raise aware-
ness of the NSP protocol among a
wide range of people and ensure
that a permanent training re-
source is available.
www.nspstewardship.co.uk
Potato supply chain making
moves to protect stocks
THE Agriculture and Horticulture
Development Board (AHDB) has
estimated GB grower held potato
stocks at the end of November 2018
at 2.97Mt. This is the lowest during
this point in the season since 2016/17
and follows one of the smallest
potato harvests on record.
Drawdown, the rate at which
potatoes are removed from store,
is lower than recent years at 39
per cent, three percentage points
below the five-year average.
The rate of drawdown from pro-
duction in Scotland is estimated to
be even lower at just 30%.
This comes after slightly lower
temperatures and higher rainfall
led to a more successful potato
harvest for Scottish growers, in
comparison to their neighbours
south of the border.
At the same point last sea-
son, grower held stocks were
estimated at 3.62Mt. The lowest
recent estimate was in 2012 when
end-November supplies sat 0.3Mt
lower at 2.66Mt. (The attached
table includes more detail on
previous year stock levels).
www.ahdb.org.uk
Table 1: GB grower held potato stocks at end-November
Month
Estimated
stocks, Mt
End Nov 2012
2.66
End Nov 2013
3.15
End Nov 2014
3.47
End Nov 2015
3.19
End Nov 2016
2.92
End Nov 2017
3.62
End Nov 2018
2.97
Source: AHDB