In This Issue... Soil and Water Resilience Recommended Reading People: a Day in the Life Of

@IAgrE

LandwardsThe professional journal for the Institution of Agricultural Engineers

IAgrE Professional Journal www.iagre.org Volume 76, Number 1 - Spring 2021

See iagre.org for the latest information

In this issue... Soil and water resilience Recommended reading People: A day in the life of... Membership matters The importance of mentoring

AGRICULTURE HORTICULTURE FORESTRY ENVIRONMENT AMENITY Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021 TECHNICIAN GRADE NEW ROUTE INTO IAgrE FAMILY

DAIRY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN The Technician grade of IAgrE Membership is for those who are qualified at a vocational or technical level. They may have completed an apprenticeship or extended diploma. Alternatively they may have gathered technical training at work or participation on an IAgrE approved training programme such as Parlour Safe. To qualify, you will be working in industry and will have built up experience and career development in the workplace. You will be keen to be part of the IAgrE family, seeking a cost effective way of getting involved and benefiting from being part of the community of professional engineers.

The IAgrE Technician Grade for Parlour Safe Technicians If you are registered under the Parlour Safe scheme and have attended training courses at Reaseheath or Hartpury Colleges, you are eligible to apply for IAgrE membership and use the letters TIAgrE after your name and on your business card as a way of demonstrating your high standards to your customers and colleagues.

If you have completed the training and assessment at Parlour Safe Category 3 and above, you can also apply to become a professionally registered engineer. This will permit you to use the title of Engineering Technician and join the growing number of engineers who use the letters EngTech as a demonstration of high standards and professionalism.

To apply and find out more: Go to the IAgrE website and complete the Application Form iagre.org/technician. With your completed application form, you will also need to provide a current full and detailed CV which describes your working history and experience. We will need copies of academic certificates and details of education/training. For further information contact Alison: [email protected] or 01234 750 876 Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021

Contents:

Agricultural engineering People - The Douglas Bomford Trust 32 news and views 4 Meet Clare Butler-Ellis 22 How DBT is supporting the Perspectives from the people How agricultural engineering profession and profession chose Clare Profession - From the CEO’s desk 8 Profession - Engineering for food 34 What’s happening in the Institution? The Registered Environmental Dairy technology from farm to plant Practitioner REnvP 24 The President’s view 9 The new qualification in Profession - Standing up for the profession partnership with SocEnv A rapidly changing agriculture 38 How robots are redefining the Biosystems engineering 10 Profession - future of farming A review of some of the latest papers The importance of mentoring 26 A listening ear and good advice Membership matters 42 Practice 12 The latest movements and Soil and water resilience in Book club 28 branch reports the extremes Conservation agriculture and the JCB scrapbook Practice 16 Long-term tillage trial

People - A day in the life of... 18 What Oliver Wood gets up to in his day job

Landwards is published on behalf of the IAgrE by FarmSmart Publishing Limited. Editor – Andy Newbold 01539 620255 [email protected] Design – Ann Newbold, Smart Design and Print [email protected] The views and opinions expressed in individual contributions are not necessarily those of IAgrE or the editor. Landwards is compiled from information received by IAgrE, but no responsibility can be accepted by the Executive, the Publishers or the Editor in respect of errors or omissions. The editor does reserve the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Material from this publication may be quoted or reported on condition that full credit is given to Landwards and to the author together with the date of publication and volume number. In the interest of factual reporting, reference to trade names and proprietary products may be inevitable. No endorsement of the named products or manufacturers is intended and no adverse criticism is implied of similar products which are not mentioned. © The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) ISSN 1363-8300 Company registration no. 648071, Charity no. 257303

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Editor’s Welcome For this leader, whatever the reason, gives you a shot in the arm with the enthusiasm was not felt until some agricultural enthusiasm as we now. What a good job that was. feature some fascinating engineers As initial planning for this edition at various stages of their careers and began, the country’s lockdown was look at the great work being done. tightening, UK Covid vaccination roll-out was just beginning and I want the Institution to be the go-to the daily news stats of deaths and body for everyone working in the hospitalisations were on a sharp land-based engineering sector and upward curve (and we were in the hope this edition gives support and dead of winter). encouragement to move on in your career. And please consider how you Now a couple of months later, virus can help the Institution and your controls and vaccination are having a fellow members. dramatic effect, snowdrops are well out, daffodils are coming, and spring Sometimes one puts things off, often is around the corner. There are Andy Newbold tangible reasons for hope. for a variety of reasons. For the Editor editor, workload, other priorities or perhaps plain old procrastination. I trust that reading this Landwards [email protected]

Farmers say poor rural connectivity is leaving them behind

• NFU survey reports persistent feature in the survey as reasons “We have consistently highlighted poor broadband connectivity and why farmers have been left poor mobile signals in rural areas, mobile coverage is hampering frustrated over the past 12 months by which put farmers at risk and prohibit business growth in rural areas slow broadband speeds and lack of the adoption of new technologies mobile signals, a situation exacerbated which have much to offer the sector • The NFU renewing its call to by the global pandemic. and how we produce food. The both government and the current pace of change is just too telecommunications industry to NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts slow and, with the introduction of tackle lack of rural connectivity said: “For too long, those living and 5G and fibre broadband technology as a priority working in the countryside have been in cities, the gap between urban and dealt a poor hand when it comes rural areas continues to widen. As the More than four in 10 farmers still to digital connectivity; waiting for Public Accounts Committee recently don’t have adequate fast and reliable improvements which never seem to highlighted, people living in rural broadband in order to run a modern arrive. It is completely unacceptable areas ‘risk being left even further farming business, according to a new that in this digital age we have a behind’ if government fails to raise its NFU survey. The results highlight the two-tier system of haves and have game on rural connectivity. ongoing division between rural and nots – particularly at a time when urban areas, with the potential for communication has become even “We will continue to campaign for essential food production business more important. investment in the country’s digital growth hampered by persistent poor infrastructure so that farm connectivity and mobile coverage in “Modern farming relies on fast and businesses can meet their huge rural areas. reliable internet access, yet as our potential, not only as food producers survey shows, more than four in 10 and custodians of the countryside, Trying to farm more efficiently by farmers feel they still don’t have the but in helping to tackle climate monitoring crops and livestock, connectivity they need to run their change and deliver on our net taking part in virtual business businesses. This comes at a critical zero ambitions.” meetings, online banking and remote time for these businesses when learning as part of home-schooling, all much is changing.

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Demand surges for graduates to commit to a career in fresh produce

Due to a further surge in demand than ever. We placed 50% more procurement, marketing, technical for trainees, Management graduates in the autumn and development and logistics. Development Services (MDS) is demand has increased by 50% The training integrates a Level 5 calling for ambitious graduates, again this spring. leadership and management from both recent and previous years, apprenticeship qualification - to apply for its two-year graduate “This is huge credit to the MDS accredited by the Chartered training programme in the fresh trainees who have shown their true Management Institute and developed produce industry. worth and capability, particularly in with the industry in mind. the past few months when many The MDS graduate training have had to work autonomously from MDS currently has 66 graduates on programme works with some of home. We are always proud of how the scheme – its highest number since the country’s leading agri-food they respond under pressure, which the organisation was founded by three businesses, of all sizes and at various is what they are trained to do. We growers in 1986 - and in the past year stages of the supply chain, including are also delighted that this opening has increased its member companies Barfoots, BASF, Aldi, Adrian Scripps up of further positions will give more from 48 to 60 businesses in the and Riverford Organic Farmers. young people a chance to embrace a agri-food and fresh produce sectors. career in a dynamic, challenging and MDS business development manager, rewarding industry.” MDS placements have not been Kirsty Barden, said: interrupted by the pandemic. Sixty Spanning two years, each MDS per cent of the current trainees are “As the food industry responds to the graduate trainee undertakes working on a flexible arrangement wider pressures of the pandemic, four different six-month with employers, dividing their time Brexit and the economy, member secondments in a wide range of between working from home and companies are looking to take on member companies and roles, on-site; the remaining 40% are more driven and able graduates from harvest management to working in the office full-time.

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Harper Adams research reduces the environmental impact of milk production by feeding lower protein diets and forage legumes

• Researchers at Harper Adams University have been focussing on reducing nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus from dairy farms

• Of particular interest is reducing nitrogen output by feeding low protein diets

There is considerable public and government interest in lowering the environmental cost and improving the sustainability of milk production. Researchers at Harper Adams University have been addressing this by focussing on areas such as nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus reduction from dairy farms.

One area of particular interest is the reduction in nitrogen output by feeding low protein diets. This is due to the high and volatile cost of purchased feeds, such as soyabean meal, along with their associated environmental costs. The recent Defra Clean Air Strategy (2019) also identified that 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK were from agriculture, with 28% of these due to dairy cattle.

The Harper Adams University researchers have been focussing on home-grown forage legumes such as red clover, lucerne and forage pea silages. These forages are of interest because they are higher in protein than traditional feeds such as grass silage, and therefore require less supplementary protein to be fed. They also have the added benefit of not requiring artificial fertiliser nitrogen as they naturally fix it from the atmosphere. that could end up in watercourses. performance or quality. It also reduced the cost of purchased “Only about 25% of the protein that a “Additionally, most reduction was due soyabean meal by around 1 dairy cow consumes ends up in milk, to less nitrogen in urine which is then penny per litre. but by lowering protein in the diet lost to the environment as ammonia,” to 15% we were able to increase this said Professor Sinclair. “This reduction in purchased feed to 35%,” said Liam Sinclair, professor costs will improve dairy farmers’ of animal science at Harper Adams, This reduction will greatly help dairy profitability, but it is very important leader of the research programme. farmers meet the UK government’s that the diet is properly formulated requirement to reduce ammonia to meet the cows’ requirement for “This is a tremendous improvement emissions by 16% by 2030. The absorbed protein,” added and means that less N is excreted improvement in N use was also Professor Sinclair. achieved without affecting milk

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Notice of Notice is hereby given that the Seventy-fourth Annual General Meeting meeting of the Institution will be held via Zoom on; Tuesday 27 April at 11.00am

Agenda 1. To receive and confirm the minutes of the seventy-third AGM held on 2nd May 2019. 2. To propose as an Ordinary Resolution:

“That the Annual General Meeting authorises the Trustees of the Institution to review members’ subscriptions and to make such adjustment, if any, as may be required with effect from 1 January 2021”. 3. To receive and consider the Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2019. 4. To receive and consider the Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2019. 5. To report on the Council elections for 2020/21 session. 6. To confirm the re-appointment of Landers Accountants Ltd, registered auditors, as reporting accountants and to authorise the Executive to fix their remuneration. NB This is much later than it should be, and the delay has been caused by the Coronavirus restrictions. Notice is also given that the above AGM will be followed by theSeventy-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Institution via Zoom on the same date at approx. 11.15am

Agenda 1. The minutes of the seventy-fourth AGM will be received in 2022 2. To propose as an Ordinary Resolution:

By Order of the Trustees

Charles Nicklin, Chief Executive and Secretary

10th February 2021

NB ALL papers are available on the IAgrE website and hard copies by request – the invitation will be circulated electronically and also is below – please contact [email protected] for details.

Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84753946381

Meeting ID: 847 5394 6381 Passcode: 631632

Join by telephone: +442039017895, 84753946381# * 631632# UK

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keep people Covid-free. Agricultural are now up and running with the From the businesses continue to forge ahead new Registered Environmental eagerly awaiting spring. Leisure, Practitioner (REnvP) grade for the CEO’s desk travel and hospitality industries Society for the Environment, with remain in complete turmoil; I’m our first applicants coming through. sure many will simply not be able We really hope this will appeal to to recover for a significant time. those working in agronomy, forestry, soils, water, etc. Lunchtime The great news is that the vaccine lectures and podcasts are still is being rolled out fast, the Govern- proving popular, we’ve had some ment and NHS are doing a great really great presentations and job with over 15 million completed interviews. If you know any people by mid-February. Where I am left who you think would make good bemused is that only now do we listening, please get in touch. Just seem to be restricting entry into after Christmas we held the first the UK from high risk countries, and meeting of the Executive for 2021 making people properly quarantine. and my first one in this new role. I The big question, which you may was really encouraged and know the answer to when you read really look forward to driving our this, is ’when will we come out of Institution forwards, attracting lockdown?’ new members and improving the membership offer. College quest Spring is on its way I’ve continued my quest to contact Well, this quarter all the colleges and universities Finally, after all the post-Christmas who carry out land-based and ag snow and lots of sharp frosts the has flown past, and engineering education, following ground seems to be drying up really in what feels like an up with student (and staff) well and daffodils appearing in full presentations on IAgrE and my route force. It’s certainly the case in South eternal lockdown! into the industry. Colleges and Cheshire anyway and I’m not allowed universities are also having a tough to go anywhere else! There’s a The big difference time with setting up remote learning certain aroma in the air due to the this time is of course for students, especially difficult ensuing flurry of tractor and muck for practical sessions. Similarly, spreader activity making use of the the children are not manufacturers find themselves frozen ground. Spring is on its way, in school and pubs having to do the same to complete I’m sure everything will start and feel essential technician training. The much better! are shut. educational picture is very different between the many establishments, I was hoping to have been able to some are thriving with healthy Charlie Nicklin C.Eng MIAgrE get out and about, but it’s not been student numbers, others suffering [email protected] possible, and I’ve remained in a through lack of investment and staff world of MS Teams, Zoom, email skills shortages. The fact remains and the phone. I’m sure I don’t that more complex equipment, with need to tell you, these are really larger capital investment and new challenging times. Those who are technologies are not only going to remote working and have young need engineers to design and children have the daily battle of develop equipment and systems, home schooling, and those who but also high-quality professional can’t work remotely have the technicians to commission, service childcare challenge. and repair the same. We all need to do our bit to promote the industry, Covid challenges make it more visible, educate and encourage people into it, whether Business performance in it’s through schools, colleges or different industries is contrasting. social media. Manufacturers seem to have a good forward order bank, but continue to battle to keep production lines At an operational level, the IAgrE running with parts supply issues and team has been busy as always. We

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Presidents Musings

Climate, energy and change

I was interested to listen to Bill and exhibitors need certainty that Going virtual Gates predicting that the challenge their investments are going to give of arresting global climate change them exposure to a good number of We will be holding both the 2020 would make beating the global potential customers. and 2021 IAgrE AGM’s virtually this pandemic seem easy. There is no year and have set the date for April doubt that many capable minds are A sad farewell 27th. In the same vein our ‘2020 and now increasingly focussed on climate 2021 Awards Presentations’ are being change and the level of challenge I, along with many others, was held virtually on the evening of the this presents will need a huge saddened to learn of the recent same day. I would urge you to log engineering resource; that has to be passing of Helmut Claas, long-term in and recognise those individuals good for our community. MD of the Claas group. Claas and JCB, or teams who will be receiving this the company for which I worked for year’s awards. Simply coping with the Increasingly eyes are turning to the many years, have close synergy both demands of 2020 was a significant option of hydrogen as a relatively being privately-owned, employing challenge. To excel in that situation high-density fuel. This, in itself, similar numbers of people and having deserves particular recognition. will produce massive infrastructure similar financial turnovers. Both development if it is to be rolled out companies have exhibited high focus This is the fourth of my ‘President’s to on or off-highway vehicles even in on their respective marketplaces and musings’ which must mean that I am a country of our modest scale. private ownership has given them the approaching the end of my first year Jaguar Landrover’s recent ability to think and act quickly which in office. I don’t suppose any former announcement that all their new has led them both to considerable president has had a stranger year vehicles will be electric powered commercial success. For a while in which to be in the seat than this. from 2025 is a further indication the two companies benefitted from It seems somewhat ironic that as I of the urgency of the quest for joint distribution in some markets in write this piece on Shrove Tuesday, alternatives to fossil fuels. the days before Claas had launched the day when we traditionally think the Xerion tool carrier or acquired of what we are going to give up for Whilst disappointing for many the Renault tractors. Helmut was a Lent, minds are really focussed on the decision to cancel the LAMMA show massive presence in the agricultural return of those things that we have this year was prudent. The cost of engineering industry and will be been forced to give up over the past exhibiting at events like this is high sadly missed. 12 months!

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Biosystems Head to https://www.sciencedirect. The managing editor of Biosystems com/journal/biosystems-engineer- Engineering, Dr Steve Parkin, has Engineering ing to view the full article list of kindly summarised a selection of the latest edition and to find out papers published in the last three more about depth and breadth of issues, which will be of interest to articles accepted for publication. IAgrE members.

Reduced subscriptions are available Biosystems Engineering, owned by the to IAgrE members. Go to https:// IAgrE, and the official scientific journal iagre.org/biosystemsinformation for of EurAgEng, is published monthly details of the preferential rates for with occasional special issues. both paper and electronic versions.

Biosystems Engineering Biosystems Engineering Volume 198, October 2020, Volume 199, November 2020, Pages 304-322 Pages 4-26 Energy, carbon and water footprints on Review Article agricultural machinery A review of measuring, assessing and Edemilson J.Mantoam, Graciele Angnes, mitigating heat stress in dairy cattle Mesfin M. Mekonnen, Thiago L.Romanelli Boyu Ji, Thomas Banhazi, Kristen Perano, Case Industry, Brazil Afshin Ghahramani, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Les Bowtell, Chaoyuan Wang, Baoming Li University of Sao Paulo, Brazil University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Department of Biological and Biosystems Engineering Alabama, USA Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, NY, USA Volume 200, December 2020, Agricultural machinery enables field Pages 55-72 activities and production in large scale. College of Water Resources and Through mechanisation, agriculture Civil Engineering, China Agricultural Lefteris Benos, AvitalBechar, Dionysis requires inputs such as fuel and University, Beijing, China Bochtis indirectly demands materials. Its impact Heat stress is a significant challenge in Centre of Research andTechnology-Hellas can be assessed through energy, water dairy farming. Dairy cows under heat (CERTH), Thessaloniki, Greece and carbon footprints. This study stress will encounter impaired welfare presents environmental indices based on The Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, Israel leading to production losses. As the energy, carbon and water footprints for frequency and magnitude of heat stress Automatically distinguishing weeds from the life cycle of six types of agricultural events increase in the coming decades, the crop plant is a complex problem machinery. The machines studied were a focus on heat stress reduction studies since weeds come in a wide variety of tractors, sugarcane harvesters, coffee becomes important. Modelling and colours, shapes, and sizes, and crop harvesters, sprayers, planters and on-farm experiments have been used foliage is often overlapped or occluded combines. Inputs used directly (assembly to assess the effects of heat stress on by weeds. Current technology, cannot phase) and for the maintenance phase livestock over the last few decades. reliably and effectively perform the were been taken into account. The total Mitigation solutions including optimal differentiation task in such complex energy, carbon and water footprints shed structure, ventilation, feeding scenarios in real-time. A technology were by multiplying the material flows regimes, farm management and genetic to make crop plants machine readable by their respective energy embodiments, selection have all been explored. and reliably distinguishable from weeds consumed water and carbon footprints Until now, the results from different for automatic weed control has been indices. Carbon steel accounted for mathematical models have provided developed. Four different techniques the highest share (30-70%) of energy a variety of heat stress thresholds for have been investigated and developed to demand, 45-79% of carbon footprint on-farm use. In practice, it is still costly make smart crop marking systems such and 19-59% of water footprint. Repair to determine an accurate heat stress as a) systemic markers, b) fluorescent and maintenance accounted for a level in order to identify the mitigation proteins, c) plant labels and d) topical smaller share of all footprints, except requirements. This review summarises markers. Indoor experiments have for the sugarcane harvester. The water previous studies on the effects of heat been conducted for each method. Field footprint was from 21 to 55 m³ for stress on intensively reared dairy cows experiments, using plant labels and the tractors and between 35 and 391 m3 for and different mitigation approaches. topical markers methods, have been other machines. Energy demand varied Robust monitoring systems, big data successfully conducted for real-time between 259 and 685 GJ for tractors analyses and artificial intelligence weed control in tomato and lettuce. The and between 400 and 3500 GJ for other algorithms are needed for the future results demonstrated that robots could machines. The carbon footprint varied development of dynamic, self-calibrating automatically detect and distinguish between 11-30t CO2e for tractors and model-based systems, which could 99.7% of the crop plants with no false between 27-176 tonne [CO2e] for provide real-time assessment and positive errors in dense complex outdoor other machines. minimisation of heat stress. scenes with high weed densities.

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IAgrE’s presence on LinkedIn has changed

IAgrE joined LinkedIn in 2009 and has 520 followers.

In 2018 LinkedIn created Company pages but for IAgrE to change this presence to a company page the original was deleted.

To keep in touch with the IAgrE through LinkedIn please follow the new page:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/71501233/admin/

Save the date - Tuesday 27th April 2021

The IAgrE AGM will take place on-line on; Tuesday 27th April starting at 11am.

The IAgrE awards ceremony will be online; Tuesday 27th April starting at 6.30pm and we hope you will join us.

Wear your glad rags and grab a glass and join us for the IAgrE Awards 2020 & 2021.

At this online event we plan to come together as a community to honour those who have made their mark in Agricultural Engineering. IAgrE likes to recognise excellence and this is our chance to celebrate with our Awardees and thank them for their contribution to our industry.

Please join us for this online event - everyone is welcome but please login to book your place

https://iagre.org/events/Awards20202021

De Lacy Executive have a number of senior and director level roles. You may be a Sales Director at the top of your game De Lacy executive looking for that next new challenge, or a high performing recruitment Sales Manager looking for the next stage of your career. Excellence and integrity in global agricultural recruitment

Get in touch for a confidential chat on01885 483440 or at [email protected]

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Practice: SWMC conference report

The scale of change facing and create opportunities, said stress and dairy cows’ milk yields modern farmers – and some Professor Simon Jeffrey from Harper might drop: Adams University. of the tools and techniques “We might need to change the they can use – were Climate change is currently varieties and animals being farmed. explored in a succession of estimated to be propelling a range of New crops could be grown, including crops, pests and pathogens towards vines, sunflowers, pumpkins and papers at the Soil & Water the north and south by an average of garlic,” he said. Management Centre 2.7 kilometres a year: virtual conference in Some existing crops such as sugar December 2020. “Species either move north or beet might benefit from higher yield south, or they move up towards potential, with the longer growing higher altitudes.” seasons offered by warmer springs Continuing rises in global and autumns. temperatures mean species are This would have an effect both on moving around the world in a cropping and livestock farming with But it could also have negative progression that would pose threats livestock being more prone to heat effects on food security unless there

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Tools to address trials of the future

was a massive change in the species commitments, suggests Becky benefits, as more efficient production grown: Wilson, product manager for the would make the business itself more Farm Carbon Toolkit: sustainable from both environmental “Increased yields depend on the and business standpoints: absence of drought, flood, storm “We are lucky to be one of the few damage and new diseases.” industries that can pull carbon out “Producing efficiently is actually the Existing diseases might also move of the atmosphere and into soils best for carbon production as well,” and become more persistent, he and crops. We can supply carbon she said. suggests, pointing out that liver fluke sequestration and carbon storage.” levels are already rising in Scotland. The first practical step is to identify But for farmers to take advantage of the farm’s existing emissions and Supplying carbon this they need to know how close to assess the carbon status of the soil. sequestration ‘net zero’ their existing operations are and identify any ‘hot spots’ for Consistent sampling was FARMING has a unique carbon emissions. essential. Samples should be chance to help the nation taken on the same date and the meet its environmental Addressing the issue could have dual same location every year.

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Practice: SWMC conference report

The ASSIST E-Planner - can be used to help locate environmental features

And, for ultimate consistency, she suggested analysis should be undertaken by the same Slowing river flows laboratory each time. Permeable log dams are one The best location for method being assessed to environmental features reduce flooding risks in an era of more variable weather. ANOTHER tool – the ASSIST E-Planner – can be used to help locate environmental features. The system These dams are positioned covers two million fields in Britain and across watercourses and above will complement a farmer’s expertise the level of normal winter flow and knowledge of their soils, suggests with no mountings obstructing Professor Richard Pywell from the the normal winter flows, which Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. avoids debris build up, blockages and stream bed erosion. The tool assesses a range of different soil quality measures and related issues, such as habitat connectivity and As a result they do not water course proximity. obstruct normal flows, but hold back excess water to It combines all these factors to reduce flooding risks. produce a colour-coded map that identifies the most suitable site for individual features.

Prof Pywell believes the tool will help farmers identify areas that are unproductive or difficult to farm, and then consider which environmental feature might be most appropriate to the location.

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Results suggest that while the plough improves infiltration rates more in early winter, it left the fields more prone to soil erosion.

But in the longer term the sub-soiler, followed by direct drilling, achieved better results because it left earthworm burrows intact which helped improve infiltration rates.

However, results are not consistent, Chris Stoate he added, and more research is Dick Godwin required to understand fully how Improve soils buffering capacity infiltration rates vary in different meant that they still covered almost circumstances. half the soil surface. Professor Chris Stoate, from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Heavy metal Solutions include switching to Allerton Project, said slowing water controlled traffic systems or movement before it gets to the FARMERS trying to improve soil mounting vehicles on tracks or low watercourse is also essential: structure and reduce water run-off ground pressure tyres. risks face one weighty problem, says “We need free-flowing drains to Professor Dick Godwin from Harper Another option might be to revert keep arable fields workable, and we Adams University. to lighter vehicles, in a way that the need to improve the soil’s buffering university’s Hands Free Farm project capacity before water gets to the The vehicles they now use are some was now show-casing. drains to reduce erosion rates.” 13 times heavier than those in common use in the 1930s: Scottish experience suggests The Allerton Project is exploring controlled traffic could improve the role of deep-rooting grass leys “The pressure which these vehicles silage yields by 13% thanks to to improve organic matter and exert influences the degree of improvements in soil structure and water infiltration rates as part of its compaction and the weight affects not driving over the crop. EU-funded ‘SoilCare’ project. the depth.” Maintaining efficient drainage was Initial results suggest that these work He cited work from Czechia which also important but might not be best when compaction caused by shows that 85% of the soil surface enough, especially if ditches and grazing livestock is minimized. might receive a wheeling in a drains had fallen into disrepair or conventional plough-based crop needed cleaning. On its research and demonstration establishment system. farm at Loddington in Leicestershire, If farmers have problems they should the Allerton Project has examined This reduces to 65% for minimal consider mole draining as well, with whether the plough or low tillage and to 45% for no-till the ‘herring bone’ of fissures created disturbance sub-soilers improved systems. While this represents a beside and above the drain itself infiltration rate more efficiently. major reduction in wheelings, it being as important as the mole itself.

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Practice: Long term soils trial

Soils work for sustainable intensification How to feed the growing population which is estimated to increase by over 2 billion in the next three decades? Since additional expansion into natural habitats, like forests and grasslands should be avoided as it causes numerous adverse effects on global climate and might lead to permanent loss of various habitats and species, the intensification of farming seems to be the solution.

Until now farming has brought a increasing machinery size and weight, we could keep farming to maintain sustained increase in productivity since the increase in axle load and the soil in good condition so it can providing food security around the tyre pressure inevitably leads to soil deliver for future generations? world and paved the way to a green compaction. For many years, tillage revolution in the early post World has been viewed as a measure to Long term trial War 2 years. In the UK between the alleviate soil compaction, at the 1960’s and 2014 cereals productivity same time improving soil aeration To address these issues, a unique increased two-fold. This resulted and water infiltration. However, long-term experiment began in 2011 from machinery innovation, recent studies suggest that at Harper Adams University in fertilisers, crop varieties, cultivation can lead to soil structure Shropshire, UK. This study is agrochemicals and irrigation. degradation, organic matter loss and investigating the effects of three erosion. Ultimately this can lead to contrasting traffic management Economy of scale led to constant re-compaction, since deeper tillage systems on soil managed for three increase in farm machinery power, often requires more subsequent different tillage depths (250mm, and consequently machinery size tractor passes to prepare a seedbed. 100mm and zero tillage) on soil and weight. Recently the productivity Consequently, soil compaction can physical and biological properties, curve has flattened, and crop yields extend to greater depths in the soil and crop yields, explains Dr Paula are not increasing. profile, which may then require Misiewicz, who leads the research further deep tillage such programme. The contrasting traffic Soil degradation as sub-soiling. systems are random (non-controlled) traffic with standard and low tyres A potential reason for this is Does it mean that humanity is pressures (STP and LTP) and controlled degradation of soil resulting from doomed to failure? Is there any way traffic farming (CTF). Magdalena

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This study is investigating the effects of three contrasting traffic management systems on soil

Kaczorowska-Dolowy, responsible for the short-term gains expressed as monitoring the experiment for the crop yield, but also provide past three years says: “Random traffic sustainable soil management so is still the prevailing approach for field that the soil’s ability to deliver operations. Every farmer does his best valuable crop production is not to optimise traffic routes in the field, compromised,” adds Professor but for a typical cereal-based rotation Dick Godwin. it turns out that significant areas of the field are covered by at least one Magdalena, who plans to submit her wheel-pass every year, depending PhD thesis this spring, says: “I was on tillage depth (the results of traffic lucky to inherit the trial after six years studies by the Czech University of of observations. Therefore, I have Life Science show these to be 85%, been able to investigate not only the 65% and 45% for deep tillage with a effects of traffic intensities on soil plough-based system, shallow and properties at different tillage depths, zero-tillage respectively).” but also to include the time factor to my analysis. This has enabled my Controlled traffic research to investigate the effect of different soil management systems In contrast to random traffic CTF is on soil biology and the biological a concept that restricts all vehicle processes that require time to reach equilibrium that cannot be achieved routes in the field to permanent Magdalena Kaczorowska–Dolowy wheelings. This minimises the in short term experimentation.” trafficked area to as little as 30% or even 15% depending on implement width and configuration. This project has been funded by the Douglas “The ultimate goal of this Bomford Trust and The Morley Agricultural experiment is to provide the farming Foundation with technical support and equipment community with practical guidelines from Vaderstad UK, Michelin Manufactur Française on how to manage field traffic for different depths of tillage. These des Pneumatiques and AGCO. guidelines should not only embrace

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People: Oliver Wood

A day in the life of Oliver Wood Working with software engineers, bridging the gaps between tractor and machinery manufacturers, advocating technology to farmers and being within an agronomy business might seem a tall order to some, but to Oliver Wood, it’s all in a day’s work.

His grandfather ran a council farm in local mixed dairy and arable farm. on a farm in Grantham for two years. Nottinghamshire and retired when At 16, Oliver went to Brackenhurst Oliver felt that he wanted to do Oliver was young, but not before he College, Nottinghamshire to study more, but couldn’t because he didn’t had passed on the farming bug. At for a BTEC national diploma in have a degree. This led him to Harper 13 this led to weekend working on a agriculture and then went on to work Adams in 2001 to study for a BSc

18 Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021 Credit: Farming Photography Farming Credit:

A diversity of thinking helps to link agronomists and farmers with the complexities of what machinery is capable of.

Agriculture with Mechanisation, its infancy and specialism was the key with Farm Image, a Kent-based including a placement year with to getting machines to work together. precision farming services business. John Deere. After a couple of years he moved on to This role didn’t work out and with a Straight from Harper Adams, Oliver a territory manager role in the south young family they decided to take a joined John Deere in a new role as east, still with John Deere. This was a different path with Oliver managing crop systems specialist covering the less technical and more general role. north of the UK, specialising in an 800ha oil palm plantation in Papua sprayers, combines and precision In 2011, after three years in the New Guinea on a fixed term. At the farming technologies. territory manager’s role, Oliver end of the contract, they returned wanted to get back closer to to the UK and Oliver took up his role At this stage precision farming was in production agriculture. He took a job with Hutchinsons in 2014.

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software development of the was proven, they developed new Omnia platform. This was built in communications protocols for house from the ground up and is a different manufacturers People: cloud-based precision farming, including Väderstad and Amazone. Oliver Wood nutrient management and mapping The Connect app has been rebuilt platform designed specifically for for the company’s requirements and UK farmers. integrated an API with the Omnia platform so that variable rate plans The services include precision can be wirelessly sent from the office farming and NVZ compliance direct to the field. This has helped The day job services, and soil mapping using to overcome two major issues of gamma-detection TerraMap precision farming, those of data Oliver is the precision technology which uses the SoilOptix scanning transfer and machine connectivity. manager for the agronomists H. L. technology from Canada and the Hutchinson Ltd. Day to day he iPad-based Connect variable rate Stakeholders manages a team that covers the control system for inputs. development, services and Oliver deals directly with machinery associated products of the Omnia With Connect, Oliver and his team manufacturers including Väderstad to precision farming services. took a system that was being used in develop API connections to the Australia and initially tested it with a company’s telematics platforms His responsibilities include number of farmers. Once its concept (currently John Deere and CLAAS).

Crop Growth Screenshot

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Alongside this he is available to as well as pest and disease models. said Oliver. farmers and contractors for sales and service support to ensure that the Key learning products work in the field. On a daily Experience shapes the day job basis Oliver is available to support Working within an agronomy for ag the company’s team of over 200 business and having a machinery, agronomists with Omnia service engineers: activities for their clients, be it over rather than agronomy, background the phone, Zoom, email or – Covid-19 gives Oliver a diversity of thinking allowing – face to face. and really helps to link the needs of agronomists and clients with the All previous experience complexities of what machinery is A job well done can be brought to bear, capable of. moving jobs and

One of the most satisfying parts shifting focus is a of the job is seeing a software Words of encouragement part of professional development project going from development. concept to being used by farmers ‘I have changed direction a number and agronomists. One of the most of times within my career and recent examples would be developing whilst these changes at the time • Don’t be afraid of Omnia Climate module to use were daunting, it has shaped my change weather data to drive crop growth experiences and knowledge,’ • If things don’t work out, move on and do something different

• Think about how to apply that hard-earned experience (pain possibly!) in new situations

• Use your skills and experience to bridge gaps between different disciplines

• Leverage experience to deliver diversity of thinking and perspectives to projects.

Graeme White Crop Growth Screenshot in

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People: Clare Butler-Ellis

How agricultural engineering chose Clare Butler-Ellis Landwards interviewed Clare Butler-Ellis back in January, this is just a taster but you can hear the whole thing on the Landwards Podcast.

Tell us a little bit about your Why did you decide to be an What was your route into the background? agricultural engineer? industry?

There was no farming, let alone I didn’t – I think agricultural Pure chance, really. I wanted to be a agricultural engineering in my engineering decided it wanted me! I mathematical modeller, and ideally background at all – I grew up in the started by doing a physics degree at modelling something that was very tangible and meaningful (unlike my West Midlands; my father was a Leeds University followed by a PhD PhD which was very intangible and, chemical engineer, but I definitely in theoretical physics. with hindsight, a bit pointless). A didn’t want to be an engineer ever!

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Action Network, an NGO in London for a couple of years. Then came back to what was left of the CAG – now Silsoe Spray Applications Unit and took over from Paul Miller when he semi-retired.

How has being a woman affected your career in ag engineering?

Looking back now, I can see that it has been affected more than I realised at the time. Some of it positively, probably – you are definitely more likely to be noticed in a large group of people if you are a woman than if you are yet another white bloke in a suit.

But some of it negatively, mostly in trivial ways, which is why I didn’t recognise it when it was happening. And of course, you cannot live the same life twice, once as a man and once as a woman to see what the difference is!

The Landwards podcast “I started by doing a physics degree at Leeds University followed by a PhD in theoretical physics.” Clare has lots more to say in the podcast. You can listen to the job came up at the National Institute Support Unit, on renewable energy of Agricultural Engineering (NIAE) projects. It was a terrible job, but whole interview and in maths modelling of milking had the silver lining that I met my many others at machines, and I thought I’d give it a husband. So I left and spent a year go until a proper job came along. working for ADAS in Reading at the Farm Buildings Unit. Another http://bit.ly/3pFSzhk Tell us a little more about terrible job, so I only lasted a year your journey following there. I tried to get moved to ADAS at Wrest Park so that I could carry on qualifications? after I got married, but they wouldn’t let me, so I left and managed to blag While maths modelling at NIAE I a job back at what was probably was seconded to the Institute of by then AFRC Engineering, in the Animal Health at Compton, working Chemical Applications Group (CAG). on machine milking and I stayed for When Silsoe Research Institute six years. closed I left again (I keep trying to escape, but I don’t seem able to!) I then went to work for a year at AEA and went to work for the Pesticide Harwell at the Energy Technology

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Profession: Registered Environmental Practitioner

“The launch of REnvP provides individuals with the opportunity to gain professional registration and achieve external verification of their competence.”

The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) launches new qualification in partnership with the Society for the Environment The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) has announced the launch of the Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) registrations in partnership with The Society for the Environment. This is a huge step forward to ensure high standards of professionalism and proven competence are met by those working to enhance and protect the environment across every sector.

“The IAgrE very much welcomes associated technology sectors; the Registered Environmental this new Registered Environmental we hope that professionals in our Practitioner grade is ideal for this,” Practitioner grade of professional industry will apply for registration. said Charlie Nicklin, CEO of IAgrE. registration. This has never been Our industry includes many different more important and relevant for disciplines which need people to Dr Emma Wilcox, CEO of the agricultural engineering and apply a professional approach and Society for the Environment said:

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It is an honour to be the first IAgrE member to be awarded REnvP status, the latest professional recognition from the Society for the Environment. As a professional agricultural engineer working within the sphere of effective and economic machinery management and operation rather than in an environmental setting, REnvP recognises my endeavours to ensure that users appreciate the work that engineers do to ensure environmental and resource sustainability. In an agricultural and land-based setting this covers air, water and soil sustainability. Without these three important elements, there would be no requirement for agricultural engineers. Further more thanks are due to the IAgrE for their work in promoting professionalism for engineers working in the wide-ranging sphere that is agricultural engineering.

Graham Higginson IEng REnvP FIAgrE

IAgrE CEO Charlie Nicklin

Dr Emma Wilcox

“The launch of REnvP is a Given the focus on the environment landmark moment for through the agricultural legislation environmental professionalism, which will come into force in the providing more individuals with the post-Brexit world, together with the opportunity to gain professional government focus on better registration and achieve external verification of their competence.” environmental practices and carbon reduction, IAgrE feels that the • New qualification will “The technology that goes into time has never been better to ensure high standards agriculture and its associated demonstrate to all stakeholders, of professionalism and industries encompasses a wide variety including regulators and consumers, proven competence are of subject areas from precision that we are the professionals that the met by those working farming, agronomy, fertiliser and food supply and associated industries to enhance and protect pesticide application, to the science of deserve. There are many graduates the environment soils, land reclamation, irrigation and in agriculture and environmental • The launch of REnvP drainage. These are all key areas that is a landmark moment need professional people applying management for which this for environmental a professional approach to achieve registration is an important part of professionalism sustainable food production,” their professional development,” added Charlie. Charlie concluded.

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Profession The importance or mentoring

Stuart Goodinson

Nurture people to unleash their potential

Investing in career progression of employees is the key to reduced staff turnover and greater contribution from a team according to Stuart Goodinson, managing director of De Lacy Executive.

“When candidates approach us for minimal cost. He says people In our experience, the cost of losing to help them find a new position, respond well to being shown someone is equivalent to a minimum more often than not the reason they they are valued; that there is of four months of their contribution give for seeking a new job is lack of clear progression as well as the to the business. progression in their current role,” opportunity to develop and grow. he comments. “It’s worth thinking In the current job market, people “When an existing person becomes about this for a minute. Good people are looking especially for security disillusioned, productivity will drop. are moving on because the current and are prepared to devote more You will be short-staffed while you company isn’t investing in them. This energy to their role if they believe it is incredibly short-sighted by the will help their career. find and train up a replacement and employer.” there are costs of recruitment as “When you compare the cost of well. If that same person could be Mr Goodinson suggests that training and mentoring with the motivated to do more, to be more investment in coaching and costs of replacing a team member, it productive and to stay, the benefits mentoring can deliver real benefits should be an easy decision. to the business could be substantial.”

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People respond well to being shown they are valued

It is keen to understand people’s Case study aspirations and then manage these as they develop. For example, the The IAgrE One business which has got this aspect sales director, operations director, mill of people management right in Mr manager, night shift manager and store mentoring Goodinson’s view is Devon animal feed supervisor have all progressed within manufacturer Harpers Feeds which the company to their current roles. scheme won the Supply Trade Employer of the year at this year’s Dairy Industry “Recruitment does not take place in Cream Awards. The firm employs 96 silos but through a more rounded view people across a range of areas including which means many staff will move manufacture, engineering, logistics as across departments as they progress. well as sales. Talent is developed within the team by mentoring and promoting from within “Attracting, developing and retaining wherever possible and online CPD. high calibre staff has been a foundation If you would like some friendly of growth and Harpers has an excellent “For any business looking to build an support with your career, the reputation as an employer and effective team, I would advise starting Institution can help in the maintains an emphasis on people by looking at how people are coached first instance have a look at development. Succession planning is a and mentored as well as assessing how core principle of the recruitment more progression can be provided. The https://iagre.org/mentoring strategy. The company looks for people benefits to the bottom line could be who can develop within the business. considerable,” Mr Goodinson predicts.

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Book Club

With a couple of fairly heavyweight (and timely) volumes on conservation agriculture and a scrapbook charting the development of JCB’s products over the past 75 years there is some decent recommended reading in this edition.

If you have read or written a new or recent book which members will benefit from, please let the editor know.

New two-volume collection on conservation agriculture

Two new books on Conservation Agriculture, edited by Professor Amir Kassam, University of Reading, UK, have been published by Cambridge-based Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is Chapters review the latest ways of optimising CA practices a farming system that promotes research on ways of optimising and their benefits. continuous minimum soil no-till techniques to minimise soil disturbance, maintenance of a disturbance in relation to seeding, Chapters summarise research permanent soil cover and weeding and other operations. on optimising soil management, diversification of plant species. Chapters also review ways to crop nutrition and irrigation, as (FAO, 2020). improve soil health in CA, including well as weed, insect pest and mulch cover, cover crops, rotations disease management. The book also reviews ways of optimising the Advances in Conservation and intercropping. environmental and social benefits Agriculture Volume 1: Systems of adopting CA practices. and Science summarises research Advances in Conservation on key components for successful Agriculture Volume 2: Jules Petty, Professor of Environment Conservation Agriculture (CA). Practice and Benefits reviews and Society, University of Essex, says:

28 Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021 Credit: Jake Freestone Jake Credit:

If you have read or written a new or recent book which members will benefit from, please let the editor know. Advances in Conservation Agriculture

“This is an important, timely and to tropical agriculture and authoritative collection on the rural development. “This edifying book is a values of conservation agriculture compendium of much of worldwide. Great advances have Prof. Kassam is chair of the what we have learnt across been made in recent years over a International Conservation the world about CA... range of approaches and systems to Agriculture Advisory Panel for It will serve as an immensely improve both the productivity of Africa (ICAAP-Africa), member valuable source of reference - agricultural systems and their positive of the European Conservation and inspiration - for all those contributions to ecosystem services Agriculture Federation (ECAF) who are committed to and natural capital.” and vice-chair of the Conservation Agriculture Association for the putting the world’s food Professor Amir Kassam is visit- UK (CA-UK). systems on a truly ing professor at the University of sustainable footing. It is with Reading (UK) and moderator of the Copies of both volumes can be great pleasure, therefore, FAO-hosted Global Platform for obtained from Burleigh Dodds that I can recommend this Conservation Agriculture Science Publishing in print and digital book to you,” Qu Dongyu, Community of Practice (Global formats costing from £150 each. director general, UN Food CA-CoP). He is a Fellow of the Royal and Agriculture Organization. Society of Biology (UK) and has received an OBE for services https://bdspublishing.com

29 Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021 JCB THROUGH THE YEARS 1990 s JCB THROUGH THE YEARS 1991 FASTRAC The JCB Fastrac picked up several awards, including winning the One of JCB’s most innovative products was re- general category for Bookleased to the globalClub market in 1991: the Fastrac new equipment – a genuine high-speed tractor. incorporating With research showing that many agricultural innovative ideas at machines spent a considerable amount of time Stoneleigh’s Royal travelling between farming locations, JCB decid- Agricultural Show. ed to invest £12 million in the development of a suitable alternative to other traditional offerings. Featuring full suspension, the initial Fastrac models were powered by either a 125hp normally aspirated or 145hp turbocharged Perkins diesel engine with all four wheels being driven through 18 forward and six reverse gears. This combination enabled the Fastrac to travel at speeds of up to 45mph while hauling a 14-tonne payload – a unique statistic that introduced new levels of efficiency to the modern farming industry. Launched at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh in

JCB THROUGH THE YEARSJCB THROUGH 1990 s 1991, the new Fastrac impressed many, including the Prince of Wales, who acknowledged the need for such a vehicle when being presented with the opportunity to experience the spectacu- lar machine for himself.

Did you know? In 2007, ‘The Stig’ drove a Fastrac 8250 around the Top Gear Dunsfold track, posting an impressive time of just 2 minutes 57 seconds!

64 JCB Scrapbook JCB Scrapbook 65

New book to mark JCB’s 75th anniversary JCB are an iconic British brand which has grown from a small, dedicated UK engineering and manufacturing operation to a global construction and agricultural machinery giant. This scrapbook charts that path through contemporary photos on the occasion of the company’s 75th anniversary.

The 144-page JCB Scrapbook has just people currently rising through the scrap metal in 1945 to the latest come off the presses. With over 400 colleges and universities, including our award-winning electric mini digger, the photographs - some published for very own JCB Academy. story of JCB is told through a the first time ever - it promises to be remarkable collection of images from a treat for lovers of JCB and its iconic The scrapbook has some beautiful the company’s own archives. machinery. illustrations and period photographs which show the innovations alongside The author, Martin Port has worked as JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “This the people intimately involved. a graphic designer, writer and book, I hope, will act as a celebration photographer since graduating from of the past 75 years: the innovations, Published by Porter Press art college in 1993. He was the art the engineering excellence, and the International and priced at £20, the editor and contributing journalist to achievements of all those who have book is an unabashed celebration Classic & Sports Car for 16 years. made up the wider JCB family from its of one of Great Britain’s greatest inception in 1945. I hope, too, that it engineering names and its The scrapbook can be purchased from will serve as an inspiration for the next remarkable machines. From the generation – those talented young first trailer, produced from post-war www.jcbshop.com for £20.

30 Landwards Spring 2021 Landwards Spring 2021 JCB THROUGH THE YEARS 1990 s JCB THROUGH THE YEARS 1991 FASTRAC The JCB Fastrac picked up several awards, including winning the One of JCB’s most innovative products was re- general category for leased to the global market in 1991: the Fastrac new equipment – a genuine high-speed tractor. incorporating With research showing that many agricultural innovative ideas at machines spent a considerable amount of time Stoneleigh’s Royal travelling between farming locations, JCB decid- Agricultural Show. ed to invest £12 million in the development of a suitable alternative to other traditional offerings. Featuring full suspension, the initial Fastrac models were powered by either a 125hp normally aspirated or 145hp turbocharged Perkins diesel engine with all four wheels being driven through 18 forward and six reverse gears. This combination enabled the Fastrac to travel at speeds of up to 45mph while hauling a 14-tonne payload – a unique statistic that introduced new levels of efficiency to the modern farming industry. Launched at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh in

Did you know? In 2007, ‘The Stig’ drove a Fastrac 8250 around the Top Gear Dunsfold track, posting an impressive time of just 2 minutes 57 seconds!

64 JCB Scrapbook JCB Scrapbook 65

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Professional: The Douglas Bomford Trust

Trustees have held reviews with some interesting new projects for 2021. Spreading roots and new shoots…. Alan Plom, secretary to The Douglas Bomford Trust (DBT) reflects on the spreading roots of the Trust over a ‘virtual’ winter and looks forward to the new shoots of spring…

Over recent months our Trustees world-wide impact is also reflected Grass roots competition have held reviews with research in other DBT-funded PhD projects. teams nearing the end of These range from studies at Cranfield Interviews for this year’s DBT DBT-sponsored PhD projects as into use of polyacrylamide (PAM) Scholarships were also held by Zoom well as ‘start-up’ meetings for spray to mitigate soil splash and - a new experience for our interview some interesting new projects for capping, an in-field soil nitrogen panel members, as well as the 2021. These include projects at diagnostic tool, and irrigation of sugar two universities new to us too: a students. Congratulations to Thomas cane in Malawi. From developing a study using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial system of ‘virtual’ sheep fencing at Bowers, Robert Bryning, Will Vehicles) to monitor the effects of Flittner, Alex Williams and Rhodri Conservation Agriculture on soil Liverpool John Moore’s University, to Williams. We think they will be great erosion (at Worcester), and using LED using image analysis to monitor cows ambassadors for the sector too and lighting to improve crop quality in (at Nottingham). From devising flood vertical farms (at Glasgow). mitigation strategies at Reading to look forward to hearing about their developing a sustainable desalination activities. We also hope we will be The breadth of ‘agricultural plant at Birmingham for application able to meet them all face to face engineering’ and its potential in the Jordan Valley. later in the year.

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Student Membership of IAgrE Sponsored by the Douglas Bomford Trust. We encourage all students on relevant courses to take advantage of membership. Now all IAgrE meetings are online, it is possible to ‘visit’ branches around the country, as well as the regular lunchtime Lectures. Topics covered already vary from aquaculture to safety. With farm safety in mind, DBT is also supporting an MEng student at Bristol University who saw the potential for a sensing device to improve safeguarding of PTO shafts. To help develop the device, DBT’s Chairman Nick August has been showing him the machinery on his farm - virtually, of course!

Old Roots? Meet a Trustee - Dr Paul Miller (FREng CEng CEnv HonFIAgrE) Paul joined IAgrE as a student - in technology. When the Institute his feet firmly under the table by 1968! He is well known to most if closed in 2006, Paul was becoming a Trustee. His breadth and not all readers, having been involved instrumental in setting up the depth of experience in research and in agricultural engineering research Silsoe Spray Application Unit (SSAU), commercial development means he and development throughout his to continue their world-renowned is exceptionally well placed to assess long career and being actively research and consultancy as part the wide range of project proposals involved with IAgrE as well as being of The Arable Group. He has been we receive. He is also able to give the DBT’s secretary since 2010. a visiting professor of Cranfield technical and practical guidance to University and is the author of many PhD students (and their supervisors) Notably, Paul received the European refereed and (international) involved in the cutting-edge research Society of Agricultural Engineers conference papers. and development projects (EurAgEng) ‘Award of Merit for sponsored by the Douglas Bomford Scientific Understanding’ in 2016, for Reflecting this, Paul was also elected Trust at universities around the UK. his ‘major international contribution as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of to the advancement of scientific Engineering in 2016, in recognition A full copy of this report is available understanding in engineering and of his ’outstanding and continuing on the Douglas Bomford Trust related science for the benefit of contributions to the profession’ and website at agriculture, environment, industry being ’one of UK’s finest engineers’. and the rural sector in Europe’, as a The Royal Academy is committed to https://www.dbt.org.uk/news ‘leading agricultural engineer and making the UK a leading nation for expert in all aspects of crop spraying engineering innovation and just and fertiliser application.’ 1,500 engineers (from all engineering disciplines, in both Paul has been working on industry and academia) have agricultural pesticide application received this honour over the past since 1984 and led SRI’s Chemical 40 years. Application Group’s research on spray drift from boom and Paul has been a kingpin of the Trust air-assisted sprayers, nozzle since 2010. When he gave up his performance, dose control and role as technical secretary in 2017, patch spraying. He went on to hold he left ‘very large shoes’ to be filled the senior role of SRI’s director of by his successor. Fortunately, he kept

Can you ‘cut it’ too?

If you are interested in helping the Trust and becoming a Trustee, please contact the Trust’s Secretary Alan Plom, via [email protected] or telephone 07951 527051. Further information about the Trust is available on Twitter @BomfordTrust and LinkedIn.

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Profession: Engineering for food

Engineering for food - dairy technology from farm to plant At the end of February, the IAgrE Engineering for Food dairy technology online event delved into what the future might look like in terms of technology for the dairy sector. Chris McCullough logged on.

On day one Duncan Forbes, head of of four centres set up to deliver the UK percent more food production with dairy at Agri-EPI, outlined his vision government’s agritech strategy. These less environmental impact. for the future of milk production. centres were set up to respond to the Agri-EPI has invested in three dairy global challenge of sustainable food centres, namely Scotland’s Rural A vision production given that world population College, Dumfries; Harper Adams is expected to rise to 9.5 billion people University, Shropshire and Kingshay, Duncan explained that Agri-EPI is one by 2050. This in turn requires 60 to 70 Somerset, where several different

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“If you look after the cows, they will look after you.”

research projects can be carried out. environments, slurry handling welfare and productivity.” technology, cow activity, precision One project is the South West Dairy grazing technology and data usage. “The challenge for innovators is to Development Centre which is integrate their system with others to designed to harness robotic power Look after the dairy cows enable data-driven decisions to and sensor technology. It has state occur, that is the key opportunity for of the art housing but one key “If you look after the cows, they will producers and innovators. More driver works with precision look after you,” said Duncan. “I think importantly, the future dairy farm grazing to optimise cow welfare the dairy farmer of the future is in needs to be an exciting place for and productivity. a really exciting place. Technological people already involved, but also innovation is accelerating and for future generations to attract Duncan presented a detailed growing apace. It’s a massive new blood in a world where we are overview of some of the technology challenge for producers to choose competing with so many being used including robotic milking, the right technology for their other choices.” automated feed systems, controlled businesses to optimise animal

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Profession: Engineering for food

“As far as I’m concerned the future of dairy is one where agri-technology will be key to business resilience enabling more to be produced with less impact.”

The milking detail

GEA Westfalia was the main focus for Wednesday’s discussions when the company’s David Simmons highlighted milking machines and links of machine and teat. David said his interest lies mainly in the process of milking cows and offered a Duncan Forbes, head of dairy at Agri-EPI detailed look at how milk is produced in the udder and extracted from it. an alternating pulsation and milking of a distributer which takes milk to well-stimulated cows. To close, David the inside,” he said. Some interesting facts emerged from focused on the GEA Dairy ProQ the talk. For instance, a cow needs milking parlour which he said was David also delved into the technical 500 litres of blood flowing through the best and most advanced system aspects of separators outlining where her body to produce one litre of milk. in the world. they are predominantly used with the Plus 80% of a cow’s milk is stored three key areas being as a clarifier, a high in the udder in the alveoli which Milk processing skimmer and for bacteria removal, then must contract and press the milk depending on the need. into the ducts in the lower part of the David’s colleague Daniel Bussmann udder so the cow can be milked. followed the journey of milk to He said: “A clarifier is used in milk the next stage and talked about and whey processing steps; also After outlining the basic hardware processing milk focusing on the latest when the milk quality is on the lower required, such as a cluster and centrifugal separation technologies. scale. This could be when the milk vacuum, David moved on to explain has a high somatic cell count or has GEA’s principles for milking. He said: A milk separator is a device that some dirt present. “We aim for smooth non-aggressive removes cream from whole milk. milking that ensures a high level of When whole milk gets inside the ”A skimming separator is mostly used comfort for both operator and cows. bowl, the centrifugal force runs it to produce skimmed milk with a fat Maintaining good teat condition is through the holes of the discs. The content of less than 0.06 percent important as we don’t want teats to milk’s fat globules go to the centre of and producing cream with 30 to 40 pick up bugs due to rough the drum and the skim milk goes to percent fat. skin condition. its outer edge because it’s heavier. “When using to remove bacteria, “We promote healthy udders and “A separator is a ball of stainless normally skim milk is fed to the Low somatic cell counts, reliable and steel rotating inside of a housing at separator. Spores and bacteria are durable equipment and the use of between 4,500rpm and 10,000rpm,” collected in the heavy phase and technology to monitor and manage said David. “Inside the separator we desludged in intervals. the milking process. “It is essential to have segments which support the have a stable parlour operating sedimentation of goods in the milk. “This has tremendous results, and we vacuum to achieve an even flow of are able to reduce the rates by up to milk and air in the milk lines,” he adds. “For the dairy we talk about 98 percent for spores and total plate GEA recommends using low skimming, or taking off the cream count reduction of up to 98 percent,” operating vacuum in the parlour, of the milk. Any separator consists he said.

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Centrifuge Separator

“Food Engineering is a technical multi-disciplinary Organised by the Engineering for Watch again Food and Drink Special Interest profession that deals with Group of the Institution of the system and structures Agricultural Engineers, this was of food, pro-duction a free five-day event, consisting of a series of lunchtime webinars processes as well as exploring the future of dairy physical, (bio)chemical and and discussing key global Dairy biological transformation research topics. processes. It is based on The presentations are available of scientific laws and the IAgrE’s YouTube channel here economical, ecological and social, cultural and https://bit.ly/3kpKVF8 religious norms.”

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Lunchtime lectures

How robots are redefining the future of farming Kit Franklin, principal investigator for the Hands Free Farm, agricultural engineering senior lecturer and a member of the IAgrE Executive, reprised his lecture, first given as part of the New Scientist Live online series last autumn. This is a summary of the IAgrE’s recent lunchtime lecture.

Kit began with changes in society This has been achieved by a There have been significant positives and how they are impacting combination of plant and livestock for the workforce including reduced conventional farming. From 1915 breeding, animal and crop health, hours and improved health and to 2015, the UK population has nutrition developments, and comfort. At the same time there grown from 45 to 65million whilst technological developments has been significant yield and the farming workforce has dropped (ie tractors). productivity gains. However, society from less than 2.4 to 0.6million. still faces the prospect of a growing

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Lighter machines would increase the potential working window and protect soils

population within the context of positioning systems (GPS), auto same principle applies to wider finite resources and climate change. section control (for spraying, sprayer booms and spreader widths application and drilling equipment), for control of inputs. This is reducing Precision farming remote sensing (such as spectral the data quality gathered and the analysis and NDVI) and resolution of inputs applied. vision guidance. The use of technology to observe, measure and understand variation Machines have also become heavier, and deliver inputs accordingly has Mechanisation issues in the drive for productivity, in large enabled crop management to part enabled by wider machines, with transition from whole field, via zoned As machines become wider, their bigger tractors to pull them, the load (partial) field to sub-metre accuracy. resolution has reduced. In the case on the soil has increased. of combines this has reduced the These gains have been delivered accuracy of yield mapping in line Kit made the point that conventional successfully by enabling technologies with the reduced number of passes farming practices can produce soil including high precision global enabled by a wider header. The loading of up to 1875t/ha.

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Lighter machines would increase The project was founded on three the potential working window objectives: Lunchtime and protect soils, with ‘swarms’ of multiple robots replicating the work 1. The world’s first automated lectures rate of an individual tractor and field growing cycle; operator. The operator’s job would be retained as the swarm needs 2. To challenge perceptions and management and smaller field inspire through real-time coverage; vehicles are intrinsically safer. The small robot future? 3. To utilise existing machinery The Hands Free Farm and technologies – an open A paradigm shift in production source approach approach to small robots would This premise of smaller robots led tackle the challenges of ‘heavy Over a couple of harvests the to the Hands Free Farm which project improved field control and metal’ head on. Better machine proved the theory of ‘Automated resolution improves the accuracy of equipment reliability. Remote machines growing the first arable agronomy, inputs, crop husbandry crop monitoring. This would deliver crop remotely, without operators a marginal gain while reduced and and harvest were all achieved with in the driving seats or agronomists some impressive results from off the targeted inputs would aid resource on the ground.’ efficiency. shelf existing farm technology.

The economics

On the back of the project a paper entitled The Impact of Swarm Robotics on Arable Farm Size and Structure in the UK was written and published by James Lowenberg-DeBoer, Karl Behrendt, Richard Godwin and Kit Franklin.

This addressed the cost of production of a wheat crop by comparing a typical farm unit and machinery configurations with the results of the Hands Free Farm project. The paper identified that the use of multiple small autonomous machines has the potential to significantly reduce production costs compared to conventional approaches.

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L-R Mike Gutteridge, Jonathan Gill and Kit Franklin from the Hands Free Farm team

The Hands Free Farm Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub, which is also located on the Watch again Started after harvest 2020, the university’s campus. Hands Free Farm is a three-year-long project, run in partnership between The future Harper Adams and Precision Decisions, along with a new The lecture wrapped up by looking partner; the UK division of at some of the UK and global Australian precision agriculture developments in farm robotics. specialist Farmscan AG. Kit discussed some of the wider implications for farming including the The project has just got underway need for skilled fleet managers, how Don’t forget that the and is based at the university’s agronomists will need to engage with Lunchtime Lectures are campus in Shropshire. The remote sensing, the implications for available to watch on the Agricultural Engineering Precision cyber security and the need for rural IAgrE’s youtube channel : Innovation Centre (Agri-EPI Centre) communications infrastructure. are providing the team with https://bit.ly/3kpKVF8 development space and project Thanks to Kit Franklin for taking the management support at their time to give such a fascinating lecture.

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Precision agriculture systems use Membership satellite guidance of field machinery and the assembly of electronic field maps based on information collected matters from crop yield and other field data. The maps become the guide for future seasons’ husbandry and controlled machinery operation.

Northern Ireland The future? Branch Cab-less driverless tractors and other field machines will operate remotely. John Deere Precision The use of electrical power systems Agriculture presentation will be used more on machine drives. Report by Terence Chambers Field management observation using drones will be routine as will The recent online technical automated individual plant spot presentation, by agricultural treatments for row crops. machinery systems technology The ability to improve soil consultant Matthew Gilbert, to the Northern Ireland Branch of IAgrE management, reduce pesticide described how John Deere, as a application, minimise pollution and major machinery manufacturer, protect the natural environment supports its customers in achieving depends on controlling inputs in more efficient field operations an informed way as well as having by the use of precision farming the records to prove it is a welcome technology. Matthew, a 2017 Harper development. The tone of recent Adams agriculture graduate, is now a official press reports of how the technology specialist, with local John criteria for future support of UK Deere dealership Johnston Gilpin. farming will operate is similar. The Precision Farming technology His current role includes introducing customers to the new technology systems, now available and being and providing in-field support to advanced by John Deere and others ensure that they get the best results are timely and well equipped to from its use. It was also interesting support farmers in this process. to hear how he had spent a year working with a specialist team based As always, a good presentation in John Deere’s EU headquarters / resulted in a further lively discussion factory site at Mannheim in Germany, around the topics before our where around 37,000 machines chairman thanked Matthew for his are produced each year. A lot of excellent presentation and wished his work there involved evaluation him well in his career. and development work for a new front-loader range, which is now a popular option for the latest 6M More detail on the John Deere series tractors. products referred to above is available online at John Deere, as a company, is strongly committed to the application of www.johnstongilpin.co.uk precision agriculture technology across its product ranges. Its The full text of this report can be dealerships now routinely encourage read on the IAgrE website. its adoption as a vehicle brand selling point. The technology is now well https://iagre.org/ni-branch-techni- advanced for use throughout the cal-talk-matthew-gilbert wide range of agricultural enterprises from crops to livestock. Matthew Gilbert works for local John Deere dealership Johnston Gilpin.

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Virtual branch meeting Running a modern contracting business Report by Terence Chambers

A recent Zoom online presentation was given by James Townley who, with his father Roy, now runs the 75-year-old contracting business of James D Townley and Son based at the family farm near Ballygowan in County Down.

It provides regular high output precision contract field services to both livestock and arable commercial farm businesses across a service radius of up to 30 miles from base and employs 4 full-time staff as well as other regular machine seasonal operators.

Before joining the family business James studied at Harper Adams University and graduated from there, with his Masters degree in Agricultural Engineering, in 2015.

Placement year experience

As well as the normal academic core engineering and management studies taught at Harper Adams, the curriculum includes a placement year spent working out in the agricultural machinery sector. James spent his year working within the Claas UK dealership network in Yorkshire. This gave him close access to the complete Claas product range, experience as part of a dealership team and direct involvement with field services supporting a wide range of farm customers in the area.

Examples included working as a product sales assistant, preparing and manning sales stands at agricultural shows, assisting with delivery of new combines to customers and working at on-farm demonstration roadshows for the Lexion 780 combine, Xerion 5000 and Axion 800 series tractors.

Experience in the Claas used machinery sector showed the qualified economic benefit of Matthew Gilbert works for local John Deere dealership Johnston Gilpin. planned pre-sale restoration

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of specific machines. Whilst refurbishment of forage harvester pick-up reels is routine more detailed specific machine technical knowledge, of the condition of more complex internal components, is necessary to decide what work can be justified when costing a used harvester for resale.

The full text of this report can be read on the IAgrE website.

https://iagre.org/ni-technical-talk- james-townley

Wrekin Branch JCB World’s Fastest Tractor record attempt Report by Bill Basford

The Wrekin’s first Zoom branch meeting got off to a flying start, literally. We could not have planned for such an exciting, enjoyable evening courtesy of Alex Skittery, project manager for JCB, and of course Guy Martin, the nation’s ‘go for it’ man.

Some of the audience would have seen the TV programme of the attempt and whilst enjoyable it didn’t really take the engineering challenges very far. Alex took us through the initial decisions by JCB to get the project going. He reminded us of the pedigree of JCB always looking at innovation with every product, teamwork to get the job done and yes, a lot of fun along the way. World records are not new to JCB with the Dieselmax car, incidentally pushed to its start by a Fastrac. Given an enthusiastic start from Lord Bamford the project began with his wish – go for 150 mph!

The 8.5t 4220 Fastrac with a 240 Like many of the viewers the one of company’s excavators. This hp engine and max speed around Fastrac 4220 was overweight so 3.5 was massively enhanced with a 43 mph might suggest a poor start tonnes were lost from the tractor fuel pump from a train, injectors – but actually one full of challenges (equivalent to a Range Rover and a delivering 2.7 l/min and considerable including virtual wind tunnel testing, Mini) by removing unnecessary parts, development with the turbocharger, not normally used in their product redesign or choosing alternative e-supercharger and cooling systems design. Alex enthusiastically took us materials. Whilst approximately demanded as a result. A water/ice through videos and stepped us inside 50% of parts were retained from system needed recharging at the end the virtual world of airstreams. the Fastrac the engine was changed of each run attempt – even Tesco’s using the JCB 672 unit found in local supermarket was pressed into

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service for extra ice. Of course, Guy Martin piloted Thanks to Alex and all his team for Tyre development was a serious the Fastrac using a slipping clutch the project, a fascinating evening challenge and BKT supplied a controlled by software and only 2nd emphasising the potential of a great special carcase design for testing, to 5th of the 6-speed gearbox – a team of engineers. The presentation to destruction in one case. This story in itself! Two runs at Elvington can be easily viewed by searching tyre with shaved treads finally aerodrome resulted in a new World the internet for IAgrE – Branch incorporated temperature sensors in Record of 135.19 mph with Lord videos – if you haven’t seen it yet – the tyres linked to a big STOP light in Bamford’s request for 150 mph being find some time! the cab and the challenge was on. satisfied at 153.771 max mph.

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GPS linkage to machines through the and product use and discussed the John Deere Telematics and telematic principle offers another linkage of data collection, storage feature of security or Geofencing and use to many useful ends. Future Artificial Intelligence where criminal activities may be use, development and security all Report by Bill Basford found. The presentation covered featured in the questions raised, all of a very wide sphere of application which can be reviewed through the Jack Howard, product specialist for Precision Ag Technologies joined on Zoom to illustrate the developing and interlinked technologies available across the JD range. His presentation is available on the internet just search IAgrE – Branch Videos or go to the IAgrE web site to access it. Thus, this report may be seen as whetting an appetite for further study.

Jack’s message was certainly one of continual development in sensing, interpretation, and application to benefit the user, owner, dealer and JD development department. Clearly within this some sensitivity was apparent concerning data privacy but assurance was given that the data is not shared without agreements in place. Some 350,000 JD products now are linked by telematics with perhaps 30,000 of any particular product – 7R tractors noted as an example.

Explaining the overall detail, he showed that all machinery performance parameters were now monitored with JD taking confidence in the system and tractor utilisation to a level where they now offer a guaranteed fuel economy deal. This system being linked to all engine settings, performance in task, GPS spatial detail in field and work areas. One example was quoted of a tractor showing 39% of real time at idle – an obvious question mark for ‘why?’ Fuel costs representing the major segment of machine ownership was underlined; thus the importance of such monitoring showed a benefit to offset monitoring system cost as well as work opportunity time. Taking such performance monitoring further allowed dealer and manufacturer to look at Expert Alerts and possible product line improvement. A system of Remote Display Access allows this. Whilst history would identify this as ‘Big Brother’ it clearly offers a significant facility for efficient machine utilisation and identifying potential for downtime early.

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presentation video. developed this powered by a 12hp gearboxes later’ confirmed by a Lawn mower racing Briggs and Stratton L head (460cc photo of several broken or rather single cylinder) engine. This included destroyed examples. Report by Bill Basford a transmission using a standard mower gearbox. When he had As Matthews age and experience IAgrE membership has many benefits finished it had an approximate increased, he could become as peripheral subjects are explored. top speed of 25-30mph with an a senior, the biggest effect of Such was the latest Zoom meeting on approximate cost to his first race of which was to allow him to enter lawn mower racing presented by third £200. However, one of Matthew’s the modified class. He described year engineering student Matthew first problems was not the mower; it and illustrated his approach to Torok. Traditional commentators was that there was no class for him developing his current/modified might suggest – we don’t do that here as a youngster in which to race. The mower (UK Group 4) which is a but I for one was very glad Matthew problem was solved by including Westwood. This when first built had spoke to us so enthusiastically with him in the ladies race - no comment a 15.5hp Intek (700cc V-twin). This a no holds barred description of this from me! He did well and was well had since blown up and replaced off-beat sport. accepted however it seemed that with an 18hp Vanguard (600cc the biggest problem was to complete V-twin). Transmission - Custom Matthew took up the sport in his the race – 30 minutes or 1 hour. T-drive with 25mm solid rear axle. early teens being greatly encouraged Matthew’s massive collection of one Approximate top speed (pulley by his father. He came by a Toro liner comments included ‘several ratio dependant) was 50mph during Wheelhorse mower and gradually

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relating this to the local rivers of Herefordshire especially the River Wye. The word pollution usually implies chemicals or wastes which of course it does and certainly falls within the EA’s responsibilities. Such unwanted commodities within the countryside have been described many times on many platforms but the question of soils run-off in river waters was the main subject covered in this presentation.

Dougal described the use of imagery within the area. Whether increasing rainfall is a result of climate change or not, the effect of increasing intensity of rainfall per unit time - particularly where soils had been compacted - was discussed. Several striking images and videos confirmed the effect races - at the end of the straights! he has also been successful in being with huge, eroded gullies and Approximate cost to first race recognised for his engineering skills flooded roads as a main cause for £1500. His thrill at completing a and abilities. local concern. The relationship of two-hour race was evident to hear soils to developing farming practices even though he apparently had For more interest and fun have a particularly with potato and maize no brakes for the last hour! His look at Mower Madness Facebook growing was challenged. Both now current mount sports a 3-pointed page (The club that Matthew races normally included contract growing star borrowed from somewhere, so with): https://www.facebook.com/ leaving landowners with serious it is definitely a ‘Mowcedes!’ Mowermadness/ issues particularly around the varying contours and light lands One of the negative effects of Zoom Or the BLMRA (British Lawn Mower within Herefordshire. was that we can’t share the laughter Racing Association) website: http:// and fun of the evening, particularly www.blmra.co.uk/ Satellite imagery was shown in use the many short videos taken during to confirm and record issues as well races from Matthew’s helmet, The Zoom recording will be on the as building a forecasting detail of sometimes sideways. Sound effects IAgrE website soon. terrain ‘hotspots’ for pollution from a home-developed silencer peak challenges. Interpretation, were intriguing to say the least. Pollution Reduction and particularly to forecasting, was Natural Flood Management reported as being ever more However, the main message – the use of satellite imagery reliable and the way this could be from the evening was one of a related to specific areas and tremendously enthusiastic young and technology in the work of practices identified. engineer with a can-do attitude the Environment Agency-West and very little money. Now at HAU Midland Group Andrew directed thoughts to that Matthew heavily acknowledged Jenny Gamble, Dougal Ziegler & of flood management and the link his developing understanding of between imagery, mapping and Andrew Osbaldiston the science and technology of his forecasting in relation to flooding. engineering course in supporting his Report by Bill Basford design work. Put another way he All three speakers showed how probably understands more easily Our third Zoom meeting described modern technology was being used why things broke…repeatedly. how much technology is being used by EA to record, understand and in mapping, topography and thus apply lessons learnt to future Beyond all this, Matthew is currently planning in water management. practices and possible controls. A in his placement year applying Jenny introduced us to the work of clear message was that modern CAD skills within engineering the EA managing regulation, practices, whether from arable through to manufacture. He has a pollution, fish farming, navigation, or livestock enterprises, must be developing interest in the classic car conservation and ecology within reviewed beyond yields or output to field supporting entries in events. the UK. In particular, attention was include the various negative effects Alongside his ‘mowing’ successes directed to the work of the group on local rivers and the environment.

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up the South East Midlands Branch of through the college during his the IAgrE. tenure. Examples of their grateful Obituary thanks can be seen in the excerpts Dr Payne moved from Wye College from the two letters written to Dr to the Agricultural Engineering Payne in 2017 and 2018 following Department, Durham University at the ‘50th Anniversary’ reunions Newcastle in 1960, where he was of the early graduating years and appointed lecturer in agricultural signed by the attendees. His family engineering. His time at Newcastle report that he frequently talked was rather short, being invited during about being remembered by his Dr P. C. J. Payne his first year to apply for the post of former students and was very Principal of a new College of proud of the letters of thanks. Dr Peter Payne most widely Agricultural Engineering to be These students, along with remembered as the first principal of located alongside the NIAE in Silsoe. subsequent alumni, forged very the National College of Agricultural substantial careers in industry, Engineering, Silsoe, sadly died in After numerous submissions and academia, government, March 2020 aged 92. consultations within the industry, international agencies and farming - particularly with the IBAE (now but they never forgot and are always Dr Payne graduated with a degree IAgrE), the AEA and the AMTDA proud of their Silsoe roots. in agriculture from Reading (now BAGMA), the Government University and gained an MSc accepted that there was a need to “Silsoe is held in high regard by us (Dunelm) in Agricultural Engineering establish a college for training all and it speaks for itself that we at Kings College, Newcastle. His first personnel in agricultural engineering. are coming together after 50 years post was as a Scientific Officer in the This training would have to embrace to reflect upon our time there. Silsoe Soils Department at the NIAE, latterly not only UK needs but also those equipped us well to face the future Silsoe Research Institute. of international students. As and the wide and varied career paths agricultural engineering was a that followed. At Silsoe he did pioneering work relatively small industry, the in the application of fundamental Government took the decision to It was the skill and efforts of you and soil mechanics principles to the set up a separate National College of your staff that made the NCAE at interaction between cultivation Agricultural Engineering to meet this Silsoe such a rewarding experience tines and the soil. This work need and it was to this college that for us all. In particular we would like showed clearly the influence of tine Dr Payne was appointed Principal in to pay tribute to you personally for geometry on the forces involved 1962. The first cohort of students your dedication and tenacity in and the extent of soil disturbance initially studying at Boreham House, making Silsoe happen and in being under different soil conditions. It near Chelmsford in Essex, courtesy of the success it was.” July 2017 also showed the potential of using the Ford Motor Company, until con- this approach in soil / machinery struction of the NCAE at Silsoe was studies in the future. On the basis complete. Like with everything else, Space only allows this very short of this research, he was awarded a the ‘proof of a pudding lies in the summary of the obituary which can PhD by Reading University. eating’, namely the views and be found in full at thoughts of the thousand students Following his work at the NIAE, he from fifty countries who passed https://iagre.org/dr-peter-c-j-payne took up a lectureship at Wye College in Farm Mechanisation and whilst there, he developed a particular interest in identifying potential careers and training needs in agricultural engineering. Through papers and numerous visits, he brought these to the attention of the industry and young people contemplating their future careers.

Whilst at Wye he became deeply involved in the work of the Institution of British Agricultural Engineers, later to become the IAgrE. He was a member of Council and Chairman of the Papers Committee and later was instrumental in setting

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Henry A D Mr J Tyblewski IEng MIAgrE – Membership Keelagher R A long standing member of the Kelly S Changes McAneney E Institution since 1962 McNulty M (East Midlands) 1/11/20 to 31/01/21 O’Kane C Sheridan O Mr R J Hunter AMIAgE – Wilson G A member of the Institution Cambridge Regional College since 1980 Riordan A (South East Midlands) Admissions Cranfield University Browne T W Mr R G Elrick CEnv MIAgrE – Fellow Roche D A member of the Institution Professor Edwin Ekwue Pathak C since 1999 (Trinidad & Tobago) Selleck L (Scotland) Member University of Nottingham Mr Stuart Aldworth (Herts & Essex) Dunn C Mr R Wells IEng MIAgrE – Mr Matthew Knight(East Midlands) Warwick University A long standing member of the Mr Jeremy Taylor (Scottish) Patel S Institution since 1958. WCG (Moreton Morrell) Mrs Rachel Price (Wrekin) Over 60 years’ service. Savage L Associate Member (Southern) Mr Brian Hourihane (S Eastern) University of Suffolk Tolliday D Mr A Langley MIAgrE – Associate A long standing member of the Royal Agricultural University Institution for 50 years Affiliate Aardweg C C Engr Mohammad B Warraich (Scotland) (Pakistan) Bicton College Mr Robert Handcock Allan F (Southern Ireland) Budgen C Transfers Mr Colin Page (S Eastern) Callaway N Clarke H Technician Clarke-Nisole K Clarkson C Member Students Crabb D Mr N Pigott Dennis V (Ireland) Dyer A Sparsholt College Lockett C S Floyd C Flynn L Associate Member University of Birmingham Mr Alex Mill Nabi A Gweaaup J J Jennings T (S E Midlands) Riseholme College Millman J Sands T W S Mr Jacob Dawson Quick H W Vail J (Herts & Essex) Rosewell G W Duncan A Rosewell J Engr Mohammad B Warraich Gray A Trewern B D (Pakistan) Wakelen H Hunter-Evison H G Lamming W ENGINEERING COUNCIL Marfleet A Young J Re-admission Stacey T Edwards W Member Registrations Burnett J Haigh B CEng Barker J Butcher E C Deaths Dr David Thaemert Hauton L (Herts & Essex)

South West College Omagh We have recently learned of the Cousley L death of the following members and Coyle A we send our condolences to their Gervais P family and friends:

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Easton & Otley College Pallaskenry Agricultural College Academic Easton, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 5DX Co Limerick, Ireland Greenmount College Plumpton College CAFRE, 22 Greenmount Road, Ditchling Road, Lewes, East Sussex, Members Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 4PU BN7 3AE Harper Adams University Reaseheath College Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB Reaseheath, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF Hartpury College and University Berkshire College of Agriculture Gloucester, GL19 3BE Royal Agricultural University Hall Place, Burchetts Green, Cirencester, Gloucester, GL7 6JS Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 6QR Institute of Technology Tralee Clash, Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland Sparsholt College Bishop Burton College Sparsholt, Winchester, SO21 2NF York Road, Bishop Burton, Beverley, Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology, Lincoln University, SRUC – Auchincruive HU17 8QG Lincoln, LN6 7TS Auchincruive Estate, Ayr, KA6 5HW Brooksby Melton College Manchester University University of Manitoba Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, School of Electrical and Electronic Winnipeg, Canada, MB R3T 2N2 Leics, LE13 0HJ Engineering, C39, Sackville Warwickshire College Group Coleg sir Gar Street Building, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3WE Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, Gelli Aur Campus, Llandeilo, CV32 5JE Carmarthenshire, SA32 8NJ Myerscough College Wiltshire College Lackham Cranfield University Bilsbarrow, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0RY Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL SN15 2NY Duchy College Newcastle University Stoke Climsland, Callington, King’s Gate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Cornwall, PL17 8PB NE1 7RU

Briggs Irrigation John Deere Ltd Boyle Road, Corby, Northants, Harby Road, Langar, Commercial NN17 5XU Nottinghamshire, NG13 9HT City and Guilds Marks & Clerk LLP Members 1 Giltspur Street, London, EC1A 9DD 90 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9RA City Farm Systems Ltd Mastenbroek Ltd 25 Hepplewhite Close, High 83 Swineshead Road, Boston, Lincs, Wycombe, Bucks, HP13 6BZ PE21 7JG David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd National Fluid Power Centre Carseview Road, Suttieside, Forfar, Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts, Ace Aquatec Ltd Angus, DD8 3EE S81 7HP 16B City Quay, Camperdown Street, Dundee, DD1 3JA Douglas Bomford Trust Orby Engineering The Bullock Building, University Way, Craigmore Road, Newry, BT35 6JR Agri-EPI Centre Cranfield, Bedford, MK34 0GH 1-4 Bush House Cottages, Edinburgh, Reesink Turfcare UK 1-3 Station Road, St Neots, Technopole, EH26 0BA DSL Systems Adbolton Hall, Adbolton Lane, West Huntingdon, PE19 1QH Agricultural Engineers Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AS PlantTech Research Institute Association (AEA) Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Samuelson House, 62 Forder Way, NFU Energy Services Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8JB Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Shelbourne Reynolds Warwickshire, CV8 2LS Shepherds Grove Ind Estate, Stanton, AGCO Ltd Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2AR Stoneleigh, Abbey Park, Kenilworth, Fullwood Warwickshire, CV8 2TQ Grange Road, Ellesmere, Cheshire, SSAB Swedish Steel Ltd SY12 9DF Narrowboat Way, Hurst Business Alvan Blanch Development Co Park, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, Chelworth, Malmesbury, Househam Sprayers DY5 1UF Wiltshire, SN16 9SG Roughton Moor, Woodhall Spa, Lincs, LN10 6YQ Teagle Ltd Autoguide Equipment Ltd Blackwater,Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8HQ Stockley Road, Hedington, Calne, HSS Hire Wiltshire, SN11 0PS 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, London, TeeJet London Ltd CR4 4TS Headley House, Headley Road, BAGMA Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6UK 225 Bristol Road, Birmingham, JCB B5 7UB Rocester, Staffs, ST14 5JR Witham Oil and Paint Ltd Outer Circle Road, Lincoln, LN10 6YQ

51 “The launch of REnvP is a landmark moment for environmental professionalism, providing more individuals with the opportunity to gain professional registration and achieve external verification of their competence.”

Dr Emma Wilcox Chief Executive Officer of the Society for the Environment Progress your career with REnvP

launched in partnership between the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) and the Society for the Environment is the new grade of Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP).

This is a huge step forward to ensure high standards of professionalism and proven competence are met by those working to enhance and protect the environment across every sector.

This registration is timely and relevant for agricultural engineering and the associated technology sectors and the intention is that professionals in the industry will apply. The industry includes many different disciplines which need people to apply a professional approach and the Registered Environmental Practitioner grade is ideal for this.

Why should I register? • Improve your career and salary prospects • Stand out from the field • Join a network of dedicated professionals • Demonstrate your competence and skills.

Although the standards are high, IAgrE makes the process simple.