Agriculture • Horticulture • Forestry • Environment • Amenity

LANDWARDSEarly Summer 2005

Rooftop Turbines

Young Engineers

www.iagre.org Sustainable Soil Use Volume 60 No.3 Volume IAgrE JOURNAL AWARDS OF MERIT 2005

The Awards are made to persons Ray Clay distinguished by work in the agricultural engineering profession.

Peter Leech

Ray Clay FIAgrE (left) after receiving his Award of Merit from IAgrE President, Peter Redman, at the ceremony held at the Annual Conference.

Ray Clay is a professional engi- belief that it was not possible to neer of the highest calibre who design a machine providing high has spent the whole of his draught capability and high Peter Leech MIAgrE (left) receiving his Award of Merit career in vehicle engineering. speed in the same package was certificate and citation from IAgrE President Peter Redman at the ceremony, held at the Annual Conference in March. His contribution to the dispelled. Today, all major trac- Agricultural Engineering industry tor manufacturers offer models Born into a farming family, Melton College, BAGMA, the has undoubtedly made an in the market capable of 50 Peter Leech has spent his Training and Enterprise impact on the industry as a km/h and fitted with front axle entire working life working in Council, City & Guilds of whole and his work can be truly suspension. the agricultural sector. London Institute and IAgrE, considered as worthy of the Ray’s understanding of Following his initial training and represents an achievement that IAgrE Award of Merit. wheel and tyre dynamics, built helping with the family farm, is now the industry standard to Ray graduated with a degree up over 40 years, is probably Peter joined John Deere UK at which other companies aspire. in Automotive Engineering in the unsurpassed in the industry the age of 20 and, with the His work in encouraging early 1960’s. He then worked at In 1996 Ray became Chief exception of a three-year stint dealer technical staff to register the Road Research Laboratory Engineer at JCB Landpower, the in John Deere in Germany, has as Engineering Technicians (RRL) developing his lifelong Agricultural Division of the JCB been there ever since. through IAgrE should not be interest in vehicle suspension, Group, a position he still holds. With the emphasis on serv- underestimated, both for its steering and braking systems. Throughout his career, Ray ice, Peter’s experience covers raising of staff self esteem and From the RRL, Ray moved Clay has been an inspirational all aspects of the customer for its impact on raising the to Vauxhall Motors where he motivator to all those he works support role and he is now profile of land based service worked for some 10 years pri- with. He shares his experience responsible for the manage- engineering, to those within marily as a steering and suspen- generously always finding time ment of the company’s and outside our industry. sion engineer but also working to encourage and develop Customer Support The John Deere Ag-Tech on early automatic transmis- younger engineers. He carries Department. This covers all Programme recently celebrated sions. A 10 year period at out his work to an exemplary aspects of the department and its 10th anniversary with over Bedford Trucks followed where standard and sets the highest includes the total parts opera- 100 technicians, who have grad- Ray extended his experience level of ethical and moral stan- tion. He has over 45 staff uated from the scheme, gather- into the engineering of Heavy dards to those around him. He reporting to him. ing together. Goods Vehicles. is a true enthusiast in the work- Peter has long been con- Given the success of the In 1986, Ray joined JCB place and those that work for cerned that the company’s John Deere programme, one Developments as Principal and around him hold him in the service function should match could forgive Peter if he rested Engineer working on the cre- highest esteem. the quality of the product and on his laurels but his recent ation of a brand new concept of The Wrekin Branch has this Award of Merit reflects the efforts in supporting the high speed on/off road vehicle. great pleasure in nominating Ray time and energy he has put BAGMA/AEA funded industry The resultant vehicle, Clay for the IAgrE Award of into this at John Deere. Indeed, wide careers initiative shows launched in 1991 as the JCB Merit. His engineering career his introduction of the John just how committed Peter is, to Fastrac, has changed the face of has been of the highest calibre Deere Ag-Tech Diploma and this industry as a whole, and to the farm tractor in a similar way and he has undoubtedly made a Certificate programmes, in raising the status of service to the introduction of the grey lasting contribution to the engi- association with Brooksby technicians in particular. Ferguson in the 1950’s. The neering of agricultural vehicles. Volume 60 No 3, 2005

The Professional Journal for Engineers, Scientists, and Technologists in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Environment LANDWARDS and Amenity CONTENTS Editor Eur Ing Prof Brian D Witney CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS PhD CEng CEnv FIMechE HonFIAgrE MemASAE FFCS LAND TECHNOLOGY LTD 33 South Barnton Ave, 2 KEYNOTE ADDRESS Edinburgh, EH4 6AN Tel/Fax:+44 (0)131 336 3129 Sustainability in engineering design E-mail: [email protected] Tim S Rymer Website: http://www.landtec.co.uk 13 SOIL MANAGEMENT Advertising Sustainable soil management in the UK All enquiries to IAgrE Nigel W Hall and others Tel:+44 (0)1525 861096 Fax: +44 (0)1525 861660 Origination: David King Feature Article Printing: Barr Printers Ltd 6 RENEWABLE ENERGY Publisher Landwards is published bimonthly by: Rooftop wind energy turbines IAgrE, Jorji B Fredericksen West End Road, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DU Tel:+44 (0)1525 861096 Fax: +44(0)1525 861660 Membership Matters centrefold E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.iagre.org 11 YOUNG ENGINEERS President Vehicle performance competition Peter L Redman BSc(Hons) CEnv FIAgrE Will Turner

Chief Executive & Secretary News and Comment Christopher R Whetnall CEnv IEng FIAgrE MemASAE 8 News scan 22 Company and product information

Front cover: Rooftop turbine (Photo: copyright ©2005 Renewable Devices Swift Turbines Ltd)

The views and opinions expressed in individual contributions are not those necessarily of IAgrE or the Editor. Landwards is compiled from information received by IAgrE but no responsibility can be accepted by the governing Council, the Publishers or the Editor in respect of any errors or omissions. The Editor reserves the right to edit any material sent to the jour- nal. Material from this publication may be quoted or reported on condition that full credit is given to Landwards and to the author, and that the date of publication and volume number are stated. In the interest of factual reporting, reference to trade names and pro- prietary products may be inevitable. No endorsement of the named products or manufacturers is intended and no adverse criti- cism is implied of similar products which are not mentioned. © The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) ISSN 1363-8300 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

SUSTAINABILITY IN ENGINEERING DESIGN Tim S Rymer

BIO NOTE ustainability in engineer- Group in a few minutes. ing design is a challenging This paper was presented as the Keynote theme. My academic tro- Sustainability Address at the IAgrE Annual Conference S phy cabinet hardly qualifies me So to the theme ‘Sustainability entitled ‘ Sustainability in Engineering to address the theme, namely a in Engineering Design’. Design’ and held at Harper Adams degree in Agricultural Sustainability is the new buzz- University College, Newport, Shropshire, UK, Engineering at Newcastle word of politicians, business- on 9 March 2005. University rather a long time men and environmentalists. Having read Agricultural Engineering at ago, and I am a member of the Apparently, there are over 350 Newcastle University, where he gained an Institution of Agricultural definitions of sustainability honours degree, Tim Rymer MIAgrE Engineers. However, I have which is probably why politi- returned to the JSR business in 1985. spent 20 years working within cians like to use it so much! Initially he focussed mainly on the arable a business that on a daily basis The most well known defi- side of the business with the additional tries to turn the resources of nition is from the Brundtland responsibility of running a local pea vining land, labour, capital, machinery Report of 1987 which states cooperative, Driffield Pea Growers. He and livestock into a profit. that ‘sustainable development is subsequently set up a second pea Without profit, we do not have that which meets the needs of cooperative, Swaythorpe Growers Ltd to a sustainable business. the present without compro- grow peas for J S Frozen Foods by farmers Evaluating new technology mising the ability of future gen- who were outside the Birds Eye catchment today is essential in making the erations to meet their own area. He is currently Chairman of right decisions that combine needs’. In practice, this is Swaythorpe Growers and a Director of those reserves more effectively. almost impossible for all of us Driffield Pea Growers. Too often new technology over in the developed world where The JSR Farming Group of which he is promises and under delivers most people’s life style is pro- Chairman has a turnover of £20m and though some of this is due to fusely unsustainable and for employs 160 people on 4000 ha, owns our own lack of knowledge and engineers in particular whose 7,000 sows and has an international pig skill. I shall return to our own brief often commits them to genetics business which exports to 34 experiences at JSR Farming unsustainable projects. So how countries worldwide.

2 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 do consumer lifestyle engineer- heroic of British engineers. ing companies address sustain- Furthermore, he was narrowly “...the focus on ‘not ability? beaten by Winston Churchill This is Daimler Chrysler’s for the BBC award of ‘Greatest compromising the ability of sustainability statement: Briton of all time’. ‘Sustainability means using natu- Brunel possessed a vision of future generations to meet ral resources in a way that cur- great works, his ‘castles in the rent needs are fulfilled without sky’, many of which he was able their own needs’ does make imposing limitations on the to translate into reality. He lifestyle of future generations. possessed the skills, the drive engineering design more Environmental compatibility, and the organisational ability to social responsibility, politics and see through enterprises that challenging. This is something success in business must not be would have defeated most men. mutually exclusive. In fact, they He was not always successful that has gradually become need to be closely co-ordinated but even his failures were because society, the economy impressive. His leading role in more important as society’s and the environment are inter- the transport revolution of the dependent and constantly 19th century, especially the priorities have changed.” changing’. building of the Great Western ‘Wow’ – bit of room for Railway, left an indelible mark ments as they themselves may knowledge required by the manoeuvre there then! on the British landscape. It is a subsequently adopt different indigenous population to keep You will be relieved to hear remarkable tribute to the man visions and priorities. the scheme running after the I don’t intend to wade through that his reputation has been engineers have left. the other 348 definitions of able to endure blows, which Adopting better prac- Pump Aid is a small charity sustainability. The point I am would have overwhelmed most tices that provides appropriate tech- making is that at its worst sus- engineers. The largest of these Clearly, though, there are some nology water pumps called tainability is a word you can failures was the collapse of the unsustainable engineering prac- ‘Elephant Pumps’ to Africa to weave into just about any state- atmospheric system on the tices going on today. However, provide access to clean water ment you like and at best is a South Devon Railway and the in the main this isn’t the fault of for drinking and irrigation. vision, something we aspire to extraordinary series of prob- the engineer but a project they Importantly, these pumps can but there will always be com- lems which accompanied the inherit or a project driven by be maintained by poor rural promises because for many attempts to build, launch and fit political expediency. Mining communities without outside people the future is less impor- out the Great Eastern. sand from the beach to build assistance. Pump Aid says that tant than surviving today. However, as the Americans are beach side hotels or the slash for economic sustainability they However, I have to admit that a keen to tell us ‘if you haven’t and burn of rain forests for a only employ technology that conference theme ‘less unsus- been bust you haven’t been try- year’s crop of fruit or vegeta- the local community can under- tainable engineering design’ is a ing’ and it was Brunel’s ability bles. These examples involve stand and afford to maintain in bit of a mouthful! to learn from his failures that engineers. Structural engineers the long term. Interestingly, the Nevertheless, the focus on set him apart. Failures, I might build hotels and road engineers ‘Elephant Pump’ comes from a ‘not compromising the ability of add, that he would not have open the way into the rain for- 2000 year old Chinese design future generations to meet been able to make in today’s est. and has been adapted in Africa their own needs’ does make risk averse society. Quite sim- Engineers are deeply to make use of locally available engineering design more chal- ply, he was a man motivated by involved in unsustainable initia- materials. The lesson here is lenging. This is something that a vision or creative imagination tives, especially in the highly that, in some parts of the devel- has gradually become more to transform the ability of peo- political business of exploiting oping world, solutions can be important as society’s priorities ple to travel. resources, such as drilling for found from engineering designs have changed. Did Brunel meet the oil or providing water. that were sustainable long Brundtland Report sustainabili- But engineers are adapting before the word became fash- Engineering achieve- ty definition? In many ways he their designs and operations to ionable. ment did, although there were human make them more sustainable The heroic age of British and environmental costs. To and even reverse previous Engineering and agricul- Engineering was the Victorian me, though, it was the failure of unsustainable projects. A good ture era and epitomised by engi- the future generation to share example of this is river engi- The 18th Century saw a march neers such as the Brunels his transport vision and invest neering whereby modern river of progress in agriculture – not (father and son), the in the infrastructure that could engineers restore wetlands and all of it welcomed. Jethro Tull Stephensons (father and son), have led us to a more sustain- re-excavate the meanders of designed his seed drill in 1701; Smeaton, Boulton and Watt. able transport policy today. previously straightened rivers. Meikle, a windrowing machine Isambard Brunel has come rap- This example illustrates how Too often engineering in 1720; Menzies, a water driven idly to receive from posterity important it is not to try and schemes in developing coun- threshing machine in 1732; and the accolade of having been predict too greatly the future tries are too ambitious and fail followed by Turnip Townshend’s one of the greatest and most generation’s needs and require- to appreciate the skill and four course rotation. Shows

3 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

and societies were instrumental ourselves as pioneers of new nectivity to the accounts pack- The future in communicating those tech- technology but as investors in age leading to duplication and Our Genetic Improvement pro- nological developments proven technology. People inaccuracy. gramme is designed around throughout agricultural and capabilities are an important Experience is of course the three principles - performance, rural communities – a similar guide to this proven technolo- polite term for well pro- prolificacy and robustness – or, role that this Institution plays gy. Their experience and capa- grammed grey matter, a valu- specifically, performance of the today. bility is of course the first con- able commodity sadly underval- finished pig, prolificacy of the The Common Agricultural sideration but unfortunately ued in the electronic microchip sow and robustness of the Policy is an example of how apart from track record, the age. Fortunately, there is still genotype to thrive in the envi- politics has influenced engineer- information or data on people no substitute for the farmer’s ronment which might be ing design. In the Treaty of tends to be entirely subjective. boot, stockman’s eye or potato indoors, outdoors or in the Rome signed in 1957 which It remains vital to carefully store manager’s nose in com- tropics. Designing a new geno- established the EEC, the specif- assess staff competence in nor- mercial farming. Within our type takes seven years from the ic objectives of the treaty relat- mal day-to-day activity before international pig breeding com- first great grandparents pro- ing to agriculture were:‘To embarking on new investment pany once a week we run a duced to having enough parents increase agricultural productivi- with technology. computer on all test data for on the ground to sell to cus- ty by promoting technical The use of computers in that week and BLUP or PEST tomers. The marketplace is progress and assuring the avail- farming is an interesting exam- as it is now called selects the fickle and changing so making a ability of supplies’. ple. I am not convinced that right boar or gilt from 3 million bet on the right genotype for From this context, the the exact answer to a financial records. The nucleus team the market in seven years time objectives were met so suc- calculation is particularly leader then verifies the com- is difficult. The majority of our cessfully that the kind of review important. I still make use of puter selection through his well resource therefore is improving which today has led to the that much maligned but free programmed grey matter or what we have. Each animal this Single Farm Payment System financial tool, the back of an experience. The genotype may year is genetically superior to should have happened in 1984 envelope. be right but phenotypically the the animal we produced last not 2004. In making management pig may be wrong. The nucleus year on the traits we select for. Technological progress was decisions, it is only necessary team leader has the final say, The challenge for us is getting very rapid indeed. In 1979 at to make a judgement on what not the computer! that improvement down to the “Engineers have constantly had to adapt to changing society wants and consumer wants. In the UK, society’s wants are for the countryside to be a rural idyll”

JSR, we managed to combine a is most likely to prove the There is no doubt that commercial producer where it record yield of wheat at 6.9 most advantageous course of computer technology in farm- is sometimes not seen due to t/ha. In 1984, just five years action. If the potential result ing has helped improve our health, environment, feed or later, we averaged 10 t/ha. Last between two alternative invest- processes whether through management practices. year (2004), 20 years later, we ments decisions appears very cost control, safety, improved In the past arable farming at still averaged 10 t/ha. However, close then the only important quality or outright perform- JSR has been high input and we consistently do this now consideration is that a decision ance. The globalisation of mar- high output. The future is and 1984 was an exceptional is actually made. Indecision is kets and the growth of the about low input and high out- year. The point is that in the another name for bad manage- Internet have allowed us to put. Yield is still the key to late 1970’s and early 1980’s ment. I’m not, however, advo- centrally purchase more effec- recovering our costs per tonne. there was a technological out- cating instant policy commit- tively. Fail safes and diecams on However, input costs both vari- put revolution happening on ment but that a well thought pig farms have made them safer able and fixed need to be UK and European farms with out strategy should be backed and provided a better environ- recovered to survive and pros- scientists and engineers at the by reliable information. ment for stock. Potato and per with wheat at £70 per forefront. Like all revolutions Computers have helped to onion store ‘fridge units and tonne. I believe this process though it all got out of control mechanise our processors control systems make it easier will be facilitated through engi- and the damage to the reputa- remembering that you can only to control deterioration in neering and technology. tion of UK farmers as custodi- do so effectively if the process quality and tractor harvesting We have made an invest- ans of the countryside and itself is efficient. Bad processes and cultivation equipment have ment in precision farming. At providers of food was largely defeat good people just as all allowed us to embrace large the moment this is essentially done during this period. mechanised bad processors scale arable crop production in information gathering, yield defeat good people. So often a way that was nearly unthink- mapping, soil nutrient analysis, Adoption procedures we find people operating as a able just ten years ago. using P & K variable rate fer- At JSR, we have never seen spreadsheet island with no con- tiliser applicators and

4 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 HydroAgri nitrogen sensors to grown. We would need to for the countryside to be a in the minds of the consumer is variable N spreading. The invest in a biomass generator to rural idyll – lambs skipping primarily about price. future will be variable seed provide generation of electricity about on green rolling fields, On Monday morning most drilling and patch spraying lead- and the ability to bolt on a heat sprayers locked away in sheds, farmers responding to the need ing to a reduction in inputs. exchanger for heat/hot water happy pigs wallowing in mud to be globally competitive quiet- Laser eye technology allowing production. Companies such as and plenty of public access for ly unlock the sprayer implement combine harvester operators to Talbots have these generators people to walk, bike and ride shed to spray the potatoes for maximise bed width and similar commercially available and they pretty much where they like. blight knowing they will be technology on tractors and cul- even come with the latest soft- Leaving Macdonald wrappers, rejected and worthless if they tivation equipment to allow ware for grid connection. I am empty crisp packets, empty cans don’t. They take pigs back more even matching of boot looking forward to the day the and disposable nappies in gate- inside to farm them intensively widths and reduced compaction JSR electricity meter is spinning ways are small irritations that because they are competing on headlands. The land that we in reverse from electricity pro- farmers would willingly accept with the highly efficient Dutch do farm will need to be farmed duced from our own biomass! for the subsidies they receive and Danes and indulge in some like this or not at all. Using The new waste manage- from the EU. effective vermin control to pro- satellite technology and engi- ment regulations that came into These same people then tect the recent higher mortality neering design to optimise force in 2004 mean that we metamorphose on a Sunday in the lambs. inputs according to the yield cannot now dispose of the night at the stroke of midnight Are these two antagonistic potential of each square metre waste on our farms. We are and become mean, price con- objectives reconcilable? Can of soil in each field will aid com- now involved in a joint venture scious consumers. Sunday in we meet society’s wants and petitiveness. Scale and skill are with Agrovista and Recovered the countryside is just a lazy, consumer’s wants at the same the other two key components. Plastics to recycle our plastic happy memory. On Monday time? No. There needs to be a I believe we will see a time containers through a chipping morning, they are focussed on compromise and I believe engi- when energy crops compete for process. We believe that these spending less than 10% of their neering and technology will give land with food crops. We have kinds of initiatives which involve disposable income on food and us the tools to make that com- 20 hectares of short rotation new engineering designs are the retailers respond to ‘con- promise. It is an enormous willow, which was originally very much more environmental- sumer wants’. challenge but Brunel would not planned for the now defunct ly sustainable. They need a value have been daunted by it. We Eggborough power station. We Engineers have constantly Macdonald meal, own label need to ensure that modern believe willow only makes sense had to adapt to changing socie- crisps, buy one get one free farming can prosper in a sus- if you can turn it into heat and ty wants and consumer wants. pack of Coke and Pampers – tainable form within an urban power close to where it is In the UK, society’s wants are probably made in China. Value society.

ENVIRONMENT Environmentalists support Olympic bid

The Society for the Environment (SovEnv), Environment is delighted to help London legacy are as environmentally sustainable the new umbrella organisation for environ- 2012 and I pay tribute to the quality of the as possible. The Society is ready to help mental professionals in the UK, has signed environmental package in the Bid. We the Olympic Bid. We wish London 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding with need to ensure that for such a major every success.” London 2012, the company bidding to event the preparation of all aspects of the Lord Coe said,“from the outset host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games themselves as well as the exciting London 2012 has sought to engage with Games. environmental organisations and we are The Memorandum of Understanding delighted at the positive response we have establishes a partnership between the two received. It is really important for us that organisations that will, among other mat- our environmental and sustainable devel- ters, seek to: opment plans have been developed in • promote sustainability through profes- partnership with the top professionals in sional environmental advice throughout this field. The support of Society for the the Olympic projects; Environment through its constituent bod- • work towards the establishment of the ies and their members will help us deliver highest professional standards drawing this to a high standard.” on the members of the Constituent MORE INFORMATION Bodies that make up SocEnv; and SocEnv’s Chairman,William Pope, • promote the concept of a quality envi- and Chief Executive,Tim Bines, met Will Pope, Chairman, The Society for with London 2012 Chairman, Lord ronment during and after the Olympic Sebastian Coe (centre), at the the Environment. Tel: +44 (0)7774 Games. Environment Forum, held at 275171. E-mail: williampope@com- William Pope said “the Society for the Church House,Westminster puserve.com Web: www.socenv.org.uk

5 RENEWABLE ENERGY

Copyright © 2005 Renewable Devices Swift Turbines Ltd ROOFTOP WIND ENERGY TURBINES Jorji B Fredericksen BIO NOTE

The wind turbine development and company formation was presented by Dr enewable Devices Ltd fuel poverty, Renewable David Anderson, director of Renewable provides accessible Devices Swift Turbines has Devices Ltd at the conference entitled Rrenewable energy solu- designed and manufactured ‘Renewables Here and Now’ and organised tions worldwide through prod- the world’s first silent, under the convenership of Richard Witney, uct development and consul- rooftop-mountable wind tur- Renewables Adviser with Lothian and tancy services. With over 70 bine, capable of providing a Edinburgh Environmental Partnership. accumulated years of R&D and cost-effective renewable ener- This invited feature article was prepared installation experience, the gy source for domestic, com- by Jorji B Fredericksen, Project Support company is a world leader in munity and industrial use. Officer, Renewable Devices Ltd, Bush Estate, its field. With a rated power output of Edinburgh EH26 0PH Tel: +44 (0)131 As part of its mission to 1.5 kW, the SWIFT™ Rooftop 535 3301 Website: provide accessible renewable Wind Energy System can www.renewabledevices.com energy products and reduce either be grid-connected for

6 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 of a patented twin-vane pro- one unit generated from fossil gressive mechanical furling fuels, with the added benefit mechanism coupled with a that the electricity is con- sophisticated electronic con- sumed on-site, thus negating trol system. The optimum transmission losses. This amount of power can then be amounts to a displacement of taken from the turbine under approximately 1.6 tonnes of

all wind and loading conditions CO2 per year – a significant without stalling, representing a environmental contribution. step change in the accurate The UK government, under and safe control of small wind the Kyoto agreement, made a

turbines. commitment to decrease CO2 To ensure minimal trans- emissions by 10% by 2010 and mission of oscillations from the the Scottish Executive has set wind turbine to building, the even more stringent environ- Swift turbine mounting brack- mental targets. Accordingly, ets incorporate damping sys- there has recently been tems designed to absorb a emphasis on renewable The changing built environment with solar panels and rooftop wide range of frequencies.The sources of energy. Analysis of turbine in perspective (Copyright © 2005 Renewable Devices patented ring diffuser also min- energy demand shows that Swift Turbines Ltd) imises turbine noise by pre- 47% of the UK’s annual energy embedded power generation safety standard BS EN venting the creation of turbu- demand is from buildings, or alternatively linked to an 61400/2), reliability and ease of lent vortices at the blade tip. which contributes 40% of the immersion water heating sys- operation. The Swift innovative In addition the five-bladed UK’s CO2 emissions. This tem. technology will provide sub- Renewable Devices has stantial economic benefits to extensive experience in devel- over 33% of buildings and oping and installing wind tur- could reduce the UK’s CO2 bines of all sizes up to multi- emissions by as much as 13%. megawatt machines. An In general, it can be expect- increasing number of industrial ed that the Swift will generate customers are installing wind between 3,000 - 4,000 kWh turbines at their sites to per year (according to the reduce energy expenditure and wind resource at a particular offset climate change levy site), providing a net financial emissions. Indeed, our expert- benefit of up to £440 per year. ise covers a vast array of tech- The company has recently nologies, including: wind energy received an order for 2000 – of all scales, hydro-power, turbines from Scottish and solar (thermal & photovoltaic), Southern Energy Plc. This, biomass (combustion & gasifi- combined with existing orders, cation) and ground source heat equates to an installed capacity pumps. With experience in of 6 MW, with an annual gener- design, manufacture, project Rooftop turbine with central rotor, five blade design, ring ation of 1.6 GWh and annual development and installation in diffuser and twin-vane furling mechanism (Copyright © 2005 CO2 reduction of 6,400 Renewable Devices Swift Turbines Ltd) all these fields, Renewable tonnes. Devices offers a comprehen- It is expected that within 5 sive, cutting edge, renewable carbon-fibre rotor is support- design allows for a slower years the installed SWIFT™ energy consultancy service by ed by two single row, deep- speed of rotation to further turbines in the UK alone will a highly qualified and experi- groove ball bearings, which reduce noise, making the annually produce around 80 enced multi-disciplinary team. have been specifically selected SWIFT™ Rooftop Wind GWh of energy and reduce

We now have a diverse client to cope with the immense Energy System the quietest CO2 emissions by approxi- base, ranging from community gyroscopic and thrust loads wind system currently avail- mately 32,000 tonnes (using groups and small commercial which are imposed by the able. RETScreen calculation) per companies right through to aerodynamics of the turbine, year. multinational corporations and especially in high winds. The Environmental contribu- Interest is escalating in the governments. rotation speed and system tion international market and we integrity are controlled in such In environmental terms, each are starting to develop sales Rooftop turbine design conditions by the uniquely unit of electricity generated and distribution channels with The Swift design process has developed over-power regula- from a SWIFT™ Rooftop major utilities/distribution focused on safety (exceeding tion mechanism. This consists Wind Energy System displaces agents across the globe.

7 NEWS SCAN

ANCIENT FARMING TECHNIQUES Rare prehistoric discoveries unearthed at Ryton-on-Dunsmore

Archaeological excavation on found with it, is likely to be also see that the pits ended matter adhering to the pottery behalf of the Highways Agency among the earliest found in the their useful life as repositories or charred plant remains, will ahead of a £3m road scheme UK. These finds date from for rubbish after episodes of tell us more about the has revealed historic treasures around 200 B.C., and the feasting.” sequence of events during the never before found in brooch is the first of its kind Other finds included a prehistoric occupation of this Warwickshire, indicating that a to be discovered in range of quern stones used for site.” high-ranking Iron Age family Warwickshire. The excava- grinding cereal seeds into flour. Andrew Butterfield, could have inhabited a settle- tions also revealed an unusual Several different types of these Assistant Route Manager for ment at Ryton-on-Dunsmore C-shaped ditch with an eastern querns were found, including a the Highways Agency, said:“We over 2000 years ago. entrance, which is likely to beehive type, which has never are delighted to have funded Earlier fragments of have been of ceremonial or before been seen in such a successful archaeologi- Neolithic and Bronze Age pot- religious significance – perhaps Warwickshire. cal excavation in the lead up to tery and flint tools on the an unusual form of shrine. Rob Sutton of Atkins this £3m safety improvement same site date from as far back Stuart Palmer, who direct- Heritage, archaeological advi- scheme on the A45 in as 3000 B.C. and suggest the ed the project on behalf of sors to the Highways Agency, Warwickshire. As soon as the site held special significance Warwickshire Museum said:“The next stage will be importance of this site became almost 2500 years before the Archaeology Projects Group, the completion of the post- clear, we made additional Iron Age began. As well as said:“The fact that several of excavation analysis. resources and time available to Iron Age pottery and remains these Iron Age finds at Ryton- Environmental samples taken complete the excavations. of roundhouses consistent on-Dunsmore are atypical in from the excavated features Whenever we find archaeologi- with previous discoveries at this area makes it a distinct will be examined to recover cal remains on road projects, other Warwickshire sites, sev- possibility that this site was evidence of local land use and we work closely with archaeol- eral unusual finds make it a site the residence of people of an farming techniques. Particular ogists to ensure those are pre- of particular historic interest. unusual rank, perhaps a local attention will be given to the served for the community. The most exceptional find leader or other high status more unusual finds like the Now we await the results of of the dig was evidence of a family. We can get an idea of ‘kiln furniture’ in order to the analysis and look forward clay structure used in some the community’s economy attempt to understand how it to learning more about the sort of Iron Age kiln. This ‘kiln from a group of large, deep was used. way prehistoric communities furniture’, which can be dated pits which were probably used “Carbon dating of recov- that occupied this part of the by an iron brooch that was to store cereal grain. We can ered material, such as charred Midlands, lived their lives.”

AWARDS Honda awards first ATV Master Technician status

Kevin Haxell of Fieldens in of six tasks with honours, through the ranks to become thing to aim for. Kevin’s Master Stowmarket, Suffolk has become enabling him to use the presti- one of the dealership’s most Technician status gives him the the first Master Technician within gious title Master Technician. experienced technicians. “I am recognition he deserves from Honda’s ATV dealer network. “The assessment tested very proud of Kevin,” says David Fieldens, Honda (UK) and from Haxell joins an elite group of 23 Kevin’s trouble-shooting abilities Williams, Fieldens’ Dealer our customers. It will also help Honda Master Technicians across the whole range of Principal. him in the future with whichever including just one other within Honda ATVs,” continues “There are no university career path he decides to take.” the Power Equipment division. Schofield. “Kevin proved to us courses or qualifications for this Geoff Matthews, Head of the “Kevin was the only techni- that he could diagnose complex type of specialist knowledge so Honda Institute, concludes,“This cian put forward for the rigor- faults on machines ranging from I’m pleased that Honda has is a great achievement for Kevin ous assessment day at Honda’s the TRX250EX to the devised a means of recognising and a top accolade for both him training facility, the Honda TRX650FA.” technical ability. The Master, and Fieldens. I look forward to Institute,” explains Kevin’s asses- Kevin, 30, started working at Diagnostic and Maintenance other Honda ATV specialists ris- sor, John Mesger Schofield. “We Fieldens on Saturdays when he Technician grades encourage ing to the challenge in striving were therefore very pleased that was still at school. Over the dealership employees to better for and attaining this pinnacle of he passed the requisite five out past 16 years he has risen their skills and give them some- technical achievement.”

8 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 FOOD STANDARDS Red tractor logo flies the flag

A powerful new logo has been erful claim will be used to its full by an alliance of farmers, launched for the Red Tractor. potential. processors and retailers who Designed by Assured Food Replacing the word ‘British’ work together to maintain Standards (AFS) as part of their with a Union flag tells con- and improve standards. new marketing strategy, the logo sumers that the food has been • Red Tractor businesses must is presented as a robust and produced, processed and packed be independently inspected recognisable symbol signifying in the UK. It will make it easier to qualify for a licence, with companies currently licensed whole food chain assurance to a for consumers to seek out 450 independent experts to pack Red Tractor assured rigorous set of independently British produce with a single carrying out 60,000 inspec- food. inspected standards. point of reference. tions every year. • The Red Tractor can be A new consumer message Commenting on the new • The Red Tractor certifies found on beef, lamb, pork, will focus on the fact that Red logo,AFS Head of Marketing, that production standards chicken, milk, cheese, cream, Tractor food is delivered by an Bev Wilson said,“The new logo have been complied with at vegetables, sugar, some bread alliance of British farmers, is a powerful expression of Red every stage of the food chain. lines, flour and fruit. processors, retailers and distrib- Tractor values. It offers reassur- • All products that carry the • Red Tractor assurance now utors working together to deliv- ance about origin and traceabili- Red Tractor can be traced oversees all significant pri- er safe food ‘every step of the ty throughout the food chain. back to the farm. mary food production in the way’. And symbolises the delivery of • Red Tractor businesses must UK. With the Union flag a clear part safe and conscientiously pro- comply with independently • The Union Flag in the logo of the new symbol, the logo also duced food.” approved standards for food tells consumers that the food offers a stronger endorsement of The red tractor is the world safety, animal welfare and has been produced, origin, dispelling any confusion leader in food chain assurance responsible management of processed and packed in the about the provenance of Red and is there to protect and reas- pesticides and waste. UK. Tractor food. sure consumers. It’s the trusted Replacing the words ‘British symbol for conscientiously pro- Some key facts Farm Standard’ with ‘Assured duced food. It stands for a rigid • There are 78,000 Red MORE INFORMATION Food Standards’ more accurate- set of standards spanning culti- Tractor farmers and growers ly explains the full scope of Red vation, storage and animal wel- in the UK, accounting for Assured Food Standards, P.O. Tractor assurance to con- fare to transport, processing and between 66% and 90% of Box 30773, London WC2H sumers. Research has shown packing. output in the main commodi- 8AW. Tel: +44 (0)20 7331 that the average consumer ty sectors. 7660. Fax: +44 (0)20 7331 responds well to the concept of Top 5 reasons to • The Red Tractor features on 7626. E-mail: ‘whole chain assurance’. Now believe in the red £4.6 billion worth of UK [email protected] that the Red Tractor covers all tractor food each year. Web: www.redtractor.org.uk links of the food chain, this pow- • Red Tractor food is produced • There are approximately 350

PUBLICATION Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2004

On behalf of the Agricultural dies. It also contains informa- in part to the rise in the oil MORE INFORMATION Departments of the United tion on overseas trade, organic price, to £9.0 billion; Kingdom, the Department for farming, conservation and land total subsidies (less levies) paid ‘Agriculture in the United the Environment, Food and management, agriculture’s to farmers rose by 4.5% to Kingdom 2004’ is the 17th Rural Affairs (Defra) has pub- impact on the environment and £2.8 billion; volume in an annual series. lished ‘Agriculture in the United key statistics for EU Member the United Kingdom’s self-suffi- It is available (price £22, Kingdom 2004’, which describes States. ciency in indigenous type food ISBN 0-11-243086-4) from the situation in agriculture dur- Key findings for 2004 are: is estimated to be 74% and that The Stationary Office (TSO). ing 2004. It reports on farm the value of gross output from for all food is estimated to be Tel: +44 (0)870 600 5522. incomes, the structure of the the agricultural industry includ- 63%; and, Web: www.tso.co.uk/book- industry, prices, each of the ing subsidies directly linked to the average producer price of shop. It is also available on main agricultural commodities, product, increased by 2.5% to agricultural products rose by the internet at http://statis- the economic accounts for agri- £16.9 billion while intermediate 3.3% while the average price of tics.defra.gov.uk/esg/publica- culture, productivity and subsi- consumption rose by 5.4% due agricultural inputs rose by 6.8%. tions/auk/default.asp

9 NEWS SCAN

FOOD POLICY Buy local food to save the planet

f people bought and • if all farms in the UK were are poles apart.” (up from 4 km in 1985). consumed more local and to turn organic, then Contrary to the frequent • Agri-food products now Imore organic produce and if environmental costs would claims of anti-globalisation account for 28% of all their journeys to and from food fall from £1.5bn to less than campaigners, the environmental freight transport in the UK shops were made on a bus, by £400m, saving the country impact of global ‘food miles’ (up from 25% in the 1980s). bike or on foot rather than in a £1.1bn annually; was found to be trivial, since • The amount of freight car, there would be more than • if all food were sourced most people’s weekly shop is carried in the UK is some £4bn in environmental savings from within 20 km of where made up of food grown 1580 million tonnes (up by to the British economy. This is it was consumed, somewhere in the UK and 23% in 20 years), which is the principal claim of a environmental and Europe but extensively carried some 149 billion t- groundbreaking new economic congestion costs would fall transported across it. km (up by 65% over 20 study of the environmental from more than £2.3bn to However, if food production years). So freight, including impact of our weekly shop under £230m, a further were to cease on UK farms and food, is travelling further on conducted jointly by the saving of £2.1bn; and, all food were to be transported UK roads. University of Essex and City • if shopping by car were to by air from global sources, the • The external costs arising University. The study will be be replaced by travel by bus, authors show that the from the raising and published in the next edition of bicycle or walking, environmental costs would rise cultivating of 12 Elsevier’s journal Food Policy. environmental and by a staggering £19.7bn each commodities were Principal authors Professor congestion costs would fall year. calculated. On a per kg Jules Pretty (Essex) and by a further £1.1bn, from This research will be basis, livestock impose the Professor Tim Lang (City) £1.3bn to just over £100m. published shortly in Elsevier’s most environmental costs: found that Britons typically Lead researcher, Professor journal Food Policy, volume 30, beef/veal 64.8 p/kg spend £24.79 on food each Jules Pretty, said:“The most number 1. The paper is titled mutton/lamb 43.6 p/kg week, £7.53 of which is spent political act we do on a daily ‘Farm costs and food miles: an pork 12.8 p/kg on eating out. Their analysis basis is to eat, as our actions assessment of the full cost of poultry 5.7 p/kg found that the environmental affect farms, landscapes and the UK weekly food basket’. • Oil seed rape imposes the impact of this typical weekly food businesses. These choices Food Policy is the leading highest arable costs at 3.45 shop was an additional 81p per matter enormously, as different international journal publishing p/kg; vegetables (0.61 p/kg) person through farms not using productions and transport original research and critical and fruit (1.44 p/kg) impose organic farming methods, 76p systems have different effects reviews on issues in the low costs. per person through on the environment. Food formulation, implementation • The 1.72 p/kg costs for transportation from farms to miles are much more significant and analysis of policies for the cereals represents 18% of retail outlets, and 41p per than we previously thought, and food sector in developing, the value of the price of person through consumers much now needs to be done to transition and advanced wheat in 2004. travelling to and from the encourage local production and economies. • Some food miles arise from shops. They conclude that consumption of food.” an extraordinary food swap these environmental costs – Co-researcher,Tim Lang, Ten things about the between the UK and the combined with government Professor of Food Policy at true costs of food continent. Each year, some subsidies to farmers of 93p per City University, added:“How far transportation and 12.2 Mt of food are shopper per week – undervalue food travels is becoming more the environment imported, and 7.4 Mt the true cost of the weekly important for policy-makers The average person consumes exported. Some produce is shop by nearly 12%. and consumers alike. They are 11.68 kg of food per week simply swapped. Each year, Looking for strategies to rightly becoming more (10.02 kg at home). The typical 0.48 Mt of pork is minimise the environmental conscious of food and health, weekly shopping basket costs imported, and 0.21 Mt is impact of food production and but the environmental costs of £17.26. exported; transportation, Pretty, Lang and food choice also matter. For • Eating out costs £7.53 per 0.41 Mt of milk is colleagues make the following example, fruits and vegetables week, some 30% of total exported, and 0.43 Mt is stark claims, based on the most travelling long-distance or food expenditure. exported; authoritative econometric short-distance may deliver • Each person makes 221 some 130,000 sheep are assessment yet conducted in similar nutrition or look the shopping trips per year, with exported and 120,000 are this crucial policy area: same, but environmentally they an average length of 6.4 km imported.

10 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 YOUNG ENGINEERS VEHICLE PERFORMANCE COMPETITION

The Young Engineer’s Vehicle Performance Competition, run by the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, is designed to stimulate an awareness of the engineering process from concept to prototype and is open to all land based colleges. In addition to regular entrants, this year we also welcomed Ludlow Sixth Form College.

Object The object of the competition is to create a remote or radio controlled vehicle, given a set of Time for some last minute adjustments before the competition begins standard wheels, a battery and maximum dimensions, from which the competitors attempt to produce the best performance on a standard race track.

Equipment A kit of wheels and a battery were supplied by free of charge (FOC) to registered groups, from any discipline, together with a drawing of the test track, donated by Autoguide Equipment, made from two sheets of pegboard and a wooden frame. A free battery Entrants were given full details of the objective of the competition, together with the vehicles charger was made available to requirements and outline plan of the test track - from this came very individual prototypes the first 30 entries. wheels or tyres) in two Details of test track Details of test Details of vehicle minutes Each entrant was given a The vehicle was driven above The vehicle had to: • derive all power (for drawing of the test track, each diagonal line as far as • use up to four of the traction and or any essentially two sheets of possible. The point at which supplied wheels – any actuators) from the FIAMM pegboard, arranged on a the first front wheel crossed modified wheels will be FG11201 6 V,12 Ah battery wooden frame, to give a the line was taken as the failure replaced with standard ones supplied FOC - additional quarter circle of 1.55 m radius. point and scored as the number for the competition; batteries may be purchased On it were drawn two diagonal of horizontal holes covered • allow replacement of all of but only one used per lines from the lower to upper from the start point. This test the tyres (either by changing vehicle; and corners before forming the was repeated along the • derive power for any devices pegboard into shape. Additional opposite diagonal. BIO NOTE to increase traction vertical and horizontal lines at Report by Will Turner AIAgrE, Senior (ground effect modifiers, ten hole pitches were marked Awards Lecturer at Harper Adams University etc.) from the same to simplify hole identification. Prizes of £600, £400, £200 and College onboard battery. £100 were awarded, with

11 YOUNG ENGINEERS

additional sponsorship covering R/C Buggy based, wide settled, the prizes for additional classes. track, high centre of adjudicators were left gravity, very short with the difficult task Kit availability wheelbase. The body of assessing a rather Entrants registered directly gave a good brief performance. with the IAgrE secretariat at impression of a wide That is, those that IAgrE,West End Road, Silsoe, body tractor cab even saw it as, if you Bedford, MK45 4DU. E-mail: though made from ice blinked, you might [email protected]. Kits cream and margarine have missed it! I were dispatched directly with a cartons. The high think you probably maximum lead time of seven centre of gravity could will have missed it days. ensure good weight anyway because I transfer onto the rear suspect the rules will Sponsors and event wheels, but demanded preclude such devices For the second year running, careful throttle in the future. Autoguide Equipment kindly control. agreed to sponsor the Performance nd competition. Organised by 2 Harper Adams - and results Richard Robinson of Autoguide Kevin Scrivens After the first round Equipment, with assistance from A sophisticated vehicle of attempts there Andy Scarlett of SRI, the event with a high home was fervent activity in was ably compered by Chris based engineering the ‘pits’, with some Whetnall. Thanks were also content. We thought reconfiguring centres due to Liz Dower, design that Kevin had built in of gravity, others some sophisticated pondering ways of engineer with Autoguide who wheelspin limiting getting more grip. built the laser system. Both programme but we This frustration was Richard and Liz were very busy were assured that the too much for some setting up with lifting and motor was just not For the second year running,Autoguide Equipment competitors, who handling guidance from Nick sponsored the competition and also provided the getting enough power returned to the hill Handy of T H White Crane track and a laser beam ‘high jump style’ measuring system; prototypes could be either remote or radio with high grip tyres, Division. All assisted in controlled 3rd Harper Adams - even if this resulted assessing each entrant’s Adeola Adedoyin in being reclassified performance. Her approach was create a walker, to gain a as ‘unlimited’. This year it was generously conventional, relying on a high purchase on the hardboard At the end of the event there hosted by Caterpillar Ltd’s ratio gearbox to provide the track surface, the feet and belly was a tough time for the judges, Desford plant. The Human torque at low speed. Traction benefitted from arrays of who made, what seemed to be a Relations (HR) manager was and weight transfer were the drawing pins.When pin and well received distribution of Dave Archer, who provided issues and Adeola tried several pegboard hole engaged, there prizes. There were certainly excellent facilities and a most configurations. was good progress, although this plenty of happy faces at the end welcome lunch. Someone must could not always be guaranteed. of a demanding event requiring have warned the caterers about Unlimited innovation, balancing practical the prodigious appetite induced 1st Plumpton College Unclassified skills and materials with desires by such a competition! There Tracked vehicle, with robust Brooksby Melton College and aspirations. followed an exciting formed alloy body, and Very compact package, battery The end results might seem to demonstration of CAT’s aerodynamic devices, looked nested tightly within the be the vehicles and the prizes diversity of products, finished like an escapee from Tracy wheelbase and track. The but far more important is that off by a most interesting factory Island. Performed well, until a entrant’s repeated warning to all these young people have tour. track broke. keep clear, may have had more been engineers in the broadest Some competitors elected impact if the nature of the beast sense. Namely, taking a concept to present radical solutions and 2nd Ludlow 6th Form College had been made more obvious. through to the development of to the organisers’ credit, they Belt/track drive around An illegal device from the more a successful working prototype. did not immediately exclude competition issue wheel/tyres, exotic and extreme regions of them but allowed them to run. accredited itself well until loud the aero modelling world had Young Engineers Vehicle Having reviewed the ‘paddock clicking noises were heard, from augmented the modest electric Performance practice’ they then elected to the final drive. motor performance. The Competition 2006 divide the field into two classes, package proved to have a thrust Colleges interested in taking ‘Regular’ and ‘Unlimited’. 3rd Harper Adams - Toby Gold well in excess of vehicle weight part in the 2006 competition Toby was not at all impressed by travelling in a distinctly should email IAgrE at Regular by the tractive potential offered uncontrolled manner, narrowly [email protected] to register. 1st Brooksby Melton College - by the competition issue missing organisers and Rules will be available soon. ‘Massey’ wheel/tyres. He elected to adjudicators. When the dust

12 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 Bimonthly EARLY SUMMER 60(3) MEMBERSHIP

MATTERSTHE NEWSLETTER OF THE INSTITUTION OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS Award for Contribution to the Land Based Industries Sector 2005 The Award is offered in recognition of an IAgrE member who has made a sustained contribution to the land based sector throughout their career, and is presented for the first time in 2005. Dr Mike Hann A stalwart of the Agricultural Engineering profession since his days as an ND Engineering student at Writtle in 1965,Mike graduated with a BSc Engineering from the Open University and MSc (1983) and PhD (1994) from Cranfield University at Silsoe. He has served in industry as a drainage/civil/waste engineer, and lectured at Plumpton College, Rycotewood College and Cranfield University at Silsoe. He has always supported the IAgrE in a range of capacities as Book Reviewer, Member of Editorial Panel, Conference Committee member, Soil and Dr Mike Hann FIAgrE (left) receiving his Award from IAgrE President, Peter Redman at the Water Specialist Group ‘fixer’ ceremony held at the Annual a for activities at Cranfield University at Silsoe. As such he students. He will have in the classroom and with a Mike is a dedicated, talented, is rather an unsung hero but is influenced the careers of broad-base of clients ranging hardworking and practical always keen to help and support hundreds of students from City from BP to the Environment agricultural engineer who has activities. & Guilds through to PhD and Agency and the RSPB. His unstintingly served the As a teacher at Plumpton, EngD. His practical approach to international reputation is ‘academic’ base in the UK and is Rycotewood and Silsoe he has Soil and Water Engineering is strong in Africa, Europe, China worthy of the status of this been (and is) well liked by his sound and well respected both and the USA. Award.

1 NEWS for MEMBERS

Institution of Agricultural Engineers Douglas Bomford Trust Award

The Douglas Bomford Paper the current problems and May, and published as a first with ‘Part I: Design and Award is presented to the needs of industry; as well as class, well illustrated, popular Evaluation of a Shallow author(s), at least one of quality of presentation and the article on a highly topical sub- Injector’ and Mike Hann also whom is an Institution mem- authors’ authority in the sub- ject of amenity engineering in involved with ‘Part II: ber, who demonstrate original- ject material. Landwards, 59(4), 2-6; Development of a Shallow ity and technical excellence in There are two winners of Application Technique’ pub- a scientific paper published the Award this year, namely: Dr David Pullen lished in Biosystems during the previous year in MIAgrE Engineering 87(3), 285-297 either the Institution Journal Paul Mudway for a two-part paper entitled and 87(4), 393-406, respective- Landwards or in Biosystems AIAgrE ‘Injecting Bio Solids into Grass ly; these comprehensive Engineering. Assessment crite- for his paper entitled and Arable Crops’ both co research articles describing an ria include: engineering con- ‘Engineered Forest Recreation’ written with Dick Godwin, and innovative engineering solution tent; potential for practical and which was first presented at Peter Grundon, whilst Peter to a topical environmental commercial use; relevance to the Annual Conference last Moseley was also involved issue.

Paul Mudway (centre left) and Dr David Pullen (centre right), respectively, both receiving (on the blink!) the Douglas Bomford Paper Awards from Jonathan Bomford, Chairman of the Trust. Johnson New Holland Trophy and Award

The Award is presented annually, with the object of studied for a BEng in encouraging and recognising innovation by younger Ross Agricultural Engineering and students, to the best final year project submitted by a Pearson was the only student in his student or group of students, as part of a First Degree, Harper Adams year to obtain First Class Higher National Diploma or Higher National University College status. Along with this, he was also presented with two Certificate course in Agricultural Engineering. The Originally from Boston, college awards for Best College submitting the prize-winning project will Lincolnshire, Ross Pearson (23) Dissertation and Best Final receive the trophy to hold for one year. is from a vegetable farming Year Engineering Student. background and has always had During the course, Ross a keen eye for precision and an worked at L W Househam, aptitude for machinery design. building and developing crop A student at Harper Adams sprayers, before designing and between 2000 and 2004, Ross developing the track width

2 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS EARLY SUMMER 2005 Transfers Congratulations to members achieving a further phase of their MEMBERSHIP CHANGES professional development Member Admissions Barony College: J Inglesant S G Minter (Nottinghamshire) A warm welcome to the following S Bax G J Jenkins P E Naylor (Staffordshire) new members D Blackstock D R John N R Perera (Essex) D C Preece (Nottinghamshire) Member K Carruthers M R John A W J Barrett (Devon) J Connolly G C Johnson Associate Member T G Jones (Essex) G J Cook C I Jones A Dunne (Essex) W C Milne (West Yorkshire) A Durie R C Jones C Erskine J Logan Associate Member R Holmes R Mogford Engineering O D Hassan (Northampton) A J Hutchinson W J Morgan Council D C Preece (Nottingham) R Kincaid G Morris Congratulations to the following G Lamont T L Morris member who have qualified as a Associate M R Lockhart O Rees Chartered Engineer, entering them J C Archer (Stafford) D R Marsh M Rudd to use the designatory letters CEng Y O Bankole (Nigeria) G Mitchell D A W Thomas after their name S-A Barclay (Rutland) D S Muir D W Thomas S C Bull (East Sussex) G Murray W Turner Registrations CEng I M Lea (Lincolnshire) R W Ryle T Webb G A Walker (Suffolk) W S Turner (Wrexham) L S Scott G Smith Cranfield University: Student C Sorrie D Ansorge Society for the Askham Bryan College: M J Teasdale M D Bartlett J M Douglas P Threlkeld Upper Bann Institute, Northern Environment B Egginton D R Watson Ireland: Congratulations to the following members who have met the crite- B G Frankland R J Campbell ria for Chartered Environmentalist, G Hannam-Clark Coleg Sir Gar: N D Greene entitling them to use the designato- J Kemp E G Clements P McCaul ry letters CEnv after their name G J Lister E Evans P McGrath E H Maude G W Evans R Muldoon Registrations J Spink G Forsyth D J Napier R Alcock (Staffordshire) S R Turkington L T Griffiths S Ruddy C L Cook (Essex) C Vicary R Griffiths S Waddell W J Cracknell (Uzbekistan) L L Helmick M Mutema (Berkshire) S J Scoones (China)

system on which he based his dissertation. Once graduated, Ross began work at Chafer Machinery, a crop sprayer specialist based in Gainsborough. Here, he currently enjoys the role of Design Development Engineer, creating new concepts, improving existing machines and testing prototype equipment.

Ross Pearson was presented with the Johnson New Holland Award by Trevor Jones of CNH UK, the sponsors, and also received the Trophy on behalf of Harper Adams University College.

3 NEWS for MEMBERS

Branch Meritorious Service Awards 2004

The Awards are made to members who have con- sistently rendered outstanding service to a Branch of the Institution over a number of years.

Philip Metcalfe constant contributor and active Wrekin Branch branch member over a consider- David Pullen able number of years and fully South East Midlands deserves to receive a Branch Branch Meritorious Award. Bob Voss West Midlands Branch Dr David Pullen has Philip Metcalfe has been been a stalwart and dedicated an active member of the Wrekin member of the South East Branch of the Institution since Midlands Branch committee on 1983 having moved to work two occasions since 1996. In within ADAS as a Mechanisation 1996, he took over as Officer at the Wolverhampton secretary/treasurer and was office. During these 22 years, he largely responsible for turning a has served as a committee dwindling attendance at Branch member of the branch for 21 of technical meetings into many them. overcrowded rooms. He was at During these years, Phil has that time an enabling force that held a number of officer posts contributed significantly to on the committee: keeping the Branch going as a Information & Press Officer viable and thriving organisation 1985 - 1998 with key well organised and Secretary 1989 - 1991 attended meetings. Vice Chairman 1996 - 2001 David assisted the revival of Chairman 2001 - 2004 the Branch by embracing the Throughout this time, Phil’s relatively new technology of range of contacts within the electronic communication and industry has been of immense using it to full effect. This was use in arranging a number of only achieved by significant effort branch meetings. His particular and attention to detail. He interest in buildings and environ- introduced the ‘electronic poster’ mental engineering has been a and initiated its circulation to all good foil to balance the influ- possible interested parties. His ence of the ‘tractor and machin- dedication to the task in hand ery men’ within the branch, con- ensured that all details were in structing balanced programmes place for each element of the of meetings. programme, including the vital Whilst many members’ last minute publicity for each Phil Metcalfe MIAgrE, David Pullen MIAgrE and Bob Voss interest and commitment to the event that ensured a thriving, MIAgrE, respectively, each receiving their Branch Meritorious activities of the branch tend to interested and participatory Service Awards from IAgrE President Peter Redman during the Awards Ceremony at the Annual Conference wax and wane, Phil has been a audience.

4 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS EARLY SUMMER 2005 In his second period of David has also carried out office, David was instrumental in other tasks for the Institution as the rationalisation of the a Branch member showing his Michael Dwyer Memorial Branch’s financial arrangements, dedication to the profession and bringing the Social Committee in helping others to gain the Prize 2005 and Branch accounts under the most from their membership. The prize is to a mid-career engineer who has made outstanding same banking umbrella. This was These activities have included progress in the agricultural engineering industry. at a time when significantly more secretary/treasurer of two rigour and procedural details Specialist Groups and Ian Sayers were required, necessitating membership of the Newsletter dedication to the task. editorial panel. Following the award of an ect which he had started some Despite being coerced into The South East Midlands Honours degree in Agricultural 2 years earlier. Techweb is an this second period of office, Branch committee were Engineering from Newcastle internet based technical infor- David embraced the job with unanimous in recommending University in 1994, Ian spent mation tool which allows rapid good will and considerable that Dr David Pullen be put two years working in North transfer of technical information enthusiasm. He constantly forward for this Award and that America, the first of which was by JCB to and from its dealers challenged the committee with it would be fitting recognition spent custom combining and the world wide. This project was new ideas that brought more for the considerable work that second working for a John broad ranging in its scope and order and efficiency to the he has done for the Branch and Deere dealer as a service engi- finalised only with a very high procedures involved in Institution over an unbroken neer. This experience gave Ian degree of perseverance.Today it organising the Branch technical period from 1992 to the an excellent understanding of is the main tool by which JCB programme. He initiated the present. the agricultural customer and communicates with its dealers drawing up and design of a how best to support him. on matters technical. protocol for the organisation IAgrE West Midlands Branch On returning to the UK in Ian’s responsibility within and running of meetings. This nominated Bob Voss to 1996, Ian joined JCB excavators JCB Service moved on to introduced inclusiveness and receive the Branch Meritorious as a design engineer working embrace co-ordination of Field participation by all members of Award. within the Telescopic Handler Service worldwide and the the committee.As a result, the Bob has been a member of business unit. His customer Technical Publications depart- programme is now put together the Institution of Agricultural focus resulted in his move into ment. co-operatively with tasks shared Engineers since 1972. During the customer support area as In 2004, Ian was appointed out equally to all committee most of this time he has been an Product Specialist and then General Manager of JCB members. This ensures exceptionally dedicated Technical Service Manager with- Landpower, responsible for involvement from initial contact supporter of the West Midlands in the same business. design, manufacture and sales of with speakers, arranging for all Branch. In addition to attending In 2000, Ian moved into the the JCB Fastrac range as well as their needs and participating in almost every Branch meeting, he JCB Service organisation to take sales of other JCB machines into their reception and the has always been on the on the role of UK Product the agricultural market world- presentation itself. This new Committee and served in a Support Manager responsible wide. protocol and participation variety of roles. for the field staff supporting all Ian is a highly focussed and means that the task of Principally he has been JCB construction machines committed individual who has secretaries now and in the Treasurer from 1986-1988 and within the UK. During this time made, by any standards, excep- future will be less onerous than again from 1995 to date, where Ian finalised the development of tional progress within his career in the past. he has always been meticulous in the JCB Techweb system a proj- to date. Not only did David update the accounting and managing of and revise instigation and money. He was also Secretary management of the programme, from 1983-1988. Currently, he is Ian Sayers AMIAgrE receiving but he also brought new ideas serving as Branch Chairman a the Michael Dwyer Memorial Prize from Mrs Brenda to the technical programme that role he has held since 2002. Dwyer during the Awards included the idea of a ‘Mini He also holds on behalf of Ceremony at the Annual Conference. Conference’. This resulted in a the Branch a collection of highly successful event in archived training slides (see Cambridge on the subject of Landwards Summer 2004). Water Use in Eastern England in Bob stands out as being one 2004 and is being followed in of the stalwarts of the West 2005 by the subject of Midlands Branch, and of the Restoration Engineering.These Institution, and is a very worthy events are helping to elevate the winner of the Branch standing of the Institution, are Meritorious Award involving a wider audience and demonstrate the level of leadership that David has in new ideas.

5 NEWS for MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIPS

Myerscough College Royal Agricultural College Myerscough Hall Cirencester Bilsborrow Gloucester Academic Members Preston GL7 6JS Lancashire PR7 0RY Scottish Agricultural College Askham Bryan College SAC Ayr Campus Askham Bryan Duchy College Oatridge Agricultural College Auchincruive Estate York Rosewarne Ecclesmachan Ayr YO23 3FR Camborne Broxburn KA6 5HW Cornwall West Lothian Barony College TR14 0AB EH52 6NH Sparsholt College Parkgate Sparsholt Dumfries Greenmount Campus Pallaskenry Agricultural College Winchester DG1 3NE CAFRE Co Limerick Hampshire 22 Greenmount Road Ireland SO21 2NF Bicton College Co Antrim Budleigh Northern Ireland Pencoed College Willowdene Training Ltd Budleigh Salterton BT41 4PU Pencoed Chorley Devon Bridgend Bridgnorth EX9 7BY Harper Adams University CF35 5LG Shropshire College WV16 6PP Coleg Sir Gar Newport Plumpton College Pibwrlwyd Campus Shropshire Ditchling Road Wiltshire College - Lackham Pibwrlwyd TF10 8NB Lewes Lacock Carmarthen East Sussex Chippenham SA31 2NH Institute of Technology, Tralee BN7 3AE Wiltshire Clash SN15 2NY Cranfield University Tralee Reaseheath College Silsoe Co Kerry Reaseheath Writtle College Bedford Ireland Nantwich Chelmsford MK45 4DT Cheshire Essex CW5 6DF CM1 3RR

Shelbourne Reynolds Shepherds Grove Industrial Estate COMMERCIAL MEMBERS Stanton Bury St Edmunds Autoguide Equipment Ltd Law-Denis Engineering Ltd Suffolk Stockley Road Millstream Works IP31 2AR Heddington Station Road Calne Wickwar Silsoe Research Institute Wiltshire Wotton-under-Edge Wrest Park SN11 0PS Gloucestershire Silsoe GL12 8NB Bedford Douglas Bomford Trust MK45 4HS Springhill House David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd Salters Lane Carseview Road White Horse Contractors Ltd Lower Moor Suttieside Lodge Hill Pershore Forfar Abingdon Worcestershire Angus Oxfordshire WR10 2PE DD8 3EE OX14 2JD Bomford Turner Limited Salford Priors Evesham LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES Worcestershire Name Grade Date of Anniversary WR11 5SW 50 years John Deere Ltd John Vaudrey Fox HonFlAgrE 29 Mar 2005 Harby Road William James Pratt lEng MIAgrE 29 Mar 2005 Langar Nottinghamshire NG13 9HT 35 years James George Shiach HonFlAgrE 16 Apr 2005 FEC Services James Macaulay Swanson MIAgrE 16 Apr 2005 NAC Lionel Stephen Foreman lEng MIAgrE 16 Apr 2005 Stoneleigh Park Shiraz Husein Jeevunjee MIAgrE 16 Apr 2005 Kenilworth Alastair James Hendry Tulloch AIAgrE 16 Apr 2005 Warwickshire CV8 2LS 25 years G C Professional Services Frederick Powell lEng MIAgrE 12 Mar 2005 for land-based and related industries Neal Alexander Dodd lEng MIAgrE 12 Mar 2005 Highdown Cottage James Wilson Prentice MIAgrE 20 Mar 2005 Compton Down Robert Charles Newton EngTech MIAgrE 20 Mar 2005 Winchester Simon Westwood-Bate lEng MIAgrE 3 Apr 2005 Hampshire Michael Edwin Bowen FlAgrE 10 Apr 2005 SO21 2AP Nicholas John Ruston MIAgrE 30 Apr 2005 Lawrence Milford Knox lEng MIAgrE 30 Apr 2005 Michael Francis Ryan AMIAgrE 22 May 2005 Michael Albert Zoebisch CEng FIAgrE 12 Jun 2005

6 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS EARLY SUMMER 2005 Half a century IAgrE Wrekin of membership Branch Awards

pening an envelope Douglas Bomford himself, and Ohanded to me by the was offered and accepted the 2004 President, I was confronted by job. These Awards are given annually by the IAgrE Wrekin Branch a very fine Certificate in The next vital benefits of recognition of my 50 years as membership came with Branch for the best First Year AgEng students at Harper Adams a member of the Institution. and National meetings and University College, and were presented to Dan Coates (top) Immediately my mind went conferences, and the personal and Tom Reeve (bottom) by IAgrE President Peter Redman back to 1955 and a student at contacts and broadening of during the Awards Ceremony at the Annual Conference. Writtle, part-way through one knowledge and experience of the earliest of the NDAgrE that went with them. The Courses, sponsored by IAgrE. ‘networking’ between At that time, there was no first members – “If I don’t know degree course in Agricultural the answer, I know someone Engineering anywhere in the who will” is indispensable to country, the National College the effective management of of Agricultural Engineering any enterprise and the (now part of Cranfield Institution provides it par University) did not exist and excellence. Even my attempts the Institution itself, founded to ‘put something back’ have by Colonel Johnson just before produced yet more benefits: the Second World War and the privilege of serving the marking time during the Institution as its President (I 1940s, was only then, with believe the only one to hold Douglas Bomford as President the National Diploma in and Ron Slade as Secretary, Agricultural Engineering) and really getting into its stride. that most cherished of all Little did I realise, when I awards – Honorary joined as a Student Member all Fellowship. those years ago, that I had To all our Student taken a step which would Members of today, I have this change my life and open the message – your membership way to a successful and of our Institution will open fulfilling career as an many doors, and it will open Agricultural Engineer, a job your mind. It is a passport to description I use with pride to success in your chosen this day. It started with the profession – hold it with pride, Institution’s National Diploma, treat it with respect and do which provided the basis, and not let it go. continued with the John V Fox appointments service – a call to the Secretary put me in touch with a company looking for a Technical and Production Manager. I was serving with REME in Cyprus at the time, on National Service. I wangled a lift home with the RAF for Christmas 1956 and on Boxing Day visited Bomford & Evershed Ltd where I was introduced to the great

7 NEWS for MEMBERS

Harper Adams welcomes leading engineering company

Harper Adams University College was future. ing young engineers to develop deeper pleased to show its new and improved “Despite being the Easter holidays, interests in agricultural engineering as facilities to two distinguished visitors many of the final year students attended well as developing further stimulating from the Claas Company Group and had an opportunity to present their contact with this leader in the field of Headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany. final year projects to Dr Garbers and Mr agricultural engineering.” Mr Helmut Claas, Group Chairman, Claas. Also present were students who The visitors were particularly inter- and Dr Hermann Garbers, Director of had been awarded prizes in 2003 and ested in new facilities within the Research and Development, were wel- 2004 at the annual Helmut Claas- Engineering Department and develop- comed by Principal, Professor Wynne Scholarship which is aimed at encourag- ments on the College Farm, added Dr Jones, before being taken on a tour Darkins. “The Engineering of the new farm buildings, the Department has incorporated sev- Engineering Department, and eral new facilities over the past two library.They also took a ride round years to accommodate the new the university college’s off-road courses such as Off Road Vehicle track. Design (ORVD) and to address Dr Peter Darkins, from the problems from industry that have Engineering Department, said the arisen from product development visitors had both enjoyed the four- and from European legislation such hour visit.“Mr Claas expressed as whole body vibration. great interest in the diversity and “The farm has been working for quality of the work undertaken by some time on a biomass fuelled the engineering students at Harper combined heating and power system Adams.While there is a strong link and a new unit is scheduled for next with the UK Marketing Division of year. There is also a new anaerobic Claas based at Saxham, both he and slurry tank that has been designed Dr Garbers are looking forward to to cope with proposed changes in Dr Helmut Claas FIAgrE receiving a developing a closer working rela- commemorative plaque of Ironbridge, the nearby legislation. The unit is the first of its tionship with the Harper Adams World Heritage site, from Harper Adams Principal, type in the UK and has a capacity of Professor Wynne Jones Engineering Department in the 5000m3.

Environment Agency Chairman honoured

Sir John Harman, Chairman of the has demonstrated exemplary leadership at a representing individual memberships of over Environment Agency, was presented with the time when we face some of the most signifi- 125,000 practitioners, and known as Society for the Environment’s highest Award, cant and difficult environmental challenges in ‘Constituent Bodies’, namely: Honorary Fellowship of the Society recent history”. Chartered Institution of Wastes (HonFSEnv) for his outstanding contribution Sir John Harman said,“I am proud to Management (CIWM) to the goal of a sustainable environment. accept an Honorary Fellowship of the Society Chartered Institution of Water and The Award citation highlights Sir John’s distin- for the Environment. Chartered Environmental Management (CIWEM) guished contribution to the environment, Environmentalists are key individuals at the Institute of Ecology and Environmental including his: forefront of dealing with the spectre of cli- Management (IEEM) unique leadership role in environmental mate change and achieving the goal of a sus- Institute of Environmental Management and affairs over many years; tainable world. To have their recognition and Assessment (IEMA) important work in ensuring that the environ- support is a tribute indeed”. Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) ment is high on the political agenda; The recently Chartered Society for the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) commitment to the maturing profession of Environment (SocEnv) was originally estab- (associate member) environmental management; and lished in 2000, and is the leading co-ordinat- Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) his advocacy of the highest standards of pro- ing and regulatory umbrella body in environ- Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) fessional practice. mental matters and a pre-eminent champion Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Will Pope, Chair of the Society for the of a sustainable environment. The Society’s Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) Environment, said,“The Society is delighted membership comprises twelve leading envi- Institution of Water Officers (IWO) to award Sir John Honorary Fellowship. He ronmental institutions and learned societies, Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS)

Produced by: Land Technology Ltd, Edinburgh Printed by: Barr Printers, Glenrothes

INSTITUTION of AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS, WEST END ROAD, SILSOE, BEDFORD, MK45 4DU, UNITED KINGDOM. Tel: +44 (0)1525 861096 Fax: +44 (0)1525 861660 6 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS EARLY SPRING 2005 SOIL MANAGEMENT

Gully erosion (penetrates subsoil), Berkshire SUSTAINABLE SOIL USE IN THE UK Nigel W Hall, Quanzhong Huang, Kadir Yilmaz, Yucel Tekin, Matthew S Shaw, Mark J Howard-Smith, Prudence W-R Ncube and James J Osman

In 2003, the Environment towards sustainability. A global Management plans will be Agency concluded that there perspective is needed and this needed in 2006, following the was insufficient quality article compares soils in the UK, ‘Guidance on Soil Management’ information on soils needed for China,Turkey and Zimbabwe documentation produced by the policy and program design and and concludes that all the Department for the implementation. In the UK, countries have soils with similar Environment, Food and Rural BIO NOTE there is a substantial soils opportunities to become more Affairs (DEFRA) in 2005. These database and many quality stable through management developments seek to deal with This paper was presented at the IAgrE thresholds globally, however, tools aimed at improving EU budget, EU enlargement, Annual Conference entitled ‘Sustainability management thresholds are resilience and resistance to World Trade Organisation in Engineering Design’ and held at Harper needed. change, in order to maintain (WTO) rounds and Adams University College on 9 March In order to achieve robust functional integrity during Sustainability but this article 2005. Nigel W Hall, Matthew S Shaw, scientific recommendations, periods of stress. explores whether the measures Mark J Howard-Smith, Prudence W-R scientists and policy makers In the last five years, soils are scientifically sound and Ncube and James J Osman are at Harper need to communicate more have become a key resource in explores the commercial Adams University College, Newport, effectively in order to focus on policy. Farmers will need to opportunities and challenges for Shropshire, UK. Quanzhong Huang is at dynamic management tools with meet cross compliance the agricultural engineering China Agricultural University, Beijing. evaluation and review. These conditions and achieve ‘Good sector. Kadir Yilmaz and Yucel Tekin are at the reflect individual and societal Agricultural and Environmental The ‘Guidance on Soil Universities of Kahramanmaras and priorities in order to move Condition’ (GAEC). Soil Management’ documentation Uludag, Turkey, respectively.

13 SOIL MANAGEMENT

potential erosion caused by growing potatoes, maize or vegetables on slopes to be overcome yet still meet cross compliance requirements. A 14% reduction in farm worker numbers is forecast nationally. This together with incentives towards better timeliness, will mean that there are opportunities for further mechanisation and at greater speed.

Introduction and rationale A common quotation is that ‘the answer lies in the soil’. However, looking at the period 1950 to 2000, there seems to have been very little real regard to the importance of the soil resource. The soil always seemed to be there and produced food and carried Fig. 1 Penetrometer resistance graphs and scanning electron photomicrographs for sub soiling agricultural machinery. Looking experiment at Bursa,Turkey. (Top) Penetrometer values for untilled (uncult), shallow sub-soiled (shallow ss, true working depth 40 cm) and deep sub-soiled(deep ss, true working depth 50 cm), at other countries for example where class 1 is loose and class 5 is dense). in the Middle East where (Bottom) Mean microstructure quality score per treatment. Scanning electron photomicrographs (SEM) where classified into five ‘naturally’ occurring classes by two semi independent workers. A agriculture began, any changes total of sixty images were classified, all taken from a depth of 35 cm for the three treatments: to ‘The Garden of Eden’ seem untilled (uncult), shallow sub-soiled (shallow ss, true working depth 40 cm) and deep sub-soiled (deep ss, true working depth 50 cm). to have been overlooked. Degraded land became has some good features. A problems listed in ‘Summaries’, to reduce diffuse or off-site abandoned and then reused broad range of professionals 50% relate to erosion directly, pollution and the costs they after natural recovery possibly were consulted and the with around 25% of the incur are targeted as well as associated with changing document is due to be updated remainder relating to soil leaving the soil in GAEC. Only climate. The countryside stills in the light of comments and capping, slumping, sealing and 12% of the seemed to be producing and feedback. Farmers should compaction. Only one item recommendations/requirements maybe man had become used comment as a matter of relates to organic matter, a relate to encouraging ‘cross to eroded landscapes as urgency so that they are able to carbon dioxide ‘sink’ that slope operations’. This article standard. take the requirements on board probably influences climate evaluates how sound this is for In 1993, the Ministry of positively but equally Defra will change but this is about right each of the specific types of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food need to demonstrate how given that more grassland and cross slope activity. (MAFF) produced ‘The Soil comments have been acted on forestry should arise from the It is concluded that there Code’ which was revised in for a sector that is perhaps requirements and other are very significant 1998 and after that date soils rather ‘disparate’ in terms of strategies deal with energy opportunities and challenges dramatically became more the ability of individuals to crops etc. A clear focus is for the agricultural engineering important in documents that adapt. therefore apparent. sector for both existing were going to underpin The cross compliance In the lists of ‘Principles of technologies and newer ones in emerging policies in the UK. requirements list problems in good husbandry’ in which there the UK. These include global The publication ‘Best Farming summary form and identify lists are 104 position systems Practices’ (Environment Agency, of ‘Principles of good recommendations/requirements (GPS)/precision guidance 2001) set the tone that ‘good husbandry’ for soil textural and , 76% relate to the prevention technologies for many types of practice equals good cropping groups. This article of problems and 24% relate to cross slope operations, knowing environment equals good has grouped these lists into curing problems. This seems where wheels have been after business finance’. In 2004, the general types of appropriate, as soil structure surface scuffing and field layout. Environment Agency concluded recommendations/requirements specialist usually believe that In addition, other technologies in their report entitled ‘The in order to see where the focus ‘prevention is better than cure’. are tied ridge systems, minimum state of soils in England and should be and to identify the Around 92% relate to avoiding tillage, technologies that Wales’, that there was implications for the agricultural soil and water losses in erosion. improve timeliness and insufficient good quality engineering sector. Of the 16 There is a clear focus of intent technologies that allow the information on soils needed for

14 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 Table 1 A comparison between the frequency of occurrence (F)* of an erosion fabric as seen in thin available water storage and less reaction for projects in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, UK and Bursa and Kahramanmaras,Turkey water storage was not an intended outcome in the farmers’ decision-making process. Greater care in implement use is needed and an application of the latest technologies together with appropriate farmer and farm worker training.

Soil erosion in Turkey compared with southern England Table 2 Area in square kilometres which are subject to water and wind erosion shows a range of The frequency data (Table 1) is contrasting Provinces in China interpreted as showing that erosion is active in both UK and Turkey with variations and by soil texture or regions.

Soil erosion China In China, while all types of erosion occur the most damaging are wind and water erosion (Table 2).The table only shows data for 6 Provinces and policy and program design and At Defra, the pace of attempts to copy our initiatives. the country total for China. implementation (Environment clearing the subject matter Countries which have become The table shows that not Agency, 2004). This document from desks has accelerated with involved in this paper reflect a only are some values many really expanded the remit on the possibility that all due range of global situations. times the land area of Britain the function of soils far beyond consideration may not have Turkey represents a but in some areas erosion is nil. food and fibre production to taken place as fully as it could peripheral EU country. It is The role of wind versus water include: have. It is really important that actively attempting to join the erosion is very variable, such as support of ecological habitat the way the UK and the EU go EU in 2015 possibly 2016. the comparison between and biodiversity; about this resource allocation is China is the world’s most Xinjiang and Sichuan. Erosion • food and fibre production; as appropriate as possible and is populated nation. It has the has become much more • environmental interaction; based on sound science. fastest growing economy and extensive. In the 1950’s, water • providing a platform (e.g. for spans many agro ecological erosion affected 1.16 million building); A global perspective zones. Zimbabwe represents km2. By 2002 this had • providing raw materials; and This brings us to our role in a Africa where it is thought that a increased to 1.65 million km2,a • protecting cultural heritage sense of global leadership. In large UK government initiative 42% increase with 38.6% of (e.g. archaeological remains). recent informal discussions with could follow the 2005 UK farmland affected by water The First Soil Action Plan staff from China Agricultural General Election. erosion alone. for England; 2004-2006 (Defra, University, their reaction was to 2004) stated a board remit for the effect that these plans are Soil compaction study in Soil quality in Zimbabwe soils and it’s uses and concluded what is needed in China. A Turkey As in the UK, the soils in that better management of sense of global leadership is The combination of Zimbabwe range from well agricultural soils would go essential. Countries following penetrometer resistance values structured soils to very poorly beyond the ‘Single Payment our lead may be far less able to and images from scanning structured soils in different Scheme through agri- afford this resource allocation, if electron microscopy of agricultural settings, one where environment incentives. it is not based on good science undisturbed soil from within 10 drainage status is crucial. Figure Within the Single Payment and appropriate to the local cm of the tine (Fig. 1), is 2 shows landscape and soil Scheme under the Cross area/environment, with or interpreted as showing that, as characteristics of three Compliance Guidance for Soil without any link to a single farm is often the case in the UK, contrasting soils. Organic Management (Defra 2005), payment. subsoiling with poorly set matter contents range from many principles of good The examples given below equipment can reduce ultra adequate to extremely low husbandry have become subject illustrate how soil problems and micro structural quality rather (organic carbon is about 62% of to updating, after comments ‘set issues in the UK are sufficiently than improve it (magnification x organic matter), perhaps similar in stone’ or until review after similar to overseas problems 2000). Soil structure at this to highly eroded mineral soils in the 2005 General Election. justifying other countries’ scale is concerned with the UK.

15 SOIL MANAGEMENT

Fig. 2 Soil Data from the Hale catchment area, North Western Zimbabwe, showing structural and chemical limitations

The research presented many quality thresholds exist increasingly important to do it are scientifically sound and shows that the parameters globally. However, management well, and respond to changes in explores the commercial measured are indeed global thresholds are needed In order perceived values as they occur opportunities and challenges issues not either absent or to achieve robust scientific or are catalysed by the process. for the agricultural engineering common in any one country per recommendations. sector. se. As a result, it is interpreted Scientists across disciplines Achieving cross as likely that countries will copy as well scientists and policy compliance Appraisal of ‘Guidance this approach. The makers need to communicate In the last five years, soils have on Soil Management’ responsibility is therefore quite more effectively in order to become a key resource in clear: a global perspective is focus on dynamic management policy. Farmers will need to The consultation process needed. tools with evaluation and meet cross compliance The ‘Guidance on Soil All the countries, compared review. These reflect individual conditions and achieve ‘Good Management’ documentation by taking a few areas of and societal priorities in order Agricultural and Environmental contains very useful research, have soils with similar to move towards sustainability. Condition’ (GAEC). Soil information. A broad range of opportunities to become more As almost every aspect of Management plans in 2006, professionals were consulted stable through management modern agriculture is under following the ‘Guidance on Soil and the present document will tools aimed at improving scrutiny, it has become Management’ documentation be updated in the light of resilience and resistance to increasingly important that produced by DEFRA in 2005. comments and feedback. change in order to maintain scientists take on a more These developments seek to Farmers should comment as a functional integrity during proactive role in order to deal with EU budget, EU matter of urgency so that they periods of stress. meets societies needs enlargement,WTO rounds and are able to take the In the UK, there is a (Schjønning et al., 2004). As a Sustainability but this article requirements on board substantial soils database and result, it has also become explores whether the measures positively. Equally, Defra will

16 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 need to demonstrate how recommendations/requirements comments have been acted on in order to see where the focus for a sector that is perhaps is and the implication to the rather disparate in terms of the agricultural engineering sector. ability of individuals to adapt. Of the 16 problems listed in ‘Summaries’, 50% relate to Summaries and principles erosion directly and 25% of the of good husbandry remainder relate to soil The cross compliance capping, slumping, sealing and requirements as stated in the compaction. Only one item Cross Compliance Guidance relates to organic matter, a for Soil Management (Defra, carbon dioxide ’sink’ that 2005), list problems in summary probably influences climate form and identify lists of change but this is about right principles of good husbandry given that more grassland and for soil textural groups and forestry should arise from the crop types. The groups are; requirements and other • sandy and light silty soils; strategies deal with energy Tillage erosion with approximately one metre of soil lost from • medium soils; crops. Loveland and Webb fence line in 24 years; this is a hedge bank • heavy soils; (2003) suggested that the • chalk and limestone soils; quantitative evidence for a vulnerability to subsoil events. Section ‘Soil erosion in • peaty soils; critical soil organic matter level compaction that could be used Turkey compared with • managing soils when growing is slight. There may be a in decision making on farms. southern England’ provides data cereals and other desirable range but quantitative This is an example of the for the UK compared with combinable crops; evidence needs considerable increasingly useful data which Turkey. • managing soils when growing development. Considering the has appeared in the literature Evans (1996) provides potatoes, vegetables and large amount of research that that integrates existing ample evidence, past and salad crops; has been done on soil organic knowledge and cross discipline present with predictions for • managing soils when growing matter, this is a good example data sources. changing climate scenarios and sugar beet, maize, and other of the lack of good scientific derived estimated costs of fodder crops, fruit and bulbs, data essential to develop Analysis of ‘Principles of cleaning up pollution and water and when keeping outdoor management thresholds. Revell good husbandry’ cleaning, etc. pigs and Oglethorpe (2003) There are 104 Almost one third of the • energy crops; and modelled the impact of recommendations/requirements arable land in England and • managing soils in the decoupling for the livestock listed and their analysis follows. Wales has a moderate to very landscape. sector and calculated that there high risk of erosion and While other factors play a would be a 5% increase in Soil erosion flooding has become a greater role such as length of time tilled grassland for hay production, in Around, 92% of the concern in the application of (Yilmaz et al.,2003), rotational England, for example. recommendations/requirements preventative measures. history and grass/manure use, A clear focus on erosion is relate to avoiding soil and water In the autumn of 2004, a slope and field size, these apparent. This is, not only, losses by erosion. This landslip or soil flow occurred additional factors have also designed to reduce diffuse supports the focus mentioned near Craven Arms, Shropshire been allowed for, enabling their pollution and the costs this above as seen in ‘Summaries’. in association with short sharp inclusion in a management plan incurs but it will also maintain Is erosion significant in showers. Other events which is entirely appropriate. soils in GAEC and support the Britain? If erosion events are involving sudden soil failure are six functions stated in the actually taking place, it is often reported by Evans (1996). Analysis of ‘Summaries of rationale. hard to find them. However, The four types of erosion the main problems’ Jones et al (2003) made most rivers are sediment laden are; This article has grouped these progress towards management and the landscape is rich in • wind erosion; lists into general types of thresholds in identifying soil evidence of previous erosion • water erosion; • livestock erosion; and • tillage erosion or tillage Table 3 Comparisons between untreated and treated waste water at Beijing, China creep. The last of these is particularly interesting because historically, tillage has been classed as contributing to soil erosion by facilitating water and wind erosion. While some authors have highlighted the direct role of tillage on Chalk

17 SOIL MANAGEMENT

Table 4 Soil and water losses for cross slope (XS) and down slope (DS) sowings at Kahramanmaras, SE Turkey on a clay soil with a simple slope of 2%.

land (Hall, 1985), it is only more water in Beijing. It slope is likely to be beneficial significant at moving soil. The recently that this process is demonstrates how treatment on gently sloping land with scenarios, up-down slope being regarded as a very leaves a high content of total uniform slopes. In other ploughing or contouring did not important process in itself and dissolved solids (salinity). The situations the benefits of predict which treatment sometimes more important water will either have to be working across the slope are produced the most soil than wind or water erosion, treated further or used in such more questionable. When degradation. While down slope where soil losses in irregular a way as not to damage the ploughing across the slope, the ploughing produced the most terrain often exceeded 10 tha-1 environment. All these increase use of a reversible plough to intense degradation, contouring y-1, typical soil erosion rates in costs or reduce options for throw the soil upslope will help produced a higher average western Europe (Govers et al, mankind. to counter the effects of erosion rate than upslope 1994). Dabney et al., (1999) erosion”. ploughing, per operation. He showed that tillage erosion Cross slope operations The ‘Guide to managing questioned the assumption that accounted for 30 - 60% of soil Around 12% of the ‘Principles crop establishment’ (Soil contouring reduces tillage losses in the USA in an of good husbandry’ relate to Management Initiative, 2002) erosion. agricultural situation where encouraging ‘cross slope only appears to mention cross Lobb et al. (1999) compared erosion almost reached 250 operations’. It is essential to slope operations once in 50 different tillage tools tha-1 y-1. evaluate whether this is based pages. The cross slope (mouldboard plough, chisel Tillage creep is perhaps the on sound science. The reason operations referred to in the plough, tandem disc and field wrong term as more recent this stands out as being of ‘Guidance on soil management’ cultivator) and indicated that data shows this to be a serious interest is that only in 1997 and are; slope curvature was important loss as opposed to a gradual 1999, MAFF published booklets • placing tramlines across the (convex slopes can be creep. Quine et al., (1999) and pamphlets on erosion. slope; particularly vulnerable as shown showed that soil losses can be These booklets, from MAFF, • sowing crops across the by Evans (1996)), and concluded related to slope and so the stated that ‘poorly planned slope; that operator response to cross compliance management measures can cause more • working the soil across the varied topography and tractor recommendations need to problems than they prevent’ slope; and implement set up were key include slope thresholds that (MAFF,1997). • dividing slopes with ridges factors in trying to make are simple to use practically. MAFF (1999) also state and headlands. comparisons between that,“In many parts of the The last item is supported machines. Prevention or cure? world, cultivating, sowing and by Dapney et al. (1999) but an Table 4 shows results from In the lists of 104 ‘Principles of planting crops ‘on the contour’ indication of spacing, collaborative research between good husbandry’, 76% relate to are recommended for dimensions and land use are author institutions using wheat the prevention of problems and controlling erosion. This has needed for UK conditions. The and vetch, with different 24% relate to curing problems. limited applicability for values can be general but there directions of sowing. It This seems appropriate as soil mechanised agriculture under is a need to avoid making illustrates that sowing direction specialists usually believe that UK conditions where slopes erosion worse through ‘failed was inconsistent in its effect on ‘prevention is better than cure’, are often complex”. It goes on attempts’ or wasting resources. soil and water losses, in the such as Alakukku et al., (2003). to say “failed attempts at De Alba (2003) used a south east Turkish context. The costs of effective following the contour can result computer model to simulate The winter climate at remedial action may be in water being channelled soil movement on complex Kahramanmaras is not unlike unacceptable. Table 3 shows forming rills and gullies. In slopes and concluded that western Britain, although rainfall the effect of treating waste general, working across the tillage itself was indeed very totals are higher.

18 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 In order to see if this was a contouring, should appear as In practice, the landscape will caused by growing potatoes, rushed addition to the stated in the recommended probably become more diverse maize or vegetables on slopes documentation, a measure of practices. In addition, as UK and this would be a good to be overcome yet still meet the apparent importance farmers have little experience outcome. cross compliance requirements. attached to cross slope of these techniques, Tillage erosion produces A specific example of the recommendations was obtained opportunities for observing the ‘hedge banks’ (Hall, 1985) as benefits of minimum tillage by investigating the rank successful application of such seen in ‘field systems’. These would be avoiding bringing up position of the cross slope techniques is essential. In are ideal features on which to chalk rubble through shallower, recommendation in the addition some training add vegetation diversity, shelter non plough based operations. documentation (Defra, 2005). opportunities would be an aid etc., or to produce a beetle This is recommended in the Cross slope operations are to the successful take up of this bank (Figs 3a and 3d). Hedge cross compliance above half way down the list technology. banks and associated field documentation (Defra, 2005) with second from the top out Usually the guidelines state margin management often and supported by other of eight being its highest that cross slope operations reduce subsequent water research (for example Quine et position and third out of five should be used where safe and erosion and are unlikely to al., 1999; Hall, 1982). This could being the lowest rank position. practical. However, this paper create ‘off site’ problems. help preserve heritage on The documentation does not suggests that cross slope archaeologically rich chalk land state that rank is a measure of recommendations should be (Fig. 3a, b & c; Defra, 2004). priority but it is notable that deleted until better data is Opportunities for the cross slope operations are available. If this is the case, future? Other research consistently located towards Defra can show how the requirements the top of the lists. This is democratic process of The agricultural Further research into the role interpreted as showing that the consultation has responded to engineering sector of biology is essential. The inclusion of cross slope comment. This paper has The conclusion is that there are Environment Agency (2004) operations, reflect a reasoned already urged farmers, etc to very significant reiterates the six functions of interpretation of the science. make comment and hopefully opportunities/challenges for the soils and top of the list is ‘The Why have the cross slope this area may receive some agricultural engineering sector support of ecological habitat recommendations appeared so attention. Cross slope for both existing technologies and biodiversity’. The soil as an suddenly? A factor could be an operations could be included and newer ones for the UK. ecosystem with important appreciation of changing climate later beyond the cross These include GPS/precision micro-organisms is just coming (Evans, 1996) as possibly being compliance management plans guidance technologies (Chamen into policy recognition. For more serious than modal model that are mandatory.The terms et al, 2003) that can be applied example, a contributor to a Soil prediction. Alternatively, a belief ‘simple slope’ and ‘gentle slopes’ to many types of cross slope and Water Protection, EU Life that cross slope operations needs some explanation operations, knowing where Project (SOWAP) field day in must be better, as it stands to pertinent to the farmer’s wheels have been after surface Leicestershire, indicated that reason, could be operating. decision making process. scuffling, and field layout. work in Germany showed that Clearly, it does not always stand In addition, other vertical bio-pores (worm to reason. The authors Landscape character technologies are tied ridge channels) are more stable consider that UK agriculture Contouring will change systems, minimum tillage, against compaction than needs to obtain much better landscape character and it is technologies that improve horizontal ones. A number of data in the development of not clear whether the changes timeliness, and technologies factors could influence worm management thresholds before are regarded as valued changes. that allow the potential erosion foraging patterns or species.

Fig. 3 One of the benefits of minimum tillage would be avoiding bringing up chalk rubble through shallower, non plough based operations. This could help preserve heritage on archaeologically rich chalk land.

19 SOIL MANAGEMENT

Table 5 Mean values for artificially produced vertically and horizontally orientated bio-pores at 25 cm depth in a moist sandy loam subjected to either one pass of either wheeled or tracked vehicle (John Deere 8520 or 8420T). Brackets indicate statistical significance for differences by analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Table 5 shows the results Around 45 cores were is the section of society to in order to move towards for an experiment in which man used, each cut three times and which it applies); and sustainability. A global made worm channels were good sections used. Aspect • the intentional dimension perspective is needed aimed at subjected to compaction using ratio is the ratio of longest to (this is the values and goals). improving resilience and wheels and tracked tractors. shortest axis; Radius ratio is the The success or otherwise resistance to change in order to Nylon twine was inserted into same but for radius. of soil management plans within maintain functional integrity the pores to retrace This is an example of the cross compliance during periods of stress. In the channels if they collapsed deficiencies in our knowledge requirements will depend to a last five years, soils have totally. Soil cores were freeze of soil biology and therefore significant degree on our ability become a key resource in dried to remove water without our ability to work with it. It is to understand and use the policy. Farmers will need to shrinkage and not just a matter of knowing ‘intentional’ dimension. People meet cross compliance impregnated with styrene that tracks are beneficial in this need to appreciate the values conditions and achieve ‘Good containing a fluorescent dye as respect but how to integrate and goals. Farmers need to feel Agricultural and Environmental per the method of Murphy this knowledge into involved, consulted and valued Condition’ (GAEC). Soil (1986). Images were recommendations regarding in the implementation and Management plans will be ‘captured’ under ultraviolet light where this is beneficial. Thus reflective process. Success will needed in 2006, following the and measurements of the bio management thresholds are depend on the social aspects ‘Guidance on Soil Management’ pores made using image needed. rather than the technological documentation. analysis. A 14% reduction in farm ability to meet cross The ‘Guidance on Soil While the results from worker numbers is forecast compliance. However the Management’ documentation these experimental conditions nationally (Revell & Oglethorpe, impact of cross compliance has good features such as did not show any statistical 2003).This together with needs to be evaluated within consulting a broad range of difference between vertically incentives towards better the ‘observational’ dimension professionals and the present and horizontally oriented bio timeliness will mean that there and these findings used to document will be updated in pores, the results do show that are opportunities for further demonstrate to farmers the the light of comments and tracks and wheels change not mechanisation and at greater value of their contribution to a feedback. Farmers should only the porosity differently (in speed. larger ‘societal’ dimension or comment, as a matter of line with existing literature, e.g. community. The process needs urgency, so that they are able to Chamen et al., 2003), but also Reflexive objectivity to be ongoing and the take the requirements on board the shape of the pores Schjønning et al. (2004) define requirements evaluated and positively, but equally Defra will differently. As a result, the ‘reflexive objectivity’ as the modified in the light of changing need to demonstrate how radius ratio and aspect ratio of ability to take an objective context within the ‘Intentional’ comments have been acted on pores show that wheels made stance on the consequences of dimension. These issues will for this sector. pores significantly more ones actions at the same time determine whether the An analysis of the ‘Guidance elongated and less round. being aware of the intentional countryside is more sustainable. on Soil Management’ Durability of pore shape varies and value laden aspects of documentation shows a very between wheels and tracks for science. Conclusions strong focus on soil erosion and biologically produced pathways. The framework for these In 2003, the Environment a desire to reduce diffuse It is interpreted that these reflections is the ‘cognitive Agency concluded that there pollution and off-site problems more elongated pores are a context’ (Alrøe & Kristensen, was insufficient good quality and most of all, costs. In stage in the formation of so 2002). This comprises three information on soils needed for addition, adoption will leave the called ‘vughy’ structures that dimensions, namely: determining management soil in Good agricultural and are associated with declining • the observational dimension thresholds in policy and Environmental Condition soil structure conditions and (this is the experimental programme design and (GAEC). Around 12% of the positively associated with procedure); implementation. These reflect 104 erosion by water (Hall, 1990). • the societal dimension (this individual and societal priorities requirements/recommendations

20 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 relate to encouraging ‘cross to prepare this paper was possible generated by different patterns of Soil and Tillage Research, 73, 131 slope operations’. The authors through direct support or mouldboard ploughing in – 143. consider that the scientific travel/exchange opportunities landscapes of complex topography. Lobb, D.A.; Kachanoski, R. G.; evidence for the value of these made available by Harper Adams Soil and Tillage Research, 71,71 Miller, M. H. (1999). Tillage measures is insufficient at University College, Kahramanmaras – 86. translocation and tillage erosion in present for the UK and University and Uludag University, Defra (2004). The First Soil Action the complex upland landscapes of therefore, the international Turkey,The British Council and Plan for England. 2004 - 2006. south western Ontario, Canada.Soil context unless ‘tried and China Agricultural University Defra, London. and Tillage Research, 51, 189 – tested’ in the appropriate agri- (Chinese-Israeli International Defra (2005). Single Payment 209. ecological and cultural context. Centre for Training in Agriculture), Scheme. Cross Compliance Loveland, P.;Webb, J. (2003). Is It recommends that an Beijing. The University of Reading, Guidance for Soil Management there an initial level of organic integrated research, evaluation, Department of Soil Science with 2005 edition. Defra, London. matter in the agricultural soils of demonstration and ‘reach out’ MAFF,as it was then, supported Environment Agency (2001). temperate regions? A review. Soil program is needed first with some of the earlier work on Best Farming Practices. Profiting and Tillage Research, 70, 1 – 18. cross slope recommendations erosion in Berkshire and from a Good Environment. MAFF (1997). Controlling Soil being included and perhaps at a Oxfordshire. Environment Agency, Bristol. Erosion. An Advisory Booklet for the later date agri-environment The authors also thank the Environment Agency (2004). Management of Agricultural Land. incentives. supporting colleagues, technicians The State of Soils in England and MAFF,London. It is concluded that there and support staff. In particular Wales. Environment Agency, MAFF (1998). The Soil Code. are very significant thanks go to: J Dalrymple;V Talbot; Bristol. Welsh Office Agriculture opportunities/challenges for the Y Ulusoy; D Ozturk;A Akkaya; I Evans, R. (1996). Soil Erosion and Department (Revised 1993 agricultural engineering sector Boz; H Dikili;A Uras; J S Murray; K its Impacts in England and Wales. Code). in the UK. These include GPS/ Ucan; M Alderson;T Stephens; N Friends of the Earth. MAFF (1999). Controlling Soil precision guidance Stuart-Menteath; E Lawton; S Elçi; S Govers, G.;Vandaele, K.; Erosion. A Manual for the technologies, knowing where Arslan; Chen Ying Yu; R Gundogan; Desmet, P.; Poesen, J.; Bunte, Assessment and Management of wheels have been after surface O Görücü; D Marsh; M Kizilsimsek; K. (1994). The role of tillage in soil Agricultural Land at Risk of Water scuffing, and field layout. In M Colkesen; and the farming redistribution on hillslopes. Erosion in Lowland England. MAFF, addition, other technologies are communities who helped in all the European Journal of Soil Science, London. tied ridge systems, minimum countries that contributed. 45, 469 – 478. Murphy C. P. (1986).Thin Section tillage, technologies that References Hall, N.W. (1982). Measurement Preparation of Soils and Sediments. improve timeliness, and Alakkuku, L.;Weisskopf P.; of differences in soil colour resulting AB Academic Publishers, technologies that allow the Chamen W.C.T.;Tijink F.G. from tillage and their relationship Hertfordshire potential erosion caused by J.; van der Linden J. P.; Pires to calcium carbonate, organic Quine,T.A.; Govers, G.; Poesen, growing potatoes, maize or S.; Sommer C.; Spoor G. matter and the length of time J.;Walling, D.; van Wesemael vegetables on slopes to be (2003). Prevention strategies for under tillage. Proceedings of 9th B.; Martinez-Fernandez, J. overcome yet still meet cross field traffic-induced subsoil Conference of the International (1999). Fine-earth translocation by compliance requirements. A compaction: a review. Part 1. Soil Tillage Research tillage in stony soils in the 14% reduction in farm worker Machine/soil interactions. Soil and Organisation, Osijek,Yugoslavia. Guadalentin south-east Spain: an numbers is forecast nationally. Tillage Research, 73, 145 – 160. Hall, N.W. (1985). An application of investigation using caesium 134. This together with incentives Alrøe, H. F.;Kristensen, E. S. micromorphology to evaluating the Soil and Tillage Research, 51, 279 towards better timeliness will (2002). Towards a systematic distribution and significance of soil – 301. mean that there are research methodology in erosion by water. Proceedings of Revell, B.; Oglethorpe, D. opportunities for further agriculture. Rethinking the role of the International Working (2003). Decoupling and UK mechanisation and at greater values in science. Agriculture and Meeting on Soil Agriculture: a whole farm approach. speed. Human Values, 19, 3 – 23. Micromorphology,AFES, Paris, p. Harper Adams University Scientists and policy makers Chamen,T.;Alakkuku, L.; Pires, 437 – 444. College and Scottish Agricultural need to evaluate the effect of S.; Sommer, C.; Spoor, G.; Hall, N.W. (1990). Colleges, Edinburgh. cross compliance on soil quality Tijink, F.;Weisskopf, P. (2003). Micromorphology and Schjønning, P.; Elmholt, S.; and communicate effectively Prevention strategies for field traffic- complementary assessments of soil Christensen, B.T. (2004). with each other and farmers in induced subsoil compaction: a structure description and their Editors. Soil Quality Management. order to focus on dynamic review. Part 2. Equipment and field relationships to the length of time CABI,Wallingford, UK and management tools with practices. Soil and Tillage under tillage and calcium carbonate Cambridge, USA. evaluation, review and Research, 73, 161 – 74. contents. Proceedings of the Soil Management Initiative modification to reflect the Dabney, S.M.; Liu, Z.; Lane, M.; International Working Meeting (2002). A guide to Managing Crop societal and intentional Douglas, J.; Zhu, J.; Flanagan on Soil Micromorphology, San Establishment. SMI. dimensions (values and goals). D C. (1999). Landscape benching Antonio,Texas. Developments in Yilmaz, K.; Hall, N.W.; Coscan, from tillage erosion between grass Soil Science, Elsevier, p. 53-60. P. K . (2003). An evaluation of soil Acknowledgements hedges. Soil and Tillage Research, Jones, R. J.A.; Spoor, G.; compaction on the Narli Plain The opportunity for the authors to 51, 219 – 23. Thomasson,A. J. (2003). irrigation area, Kahramanmaras, express their views (not De Alba, S. (2003). Simulating Vulnerability of subsoils in Europe to eastern Turkey. Soil Science, necessarily their institutions) and long-term soil redistribution compaction: A preliminary analysis. 168(7), 516 – 528.

21 PRODUCTS

DATA LOGGING Big brother Squirrel brings down cost!

The new SQ2040 Squirrel data ters, by simply swapping memo- logger from Grant Instruments ry cards. For convenience and boasts the same technically speed of use the new Squirrel advanced features as its little has been designed to have up to brother the SQ2020, with the six pre-configured programma- added bonus of additional input ble procedures that can be easi- channels and100 Hz sampling ly selected from the logger’s for increased capability. front panel. Procedures can also Featuring up to 16 differential be changed in the field, from the inputs and 32 single ended front panel by an operator, with- inputs the SQ2040 has the out a PC. capacity to log even more The SQ2040 supports Ethernet, parameters at rates of up to landline and GSM wireless com- 100 Hz! Sixteen megabytes of munications providing global on-board memory (capable of access from any site to a cen- taking almost 2 million readings) trally located system for con- along with multiple ADC’s for venient and prompt supply of sub-second logging and concur- data. rent sampling make the new The new SQ2040 also comes Squirrel ideal for use in applica- with SquirrelView, an easy to tions such as manufacturing and use set-up and analysis software process industries, science and package. quality assurance. As well as the 16 differential analogue channels FURTHER DETAILS there are two additional high Kim Smith, Grant voltage inputs that measure 60 V Instruments (Cambridge) DC; useful for automotive appli- weight and easy to use. It can SQ2040 has an easy access Limited, Shepreth, cations where new 42 V battery be used as a standalone data memory slot which accepts Cambridgeshire, SG8. Tel: systems are used. All this at a acquisition system and can be standard MMC (multi-media +44 (0)1763 260811 Fax: much lower cost per channel connected via USB or RS232 card). This allows any operator +44 (0)1763 262410 E- than other similar systems! serial ports for faster download on site to download data or re- mail: [email protected] The SQ2040 is portable, light- of data. For extra mobility the program the logger’s parame- Website: www.grant.co.uk

CROP SPRAYERS Fastrac sprayers retain compact design

Following various changes carried out by JCB to the 3000 series low boom folding height. Fastracs, Knight Farm Machinery has re-designed the sprayers that it To allow for a wider cab on the latest models, Knight has builds for these vehicles, in order to maintain a compact design and increased the width of the back frame on the sprayer so that the booms can still fold close to the sides of the tractor for maximum safety on the move. Generally, sprayers built for the previous Fastracs will not fit the new models, according to Knights but they can be adapted to do so. Standard specification for a Knight Fastrac sprayer includes a 2000 l low profile stainless steel tank, booms from 16 to 24 metres, LASER agitation and the Company’s advanced plumbing system (APS). A version with a 3000 l tank is available for stretched models and optional equipment includes specially designed 800 l or 1000 l front tanks. CONTACT

Knight Farm Machinery Ltd, Wireless Hill, South Luffenham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8NF. Tel: +44 (0)1780 722200 Fax: +44 (0)1780 722201 Website: www.knight-ltd.com

22 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 FLUID CONTROL EQUIPMENT Packaged fluid controls for new bakery dough dosing system One of the UK’s leading bak- tested prior to dispatch. eries has specified fluid control Explaining Burkert’s equipment from Burkert Fluid approach to the project, Control Systems as part of a Industry Applications Manager new automated dosing system Neil Saunders says:“The flexi- designed to add minor fluid bility of our sensor range ingredients to the dough mak- allowed us to specify a num- ing process at the company’s ber of ‘fit for purpose’ flow UK sites. measuring technologies, such The Burkert equipment, as positive displacement and which measures and controls Magflow. This ensured that we the flow of ingredients via a met both the cost and opera- process programmable logic tional objectives of the proj- controller (PLC), was specified ect.” for its extreme accuracy and He adds that significant Burkert’s ability to deliver a training and after sales sup- complete fluid control system port was also included in the packaged in purpose built proposal. stainless steel cabinets. It is expected that a total of fifty cabinets will be installed throughout the UK sites. CONTACT From the initial brief, Burkert project batching line was engineered to exactly managed the installation of the fluid control match the characteristics of the individual Dave Selwyn, Bürkert Fluid Control system from concept to completion which fluid ingredient being processed. Systems, Fluid Control Centre, included supplying full documentation and To ensure that accurate and repeatable Brimscombe Port Business Park, manuals. batches are maintained, the IP66 cabinets are Brimscombe, Stroud, Glos. GL5 2QF. Tel: The sensor and valve technologies were equipped with a combination of process and +44 (0)1453 733020 Fax: +44 (0)1453 selected to meet the requirements of both pneumatic valves, sensors and instrumenta- 731343 E-mail: marketing.uk@burk- hygienic and high viscosity duties and each tion and were fully assembled, wired and ert.com Website: www.burkert.co.uk

COMPANY NEWS Law-Denis expands and grows

A record year for Law-Denis of factory space being added to were completed in 2004 boosting during the year which turned into Engineering, 2004 saw sales up exisiting facilities, to enable serv- the figures. orders in the third quarter and 67% on the previous year. Law- ice to the customers to be main- During the year several con- provided a record order book Denis Engineering manufacture tained. This additional space per- tracts were won which were level for the start of 2005. grain dryers and related equip- mits Law-Denis to build-up sub- associated with milling plants ment in the UK for the home and stantial stocks of dryer compo- including a major plant in the CONTACT export markets. nents, so that delivery times are Middle East which included dry- Law-Denis Engineering “The home market was par- kept to a minimum. ers, cleaning equipment, elevators Limited, Millstream Works, ticularly strong for us”, a In addition to the expansion and conveyors. Station Road,Wickwar, spokesman explained,“With dry- in floor area staff numbers also With 2004 being a year of Worron under Edge, Glos. ers the source of the strength grew expanding design, engineer- the declining dollar, life was made GL12 8NB. Tel:+44 (0)1454 both to farmers and commercial ing and assembly capacity. more difficult in some markets, 299700 Fax: +44 (0)1454 users.” As well as a healthy home forcing marketing efforts in differ- 299701 E-mail: The growth in sales led to an market, export sales continue to ent directions. In many respects, [email protected] expansion in production facilities add significant volumes and this proved to be a bonus as new Website: www.law-denis.com with another 14,000 square feet numerous turnkey drying projects and exciting prospects developed

23 PRODUCTS

CROP SPRAYERS New slant on black grass control

Weeds that are related and structurally a brand new nozzle tip that puts a new ic problems related to weed biology, is the similar to the crops they invade do the slant on grass weed control in cereals. The sensible way forward. greatest damage and are the most difficult Tilt-30 is a 110° Flat Fan nozzle tip that The Tilt-30 inclined nozzle tip should be to control, the classic example being annual inclines spray pattern at 30° to the vertical, used alongside other established techniques grass, black grass in particular, in winter to achieve improved coverage of the slen- to achieve the most cost-effective black cereals. Black grass is the most difficult der and vertically displayed leaf targets on grass control. They include: weed to control and must be hit at the vul- black grass plants at the one to two leaf • ideal spray timing related to stage of nerable one to two leaf stage. However, at stage of growth. The forward facing and weed growth and product used; this stage of growth black grass is very oblique angle of attack ensures more herbi- • sequencing of sprays - pre-drilling, pre- small with upright and narrow leaves which cide is deposited on these ‘hard to hit’ grass emergence and post-emergence sprays - are difficult to impact on and cover when weeds than with conventional 110° flat fan to cope with extended dormancy and spray droplets are released from above. nozzles spraying vertically from above. protracted weed germination over many No other crop-weed situation has What’s more droplet dimensions are at weeks; received more investment in herbicide the fine to medium end of the quality • product selection for different modes of research and development; the most bril- range, now accepted as ideal for optimum action to minimise resistance and utilise liant herbicide is of little coverage of black grass the different chemistry of pre- and post use, if spray droplets do and other annual grass emergence herbicides in a sequence of not land in sufficient num- weeds like ryegrass and sprays. bers on the target weed. wild oat. Like all other The Tilt-30 inclined nozzle tip retails Increasing herbicide resist- Sprays International noz- individually at £3.90 (plus VAT and post & ance is making black grass zles manufactured from packaging) which is a very small price to control even more diffi- high performance polyac- pay for squeezing every last ounce of activi- cult. There is little point etal, the Tilt-30 inclined ty and grass weed control from existing in new herbicide develop- nozzle tip has excellent herbicide chemistry and products. ment without accompany- wear characteristics and ing improvement in appli- chemical stability. FURTHER DETAILS cation technique and spray When faced with diffi- Sprays International Ltd, Unit 5-7, targeting. Selected depo- cult weeds and limited Gallows Industrial Park, Furnace Road, sition of spray droplets is The Tilt-3 inclined nozzle chemical advances, spray Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5EP. E-mail: tip used alongside just as important as selec- established techniques can nozzles and application [email protected] Website: tive herbicide action. achieve the most cost- technique, purposely www.sprays.co.uk Sprays International has effective black grass control designed to deal with specif-

TIMBER MACHINERY Makita log splitter – the wood- burner’s friend The popularity of wood burning stoves requires The all-steel Makita MLS6000 is suitably an increasing log splitting capacity for the pro- robust for full-time splitting but is also fitted ducers and users. For timber merchants the with small diameter rollers to assist manoeu- new Makita MLS6000 hydraulic log splitter vrability. offers a substantial increase in productivity. Both hands have to produce pressure on Horizontal tractor driven beam splitters are the twin control arms for the ram to move and slow and difficult to use. interlock safety cut-outs instantly stop the ram The new Makita vertical ram splitter will movement if just one is relaxed. The ram will handle timber up to 600 mm in diameter and only re-cycle when both arm controls are again up to one metre tall. The dual height bed can under operator pressure. also be set at 600 mm from the splitting wedge to speed production. The wide splitting wedge CONTACT is pulled down onto the log by the hydraulic ram, which delivers six tonnes of force driven Jackie Biggin Media,West Hall, Great by a powerful 2.2 kW 240 V motor. The ram Braxted, Essex CM8 3EP. Tel:+44 (0)1621 travel can be pre-set for faster re-cycling, again 891200 Fax: +44 (0)1621 893546 aiding output.

24 LANDWARDS EARLY SUMMER 2005 COMBINE HARVESTERS Four-wheel drives harvest benefits

rable farmers faced a multitude of One grower, who took advantage of wheel drive to Mr Robson’s combine.“We problems due to the rain during the adding four-wheel drive this year, was delivered it to the dealer one evening and it A2004 harvest. In addition to Northumberland based farmer and was ready to collect by tea time the next interrupted progress, the cumulative rainfall contractor Pip Robson. Mr Robson, who day and was back to work the following meant that, even when the crop did have a farms at Chathill and harvests up to 880 morning,” Mr Robson says. chance to dry out, the ground remained hectares of oilseed rape, barley, wheat and The upgrade involves replacing the too waterlogged to allow combining beans each year, noticed an immediate combine’s existing free-turning rear axle without the risk of getting stuck, serious benefit from the system when it was fitted hubs with two which are hydrostatically rutting or damage to the soil structure. to his CR980 halfway through its second driven. The CR and CX Series combines One group of cereal producers, season. already feature hydrostatic drive to the however, was in a better position than “To be honest I would have probably front axle, so the oil supply is simply redistributed to drive the new back axle hubs as well. Mr Robson describes some of the parcels of land that he harvests as deep and peaty. “The soil goes down for about 3 to 4 m and isn’t very stable,” he says.“And it certainly doesn’t carry machinery very well when it’s wet. “Four-wheel drive kept the combine out of difficulty, but I also used it to spread the power and reduce the damage to the fields,” he says. “The traction comes from all four wheels so the tyres didn’t even break the surface. With so many benefits, the system is a cost-effective option. “I was able to harvest three fields totalling about 40 hectares that I wouldn’t have been able to go near with a two-wheel drive combine. And if it hadn’t dried up a bit towards the end of the harvest, a further 20 hectares would have been in the same situation.” Adding all-wheel drive to his CR980 also improved its performance on hills. New Holland’s CX and CR series combine harvesters offer hugely beneficial four- “There are a couple of slopes that I harvest wheel drive option that I have only been able to cut while going down hill in the past,” Mr Robson others to get onto the land - those with specified four-wheel drive if I had had the says.“With four-wheel drive engaged, I was four-wheel drive combine harvesters. All- chance,” Mr Robson says,“but after my also able to cut going up the hill this year, wheel drive tractors have been around for previous combine was destroyed by fire last making the process much more efficient.” many years but the same feature on year, I bought a CR980 that Lloyds’ Kelso combine harvesters is not as common. branch had been planning to run as a The benefits of New Holland’s upgrade New Holland has offered four-wheel demonstrator. made a big impression on Mr Robson. “If drive as factory-fit option on its CX and “The dry 2003 harvest meant I didn’t people realised the difference it makes, CR Series combine harvesters since they have any problems with the combine, but everyone would use four-wheel drive were launched. Now the benefits of greater one week into the 2004 harvest I had made combines,” he concluded. traction and distributed drive are available up my mind that four-wheel drive was a for customers wishing to upgrade their must. Tracks weren’t really an option FURTHER DETAILS existing CX and CR combine harvesters because we do so much road work.” Website: www.newholland.com with a brand-approved dealer-fit system. It took just one day to retro-fit four-

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